BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 08:48 PM

I hate bras too...they get in the way!!!!

True story, coming down the escalater w/ my wife in a large department store, we encountered a sign, "Ladie's undergarments, half off". I opined as how I'd like to see that. She hit me upside my head.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 02:19 PM

I'd love to find a comfortable bra....with a really comfortable woman wearing it.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 01:16 PM

Found one! A T-back exercise one which is really comfortable!!

Thanks, all!!!

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 07:56 AM

I know its probably an obvious thing to say - but you have to get the right size.

One day we were in Bakewell and we visited the corsetierre's shop there. Its a lingerie shop but the lady seemed to have some expertise.

My wife wanted a bra and had decided to treat herself to a really nice expensive one. She told the lady behind the counter her size and she said, no you're not!

apparently she'd been buying the wrong size for years, because the new one was more comfortable.

Obviously a tricky business!

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 06:55 AM

http://www.abc.net.au/newinventors/txt/s1477108.htm

The Cardibra is a vest-shaped bra which acts like a splint to provide
support to women who are recovering from a sternotomy (splitting the breast
bone) associated with cardiac surgery.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Nov 05 - 02:08 PM

Why don't you tell us! Lotsa experts here.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Nov 05 - 02:04 PM

Maybe that's why all of the celebs I see these days look as though theirs are going south at a young age! Those things don't look like they'd do a bit of good against the pull of gravity!

Whilst we are at it, since women's bosoms are so effected by gravity as they mature, why aren't men walking around with elongated dangly bits and having to gird them up like we do at times?!**BG** I mean, of course, if they are as big as they claim!

katlaughing

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Nov 05 - 12:25 PM

A case of a picture is worth a thousand words. Check it out- it claims that the silicon bra provides

"Dramatic push-up look "
"more attractive clevage" (sic)
"Comfortable and natural "

Do you think the claims are valid? lol

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Metchosin
Date: 01 Nov 05 - 03:46 AM

No nipples? Definiely bizzare.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Cluin
Date: 01 Nov 05 - 02:50 AM

Trickery, trickery!

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 31 Oct 05 - 04:16 PM

Not sure about the logistics of wearing a bra as I am not a woman but I do feel that undoing and removing one that fits well, that feels good, that holds such joy is wonderful. I do hate to see women who wear such ill fitting bras that they appear to have 'overlaps'....is that just me or do other men feel the same?

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: darkriver
Date: 31 Oct 05 - 04:04 PM

Hm. I'll have to pass all these suggestions on to my wife, who also hates 'em.

Peter Woodruff, your remark reminds me of my brothers--he says he wishes he had had the bra concession on the original Star Trek series.

Doug

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 05 - 02:14 PM

Yippee for you.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 31 Oct 05 - 12:37 PM

So do I!
They just get in the way... although I've mastered the whole one-handed-in-the-dark trick.

: )~

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST,Zaftig Cat
Date: 31 Oct 05 - 12:06 PM

Kat, thanks for "lifting up" this subject on behalf of "boobs everywhere." This thread has inspired a new "uplift" of creativity for me-- I have been cleaning out a few old "breakfronts," happy to find t-shirts of various sizes and styles that used to fit me once, long ago.

What I've found is that any tight sleeveless tee or tank can be slit in front, neck to hem, resulting in long, stretchy ties to knot snugly like a Shipwrecked Damsel's emergency bra. NO SEWING NEEDED. I now have a men's dago T, a ladies' nylon cami with adjustable ribbon straps, a vee-neck T, and a ribbed tank T-- all cut as described to try out. That will give me an idea how small is tight enough what cut is best suited for modification, and then I'm hitting the Dollar Store to stock up on "temp" bras while I keep looking for my Rescued Damsel model! The ribbed binding seems essential to long-term use and comfort.

These are easy to put on and fasten, and once untied for laundering there's no worry that any sweat, germs, fungus, or soap residue will be left caught in damp fabric folds. ALL COTTON, of course.

Try it, you'll like it. You know where to look-- the back of the closet, under the bed, or snarled in overstuffed dresser drawers-- we ALL have a stash of potential underware somewhere!

ZC

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: DougR
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 08:48 PM

Peter: Be sure to retire young enough to truly appreciate it.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Louie Roy
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 09:55 AM

I hate bras too but not for the same reason that women do.Now for the lame joke of the day Why do women button their bra behind and the answer is because their belly buttons in front

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST,SALLY
Date: 26 Oct 05 - 02:16 PM

BRAVISIMO IN THE UK. FOR BIG BOOBD... CHANGED MY LIFE !

