[splitimage]

Hi Ladies,

I'm generously endowed in the bust department 44DDD, so finding a bra that fits right is always a challenge, and I hate underwire but can't seem to find any bras that don't have it. And the straps are always falling off my shoulder.

So I decided to try buying an exercise bra, because I'm going to be starting a yoga program soon, and quite literally I don't want my boobs to get in the way. So I ordered a 2X size bra, that I found in Amazon's marketplace. It's a bit hard to get on, but once it's on, it's amazing. My boobs are squished up high on my chest which is an added bonus as they were pretty droopy. It's not at all uncomfortable, and the straps join at the back so they don't fall down.

I think I'm going ot wear sports bras from now on.

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[IrisBloom]

I have always had trouble finding one that fits right and is comfortable. I might have to try a sports bra!

[Nammu]

I have the same problems, all those online sites for us busty gals want 100's of dollars for one bra! but stores don't really carry the bigger sizes. I'd love to buy those cute and pretty ones, or better yet be able to go without. I'm envious of those who can wear what they want.
I haven't found a sports bra yet that doesn't make my neck hurt. Don't know why my neck hurts but I do like the way it keeps it up tight without those annoying under wires.

I'm glad you've found something that works for you.

I prefer underwire bras (I'm 36DDD) but according to the lingerie shop I go to, they don't have any underwire bras bigger than what I'm wearing now. And the bras I wear now are technically too small already. I'm 18 and according to internet, breasts stop developing around 22.. that and I'm gaining weight (and thus breast size) because of meds I'm on. So I probably have to find a new lingerie shop. I'm not comfortable with buying from the internet because I want to try them on to see if they fit and are comfortable before buying.

I wear exclusively underwire bras too. I'm a 36GG/H and I have to order bras online. I hate it. It's like there's a boob tax for those us with larger breasts.

I like the idea of a sports bra that squishes 'up' though, like the one slitimage has bought. Most wireless bras, just don't have the power to lift my droopy boobs without getting that pointed matronly look.

I know some younger women are choosing the pointed or Mad Men look, but on someone my age, it really does just make me look matronly.

[TheWell]

I like the 18 hour bra. My size isn't as large as other's have mentioned but I also hate underwires. There is nothing worse than it poking out and sticking you in the side! The 18 hour ones without the underwire are the most comfortable I've found.

[Yoda]

I really like these bras and they fit well. The store doesn't carry my size in the style I want but I can order online and try them on at the Lane Bryant in the mall. Once you learn what style and size you prefer you can buy when they have sales online and they ship to store free.

Plus Size Bras - Full Figure, DDD Bras & Above | Lane Bryant

[eskielover]

UGH, I have always hated bras.....guess it was a good thing I have always been small. Always had to wear sports bras however when I played racquetball with the guys because I didn't like the sweaty/wet tee-shirt look though it might have been an easier way to win the game.

Most of my life I have chosen NOT to wear a bra unless what I am wearing is too see through. I remember as a kid when my grandmother pushed my mother to get bras for me.....it was like....what for.....I didn't have anything anyway. Now they are just a nuisance. The several times I have lost a LOT of weight, just reinforced my realization that there wasn't that much to need a bra for anyway though I have to say that riding a horse, a sports bra can be more comfortable even when being small.

Sports bra's have always been the most comfortable IMO even with being small.

[SeekerOfLife]

I am small, and sports bras are all I wear. I got tired years ago of messing with hooks and flyaway straps.

[guilloche]

OMG, bras.

I've gained a bunch of weight in the last year, and my bras were no longer fitting (as in, they were somewhat painful to squeeze into.)

So, here are a couple suggestions...

Nordstrom's actually has some bigger sizes in their stores and online. The person I worked with in the store was wonderful, not at all pushy and really helpful in figuring out what I needed. But, obviously, their stuff is a bit pricy. I ended up with the "Wacoal Awareness Bra" (with an underwire, in an embarrassingly large size) - but it fits and is comfortable.

They also have free shipping from their website (and I think free shipping for returns), or return to the store. And, you can see from the website what's in stock at the store - so I picked out a few online that looked promising and were in stock locally to go try out. That worked great.

But, they don't seem to have a great selection of larger sports bras. Ugh.

So, today, I found out that Kohls, of all places, does have quite a few larger size sports bras (online only). If you order more than... $75 (I think) shipping is free... and you can return to the store for free (I have a store close by). So, I ordered 4 different sports bras (!) and will just plan on returning them all if none of them fit. I'm really hoping at least one will work for me.

(Special note: if you order the "Glamorizer" bra, which Kohls carries, they do their sizing different from anyone else. Check out their website to estimate. If you order your normal size, it likely won't fit - because they base the band measurement on the top of your breast, just under your underarm (!!!) which is likely a couple inches bigger than your ribcage.)

