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I'm a 34A so function isn't a huge issue, but I do like my bras to hold up after washing, and the runaway winner so far is Frederick's. They also lean towards larger cup sizes so finding nice ones shouldn't be a huge issue.

I am a 36C, and I bought 3 bras from Lane Bryant 3 years ago. They are comfortable and have held up better (pardon the pun) than any other bra I've owned.

Also, the underwire is covered in really thick fabric, and there is a layer of foam between it and your skin. You don't even know it's there.

I went there on a recommendation of a sales clerk at a high end clothing store, so it was an "insider tip".

[This message edited by Want2help at 3:47 PM, May 15th (Thursday)]

I recently purchased these. I was in desperate need of a wire free bra and these work wonderfully. I wear a 42DD and this bra is very comfortable. It's not what I consider a sexy bra, but I didn't need it to be. It's for everyday wear. Plus, I could never beat this price elsewhere.

https://www.tanga.com/deals/db9525b607f4/3-pk-playtex-18hr-gel-comfort-wire-free-bras

Fwiw, nordstrom rack is online now. Good prices on bras!

I'm a 40H and I get all my bras from Dillard's.

Their exclusive brand is great... Cabaret

But recently I bought Wacola Retro Lace bras... they're $60 but they're totally worth the price. Not sure how they'll hold up long term tho... But they're comfortable and hold me in place.

They are an underwire.

I've seen a lot of rib pain and skin issues from underwires.

I like Glamorise for a sports bra. It holds you together without feeling like you're in a binder.

Thank you everyone who has replied!! :D I don't have as much time to post anymore, but I am online, reading the forums everyday, so I appreciate your responses. Thank you for the how to, Gaby, I will have to try that, because I don't have the heart to be throwing away anymore bras.

I am surprised at the VS responses. My first real good bra I bought at VS, and I never wavered from them. It has been in the last few years that I have noticed a serious decline in quality, but I stuck it out because I had such good products before, and honestly... they are pretty. But I just can't keep replacing bras.

When I buy a bra I want it to last for YEARS, so I am willing to pay for a very good bra. There are a lot of suggestions here! I am going to check out Lane Bryant. I am a 36D, at last measurement.

I was talking to a couple of girls at work, and one girl was telling me she is so top heavy that she wears TWO bras. This surpised me, but she told me she wears a bra, and then a sports bra over that.

Please keep the suggestions coming. :D

Halfway to my date, those underwires were killing me

You're really not wearing the right size bra then.

Measure yourself. If you don't have one, go to Walmart or a fabric store and get a cloth measuring tape. It should only be a couple of bucks or so.

Measure yourself without a bra on, so find somewhere private and strip.

Measure directly under your breasts, where the band of your bra would sit. Check in the mirror to make sure the measuring tape is straight all around your body. If you are extremely large busted, and/or saggy, lift the girls out of the way. You want to measure around your ribcage, and not get breast tissue in this measurement. Write down this number. It's your band size.

If you fall midway between the usual band sizes, chances are rounding up to the next size will work for you, but try on both sizes to get the bra that fits best on your. For instance, if you measure 35 inches for the band, try on both 34 & 36 whatever cup size you get in the next measurement.

Next, measure around the fullest part of your breasts. It helps if you lean forward from the waist. Typically you're going to want the measuring tape to go across the nipples, and you want it to be at the level all around your chest.

For each inch difference between your band size and your bust measurement, you get a cup. 1 inch difference is an A cup, 2 inches a B, and so on. Do not be surprised if your correct bra size is radically different from the size you had been buying for years. Most women wear bras with too large band sizes and too small cup sizes. That's why the underwires are digging into you. Seriously ladies, underwires do not hurt when you're wearing the right size bra and your breast tissue is not being abused.

Hopefully this size chart I found will show up correctly.

[This message edited by inconnu at 8:30 PM, May 15th (Thursday)]

Another vote for Lane Bryant. They have a very comfortable wireless bra that I love. I cannot stand an underwire. Now it's not the sexiest bra in the world, but I can be in it all day without being desperate to take it off!

When I buy a bra I want it to last for YEARS, so I am willing to pay for a very good bra.

