A question for the ladies re bra fitting

[Wraysbury]

My shoulders are so swollen that my normal bra straps cut in really badly. Has anyone found one that doesn’t do this please, possibly with extra wide straps??

[SheffieldJane]

What about looking at one piece sports bras. They have wide straps and back piece, and no wires or fastenings. This was a problem for me. Marks & Spencer’s have all kinds of options.

[Blearyeyed]

Totally agree with either the wide strap sports bra , sports bra top or soft all in one cotton bra especially if you are of a larger cup size and find that straps dig in or your bra hurts your shoulders more.

I have a number of soft unwired t-shirt bras for day for comfort and sports bikini/ aerobics bra tops with hidden zips at the front for daytime too . They don't show under your clothes and supportive across the back without digging in the shoulders . This also reduces back pain. The front fastening bras are also easier to put on.

Trying them on by getting them delivered from a shop to your home helps , get various sizings in your size group and see how it feels . Ones that aren't comfortable can be returned.

I have some from M+S , some Z bar bra, some by Speedo and Adidas and some by a company called CVit/ Crane that are actually from Lidl!!

Triumph invisible / soft cup bras are good too.

I also wear soft cotton light one piece bra tops that you can get from anywhere for night time , as I found that having some support at night helps reduce the morning pain and back pain from having an unsupported chest moving about at night.

Getting your bra size measured professionally is also sensible , even without PMR , because it's suprising how many of us change in size because of changes in health , or are often wearing the wrong size bra in the first place.

Good luck , Bee xx

[Hollyseden in reply to Blearyeyed]

Great advice Bee. Why have I never thought of ordering different sizes online!! My daughters do that with clothes and shoes but it never occurred to me to do that for bras. Extra weight with pred means I have looked for comfy bras and have a few of what you describe. I find proper fit a problem though. A lumpectomy years ago left me lopsided but I was slimmer then and chicken fillets helped 😉 Weight gain now means a turkey fillet might be more appropriate 🤣😂 Off to do some online shopping now Cheers

[Chihuahua1 in reply to Hollyseden]

Please check the terms and conditions if you intend to order with the intention of sending back the ones that don't fit because some companies do not allow reutrns of underwear.

[Hollyseden in reply to Chihuahua1]

Thanks for that advice

[Wraysbury in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thanks. Great advice

[Hidden]

I had such pains in my shoulders for the first two or three months that the only thing I could do was go braless and wear loose fiiting shirts. Its was awful dilemma (I am large breasted) but I did what I had to do to avoid that pain.

[Hollyseden in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely relate to that shoulder pain. My shoulders are still my sorest point. I also had costocondritis and was advised at hospital (when GP sent me off to A+E) that it's more common in women and having breasts don't help 🙄 so wear a soft bra even at night for support. I still do this and it helps. If I forget, my back and ribs ache even more.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Hidden]

Gosh , I am large chested too but can't manage going braless for long at all , find it adds to the back pain and mid shoulder pain with the chest weight.

[Baileyw06]

WalMart has a strapless bra that stays up ,even if your big busted and gives you more support than going bra less.Easy to take on and off

[scats]

I agree with the above. If you live near an M&S they usually have a bra fitter who will help you.

[Blearyeyed in reply to scats]

You can also actually get bra fitting done at home via the service that works for the NHS for people who have had breast surgery or suffer with back issues made worse by breast size. It is worth asking to be referred to a home fitting service at your GP or via your specialist. They probably won't have thought of it as an issue in your pain and will be happy to arrange any additional help which improves the speed of recovery.

[Angiejnz]

I actually shop on Wish, a Chinese site that does bras for every size and some are really pretty and cheap too. 🤣

[Hollyseden in reply to Angiejnz]

But isn't Wish really difficult for sizing. I've bought a couple of tops there and sizes were very odd

[Angiejnz in reply to Hollyseden]

I got one using the sizing chart which was too small but ok with a bra expander then gauged my right size from that. This difference between Wish and other sites is if you buy the wrong size they refund your money, no questions asked. I wish I could return the goods when that happens but it's only occasionally now I've got the idea of my size. Got really nice stuff from there so can recommend overall.

[Pongo13]

John Lewis have good bra fitting service - and you sometimes find you are different size for different makes. I always buy non wired and also sports bras. Once I know my size I look out at sale time.

[ruthmunby]

M&S don’t do big enough cup sizes for me. I had a bad fall and injured my back last year. I recently bought my first bra from Sheen Uncovered in East Sheen which has no wires. They’re very helpful and it’s so much more comfortable with wide straps. Looks like its from anita.com ROSA FAIA I think- tricky as I’m wearing it as I look!

Best wishes Ruth

[Wraysbury in reply to ruthmunby]

😅thanks!!

[Marcy47 in reply to ruthmunby]

You can get up to a K cup on-line from M&S.

[ruthmunby in reply to Marcy47]

Thanks Marcy

[Blearyeyed in reply to ruthmunby]

You can still take advantage of their measuring service even if you can't find a size that you can buy from them. It makes buying , especially if you buy online , alot more reliable.

[Pat9442]

The reason for uncomfortable bras is usually because you are wearing the wrong size. As someone has said different makes, different sizes. If properly fitted there should be no strain on the straps. Get fitted properly and you will be amazed at the difference. And equally amazed that you have probably been wearing the wrong size for years!

