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.

Are you all talking about underwired bras?

Ive tried all sorts of underwired from mega expensive to cheap and not one has been comfortable or supportive even

I have always used non underwire, currently M+S full cup.

Im mainly skin now so holding custard in a bra is not easy, plus I cant have anything that doesnt cover the entire up and halfway up my chest either and they manage that.

I recently bought bras from honelove it’s the first time I’ve worn bras that feel comfy.
you definitely need sports bras for exercise

I’ve sworn off underwires bras, I find non underwire is more comfortable. I’ve tried quite a few different brands and these are my current fave from Next. www.next.co.uk/style/st356749/w34105

I hate them too. I always used to wear underwired ones until I saw my GP about breast pain and she recommended ditching the wires. Tried a few from various places, but I don’t like them much - these days I mostly wear tops with built-in support (Uniqlo do good ones, but their range is limited).

I spotted these the other day, though, and they look quite comfy (also, I think the red is gorgeous!) - has anyone tried them? https://www.victoriassecret.co.uk/style/su780944/h65043

Hmm…. Underwire or padded cup are
absolutely horrible in my personal opinion. But apart from that? I quite like bras. Well, as somebody with similar bra size (although about one cup size larger) as you I (personally) absolutely need them, tbh. But I stick to a few trusted brands, as I’ve been disappointed repeatedly in the past.

With sports bras I absolutely hate the racerback ones, especially if the “x” is fairly high up. They do give great support and lift but I unfortunately get horrible headaches due to the pressure they seem to apply to my upper back!

the bralettes / crop tops are nice to wear around the house imo.

Rigby and Peller is the only fitting service that works for me. You could cough up for one expensive bra there and give up if that's uncomfortable. Bras i buy elsewhere are agony.

Yeah, I can’t wear wired ones anymore. Got big boobs and all the non wired ones suck. In my 50s and need support for the pair of them…. No suggestions just agreeing.

My mother used to own a bespoke tailoring business and some older ladies apparently used to wear their bras over their final layer of underwear (which makes sense when one considers that corsets were worn over shifts, slips etc…).

I have actually tried wearing a thin cotton top (being larger chested) underneath my bra and can confirm that it did help. Switching to properly fitted (and underwire free!) bras made the hack rather redundant for me personally however, but it might help more apple shaped women.🤔

I loathe bras and recently bought some crop top type bras which feel much better- I won’t go back and will burn my bras next bonfire night 🤣

I'm with you, OP, but for the polar opposite. I'm basically flat-chested but can just about fill an A cup, especially now I'm pregnant as my itty-bitties have enlarged ever so slightly. They were so uncomfortable before and provided no support (because there was nothing to support) and now they're far too painful, especially on my nipples. So I'm back to wearing camisoles because they give me modesty and cover my decolletage area. Sure, my nipples might poke through on a cold day, but who cares? Boobs are boobs. Their primary purpose is to feed and provide comfort for babies.

Have you tried a 32C?

Round down an uneven band measurement and 1 cup size for every inch

Yes, they just suck.
When I absolutely have to, I wear nipple covers.
(No kids, no weight issues), so it's acceptable.
I don't think I'd go back to bras any time soon.

What dress size are you op?

I found when I was overweight bras become uncomfortable. Likely as wrong size and my flesh was soft so digging in.

After years of wearing underwired bras I mostly wear Molke bras now - no wires but I find them very supportive and fine for the exercise that I do (walking and weights).

I’m impressed that you could get away with not wearing a bra with 36F boobs! I am a similar size and no way could I manage. Yours must be much perkier than mine.
I would strongly suggest Body & Bra. Their comfort and breathable bras have been a revelation to me.
After a lifetime of pain I finally feel totally comfortable. It’s a nice as not wearing a bra but better as my boobs are supported.

I’ve never found a bra that was as comfortable as not wearing a bra. it’s always something of a relief to take it off. I’m an E-F cup.

But I have found wireless bras that were okay to wear all day.

I think what is comfortable is a very individual thing, and you have to do a lot of trial and error. Sizing too will vary from bra to bra and you may need a slightly different size for a different bra.

I usually look for bra’s marketed as sleep, comfort or lounge bras. I also try and find cotton as I have skin issues too, which makes it harder. A Comfy cotton attractive bra is hard to find.

