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Comfortable Bras

(31 Posts)
Lilactree1 Sun 18-Jul-21 22:32:36

I’m looking for a bra which is comfortable but has “lift and separate!” I have wasted money on ones such as the “lacy bra” and they make my bust look awful. It seems that very comfortable bras are only for small, neat busts.
Any advice very much appreciated.

shysal Sun 18-Jul-21 22:38:29

I have recently bought a selection of bras from Miss Mary of Sweden. They all lift and separate well and are very comfortable. I find underwired are best but know they are not for everyone.

BlueBelle Sun 18-Jul-21 22:39:02

The words bra and comfort never go together in my opinion
When you find one let me know I ve searched for years and no you shouldn’t have to pay a mortgage for a necessity

nadateturbe Sun 18-Jul-21 22:51:21

I agree with Bluebelle. If I didn't have fibromyalgia I wouldn't wear one. My most comfortable bras are Royce front fastening. They lift, not sure about separate.

Flexagon Sun 18-Jul-21 22:56:43

There is no substitute for a professional fitting. Many women find they are not the size they thought they were. The right size and fit should, in theory, equal comfort.

From what you have said I am assuming you are not small busted so, if you don't have a local independent lingerie shop to try, I'd recommend trying Bravissimo. They do have stores where you can have a fitting but also offer virtual fittings:

www.bravissimo.com/how-to-get-a-bra-fitting/

Finding a style where the underwires sit smoothly against the breastbone and separate the breasts can be a challenge depending on your body shape but a profession fitter can advise on that.

MiniMoon Sun 18-Jul-21 22:57:13

I bought a new bra recently from a company called Royce. It's a tee shirt bra, non wired, and the most comfortable bra I've owned. They specialise in non wired bras and also make them to fit a prosthetic.
This is the one. I will definitely buy more from them

Doodledog Sun 18-Jul-21 23:01:33

Bravissimo always fit so that you go down a couple of sizes across the back and up a couple of sizes in the cup.

Whilst that may sound flattering to a shapeless old trout like me (they once moved me from a 38D to a 34 EE) the result is a tight strap that creates back fat whether you have any naturally or not.

During lockdown I have been wearing stretchy pull-on bras, but when I start going out again I am going to need something with more support, so I too will be following this thread with interest.

Flexagon Sun 18-Jul-21 23:20:25

That's interesting Doodledog. I had my last fitting in a local independent lingerie store (now closed) where the fit of Fantasie and Freya brands suited me best. I now buy them from Bravissimo but have never had a fitting from them.

Like you, even at the indie store I went down two sizes in circumference and up two cup sizes. Definitely a snugger fit, more uplift and no ride up at the back. Fortunately, no fat back. During lockdown, I did sometimes add an extender just to give an added centimetre and a slightly, relaxed fit for when lolling about rather too much!

Ladyleftfieldlover Sun 18-Jul-21 23:22:19

Another fan of Miss Mary of Sweden. I’m 40F so need something a bit upholstered!

NotSpaghetti Mon 19-Jul-21 01:07:14

Oh no! Not bras again!

Please use the search facility as we have talked about this ad infinitum.

Doodledog Mon 19-Jul-21 01:41:48

That’s a bit rude. There are lots of duplicate threads on here, and even more on which there are several posts repeating others, as people haven’t read ahead.

In any case, the search ‘facility’ on here is next to useless, so there is no guarantee that the OP would have found anything if she had searched.

NotSpaghetti Mon 19-Jul-21 06:36:54

Sorry. Wasn't meant to be rude. There was a bras thread just a couple of weeks ago.

Over a period there's been one about non-wired bras, one about taking bras off immediately you get home, one about bras and jeans, one about bralets, one about"pretty" but supportive bras...

But you're right.
Why not another!
Apologies Lilactree

For what it's worth, bras are my one big expense. I like Prima Donna as almost all of their styles do just what the OP wants. I don't think any of their bras will give you a poached-egg look.

