TheGFG, your D is probably aware that she cannot wear pull-on cutsey bras; she needs a sports bra that is structured and separates “the girls” with her 34DDD (34F?) top.
This is the bra I ran for 4 hours non-stop and can vouch for its construction. It is intended for high impact sports, has a terry cloth/microfiberinsh inside, and comes in large sizes, including 34F:
Here is the same bra at zappos and she could get several sizes and figure out which one fits her best, including trying a smaller band and bigger cup. Shipping at Zappos is free both ways, so she can return whatever she doesn’t fit or want.
I can’t imagine the discomfort of wearing more than one bra at a time. Sounds like a very bad idea and much better to invest in two or three that really fit and provide appropriate support. She can hand wash and it should towel and air dry overnight or at least within 48 hours.
Good luck. Zappos has others, but with her size, underwire, fitted sounds best for appropriate support. I’m going to order several myself and try them out.
On Zappos.com, there are several sports bras that have underwire a and are available in a range of band sizes. Chaffing can be caused by too loose a band. Try a band size smaller and one or two cup sizes bigger on zappos.com. If they don’t work, just ship the ones that don’t fit back–free postage each way.
I’m going to buy a range of sizes, like I did for my mom’s shoes, to figure out my size and style and ship the rest back.
I really thought I’d be uncomfortable in a smaller band, but with the bigger cup size and smaller band, it’s actually MORE comfortable. The band is supposed to be doing 80% of the lifting, which it can’t do when it’s too loose. The straps are just supposed to do 20% of the work, which is why the proper band size is crucial. You are only supposed to be able to fit one or fingers all the way around the inside of the band on the loosest hook and no shifting when you put your arms over your head.
I get supportive bras at GapBody. I wear a 34, and it is adjustable. I know they have D and DD, but didn’t look further. Wow, GFG, I can’t imagine bleeding with running, how awful.
Many mistakenly think that a sports bra has to have a wide band and to smoosh breasts into one big uniboob. Take a look at what Serena wears (and she knows this high impact stuff!):
Looked up the Berlei running bra. If what I ordered doesn’t work, I’ll order that. Have to say, it looks like a push-up bra and in the pic it doesn’t seem to completely cover the upper breast and even the thin model has bulges at the sides.
Last year I ordered every sports bra in her size from Bare Necessities and most didn’t cover her properly. Then I had her run around the living room in them. The Wacoal was the best of the bunch.
I have several bras that fasten in the front, with racerback straps.
I have to get bathing suits with racerback straps, for my narrow shoulders.
But I married someone with broad shoulders( and a chin & eyebrows!), so I hope my kids appreciate it.
Oldest and I used to wear the frog bra, by titlenine, or two bras, which is not so comfortable.
I also wore a donna karan sports bra, which worked except it felt like the underwire was coming up to my chin.
VH, you should have seen me jumping up and down at Charmelle doing the “bounce test”. The only way to figure out if something works is to test it in action! B-)
Yes, the comments in an array of sizes are very positive for this Panache bra as well. The vendor does allow exchanges in the 1st 30 days with no restocking fee, but you pay postage to mail garment back to them (they will ship you replacement without postage charge).
Thanks to whomever recommended watching video of the scoop and swoop. I not only learned that technique which I will try tomorrow, but I also learned that the reason underwire is so horribly uncomfortable is that my past bras were way too small. I recently got fitted and bought two wireless bras in the correct size and what a difference! But the selection of wireless in my correct size is rather limited so I think I’ll see if I can find underwire that actually fits and see if that helps.
The bras I bought were Wacoals at $60 a pop at Nordstrom, so I went to Ross today and they had nothing ( too much of a newbie yet to try fitting myself unsupervised ). So that was a bummer. And I was reminded of why I hate Ross; they treat you like a criminal when you go into, and when you leave, the dressing rooms.
TJMaxx, Nordstrom’s Rack, Macy’s and Ross all have SOME different/unusual sizes you can sometimes find at amazing prices.
The salespeople at Nordstrom’s vary tremendously. Both of the times I was fitted, I was told I was a different size. I have since learned my correct size on my own and via videos and online reading and trial and error. The local bra boutique was much more helpful than Nordstrom’s and had much more experiences staff (the co-owners).
I have found my very unusual size --or at least close to it at Ross, but it’s a real hunt. I’m very lucky if there is one in my size at Ross or pretty much any store.
Most people have bands that are too big so that the bra is loose, which they feel is more “comfortable,” but that means that the straps are doing way too much of the lifting work. They also feel the need to take the bra off asap because it’s so uncomfortable.
I recently bought this Berlei - http://www.herroom.com/berlei-bx4915-running-underwire-bra.shtml. I figured that if it works for Serena Williams it’s probably pretty supportive, and it’s the best fitting sports bra I have ever owned. I am a 36DD and run comfortably in this. Even though the straps and band look thin, the construction of this bra works. And to those who have never “stacked” sports bras, it’s really not a big deal. My sister and my D, both in the 32-34 DDD range, do so regularly and find that a Champion-type compression bra over a good fitting underwire sports bra can eliminate any residual bounce.
" Even though the straps and band look thin, the construction of this bra works"
runnersmom, that was my experience with the Anita bra I linked earlier back in the days when I was significantly bigger on the top, about your size. I do not consider wearing tops providing light compression over properly fitted sports bras “bra stacking.” A few women do that kind of layering to eliminate the headlight effect, not to achieve extra support. Serena’s tennis dresses have compressive tops like that. The key is to have a properly fitted bra, because 2-3 poorly supportive ones do not equal one really supportive, and that’s what the posters were talking about. If you like tanks with light support at the top and yet breezy at the bottom, Lululemon’s TaTa Topper tanks are the best:
I think we need to accept that correct sizing can vary with brand and style. And our particular shspe. Same as with shoes. Must say, some of those sports bras are cute and I wonder if they’re also good for everyday.
The only way to figure out if something works is to test it in action! B-)
Serena’s tennis dresses have compressive tops like that. The key is to have a properly fitted bra, because 2-3 poorly supportive ones do not equal one really supportive, and that’s what the posters were talking about. If you like tanks with light support at the top and yet breezy at the bottom, Lululemon’s TaTa Topper tanks are the best: