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.

JL fitter told me most women make thid mistake. I was wearing a 36 C and she put me in a 34 E.

I don’t wear bras at all, only sport bras for the gym. My cup size is the smaller one though , not even sure do the size as I don’t buy them!

Chantelle EasyFeel range. They come in several styles. I like Floral Toich and Ace styles personally as I have a projected shape.

The EasyFeel styles have a very soft material for the band and a special shape at the bottom of the straps on the back and I have found that this makes a world of difference for me.

My bra of choice for every day is the M&S flexifit. They seem to have a massive range now but the one I wear is this one https://www.marksandspencer.com/flexifit-non-wired-full-cup-bra-a-e/p/clp60439504 I wear a 36D in that range. I'm not sure if you can classify it as 'pretty' - its purely practical. But its more flattering than other non-wireds I have tried.

Another fan of M&S flexifit here. Most comfortable bra I’ve ever had. My only criticism is I wish the straps were wider.

I bought a bra from Outfigured just to see what it was like - I'm a very large cup size, small back. It was only £17.99 so I was happy to try it, and I'm totally converted - I've just bought another 5 of them. They don't dig in, the straps never move. They're a little tricky to put on at first - you pull it directly over your head (no clasps) but I can wear them all day and not feel the aches and digging around your body. Definitely worth a look

It’s one of the saddest things that people just don’t believe this. It’s so obvious from the description when people are wearing too large a band and too small a cup but for some reason they just won’t have it. They insist their band is too small because it feels tight. Well yes, it will, if the cup is too small, because half your breast tissue will be sitting underneath the band at the sides instead of scooped into the cup where it should be, which pushes the band away from your body, making it feel tight. And because they don't believe their band is too big, they keep going up in cup size and then complain that they don't fill the cups. Well no, of course they don't. Because cup volume is dependent on band size. But nope. They won’t have it. Threads like this are infuriating to read :(

If the OP measures 30 around the ribcage and is wearing a 34D, she's probably actually a 30G, and that's why she's so flippin' uncomfortable.

That said, someone mentioned up thread about resorting to Molke - Molke are brilliant. Even knowing my correct size in normal bras, I love them!

Yes, I think that may be the issue. The panache bra in my size 32G still has two hooks, not three as in some other makes. I hadn’t considered this to be the issue but it does make sense and I’ll have to try other makes as the digging into my spine is very painful by the end of the day.

Shien, 3 for £7. Honestly these are the ones that are always on social media. They work and are very comfortable and supportive. No underwire, light padding, thick straps and a good range on the closing at the back. I’m a DD and hit that tennis ball in a sock stage. Mine look god awful now. These have been a game changer for me.

Bra fitters often fit tight bands, and that’s all well when you’re standing upright in a changing room. But, when sitting, walking, eating, bloating, resting… They’re just uncomfortable.

The following are both true:

• Most women wear a bra that is too small in the band size.
• Bravissimo fit into painfully, unwearably small band sizes.

A too-small band size will stretch the cups sideways, pulling the wires out of their proper curve and into your armpits.

After years of wire bras I prefer the stretchy sporty type ones with padding. So much more comfortable! Or even the stick on cover your nipples ones, anything without clips. Xxx

I second shapermint..bit expensive but really comfy and dont dig in

I had always have the same issue as you until recently. I was wearing a 34dd or e and now I am wearing a 32g and they have been great. I think your wearing the wrong size. Put it into the internet what issues you are having with your current bra and it should tell you what changes you need to make. I bought the minimiser bras from Amazon. About £40 but I am pleased with them

Bravissimo was a game changer for me. Reckon it's been 20 years now, since they moved me from a 34 d to a 32e then post kids to a 30f/ff. I don't feel secure unless it's a tight fit. Panache envy is great on a saggy middle aged rack.

Well, the band needs to be tight because it's the band that holds everything up - (which is why strapless bras work, of course) the straps just keep the cups in place. A professional bra fitting should work. Have you tried brands like Bravissima?
Also, you are probably wearing the wrong size - bear in mind that there are 'equivalent' sizes (you can look on a chart to see these) which will fit better than the size you think you are.

I’ve recently changed to Boody and completely agree.

I highly rate this one, fairly new stock I think.
Lightweight, non wired, very supportive (even in 42DD) supremely comfortable.
Only see in it black or white so far.

Most women wear ones that are too big in the band size because they have been measured by M&S or read that a size 6 celeb is a 34 band
you need some pull in the band to open the wires

I used to be a 30DD but now I’m a 32 back size and go for a D or C cup. Stating the obvious in case you didn’t know that all D sized boobs aren’t the same, the cup size is related to the band size so if you shift band size from what you were measured then you need to shift cup size too.

I had to buy bra extenders when Bravissimo last fitted me, and that was for a non-wired bra. I could not keep the bra on all day without the extender because the band hurt. It wasn't mere discomfort, it was pain. I ended up self-fitting my current non-wired bra at M&S and I'm more comfortable in that than I've ever been in a Bravissimo-fitted bra. The strap runs level around the back, so it's the right size. I've had it for six months and I'm still only on the middle set of hooks. So much for "it'll stretch bigger within a few weeks".

You don't need to "open" the wires: they are made curved and fit around the outside of the breasts without any tension applied. The amount of pull I had when Bravissimo were fitting me for wired bras was stretching the cups sideways, flattening my breasts and dragging breast tissue back under my armpits and that chafed against my armpits. The wire was distorted and the ends impaled my armpits instead of sitting in front of them. Bravissimo put me in too small a band every time and I've stopped going there because of it. And I'm not alone in this. An independent fitter told me "I see so many women in a right state because Bravissimo fit the band so tightly".

Curlady bras on Tik Tok; the most comfortable bras without underwires but plenty of support. Available in a variety of colours and only about £12 each; they're brilliant!

I had a similar experience in Bravissimo.

I made a special effort to visit on a very brief trip to London (from Australia!) based on the recommendations on here.

I spent a lot of money on 3 bras which are extraordinarily uncomfortable. Too tight, rigid and itchy around the band. I have a slim torso but these things give me a fat roll under the band they're so tight. They are pretty and I do wear them sometimes to try to get my money's worth but can't wait to rip them off when I get home.

They're 34FF and G, and to compare my 36DD Wonderbra is far more comfortable and flattering. They are Bravissimo's own brand (a collab with someone I've never heard of) and Fantasie for anyone else wanting to avoid.

I totally agree. The Bravissimo bras seemed comfortable in the store but were so awful after a few wears I binned them - £120 worth 😩My go-to now are Fantasie bras, worth every penny.

I completely agree with Molke. I've had mine for years and they are brilliant. I'd never go back to underwired bras.