Can we talk bras ladies? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Can we talk bras ladies?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

So as a result of losing some weight and inches, my bras no longer fit properly. I need the "girls" to be upright and feeling good as I go along this health journey so definitely need to buy a couple of new bras.

I am looking for one "sensible" bra - t-shirt bra with good coverage, no visible seams, wider straps, good wide back band. I have a horrendous time finding bras where the straps will stay up because of my silly narrow and sloping shoulders so if you have any advice there, I would greatly appreciate it.

I also want one lacey, prettier bra - but still well fitting and comfortable. You know...make me feel pretty and throw hubby a bone here...

Any recommendations?

Shopping

40 replies

Latest reply was from Elly

Carla

Veteran

Good luck with the bra search ( and congratulations on the reason you need a new one!). For the shoulder slippage issue, see if you can find a quality bra that is convertible, and wear it X back. I do this a fair bit since I wear a lot of sleeveless tops, and this way the straps don't show...but it might help with straps that slip down the shoulder as well.

Wendi1984

I've recently started wearing this bra from Soma. Very comfortable, smooth under clothes, wide back.
http://www.soma.com/store/brow.....8;prd=Vani=

I have lost weight, too, and my old bras were so unflattering. Now I'm comfortable, everything's where it belongs, and clothes look so much better!

DonnaF

Veteran

I like Le Mystere's Dream Tisha. One style has lace at the top edge and another has no lace. They are sold by Zappos, Nordstrom, and probably most online bra retailers. The cups are a bit hard and molded so not to everyone's taste. I like them because the back band is three hooks rather than two, and the wider band helps the back fat issue. I am a 32DD in Wacoal and other brands, but a 32D in the Dream Tisha. The band is very snug which I really like, as I may be close to a 30 band but have never had the opportunity to try one on. (Dream Tisha starts at 32D.) I've sworn off Wacoal completely as I feel they don't offer me sufficient support these days. The Dream Tisha is also set so the straps don't fall off my narrow sloping shoulders.

Umm, my girls are set wide apart, so no cleavage ever. This also impacts what styles will work for me so YMMV.

I'm always on the lookout for a wide back band in my size (32DD usually), so if you run across any. . .

K. Period.

Veteran

I have had great luck with Wacoal, but they just discontinued my favorite. *Sigh* I bought every one that I could find. I really like the Wacoal brand, though and highly recommend it.

For strap slippage, I definitely recommend very inset straps--the closer to the fastener, the better. I have to confess, I have been a Victoria's Secret hater, but I recently bought a bra from them that I love because of their strap positioning. Their new multi-way has little openings ALL ALONG THE BRA BAND that let you move the straps as far in or out as you want. I almost fell over when I discovered it, I was so in awe. However, VS is the worst for fitting you in the right bra. I let the gal there measure me and she said I measured a 34 C. I'm not. I'm a 34D or DD. Mine are broad. If they don't really pay attention and aren't really well educated, they always want to shove me in too narrow a cup, which resulted in years of pinched sides. Youch! When I tried on the bra, in 34D, it looked perfect. Beware too, if you are outside their typical range, they will sell you one that has too big a band in order to compensate for not having a big enough cup size. Awful.

Oh oh ooh! Agree with above--I have worn the Dream Tisha a lot and loved it until I lost weight recently. Unfortunately, I am now small enough in my cup that I don't get the right fit with them anymore. However, I used to adore it and my mom loves it too.

So, bottom line for me is that I think Wacoal and Le Mystere are great and for VS view with suspicion, but you may be surprised. And even more important--why not buy the bra styles that have worked for you in the past, but in a smaller size? I'm a big fan of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach to bras.

sarah

Veteran

Exactly what DonnaF said. This bra does make things "perkier", but at my age, that's a welcome change.

I've also started using these a bit for the "strap-slipping" issues, which I also struggle with unless I'm wearing more of a racer-back style (and those are quite limited in terms of options).

kkards

Veteran

i am a firm believer in getting a professional fitting. if you can find a good fitter, they they can not only get you the correct size, but also get the straps set properly, and recommend a style that will do all that you are looking for.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Chantelle are my go to bras.

