Sports bra shopping for large bust - YouLookFab Forum

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Sports bra shopping for large bust

Kari

Veteran

This topic falls into the "gear" category for sure, but one of the top items on my "must purchase" list is a good, very supportive sports bra in my size. I'm ashamed to admit this, but for the past year or so I've actually been wearing about 3 ill-fitting sports bras on top of one another when I work out because I don't have one that actually fits and supports me.
Ideally, I'd love to find a bra under $50 so I could afford to duplicate it if the product works out. However, I usually wear a 32FF in normal bras, which makes for VERY slim pickings.

I was hoping that Title 9 would have some options, but sadly most of their bras only go down to a 34 band size, and I haven't found a cup size larger than E on their website.

I'm also looking at a couple options on Figleaves:
1. Shock Absorber Support Leve 4 D+ Sports Bra (Currently on sale, which means as per Figleaves' policy, it wouldn't be returnable if it doesn't fit)
2. Freya Active soft cup sports bra (A little pricey)
(I know they aren't pretty, but at this point I can't afford to be picky about aesthetics.)

Have any of you more endowed YLF members tried either of these products, or do you have other sports bras to recommend?

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from RoseandJoan

Sihaya

Veteran

hi Kari - I'm a size D so I know what you mean about the challenge. I've tried many and the only one that works for me and is great even when I'm doing something high impact such as running is the Champion sports bra. It's also pretty inexpensive - it's been a while since I bought one but it was something like $15. Most of the rest had quite a bit of "jiggle" and even hurt when I ran or walked briskly with them.

Maya

Veteran

Kari, I like the shock absorber bra and it ran TTS for me (I got mine on Figleaves too). I wear a 32DDD so only a little bit smaller than you.

Carissa also recommends it on her blog. There is a small amount of movement but I when you're as full busted as we are, it's just something we have to get over. Don't worry about aesthetics. Just like gear doesn't have to be pretty, nor does a sports bra have to be. It has to be functional. I don't really find ANY sports bras pretty.

elpgal

Veteran

I use a Champion bra for light activities like yoga. It is called the 'double dri' or something of that kind. I like the sports bras by Anita too specifically this one: http://www.herroom.com/Anita-5.....-Bra.shtml

I have heard good things about Enell but have never tried one.

Vani

Veteran

Kari, I've been using Champion bras for the last few years. I stocked up on a sale they wer having a year ago. At the time I believed I was a 34D as opposed to a 32DDDD (they don't have anything close to that size) but they still serve me well. There is a small amount of "jiggle" but nothing painful. I cannot seem to find them on the site now but they were suggested as maximum impact bras, had underwire and were on sale for $19.99 each. I am going to explore the Shock Absorber bras in a couple of months as these bras are almost all worn out.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I just picked up a fabulous Natori one from Zappos; it's made of cotton like a t-shirt, but it is ridiculously cute *and* well-cut. It can peek out from a tank and look like another tank! Very comfortable and it keeps the girls in place. $54.

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7446013/c/45998.html

The other one I have that I LOVE LOVE LOVE is from Athleta (the new Gap site). It's a Cara Bra from Moving Comfort. I am flabbergasted by how comfortable and secure it keeps everything, but it does only go to DD. $42.

http://athleta.gap.com/browse/.....cale=en_US

Maya

Veteran

Most of the options discussed here don't carry a large enough cup size. There is a HUGE difference between a D or DD, and an FF, so please don't compromise on this! If you wear the wrong size, you may as well not wear anything at all because you won't be getting any support. That's why I recommend the Shock Absorber bra--it's the only one I know of that comes in a big enough size for you (and me), and is adequate for anything more than gentle yoga. I see your reservations about not getting a refund though. You could get it here:

http://www.freshpair.com/Shock.....=380291541

But it's more expensive. You could get it from freshpair and return it, but by then the Figleaves one might be out of stock.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You gals are simply splendid :0)

Chris

Jumping in to recommend Champion. I picked up mine at one of those outlet malls and they were in the $20 range. It's the only non-online style I could find that went into the DD/DDD range. Not sure they go to FF but maybe.
I bought a racer back style and have even worn it as regular bra - it is so supportive and looks fab - no uniboob!

Maya

Veteran

Champion doesn't make bras in an FF. I don't think they even make them in my size. I would not consider Champion as a full bust brand. D and DD are actually both pretty average sizes in the grand scheme of things. Once you get into a DDD and over, you'll need seams and a lot of coverage.

