posted 01-03-2003 03:41 PM            

That said, I NEED HELP!!! I have been odd and/or large sized my whole life, and I can't think of a bra that I've ever had that's truly fit correctly. Depending on my weight, my bra size has ranged from a 34D to a 38DD. Even so, my breasts are quite a bit out of proportion (too large) with the rest of my body. I can't find a comfortable bra, and swimwear is a joke!! Now, my wedding is coming up, and I'm going to have to look for special occasion underwear, too!

I would like to know what brands/styles/stores others have tried and liked. Even if you're on the small side, a brand that works for you could be helpful for me. So:

What brand(s) work for you? Have you found success with Bali, Platex, etc??

Has anyone found a store with knowledgable associates who will actually FIT you for a bra?
(Department stores say they do, but their clerks have no experience, don't listen to what the customer wants, and seem to enjoy embarrassing their customers.)

Do you buy through a mail-order catalog??

Are you addicted to Victoria's Secret or an online underwear shop??

What about special occasion underwear, like strapless bras and comfortable foundations??

Do you have a favorite sports bra? I can never find one that is supportive and comfortable!!

Please help!! (Thanks for listening to the rant, ladies! )

posted 01-06-2003 05:34 PM            

If you think of anywhere else.. let me know!!

posted 03-01-2003 06:05 PM            

I'm more comfortable not wearing one if it comes down to that, so I end wearing snug gym clothes, like lycra workout tank tops that just compress everything inward.

I'm short, about 5'1" or so and about 120lbs, and I've never found a bra that fits me. I've worn anywhere between a 34C and a 38DD if you can believe that... that much of a difference, but I've tried everything trying to just find that one magic bra that supports, feels comfortable, doesn't cut into me, dig into my shoulders, or scratch my breasts and skin (as a lot of them do). They bind, they dig, they pucker.

My neck hurts, my posture is not the best, when I have my periods they feel especially heavy. I worry about tissues tearing internally.

Being petite and out of proportion makes finding bras difficult. And I agree, it is a health issue because this affects our posture, our development, our ability to participate in various activities, it affects our self esteem, physical health, skin, and there have been reports linking bra-wearing to breast cancer (although I don't know what manifested from those reports).

I'm also asymetrical, so one is larger than the other. Combine that with the way they're sort of uhm,...growing in different directions,... makes it hard.

Someone suggested getting one custom made (and I know this can be done in some specialty stores... a store in my "hometown" -- don't live there now -- used to make specialty custom-made bras for nursing mothers, women who've had lumpectomies or mastectomies,... or if they were looking for something in particular,... easy to adjust for arthritic hands, etc., etc.).

The name of that store was Gazebo, but I don't know if they're still in business. They made a lot of custom-designed womens' intimates.

posted 09-23-2003 03:54 AM            

My favs come from Victoria's Secret. I LOVE the body by Victoria line. They're soft and comfortable, but very supportive. I even bought a convertable bra from that line so now I can wear strapless and halters and it /still keeps everything in place/. (And for the record, I may only be 24, but things are *not* perky and firm ).

posted 09-23-2003 02:18 PM            

I love the bras from "Just My Size" ... they have some really comfortable bras in big sizes, and they carry them at Wal Mart, but you can also shop online for them, just do a search.

posted 09-25-2003 08:17 AM            

Have you seen the commercials for the new.. playtex?.. line out that comes in half sizes? I can't remember what they call it exactly.. but I know there are several lines that do this now. Check out stores like Kohl's, JCPenny or whatnot. I KNOW ElderBeerman carries them if you have one locally.