A loose fitting sports bra would be a bit pointless.

sport bras 90% of the time.

warner "elements of Bliss" wire-free and tagless.... i am a 34 A/B cup... i can find these only at TJmaxx or marshall's. prob discontinued. i only wear a bra when going out and need to look "put together":)

and yes it is a B***CH finding a good bra!!

I know some of you have mentioned padded bras but what about lined bras?

Sometimes I feel like the only woman who doesn't want any padding or lining. I usually end up telling the worker in the department that I want a bra that doesn't have boobs until mine are in it!

But I do wear underwire, always have.

I have some Wacoal t-shirt bras that I got on sale. They would be great if the underwire did not poke so much. My other Wacoal straps are always slipping. I bought something called Third Love or something like that on line. You go through a quiz to find the best bra for you. It was VERY expensive and the worst fitting bra I ever had. I desperately need bras now and wish I could find one that does not make it look like two large grapefruits attached to my chest. I have been fitted and tried the recommended styles but find I do better just taking a pile in the fitting room and trying them. Ugh.

Abellabedella, my dd has the same problem as your dd. For a while Victoria Secret had maybe one bra that fit her or almost fit her. Now they have none, which was the reason for us first going into Soma. Not only do they help you find a fit, they also have bras that fit her and some are even pretty. Most of the time when we'd go bra shopping, she would end up in tears because there weren't any bras that fit her right or didn't dig into her shoulders. We've been to multiple stores before.

I was able to stay silent until this comment followed immediately after chloecat's contribution concerning visible nipples and covering perkiness:

"A loose fitting sports bra would be a bit pointless."

I do not objectify nor treat or view women with disrespect. Not ever. But I am human. I will say that I always enjoy seeing an attractive woman sans upper undergarments. No more or less than men-loving women enjoy seeing a well-built guy in a tight t-shirt or other garment that allows others to enjoy their body shape.

Carry on.

As far as covering my perkyness. It is a comfort thing for me. I do not feel comfortable with them pointing at everyone :) lol.

Aprile, have you tried wearing a camisole under your clothing? That might address your concerns about excess perkiness. :-)

My local Dillard's has true bra fitters. Call your local dept stores and see if any have such a person. They are a godsend!

There are a million tutorials online that work just fine. No need to have someone help? It's a measuring tape and a couple of numbers?! It's not rocket science.

Having a bra fitting is nice but as Rob said, it's not rocket science. I went to Soma once for a "fitting" and found I was different sizes in their different lines. Best measurement to know is your band, since that's pretty important (it's what keeps things up where they belong; the straps shouldn't do the heavy lifting). Cup size will vary by manufacturer AND by their line so you have to try them on.

I'm probably in the minority here but I prefer to wear a bra pretty much at all times.....except when I'm sleeping....and I prefer underwire, but not in my sports bras.

Maybe I spoke too harshly. I just think, if one can put on such a difficult contraption, wrapping a piece of cloth or plastic around the midsection and recording the numbers should be a piece of cake. Sorry for being grumpy. It's Monday!

I tried on more bras today, and they all felt like a boa constrictor was around my ribs. And it's a larger size that I've been wearing in the past. I got hubby to measure me to see if I'm even close to what I need. According to this site the band is right (but way too tight in the store), and I need a much larger cup. Yikes.

Here is the site that I used to calculate. See if it compares with the size you wear :-)

I've had to go up/down cup/band size even within the same company. sigh.

I can't stand the band being as tight as is recommended and I like to sew so I make my own. Luckily I don't need much support.

I'm 34" around the widest part. Rob's site (measuring 32" a little higher on the torso) computes to 32B. Jasdip's site (measuring 28" under the bra, around the ribs) says 30F. I don't believe I was as small as a B cup when I got my very first bra at about age 13. I had no idea there *was* an F cup. I was NEVER 'perky'. Sigh.

Any bra that could support my breasts without straps would need 'girders' (whalebone?) to the hips.

Guess I fell asleep when they passed out "the girls", I am not totally flat but there is not much to put in a bra. I don't even own one & it has been that way for years. I got tired of having to wear a padded bra so there was something there. Guess when I wear tank tops the little ones are perky but I always say if you don't like the way I look, not my problem. Even when I was pregnant both times I was the only one who got smaller not bigger.

chisue, try Curvy Kate. Quality, and great fit

I'm not about to spend a fortune on Bras, and I even wait for sales. I buy the JC Pennys underscore. Not perfect buy they work for me. You can also pull them over your head. I can not bend my arms anymore to hook the back and I don't like the front closures. I do like the tee shirt type but they have no support at all. Great for sleeping or when you can't stand a bra that day. I still can't even get the right size. Good luck

Currently I can only wear front closure Bras which limits the choices. I can not tolerate lace or synthetic fabrics. I break out in an itchy rash. I prefer all stretch cotton. I don't have a large cup size any more they seem to be shrinking lol. But I am thick around the chest area so finding a good band size with a little cup size is about impossible. Add to that the front closure and fabric issues and I have nothing. I won't so an wires. I have one particular type I have been ordering for years now but they are bad about rolling up at the band. I have measured, been measured, etc it hasn't helped. And I have found that just because it says it is a particular size doesn't mean it really is! I think wrapping up in an ace bandage might be better.

