Gransnet forums

Chat

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?

Yofab Sat 12-Nov-16 07:35:55

I wear a 42DD and get on well with M&S minimisers. You would think that minimisers would be ideal for the bigger boob but I have a lot of trouble finding them - quite often they only go to a 40

Legs55 Fri 11-Nov-16 23:31:43

My problem is I now have a broad back so need 44C used to be 38D, I can't wear underwired bras as I get a "sweat rash" (fungal skin infection) which is very painful & means I can't wear any bra until it clears up. hmm

I do go bra-less most days unless I'm going out/shopping in Town, I must be fortunate as mine don't really sag & are still quite firm, anyway when gardening I find a bra "inconvenient" - shades of "Charlie Dimmock on Ground Force" blush

Jalima Fri 11-Nov-16 20:44:25

LadyGracie grin

mrshat Fri 11-Nov-16 20:40:15

Rigby & Peller every time, pricey but worth it. Bigger busted ladies should wear a full cup rather than a balconette which gives less support. I wear a Prima Donna, Style Deauville, in a 34I (I was wearing 36 or 38 DD or H). I found Bravissimo good but not as good as R & P. For me, comfort is all! Good luck grin

LadyGracie Fri 11-Nov-16 20:23:45

Fortunately mine never sprouted, after I was born with very small ones! What a silly thing to say grin

Brupen Fri 11-Nov-16 19:23:21

I'm 71 going on 35,! Before the menopause I never wore a bra as I didn't need one,(no boobs!)
Now I am overweight and need one. Can I find one that is comfortable ? Can I heck!
I've tried all sorts. The only one I can wear for any amount of time is the seamless over the head one.
I am 42b which is also very difficult to find in the shops. Even when I do find the correct size the straps are usually too short. I am a tall girl !
If I do go out wearing a bra I can hardly wait to get home and rip it off!
I would so love to find a pretty little lacy thing but have more or less given up.
I would love to try Rigby and Peller but know that I cannot afford them.

SallyDapp Fri 11-Nov-16 19:20:35

I love Royce Lingerie, they do some fabulous bras, all wireless. Available online as well. Some are seamless so look good under tighter t shirts and don't show lumpy bulges leaving a smooth outline. Most of them are suitable for post surgery and have pockets. And the choice of 'sexy' with matching knickers is lovely. But I'd always suggest getting measured in a specialist shop that stocks the range. Always worth the time it takes. It's the closest I've got to my teenage years when I was bra less.

Morgana Fri 11-Nov-16 19:09:29

My daughter recommends boob or bust F B how to measure.

Penstemmon Fri 11-Nov-16 18:59:40

inishowen I think you are wearing the wrong size! I do not have 'fried eggs' more like melons but I do have a comparatively narrow back so need a 34"/36" depending on the brand but often have an F cup ..again depends on the brand. If you get the back size correct your boobs will behave and not pull the back band up! It is a tedious task finding a good fit but worth it when you find 'the one'! grin

inishowen Fri 11-Nov-16 18:37:13

I have huge boobs. No matter what bra I wear, the weight of my boobs pulls the bra down at the front and up at the back. I am more uncomfortable if I go bra less. The bra hasn't been invented to hold these things in place.

supersonic Fri 11-Nov-16 18:36:22

I read once that Helen Mirren wore Glamorise bras, and I found some at JD Williams. I ordered lots but only found one that had no wires, but extra support for 38 D and was comfortable for my poor scarred ribs after having pleurisy a few years ago. Number 1003 I thoroughly recommend.

leurMamie Fri 11-Nov-16 18:30:06

First of all, sizes: I ordered bras from Debenhams according to the size I had from M&S, and had to take them all back, none fit. Debenhams cashier said M&S have different sizing than most. Later when I had lost weight, I got measured/fitted at John Lewis by a young lady who really knew what she was doing, and got a very well-fitting bra. The brand is called Wacoal, I had never heard of it. It was about £40, which is more than I've ever spent but what a difference in fit. Got a 34F and I've never worn an F-cup in my life, usually DD or E. (Must be the effect of gravity!) I too like minimizers and this one does the job without flattening.

