In need of a comfortable bra HELP!

aoife2k

Hey all,

I'm at my wits end with my bras so I'm hoping I can find some helpful advice here.

I've always been big busted and from day one my Mum brought me to get measured in the nearest good bra shop to us. Since then, I've never bought a bra without being measured so I know that I'm 100% the right size.

I'm a 36G but I've had weight issues. A few years ago I shed a lovely 3st and I was a very happy size 12 with a D bust but since gaining all that weight back plus a little more I'm once again in Whale territory and it's making my life miserable when it comes to bras.

I currently have 2 Panache Balconette Tango bras.. one in white and one in balck which cost me €70.
I had previously had Panache in a smaller cup size but since going bigger (which Panache seem to specialise in) I'm being tortured. The underwire under my arms is absolutely killing me, so much so that usually by 5pm I have to take my bra off it's that uncomfortable.

Imagine someone poking you just under your arm pit, nipping you sometimes but for the majority of the time being a real fricking pain in the boob!

What I'm wondering is, does anyone who falls into the same bust size category as myself have a good bra that gives them the support&comfort they need without the torture? I'm absolutely broke so I can't afford to go and pay €35 for a bra right now but am definitely open to hearing of other brand that do not contain torture mechanisms.

Regards,
Aoife

superLeetive

Hi Aoife,

I'm a size 10-12 and a 32G and so like you, I would never buy a bra without being measured/fitted.

I used to have problems with chafing under the arm/what felt like the underwire sticking in to me with what I thought were good fitting bras at the time until I went and got measured/fitted in a specialist underwear shop (until then I always got measured in one of the department stores which I thought were great at the time but now think they can be a bit hit and miss). Have you ever tried any of the Freya range? My current main everyday bra is the 'Deco' bra by Freya but I also have some from the Cleo by Panache range which are all really comfortable.

Can I ask if you generally get measured in a department store or in a specialist underwear store?

aoife2k

Well it's a department store that I go to but the lingerie department is great and are specialists. A lot of brides to be buy their dresses in this store and they also get their lingerie there too.

Where I'm based (the sticks) there aren't any specialist bra shops and I won't be near one anytime soon either

I'll have a look at the Freya ones, I think I've had one before but maybe I had a bikini of that brand. The other really important thing to me is shape and when I was skinnier I had moulded bras which I loved as there were no 'cold weather indicators' on show but now, because I'm bigger I don't need a moulded one for shape as I'm shaply enough!

Today I'm going braless...(because I'm at home) I can't stand the thought of being poked. The hunt continues!

lainey316

Freya is really good in big sizes, Fantasie are very nice too but a little more expensive.

If you were willing to take the hit on postage, you could order a bunch from figleaves and send back what doesn't work? I just order the same bras from them now every time they have a discount code.

livinsane

I also find it difficult to find comfortable bras with my bust size but Ive found that a good sports bra is the best for comfort and support. I have a great one that I got in M&S a few years back. Looks great under clothing also.

E.T.

I got measured in Bravissimo last year and for the first time realised the huge difference between bra styles and brands for comfort and fit. I could try on 5 different bras from the same brand and 2 might fit ok, 1 might be perfect and the other 2 torture. I think it's just a case of trying different styles and fits. And definitely sticking with the brands that are designed for larger boobs! (Freya, Panache etc). The bigger sizes in a lot of other brands just aren't designed well, and aren't comfortable or supportive.

Kitty-kitty

I've always found M&S good for good, practical bras, one way or another, and I'm extremely finicky and sensitive to underwires. They have a measuring service as well and any of the ladies I've ever dealt with really knew their stuff.

Emer911

I'm a 30E/F so I have the boob but a tiny back - so I find it really tricky to get anything in my size in most stores (I've never been able to buy anything in M&S ever!)

Bravissimo are my saviour! If you can get to London / Manchester / etc. then I'd definitely recommend dropping in to them. They specialise in 'larger' sizes and have a fantastic range of styles and brands. And they measure without a tape! Weird, but it works.

If you can't get to them, then a day in the big smoke would be the thing to do. As one of the other posters mentioned, Freya / Fantasie / Panache are the brands to go for. They design specifically for the bigger cup.

I know House of Fraiser in Dundrum, or Brown Thomas on Grafton St stock a reasonable range. Once you find a brand/style you like, take note of the style number and re-order from Figleaves, or another online shop.

Good luck with the hunt.

Susie_Q

I buy all my bras from Change, they are great for fitting and giving loads of personal attention until you are happy with a bra. They have a few stores around the country:

http://change.com/en/stores

aoife2k

aoife2k wrote: »

I'm a 36G.

The underwire under my arms is absolutely killing me, so much so that usually by 5pm I have to take my bra off it's that uncomfortable.


What I'm wondering is, does anyone who falls into the same bust size category as myself have a good bra that gives them the support&comfort they need without the torture? I'm absolutely broke so I can't afford to go and pay €35 for a bra right now but am definitely open to hearing of other brand that do not contain torture mechanisms.

From working in lingerie, I can tell you now that the only reason the underwire would be hurting you, is because the bra is too small for you - usually around the back.

So you were a size 12, and you put back on 3 stone, I can't imagine that you could be a 36 around the back. Again, this is possibly the reason why you found the wire digging into you.

Debenhams gorgeous range have nice, comfortable bras that prove very popular with our larger breasted customers. You can get 2-pack sets for under €30 and they come in both padded & non padded.

Twee.

+1 for Debenhams Gorgeous range, very well priced and comfortable. You can get measured in Debenhams and they'll help you find a bra that fits. You might be surprised at what size you are, I know I was when I got measured for the first time in ages!

SarahBeep!

I'll state from the offset that I do work for Ann Summers.

But the pure lace bras are amazing! Im a 38F and one of the other staff is a 36G. These bras are 2 for €30 and I must own about 12 of them. They wash really well and (yes im ashamed to say it) are fine to throw in the dryer! Theres extra material.surrounding the wiring so it doesnt dig in. I recommend them to everyone who comes through our doors, they're amazing.

ladhrann

Another thing you could try is going bespoke or made-to-measure (won't go into all the differences between the two terms here)

Rigby and Peller are corsetieres to Her Maj QE2
http://www.rigbyandpeller.com/customer-services/madeToMeasure.aspx

and heres another company
http://www.babygranduk.com/bespoke

A lot of places that do bridal lingerie seem to offer bespoke/made-to-measure as part of the deal. If they can do that in white then they should be able to do it in any colour as well.

Its dear, but at what price comfort? If one bra at £150 fits you perfectly surely its better than two at E70 that hurt like hell.

baby and crumble

I am very big chested, and tbh I stopped wearing underwire bras on a measurers advice a number of years ago and I've never looked back.

My back meaurement is big though, so I'm doubly screwed, I actually got my current set of bras from Lane Bryant in the States, and they're amazing. Really really comfortable.

TRISHKA

Hi
If you are anywhere near the north east there is a great lingerie shop in dundalk called http://www.ophelialingerie.ie/ and they have recently opened a sale shop right beside the main shop with all the branded bras/undies for €15, with funds tight it might be worth checking them out.