# Bras suck for women of size. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 18, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499 "2010-04-18T01:16:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/21 "2010-04-18T05:43:48Z")
1. The bra industry needs to stop it with the underwire in 32A bras. Seriously - someone that size does not need metal reinforced support. We need a little bit of support and an extra layer or two of fabric for modesty’s sake. So _stop it_ with the pointless bits of wire. 2. \“Of size” in this context is the stupidest goddamn phrase and I refuse to let it pass without comment. _Everyone_ is of size. Do you exist in more than one dimension? Congratulations! You have size! The phrase you’re looking for is “of large size”. Or “fat”. Or “plus size”. Or anything with a fucking adjective, because all “of size” tells me is that you exist as a physical entity, not just a concept or something, and therefore it’s just meaningless blather. I don’t give a damn what size you are, but if you want to make it a plot point, so to speak, you need to describe _what size_.\ ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/22 "2010-04-18T05:50:27Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > It’s kind of odd that nobody markets back-band extenders… They do, look for them in milliners. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/23 "2010-04-18T06:23:00Z")
You want to spend less than $20 on a bra? Hey! So would I! But unfortunately, I live in the real world. > [@Stoid](#): > > Also, since you seem to find it necessary to provide me with almost nothing but wired bras, dial it back a little. Three inches is plenty, encircling my tits is completely unnecessary and simply leads to my getting poked in the arm, armpit, etc, without any tit-benefit. If I want that much steel, I’ll just get out my corset. I’m having a lot of trouble envisioning where exactly you want that three inches of wire to be. Of course the wire has to surround the breast or it wouldn’t work. Like others have said, if it’s poking you, something’s wrong. I’m getting poked in the armpits lately by my everyday bras. Because something’s wrong. I’ve lost maybe 15 pounds in the past 6 months or so, so they’re not really the right size for me any more. They seem like they “fit,” but they don’t truly fit correctly. I need to get some new ones. At 62 bucks a pop, I’m bending the wires a bit so they’re less pokey and trying to hold out for a little while. But the less than fabulous fit isn’t anything you can blame on the bra or the manufacturer. The only one to blame is\* me\*, because \*I’m \*wearing the wrong size bra. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/24 "2010-04-18T06:26:21Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > 1. \“Of size” in this context is the stupidest goddamn phrase and I refuse to let it pass without comment. _Everyone_ is of size. Do you exist in more than one dimension? Congratulations! You have size! The phrase you’re looking for is “of large size”. Or “fat”. Or “plus size”. Or anything with a fucking adjective, because all “of size” tells me is that you exist as a physical entity, not just a concept or something, and therefore it’s just meaningless blather. I don’t give a damn what size you are, but if you want to make it a plot point, so to speak, you need to describe _what size_.\ Okay. As long as you feel the same way about women “of color”. Because using the same logic, that’s a dumbass phrase, since I, while Caucasian, am certainly not colorless. In fact, my skin is all kinds of colors, ranging from pale beige to pink to red to purple in certain areas. What’s more, there are women who are “of color” in terms of their DNA, while being no more “of color” to the eye than I am, even less so. But if you accept “of color” to describe women of non-white ethnicity, then I think you gotta accept “of size” to describe women of “non-thin” body size and shape. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/25 "2010-04-18T06:30:57Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > You want to spend less than $20 on a bra? Hey! So would I! > > But unfortunately, I live in the real world. You dont’ know how to shop. I see under $20 bras of exactly the sort I’d like all the time, especially on Ebay. But not even close to my size. > [@](#): > > Like others have said, if it’s poking you, something’s wrong. no doubt, but common enough for Bali to make a “no poke” bra. > [@](#): > > The only one to blame is\* me\*, because \*I’m \*wearing the wrong size bra. When you can’t find your bra size, like I can’t, I have to wear SOMETING to hold my chest! ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/26 "2010-04-18T06:31:49Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Okay. As long as you feel the same way about women “of color”. Because using the same logic, that’s a dumbass phrase, since I, while Caucasian, am certainly not colorless. In fact, my skin is all kinds of colors, ranging from pale beige to pink to red to purple in certain areas. What’s more, there are women who are “of color” in terms of their DNA, while being no more “of color” to the eye than I am, even less so. > > But if you accept “of color” to describe women of non-white ethnicity, then I think you gotta accept “of size” to describe women of “non-thin” body size and shape. 1.) Why are you bringing up race? 2.) People are described as black, yellow, red, brown, etc. White is clearly the colorless race. 3.) Why are you bringing up race? ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/27 "2010-04-18T06:32:22Z")
If bras are too inconvenient, most men are willing to lend a hand. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/28 "2010-04-18T06:34:44Z")
> [@Autolycus](#): > > If bras are too inconvenient, most men are willing to lend a hand. This. I’d be happy to cup your tits while you go about your business. ---
**Author:** ![Daerlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Daerlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daerlyn)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/29 "2010-04-18T10:52:43Z")
Male Dopers, this: > [@Autolycus](#): > > If bras are too inconvenient, most men are willing to lend a hand. > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > This. I’d be happy to cup your tits while you go about your business. is a tired old joke that is no longer funny and was never helpful. Please stop. Besides, if I was using some guy’s hands instead of a bra, I wouldn’t be able to put on my workout shirts. Poor engineering! 😃 I hear you, **Stoid**. Bra fittings have been my bane since approximately grade ten. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/30 "2010-04-18T12:05:59Z")
It’s not a conspiracy, it’s simply anytime you have measurments that differ from the norm you pay. I have a 44" chest and a 32" waist. When I try to buy a suit, I always have to pay for alterations. Suit manufacturers figure 44" chest = big stomach. Which I don’t have, but I can see their point. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/31 "2010-04-18T13:22:19Z")
