the trouble with having bras that fit --

[fox]

-- is that you're so much more acutely aware of the ones that don't.

i have a source for bras that fit well here in the UK, so for now i'm all set.  but in the US, it's been ages since i bought a bra from anywhere other than Victoria's Secret, which, between my discovery of what a bra feels like when it fits properly and their redesigns to the detriment of anyone over about a B cup (memo:  stretchy is not especially supportive, yo!, and also, if the straps are adjustable, they should stay where a girl puts them; this business of the weight of the breast pulling the slide back down? not on), i'm thinking i'll need to switch.  who has recommendations?

positive features:  i am in favor of colors, but not so much of decoration.  i find lace to be scratchy and unpleasant, and also to show through quite a lot.  should really be opaque.  machine washable is good; i hang them to dry, but i can so rarely be arsed to wash by hand.  36DD at the moment (36E in british), but who knows, that could change.

Comments

[cordelia_v]

You to go Nordstrom's, once you're back here. Their bras are not cheap, but they will fit you, I promise. And not all the sometimes tatty decorations that Victoria's Secret bras have. And you can wash them in machines, as long as you put them in a net lingerie bag, first.

[flt.livejournal.com]

I swear by the bras at Lane Bryant - their own brand, whatever it is (Can't look, I'm at work). I get the ones without underwire - they adjust and stay put. I'm wearing a 42DDD, because that's their biggest cup size. Really I should wear a 40DDDD, but it's close and as good as it gets for me right now. In the DD size, you'll have a good selection. Also, for decent bras they aren't over the top in expensive.

[obsessed1.livejournal.com]

Lane Bryant, actually. I believe their bras go down to 36C and no smaller, in fact. Comfortable straps that stay in place and none of those insane super-padded cups to make the girls looks even bigger.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

If you're coming back to the DC area, Dorne on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring carries a lot of good brands, including Fantasie of England.

[darthrami.livejournal.com]

I'd second this. I started getting my bras there a while back, and haven't gotten anything else (aside from champion for sports bras, and they're carrying larger sizes now, too, which is much of the happy making).

[darthfox.livejournal.com]

[willing to brave Silver Spring for Fantasie] yay! [makes note]

[flt.livejournal.com]

Forgot to mention that I'm a "throw it in the wash and the dryer with the rest of the laundry" type of girl - and my bras from Lane Bryant STILL last forever.

[amoeba-j.livejournal.com]

if you're willing to invest in some more-expensive but very long-lasting bras, look for Wacoal (http://www.wacoal-america.com/) at the better department stores (Macy's, Parisian, and others like it). they cost a little more than VS, but with careful care, mine have lasted for *years* and stay supportive.

[just be aware that they seem to also have styles especially for our smaller friends, so don't be discouraged if the first rack only has frilly smaller sizes -- look on the back or the second rack (or website) for the better styles for support]

[shaddup.livejournal.com]

I find the Lane Bryant bras to run small, though.

[darthfox.livejournal.com]

do you mean the bands, or the cups? (or both?)

[shaddup.livejournal.com]

both.

[glasshouseslive.livejournal.com]

I third it. I'm only a C cup (on a good day) but I need a 40 or 42 width, which is hard to find at a Department store. And I am NOT a fan of a narrow back strap for good support. The Lane Bryant ones tend to have a wide supportive back strap and decent shoulder straps, too.

Many more size options online than in the stores.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

Lane Bryant in the US have surprisingly well-construted bras.

[impyvixen.livejournal.com]

silver spring's changed a lot!