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droopy boobs and bras - problems buying

(113 Posts)
jordana Thu 10-Nov-16 16:53:54

For years I have been buying bras from Marks but for months I have been trying them on in shop, think they fit at the time and then at home find them extremely uncomfortable and have to return them. I have tried expensive and cheap, under wired and not and am having no luck. I am at the moment wearing a sports bra from asda! Is this an age thing, when everything goes south? I get so hot and bothered trying half a dozen on in the shops. Benn measured in marks and john lewis - different sizes! Anyone else have same problems?

Humbertbear Fri 11-Nov-16 10:04:07

I would recommend Bravissimo too but usually go to John Lewis for a fitting. That last word is the key - you must be served by a trained fitter

Angela1961 Fri 11-Nov-16 10:06:31

Over the shoulder bolder holders = enough said.

Charleygirl Fri 11-Nov-16 10:13:38

Am I asking too much wanting a bra to look attractive off as well as on? I do not want mine to look at though it doubles for carrying a week's groceries.

KatyK Fri 11-Nov-16 10:16:10

Bravissimo are good if you have one near you. I went for a fitting there and realised the size I was wearing was nowhere near the right size for me.

Lupatria Fri 11-Nov-16 10:24:41

i'm a 40E and get all my bras from asda!! they're all underwired and some are balcony bras but they come in a range of wonderful colours. and, more importantly, they're all so very comfortable - and inexpensive. so much so that i've now got a drawer full of about 20 bras and could so easily go back and buy more.

grandMattie Fri 11-Nov-16 10:27:14

I'm 36D but have been buying my bras from Sainsbury, Asda, Matalan... I know that the fit isn't perfect, but I have never had any joy from M&S. In fact, going near the shop these days robs me of the will to live!

fifeywifey Fri 11-Nov-16 10:36:13

I'm a 38 L (long) so it's a struggle to get a bra which fits well. I rate Bravissimo highly. If there is a Bravissimo near you go in when you have plenty of time. The assistants are very knowledgeable about their products and spend a long time helping you choose the right bra. Not cheap mind you but you're paying for individual attention and a good bra.

mags1234 Fri 11-Nov-16 10:37:12

My daughter is getting married, and I'm demented trying to find a bra that will lift up my large breasts. Going to get measured again, having lost two stone, but I just can't get them raised up enough!
Hate it, and it's the first thing I notice I photos.

Lilyflower Fri 11-Nov-16 10:44:18

Ladygracie. I have to agree with you. I am small all over and I have never had much of an impressive bust. Now that things are going south it has turned out to be a benefit as the raavages are not so bad as they could be. It's a poor consolation but it is one.

Beammeupscottie Fri 11-Nov-16 10:46:25

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Womens-Front-Closure-Full-Coverage-Underwire-Non-Padded-Racerback-Bra-/111616109961?var=&hash=i

this is an excellent front fastening bra.

oldgoose Fri 11-Nov-16 10:56:01

I have yet to find a decent bra. I am a size 40GG and my boobs are droopy and wobbly. Balcony bras make them wobble like jelly in a cup, minimisers make me look as if I have a uni-boob and underwires are not very comfy and I think they are bad for breast tissue. However bras without underwire make my boobs look enormous and I have always been very self conscious about them. I have spent money I didn't have on famous makes that don't fit any better then good old M&S. I am measured, get a bra and then have problems when I get home and wear it for more than a few hours.
Going bra less isn't an option for me. So I'm stuck with my old, ill-fitting bras that have been made comfy by many washes.

townie Fri 11-Nov-16 11:00:01

Recommend Rigby and Peller. Wouldn't go anywhere else

Cosafina Fri 11-Nov-16 11:23:56

years ago (in my teens) I got professionally measured as 32D which made a huge impact on my life as I'd been wearing 36B until then (because my friend did).
Since then I've grown a bit, and M&S recently confirmed that I'm now 34G. I've bought one in every colour of their Juliet bras (can't find them online, but look very like the Hibiscus) because they are so comfy yet look so pretty that my daughter has rushed off and bought herself one as well! Plus I like the silhouette they give me smile

Daisymay1 Fri 11-Nov-16 11:24:21

I get fed up with my bra straps slipping of my shoulders !!

