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My Bra Woes (Bra experts, pls help) TMI?? (just bras)


LettACE

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TMI, talk about ill-fitting bras, if you don't want to read about it, then you don't have too, thanks for clicking anyway

 

So for the last year or so i've been wearing a sports bra every day, a very specific kind, adjustable straps, major chest coverage, back closure, no real cups but fabric thick enough to hide any thing that might decide to show in colder weather, and just tight enough to reduce the outward bulge. It was absolutely perfect but after serving me for so long, the clasp has broken beyond repair and i have to find another one. The problem is that none of the bras i've found have done what i want them too. I just got a new one today, that i would say accentuated them in a way i wasnt too happy with but thought i could learn to be ok with (my mom was with me and thought it was the best, i was also a tad desperate since my bra broke) But now i've come home and been wearing it for an hour or two and the band feels too tight so as to hurt my ribs slightly, and i feel even more stongly about the cups and the outward bulges being too strong. I jUst want a bra like my old one but the brand doesnt sell them anymore. Somthing similar would be nice, but every bra i look at is either way too reveling (and thus uncomfortable), has no back clasps or adjustable straps and thus doesnt fit, or trys to accentuate my "assets" . nothing i try is working. 

 

Doesn anyone else have the same problem? How did you fix it? Any suggestions? I feel kinda hopeless. like ill never be comfortable in a bra again, but i cant be comfortable with out one... 

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I just found out that Jo Anne's fabric store sells bra clasps!!! I may be ale to save my old one!

 

Back up plans are still appreciated :)

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I suggest Jockey. They have a lot of different varieties, and they're the most comfortable bras I've ever worn. : ) I don't like ones that accentuate the chest either, and I've found that they're perfect. I don't like ones with adjustable straps, but they have those and sports bras that are great. And I agree Target is also good. Champion brand, too.

 

I hope your old one can be saved, too, though!!!

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Obviously I can't speak from personal experience :P, but it's oft said in the media that the commonest problem with bras is that they are the wrong size. Apparently 40-60% of wearers are using the wrong size. A decent shop should have a fitting service 

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everywhere and nowhere

Btw, are there any good, full sport bras made of cotton? I'm allergic to animal-based and synthetic fabrics - a bit of elasthane, lycra or something like that is acceptable, but a good bra for me should be at least 75% cotton...

I use a very particular kind of bra: formally it's a post-op, medical bra (size L), but the producer also told me that some women use it simply as a sport bra. I bought four white and four black. It has quite much cotton (though not as much as I would prefer) and is worn in a very untypical way: you put it on like a very short waistcoat and then there's a velcro strip in the front. Welllll... on the one hand it's much better than typical bras (I used to wear bras with underwire, but without any padding, and of course with much cotton) - it holds boobs better (it also flattens them a little bit and can even be combined with a binder - it's probably weird, but I just can't wear a binder without having any sport bra as a bottom layer) and now I very rarely get abrasions right under its bottom part (it was relatively common with traditional bras). On the other hand, the velcro doesn't always hold well, a few times I had to take my shirt off, roll up the vest and redo the bra; I'm always afraid a bit that it could happen when I'm not at home... And another unpleasant aspect is that I see much of my boobs when fastening the velcro. I don't like it, I dislike and avoid seeing myself naked (I have never seen my full body), my boobs are medium-large, fatty and very sagging, I already had sagging breasts at the age of 20... Perhaps from wearing sport bras only at that point and actually I don't care about having "nice boobs" - I don't show them to anyone anyway... But as a result of having to look at them every morning, now I'm thinking more and more about getting a radical breast reduction or maybe even prophylactic mastectomy without reconstruction under the pretext that there have been a few cases of breast cancer in my family... Still the problem remains that a) I have bad general health and a non-life-saving operation may be considered too dangerous, and b) I'm EXTREMELY uncomfortable with nudity and I keep telling myself that maybe I could clench my teeth and show the boobs to doctors a few times to be able to get rid of them - but I can't know for sure...

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I thought I was a 36 C for so long because those bras kind of fit at the store (like Macy’s) but the cups never fit close enough to my chest. A few months ago my bras all fell apart so I went to Victoria’s Secret for the first time (because it seems hypersexualized and always scared me off).

 

GO THERE. Their bras have more than 3 adjustments, and have snaps so you can cross the straps over if you want. And they know how to properly measure you (without taking your shirt off!) AND have a larger range of sizes. AND it’s all organized really well so it’s so easy to find your size. I found out I’m a 34 DD and they had so many bras in that size, and they have different base styles that you try on so you’ll know whether a certain style of bra fits (they have different areas for each style of fit in the stores) without even trying it on.

