Do you buy a titsling, or do you buy a brassiere?

[ailbhe]

[Accidentally crossposted here instead of in a community, but I'm leaving it up here too, because why limit my pool of respondents?]

While not aspiring to Bette Midler dimensions, I do have a certain amount of bosom which I get tired of supporting unsupported. And a limited budget.

My two bras-which-fit are pretty much unwearable now, as distinct from being merely "very uncomfortable" a while ago. So I'm back in old maternity bras, too big on the band and too small on the cup. This is better than nothing, but I'd really like to buy some bras which did fit, only they all seem to be very expensive (where "expensive" is defined as "more money than I have available" rather than "more money than the going market rate").

Primark and Tesco seem not to go as far down as a 28 band, and their 30 bands don't seem to be available above an A cup. Everywhere else seems to want £25-£35 for a bra. And really, I want TWO bras for £35 or less, if at all possible. Bought in separate months.

In cotton. I'm open to the idea of underwire but have never enjoyed it before. I've given up on ethical sourcing for underwear; I'm pretty certain it's entirely impossible. I'd rather not have ACTUAL bloodstains on them but metaphorical I'm resigned to.

Not too high in the cup - I fill up the bottom of a cup fine but the tops hang empty on my collarbone, way above my breast tissue. Using smaller cups just makes it less comfortable, and doesn't redistribute the flesh up towards my neck.

Failing this, does anyone know of a bra-making pattern such that I could learn to make my own?

Comments

[jenett]

I don't know if there's anything similar in the UK, but I *adore* my bra (and intend to get more) from Decent Exposures in the US. Made by sustainable cottage labor in the US, of a variety of materials (including all cotton), and with a lot of possible variations. (Also, colors, which make me absurdly happy.)

One thing I love is that they'll do things like cut armholes lower or adjust the straps, or other things free of charge. (This can involve some mailing back and forth, though my first order fit beautifully.)

They're not terribly cheap (a bit less than your 35 pounds, looks like: my current bra was $43 plus shipping) but it wears and washes extremely well, and is amazingly comfortable. (I'm a 44D in US sizeing, so my chest is .. erm, expansive. I have yet to meet an underwire I can tolerate for more than 20 minutes.)

Oh, yeah. Link, so you can at least see if there's something similar closer to you: http://decentexposures.com

[(Anonymous)]

Have you tried www.brastop.com? I have bought from them a few times and their service is pretty good.

[heraldis.livejournal.com]

Doesn't help in the cost front, cos they aren't cheap, but for wire-free mega support, shock absorber sports bras are the mutt's nuts.
They feel a bit odd at first as they are very supportive, but the lack of bounce when you are doing anything vigorous is fantastic!

[the0lady.livejournal.com]

Aren't those the ones with no discreet cups? I bought one for the gym and had to relinquish it in disgust because the lack of proper separation turned my cleavage into a stinky waterfall.

[the0lady.livejournal.com]

How about trying to take those Tesco and Primark bras in? A pleat under each arm, or folding and relocating the hooks, ought to enable you to get it exactly right for your ribcage. Might not be an ideal long term solution, but has the advantage of cheapness?

[baratron.livejournal.com]

Have you tried Marks & Spencer's? Their generic bras (i.e. not the pretty fancy ones, just plain white or black) are around £16 each. They also have copious amounts of non-underwire. Unfortunately I have no idea about the smaller diameter sizes (and aren't you small around the ribcage but large of bosom?). But I'd be surprised if you needed to spend as much as £25 there.

[clanwilliam.livejournal.com]

I was about to suggest M&S. And you can get them a lot cheaper than £16. Ailbhe, do you want a bra-buying session that replicates the jeans-buying session a while back?

I'll need your measurements first, but even if we don't find stuff, you'll have a better idea at the end.

[clanwilliam.livejournal.com]

Also, we can probably judge accurately from larger M&S sizes and order online if need be. Or order at the store.

Bravissimo is no good for you. They don't do your proportions.

Also, Kayla can attest to my leet bra-fitting skillz.

[wingedkami.livejournal.com]

Most of my bras are from M&S at the moment and the prices were very reasonable. Around £18, and that was the fancy silk and lace models.

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

*drops in as random 30E bra searcher to say...*

Alas, M&S don't do 28 bands at all. They do a small number of 30 bands, including an E cup in some, but they are all underwired and tend to be padded, lacy, and itchy.

[nitoda]

See http://sewing.about.com/library/sewnews/library/aafashbra.htm and http://sewing.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=sewing&cdn=hobbies&tm=2&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.andsewitis.net/braclass/class_start.html for online resources ...
Or see http://www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product_id=RE-8001&mci=&size=28b&colour=&image=r615234-p615253-front for a possible source of affordable ready-mades?

[tiggsybabes.livejournal.com]

I hate bra buying, I have pretty ones from Asda & M&S recently, but not sure they fit as well as they could.

[pne.livejournal.com]

not sure they fit as well as they could

This makes me wonder whether back in the days when any self-respecting gent would get a suit made to order down on Savile Row (sp?), whether the ladies got made-to-order (and fitting perfectly, if the tailor knew their craft) bras. (Or corsets or whatever one wore then.)

That would be the trick, though I can't imagine it would be particularly cheap -- but at least you'd know that it fits since it was designed for *you* and not some lowest-common-denominator generic female.

[trizia.livejournal.com]

You can still get custom-made bras from a few places - the only one I can think of at the moment is Rigby & Peller and they are £££.

[mrs-redboots.livejournal.com]

It's actually worth going to John Lewis and being properly fitted - their fitters are really, really good and take their time, and will be able to recommend the right sort of bra for your shape. I know that will probably mean buying a bra for slightly more than you meant, but you need only buy one, and then go to somewhere a bit cheaper like M&S and see if they have something very similar. And you never know - John Lewis do have the cheaper lines as well!

[ailbhe]

They don't have anything in my size. At all. They are very good about searching for things for me while I tie the children up in corners to keep them from dismantling the shop, but they do not stock things in my size, at any price.

I have in the past enjoyed confusing their fitters when asking for a nursing bra to wear in early pregnancy, though.

[the-changeling.livejournal.com]

I buy the Forth Road Bridge.

(The hideous Doreen....)

[flybabydizzy.livejournal.com]

I find Debenhams good, although Bravissimo is better if you can get to a store, or are happy to send stuff back, Brastop also not too bad

[tassie-gal.livejournal.com]

My mum had lovely luck with an Australian Company who employs local fijian girls to make the bras in fiji. They sent her a couple of sizes to check for fit and then she just sent the other ones back and they replaced them with her size. They even take your old bras and share them out to people who need them. I'll find out the name and website for you.

[hsb.livejournal.com]

I thought I'd mention that I just got a mail telling me that my local Fabulous Bra Shop is doing a sale, with bras starting at 5 quid. This place sized me correctly on sight through a thick jumper and coat, while I was wearing the wrong size.

I've no idea if they go down to a band 28, but you could call and ask them. The shop is called Amelie's Follies and it's at 34 Webb's Road, Battersea
London, SW11 6SF. Telephone: 020 7924 5461

Their ability to size on sight only really helps if you are based close enough to visit, but they are a small company and might be able to at least tell you which suppliers do bras in the size you are looking for, which will give you a chance to find stockists you can get to.

Hope that helps (Here from the other place, but it was quicker to find your own post than to dig back for the one there)

H

[hsb.livejournal.com]

Oh, if you still need a nursing bra, they only stock Anita bras. Just noticed that. Bugger.

H