bras are a nightmare!

I've measured myself a ton of times and usually get different measurements each time, and then when I get a measurement that's constant, I put it in online converters and it comes out differently. Then I had my mom help me measure, and it says I'm a 34B even though I've worn that size and felt like it needed to be a bigger band size.
I trust her measurements enough to not get it done "professionally". I don't want to get measured by anyone else because I hate people being close to me like that.

So I tried on like 6 bras the other day and found 2 that felt like they fit well, but now that I'm wearing them, they're killing me!
When I tried it on, there was no space in the cup, but now it's like the bra is jutting out at the top of the cup and there's like almost a centimeter of space.
I know that the band has to lay flat on your back. If I adjust the shoulder strap to where it feels right, the band isn't flat.
It feels like I'm being constricted, no matter what stop thing I have it on the bra, and it felt like that when I was wearing 36/8 B too. It feels really wrong and causes me a lot of anxiety, and feels like I get short of breath.

My ribs are sensitive and are slightly misshapen, so that might contribute a little? It really doesn't help that most of my clothes don't fit or are uncomfortable and cause me a lot of anxiety and anger! I almost feel like crying with the way bras make me feel SO uncomfortable!

I can't go around in public without one because I'm self conscious about my boobs, plus I HATE people noticing and blatantly staring. Those sticker things for nipples don't work. Sports bras make me look even more flat chested and they're super uncomfortable.

Has anyone else dealt with something like this? Can anyone give me any advice without telling me to get "professionally fitted? Because that's never gonna happen.

Where are you purchasing your bras? I get mine from Lane Bryant. They are the best fitting, though they are still uncomfortable. I get cotton with underwire, because thats all that will fit and support. Though I am a 46 DDD. So you can imagine my own frustration. It never fits perfectly. I take my bra off right when I get home and sometimes don't feel like going somewhere JUST because I have to put a bra on. I like the cotton ones cause they will stretch depending on your size. Less constricting. Less forming.

I get mine from khols, usually Maidenform or Candy's ones. I'll definitely keep the cotton ones in mind! Is lane bryant a store or brand?

I totally wouldn't mind going braless if I liked wearing layers, like a cardigan or something, but alas I don't.

Sent using Tapatalk 2

I've used Lady Grace, for professional measurements, post breast reduction. Funny, though I didn't lactate, due to all that went with such a surgery, I did grow one cup size, from pregnancies.

I find under breast, is bra numeric size, then around middle, over nipples, difference in inches is the cup size.

I buy from just about anywhere, now. One I've got on, is from now liquidated fashion bug, i still prefer underwires, and this snaps in front.
I find I'm not bra shopping fanatic, most everything has padding, i hate padding in bras.

Hope you find the right style fit, then stockpile

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

Why not try a wire free?

Hanes Lift Perfection Wirefree Bra | Style # G158 | Onehanesplace.com

Also I find bras that close in front give me a little more "oomph" and racerback to be insanely comfortable...

I've been fighting the bra fight for too long.....

Lane Bryant is a store. They have one here at the mall where I live. But they're not everywhere, and they have a website but then you wouldn't be able to try them on... The brand I get from Lane Bryant is Cacique or something like that. Walmart has a cotton underwire bra but they are cheap and can break within a few months.

I have this problem. For me it's probably due to the fact that my weight fluctuates like crazy (e.g. even within the span of one/two weeks). When I lose weight, it's usually an uneven process -- e.g. my calves and arms won't be affected, but my breasts, face, and abdomen will. Generally this isn't very noticeable unless I weigh myself, because I'm always within the range of 42-48kg, but I'll lose and gain a few kilos very easily. Do you think that you might have a similar issue?

Anyway, thanks for opening this thread, because I struggle with this problem too. I'll be reading the suggestions that people come up with.

Don't buy soma. They seem like they fit well but then the front clasp or the shoulder straps are structured poorly so they eventually stretch and look funny. Cheap.

