Where can I buy a good supportive 36DD bra that walks that tightrope between frumpy and slutty?

[SilentMammoth]

I used to swear by HotMilk; my latest buy arrived last week and I was soooo disappointed; the quality was dire. So where do I try next? Am still bf but not too hung up on buying dedicated nursing bra as she is 14m now and only snacking at bed time.

I wouldn't touch M and S with a barge pole but budget sadly does not stretch to Rigby and Peller.

Have you tried Bravissimo?

I'm a DD and think the bras in Debenhams are great, lots of choice and not too pricey, range called Freya have particularly pretty bras

my fave bra

make sure you get the balcony (as shown) not the full cup, the shape is better.

Fantasie Helena

and here

Fantasie plunge type

and another, ebay is the way to go for Fantasie bras. I used to work in Rigby and Peller, and we stocked alot of them, but hugely inflated prices of course!

pink

I find Debenhams own range quite good- think it's called Gorgeous ? Reasonably priced and pretty as well as supportive.

JL have a good range of brands to try and their own too

This Triumph is great for under t-shirts, nice and smooth.

Fantaise are the best bras for well endowed ladies IMO

Agree Fantasie would be my choice.

This bra may not be the sexiest - but the way it makes your norks look under clothes will make you look super sexy - it's amazing!

have you looked at Curvy Kate?

Freya or Fantasie, I used to use M&S and as soon as I tried my first Freya I was a total convert. Brand Alley have a sale on both Freya and Fantasie at the moment, I never pay full price for mine.

Fatasie has been a revelation to me! Freya have the nicer patterns imo but despite trying a few freya brad in the sales they are jusyt a little uncomfortable.

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_161010352585_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7ELingerie%7EBras

I have a few Ted Baker bras and they are lovely (Im a 34E) the pictures dont do them justice.

Avoid the bustiere type - I bought one and the bones are in the wrong place and are not stiff enough so dont sit right when wearing - shame because they are gorgeous!

Just Peachy by Figleaves. Amazingly comfortable.

link

You MUST go to Rigby and Peller. Bet you come out a completely different size, too. I went in a saggy 36C and came out a pert 32E. I looked like I'd lost half a stone. Pretty bras, but supportive for the big of nork.

try here for disounted freya and other brands for larger ladies can be hit and miss with what is available as can all discount sites:
www.leialingerie.com/outlet/search.aspx

if you can't get to rigby and peller tho, as an ex employee it really isn't rocket science. try a smaller band in a larger cup than you would normally wear.

ie you normally wear 36dd

so try a 34e

if you can go tighter under the bust try a 32F !!!!

But the smaller band thing is so uncomfortable All the shops do this now, make you go down a back size and up a cup size. They're not happy till they have you strapped into something that cuts off your circulation and makes you breathless. Oh, and gives you back bulges!

i understand, totally, i was only suggesting going down, becuase sometimes we are wearing a far too loose bra size. only go to whatever is comfy. R&P will have you in mega tight, but on the other hand after a few hours and a wash the bras are so well sculptured that they keep their design iyswim.

it's just a good starting point.

Bravissimo are great on the fitting and also stock Fantasie and Freya that are recommended below

Can anyone say which dept. store is generally considered the best for fittings?

I presume not M&S?

the fantasie smoothing t-shirt bra is great - I get mine from ebay.

Not been fitted by them but tbh I would be tempted to go to John Lewis.

OP-if search the daily mail website their was an article on bra fitting yesterday that you might find useful to read about bra fitting. It featured someone from Rigby and Peller

I agree with piratecat Fantasie bras are fantastic. I ususally go in John Lewis, they have a good range.

My absolute favourite is Fantasie Smoothing T Shirt Bra but for "prettier" things I go for Freya - my favourite cup shape is a "half cup" which fits me better than a balconette (although they aren't hugely different) - like this.

The Fantasie one changed my life though - it's very supportive and really comfy (although I concede it is a little bit dull)

Second Fantaisie and Freya and would extend that to their swimwear. If you are rear Northants, there is a factory shop in Desborough, great for discounts. And if you are lucky you can get the matching knickers, too.

Yes to the swimwear! I have a fab couple of bikinis/swimming costumes for beaches but also a proper supportive swimming costume for swimming in the gym. Sports Direct (I know, I know) had a sale on so I bought a second one to have as a back up since it was only £6. It's a speedo, so should be good, but I had to go up 2 sizes to fit my boobs in and now swim one-handed trying to hold it up/pull it down in all the right places...

Freya Bikinis are especially fab.