droopy boobs and bras - problems buying

Yep that's the one I wear RAF. I find under wires dig in but I can cope with side stiffeners. The straps are good too.

Over the last few years I've found that my bra size has increased, always being 38D from my 30's. Now however I've discovered at the last M&S fitting that I've mushroomed to a 44D! As I cannot wear underwired bras, I'm getting more and more frustrated to find a bra which not only fits well and doesn't cost the earth but actually looks quite sexy! Anyone have any recommendations for me?

Shanma, Helen and Ollie on my favourite podcast, " Answer me This", think the Queen has a " tit double", who attends bra fittings on her behalf!

I find underwires dig in no matter what make and size. However the one bra that works for me is the Berlei non-slip. It does have stiffeners down the sides which I take out, but I have had a few compliments on my shape and questions on which bra I use, so must be helping, I am nothing special! www.damart.co.uk/F-10084-bra's-w/P-310517-berlei-non_slip-bra?gclid=CNyP3tTvoNACFY9uGwodmyMCIg

What is Tanner Stage 2?

My bras are from Amoena. When I checked they are 3 1/2 years old. Perhaps I should replace them, although they are still doing a good job. As I'm stuck at Tanner Stage 2 I don't expect I will have any problems with sagging.

Goodness, I didn't realise how lucky I am, I always cursed that I couldn't get bras to fit....I was built like a whip... But since I had breast cancer 7 years ago, I gave up on bras completely. I'm always extremely comfortable and as a nice bit of compensation, my boobs haven't headed south at all.

Bravissimo for me. Once you've got through the initial measuring process - yes I hate it, your details are stored and the last bra you bought. Very easy then to re-order

NotTooOld I've had several brands, but to be honest, the inexpensive Genie's are fine for daily use. Used to get them at BHS. If I am wearing something special, I wear an underwire one, the Berlei High Performance Sports Bra.

See this site: www.boobydoo.co.uk/

Do try Bravissimo,go to a store having made an appointment, the assistants are very helpful and will take lots of time,until you are happy.

The only bar I can find that fit and are comfortable are M&s. tee shirt bras, I have trouble with wired bras but these are ok. I think it is an age thing and they are not pretty but comfy.

I like Miss Mary of Sweden bras. Their measuring guide is the most accurate I've found and they have a good choice. I'm tempted to try Rigby and Peller [a Christmas pressie perhaps?] - apparently they know your size just by looking at you!!!

I see I am not alone with this problem, I was beginning to think I was the only one! I was always watching other women's boobs in the summer and most of them seemed to be " up and out" even the heavier ladies. Hubby thought it was easy to find a bra until I roped him in to searching for one under protest I might add.. He was amazed at range of sizes . Quite a few of you suggested bravissimo and I'm not sure if I tried them or not but I will try them before my xmas nights out

Lewlew - I might try your sports bra idea. Which ones are best, do you think?

Oh, bras! Hate 'em but have to wear 'em, at least until 6pm. After that anything goes. In my experience getting properly measured is no guarantee of success. I've done it often and always come away with either nothing or an expensive bra that the fitter says is my size but which grips me round the middle like a vice. I was a 34A for years and years but am now 36D or 38B or 38C, depending upon the bra because the sizing is not universal. I'm currently wearing Triumph Doreen but they are so ugly that I don't look at myself in the mirror when I put it on as it would make me too depressed. Those soft bras are alright for casual wear but even they grip you round the middle after a few short hours. Why can't someone come up with a PRETTY and COMFORTABLE bra? There is definitely an opportunity there for someone.

I also got fed up with bra straps slipping off shoulders. Used to buy very expensive well-fitting bras.

However, when I started having back trouble and before + after surgery, I switched to sports bras and have never looked back.

Comfortable, no slipping straps, no under-wires to cause summer-time rashes. Much better profile and my shirts and blouses actually button property without that puckering. Heaven!

Bravissimo are brilliant. I find M&S bra uncomfortable & they don't wear well either.I am an odd size 36G & I was advised over the phone by Bravissimo how to decide which size I needed. They talk you through it & if you have to try several sizes to get the right one they are very happy to sort that for you too. I find them very helpful & very friendly. I have worn their bras since 1998 when I was after a really pretty bra that fitted nicely for my 2nd wedding. I had been to M&S & JL & Debenhams etc. & been told different sizes from them all so I rang Bravissimo & they not only sorted it out for me but found me the most beautiful bra.
I wear their Fantasie smooth cup underwired bra for everyday- £23. It washes beautifully & never loses it's shape. I also have some lovely bras from them for under special clothes & all excellent. Give them a try. We have no local shop so I order it all online or phone.

Get yourself properly measured for your next bra!

Rigby and Peller, not cheap but worth every penny IMO ?

Actually, I think she put on a 32E! which fitted so much better.

I went to a talk by an expert bra fitter and she said that the main problem is that women wear the wrong size bras, their straps fall off their shoulders because they are wearing a too-large back size and a too-small cup size.

She had a fairly slim petite model with her who demonstrated what happened when she was wearing a 34C when in fact, fitted properly, she needed a 32DD.
There was gaping at the side, bulging at the front and the straps did not stay in place.

I also have uncomfortably large boobs and have never found bras which tick all the boxes.

Recently though, I stumbled across this site and sent for one of their brand specific tape measures.

I'm on a very limited income so haven't ordered one of their bras yet, but I do intend to do so as soon as I can afford to.

www.optifitbra.com/our-story/

Like the rest of you, I too have terrible problems finding a comfortable bra for my ample bosom! I tried M & S - where a lovely lady measured me BUT the problem was that the bras themselves don't tally with the size I was measured at! Some fitted beautifully (& I bought those!) but others in the same size & style but different colour had a completely different fit. So - not a good indictment. It means that every time I try to buy a bra, I have to try them all on - even in the style/size I know was right. I don't always have the time to spend 2 hours buying a bra so I often resort to Asda etc & if they don't fit right either I return them, end up wearing a bra that doesn't quite fit or give them to a charity shop as they didn't cost much!!

I get fed up with my bra straps slipping of my shoulders !!

years ago (in my teens) I got professionally measured as 32D which made a huge impact on my life as I'd been wearing 36B until then (because my friend did).
Since then I've grown a bit, and M&S recently confirmed that I'm now 34G. I've bought one in every colour of their Juliet bras (can't find them online, but look very like the Hibiscus) because they are so comfy yet look so pretty that my daughter has rushed off and bought herself one as well! Plus I like the silhouette they give me