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Original poster

Going bra less

57 replies

PoloPrincess · 08/02/2022 20:43

I'm really fed up with every one of my bras and we have properly fallen out.
I went to get professionally measured about 6 months ago, I bought 4 bras and matching knickers and parted with £260 expecting them all to fit me perfectly. How wrong I was, and I'm really disappointed. She measured me at 34DD but they are all so uncomfortable in different ways. One is itchy all over, one just feels too tight and is digging in under my armpits and leaving a mark. Another is digging in my ribs and the last one had an uncomfortable back fastening that just irritates the hell out of me. She told me how to put a bra on properly to get all the overspill in. The wire in the bras I can feel all day, sitting on my ribs and more often than not I've removed it by lunchtime.
I've tried the comfort/yoga bras but I can't get the buggers off over my head. Ive started to go bra less, so half thinking about getting vests with support in.
I'm not sure what to do, please help.
Where are your best bras from?

OP posts:
CorpusCallosum · 08/02/2022 20:45

Bravissimo.

Where did you get fitted?

moirarosebabay · 08/02/2022 20:48

I got underwired sports bras from marks and Spencer's and can never feel that wire thing you describe (although I know exactly what you mean as have one of those bras and forget what it does and then wear it and then i remember)

Original poster
PoloPrincess · 08/02/2022 20:52

@CorpusCallosum

Bravissimo.

Where did you get fitted?

A local independent shop who is well known and liked.
OP posts:
Leftbutcameback · 08/02/2022 20:53

I don't wear underwired anymore as they all dig in if you sit down all day (and have a short torso with flabby bits!) I wear crop tops now - some from Bam, some John Lewis and some M&S. If I have to wear a proper bra it's an M&S t-shirt one for me.

JemimaTiggywinkle · 08/02/2022 20:57

Freya bras are the only ones I’ve found that are really comfortable and fit me properly.

ChuckMater · 08/02/2022 20:57

Bralettes

XingMing · 08/02/2022 21:14

I think you have had really atrocious advice frankly. From everyone who has been involved. You need a nice friendly fitter, in an independent lingerie shop with A DECENT RANGE. Avoid M&S, good underwear shops sell Sloggi, Chantelle, Pour Moi, sometimes Freya and Panache (but they are mostly sold online, good for sports bras) really good shops won't touch them because they undercut the high street on price.

Lucia574 · 09/02/2022 00:25

Dora Larsen are very comfortable. They do lovely bralettes as well as underwires. Also very pretty. And an environmentally friendly company.

cherrypiepie · 09/02/2022 07:41

I had this - did BOB (boob or bust) measurements and went to a proper bra shop and they gaped and dug in.

I ended up trying cheap Matalan Asda and Tesco as they do a good range of size and style between them. And are cheap enough not to be annoyed and you can take them back if your not happy (Asda have 100 day returns)

I'm 34 F size 16 and the Matalan and Asda ones a fine ( the Matalan ones run bigger -Tesco too small in the band so compress my ribs)

Try BOB there is a Facebook group. Bra stop to lingerie brands at cheap prices on line. Search you size in the BOB group for siszinf advice on specific brands eg Freya might run small or be better for certain shapes)

Also vinted to re -sell bras!

cherrypiepie · 09/02/2022 07:43

Bra stop is a website to buy cheap branded bras

SoItWas · 09/02/2022 07:47

I stopped wearing a bra a few years ago, it's amazing. I wear a thick vest top instead, as some of my tops are on the slightly sheer side (stupid work tops expecially), and I don't want to accidentally flash my nipples.

WinterWeather1 · 09/02/2022 07:55

I haven't worn a wired bra in over two years and I don't think I will ever go back.
Asda do some really nice non-wired bras that are super comfortable and provide great support. Most of the time it feels like I have nothing on at all.

direct.asda.com/george/women/lingerie/bras/non-wired-bigger-cup-bras-2-pack/GEM760625,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M18G2C1

northernstarsoutherncross · 09/02/2022 10:21

Pierre Cardin next to skin wireless plunge bralette. I hate bras and find them so uncomfortable but the Pierre Cardin ones are great

Trisolaris · 09/02/2022 10:22

If you like going braless, go with bralettes.

Nomoreusernames1244 · 09/02/2022 10:25

Sports bras here. No wires, hold everything in, comfortable.

I have never got on with wires. Never worn a wired bra.

WhereAreWeNow · 09/02/2022 13:36

Sounds like a bad fitting. I've gone from wearing very firm upholstering (Freya, Panache) to only ever wearing non-wired bras. The Sainsburys ones have been a revelation. They give a surprisingly good shape with no wires. Soft fabric too.

waitingformygirl · 09/02/2022 13:44

I've just bought some bralettes from Primark and they are so comfy. I bought them because they were cheap and I just wanted to try but I don't think I'll be going back to wired bras now.
I have never been able to find a bra that fits me properly, I have a big rib cage and small boobs. It always feels either the cups are gaping or the band is far too tight. And I did try BOB.

Leftbutcameback · 09/02/2022 14:16

@WhereAreWeNow can I ask which Sainsbury's ones are good please? Thanks!

lindyloo57 · 09/02/2022 16:36

As I have got older 61, and my boobs have got a bit bigger, I now wear m&s vest tops with bust support, can even sleep in them, they are so comfy, I did go up a size 14, I normally wear a 12 just to accommodate my 34 DD bust.

WhereAreWeNow · 09/02/2022 19:15

@Leftbutcameback I've got a few different styles which are all good but I think this one is my favourite for softness and shape.
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Black-%26-White-Smoothing-Non-Wired-T-Shirt-Bra-2-Pack/134336319-Black

Mossstitch · 09/02/2022 19:25

Definitely no wires! Tried everything, finally found a comfortable bra in sainsburys, double thickness cotton so no embarrassing nipple show, looks like crop top but still fastens at the back like a normal bra and they do it in grey, I hate white although they do it in white and black too! Also for the bigger breasted I've got E. Sorry can't do a link but approximately £10, you've been robbed at £260😳 still nothing beats going bra free and contrary to popular belief I'm over 60, breastfed three and not droopy🤣

Original poster
PoloPrincess · 09/02/2022 19:48

Thank you everyone, that is all really helpful.

Yes I think I have been robbed but at the time I thought it was money well spent to be fitted properly. Perhaps it's just the wires that I don't get on with.

I'll follow the advice about Sainsburys, Asda and Tesco after I've measured myself. And I'll get a couple of vests with support too, M&S ones look nice and affordable.

I'm not after anything sexy or fancy, I just want to be comfortable.

OP posts:
Lifeslooser · 09/02/2022 20:04

Bralettes from primark. The ones in a pack of 3 with one black, one white and one grey.
You will never look back, they are the definition of amazing!! I’ve gone brakes for years and years but sick of my nipples showing so wear these now and it feels like I have nothing on!

Lifeslooser · 09/02/2022 20:06

I’ve tried the ones from Asda and Sainsbury’s but still felt restricted, the primark ones are the best!

Leftbutcameback · 09/02/2022 20:56

Thanks @WhereAreWeNow!