Sports Bras. Worst thing in the world to shop for.

suzan06

My sad, depressed sports bra from high school has finally gave up on life and died a spectacular death. Yes my bra size has stayed the same that long, as I gain all my weight in the tummy and thighs! Pear shaped, yes, I am.

I am ~32 or 34C bra size. I hate over-the-head ones- I feel claustrophobic getting them on and off. I need a tight bra as my boobs are super droopy (thanks kids!) so it is hard to get them on/off if they don't have hooks or a zipper or something.

I really don't want to buy a super expensive one. Sadly I did not like any of the ones I tried on at Dicks and Target.

This is mostly a vent but I am open to any other moderately-priced sports bra suggestions. I find sports bras harder because they usually come in S/M/L and not specific band and cup sizes.

SingRunTing

I like the ones at Victoria's Secret. They are varying levels of support, different styles, and come in band/cup sizing. They aren't the cheapest, but there are constantly coupons for either bras or sportswear from them.

busyPK

I get most of mine from Marshalls or TJ Maxx. They have some great brands for pretty reasonable price. I don't mind the over the head kind personally, but I know they have the others too.

TrishaCisneros

I really like the VS ones but I am looking into buying one from SheFit

MelodyandBarbells

I've bought three moving comfort Fiona bras from Amazon. They've been great since the straps as adjustable and they have three sets of hooks. And since its Amazon you can read reviews. That's where I went when title nine stopped making their one I liked and I struck out with some of their other brands

Queenmunchy

I may try the VS ones, then. I have the hardest time finding one that is my size, but if they're SML, it doesn't work since I have a small band and large cup size (32DDD)...it's either too big or my boobs are squeezed to death.

kshama2001

My prime criteria is that a sports bra be 100% cotton and have a racer back, and so I shop at Decent Exposures. They are super comfortable.

They do have studier fabrics for more support.

They will customize - I get my straps longer than standard. I don't think they charge for that (but I did have to pay shipping to send it back for alterations the first time. Now I just order it like that.)

jennifer_417

Depends on your definition of moderate-but I find Moving Comfort bras to be really effective in the $50 price range.

kaylajane11

I need a high support sports bra and they are hard to find for a reasonable price. I have one from Under Armour that I got on sale that I love. Old Navy also recently came out with a maximum support sports bra, and I really like mine. Both these bras have hooks at the back and come in real bra sizes, not S/M/L.

The Under Armour one is regular $60 US, and I think I got lucky because they don't go on sale too often. The Old Navy ones are $30 regular, but (like everything at ON) go on sale frequently.

tulips_and_tea

SingRunTing wrote: »

I like the ones at Victoria's Secret. They are varying levels of support, different styles, and come in band/cup sizing. They aren't the cheapest, but there are constantly coupons for either bras or sportswear from them.

Ditto! VS has a great variety, they are made well and have sales often.

Although, my version of this thread title would be: Sports bras. Worst things in the world to take on and off.

threadmad

suzan06 wrote: »

I am ~32 or 34C bra size. I hate over-the-head ones- I feel claustrophobic getting them on and off. I need a tight bra as my boobs are super droopy (thanks kids!) so it is hard to get them on/off if they don't have hooks or a zipper or something.

Yeah, I tried one of those over-the-head things, and got stuck. I felt like a puppy chasing its tail, running in to walls & stuff. Fortunately, hubby heard the commotion, and rescued me.

I like the C9 ones by Champion, and they are on sale right now. I usually get mine from the Hanes website.

jgnatca

http://enell.com/ is on my wish list.

My niece had a frank conversation with me about our mutual desire for a supportive sports bra, and she swears by the zip front. The best she's found lately are at Victoria's Secret.

jemhh

Moving Comfort are nice. Yes, they generally cost a bit more but I usually find them on sierratradingpost.com for lower prices. They are not the over-the-head kind so that's another plus.