KikiG

Veteran

If you think you have a good bra on, put your shirt back on over the bra. And then take a picture with your phone. The dressing room phone picture, which I learned here, has been life changing!

I had some very nice bras, once, that did not bring my breasts together. It visually added weight and made me look bad in clothing. It was a huge relief to eventually conclude that my shopping issues could be solved with new bras.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

This is the bane of my existence! Returned yet another bra this week in a long long line of near misses. I think it's too personal a fit to offer broad recommendations. But the Simone Perele Caressence 3D has worked for many of the not so endowed here. (my own 30E is just a tad big and yes, the straps want to slip off my slightly sloping shoulders) so I am still hunting for a well fitting bra.
http://www.boosaurus.com/2012/.....ators.html found this site with a collection of calculators interesting. FWIW, they tend to want to put me in a smaller band, so I'd keep that in mind when playing with it.

Glory

Veteran

I have recently purchased this bra - I found it at Winners but they have it at Sears. Extreme comfort. They have a few other options as well.
http://www.sears.ca/product/li.....162842-436

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I can't tolerate underwire, but this underwire one is the most comfortable bra I've ever worn: Bali comfort-U. Lightly padded and has a sensible 3-hook back.

http://baliintimates.com/bras/.....8;color=WH

ETA: I wanted to add that my shoulders are narrow and slope down, too. These straps STAY UP. I had to replace a couple before a year was up because they started feeling poke-y, but I'm not sure if it's because I gained a lot of weight at that time. I've also been able to find them for as little as 17USD so I don't mind replacing. I love them so much that I have around 5 at any given time.

Peri

Veteran

Hi Shannon,

Can't help specifically because I have differing fit issues, but I'm learning an insane amount about bra fitting from these two sources:

line4line.blogspot.de

thebutterflycollection.com

The blog is running a series, ask the bra fitter, plus the woman who does the blog is supremely interested in bra fitting. She has a ton of links to other sources. I learned more in one day about the source of my fit issues than I understood in my 40 years of wearing bras!

And the butterfly collection is a Canadian company.

Hope this helps some. I'm on a serious hunt also.

Peri

Veteran

Oh, just checked...it is just butterflycollection, not the butterfly...

But, they specialize in D-K, not sure if that it your issue. I just remember reading a post on their site on what causes shoulder slipping. I have wide shoulders... never have that problem!

rachylou

Veteran

I have slopey shoulders too. Convertibles worn x-back is helpful. Also bras that have more coverage in the back - I don't know the proper term - but that are more like a tank and not just a cross-hatch of straps.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Wacoal, Fantasie and Chantelle seem to be the best bets for me. My tee-shirt bra of choice is by Fantasie.

Agreed with KikiG's advice for the dressing room! Also, I now make sure I check out the side view with a tee shirt over the bra I'm trying on. A couple of times I've gotten a bra home only to realize that the side view is weird -- either oddly flattened or somehow off. My boobs are quite front and center, and some bras seem to push everything out to the side.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I find Calvin Klein bras fit me well because they have fully adjustable straps, are well made, and comfortable. They might not have a huge size range like Simone Perele (my other favorite brand). However Calvin Klein is great for average sizes and priced around half of Simone Perele. I have to have the straps shortened for the S.P. brand because they are not fully adjustable and one of my shoulders slopes so I need a much shorter strap for that (right) shoulder.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

And I wanted to add that I have never, ever had a slipping strap with Calvin Klein.

I just got this one: http://www.barenecessities.com.....56_product.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I wear Calvin too. But I am (of course) between sizes in them as well. Natori is also a good one. Their convertible mesh is awesome in summer heat! http://www.barenecessities.com.....abel132005

Kristin L

Veteran

I tried the Josie by Natori when I was fitted and love them. Good luck with your bra search!

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

I am 100% with kkards on a professional fitting. Body shapes and breast shapes are so individual that what works for some may not work for you or me. I had a fitting just last week and came away absolutely flabbergasted by how different my size was from what I thought. I walked away with three bras, two lacy, one smooth, all three with outstanding support and perfect fit.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think the "perfect" bra is so individual that you need to go to a good bra boutique and work with a fitter, or educate yourself about how a bra ought to fit and then check out different bra sites to see how different styles and makes work with different breast shapes. If you decide to go the latter route, I'd second the recommendation to check out Kristin's site http://line4line.blogspot.ca/ She is the closest thing I've seen on the internet to a "bra whisperer" because she is a fanatic about proper fit.