Currently on rotation I have

Mia sleep bra from Royce (Royce generally are very good) - this is my most comfortable bra
https://www.royce-lingerie.co.uk/comfort-bras/mia/

Organic basics core triangle bralette in L+ (+ is larger cup - very hit and miss whether their sizing works for you)
https://uk.organicbasics.com/collections/womens-bras/products/womens-core-triangle-bralette-black?variant=47229794648404&size=L%2B

boody full cup mesh bra, this one is actually quite pretty! Not cotton but high viscose content so somewhat breathable
https://www.boody.co.uk/products/freemesh-full-bust-wireless-bra-fig

m&s flexifit non wired, this is probably the most supportive of these but synthetic
https://www.marksandspencer.com/flexifit-non-wired-full-cup-bra-a-e/p/clp60439504

All of these I can wear all day without really thinking about it. Still glad to take them off in the evening.

none of these are sports bras, I do have a High impact shock absorber bra, but I’d only wear that for short periods.

I’ve given up on underwires, and find my back pain is much much less since doing so

I’ve given up on fittings. I just take a few bras into the fitting room and experiment. It’s not unusual to be completely different sizes in different bras, even in the same shop.

To answer your question, there shouldn’t be a huge sense of relief taking it off, unless you’re particularly sensitive. But since you wear crop tops instead it doesn’t sound you’re remarkably sensitive so I think you’re wearing the wrong size.

Have you experimented with strap length, and the different clips on the back to extend/reduce the under strap? Not all bras will suit everyone either. Shop around, try things on, wriggle around, wave your arms and jump a bit.

Is that measurement standing or leaning forward?

You sound a similar size to me perhaps. I have small-ish but definitely there breasts. Wear a size 10 in clothes and a 30E bra usually.

My adult DD wears a clothes size 8-10 and a 28D usually which is a noticeably significantly smaller size and she is noticeably narrower and slimmer in the ribs than me.

Im assuming that you are a similar dress size to us with a 33 inch measurement across the fullest part of the bust as a size 10 is 34-35 inches at that point (roughly). If your over bust measurement is below a size 10 in tops I’d not be surprised a 34 band wouldn’t fit you - that’s bigger than your overbust measurement.

I’d start with a 30D if I were you, maybe a stretchy soft one to start with.

Try using the boob or bust calculator to find your bra size.
I'm a size 20/22 and overweight, but wear a 38K bra - Elomi bras are fantastic. I wear the Matilda bras - they even have a clip to stop the straps constantly falling down. I am significantly more comfortable in a bra than not.

Thank you! That's really useful. I measured just standing up straight.
I have really wide shoulders but am quite thin, no waist and short torso. I usually wear a size 8 but some tops/jackets a 10...I think of my breasts as being small and dense, (sadly a wee bit saggy) but not non existent.

I'll definitely give your suggestions a try.

It really is quite a minefield. I'm guessing bras were invented by men?!

It was at Bravissimo! I travelled quite a long way to get there as well, as our local branch had closed. But I don't like the bras I got :(

Maybe contact them for help and explain you aren’t happy with the fit, they do a video consultation which could be helpful.

Not wearing more comfortable than with unless active.

Thank you! I think maybe I haven't for some reason. It felt like the 32 back was kind of tight so maybe disregarded any more cup sizes in a 32. I'll deffo give it a try!

I ended up buying a bunch of bralets in size small. Which at least fit but don't shape your boobs or anything at all! Not very sexy either. 😐 X

The reality is that if you have any sensory issues at all, a bra can be uncomfortable. I'm fine with wearing a bra but I won't lie, I love taking it off at the end of the day. and sometime on a weekend orWFH day I just can't face it and go for a vest of some sort.

I am a size 16 with large breasts. I suspect I should wear a size 36HH or something, but I find that uncomfortable. https://www.marksandspencer.com/mesh-lace-non-wired-full-cup-bra-c-j/p/hbp22525860#intid=myanav_order-details_btn_buy-again I wear these in size 38F as that is comfortable for me, and still supportive.

Thank you! I'm noting this down! Yeah I think D is going to be massive but it's not really on smaller band sizes.

My poor mum has a very wide back, scoliosis, and genuinely small breasts. She needs like a 40 back but the A cups for it are like parachutes! So totally too big in the boobs!