My DDD’s are heading into my armpits and actually irritating me while I drive. I am looking for some kind of bra to pull them together or at least get them pointed in the right direction.
I had not realized quite how bad it is because I rarely look in mirrors or pose for photos. But I recently went to WDW and I looked at my photos with charecters and yuck!
My PA daughter is suggesting reduction surgery cause she saw my shoulder canyons and in her medical experience thinks I could get it covered. I would rather find a good bra if anyone is in a similar state and can offer a suggestion for brand and style. Thanks.
Have you been professionally fitted recently? Getting a bra that fits and supports properly makes all the difference.
I am also large busted and I like the Body by Victoria line from Victoria’s Secret. Several pretty styles to choose from, padded straps, stretchy band, and soft fabric.
I agree that it’s worthwhile getting one or two professional fittings if you can find an appropriate place in your venue. I have Ds/DDs and do NOT have canyons or strap lines that persist once I take the bras off. Having the right fit can make a significant difference, but it is worthwhile considering the various options. Have heard of many who are hugely relieved by getting a reduction–reducing back and neck and shoulder pain immensely. I’d urge you to get the fitting AND consider the reduction–why suffer unnecessarily? Since I’ve had fittings at both Nordstrom’s and small boutique, I have mostly comfy bras and usually don’t have discomfort wearing the bras most of the day.
If you’re getting “shoulder canyons,” then your band size is likely to be too big. Most of the support should be coming from the band, not the straps. If you don’t have access to a professional fitting, this page has detailed information about how to properly fit yourself: http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/beginners_guide (fill in “reddit” in place of the stars)
Wow, that’s a fascinating resource–thanks! I’ve found that clothing fits very differently with a properly fitting bra. Sadly, it means that I can’t button most of my blazers now, but I rarely did anyway. They blazers are still great to keep warm and complete the outfit.
I had a reduction about 17 years ago and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Easier to find clothes, to buy underwear, to breathe!, to do anything.
They werent even that big, about 34DDD, but my Dr suggested it, and I used the surgeon that she had used herself, ( who was also a woman), and the surgeon did an excellent job. Insurance covered it too.
Although I told the Dr I didnt even want to need a bra, by which I meant she could take off as much as she wanted, I still have a lot left,(plus I think they grew), and I agree fit makes all the difference, but also engineering to your body shape.
I mostly wear Wacoal/Parfage, but now they dont look like they belong to Aunt Bea.
Plus I can button my shirts!
“Too much” is not my problem, but I also recommend Bare Necessities to buy bras. They have sales every six months or so, and if you get on their emailing list, they’ll notify you.
Every insurance company has different criteria for approval. They all need significant documentation. If you are overweight they will recommend weight loss first. You will need to prove that physical therapy, pain medications, etc do not alleviate the problem. The approval process takes longer than in the past.
Your bra is certainly the wrong size if you are getting marks on your shoulders. The band should carry 80% of the weight of the breasts. This is clearly not happening in your case. It is possible that the band was the correct size when you bought it, but after a year or two, the elastic is no longer as strong and therefore needs to be replaced. If you ever put your bra in the drier, you have very effectively shortened the lifespan of your bra significantly.
Do not go to Victoria Secret for a bra fitting. They are notorious for incorrectly fitting their customers. Google this and you will find this to be a common problem. Nordstroms may be fine and they probably have the largest size range of bras in any department store, but they do not carry all sizes so you may or may not have success here. They carry very few bras in my size, so I don’t bother going here. I go to a small boutique and spend a fortune, but they carry my size so I am happy about that.
Also, please google how to properly put on a bra. One thing you must do is put all of your breast tissue into the cup (google ‘bra fitting swoop and scoop’). Read a few articles on the ‘swoop and scoop’ method of putting on a bra. Try this and you may find that your breast is actually now overflowing your bra cup. This would be another clue that you need a different size.
Proper bra fitting really is a skill that most of us did not learn when we started wearing bras. But it is something that every female should learn as it makes a huge difference in our appearance and in our comfort.
Nordstrom helped me find a strapless bra to wear with the dress I’m wearing to son’s wedding. My size was unusual enough that I couldn’t find a bra that felt like it would stay up anywhere else.
Why do most of the bras have molded cups!
I dont need insulation! Too hot!
Strapless bras. They end up around my waist.
I did buy one that had clear vinyl straps to wear underneath a cocktail dress that just had rhinestone straps.(at Nordstroms, they can have a great selection)
I hope this is not off topic. Does anyone know where I can find a bra with no padding/hard shape to it (I don’t mind an underwire, but one without underwire would be great too). I am pretty sure I used to get them at Macy’s, but this was when I lived elsewhere… I am around a B, if that makes a difference.
I found a couple at Target of all places. By Bali. They have a wide elastic band instead of an underwire, decent width straps, and a softly molded cup. I call them my gardening bras because they feel like a sports bra without the tightness and no racer back.
The only improvement I would make would be to make the strap adjusters in the front. I have a few bras like that and that’s a great feature.
