Comfortable Bra

My favorite brand is Wacoal. I'm not pregnant but I also have difficulty finding comfortable bras. Finally, I decided to spend the money and went to Nordstrom's. The clerk fitted me with a Wacoal after trying other brands and it is still comfortable. The clerks at Nordstrom's are trained on how to fit a bra. Wacoal is one of the more expensive brands but it was worth it.

Once they do fit you, you may be able to find discontinued styles at Marshall's, Ross or another discount store. Unfortunately I've not seen anything like the Wacoal that I bought but I did find a couple of other similar styles that worked.

I'm ready for new bras and am going to buy them all at Nordstrom's. The hunt for a less expensive one just wasn't worth it. I probably spent nearly as much on the ones that didn't work.

Hi N.,

I recently went to get new bras for the first time since my son was born (almost 2 yrs. ago) and didn't even realize how uncomfortable my old ones were until I got new ones. I went to Victoria Secrets for the first time ever and was a little sceptical at first because lets face it i'm not %100 comfortable with my body these days. The ladies were really nice and helpful. They sized me and brought me all kinds of bras until I found one I liked. So there was no getting dressed and going to look for more and I felt really comfortable the whole time I was there. I love the bras that I picked and the expierence was great! Good Luck!!!

J.

I buy all my bras from Victoria's Secret. I can not stand to wear anything else, other bras always seem to not stay put or the under wire twists! My favorite are the VS Cotton lightly lined full coverage. They give great support (I am a D/DD), great shaping, and are comfortable all day long. Best of all, they are 2 for $40 almost all of the time, so they are affordable as well. I refuse to wear anything else, except the one satin Biofit bra I have also from VS, it is super pretty, and comfy, but they run on the expensive side (I got my one on sale). Hope this helps, nothing is worse than a bad bra!

I have to concur with the ladies who say get professionally fitted. 80% of all women wear the wrong size bra!

At the end of my first pregnancy - I got fitted and was a 38G - I thought I was a 40C/D!! NOT!!

Every bra manufacturer is different as well - so sizing will vary one brand to the next - Wacoal is a standard among many women for great fit. You want the band to be snug on the loosest hooks - as it stretches you will want to be able to make it tighter with the inner rows of hooks. If not - your band is too big. The straps should fit comfortable without digging into your shoulders or sliding off. The band should not ride up your back - again, if it does - your band is too big. The center of the bra between the cups should fit flat across your breastbone. If you are spilling over the sides of the cups - your cup size is too small. If you have puckering - your cup size is probably too big. It is always a good idea to try on several sizes in the same style - because of the variances.

Good luck. If you are getting bras now to carry through while breastfeeding - no underwire!! Good luck.

I like Soma Intimates.

As a 36 DDDD I rather have to (and love) underwire bras... but they're all 80-100 on SALE :P :P :P

I get mine from Nordstrom (Freya, Fantasie, etc.) Come to find Nordstrom keeps the D's and up in the back... so if you go to the counter and tell them what you like (demi, full cov, thin strapped, wide strapped whatever)... they'll bring out bushels of lacy goodness. The upsides with N...

1) Killer staff
2) If a bra doesn't work out you can bring it back
3) They KNOW their stock... aka there was this lovely lacy dream of a bra, but they warned me that it was one of the ones that's only good for a few hours and then it needs to be taken off to "rest". So I bought it KNOWING that... and only wear it for special occasions.

Title9 has amazing sports bras of every kind imaginable, complete with reviews. I know there's one in Greenlake... not sure if there's one further south... but their website is www.title9.com

Personally I'd be hesitant to be buying bras right now ... since your bust size is going to be super wonky for the next 1-2 years... but that's me.

I have not found the perfect bra and I have been measured. i hate bras, but I hate going braless. I hope you get some good ideas here!

But I did find a dream of a sports bra and when I wear something with a small enough neck so that you can't see the strap I wear it because it is awesome......Expensive, but awesome!

Moving Comfort made in Israel. RN#120275 CA#07820
and the #20011.......have no idea what those numbers mean.

First get professionally measured so you wear the correct size.

Second...Nordstrom and Neiman's are my favorite places for bras.

Third...Wacoal is the best supportive bra I've found. I am 34DD naturally. I like no lines/decor on the bra, simple style and I love mine. I think I paid about $65 each... I usually buy 2-3 at a time.

