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

[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.