What features you look for and love but most importantly why? What do these features do for you that make the bra so good?
If you haven't found a perfect bra, what problems/ situations do you encounter with your bras that you can't seem to solve?
What features in your everyday bra make it your favourite?
š Recommendations WantedEvery damn time!
New academic research has identified certain types of consumers whose preferences can predict product flops. It dubs them āharbingers of failure,ā according to a study to be published in the Journal of Marketing Research.
I came here for this comment!
I donāt have very big boobs so I wear bralettes from Kmart and my main features are that itās comfy and doesnāt dig in anywhere.
Ditto this exact comment. Only wear them because I have illegal girl nipples and not the safe boy kind, and if I can get away with it I donāt wear them.
Iād be happy going braless because a lot of girls do (at least here and do it if you feel comfortable!) /!; I do at home although the movement when I walk isnāt very comfortable and either is the rubbing on my nipples if itās a looser top. I feel more comfortable with everything secured and Iām a small B/large A.
Ah, Iām the opposite to you there. Physically, no bra is 100% the most comfortable. Physiologically; depends on my outfit but generally no bueno. Whenever I see someone going braless I wish I could send them a psychic congratulations on their bravery and thanks for helping normalise it.
Love going braless. Those silicone nipple covers are great - itās the cold making them show through that I worry about so that solves that (silly) āproblemā
Tried them, they donāt work for my particular shape! Theyāve got more curve than my boob does so they just end up looking like huge nipples. The bandaid type ones probably work better (flatter shape) but I donāt need disposable things for a made up problem.
Same. Iāve had one kid and my midwife said I have lovely long nipples. The joy.
At least she said they were lovely!
I do this too or just take the 'you're welcome' approach to my illegal girl nips
Are they really so āillegalā though, every third girl at the bar has them on a night out and I see multiple people at work or in shopping centres braless and it was normal in the 90s/early 2000s thanks to grunge and Friends and in the 70s.
Iām Gen Z but it doesnāt really register as a big deal since so many female celebrities show their nipples and so many dresses are designed to be bra free and you can get fake nipples piercing pasties or nipple bras to give you support but look like your bra free.
If people want to make a big deal about them thatās on them and they need to touch grass. Just wish I could more.
Second this!
Thirding this! I love my Kmart bras!
Comfortable, lifts boobs up, gives rounded shape, doesn't give me quadboobs. I have huge boobs and a small frame. If a bra isn't comfortable, it doesn't matter how good it looks, I won't end up wearing it. Unfortunately, most non-padded bras make my boobs look pointy. I don't like that look on me, so I tend to stick to foam cups these days, though I would prefer not to.
We sound similar! I'm 10E. I love Simone Perele. The shape tends towards more spherical than pointy. I like that they've got options without padding. Unfortunately very expensive.
Totally recommend checking out their DFO airport outlet! That's how I was introduced to this brand. Still rocking some sets I got there this year.
Have you tried Panache?
Yes, I had been wearing mostly the Cleo line for many years, but I think with age my boobs are just too soft now, and they don't go round anymore.
So now I've been wearing the Fantasie Smoothease molded bra and it's really comfortable. Much more so than any of my panache bras.
I donāt know if this makes sense, but I always aim to get bras that are straight along the back where they meet the straps - I really dislike when bras go up in a triangle or another shape to meet the straps as I find those ones are more difficult to wear under clothes without them showing. I also tend to go for plain t-shirt bras - lace is nice, but if itās an everyday bra I like a smooth cup.
As a 10E, I find it frustrating that so many places only go up to a DD in cup size. I would like it to be easier to find my size, particularly as I donāt think 10E is that uncommon! And theyāre are plenty of ladies with bigger cup and band sizes than me who I can only imagine have an even tougher time finding a bra - we shouldnāt be forced to spend anywhere from $20-$50 more than what smaller ladies have to on a bra.
Same! Also a 10E. So hard to find good quality comfy bras. I find if a brand does go up to a 10E, its the exact same style/design as the 10A bras they offer (thin straps, low support)ā¦ But of course brands that cover or offer a larger cup lineā¦ start from around. a 14 band size and up! Like what? I also find swimwear a nightmare.
Same here, I just posted about my fave bra from target that they've now stopped making :( waa
There are definitely brands that do small band large cup.
Check out Elomi and Panache for example.
Also Brava Lingerie and Storm in a D Cup specialise in D cup and up including small bands.
I am 10HH/12H depending on brand and style.
I commented this on a similar thread recently but Cotton On do a 10E in their t shirt bra. It does have the triangle rise across the back, but they are also on sale for $25 at the moment. I found their bras really comfy when I had massive pregnancy boobs and still like their bras in general now.Ā
Theyāre not underwire, have padding, are beige so you donāt see them through white/light shirts.
