[Margaret]

I think I perhaps have 60-100 bras, and I also have a bunch that I really need to give away or sell, as they’ll probably never ever fit me again.

Goodness that is a lot. It puts my own small collection to shame.  Are there any rare ones in there, ones that may be worth more?  Any real favs that you'd never part with even if you'd never wear?  I guess if you added up how much you've spent over the years it would come to a fair bit. 

I wonder what you could do with them all - almost enough to open shop.

All the women I've ever known, family and non family always seem to have lots of clothes. It is fascinating.  I have a friend that has lots of clothes, most of it will never fit her, ever!  Like some small blouses that are like a size 9 or something.  And shoes - OMG!

I only have one piece of clothing I'll never wear again,  which is a fur lined Levis denim jacket I bought on my first trip to the US. Oh, and a pair of Levis jeans in a odd, 33" waist that I've kept.

I found this pic online today - not the most practical piece of clothing. but interesting.

That’s a cute little crop top - probably not one for me, maybe more for the younger generation.

I do tend to have go-to bras that I use every day, mainly for comfort and reliability reasons (Panache, CK, Freya, Fantasie). But I don’t necessarily have any that are valuable - maybe to someone they’d be worth something. It’s mostly a pile of bras that no longer fit me. I really should sell them or give them away. There’s a few that are “emergency” bras, or bras for special occasions (eg. Strapless). But bras are hugely expensive - even the reasonably priced ones like Curvy Kate or Flirtelle are not exactly cheap. I reckon I’ve probably spent well into the thousands over the years - although, I did get a lot of free bras for testing and reviews (and still sometimes do). And, I get bras and other underwear gifted from my partner from time to time.

[Margaret]

Have you thought of perhaps opening a Bra Museum and then charge people to see them? 

That did cross my mind, but a collectors type webpage may be better.  I'm going to have to look now, is there one.

Edit:  Who knew!  https://www.reddit.com/r/BraCollectors/

That’s an interesting subreddit. Not quite what I was expecting when I clicked on it. I thought maybe it would be a place for people who collect bras for… em… sentimental or value reasons. But it seems it’s about collecting them for other reasons 😳😳😳

[Hiram]

I do tend to have go-to bras that I use every day, mainly for comfort and reliability reasons (Panache, CK, Freya, Fantasie).

When you find a bra that is just right, do you tend to buy another?  I do this, if I find something comfortable, I'll buy two.

I'm not sure what it is like for womens underwear, but I buy something and go back a year later to replace it, only to find the manufacturer has changed it.  This is annoying - does this happen in the bra world?

It’s mostly a pile of bras that no longer fit me. I really should sell them or give them away.

I was just thinking, if I am ever in a charity shop (I like to look at the books) I never see bras.  Lots of women's clothing, but never  bras.  I wonder why.

Bras wear out eventually - so if you have some good ones; there may be women out there that would really appreciate them. Especially how expensive they are, and how tight money is these days. I have no idea how you'd d this though.

There’s a few that are “emergency” bras, or bras for special occasions (eg. Strapless).

I can understand special accasions - not sure I understand how an emergency bra works (I guess you mean one that is a standby bra)

But bras are hugely expensive

Yes they are - surprisingly so.  However they are quite intricate garments. lots of fiddly stitching.

And, I get bras and other underwear gifted from my partner from time to time.

I've wanted to buy bras for women - but then you (me) get in to all the sizing issues (which is why taking to you is so interesting).  Not only sizing but fit and style, it is all above my pay grade, so I end up with something else as a gift.

[Hiram]

That’s an interesting subreddit. Not quite what I was expecting when I clicked on it.

No me either, I thought like you.

But other men collecting bras - this makes me feel less weird (or does it)

[Margaret]

I do tend to have go-to bras that I use every day, mainly for comfort and reliability reasons (Panache, CK, Freya, Fantasie).

When you find a bra that is just right, do you tend to buy another?  I do this, if I find something comfortable, I'll buy two.

I'm not sure what it is like for womens underwear, but I buy something and go back a year later to replace it, only to find the manufacturer has changed it.  This is annoying - does this happen in the bra world?

It’s mostly a pile of bras that no longer fit me. I really should sell them or give them away.

I was just thinking, if I am ever in a charity shop (I like to look at the books) I never see bras.  Lots of women's clothing, but never  bras.  I wonder why.

