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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

...to wonder where I'll buy my bras now?

96 replies

LakieLady · 01/12/2020 09:35

Being amply endowed when it comes to norkage, I struggle to find bras that fit, are comfortable and don't cost a bloody fortune.

For 20-odd years I've been buying Debenhams own brand of big tits bras. They fit (although sizing can be inconsistent between styles), are comfortable (have wide straps which don't dig in) and wash and wear well. And they are bloody reasonably priced for the quality - a pack of 2 t-shirt bras is around £16.

Debenhams is now officially in receivership, so what other retailer does comfy bras for the large of breat at a reasonable price? Bravissimo, Figleaves etc are much more expensive, supermarket bras generally have skinny straps that dig in to my shoulders and M&S bras are really weird in big sizes (they seem to think that big tits cover a larger area of chest, whereas I carry all before me, so an M&S bra that accommodates my boobs has cups that go right round into my armpits).

I'm devastated and think I'll bulk buy every 36G and 36GG on their website while I can.

OP posts:

RaspberryCoulis · 01/12/2020 11:36

Debenhams did tshirt bras with two layers of mesh fabric over the cups. Enough to keep your nipples from sticking out. Not padded. Have struggled to find similar elsewhere without spending ££££.

iwantmyownicecreamvan · 01/12/2020 11:37

I have Miss Mary of Sweden bras - they are more expensive than the Debenhams ones you mention though, about £30-£40, but they do have wide straps. I like the Simplex activity bra - which has a deep band with 5 hooks - and the Broderie anglais one - but I have others and they are all good. Delivery times aren't great though.

sashh · 01/12/2020 11:57

Ladies, try JD Williams.

kwiksavenofrillsusername · 01/12/2020 12:05

@LaurieFairyCake

Mine are the t shirt NON padded in a 34H

I've never even found another T shirt non padded bra.

I got a pack of non padded tshirt bras from Simply Be. They aren't just for plus sizes, they do a huge size range in bras.

BettySundaes · 01/12/2020 14:12

Sad to see the end of Debenhams - I liked the designers ranges - but yes the big boob bra range was excellent even their own brand was very comfortable, good fit and a bargain for the price.

timeforachange33 · 01/12/2020 14:28

I'm 32GG and find that no matter where I buy bras from they only last about 6 months before one of the wires comes out. Curvy Kate bras are really pretty but aren't cheap so having to replace them every 6 months is annoying.

Londonmummy66 · 01/12/2020 14:56

Another vote for brastop they are excellent and you can usually pick up the better brands like Freya, Fantasie and Panache for half the RRP. John Lewis is good too. Rigby & Peller are eye watering but if washed in net bags they last for ever. M&S are a waste of money as the hooks go in days and the wires poke through the fabric in a matter of weeks. Such a shame as they used to be excellent quality.

LaurieFairyCake · 01/12/2020 16:17

kwiksavenofrillsusername

There are no non padded t shirt bras on Simply Be in a 34H - they only go up to a gg

DressingGownofDoom · 01/12/2020 16:22

Molke of course! I never wear anything else.

Popcornismandatory · 01/12/2020 16:48

I've been trying to buy a Molke bra for well over a year now and they never have my size!

DianaT1969 · 01/12/2020 18:03

Posters recommending Bravissimo or Rigby & Peller are missing the point. Their bras are 3 to 4 times more expensive. They might last longer than a Debenhams one, but the OP is used to paying under £10 per bra.
OP, try Pour Moi sale and Bra Stop. Stock up now.

Brefugee · 01/12/2020 18:08

Nobody is missing any point. The point is that if you have large breasts R&P and Bravissimo (who aren't that expensive, about a third of R&P if memory serves) are some of the only places to get bras.

PP mentioned wires coming out? i sew them back in and use a bit of bias binding (hand sew it in) to cover the hole and prevent it happening again. I haven't had any problems with hooks though.

Cleanerdilemma · 01/12/2020 21:37

My wires don’t come out but one invariably snaps after a good while. There is no recovering from that!

lyralalala · 01/12/2020 22:10

I tend to get mine from Yours.

And randomly Very sometimes have similar/the same ones as Simply Be so worth checking if one is out of stock in Simply Be.

