Girls - where do ye buy your bras?

another question

I just haven't got the money for spending €30 upwards on one bra so I'm wondering, where do ye ladies recommend buying underwear.

I can never seem to get it right. Penney's and Dunnes are brutal for sliding straps, being lumpy and generally unsupported and uncomfortable. I can't really think of anywhere else in Sligo apart from NEXT, TK Maxx and Ophelia (which is really expensive). Although I have bought the odd CK One bra in TK Maxx, their selection is mostly terrible and matching is a nightmare and all the popular sizes are always gone.

Anyone any ideas? What is NEXT like? I've never tried them.

I'm only a B cup, barely, but have a broad back, I was measured once in M&S in Liffey Valley and told I was a 36B but could be an A in some styles. I find if I buy an A that I get spillage but if I buy a B I have that awful looking gap at the top part of the cup, it looks empty until about halfway down and when I tighten the straps, the back strap ends up riding up between my shoulder blades, it's just a nightmare!

Ella

I find M&S are great for cheaper bras. Now they're not super cheap but a lot better quality than Pennys and Dunnes.

Links234

I just go for m&s, got a sports bra from pennys too.

Debenhams

orchidsrpretty

Next bras are nice. Also tescos bras fit quite weel also depending on the style. I have the same "spillage" problems; so I only wear balcony bras now and that has sorted the problem!

another question

Unfortunately there is no M&S or Debehams in Sligo, the choice is really limited. I had tried on several in M&S when I was last in Liffey Valley about 3 months ago and even from a huge selection, I didn't feel as though any fitted me correctly.

What's so annoying is that Penney's used to do a very basic padded t-shirt bra in black, white, nude and they used to have non-slip straps, they kind of had a plasticy grip stuff on the inside of the strap and they used to be brilliant at €6, they stopped doing them about a year ago and since then I have been doomed. I have been in the Penney's in Galway, Mary Street etc, all the big ones and none of them have them. So I suppose I am looking for something similar. They weren't over padded either, they molded to your shape.

another question

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

Next bras are nice. Also tescos bras fit quite weel also depending on the style. I have the same "spillage" problems; so I only wear balcony bras now and that has sorted the problem!

That's really interesting actually because I used to always stay well away from balcony bras because I thought they looked so uncomfortable but I loved one in Penney's that was very pretty around Valentine's day that was champagne colored lace with the pearl drop in the middle and it has been the only comfortable, no slip, no spillage bra I have had in months. Must look in Tesco, thanks.

rainbow kirby

This probably sounds a bit silly to you, but with the fit problems you describe it sounds like you are almost certainly wearing the wrong size (and given that M&S fit you that's very likely, they are absolute garbage at fitting). The band riding up at the back is a strong indicator that your band is too big and your cup size is too small - try a 34C or even a 32D (keeps same volume but gives a tighter band). Most of your support should come from your band and you're not getting any if the band is riding up.

westies4ever

Thanks the lord for small boobs - Penneys all the way

another question

rainbow kirby wrote: »

This probably sounds a bit silly to you, but with the fit problems you describe it sounds like you are almost certainly wearing the wrong size (and given that M&S fit you that's very likely, they are absolute garbage at fitting). The band riding up at the back is a strong indicator that your band is too big and your cup size is too small - try a 34C or even a 32D (keeps same volume but gives a tighter band). Most of your support should come from your band and you're not getting any if the band is riding up.

That doesn't sound silly at all, in fact you are probably spot on. I will look into that and try a 34 with a combo of cups and see how I get on.

MurdyWurdy

All my bras come from m and s - wouldn't buy them anywhere else! The range of sizes and styles is great, they're comfortable and not too expensive. I can't buy bras in places like Penney's because they don't do my size so m and s is a great mid-price alternative. I find with other brands as well I'll need to try a variety of sizes for each style but m and s is fairly consistent. I remember when La Senza was still open their sizes were tiny and I'd have to try on 4 different sizes to get one bra I liked.

Bought all my maternity/nursing bras in marks as well, they were much cheaper than buying them in Mothercare or other maternity places.

rainbow kirby

MurdyWurdy wrote: »

The range of sizes and styles is great, they're comfortable and not too expensive.

