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Uncomfortable bras

(58 Posts)
gransruleok Mon 13-Feb-17 13:00:15

This is my first post, so here goes. How I hate bras, I get myself professionally measured, buy the recommended bras, but always find that after a few washes, they cut in, and by mid afternoon, if I'm not going out, I just have to undo them, oh, the relief. Today I decided to go along to John Lewis and buy bra extenders. I took a simple sketch of the end of my bra to make sure the hooks and eyes are the same distance apart, and bingo. Simple to fit and comfortable as you like. Highly recommend this to all those others who hate their bra. Should have done this years ago.

teifi Tue 21-Feb-17 18:57:32

Femfresh powder is made for 'intimate hyygiene', so can be found with the tampons in Boots or other pharmacists. It's made from cornflour rather than talc, and also contains benzyl benzoate which is effective with skin conditions. I find it works brilliantly for under-bra rashes. I use it every night after my bath, having dried the area carefully, and am now completely rash-free...

Esspee Tue 21-Feb-17 16:50:18

Blodwen, all of the recommendations given above will work but if I am in a very hot country and get a rash I use an anti-histamine, and talc.

Blinko Wed 15-Feb-17 09:13:03

34GG here so can't find anything in chain stores that fit. M&S are hopeless for me. Bravissimo does it every time. Pity they seem to be mostly if not entirely in the south. Fortunately they have a shop in Solihull, which I believe may be as far 'north' as they go. That's not too far for me.

farmgran Wed 15-Feb-17 08:59:06

Blodwen you might like to try ordinary cornflour under your boobs, it absorbs the moisture.

NanKate Wed 15-Feb-17 08:33:37

I buy bras from M and S that are for women after a mastectomy. They are soft and comfortable to wear. You do not pay VAT on these bras. I told the assistant I had not had a mastectomy and she said you still do not pay the VAT. They are pretty too.

Legs55 Wed 15-Feb-17 00:18:40

Coolgran65 I'm with you when it comes to using Canestan, my rash is fungal & very painful. Because of this I mostly go "bra-less" unless I'm going out. I'm 44C & find sourcing non-wired bras difficult

Coolgran65 Tue 14-Feb-17 23:56:07

Blodwen regarding rash under boobs, I used Canestan cream to clear the rash. Then dusted the area twice daily using Lanacane medicated powder. It was wonderful and no rash since, that's about two years ago. Lanacane powder is now hard to find and I use any medicated powder.

Being a 38 GG bra size I go to Bravissimo for fitting. In the house sometimes wear an ahhh type bra, bought off Amazon to be able to get one that (nearly) fits. Definitely shapeless.

chickenlegs Tue 14-Feb-17 23:29:22

I agree with all the comments about how uncomfortable bras are now I'm in my seventies. I don't wear one if I'm not going out. My problem is that I don't have particularly large nipples but unless the bra is padded, they show through my clothes. I grew up in a time when it was indecent to show nipples (my Mum taught me to put cotton-wool in my bra to hide them). So I can't get over the idea that other women will think me a slut if they show.

Blodwen1910 Tue 14-Feb-17 23:00:28

Thank you NanaandGrampy. On my shopping list for tomorrow -- Sure or Dove.

marioneliz Tue 14-Feb-17 22:32:43

Ladies have you tried Bravissamo? Unfortunately, I've got Big boobs but Bravissamo are fantastic at finding the best fitting bra.

NanaandGrampy Tue 14-Feb-17 21:38:40

I thought Naneee that you chose your AhhBras by t shirt size .

GrannyA11i Tue 14-Feb-17 21:27:13

So good to hear I'm not alone in this! Wish I had a solution other than removing the dreaded things as soon as possible!

