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The comfy bra thing....

(90 Posts)
jellybeanjean Sun 27-Sept-15 09:49:58

This morning's email from Gransnet included info on how to find the perfect bra. What I want, what I would gladly pay a small fortune for, is a bra which feels comfy all day long (i.e. not one I am desperate to rip off after an hour). I am a large-busted lady (66 and 3/4; that's age, not bra size) and would happily go bra-less if it didn't scare the neighbours/wildlife or attract unwelcome leering (probably more shock than leer, to be honest). Sainsbury's do a comfy pull on one but it offers next to no support, so I'm flopping everywhere when I wear it. M&S do a fairly comfy white one with a satin underbust band, but I hate white bras. I am stuck with the black full support M&S ones I've always bought, which have been fitted 'professionally' but they are so tight I can hardly breathe (ok, slight exaggeration).
Would be interested to read recommendations from other like mind/busted grans.

Envious Sun 27-Sept-15 19:37:07

I've been professionally fitted and been recommended a German brand bra called Rosa Faia. I've since order two of the same brand off Amazon instead of buying at the woman's specialty store. I've been very please as I am cup size not easily found. The material of the cups are stretchy and conform to me and the straps don't fall of my shoulders. I was also told fit should be tight but I think at our age we should be comfy. In fact I think Ill go put on my genie bra right now! grin

Luckygirl Sun 27-Sept-15 19:57:08

Tight!? - no way!

Liz46 Sun 27-Sept-15 20:10:58

I have two lumps in a rather odd place at the moment as I unfastened my bra an hour or so ago because I was so uncomfortable. My bras feel even worse when I sit and put my feet up to watch tv.

Judes01 Sun 27-Sept-15 21:06:24

The real problem is that ALL bra / lingerie companies manufacture bras based on only THREE body measurements.. and all use a 34B as their base point - and every different manufacturer has a different determination of what a 34B is... it gets worse - every single range within a brand is the same!! and that is why over 85% of women wear bras that don't fit and basically HURT like mad!!
In my research - every woman's bust is as different as her fingerprints - in order to get a purely accurate measurement for a woman - we have calculated that you need to take at least 120 measurements!!

And that is what we have done... using technology - 3d scanning. It is very new and high tech... but is revolutionary...

How can we POSSIBLY love our body when we struggle so much with an intimate piece of apparent that makes us feel so insecure?

It is the item we wear closest to our heart!!!

It is so very important we wear bras that feel really comfortable - that fit perfectly. So we can feel confident - love our body and through loving our body - we encourage self love!!! and is there a more beautiful woman than an empowered woman who truly loves and appreciates herself?

NotTooOld Sun 27-Sept-15 23:29:31

Blimey, Judes, 01, you sound like an ad for SOMETHING, but what is it? Have you invented the perfectly fitted, perfectly comfortable bra? If so, you should tell us more.

Coolgran65 Mon 28-Sept-15 00:22:49

In a op I mentioned Femfresh. I was referring to a corn starch talc substitute not a spray.

NanKate Mon 28-Sept-15 07:37:15

After years of problems finding a decent bra I have found the perfect solution for me. smile

They are from M and S and they are for after a mastectomy. They are super soft and pretty. Anyone can buy one and you don't pay VAT.

I got the girl to measure me and she said 34B well I can't bear tight bras so I bought a 38B and it is perfect. I have bought a number of them and they are all comfy.

Judes01 Mon 28-Sept-15 09:55:45

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

ninathenana Mon 28-Sept-15 13:28:52

I'm small busted but have a large frame.
It's a real struggle to find my size. Manufacturers assume that if your a B cup your only 36-38" When I do find them they're never pretty sad

Lona Mon 28-Sept-15 13:44:58

I agree nina I could probably wear 40" but the cup size would be too big.