I'm of the opinion that they're grand up to about an E cup. They are decent value up to about that point and they are one of the few cheap small band options (not many other cheap retailers do a 28 band that runs quite small).

In larger sizes, the construction is poor - they seem to simply scale up a DD rather than recognising that G+ cups really do need a bit more structure, and they can be quite uncomfortable because of that. They also lack an FF cup in their range which makes determining sizes bigger than that a bit more complicated.

Incidentally, I can't buy anything there because I'm sized out. I would be a 32H in their bras and in that cup size they make nothing smaller than a 34 band.

The Debenhams sale is absolutely brilliant for stocking up on cheap bras though in all sizes - they have a lot of stuff at 50-70% off, which means a lot of very nice bras for somewhere in the €7-€20 range. Go into the stores though, because they rarely put the good deals online.

MurdyWurdy

Fair enough - 32E is the biggest size I've had to buy (I'm not counting the maternity bras because that's not real! ) so have no experience with bigger sizes there. I would be buying in the D/DD and E range (depending on weight loss/gain) and find them good for that.

I've also bought Elle MacPherson bras (I think they sell them in Ireland in some department stores) and found them quite good but not cheap, unless you get them on sale

B0jangles

I find bras are bloody difficult to get right.

Even if you find a manufacturer or chain store range you like, there's so much variaton between the different styles they produce that in order to get maybe 5 different ones that fit well you could be trying on 20 or more in varying band and cup sizes.

I'm cheap and an odd size so I like M&S when it's sale time and TK Maxx (though IMO the latter have definitely gone to the dogs in the last couple of years).

Twee.

If you want to buy online, keep an eye on the sale section on Bravissimo, there's often good bargains for high quality brands. http://www.bravissimo.com/products/sale/lingerie/ You can search by size and type of bra.

I buy my own in Arnotts, and get measured there too. Not cheap (€30+) but I see them as a bit of an investment for the everyday bras that I'll be washing and wearing very often. My last two were by Triumph. I have a few nice bras from M&S and Floozie @ Debenhams too.

Precious flower

Marks and Spencer all the way for me! Even though I'm only a 34B I find it impossible to get bras in Penney's they just never seem to fit right. To make matters worse I can't wear underwire, I just can't. I don't know if others have this problem but I just find them unbelievably uncomfortable. M&S does a small padded non-underwired range which suits me down to the ground and they fit me really well, really feel supported in them. It's a pity though the the non-underwired ones are either boring or very ugly looking!:( I got two bras for 22 euro there as well, worth paying it for the comfort.

Ambersky

I find this site very good for the variety of choice they offer, they deliver to Ireland and they have good sales fairly regularly.
You can get really well made, top brands, at a much cheaper price than they would be sold for here if you watch out. Just checked and there are some bargains there now.
http://www.freshpair.com/womens/bras.html

Ilyana 2.0

OP, a good way of knowing if your band fits properly is that you shouldn't be able to fasten the clasp at it's tightest when you first put it on. The bra will stretch out a bit as you wear it; if you have it on the tightest hook before you've worn it for a while, the back strap will slide up.

Bra shopping is a nightmare for me too; I'm a 30/32 FF, but the cup size changes a lot depending on weight gain/loss and whether I'm on the pill. Right now I only have three bras that fit properly right now, and one is strapless

another question

B0jangles wrote: »

TK Maxx (though IMO the latter have definitely gone to the dogs in the last couple of years).

Couldn't agree with this more, TK Maxx used to have a great selection of lingerie, wonderbra, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Triumph etc, not they only have 1 odd of everything, nothing to match and crap brands I have never heard of.

another question

Precious flower wrote: »

Marks and Spencer all the way for me! Even though I'm only a 34B I find it impossible to get bras in Penney's they just never seem to fit right. To make matters worse I can't wear underwire, I just can't. I don't know if others have this problem but I just find them unbelievably uncomfortable. M&S does a small padded non-underwired range which suits me down to the ground and they fit me really well, really feel supported in them. It's a pity though the the non-underwired ones are either boring or very ugly looking!:( I got two bras for 22 euro there as well, worth paying it for the comfort.