One of the suggestions from the bra fitter who is offering suggestions on her site about sloping shoulders is to look for a bra with straps that start closer to the centre of the cup. Here's the quote from Veronica on Kristin's site:
Do you have narrow or sloping shoulders? If your bra is snug enough to anchor the bra to your body, the problem may be the bra straps themselves. I'd suggest trying a bra with inset straps. This refers to straps that are positioned more at the center of the cup (like with a full cup and some plunges) rather than off to the sides (like with a demi or a balconette). A wider-set strap on narrower or sloped shoulders will almost always fall off (except those of my beloved Empreinte which angles the straps on its balconettes so that they are more centrally positioned at the back of the bras).

I know that once I realized that my fit issue was wide-set, full-on-the-bottom breasts and realized that the balconette-style with a three-piece cup worked the best, many of my fit problems vanished.

ETA: Buying at a bra boutique can be pricey, but once you've figured out a style and brand that works for you, you can usually save quite a bit of money by ordering on-line, even when you calculate exchange rates and shipping charges. I've used the UK Figleaves http://www.figleaves.com/uk/ and have always had a good experience with them. And, for some really weird reason, Canada Customs does not charge duty on bras ordered from the UK, but it does on ones ordered from US sites like barenecessities! Weird, but true. And, another tip, if you order online and need to return a bra, using a padded envelope instead of a box can save quite a bit on shipping charges.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree that it would be useful to go for a fitting. Also, you might consider spending (or trying to spend) a little less now, because you will surely need another set of bras in another 6 months. It is money well invested, however.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I like Ralph Lauren bras for non-slippage - they just seem to fit better and last quite a bit too; I've had one for about two years

Unfortunately they set off the metal detector at airports. I learned THAT the hard way.

Nicole D

Veteran

I like Simone Perele too, but agree with Gaylene and Suz that you need to get a good fitting and try on a few that are recommended by the experts. And don't gasp at the price tags. I just bought $700 worth of bras for DD and I. You need three good bras: one to wear, one to wash, one to recover (good elastic needs a day to recover apparently). And some fine fabric wash to care for them.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, and while you are at it, get new workout bras if you can. I have an awful time with that. It's one capsule I definitely need to refresh soon! I tend to try to get mine at Winner's and, as you know, our Winner's here is sort of substandard and doesn't always have much a available. You can imagine the result...

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Wow - you folks are a wealth of information! This is all VERY helpful. I will definitely go for a professional fitting but these suggestions give me brand names I would like to try once I know my size and thank you for the information in particular about what to wear for sloping shoulders.

I'm a pretty average size (36C...or was anyway) so that isn't my fit issue - in fact, my shoulders are really my only issue.

Suz - funny you mention work out bras. I went last week to The Bay and bought three Shock Absorber bras - FANTASTIC! Worth every penny. And if you watch The Bay website, they sometimes go on sale, although not often. I'm not sure if I'm the same size in a regular bra though so will still need a fitting.

Thank you everyone

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes, workout bras can be quite differently sized.

You may find that your size is a lot different than before. I used to think I was a 34B. Um...not so much. Whatever I should have been in before, I'm now a 30 C or D (depending on the maker). Which is unfortunately a lot more difficult to find than 34B.

Makrame

Veteran

I used to think I was 36C. After trying a bunch of sizes I switched to 34D or 34DD. I like Dream Tisha bra mentioned above for a smooth, molded cup option under knits (my only complaint is the cups looks "too round" under clothes). I get these bras from Bare Necessities when they have 15% off coupon (not sure if this works for Canada). I also like Chantelle Rive Gauche for a lacy, seamed option and usually buy it during NAS.

carolbee

Veteran

My go to bra now is by Shapeez, the Unbelievabra. I get the soft cup, not the molded. It is THE most comfortable bra I have ever owned, smoothes the back fat, and the longer version is great for winter - no camisole required. Its costing me a fortune (the shipping to Oz is expensive) as getting the right fit has been a bit of trial and error but I love them so much I am willing to do it.

12