Loved the comment above about lifting for a pedicure! That's funny!

This is the one I have been ordering, it's a light weight and light support. They have a bra club if you buy 5 in a year or so you get one free. I don't remember the details. I watch for the sales. They have a great selection of brands at woman within in lots of sizes.

http://m.womanwithin.com/clothing/Wireless-fronthook-seamless-leisure-bra-by-Comfort-Choice.aspx?PfId=240477&DeptId=9435&ProductTypeId=1&ppos=31&Splt=0

For women who might like to go bra-less, but aren't wanting to draw attention to their bust, try breast petals. They have an adhesive side to hold in place, but I don't think they're reusable. Fashion Forms and/or Hollywood Fashion has a breast petal and Ambrielle Silicone Gel Petals for $20 at JCPenney, which can be worn up to 25 times. Not sure what other products are available, but saw these recently.

You know, it's pretty bad when 50% of the population has to deal with this dilemma on a daily basis. Surely there must be some sort of solution that would provide support, cover up the necessary bits and not be torture to wear. It's just ridiculous that this is such a problem in this day and age!

Out of curiosity, for those who are worried about "perkiness" or as I usually say, tongue in cheek, "a tit bit nipply", does that happen often?

I ask because I never have that problem unless it is really cold. I don't know if breastfeeding helped toughen them up and make them less sensitive or if some women just have more "show".

Okay, Gem, can this discussion get any more personal, LOL? My N's get perky when it's cold, when I'm aroused, even when certain fabrics just brush over them. I breastfed. And yes, there are many types of N's and some indeed have more "show".

Years ago I did try Petals. But if I wore them for more than a few hours they made my N's moist and itchy.

I remember reading years ago that in cultures where women didn't wear bras, there was far less incidence of breast cancer....something about the tightness affecting the lymph glands. I realize it could well have been other factors, diet, environment....but I said, what the heck? I used to not go to the barn unless I had makeup on and a bra. But back then, I had a barn right beside the road and people were forever dropping by...and I felt self conscious without make up and a bra. Not any more. And as far as how I look, if anyone takes the time to pay much attention to an old 70 yr old woman not wearing a bra (or make up), I feel sorry for them. They must have a very unfulfilling life. There is nothing I can do about that.

lgmd_gaz, you can buy the Flower Bali bra from the manufacturer's website for $18.99 including free shipping.

One Hanes Place

LucyStart, thanks for the info. I do get the Hanes catalog and there is an outlet store nearby if I am in a pinch. Don't use a credit card on line, and it looks like they don't do phone orders. My local store where I can get them at buy one at regular price and get one for a penny usually works out for me.

Sabbath, thanks for the Nordstrom Rack heads up! I ordered a Wacoal online. If it doesn't fit I can return it to the local store.

Texas, I think mine are at attention more often than not sigh. A breeze blows the right way, going into an air conditioned building from outside, a drizzle of rain hits my arm, fabric rubs the wrong way and they are like HEY! Look at me, to which I want to cup my hands over my breasts to cover them which would probably draw more attention. That is why I wear a lined bra. I am super modest, even when I don't wear a bra at home if my son is here or a man is here I will wear something that covers them.

I may give the covers a try. I would love to go bra less when I go for my walks around the neighborhood and it is hot. I feel like it would be a ton cooler.

Also for those that don't wear one, do you wear white or very light colors that you can see through? Do you cover them then or just let them be?

Wanda......I wore Timeless Comfort for years....I thought they had stopped making them.

Mamapinky....I laughed so hard I woke DH from his afternoon snooze......

I have been wearing Glamorise bras for years now. They are the most comfortable I have found but I'm also in the "I hate bras" camp. Didn't know there were so many of us that fling them off when we walk in the door!

Is there a store that sells the Glamorise bras? I need to try it on, I'm not ordering these online until I an see if it fits.

I think you can only get Glamorise online. Penneys is listed, but I think it's online as well. You could check if penneys has them in the store.....at least you can return them to Penneys if they don't fit and you wouldn't have to pay return shipping. I order mine from Just My Size.

I get my 46 G from the Hanes Outlet. A DD squishes things sideways. The bands roll on every bra I have ever had, at least that I remember! When I was having pain, that the Drs said was extreme hormones, I was also told not to ever wear underwires, as they cause too much pressure on the nerve bundles that can cause other issues down the line. The way I am built, the darn things just poke me in the arms anyway! I have looked at the make your own bra classes that are available on Craftsy, but have not spent the money on the class, as I hate to sew anymore. However, if you can find a bra that fits you comfortably, and you think it is way too expensive, think of it this way. Especially if you care for it properly. How many wearings is that bra going to get? Even at a guess? Now divide the price by that number. I knit my socks. I have been known to spend $18-26 on yarn to make ONE PAIR! Yes, that is what I said. BUT, I am still wearing the first pair I ever made, which I paid $18 for the yarn, 16 years later. I wear those socks once a week from Sept, to April or May. I think I got my moneys worth! I do understand that budgets don't always allow for that kind of expense, but your body is worth it, too.

