The Bra, Reinvented

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Originally Posted by colorisnt

Nordstrom's is great. Fig Leaves is, too. I recommend going to a Nordstrom's or Dillard's to try on some larger sizes in some brands you like, buy a couple, and then try that out. If they work, go sales shopping on line. I don't think I routinely pay less than $40.00 for a bra but never more than $50-60.00 if I sale shop. Although, I like really fancy things. I am a bit of a clothes horse when it comes to bra and panty sets.

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I recently got 2 Panache Cleo bras NWT for approximately $27 each, including shipping, from EBAY-UK. One was last summers pattern the other last fall but for the price I didn't care. They were returnable but I already had the bras so I knew they would fit. Ebay US was 2x the price as the UK Ebay.

Lots of cheap bras, new and used, are available on a subreddit called Braswap and also on Bratabase. Bratabase is neat because women measure their bras, include their own measurements and give information on how the bra fits. For fittings and general bra advice there is a subreddit called A Bra That Fits. It's a great resource for anything bras.

Huh, only one cup size available in bras with my band size. I don't know if it's actually the correct size, but I don't think I'll bother with their sizing kit to find out. And $60?!! So much for a customized fit...

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Originally Posted by Kathi

I recently got 2 Panache Cleo bras NWT for approximately $27 each, including shipping, from EBAY-UK. One was last summers pattern the other last fall but for the price I didn't care. They were returnable but I already had the bras so I knew they would fit. Ebay US was 2x the price as the UK Ebay.

Lots of cheap bras, new and used, are available on a subreddit called Braswap and also on Bratabase. Bratabase is neat because women measure their bras, include their own measurements and give information on how the bra fits. For fittings and general bra advice there is a subreddit called A Bra That Fits. It's a great resource for anything bras.

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Thanks for this. Interesting that you mention the UK. SO many more options over there. When I went back there last summer, I bought a whole bunch for CHEAP. It saved me a lot of money here. Of course, I still have a bra-buying problem, but I didn't worry about it so much after having some quality replacements.

I think a big issue is that bras are suffering from vanity sizing issues, I have always used the band size as per my measurement and the cup size is per measurement, and I have have enough trouble finding something in stock as simple as a 34dd good help you lot with petite fits. I don't understand padded push up bras for anything beyond a b cup, VS don't have 3 clasp closures. If I am a DD I want a wider band strap and no push up or padding, I want smooth lock and load preferably with separation. I don't have to much trouble with sports bras with a compression fit but the uniboob is tolerable when working out. Online is easier for finding something in stock. Heck, my teen needs a non sports bra and even bras in her size are padded to the max in the kiddie bra area.

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Originally Posted by Skippyak

I think a big issue is that bras are suffering from vanity sizing issues, I have always used the band size as per my measurement and the cup size is per measurement, and I have have enough trouble finding something in stock as simple as a 34dd good help you lot with petite fits. I don't understand padded push up bras for anything beyond a b cup, VS don't have 3 clasp closures. If I am a DD I want a wider band strap and no push up or padding, I want smooth lock and load preferably with separation. I don't have to much trouble with sports bras with a compression fit but the uniboob is tolerable when working out. Online is easier for finding something in stock. Heck, my teen needs a non sports bra and even bras in her size are padded to the max in the kiddie bra area.

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VS still has SOME that have a 3-clasp but they are in the minority. I am wearing a 3-clasp one now, actually. A biofit from about a year and a half ago that is in great shape. My roommate works for VS and is a DD as well so she has the knowledge with these things and can point me in the right direction. I'm lucky! I got a bra there that allows me to convert it yesterday. It was one I'd already bought before but it was SAS and I lucked out getting another nude bra. I can't ever have enough of those despite my love of all things lacy and pretty.

I feel you on the padding. My roommate loves the padding and pushup and I think it's too much. I like unlined bras, too. She thinks they are uncomfortable but I like to have a nice unlined bra that is supportive but not too full-coverage. My favorite choice with those is wacoal, though. Super pricey but sometimes I find them at Marshall's for cheap.

I haven't bought a new bra in ages...because I stocked up about um....8 yrs. ago. However, my new stock is running low and so I've been hunting. I'm appalled by the pricing and um..for an A size, how:

*plain,ugly a lot of bra styles are. Sorry I don't want to wear tank-like, jogging racer like bras under my clothing. But nor do I want a lot of lace. I like thin adjustable straps. I don't want tank top like straps. (This might be more possible perhaps for smaller breasted women.)
*how much I don't want a cotton/mix fabric bra. I don't want bras made from T-shirt lycra material.
*how overly- padded/push up many styles are. (Yea, ok it's nice to have lift.....occasionally. But this makes dearie actually laugh.)
*how expensive (for a quality bra even for smaller women)
*weird bright colours. Do these women romp around in neon coloured bras?

Maybe I'm old...and don't "get" the current fashion of wearing these under see-through tops. I don't wear a colourful bra then layer on another different type of coloured tank top where all the straps show.

Personally, I like the light padding, because as a small person, I like to feel a little more proportional in my clothing. I don't want to be huge (in fact, I would hate it), but it's nice to look good in a t shirt. I also like my bras to be a little luxurious, not super lacy, but not like a sports bra, either. For years, I had trouble finding good fitting bras in my size, but, in the past 2-3 years, it's become easier. While I have paid up to 60.00 for a bra, most of the ones I buy now are around 40.00. Since changing sizes (from a 32A to a 32B), everything just looks better; this is why I go to a real lingerie store. Every year I get a 20% discount from them on my birthday, and then I go bra shopping. I also buy my Hanky Panky panties there, and a couple of La Mystere thongs. They always have to order those in my size for me, as apparently, the suburban ladies in Acton and Concord don't wear thongs :).
The bright colors, well, I don't like that, either.

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Originally Posted by Skippyak

I don't understand padded push up bras for anything beyond a b cup

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I kind of wish they *had* them for smaller b00bage, we're the ones who really need them! :p I tried on some push-up bras at VS once and they didn't have anything that I could fill out enough to get "pushed up." I tried a variety of sizes, too. And I'm typically much closer to a B cup than an A, though on the small side of B. Sigh.

Oak, I have a bra like you describe. It's a brand called b'tempted. Don't have a style #, though. I have a newer one in the same style, but I tore the tag out; I think it's a Calvin Klein. Both are 32 B, padded, slight push up. They are smooth and nude colored, so good for t shirts.

B'tempted carries bigger sizes, too. They have some cute styles for sure. Totally forgot about them. Calvin Klein has some nice styles in a DD with the perfect size straps and triple-clasp closures. The last bras I got were CK at the outlet. Same bra as the ones at Macy's except that Macy's generally doesn't carry my size in another but "old lady bras" in a box. One has just a little bit of lace on the band and some piping on the cups. Great with t-shirts.

I don't get the tank straps, either. They say they are more comfortable but I don't think they are for me. I have a very small space between my bust and clavicle and those big straps kind of catch the skin on the side of my armpit because the cup shouldn't sit there. It's hard to explain but it's really uncomfortable.

This thread makes me I seriously know way too much about bras and panties. It's because I have a huge problem with buying lingerie and cycling clothing haha.