Bra question for very busty girl...?

Question

Okay, so I have been looking for a bra that's not going to wear out in one month. I have a rather large chest (40DDD) and I have to buy all my bras at Lane Bryant, but everytime I buy a bra, it wears out and the straps and the elastic starts to lose its grip and the wire starts to dig in my ribs, so my boobs tend to just droop in these bras after a month. I hate this! And it's too expensive to be buying this every month. HELP, please!

Answer 1

Simple, stop shopping at Layne Bryant, and start shopping at a good lingerie store. I'm not talking about Victoria's Secret or Fredrick's of Hollywood that specialize in sexy, but real lingerie stores that cater to every woman's needs. Plus, you can get yourself measured for free to make sure you are wearing the proper size. A 40DDD in a cheap bra may actually be a 40DD in a good one.

You will spends a bit more for the bras, but they will last you upwards of a year, assuming you aren't doing anything to wear them out faster, like wearing the same bra for days on end without washing, not washing properly (hand wash or gentle cycle), putting the bra in the dryer, etc...

If you don't have a decent store near you, try figleaves, herroom, barenecessities, or any on line store that caters to all shapes and sizes. While you can still get your choice of color and style, try to stay away from the stores and sites that advertise "sexy" bras, which usually won't offer any long term support.
http://www.figleaves.com/us/home.asp
http://www.herroom.com/
http://www.barenecessities.com/

For a better quality bra, stay away from the thinner fabrics, like sheer, lace, or 100% cotton. The fabric itself won't hold up the weight of the breasts, so it only wears the bra out faster. A better choice are the ones with a trim or overlay to make the bra pretty, while still keeping the cup fabric sturdy and supportive.

Answer 2

First of all, I would go and get measured. You may be wearing the wrong bra size, which is really common! I'm a lot smaller than you are, but I was measured and found the reason why my bras weren't lasting was because I was wearing the wrong size!

I would also suggest buying bras from somewhere like Fredricks of Hollywood. They have a large range of sizes! One of my friends had a reduction but before she did, she could only get her bras there!

Also, I learned that if you go up a size number, you go down a cup size and it's the same bra. The girls at Victoria's Secret helped with that one. You could most likely fit a 42DD and have an easier time finding bras.

Also, my sister is at the top of the Victoria's Secret sizing, so she went to Lane Bryant to try and find a bra that fit. She did not like them at all and decided to try the size changing thing. When Victoria's Secret had their semi annual sale, they had a lot more bras in her size.

I would go to a store like Fredricks or Victoria's and ask them to help you find the best type of bra for you. They will tell you what styles to get and those to avoid.

I hope this helps!

Answer 3

Bras usually only have an effective life of around 5/6 months. They will actually lose some elasticity each time they are washed. You will probably need to alter the straps and the hook position over that time to compensate for this as well as shopping every six months.
Don't wear the same bra every day. Most bras are made with a lot of Lycra, which, because of body heat, tends to stretch out during the day and takes a full 24 hours to return to its shape. Our body oils cause Lycra to soften, too. Try not to wear the same one two days in a row.

Ideally, you should purchase a new bra every six months, but with proper care, every year. Ideally, hand-launder bras. But that's not always practical, so for machine washing, hook the bra together first, place it in a lingerie bag and wash on the gentle cycle. Never, ever put a bra in the dryer.

Many stores have experts on staff who can advise you before you buy. But when you’re on your own, follow these helpful insider tips.

1. Never just grab a bra off the rack and take it to the cashier. Even if you think you know your measurements, styles run differently, and your breast size and shape can change over time because of factors like weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy, or exercise.

2. Because fit varies from bra to bra, bring several styles into the dressing room with you. New designs this fall feature stay-put straps and leave off those scratchy tags. Also check out lines like Playtex’s Thank Goodness It Fits, which offers half-sizes for women who are between a B and a C cup, for example.

3. Raise your hands over your head to ensure that your breasts don’t pop out of the top or bottom.

4. Move around—yes, we mean shake, jump, and bounce. Then sit down for a minute or two. During all this, make sure the underwire doesn’t poke, the straps don’t dig or pinch, and the back band doesn’t ride up, Move up a cup size if your breasts bulge from the bra. Move down a size if you notice wrinkles in the cup material.

Remember that all bras are not made equal. Experiment to find the brand or style that best suits your figure.

Wash bras by hand, or in the delicate cycle of a washing machine in a mesh bag. Avoid shrinkage and prolong life by hanging bras to air-dry instead of machine-drying them.

Answer 4

Breast reduction maybe what you should consider. This will take the weight off the front and give your back a longer life.

In the meantime, you should go to Catherine's. They carry large bras. They are owned by the Charming Shops the same owner of Lane Bryant. But they carry a different line.

Answer 5

I have the same problem! (44F)
All the idiots that have suggested breast reduction obviously haven't considered the pain and MONEY( which you stated was an issue) it costs you!
And wonder bras don't come that big.
I buy mine at lane bryant too..but I've found several at Kohl's that tend to be very sturdy. If those don't work or you can't find the right size you should try roamans.com or nordstrom..hope this helps!!

Answer 6

All of the above are good suggestions, but I am going to take the answer in a different direction:

When you do find a bra that fits well, TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT!!!

All bras should be handwashed and line dried.

This is save on the wear and tear greatly. Not to mention, the dryer causes parts to shrink and breaks down elastic.

Use warm water and a little bit of Woolite in a basin or sink. Gently rinse, DO NOT wring out. Line dry.

Answer 7

I think you should try a site such as www.jms.com

You will probably need to buy 5 or 6 good bras at least once a year. Try something from Bali such as their Flower Bali bra or one of the prettier JMS bras.

Answer 8

Your best bet would probably to look at maternity bras. When I was pregnant I went up to a 44 DD and I found many sturdy bras, that i'm still wearing today, 2 years later. They do tend to be expensive, but look around you can find them on clearance, and remember to try them on, they are sized larger than you would think.

Answer 9

Victoria's secret carries bras that will fit you. They are generally well made. They are pretty steep but twice a year they have a really good sale that make them somewhat affordable. Also, check out the clearance racks in Dillards.

Buy more than one bra at a time so you can alternate them -- this makes them last longer.

Answer 10

J.C. Penny's has a pretty good line of fashionable plus-sized bras that are not much better quality than Lane Bryant, but are more reasonably priced. (2 for $27)

You could also try a custom made one, but they are very pricey. Do a search for a shop in your area.