Bras and my body over 66

M and S could even find a bra to fit me. Tried to say I was a 40 band... I wear a 36 band!!
Fantasie I find best. Not cheap but worth it.

I don't think any M&S bras fit me either. Hence asking for tips! They seem to be cut a bit skimpy at the sides and the foam is a bit light and basic. Plus the underwire is harder. I always liked underwire balcony bras but honestly can't bear the feel of underwire now. I had some torn rib muscles last year and actually cracked ribs on the other side - maybe my ribs have changed shape! But they feel a bit sensitive to pressure.

I will definitely try some more crop top bras. Waiting for some 38B's as well at the moment to compare with the 36C - cup size is right but it feels a bit tight underneath.

I cannot find a bra to fit in M&S (even with a fitter)... Like others I'd suggest Rigby & Peller if you are anywhere near.
I like Prima Donna bras - but they are as expensive as the Marie Jo I'm afraid.

One of my daughters wears Marie Jo and one is a different shape from me and my older daughter (Prima Donna too) and gets on better with a different brand. I can't remember which. It's a French make.

You can have the same size in 20 different bras and they will all fit differently. If you have truly knowledgeable staff they will find something perfect for your body shape.

A well fitted bra is the best thing that you can ever buy.

I think so too. 😍

Thank you for the suggestion of trying a crop top. I am off to Marks this morning to have a look.

Oh I so agree with OP- I'm the same age and so know the frustration.

However, try to find a good fitting bra when you have only one boob- it's impossible.

I still have one bra that I bought post-surgery. I think it was from Bravissimo- 14 years later it is still my best bra but nothing I have bought since comes near.

I now buy those you pull over your head but when I bend down my fake boob falls out!

Oh the joy...

keepingquiet - how frustrating! I hope you find something lovely that doesn't have that problem.


You would think there would be hundreds to choose from these days.
How annoying.

Just remembered that my friend likes "Royce" bras now post mastectomy - but I don't think she has ever worn a balcony style.

...my daughter also had some great bras from them too. Maybe they specialise in "different" breast shapes and needs - hers were nursing bras.

I just had a look and it is indeed a Royce bra.

Not spaghetti- the varieties available is much reduced now. I don't know why.

I can't wear a balcony bra and always wear a scarf because I am so conscious of the mis-match. It is very annoying that bra manaufacturers seem to think you either want to flash your boobs or you're an old 'granny' excuse the word, who doesn't mind the more 'solid' look.

Parsley3

Thank you for the suggestion of trying a crop top. I am off to Marks this morning to have a look.

I wouldn't bother :-) I ordered some yesterday for next day delivery and they're awful! Almost impossibly tight to get over your head and shoulders (and I ordered two sizes - one bigger than I usually wear). Once I managed that, with the bigger size - the padded inserts were all misshapen - looked terrible. There was no way of getting at them to straighten them out either. Also very lycra type so probably sweaty. I do like the idea though - I did try a sloggy one but that wasn't the right shape and the other one I liked seems to be out of stock everywhere. With something like that I'd want it to be mainly cotton based.

However I've had some success now the 38B's are here as that is a better fit than a 36C - more comfortable but same cup size. One I really like and will keep (a Wren Bra from John Lewis). It's actually a strapless bra with detachable straps. I'll keep the straps on though. And although it's underwired, it's not too hard. So I think I just needed a bigger band size due to my extra flab ha ha.

I had 3 other 38B's to try on. All fitted fine but the cheaper ones were uncomfortable because the underwiring was so hard and rigid. So yes they are all different. I'd already sent for two Marie Jo bras (with trepidation at the cost) so I'll see how I find those in this size.

keepingquiet

Oh I so agree with OP- I'm the same age and so know the frustration.

However, try to find a good fitting bra when you have only one boob- it's impossible.

I still have one bra that I bought post-surgery. I think it was from Bravissimo- 14 years later it is still my best bra but nothing I have bought since comes near.

