Bras!!

larsonbussman

Hello Ladies. I'm looking for advise. I'm a larger breasted woman (38ddd) and I'm already starting to bulge out of my bra, break under wires, etc. This is my first pregnancy so looking to know what routes to go. Must wear bra while working and out and about. TIA

PinkPrincessPiper

This is my 4th pregnancy, and sports bras are the way to go (at least IMHO). Order a size up, and just a couple at a time, just in case they change again (happens often).  You may need to go even bigger toward the end of your pregnancy. Good luck, mama! 

larsonbussman

What brand gives good support?  The ones I have now are not cheap ones

BlackNYellow

Have you ever tried Enell sports bras? I have some running friends that swear by them. https://enell.com/

larsonbussman

No I have been using moving comfort which have adjustable straps (they are to tight now). I will check that brand out

morgy_bee

Essential Bodywear for large chests!!!! Pricey but worth every penny!!! 

Bullo918

Elomi is an amazing brand!!!! Their nursing bras are the best for us big breasted ladies! 

larsonbussman

Thanks I will check into them

middy411

What about bras for small/avg chested women? I haven't worn a regular bra in about  a year and a half and I feel like these bras I ordered off Amazon are not the greatest quality or comfort. I just want something smooth and stretchy and super comfy and then maybe a "cute" one or two that look more like a normal padded or push up for dressing up. Any suggestions on a brand?

bumpybump

@DDRGirlie a whole thread about bras

Mango517

@middy411 I know that VS gets a lot of hate but I love their bras and they are all I've worn since I worked there in college. Since I'm small chested and don't require a ton of support they work well for me. Right now my favorites are the body by vs ones in push up. I'm planning on getting two more in one band size up since my old ones are getting snug. The increase in band size will give me a bit more room in the cup too. If they get bigger than that, well, it will be my teenage dream come true to get into a bigger cup size!

Even though I've seriously been the same size since 2002, I never order them from online, I have to try them on for fit.

middy411

Sorry I realized I left out that I've been wearing nursing bras for the last year and a half. I normally have no problem and wear VS bras for everyday too. But I can't seem to find a comfortable, quality, and nice looking nursing bra that doesn't want to either make me look like I should stay in pajamas forever or fall apart in the wash. I get really huge when I'm pregnant and my ribcage reflects that as well. So I'm all about stretchy comfort just looking for the quality and something to hold you up and look cute lol... like VS does.

Lauradi1010

Bravada.  Pricey, but comfy.

middy411

So I bought a bunch of Bravada nursing bras when they were on Zulily and I'm so frustrated because none of them fit. I ordered the smallest size (34-B/C) as I'm normally a 32B or 32C if it's VS. I'm towards the end of nursing my 11 month old but even when my milk first came in and she was a newborn it wasn't a dramatic difference in size. Just fuller in one breast and lumpy in the other when full. The cups on the "bliss" bra from Bravada are weirdly pointy in the middle. Who goes for that look?! Ugh why are bras so dumb?!

Lefin

@larsonbussman
I'm huge, too.  I typically wear a 30GG, but went up 2 cups sizes in the first 12 weeks.  I'm now about to bust out of my HHs.  I'm worried that this will continue.  I do recommend Panache or Freya.  They aren't cheap, but do provide really good support, especially the panache sports bra.  Good luck.

fergee3

@middy411 I used nursing bras from Motherhood for my first pregnancy and just bought some more for this go around. I'm not sure what the style is called but they are cotton and basic and super comfortable but actually hold everything together without squishing everything down haha. I'm an average size - 34C so not too much to hold up lol  I bought mine new with tags on eBay for $10 each! 

Knottie96400174

For smaller/avg chested women I just found a nice nursing bra at target for like $15, I believe it was their brand that Gillian and O'Malley. It looks like a normal bra on the outside and feels so good! It doesn't have and underwore but still producers lift & support and the whole band is the same stretchy, silky material as the cups. The nursing closures are discrete and the whole cup comes down so it doesn't look like a nursing bra when closed. I'm hoping this one lasts my whole pregnancy. I've gone from 32C/D (bigger after ov and on my period as I have fibrocystic breast & get flare ups) to now a 32/34 DD and some days I'm even busting out of that. I've also been wearing plain old basic sports bras a lot bc my boobs are big enough that it doesn't look like I'm wearing a sports bra. I also have a few 34 C VS sports bras with wire that I really like and still fit. The band seems bigger in these than my same-size reg bras from VS. 

lyse01

@Lefin @larsonbussman Here to second the Panache sports bra - love it in real life especially because of the really easy snap to make it into racerback. As someone whose bra straps never ever stay up (even with proper fittings), I sometimes wear it just because of the sleeve line of whatever I'm wearing that day. Also, available on Amazon if you already know your size.

As a huge chest (normally H/HH and growing), my biggest problem is setting aside the time to drive five towns away to the nearest specialty bra store and get refitted. Maybe next weekend?

Lefin

lyse01 
Have you tried shopping online?

