Bras and my body over 66

Aveline

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 love the idea of them :-) I just couldn't get the blooming thing on without a wrestle! How many sizes up did you go? I normally wear a 10 to 12 at the top and couldn't even get the 14 on easily. It just felt hard work. I also wasn't so sure about the material for hotter weather. They do look very nice though.

kircubbin2000

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

Thank you so much. I might try one of those now I've got the size that I need right (although I realise that can vary with different styles and manufacturers).

Wyllow3

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.

Apologies - it was very kind of you to suggest them and maybe they do suit some people more than others. I like the idea and might try one in a bigger size.

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Odd question arthur
Read the thread.

I was in Aberdeen recently and went shopping in Next and I found the most comfortable bra, one I can even sleep in and I’m 74 so there’s hope for you yet gentlestores keep trying you’re bound to get a bra that fits from Next there’s all kinds of pretty bras there - good luck

I have one M&S bra that is comfortable ....42C.... I bought it in black too but that is NOT comfortable! Someone on here has mentioned bra extenders. I've had a lightbulb moment...Somewhere in this house I have a black bra extender. I will seek it out and try it. I will report back!! Fingers crossed

I love Miss Mary of Sweden UK bras. They fit me perfectly and they stay useable for years. I buy them on line and no problems so far - and very nice knickers too .

Black bra extender found and so far I am feeling comfortable!
(See previous post above)

Bonnybanko

I was in Aberdeen recently and went shopping in Next and I found the most comfortable bra, one I can even sleep in and I’m 74 so there’s hope for you yet gentlestores keep trying you’re bound to get a bra that fits from Next there’s all kinds of pretty bras there - good luck

Thank you :-) I've found two now. Once I got the sizing right things fell into place a bit. It made sense that as I was just slightly larger all over, the band size needed to go up with the same proportion cup size. So instead of a 36B (which I've been for years), the perfect fit was a 38B. Apparently the cup size in a 38B is the same size as a 36C. But the 36C was uncomfortably tight underneath. It was actually M&S that suggested trying a 38B when I returned a 36B.

So I actually have one M&S bra in a 38B which is comfortable and fits well (one of the Rosie ones), but not as comfortable as the other one I found on John Lewis which is And/Or (their own brand) called "Wren". It's actually a "Multiway" bra but I'm wearing it with conventional straps. It's a perfect fit and very comfortable. Both are perhaps not the best quality and both are underwired so I'd like to find a non-underwired one as well :-) Can't tell you what a relief it is!

I will look on Next as well.

DanniRae

Black bra extender found and so far I am feeling comfortable!
(See previous post above)

I just bought a couple! A two hook and three hook. I didn't need them in the end once I got the bra size right, but could be useful in future if size fluctuates!

gentleshores......

After much trial and error, I think that balcony bras give me a reasonable shape. However, I do want to find a good bra with no underwires. The search is on.

Wyllow3

Aveline

Try a crop top bra. So comfortable. No hard wires or hooks and eyes. Easily accommodate and support bigger busts. Seriously, try one. I bet you wouldn't go back.

For that, try this one: M and S

"Flexifit™ Non Wired Crop Top"

Been needing to replace my current M&S non-wired Flexifits. Thanks for the reminder, Wyllow 🙂 I have printed ones at the moment from a few years ago.

I also have a couple of "Boody" bras, also non-wired and very comfortable.

Step in and pull up to get on and then yank over your head to get off is my preference 🙆‍♀️ 😁

I wear what I call "Bralettes", they look like a crop top. I've got several different designs. They are so much more comfortable than bras.
But I want to dress up a bit for an event I still have a couple of uplifting wired ones.

I had a really good fitting from John Lewis.M & S is a bit hit or miss

I used to buy Bravissimo bras which were lovely but nearly £40 each. Recently bought a couple of soft bras at Asda in natural colour with underwires and they are so comfy. Two for about £15 I think they were.

Our bodies change as we get older. Try and get fitted by an independent bra fitter - to find the bra that works for you. Different styles will need different sizes until you find the right fit. I was wearing a 40d and i am now wearing a 36GG - when younger and slimmer i was 34C! So we do change. Also as we get older we need comfortable bras

I agree with Aveline. I’m 72 and have always worn lacy underwire bras, no padding, and was a 36C, later 38C. Earlier this year I realised how uncomfortable they felt and how often at home of an evening I would put my hands up my back and unhook it with relief. I experimented with an M&S crop top bra and it’s a game changer, I have a few now, also one from John Lewis. They are so comfortable with plenty of support, I never thought I’d wear a padded bra! My husband thinks it’s a very strange way to put on a bra by stepping into it and pulling it up over my body

That's exactly why I started with crop tops Cagsy. It just crept up on me that I was looking forward to taking my bra off each evening. No longer nowadays!

If someone can tell me how I can measure my boobs correctly when they are not where they should be but instead are hanging around my knees. Every bra measuring site has said measure your rib cage under your bust then measure around your bust but they don't tell you how to measure your bust when they are swinging low.

Put a bra on to measure?
I think that's what they mean

I agree that Bravissimo make lovely underwear.They also sell swimwear ,dresses and tops designed for more generous busts.

You seem to be quite unhappy with both your bras and how old you are. If you dont keep looking at the size of the bra but go for finding a bra that fits you and feels comfortable, never mind what the size label says, you will be much more comfortable and then you will not be aware of it all the time, because comfort means you are less aware of it. As to age, well as they say better than the alternative!! I am now 78 but my brain seems to still think I can do things that I did when I was 26. I get annoyed when I find something hard to do that I used to easily manage but then I try to think about it. Does this thing really matter? Do I need to accept help or can I do it another way ? When my back is very painful I have to accept that I cannot do certain things at that time and have to put up with things as they are until I have a better day. Then if I am feeling better but it is a very sunny day I still leave the job sometimes and go outside while I can. If you can concentrate on things that you are able to do and would like to do rather than what is different that you dont like I think you will enjoy life more . Hope you find the bra that you are looking for

I know this might sound strange but my most comfortable bras are from F &F at Tesco. I wear a 38DD from the fuller range