Get on the Lane Bryant mailing list so you know when their bra sales are coming up. As far as sizing I would recommend trying several different styles of bras. My breasts fit beautifully in a plunge cut bra but a balconette bra won’t ever fit me no matter what size it is. Next time you buy a bra try your size in every single style until you find one that fits you comfortably and then buy them in bulk when they are on sale. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/32 "2010-04-18T13:37:28Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Not so! Enel Bras are custom made for women. > > Stoid, maybe the [Lite version](http://www.enell.com/products.php?productID=2) would be a possibility for you? They are usually for well-endowed women but they will custom design them for you. Not cheap. Extremely durable–they last years. Totally worth it. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Enell was the WORST bra I’ve ever tried on. Anything without a separate cup and band size is useless for me. I took my measurements, like the site said, and I was on the low end of the range for underbust and high end for overbust. So I ordered the size that both measurements fit into, and it was _laughably, comically_ small. Like, I could only get the first three hooks done. Anything that fit my boobs would be falling off my ribcage. I wear a 38G generally. Enell doesn’t custom-make _shit_ to fit that. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/33 "2010-04-18T14:02:47Z")
I wear a relatively common size, but still hate paying out the nose for bras… the only thing I’ve done that helped was bite the bullet, devote my life to bra shopping for a month – tried on nearly every damn bra in retail stock in my city – and took notes. I bought one of the best-fitting. Then I set up a detailed auto-search on eBay and stalked clones of my one good bra for years, buying one whenever it was available at a price I could handle. Of course, then I lost a little weight, and my lovely stock of hard-won bras don’t fit no more. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/34 "2010-04-18T14:40:32Z")
I’ll pop in with a plug that the pricier bras CAN be worth it. And a professional fitting is priceless. I went to Nordstrom’s and got fitted and plunked down 60+ per bra for three bras, but they _fit_… and they were well made enough that they have all held up for years of wear. So, I could spend 25 for a bra that lasts a few months, or 60 for one that lasts 3 years - which of these makes better sense? I will admit that while I’m “of size”, I don’t have the problem cited by the OP - things are “in proportion” in my case. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/35 "2010-04-18T14:42:34Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > HAHAHAHAHAHA. Enell was the WORST bra I’ve ever tried on. Anything without a separate cup and band size is useless for me. I took my measurements, like the site said, and I was on the low end of the range for underbust and high end for overbust. So I ordered the size that both measurements fit into, and it was _laughably, comically_ small. Like, I could only get the first three hooks done. Anything that fit my boobs would be falling off my ribcage. I wear a 38G generally. Enell doesn’t custom-make _shit_ to fit that. Maybe they don’t… but [Decent Exposures](http://www.decentexposures.com/) does. Their stuff is GLORIOUSLY comfortable. Not “cute”… not “perky”… not “cheap”… but lasts pretty well and is so comfy it’ll ruin you for other stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/36 "2010-04-18T15:03:27Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > HAHAHAHAHAHA. Enell was the WORST bra I’ve ever tried on. Anything without a separate cup and band size is useless for me. I took my measurements, like the site said, and I was on the low end of the range for underbust and high end for overbust. So I ordered the size that both measurements fit into, and it was _laughably, comically_ small. Like, I could only get the first three hooks done. Anything that fit my boobs would be falling off my ribcage. I wear a 38G generally. Enell doesn’t custom-make _shit_ to fit that. According to their website, [they do](http://www.enell.com/custom_sizes.php). I’ve never had them custom-made so I couldn’t comment on how well they do that. > [@](#): > > Common > reasons for needing a custom order may include: > > ``` > * Your bust fits into one size and your rib cage in another > * Your bra straps are too long (shorter or short waisted women) > * Your bra straps are too short (taller or long waisted women) > * You are small framed or have a small back but are larger breasted > * You have a hard time finding "any bra" that fits you properly > > ``` I’ll sing the praises of Enel until the day I die. I’m a 38F and was not able to run comfortably until I found these bras. And I absolutely _love_ the minimizing effect. I feel that they dramatically improve my mobility and appearance. YMMV of course. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/37 "2010-04-18T16:01:37Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > 1.) Why are you bringing up race? > 2.) People are described as black, yellow, red, brown, etc. White is clearly the colorless race. > 3.) Why are you bringing up race? Because that’s the phrase I spun “women of size” off of:“women of color”. Merely referencing race isn’t a bad thing, we don’t have to all pretend race doesn’t exist in order to transcend racism. ---
**Author:** ![breaking-reality](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@breaking-reality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaking-reality)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/38 "2010-04-18T16:29:20Z")
> [@Daerlyn](#): > > I hear you, **Stoid**. Bra fittings have been my bane since approximately grade ten. Grade ten? My first bra was a B cup and I believe I was in 7th grade. Then again, I remember feeling embarrassed about it because no one else seemed to have boobs yet. ---
**Author:** ![Daerlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Daerlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daerlyn)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/39 "2010-04-18T16:41:03Z")
Well, the bra fittings started in 6th grade, I think. 10th was when they became drawn-out embarrassing torture sessions. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499/40 "2010-04-18T16:51:25Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > 1. \“Of size” in this context is the stupidest goddamn phrase and I refuse to let it pass without comment. _Everyone_ is of size. Do you exist in more than one dimension? Congratulations! You have size! Off-topic, but I’ve got a similar issue with “woman’s sizes” or stores that use the word “woman” in the name to hint at larger sizes, such as Dress Barn Woman. To me, it implies that if a woman doesn’t wear woman’s sizes, she’s not a woman. Same thing with the phrase “real woman” used to reference large women; if a woman isn’t a size 14 or larger, she’s “fake” and needs to eat a sammich. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bras-suck-for-women-of-size/536499.md?page=3)