bras - underwires!

I've been having terrible pains in my lower ribs for a few months now, and I noticed they aren't there in the mornings, and don't appear at all if I decide to hang around in my PJs all day... I'm quite thin so I'm wondering is this could possibly be related to my underwired bras?? I've only been wearing underwires since two years ago (I piled on nearly two stone in two years - was very underweight before). Maybe the bras are too tight - does anyone have any recommendation on where to go to get measured? It seems to be very difficult now to get bras without wires - anyone got any hints?

I am going to the doc next week to make sure this is pressure related and not something else.

How Strange

Marks and Spencer is great for bra fittings and it's free with no obligation to buy. I'm pregnant at the moment and underwire bras aren't recommended so I can tell you there are lots of non wired bras.

themadchef

Deleted User wrote: »

I've been having terrible pains in my lower ribs for a few months now, and I noticed they aren't there in the mornings, and don't appear at all if I decide to hang around in my PJs all day... I'm quite thin so I'm wondering is this could possibly be related to my underwired bras?? I've only been wearing underwires since two years ago (I piled on nearly two stone in two years - was very underweight before). Maybe the bras are too tight - does anyone have any recommendation on where to go to get measured? It seems to be very difficult now to get bras without wires - anyone got any hints?

I am going to the doc next week to make sure this is pressure related and not something else.

Personally i couldint ever wear underwires, found them so niggly and annoying. I ended up getting hooked on Triumph Doreen i think it was called. No wires, bit grannyish (ok, alot grannish) but comfort was king...until i discovered Lepel. Dont wear any other brand now. I find them so comfy, even with the wire. You really do get what you pay for. Bra's are around the €30 + mark but worth it imo.

Maybe try a few on? See how you feel. Stay away from the cheaper ones anyway would be my advice if youre experiencing problems with pinching etc.

Thanks! I will try M&S and get measured. Also will see what the doctor has to say. But will definitely keep in mind the brands recommended here! I am only an A or at a push B cup, but because I have such a small frame I find it hard to go without a bra - but in the last few years found it hard to get any without wires. I do only shop in Dunnes and Penneys though (cheapskate!!)

But if it's my confrot that's at stake I suppose splashing out for the better bras is worthwhile in the end!

baby and crumble

I have huge boobs and i was recommended not to wear wires, and the difference is great... I know my Mum had tiny boobs and was told the same thing- wired bras seem to work ok for the high b-c-low d range, but otherwise non wired are the way to go i would think.

Unregistered39

zoegh wrote: »

I have huge boobs and i was recommended not to wear wires, and the difference is great... I know my Mum had tiny boobs and was told the same thing- wired bras seem to work ok for the high b-c-low d range, but otherwise non wired are the way to go i would think.

I'm intrigued about this! Why were you advised against underwire? I've always felt they're much more supportive (but can't remember the last time I wore a non-wired bra). In what way is it different? I'm a DD myself.

Unregistered39

Unregistered39 wrote: »

I'm intrigued about this! Why were you advised against underwire? I've always felt they're much more supportive (but can't remember the last time I wore a non-wired bra). In what way is it different? I'm a DD myself.

Me too! I have small boobs but do wonder why underwires are ok for one size and not another?

Also I did a very age old trick of slitting the bra and pulling the wires out. I'm too cheap to buy new bras

But next time I am in town I will get myself measured in M&S - have a feeling that my old 32A is now a 34AA - I have gained a lot of weight in the last two years.

Leelaa22

Unregistered39 wrote: »

I'm intrigued about this! Why were you advised against underwire? I've always felt they're much more supportive (but can't remember the last time I wore a non-wired bra). In what way is it different? I'm a DD myself.

Ima DD - E and I tried both underwired and non wired I find the underwired by far more comfortable too but that is only since I got measured in a proper boutique.
I went to M & S before and they told me I was a C and I never had a comfortable bra with them. but since going to the proper boutique(Not la senza) they feel as light as air, any pains I would get (back and ribs) are gone.

rainbow kirby

Leelaa22 wrote: »

Ima DD - E and I tried both underwired and non wired I find the underwired by far more comfortable too but that is only since I got measured in a proper boutique.

Same here. I'm a 34DD/E and I can't imagine wearing a non-wired bra (I'm excluding sports bras here) for normal everyday wear and finding it comfortable.

Leelaa22

I just dont feel supported with out the wire. but my mam is an E and she has never worn unwires she finds them uncomfortable... I guess there is no right or wrong with them

LadyMayBelle

I cannot even imagine going without an uderwire!! I'm tipping FF with a 28 back and god forbid I stepped outside without an underwire; all hell would break lose. With the exception of my sports bra to be honest, that thing is amazing and I'm temped to wear it everyday as it makes me look a lot smaller.

baby and crumble

well maybe it's my shape but underwires never sit right on me- there's always a gap along my ribs, Whereas an admittedly VERY supportive non-wired bra sits in the right place along my back and doesm't ride up as much as underwired do. I noticed much better lines under my clothes once i ditched the underwires.

Now, underwired bras tend to be cheaper, so i've had to do a bit of compromising within my budget, but i do notice better shape and support in my non-wired ones...

Bookworm85

Sorry for digging the old thread up, but just wanted to add my 2c.

I was in thesame boat op. My ribs were killing me from the underwire on my bra and thought I was weraing the wrong size or else didnt need underwires at all. I went to M&S to get measured, and the lady who measured me said I was wearing the right size but was probably wearing the wrong shape/ type.

I used always wear plunge or tshirt bras, but she sugested I try wearing a balconette/balcony style instead. So I bought a balcony bra to try out and noticed a difference straight away.

Faith

Deleted User wrote: »

But next time I am in town I will get myself measured in M&S - have a feeling that my old 32A is now a 34AA - I have gained a lot of weight in the last two years.

I just wanted to clarify something, because I've seen this more than once - confusingly, AA is actually smaller than A. AA is the smallest cup size available, so if you think your boobs have gotten bigger, and you wear an A cup, the next cup up is B.

Maple

Leelaa22 wrote: »

Ima DD - E and I tried both underwired and non wired I find the underwired by far more comfortable too but that is only since I got measured in a proper boutique.
I went to M & S before and they told me I was a C and I never had a comfortable bra with them. but since going to the proper boutique(Not la senza) they feel as light as air, any pains I would get (back and ribs) are gone.

I wouldn't rate La Senza at all for measuring,in fact i'd go to say my experience with them has been utterly dreadful. They tried to convince me that I was still a B cup when in fact,having gone to a proper boutique I turned out to be a 34E. I've a much better shape, my breasts aren't around my back and I feel much more supported.

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Same here. I'm a 34DD/E and I can't imagine wearing a non-wired bra (I'm excluding sports bras here) for normal everyday wear and finding it comfortable.

Snap. Right down to the same breast size and everything. Strange co-incidence amongst TLL mods:D

Hi guys, turns out I have been wearing the wrong size bra for years.... thinking I'm a 32A or even an AA cup, turns out I'm 30D. No wonder the bras have been hurting! Though the underwires are still putting too much pressure on my ribs, so I'm still trying to find bras without the wires. Thanks everyone.

Leelaa22

Deleted User wrote: »

Hi guys, turns out I have been wearing the wrong size bra for years.... thinking I'm a 32A or even an AA cup, turns out I'm 30D. No wonder the bras have been hurting! Though the underwires are still putting too much pressure on my ribs, so I'm still trying to find bras without the wires. Thanks everyone.

any good bra boutique should have them sizes without wires or at least order them in for you. Glad you found out your real size