Bra recommendations?

[SiValleySteph]

I have just finished up 1 year of nursing my son and will no longer be nursing/pumping in the daytime. I am ready to toss my oh-so-not-sexy nursing bras. Yippee! :D

Only 2 of my old bras fit, so I am due for a shopping trip!

Any suggestions for good demi-cup or low-cut, not too padded bras for a 36B-C range? Sexy, yet good under clothes!

I haven't bought bras since before I was pregnant, so it's been a while!

I'm looking for not too expensive (around $30 or so, willing to pay more if needed!) since my size may change again.

What are your favorites?

[greenbunny]

I am looking for new bras, too. I am very unhappy with the quality and fit of Victoria's Secret. So I definitely recommend steering clear of them.

[Marie]

I like Maidenform - comfy and they have one style with a very slight padding - just enough to cover ya if you get really cold if you know what I mean. And you can find them under $30 without a problem.

[shopaholic]

I swear by Vanity Fair! :)

[ysolde]

I like Calving Klein a lot. And DKNY. I am a 36B or 36C, depending on the style, and these two brands work well on me, with little padding, good support, and pretty styles. Priced in the low $30s.

[Katy]

My girlfriend swears by the Wacoal Bras (Google search link (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c2coff=1&q=wacoal+bra&spell=1))

[dollface]

I *heart* Wacoal bras but they do run around $48-$60. But I honestly don't think I could buy any other brand. I am 32D so I am a bit hard to fit and Wacoals' fit the best.

[jojoswife]

My fav is the very sexy line at Victoria's Secret. I don't like full coverage bras, they make me feel strapped in, so the Very Sexy Demi is perfect. It looks great under: T-shirts, sweaters, and blouses too. The Body By Victoria line also has a demi and it is great for wearing with my uniforms. I haven't tried the new Ipex, but it too comes in a demi now. One of my co-workers loves the Ipex.....great coverage even in the cold radiology dept that we work in ;) .

I breast fed my daughter, so I need all the support I can get, so I don't hesitate on paying a little extra on my bras. I don't wear anything but VS.

[greenbunny]

My fav is the very sexy line at Victoria's Secret. I don't like full coverage bras, they make me feel strapped in, so the Very Sexy Demi is perfect. It looks great under: T-shirts, sweaters, and blouses too.

Those are the ones I hate. How do you keep them fitting right? After a few wearings, the edges of the cups turn up, instead of turning under like they should, and you can see lines in my shirts. Plus the straps stretch out like crazy and they are falling off my shoulders about a thousand times a day.

[jojoswife]

Those are the ones I hate. How do you keep them fitting right? After a few wearings, the edges of the cups turn up, instead of turning under like they should, and you can see lines in my shirts. Plus the straps stretch out like crazy and they are falling off my shoulders about a thousand times a day.


Well, I never put mine in the dryer. I wash in cold and hang to dry. I have not had any problems. Guess I've just had good luck with them :confused: .

[greenbunny]

Well, I never put mine in the dryer. I wash in cold and hang to dry. I have not had any problems. Guess I've just had good luck with them :confused: .

Hmm. I wash in Woolite and hang to dry, also. Guess I'm getting the bad batches!

[hockeybrat]

Those are the ones I hate. How do you keep them fitting right? After a few wearings, the edges of the cups turn up, instead of turning under like they should, and you can see lines in my shirts. Plus the straps stretch out like crazy and they are falling off my shoulders about a thousand times a day.


I've been wearing VS bras almost exclusively and I've noticed that with my bras too. I don't put them in the dryer and let them hang dry. Could it be that the quality has gone down?

Thanks for this topic, I'll be looking at other brands now. :)

[jojoswife]

Well, I'm due to go bra shopping. I hope that I don't experience the same problems as you all :( .

[SiValleySteph]

I finally made it over to Macy's to try on some of the recommended bras. Calvin Klein didn't seem to work for me. I ended up with a Wacoal, but now that I tried it on again at home, I'm not sure. Hmmm. Buying bras is tough.

I was hoping to find 1 or 2 I really liked and then get a couple.

Look like I'll be heading back to try on some more styles!

Thanks for your recommendations!

[greenbunny]

Let us know when you do find a winner, so we can all go buy some!

[jojoswife]

Does anybody have any recommendations for a sports bra?? I wear a 34D.

SiValleySteph-hope you don't mind I post a question in your thread.:confused:

[SiValleySteph]

SiValleySteph-hope you don't mind I post a question in your thread.

Of course not! We all can use good sports bras! :p

[greenbunny]

jojo, I'm a large 34C and I like Nike bras. I got one at Dick's and one at Sports Authority.