This is why I go to VS. I've never had a problem. I had one bra from them that the under wire poked out. I had the bra for 5 yrs.

When I was buying them at target for $10 I was replacing them every couple of weeks. So in the long run I was spending more money at Target.

I have a couple that are older (6 or 7 yrs old) from VS and they are still fine. I treat myself when I get Christmas money from my mom (how sad is that? Sigh...)

I feel their quality is very good. I've also heard good things about Fredrick's. They are not as expensive and they have some classy looking bras, too.

I go to TJMaxx and find top of the uber-expensive bras at an amazing discount. Brand names like Natori and Wacoal. Would cost over $60.00 on a lucky day but get them for $20.00 or less. Available at Marshalls and Nordstrom off the Rack stores. If I am only mentioning stores that are in the Northeast I apologize. Definitely want to keep the girls comfortable as I have grown quite attached to them!

I measured myself using these guidelines: http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/fit_guide and came up with a very different size than I had been wearing (had been in a 36B for years, came up with 32DD!!). I went to Nordstrom Rack and tried on the new size and was very pleased by what I saw in the mirror! Give it a shot.

There is also a huge pile of recommendations for different sizes on this site, and a lot of information on what to look for in fit depending not only on the size but on the shape/area of most fullness in your breasts, which changes what to look for. Lots of good info.

My girls are riding where they haven't been in years.

You could do what I did 2 years ago - switch to a stick-on bra. No more underwires, no more straps = no more pain and no more 'back fat'. An added bonus is that they are soooo much cooler in the summer and can be worn under anything without showing (spaghetti strap, strapless, backless, etc.) I buy the NuBra Feather Lite for around $30 (usually from Amazon or Beauty.com, but I have seen them at department stores too). I am a 36C and I wear one every day. It provides penty of support and lift and is smooth under my clothes. I usually have a black one and a nude one in rotation and they last me about 6 months combined. So I may be buying 3-4 bras per year, but theya re sooo comfortable ocne you try them you won't look back.

I am such a convert that I have been known to lift my shirt and show my friends!!

I know the brand sounds old lady, but I love how comfortable Playtex bras are. Tons of support, no slipping straps and no wires. I wait for my 30% off discount from Kohl's and stock up.

I have to jump into this conversation. I'm short,have very little space between the bottom of my boobs and my waist. I wear a 32 D, which I can't ever find so I wind up with 34 D. I'm saggy to the max. The underside HURTS, I can't bend at the waist. I hate the padding, too, who needs padding with a D, C cup, except for modesty? The non padded, non underside bras show too much, um,detail, if you get me.

Do you mean to tell me that those stick on bras are going to HOLD UP THE GIRLS!? Really?

Another vote for Lane Bryant. Even though I lost a lot of weight and can't wear their clothes anymore, my daughter used to work there and measured me. I am a natural 32H. They don't make them that small banded with that large cup but I was able to compromise with a 36G. I bought four that I love and the difference is amazing. I can actually run after my grandchild now without bouncing all over the place. The band doesn't slide up my back because of the weight of my breasts and the straps aren't digging in. I've had them for about a year and a half now and have had no problems and I alternate them out. I never dry them and I wash them on delicate in cold water. I'm thrilled to not have dealt with wires sticking out for so long!

I vote for the lane Bryant brands too. It's called Cacique. My favorite style is the balconette. They have tons of colors to choose and pretty lace ones.

They don't ride up my back and hold the girls up nicely. I'm a 38DD.

The only issue I've had with them is sometimes after I've washed them and let them air dry, I've had the wire area between the breast area (middle) squeak. I have no idea why and I've asked about this. The lady looked at me weird and I said I know it's a strange question!

I rotate mine daily to let them "rest" so they don't get stretched out as fast. I usually wait for the BOGO sales once a year and I get 4 for the price of 2.

I just looked on the website, it appears Lane Bryant is having their BOGO sale RIGHT NOW.

Thanks Want2!!!

Thanks, guys, I jumped in on that BOGO sale and bought two bras, total came to apx $50. I am going to look around some more, specifically for sales... But what is this I hear about stick ons?? I never knew such a beast existed... *googling*