Supportive bras

[Eve]

Wondered how other larger chested ladies get on with finding bras which are supportive while looking nice.

I've lost quite a bit of weight lately (about 2 stone since November woo!) and was hoping it had equated to bust size, not as much as I'd hoped but it has a little. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just a nice comfy yet not frumpy supportive black bra for work.

Went looking earlier as need to get out and about more before back to work Monday and wanted something nice and comfy for work, especially as I have one of the surgery wounds right below my bust. Got measured and tried some on and was really disappointed at the lack of support and they weren't very comfortable either.

Didn't end up buying anything and the lady who measured me said they recommend waiting about 12 weeks after surgery before buying a new bra but wondering if anyone has any tips on good places to try with a good value range.

Can't spend much and already usually have to pay more as I'm a F cup (down from GG at least!). Not looking for anything padded (have quite enough padding already!) or plunging or cleavage boosting.

[bednobs]

have you looked in evans? (i know you are not evans sized but they have big jugs sizes)
i'm presuming you tried a dept store (debenhams etc)
i too despair. i swear i lose it off my big toes rather than my blooming bust

[boxtops]

SimplyBe or Figleaves have some lovely big bras on thier websites

[lilacben]

Firstly congratualtions on your weight lose. I have big bobs as well 38 FF and find bras a nightmare to buy. The ones I have at the moment are the Fantasie ones. Which are quite good. But I wanted a sports one and had trouble to get one the same size. I had to get a larger size. Good luck and I will be looking on here to see if you get anymore anwsers. xx

[Eve]

I'm the same bednobs.

Ooh I didn't think of Evans! I've not tried Debenhams yet, recently anyway, from memory they were quite pricey but will go have a look. Gave up after M&S today as was rather grumpy by then, overdid it a bit.

Thanks Boxtops. Will have a look online but a bit wary about buying anything like that online without being able to try it on, especially as size tends to vary between stores, not sure I want the faff of returns. Made the mistake of buying "my size" in shops before only for them not to fit properly.

[wolf63]

I am a 44G (to be honest I am probably more a 48/46) but can't find a comfortable bra.

For day to day wearing I have a couple of Triumph Doreen and they are heavy duty bras. But I have had loads of pain in my shoulders and have been trying to find a racer back bra that would help. I am still looking.

If I let them hang free when I am using the PC they sometimes get caught between me and the desk and it hurts.

I have tried all the places mentioned and am annoyed.

[Eve]

Thanks lilacben :) Hope your SIL is doing good now?

It's so frustrating sometimes, I've been wearing the only two I have which were reasonably comfortable for so long now (especially with my gallbladder - bra irritating the pain in my shoulderblades) but they are too big. Been feeling a bit clown like walking around in clothes which are too big! Jeans too though jeans shopping is another ordeal in itself! My dropped a jeans size jeans I got in the NY sales are hanging off me now :)

I had to get a good sports bra years ago when I could still do classes, tried boxercise once without a proper sports one and nearly knocked myself out!

[Purple_Popple]

Have any ladies tried the 'Genie' or Ahhh' bras - I have often wondered about them ....but one sympathizes Jenna!

[wolf63]

I bought an Ahhh bra PP - it is just like wearing a pair of tights over your boobs - and they escape over the top quite quickly.

[lilacben]

Hi again Jenna , many thanks for asking about SIL. He came home from hospital last friday and has been fine since. So maybe the stone had passed through after all.
Right bras. I went into Debenhams to be measured and it was that lady who said about Fantasia bras. I got one there that is great. Bought another one and it is really umcomfortable. The sides of the bra seem very high and they keep catching under my arm. By the end of the day it is really painful. So think I need to go back to Debenhams and see what she says. Also went to M& S and asked to be measured. But the girl was awful. and every bra she got for me didnt fit.! Good luck. xx

[Maydup]

I stick with M&S but I do find the choice is better in the bigger branches. Is it worth a trip to a major town or city for a day or bra buying in the larger Debenhams, M&S, Bravissimo, BHS etc?

[Purple_Popple]

LOL @ Wolf! I like your term 'escape' !

[Eve]

Ooh I've never heard of those ones.

I was really disappointed with the support in the ones I tried. I went for ones with less "coverage" shall we say as I'm fed up of the bits sticking over tops and I don't even wear anything too lowcut, drives me mad trying to stick them under and even tuck bits under. I don't wear too high neck clothes much as they tend to accentuate the fact you have a large chest or blouses due to buttoning issues (tent v gapage!). I was literally still bouncing in the two I tried.

I tried one they recommended with a lot more coverage, bit like a crop top but more bra looking and no underwire and it was comfier but still didn't hold them in place properly. I have back problems as it is, don't want them jiggling about aggravating it.

I didn't wear one for over a week after my op so as not to aggravate one of the wound sites, was really quite lovely though my back really suffering when venturing out (wearing very baggy tops and a big coat!).

Wolf, could you get extra straps to make for more support at the back?

[nungate]

Have you tried Bravissimo for larger cup sizes? They are really good, they have quite a lot of shops and also mail order. But by far and away the best bra fitters that daughter and I have found are with John Lewis, we've always found other stores a bit disappointing and M&S fitted my daughter once and it was the wrong size and style now she won't go anywhere other than our local John Lewis to be checked and fitted.

[Eve]

I'm in Manchester maidup so lots of potential choice. Will try Bravissimo again when I can get down that far though they usually seem to have more fancy colourful ones or padded, plunge etc... when I'm more looking for a more bargain black work one.

I've had a lot of annoying fitters too in the past - telling them I was about one size and them insisting I was a much larger back and smaller cup and having to go through the faff of them going through different bras until I was proved right.

The one today was actually really nice but the bras let them down. I don't expect them to cement them in place but I was quite shocked at them bouncing as much as they did, kinda defeats the object in my view.

Oh how I miss the days of being able to buy nice pretty more dainty cheaper ones generally on the high street!

That's good to hear lilacben :) I had no idea how evil gallstones can be until mine went evil (hence the op and weightloss - best diet I've even been on!). Hopefully things are on the up for him now.

[mandimoo]

I can get a 36F in Asda for £6. Its a very workaday bra and comfy. Sadly I think only in white. Support is pretty good for a couple of months, but would probably need replacing after that, but at £6.....

[looobylooo]

them ahhhh and genie bras arent very good, in my opinion, well my mums anyway.
like wolf says, it's like wearing a pair of tights stretched across your boobs.
nooo! not good! very unflattering indeed!
i bought some nice, pretty bras and matching knickers from 'simply be', all lovely colours and styles for the bigger boobydoos, and at good prices too :o)

[albaqwerty]

Son's pal's Gf (too many apostrophies) loves her Ahhh bras, however Asda have been recommended to me for reaonably priced ones for the fuller figure.

I love Looby's word, boobydoos, I'm pinching that if you don't mind :-)

[Euphemia]

My daughter swears by Bravissimo. I like the BHS bras but find it very difficult to get a good range of sizes in my local branch. Today I was measured but they only had one underwired bra in the required size. Having already said I wanted unwired, the girl seemed upset that I didn't want to try it on. Will try and get into the city centre branch and have a look there.

[looobylooo]

yes, no problem, you can pinch my boobydoos, alba! ;o) ... lol.... oooh eurr!

[albaqwerty]

I like this site, people let you pinch things :-)

I'm only a 42D so petite from the sounds of it.