[dana b]

if you have a loehmann's near you, i get natori and wacoal bras for $20. each. i hate spending money on bras.

[tinkerbell2005]

I really like these:
http://images.figleaves.com/product/220x308/pm_ren-9955.jpg
Le Mystere Tisha bra

They are really supportive (I am a 38D) and the cups are solid enough that you can wear them under a t-shirt or sheer blouse without looking like a porn star. This bra was one of Oprah's "favorite things" one year and I've been hooked ever since. Not cheap though, $50-$60 on figleaves.com

[Tonysweetie]

I lovvvveee those bras that are microfiber! Whoa are they comfy! I've gotten one from JcPennys and one from Wal-Mart, they are fantastic and sososo soft!!!

[SiValleySteph]

So I ended up returning the Wacoal bra to Macy's.

I bought a Maidenform (their cheaper line, obviously :)) at Target for $11.99. Turns out I really like it. I also got velour yoga pants, two t-shirts and a pair of shorts for my son all for the price of the Wacoal bra. :p

I went back and bought two more after wearing and washing it and deciding I did like it.

I just couldn't stomach really investing in bras at this point since I am still breastfeeding and don't know what my eventual bra size will be. Hopefully it stays the same! ;)

[JRPAGV]

SiValleySteph: Glad you found a bra you like! Do you remember which particular style it was? I'm heading to Target in the next day or two and am in need of a good bra.

[Elizabeth]

I like Body by Victoria. They're soooo comfortable. I don't put them in the dryer, though.

[Delaney21]

Those are the ones I hate. How do you keep them fitting right? After a few wearings, the edges of the cups turn up, instead of turning under like they should, and you can see lines in my shirts. Plus the straps stretch out like crazy and they are falling off my shoulders about a thousand times a day.

I love the very sexy bras, for the first couple of times I wear it. Then the same things happen to mine like greenbunny said. I bought about 5 of them before I realized how crappy they are and now I can't bring myself to go out and buy new ones to replace them. So now I have to wear tank tops under all of my shirts just so my bra won't stick out and show through my shirts.

I've heard that if you take them back to VS they will refund your money. Has anyone tried this?

[SpelKen]

I was going to suggest the Target ones. Something about the cut maybe? I like those best of any of the brands I've tried recently.

[SiValleySteph]

Do you remember which particular style it was? I'm heading to Target in the next day or two and am in need of a good bra.[/FONT]

I didn't really see a style name. The Maidenform brand there has a different name like "Smooth Comfort" or something, but then it says something like "A Division of Maidenform" underneath.

Okay, I looked it up. The Maidenform brand is called "Self Expressions" and the tag says "2-way Stretch Comfort" - there doesn't seem to be a style name. I'm really liking them.

[tigger8402]

I also love Gilligan & O'Malley at Target. Very comfy and super cheap, like under $15. I feel very "safe" in them. For sports bras I normally stick to Hanes and normally find those at walmart and sometimes target for about 2 for $8. They fot really good for like maybe the first 20 or so wears and then kinda wear out to a "under sweatshirt" type bras but at $4 a peice I can afford to replace them every few months.

[LoveYouKisses]

I'm bumping this up because I'm in need of recommendations! I've been wearing the VS very sexy push up for 4 years or so, and I love it, but they're so expensive! I wear a 36dd, so I technically don't need the extra padding that it comes with, but I really feel like "they" look much better with the padding.

I'd like something that has a similar shape/style as the very sexy push up, just without the price tag. Unfortunately I think its just wishful thinking.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[TriSigmaNC]

To be honest....I can't comment on anything pushup as I had a reduction so for the time being I can't wear them (nor will need to), but I'm required to wear a full coverage bra, which was tough to find. I found great bras at Kohl's that are great prices and similar styles to VS too.

[Eric's Wife]

I also like the Body By Victoria Demi style bra. I put them in the dryer and I don't have the curling up that others mentioned. BTW I'm a 34 D.

[looch]

I swear by maidenform and barely there.

[mayiko]

I had to bite the bullet and got a bra fitting at Nordstrom. The saleslady was so nice and spend an hour with me. I finally got two Natori bras at about $50 each. :eek: I also really like the Chantel "grafie" bras. I never thought I would spend so much on bras but it's worth every penny.

[Jenyfer9]

I LOVE "Fantasie" bras. I got mine at Nordstrom... not sure where else they carry them. No, they aren't cheap (about $50/per on sale), but they fit wonderfully and they're the prettiest in my size (34DDD).

[TriSigmaNC]

Jenyfer9, when I was larger those were my favorite too! They were worth the money I agree. And then really placed you well.

