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bra discovery

always trying

Veteran

Last of my closet clean out today-bra drawer. Had several bras still in good shape, but haven't been wearing in a while. what I am finding is that the ones I haven't worn in a while all have narrower bands on the bottom. Somehow as me and the boobs get older the wider band ones just work best. all still the same sizes, and somewhat the same styes, just band differences. Just thought I would share this as maybe someone else may give bras with wider bands a try.

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from binkle

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Yes. I think you've hit on something. I'm big busted and the bra band (as opposed to the straps) provides the majority of the support.

RobinF

Veteran

Yep. That's so important! A thinner band just doesn't feel like it's holding me in firmly enough and leaves too much jiggle!

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

There are wide bands (2-3 hooks), and there are longline bras, which can have up to five. The wider the band, the more comfortable the bra should be in theory, but I find really wide bands hard to fit. The difference in rib cage circumference between the top and bottom hooks ends up being too great to be captured by the same bandwidth size.

Runcarla

Veteran

Yup. I much prefer 3 hook versions over the thinner 1 hook versions. Recently prefer less stretchy fabric, and liking the pieced types. Never much liked 'T-shirt' bras. HATE extra padding!

Anonymous

Interesting. I never paid that much attention to that.

Anonymous

Hi almost all the support is generated by the band the straps are just to hold the cups up so you don't fall out
So if you have someone looking which is always handy to have a 2nd person and see band riding up at back ie not parallel to each side the band is too big so need to go down a band size etc
Longlines don't work so well if more apple shaped ie bit in the middle!
what they call bandless are better for that esp if shorter bodied one's like the Elomi Etta.
The better brands go to more hooks as the size increases some change model number as it goes over a certain size Primadonna Deauville does as goes from two to three hooks with number change plus slightly different in cups also Empreinte Thalia does also with bigger cup size has side boning also inc deeper sides/Band.
I like the deeper band feels more snugger plus i only buy main brands not store types so know getting a known quantity!
But also found some just don't fit no matter what size you try!

Anonymous

All if mine have 2 hooks.

Joy

Veteran

I'd like to find bras with a snug band or elastic that goes up my sides to almost under my arms so I pit would hold that tissue foreword and give some cleavage.

Anonymous

Joy have a look at Primadonna Deauville or Madison Deauville brings the most forward out of the two but both great for that!

Je te deux has good deals on them what size are you looking for? but don't forget european brands don't do double figures

April

Veteran

You will also note that the skinnier the band, the more you will get that "balloon animal" effect on your back, producing the appearance of back fat where in fact there may be nothing more than the most minimal flesh over bone.

Every bra purporting to solve this problem has a nice wide band.

Joy

Veteran

Thank you, ddtopx. I wear a 30D.

rachylou

Veteran

I have discovered this too!

Aziraphale

Veteran

I prefer wider bands myself. (I don't think I've worn a single-hook bra since I was a teenager). I agree that wider bands cut down on the "back fat" problem and they seem to support things better. I'm positive I read somewhere that the band should do most of the supporting, so it makes sense that they should be wider and quite snug.

Longline bras sound fantastic in theory, but I've yet to find on that fits right! They all squinch my ribcage.

Sal

Veteran

Such an important thing to have a bra that you love!! I agree, I prefer 2-3 hooks at the back.

I have discovered that seamed bra's fit me so much better than t-shirt or bras where the cup is shaped in one piece. Took me about 20 years to work that out. I don't wear a lot of tee's anyway, but it does mean I have to be a bit more careful with bra show through, but it is worth it for the comfort and nice shape.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Wide bands, and also seamed cups, preferably a stretch lace!

Anonymous

Hi Joy check Ebay as quite a lot of 30 band bra's on there at the moment someones listed a lot many Empreinte and Primadonna
got my friend two sets from there very very cheap a while back by watching listings saved over £150

binkle

Veteran

I'll also recommend Prima Donna, especially for full figures. When I bit the bullet and went to a lingerie specialty store for a real fitting, I discovered this brand. Very pricey but fit fantastically (I'm G cup) and last for years with hand washing. I noticed also, that they had wide bands, yes they are more comfy and work better.