Bra issues/tubular beasts

[Nobranothanks]

I've name changed for this one as I feel a tiny bit exposed!

Can anyone recommend any bras for those of us with wide set tubular boobs where the "boob" so to speak spreads right round to under the arm pit. To make matters worse I also have dodgy joints so find narrow bands uncomfortable.

I have tried EVERY bra out there and have been Measured in every shop (except rigby) and done boob or bust all to no avail. Boob or bust suggests I'm a either 34 or 36 e to give some idea HOWEVER because of the shape of my boobs I do not ever fill the cup/boobs do not stay in.

I have had moderate success in the past with asda 2 sizes bigger bras however they do not "fit" so to speak.

This has been a problem for as long as I can remember and brings me down so so so much. I've recently had to give up bras altogether due to severe shoulder pain and am currently wearing unsupportive crop tops..... This means I am confined to hoodies/jumpers. I am a size 14-16. For reference, I used to be a 22 and got down to a 12 (slim for my frame) pre child.

I cannot wear sports bras as they give the appearance I have bound my chest.

Pre covid I have gone Into many department stores and hve tried on up to 50 at a time and still been unable to find one that fits. I'm honestly not exaggerating.

Please, any input is gratefully received. I'm in tears every morning because of this.

Thankyou in advance.

have you tried Freya Longline bras? Retro bloom and that type. They give a nice upfront shape and have a wide very comfortable band.

My breasts aren't tubular but they are two different sizes. I know that's normal, but mine are very different - a whole cup size's difference between them. I've got really upset about this too. I'm currently underweight and don't need to wear a bra, which has made things easier for the moment.

When I do wear a bra, the best I've found are from Primark. Not the really big padded push up ones (they actually look the best, but I am like you and find bras painful and these are really painful!) But they have slightly less padded ones which are more moulded and I find those are quite good for me. I'm not sure how they would work for more tubular shaped breasts, but Primark have a fairly large bra collection with lots of different styles and they're cheap. If you haven't looked there then I'd recommend it.

If you're in tears every morning, that isn't healthy. I have been like this over my own body, and I know it's not what you're asking for advice on but it would do you good to try and not focus so much on your breasts. Exercise and generally trying to take care of myself and trying to shift my focus away from what I don't like about myself, has helped me in that regard.

I have two ideas that might help. The first one is braletts. It would be a similar feel and amount of support that a crop top gives, but prettier. This one is quite plunging but I think you can get ones that comes up higher in the center if that suits better.
www.figleaves.com/uk/figleaves-pulse-lace-underwired-balcony-bra-b-g/FIG-013171.html?dwvar_FIG-013171_color=753812&cgid=lingerie-bras#start=7
My second idea is to try a wired non padded balcony style is a size big enough that the wires go round all your breast tissue, then alter the cup depth to make it shallower so it doesn’t gape at all. You’d want non-padded so that it’s possible to sew the cups smaller. And the balcony style is a lot less bra than a full cup because it’s expected that fuller breasts will stick up over the top of them if that makes sense. Yours may well not, but that doesn’t matter as long as you like the fit and feel on you. www.figleaves.com/uk/figleaves-millie-lace-bralette/FIG-009769.html?dwvar_FIG-009769_color=749094&cgid=lingerie-bras#prefn1=wired&prefv1=Non-wired&start=2

I have this CK bra letter and it is comfy and flattering - it is a bit padded and I kind of scoop my boobs into position in it to give the impression of some cleavage....

www.calvinklein.co.uk/bralette-modern-cotton-000qf1654e001

I'm a small boobed 6-8 so I wear xs - you'd probably be a medium?

Have you tried Molke?

i suspect you have because you say you've been everywhere, but I presume you've tried Bravissimo? I have odd breasts (top heavy, one much bigger than the other) and almost nothing fits me. But the ladies there have always been able to help.

Maybe a good dressmaker could adjust a bra for you if the cup is too big? Or even make one to fit.

Following with interest, I have the same problem. I was even told in an M&S store by the fitter that I had the strangest shaped breasts she'd ever seen, and she called over someone else to look as well. That was nice and confidence-boosting to a 19 year old

Thankyou so much for the replies!

