Why are bras so ridiculously uncomfortable? And phones and...

[WomenUnited]

It is all just made for men isn't it?

I can't find a decent smartphone that fits in my hand any more never mind my pocket (I get those sewn in by the tailor now since they are mostly absent from women's clothes these days). I got tennis elbow and the physio partly blames the phone and banned me from typing on it rendering it fairly useless.

I hate bra shopping, it is always the same and I am always driven to it by summer heat making the usually uncomfortable completely unbearable.

Why all the sharp pointy scratchy spikes and lacy ribbony stupid bits and pinchy elastic everywhere?

I am allergic to latex which makes it all nigh impossible and not as svelte as I used to be so braless is no longer an option.

I am feeling very frustrated with it all and have been reading Invisible Women which is an incredible book and is making me brave enough to complain about what needs changed in my world!

We need women run companies making women centred design and development entirely accessible and the norm, like actual women not what men think women should settle for.

I find my bras very comfortable but I paid a lot for them and took care of get proper sizing (most women in the wrong size). If you have not already and are able, I do recommend going to a proper boutique and having them size you and finding nicely made bras. Ones without scratchy bits are out there (I also have sensitivity issues due to mastectomy scars) whether smooth materials or softer nice lace.

Phones...yeah, I get you. I was reluctant to move from my iPhone5 because the size was convenient for holding and small pockets. But I ended up with an iPhoneX. I have to say it is much better for my eyes - so trade off worked - and with a Pop Socket I have adapted to holding.

I tend to wear clothes or jackets with pockets and carry a handbag though.

Oh and the boutique I go is run by lovely ladies who are very kind and respectful of all women’s bodies. :)

My bras are super comfy. I pay for for good quality and fitting. If your bras are uncomfortable then you need to go somewhere with properly trained bra fitters.
Phones - totally stupid shape for small hands. I like my old iPhone as it’s small enough for me.

Ohh, clothes without pockets are really annoying and probably designed by blokes as are those seats on old trains that have the back rest bit in a stupid place for short people.

Totally with you on phones - I found a phone I can just about use and like but unfortunately it's Huawei. My DH just got a new Samsung and it's like a tablet, there's no way I can I use something like that.

Bras wise have you tried Molke bras? Designed by women and for all women. They have revolutionised my underwear. Plus unicorns and rainbows! (And white/navy/black for work).

I realised the other day that toilets are too tall.

I find bras comfortable since I have up underwired ones and now there's no going back.

*gave

Re bras, agree with PP about fitting, for both cup and back size, and shape. I’m a 34FF/32G and am much more comfortable in a bra than not.
I do wish for more pockets though. I love pockets.
Not got a problem with phones as have massive hands

My phone is also the right size! Invisible Women is an amazing book though.

I've got big man sized hands and a shit phone so I'm ok there, as for bras I switched to sports bras and theres no going back.

If your bra is uncomfortable, it probably doesn’t fit you. Agree that phones are too damn big though.

I’m a 34FF/32G and am much more comfortable in a bra than not.

Yeah, I am a 30E and agree (I hoped after my mastectomies and reconstruction I could go down in size but nope, due to my reconstruction type I ended up at the same size). My recon means I am more comfortable going without wires for brief periods (like lounging at home) but overall am still more comfortable and supported in a proper fitting underwire.

I gave up on bras because I’ve tried them on in the shop, they’ve seemed fine and then half way through the day I have to de-bra as I am in so much pain. Thankfully my boobs aren’t too big to do this and I don’t care if someone else thinks I should be wearing a bra.

Rabbit ears?!

(On order,haven't tried yet! 😂

I have been ok with the sloggi zero feel ones over winter but then it got too hot and sweaty for that sort of material (and also they don't give much support).

I do get properly fitted, my local John Lewis is very good but there just isn't what I am after. I had some really nice (expensive) Temperley silk bras a few years back which were brilliant for summer heat and didn't hurt me anywhere but they have never been repeated. Also some Missoni for Target silk bras with a kind of almost padded soft round the rib bit that were fantastic but again just a one off and got those in Australia. I am now 32F or FF depending on the fit which is just that bit too big for the comfy bra styles I used to enjoy at 32E.

I will try Molke, the wonder woman look is always a good one!

Can I add cars in here? It fucks me right off. Men build cars for men, and when women can barely see over the bonnet because you can't put the seat up high enough while still reaching the peddles, then they think it a hilarious old lady driving stereotype. Their shit design gives us a problem that they then take the piss about. It's taking the piss squared. The great piss robbery.

Sony Xperia and cheaper Motorola phones are small. Nokia is back and doing Android phones and I think there's are quite small too. Don't know about iPhone- the only Apple product I have is my work provided phone (which I hate- not for its size but its general uselessness compared to Android)

If your bra is hurting it's because it's the wrong size.

Rabbit ears?!

I’ve used them for under a matron of honour dress. Okay for a while if you don’t need a lot of support or lift but I would not wear for long periods. It’s rather thick silicone (ie can be hot). And I have limited sensation in parts of my breasts but taking them off the skin was ouch. Would not want to do that daily.

Why are iPhones and the like so expensive, and they cannot stand up on their own anywhere. Cannot clip them to your body, cannot clip them to anything. But I am sure there are ways. Watched YouTube and it is hilarious what people do to get their phones to sit up straight without any Apple or Android help.

Honestly. WTF.

M&S Flexifit bra is heaven on earth

ISmellBabies

Yes, it can be difficult if you are a short woman (or a short man). My 5’10” mother on other hand never had an issue ha ha!

I love my Mazda CX-5 for this. I have the higher model but my seat is incredibly adjustable and the visibility is great. I am 5’4” so yes a fully adjustable seat - with lots of range - is a necessity. My colleague who is 5’0” drives a Lexus SUV for the same reason - seat adjustability.

My Sony Xperia is massive! Had to get a pop socket to keep hold of it.

If your bra is hurting it's because it's the wrong size.

Nope, just the wrong material.

Please note that latex and elastic/lycra allergies are remarkably common and become worse with exposure. A perfect fitting bra can still result in swollen itchy sore skin and bruising after just a few hours and can take days or weeks to heal.

It is really not helpful to continually impose blame on the wearer!

I agree about cars, at a very average 5'4" I have had to have driver's seats taken off the runners and repositioned closer to the pedals in past cars. Dismal.