Sorry for being a bra tyrant. Sometimes I feel like those of us with truly big boobs are just in a totally different universe where things that work for normal people don't work for us!

Chris

I hear you Maya and in Wacoal I am a G cup so can relate very well. Thats why actually trying on styles was important to me - I ended up going up in band size but down in cup size and still have a good fit. Champion covered enough band sizes to make it work.
I just hate ordering online and then going through the return cycle.
Bothers me MORE that brick and mortar stores (especially Nordstrom) can't be bothered to carry a fuller range of styles. When I was an assistant buyer in department store in Lingerie dept I was always trying to plea for more sizes - the major brands work against this though.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Title Nine has a good selection of sports bras and they rank them on a bounce rating.

http://www.titlenine.com

I really like Moving Comfort bras.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

oops Sorry just re-read that you already tried Title Nine. Best of Luck.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I do think that there is a breaking point between large/average and beyond. Exactly where that lies is probably personal- depending on band width/cup size and other factors. I'm a deflated D right now and using Champions just fine. Two cup sizes ago, they wouldn't have worked for me. Kari- I hope you find something that works for you.

Kari

Veteran

You are all awesome! Seriously, I really appreciate all of the suggestions, even if not all of them will necessarily work for me. I know I'm in a tough size range for finding bras in general, so it's great to have so many options.

Unfortunately, I really need to purchase something that fits my actual cup size this time around. I didn't mention it in the post, but previously I bought a Shock Absorber in a style that only went up to 34DD, and I know I just can't count on enough support, volume, or the right shape from that size.

I think I'm going to give the Shock Absorber a try now that I realized that $39 is the NORMAL price, not a sale price. I also like the fact that it fastens in the back - I find this much easier to get in and out of than the bras that you have to wiggle over your head, and I like the ability to adjust the band size as it stretches out.

If I need a light bra for yoga or something similarly low-impact, I might give the Champions a try since so many of you recommended them. At least with Champion, I have the option of trying one out in stores to see if it would actually fit me the way I need it to.

Again, thanks a bunch for so many helpful suggestions!

Rose

I must chime in here even though everyone has covered the original question it seems. I am a large-busted (36D) runner, fairly competitive (with myself, but I train hard run lots of miles/week on avg).. I have been running marathon and other distance races for the past 10+ years and I am pretty hard core about training so I have tried a lot of sports bras. For high impact serious running, nothing compares to the Frog Bra at Title 9. I get a size medium. I have tried many, many other bras.. moving comfort, champion, other title 9 bras, donna karan sports bras, etc etc etc.. Frog Bra is the only one that works to prevent movement, chafing, etc when I run. It is not easy to get on/off and it doesn't look hot or super cute but it works.

Rose

ps. I have been wearing the Frog Bra for about 4 years now (not the same one.. for me one of them lasts about 1 year which for me is anywhere from 1000-2000 miles of running)

Kari

Veteran

Rosemerin, thank you for your recommendation! Unfortunately, the only size in the Frog Bra that's in my band size is the Small, and I'm afraid a 32D is going to leave me spilling way over. I wish Title Nine had a bigger size range because they seem to have great products! But maybe someone else who is browsing this thread might be able to use your recommendation. Thanks for chiming in!

Maya

Veteran

The small-medium-large bra spectrum is tough when you have a small band size and large cup size. If you size up, you'll get good coverage, but it won't be tight enough. If you size down, you spill out. It just isn't ideal. I hope the Shock Absorber works for you Kari! I use it both for yoga and jump roping (well, used, I'm lazy lately *sigh*). I find it very comfortable and I didn't mind having "too much" protection while doing a lower impact exercise.

Kari

Veteran

That's good to know, Maya. I've actually been doing a lot of hot yoga in the past week, and (not to get too graphic) it was pretty uncomfortable lying on my stomach while my breasts were mashed together in too-small sports bras. Ick. I'll see how the Shock Absorber works!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Before I had my children my bra size was a 34E after having children I shrunk to a 34C, however that is irrelevant, but I do sympathise with your plight. This is a UK website which specialises in larger cup sizes, I thought some of the brands mentioned may be available in the US
http://www.bravissimo.com/prod.....ports-bras

I hope this helps Kari