Good luck

I LOVE the motherhood maternity nursing bras. They are cheap and super comfy. I wear them 2nd trimester through nursing. When I'm not pregnant/nursing I love Victoria Secret. Their bio fit is amazing. I also like their new lines of econo bras. They are about $19 and super comfy. They will fit you right in the dressing room then bring bras into the room for you to try. Don't bother shopping around the store. Head straight to the dressing rooms in back.

I second the getting measured if you haven't recently. I am 7 months pregnant with #2 and just recently got measured for new bras. I "thought" I was a 34B. Well, that's what I was wearing anyway. Didn't feel much bigger and they still "fit". Nope, I was a 38C/36D!!! Crazy! Just the simple change in size has made my life 100% better. I'm sure it's hormones too, but trust me. The girls feel so much better!

Best nursing bra I ever found was made by Bravado. Be careful to not wear underwire if you are going to nurse - they can lead to blocked milk ducts. And make sure you don't just go up in cup size - chest size usually increases as well! I went from a 34 B to a 40 C!

Hi N.... I had almost same problem during my pregnancy and all my life.., atleast 16yrs out of 30 yrs..And then I went for a bra fitting in Nordstrom in Bellevue mall..And although they are little pricey., they will fit you with a great one....., I did shop around various brands,various shops, but always end up in Nordstrom..and now I just go there every yr , take my old ones [1-2] and ask do I need to change my bra..since size changes a lot during pregnancy and later , I would ask them to suggest not a very expensive one.Also take some coupons..Hope this helps..

Have you ever been measured? This saved my life!! I was wearing the totally wrong cup size and compensating for it in my band size. I am a 32F (that's a dddd), so finding something comfortable was an absolute must. Go to Nordstrom if you have one close and someone in their lingerie department can measure you. Then once you know your size you can try anything and everything on. My favorites are Freya and Fantasy. Also check out www.brasmyth.com...tons of choices and easy return policy with reasonable prices.

Good luck in the search...I totally get the frustration!!!

I have this one and I'm veeeeeeeeeeeeery happy with it....

Playtex 18-Hour Active Lifestyle Bra - White (4159) from Target (apparently I can't add the link)....

I'm DD cup and I have to have a comfortable bra too....

I love Playtex !!!!!!

I hate bras.... but I use Calvin Klein "perfectly fit" bra, which I got from Nordstrom.
Because I hate bras... the straps... I use strapless bras. I find it is more comfortable, with anything. Even when I was nursing.. I used strapless bras.... and yes, the extensions for the back strap. Which is real handy and useful. Practical too.

Here's a link for the Calvin Klein:
http://www.google.com/search?q=calvin+klein+prefectly+fit...

Good luck,
Susan

I haven't found the perfect regular bra, but my perfect nursing bra (and wear at end of pregnancy) is bravado lifestyle bra. My first bravado lasted well into nursing my second child. where the motherhood maternity bra lasted only a few months. It is a racerback style so straps don't slip. Some local stores carry them but check online (google bravado designs). they also have a bamboo bra. They retail between $40-50

I love the Victoria Secret ones called Body By Victoria. Also, I agree with the others to go to Nordstrom and get fitted. Personally if I were you, I'd only get one or two for now while you are pregnant because your size is going to change a lot in the next months. :)

The bra fitters at Nordstom's do a great job helping you to find a bra that works for you. I have found that they have a good selection for those with larger cups sizes as well.

I have no idea where you live but if you are close to Gig Harbor, Wa, The Bra Lady is wonderful. She has a studio and does a private fitting for all her clients and then makes recommendations based on what your needs and preferences are. Fittings are done by appointment only. Sorry, I don't have her number.

N.,

I agree with the others--get fitted! I have found the Victoria's Secret Body collection very comfortable. I wear a 36D. I didn't find a comfortable nursing bra so I just wore a regular one and pulled it over. Yep, I ruined the bra but it worked while nursing. As for sports bras, have you checked out www.titlenine.com? They rate their sports bras for "bounce". I have really liked the sports bras I have purchased from there and the returns are really easy if you aren't satisfied.