[Wraysbury in reply to Pat9442]

I agree. Thanks. I have been properly fitted, it’s just my shoulders are really puffy and swollen. I think sports bras are prob the way to go.

[Chihuahua1]

I have bought some front fastening bras that have back support and wide straps. They are soft cup with good support and fit up to size 52DD. I searched them on line but can't remember the make. I also have a couple of the one piece non-fastening bras which I found in size 3xl and they fit me quite well, but I find the straps roll up on my shoulders which is not very clever. They fit me at a size 50DD

[Cyclegirl54]

Try Marks and Sparks and their online ordering is straightforward. Deliveries can be to your home or to store(click and collect - free). Returns are no problem, just keep tags on etc. 🌸

[S4ndy]

Have a look at the cotton front fastening bras on amazon. The ones I bought were by Gem but other ones are available. They are really comfortable. I am a big busted girl and so ordinary bras have been so uncomfortable. These are great. Big straps and easy to do up I get a size bigger to accommodate the larger cup size I would normally need.xxx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Usually if the shoulder straps cut in it is because you are wearing the wrong size - the main support should be from the correctly fitting back band. Most women think they are a couple of sizes bigger than they really are, a 36 say when really they are a 32. There was an excellent article in the Guardian the other day from Rigby and Peller (formerly the Queens supplier) which explains it perfectly:

theguardian.com/lifeandstyl...

It is also possible to get pads to relieve the pressure from the shoulder straps a bit.

Nothing replaces being fitted by an expert - M&S and co try to put me in something like a 36C, I'm actually a 32 DD or E when the bra is fitted properly. It sounds big but you look far more shapely and you can see your waist No tape measures - it is done by eye and knowing your stock because all cuts of bra a different - there is a perfect one for everyone.

I used to go to Sadie the Bra Lady in Consett - she advertised on the back of the local buses and all the drivers and taxi drivers took their wives to her!!!!

[Pat9442 in reply to PMRpro]

The fitters at Rigby and Peller are really well trained ( not always the case at M and S). I have Primadonna Deauville which although expensive last for decades if washed by hand in washing up liquid. If outlay but cheap in the long term

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pat9442]

Oh absolutely - I wouldn't cross the road to go to M&S - or most other places that sell ladies requirements!! I stock up on umpteen from one or other of Sadie the Bra lady's franchises in the NE of England when visiting the daughters! She developed her own assessment technique and trains everyone the same.

[Blackcat1M in reply to PMRpro]

Please can

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blackcat1M]

Can I what?

[nuigini]

I didn't bother with custom fitting until I was in my late 50's (now 70) and I was shocked how comfortable a bra could be, and a wire bra at that!! I'd never been able to wear a wire bra. Now it's all I wear. And as PMRpro said my size was way off what I'd been wearing for years. I was buying 38B and I was actually 40D.

I must admit custom bras are very expensive, however, they last forever if they're taking care of properly. I only recently tossed the first two I bought so many years ago. I'm sure I would have spent a lot more on over the counter bras than I have on the few custom ones I've worn.

Also, as PMRpro said, if properly fitted, the shoulder straps do very little work. In fact, I have problem with the straps slipping off the shoulder and I have to do a bit of adjusting. The bra itself stays firmly in place even if both straps are sloppy.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to nuigini]

Our older daughter is very slim, but is a bit Dolly Parton-ish! When she was pregnant she was desperately trying to find bras that fitted and Mothercare told her she needed a 36 B (all they had). I took her to Sadie, we were there 10 minutes and walked out with a perfect fitting bra: a 30H. On the way home in the car she said "I didn't know bras could be comfortable!" Not pregnant she is a 28, now a 28DD. Which was next to impossible to find! Things have improved a LOT in the last 19 years!

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I agree. My younger daughter has needed 28DD since she was fifteen and it was a nightmare to find then but much easier now she's 34.

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

I went up two sizes from what was already and ample load when pregnant and my chest is always the place I put weight on straight away when on medications. So over the years I have collected bras in sizes from 36B right upto 38 F. It's very heavy on the shoulders and back , even with measuring when you are like your daughter and sometimes look like Dolly Parton because of a size 6/8 waist .

Before PMR , if I got breast growth I could use a minimiser bra , but I wouldn't advise them now as I found it put more pressure on the shoulders and increases the chest pain if your get it.

Unfortunately, it is an pain trigger that most Specialists don't seem to think about , even the Women , and with all of our other needs we usually forget to ask for help with too.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

I discovered yesterday that the anaesthetist I am seeing at the Pain Clinic does - commented what stresses are placed on the back muscles and the long term effects.

[Hidden]

Well, that was a good question posed Wraysbury. Having read all the Posts and suggestions re this subject it has answered lots of my queries re bra fitting etc. Thank you. D

[Wraysbury in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Brilliant replies. Thanks everyone !!

[SuziCutie]

I live in S.Wales. Cardiff . Any suggestions where I could get properly fitted for a bra please? Not M&S it seems !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SuziCutie]

walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle...

Not exactly recent but does show who has any idea and Boux Avenue is still there. Although Rigby and Peller agree with Sadie that fitting doesn't need a tape measure and I am never measured - and I have about 3 different sizes in different styles. It pays to go without any preconception of what you want - take the one that fits correctly.