Lefin

@larsonbussman

Also, you should really measure yourself.  I've been on this bra quest for years, and most stores don't have any idea what they are doing.  One women tried to tell me that there was no way I was as big as a D.  HA!  Anyway, first you should measure your band size (that's where the majority of your bra support should come from) around your rib cage and under your boobs.  I wouldn't be surprised if you are actually much smaller than a 38.  Most of us large chested ladies have to go up band sizes to accommodate our boobs, not realizing that we are actually sacrificing support.  Two clues as to whether your band size is too big are a bra that rides up in the back or that triangle of fabric between your breasts; that should fit snuggly against your breastbone.  If your band size is too big, it won't even be touching your skin, because your boobs will push it out.  Whatever number you measure, add 1-3 inches to it for comfort, and gave that band size a try.  For example, I measure 28 so I wear a 30.  And make sure to change your cup size as you go down.  All cups are not created equal.  A 42D is way bigger than a 32D.  A good starting place is go up on cup size for each band size you go down, but that's a just a ballpark and you'll probably need more adjustment after that.  Most bra companies don't make bras with enough size variety; they assume that bigger band equals bigger boobs and that is not absolute on either end of the spectrum.  So lots of girls with big boobs end up with larger band sizes because we really need bigger cups.  For example, I wore a 36DDD for many years because that's how the stores fit me.  The only problem is that with a band size 6 inches bigger than what I need, my boobs were falling out the bottom, negating whatever holding power the bra had.  So, please check your band size.  If you can find a big bra boutique, go there for fitting.  Never VS.  If not, herroom, figleaves, and bravissimo are good sources online.  Although, shipping costs may be an issue, but it's so worth it to find a good bra. ;)Maybe add a couple extra cup sizes for growth.  Good luck!

larsonbussman

@Lefin  Totally know what you mean on the bras.  I have the band size, however its the cup I need to adjust as I am no longer laying flat under my boobs, and my underwire is rubbing weird so I have some irritation

Lefin

larsonbussman
Outgrowing bras is such a bummer.  I hope you find some new bras that work.  Seriously, Panache is my favorite.
lyse01
I'm feeling a mix of curiosity and fear wondering how much they will continue to grow.  What about you?  I asked the midwife how much bigger mine would get and she couldn't really give me a good answer.  She said they may become watermelons.  Sigh.  

lyse01

@lefin I do shop online when I already know the size/style, but since I think my boobs are changing shape as well as cup size, I really want to just try everything on again to make sure the cup shape works. I'm sorta spilling out everywhere but the top right now, two weeks ago I could've sworn they were becoming torpedo shaped, and now I think they may be filling in the roundness. Who knows. Also I have no idea how stretchy maternity /nursing bras are in this range, and I'm laughing at the advice to go sans underwire. 

For years, my biggest fear related to getting pregnant has not been fetal health, but what's going to happen to my chest. I feel like they're already big enough that they should have plenty of space for a fully developed milk system. Two local friends have even more massive twins and had opposite experiences - one grew significantly, and one pretty much stayed the same. Guess that's why the midwife couldn't even guess for you?

 Oh - I just thought of a newly terrifying thing: bathing suits this summer. 

Lefin

I know.  The thought of no underwire makes me giggle uncontrollably.  Torpedo shaped!  I like it.  Like your body is preparing for battle.  I haven't had to worry about shape yet; they're pretty much the same in that respect but they've gotten fuller and heavier.  It's so nice that you have a big boob friendly store nearby.  And I wonder about the stretchiness of maternity bras, too.  Everybody says they can grow with you, but I'm wary of that.  How much growth are they expecting?  I'm anticipating major growth in the chest department, 2 cups in 3 months seems like a lot already.  Although, my brand new HHs are holding them for now.  Fingers crossed.  I'm gonna treat bathing suits just like bras.  Bravissimo has a good selection of bathing suits with underwires that are fitted just like bras.  That is my summer saving grace.  The one nice thing about the boobs is the fact that they distract from the bump that doesn't quite look like a bump as much as an extra cookie storage pouch.

lyse01

@Lefin Panache usually fits me better, which means I wear their bathing suits & love them. I'm like, 70% of my boobs are covered, so we're good, right? Apparently it's still not family friendly (per my mom, who is a solid C cup - I take after my dad's mom, who took after her grandmother, and it is VERY clear that those are strong genes in my second, third, and fourth cousins).

the stretch/growth thing is why I really want to chat with specialists. I'm pretty sure it'll be growth mostly in the cup, not band, because all the extra circumference is already going to my waist. If I'm showing even with losing some of my extra pre-pregnancy weight, I'm predicting a big belly.

Also, I'm not sure where you live, but if it's D.C., CT, Hampton Roads, or LAish, I can make store recommendations. 

Lefin

Lyse01
I just meant that I order my bathing suits from bravissimo.  I'm pretty the one I have is a panache, too.  Don't you just hate that everything you wear automatically looks sexual.  It's terrible.  I swear I'm not trying to look inappropriate.  My mom is a C as well, but my sisters and I are all huge, so she's outnumbered.  My middle sister gives absolutely no fucks when it come to what she wears, so I usually look pretty tame at family functions compared to her.  We take after out paternal grandmother as well. 
I live near San Fran.  I'm sure there's probably a store around here, but I haven't lived here long and haven't gotten around to looking, yet.