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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be so frustrated with my bras?

113 replies

Elephantina · 31/12/2018 15:57

Last year I tried the "bra intervention" method of measuring, and after years of wearing a 36G found I was more of a 34H or HH. 32J at a push.

So I bought a multitude of different makes of bras in various sizes, shapes and types, and spent a bloody fortune. 50% went back as they didn't fit me at all. Some fit but the wires dug in at the front or under the arms, or the side boning was uncomfortable. Some fit but the straps constantly slip.

After 12 months of trial and error I still have no bras that fit reliably, so I kept the ones that felt most comfortable and bought some clips to hold the bloody straps up, and binned the rest.

I did finally find some nice 2-packs in great colours on Simply Be - the 34H was a touch too small in the cup, so I ordered 6 of the poxy things in the sale, in a 34J. Cup is too big, and it doesn't come in an HH or a 32K.

Bravissimo is expensive, Brastop is alright but I haven't had much luck with the fit really, Simply Be don't have any value packs in my size and I just want some inexpensive bras that are vaguely the right fit!

Any ideas? My bosoms crate a massive shelf about 4 inches wider than my actual ribcage. So fed up with looking so wide.

OP posts:
Bombardier25966 · 31/12/2018 16:48

I've got one of the M&S bralettes, fine for in the house but I wouldn't go out in it. Also I'd imagine your boobs could get pretty sweaty in them, and you have to put it over your head which means they stretch out of shape very quickly.

Fantasie do various styles in bigger cups. Can't recommend a particular style as I like balconies.

Original poster
Elephantina · 31/12/2018 16:52

Aha, the fantasise Alex goes up to a J. Still £32 quid each though. Why cant I buy 2 for £20 at Simply Be or 6 quid each at Asda, waaaaah.

Off to research Freya, I suspect they will create the push forward I want...just need to find out what size to get, as my normal size seems to be too small.

OP posts:
Original poster
Elephantina · 31/12/2018 16:52

*Fantasie

OP posts:
slashlover · 31/12/2018 16:58

34K here, I got measured in Bravissimo and buy stuff in their sale.

monkeysox · 31/12/2018 17:28

Elephantina debenhams and house of fraser quite often have offers on them.

Bluelady · 31/12/2018 17:32

What I want to know is why they bone the sides of bras at all. What useful function does it perform?

HowDoIGetOffTheBus · 31/12/2018 17:32

Take a look at Molke.

monkeysox · 31/12/2018 17:39

Blue lady so you get side support.

hurrythefuckupgeorge · 31/12/2018 17:45

Take a look at the Bravissimo Sateen, it has softer wires than other bras and is very comfy. I used to just rebuy the Freya Deco over and over but this is my new fave as much comfier

hurrythefuckupgeorge · 31/12/2018 17:45

Sorry its spelt Satine

irishe · 31/12/2018 17:46

Ok this isn’t for Op, but M&S (well my local) have got their act together re measuring. They have measured me correctly last couple of times, I know cause I took a screen shot of the bra intervention guidance into the cubicle with me and double checked whilst the measurer got the bras!

Anyway I am currently wearing 38 gg in this lovely non wired number. Its no good for larger than GG though. But thought I would post for anyone else reading. It’s really comfy and gives great cleavage.

www.marksandspencer.com/floral-lace-non-padded-full-cup-bra-dd-gg/p/p60165201?image=SD_02_T33_4786_Y0_X_EC_90&color=BLACK&prevPage=plp&pdpredirect

MrsMoastyToasty · 31/12/2018 17:48

If you are in the south west if England I can recommend an independent retailer called Perfect Fit.

Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 31/12/2018 17:52

You have my sympathy. I'm either a 30hh or 30j depending on the make - little choice at a reasonable price and none of the high streets ever stock my size in store so it's always order online and return tons. M &. S has me in the wrong size for years until I stumbled across the bra intervention threads on here so I went to Debenhams but having lost weight and gone down a band size I'm stuck with ordering online with them.
If more women got fitted properly the high street brands might start stocking a wider range!

HostessTrolley · 31/12/2018 17:53

I bought the m&s fuller bust bralet having read about it here. I’m size 18/38E. It was comfy to star with although not much support or shaping. As the day went on the lace rolled up and dug in. Not for me

I like curvy Kate and have had some success with Asda bras although the latter dont tend to have a great lifespan

PickAChew · 31/12/2018 17:54

You sound a similar shape to me. I have most success with curvy Kate.

UtterlyDesperate · 31/12/2018 17:56

Go for one of the Elomi side support ones, op - I've got boobs that point towards my bum and it gets them pointing in the right way. Their plunges are brilliant, and there's a hook on the back for people whose straps go south. Avoid the full cup ones if you don't want the lift and separate Gorsenia look though.

Or - Charnos: I find they nip a bit compared to Elomi, but they make my boobs look perky and bouncy. They are definitely too free range to be safe for work, but are just the thing when you fancy looking like an underwear model.

(I'm an HH - Panache are OK, but they don't make the plunges in colours any more)

Katinkka · 31/12/2018 17:56

Fantasies side support are amazing. Got mine from next. £40 but worth it.

AuntieGeek · 31/12/2018 18:01

Leia in Lakeside are excellent at measuring and it's worth noting their sizes for makes which makes all the difference for me.

Then I go find the right one on eBay!

Redshoeblueshoe · 31/12/2018 18:01

Irishe thanks for that link, that's what I could do with

AnotherEmma · 31/12/2018 18:05

I don't understand why you haven't just gone to Bravissimo?

Bras in that size are expensive, it's annoying but you have to just suck it up.

If you find one or two bras that fit well in Bravissimo, you can usually find them cheaper online.

But Bravissimo is worth the money. I expect you've wasted a lot of money on bras that don't fit anyway - that's a false economy.

madmum5811 · 31/12/2018 18:06

I know you say bravissimo are expensive, but they last so much longer than the Debenhams and M and S ones I have bought, they do not go slack. I wear non wired most of the time they are much more comfy, bringing out the push me pull you ones for nights out. Non wired do fit me better.

WhataLovelyPear · 31/12/2018 18:10

I know you've said they are expensive, but I went to Bravissimo two years ago and spent a fortune on three bras. All three are going strong, whereas DD's bras from M&S bought roughly the same time are disintegrating, so I'm thinking it's worth the expense in the long run. I had a proper fitting and was very impressed with the fit. I've put on weight which means some additional bulging now, but they are holding up!

WhataLovelyPear · 31/12/2018 18:12

Oh wow madmum you took the words out of my mouth Grin

Wellfuckmeinbothears · 31/12/2018 18:12

Mine are wide spaced, no volume up top and I’m a 36Hor a 34J and I HATE m&s and bravissimo. My current faves are a 2 pack balcony from George at asda in a 36FF. They fit, no armpit bulge and no cup bulge!