Sigh...Bras...Can you help me?
 

Okay, I despise bra shopping, DESPISE it. I need help and wondering what brands/kinds of bras you use. But I have specific problems finding a bra - so I need to give you some personal details that will help YOU help ME (I hope).

-- I'm 5'4"; weight about 101, but should weigh about 110 at least (point is, my boobicles will get bigger (which I HATE) when I gain weight, so I need to account for that)

--I need a 32 band and these are so hard to find sometimes.

--At current weight, I can *just* stuff myself into a B; once I gain some weight back, I'll probably be a small C

--Being petite, I do NOT like to draw any attention to my breasticles bc I think they look ridiculous on my small frame - so NO PADDING

--Historically, I buy a bra - and the first couple weeks, AWESOME fit. Then, even though I wash it as little as possible and am careful - it stretches out so fast - and when I NEED that 32 band and a specific fit, I can't have all that stretch

So, I want a non-padded, 32 band, B/C-ish size, no enhancement whatsoever, and I want the elasticity to last (reasonably). I've used body by victoria, but those just stretch out fast too :(.

Any advice?

Oh, and has anyone tried Playtex Thank Goodness It Fits Bra (for between sizes)?

Hmmmm ... you really must have a hard time! I can give you answers/suggestions for most but necessarily all of your requirements.

In my search to find the right bra I've searched high and low and everywhere in between. At my normal weight I was technically a 32D, but that's next to impossible to find. (You think 32B/C is hard to find, without padding, try a 32D, almost impossible. Now try to find one without padding, there's more than you'd think!) Anyway my go-to bra is from Victoria's Secret, I-Pex Demi. I'd get a 34D and I'd keep my bra on the tightest setting. But before I get ahead of myself, make sure you're the size you think you are! I know everyone says that but really if you're not the size you think you are you'll run in to even more trouble!

Okay, now if that VS bra doesn't work for you my next suggestion would be to try higher end department stores. My next best bra shopping was at Nordstrom. I found a 32D strapless bra there! :eek: It's not something you can easily find! Needless to say it was not!!! cheap, but then again it was the only time I've found a strapless that fits me. So I'd suggest going to Nordstrom, Macy's, etc. where they'd have a nice sized lingerie department and access to a good bra specialist!

Unfortunately I have the opposite problem than yours, grad school made me gain weight and I'm now 15 pounds off from my normal 115. :( So I had to go up a size until I can get back to there. Which reminds me, even though you're not where you want to be (as in you'll gain some weight and things will change) get something that fits you NOW! You can't predict the future, you can get a larger bra when you are larger! ;)

P.S. Oh and as far as the stretch thing goes. My understanding is that by their nature, bras need to be 'retired' after a few months to a year or so. They natural adjust with so much wear and tear. I hate that, but I've realized it's true. Then again, while my bras stretch, it takes a very long time for them to get to a stretched out point that I notice. I notice the underwire moving much sooner! So if you're having stretch problems within a month or two maybe you're not in the right bra to begin with!?

Here is a link for Playtex bras. I see in their sizes they have 32. Good luck.

Find Your Bra Size: Bra Finder from - One Hanes Place – Outlet Prices, Great Selection !!

Good luck finding your "perfect" bra....I'm still looking....Between the straps falling down, cups that bag, constant tugging on the cups to get coverage, and feeling like I'm being squeezed...ughh!

The biggest complaint I have is the same as yours.....Loss of its holding power!! They start out nice and perky then one day I put it on it's back to the dreaded rock in a sock look....

They also just fall apart way too fast!....One day I had on a v- neck tee shirt, I looked down and it looked like I had a little white snake peeking out of my cleavage. It was the under wire!..:eek: It had worked it's way out of the bra and was getting pushed out!.....

I've also had some bras where the elastic on the side panels just snap!...It looked like I had spaghetti noodles hanging off from under my arms!...I swear men must make these things!

I heard on Oprah (i think) that you should get a bra that fits you in the dressing room on the loosest hook. That way when it stretches out, you have a little bit of room to make it tighter

I dont know if you tried there but my daughter is 5 feet tall 120, 34 D, these are her favorite bras.... I dont know if you have one near you but they actually have a BRA Drawer, in the Bra Drawer they have every single kind of bra they sell , you tell them the size , they hand you the whole drawer.. these do NOT strech out, they are very pretty and YOUNG looking, my daughter hates old lady bras " as she calls them" , they are great in the wash ( hang to dry) , I was hers on gentle cycle.... Really give these a shot.. they are made very good!!

bra collection - American Eagle Outfitters

she uses the lightly lined and Tshirt bra!

Great post. I feel the same way. I don't despise it but it does frustrate me. Last week I bought a pretty good one from Victoria's Secret. It's called the perfect bra. No padding which I think is what you wanted. Give it a try. Good luck!

If you find a good one please share, I am a 32 B/C ish too! I have a heck of a time finding a 32 band on a bra! :rolleyes:

And any Bra that strechs out from Victoria Secrets is returnable.... I have had to take back a few bras, I alway save my receipt and they give me a brand new bra... we have big " bobsicles " in this house and I HATE when you spend 50 bucks on a bra and it last a month and the elastic goes!!

These are my favorite.

barely there Invisible Look Wire-Free Bra

I been there soooo many times
 

I'm a36 DD, wich I did not know till I went to Frederick of Hollywood, they have an amazig service, they measure you and give you all the time you need,they have all sizes, you just need to tell them what you want, they really helped me, I have tried every brand, it was a nightmare for me to go bra shopping, then I found this store and I never gonna try anything else. Good luck finding your perfect fit:animal-pa

I forgot to say, they have everything, style In there from outside look like just a sexy kind of store that's why I didn't try it sooner..