I am plus-size, but I don't have large breasts. The best bra fitting info is at www.herroom.com They tell you how to measure, and they have bra fitting solutions, such as what to do if the cups pucker, or the band rides up, etc. They also have a multi-step "know your breasts" which helps a lot in finding the right style of bra. I used their website to find the right size and style for me, and I usually shop on www.onehanesplace.com, because of their selection and prices. Also, their customer service is usually excellent, and they accept returns. An outlet mall near me has one of their stores; I can order online and return it for free to the store. Same with Lane Bryant (although their Cacique bras seem well-made and a good value for the price, my breasts aren't big enough for their bras).

I used to wear cotton bras, because I have MS and am very heat-sensitive. However, I find that some of the newer microfibers are actually comfortable, not too sweat-inducing, and retain their shape and quality better than cotton. I put my bras inside an old pillowcase, close it with a wide rubber band, and throw it in my washer on either the gentle or handwash cycle. Then I hang them up to dry. They last longer this way.

Good luck, ladies! I hope you find my post to be uplifting!

There's a bra out there for every woman. They're all made different and some brands feel more comfortable and supportive than others. Wire-free is the best if you have huge boobs. I despise wire bras. I can't sit down in them without being poked by something hard. Honestly, I don't see how women can wear them. I wear Playtex 18 hr original comfort strap and they make 40DDD in my size but not in stores. I have to order online. Those bras feel perfect to me and are extremely supportive. I'm half-Italian and inherited the ginormous boobs gene from my busty mom. Doc wants me to get a reduction because they are out of proportion to the rest of me lol.

If you're already measured then it sounds like you just need to find the right brand for you. Wireless are more expensive but also more comfortable.

Here's a link you may find helpful: Bras, Swimsuits, Women's Lingerie | Bare Necessities (hope I spelled it correctly)

You can try them on and send them back and swap or whatever. They are pricey but not cheap little things that only last a month. You get what you pay for. I got one practically free when I ordered more than two last time. They are always running deals and promo coupons.

I really like Designer Lingerie, Bras, Briefs, Underwear, Swimwear | figleaves.com

But I have to admit, the most help I've found was in local lingerie stores where they have a wide selection of sizes that you won't find in other stores (like VS). You could go in saying you don't feel comfortable with a fitting, but would like to try some on, could they recommend a couple of sizes?

I can tell you that professional fitting takes less time than it has just taken me to read through the entire thread. So, if you are efficiency-oriented, this is something to think about.

You chose to read the thread, there is no need to be rude and exaggerate like that.

Well as I stated before, I don't want to get fitted because I don't like people close to me, it triggers me and is extremely upsetting. I hear that a lot of so called professionals get it wrong and try to push you to buy bras that don't fit you, and I don't want to deal with that.

It can be confusing trying to navigate and figure things like this out by myself online. Thank you everyone for your links and suggestions! It means a lot that you are willing to help me

Surprisingly, I found a bra that fit a few days after I made the thread. It feels comfortable up until a few hours of wearing it, then I just wanna take it off and burn it!!
I recently started birth control and it made my boobs bigger pretty fast, so the bra that did fit, doesn't fit anymore

I'm assuming good bras for changing boob sizes are sports bras??

I'm not so sure - maybe others will have input on this. My sports bras are very secure, if not "tight", so as to protect the breasts and minimize movement during exercise. I don't think they'd be good if my breasts suddenly changed size. My sports bras seem more to be aimed at hugging the contours of my breasts very closely, and thus keeping them secure.

The girls at VS have absolutely no idea what they're doing. If you go to a small, local lingerie store that focuses on hard to find sizes (they'll carry the easy to find ones too) they're going to know what they're doing. Generally they only measure your band size. Sometimes, they don't even do that, they just eyeball it and usually get it on the first or second try. They also want to make sure you leave with a bra that fits because they rely on you coming back for business. They don't have all that other crap, national sales, or models pushing their products. But like I said before, I think it would be perfectly fine to go into one of those places, tell them you don't feel comfortable being fitted, but could they recommend a couple sizes and let you try them on. If they try to pressure you for a fitting, walk out. I'm not trying to force you into going, but I just wanted to show you a positive experience. I have to go to those kinds of places if I want a bra to fit because most companies don't even make my size (or believe it exists...). I do end up buying a lot of cheap, almost-fits bras because ones that fit are just too darn expensive for me to fill my wardrobe with.

