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Style & beauty

Can anyone recommend a comfortable bra?

(99 Posts)
singingnutty Tue 23-May-23 16:52:48

I'm not particularly large busted, and although overweight wouldn't say that I had rolls of fat round my midriff, but I cannot find a bra that is comfortable to wear. I have had two goes at getting fitted properly and last summer spent a lot of money on three new bras, but can't wear any of them. One is much too tight and the other two cause me to get a rash under my bust - I think I might be allergic to lycra if that is what they are made of. I started having this trouble really after I had shingles round my right side rib area and probably nerve damage is part of the problem. I can't manage without a bra, but can't seem to wear one with comfort - I have to take it off it every early evening for that reason. I would be pleased if people who have had a similar problem could give me some ideas for how to find something I could wear as the ones I am wearing all the time (because they are just about comfortable) are just about worn out and need replacing.

karmalady Wed 24-May-23 08:15:25

I have a lot of bras and they all fit, some were very expensive like empreinte. I bought a snag bra and that felt comfy at first, for a while. Lately I bought 2 doreen bras containing cotton and they are pretty good. Some of my bras are pretty, some are just functional.

I alternate daily, some days wired, other days not. Underboob rash can be a summer problem for me too, medipure body powder is my standby for that, after washing and gently drying. Cotton bra liners also work very well, again from amazon

silverlining48 Wed 24-May-23 09:04:22

I see bra and comfortable as an oxymoron.
None of my bras are comfortable. Even the Pullover variety are tight round the midriff; more so by the evening for some reason. The best thing about a bra is taking it off.

PiscesLady Wed 24-May-23 11:42:37

I have found Glamorise Magic Lift bras better than underwired. Available from Damart, some styles go up to cup size H.
For underboob rash daily use of Mycil foot powder stopped it, but then they stopped making it. angry After a long search I eventually found Silverlene foot powder (on Amazon & Ebay) worked almost as well. I've not heard of medipure body powder before Karma so will look into that.

overthehill Wed 24-May-23 14:57:22

Not quite what you are asking but something very unusual happened to me.
I always buy my bras from M&S and ordered 6 all the same white non wired in 44C. They duly arrived tried one on it fitted so threw the rest of the packaging away. Wore one and started to feel discomfort, when I took it off at night I had developed a large rash under my left breast. Next day wore another and same thing happened but rash under right breast this time. I got hubs to take a photo (slightly embarrassing) spoke to them and sent them back. They were good though and fully refunded them and my postage. Needless to say I won't be buying from M&S again.

I bought 6 replacements from Bon Marche no problem at all.

Oreo Wed 24-May-23 15:01:29

silverlining48

I see bra and comfortable as an oxymoron.
None of my bras are comfortable. Even the Pullover variety are tight round the midriff; more so by the evening for some reason. The best thing about a bra is taking it off.

👍🏻
It’s eating during the day wot does it😁

silverlining48 Wed 24-May-23 15:07:33

Ah, yes , I thought that might be the reason. grin

Cp43 Thu 25-May-23 11:15:49

Ive had a few Miss Mary of Sweden and like them very much. Problem i had after Brexit was UK courier wrongly requesting £ before delivering so am reluctant to try again.

sazz1 Thu 25-May-23 11:29:29

I bought some bra extenders when mine became too tight but the cup still fitted. If you have a rash under your bust it's probably a fungal infection caused by sweating. Ask your chemist for some anti fungal cream or powder. My mum had this that's how I know. My comfortable bras are Daniel Axel plunge bras as they have a small band HTH

pigsmayfly. Thu 25-May-23 11:35:11

Miss Mary. Expensive but worth it

Pippa22 Thu 25-May-23 11:38:52

My very favourite bras and most comfortable are from Primark. I have been buying them for years and they wash well and last ages. They are gently padded and non wired and currently cost £8 for a pack of 3. They come in different colour selections and even though I have surgery scars on the band area they are soft enough to be ok. Highly recommend and much better and longer lasting than much more expensive bras.

rowyn Thu 25-May-23 11:39:28

Am a DD cup so may not be helpful, but used M&S for ages but then they stopped selling the style that was comfortable for me. eventually I found Damart who do a similar DD cup and wide straps.
Good luck