I'm 117 and a 38 DDD (SOMETIMES a DD) and I agree with every single thing you said.

What bugs me.... is I buy what think is a great fit - the girls are right where they should be...

a week later.... they're heading south for a nice Costa Rican Vacation without me :(

LOL and WOW....we are all having soooo many of the same issues! Argh.

I am going to check out those links :) thank you.

For the heck of it, I ran over to Ross today - and by such luck - I found a 32C $44 Calvin Klein bra for.....$6.99!!!! A 32C!!! I let out a tiny shriek of joy and some girls around me looked at me really weird. Little do they know! :p

TLC, does the wire free have enough support? Bc of my small torso, but C breastisies, I always get underwire for added support. Do you think I should try without?

Good info here, thanks gals, keep it comin'! :D

hmmm, IDK how to answer. I have implants, so I just never go for the wires, but even way back when I hated wires bc they would always find a way out and dig into my skin. The Barely There brand feel is so soft and comfi. That particular bra does have a light pad to it, and that may be enough support. If you happen to be in Kohls check them out ;)

:thumbup: I was going to suggest checking discount stores like TJMaxx, Marshall's., etc. They always have "odd" sizes, I saw a 32DDD in Marshall's once:eek: And CHEAP:thumbup: I also agree about returning bras to VS, they have a great return policy. Shoot they should, as much as their bras cost. The Body line there is crap, my daughter is a 34D and her bra was ruined in just a couple of weeks. We wash bras on the handwash cycle in our washer, with woolite, and hang to dry. And STILL that sucker stretched out:cry: Her PINK bras from there are doing great, though! They have several in the Pink line, she gets the ones that are very lightly padded (no push up,just a nice thick lining---good for t-shirts.

I used to be a 40G and that was a nightmare:eek: OH! and whoever gave the advice about fitting on the loosest hook when buying---RIGHT ON!:thumbup: That's great advice! I learn something new here every time:D

I have the same problem AND when I do find a bra I like... well, they discontinue it!! grrr

I'm the same way..when i find a bra i like i buy a bunch of them...cause lets face it...only my husband is going to see it LoL BUT THEN...they discontinue it and i have to start ALL over again. Drives me nuts!! :mad:

I concur about the American Eagle bras - they fit great and don't cost and arm and leg either!!!!!! I have several of theirs!!! I'm not sure you can find a 32C there, but I know they have 32B (my daughter's size). I completely replaced my VS bras with these as they fit really well and last a heck of a lot longer.

I have also had pretty good luck with the Fruit of the Loom bras at Walmart as well, but they do have a little padding and do not come in 32C.....

I were a 30c and have to order them threw a place here in town that makes to fit but they cost 100 a piece and that sucks but they do last don't know if they have a site but it's the pink tree in moosejaw sask but I diffinetly know how you feel all my friends spend 25 to 50 on there bras I wish

Pretty much every bra they make come in a 32!!
My youngest wears a 30 B and she can wear thier 32's since the store is really a " teen" young adult store, thier sizes do run on the smaller size..

Calvin Klein! Ironically I LOVE him and his bras and jeans so much! And we share the same birthday! I just found this out a couple years ago even though I am loyal to the brand for years and years!! haha anyways, I have a ton of CK bras and they are all great!! :) By the way, your definitions are hysterical!!!! LOL

Okay, update on MY BRA RANT.

So, I went to Kohls - positive, hopeful, ready to outfit my girls in a totally awesome harness.

Nothing.

There was not a SINGLE, solitary, gawshdarn, freakin' 32C in the whole bra section! What LE HECK? And yep, checked Juniors bras too.

And EVERYthing is padded. Why? I don't want padding, I don't want to look any bigger bc it makes me self conscious.

Can someone explain to me why 99% of the bras nowadays come w/ padding? Is it to look a little bigger? Is it to avoid the unwanted headlights when cold? Is it for something else that I just don't understand?

Am I the only chick who doesn't want padding, are we like .00000001% of the population? Argh.

Ya know...I know a lot of people like a nice set of boobicles - but I've always just wanted to be a large A cup, that's it! I wanted that when I was 12, I want it now that I'm 41 - bc I like that small, athletic look. This C business is a pain in the chest.

Okay -- \Rant. :p

Sorry it didn't go well for you. Try the bras at American Eagle. They are only very lightly padded ~ I believe it to keep that smooth look under t-shirts. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the fit and the price.....

Ever since you posted that link, I was looking on AE. It seems a lot of them are push-up (don't want :)) or padded - but I'm still going to give them a try bc you really give a good recommendation. I'll see if there is a store near me. :)

Thanks for listenin' to my rants, LOL :D.

I hope this works.
I went to Macys.com
I went to Women's, then Lingerie, then narrowed down by 32C and Calvin Klein. I hope this works!

Macy's | Intimates, Women's lingerie, Lingerie sets, Plus Size Lingerie, Bra, Panties & More - Macy's

They may be defined as "push-up", but the basic ones I have are underwire and they don't push up or together, just a nice comfortable fit. The problem I have with many name brands (other than VS and these) is for smaller sizes, the cups are too close together and not at all where my boobicles are located!!!!!!!

Ya know...I *do* generally reallly like CK bras, they're very well made.

So, question, when you buy a CK bra - how long do you expect it to last? Maybe I have unrealistic expectations on the longevity of a bra....:rolleyes:

That's also what I was wondering about "push up" - in some cases, it seems to mean "cleavage" (don't want); but in the way you're describing it, it's more just like a nice "lift", which is great! Do you get a demi or regular cup?