Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

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:
KatyS36 · 09/02/2022 21:13

In my experience the fitter matters more than the shop. In a small shop you might get the owner / manager, who is lovely, super experienced and really knows her stuff. Or you might get the new hire, who isn't fully trained yet and / or isn't very good.

I always ask for a recommendation for a person as I find this makes the most difference.

I hope you find something you love. Bralets look so comfy but don't do what's necessary for my FF's!

Gladioli23 · 09/02/2022 21:17

My favourite is Urban Outfitters square neck ribbed bralettes/crop top. I couldn't believe that could possibly be adequate as a) I have quite big boobs and b) I would never go into urban outfitters but my friend insisted I should try one and they are super comfy. You do get them on and off over your head but they really aren't that bad.

Freebus · 09/02/2022 21:27

I'm a 34 to 36 dd
I mostly wear M and s cami bras.

Also Calvin klein bras (these are underwired but seem v comfortable).

shinynewapple22 · 09/02/2022 22:22

[quote WinterWeather1]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[/quote]

I wear these bras too. They are like the soft overhead bras but have proper fastening . Very comfortable.

Rollergirl999 · 13/02/2022 18:23

Sounds like a bad fitting. Try Bravissimo. Both daughter ( 30GG) and me ( 36GG) swear by them.

Bertiebiscuit · 13/02/2022 20:59

The one time I shelled put and got "professionally" measured for a bra, the one I was persuaded to buy, at huge cost, was so uncomfortable I never wore it - bras, and all the hoo has surrounding them are a total con, and a pure tax on being female - cheap sports tops are just fine, and best of all DON'T HURT - it's like the trainer vs stiletto debate - why are women always expected to be uncomfortable to look good - we should stop falling for this bullshit, I honestly don't think Ken care anyway, we are just brainwashed into wasting money on scratchy nylon crappy undies instead of soft comfortable knickers and vests - like the ones MEN wear, Interestingly

sarahtalkstoomuch · 13/02/2022 21:29

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Nude-Skin-Tone-1-Lace-Underband-Invisible-Bralette/138453627-Skintone1?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

This is the comfiest bra top ever! Have got one for both my sis and mum.

SD1978 · 13/02/2022 21:34

Basically now in crop top sport bras- downside is the straps are really thick and not hideable. Upside I am comfortable and dont really give a crap...

Original poster
PoloPrincess · 15/02/2022 10:24

@Bertiebiscuit

The one time I shelled put and got "professionally" measured for a bra, the one I was persuaded to buy, at huge cost, was so uncomfortable I never wore it - bras, and all the hoo has surrounding them are a total con, and a pure tax on being female - cheap sports tops are just fine, and best of all DON'T HURT - it's like the trainer vs stiletto debate - why are women always expected to be uncomfortable to look good - we should stop falling for this bullshit, I honestly don't think Ken care anyway, we are just brainwashed into wasting money on scratchy nylon crappy undies instead of soft comfortable knickers and vests - like the ones MEN wear, Interestingly
Now I've read your post I think you're absolutely right. Thank you, my DP doesn't care as long as I'm happy.
OP posts:
Deadivy · 15/02/2022 10:36

38A I live in Sloggi bralettes. Could never go back to wired bras

BlackCoffeeInAPoolOfSunshine · 15/02/2022 10:36

I found that I needed to go to a big department store with a large range of bras (in the brands mentioned like Freya, Pour moi etc.) and try loads on in my Bob size and sister sizes. Every brand and style fits differently.

When I finally found the bra that works for me I bought five - two black, two neutral, one white.

I hate being "sold to" and prefer to find what works myself but you need to try liads and loads without pressure to find what genuinely works. When you think you have a great fit put a tighter or top back on over it to check it looks okay under clothes!

I can't feel my underwired bra any more than I can feel my contact lenses... The right size and style for your body makes all the difference.

Obviously go braless if you want! At nearly 47 and 32G I don't feel comfortable going braless any more but did when twenty+ years younger especially when wearing winter jumpers!

TheLeadbetterLife · 15/02/2022 10:55

@Bertiebiscuit

The one time I shelled put and got "professionally" measured for a bra, the one I was persuaded to buy, at huge cost, was so uncomfortable I never wore it - bras, and all the hoo has surrounding them are a total con, and a pure tax on being female - cheap sports tops are just fine, and best of all DON'T HURT - it's like the trainer vs stiletto debate - why are women always expected to be uncomfortable to look good - we should stop falling for this bullshit, I honestly don't think Ken care anyway, we are just brainwashed into wasting money on scratchy nylon crappy undies instead of soft comfortable knickers and vests - like the ones MEN wear, Interestingly
This is so true, wired bras will never be objectively comfortable, it's just a range of discomfort that people put up with.