Gwenisgreat1 Thu 25-May-23 11:41:38

I like underwired bras from Fantasia, but have to admit my boobs are a bit big. I did try M & S but I bought two from them and they are far from comfortable

oodles Thu 25-May-23 11:42:22

Look on the boob or bust website or Facebook group for getting close to an accurate size.for you. Bravissimo shops are to be fou d in many large towns. Once I splurged and on recommendation went to Rigby and peller, once you've been fitted and gone away and seen how the bra feels for a while you can get them in the sales or from other sellers. It sounds extravagant but the well fitting ones I've had based on that fitting have been excellent quality, have lasted and the wires do not come out and bu g up the washer or dig into you, my old ones did that as they were not well fitted so bulged in the wrong way. I have a rib problem from an old injury which is just under where the bra goes so even harder to get a comfy one
If it is well fitted there is less build up of sweat but when things are really hot and I am sweating a lot I do what our grannies used to do and put a little. Vest or camisole top under it, nice soft cotton or silk. That way the sweat is wicked up and the wire doesn't rub. Alternatively you can get bra li ers that tuck under the wire, or you could just use soft cotton hankies.

Luckygirl3 Thu 25-May-23 11:45:20

Can anyone recommend a comfortable bra?

The words comfortable and bra cannot be used in the same sentence - the work of the devil!!

Ellie Anne Thu 25-May-23 12:10:38

I bought a couple from conturve. Not keen on the pull on one but the one that fastens is soft and comfortable.

Philippa111 Thu 25-May-23 12:11:27

Bravissimo do have some cotton bras . I get one made by Royce there and I also get a US make front fastening bra called Glamorise which also has a high cotton content. These are not cheap but they last for a long time.
Like you, I have struggled to find a comfortable bra but these are good. I can't bear nylon next to my skin also I have sloping shoulders so most straps fall down my arms... so uncomfortable!
I hope you find something that you can wear all day without wanting to get home asap to remove it!

Keffie12 Thu 25-May-23 12:16:35

Ms Mary of Sweden are very good and really comfortable. They have a good range too

Gundy Thu 25-May-23 12:46:34

I had shingles too. Then I had breast cancer. A lumpectomy, not mastectomy. I was still working professionally so felt that I needed a bra, altho on the smallish side. Simply could not go back to then current bras.

‼️ I found relief in cancer/mastectomy bras - ALL cotton - lightly padded - no wires or heavy lycra - absorbent in warm weather - stylish like a sports bra - neutral colors - wash beautifully - very affordable‼️

Anyone who hates bras can wear these. I found mine at a chain called Target years ago. Look in your local stores or find online.
YAY!
USA Gundy

LizzieDrip Thu 25-May-23 12:51:08

In my experience there’s no such thing as a comfortable bra. Over many years I’ve spent (wasted) hundreds of £s on bras and not one has been comfortable. Bravissimo are so tight round the rib cage one can hardly breath! The ‘pull-on’ sports type bras roll up underneath the bust - extremely uncomfortable. So, even though I am ‘well endowed’ I’ve now given up the search. I wear an M&S slightly stretchy camisole instead of a bra. No support but lovely and comfortable!

Candelle Thu 25-May-23 12:57:09

I have drawers of mostly unworn bras, as we probably all do. Being an optimist, I am always sure that 'this is the one', only to be sadly disappointed. Over the years I have spent a fortune on searching for a good fit: support, straps staying put and the holy grail, comfort.

I was very very dubious when a friend told me of Primark bras but as they are as cheap as chips, I tried one. I am now a convert.

I am relatively small around but quite well endowed, so buy their tee-shirt bras in the range that goes to a G-H cup size. I don't know the largest chest measurement but it's probably at least 42 and may be more.

The price is only £4.00 or £4.50 (why they differ, I have no idea, possibly old/new stock?) and are available in black, white and flesh colours.

These bras give me incredible lift and a pleasant outline, wash well and I can heartily recommend them.

PS
I do not work for Primark!

Boolya Thu 25-May-23 12:59:32

Sally at Ample Bosom (on line) is brilliant. You can order and return if the fit is not right.

Boolya Thu 25-May-23 12:59:58

I should add that other online outlets are available!

clairefraser1 Thu 25-May-23 13:00:09

I would fully recommend Bravissimo, the staff in any branch I've been in are lovely and very helpful. With their recommendations the bras I buy are very comfortable and supportive.

Bessieb Thu 25-May-23 13:28:44

I bought 2 packs of these from Freeman's and they are so comfortable. I have a large size (42E) but they are quite supportive and I love that they are cotton.

Jess20 Thu 25-May-23 13:28:54

Hetty58, yes me too, if I have to wear a bra it's over my vestsmile