M&S underwired bras - poor quality

[MelancholyEnchantment]

Am I the only one to find the quality of their underwired bras have gone downhill? In the last 18 months I bought 5 of their bras and on each and every one of them the wire has come through the fabric. Yesterday was so painful as the wire came through and prodded into my boob. I was out at the time and had to keep trying to adjust it but the metal bit kept moving up and it really hurt. It's so annoying as I love the fit and bought a load of matching undies, so I either buy the same ones again knowing that they won't last long or I'm left with unmatched pants ( I have enough of them!).

I have mostly always used M and S for bras and buy t shirt underwired. I've never had this happen.

Do you hand wash or if machine wash use a bra holder bag to ensure they don't get all wrapped up with other clothes ?

I think so too. I had that happen to me once with a markies bra, it was so un comfy I took the wire out and had lopsided boobs. I ended up performing bra surgery with a sharp set of tweezers and took out the other wire out too.

I used to live in their boat neck t shirts. Fabric is really thin now and rubbish. Really disappointing.

I've had that, but the wire usually comes out at one end, so you just push it back in, sew up the hole and the bra is as good as new.

@MelancholyEnchantment

Yes it has happened to me numerous times, very disappointing. Quality and fit not great but I'm a 36 GG so limited for choice. I much preferred Debenhams bras but they closed down in the country I live in. I do buy bikinis on bra stop but haven't bought their bras yet

Yep, has happened to me too OP. I've stopped buying M&S bras for this reason.

I always hand wash. I wear one, have one drying and at least one ready for the next day.

@Lovelysummerdays I've just taken the wires out and tried it on. Feels like they're in a hammock, definitely demoted to a lounge/sleep bra.

I agree the quality has gone downhill, but I've struggled with them keeping their shape rather than underwire issues. I had quite sad boobs these days so prefer padded but they all end up with wrinkles through them so look awful under blouses/ t shirts. They're not cheap either!

I think m&s is hopeless for bras. I would always go to a bra boutique for an accurate measurement and buy one excellent bra. Then buy more of the exact bra on ebay etc. Especially important for the big of tit. There's also more to it, ie short with big ones and a small ribcage or tall and broad across the back with small ones. So many variables.

@Cctviswatchingme001 I'm the same size! Being a larger cup size really limits choice, and finding a bra with support that doesn't look like my nanna's is very difficult.

Definitely think their quality has gone downhill. I struggle to find decent bras now - I miss Debenhams!

Try Bravissimo they are great at fitting, and the bras are nice. Elomi, Panache, Freya and Fantasies also great for larger cups.
Have a look on Brastop - they have a mix of brands at great discountdy

What size are you? Might help people recommend, and are you definitely in the right size?

I’ve found this last couple of years, granted I do just put them in the wash rather than hand wash or put in a bag so maybe that’s the issue but I’ve done the same for 30 years before with no issue

How tall are you?

There's a German brand called Rosa Faia (sp?) that do a wonderful bra for the large norked. And if you're short I can't fault any elomi bandless. The bandless is the key because otherwise you just end up drowning in bra material.

Having been diagnosed as a 32g and 5'3" I know a lot about bras 🤣

I stopped buying from M&S when I found out that they let men try on ladies underwear and use the bra fitting rooms. Not a nice thought. They won’t be doing it for the same reasons women do.