Senior Ladies, 'Chest Stabilizers'?

last year

My lifelong Bali lace 34 DD 'contents' have shrunk along with the rest of me -- and moved south. I'm 32 around and maybe a C cup? I don't have the stamina to go anywhere to be fitted. I'd appreciate suggestions to 'hoist and stabilize'. I'm thinking more support around the body and less from the straps. Ugly is acceptable. Thank you.

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Annie Deighnaugh

last year

last modified: last year

Greyhound bus here! Or is it Greyhound bust!

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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
last modified: last year
Have you tried crop tops? Nothing to rub, itch or dig in. Total comfort. You don't know it's on. This kind of thing: .https://www.marksandspencer.com/flexifit-crop-top-bralet/p/clp60438341?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share
eld6161
last year
You need to be fitted. Are you near a Nordstrom's or Bloomingdales?

Short of that, I would start by looking at your go-to brand.

I wear Wacoal. Some styles work, while others don’t.

Maybe try Bare Necessities. You can talk to a person who can give you ideas.

I empathize with you. Bra shopping and bathing suit shopping are the worst.

I also wear Underoutfit. No wires but they are padded, which I really don’t need. Sometimes they start to bunch up so I don’t highly recomment, but they might wirk for you.
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Toronto Veterinarian
last year
You could go with a sports bra, though it does give a uniboob look. I find the crossed shoulder straps annoying, but it is supportive for larger breasts. Maybe something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Champion-High-Impact-Maximum-Breathable-Moisture/dp/B004GXA962 or this if you want to stick with Bali: https://www.amazon.com/Bali-Comfort-Revolution-Shaping-Wirefree/dp/B0BQZPXMMQ?refinements=p_123%3A2006%7C232616&rnid=85457740011&s=apparel

Whatever you buy, you will need someone to take your measurements for you; one size never fits all.
maire_cate
last year
last modified: last year
i recently started wearing Soma Enbliss - soft, comfortable and wireless.
Kendrah
last year
Call Nordstroms. Explain to them exactly what you explained to us and that you don't have the stamina to shop in person. Ask them to recommend three different bras for you to try on. (You could be a different size in each of the bras.) Purchase, try them on, and keep the one that fits. They have an excellent return policy.
donna_loomis
last year
I am finally free of bras made with wire, snaps, hooks and straps that bind. At 70 nobody expects my girls to be perky. A cheap 3X sport bra keeps the gals in place and I am very comfortable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G5XN5HH?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_24&th=1&psc=1
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
last modified: last year
Those are a lot like the ones I linked to. OP is only a 32. That style should be fine.
Toronto Veterinarian
last year
"OP is only a 32"

And also at least a C cup (maybe D). That takes support, regardless of band size.
HU-279332973
last year
I agree some sort of sports type bra. Look for one with a longer body to clasp that small rib cage and separated cups. The one Donna showed is just the type. Lots of them out there.
JoanM
last year
You should check amazon for front close sports bras. Some of the offerings are labeled post surgery bras but they look very comfortable. I recommend the front close since some of sports bras require you to be a contortionist to get on and off. I have a zip front one for exercise and it was always comfortable. I would try the new front close offerings as a bra bra if I was shopping.
chisue
Original Author
last year
Great help! Thank you.

Yes, there's still 'bulk', but lower! I have no back, hence the lifelong 34" for the band (now 32"). I may have underestimated, guessing a C cup. Hard to know when you've lost 30% of your body. Do the sports bras have cup sizing?

I tried one sports bra years ago before a surgery; not enough support. I don't mind underwire after so many years. (Lessee, 84 minus 12...72 years of bras. Is there a prize?)

I'm off to search, using Donna's nice link.

Kendrah -- I'm keeping the Nordstron's tip in reserve!
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
last year
last modified: last year
Many sports bras are pull-ons, which seems like it would be a hassle for larger sizes - I've seen some that fasten in the front, instead of the back.

And Macy's is having a lingerie sale...

https://www.macys.com/shop/womens/clothing/intimates/bras?id=55799

You can filter for size and style, along with other features.
JoanM
last year
This one seems highly rated with photo reviews.

Sports bra link

Here is one with a zipper and some photo reviews.

Link to zipper model
Annie Deighnaugh
last year
last modified: last year
We used to call them OSBH... Over the Shoulder Boulder Holders.
sjerin
last year
last modified: last year
Chisue, have you tried an old-fashioned Playtex? No wire and fairly comfortable. I was fitted once (Nordstrom) and found it too tight and uncomfortable.
Jupidupi
last year
My husband thinks I'm rationalizing when I tell him I love being small-chested (or as I call it, my breast size is "sports car" versus "sedan." ) I don't wear bras, but when I feel like I need some fabric there, I wear a camisole with what's called a "shelf bra," which is an extra piece of fabric with elastic around the bottom. A camisole has the advantage of going all the way to your waist, adding a bit of extra bulk. I know the brand LuLuLemon uses a wide band of elastic which is too supportive for me, but might be just right for you.
Toronto Veterinarian
last year
I wish I had been able to go braless, and wear spaghetti-strap summer dresses. But I'm more of an "SUV" size, as was my mother. She could rest a coffee cup on her bosom while watching TV.
terilyn
last year
I love Underoutfit!
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
last year
You all are cracking me up 😄