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST,gettingron
Date: 26 Oct 05 - 01:23 PM

Check out Title 9.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST,Ingrid Frances Stark
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 09:09 PM

If cotton is what you need against the skin, try the "Everlast" underwire. Without the wires, of course. The elastic at the bottom edge is contained in a tube of cotton fabric. The style I like best is actually a pullover, all cotton knit, and comes in black, white, or grey. I don't know which side of the ocean you're on, but in the US, Shopko carries them, and I think Target does, too.

Ingrid

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 10:41 PM

Thanks, Nancy! Good luck to you, too.

Oh, Cluin, those are hysterical! I think my daughter told me about a bar in Montana which is adorned with bras, also.:-)

I think I am going to go for some camisoles. I never thought about the elastic around the bottom of a bra possibly being latex and that is always where I itch the most and first! Thanks for enlightening me, folks!

katfeelinguplifed:-)

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 09:35 PM

This one?

Or this one?

Or this one?

A place in New Zealand for all your old ones.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Maryrrf
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 08:46 PM

The other day I was out shopping for bras to wear around the house. I no longer like to go braless - it's just more comfortable with a little support. I found these Haynes "Tank style" bras that look kind of like a tank top that ends right at your ribcage with some elastic and there is a kind of "Shelf bra" built in. Sort of like a sports bra but not as constricting. Works great.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Nancy King
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 07:56 PM

Kat, thanks for starting this! I've gotten several good hints I'll be sure to follow up.

I have a drawer full of bras that seemed comfortable enough in the store, but that turn out to be pretty awful by the end of a work day. Most of them end up chafing under the arms -- I HATE getting those red rubbed marks because the bras turn out to be cut too high under the arms. I never seem to be able to spot that in the store.

It never occurred to me to remove the underwires! Duh! (Knocking self on side of head...) I'll try it! If I still have any of those, of course -- haven't bought any with underwires for years.

The best brand I have found that is reasonably widely available and reaonably priced is "Barely There," though I couldn't find a website showing the style I've found best (all stretchy nylon -- I'd love cotton but they don't seem to make it that way -- with very few seams, just a few little tucks in the middle, fairly wide straps and a band of thicker stretch nylon around the bottom, no fasteners -- goes on over the head, or step into it and pull it up). God, I hope they haven't discontinued it. Story of my life: I find something that works for me or that I like and they discontinue it. They don't seem to make "plus sizes" though -- I'm right at the top of their size range, and if I get any fatter I'm in trouble. Another one I found that's pretty good is called "Bra-llelujah" by "Spanx" (who thinks up these names?).

I used to buy a style that fastened in front, and loved that feature -- SO much easier to put on! -- but haven't been able to find satisfactory ones lately. But it's always possible to do up the fasteners in front before putting the straps on, then turn it around so the fasteners are in back where they belong, and put your arms through the straps.

Good luck, Kat -- I hope you find something that works for you!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: harpmolly
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 04:00 PM

Kat--

The most comfortable bra I own (though I only ever wear it if my mom is coming to visit, as I'll never hear the end of it if I don't) came from a store that specializes in helping women who have had mastectomies. They're built more for comfort than style, and they also have the option of adding, ahem, inserts. :)

Unfortunately, my mother has had breast cancer twice, and the second time she basically said "Screw this, take it all away, I don't ever want to go through this again." Opting against reconstructive surgery (thank all the gods), she decided to go the padded bra route. When we went to the store to get the bra, she said, "Oh, Molly, let me buy you one--you'd look so good!" I knew that refusing would be like swimming upstream against Niagara, so I agreed. It can be fun at Halloween, though--my friends get to see me go from Twiggy to Dolly P. in about three minutes (she insisted on buying the inserts as well, though I don't wear them).

Anyway, you might check them out. I can't remember what the store was called.

Molly

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST,neovo
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 11:43 AM

The secret is to have someone in a specialist shop or department in a larger store measure you. I wear a bra only for dancing and I was so uncomfortable in anything I tried until I was measured. And remember a 38B in Marks and Spencer will fit differently from a 38B in BHS so buy in the store where you were measured. A specialist store may well be able to advise for your particular situation.

Good luck.
Neovo.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 11:24 AM

Thanks for the suggestion, leneeia, but allergy to anything but cotton gives me no choice. I always wash everything, the first time, in vinegar to remove the "sizing," then several good washes after that, with other loads of laundry to save on water. All of my clothing is cotton and, when I buy the good quality, organically grown cotton clothing, it lasts for years. I can also wear hemp. I had a couple of t-shirts of hemp years ago and though they'd never wear out!

