Comfortable bras that don’t cost the earth

[MissDollyMix]

I’m desperately in need of some new bras! I keep seeing so many different brads of pretty bras popping up on my social media but I have no idea if any of them will live up to the hype (or the price tag!) I’ve always resented spending £££ on underwear that no one except my husband will see (and quite frankly, these days he’s just so excited to see me in a state of undress he couldn’t care less about the underwear) I don’t have a lot of spare cash at the moment but as the summer months roll in and I start wearing lighter tops/t-shirts I’m going to have to invest in some new bras. Everything just seems to rub these days. My boobs are pretty small - like a C cup maybe? I’ve put a lot of weight on recently and I’d like to feel pretty again. Any recommendations for retailers- either online (preference) or on the high street?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/flexifit-non-wired-full-cup-bra-a-e/p/clp60439504?color=BLACK&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_lg_ch__-UK-_-_baussc&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bRvZgz4N9RulanqdC693EZkk&gclid=CjwKCAiAiOa9BhBqEiwABCdG83qNSgv35nnl5irqnKqTLvQwMlsNWALdEmFo9GtHTR_m2qYpP_LGvhoCnxYQAvD_BwE

M&S body range. Basic like a tshirt bra but really soft and comfy.

Agree, the M&S flexifit is the best I’ve ever worn

Check out Boob or Bust to see what your size should be first and foremost. If you're in the wrong size, you're not going to be comfortable no matter how many bras you try.

3 recommendations for the same bra in a minute 😁

I like sugarcandy and lemonade dolls, but my budget is more George at Asda second hand from Vinted

I've just bought a pack of three t-shirt bras £11, Primark.
They have some really pretty bras in there.
I buy all my bras from Primark

Thank you all so far for the replies! @Missionimprobable i usually buy my bras from Primark but recently the quality seems to have tanked! The most recent set I bought all fell apart within a few weeks! Or one wash and they go a funny shape!

Oh I hear you!

If you were a c cup and have gained weight you might fit into the smaller sizes at bravissimo. They are not cheap but I have never come away from a fitting with anything that rubs or feels uncomfortable. I never understand when women say they take their bra off to sit on the sofa, I would be so much more uncomfortable without it.
As far as budgeting goes I just buy two nude bras in the style they recommend and hand wash them. They last for a year or two so work out affordable.
If you want different styles and colours it will cost more but unless you are very into that I personally don’t see the point. As you say your Dh is unlikely to notice.

I have non-underwired ones from Sainsbury. They are v comfy.

Have a look at Sloggi. They're not cheap.

I'd like to find a bra that is comfortable but not a crop top style one, and without padding or preshaped cups. A bit like a proper sports bra but for low impact;

Thank you all again.
I just tried the boob or bust calculator thing (the dog was most perplexed) According to the measurements I inputted it says I should be a 30F. I laughed so hard. There’s no way on earth I’m a 30F. I was wearing a 32c today and nearly cut my own circulation off.

I hate M&S as never have many options in my not-at-all-unusual size. Have had success with John Lewis own brand, especial if on special offer. Also Triumph - bought at JL. Not always cheap but they do actually feel like they fit me so can rebuy with confidence.

Honestly go to bravissimo you may be surprised what size you are and how comfortable a wired bra in the right size is. I sound like an advert but I would not go back.

Don't knock it! I went from thinking I'm a 34B to being a 30E.

That was through doing Boob or Bust where I then started to wear 32D, then I had an analysis with Bella Rosa lingerie. The smaller band width gives more lift then the wider cup accommodates the additional flesh that is pushed up. You have to scoop your boob in.

Some bras do run small in band width too.

I posted this on another thread but reposting here:

These are some good ones.
Won't win style awards but very comfy good tshirt bra: Body Soft™ Wired Full Cup T-Shirt Bra A-E | Body by M&S | M&S
Just lace but very flattering and supportive: Bralet - Deep V| Superboost Lace Black|Gossard
One of my favourites: Encore Padded Longline Bra Black Nude | Lingerie | Gossard
Not tried this but looks like great side coverage, actually I did buy it but it's quite a tight band, I needed to size up and never got round to it: Parfait Casey Plunge T-Shirt Bra Black – Brastop UK
This is on my list: T-shirt bra | Superboost Lace Lingerie - Nude | Gossard
Quite a fun one, band comes up small (as do knickers), they bring out a new colour every year: Romance Padded Boost Push up Plunge Bra in Black | Pour Moi
I also really like Rosie, they also bring out a new one every year: Cherry Blossom Silk Wired Full Cup Bra (A-E) | Rosie | M&S

I was a hard-core primark bra Wearer but got sick of the front cup folding over.

God that boob or bust thing is a load of rubbish, my heartburn would be severely irritated wearing bras as tight as recommended.

well 32C is sister size to 30D. If you really need F, that's 3 sizes bigger, so no wonder 32C is too tight.

M and S have great bras at the moment.

It's amazing how many women think going down a back size with several cup size increases will be tighter. It isn't!! Get yourself to Bravissimo. Embrace wearing the right bra size, it's a game changer.

Have you tried a bra on in the size it recommended to you?