I find this interesting too. I would never have considered non-wire! I always presumed they looked kind of floppy or created a flat-chested look, that they compressed as opposed to lifted/sculpted. What kind of effect do they create for you?

another question

Ilyana 2.0 wrote: »

OP, a good way of knowing if your band fits properly is that you shouldn't be able to fasten the clasp at it's tightest when you first put it on. The bra will stretch out a bit as you wear it; if you have it on the tightest hook before you've worn it for a while, the back strap will slide up.

Bra shopping is a nightmare for me too; I'm a 30/32 FF, but the cup size changes a lot depending on weight gain/loss and whether I'm on the pill. Right now I only have three bras that fit properly right now, and one is strapless

I'm a 36 or at least I think I am and they would be 3 clasp ones, I would vary between the middle to most outer/loosest clasp and it still rides up a bit on me. Interesting point about the pill, I was hoping that going on the pill 3 years ago was going to increase my size but unfortunately it didn't have any effect, I then lost some weight and now they are smaller than they ever were

another question

Ambersky wrote: »

I find this site very good for the variety of choice they offer, they deliver to Ireland and they have good sales fairly regularly.
You can get really well made, top brands, at a much cheaper price than they would be sold for here if you watch out. Just checked and there are some bargains there now.
http://www.freshpair.com/womens/bras.html

This is as great website, only thing I would be worried about is import duty. Isn't it any value over €22 carries import charges from the US?

Speedsie

With regard to bra measurements (and if you are experiencing the strap riding up, spillage etc you are not wearing the correct size), take a look at www.venusianglow.com/2008/04/bra-matrix.html for the best guide I've found to measure yourself!

Speeds

another question

Twee. wrote: »

If you want to buy online, keep an eye on the sale section on Bravissimo, there's often good bargains for high quality brands. http://www.bravissimo.com/products/sale/lingerie/ You can search by size and type of bra.

I buy my own in Arnotts, and get measured there too. Not cheap (€30+) but I see them as a bit of an investment for the everyday bras that I'll be washing and wearing very often. My last two were by Triumph. I have a few nice bras from M&S and Floozie @ Debenhams too.

That's a great website, watched the fitting videos, very imformative, worth a look, thanks twee.

anna.fun

I usually buy them in Hunkemoller.
Lovely quality and really comfortable to wear.

Pythia

M&S normally. It's beside my house and they have a big selection. I bought some in Victoria's Secret in the US in March. They have some good ones but a lot have crazy padding. I'm already a D so I don't want to be any bigger!

Precious flower

another question wrote: »

I find this interesting too. I would never have considered non-wire! I always presumed they looked kind of floppy or created a flat-chested look, that they compressed as opposed to lifted/sculpted. What kind of effect do they create for you?

I suppose if they weren't padded they might give you a more flat-chested look but the padded ones are grand for me anyway.:) I don't know if they give it a lift but they definitely look fine. That probably doesn't help much, but I don't know how to describe it well . But I know my breasts are well supported and they look fine to me! I'm not sure how non-wired would look if you had bigger breasts, maybe they need the underwire for extra support.:)
What really gets me is that depending on the different bra stores you go into, you can be different sizes! Why is this?

Lia_lia

I seem to be one of the only people I know that finds it difficult to find bras small enough for me I'm a 32-34A. But Penney's bras in an A cup are just too big. Same with a few other brands.

I usually just stick with Calvin Klein bras (usually from Tk Maxx) because I know they fit me...

Precious flower

Lia_lia wrote: »

I seem to be one of the only people I know that finds it difficult to find bras small enough for me I'm a 32-34A. But Penney's bras in an A cup are just too big. Same with a few other brands.

I usually just stick with Calvin Klein bras (usually from Tk Maxx) because I know they fit me...

That's one of the reasons I stay away from Penney's for bras anyway, their sizes seem to be all over the place. I've tried 34B there and they're too small tried other sizes near to that and they don't seem to fit well either. I'm hardly Katie Price like, not to mention all their stuff is all underwire, my worst enemy!:pac:

shoos

Anyone have a recommendation on where to get fitted?

