The comfy bra thing....

VERY expensive but high-quality and long lasting (when washed by hand) is the Prima Donna brand. Some styles go up to an i cup and they are usually in a number of colours, not just white.

I only have to buy about one new one a year as I can still wear some that are pretty old. They do relax as the elastane wears but even the old ones are still better than any other brands I've tried.

I love this one:
www.primadonna.eu/en/primadonna-fall-winter-2015/families/deauville-winter-grey

I do opt for an underwire - but can honestly say it's really comfortable as it fits so nicely. I don't get on with M&S bras which don't fit me properly, and wouldn't risk the pull-on sort as I would also be flopping everywhere as I too need lots of support. Prima Donna always look great on, (dare I say, even pretty or sexy) and some styles (like the Deauville above) come in a new colour each season.

Both my large-busted older daughters have also moved into the Prima Donna range now as must be similar shape to me (sigh!). The younger one likes the "Twist" styles as they are a younger look I think.

Might be worth exploring these Jellybean?

As I said, VERY expensive. Probably £50 - £90 depending on style at a guess.

Where can I get corn starch Coolgran ?

I love Rigby and Peller and don't find them in the least bit patronising. I'm quite very overweight and don't really like taking off my clothes in public but the fitters at R+P have never made me feel uncomfortable. Yes, the bras are expensive but the fit is great and makes you look a bit slimmer.

I am size 38 A. BUT, wide backed, so bras have to be worn on the loosest set of hooks, and they still crucify me below the bust. If I get a 40 A (do they exist? ) the cups would be correspondingly larger and my smaller breast wouldn't fill the cup - remember that nursery rhyme about the cow with the crumpled horn? Comfort bras are fine BUT make me too hot as they are made of very thick fabric. I shall try to get some extenders from Tesco as Gransnetter suggests.

Looking forward to cold winter winds . I'm small busted and slopy shouldered have never found a REALLY comfy bra. In the Summer I wear a bra as it would be obvious otherwise under shirts and tops, but in the glorious winter I go back to vests - wonderful, comfy warm and soft - hurrah!

I have a precious set of M&S bra's that are hand washed etc. I have the narrow shoulder problems so was delighted to find this style with rubber strips under the straps that keep them in place.("rose trellis" ). I cannot see them anymore perhaps because an allergy problem as someone mentioned?

I bought those soft pull on tops ... only 2 Euro here and in beige, black and white. I thought would be handy for travel. I do find them grand but wonder how long they will last? They were a godsend for elderly ladies who have had broken wrist/arm/shoulder = all felt undressed without their undergarments and could not manage the fastening with damage to fingers as well.

I do wish M&S would bring in some other colours to the usual beige/black/white offerings and think more of comfort rather than seeing bras as fashion items. They also sell the soft tops but only in set of two of different colours and for £12 I think a few weeks ago.

Notspaghetti I buy the Prima Donna ones too, but as you say they are expensive. I have just got the Bella Di Notte catalogue today that sells them and noticed some nice looking non wired ones ( different make) that has further set in straps which would be better when walking , as a
Though the Prima is very comfortable and a nice shape, the straps tend to slip .

Just received a Genie bra, bought because of recommendations on this thread. I bought a size 16 - I am realy a 14 - and am glad that I did. It would definitely have been too tight otherwise. It is pretty comfortable, but I am a bit disconcerted by the "fried egg" look! - and it does roll up a bit.

I have ordered one, if it doesn't give me any uplift I might just wear it in bed, it was surprisingly cheap. I ditched under wired bras a while back due to the wire coming out fairly frequently. I find the non wired bras generally more comfortable. I'm sick of my bust, I wish it would disappear, I appreciated having a decolletage once upon a time, now they are a damn nuisance, I'd trade them in for a couple of fried eggs any day. Put it like this if they had been chicken fillets they'd have been removed a long time ago! Aside from women who have had to have a mastectomy, I don't understand the desire to undergo surgery to have bigger breasts.

Anybody who suffers from bra rash or,like me rash on operation scars try Daktarin powder from any chemist.It works within hours and is even good on thin or sensitive skin.