Something where straps are not too thin. Itās not just larger breasted women who benefit from thicker straps to make more comfort. Us smaller girls also appreciate this
Absorbency of milk leaks
The ability to expand and shrink and keeping it shape. Never again buying Kmart maternity bras. The bonds ones have been really good at lifting and keeping shape.Ā
Yeah Bonds are my go to as well!
Same girl same š
One that fits! I found the sub r/abrathatfits and it has been life changing in terms of determining my actual size and importantly, style! Now I only buy balconette braās and Iām much happier. Just bought 4 of the same style in different colours from target.
Iām actually at least a C based on my underwire size, but I would be lucky to fill an A. There needs to be a system for shapes, too! The whole sizing system needs an overhaul. Iām lucky enough that I donāt need a bra, but if I had the same problem with bigger boobs Iād just have to deal with underwire that dug in or have gaping cups. And I imagine a lot of women just DO. Ridiculous!
Have you checked you checked the band size you have is correct?
I donāt have any underwire bras, I gave up trying about a decade ago. But it doesnāt matter, as a sister size would still have the same depth of cup
Agree, Iām a 10dd/e according to ABTF calculator but irl 10c/d depending on the bra. Not that helpful for me sadly. Mine are further apart and pointier, maybe thatās a common factor
They do have a system for shapes! Thatās how I found that my shape suits balconette style bras. Otherwise, the size I should be in other styles would have gaping and the cups would seem to not fit. If you check the wiki on the sub, I think there is a website link and that has more detailed info, diagrams and even photos for different shapes and the styles which suit.
(I know you said you donāt wear underwire bras, so Iām adding the info for other people who may have the same issue as you and also feel they want to wear underwireš)
Oh believe me, Iāve trawled everything they have, gotten the same advice. Balconette fits me slightly less badly, but still horribly. Could still fit a whole snack bar down there. The different styles are helpful if youāre kind of shaped differently, if youāre quite different youāre back to being out of luck.
One day weāll all go back to our garments being tailor made. Probably with some kind of 3D scanning technology.
Amen to this!
Itās supportive and it keeps my boobs seperate.
No underwire so I can throw in the washing machine
Narrow wires, narrow gore, unlined cups that are open on top and a pretty embroidered design! Since I wear 8J/JJ, the added bulk of padded bras doesn't help.
The one thing I wish I could find is a bra that doesn't cost me >$100 but also fits nicely. I'm happy to pay for the expertise and quality of hand-made bras but it would absolutely make my day if bras were cheaper in general.
As a DD-E, my fave bras are (controversially) soft cup, underwire and cotton. After years of searching for a comfortable bralette, I've found that having the structure of the underwire is actually way more comfortable than its absence. If there's no underwire, it has to be so tight in the band, tight in the straps, too high in the neckline, and always makes my boobs look saggy.
Turns out I just like old school mom bras from the 70s lol
Just went to find the link and of course they have stopped making it. You can buy it in the fuller figure sizing now only https://www.target.com.au/p/fuller-figure-cotton-soft-cup-bra/65409480. cool cool cool.
Side support panels. I buy mostly panache brand bras because they have a lot of styles with side support.
Have you tried Fantasie Illusion side support bra? I am 10G and itās amazingly comfortable and supportive!
Side support? That sounds amazing, what is it? Iāll check out panache
It just sort of....pushes them in a bit. Without them my chest projects sideways a bit and gets in the way of my arms.
You can see it pretty well in this bra.
https://www.bravalingerie.com.au/products/panache-envy-full-cup-bra-ivory?variant=40801736655010
Yes, Iām needing the side support. Otherwise it makes me look too wide with breasts that are already huge.
No wire, padding or shaped cups (no removable pads!!) and soft fabric. I do like hooks on the back and adjustable straps. My current fav is a berlei one. I have it in 3 colours.
Currently, minimisers that hold me down. Crop top style with moulded/padded cups and a thick underboob band. Haven't found the ideal one yet though, but I can't do the old wire t-shirt bras anymore since Covid and also they make me look enormous and sit way too high, clothes look ridiculous on top.
Zip front
It doesnāt dig in and it hides me very prominent nipples
Stretchy, no underwire, fabric thick enough that it covers your nips but cup/pad free
Because I have had a double mastectomy, the best features in my bra are the paddings I use to create breasts. How many women can chop and change their breast size whenever they wish
Just a bra that fitsā it shouldnāt be this hard to find a 8FF. Most brands put you in sizes with a way bigger band and a smaller cup than you need.
yes, to this as a 4E! have yet to find my size in Australia and am currently wearing 6E instead which is also incredibly difficult to find. I wish more brands would make smaller bands!
opposite problem to most people it seems, but i cant stand wearing bras without wire under the cup
Underwire is required. But if i have a sports bra without I am ok as they are overall much more containing, and its sometimes just easier to do exercise without a wire restricting any movements.
