Ok, does anyone know a decent *reasonably* priced brand of bras? V's Secret makes me angry every single time I walk in the store. Not only do I not want to pay $40 for a bra, I certainly don't want to pay the extra couple of dollars for the "full figured luxery" they are trying to sell me, since having bigger boobs is a crime in that store. (heck, wearing anything except a size 2 is a crime in that store)

So guide me - what's a good bra brand?

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2000

Answers

Go to any major department store and they can help you

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2000

I agree, department stores are the best. I've found bras I really like at Mervyn's, with good sales.

Also, of all the places, Frederick's of Hollywood. Not only do they have fairly well-structured large cup-size bras, they also carrya few 38-40 B and C cup bras, which are damn hard to find in a department store. Their website or catalog usually has a better selection than the shops. I haven't loved every bra I've tried from them (go for the functional bras: seamless, push-up, full-figure; their showy bras aren't meant to be worn for long, if you know what I mean, and fall apart), but the good ones I've gotten are sturdy and hold up to washing.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2000

Lane Bryant's bras (the store, not the crappy catalog) are excellent. They're usually running a sale of some sort, and they're the only ones for full figure that I really like.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2000

Liz - regarding V'Secret and their over-priced, ill-made product:

You are so right. However, if for some reason you simply must have something from them, I suggest ordering it online in their clearance section. They always have the "full-figured" sizes available online which MAKES ME SO FURIOUS since they don't have them in stores.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2000

One problem with ordering from Victoria's Secret online is that their sizing is completely inconsistent! The last time I went there to buy bras (which was about two years ago) the saleswoman actually suggested that I try on two of the same bra in the same size because the fit varied from garment to garment! They may have improved this over the last couple of years, but it was enough for me to swear off them forever.

As for good bras, I'm partial to Olga, although I'm extremely bitter that they discontinued my favorite style.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2000

For discount bras, try justmysize.com and onehanesplace.com. These are Hanes outlet sites. You can try them on in a store, then look for them here at somewhat of a savings.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2000

And may I add, does EVERY bra have to have an underwire? I hate them and it's getting impossible to find "wire-less" bras!

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2000

If I walk into a V's Secret and think I can find a bra to fit me much less one of reasonable price then I need to be wearing one of those comfy canvas jackets that tie in the back (hmmm, I wonder how much support *those* give...)

I usually find a style that works for me and then comb Target.Mervyn's/ etc mercilessly looking at their sale racks. Sometimes I can get one for as low as $7... Yeah, verily I say unto thee...STOCK UP on sale bras. =: )

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2000

You know what I find really odd? A lot of the larger sized bras have weird padding. I'm not sure what the point is - at a DD cup, I'm not really looking to make myself appear even bigger...

-- Anonymous, June 24, 2000

If you live near a Dillards, their house brand Cabarnet is a good brand. They range up to DDD/F cups, and they tend to be flattering and appear in seasonal colors as well as the standard white, black and beige.

If you wear above an F cup, I'd say bite the bullet and try ordering bras from the UK; they actually make pretty bras in G-M cups, and they're not the lace monstrosities you get in the States. Bravissimo (www.bravissimo.com) and Unvercover Experience (http://www.undercoverexperience.co.uk/).

To get help figuring out the sizing system, try the Buyer's Guide for E-cups and Higher (www.plussizebras.org) ; for help figuring out who gives the best service Finding Large Cup Bras (http://www.medianstrip.net/~julia/bra.html)

As you might have guessed, I've had to go through this whole mess recently, and it's been very NOT fun.

-- Anonymous, June 24, 2000

It's not like Victoria's Secret makes good small bras either. All of their 34A's are baggy in front on me. Not cute.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2000

About a month ago, I found something in Belk's that thrilled me to no end: a seamless, wireless, strapless bra that offered decent support (I'm right inbetween a D and a DD, so that's very important!) at a very reasonable price. It's made by Barely There (http://www.barelythere.com). They call it a bandeau, but regardless of what they call it, it's still a fantastic bra.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

sarah, Bali's makes several non-underwire bras.

I've been wearing Bali bras forever, and find they hold up well. Vicky's Secret is the biggest waste of money on the planet. Not only do they sneer at any rib cage larger than a 38, their workmanship is shoddy and their sizing (as was said before) is inconsistent.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

I could use some help in this area too...since my baby was born, I've gone from a C to a DD. (I could actually feel it happening, but that's a topic for another time.) I want to get back into running, but I clearly need new sportswear. Any recommendations for sports bras for the larger size? Bouncing around is the last thing I need right now.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Diane: I devoted an entire weblog to that very subject back in January. There is also a forum thread linked from that entry.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Here is the sports bra thread.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Ask and ye shall receive! Thanks, Beth.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

It chafes my hide that Victoria's Secret doesn't make bras for over certain sizes because we're "not their target demographic" or whatever. Occasionally I find a 38C there, though, and I do keep looking because they are so very very pretty. Any bra over a 36C can't be *just* pretty, though; the more support necessary, the less pretty is possible. I think. This is also true of shoes. Scan the racks of cheap (perhaps that's the problem) shoestores like Ross or Payless and notice how everything 9 or over is black and matronly.