rileysgran Fri 11-Nov-16 11:28:10

Like the rest of you, I too have terrible problems finding a comfortable bra for my ample bosom! I tried M & S - where a lovely lady measured me BUT the problem was that the bras themselves don't tally with the size I was measured at! Some fitted beautifully (& I bought those!) but others in the same size & style but different colour had a completely different fit. So - not a good indictment. It means that every time I try to buy a bra, I have to try them all on - even in the style/size I know was right. I don't always have the time to spend 2 hours buying a bra so I often resort to Asda etc & if they don't fit right either I return them, end up wearing a bra that doesn't quite fit or give them to a charity shop as they didn't cost much!!

grandmaz Fri 11-Nov-16 11:28:38

I also have uncomfortably large boobs and have never found bras which tick all the boxes.

Recently though, I stumbled across this site and sent for one of their brand specific tape measures.

I'm on a very limited income so haven't ordered one of their bras yet, but I do intend to do so as soon as I can afford to.

www.optifitbra.com/our-story/

Jalima Fri 11-Nov-16 11:34:04

I went to a talk by an expert bra fitter and she said that the main problem is that women wear the wrong size bras, their straps fall off their shoulders because they are wearing a too-large back size and a too-small cup size.

She had a fairly slim petite model with her who demonstrated what happened when she was wearing a 34C when in fact, fitted properly, she needed a 32DD.
There was gaping at the side, bulging at the front and the straps did not stay in place.

Jalima Fri 11-Nov-16 11:35:39

Actually, I think she put on a 32E! which fitted so much better.

Snowdrop Fri 11-Nov-16 11:40:54

Rigby and Peller, not cheap but worth every penny IMO ?

KnittyNannie Fri 11-Nov-16 11:45:36

Get yourself properly measured for your next bra!

Craftycat Fri 11-Nov-16 11:51:28

Bravissimo are brilliant. I find M&S bra uncomfortable & they don't wear well either.I am an odd size 36G & I was advised over the phone by Bravissimo how to decide which size I needed. They talk you through it & if you have to try several sizes to get the right one they are very happy to sort that for you too. I find them very helpful & very friendly. I have worn their bras since 1998 when I was after a really pretty bra that fitted nicely for my 2nd wedding. I had been to M&S & JL & Debenhams etc. & been told different sizes from them all so I rang Bravissimo & they not only sorted it out for me but found me the most beautiful bra.
I wear their Fantasie smooth cup underwired bra for everyday- £23. It washes beautifully & never loses it's shape. I also have some lovely bras from them for under special clothes & all excellent. Give them a try. We have no local shop so I order it all online or phone.

Lewlew Fri 11-Nov-16 11:57:12

I also got fed up with bra straps slipping off shoulders. Used to buy very expensive well-fitting bras.

However, when I started having back trouble and before + after surgery, I switched to sports bras and have never looked back.

Comfortable, no slipping straps, no under-wires to cause summer-time rashes. Much better profile and my shirts and blouses actually button property without that puckering. Heaven!

NotTooOld Fri 11-Nov-16 12:02:02

Oh, bras! Hate 'em but have to wear 'em, at least until 6pm. After that anything goes. In my experience getting properly measured is no guarantee of success. I've done it often and always come away with either nothing or an expensive bra that the fitter says is my size but which grips me round the middle like a vice. I was a 34A for years and years but am now 36D or 38B or 38C, depending upon the bra because the sizing is not universal. I'm currently wearing Triumph Doreen but they are so ugly that I don't look at myself in the mirror when I put it on as it would make me too depressed. Those soft bras are alright for casual wear but even they grip you round the middle after a few short hours. Why can't someone come up with a PRETTY and COMFORTABLE bra? There is definitely an opportunity there for someone.

NotTooOld Fri 11-Nov-16 12:03:45

Lewlew - I might try your sports bra idea. Which ones are best, do you think?

jordana Fri 11-Nov-16 12:12:48

I see I am not alone with this problem, I was beginning to think I was the only one! I was always watching other women's boobs in the summer and most of them seemed to be " up and out" even the heavier ladies. Hubby thought it was easy to find a bra until I roped him in to searching for one under protest I might add.. He was amazed at range of sizes . Quite a few of you suggested bravissimo and I'm not sure if I tried them or not but I will try them before my xmas nights out