Will never wear a normal bra again!

Some years ago I decided to buy a sports bra and went into the small independent lingerie shop we had in our town at the time (sadly now closed down). I explained that I had just joined our local gym and thought a sports bra might be a good idea. The lady took one look at me and said " No, what you need is a Doreen,". She was right if course and produced a totally glamour free bra that fitted properly without under-wiring. I have worn Doreen's for years now and M&S do them but don't call them that. I even wear one under my swimsuit for aquarobics as I cannot imagine anyone jumping around comfortably without a good supporting bra. I have since found sports bras called shock absorbers which are also very good. I too had wondered about buying those soft comfortable looking pull-on bras but after reading other ladies experiences on here I won't bother. I have gone up a size in band in Doreen recently and it has made all the difference, especially when feeling bloated in the evening. Also no 'back-fat'.

Found that sports bras (those that look like crop tops at the front but fasten at the back) are not only wonderfully comfortable but also supportive. Discovered them at the gym but now where them daily after investing in some plain white ones.

Like others, I’m too well endowed to wear crop tops, and I also have difficulties in doing up my bra round my back because my left arm has restricted movement.
I’ve tried finding front fastening bras but they either don’t have much support or they’re posture improving bras which are more like sports bras.
Has any gran found pretty front fastening bras which offer support without making you feel you are in a straight jacket?

I'd love to wear crop tops but my boobs would be hanging to my waist if I did!
I just object to having to pay extra because I wear an E cup that some stores charge extra for if you are over a C cup.

I get M & S bras, non wired ones for me. I can't cope with any type of wire or plastic in a bra as I have scars on the inside of my arms and underneath my boobs from surgery and I have to be very careful what I wear.

If you have large breasts it’s much more comfortable to keep them in place in a soft bra. I think it’s better for the muscles as well. I wear nighties with built in support

I’ve become a convert to non wired bras since lockdown! M&S ones are very comfortable & much more attractive than they used to be

I can't wear the crop top type as they just don't offer enough support - I have a couple of bodies which, whilst flattering to the middle area, just don't do it at the top! I have progressed to non wired bras though but ones with more support - I've had them from both M&S and Sainsburys and they are much more comfortable. Also moved on to bigger (well higher) knickers to try and reduce all the overspill

I think the underwire bra causing cancer thing is an urban myth diygran!

Jane10
The M&S crossfit bra you mention sounds good. I'll give it a try - my Triumph Doreen nonwired bras are a strangling nightmare in the evening.
Daughter was advised at school years
ago not to wear underwired bras as they can cause cancer if used regularly. I only wear them for social occasions.

I'm so happy to see I'm not the only convert to croptop bras. Mine are M&S crossfit ones. Very supportive but without wires etc. I like the way the edges just thin away to almost nothing. No hard straps. I feel well contained and supported. As they are longer line there's no indentation lines in the (copious) flab No going back now.

I once worked at a job where you could have no metal on you at all - not even the hooks and eyes on a bra - so had to wear crop top type underwear.

Apart from the fact that the crop tops didn't give enough support (especially for an F cup), I didn't like the monoboob effect that they produced.

Sometimes my underwired bras do get a bit uncomfortable by the end of the day, but I'll stick with the 'separation' that they provide!

Tesco had some rather pretty wireless bras just before lock down. Looking forward to going back and buying more. They are good looking and comfortable.

Ninarosa. That made me laugh, my girlies always make a bid for freedom at the pool!

I found the Sloggi crop top bras were the most comfy in a multitude I'd bought, some nice colours too. Medium support for a 38c bust. However, the first time I did a spot of weeding wearing one my girlies made a swift bid for freedom.

People always say one is wearing the wrong bra if it is too tight/too loose/straps fall down/boobs fall out etc and then they usually add 'you need to be properly fitted and then you will be comfortable'. Well, balderdash to that. I've been 'properly fitted' a dozen or more times and I still never end up with a comfortable bra. I once decided those crop top type bras were the answer and bought several. True, they are comfortable but they are not exactly flattering. Sideways I looked like a sack of potatoes. Currently I'm wearing MnS sports bras in a 40B which are bearable but the last time I was 'properly fitted' I was told I should wear a 38C which is ok cup-wise but just cuts me in half across the middle. I must have wasted a small fortune in unwearable bras over the years. By the way, if you decide on a Genii bra or similar (that's the crop top ones) you will find they are very small-sized so order bigger than you think you will need.

Why do people sleep in bras?

Fibromyalgia, costocondritis. Floppy boobs hurt.
The part of the bra that stretches round hurts too. So crop tops are nice for a short time but not enough support. During the day I will have worn maybe four different bras trying to feel comfortable.

I couldn't bear bouncing and flopping about. I once read that leaving your boobs to themselves/gravity stretches the muscles and whatever else is in there irreparably, so I'll stick to my underwired bras, fastened tightly, thank you. Only removed at bed time. I don't want my mammaries banging against my knees in ten years' time.

I don't find bras uncomfortable and wear one even in this hot weather - especially in this hot weather! The thought of sweaty flesh slithering over sweaty flesh horrifies me.

I have a couple of soft bras from Sloggi. They have no wires and are mainly cotton and so much more comfortable to wear in this heat. Must admit I only wear them when going out, when at home in this extreme hot weather I just wear a sleeveless top and no bra. Quite liberating!

If “normal” bras are uncomfortable then you are wearing the wrong size.

Yes I’ve gone full time on wearing bras without underwires. I imagine when ‘normal’ life returns I’ll wear bras again for formal occasions, but for round the house and garden bbqs no way! I will look at the Matalan bras Gajahgran thanks for the tip! I wonder if Next make them? I’ll have to look. I ordered a couple non underwire one from Calvin Klein a friend recommended but I need a few so I’m not constantly washing them.

Matalan do some really pretty ones. Some with lace and padding, others plain. They also do some good sports bras. Lovely and comfy, it's a revelation! They all wash really well.

I love these little top things instead of bras. ( but only in the house. ) They are so comfortable.
I don't wear any sort of bra in bed, it's nice to hang free.

Miss Mary give clear instructions on measuring as well.

I got two bras from Miss Mary of something or somewhere. Wide straps and wide band underneath. Only two designs with cotton. Better than most but still take my bra off as soon as I get home.

Have a large drawer full of cotton vest tops with built in bras but will check out Primark next time I go shopping to see what they have.

Forgot myself once and took my bra off when my son in law was with us. He laughed and said my daughter does exactly the same.