Brefugee · 02/12/2020 08:50

My wires don’t come out but one invariably snaps after a good while. There is no recovering from that!

you can actually buy wires to make your own (disclaimer: i haven't looked more closely than seeing them in my local sewing shop, so don't know details of size or price) which may be an option for a favourite bra if that's all that's wrong with it?

do agree with OP though that it is a huge blow if you have finally found a bra supplier that you can trust and afford and BAM! they're gone.

CakeRequired · 02/12/2020 09:15

Nobody is missing any point. The point is that if you have large breasts R&P and Bravissimo (who aren't that expensive, about a third of R&P if memory serves) are some of the only places to get bras.

You are missing the point. OP already said places like bravissimo and figleaves are too expensive, and yet about 10 people have failed to read that.

Don't know where you can get any unfortunately op. The only ones I wear now are sports bras because they are so much more comfy than regular ones, but not sure what the sizing would be like for you as I'm a lot smaller. But they are cheap, I just got them off amazon. Maybe take a look and see if there are any on there. Might even find some regular ones that are good for you. Just be careful that they don't come from China, the sizes will be way off.

HappydaysArehere · 02/12/2020 09:29

Poor old Debenhams. When that goes we won’t have any decent general store in our area. Last year I bought nearly all our Christmas and birthday presents from there. Because we are avoiding the shops as we are elderly we have been buying from Debenhams online and their delivery and service is great. Our Debenhams is always busy so really sad at the unfairness of the situation.

Brefugee · 02/12/2020 09:53

You are missing the point. OP already said places like bravissimo and figleaves are too expensive, and yet about 10 people have failed to read that.

People are saying where they get their bras as well as offering advice. It's almost as if it's a conversation or something.

GrolliffetheDragon · 02/12/2020 10:39

Oh god, I didn't think of bras. I'll miss them. And some of the nicer cakes in their restaurant.

I'm sorry for all the people who will lose their jobs, but as an ex-Debenhams employee I have to say that they were shit to work for.

Justtryinghere · 02/12/2020 11:04

Miss Mary of Sweden. Bought from here as recommended by a friend - amazing! A little on the expensive side but so comfortable, especially for the larger bust. And the straps actually don't fall down!

PicardsFlute · 02/12/2020 11:26

Another Debenhams bra fan here - noooooo! They were the only place I could ever reliably find everyday bras with a small band/large cup size. I’ve had some success with Curvy Kate ones, but they’re more expensive and less comfy. Meh.

CakeRequired · 02/12/2020 15:55

People are saying where they get their bras as well as offering advice. It's almost as if it's a conversation or something.

But why offer your opinion on a shop op has said she's not interested in?

If someone allergic to dairy products asked for recipes on making a cake without dairy products, would you offer a recipe that uses dairy? It's the same thing, it's just showing lack of comprehension.

You can still have the conversation and offer advice on something not relevant, you're really just showing you don't care about the other person, because you're not being helpful.

AnotherEmma · 02/12/2020 16:03

To be fair I buy bras from bravissimo and just own fewer bras, wearing 2 or 3 on rotation, rather than owning more cheap bras. It's worth spending money on good quality bras. I refuse to spend r&p money though!

Once you've worked out your size and which brand/style fits well, you can find bargains online. Boob or bust has a list of DD+ retailers (including online retailers) on their website. Or I just do a Google search for the bra I want.

tectonicplates · 02/12/2020 16:07

I'd just like to point out that even once Debenhams have sold out, they'll be turning up on Ebay for a few years to come. You can set up search alerts on Ebay so they email you every time a new one appears.

Original poster

LakieLady · 02/12/2020 17:01

Thanks everyone.

I did boob & bust a few months ago, and based on that I switched from a 38E to a 36G or H. They are much more comfortable.

I tried an Asda bra, but found the straps really dug in. M&S big bras are really weird, the cups cover such a huge area of my chest that half the cup is actually in my armpit. Brastop has a great range, and the prices aren't too bad, so when my Debenhams bras give up the ghost, I'll give them a try.

I think I'll stock up on Debenhams bras while they're available though. Hopefully if I can buy enough they'll last me till I'm so old I don't care and will just give up on the bloody things.

I swear that if men had tits, bras would be cheaper. They should be vat-free, like sanpro!

OP posts:

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