I now buy those you pull over your head but when I bend down my fake boob falls out!

Oh the joy...

My Aunt just had the one boob as well - I'm not sure what she did - it must be very frustrating finding the right bra in that situation. Is there somewhere that makes special bras for this situation? I would think you'd need some kind of prosthesis in one cup? Or does that not work? Hope you're doing ok x

Sorry it's not Wren, it's a make called And/Or and the design is called Wren.

And it's not strapless, it's a multiway bra (the picture shows the straps crossing at the back - why would you want that? But I'm wearing the straps the conventional way.

gentleshores

Parsley3

Thank you for the suggestion of trying a crop top. I am off to Marks this morning to have a look.

I wouldn't bother :-) I ordered some yesterday for next day delivery and they're awful! Almost impossibly tight to get over your head and shoulders (and I ordered two sizes - one bigger than I usually wear). Once I managed that, with the bigger size - the padded inserts were all misshapen - looked terrible. There was no way of getting at them to straighten them out either. Also very lycra type so probably sweaty. I do like the idea though - I did try a sloggy one but that wasn't the right shape and the other one I liked seems to be out of stock everywhere. With something like that I'd want it to be mainly cotton based.

However I've had some success now the 38B's are here as that is a better fit than a 36C - more comfortable but same cup size. One I really like and will keep (a Wren Bra from John Lewis). It's actually a strapless bra with detachable straps. I'll keep the straps on though. And although it's underwired, it's not too hard. So I think I just needed a bigger band size due to my extra flab ha ha.

I had 3 other 38B's to try on. All fitted fine but the cheaper ones were uncomfortable because the underwiring was so hard and rigid. So yes they are all different. I'd already sent for two Marie Jo bras (with trepidation at the cost) so I'll see how I find those in this size.

Re the M n S ones: I love them, but

yes I agree you need a size larger

the padded cups are removable and adjustable from a slit at the side, on the inside, but it is a bit fiddly.

They are clearly very popular, but will never suit everyone. I'm not very well endowed and am not sure how they would suit big cups.

Apparently And/Or is a John Lewis own brand.

Ah I didn't see the padded bits were adjustable. I just got frustrated trying to get it over my head. I do like the idea of them! I think there are some that fasten at the back rather than pull over the head. When I was smaller breasted (until a year ago!) I had a couple of Fat Face white cotton vests that had the same effect. No cups in them but they supported you well and were comfortable. I don't like my boobs being bigger as there are less options!

I might try this type from Next, but they don't have a cup in them so I may look a bit saggy .....

www.next.co.uk/style/st371680/617221

Miss Molly of Sweden are very comfortable. Well worth the expense.

I'm sitting here very comfortably In my M&S crop top bra. I don't understand the other poster's negative comments about them. I have six. Some white, some black and one scarlet one (for when I'm feeling wild!!)

I tried the crop top and it was hopeless for me. It squeezed my boobs into a shelf and I couldn't be bothered struggling into it over my head. I tried a bigger size but no better. Still looking for a good fit for my ample bosoms.

Parsley3 - have you looked on the website ample bosom?


www.amplebosom.com/

I have swimsuits from them.

My 42 DD are somehow just fine in a crop top

Good bra fitters don’t use tape measures -Bravissimo never have, and in fact, I don’t think any do these days.

Bravissimo will do you an online fitting, send bras, and check they fit www.bravissimo.com/virtual-fitting/

They will also give you advice on correctly fitting and sizing over the phone, or you can have an online chat with them.

Why have M&S have stopped doing Bras in AA sizes, I understand that a lot of women now have larger busts, but some of us are slightly built and need AA bras. I’ve tried online and it’s almost impossible to find them anywhere now. M&S also don’t do the half sleeve Tee Shirts that they used to do every summer, I used to buy a few every summer, they were wonderful, lightly shaped and made of really good cotton, now they seem to do just shapeless short sleeve Tee Shirts, made of thin cotton. So disappointed.