I'm sending my Genie back - not a good fit, and definitely rolls up. I have a surgical scar under right boob and I hate anything tight there.

Tried wearing my bra inside out but the fastener still digs in

Hear! Hear! Terribull
My boobs have been the bane of my life , a 34B would be perfect!

I wish I could have had a boob reduction years ago. I know it sounds horribly ungrateful but it's so difficult to get clothes to fit nicely without accentuating the buggers!

I had a similar problem with straps falling down until I found Glamorize front fastening bras. They are supportive but more attractive than Doreen.

I hate bras with a passion and only wear a bra if I have to go out. If I wear a bra for too long I am in pain and feel as though my back is ready to snap. I prefer to wear a stretchy tank top which gives me some support and is comfortable through the day.

I hate bras!!! I have never found a comfortable one in my whole life. I am a 38A - and all the bras I have ever had have cut me under the boobs. If I get a bigger size the cups are too big. I have been measured up before now but still finish up with tight band below boobs.

OK ladies... I think I can help ! But only if you can get to Northants.

Rigby and Peller have a factory shop, on the Rothwell Road in a little place called Desborough... pronunced Des - bra !

It's easy to find and in addition to an excellent fitting service by helpful mature ladies, there are some massive reductions on top quality bras like Freya, Fantasie and Fauve.

I live in Northants, and all the girls hereabouts visit regularly.

I gather the place has recently changed its name and is now known as Wacoal Europe.

It's usually open from 9 - 4p.m... but if you're coming from a long way... and many women do... it's best to check the opening hours before you leave home. They also have sales on top of the usual discounts !

The phone number is; 01536 761 252.

Chances are, you'll find you've been wearing the wrong sized bra !

I now wear a 38 FF, and the bras I get at Desborough are the best and most comfortable I've ever worn.

Happy hunting !

Rigby & Peller have a factory shop?

I'm on my way!

Jaxie - I am in exactly the same boat as you - 40As are as rare as hens' teeth as far as I can see!

Try getting post op bra specialist shops all give different sizes since surgery I have spent a lot on bra and can honestly say non fit brilliantly just have to put up with the. Them .

Surely the only comfy bra is the bra slung over the bedroom chair when one can't stand it any longer!

M&S "cross-my-heart" type, worn inside out, have no seams and are pretty good (but not pretty - very plain)

I can get to Desborough! It's not exactly local, but there's good roads between here and there. Sue01 you are a star

I am a 42J or 42K - massive buzooooms that are the bane of my life. Even when I lose weight, my bust only goes down in band size and unlike most women, I don't lose weight first from my bust, but from my waist making my boobs look bigger. As part of a pain management plan I have seen a consultant about a breast reduction of the NHS and I would be an acceptable candidate if I can get my BMI down to the required level, but that's not likely any time soon.

Bras are SO expensive and at the moment I only have one bra that fits well, so I only wear it when I leave the house. I have worn soft bras in bed for donkeys years (including the stretchy kind mentioned on here). The adverts for the stretchy bras used to say they were suitable for up to D cups and I'd say that is still the case. There's virtually no support in them.

Talking about bras being too tight, the rule is that a bra is the correct band size if two fingers can slide under the band at the back. Obviously someone has to help you to try this and the band should be tight over the fingers. The band should be tight because it takes the weight of the bust (not the straps).

Terribul and Loopylou could have written those posts myself. if only I was brave enough I would have a reduction.Hope it goes well for you Wilma. Surely being offered the op on NHS will spur you on to reach your bmi (?if you don't have the coward issue!)

We all seem to hate bras! Me too.I used to live next door to a quite elderly lady who once surprised me by saying " Isn't it lovely to get home from an evening out and go take your bra off!" I hadn't thought about doing that, and in fact didn't until fairly recently, and yes, it is lovely, extremely so.
I'm not big busted either, but even so hard to find comfy bras that also give uplift and support. Usually buy from M&S or Debenhams, any that don't have wires ( although I used to always buy underwired years ago.)I only buy in either black or nude colours, as they are the most useful.Same with buying pants.Both bras and pants have to have lace on them though, the more the merrier.