 

I got a sports bra there too, it was cheaper than the other ones :D

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EggplantWitch

I'm probably going to get carried away here. I really like cute bras. Maybe as a result of being a 34H who struggles to find them in her size :')

 

I'm with everyone else here: go to a shop that has a big lingerie selection and see if there's a fitting service. It's not as awkward as it sounds, I promise, and the benefits are so worth it. I have no idea what lingerie-shopping and bra-fitting is like in the States but here in the UK I've seen bra ranges described as 'minimisers' that claim to compact you down at least a cup size so look into those if you're not happy with the shape regular bras provide. There are a gazillion different shapes and styles of bra, and if you tell the person fitting you what you like and don't like they'll be able to help you figure out which kinds suit you. As for the digging in, new bras, especially wired ones, often hurt and dig in a bit when you first get them. I got some over the summer that were a real pain for about a week and now they're absolutely fine.

 

You didn't mention what your cup size if, but if you're on the plus-size end of things have a look around for local plus-size lingerie shops too. There's a chain in the UK called Bravissimo and their bras are so cute but so expensive I've never been able to afford one ;-; Good luck with fixing your old one, and finding some new ones just in case!

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5 hours ago, TopHatCat said:

I thought I was a 36 C for so long because those bras kind of fit at the store (like Macy’s) but the cups never fit close enough to my chest. A few months ago my bras all fell apart so I went to Victoria’s Secret for the first time (because it seems hypersexualized and always scared me off).

 

GO THERE. Their bras have more than 3 adjustments, and have snaps so you can cross the straps over if you want. And they know how to properly measure you (without taking your shirt off!) AND have a larger range of sizes. AND it’s all organized really well so it’s so easy to find your size. I found out I’m a 34 DD and they had so many bras in that size, and they have different base styles that you try on so you’ll know whether a certain style of bra fits (they have different areas for each style of fit in the stores) without even trying it on.

 

I got a sports bra there too, it was cheaper than the other ones :D

 

5 hours ago, EggplantWitch said:

I'm probably going to get carried away here. I really like cute bras. Maybe as a result of being a 34H who struggles to find them in her size :')

 

I'm with everyone else here: go to a shop that has a big lingerie selection and see if there's a fitting service. It's not as awkward as it sounds, I promise, and the benefits are so worth it. I have no idea what lingerie-shopping and bra-fitting is like in the States but here in the UK I've seen bra ranges described as 'minimisers' that claim to compact you down at least a cup size so look into those if you're not happy with the shape regular bras provide. There are a gazillion different shapes and styles of bra, and if you tell the person fitting you what you like and don't like they'll be able to help you figure out which kinds suit you. As for the digging in, new bras, especially wired ones, often hurt and dig in a bit when you first get them. I got some over the summer that were a real pain for about a week and now they're absolutely fine.

 

You didn't mention what your cup size if, but if you're on the plus-size end of things have a look around for local plus-size lingerie shops too. There's a chain in the UK called Bravissimo and their bras are so cute but so expensive I've never been able to afford one ;-; Good luck with fixing your old one, and finding some new ones just in case!

Thanks so much, I'm a 36C last i checked, never been done professionally though,  probably should go to a regular fitting. I did wear my new bra today and it wasnt as bad as i had originally thought, I might still get a different one but i might keep this one also.  Thank you all for the advice!! :)

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Hermit Advocate

Unfortunately, the best way is to just try on a bunch of bras and hope you like one of them. Bra shopping is always a thing of dread for me. If possible I prefer to go without. 

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If I were the OP I would not go to Victoria's Secret (at least for fitting).  I'm supposed to be wearing a 28DDD (which doesn't even exist there, but anyway) and the closest thing there has been a 32DD which is too small for me atm.

 

The past several years I went to VS and they measured me when I said I need bigger bras.  In two instances the assistants asked me what size I wear (said 32DD) and they said "ok well let's measure just to be sure" so I was like ok.  They measured me and said "hmmmmm well apparently you're supposed to be wearing a 32D, I'll go get you one."  Both times they did, and both times my boobs were basically exploding out of the bra and when I showed them they were like wtf and gave me 32DD, and I told them 32DD was fine because they didn't have bigger sizes and I didn't feel like dealing with it.  Right now I get the quad-boob effect with 32DD from VS but I haven't been able to find 28DDD anywhere. (afraid to buy online because of returns and shipping) 

 

Anyway I know I'm just one anecdote but I remember googling and finding some random forum talking about bras and most of the posters agreed VS is sketchy with fitting (or their sizing system is awful).