Liz46 Mon 28-Sept-15 14:36:02

Nina and Lola, I have just bought a couple of 40b soft bras from BHS and I hope they are going to be ok. I agree that most of the bras with smaller cups stop at 38 but I wouldn't have thought I was a particularly unusual shape!

Gracesgran Mon 28-Sept-15 14:44:29

I have to thank everyone on here who mentioned the Doreen bra in a previous thread on here. I have found them a comfortable but supporting fit.

Nelliemoser Mon 28-Sept-15 15:52:05

I usually go for an M&S total support, which I find very comfortable but as others say it depends on so many variables of different person's body measurements. Things like the width of your back and you cup size and weight etc etc.
I never find under wired bras comfortable and I can see just how individualised getting a comfortable and effective bra is.

My daughter was a 32 DD when she was in her teens. She has a very narrow back. At that age an assistant in John Lewis spent a lot of time convincing her that a "push the boobs up" bra was never going to fit her comfortably.

Coolgran65 Mon 28-Sept-15 17:00:02

Lona if you found a 40" band comfortable you can go down in the cup sizes till you find what fits best. smile

numberplease Mon 28-Sept-15 17:42:40

They aren`t expensive, but I find the non wired bras at Bonmarche very comfy to wear, and very supportive. I saw some really pretty ones on a shopping website the other day, fancied a couple, but the sizes were S, M, and L! What sort of sizing is that for bras?

pinknanny Mon 28-Sept-15 17:47:04

I had trouble with the M&S non slip because they have rubbery bits on the underside of the straps - which I am allergic to ! came up in great big blisters ! good old BHS comfort range are not bad

AnnieGran Mon 28-Sept-15 18:18:03

Anybody know what size cup to buy if you have one bigger than the other? I thought it might come up in the discussion.

Elegran Mon 28-Sept-15 19:23:56

Probably to fit the larger, and pad out the other side.

Lona Mon 28-Sept-15 19:55:12

coolgran The bra extenders were the cheap option as I'd already bought two new non wired bras! In the future I will probably do as you suggest, thanks.

JoniBGoode Mon 28-Sept-15 20:41:58

I have found the best bra for comfort and support for large boobs is the Fantasie Belle bra. I am size 34F and prefer the full cup style but they also do a balcony style. Colours are black, white and nude and I have 2 of each colour. Perfect fit and they look pretty too.

etheltbags1 Mon 28-Sept-15 20:42:49

You cant beat the Genie bras, they do one for £1.00 in the poundshop, although Ive never tried them, I got mine from a co-op store and love it, I got 2 from Asda and they are great too, otherwise you cant beat a sports bra which I prefer.

SusieB50 Mon 28-Sept-15 21:32:02

I used to buy M&S bras 36 DD minimisers but don't know what's happened as new ones are completely useless and uncomfortable . Triumph have come up trumps though and very happy with their minimisers. Just find the price (£36) and having to hand wash a pain. I'm sure they would be OK on a delicate wash but don't want to risk it at that price until they a a bit older !

etheltbags1 Mon 28-Sept-15 21:38:22

has anyone tried a pound bra from the pound shop, be interested to hear what its like. I might get one if they are ok.
Also would anyone on here admit to buying a bra from a pound shop.

overthehill Mon 28-Sept-15 22:51:10

I am pretty dismissive of my bras, infact I just grab a 42D and providing it that size buy it.

However, I did put one on the other day and thought this bra feels really comfortable.

I looked at the label and it is M&S so I decided to buy a couple more.

This is the link should anyone be interested.

www.marksandspencer.com/floral-lace-non-padded-non-wired-a-dd-bra/p/p22291991?OmnitureRedirect=03012666

Lupatria Tue 29-Sept-15 10:29:25

I buy my bras from Asda. Usually I buy padded [or slightly padded] underwired bras and I've found them very comfortable. I'm a 40E [down from 40F] and they come in many different colours. I've got so many that I can't shut my bra drawer!!!!
And the price is very acceptable too - sometimes you get two in a pack for under £10.