Wacoal is sold at other upscale department stores as well.
** 40 DD coming at you **
I found the best bra by accident, at Lane Bryant (style # 3110). Bras, even expensive ones, only lasted about 1 1/2 months- these have lasted over a year so far. I’m a firm believer in underwire/microfiber combos-Very Comfy. Another place to look is Dillards, if you got one (Their bra fitters actually have a special class on fitting). Or you could try Fredrick’s of Hollywood, sexy and supportive (OOH LA LA 
) Hope this helps
Dillards didn’t seem to have a good sports bra selection, at least not the one nearby.
I love Victoria’s Secret Body by Victoria bras. They are sooo comfortable. But I am given to understand that their larger sizes are not quite as large as they claim, so I don’t know if that would work for you.
Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I’m going to try a fitting–hopefully with some grandmotherly type who’s seen it all! Once I’ve had the fitting, I’ll probabley be a bit more confident about ordering online (although I realize there’s still some difference in sizing between different companies).
If I may hijack my own threads, one of my best friends is very small-breasted and we just happened to be looking at bras together. I’ve just picked up a “living bra” model when she saunters by and says, completely deadpan, “I once had a living bra, but it starved to death.”
I know, it’s an old joke, but she did it so well.
It’s a company out of England that specializes in D+ bras, tops and lingerie. You can get a catalogue or order online.
FYI, I am, on any given day, any combination between 40 - 42, D or DD.
First, I think that getting fitted is a very smart idea.
Second, I’ve been pretty happy with the Shoulder Spa line by Bali - they’re relatively comfy for both my breasts & my shoulders (hence the name). I’ve heard good things about Wacoal, though I’ve never tried that brand. And no, I did not have fantastic luck with Victoria’s Secret - I found the bra to be cut on the small side.
I freely admit…I have no idea what an underwire is supposed to accomplish.
On first glance (HA!) I don’t think a wire at the ribcage under the breast would to a lot to hold them up. The engineering baffles me.
I have no idea what the physics of the arrangement are, but from experience, I would say it has less to do with holding the breasts up than it does with holding the cups and the band in place so that the straps can hold them up. Gravity is pulling the anatomy down, the straps are pulling the bra up, and if the band doesn’t stay where it belongs, it will curl under and ride up over the breasts. Very uncomfortable and not particularly flattering. A pair of curved wires under the breasts seems to prevent this without having to make the band too tight for comfort.
Another vote for Victoria’s Secret’s Body by Victoria, but be warned: the plain ol’ cotton or simple silky ones seem to run small to VERY small. (DD my #$#&!). But, the ones that are silky on the outside, and lightly lined on the inside with t-shirt like stuff seem to fit better.
And go for the torpedo look! 
<< Um. >>
Ugh. Victoria’s Secret.
I’m something like a 40 D-DD depending on where I’m shopping, etc. The ONLY place I’ve ever found really good quality, long-lasting, yet not grandmothery type bras in larger sizes is Frederick’s of Hollywood. I’m particularly fond of their Coquette Bra, and their Full Smooth Sensation Bras. They have really great fitter-ladies, and Frederick’s is the only place I’ve ever found bras that actually fit. Some of mine are over five years old. Handwash and hang to dry, ladies.
Peace,
~mixie
Not only that, but often there’s quite a bit of variation between styles produced by the same company. Some of Frederick’s styles fit me beautifully, and others… not a chance. I’d suggest finding a couple styles you really like and only order that style from that company online. Everything else you’ve really got to try on, first. Unless, of course, you don’t mind sending stuff back.
Peace,
~mixie
I’m a 38 DD, and I wear underwires. I’ve had luck getting fitted by the creepy bra ladies - er, I mean trained bra fitters - at Dillards. You’ll need to try on different brands and styles; I can wear some Playtex underwires but not others, I have yet to find a Bali with cups that don’t end up squishing the sides of my breasts back under my arms, and I’ve discovered that even the size of bra can vary from company to company or even style to style. Just go to a good department store, find a qualified bra fitter, and monopolize her until she finds you something that works.
