A new bra - should it be immediately comfortable?

isitenough

I've in the process of buying some new bras in a new size. I think I've found one but it's not entirely comfortable. Do all bras soften up after the first wash or should it be as comfortable as possible as soon as you put it on? I can tell I've got one on and very conscious of it. The seams aren't exactly 'soft' either.

I've had to go up a size and the normal ones I wore, soft cotton, didn't come in the new size I need therefore having to try on several different styles just to be comfortable! A nightmare!
Any advice would be appreciated!

svjenni

From my experience bra should be comfy from the off. I find that mine get less comfy as they get older..

Are you sure you are wearing the right size? most woment do not wear the corect size, perhaps you should get measured...

Personally I love M + S for measuring up. It took me 24 years to work up the courage and it is certainly the best etail experience I have ever had in terms of changing my life

You may think i'm being OTT but really before I couldn't wear wired bras was convinced I was a 38 C due to my Mum going on about how awful it was to be higher than a C cup

Came out as a 34 G!! but the comfort was amazing and I got a multitude of people asking me if I had lost weight.

Can preach till the cows come home n this subject (although sorry if thats not it...)

Paparika

I agree, to get the the right size bra, spend some time getting measured up. It makes all the difference,

alison99_2

I know exactly what you mean svjenni, I am also a M&S girl, in particular their t-shirt bras, oh how I wish I could wear them all of the time.
I hope you find the bra of your dreams, OP.

nearlyrich

It has to be comfy from the off for me. I like Freya Bras best they are colourful and available in larger sizes.

melancholly

i'd also recommend getting measured and seeing - i wouldn't be happy with a bra that needed 'wearing in'! i know from previous threads that quite a few people (me included) have had a bad time being measured at M&S, particularly for larger sizes. i haven't been back in a few years to check, so it may have improved, but at the time they clearly tried to put me in the wrong size as they didn't stock what i needed! bravissimo are great - the bra's aren't cheap, but the service is usually excellent. once you have the 'right' size by a particular manufacturer (some come up bigger than others, just like clothes), then there's lots of online options for getting the bras as cheaply as possible (figleaves, brastop, ebay - look for BNWTs though!)

isitenough

Many thanks for all the advice. The getting measured part - I wouldn't have the courage in going to get it done to be honest. I know I should, and it would probably be a godsend but I have no idea where to go and am slightly to shy to do that. I've always brought bra's by trial and error, if they're comfy I get them!

I'm measuring as a 40B, previously I had 38B which started out pretty comfortable but the back was too high, and the new ones I've tried haven't been that bad, but the material has itched the hell out of me (and don't mention the stitching!). My previous ones were soft cotton with no frilly/lacy bits and are lovely but they have gotten so loose they aren't comfortable any more. I tried to get a 40B in them but they only go to a 38C which isn't helpful!
Bravissimo don't have any local places to go to and the sizes seem too big. I don't want to go to a place that's no good or has 'twenty somethings' doing the measuring. I've ordered some ones from M&S so I'll see how they go!

tru

I bought new bras today

Bras should be comfy straight away. If you're trying underwired bras for the first time, it'll feel a bit strange to start with but shouldn't be at all uncomfortable. Get yourself measured properly if you haven't already.

It'll soften after the first wash, the same as any other material. Unless you've bought a particularly scratchy type, in which case take it back - it'll drive you insane otherwise

Oh and always handwash bras, washing machines pull them out of shape.

Tru (trained bra fitter)

tru

isitenough wrote: »

I've always brought bra's by trial and error, if they're comfy I get them!

Ooooooh no, don't do that, you'll end up with saggy boobs and maybe backache.

If you really can't face a stranger in a shop (don't worry, you don't have to strip), could a friend do it for you?

Measure under your boobs (just where the band goes). Make sure the tape measure is even all the way round, not too high or low at the back. If it's even, add 4 inches ie measuring 34 inches makes you 38. If it's odd, add 5 inches ie, 35 inches makes you 40.
Now measure round the widest part of your boobs. If it's the same as the first measurement, you're an A cup, 1 inch bigger is a B cup, 2 inches bigger is a C cup, etc.
Make sure you don't have the tape measure too tight.

isitenough

My OH has measured a few times, and it worked out as 34.5 under and 40 widest part.
Re: measuring. How do you find a place that measures? We have a Intimas and a Camille and a place formerly known as Gossard (now playtex, wonderbra & shock absorber!) in our local outlet place. Are they any good? Do you have to take your top off (surely not the bra!)? (sorry sounds stupid, but never ever been in a lingerie shop, only mail order).

tru

All the lingerie shops will measure you, M&S, I think BHS do it.

It depends on what you're wearing, chunky jumper = top off, thin fitted t-shirt = top on

That half an inch could make all the difference - try on 40A and 40B.