droopy boobs and bras - problems buying

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.

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.

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.

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'!

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

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.

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.

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

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

LadyGracie

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.

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"

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

Finding a bra that I'm completely happy with is like the search for El Dorado. I have found a few diamonds on the way - but they do sometimes get discontinued. The fit of a bra is such a personal thing. I too go the sports bra way - not those crop top style things that give me a monoboob- ones that look like normal bras but go to the ultimate in support features. My personal favourites lately come from Berlei.
I hate being measured for a bra - it still comes back to different makes fitting in different ways.
I'd love to find a range of minimier/good support bras in lovely colours with matching pants that come to the waist. Anyone know of such?

Ive never been able to go into a high street store to buy a bra, Ive tried all makes well apart from the obscenely expensive brands ie rigby and peller!! way out of my price league!
I found a Glamorise bra a few months back that fits and is so comfy you can forget your wearing it! its a Glamorise soft minimiser with wide shoulder straps.

www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/soft-shoulders-minimizer/ms001/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=3601#colour:White,size:

I've only ever found bras that fit in M&S. I do find though that I only feel comfortable with a bigger size than they say, otherwise it is uncomfortably tight across the back.

Am big busted and like other posters struggle to find good under wired bras, usually end up with Playtex .BUT far worse than this is trying to find a decent under wired swimsuit that isn't north of £100, They really are a holy grail!

Yes Nanna58 - I'm on the hunt with you. If I find one I'll let you know. Please let me know if you find one first.

Thank you grandmaz for the optifitbra link. They certainly seem to have got it cracked so will try them.

Bra straps now all seem to be to the outer side of the cup rather than coming up from the middle of the cup which makes them more likely to slip off -bra straps slipping off shoulders drives me mad. In all my shirts and jumpers I have sewn a strip of hem binding in a neutral or matching colour, one end is stitched to the shoulder seam where it meets the sleeve seam, on the other end is half a press stud, the other half of the press stud is where the shoulder seam meets the neck. So, the piece of tape runs along from the shoulder seam, goes under my bra strap/camisole/vest strap and press studs to the neck seam. Does that make sense? It does the trick.

Another vote for Rigby and Peller from me, Expensive outlay but they outlast other makes by years
None of the faffing around looking through racks of different sizes either. I won't go anywhere else now

I have a broader back bigger boobs than I d like and take a 42C and used to always be 36c although I m not badly overweight weighing 10 .7 about a stone heavier than when I was younger , they re not droopy ........but I HATE bras with a vengenence I can never ever find anything comfortable a lot of shops don't stock 42 s and the ones that do look like blooming hammocks I can't wear underwire they are so uncomfortable and no one seems to make anything pretty in non wired at the moment I m wearing sloggi ones but they have gone a bit off colour now and I dread looking for new ones
I d really love a pretty larger non wire bra they don't have to have these huge deep cups I like showing a bit of cleavage still and can only do that with wiry things ....bah humbug

A pp mentioned a sweat rash/ fungal rash under the boobs. I used to get this. Problem solved when I used Lanacane medicated powder. Recently I've been unable to find the Lanacane and have used other medicated powders with great success. No rash in over two years.

Another vote for Rigby & Peller in Knightsbridge!
It's a true investment.
(Can't remember if they sell vests ..... groan)

I haven't been back to M&S for a bra since the assistant laughed and said they didn't go up to my cup size! Debenhams has always been great with the widest range of cup sizes apart from Bravissimo (online). It's great to have the option to drop a back size and go up a cup size.
I always buy Freya but they're mostly underwired in my size. Doreen was the one I had to get as a teenager and fitted well but was never pretty like the Freyas can be.

Oh, and Nanna58 check out bravissimo tankinis! I have two that have lasted me years, just about to get a new one for 2017 and bravissimo website will be my first place to look