All that being said, I'm glad you were able to find a bra that fits. I don't really have too much trouble with birth control. Usually, my bosom gets a little bit bigger, but not so much that I need a different bra than normal. My sports bras are pretty restricting too, but because I'm pretty small, mine don't "follow my curves" like psychehedone's does... Probably because my curves are too small to be followed I think I'd recommend a soft cup bra without wires, but that's really just my best guess.

Hi transient,

These are amazing:

Shimera Seamless Bra | Nordstrom

That is just one example of a "bralette"...the cups can stretch a lot and the straps are adjustable on this particular example. They are not nearly as binding as a sports bra. These are the nicest ones I have found (and I have tried a lot of them!). I have bought some at Target in the past but they were not as nice or nearly as comfortable, and also they offered less support. I am pretty psyched about this bralette...the ones I ordered just came today.

Oh I should add, you do have to order by your band size, and what I ordered is true to my size.

See step 1 for the band size below:

http://www.herroom.com/bra-fitting-a...FeMSOgodbVMAiQ

Transient, I am sorry if I sounded rude, but no, in no way was I exaggerating. Getting fitted and buying bras by now is a quick in-and-out for me. If you are just starting, it would take longer figuring out what you need, but later - later, it will be very quick. Properly fitted bras make an enormous difference, giving you the right shape and pulling outfits together. I think bras are no less vital than shoes.

I shop at Nordstrom and have been since 2008. The shop assistants all know me and no longer offer matching panties because they remember that I never buy them (a good bra is a fine piece of engineering work which justifies its price for me, but panties shouldn't be that expensive ). So no, no sales pressure, plus, Nordstrom accepts worn merchandise unconditionally.

Note that a professional fitter does more than select bras for you - she adjusts the straps.

So yeah, by now I can say that the whole procedure takes less than writing one long-ish post, such as this one, without exaggeration. Of course, I am not counting driving time, but just the time spent in the lingerie department.

Same here, but I have two breasts sports bras that do what you describe. A what is called a uniboob bra, or, Shimeras mentioned above, might accommodate slight variation in cup size, but if there is more than a slight difference, owning different bras would be better. Plus, personally I hate the uniboob look, so I would avoid uniboob bras at all costs.

The greatest selection of sports bras is at Title Nine.

For a sports bra, being comfortable in it for just a few hours means that it is acceptable (plus, jump in it looking at your profile in the mirror, to make sure your breasts don't jump along...) . A regular bra should feel comfortable for 24 hrs minus how long you sleep, and if it doesn't, then it does not pass the test.

Yes, for you. It may be easy for you and not take as much time as you assume it took me to write my post, but we are different. I've already said a few times that I don't want to be fitted. Please respect that.

Sent using Tapatalk 2

Did you manage to find a suitable bra yet?

I think that bras feel like torture devices, ugh! I take mine off immediately when I get home! Since you don't want to get a professional measurement taken, then the next best thing to do would be to try to find a bra that has no underwire in it (it also looks smoother under clothing but still offers support), and try on a lot of different sizes and brands until you find one that isn't to bad.

Also, try on the genie bra. It's kind of like a sports bra. It has light padding in it and it's made of cotton. There are other bras similar to it, but look for one to where there is no hole at the side as sometimes the padding can shift and end up being hard to smooth down or get even with the other side after washing it a few times.

Strapless bras with a wide middle might help too as I find that bra straps almost never stay in place with me. You can find some w/o the annoying under wire which is torture to wear and unnecessary for support IMHO.

I know how you feel. It drives me ****ing crazy and im right between 32DDD and 34DD

I found one, but after 2 hours of wearing it, especially if I move around, it gets annoying. I take it off immediately when I'm at the house.

I'd love to take a day and dedicate it to shopping for at least one bra, but I am broke right now and have no way of getting around. If I find one I'll update

Found out my size is different due to weight fluctuation... smaller around..boobs about the same... so check this out... nothing worse than uncomfortable bra... be gone with them all... lol