Keep me posted, Mo. I pop out of CK bras - and yes, they run very small. They look great when I don't move - but you know - I'm hyper so it doesn't work.

One of the haters. I just feel like I am exceptionally hard to fit, and I find most of them really uncomfortable too. I'm a 34D or 32DD, but I'm very wide and shallow instead of projecting forward so a whole lot of bras dig in at the sides.

I've tried two local specialty stores and no success, plus stores like that tend to not take returns. Well, I can't tell if I'm going to tolerate or hate a bra right there in the store...I have to wear it at least 30 minutes doing normal activities to even have a clue. So I've blown some money thinking a bra was okay and an hour later wanting to run it through the wood chipper.

I had high hopes for Nordstrom after all the glowing reviews and knowing they would take returns, but two tries there were some of the worst experiences ever...unfriendly staff who seemed less educated on fit than I am...which means barely at all.

Yep, least favorite shopping ever!

Well, I wouldn't say I hate bra shopping, but it's not my favourite thing. The reasons you like bra shopping (or, should I say, bra buying, because I imagine the having of new nice bras is the whole point? ;-)) fall a little flat with me. You like pretty, lacy underthings; with a few exceptions, I am unmoved by lace. Knowing your undergarments are lovely makes you feel prettier; I require only that my undergarments are comfortable and make my outer garments look good! I think I'm the kind of person who doesn't care what's going on backstage, as long as the show is great, lol. But finding bras that make my bust a nice shape and that don't have lacy lumps, and that come in my size, is actually kind of hard.

Plus (and you're not going to like me saying this), bra shopping serves to remind me of all the little "imperfections" of my torso that age and motherhood has brought. I'm actually OK with the loosening belly skin and the beginnings of back fat, but it doesn't mean I like to be reminded of it via three-way mirrors in the harsh light of the public change room.

Finally, I am one of those women who does not like breasts, period. Mine are a more or less regular size, but really I'd prefer to be nearly flat. So bra shopping is just this annoying thing I have to deal with for a body part I'm not thrilled about. It's like shopping for gear, like running shoes. Needs to be done, but not exciting.

Oh, and to advocate the other point of view, I think demanding comfort from a bra is extremely reasonable. What man would put up with something on his boy bits that felt like bras feel on us?

I don't really hate shopping bras. But I get my bras from only one brand. Marks and Spencers! They are the only store who make bras without underwire and padding (for everyday wear) in 32 D in my neck of woods .... Oh and they are pretty too :). All other pretty brands stop at C cups (!!!!)

I don't really bother buying matching sets either (mainly because my bras don't come with matching knickers) I prefer cotton hipsters and boy shorts. Then I match them with whatever color I wear up top. That's my strategy anyway!

I dislike bra shopping because as a very flat (A cup) person, it is almost impossible to find a bra that is not heavily padded, and I'm just not interested in faking it! I don't mind being flat- I just wish I could find good bras that let me be me!

Peri, you're right. Finding a comfortable bra is 100% reasonable. Reasonable is the operative word - and that's my point. You should be able to road test a bra - which they allow at Nordies. I wish I could take you to my bra-fitter here in Seattle.

Aziraphale, your thoughts are absolutely excellent. You provided great insights, and they make complete sense to me. Thanks so much. I appreciate that you took the time to share those with me in your busy life. xo

Sinead, have you tried the itty bitty bra company?

http://www.ittybittybra.com/

Impossible to find my size around here, and that is even before I start considering whether it is a style or colour useful or desirable! Mostly I start by seeking size then have to choose what I can somehow live with. The perfect bra? Not in reach hereabouts. And I have not even gotten into budget. Or my preference for VERY plain styles to match my cotton pants.

In a way, nursing bras have been easiest though there were several lemons I have discarded early on. What stays is all stretchy stuff that accommodates some fluctuation... But depending on these for long-term support would be foolhardy. If I can get them supportive enough, they plug me up! Yeow!

Also, hereabouts, dressing rooms are too warm and typically have a three-item trial limit. It is just an icky experience, being sweaty yourself and knowing so were those that and before.

I basically echo most of Aziraphale's first paragraph. For me a bra and undies designed to be worn under clothes is purely functional, and any detailing tends to show through at least some item of clothes and to be uncomfortable.

That said, I think I might be lucky in that most off the shelf bras in my size tend to fit well and feel comfortable -- so it's not a long drawn out process like swimwear.

I'm actually quite fond of that part of my anatomy so I do have a few 'decorative' bras and undies -- but they don't get worn out of the house as underlayers so much.

Manidipa, what is the size challenge - and will you purchase bras online?