Naneeeee43 Tue 14-Feb-17 16:57:20

Afternoon all, re: Bras digging in or worse; I've tried finding AAhh bras and at last have
on QVC BUT quite expensive and no sizing as I know it. I'm a 34f or 36e. How does that translate to M or L in aahh bras? Probably aren't made in my size. Could try hammocks I suppose. Any help/advice gratefully received. My first post so would welcome any reply. Best to all

Nibbie Tue 14-Feb-17 16:05:42

I buy some bras from asda,no hooks,just soft material that has padded inserts you can remove if not wanted,pull over the head,

Victoria08 Tue 14-Feb-17 15:56:43

If you are not big busted, just wear a camisole.
I only wear a bra if I'm wearing something thin or flimsy or see through.
You can get camisoles with padded bra insets as well.
Much more comfy than a full,bra.

RAF Tue 14-Feb-17 15:17:56

Can't get on with underwires at all, seriously uncomfortable. But Berlei non-slip, once I have removed the stiffeners down the sides, are super comfortable, give a really good outline, I have had work colleagues stop me and ask what bra I am wearing, which was astonishing!

Linbrikat Tue 14-Feb-17 15:03:02

I'm with Esspee. Very, very rarely wear a bra. Can't see the point as I sit around at home most of the time!

Granmary18 Tue 14-Feb-17 14:11:55

M&S "vests/strappy tops" with built in support (proper cups not bandeau) with adjustable straps, are brilliant, comfortable , give a good shape ....and I am large busted! I am a size 12-14 but buying size 16 vest ensures cups are right size. These really are a revelation for me, discovered this season!

NanaandGrampy Tue 14-Feb-17 13:32:24

I meant to add we've tried the Sure and Dove varieties. They are more expensive than an ordinary stick but last ages ages .

NanaandGrampy Tue 14-Feb-17 13:31:20

Ah Blodwen I do have a handy tip once your rash is gone!

This was told to me by a gnarled military man back from a sandy hot spot.

Areas like under your bust, creases in your groin etc are perfect for bacteria . It's the combination of heat and moistness. He recommended a shower, dry properly then use one of the stick type 24 hr deodorant sparingly in any creases including under the bust.

It keeps those areas perfectly dry for at least 48 hours . Perfect dryness means no breeding grounds for the bacteria that makes you sore. My daughter has tried this on the inside of the top of her thighs that sometimes chaffed in the summer. Works a treat smile

Blodwen1910 Tue 14-Feb-17 12:30:25

Some years ago, having got so fed up with bras, I went to Rigby and Peller (who sort out the Queen). The assistant explained that they do not use a measuring tape but asses one by sight. The result was a 34H bra ,which was expensive but made me look as if I had 2 flying frisbees strapped to my chest. This was fine in winter under a jumper but a 'no,no' for summer. My latest very comfortable bra is a £6+ from Tesco!
Has anyone a remedy for a nasty rash which often recurs under my boobs? Doc gave me Dacktarin which was not much help so I now have some bra-less days- not a good look!

Diggingdoris Tue 14-Feb-17 11:55:41

I bought some bra extenders from ebay. They do a variety of hook numbers and colours. As my weight fluctuates I find them very handy when I've put on extra pounds.

Lilyflower Tue 14-Feb-17 11:08:00

I am 32A. Might as well not bother. A nightmare to find a bra that small and then expensive when I do. Then the damn things bite into me. Grr!

blueberry1 Tue 14-Feb-17 11:02:55

I hate bras too but found the Genie type did not offer enough support for my 40d size.Have now found some excellent vests with a formed bra inside that do the job perfectly and are very comfy-can be worn under clothes or just as a vest top in summer.They are from M&Co and would recommend to larger ladies who just don't get support from normal "comfort" bras.

Neversaydie Tue 14-Feb-17 10:59:48

Am really puzzled by these posts.
Admittedly I stick to one make ,design and size as they fit me perfectly -Fantasie Elodie 36DD(which I suppose is a fairly standard size) - but I think I would have to persevere until I found one. I have been measured by assistants in various stores and they inevitably come up with the above so I've given up on anything else .I can usually get them more cheaply online and they do a few nice colours .I'm not into matching pants .