Why are nearly all the bras in the shops underwired and padded?

[schroeder]

Are they supposed to be the best?

Are they 'fashionable'?

I want a nice supportive, non-wired bra, non-frumpy but comfy.

[theginganinja]

I have never bought a decent fitting bra from M&S and their fitting service is really bad, shockingly so. If your cup size is large-ish, I would try and find somewhere that has a good reputation. I've heard lots of good things about Bravissmo although have never used them, our local one is good and was recommended to me by several people.
Using them has been a revelation because before then I always suffered from jiggle, underwire or not and my norks never looked very good under my clothes. They look fucking fantastic now.... well they do until I take my bra off anyway.

[mousymouse]

or even worse, flimsy thin fake-silk plastic bras.

[schroeder]

I'm with you Gwen- I suspect that the underwire is a cheap shortcut to a supportive bra; rather than making one that fits.

I see what's going on with the padding, but sticking out nipples has never been a problem for me, surely it is not a problem that most people have is it?

From your responses I see my first mistake was to go to M&S; it was just a sea of padded, push up, underwired, tshirt bras.

[theginganinja]

Nope, no jiggle there. I would think you would only jiggle if you were wearing the wrong size bra.
Now if you'll excuse me I must lie down.

[ASByatt]

Yes I've noticed that it's really tricky to find non-padded bras - I hate them, they just feel yukky! (But all my bras are underwired)

[Lulabellarama]

It is really hard to find nice, non-underwired bras. I did buy some lovely ones from a shop called Intimissimi, though the Westfield branch has now closed.
Very pretty, lacey, feminine bras, perfect for slightly smaller boobs (though not entirely unsupportive).

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

I've always found underwired bras offer no support at all. But I don't like mine to move, so a good fitting non wired bra straps them firmly where they should be and no horrible jiggling!

[theginganinja]

I always have underwired and mine don't hurt, I agree if it does then your back size is wrong.

[limetrees]

Like people have said, a small amount of padding (= thickness) on the cups is to stop nipples showing through. I like wearing the M&S Tshirt style bras for that reason. And like someone else said - mostly I am really cold so the warmth is appreciated!

[stripeybump]

I love slightly padded t-shirt bras - they make my droopy new pregnancy D-cups a nice round shape and avoid nipplage.

Another vote for Elle MacPherson for non-wired bras. The postman just brought me a lovely EM nursing bra in navy/red lace from ASOS sale, has boosted my boobs spirits no end.

DH also likes non-padded and non-wired, think it's better for groping

[mousymouse]

my office and cantine are too cold, has to be padded for me :o
and I hate wired bras, if they don't hurt you they ruin the washing mashine...

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

Another one here who agrees that if you find underwiring uncomfortable then it is highly likely that you have the wrong size.

Bravissimo was a revelation! Now that I know I am 32E/F I can no longer buy supermarket bra's though

[theginganinja]

I find I need an underwire for the erm.... scaffolding properties but at 32F, I most definitely do not need padding. We are lucky enough to have an independent bra shop, not cheap but, the bras are good, sturdy without being ugly and plenty of non padded styles and their fitting service is really good, have never bought a bra from them that wasn't comfortable. Unfortunately the bigger the norkage the more you have to pay to get a good bra. Oh to be 32 B.
This is their website btw, so if you know the size might be worth a punt. Here www.louisesboutique.co.uk/

[anon2011]

Elle macpherson do beautiful lacy non padded bras. If you are in the NW there is an outlet store at Cheshire Oaks where you can pick up a bargain.

[ImeldaM]

I like non-padded (big enough already) but wired and quite happy with M&S but the more pricey ranges, their cheaper ones just don't fit as well, also always buy from DDplus range.

[tabulahrasa]

see I just see the padding as industrial re-enforcement

[LynetteScavo]

Padding also makes t-shirts hang much better.

[LynetteScavo]

I only wear underwire...no wired bras jsut don't offer the same support.Padding is necessary for me to make my boobs stick out further than my belly.

[higgle]

Underwiring is good for me, but all that padding is not only very ugly it also makes me hot and itchy - not good for concentration at work.

[HappyAsASandboy]

Underwires make it a better fit and more supportive because of that, light padding (NOT thick foam!) add shape and hide chilly nipples

I like Bravissimo, and they also have lots of non-padded styles.

[PippiLongBottom]

I have never bought a push up/padded bra in my life although all mine are underwire. I am a 32FF so just need a really good fitting bra and padded are not that. Have you tried Bravissimo?

[esandi]

Copy and paste the links into your browsers as it seems this site disables hyperlinks on messages.

[esandi]

I am a 34-F normally and I am on my 3rd pregnancy. I have found the Elle Macpherson bra's for pregnancy to be fantastic and not ugly this was my fave one www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product=Elle-Macpherson-Intimates-Rainbow-Rain-Nursing-Bra&product_id=MC-E71-935&size=&colour=Black

Or there is this one I have orderd these this time around and found them to be very good, and a good price as well. www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_152010209560_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Lingerie~Maternity+%26amp%3B+nursing+lingerie

And for when you are breast feeding or for the best bra to sleep in this model I found to be very comfy and when you lay on your side your boobs dont fall out www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product=Elle-Macpherson-Intimates-Maternelle-non-underwired-drop-cup-bra&product_id=MC-E71-135&size=&colour=Black

[fishie]

padded also means it doesn't need to fit properly, it won't be obviously wrong if too big.

[HellonHeels]

M&S do non-wired bras in a wide range of sizes. They're super frumpy though and look on the pack as though they are a rather strange shape.

IMO non-wired bras are neither supportive nor non-frumpy. Happy to be corrected, however.

Padding stops nipple show-through. For those who say they've got enough padding of their own, Bravissimo has lots of larger-cup unpadded (but not non-wired) bras.