Finding a knowledgeable sales associate that can help me find my size in a bra that is comfortable enough and with enough support. I am *SO* tired of people putting me in a larger band size so that the cups will fit. Then the band slides down, hurts, and drags the girls with it.

The one brand that worked for me and made a 36G in UK sizing is no longer sold in the US.

As for panties, well, I need 100% cotton. No compromising. Very few brands make them that way, and they tend to be purely functional.

Chiming in again to agree with Peri. You really need to wear a bra for a while to see how it feels and that's costly. I've lost track of the amount I've bought with bits of lace on in the past only to find it scratch and itchy. My kind of bras are very very plain, which of course can narrow the field down for choice.

Manidapa - have you tried Triumph or Jockey? They are the most comfy ones I found in India.

I hate bra shopping because trying on bras with mirrors all around brings out all of my worst body image demons - the accentuation of back fat, etc that comes with wearing a well-fitting bra.

I am pleased that I have finally found a good bra that fits and don't have to go bra shopping anymore!

Well, this used to be the ONE area I insisted on wearing to decide in person, but of course that trick does not work with maternity and nursing unless you are happy to jump out of the birthing suite to bra shop, stat!

But I guess I cannot rule out going online given how unpleasant in person is already, and then often fruitless.

My size challenges USED to be:
1. Am short and big both. By the time I get the girls adequately cocooned, the top of the cup is abreast (ahem!) my collar bones. Cue gappy cups at the top end of the teardrop or clips or seams digging in. Ideally I should seek a deep band but then there would be no room at my waistline to wear a belt! I am serious I promise you.
2. I started out really a 32F or G, and honestly dare not ask what the heck I am these days. The best I can typically find here is 34DD or E...and it is quite the compromise in truth. I am contained and supported, but not very well and not comfortably.
3. Wide shoulders but sloped. Straps often dig into the fleshy bit just next to the neck or mid shoulder.
4. Alternatively I have nice wide set straps that irritate my shoulder blades or slip right off... I wish cross backs were a default option. But never mind moon and stars, that is asking for a supernova right beside a white dwarf.
5. Breathability. I sweat buckets. I hate soggy bras. Especially when padding is involved... Which it often is because I like a smooth cup.
6. portability! I travel a good bit. Extremely structured styles are supportive but I really cannot bring hat boxes to transport my up crushable bra wardrobe!

Add three more now as a mom:
1. Truly easy drop cups for nursing. But secure enough not to pop open irresponsibly! Big beef with Mothercare, the go-to option here.
2. Lower sternum! All of mine sit oddly high and show over scoop and v necklines. Weird.
3. Durability. Cannot expect to buy more than half dozen but v pricey.

I suppose I should hate bra shopping - but my elation at actually finding my size and style usually overwhelms me. I wax ecstatic, to be honest.

For folks who don't have much up top, the Gap cotton bras work very well in my experience. They're also good for when you're wearing slightly sheer tops, as they don't scream "bra," and they come in a number of nice colors. No good for you larger ladies, I'm afraid, but up to a B cup I find them a godsend.

http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=807495192

Wow! I can't even fathom or understand half the issues here! Either I am blessed or ignorant! But really ... I hate dress shopping more!

OK, I can't resist popping in here because I'm still wondering why it took me six decades to figure out what kind of bra I ought to be wearing.

If I'm any example, I'd have to say that most of us don't have a clue as to what we ought to be looking for in a bra other than rudimentary band and cup size. And, in my case, my ignorance was compounded by a big dose of attitude that only "certain types" of women (porn stars? mistresses? rich, thin second wives?) cared about their underwear. It took a careful fitting, a trainee SA who had to explain what she was doing to her supervisor as she fit me (with me listening closely!), and some internet research to finally realize that PPP ought to apply to my bras as well as my jeans.

I think that every woman, in addition to knowing her starting point with band and cup size, ought to know (1) her own breast shape and placement , (2) what bra styles will be most flattering and supportive for her shape, and (3) what brands are most likely to work for her specific needs. At a minimum, I think every woman ought to know how her breasts are spaced on her body, whether they are full on top or the bottom, and what kind of shaping she expects from her bra.

A bit of knowledge about bra construction also helps narrow the field. Different styles and brands use different types of underwires--some are thicker than others, some are U shaped, some are broader with more of a "smile" shape, some are longer so they hit higher under the arm, some are low and shallow--and finding the right shape is key if you want to be comfortable. Gores (that little triangle piece between your breasts) also come in different shapes and sizes. The same goes for strap placement--some straps start near the centre of the cup while others are located near the arm. Cups also are shaped differently depending on the brand and the style--some are designed with a larger bottom piece and a narrow top, some have a full top piece and a narrow bottom section, while others use a third piece at the sides to help centre widely spaced breasts. Some women find a narrow, one- or two- band comfortable, while others prefer a three- or four-hook style. Some brands use stretchier fabrics than others which some women find more comfortable while others decry the lack of support.

