# Women: recommend a comfortable bra **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 18, 2010, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430 "2010-02-18T03:07:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/21 "2010-02-20T21:39:53Z")
> [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > Word. And not only that, but some brands run small or large, in either the cup or the band (so you might be a different size altogether in those brands)…some are better suited to women whose breasts sit more widely or more narrowly on their rib cage…some have shaped cups that might be great on one woman of your same size but make you look like a freak…some have seams that you might find really itchy…and so forth. > > IMO, you should take an afternoon and make one trip to a department store with a good fitter (like Nordstrom’s) or, if not, a really big selection, find at least one bra that works really well for you, and then from then on, order that bra online. Until you have a baby, gain or loose ten pounds, age five years, or they stop making that model. In that case, start over again. The bras I loved fifteen years ago wouldn’t work now that I’m ten pounds heavier and had a baby. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/22 "2010-02-20T21:49:50Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > I know you don’t want to, but I strongly encourage you to do the fitting thing at least once. This was my first time, and these new bras work SO much better than the Walmart/Target ones I’ve been wearing. I was wearing the right size, but the cuts and the shape of the cups made my size change from style to style. It was really worth it to put on one bra right after another and really SEE why one fit well and the other, not so much. Agreed. I’m usually a 34B but in at least one bra I was a 34C, so I think it does depend. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/23 "2010-02-21T02:08:03Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > The Spanx Bralellujah (sp?) in particular. Well, all Spanx bras are called “Bralellujah,” but I think you’re referring to their original, all-hosiery material design. It has all the sex appeal of an Ace bandage, but it’s the most comfortable bra I’ve ever worn. Their other bras are more attractive and create a nicer shape, and are almost as comfortable. While you can’t try them on, Spanx has a generous return policy–you can return any of their items if you don’t like them. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/24 "2010-02-21T03:08:36Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > \ > My advice, as verified by my wife’s experience … > > Go to a real dedicated bra shop, or at least to a real department store with the older women working as “foundations” clerks. I’m sure trying on bras with the sales lady’s help is a bit embarrassing at first. But you’ll be a lot happier with the result. … For 2 or 3 years until whichever style works for you is discontinued. Then back to the bra shop. > > What fits you is not necessarily the most expensive thing, nor the cheapest. Nor is there just one choice. But it is awfully close to looking for a needle in a haystack (now that’s an ouchy metaphor!). You need a guide to help you narrow the field. The most comfortable, best-fitting bra I’ve ever tried on was a $100+ item in a specialty lingerie shop. Someday when I’m rich I’ll buy $100+ bras that last six months, but until that day, I’ll just try to find the best fit I can at Sears. ---
**Author:** ![Pullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Pullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pullet)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/25 "2010-02-21T04:20:44Z")
I used to fit women with bras. Seriously, just suck it up and go to the store to try things on. There are far too many styles and far too many variables in the fit for any of us to direct you. And don’t give us the “I know my size already” crap. Tell the lady what you are looking for and have her get stuff off the shelves while you nest in the dressing room. She knows her stock a lot better than you do. If her store doesn’t have something that makes you happy, repeat at another store. And don’t be embarrassed about her seeing you in the bras. She needs to see what the bras do to you to parse out which direction to go as far as size and style. Unless you have a second head growing under there, you’re just one of hundreds of chicks in bras she’s seen. She isn’t going to be spreading stories about you. The only reason you have not to go try the damned things on is if you are physically incapable of leaving the house. In which case, why bother with bras? ---
**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:** [February 21, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/26 "2010-02-21T23:28:11Z")
Wacoal makes a very good product. I’ve purchased them at Nordstrom’s and Lord & Taylor. They’re not cheap, but I get mutliple years of wear out of one of them. Decent Exposures makes a wonderful bra - in a variety of all cotton or cotton-spandex mix fabrics. They’re a one-piece sports bra style, and are INSANELY comfy. I would suggest you go to a better shop - one of the above, or any decent department store that has fitters on staff, or even a lingerie shop. You might be very surprised at the size they put you in - you may “know” your size but often when the professionals measure you, they come up with something quite different! I need to do this again myself soon … have had some size changes and I don’t know what the right size is for me. Then I’ll order a couple of Decent Exposures bras as well; I’ve got a shoulder problem that makes putting on / removing regular bras a bit of a challenge. ---
