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Original poster

Are bras supposed to be slightly uncomfortable?

37 replies

ElizabethBathory · 04/01/2014 14:53

When I wear the (according to Bravissimo and MN) right size bra for me it feels like a corset! It's definitely supporting my boobs very well and giving them a great shape, but the next band size up is so much more comfortable. I'm not in pain by any means, just feeling slightly crushed around the rib cage, especially by the underwires which dig into my ribs a bit Confused

OP posts:
peking · 04/01/2014 14:57

I'm the same. In my correct size, I end up with some ugly red marks as well.

I read on a site that if you're relatively small-chested and slim of frame then wearing the next band size up is understandable and would be more comfortable because there is less padding and less to 'scoop' - think I've got the right end of the stick there.

NoComet · 04/01/2014 15:00

I can't even do up the band size suggested by the intervention threads and I feel ridiculously covered and trussed up in big cups.

Sadly I think I will stick to the 'wrong' size.

bugsyclaus · 04/01/2014 15:04

Correctly fitting bras feel firm but not uncomfortable on me. However i prefer to sleep in one with slightly looser band ( i usually wear an old one on the loosest clasp).

Original poster
ElizabethBathory · 04/01/2014 15:06

Hmm, if you can't do up the bra then it's surely not the right size Starball, or at least isn't the size it claims to be on the label! I can see how a small band size is good for holding everything in place.

OP posts:
Original poster
ElizabethBathory · 04/01/2014 15:07

I don't sleep in a bra Bugsy, but I'm fairly small (28DD or E, depending on make. But 30s are much comfier!)

OP posts:
LyndaCartersBigPants · 04/01/2014 15:10

I remember hearing that a properly fitted bra should leave marks, but I agree, I'd rather have slightly less support and be comfortable. I end up taking mine off in the evening as it's so restrictive around my ribs when I'm sitting down trying to relax.

InMySpareTime · 04/01/2014 15:11

I'm more or less compelled to wear the wrong size bra as I'm a 26F, I usually wear a 28G which is huge in every way, but I've ordered a 26F from "made in Preston". I'll report back on the fit...

Original poster
ElizabethBathory · 04/01/2014 15:12

Me too Lynda. I guess it's a compromise between shape/support and comfort, unless I find my holy grail bra that does both!

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Original poster
ElizabethBathory · 04/01/2014 15:13

Life was easier when I was a 32C Grin

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nomorecrumbs · 04/01/2014 15:16

I'm a 28DD too, but all 28 bands and even some 30 bands are too tight on me. I have a 30C bra which has oddly really tight underwiring on just one cup Hmm

So I stick with my old 32B bras most days anyway...I don't need that much support at all so don't really feel I'm missing out!

TarkaTheOtter · 04/01/2014 15:20

Give it a week and it'll feel normal and your old size will feel all loose and unsupportive. I thought the same but persevered and now am one of the converted.

Original poster
ElizabethBathory · 04/01/2014 15:23

I found that when I went from 32s to 30s Tarka - 32s are annoyingly loose now (and I'm not sure how I ever thought a C cup was covering me Hmm). I will try and wear in my 28s a bit more, maybe the same thing will happen.

OP posts:
whereisshe · 04/01/2014 15:53

I find my "properly" fitted bras uncomfortable because I'm between sizes - I have a 31 band measurement so 30 is uncomfortable but 32 is a bit loose. So I wear a bra extender on the 30 until the back stretches a bit.

Cup comfort I find totally depends on the shape of the cup and how far apart they are at the front... Trial and error.

bugsyclaus · 04/01/2014 19:37

My boobs are mahoosive (due to breastfeeding) and I am more comfortable in a bra, plus it means I don't whack myself in the face if I turn over in bed

nooka · 04/01/2014 19:59

I don't normally wear a bra at all because I hate the feeling of being in harness, but after reading one of the intervention threads I remeasured myself and went out to get the right size. Which was a struggle as the cup I needed didn't seem to exist here (small town Canada). So I got one that was a cup down and a back measurement up and it certainly fit much better than anything I'd tried before. I still couldn't wear it for more than a couple of hours though. I just hate the feeling of the strap around my ribs, so I'll stay with being a little bit more bouncy than is probably socially acceptable (old size B now size DD/E I think).

dd tells me that bras just are uncomfortable and I should suck it up and I'll get used to it, but really fuck that for a game of soldiers!

alemci · 04/01/2014 20:05

I find this, wear a 30. some bras dig in my back on the fastening. 32 so much more comfortable.

StatisticallyChallenged · 04/01/2014 20:06

If you're fairly slim at a 28 its quite possible to need a 30 as you probably don't have much padding on your ribs. The measurement is a start point and right on average but it varies between people - heavier people sometimes need a size which is smaller than they measure, slim slightly bigger.

Amiable · 04/01/2014 20:26

I find correct fitting is not just about the size you are but also about the shape of the bra. I can try on 10 bras in the correct size before I find a comfy one. It's not about price either - I treated myself to a Rigby & Peller bra after having DD and even that took several bras before I found the right one. Cost £75 but worth every penny. On the other hand first one I tried in Debenhams just before Christmas was perfect for only £20.

It's like jeans, you have to find the right ones for you.

Original poster
ElizabethBathory · 04/01/2014 22:16

Ok, I didn't know that Statistically! My ribs measure 27.5 and don't really have any padding on them, which might be why the underwires are hurting my ribs. Will experiment with 30s and 28s then. The Bravissimo woman was very disapproving of the looseness of my 30dd bra when I went for a fitting!

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StatisticallyChallenged · 04/01/2014 22:44

It could also be that you do just need to get used to it but that does seem to be the case for some people. Some bras are also much firmer than others. At 27.5" you should really be able to find a 28 that works IMO.

Alternatively it could be that the shape of the wires doesn't match your ribs very well - if it's a bra you already own you could try very gently bending the wires so that they match your body shape better.

MostWicked · 04/01/2014 22:54

According to measurements, I should be wearing a 32dd. I've always worn a 36b, so I thought I would try a few on.
Even a 34 was too tight so I am sticking with a 36, but I have gone up to a c cup. I wasn't comfortable in a d cup and a c gives me a bit of cleavage.

I am not prepared to spend £75 on a bra! My limit is £10.

StatisticallyChallenged · 04/01/2014 23:29

Mostwicked what cup did you try in a 34?

MostWicked · 04/01/2014 23:44

I tried C and D, but even just doing it up backwards, they were uncomfortably tight.
I will confess to being in Primark, so I am sure I'll get told I need better quality, but there were some really pretty ànd cheap sets!

nooka · 04/01/2014 23:45

That's interesting about padding StatisticallyChallenged. I am very lean on top (all my excess weight is on my bum/thighs!) but it might just be that after 40 bra-less years it's just difficult to adjust to one. Although I don't remember my breastfeeding bras being very uncomfortable.

StatisticallyChallenged · 05/01/2014 08:54

That might explain it mostwicked-knowing primark I suspect that they were a bit mean with the sizing! But it sounds like you did everything right in terms of trying them. If you get a chance then try some by the likes of Freya, , cleo, , panache etc in the recommended sizes just to see the difference.