I'd also suggest that learning a bit about your own shape, and what styles and brands might work, is a far better way to work with a bra fitter to make sure you get what you want. After working with other bra fitters, I came to realize how lucky I was to get that trainee in my first fitting. Bra-fitting is part science and part art. Fitters see a lot of clients in ill-fitting bras so they sometimes develop a "firm" approach in telling you what you ought to buy. To my mind, collaboration is a much better route. If a fitter doesn't want to listen, or can't explain why she is recommending something, I just thank her and move on.

Some sites that I found useful in figuring out my own shape are
http://undiegamer.com/bra-fitting-advice/
http://brasihate.blogspot.ca/2.....op-vs.html

I also found that http://www.bratabase.com/ really helped me understand the enormous difference between difference styles and brands.

Finally, I just want to say that if I had a daughter, I'd make sure that she learned about how to figure out this whole bra buying business. Bra buying ought to be as much fun as buying shoes--and I think if we, as women, started thinking of it in the same way we do all the other items we put on our bodies, companies and stores would soon make sure that buying our undies was as pleasurable as buying a cute pair of shoes.

ETA: I just can't resist adding the "decorative" bras can be "everyday" bras. Cheap lace can be scratchy, but some of my softest, most comfortable bras have lace on them. As for the invisibility factor, I actually find some of my lace bras much less visible under thin knits than a bulky molded bra. The same goes for nipple show--well-placed seams can render them invisible, but, if I want extra insurance, I use one of those small silicone patches. Below are a couple of my lace Empreinte "everyday", T-shirt bras (and they come in colors as well!):

I'm another one who is somewhat anxious about bra shopping. Like sinead, I am a small cup (A or B, depending on how small I can get the band), and every bra maker assumes that if you're that small, you want lots of padding and push-up stuff. I was in VS the other day trying to find a strapless bra for a top I bought, and one of the bras she gave me was so padded that I looked like I had gained about two cup sizes, and I told her that everyone who knows me is going to see right off the bat that this is not my true body! It did not look good but looked yucky and obvious. I always feel like my chest is so much smaller than everyone else's—and I do believe it is on the small side, partially because I've never had children—but I also wonder how much other women's bosoms are being amplified by all these padded and heavily lined bras, even when they're not push-ups.

I have tried the Little Bra Company, but they have almost all push-up styles too. I will try the Itty Bitty place you mentioned, Angie. Right now I wear a Timpa Duet (I think Greyscale does too), and I am pretty happy with it.

My other problem with bra shopping is that I like to have a breathable bra for everyday, which means cotton and not nylon. The Timpa is nylon (I think), but it has a lot of lace, so the holes provide breathability. I also wear some VS bralettes (pull-on, sheer lace, no padding or lining), and again, the holes in the lace provide some air circulation.

I'm with you that I like pretty underthings, though!

Yup, I love the Timpa duet! But I'm at the upper end of their size range and I fall out of the cups if I lean over or jump. So they're not for dance class!

My main gripe with bra shopping is that I want totally unlined bras (with underwire) and those are harder to find. Except, I realized that a lot of boutiques or higher end department stores carry plenty of them. Then it's just an issue of trying on a zillion until I find the perfect fit. I think that padded tshirt bras are more forgiving when it comes to fit - they're not prone to the line cutting in across the top of the cup, for instance. And they force your breasts into the shape of the bra. With unlined bras, I need to look for cups that are the shape of my breasts in a lot of different places, and very few are perfect.

My friend's bra shop just opened in Oakland. I know a few of you were interested. It's called A Revelation in Fit, it's on Piedmont Ave, and it carries small to very large sizes mostly imported from England. I haven't stopped in yet but my friends have all been very happy.

Manidipa,

I also am short, large, and have sloping shoulder. This bra works really well for me. I wonder if you are able to order it, if it might work for you. I wear a 32D or 32DD (F) in most bras, and in this one I need the larger size (DD).

Good luck, it sounds really miserable for you. But I would wait to get serious about bra shopping again until you are finished nursing, since that can affect your size so much.

You've got my sympathy.

I have a few go-to-brands and I stick to them. Buying pretty things have always made me sad for other reasons - I stick to the most utilitarian I can.

