Bra help!

  • I feel like I have the strangest boobs in the world!
    By themselves, they don't even look all that big. Unless I'm wearing a bra, that is.... and they're so darned uncomfortable!!!
    Before I gained the weight in 2005, I was a 34 A.
    At my highest weight, I was a 38DD. Currently, after 36 pounds gone, the cup size has not changed, but the band has gone to a 36.
    Most of this seemed to be not breast tissue itself, but my need to
    reach under each arm pit and pull in the excess side fat to get a
    smoother line!
    Even now, I still find myself pulling extra flesh in from the sides into the cup of whatever style bra I'm wearing. It makes me feel like if I drive over a speed
    bump, I'll hit myself in the chin! (I've certainly come close driving equipment at work!!!)
    Am I the only one with a challenge finding a bra that is comfortable and contains the girls properly? I feel like I'm living in tank tops with the built in shelf bras under all my clothes just to feel some sort of comfort!
  • I had the hardest time with bras until I went to Lane Bryant and got a bra fitting. Totally wrong band, totally wrong cup, totally wrong style walking in, and my girls looked AMAZING walking out Find a fitter somewhere that is trained, as it's hard to accurately get everything down by yourself.
  • It sounds like you are wearing the wrong size or possibly a style that's really bad for your body type.

    I find I need a wide band to contain back/side fat and look smooth, and full coverage so my girls don't bounce around and out of the cup. Some bras are very bad for that - like slinky little demi bras - no support whatsoever, the girls just fall out, etc.

    I find underwires help keep things from pushing over to the side.

    My current favorite everyday bras are victoria's secret cotton lined full coverage bras - they are VERY comfortable on me. I wear a 38 DD and they are so comfortable, and they lift and separate fabulously!! They have a wide back band so I don't have side or back fat spilling over or under the band... instead it's smooth back there. The underwires keep the girls from going places they shouldn't!!

    If your boobs are falling to the side it sounds like either your cup size is not big enough, or your band is not tight enough, or maybe both?

    I suggest going into a store (any store with lots and lots of bras) and try different styles and sizes. It can take a long time to find the right bra, so don't settle on something that's not comfortable and supportive. Try different band and cup combinations - it can be difficult to find the right one. Last time I went bra shopping it took FOREVER - but when I found these victoria's secret ones I just fell in love with how perfect they were for me!!! I really hate bra shopping, but I was glad I took the time (hours!) to try on dozens of sizes/styles because I found the one style/size combo that was perfect.

    If you're looking for a sports bra I can't speak highly enough of my Enells!!!
  • definitely get a bra fitting. i always have good experiences at Nordstroms, or a specialty bra store. i was always going too large on the band size and too small on the cup (i'm a 32G-ack!) getting fitted properly makes all the difference!!
  • Another vote for underwires (and VS cotton full coverage)!

    That under arm flesh is breast tissue! The underwire should sit on your ribs, all the way around and flat on your breast bone.
  • Looks like ohther here have already mentioned the benifits of a properly fitting bra. I wanted to add that you can call and schedule a bra fitting in many many larger department stores. In my area Macy's, JC Penney and Lane Bryant all have part time fitters. Victoria's Secret almost alway has a fittter to assist buyers. Our local Penney's store has the bra fitter available on Sundays and more often during big sales.You should probably call ahead even if you live in a major city so you will be given the attention you need.

    Once you know the size and cut that flatters you bra shopping will be much easier but remember to refit when you loose more than 25 pounds!
  • Yes, U should definitely do the bra fitting. Since I've lost weight my boobs have been swimming in my cups. lol. I had started out with a 44 D/DD. And while losing weight I had to buy a few bras to support what I had left. I thought my boobs had deflated alot so I bought a 42 C and then a 40 C. Well it was time for me to buy a new one cos the 40 C was getting a lil big. I couldn't find a decent bra. They all fit weird and I told the sales lady about my losing weight and how deflated my boobs r and she said that she would size me. Well it turns out I was wearing the wrong size and that I needed a 38 D/DD. And sure enough those 38DD's fit perfectly. I couldn't believe it cos these boobs do not look that big to me. They look drained of life. So I definitely think u should get a bra fitting. Cos u r most likely buying the wrong size.
  • If you're having problems with them staying in the cups, you may want to try not wearing underwires until they're smaller.

    You can try the comfort line from Goddess. They kind of make your boobs look perky even if they're not, which is nice.

    When I was bigger, around 180-200 lbs, it became exceedingly painful for me to wear underwires b/c my boobs would just go into the underwire regardless of the size and I'm petite so the underwire was getting too big and digging into my armpits.

    So, in that weight range, it really made sense to wear a non-underwire / kind of cup-free but perky Goddess comfort bra.

    Now, I'm back in cups, and the Lilyette self-expressions bras from Target are my new discoveries. They're not uncomfortable at all! And they're only $14.99

    Back in the day when I was gaining weight, I bought a Chantelle bra from Northstrom every 10 lbs... which I still use now, but I have to say I think the silhouette from the Target bras is actually nicer (maybe b/c they're not 3+ years old)

    Good Luck! And take care of yourself!