OT: Non-itchy training bras? - YouLookFab Forum

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OT: Non-itchy training bras?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My daughter, at twelve, needs to start wearing a bra. We got her two beginner bras; one is just a simple stretchy type similar to an Elita bra (http://www.elita.com/html_en/en_prod003.html) and one is a more traditional looking "trainer" that looks a bit like an athletic bra.

She says that both of these itch her terribly. She finds them itchy not just when they are on but also afterwards.

I'm having trouble figuring out if this is just a matter of her getting used to them, or if she has allergies. She isn't (yet) developing any rash, but she does tend towards eczema and has sensitive skin, so I feel I need to take her seriously.

Anyone have good recommendations for really comfy training type bras?

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Patty

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hmmm. I haven't a clue. Have you tried the normal department stores, Suz?

Laurinda

Veteran

This can be a very annoying problem.

I have a latex (but not spandex) allergy, and certain bras and exposed elastics on knickers drive me crazy -- and leave red welts along the strap lines. As soon as I try one on I get a reaction, so at least I don't get stuck with unwearables. But I find it difficult to get information ahead of time on which brands have latex.

If this is your daughter's complaint, and she does not need much support, maybe there are all cotton bras available? Elastic bands covered with fabric are ok for me, too. Maybe other people know of hypoallergenic brands or styles?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for checking in, Angie. I got both of these at our (sole) department store. There is no sales assistance to speak of and the people on the floor couldn't even direct me to the right department, so I doubt if I will get any answers there. ;(

And Laurinda, your complaint is exactly what I wonder about my daughter. But one of her bras has NO exposed elastic. So I wondered if it was the fabric.

Maybe I will make a deal with her to try wearing them for five days straight. Assuming no rash, of course. If she gets a rash or welts, she shouldn't wear, of course! But if no rash, it may just be a question of not being used to the feel of them, period.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Are camis with built in shelf bras any good as a "transition" for her?

kellygirl

Veteran

Gah, you would think by now there would be something to bridge from girls to juniors. We had success with the double layer cotton knit "bras" at Walmart. They are like a shelf bra but provide adequate coverage (but no support or anything.) Justice also had some padded cotton bras that had the hooks in the back--more like a real bra but with smaller cups. Target had some Maidenform bras with smaller cups but they were almost demi-cups which made a weird silhouette under knit tees. Between the three of these options, we managed to get through the awkward "training bra" period. Also, depending on your daughter's size, you may be able to find an "almost A" at a regular department store. Good luck : )

wannabe

No ideas on where to look for training bras, but I wanted to mention that a few months back I felt just like your daughter. All of a sudden my bras started itching me like mad, just under the bra cups, and you can imagine how uncomfortable I was in public wanting to scratch the itch. I don't have particularly sensitive skin, but I tend to not use harsh detergents and soaps because my skin is a bit dry. Anyway, the bras were old, I couldn't pinpoint a reason why they started itching like they did, but it was time for a wholesale bra replacement anyway so I went ahead and tossed all of the old ones. The itching stopped after a few days of lanolin cream. I haven't had a repeat of the behavior yet.

If your daughter is just not used to the bras yet, maybe the fabric is just chafing her. Using a lotion with lots of lanolin in it should help. I still have gobs of pure lanolin cream around the house from breastfeeding days and I tend to use it for all skin-related issues because it works like a miracle.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I got these shelf-bra camis at Marks Work Wearhouse for my 'transition' and I love them a lot! They also have ones with soft padding for later on too ... Dunno if you have one of those

Also; I found the ones from Walmart were ++++++itchy!

Louise

Veteran

Have you washed them? If not it could be something on the fabric from the manufacturing process? x

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great suggestions, thank you!

We have washed them, so it's not the manufacturing process. (Thought of that first; and she doesn't react to our detergent usually.) But a cami with a shelf might be a really good transition. We do have Mark's Work Wearhouse and we have Walmart, too, so I could check. And lanolin cream is a great idea; maybe if she just slathers herself in that the problem will go away!

I'll keep you posted!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

We found "training bras' to be horrible in all sorts of ways. My dd went from sports bras right into regular bras. She's super sensitive, too- but has not had a problem with the regular bras.

Megan

What size is your daughter? Could sports bras work better to get her used to the feeling of wearing one? I know I wore sports bras under my tshirts when I first needed a bra.

Lululemon make really nice ones (bit pricey but they last well) and they do mail order.

I'm 5'2 and 1/2 and 102 pounds and Luluemons size 2 fits me well. They come with bra cup inserts so there are no nipple exposure moments when it's chilly

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The ones she has are more or less like sports bras (one with no real support and the other with a little bit.) She's still pretty small and mainly needs the bra for when she is doing tae kwon do. For the rest of her life she sort of disguises things with a baggy T-shirt, LOL. She is a bit of a tomboy and isn't really keen on wearing a bra in the first place, which may be part of the problem!

Kari

Veteran

I have no idea what current brands to look at as it's been a while but I remember the first training bras I wore were like what Kellygirl is talking about - a double layer of cotton, and a kind of similar shape to a sports bra, no hooks or straps. They were quite comfortable for me as I was getting used to wearing them, and the cotton fabric was VERY soft.
These are very similar to what I wore back in the day.
http://www.herroom.com/barely-.....-bra.shtml
http://www.herroom.com/elita-6.....-bra.shtml

BTW: I'm prone to eczema and rashes too, and I always have more trouble when the climate suddenly gets cold and dry. Maybe your daughter is having difficulty as we're heading towards winter?
(I don't know about Ontario, but my skin freaked out in the dry air in Toronto - I had to slather lotion on my cheeks and gloss over my lips to avoid cracking open, my throat was dry, and I started getting a small patch of eczema on my hand. So she may need a bit more TLC at this time of year if she is anything like me.)

elpgal

Veteran

I highly recommend the Barely There crop top in Kari's comment. Very soft and non-binding.You can find them at Macys in packs of 3.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I didn't want to wear a bra either (or have a period, but that's another story) - I didn't really get 'into' wearing it until my mom just gave me some money and sent me to the mall by myself. Going with my mom was VERY embaressing and I'd rather use bandaids to deal with the nipple problem.

HAHA; childhood stories

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Kari, you're right about the dry winter air in Ontario, compared to Seattle, at least! (Compared to the prairies or the mountains, we are a veritable swamp here, believe it or not—so it's all relative; I experience what you were experiencing whenever I go to Winnipeg or Calgary or Banff!) It was worse for you because you were making the transition; a person's skin adjusts and I suppose you learn to drink more to stay hydrated after a while. Having lived both here and in Vancouver I have gone through the adjustment a couple of times. It's much easier making the adjustment to the coast!

Those bras you linked to are exactly like one of the ones she has. Hmmmm.

But you're right her skin needs extra care, so I should ensure she's really dosing herself with cream more regularly.

LOL, Lyn, I totally get this. I was really embarrassed about the whole thing, too, at the same age. Especially when the very busty SA walked in on little wee me in the change room. My daughter and I discussed the shopping trip in advance; she said she wanted to come with me and LOOK at them, but didn't want to stand with me at the cash while I was making the purchase.

Patty

Veteran

There used to be a Le Senza Girl store for young girl lingerie but I think they are all closed now. My daughter used to love to pop in for the underwear experience/atmosphere---sure beats Zellers!