Why is it so hard to buy front fastening bras?

Savvy_Sue

Yes, it's another ranty bra thread. I did rant before about the difficulty of buying 'normal' bras for a large under breast measurement but small boobs, especially if you hate underwired bras. I even went to the nearest specialist lingerie store back in the autumn, she was meant to be getting some in for me, but it never happened despite me phoning several times. I've phoned them again: they MAY get some front fastening bras in March. But they don't know for sure.

Which means I still need new bras, I don't really know what size I am because I lost a stone when I crocked my shoulder and i don't know where the weight went from. And as my left arm is still pretty useless I thought getting some front fastening bras would be a good plan, because I quite like being able to dress myself which I can do if I forget bras and wear vests.

So, Debenhams: "Oh no, no front-fastening bras."

M&S: "We've got one style, it's a sports bra with a zip fastening at the front." Only the size range indicated on the back shows that they believe anyone measuring 40 under the bust must have big boobs, and anyone measuring 42 doesn't want a sports bra. Plus my experience of M&S is that they will try to squeeze you into whatever size they have, rather than try to fit you properly.

House of Fraser: "no, we get asked for them quite a bit but we don't have any. and it's so important to wear one."

Harvey Nichols: "no, we've only got a very limited range of lingerie so far, and none are front fastening. but my mum is training to fit bras atm and she intends to specialise in front fastening bras because she knows so many people have struggled to buy them."

La Senza, Next, BHS, nothing. No Bravissimo, but as I don't have big boobs I'm not sure they'd be any help anyway.

Mothercare: we don't have one in the centre of town, you've got to go to a retail park. And no, I'm not pregnant, but that's the last time I had front fastening bras!

Apparently there's another specialised bra shop 10 miles away, so somehow I've got to get over there on the train, but "phone them first" - well yes, I'm not going to make that trek 'on spec'.

But why, if there's a demand for them, does no-one stock them? :mad:

Torry_Quine

I've got these and they are very comfortable. Hope that is of help

http://shop.scotsman.com/I-BB-E799/cotton-comfy-bra-set-2.htm

dianasnan

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I've got these and they are very comfortable. Hope that is of help

http://shop.scotsman.com/I-BB-E799/cotton-comfy-bra-set-2.htm

thanks, that was exactly what I was after for my Mum.

Savvy_Sue

But I want to TRY THEM! I hate buying clothes online, usually more trouble than it is worth!

ellay864

http://www.justbras.co.uk/ourshop/cat_137989-Front-Fastening-Bras.html
http://www.needundies.com/front-fastening-bras.html

don't know if these are any help

nearlyrich

Try Figleaves they do free returns if you are not satisfied, I had a similar problem when I was trying to get my mum some front fastening bras, she had arthritis and couldn't get her arms around the back they had what she needed. Hope the shoulder is healing well...

Humphrey10

I've never been able to do them up at the back (the dyspraxia probably doesn't help), I do them up at the front and then swivel them round! This might be a bit difficult if you have restricted arm movement though, it's quite hard work swivelling them round.

faithcecilia

Humphrey10 wrote: »

I've never been able to do them up at the back (the dyspraxia probably doesn't help), I do them up at the front and then swivel them round! This might be a bit difficult if you have restricted arm movement though, it's quite hard work swivelling them round.

I do this too, as does my mother so it was years before I realised youre not meant to!!

I had a couple of lovely front fastening bras about 10yrs ago, underwired too. Sadly I have never seen any like them since. They were extremely comfortable (I had had surgery). So I might have a look through those links tomorrow and see if theres any I fancy.

starryshell

I've been looking for some as well - but it seems when you do find them, they don't think that someone wanting a front fastening bra has larger breasts or wants one in black. They all seem to stop around a 42 and almost always in white.

Bronnie

Humphrey10 wrote: »

I've never been able to do them up at the back (the dyspraxia probably doesn't help), I do them up at the front and then swivel them round! This might be a bit difficult if you have restricted arm movement though, it's quite hard work swivelling them round.

I've always fastened bras that way round the front as well. Do it with bikinis too! All my life: can be a bit awkward swivelling it round sometimes, but easier than fastening it blind!

Never thought about it before!!

Wonder why ????

Savvy_Sue

TBH, it's so long since I put my own bra on I'm not sure how I was doing it. :rotfl:

I know I've used both the 'fasten at the front and swivel' method, and the 'put on and fasten at the back'. I probably could 'fasten at the front and swivel' with one hand, but I don't think my left arm would go through the strap. Definitely can't do up at the back.

I think you are meant to lean forward into the cups and do up at the back for the best fit.