[chortles]

THe Le Mistere Tisha bras are amazing. They're very "shaped" - I'm a 36C/D, and they certainly keep things in place. No competition.

I loathe VS. Their stuff is so low quality.

[LoveYouKisses]

Thanks so much for your recommendations! It looks like I'm going to be heading to Nordstrom and trying some stuff on.

I'll let you know how it goes!

[bluberry]

My favorite is Felina's Hint of Skin demi bra. It is the perfect t-shirt bra. Here's what it looks like:

http://images.figleaves.com/product/220x308/r304525-p304541-front.jpg

I am normally a 32B but due to the lightly padded cups, I wear this Felina in a 32C. So be sure to try it on before buying it. They have them at Nordstrom's and figleaves.com

[PurpleRose]

I am having a terrible time with my VS bras. I have several of both the Angels demi and the Body by Victoria Shaping Full-coverage, and although they fit great when I first purchased them, they stretch out so much. The straps stretch and fall off my shoulders, but the worst part is the sides. It's bizarre--the cups still fit, but the sides stretch and flip/poke out, so much so that you can see it under my shirt. I'm so frustrated because I've spent so much money on them, and other than these issues, the bras are in great shape. Has anyone else had this problem? Can you recommend any bras that don't do this?

[mayiko]

I am having a terrible time with my VS bras. I have several of both the Angels demi and the Body by Victoria Shaping Full-coverage, and although they fit great when I first purchased them, they stretch out so much. The straps stretch and fall off my shoulders, but the worst part is the sides. It's bizarre--the cups still fit, but the sides stretch and flip/poke out, so much so that you can see it under my shirt. I'm so frustrated because I've spent so much money on them, and other than these issues, the bras are in great shape. Has anyone else had this problem? Can you recommend any bras that don't do this?


From what I remember from the Oprah bra show all bras are going to stretch. That's why when you try on a bra you hook on the first loop. When the bra starts to stretch then you hook it on the 2nd or 3rd loop.

[amberfiddles]

i really like wacoal and i just ordered a le mystere :)

[cr8zyforaf]

I bit the bullet and went to Nordstrom's for a bra fitting and got two Chantel bras at $70 a piece. However, it was worth every penny - I will never shop at VS again.

[emschwar]

I buy all my bras at the Hanes/Legg/Bali outlet. Top quality bras for not top price. They've got TONS of styles to choose from, very helpful and knowledgeble sales people, and if they don't have your size, they'll order it for you and ship it to your home. Plus, $15-20 a bra is a big plus! And they have sales all the time.

They have a website too - www.onehanesplace.com

[Medako]

I have the hardest time finding a decent bra that fits. I'm a 36/38DDD and that's just not a size you can find in most department stores, especially around here.

I finally decided to try Lane Bryant for bras and had great luck. First off, it's so nice not to feel like you're too big for everything in the store.

They're having a 50% off sale right now and that makes a bunch of their bras under $20.

Bra Sale (http://lanebryant.charmingshoppes.com/pagebuilder/product_thumbnail_image?cgid1=295)

[mayiko]

I bit the bullet and went to Nordstrom's for a bra fitting and got two Chantel bras at $70 a piece. However, it was worth every penny - I will never shop at VS again.

Did you get the "grafie" bra. The one with the "c" weaved into the fabric? That's my next purchase. It's amazing how lifting the girls up can make you look ten pounds thinner.

[cr8zyforaf]

mayiko - no, I have the Senso t-shirt one- it has a silver C medallion. And yes, these bras are amazing..I've tried everything - Hanes, VS, Madenform, etc...this is well worth the cost.

The girls are perky and I feel 10 pounds lighter when I put this thing on.

[PurpleRose]

From what I remember from the Oprah bra show all bras are going to stretch. That's why when you try on a bra you hook on the first loop. When the bra starts to stretch then you hook it on the 2nd or 3rd loop.

I've heard that, and it's good advice. I know that the straps will stretch out some, but what's actually stretching out of shape is the sides of the cups. :confused: It's very bizarre.

[mayiko]

I've heard that, and it's good advice. I know that the straps will stretch out some, but what's actually stretching out of shape is the sides of the cups. :confused: It's very bizarre.


That is strange. :confused:

[ysolde]

I got fitted at Nordie's awhile ago, and found out I am a 34C. I love my Natoris. So comfy, and hold everything in place, and pretty!

[mgrace]

Bump!

[lilo]

okay, you ladies have convinced to get a fitting and a few new bras at Nordstrom. I own a few different VS bras and for the most part, they fit really well but I agree with the fact that after a month or so, they lose their shape.

unfortunately though, I need all the help that I can get in the bust area! I really like the demi style so hopefully Felina or Natori makes something for me! :)