Wired bras - does anyone else find them agony?

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

A few years ago I was measured at Bravissimo and was told that I wasn't a 38 whatever cup size but in fact a 34 massive cup size. I was fitted with a bra and told that it was meant to be very tight. I managed about 2 days in agony before I gave up. Back to M&S non wired.

Fast forward to yesterday. I've been told (by everyone) that I need to be properly fitted so tried Victoria's Secret. They said I was 38 as expected, but FF (!). Tried a wired bra (they didn't seem to have non wired) and to be fair it seemed OK. But less than 4 hours later I was in agony again and £39 lighter!

Is it that bras are meant to be uncomfy in order to give proper support? Or have I just been unlucky? I'm 50 now and Gravity is taking its toll! Help!

I wear underwires all the time and only have problems when the bra doesn't actually fit - it's definitely a matter of trying multiple styles/brands rather than just finding the right size (though sites like Bratabase are pretty good once you've found something that fits as they'll tell you other styles/brands that are the same shape). I can't wear any M&S bras, for instance, they all end up digging in in the armpits/gaping weirdly in the middle, and I know from bitter experience that an even slight off sizing on a balconette will have me being stabbed in the chest by underwires by the end of the day (Curvy Kate Ritzy, I'm looking at you).

The thing is that people aren't wire shaped! Our bodies move and change shape as we breathe, stand up, sit down, bend over. It makes much more sense for bras to be made of something that moves and bends with us.

I've had bruises and even grazes from wires in the past, particularly Panache. Once I found out that I need wider set wires (Fantasie / Freya) I've been fine and definitely now prefer underwires.

I think it is all about finding not just the right size but the right shape. But if you've been to Bravissimo and still not found it, it's hard to know where else to go. One of the bra gurus on here might be able to help, if you describe all the ones you've tried and where they hurt.

I can't wear wired bras, they really hurt me. My problem is that my breasts are significantly different in size. Not in a way you'd immediately see when I'm wearing clothes but enough that it's nigh on impossible to find a wired bra that fits. I find non-wired more forgiving and therefore comfortable