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 used to have small boobs sand could wear pretty much any old bra from anywhere. I now have mahoosive boobs (due to illness and weight gain) and getting a bra that fits, is comfortable, and adequately supportive is a nightmare (and bloody expensive). I recently had to get 2 new bras and I literally had to buy about 20 different bras of different types and sizes until I found the ones I have now (Freya Decps if those are any good to you - nice comfy material for summer imo).

Agree that the vast majority of bras are not made out of comfy materials suitable for summer I used to always buy cotton bras for summer when I had small boobs but there seem to be very few cotton bras for bigger boobed women. Maybe we need a campaign!!

It seems to be very tricky to get bras to fit. They need to be just right around the band when you have bigger boobs. Too big and there's no support and too small and they are too uncomfortable and have to come off after a couple of hours. Obviously they also need to fit across the cup, not cause bulging by the armpit and not dig in anywhere. There are really feats of engineering!!!

One tip I do have is to order a large number of bras and take them home and wear them with the labels on around the house for a few hours. That really helps to know if they definitely fit. All the bras I've had fitted in bravissimo have not fitted when worn for a longer period and have had to go back.

Oh and I have very small hands but I like big phones as I can see the screen better. I have an iPhone 8 Plus! I don't find it too big at all.

You need to go to bravissimo. For fitting at least.

The Panache Clara is the most comfy bra I've ever owned. I have it in about 8 colours (also available online for much less than bravissimo sell it)

But totally with you on the phone thing!

Bras are inherently uncomfortable....even ones that 'fit' you perfectly.

Molke are the most comfortable for me. And no bloody lace . And the fabric flexes so you can wear the same size even in that pre Menstrual swelling stage . Possibly female designers. Their awesome space bra is sold out though

Look up Boob or Bust on Facebook, it's a totally different way of measuring and has a wealth of info about where to find the kind of bras you want.

AND normal people not models

I'm happy to shake my fist at the patriarchy for all kinds of things... but bras, phones and cars? Nope, not getting it. I have pretty big boobs and am not skinny at all. I find it really uncomfortable to not wear a bra, and find normal, well-fitting ones perfectly comfortable. Normal size phone fits in my smaller than average hand, and I can see over the bonnet of my large Honda CRV fine. Am I weird or something?

I read a lot on MN about the pain and discomfort that bras cause but I can't relate to it at all. Like pp I find wearing a bra far more comfy than not. I'm hefty of tit and at this moment wearing a cheap Matalan bra and can't even feel it. Total comfort. When I'm braless the weight of my breasts is uncomfortable and restrictive. I'm wincing just thinking about doing unremarkable everyday stuff such as running for the bus sans bra!

Weird.
But that’s ok
Which reminds me, 30 years ago you couldn’t buy a 30FF, now you can get a much bigger. Even in a 28 back. Boobs are getting bigger and heavier and it’s not just people getting bigger and heavier . It’s leading to more back problems, difficulties exercising etc ( being otherwise normal ) . Why isnthis? No on knows, no one cares.

My Sony Xperia is massive! there's more than one model.

at this moment wearing a cheap Matalan bra and can't even feel it. Total comfort

One of my most comfortable bras is a cheap George of Asda bra bought when luggage went astray. I love it.

I'm happy to shake my fist at the patriarchy for all kinds of things... but bras, phones and cars?

I'm 5' 4"- the car thing puzzles me too. I've driven a Rover, an Audi, a Saab, a Nissan, several Fiats and an Alfa Romeo- never had a problem.

i've not read all three pages op.
at the very content in life age of 60 i went and had a breast reduction. at the top of my list of reasons why was the summer heat and horrible trouble finding a comfortable bra.
i asked myself why i was putting up with this daily challenge when options were available.
they are now firmly in place and bra's are optional.
i strongly suggest you consider this option.

I’m a quite small woman (5’2”) and the 3 things that really bug me are:

1. Trains - I am quite often on an overcrowded commuter train where I find myself bullied ‘CAN EVERYONE MOVE DOWN PLEASE’ (which I entirely understand) to a position where the only thing I can hold onto is a strap which is above my head, so either I run the risk of falling over if the train brakes, or I end the journey with a completely dead arm. And literally never has a 6 ft man offered to swap with me in that situation.

2. Cars - we have a relatively fancy car with seats that recognise which key is opening the door and adjust the seats accordingly but they don’t adjust upwards. I can move the seat forwards, and I can but the back rest up to support me, but I can’t make the seat higher. To add insult to injury, we paid extra for a little pop up thing over the steering wheel which tells you your speed and next turn if you’re using sat nav, and it’s practically worthless to me because I can’t see the bloody thing without craning my neck.

3. supermarkets - I am within the average height range for a grown up. It is not acceptable to put products at a height where I have to ask staff (or more often other customers) for help.

Yes to high shelves supermarket or kitchen!
High mirrors
Press pads for debit cards don’t allow for nails.

I recently bought the male version of the climbing trousers I usually get. When I put my hands in the pockets I could nearly reach my knees! The women's ones barely go past my hip bone. The men's pair also have a cargo pocket on each leg, but the women's ones only have one.

Why do women deserve fewer and lesser pockets? I don't always want to carry a bag.

The absence of pockets makes me quite annoyed.

Years ago I heard about a problem that Audi were having with one of their models in the States. While parking, I think the car shot forwards. Upon investigation it was discovered that the problem was.... short women. I will never buy an Audi.

Rigby and Peller fittings were a relevation many years ago. They say their best seller is the Prima Donna "Win". Not cheap at all, nor particularly elegant (wide strap etc) but price per wear is good, you feel comfortable and clothes look better.

Molke!

Molke, really? I like the idea of them but do they give good support? They look flimsy.

They give brilliant support and aren’t flimsy at all. Take a look at the Molke FB group-loads of photos on there of real people wearing them

I second cars and would like to add fridge freezers.

I can barely reach the first shelf in most fridge freezers. It's ludicrous. They are designed and made for someone who would be an above average height for a woman.

It's the same for fitted kitchens as well. Wall cabinets are generally installed at a height they makes sense for men, not women.

When I use my gran's kitchen, which is a specialist kitchen for the elderly and infirm so lower cabinets, it's so much easier to work because everything is easier to reach.

I'm reading Invisible Women at the moment as well. Just finished the section on how few women are included in drug trials. A huge eye opener for me. Truly shocking.