Thanks for the other links and comments, folks!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 10:33 AM

Please rethink your commitment to cotton. Cotton is unyielding and doesn't last. It is not a good material for bras.

Some people think cotton is more "natural" than modern elastic materials. By the time cotton is bleached and finished, it's not natural anymore.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 23 Oct 05 - 08:37 PM

Nursing bras are the softest, I have found. And they seem to be made under the assumption that your boobs are sore, which would certainly be true after such surgery...

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 09:07 PM

Well, fortunately, I am beyond them days of hatin' bras...

But rewind back a few , no make that many, years an' the danged things were a pain in the butt...

They'd change the engineerin' on 'em from model to modle an' you'd always end up lookin' like some amatuer... Ahhh, snap in the back, front, side, shoulder??? It was always a crap shoot...

An you, like the confident male, were supposed to be bra engineers, too...

Hey, I'm real glad them days is well in my past...

Sho nuff am...

Them things were like nightmarish puzzles to me....

Bobert (with bag over head...)

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST,Rumncoke
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 08:56 PM

As a size 40F - yes folks F - I commiserate, but can't offer any help with brands.

However I have resorted to making my own in the past - before I found a brand which fitted fairly well.

It is not that difficult if you have a stock of old bras to raid for the strap adjusters - it is not a good idea to make the straps without adjustment, and the height of the sides is important too, it should be high enough to hold things in place, but too high at the front of the band and it cuts in.

I think that it would be easier to get a fit with a back fastening bra - they seem to be the most common, but as that is not acceptable, either get one which would be easy to alter, or resort to making your own.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Peace
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 06:48 PM

Boobs in hands of yet another boob.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 06:36 PM

Metchosin, just a little comic relief, though the VS bras are the ones I like and the Italian photos are very well done, and the goofy lingerie scuffle needed some kind of lead in. Perhaps it all provided a distraction for Gargoyle.

You can search on "post surgery bra" and find a number of sites that might have something useful. You didn't go for a mastectomy, but recognizing the tenderness of the area, perhaps the materials of some of those bras should be considered.

Here is one and another one. This place has a number of attractive bras, and the last entry is for post-surgery.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Scoville
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 04:06 PM

I don't know where you live and what the availability of these might be, but you might also look into equestrian bras. They have to be comfortable because you don't want to be riding with straps biting your arms off, and I believe that at least some of them are front-fastening. I used to wear an athletic bra that was no actually a riding bra but was very similar and it was very comfortable since it had wide straps and soft material, but held things in place.

I don't mind bras, myself, as long as they're the soft, lace-less, adjustable kind. I've learned that you can't play the guitar with underwires unless you want to hurt yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 03:22 PM

Thanks, everyone! Great links and suggestions. I'll take some time to look them over in depth and, yes, probably go get a professional fitting, too.

It's not the scar so much as the deep tissue which has mended but every once in a while lets me know it's been sliced and stitched. BUT, I am not complaining! The new valve is working so well, I am off the oxygen a good share of the time, now, AND walking at least a couple of miles a day.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Metchosin
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 03:01 PM

Interesting links SRS, possibly intended to titilate the male posters here, but hardly intended to keep one abreast of the problem at hand. LOL

kat, I agree with previous suggestions to go get fitted at an exclusive or high end store that specializes in larger sizes. Its worth the extra bucks and you will be amazed.

I recently went with my eldest daughter who required new undergarments as maid of honour at her sister's wedding.

She's built like a mac truck, naturally overly endowed by some conventional standards, has exremely sensitive skin (this was a baby who, when she was born even in the hospital, had to be specially attired with cloth diapers, because of an allergic reaction to disposable ones) and she loves sexy things.

I was not looking forward to the trip, because from previous experience, when she was younger, any such outings were usually pretty tense as her frustration levels started rising and as "Mom", I quite often took a lot of the heat.

There were tears this time too, but it was of absolute joy and relief, she couldn't believe what she had been missing all these years.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: LilyFestre
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 02:56 PM

Hiya Kat!