I'm thinking I'm more of a VW beetle...
chisue
Original Author
last year
A friend's grandaughter has had breast reduction surgery before starting college. I wish that had been an option! I wouldn't have grooves in my shoulders. I could have avoided all that 'scrutiny'. And...I wouldn't be still coping wth the problem!
lily316
last year
I remember getting my first bra at age 12 and thinking...do I have to wear one of these the rest of my life? I do when I leave the house, but the minute I'm home, the bra is off. I wished all my life to be flatchested so I wouldn't need one.
justmyopinion
last year
last modified: last year
I haven't had a good fitting bra in at least 40 years so maybe I am close to you, Chisue, in age. It's not for the lack of trying or sparing expense when bra shopping. Sports bras always look like the answer but the bottom band is always too tight, too long, or rolls up and sizing up just makes the straps too ill fitting. Clearly I don't have a solution but desperately need one too. Hopefully someone will have the answer

P.S. Sometimes I think duct tape might be the solution!
blubird
last year
last modified: last year
I recently went through the agony of finding a well fitting bra. For many years I wore an Olga underwire, but my size changed after losing weight and Olga is not longer an easily availabe brand. My husband laughed as i went to Macys, Kohls, Target and ordered online from many sources…followed by many returns.

Several years ago I was fitted in a fancy bra store and ended up with Wacoal and another expensive bra, but I was never happy with them.

Many people are now wearing those with thin foam cups, which are nice for summer lightweight t-shirt wear, but I've found that all of those tend to have wide set straps and don’t work for me both because i have narrower shoulders and the separation piece is too low in the front and doesn't support me properly.

After many false starts I ended up with a pretty inexpensive Bali, all cotton lace underwire, very pretty, straps set in the right location, their Breathe collection. I'm fairly sure , however that they don't come in a 32 band size. Would a 34 in a “sister size” work for you…possibly a 34b or C, and could even be easily altered to a 32 band?
rob333 (zone 7b)
last year
This sort of discussion is how I knew that I was friends with some of the workmates I have. " Hey Rob! You have the same issue we have, how do you keep them up?!" And I said steel, lots of steel. That's my hoist and stabilization.

I hate the uniboob look and I would rather have lots of steel then one big one across my entire chest. Just for my satisfaction. I don't care what anybody else thinks. Screw anyone else. If that's what they need to be happy about me, they ain't my friend.
chisue
Original Author
last year
I've been hampered by computer difficulties -- *maybe* resolved.

I remeasured. I'm 27" 'around' and 31" over the bust when hoisted.

Discussion of 'sister sizing' is confusing. Would I order 30" band and a D cup? I need separation and lift. The underwiring in my old bras actually prevents separation, bowing out in the middle. This is a Bali lace 32 DD on the tightest closure. It's tight tnough but cups are too roomy, and it's 'saggy'. I feel like this is an engineering project -- in cantilevering?

The price ranges online are amazing -- $20 to $175 and more.
blubird
last year
Sister sizing isn't an exact science Here's one chart…

but there is no consistently between the many charts out there.. The problem you're (Chisue) going to encounter is that you seem to now need a totally different size than before. Sister sizing works reasonably OK if you were merely trying to find a new bra in ypur current size, but perhaps isn't available in the size youre looking for, and can take a slightly looser or tighter band.

There is no substitute for trying on…having just gone through that, I can commiserate. You might need to do it in stages, first trying for the right band size, then for cup size, then for comfort and style.
Toronto Veterinarian
last year
I feel like this is an engineering project -- in cantilevering?

Cantilevering is a good description. Do you remember the Barbara Bel Geddes character (Midge) in Vertigo designing a new bra? It is an engineering project.

Scottie: What’s this do-hicky?
Midge: It’s a brassiere, you know about those things, you’re a big boy now
Scottie: Well I never ran across one like that before
Midge: It’s brand new, revolutionary uplift, no shoulder straps, no back straps but it does everything a brassiere should do. Works on the principle of the cantilever bridge
Scottie: It does?
Midge: Ah hmmm. An aircraft engineer down on the peninsula designed it, worked it out in his spare time
Scottie: Kind of a hobby, a do-it-yourself type thing

https://iprofessdesign.wordpress.com/2014/10/12/design-of-a-do-hicky-or-not-so-new-after-all/
PattiG(rose)
last year
last modified: last year
Blubird, I also just went shopping for bras, tried on many and finally found one that fit. It's an arduous process for me. I did find that many Warners bras are the same as the Olga brand I always wore. I'm hoping to be able to order online now that I've found the correct size.

I have been professionally fitted twice and was never happy with the really expensive bras they recommended.
Bluebell66
last year
I tried the ones Donna linked, as I have been looking for a comfy, around the house bra. They seem comfortable enough, but they have the triangular, removable pads that tuck inside and move around. As I was attempting to get the bra properly placed, they were already moving on me. That is a No Go, so they're going back.
pricklypearcactus
last year
Bluebell, I often remove those annoying triangular removable pads. Just an idea if you otherwise liked the bra.

I am so glad that I work from home now because I wear light sports bras all day instead of worrying about whether my bossom looks professionally perky or not. I prefer racerback, but that might just be me. My favorites, from Nike, are unfortunately now discontinued. I've more recently purchased some from Under Armour. They all have the stupid removable pads.

Senior Ladies, 'Chest Stabilizers'?

Annie Deighnaugh

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