Anyway, if you have access to Nordstrom, try there. Their prices are high, but high and worthwhile, unlike Vicky's. A bra is something I have no problem paying a price for: comfort, support, no bobbling or at least minimized bobbling, being able to function.

(I cannot understand anyone wanting bigger breasts for any reason. They're so impractical and uncomfortable. Well-fitting, comfortable bras are my substitute for breast reduction, which is a surgery I'd like to have one day.)

My current favorite bras I bought at Nordstorm for I forget how much but probably between $25-40 each. I guess that range only because I doubt that they sell them cheaper or that I would buy them higher. Underwire, which I don't mind in a well-fitting bra; no seams across the cup; no lace to scratch; and that rare size, the 38B.

My current favorite pretty is from Victoria's Secret: lavender and lacy (therefore a little scratchy, but bearable) and with matching panties. I discovered, a month ago when I had to run six blocks to go home and get a tampon, that this bra is functional as well. I wouldn't run a marathon in it, but it offers better support than I expect from Victoria's Secret stuff.

My sport bra I just love. Nike developed it supposedly with the U.S. soccer team. It *says* no uniboob, but I don't think that's possible in larger sizes. It's not a boobsmasher, anyway. It's snug around my ribcage under my breasts but otherwise it's just swell, the best ever: Nike Style 281101.

(Speaking of Nike, I have to go OT here for a second and say that I have seen the end-all be-all of tattoos: a woman with a swish on her foot just where it would occur had she been wearing sneakers.)

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Over at bluefly.com they carry Bamboo, a brand that I've only been able to find in a few boutiques in NYC for a pretty stiff price. You can pick up a bra and panty/thong set for under $20 bucks! I love this brand because the underwire doesn't poke (unlike VS, I've found) and the lacy styles don't itch.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

I love olga bras (wish i could find their manufacturers website). My biggest pet peeve with going into a department store is that i always seem to find minimizers in my size but not regular bras. I am not into minimizing cause i like what nature gave me and don't really see any need to flatten or hide it.

Bravissimo.com is great, but stuff from there is going to cost you cause they run to the more expensive stuff from UK. Look in the sale section cause that stuff is somewhat more reasonably priced. This is a great site for swimsuits too!

I also recommend barenessities.com. They run to really large sizes..50H's i think maybe larger...and some of the harder to find smaller sizes too...plus everything in between. Many styles are discounted 10 to 20 percent. AND they are not hideous...you can really find pretty larger sizes here. Also they sell larger soft cups and sports bras.

One more: jcpenney.com. I know that they really only go up to DDD in a few sizes but they do have some larger rib cage sizes. and returns are really easy if it doesn't look right or fit right.

Anyway i hope that helps anyone interested.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Being a 38 F...I have done a pretty complete search for bras that give support, but as a college student, I want PRETTY too...Thank God for Fantasie of England and their Freya brand! If in doubt...give one a try and see what I mean when I say that this is a bra that can stand the wear and tear of the washer while still looking great for years. They are pricey...and that held me off for a good amount of time, but the money I spent on worthless bras that either wore out quickly, gave me "uniboob" or offered no support could have been spent on a couple Fantasies that offer the best all around comfort and durability I have seen...and their sizing is impeccible. I bought three bras without trying them on (previously impossible with other brands) and they all fit perfectly. Try Fantasie for any cup size if you are looking for what a bra is supposed to do anyway (support) while still offering femininity, style and variety! DO NOT be put off by the price...you will get your money's worth! Good Luck!

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

I also love the Lane Bryant bras --- I found out a while ago that Lane Bryant, the Limited and Victoria's Secret are all owned by the same company. They have different stores to market to different target audiences.

That's why there are no large size bras at Victoria's Secret -- they all get shipped to Lane Bryant.

Someone else mentioned Cabernet at Dillard's -- that's my second favorite bra. I wear a minimizer Cabernet and it only costs $16.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

I'm with some of the others on the Lane Bryant issue -- and the store, yes, not the catalog.

They have a good range of bras available for fuller figured women. I haven't fit into a V's Secret Bra since I was 18.

I'm also partial to onehanesplace.com -- they had a good series of bras in there that I liked, since I'm a 'please don't poke me with that underwire crap' kind of girl, but they discontinued some of their products recently and my favorite is no longer offered.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

Thanks for those links, Beth. Just the other day I was wishing I had access to those bra threads again.

Unlike most of you, my very favorite bra is a VS brand - the "Body by Victoria" bra. It is an unlined microfiber underwire, and is the only bra that I've ever found that fits me perfectly and provides non- bouncy support, as well as managing to be comfortable enough that I don't want to kill someone by the end of the day.

I wear a difficult size (34DD.) There is very little to be found between the extremes of foofy little bra-lettes that won't hold me up and heavy artillery that looks like something my granny wore. The VS bra is kinda expensive, ($32), and it is true they get stretched out after six months, but while it lasts, it is the best bra I've found. I've just web-ordered two more. They don't seem to go on sale very often, unfortunately.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001