**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:** [February 22, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/27 "2010-02-22T15:16:27Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > … > Decent Exposures makes a wonderful bra - in a variety of all cotton or cotton-spandex mix fabrics. They’re a one-piece sports bra style, and are INSANELY comfy… Forgot to say: Decent Exposures is online only (unless you happen to live in the Seattle area). They have stuff other than bras, and they can do all kinds of customization of the bras they make. Including, if you like, converting the stretch bra into a front-hook model, IIRC. > **[Organic Bras Made in USA - Decent Exposures, Inc.](https://decentexposures.com/)** > > Comfortable bras and organic cotton underwear made in the USA for all shapes, sizes, and sensitivities. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/28 "2010-02-22T17:56:12Z")
I agree that Wacoal is good. I’ve found Wolford makes good bras, too, but again fairly pricey. Though mine have lasted a few years now, so maybe it’s worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/29 "2010-02-23T14:09:22Z")
> [@Pullet](#): > > I used to fit women with bras. > > Seriously, just suck it up and go to the store to try things on. There are far too many styles and far too many variables in the fit for any of us to direct you. And don’t give us the “I know my size already” crap. > > Tell the lady what you are looking for and have her get stuff off the shelves while you nest in the dressing room. She knows her stock a lot better than you do. If her store doesn’t have something that makes you happy, repeat at another store. > > And don’t be embarrassed about her seeing you in the bras. She needs to see what the bras do to you to parse out which direction to go as far as size and style. Unless you have a second head growing under there, you’re just one of hundreds of chicks in bras she’s seen. She isn’t going to be spreading stories about you. > > The only reason you have not to go try the damned things on is if you are physically incapable of leaving the house. In which case, why bother with bras? I agree. The best bra can be uncomfortable if it does not fit. My measurements changed a lot in the last 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/30 "2010-02-23T21:35:39Z")
Okay, okay…you’ve convinced me. I have to suck it up and go do it. I confess, I’m lazy and just didn’t want the bother, but finding the right bra would be worth it. Thanks everyone for the advice. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/31 "2010-02-23T23:02:36Z")
Be brave, **Sycorax**! (Now that I’ve seen what a scyorax really is, somehow I think that’ll be easy.) ---
**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:** [February 24, 2010, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/32 "2010-02-24T00:19:16Z")
> [@Sycorax](#): > > Okay, okay…you’ve convinced me. I have to suck it up and go do it. I confess, I’m lazy and just didn’t want the bother, but finding the right bra would be worth it. > Thanks everyone for the advice. You may be _stunned_ at how good a well-fitting bra can feel and look. I had avoided underwire bras for decades, having never met one that wasn’t designed by Torquemada of Seville… then I got fitted and it felt good, and the ol’ bazooms were nearly _perky_!! ---
**Author:** ![Sycorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/33 "2010-02-24T04:07:11Z")
I don’t think my namesake would put up with this sh\*\*t, frankly – she’d put a spell on you! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2014, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430/34 "2014-07-12T05:24:00Z")
Sorry to revive a Zombie Thread (Zombie Breasts!), but I just stumbled across something relevant. After reading the complaints about Sweating Under the Breasts by the Well-Endowed, I am amazed to find that there is something for this: Fresh Breasts deodorant: > **[Amazon.com: Fresh Breasts - 3 oz : Health & Household](https://www.amazon.com/So-Fresh-Dry-40234-Breasts/dp/B0049GDZFS)** > > Amazon.com: Fresh Breasts - 3 oz : Health & Household They also make Fresh Breasts Lotion: > **[Amazon.com : Fresh Body FB Fresh Breasts Anti Chafing Deodorant Lotion for...](https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Body-Lotion-Solution-Women/dp/B07HGKFBSL)** > > Amazon.com : Fresh Body FB Fresh Breasts Anti Chafing Deodorant Lotion for Women, 3.4 Fl Oz : Beauty & Personal Care And, so the guys won’t feel left out, they make Fresh Balls, too: > **[Amazon.com: Fresh Balls The Solution For Men - 5 oz](https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Body-FB-1000-Balls-Solution/dp/B004BC62MI)** > > Amazon.com: Fresh Balls The Solution For Men - 5 oz I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised – any market niche can be exploited. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-recommend-a-comfortable-bra/529430.md?page=1)