To give up bras for good?

[BleakBetty]

I am sick to death of uncomfortable, painful, pretty damn unnecessary bras especially in this heat!

I have NEVER found a comfortable bra. Ever! And I can't afford a super pricy one either.

So, I've given up! I've worn a bandeau thing for a tiny bit of nipple coverage for the last week and I'm actually loving bra-free life. My boobs aren't particularly large so I figure I can get away with it - although one of my friends thinks it's incredibly odd and suspects I'm a weirdo .

So I'm wondering - AIBU? And have any of you given up with the hassle?!

the broad strp looks more like a teeshirt vest than a bra but I must admit I don't even like them showing so might wear normal bra for the vest top.

The soft bra tops I linked upthread have a thinner strap than a normal bra and the cups start quite low down so look fine under vests and low cut tops.

Today I am completely braless tho as I am pregnant and can't bear anything against me in this weather. I seem to be the only person whose boobs don't grow during pregnancy.

oh it's such pain isn't it

I wear a vest top type bra when out and I'm quite large chested- well a D

has anyone found their chest reduce after coming off hte combined pill? Thing is I don't really want to come off the pill but I do hate having a large chest.

Try bras at PINK by Victoria's Secret. I've had four for a while and didn't realise how amazingly comfortable they were until I got a new one at M&S - agony. I'm going back to PINK.

Thanks MrsKoala. How is the sizing? I'm a size 14/16, or bra size 34GG or 36FF approx. Would Large be ok?

I'm 37 under bust and 41-44 over (depending on weight/bfing) so would normally wear a 36c/d. The large fits me on the smallest catch and there would be stretch for bigger boobs I think. I tighten the straps when I'm smaller and they hold them quite firmly but gently.

That's great, thanks. I've just ordered one in charcoal ... I'll see how it fits, and if it's good I'll order more! Thanks for the tip.

The DKNY bra arrived today ... it's lovely and soft, sadly not big enough and no support at all really I'm just too big with my G cup! I'll try if under a vest top and see how it looks though.

Oh dear, sorry about that. I am small boobed so i really don't need that much support. It must be a total pain in the knackers to need a structured bra. They are soft and lovely tho!

It's crop tops with padded inserts most of the time for me - SO much more comfortable, and I think the shape is actually better than a bra as the band is so deep there's no back (or front) fat bulge. I look for ones with thin straps and not too high at the front. Am a 32/34 D/E and have never found a comfy bra. It's as much about the fabric as the fit, though I find bras too 'strappy' if that makes sense - something with more fabric round the rib cage is much more comfy.

I've been on holiday. Got used to wearing shoestring tops and shirts over. Felt quite "free" and really comfortable, in the heat. Can anyone recommend this type of top with boob support (elasticated)? And will it make my menopausal breasts droopier over time, than wearing a full support "rigging" ?

I've found that the cami tops with built in bra support tend to ride up (the bit that's supposed to be round your waist), so i guess check that bit is long and tight enough depending on your shape. Yoga tops with a vest and/or t shirt on top can give quite a good layered look and still v comfy.

Also I'm a long time minimal support gal and boobs still pretty perky even after bf - I think it's genetics rather than bras which make a real difference (and a bit of lardy padding helps too of course)

Got me some lardy padding....but tending to be on the hips!

most of mine is on my arse, tbh. If my arse padding was on my bust I'd be very well endowed indeed.

Yes just had an op with scar right where bra goes so have been wearing soft sport tops. Lovely. Never wearing a bra again. And work clothes will become less structured to deal with this and I will never be uncomfortable ever again

If I didn't wear a bra I'd have nothing at all to put in my tee-shirt!

But I think it's important to do what you are comfortable with - except that for formal occasions, uncomfortable or not, I would wear a bra personally. I can't imagine that an unchecked bosom, especially if large, would be appropriate at a funeral or a board meeting for instance.

When I was 14 we had an English teacher who had HUGE breasts and went braless. I can always remember one of the lads in the class saying at the end of a lesson "I do wish that woman would control her chest" as he sat with a textbook covering his "groinage".

If there was an non-wired alternative to bras for women with larger breasts then would you buy them? Non-wired, beautiful, great fabric, comfortable and stylish? I think there is a gap in the market for a bra that is supportive for larger breasts but not restrictive and does not have a wire.

So many of us, the first thing we do when we can is remove our bra's. I don't think size should impact if you wear one or not. It's your choice at the end of the day, there's so many contradicting studies that say, wear a bra, don't wear a bra.
You're wearing a bandeau top, I wish they did they in larger sizes. I can't see what the issue is at all. There's so many different breast shapes, I think it's down to luck how they look bra free. I don't believe a lack of bra means your breasts will droop, plus they're still getting support from the bandeau top.

Have those people who find bras so very uncomfy had a "bra intervention"

There are lots of threads about this - which is essentially how to fit a bra using your actual measurements.

For no other part of the body would a major retailer be telling you to add 4-5 inches.

Changing the fit can revolutionise how you get on with bras. And it's a heck of a lot more comfortable.

(bra interventionists are usually found in the 'style and beauty' topic)