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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Bra woes!

22 replies

brawoes · 15/04/2011 15:34

Old bras worn out. Went to a specialist shop, (I have large boobies) and was measured. The lady took ages measuring me and advised I go down a back size and up a cup size. Tried on lots of bras and they did feel tight but my old bras were about 3 years old and very stretched and saggy.

I bought 4 new bras at great expense! 2 weeks on and I am struggling with them. They are so tight I can only wear them for about 4/5 hours max. I did try a bigger band size in the shop but the lady showed me that it was a bad fit. It did not feel right at all. These bras do feel really supportive and my boobies are actually sitting where they should be and my clothes fit much better. But they are just soo hard to wear.

Has anybody else had this? Will the bras stretch after wearing and washing? Will I get used to them I feel such a freak!

OP posts:

LadyWithNoManors · 15/04/2011 15:39

I think bras do give a bit after washing and wearing as they advise you to have them on the tightest fitting hooks when trying them on to allow for stretching.
Would it be worth going back and asking them whether you could try some different styles/brands?

Original poster

brawoes · 15/04/2011 15:45

Thanks Lady (love your name). I can not afford to buy any more at the moment and I have worn each of the 4 I bought. I did reject some styles I tried on because they were too tight in the shop. I have 2 of 2 different brands. The lady in the shop said they need to be tight to support my large boobs.

I suppose I am hoping someone will say that they had this and the bras do stretch and I will get used to them!

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hillyhilly · 15/04/2011 15:48

I think you have to choose whether to have properly uplifted and supported boobies looking great under your clothes or saggy, comfy bras.
I know that sounds harsh but if you were properly fitted and got four different bras then it is likely that the discomfort is just you getting used to them, why not wear your nice bras out and about then change into comfy when home for the evening.
Personally I think you'd get used to them and that they are worth sticking with as a properly fitted bra under your clothes will make your clothes look so much better and take pounds off.
That said, a revisit to check the fit wouldn't go amiss, a good shop will not mind at all

Original poster

brawoes · 15/04/2011 15:55

Thanks hillyhilly. You could be right. My clothes look much better, buttons do up without straining on my shirts and my dresses look a bit big now! I can see my waist again, definately slimming! Only downside is that in fitted tops the excess fat is more visible as the bra strap is so tight.

I guess I have been wearing the saggy, badly supportive ones for such a long time I need to get used to the new ones. I am only reluctant to go back as I did try a bigger bra in the shop and the lady said I needed to go tighter to fit properly. The fit was better on the tighter bra. They just feel so restictive and I hurt when I take them off.

Do all ladies with big boobs have this problem?

OP posts:

IAmTheCookieMonster · 15/04/2011 16:12

It sounds like you are between sizes. Your bra shouldn't hurt you. I think that when they stretch and you have got used to them being tight it will be fine.

takeonme · 15/04/2011 16:12

I have the same problem - haven't got particularly mahoosive chest but I think new bras need wearing in, a bit like shoes, and after a while discomfort goes. Wearing and washing. I just went from 36 to 32 and it they do hurt but look oh so much better. Persevere I reckon.

Original poster

brawoes · 15/04/2011 17:44

Thanks everyone. I think I am between sizes. They do look so much better in the new bras. Love the fact my clothes fit better.

Was a bit shocked I have to handwash them. Used to just chuck the old ones in the machine.

Hopefully I will get used to them and after a few washes they will stretch a bit.

Perseverence it is then. ( nice to know it is not just my huge boobies as well)

I love mumsnet. Could never have asked anyone in real life about this!

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SomersetBelle · 15/04/2011 18:54

I have had this, and agree that wearing and washing breaks them in a bit.

Also lady in JL (where I get measured and fitted) suggested pulling down the back so it was a little lower than I was used too and this seems to make my bras fit better, and feel less tight. Takes a bit of getting used too though!

I'm back in my lovely proper Freya bras after 2 years of hideous soft cups and nursing contraptions - crikey do they make a difference!