I'm a person who loves shopping for and collecting bras! And I try to match my undergarments too. I agree it makes me feel so pretty when I have a nice set on.

Right now I feel I am between bra sizes, so I'm not getting a perfect fit. Although my weight is relatively the same, I find my bust is getting smaller as I age. Or, maybe the shape is changing. My best fitting bras are those you mention from Simone Perele Angie. Even with body changes, the design and memory foam seem to accommodate better.

On non-work days I like wearing a sheer, unpadded bra (see CK bra below). But I think I'm giving up as whenever I catch myself in the mirror with a super sheer bra on, it's not so pretty at my age! So I'm now on the hunt for very thin foam bras. The thinnest foam bras I have found are from Simone Perele, Chantelle and Wacoal (see below). Any additional suggestions for bras that have thin memory foam with fully adjustable straps in band sizes 32 or 30 -- I'm listening!

I think good bras are so worth it. Not only do you get better fit, but also they air out and wash better. I can hang a Simone Perele out on the line and all of the food odors will be gone (from restaurant work), after 24 hours. I don't know why this is! I have noticed that with better fabrics in general -- stains and odors leave the garment better than cheaper fabrics.

Manidipa, Sarah is 100%. Do not get serious about bra shopping until you've stopped nursing.

Gaylene, THANK YOU for your excellent insights. Perhaps you can share who made those pretty bras?

Denise, you're the third one I can high five. I ONLY wear Simone Perele (changed 5 years ago), and I love their bras soooooo much. Thank you Simone Perele for making my size in a pretty lacy bra. They last long too. And as you said, the foam is very, very thin. It's not even foam.

Ah, those are my Empreinte bras--a French brand--with sizes 32C-46H. I've found the sizing, however, to actually be a bit different than North American brands. The brand is on the pricey side and usually available only through authorized retailers. FigleavesUK has some styles but they are not allowed to ship to North America.

The thought of paying in the $200 range for a bra made my jaw drop, but these bras are tough little suckers despite their delicate appearance. The ones I've pictured have been worn almost 100 times a year for almost two years now and still haven't stretched out. That puts the CPW down to a penny per wearing which seems more than reasonable for something so pretty and comfortable. And some of the Empreinte styles are just gorgeous.
http://www.empreinte.eu/en/index.aspx

Well I'm lucky if I can barely fill out an A so I find it pretty depressing. I prefer something lined for coverage, and for years have been wearing the Triumph petite tshirt bra which is like strapping on my fake chest. It's the best I can do and works fine for me. The first couple of months I usually am in pain under my arms but it goes away as everything stretches. Obviously a cue that fit isn't great but like I said it's what works. Since I'm not a petite person at 5'7.5" I find that often those bras marketed for smaller chests are also smaller all around. I'm usually a 34" band, sometimes 36" and larger band, smaller cups are tough to find. Not only can I not fill an A, but the effect of breastfeeding are pretty clear (picture miniature water balloons which have leaked out most of their water...sorry!). One of these days I'll probably buck up for a proper fitting but it's humiliating. Once a group of us were in Victoria Secret and the SA pretty much gave up on me after I was sized out...she kept helping the bigger busted friends and I slunk out in shame. As I get older, the situation gets worse, but really sometimes I could care less. Ooh I sound bitter don't I?
On a positive note, I love to run and being small busted helps in that respect. So there's my silver lining

ETA thongs all the way! I love my Joe Fresh 100% cotton whities! Key for thongs is don't buy too small! Thongs for day, bikinis or boy shorts for night. Always 100% cotton.

Gaylene those Empreinte bras are beautiful. I checked on Figleaves and they are around $108, not $200 but they do not ship to N. A. only EU so the US/NA price must be more in the $200 range. It's interesting how some European brands jack up their prices outside of the EU to retain their luxury image. Mercedes comes to mind. You could buy stripped-down MB sedans in Germany for much less than in the US where it was the same engine but with way more "padding" (see that's how I'm connecting this thought to the bra theme of the thread…).

I agree with you, Denise, about the crazy pricing. I'm lucky to have a sister in the UK so I can ship to her address when I visit to take advantage of the Figleaves pricing. That said, though, even at the inflated NA prices, those bras still represent a good buy for me because I get so much wear out of them. Sort of like a Mercedes that didn't require any repairs for 15-20 years despite my driving it every day. I'd have the fun of driving a Mercedes plus be able to justify the cost over a less expensive vehicle that was always in the shop. Hmmm, I wonder if I could try that argument on Mr. G....

@ Gaylene - I drive a Honda and it's been to the shop once in it's 14 year lifespan, so I'm not quite sure if you need a Mercedes