Noticed someone said earlier to avoid M&S and they probably would have been my first choice. Would it not depend completely on the girl you get?

Twee.

I got measured in Debenhams (lots of branches nationwide) before and found them very good. They do black and white/nude two packs for good value too. They often do offers too where if you get measured you get a money off voucher for bras.

Can't remember where I read it, but it was something like M&S bras aren't consistent with other brands sizing, so you get measured say for a 34D in M&S, then go to look for the same size in another brand and find it doesn't fit, so, you end up back at M&S. I've no idea how true this is, I only pick up the odd bra there and don't get measured there. But I had a similar problem in Victoria's Secret in the US. I'm a 32DD, and they actually don't stock that size and they were trying to sell me a different size instead.

rainbow kirby

shoos wrote: »

Anyone have a recommendation on where to get fitted?

Noticed someone said earlier to avoid M&S and they probably would have been my first choice. Would it not depend completely on the girl you get?

If you suspect you are D+ (and a lot more women are than they think, 34/36 B/C are very common incorrect sizes for women who are really in the 28-32 D-F range) then Bramora in Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin.

Arnotts are pretty good too, huge range but not particularly cheap unless the sale is on.

I'm actually not a big fan of Debenhams for fitting, but that could be blamed more on a bad experience with one particular fitter in Henry St.

If you want to try yourself at home and have a measuring tape handy - try this and/or the Reddit A Bra That Fits community.

shoos

rainbow kirby wrote: »

If you suspect you are D+ (and a lot more women are than they think, 34/36 B/C are very common incorrect sizes for women who are really in the 28-32 D-F range) then Bramora in Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin.

I wish

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Arnotts are pretty good too, huge range but not particularly cheap unless the sale is on.

I'm actually not a big fan of Debenhams for fitting, but that could be blamed more on a bad experience with one particular fitter in Henry St.

If you want to try yourself at home and have a measuring tape handy - try this and/or the Reddit A Bra That Fits community.

Thanks for the tips! I've actually measured myself with a couple different online tools but was getting different results depending on the website. Very frustrating. I might just go around a few places and see how I get on. Do they measure over a bra or do you take it off? I wouldn't really mind, I'd just like to be prepared

Twee.

They will often measure you in a bra, so go in a t-shirt bra, no padding or push up. You could wear no bra and a string top either.

dee_mc

Hi OP, you mentioned you like Calvin Klein bras, might be helpful to know that DKNY bras are made by the same people, I used to work for an underwear company attaching tags etc and the only real difference between their styles is the colour range! Think you can sometimes get DKNY ones in TK Maxx?

Mariasofia

I used to love La Senza but not in mahon point anymore . Would recommend tesco though for cheap everyday bra, really good fit. I found pennys terrible.

Ilyana 2.0

I got a DD bra in Tesco once and although the cups fitted, the shoulder straps were nothing more than ribbons. They gave no support and cut into my shoulders.

ivytwine

Unfortunately if you are an unusual size you haven't much choice other than pay over the odds for a bra. Used to always get them from Penneys and Dunnes but the fit was all wrong. I got measured at home and found out I was 30DD, sounds like a dream size, but it's a pain in the bum! The shop I was measured in didn't even stock my size!

I have to either go to Brown Thomas, M&S, or Debenhams for bras. M&S are not that cheap really but the cheapest of the lot. Bravissmo online are good too. Can't go to LaSenza, Ann Summers, or anywhere pretty much outside the above three shops.

I'm afraid there's not much option for the oddly-proportioned woman, but hey, I suppose €30 per bra is worth not having back pain or nip slips.....

Posy

Mariasofia wrote: »

I used to love La Senza but not in mahon point anymore .

No La Senza anywhere in Ireland anymore. I used to really like their stuff!

I usually get my bras in M&S, but I still always have to try them on first because two different bras in the same size can still have a completely different fit.
I don't like buying bras that don't have matching knickers though. :pac:

foodaholic

Ive heard peaches and cream are good for measuring.
I went to brown thomas and it was a disaster. She was giving me a 34 - far too small, skin overhang and everything.

