To be so frustrated with my bras?

[Elephantina]

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.

I have big knockers and I find fantasie are defo the best for me. I tend to buy the same ones all the time from bravissimo. I use boob or bust to do my own measurements

I use boob or bust website. Changed my entire life in a bra. 38 dd to 36 gg. So much more comfortable.

I really struggled until I went to John Lewis and got myself fitted there. The women who did the fittings were great: very thoughtful, came up with all sorts of suggestions, and made sure that I was not only properly fitted and supported but also (amazingly) comfortable in the bra I ended up with. Which was a Triumph Doreen, a bra without underwires and it's lovely.

M&S measured me as a 38 or 40 DD; JL measured me as a 36K. It's lovely. I don't bulge out under my armpits, or overflow the cups in front, and I don't have nasty underwires sticking in me anywhere.

If you can get yourself to a JL go on a quiet day, and be prepared to spend some time there. It's worth it.

Thanks SirVix!
Interesting about the black dye thing! I'd heard that about 15yrs ago and promptly forgot!

Triumph!!!!!! Especially the minimisers - I swear by them

It's definitely worth a proper fitting session at bravissimo - you want to come away with something good but also having tried lots of brands and cuts so you kniw what to grab when you see sales.

Have you tried anything from Cleo? Some of them give a more upfront shape (Marcie for example) which might suit. In general, plunges will have closer set straps than balconies so I'd recommend trying the bravissimo plunges, they do a couple of different styles.

Polish bras are awesome - waiting for an ewa to arrive - but I'd suggest trying to get a better handle on what styles, shapes and sizes really work before exploring them.

I found the reddit A Bra That Fits to be accurate when it comes to sizing and shape. Bratabase is helpful too.

Curvy Kate non-moulded plunge bras are a fabulous fit if your boobs are close together in front but have wide roots (Lifestyle doesn't work for me, though). I like that they use models who aren't super-skinny and the bras they're modelling actually fit.

If you go to Bravissimo, John Lewis etc to be fitted, you can often buy the same bras more cheaply on eBay or Belle Lingerie. BTW, it's important to put your bra on properly, scooping all your breast tissue into the cup and jiggling the underwire so it's in the right place.

Another vote for either Perfect Fit (in Keynsham) or Bravissimo as really good on fitting. Ime a really good fitter will stare at you for about 10 seconds, occasionally loop a tape measure under your arms and over the top of your chest and then send you to a changing room while they pick out your choices. Anyway, worth every penny, because badly fitted bras are uncomfortable and make you look lumpy. Even if you can only afford one bra, one that fits is pure gold. I daren't get involved in the Ewa Michalak thing for this very reason; I don't know how I'd find one that fitted. Bravissimo will fit you on Skype if you can't make it to a shop. Crazy but true. Good luck.

@SirVixofVixHall that was my experience with rugby and peller.

They sold me some American bra that the band had to be cut and sewn and sent it to me.

I couldn't get into it on my own. It was the biggest waste of money and it had cost me money to travel by train there too.

Polish bras, such as Krisline might work, but they are difficult to find in the UK.
It may be that your shoulders are fairly narrow compared to where the straps need to be, so the idea of any bra being comfortable is an impossible goal.
Elomi is made by the same people as Freya and Fantasie, so you could try more styles or call their customer service team for advice.
Image of a Krisline bra

By the way, Krisline also do swimwear. A good excuse for a trip to Poland to get to the Ewa M shop too 😃

Maybe you need to accept your wide chest, OP.

Well fitting underwear is more comfortable & gives you a better body shape which is the foundation of your clothes looking good. Unfortunately larger bras are more expensive as many cheaper retailers don't offer those sizes.

Bravissimo are great. I think worth the extra money to fit you properly. Though I sometimes go there to be measured & buy a couple of bras, then buy the same bras online in whatever colours are on sale