It’s that time again. Every single bra I own is threadbare or the wires have broken, which means that I’m going bra shopping. Sigh. I hate this so much more than having my teeth cleaned. It used to be simple. I went to the store and found the bra I wear, in the size I wear, and bought it. It took my mother and me 2 1/2 hours to find the right one. It fit perfectly. No poking the armpits, no spilling out, no seams to rub the wrong places, proper support. I wore that style from the time I was in 6th grade until Bali discontinued it when I was a Jr. in college. Now it seems every time I find a bra I like, the next time I need more, Bali has discontinued it. GRRRRRR! It’s not that I have a brand preference either. It just seems that Bali makes bras to fit me best, but when they discontinue the style I like, it take another 2 1/2 hours of trying on to find the next bra.
Countless times. However, this may be a good time to have this happen (if there could be such a thing) - I don’t know if this is true all over, but where I am (Southern Calif.) the major department stores are having some meaningful lingerie sales. My current favorite bra (I’m happy to say not yet discontinued) was a buy-two-get-two-free deal at Robinsons-May. You get one free bra immediately, and a form to mail in to get the second free bra (not entirely free - $3.00 shipping and handling). That was worth the parking struggle, the shopping struggle, and the long wait while the sales clerk searched for the correct form!
Now that I give it more thought, this sale is probably initiated by the manufacturers rather than the individual stores, so this deal may be available throughout the land!
I always have problems finding a bra that fits properly…it comes second only to jeans in the “Aargh! Preserve me from shopping for this” category. I can try on a whole store’s worth before finding the right one…and that one is almost never there next time. I feel for your problems. I really do.
I just wanted to share my stupid fixer-uppper I have done today…It’s been awhile since I did laundry, and I was down to one old nasty one. The straps kept falling off my shoulders no matter what I did, so I fixed 'em. With a paperclip. Just unfolded it and hooked one of the new hooks around the strap at the back, tying them almost together. now it feels almost like new. It made me happy.
Was it the Bali bra with the no-poke underwire? I couldn’t find it anywhere, and I suppose they discontinued it. It made me very sad. I don’t like getting bruises on my inner arms because I society dictates that I need a coat-hanger under my boobs.
Anyhow… I obviously don’t know your size, but if you’re a 38+, Lane Bryant has some really nice (and comfortable) lingerie. It’s all Cacique stuff, which is a pretty decent brand. There used to be some all Cacique stores (my roommate worked at one), but think they’ve all gone under now. I’m not sure about that. I had a heck of a time finding a new brand after Bali discontinued the no-poke line, but I’m really happy with this Cacique stuff. It’s attractive and comfortable.
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I have three bras, same manufacturer, same style number. And yet they each fit differently. The first one I bought fits perfectly (and is about to fall apart from wearing), the second one pokes, and the fabric in the third one is too stretchy.
:sigh:
I have unusually sloped shoulders, and I can’t tell if a bra is going to work until I’ve worn it for a day.
Zyada, I’m with you. I think they should allow all-day trials. Usually, on the trip I discover that my old bra has been discontinued, I go home with three different styles. If any of them pass the all-day-test, I go back and buy more, that is, if they haven’t been elimanated from the shelves by that time. Right at the moment I’m wearing a breastfeeding bra. My son stopped breastfeeding 6mos ago. One of the hooks that holds up the cup is falling off. One more wash and it’ll be gone.
You can go to better department stores and underwear stores (that is, Nordstrom, Hecht Co., Bloomie’s, Vickie’s Secret, whatever you have in your area, etc.)and they will measure you for a bra and personally help you pick one out. Or, if you don’t want to spend a heap of cash on the bra, just get a salesclerk at one of those stores to measure you and go buy your bra where you choose.
I’ll tell you, once I was correctly measured, I have honestly never had another problem finding bras that fit and were comfortable (34B). For basic everyday comfort, my advice is to stay away from too much lace in any case, because lace tends to be pretty itchy. Sports bras are also a nice option, as they are very comfortable and contain you nicely.
On the other hand, if you consistently get different fits with the same style and size bra, you may need to spend a bit more on the bra or consign yourself to a lot of trying on (which you all have already mentioned). Anyhow, I hope this helped and good luck!
Here is my suggestion: Go to Victoria’s Secret and get measured. Then buy a Second Skin Satin Full Coverage bra in the correct size. Those are my absolute favorite bra! The wires don’t dig, the straps are nice and wide at the top so they don’t slip, and they last a really long time (if you take care of them). They also give great support and a nice shape. VS has some great sales on these several times a year and they come in about every color in the rainbow.
Sloped shoulders! Ack! Seriously, I have never owned a bra that I didn’t have to cut the straps and sew them on a bit closer to the middle. I hate straps that fall off my shoulders, it’s enough to make me want tear that sucker to pieces and burn it.
i’m a 30D or a 30DD…depends on the make and the time of month. i have to try them on to know, so mail order won’t help.
i know it’s an unusual size, but i can’t NOT wear a bra. these babies need support.
i realise the demand isn’t high, but you could make some effort to at least stock something i can fit into.
and no, miss pseudo-helpful-shop-girl 32C will not do.
see how my boobs are suddenly trying to escape from my body, sideways?
see how the straps are too wide apart and too long?
and yes, i’d like it to be pretty, but plain.
in more colours than that yucky “flesh” tone.
i don’t care if it’s popular with the over 70s, i ain’t wearing it.
and not to cost the earth.
i went to the largest lingerie department in ireland yesterday. i found 2(!!) bras in my size.
one was beige lace and the other was white satin with bows all over it.
and both cost £35.
again, i will end up buying an ill-fitting bra that looks nice and costs less, because i don’t want it to show through a t-shirt, or overdraw my account, or frighten irishfella at a vital moment.
