Do bras just suck or am I doing something wrong

[Angels1111]

I used to hate bras and ditched them years ago in favour of crop tops like this, or just going braless.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/3pk-seamless-non-wired-crop-tops/p/clp60714603?color=BLACK#intid=pidpg1pip28g2r2c2%7CprodflagplptsQPH56

Recently I injured my shoulder and my physio said that I should at least wear sports bras when exercising. (Edit to add: my shoulder injury was unrelated to bra, or lack thereof, she was just making an observation).
I went to get one and thought while I'm there perhaps I'll go back to bras for everyday wear too. I got properly, thoroughly, measured and tried loads on, bought 2 ....

.... but alas, I still hate wearing them all day :(

When I take it off I feel a sense of relief, my boobs feel sore and I'm so glad there is finally nothing on them anymore. I'm pretty sure I'm wearing the right size, at least according to the lady in the shop. This happens whether I wear wired or non wired. And it's how I felt before no matter how many different things I tried or times I tried to get remeasured. I remember why I gave up on them!

Is this just what bras are like, or am I going wrong somewhere?

I'm a 36F, so not small, but I do find the crop tops do the job.

If you got measured at M & S you were probably fitted with the wrong size.

I hate it when I don't wear a bra because my boobs just seem to get in the way. But I can never find the right fitting bra so I hate both!!!

Another that says could it be the wrong size? I had a fitter tell me my size was totally wrong, then finally after trying on bras relented and said ‘actually it looks like you’re (old size)’. I’ve never found a bra I find anyway comfortable to wear op

Bras totally suck

I wear one when I'm out

I wear one when I'm working out

If I'm just pottering at home, I don't wear one. If I'm running errands and I'm going have a coat on the whole time, I don't wear one.

I actually think sports bras are the most comfortable kind.

Yep. My first thought. M&S fit you in what's in stock and almost always put women in a 36-something.

What clothing size are you, OP?

No bra fits me! A 30c and 32b is too small but a 34a or b is too small and c too big?!
My actual measurements are something like 31 below and 33 across boobs.
I've totally given up!

I think how comfortable they are also depends on your body type. I’ve never had any issues with bras feeling uncomfortable but my body also doesn’t really store fat over my ribcage, so my bras are never pinching, constricting, or sinking into anything. They just stretch around my ribs and sit there. One of my best friends is a similar size but more of an apple shape and she finds them pinchy/uncomfortable, so she’s the “ditch it as soon as you walk through the door” type. I’m not sure if you can really do anything about that though. Maybe one of the ones with the deeper/thicker band?

I’m with you OP. I HATE bras and would gladly never wear one again if it wasn’t for my 32FF post breastfeeding for years spaniels ears. I’m seriously considering a reduction and lift and the primary reason is so I don’t have to wear bras! And yes I’ve been properly measured multiple times. They’re just so uncomfortable and restricting.

@Strangesally20 I was thinking about reduction and lift but it sounds terrifying

I've lost some weight and weirdly, instead of looking fat, I now look like a droopy chest person unless I have quite a fitted bra on - which annoys me!

As a 42 DD with side boobs I find it impossible. Even Rigby & Peller can't fit me. I was wearing thin strap crop tops from Amazon which were super comfy but it was obvious I wasn't wired. However front fastening bras have been a game changer. They fit. They are comfy. I don't feel the need to tip them off when I get home and they leave no marks. https://amzn.eu/d/ikmSZ11 https://amzn.eu/d/f0x50Jn

Due to major accident that led to neck and vascular surgery, I hate most bra underwear no matter what brand. I have a lot of neuropathy along the neck and arm, so anything sticking in me makes it worse. The only game changer is lonsdale, with adjustable straps. I cannot lift my arms up due to nerve damage in left arm, and clawed left hand (thanks to surgery going wrong) and sarcoma removed from right hand (also nerve damage). You can step into these or pull over the head as elastic straps and around the middle. They are heavenly and supportive. Lots of shops offer them. For instance, www.lovellsports.com/products/lonsdale-sports-bra-ladies?variant=55337025929602

I'm a 30hh. Obviously a large breast size, and small back size. I've been up to a 36jj.

Bras have never hurt or been uncomfortable unless in the wrong size.

I agree of measured at m&s it's likely wrong.

I used to get fitted at bravissimo, but since my local one closed I learned to do it myself.

What clothing size are you? M&S are notorious for poor bra fitting.

They suck

I am a 32G with very close boobs. I struggle to find bras with a narrow gore, otherwise they dig into the side of my breast and cause strange overspill.

I have wasted many an hour in specialist bra stores. It’s super frustrating.

What exercise are you doing? I think a good firm crop top style is fine for most things except running and prolonged jumping. I go with the ones marked 'minimiser' as they squish everything down so it doesn't move.

I'm pretty sure my measurements are the same as yours. Try a 30D. People hear D cup and think big boobs. A 30D is not a big size

This is true ... but ... 😬 I used to think there were perfect bras, it was all about getting the right fit and style. Then I got older, softer and saggier.

It is possible to wear the right bra so insouciantly that you forget you have it on - as long as your body's reasonably firm and not too fat. Now I understand why the women in care homes let their boobs tumble freely to waist level, and am letting my own find their way down there!

I used to find bras uncomfortable but i tried different brands and i love HSIA bras. Also try different styles. I love t-shirt bras personally

I’ve paid hundreds for bras. The best I’ve found is George Asda the big cup range. I wear underwires when out and strip off and wear a lose sports bra under my house only clothes when I get in. When I do exercise I wear a decathlon front zip sports bra. I am an E/F cup so going without is not an option for me!

You just have to find the right combination that works for you.

I think bras are quite uncomfortable and we are just conditioned to accept this. Perhaps body shape and boob shape play a part. I'm currently a 38E (independently fitted and measured) and still found bras uncomfortable even when I have been smaller band and cup sizes. French bras have tended to fit me best.

For the last few years I have mainly been wearing non-wired bras. I recently got measured for some underwired bras to give me a better fit under clothes. I have to admit my boobs are nicely lifted and I have a bit of waist, but I still find them very uncomfortable under my boobs and around the central gore. I have found these liners from Amazon have helped relieve the pressure from the wires. I also can't bear the feel of lace anymore and prefer smooth, seam free cups.

Try Body and Bra online. Their bras are so comfy and despite being non wired I feel 5 x better supported despite having a large chest.

Your band size is probably smaller than you think, and your cup size larger.

For example, I'm 5'8, just under 10 stone, size 12 in most tops, and don't have noticeably large breasts (they're there, but not big-looking), and yet I'm a 28E or 30E depending on the brand and the bra style! You really want to make sure the band is snug enough without cutting right through you, as it should be doing most of the work of holding your breasts up - not the straps.

Different breast and body shapes also require different cup shapes - so if you have less fullness at the top of your breasts, balconette might be more well fitting for you than full coverage, for example. And different brands often have different spacing - some are better for wider set breasts, and others for closer set. Always make sure when trying on bras that you bend forward, and scoop all your breast tissue from the side into the cup!

I do agree that going braless is always more comfortable when lounging around though, and after a full day in a bra it can be a relief to take it off!

Have you been properly measured? You’re probably wearing the wrong size. Go to bravissimo for a fitting

I’m with you! I’ve been measured (in different shops producing different results), I must’ve tried on hundreds by now, I’ve tried different styles, sizing up, sizing down and I STILL hate them. They dig into my ribcage, the straps fall off my shoulders, the clasp always sits too high, the cups are always too far apart for me and they look tired and misshapen within a few washes. I’ve just ordered a new one from Boody as my search continues. I’ll report back.