 

I went to VS this year though and remember seeing 32DDD but noticed that it looked exactly the same as the 32DD I brought in the same style.  So either I was tripping and it wasn't 32DDD or something is wrong.  I kind of rambled sorry LOL

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I think I’m suppose to be a 28D or something(my rib cage is 27 inches and my bust is 32 inches), but nobody freaking sells that size so I just settle with wearing 32AA or A. I know, bras suck.

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@LettACE Try looking for your discontinued bra on eBay and the like.

 

General advice: Victoria's Secret is crap. If you can't find a good independent shop, get fitted at Nordstrom. They usually have a big variety of sizes you won't find outside a specialty store. Keep in mind not every manufacturer has the same idea of your size and different styles will fit better than others. 

 

Common fit problems with pictures and solutions.

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Guest Jetsun Milarepa

I used to buy the bras that were the most comfortable a few at a time so that I didn't run out. I always go for a maximum  support sports bra as nothing I wear needs to look sexy!:lol:

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Apathetic Echidna

one rule has served me well in all my bra wearing years. When you do find a bra, wear it for about a week. If it does all the things you want and you are happy with it smash the piggy bank and go back and buy more. 

 

I got one bra in high school that I fell in love with. I ended up buying 5 or so a month later. The final one died and became unusable about 5 years ago ~ which was about 8 years after they discontinued making them. I still have it in the back of my draw in case I ever decide that making a bra from scratch is something I should try. 

Having some basic sewing skills is also really good. Tightening the band, sewing down slippery strap adjusters, taking extra slack out of shoulder straps, sewing the wire back in after it decided to try and stab you in the heart or even making the straps racer back style. 

Sometimes it is cheaper to buy a more common cup in a larger size and then adapting it rather than getting one exactly your fit that you have to order from a specialist or something. As long as the cup fits the boob all the straps can undergo edits. 

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For me the right bra made a huge difference. The difference between back pain and no back pain. I feel better, my posture is better, my clothes fit better. Having a supportive band, and straps in right place, and cups that work with my petite frame. I can see why so many complain when they get fitted once a decade at a mall and live forever in discomfort and pain. Also, the Brits know how to make bras. 💕

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EggplantWitch

Unrelated to the topic at hand, but triple D? What the hell is the American bra size system? I'd be a on the American one! That's nuts. Aother reason I'm glad I live in the UK!

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48 minutes ago, EggplantWitch said:

Unrelated to the topic at hand, but triple D? What the hell is the American bra size system? I'd be a on the American one! That's nuts. Aother reason I'm glad I live in the UK!

We use the imperial system. Why should anything else make sense? :lol: My UK size sounds less ridiculous than my American size so that's the one I share. 

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Have you tried a store called Lady Grace?  It's basically an underwear store, but not all sexy like Victoria's Secret.  They have all kinds of different sizes.  Look them up.  You might find what you want there.

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As a guy randomly browsing the topics, I have a newfound appreciation (I guess it is the season to be thankful for stuff 😆) for the fact that I hardly have to think when choosing undergarments 😯. It’s basically like picking out shorts; all they gotta do is fit my waist. Like, having to get measured for dress clothes is aggravating enough 😖.

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  • 1 year later...

When I got my boobs after surgery and I was finally able to started wearing regular bras my sister made an appt for me at a lingerie store for a proper fitting. To my shock I didnt know how difficult it would be to find a good fitting bra!  After being measured I  kept trying on bras, having the lady there tell me it looks good or not and me trying to decide if I liked how it  fit, it took what seemed forever but I was able to find one and I bought like 4 lol.   

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Try searching for the brand and style online? You might find another one out there.

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Can anyone suggest any other brands? I love my Bali's(they are sports bras) but they are hard to find in my size.

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  • 4 weeks later...
On 10/13/2019 at 3:31 PM, Rosendust said:

Can anyone suggest any other brands? I love my Bali's(they are sports bras) but they are hard to find in my size.

Have you tried Anita or possibly Glamorize What size are you looking for?

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Luftschlosseule

Have you tried going to a sporting equipment store and looking there? Since I am on a different continent and have never been to the US I can't help with store names.

Last time I found a bra that fit I was so happy with it I bought a second one and didn't regret it.

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QuiteContrary

The website I go through is called Figleaves. It’s got free return shipping, so if I’m unsure, I buy 2 or 3 similar sizes and return the ones that don’t fit as well. They have sales all the time and they’re pretty much the only place I’ve ever found that sells nice bras in the more uncommon sizes  (like 32G)

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