It's exactly the same as high heels. You'll get people who kid themselves that they're as comfy as slippers as long as you get the right (i.e. very expensive) ones.

I'll never go back to wires, I wear various different bralettes - Sloggi, Thought clothing and sports bras.

They don't give me the shape that wired did, however, and I have a couple of non-wired traditional bras for the odd times I'm wearing a more fitted outfit. They're not nearly as comfortable as the bralettes though.

MattDamon · 15/02/2022 11:07

I live in M&S support vests, bandeau bras or the odd bralette. Proper bras have never fit me right.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/02/2022 11:08

M and S Flexifit is what you need.

InTheNameOfAllThatIsHonest · 15/02/2022 11:12

I am a size 10 with 32G boobs. I got measured in a number of places but Rigby & Peller were the only ones to be spot on. I bought a couple of bras from there and bl**dy hell when I put those on it looked like I had had a boob job (my boobs are still quite 'perky' but nothing like they looked when wearing those bras). I now buy from Bravissimo, Boux Avenue, Freya and a couple of other places/brands but always try on first. I know roughly what shape works for me but there is no substitute for trying on.

microbius · 15/02/2022 12:53

OP, I am going to echo people on the thread and say that bra fitting is a con. I went bra fitting and was given a bra, like it is usually a story here, so tight around my ribs I could barely breath. And I was told that is how it should fit. When I was incredulous and said "no way" the assistant got very angry with me!

Exactly same happened when I went to do maternity bra fitting. I was given a bra that was tight on me even pre giving birth and having milk come. I said, "Are you kidding?" Of course the shop assistant got offended.

I wear John Lewis non-wired T shirt bra like this www.johnlewis.com/anyday-john-lewis-partners-morgan-t-shirt-bra/frappe/p3404151 What is important in a bra is where the straps sit in relation to your bust and the width of your back. For me, straps need to be by my shoulders - like in the design of the T-short bra. I think it might be called a triangle bra

microbius · 15/02/2022 12:56

I also need to add, these JL bras are now - I think - 5 years old and are not worn out at all (although I mainly wear black na maybe white would have stained)

microbius · 15/02/2022 12:57

Sorry, just re-read what I posted - I mean the bras don't look worn

pawpaws2022 · 15/02/2022 13:02

@Bertiebiscuit

The one time I shelled put and got "professionally" measured for a bra, the one I was persuaded to buy, at huge cost, was so uncomfortable I never wore it - bras, and all the hoo has surrounding them are a total con, and a pure tax on being female - cheap sports tops are just fine, and best of all DON'T HURT - it's like the trainer vs stiletto debate - why are women always expected to be uncomfortable to look good - we should stop falling for this bullshit, I honestly don't think Ken care anyway, we are just brainwashed into wasting money on scratchy nylon crappy undies instead of soft comfortable knickers and vests - like the ones MEN wear, Interestingly
Not everyone finds them uncomfortable though It really depends on your body, the style, shape, brand My absolute fave is the Elomi Matilda, I don't feel I'm wearing it and I can sleep with it on. It's genuinely comfortable but that's on me - others might find it awful and prefer panache or Freya

It does fit as well, I wear a 34 back at a size 16/18

RainbowCrayons · 15/02/2022 13:26

I wear crop tops too mostly. I do have a couple of proper bras from panache which are needed with a few outfits but the stretchy crop tops are great and don't press on my ribs and give me heartburn (does anyone else get this?). I started by sleeping in them because I totally get Miranda's 'when I roll over in bed by boobs clap' but now I wear them whenever I can.

Crackercrazy · 15/02/2022 13:31

I swear by Fantasie bras. I’m 34E-F and have always worn underwired.

CosmopolitanPlease · 15/02/2022 21:04

I like the sound of these secret support vests. I wear Sloggi zero feel bralettes at the moment but (without the optional pads which can look a bit lumpy) they provide zero nipple coverage. I have big nips and I'm full beam in anything thinner than a jumper. Can anyone tell me if their support vests cover their nipples?

I am somewhere between a 36-38 B-C and have never owned a perfectly fitting, comfortable bra. It doesn't help that one boob is considerably bigger than the other.

Debie8787 · 15/02/2022 21:30

How do you find the Facebook group please it doesn't come up when you search BOB

KnobJockey · 15/02/2022 21:48

@Debie8787 it's boob or bust

MadCattery · 15/02/2022 21:57

I like sports bras, too, it am too old to wrestle them over my head. But, they make them with back clasps! And some with front clasps, but I’ve not tried one of those. I really like them with a back closure.