Gamliela

I like the full cotton ones, found two different styles in cotton on amazon.uk! they havent arrived yet, I'll come back and let you know if they are good.

murph155

I've tried loads of them and have the same problem as you, Queenmunchy - 36DD - so the S/M/L's don't fit right. I bought the Glamorise Double Layer Custom Control on Amazon (4 stars and over 2K reviews) and it comes in real bra sizes (took my regular size) and it really does the trick.

mbaker566

i love champion brand. they have hook type and zipperfront last i looked

minniestar55

I've worn Shock Absorber sports bras for years; I find them adjustable, great suppirt, great fir. I'm in UK, they are around £26-30 when not on sale. I hand wash them & find they will last a long time.

grinning_chick

Since the OP doesn't like the style she won't be interested, but I adore the one made by Handful. I hate, hate, hate, show-through. Go ahead can call it a hang-up - that's how much I hate it. I love Handful's offering so much since it eliminates the problem completely, along with there being zero bounce when I run at an alleged now-36D, it is the only bra I wear.

segacs

Another vote for Shock Absorber. Yes, they're a bit pricier than you said you wanted to spend, but if you find them on sale, they're great value and they last a LONG time. Good range of sizes, too.

shinycrazy

jgnatca wrote: »

http://enell.com/ is on my wish list.

I adore these bras. They are amazing, albeit pricey. The girls (droopy as they are) stay where I put them and they are front close. Love them! You are worth it!

kiela64

I've had really good luck with Old Navy's activewear line. They are an over-the-head style, but effective for a low price range. I also got it on a 50% off sale leftover from boxing day last winter. The border seam did pull out a bit, but it was an easy fix. I'll admit, It's good for yoga and bodyweight strength stuff. I have no issue with wearing two bras to jog, but when I was jogging more I found it more effective than the two-bra method.

Kimegatron

I wish I could find one, myself! But I am a 38B and any time I went to VS in my yester-years, they didn't carry that size. I have a wide rib cage, so sometimes even a 38 sucks. I still have fat on the sides, so I even have to use extenders hahahaha

StacyChrz

I've had good luck with Moving Comfort and Glamorize, both purchased through Amazon. I've been as big as a 44DD and am now down to a 42D. The Glamorize bras are really adjustable.

bogwoppt1

grinning_chick wrote: »

Since the OP doesn't like the style she won't be interested, but I adore the one made by Handful. I hate, hate, hate, show-through. Go ahead can call it a hang-up - that's how much I hate it. I love Handful's offering so much since it eliminates the problem completely, along with there being zero bounce when I run at an alleged now-36D, it is the only bra I wear.

What is show through??

I buy Panache sports bras, they are sized like bras and are amazingly supportive, even for very large breasts.

PaulaWallaDingDong

Thank you for this thread. I am also very.baggin' saggin' and I hate sports bras that leave me looking dumpy, flat chested, or uni-boobed.

grinning_chick

bogwoppt1 wrote: »

What is show through??

Well, to stick with common euphemisms, "headlights"?

If I'm allowed to use actual, anatomical, language when ones nipples show through ones bra and therefore clothing as well.

bogwoppt1

grinning_chick wrote: »

bogwoppt1 wrote: »

What is show through??

Well, to stick with common euphemisms, "headlights"?

If I'm allowed to use actual, anatomical, language when ones nipples show through ones bra and therefore clothing as well.

Too funny. Not something that bothers me, we all have them.

Orphia

bogwoppt1 wrote: »

grinning_chick wrote: »

bogwoppt1 wrote: »

What is show through??

Well, to stick with common euphemisms, "headlights"?

If I'm allowed to use actual, anatomical, language when ones nipples show through ones bra and therefore clothing as well.

Too funny. Not something that bothers me, we all have them.

Ditto. Furthermore, I'm opposed to the ones that have padding to stop show-through.

I'm happy with my size, thanks very much. I don't need an extra centimetre or more.

It's hard to find underwired sports bras without that annoying padding.

BodyByBex

http://www.herroom.com

They have a great return policy as well. Get yourself professionally measured (NOT AT Victoria's Secret, their aim is to sell you a size they have in their store and will tell you THE WRONG SIZE just to sell you something) and then start your search. Multiple reviews available based on bra sizes and in the details you will see a red head with a ponytail giving fitting tips for specific bras.

Machka9

Believe it or not, I got my best sports bras from the Reject Shop ... super-inexpensive, comfortable, stretchy, wicking nylon, not underwire, and over-the-head so there's no annoying and painful hooks. I bought 6 of them.
http://www.rejectshop.com.au/

Now non-sports bras have been a challenge for me ... I finally found a couple lightly padded, inexpensive, non-underwire bras that will do for now at Target. And how on earth does a person shop for underwear when "they" frown on people trying it on?

suzan06

This is so helpful! Now I have a nice long list of places to look.