SomersetBelle · 15/04/2011 18:57

to not too. And twice

NotAgainFrank · 15/04/2011 19:06

yy you need to pull them right down at the back, they'll feel much better. A tucky lifty jiggle in the cups when you put them on. IME bras do take a few wears to wear in.

Oh, and bras should be fitted with the hooks on the loosest (not the tightest as pp said) to allow for stretching. Is vital.

NotAgainFrank · 15/04/2011 19:07

why did that bolding not work?

Original poster

brawoes · 15/04/2011 19:14

Thanks all. Will definately try pulling them down at the back a bit. The back was very high on my old bras as the band was too big. Apparently according to the lady in the shop this meant that the straps were doing the work not the actual bra and hence the ride up at the back! She showed me how to do the bra jiggle in order to sit right in it! .

She seemed so knowledgeable that I was surprised the bras hurt so much when I wore them. But I have to say the one I have worn the most is now the least tight. My ribcage feels bruised though!

Oh how I wish for a small chest!

OP posts:

NotAgainFrank · 15/04/2011 19:21

If you've not been wearing the band horizontally around your ribs it'll have been having to stretch round a much larger circumference. It can be very, very, sore.

When you pull the back down don't forget to pull the cup up from where it joins the strap for a moment, IYSWIM. Releases the tension on shoulder straps so the band takes the strain.

Maybe give your ribs a rest for a day or two and then start wearing them in gently?

moragbellingham · 15/04/2011 19:21

Which shop did you go to? I found Bravissimo made a massive difference to my back size - going from 36b to 30e and everything looking better but my bra left seriously deep marks every night I took it off. I sized up (after DCs though) to a 32 and felt better. They do take some getting used to and wearing in initially,just a shocker to find that they were sooo tight at first. Persevere for a few weeks.

Original poster

brawoes · 15/04/2011 19:32

This is so reassuring. Thank you everyone. I was feeling a bit of a freak.

Notagainfrank I have been wearing the new ones for the mornings going as long as I can and then wearing my old bra for the rest of the day. I had a day off yesterday as my ribs were so sore. Back to the new bra today managed about 4 hours and then had to take it off.

Moragbellingham you are right it was a shocker! I will persevere.

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Original poster

brawoes · 15/04/2011 19:33

I went to an independent local shop which is highly recommended. They have 30 years experience of bra ftting in that shop apparently! The lady really seemed to know her stuff. I do look much better with them on.

OP posts:

Themumsnot · 15/04/2011 20:31

I had the same experience - went from a 38DD to a 34G - and the tightness was a shock at first. Makes a huge difference though.
If you really can't get used to the tightness though, and have tried all the tips on here, what about buying a bra extender (you can get them in a haberdashery). I used them when I was pregnant to extend the life of my bras - they will just give you an extra inch or so round the back, so they may be the answer.

Original poster

brawoes · 15/04/2011 20:47

Will look into those. Thank you .

OP posts:

NotAgainFrank · 18/04/2011 07:44

How are you getting on Woes?

Ashbury · 18/04/2011 07:52

I second getting some bra extenders - I've used them alot. You can get them from M&S and La Senza. They come in packs of three - white, black, and tan - three or four hooks. Use them until your bra has a stretched a bit with age. The only slight problem is that the shoulder straps will sit a bit differently as you have extended the back strap, but it's a small price to pay for a comfortable bra.

Original poster

brawoes · 18/04/2011 08:49

Thanks Guys. Have been away for the weekend so will be making a trip to the shops today. Had a look online and should be able to get them in M & S. Will report back later.

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated.

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Original poster

brawoes · 18/04/2011 17:54

Well. A big thank you to Themumsnot and Ashbury for suggesting bra extenders They are the answer to my problem !

Pack of 3 in La Senza. white, black and nude. Perfect. Have been wearing my new bra all pm and I can still breathe! Will be tightening it up as it stretches though as I do need the support but at least it is a gradual process now.

Thanks again eveyone.

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