Cotton. They make very few bras in cotton, and those that they do, often donāt go up to my size, and are just the tiny triangle bralet type ones or strangling sports bras - no comfortable middle ground.
Itās a sensory nightmare.
Non-wire bras that lift my G cups. Thereās a particular one in K-mart that works well but may be discontinued. Otherwise Iāve been lounging in my breastfeeding comfy bras.
Since I found the Berlei Lift and Shape bra, I are not buying anything else. It feels like wearing nothing, they last me years. Size 14 E/F.
I need an 8B or 6C and full cup. Super hard to find.
Thick straps, ideally perfect length straps that don't have the plastic adjustment piece. Wireless but moulded support. No removable cups. Front close tend to support the boobs more.
Bra crop top from Boody. No wires, no removable padding.
My puppies slipped their nose out for a look around in my boody
I got 2 new ones from Bendon. They donāt even feel like I have anything on. So unbelievably comfortable!!!
I really love my few that I've manage to get on sale from Honey Birdette. I'm an 18D-18DD depending on my cycle, and I've got four from HB. They're very supportive and have washed and worn really well.
If I was in a position to pay full price I might, but I'm still pretty happy with the ones I've managed to get while on sale.
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20d
Oooo which bra is it?
Lift and separate....there should be two! Also I have an issue with oversized boobs (natural) so support extremely important.
As a big boobed beast, my maternity bra. Its an ETERNITY BRA. No wire, smooth fabric, supportive.
Boosts my boobs, without leaving a little gap between them and the ridge of the bra on my smaller side.
That's it. All I ask.
i like underwired sports ones - cos they tend to come with wider elasticated straps that aren't scratchy
My perfect everyday bra is Freya's Idol bra. They're moulded, smooth and provide great support for ny G cups.
My perfect fun everyday bra is now hard to find. Freya Balcony bra. Moulded cup, pretty and actually is like a shelf for my tatas giving them volume at the top.
It's hard to find a good Balcony bra that does this without the full coverage or padding for G cups!
padded wireless bras from Uniqlo. comfortable with adequate support and they come in pretty colours
My favourite bras are from the Polish brand Ewe Michalak. Partly because of the fantastic shape, and also because of the fabulous quality materials. The elastic stays strong for months longer than any other brand I have tried
Iām still wearing my maternity bras. That I brought like 6 years ago.
Iām at the stage where they need to be replaced. But I donāt want to because they have been there for me and the kids.
Low gore, no/minimal elastic across the top of the cup. Firm band, preferably with 3 hooks as 2 hooks doesnt give the support I need.
Favourite bra is Elomi Matilda and have it in many colours.
Comfortable, supportive, good shape, invisible beneath clothing. Seems like of these, most bras only let you pick two, max three.
My dream would be something like the Elomi Matilda but with smooth, lightly padded, seamfree cups instead of the sheer mesh/embroidered monstrosities it comes withā¦ Elomi Smooth comes close in that at least itās very comfortable and generally looks okayish beneath clothing.
I stopped wearing bras during covid and never took them up again. Now I just wear crop top bralette things from Country Road that I think are supposed to be a Skims dupe. I just donāt care if my boobs look perky, to be honest.
My boobs are just my boobs - theyāre kind of a ātake it or leave itā deal for me these days. Size 12 D so I do wear a proper tight sports bra for running.
I have huge tatas despite being a smaller size 10 ā¦ my problem is that size just isnāt catered for.
My most recent try was Wear Nala and I tried E, F, G and my breast spilt out over the top of each one, and the band wouldnāt sit flush with my ribs despite being too big.
I liked lovable ece but theyve discontinued it.
This actually really works to lift without wires and just $12:
I've been buying everyday bras from Target for like 10+ years. (14C)
They're cheap (currently $30ea) / They're comfy / They're decent quality (last ages, easily as long as a $100+ bra) / They're basically invisible under clothing / They fit predictably (because 10+ years)
For the longest time I struggled because Iām quite petite but have a larger chest, so any bra that fit my body never supported my boobs. Then I found the Bendon tshirt bra and never looked back. Itās not pretty but it fits great, itās supportive. Itās the best bra Iāve ever had, I own 6 now
I hate hooks on the back, itās uncomfortable. Which is why I prefer sports bras
My main requirement is absolutely no wires or in fact, seams if possible. No hooks either. I basically wear the stretchy tshirt bras from Kmart lol.
I wear wire free bras. I'll never so back to wired. Even being a j cup.
loose bra no metal and I rather be braless
No underwire, but that lift, and lightly padded so it doesnāt show nipple. Wide straps, skin tone, wide back so no digging or marks under shirt, and most importantly support. I also prefer that they look rounded rather than projecting out like torpedoes. That might have to do with being blessed with a larger pair.
No bra
One that I donāt even notice I have it on - gives lift and support.
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the main problem I encounter is that they stop making my favourite type every time I find it.