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.

A 30D is a small cup. I honestly loved it when I did the boob and bust calculator. Was a bit sceptical about the size at first because I'd always done a 32 back but got a 30D bra off Brastop and couldn't believe how comfortable it felt. Obviously at first it felt tightish but after wearing it a couple of times, breaking it in so to speak, it's so bloody comfy and I love it. It's not a size you see in shops though really so I'd recommend Brastop for online bra shopping 😊

Thanks again. I'll have a look! X

I got measured at a place called Rigby and Peller and have never looked back. My bras are so comfortable from there. They're about £100 each but completely worth it for the comfort, support and the fact I'm always wearing one.

Agree with pp who mentioned wearing bra over vest! Sometimes I get irritated by the back fastening and wear a thin silk knit camisole under my bra. My underboob is 26" and bending over boobs measure 32.5" so I've tried numerous bras over the years. The best one was an underwired Lejaby with a soft cup, 30dd but rather baggy on me. I tried a 28 band but it's really tight and uncomfortable on my bony ribcage. My solution is to never wear tight jumpers...let the boobs fall where they may!

I have similar struggles. Bras with an actual cup size don't fit me at all. But I'm fine in ones that come in generic sizes - small, medium, large etc.

I'd really recommend Sloggi soft adapt bra. I wear an XS and am roughly 28 round my ribs, 30 across my boobs.

Thank you! I'm getting a lot of good tips from here! I'll check it out x

I would also say it is about shape of the bra as well as measurements. I have a shock absorber sports bra and a freya one. I also tried on at least one Bravissimo own brand, which I did not like. I hate the shock absorber, it squishes my boobs into my armpits which makes moving my arms when exercising uncomfortable. The freya pushes them forward and to the center which I find much better. I avoid wired sports bras as they don't tend to be the right wire shape for my boobs.

Former bra fitter here.

Op i would encourage you if you haven’t done so already to go and get a proper fitting somewhere.

By ‘fitting’ i don’t mean just getting measured and then leave. Bras will offen fit you in different sizes because of brands, style and material. Eg a mesh bra will often fit tighter than a cotton bra which has more stretch. So it’s best to have a bra fitter find you some bras and check the fitting of each one.

Sports bras can often come up smaller compared to a size you’re ‘measured’ as.

I used to hate wearing bras, everything was super uncomfortable. Wore a 36/38F. I then lost a ton of weight and started wearing a smaller size (36E/F), but they still really hurt.
Went to Bravissimo and got properly measured…turns out I’m a 32E!!!
I now wear Panache Ana and it’s honestly the comfiest bra I’ve ever worn. I’m not really sure how it all works, but it might be that you’re wearing a size and cup that’s too big, so not supportive (hence the aching?).

Bras are awful. Even the 'good' ones.

If it hurts it’s the wrong size.

I'm with you on the crop tops. I understand why women burned bras in the 60s. They are oppressive and maddening Crop tops should be the default not stupid bras with wires
I say this as an E cup

I think if you are an F cup and more comfortable in a crop top then something is wrong in the bras you are choosing, and probably in your sizing too. I'm a 32GG, and I hate going without a bra as it is so uncomfortable. I only buy Freya underwired bras, as they suit my shape. Shockabsorber non-underwired for exercise.

Buying a bra is like buying clothes - you can't go totally by the size, even if you only buy one brand. I am a 34F in boob-sized swimwear, for example, and can be anything from 30GG to 34F in shockabsorber, depending on style.

Bravissimo have a guide to how to tell whether a bra fits, by how the band and the cups sit on your body.

Get fitted at bravissimo. Total game changer. I've never felt uncomfortable in a bra their fitters have chosen for me. They're not cheap, but all have been long lasting

Sorry! Missed this. I'd call up customer service and explain and I bet they can help

I thought that until I got the right one.

I’m a 34KK and mine are comfortable but it’s definitely about getting the right shape too
I can sleep in mine and not realise

I have sensory issues so mainly live in comfort non-wired bra tops. I don’t wear one at home or in bed.

However, I know I’m wearing a good bra when it’s underwired and yet I barely notice its presence. Very hard to find. Wish I’d stocked up at the time.

I haven't worn underwire bras since covid so find them very comfy now, to the point I can forget I'm wearing one. Am about a 34 f-g so not exactly small chested.

There are lots of very lightweight bras now that pretty much are just crop tops but with bra-like shaping.

If you measured with the lean over method, you’re a 30B and your sister sizes which you should try are:

• 28C (snugger band, bigger cup equivalent)
• 32A (looser band, smaller cup equivalent)

https://www.booborbust.com/bra-measuring-guide/

I think they had the right idea back in the 1950s:

No waistband pinching on this contraption.

Or go back a bit further and look at a corset:

Boobs basically are supported from underneath on a 'shelf' that takes the weight, or just squished in and up. No pinching waistband. Best of all: no shoulder straps digging in.
Corsets were made-to-measure to fit your torso exactly, e.g. at the hips. Off the shelf ones you might buy today are not the same thing.
(The waist-restricting feature is optional).

Probably not helpful.
But modern bras suck by comparison.

Pictures didn't copy?

Thank you! I'm gonna lean forward and measure again. Then try the sizes everyone suggests. X

I had no idea gore was a term in this context. Another pp used it above too. Every day is a school day!