Bravissimo bra agony advice

[Galliano]

I put weight on in the pandemic and bmi increased from 19 to 23. Pre pandemic I wore a 30g. I’m 5ft 10 so have a narrow frame relative to height. After weight gain Bravissimo fitted me in 32hh - their own brand bras. I’ve recently lost a stone and bmi down to 21. The bravissimo bras are now too big in the cup but still the bands are agony, the underwiring causes huge red marks under my bust and I’m permanently aware of being in pain. I did not have this problem with fantasie bras I wore before weight gain.

I don’t know what bra size I am now. I need new bras but I’m reluctant to pay to continue to be in discomfort. Are bravissimo bras particularly fierce or is it the bigger size? If I ask them to fit me in fantasie will that be less agonising?

[BluebellBlueballs]

Bravissimo seem obsessed with reducing the band size.

As a bigger banded lady I avoid them like the plague

I'd get fitted somewhere that carries a full range of brands such as John Lewis

[BluebellBlueballs]

Meanwhile as a short term measure can you get a bra extender?

[HalfasleepChrisintheMorning]

I get fitted by Bravissimo and then buy the bra that is up a back size and usually but not always down a cup size from what they say. They definitely fit you uncomfortably tight in the band.

[Galliano]

My boobs are actually slipping out of the bottom of a 32 though due to band being too big so I don’t think I can increase the band!

[CheeseDreamsTonight]

I buy Panache Tango from Bravissimo and they're great

[BluebellBlueballs]

@Galliano

My boobs are actually slipping out of the bottom of a 32 though due to band being too big so I don’t think I can increase the band!

So it's the underwires causing the pain?

I'd seriously consider other brands. I know people slate M and S but I've had some comfy wired bras from them recently.

[lookslikeabombhitit]

Can you go on boob or bust website and measure yourself? I always measure using their calculator and rarely have an uncomfortable fitting bra now.

[WeCome1]

Sometimes it’s just the wrong bra for you. What brand did you used to wear?

[justasking111]

Had a lump scare so consultant, mammogram etc. Her advice ditch the under wire for every day use and wear boring non wired. Save the push me pull you bras for evening and boudoir activities. So it's Triumph for practicality and bravissimo for va va voom. She also said wear a bra at night.

[AnnaMagnani]

I get fitted at Bravissimo. They are keen on low band sizes but if it's actively uncomfortable just don't buy it and keep trying more bras. After all the customer is always right.

[Unbridezilla]

Bras aren't just about band and cup size. Shape and cup placement is important too, perhaps fantasie bras are a better shape for you?

If your boobs can drop out the bottom of the band, then is it breast tissue getting caught and rubbing that is causing pain?

[RuthW]

I found the same with Bravissimo. Never again.

[Galliano]

I used to wear fantasie. I also had some Freya but despite being part of the same group they were less comfy.
I couldn’t wear wireless. I have a very corporate job and though things have relaxed post pandemic I don’t think it’d be right in the office - might be accepted but would definitely impact how people viewed me.

[MoreHairyThanScary]

I like bravissimo for the sizing but I find their bras are generally uncomfortable. The fabric is often 'itchy' the straps a bit too thin, and not enough support around the band ( 2 hooks instead of 3 or 4.

Try a different bra. Bra stop does cheaper bras in larger sizes order a few and send back whatever is uncomfortable.

[Galliano]

I think the problem is possibly that I am not fleshy over my rib cage. In dropping a stone I’ve reduced this further. My daughter who is same height and similarly generous boobs is just a bit more well padded on her torso and doesn’t have the same pain with identical style bras. In fact one was recommended by her as super comfy and has pages of bravissimo reviews echoing this 😨

[Rebel2]

It could be
The bra is wrong - I only get on with Elomi bras
The band is actually too big and is moving and rubbing
You could try an independent bra fitter - there's is some virtual fittings too, one on Instagram is really good

[Mmr224]

I shop on bravissimo and find their own brand bras not as good a fit for me as panache or freya. I definitely recomend the tango bra. I've had similar issues although I'm quite short but have a fairly big rib cage for height, 5'2" and 34.

[KnittedCardi]

I think style has a lot to do with it too. As a 32 HH, I am always offered full cup, but they just don't suit my boob shape. I find balcony much more comfy. The panels in the shape just seem to hold me better. In fact I was wearing Fantasie balconette for years, but basically got bored. I now have a few Bravissimo bras, they wanted me in 30, I said no, and in 32's, the shoulder straps are completely loose, so all the weight is in the band and cup, so obviously the right size for me.

[DevantMaJardin]

Just go up a back size! As you get older your ribcage expands so while your BMI might be lower, your physical shape has changed.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

If your boobs are slipping out under the cups then you don't need a bigger band size, you need a smaller one. There's probably a few things going on here:

1. the bras are just too damn big. That means they can move more then they're meant to, which can make marking and pain worse, not better. It means the cups sort of fall forwards and the wires don't sit flat against you, they sit at an angle which digs in really painfully.
   
2. Some bravissimo own brand bras are quite firm
   
3. with your weight changing the wires aren't going to be matching your breast shape properly
   
   Go and get refitted, and absolutely try different bras and brands. I can't get on with Fantasie at all, they're the wrong shape for my boobs as are curvy kate (too wide and shallow) whereas other people find them heavenly. Bras are just like jeans or shoes where there is no brand or bra which is universally a good fit.

[JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon]

@Galliano

I used to wear fantasie. I also had some Freya but despite being part of the same group they were less comfy.
I couldn’t wear wireless. I have a very corporate job and though things have relaxed post pandemic I don’t think it’d be right in the office - might be accepted but would definitely impact how people viewed me.

You can get supportive non-wired bras.

Someone I know tried a Doreen bra by Playtex, expected to hate it, but said it was a revelation. Not pretty but supportive and a good shape under clothes. She said she'd never been so comfortable!

[LividNC]

Molke.

[devildeepbluesea]

I’ve always had better bras from Leia than Bravissimo. Although I have a feeling the only shop is in York now.

[FinallyHere]

I've been fitted in many, many different places. The only place I've found to be reliable in finding really comfortable bras are

https://www.rigbyandpeller.com

Completely worth taking a days holiday and travelling in to London, for me, from pretty much anywhere.

I first read about them in the '80's, an interview with the founder June Kenton who encouraged anyone contemplating. Breast reduction to try a fitting first.

In my early twenties, as a skinny 'very large breasted' self conscious wreck, I saved ferociously for ages, fully expecting to need a bespoke solution. Desperate to hide my shape, I was wearing a puffer style duvet coat when I showed up for my fitting.

As promised, not a tape measure in sight, the fitter gave me one bra to try on, saying it would help her gauge my size.

Stone the blessed crows, it fitted me perfectly.

Now, I return anytime I have lost or gained weight, so that I need a refit, otherwise order online. Not cheap, but really really brilliant value.

[LouisaMayAlcott]

I recently lost weight and like you OP my weight goes off my ribcage so I have no fat there and the wires from my (Freya Deco) bra were really digging in. I just wear non wired at home but need something decent when I'm out! Anyway I went to Bravissimo and the assistant had me try on about 10 bras until finally one of them felt and looked just right, it was a Fantasie. I just had to keep trying and trying, the one I ended up with has a softer piece in the band where it sits against my ribs.