Has anyone ever found a comfortable bra?

mia45943

I've been wearing them for 40 years (OMG am I that old?)and have never found a really comfortable one. Years ago I even went to a special bra store (Rigby and Peller in London, corsetiere to the Queen!) to be fitted. What an experience, I will never forget the saleslady who had a chest like the prow of a battleship who burst into the fitting room and embarrassed me half to death! Even those bras were uncomfortable.

Recently I read about the Bra-lelujah (sp?) and it sounded so great so I splashed out on one, what a disappointment. It is ugliest bra I ever saw - a horrible color like old nylons (in England they called that color "American Tan" - ugh) and the seems are so poorly finished. It gives no support and, worst of all, the back rides up and is so uncomfortable. I was driving and kept having to take one hand off the wheel to yank it back down. There is no way to adjust the fit as it has no fastenings: the instructions that came with it said to step into it, after dragging it over my big hips its no wonder it has no support!

Any ideas, anyone? I can't bear underwires or, worse, those seamless molded cups that look like styrofoam coffee cups.


[I just realised that I have revealed more than anyone wants to know!]

GSDMum

Your post made me smile 

There used to be a trained fitter in the John Lewis stores, I remember one lady was particularly kind after having a mastectomy. 

Recently found one of the best bras for comfort in M&S, but looking on their website it's no longer available. It's so irritating the way pretty lacy creations take priority over comfort.... why can't we have both?

Bring back the old days when Playtex Cross Your Heart was a power to be hold.... at least we knew where we stood size wise with those. 

Pollycat

Many years ago we used to have a proper bra shop in our town, run by a lady pretty similar to the one mentioned by the OP.

She could assess your bra size by looking at you.

I don't know which type the OP bought but I would say none of them would give me adequate support.

I like a bra that comes quite high under the armpits.

I find M&S to be really good, Debenhams and Primark in the same size just don't do it for me.

If I was spending a reasonable amount on a bra, I'd have done some research first and would have found this:

Reasons to avoid

• - Limited shade range
• - Not supportive enough for bigger busts
• - Only goes up to a DD cup

Comfort is, of course, the biggest selling point here, but the Spanx Bra-llelujah! Unlined Bralette won’t provide enough support for everyone. 

The lack of wiring means it’s only really suited to smaller busts that don’t need a huge amount of lift, and wouldn’t offer bigger boobs the security and hold they need for everyday wear.

Having said that, if you have a bigger bust and are looking for a cosy sleep bra, or extra night-time support around the time of your period, then this is a great choice. 

https://www.womanandhome.com/fashion/spanx-bra-llelujah-unlined-bralette-review-is-this-the-worlds-comfiest-bra/

and that would have sent me back to M&S.

SevenOfNine

Yes, a couple of weeks ago & I didn't need a professional bra fitter!  It's from M&S, I'm a 36C (sadly my boobs mostly consist of fat nowadays, used be 32A 2 fried eggs when I was a young skinny bird, an old turkey now ), Sumptuously Soft full cup T-shirt bra. 
https://www.marksandspencer.com/sumptuously-soft-full-cup-t-shirt-bra-a-dd/p/clp60086594?color=WHITE

I usually wear a boned bra, which this is, but I see they do the same in non-boned as well, so for more casual wear I might give one a try. Ordinarily I only ever choose cotton, but the last time I went up a size & replaced all mine from M&S with my usual choice, I found the bit where the hook & eyes are VERY rough & scratchy at the corners.  Washing never softened them up either. No bra has ever been as comfy as these Sumptuously Soft anyway, just tolerable/OK.

Boris Johnson's eat out to help out last year has finally pushed me up another size. I think I've learnt a bit more about getting the ratio right between what you need right round your chest/back, & the actual cup size. I thoroughly recommend these though I'm not 100% keen on the black colour, they've made the trim & straps dark grey. If I'm wearing a black bra I don't want the straps  looking like they've been in the hot wash & faded.

This is also great for NOT emphasising back fat with a 'roll' above & below, another positive for me.

Good luck.

Soot2006

I have only worn a sports bra since covid started, and nothing during the day. Had to do some days in the office and realised I now cannot tolerate my normal bras any more. Following this thread with interest!

maisie_cat

Cotton maternity bras, I only started wearing them because they were the only 100% cotton ones that M&S made.
I'm not even sure if that's true now though and it does limit you to white.

pinkshoes

Have you tried checking your size properly with BOB? Lots of bras are uncomfortable due to sizes being wrong. I was wearing a 34C which wasn't particularly comfortable. BOB told me I was a 30E, which is a far better fit!!

https://www.booborbust.com/

Silvertabby

Another M&S fan here.  As a lady 'who will never fall flat on her face', I find their minimiser range of bras to be both comfortable and supportive - but they are underwired.

I haven't tried them myself, but Triumph 'Doreen' non-underwired bras have a good write up.

MovingForwards

I swapped to sports bras a while ago as I was sick of underwired ones and the wire bursting out after a few washes. They don't look fancy, but do the job I want them too. Picked a twin pack up in Tesco and I'm getting more this month.

Available in most places as slip on ones, but I've the hook and eye type.

clw1

I also reccomend checking your size on Boob or Bust and look at the info on cup shapes to work out what is best for you.
 https://www.booborbust.com/

Their facebook page is very helpful with lot's of advice too and loads of people who can recommend brands / styles to try based on your size and preferences.

MalMonroe

Another vote for M&S. You can even be measured there - but I won't until coronavirus is under better control. I recently took a big gamble (those sizes are never consistent!) and ordered a couple of non-wired (I used to love underwired but now can't seem to get along with them) bras which by some miracle almost fit! I say 'almost' because when I applied a bra extender at the back, they fit so well. I decided to keep both as they weren't too expensive and are quite comfortable and will do me, along with my older bras, until I feel confident enough to venture out. 

P.S. I did chuckle at your post! And I see someone mentioned Triumph Doreen. That bra has been around longer than I have, I swear! It's one of those that make your boobs all pointy, the style from the 50s where they were determined to make boobs look like anything but boobs!

PPS Those bra extenders really are magic. I recommend them to anyone.