Sick of buying uncomfortable bras

[FletchFan]

I feel like it's impossible to buy a bra that
a) doesn't feel like it's strangling me
b) doesn't dig into me (underwired especially)
c) lifts my D cup boobs enough so they don't look flat and saggy
d) actually keeps my boobs in rather than them congregating at the middle
e) looks somewhat pretty and flattering.

I have so many different types, and every time I try one on in the shop and think 'finally', I wear it for a day or two and the one of the above problems happens and I've wasted yet more money.

I just wish I could find a bra that actually fits and then just get it in several colours so I don't have to think about it anymore.

I've been to bra fitters, they always fit me in ridiculously tight bands that aren't comfortable.

Is it just me?

I'm almost tempted to get some type of tape as my current bralettes are fabulous, my boobs just want to spill out the middle and it's driving me nuts.

These are the ones I have, no wires at all, love them 💕

For everyday Get a decent sports bra from for example Sweaty Betty.

I agree though. I think you haven’t found the right shape & size for you.

I am a 32E, that’s not an easy size and I have tried hundreds in slightly different sizes and shapes. I’ve found what works for me,
agent provocateur (on clearance prices ) and replace them regularly.

Yes but as I've said before, I'm not comfortable in the 'correct' back size.
If I'm not comfortable, I won't wear it.

Found the Comfit solved this for me too. Comfortable to the point where I'm not desperate to take bra off end of day 😅

No I haven't, and I'm not best pleased I'm going to have to keep spending a lot of money until I get to that point.

have you tried looking on Ebay ? it's not only the size that makes a difference, the style has a lot to do with fit, eg full cup, balcony, plunge

you can find brand new bras on Ebay and try them at home

good luck!

It's not just the back size though - if you're trying a smaller back size and a small cup also, it will be uncomfortable. I'll bet you're not trying the right size and then it's trial and error re the shape/brand which works best. Support comes from the band. If it's too large, the strain comes on the shoulders. What sounds like a large cup size really isn't. Most women wear the wrong size and still think a D is huge.

I've really no idea then. I've only really got online or retailers such as Next or New Look near me. None of which do bra fitting.
M&S probably do but I've been told their bra fitting is terrible.

I found a lovely shop in York (excuse for a holiday) they measured me by look.
Couldn't believe that they got it right. I was wearing 34b. The young lady got me to try on a 36f.
It's so comfortable and as I had breast cancer my boobs are an odd shape.
I have been again to get measured after 12 months and I'm now a 36e.
The bras are pricey but if they are good then I don't mind paying.

Can you say roughly whereabouts you are geographially because someone might be able to recommend an independent lingerie shop?

I agree that it definitely sounds like you are wearing the wrong size.

A PP posted a link to the boob or bust website, which is a really useful guide to get started. The cup size isnn't the same for all band sizes, so if you aren't getting enough support from a 34D maybe try a 32DD or 32E.

@Imfat was it Leia lingerie? They’re great - went after my local independent got exasperated and sort of kicked me out because I didn’t want to spend £113 on a flimsy bra 😂 got two bras at 30 something each from Leia and they fit perfectly.

I have recently gone up a whole cup size thanks to bloody menopause, but I am trying to lose weight so unwilling to spend much. Now I am a 34 E. I got measured in John Lewis and bought the Bella wirefree bra for about £18-20 after a lot of trying on. It's very comfy. My fitter at JL was very good.

But that’s probably because you dont also go up in cup size to compensate for the reduction in band size. That makes the cup too small which makes the band feel tighter than it is.
The cup on a 34D is not the same size as the cup on a 30D. Cup size is dependent on band size.

I've switched to Glamorise front fastening bras this year and find them so comfortable. I won't go back. The stretch lace style is especially good at accommodating my very slightly different sized boobs.
The return policy is great too - you can wear it for 90 days and return no questions asked. Makes the price bearable as you only keep what fits. When I do return they email me a £5 off voucher for my next purchase. I'm a droopy 34D btw but this lifts and separates.
This is my everyday comfort style: https://glamorise.com/en-gb/collections/bestsellers/products/front-closure-stretch-lace-wonderwire-bra-apricot

@Higgleayes it's Leia lingerie. Friendly staff and lovely items.
I tried an independent shop near to where I live and it was very expensive and the items were boring.
It was a one woman shop and you had to have an appointment. Because my left boob is only half a boob
because of the breast cancer. She kept pushing bras over £100.

@Higgleayes it's Leia lingerie. Friendly staff and lovely items.
I tried an independent shop near to where I live and it was very expensive and the items were boring.
It was a one woman shop and you had to have an appointment. Because my left boob is only half a boob
because of the breast cancer. She kept pushing bras over £100.

@Higgleayes it's Leia lingerie. Friendly staff and lovely items.
I tried an independent shop near to where I live and it was very expensive and the items were boring.
It was a one woman shop and you had to have an appointment. Because my left boob is only half a boob
because of the breast cancer. She kept pushing bras over £100.

@Higgleayes it's Leia lingerie. Friendly staff and lovely items.
I tried an independent shop near to where I live and it was very expensive and the items were boring.
It was a one woman shop and you had to have an appointment. Because my left boob is only half a boob
because of the breast cancer. She kept pushing bras over £100.

@Higgleayes it's Leia lingerie. Friendly staff and lovely items.
I tried an independent shop near to where I live and it was very expensive and the items were boring.
It was a one woman shop and you had to have an appointment. Because my left boob is only half a boob
because of the breast cancer. She kept pushing bras over £100.

@Higgleayes it's Leia lingerie. Friendly staff and lovely items.
I tried an independent shop near to where I live and it was very expensive and the items were boring.
It was a one woman shop and you had to have an appointment. Because my left boob is only half a boob
because of the breast cancer. She kept pushing bras over £100.

I struggle too - I’m probably a 32 back but can’t bear the tightness and find underwires increasingly irritating. Randomly found these from peacocks which feel very comfy but also give a good shape. I wear 34c. https://www.peacocks.co.uk/4500142-white-plain.html

After years of being told I was different sizes I've settled on M and S flexfit. No wires and really comfortable for my 36GG monstrosities. They're made of lovely soft material

I'm about 40 minutes from York. I live in Yorkshire.

I didn't find Boob or Bust or Bravissimo any good. Wasted so much money buying bras that seemed fine when tried on but were murder to wear for any length of time.

I'm in South Yorkshire so probably a bit far for you to travel, but my local market town has a brilliant independent lingerie shop. However, it is more than you want to spend. I would have a look at the boob or bust method and try going down a band size and upping a cup size. Also, consider the style of bra as some styles work better than others.