Phew. Sorry, I've been obsessing about bras lately, and am sort of happy to get to share my hours of web searching

I tried to squeeze into an old workout bra that was literally falling apart today. Since it was (literally!) ripping - I thought I'd be clever and fasten it on the tightest level, which would bypass the ripping part. Uh, no. I got STUCK IN IT. I couldn't get it to turn around, I couldn't squeeze any more to undo the latches, and it somehow migrated down to a fatter part of my body, apparently, and became 1000% stuck. I had to cut the bra to get out of it! Really scary moment there!

[Nammu]

I'll have to check in on Nordstrom. I havnt been to a mall in years but pretty sure we still have a couple here.

Man oh man, guilloche, what a fiasco! I had to laugh, because it's exactly the sort of mess I'd get myself into.

Speaking of getting in and out of bras - just out of curiosity how does everyone else fasten their bras. I mean for those who need to wear the hooks in the back style. I have always, fastened the hooks in the front, under my boobs in the front, then I spin it around my body and slip my arms through the straps and scoop my boobs into the cups.

I always watched my mom do it this way, and have always done it this way too. I think most women are coordinated enough to just reach behind them to do up their bra when it's on the right way round, and I'm this bumbler who can't do up her bra without seeing the hooks.

[Nammu]

I close it first and put it on like a sports bra. It's just so much faster....but it wears out the elastic faster too.

Oh, that's kind of a neat way to do it. So you could just step into it, or pull it over your head?

That's what I worry about, that I'm stretching out the band with my method.

[splitimage]

I keep it hooked and just pull it on or off over my head. Seems to work for me.

[guilloche]

Tea Biscuit, I do it just like you! Fasten it sort of upside-down with the clasps in the front, then spin it around so that clasps are in the back (which is where I got stuck with that too-tight sports bra - oops). Then, I lean forward (because the bra specialist at the local fancy bra store told me to!) as I flip the bra upwards to wrangle in the girls (!), slip my arms through the arm holes, wiggle everything to make sure it's all properly seated , make sure the band is flat and right against my skin, and then finally, kind of pull the breasts apart a little to make sure there's some separation. Phew. It probably looks nuts!

The *4* sports bras I ordered were pretty much all a bust (ha - no pun intended!). So disappointing. I might try the most promising one or two again before I return them, but it was really disappointing!

[Amazonmom]

Reddit has a group called abrathatfits, they helped me find out I am 32 G or GG. They have suggestions for any shape or size breast.

[*Laurie*]

Except for occasions of dressing up I wouldn't wear any kind of bra except a well-fitting sports bra. They are comfortable (as much as a bra can be) and healthy.

Originally Posted by Amazonmom

Reddit has a group called abrathatfits, they helped me find out I am 32 G or GG. They have suggestions for any shape or size breast.

Thanks for this. I ordered a new bra last night based on what I learned. I was wearing bras that were too small. And the breast shape info explained a lot as well- why my bras are not fitting me well.

I like the approach they take, of, your breasts are not wrong, you're just wearing the wrong bra.

What about large busted swim suits ?I am a 40 G on top and a size 14 on the bottom.

Here are some examples of Tankini tops that come in size 40G Swimwear - 40G - Brastop

You can find the matching bottoms in different sized on the same site. I have the same problem. I'm a 36 GG-HH and I wear a 12-14 bottom...I think a tankini is what is normally suggested for us that are differently shaped.

Swim wear for those of us large busted women is out there, but it usually isn't cheap. I find bra stop to be a bit cheaper than some American retailers. Zodees in Australia also ships internationally, and they have some options for the larger busted as well.

[MiddayNap]

I just wanted to say that I love the fact that a conversation about bras is located in the "women-focused support" section.
Yes I understand it wouldn't make sense anywhere else, but let us all just enjoy the pun.

I wish I could be of more help, but I am quite small. I am, in fact, a representative of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee. Funnily enough, I've found that it is a lot more difficult to find a bra in a smaller size than it is to find one that doubles as a bonnet. I suppose it depends upon where you live.

Ha! I have to laugh, MiddayNap, my bra cups really can double as a bonnet, a twenties style cloche, even. It's a wee bit embarrassing.

I agree, I think it is harder to find bras for the smaller busted these days. Even just 20 or 30 years ago there was a much larger selection of A cup and AA cup bras available.

I know every woman has their difficulties and the grass is always greener, but I have always been so envious of smaller breasted women. I think the freedom of movement, like being able to roll over in bed without getting a breast trapped under my side would be so wonderful.

[Nammu]

^^^^ very true and funny! I'd love not to have the boobs in the way. You've heard all the jokes about the stomach sticking out too far to see your feet....for me it's the darned boobs. Ohhh for the days in middle school when I hated being a 34b......I felt so much bigger than that now I am. I'd love to be able to were button up shirts..alas

[Vossie42]

Ha, try being in between cup and band sizes!