Oh, and if anyone knows of a sports bra that can actually provide any support (or control) in the sizes we’re discussing, I’d love to hear about it. I bought a sports bra on a whim, and I might as well have just put on a small t-shirt instead for the good it did.
Slight, serious hijack question – Does a bra fitting require that you be topless? The creepy reference inspired this question.
Bras…For those of us with a larger size (I run 38/40 D/DD) bra shopping has been the bain of my existance. However, a couple of years ago, I was dating a guy, who to my amazement took up the sword in this battle for me.
He did a lot of web search and found other forums of this nature, anyway what he came up with was Lane Bryant and Lunaire.
I didn’t like the Lane Bryant bras so much. The shape didn’t work for me at all, but I have heard of many who really like them.
Next, I went on a for where to buy Lunaire. It ended up at Nordstroms which was an hour drive for me, but I was determained to have a bra that fit. I fell in love! For the first time in my life I put on a bra and my breasts looked great. It was comfortable and amazingly even pretty! The thing that I first noticed was that the center wire that lay between my breasts actually sat against my chest and didn’t hang in the middle off my body. OK at that point I didn’t know that wasn’t how a bra was supposed to be. The only complaint that I have is as the Lunaire starts to wear out the underwire poked into my sides. But, I also learned in this quest that bras are only made to last 3 months. OY! that’s an expensive proposition.
Then I learned that Nordstroms was discontinuing Lunaire. I was so upset and was now back on the quest for a store who sold them. I was given a tip about a little boutique in my town and so, I found Lunaire again!
I had a lovely little lady at this boutique introduced me to Wacaol. I believe that these bras are even better. The support is incredible, (some of) the styles are even sexy! My breasts are very happy, supported and I’d almost so pert.
Now, I’m happy and will never wear another ill fitted bra even if it costs me a fortune.
Sorry this was so long, but I hope it helps. There are Pretty, sexy, comfortable bras for large breasted women.
Title IX Sports sells serious sports bras. I’ve got one from them that I like, but it doesn’t look like it’s available anymore.
The band rolls up under the bust of this one.
I don’t like the way this one creates a uni-boob - nearly suffocates me during yoga inversions.
I should try some of the others, but they are so expensive, I just keep wearing the yucky ones, waiting for them to wear out. Unfortunately, they’re really well made.
i have sports bra by ummm triumph i think.
it’s a TRI ACTION.
and while it holds the girls (all 30E of them) snugly, it is without doubt the most uncomfortably itchy and ugly thing i own. baggy t-shirts are about all i can wear over it, everything else looks too lumpy.
i know Bravissimo only deal in the UK, but their site (www.bravissiom.com) has lots of styles and brands from D upwards, and you might be able to get something in your local department store ordered in, although i think the styles in 42/44 backs are limited.
i have a Gossard underwire plunge push-up (i think it’s call a “superboost”) in 30F, and it is, without doubt sexy and comfy.
i know they go up big in the cup, i’m not sure about the back though.
brands i like are Gossard, Ballet and Fantasie.
i’m limited by having almost no ribcage though, so i don’t know how they are in the larger backs.
A good sports bra for control, is the Hanes Sport(it does give you a slight uniboob look). I wear a 38-40 DD so for extra support I buy a cup size smaller than I wear, so that I don’t feel like they are being ripped off my chest when I run and jump.
I don’t wear a bra, but like with Frank Costanza on Seinfeld a “bro” (Kramer’s name) might come in handy. However …
I think “brassiere” is the French word for “sling” so it would seem that a proper bra should act like a sling, or maybe a pair of hammocks would be a better description. You’ll have to figure out for yourself how to take care of any back or neck aches that result.
Here’s a good, supportive non-underwire bra: The Goddess Splended Florals Soft Cup. It’s got a strip of foam under the cups instead of an underwire. This bra is more supportive than most underwires I’ve seen. I’ve even worn this one as a sports bra. Very nice.
Evynrude, I have the same problem you have with underwires. I need a bra with a low center, or else they stick up in the middle like a third mechaboob! Why are there so few bras like this? I’ve actually had good luck at Victoria’s Secret (I’ve heard that Lane Bryant bras are just Victoria’s Secret bras in larger sizes, so YMMV.)