JoAnn, do you have Kohl's nearby? Their website says they have Glamorise. I'd never heard of that brand, so I was checking it out online, and Kohl's is among the stores listed as carrying them.

Rusty

Bali underwire

Underwire hurts after a while. We wear corsets with our Victorians. No band, no straps, it's nice. We don't lace them too tight so it's not uncomfortable to wear all day. I like to sew a bra into my clothes when I can, especially for nice dresses. The more gentle band bras of the 1920s look comfortable. Some of the 50s bras and girdles look uncomfortable to me. I prefer all cotton but have sewn my own out of silk and those feel amazing.

Whatever happened to the pretty lingerie of the 80s. All the lacy stuff is underwire now. Even the smaller sizes that don't need it.

The petals make you sweat. I think after the Oscar red carpet walk, the stars can't wait to take them off.

Rusty.....thanks for the info about Kohls carrying Glamorise in the store....Indont shop at Kohls often but will check it out.

The one thing in bras I have not seen mentioned here is the use of elastic in the straps. The stretch of the elastic is overcome by the weight of breast and just leaves the larger breast sagging. To think that the stretch just works when your movements need it to is ludicrous. These days a bra without the stretch built into the straps is hard to find, even in the fuller cup sizes.

Think about it ladies, if men wore bras, totally comfortable, great supporting, attractive bras would have been invented long ago. You know, like why do men's pants routinely come in waist and inseam sizes and women's don't?

According to bra experts, 90% of the support of a bra should come from the band, not the straps, so having some stretch in the straps should not be a problem...at least it isn't for me and I'm in an F cup. I do need underwire though for sure.

Where it matters is for sports bras...they make them so stretchy for "movement" when you really need non-stretchy to hold the girls firm while you're running or whatever.

Yep, the band stays in place ok, but when I lean over, the weight of the girls extends the stretch and that is where it stays. I am a 34 G and at my age and physical condition, the girls do hang freely on their own. So I do need the firmest support possible to get and keep them where they belong. Too much information, I know. lol

I finally bought one yesterday. 50% off, so $15. That's my kind of pricing.

Now I realize that to find the style that you like, and are used to is even more difficult. They change styles all the time. I wear a Playtex, and there weren't any of that style. I tried a new style, 18-hour, with cushioned straps. A larger band but same size cup. The style that I'm currently wearing is one size smaller band, and just as comfortable as the larger. Go figure. I went into the change room with 4 packages, all the same style but different sizes. Grrrr.

Glamorise bras are listed here too: http://www.onehanesplace.com/shop/SearchDisplay?categoryId=21124&doorId=4&storeId=10705&catalogId=11054&langId=-1&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&showResultsPage=true&searchSource=Q&pageView=&beginIndex=0&pageSize=20&searchTerm=Bali+seemless+underwire+bra#facet:&productBeginIndex:100&orderBy:&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:20&;

Chantelle, Natori, and Wacoal are my personal faves. Bratabase.com is somewhere to get a load of info on bras and bra fitting.

Found a Soma store just a short distance away and may even head there tomorrow! Thanks for mentioning it.

Have been buying 'cleo by panache' as they are best at lifting my girls while being comfortable to wear. BUT they use colorful or bumpy lace fabrics which show under my spring/summer/fall clothes. And it looks like Soma has a similar one with flat fabric (want to avoid lining/ molded ones in the summer - I live in un-air conditioned spaces.

Found a bra sizing discussion on Reddit last year - and following that method totally changed my size and my appearance.

The reddit has to have been Abrathatfits...:P

I actually found a new front closure bra and so far it is a little more comfortable than my regulars. It is a Catherine bra. I found it online and decided to risk it.

Jennifer - sorta. The discussion is just one thread there. I hadn't realized until now how many discussions exist! I even ordered a bunch from a UK house as it seemed to be successful for many there - I got several different sizes as I couldn't believe that my measurements were telling this formerly-known-as-BorC girl that I needed much more generous size. I've settled on DD. Went from 38C to 34DD. And I found that the right size with an underwire to be the MOST comfortable. (Which is good since finding a wireless bra that supports was pretty hard.)

Here's the measuring guide.

Bra fitting is so much more complex than most people think! I was wearing 34DD's and pulling the back down to deal with the extra band length when I'm actually 30H/32GG. There's only so much adjusting and compensating this woman can put up with before realizing that there had to be better fitting bras out there! After I got myself properly fitted and bras in my actual size that worked for my breast shape I had my mom measure herself and give me the numbers so we could get her into a better bra too! Finally not cringing at the sight of her bra band riding up towards her shoulders knowing she couldn't possibly be comfortable and supported with her bras doing that and we got to bond over bras and boobs! ;) She had been wearing 34C's when she was a 32 (I like a tighter band but she found 30's too constricting.)!