McChubbin

I've been very surprised recently by the sudden influx of 40 back bras in Penneys in Swords. I'm an awkward size, fluctuating between a 40D and a 40DD depending on the shape and type of bra but I've never had any trouble with the Penneys bras aside from slipping straps.
That said, I'd love to go into Clerys and buy a proper dainty lingerie set. I just lack the monies to pamper myself.

another question

Girls, will ye take a look at this link and tell me if you think the model in the photos is wearing an A or B cup.

http://www.asos.com/Ultimo/Ultimo-The-One-Bra/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2210765&SearchQuery=the%20one%20ultimo&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black

She has a very, very similar shape and frame to me and after reading tons of reviews I would really like to try out this bra but don't know whether to buy the A or B.

Got fitted yesterday as a 32-34 A depending on bra style but will definitely go for the 34 in this one as all the 32's I tried yesterday were uncomfortably tight. Let me know yer opinions, thanks!

athtrasna

OP you can buy M&S bras online, they do really good sales, I've got loads for under €15. But it does sound like you need to get measured properly first.

I'm a 32D and most of my bras come from there, I got a few in Debenhams lately too. A lot of places don't go over a C cup at 32 which is frustrating.

I cannot ever get a bra that the straps don't constantly fall down off my shoulders!! I think I have funny shaped shoulders!

MurdyWurdy

Deleted User wrote: »

I cannot ever get a bra that the straps don't constantly fall down off my shoulders!! I think I have funny shaped shoulders!

I have altered bra straps in the past too. They are often too long for me, even when the strap has been shortened as much as possible! I also think I must have short shoulders of something like that.

Sala

I got measured in Debenhams once. The girl asked what I usually wear I told her 32-34 F or FF depending on the brand, I have to try them on, and I often have trouble that they don't look right on me when on. She measured me and said I am around 33 so it's either 32 or 34! Anyway she ran off and came back with a few perfectly fitting bras, I would have never picked them up, but no "spillage", pointy boobs or anything, I don't know how she did that!

I can't buy Dunnes, Penneys etc, they don't do my size but also I think I big bust needs a better quality bra. I once read an article about a woman who trialed a custom made bra service - it was circa 250 pounds sterling for a bra but apparently the best fitting bra she ever had. My OH always thinks I should do it but I would be sick paying that money and then putting on / losing weight, or finding it only fitted for 1 week a month or something!

OkayWhatever

I got a few bras in New Look in the sales and find them great! They have a good range of sizes as far as I can remember, and I don't think they're that expensive!

I'm a 36F and got a few out of the Kelly Brook (is that her name ) range and no complaints at all! Great value if you get them in a sale, think I got one for like €6? But don't think they're too expensive full price!

I, like many other people here, hate penneys bras! Was delighted when they brought in the DD+ cup but they're just awful! I got a white one and it fit grand when I put it on but after walking around for a while it doesn't really keep my boobs in it And hooshing boobs back into bras in public is NOT one bit attractive!

Beanie13

watch out for debenhams sales..usually january and late august....stock up well...they do a t-shirt bra in a variety of colours for 13 euro, less in sale though...t-shirt ones are my fave, hate that look you get on a chilly day with ordinary bras!!!! other than that...shaws, m and s,.....never did the dunnes or penneys as i think a good investment will last longer than several penneys ones..that's just my theory... but do stock up when you find something in one of the big stores that fits and is not riding up your back.....don't have the patience for rooting in tk's!

Best of luck in your brassiere hunt!

belcampprisoner

Penny's or dunnes but I have seen some in the 2 euro store

Legs.Eleven

M&S when I'm home in Ireland. Can't get decent bras my size in this country.

Daisy78

Debenhams for me...they have a brilliant selection at very reasonable prices. They do a basic tshirt bra (in lots of different colours) for 15 euro that firs really well and washes well too. Maybe next time your down in galway you could pop in and ask for a fitting while your there? I used to spend silly money on bras but I can't really justify spending the guts of 40 quid on an item of clothing I can't even show off!