I am perfectly comfortable in their underwired versions but as I've got bigger over the years I like the full-cup styles. Be aware, their sizing is European not British but a good retailer will have info and an online one will have a decent conversion chart.

www.rigbyandpeller.com/en-gb/sale/primadonna?gclid=CjwKCAjwos-HBhB3EiwAe4xM9xH5UgO6odkcVX1b6CywFeu6hhsPnRBVoGHyrZs9C7G0W_85a5KPDhoCr3sQAvD_BwE

www.gransnet.com/forums/style_and_beauty/1258778-Comfortable-bras

www.primadonna.com/en-gb/sale?gclid=CjwKCAjwos-HBhB3EiwAe4xM92tQDwB25APLPiL_KbkJKfWkPvtFObwfO1791m9eDriz3npAmx_3OBoCvusQAvD_BwE

www.gransnet.com/forums/style_and_beauty/a1298183-Help-bras-and-jeans

And finally, this is an American review of a Prima Donna bra. It's not my favourite in the Prima Donna range but it is one of their most popular bras (Madison).
www.bigbustsupport.com/prima_donna_bra_review.html

Jaxjacky Mon 19-Jul-21 06:51:17

Recently bought two of these and I will buy more since I’ve been advised to wear non wired. I’m a 38D.

Calendargirl Mon 19-Jul-21 07:44:36

Jaxjacky

Recently bought two of these and I will buy more since I’ve been advised to wear non wired. I’m a 38D.

The trouble with M&S bras is you find one you like, when it comes to buying again, the one you like is no longer advertised.

I keep the box and the reference number, but often that particular bra is never seen again.

MerylStreep Mon 19-Jul-21 07:58:41

Calendargirl
Have a look on ebay
When Marks ( or other companies) finish a ‘line’ they sell old/ remaining stock to these traders. And, they’re a lot cheaper.

BlueSky Mon 19-Jul-21 08:14:14

Same here Doodledog every time I’ve tried to be measured I’ve ended up with a tight fitting chest and larger cups. Not the comfort I’ve been trying to achieve. If I could I wouldn’t bother, as it is I need something when I go out. I usually go back to good old M&S total support in cotton or cotton mix.

Nandalot Mon 19-Jul-21 08:15:51

Being large busted and just having had a pacemaker fitted I was struggling to find a comfortable bra. Eventually I tried Miss Mary of Sweden and chose bras with wide padded straps.
I now get them from Curvessa. Again, the style I chose had wide padded straps but had under bust support which gave a better profile.

Granmarderby10 Mon 19-Jul-21 08:17:18

MerylStreep ah, that’s useful to know. I don’t understand the mentality of shops ending a popular line though. Why stop selling things that women want? confused

Jaxjacky Mon 19-Jul-21 08:49:14

Calendargirl you’re right, that’s why I’ll buy some more. Perhaps that’s their strategy, not a good one, just annoying.

ElaineI Mon 19-Jul-21 08:57:49

I've given up on bras. I get back ache when I wear a bra. I wear the long stretchy vests from Next under tee shirts and jumpers - or even on their own on hot days. Given up caring if people see my nips pointing through. With everything that's gone on in my life it's the last thing to care about.

threexnanny Mon 19-Jul-21 09:12:22

I think the stretchy pull on ones are the most comfortable to wear (although not the best shape), but it's the putting on and off I have trouble with. They roll up and then I get stuck!

Granmarderby10 Mon 19-Jul-21 09:55:52

I’ve found that vest tops - or any clothes with a heavy pattern are best for disguising nipples. But it’s the ? sweat that I can’t stand - there’s nothing to catch it !

jeanrobinson Mon 19-Jul-21 10:56:46

I have costochondritis (rib pain) and now find it impossible to wear a bra of any kind, sadly.

Ravenna58 Mon 19-Jul-21 10:58:43

A few years ago I treated myself to a fitting at Rigby and Peller and it was my wisest move at I had been wearing the wrong size
I purchased a Marie Jo bra and since then I know that I can buy that brand ..on sale usually as they are expensive..and be assured of the comfortable perfect fit for my 36d
Wouldn’t wear any other now

PaperMonster Tue 20-Jul-21 07:43:24

Definitely get a professional fitting (ie not M&S) where they look at not only size, but the most appropriate cup style. I only wear Panache Tango full cup now as it’s the most comfortable fit for me.