Thanks for starting this thread, I had been thinking of starting one myself. I just can’t find a decent comfortable bra, I’m a 32C, the 32 part makes it really hard, I usually have to go for 34 and use the closest hooks. I usually have the problem with the middle part not touching my skin or the lower band rolling up or the back riding up my back. I realize part of this is due to the larger band size. I feel like I get the best support from a sport bra but they can be a bit constricting for wearing all the time and it’s hard to find one that isn’t a racerback (hate those) or a pull-over which results in much boob wrestling to get them on.
Take a look at Glamorise. Most of their bras have a band of dense foam which serves the same support service as an underwire, but it’s wider and softer and far more comfortable.
I’m a “decent exposures” girl myself, but Glamorise is second best, and provides far more lift and shaping.
My wife is, with pregnancy, approaching J-cup, and she swears by the Decent Exposures brand.
If there’s a bigger scam meant to separate money from women, I can’t think of anything worse than the bra industry. All those thousands of over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders hanging on racks in millions of stores, and none of them fit right! (I’ve given up. Since I’m not working, I loll around the house in a tank top with a blouse as jacket, and if I have to go out in public, I will strap myself into one of the two ancient bras that kind of fit. Otherwise, I’m hangin’ loose, and I don’t give a damn.) I would look into Decent Exposures, though they are ugly - I have a catalog and someday take the plunge.
If you get desperate and you make it up Raleigh-way sometime, the Lane Bryant at North Hills is not inside a mall. You might have to wade through the traffic going to the fancy Harris Teeter, though.
You need to find yourself a bra store with a woman who takes one look at you, asks you if you have any special concerns, and hands you the bra you need. If you were in NYC, I’d send you to Orchard Corset (the Ollivander’s Wand Shop of bras), but ask around among your local friends. Barring that, call Orchard Corset (888-456-7411) and ask what they’d advise.
Thanks for the tip, C3!
Come to think of it, Nordstrom is one of the last bastions of the trained bra fitter - I might try there as well. I’m actually willing to go to the mall during the week, and we’ve got two retired grandmothers who might be able babysit and make that happen. I could do a run to LB, Nordstrom, and run to Macy’s or something if Nordstrom doesn’t have some of the name brands suggested here.
So, I did get a bra from Decent Exposures when pregnant years ago, and I thought they were basically sports bras, some with a front closure or a gathered bit in the center, but essentially a uniboob look. I’ll have to go check them out and investigate.
Oh, and LOL@ “the Ollivander’s Wand Shop of bras.”
I bought some cheap plastic doobies that you install on the seat belt and when the belt is fastened you hook the shoulder strap part into the doobie and it holds the shoulder belt wherever you want based on where on the lap belt you slid the…um…doobie. I don’t think this is very clear, but the devices usually come 2 to a pack at auto parts stores and they are a lifesaver. I’m not big bosomed but rather big bellied and the belt used to just slide over my belly and rest snugly on my adams apple. The clip thing is a big help.
And, a picture and a place to buy these things here.
I like the front closure ones - less “sports bra”-ish.
By the way, I went running yesterday and was in tears in the bathroom afterwards, trying to take a shower and absolutely trapped in my sports bra. I have GOT to get some that don’t pull over the head - I almost had to cut myself out of it!
Bra sites are blocked from work, so I can’t check the URL, but I think it’s just www.enell.com. Anyhoo, the enell ports bra is the ultimate. It’s the Sherman Tank of sports bras. Junonia use to sell them as the “Serious Motion Control” bra.
Yeah, I don’t think I need THAT much - Title 9 calls it their “Five Barbell Bra”, because their little support guide only goes up to four barbells. I mean, I don’t want to move at all, but I’m just a C cup.
Oh, yeah, probably overkill then.
It’s real warm in wintertime though. . . 