I remember trying to find a bra when I was pregnant. I am normally a 38C/D, but during my 5th month, my boobs suddenly got huge, and I went to Kohl's to try on bras. I finally found a 42DDD. I remember sitting in the dressing room topless and bawling my eyes out for almost 15 mintues because I was so frustrated. The bra that I ended up with was a Bali bra style # 3320. Here is a link so that you can see what it looks like...

http://balicompany.com/detail.asp?col=8&cat=1&sty...

I like that the cups are just a little bit lined, it's not enough that you feel like you are wearing a padded bra, but enough so that you don't have to worry about your nipples poking through it. Even after my pregnancy, this has remained my favorite bra (but now I am back to a 38D).

P.S. I LOVE the bra extenders, because I find that the really really cute bras usually stop at 36, so I just put on an extender, and tada!, a sexy bra in a 38 :)

I'm the same cup size as you and did the professional fitting at Nordstroms. It helped so much! Worth the extra $$ to be comfortable. For nursing and pregnancy I like the bravado! brandh nursing bras size L++. No underwire, just enough support, breathes and I think the newer ones have a place to insert nursing pads.

I have to say that the perfect bra for me and I am about the same size as you is the body by Victoria bra from Vicoria Secret. It is about $40 but keeps it's comfort, support and shape a long time. Don't get the push up one just the regular one. I was a little sore the first day at the end of the day but since then it has been great. It is my fave to buy when I am not breastfeeding and I have bought it for years. It has memory foam to fit your breasts. . . anyways try it out. Also Victoria Secret will fit you also so I am not sure if you need to go to Nordstroms and then VS.

Go to Nordstrom and get fitted. Buy Wacoal. Done! :)

I'm another vote for Nordstrom! Their staff all know how to fit you and know their stock well so that they can recommend the right bra for you. Bras are really, really personal. We don't think every pair of jeans in the same size will fit us--why do we think every bra will? I've got favorite brands (I like Le Mystere and Chantelle), but I wear different sizes in each and not all their styles work on me. They are expensive, but they last forever.

Most women aren't comfortable because they are wearing the wrong bra size. My sister (sz. 22) insisted forever that she was a 36 B. I (sz. 8) thought I was too. Guess what? 10 years ago we got fitted and she was a much larger band size and smaller cup size. I was a much smaller band size and much larger cup size. I typically wear a 32DD or 34D now. I always thought the pinching on my sides was just how bras fit and that they just weren't comfortable. Turns out, I was crushing the sides of my boobs into too small a bra.

The bottom line is get fitted. And don't expect your pre-pregnancy bra or bra size to fit your pregnant body. (I'm pregnant now too and had to go up a full cup size.) And you'll need a different bra for nursing. Not encouraging when you are trying to save money, but it is like buying inexpensive, poorly fitting shoes. The suffering just isn't worth it. Give yourself this little treat of a well fitting bra, and economize somewhere else. It is worth it.

Wacoal bras are amazing. First bra I ever found that actually held me up without hurting! Oprah did a segment on bras and raved about this brand and says it is the only kind she wears. And even though they are super functional :) they are also cute. You get them at any department store. Nice if you are not a Victoria's Secret kind of girl!

1) get professionally (nordstrom) fitted
2) if you plan to breastfeed, they suggest not wearing underwire bras...
3) bra extensions won't really work.... your cup size will change along with your chest measurement.
4) if nordie's has a bra you like, go home and find one online for less $ (even ebay)
5) try: figleaves.com, barenecessities.com and bravado bras (bravadodesigns.com) are great :) i always order a lot and return what doesn't work

Good luck!

They're not that pretty, but I find that the playtex 18-hour bras are really comfortable. They don't have underwire, which I found incredibly uncomfortable when I was pregnant and afterwards while nursing. I buy them at either the Tulalip Outlet mall or the outlet mall in North Bend. They were something like 3 for $40 when I bought them. Great deal since they took me all through my pregnancy and I'm still wearing them until my boobs shrink (weaned not too long ago). The ladies in the Tulalip store are incredibly helpful (can't remember which I bought them in, but there are two underwear stores in the same stretch of mall and both were really helpful). For comfortable nursing bras, I shopped at the hospital store at Evergreen and again bought ones without underwire. I was a 40H after I gave birth and a 40G leading up to the birth and am a 38DDD now, really hoping to regain my D-cup status soon, so I know how important comfort is!