rant about bras

[31133004Taff]

Have done the interventions. Wearing the right size, right style, right everything but still have such a mixed experience. One day my bra can fit like a glove and I am delighted with the world. The next day I am wearing an instrument of torture and my mood plummets. I have to wear the buggers - working in customer service and 34K :(

Am I on my own to have such a mixed experience of this garment / instrument of torture?

I went to try new bras on today as there was a post on here with a link to how to measure yourself properly. Excuse my French but the woman in the shop was an absolute fucking idiot. She actually argued with me in the changing rooms. First she brought me a 32FF, then I asked her to swap a 32E for a 32F as she wouldn't let me do it myself but obviously didn't really want to do it so insisted that the bra I wanted was exactly the same as the one she had just given me, I said no I'm looking for a 32F you gave me a 32FF, then she told me that was the same as the 32E I wanted to swap, "I said what a 32E is exactly the same as a 32F?", She said "well is the one I just gave you to big?", I said "slightly that's why I want to swap it the 32E for the 32F so I can compare it with the 32FF". She stubbled over her words for a while in a pretty pissed off manner and then came back and chucked the 32F at me. No wonder people can't get bras that fit when the staff don't have a clue what they are talking about. I sort of knew which size I was going in for a was just making sure I was getting the best fit.

Was very interested in the Elomi but starts at 36 back and only up to a H. Blast

Houstonbess - absolutely agree. The elastics are shoddy on most bras.

I literally feel your pain - 34gg here. I am getting quite depressed with mine as they are getting less attractive the older I get (now 51). I did read a good article for finding the best bra cut depending on the shape of your breasts but I'm buggered if I can find it now. I know I'm a balcony shape and it has helped with ordering bras online. If it doesn't say balcony, I don't bother. I'll keep googling.

Dragos- Tis a nightmare

And why are they so can expensive? Dh asked me the other day why I don't have a bra drawer like his underwear drawer. I showed him online the prices of a decent bra. His answer.... fuck me! Being a woman is expensive!

@31133004Taff

Will you come back to the thread and tell us how you've got on?

Bras are expensive so you can be a virtual tester!

I'm a similar sort of size (32K ish) at the moment and I can't find anything without wires that remotely works tbh - including Molke. There just isn't enough support in them for me, the fabric bands ends up bunching up and digging in more than wires...not a fan I'm afraid.

I'm currently waiting on some custom feeding bras arriving from Poland!

30ff and live in m&s bralettes at the mo. Just about big enough depending on time of month, sometimes a bit of overspill. Cant wear them with fitted things though as very unflattering but currently also living in baggy jumpers so doesnt really matter.

I got 2 new bras from bravissimo not long ago that seemed to fit at first but within a few hours they hurt so that's not good. I cba with it, such a pain. Please let us know how you get on.

Have u done that thing where you see where your roots are?
Do you need a narrow/wider wire?
Are you wanting a firmer or flexible underwire?

My most comfortable bra - pre pregnancy was a longline Freya. It didn't look that great under clothes in comparison to other bras but it was genuinely so comfy

Hmm I definately wore that Elomi nursing bra when I was a J/K cup. Possibly the sizing is just weird? I think they were marginally small but still better than anything else I found, so it may be worth ordering just in case the fit is OK for you too.

I'm not overly big - DD/E - however only on one side!! The best bras I have found are M&S post surgery bras - they don't have wires and go up to bigger sizes. They have pocketed cups if you need them but otherwise just like a normal bra - but far more comfy IMO!!

I was a 36... But you could easily adjust the hooks to make it smaller if the cups fit.

I find my breast size fluctuates - possibly more now during my wonky perimenopausal cycles than before - to the point I've pretty much given up and gone for the 'all the layers' look most of the time in part to avoid wearing one. The only thing remotely comfortable are, like others have mentioned, the crop top type ones that have no clasps or wires or anything like that.

38K. I can't tell you how many bras I have ordered thinking this is the one then the strap does that twisty thing after 20 minutes? I have a drawer full of unwearable bras.

Hadn’t thought menopause could still cause fluctuations in size.

Have ordered Triumph Doreen; 1360 positive reviews offers a glimmer of hope.

The M&S bras I adapt would be great if the quality of fabrics were better. Some are bliss others a disaster even though I buy the same style. This makes me very miserable.

I absolutely love Bravissimo, so sorry to hear you've not had much luck there. I'm currently 34H and found the Bravissimo pyjama tops with inbuilt bras really comfy - and I reckon you could get away with those in public. Also found the Candy bras on this website really good too when breastfeeding - I think they do non-nursing versions too, you might need to Google a bit more
www.cakematernity.com/nursing-bras/seamless

I'm a big fan of Freya Deco bras - underwired, moulded cups, small back sizes and decent width back band for support (rather than everything relying on the straps). I prefer a moulded cup as I find stitching in a cup irritating. I wear a 30FF/G. Debenhams always seem to have them in stock too, so they aren't too hard to source and you can try them on before you buy.

I've tried all kinds and my favourite cost the least - Asda pack of 2! They only go to g according to the package, sorry bigger ladies but don't dismiss the supermarkets. As they are cheap you can replace more frequently when they loose their sturdiness!

I bought a couple of Asda bras. I binned them after a couple of wears, the shoulder straps were so narrow they really dug in and left deep red marks that were still visible several hours after taking them off.

Another vote for Molke bras here! Comfort & support & all powerful unicorn print (or all sorts of other good designs).

I'm a 44k and thought my underwired bras were comfy until I discovered Molke. Stretchy cotton with uplift - absolutely amazing and gorgeous fabrics.

Thanks! Will give Molke a try.

Really appreciate your feedback. I think any thread that makes suggestions is so useful for the people who read these threads. I’ve noticed Asda bras are mentioned frequently.

But to remind I am 34K and can only wear soft cup. Keep your suggestions coming please.

try not wearing the same bra two days in a row

They are better (for me) with a bit of time to recover in between wears