Rubystreak, OH, I just thought of another option. This one is great. You can take any strapless bra and then get a converter strap. It works great. Basically it attaches to the hooks in the back of bra and then pulls the back down and wraps around the waist. You really need it to see. It costs no more then $10. You can see for your self if you go to www.fashionforms.com , look under accessories ans it is called lowback bra strap and is on the first page top left. you can also view the adhesive bras and the breast petals here. It will give a list of where to find fashion forms. Although I do know of many more stores that carry these that are not mentioned on the site. Good Luck.
P.S. for everyone I recommended the NuBra to (adhesive silicone bra) you can view it here…
www.fashionforms.com it is under hot items. 
Kalessa, sorry I did not reply sooner. Hopefully you were able to meet up with Barb. Just so everyone knows, you do not need to make an appointment to see a fit expert. You always can but it is not necessary.
Ca3799, I understand completely. Many women feel the same way you do. Underwires can be uncomfortable and thank god they offer bras without underwires. Your problem with the back and sides riding up is caused by the either the straps being to tight or the band size is wrong, maybe both. You need a bra that offers the support of a sports bra, no underwire and I think something that is a little more sophisticated and stylish. Your problem with the straps falling off your shoulders could be prevented by choosing a bra where the straps are located directly over the cup. You do not want a bra where the straps are wide set. You can get a bra with a leotard back. This style will prevent the straps from falling off the shoulders. My suggestion for you is to try on the Chantelle Amazone bra. You can view it at www.chantelle.com , it is a great everyday bra, but stylish at the same time. You can get it in your basic colors. The no underwire style is 2102. The price is $68-. It also comes with a control brief.
If you tell me what city you are in I can tell you which stores have the best selection. If you have any more questions let me know.
Any tips on swimsuit brands for those of us who wear weird bra sizes?
–Cicada (32G or, in a minimizer, 32XXPS, whatever that means)
(Otherwise a 6)
I love Gottex swimsuits. They are beautiful, Made to last and come in fuller sizes. You can get wraps with every style. They are on sale right now at www.saksfifthave.com . I will have to do a little research on more brands.
The underwire in my new bras squeak!!! After I washed them, I noticed this squeaking sound. They’re fairly cheap bras from The Bay - maybe that’s why? It’s so noticeable I can’t even wear them. Any ideas what I can do, and how I can avoid this in the future? It’s very frustrating!!! I don’t normally buy cheap bras but they were the only ones that fit me on that shopping expedition, so I thought I’d be safe.
Why has it taken so long for bras to come out in 1/2 sizes?
Why is Playtex the only one offering 1/2 sizes? You would think other manufacturers would jump on the bandwagon!
What’s the best way to iron a bra? Olive finally bought one, and since I do the laundry, the challenge of trying to keep it neat and pressed has me completely baffled. The straps are the easy part, but how, exactly, does one iron the cups? Lay them pointy side up and iron them flat? Sorta iron around the curves?
fotosbyfrank- The easiest way to iron a bra is to place the cup over the rounded end of the ironing board and turn the bra as you iron. If you don’t have an ironing board then you can use the soft rounded edge of the arm of a chair or something of that sort. I do not recommend washing bras because the heat breaks down the elasticity in the bra and will greatly affect the life of your bra. If you hand wash and hang to dry ironing is generally not needed.
Isabelle- I am not sure why more bra companies don’t come in half sizes. I suppose that it is not that common. I have never seen a bra that comes in half sizes. Do you mean 34 1/2? The best way to find athe right fitting bra is to have someone fit you and try on as many as you can. Also, having an adjustable back with 3 or more options will help with finding the perfect fit. French brands run smaller in the band size than American brands.
PiscesPrincess-Ya, it’s probally because you bought a cheaper bra. Most companies will coat the underwire with a plastic or some sort of resin so that the wire slides comfortably inside the cup. They also leave a little space for the underwire to slide, perhaps the underwire is causing pressure on the seam and trying to break through. You may be able to open the seam (where it is stiched at the end of the wire) and set the seam back slightly.
PiscesPrincess-I miss the Bay. I’m from Canada but live in California now.
Stomp…
Re one of your comments that nobody has seemed to pick up on, its is interesting that you say you have fitted men. May I ask if these were transvestite, or transgender men, or maybe straight, heterosexual guys who just happen to be large breasted and in need of a little help and support in the boob department, those men can suffer just as much discomfort unsupported as the girls! If the latter then do you not agree it is a shame that there is a stigma attached to a guy wearing a bra?
[pedantic on]
A transgendered man would want a binder, not a bra.
[pedantic off]
I would imagine that most “men” that are looking for bras are transgendered individuals of some sort. Most are probably fetish transvestites, although certainly some would actually be transsexual women.
Stomp: from your OP:
???
Can you elaborate on this? Are you talking about transvestites or transgendered? Or is it like the “bro” on “Seinfeld”? What guy comes in looking for a bra, let alone a bra fitter?
Stomp,
I showed this thread to the Uberbabe after hearing a lot of cursing about wearing a bra. She asked me to pass along her query.
She is a 36 DD and really likes a cotton bra with no underwire that she has. Unfortunately, it is only a D and so is a little snug. What is your recommendation for breathability and comfort at this size?
I looked at the Amazone on the Chantelle site, but I couldn’t tell what it was made out of. I looked at the decentexposures site also, but hadn’t heard your expert opinion on their products.
Since puberty gave me an Adam’s apple instead of breasts, there is so much I didn’t know. Do you have a “Bras for Dummies” routine to help novices figure out the tradeoffs in choices and options?
Thank you, so much, for a great thread.
Keeper0