   I'm partial to the Just My Size bras and lately, Champion makes a sports bra, no tag and that is ultra comfortable...not the usual sports bra where you are squeeze so tightly that you wonder where the heck your breasts went...this one offers decent, flexible support and it goes for about $12.00. Of course, this is NOT a front closure...but it does go on fairly easily and I'm thinking because it is soft cotton without all the lace and trim, it might not be too uncomfortable on your scar. If you decide to go the catalog route, Lane Bryant and Romans have plenty. I'd steer clear of the Leading Lady bras as they have a funky rubber smell to them that never does go away. Anyway, those kinds of catalogs offer the plus sizes in all kinds of styles....including a more "leisure" bra that is meant to be really comfortable...although lacking in support...but it's better than nothing (ok...well, not really...but you know what I mean....don't you?....it's not the white, scratchy, super industrial over the shoulder boulder holder type!!!!)

Good luck!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: RichM
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 01:44 PM

Gargoyle, your comments continue to amaze and bemuse...

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: dianavan
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 01:22 AM

I hate bras too! The most comfortable bra I have found is the Elita plus (slip on) but you might also try the Grenier (back clasps).

Now for a funny granny story:

My mom who was fighting the very hot, Arizona summers liked to walk around with a face cloth under each breast. She claimed that the cloth absorbed the sweat and cut down on the friction between her breasts and her ribs. I had to try it and guess what! She was right. Instant relief.

Only try this if nobody else is around. Its definitely not sexy!

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST,Ingrid Frances Stark
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 01:06 AM

I've been ripping the wires out of underwire bras for years. The style is fairly supportive even without the wires, and MUCH more comfortable.

As for the scars, you might consider a longline style. There is less pressure right below the breast, and you might actually find it supports the scarred area.

I've had good luck over the years with Warner styles. Also, I have a front closure longline from Exquisite Form called the Ful-ly bra #7530. Its very supportive of the upper back, and the torso in general.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 12:28 AM

Boobs (Italian style).

Bras (these are demi cup, the ones I like best--they aren't padded much if at all).

Boobs in bras.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 11:34 PM

Kat,

Female siamese twin friends of mine used a co-bra until it bit them...

Art ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: bobad
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 11:32 PM

Wow, all this talk about 44DD's and 52DDDD's and 38DD's and I'm married to someone with a pair of fried eggs, sunnyside up. Can't wait to crank up the old dream machine tonight.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Bard Judith
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 11:14 PM

Try Wonderbra (no, really!) model 3384. Even in DD 44 it's comfy, and without underwire and eight sets of hooks... And my buxom friend also endorses bra fitters - she said she could not believe the difference in comfort as well as shape. With a properly fitted bra you can lose five pounds / gain five pounds - visually that is - where you need them!

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 10:25 PM

My suggestion for the smooth bras: get some pistachios and eat them. Then glue the discarded shell halves onto the fronts of the smooth bra. Presto! Instant nipples.

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: JennieG
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 09:30 PM

I don't like the current style of 'smooth' bras - we aren't built like that! We do have nipples! I like lacy and pretty and always buy the matching knickers too. Himself understands about girly things like that.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: frogprince
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 09:27 PM

The "tother" weekend my best gal announced her intention to go out to buy some new undies. She went on to say that she was going to do it alone, as she noted that "You've had a hand in every piece of underwear that I've had since we've been married".

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 09:25 PM

Decent Exposures might fit the bill for you, all-cotton or other options, lots of sizes, and custom sizing available, as well. Pull-over, or front-opening.

I got two bras from them when I needed something for breast feeding my son (that is to say, to hold the leak pads, between nursing sessions!), otherwise I'd do without, if I had my choice. I still use those bras, 10 years later, as a hot-weather undershirt under a couple of jumpers. (I removed the little ring of fabric that makes the "cups".) They're comfy! Not like the bras I've been wearing lately since I've taken to working full-time in the world and feel a need for some more modesty. I'm small and I can't get normal bra straps to stay up. (I know, I need T-backs, but they're hard to find in something lightweight.)

But even with those nice folks at Decent Exposures, what is the deal with bra prices??? It's ridiculous.

And can I confess, after years (44) of wearing no or minimal bras, recently I bought a contemporary underwire+foam (nothing fancy) bra. I've yet to use it. When try it under something and I look in the mirror, I think, "who's boobs are those? they're not where they usually are, and I think someone cut off the nipples!" It's a very strange sensation. I work on a university campus and can see that smooth and round is the fashion, but I think that I agree with Guest 5:12. I suppose most of them make up for it by exposing cleavage and lots of other skin. (Plenty of opportunity to show skin in our climate.)

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 08:53 PM

What a GREAT idea!

Subject: RE: BS: I hate bras - finding a comfortable one!
From: freda underhill
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 08:45 PM

this page has a front opening

bra!