I agree that it's not healthy that it affects me so much but however much I try I can't just get over it. It was OK when I could wedge myself into the asda bras but I think after so many years of doing that I'm paying the price with my shoulders!

To answer some of you, bralettes are a no go. Sadly they don't work for me at all. Think double mastectomy but the boob has been reattached somewhere under my armpit.

I've tried many a balconette over the years and occasionally I find one that is OK.... Until I have worn it for 20 minutes and the boob dissapears back out the side.

I think part of the issue is, I am technically a d-dd cup and I will sort of fill one if anything can keep the side in however, there is no way I am a d cup once the side escapes - I would say a b at best.

Sorry about these awful descriptions!

I have tried bravissimo in the past and had no luck at all, they couldn't work out what size I was as the size I measure at doesn't work yet smaller cups are clearly too small.

@addler I had a very similar experience at a similar age in M&S and also in debenhams. Makes the whole thing worse doesn't it!

I've read that some people have success with side support bras from fantasie - has anyone tried one?

The thing that made the biggest difference to me was following the advice on what used to be called 'bra intervention threads'.

Are they still a thing on here??

OK it really sounds like the bra band is too big. It should be tight enough so the breast tissue does not have a chance to go 'wandering' . And I would recommend padded half-cup bras, those are very good if full cup bras tend to be empty on top.

Thankyou for the input.

I've followed bra intervention threads and tried boob or bust to no avail. With tegard back size the smallest size I can actually do up round my back is a 34 (I have a large frame with size 10 feet for context) I've tried bigger cup sizes to equate for a smaller back but due to the shape of my boobs the results were laughable. Measuring wise, since I lost weight and pre covid I have been told I'm anything from a 38c to a 32f and just about everything I between. Boob or bust puts me at either a 34 or 36 e.

Honestly, I'm really not trying to be obstructive just giving as much info as I can! I'm so, so grateful for all the advice. It's so hard to even try and buy bras now as there is no trying on. I simply don't have the money to order one in every size to try on lol.

Are your breasts wide apart?

Maybe something like a sports bra would be work, as there is less distinction between cup and strap.

I simply don't have the money to order one in every size to try on lol

Can you order from somewhere like this so that you can order lots of sizes (and only pay for the ones you keep)?

www.lascana.co.uk/

For some reason, every single M&S bra I have ever tried has pushed mine either flat or to each side. Their styles/ cut/ fit just don’t suit me.

Maybe a custom made bra? www.thebreastlife.com/blog/find-made-to-measure-bras-online/

Molke is extremely flexible , it's worth a call

Try level1 or 2 at you size you unlikely to need level 3 support for anything and a lower level is easier to work out how they go on ( becomes easy , you just need to discover if you are an overhead or step in sort of person)

If you can get one (they are sadly discontinued but some still left on amazon and other places) try a wonderbra modern chic balconette bra. They have cracking side support. I am very wonky due to a lumpectomy for breast cancer, these are the only bras that stop me looking lopsided.

In fact maybe a push up bra is the way to go as it will pull everything forwards and up?

I've never tried molke but that is something I was Considering.

I'd not looked at lascana either so I'll give that a go too.

I'll have a look for the wonderbra ones as well - I have tried some wonderbra's on the past but I'm open to anything. Plunge/boost bras have worked however I do just fall out the sides

In the name of everything mumsnet..... Ive tried to do a drawing to show what I mean. I can't draw though so it's really awful but you're all being so helpful!

I have the Panache Clara bra, which has side support and I really like it. I know you don’t want a sports bra, but have you considered an underwired sports bra with a shoulder strap clip? They also have good side support.

I keep getting ads on Facebook for a bra that has a sort of adjustable sling arrangement in it and you hoik it in/up to where you need it. Can't remember the name right now but if it comes up again I'll post a link. That might be adjustable enough for you to tailor it to your shape.

Try the Fantasie Illusion Side Support bra. From time to time, they come in a nice range of colours too.

Are your boobs definitely tubular or could the problem be that you have gone down a good few sizes and it could be down to excess skin ?

I know it's cliche'd but have you been for a good, old-school fitting? (I realise Covid is not very helpful in this regard!)

I always go for ‘side support plunge’ or ‘full support plunge’ as mine need redirecting away from my armpits too! They miraculously give me a bit of a cleavage... not much but better than nothing!