Penstemmon Fri 11-Nov-16 18:29:14

I have used Bravissimo too and find their bras do their job well as they go on fit not size. What keeps your boobs up is the quaity of the elastic at the sides and back.
We had a woman who owns a posh bra shop in town came to talk to us at WI about well fitting bras. She said wash them as little as possible! I did buy one bra from her, great but hugely expensive!

Blinko Fri 11-Nov-16 18:15:47

34GG/H here. I find M&S simply don't do my size, not comfortably, anyway. I always use Bravissimo. My everyday bras are Fantasie Tango. Brilliant! Like some others, I can't imagine why anyone would want to enlarge their boobs. In my next existence, I shall come back with little, neat boobs.

pita Fri 11-Nov-16 17:31:14

I found a great website called www.brasense.co.uk I have used it for years, they give you step by step instructions on how to measure yourself and even advise on the best style and once you have done that you can buy the bras through them or go searching for the same bra elsewhere. Its been a god send for me as I am a 36H and can never find a comfortable bra on the high street with a price tag that doesn't scare me and my bank balance.

NannyKasey Fri 11-Nov-16 16:53:43

I get mine from Primark, T-Shirt bras in lots of colours at only £2 each. I 'mutilate' them by removing the wires, so really don't want to pay much more than that. Pre menopause I was 34C now I'm 38C.

I remove the wires as they gave me a rash in the summer and I didn't really get on with them wink

SparklyGrandma Fri 11-Nov-16 16:46:10

jordana it is confusing. I use the John Lewis Oxford Street measuring service and trust their accuracy.
I have a small back but a bigger front - 40F and have to wear full cup with under-wiring for comfort or I cant run for a bus if you know what I mean.
I also find a well fitted bra helps keep down fluid retention. Today am wearing a Fantasie bought online from JD Williams.

Rinouchka Fri 11-Nov-16 16:44:10

It is absolutely vital to be properly measured at a specialist shop. I did this five years ago, went down one size and up two cup sizes, having worn the wrong size for decades, including the long period when I breastfed 4 babies.
Interesting to note that others earlier have recommended Triumph Amourette. That is the best brand and style I have ever bought...and it is very pretty.

However, correct size is vital, followed by trying on different brands and styles to find the most comfortable.

morethan2 Fri 11-Nov-16 16:39:30

If I went bra-less I'd trip over my nipples. blushI too recommend bravissimo although I've recently discovered figleaves who sell bigger cup sizes. If I won the lottery I'd have a reduction. Honestly I could sell my old bras as hammocks. They've been the embarrassing Bain of my life.

nannymoocow Fri 11-Nov-16 15:57:55

I can also thoroughly recommend Bravissimo.

loopylou Fri 11-Nov-16 15:17:40

I wear Fantasie bras (sometimes you can get them greatly reduced on Amazon) because they fit me and last well though after recent mammogram I feel like I should just roll my boobs up and pop them in my granny knickers ?!

NotTooOld Fri 11-Nov-16 15:03:27

Than you Lewlew, they look fabulous - especially the red satin one. I have several Genies but even with the large size -and I'm not really 'large' they still grip me round the middle. Must be something to do with being short waisted and everything going south, I think.

Caroline123 Fri 11-Nov-16 14:52:12

Tried M&S bu non of theres fit me either.
I now get mine from tesco,under wired,unpadded,38 DD,no rashes and really comfy ( and only £8!

Coolgran65 Fri 11-Nov-16 14:44:50

I also use Bravissimo, need to as I wear 38H. The links above given by previous posters don't go up to an H cup sad
Bravissimo also measure by sight, they are excellent.

I find that a 'full cup' bra means the straps are less likely to fall off the shoulder, the straps sit more on the centre of the shoulder.

A previous poster mentioned getting her Fantasie bra in Bravissimo. This is a bra that they stock although it is not actually one of their own brand, Fantasie can be bought in most underwear departments. Often on special offer on line.

Anya Fri 11-Nov-16 14:34:22

I go to shops that specialise in bras rather than the big department stores. Always get a really comfortable one, but available in pretty colours, patterns or plain. Usually pay £25-40 depending on the make.

Our local shop has just closed so now go to one in next town. Definately worth it for the expertise.