Bras wear out eventually - so if you have some good ones; there may be women out there that would really appreciate them. Especially how expensive they are, and how tight money is these days. I have no idea how you'd d this though.

There’s a few that are “emergency” bras, or bras for special occasions (eg. Strapless).

I can understand special accasions - not sure I understand how an emergency bra works (I guess you mean one that is a standby bra)

But bras are hugely expensive

Yes they are - surprisingly so.  However they are quite intricate garments. lots of fiddly stitching.

And, I get bras and other underwear gifted from my partner from time to time.

I've wanted to buy bras for women - but then you (me) get in to all the sizing issues (which is why taking to you is so interesting).  Not only sizing but fit and style, it is all above my pay grade, so I end up with something else as a gift.

I usually buy bras in pairs - not necessarily the same bra, but usually two at a time. One for every day wear and one for “going out”. For the most part, popular and classic bra styles and shapes tend to stay around for a while. A classic exa one of this is the Panache Tango II bra - it’s been around a long time, and very little changes about its design - because it’s a perfect, classic bra that just works. Same with a lot of Fantasie, Freya, Curvy Kate bras - there’s styles that just work. So they tend to be around if you need them.

In terms of emergency bras - I mean things like a strapless that works or a bra that will go with any outfit (usually black, nude or white).

[Hiram]

A classic exa one of this is the Panache Tango II bra - it’s been around a long time, and very little changes about its design - because it’s a perfect, classic bra that just works.

I've just looked that one up - I have a Panache in my collection, it has the very same embroidered leaf pattern.

So they tend to be around if you need them.

I once spent a some time trying to fit a detached wire in a friends bra that had come out. I think she liked this bra so much she wore it out.  I never did get that wire back in.

In terms of emergency bras - I mean things like a strapless that works or a bra that will go with any outfit (usually black, nude or white).

That is nude the skin colour?

Are strapless uncomfortable after a while, I assume you have to pop to the ladies now and then to rejig yourself?

Okay, (attached) here's a lady I'm curious about - you'll know who it is.  I think she looks great.

[Margaret]

A classic exa one of this is the Panache Tango II bra - it’s been around a long time, and very little changes about its design - because it’s a perfect, classic bra that just works.

I've just looked that one up - I have a Panache in my collection, it has the very same embroidered leaf pattern.

So they tend to be around if you need them.

I once spent a some time trying to fit a detached wire in a friends bra that had come out. I think she liked this bra so much she wore it out.  I never did get that wire back in.

In terms of emergency bras - I mean things like a strapless that works or a bra that will go with any outfit (usually black, nude or white).

That is nude the skin colour?

Are strapless uncomfortable after a while, I assume you have to pop to the ladies now and then to rejig yourself?

Okay, (attached) here's a lady I'm curious about - you'll know who it is.  I think she looks great.

Yes - nude, the skin colour. Surprisingly, a nude bra is better under a white top than a white bra is.

Strapless bras really aren’t designed to be entirely comfortable - largely because of what they neee to do. However, I have a few Curvy Kate Luxe bras (and a couple of other brands of strapless) that are incredible feats of engineering, and, are mostly comfortable too.

And… yes. I know who this lady is. I’ll keep politics out of it and say she’s probably a 30D, possibly a 30E. The bra she’s wearing is designed to make your boobs look bigger (I think it’s an Ultimo - I’ve never worn one and never would). I’m not keen on her as a person, a personality, a business woman - or, indeed, a so-called politician.

[Hiram]

she’s probably a 30D, possibly a 30E.

Cheers.

(I think it’s an Ultimo - I’ve never worn one and never would).

Ah that was the brand, I couldn't remember what her company was called.  Would you not wear one because they aren't good bras, or because of Ultimo the brand?

I’m not keen on her as a person, a personality, a business woman - or, indeed, a so-called politician.

I agree - but apparently the net is tightening on the PPE money.

[Hiram]

How to make a blouse look good if you have big boobs.

I think Abbi does well here, but see how the base of the blouse sticks out from her waist. Is there anything a busty woman can do to minimize this?

[Margaret]

she’s probably a 30D, possibly a 30E.

Cheers.

(I think it’s an Ultimo - I’ve never worn one and never would).

Ah that was the brand, I couldn't remember what her company was called.  Would you not wear one because they aren't good bras, or because of Ultimo the brand?

I’m not keen on her as a person, a personality, a business woman - or, indeed, a so-called politician.

I agree - but apparently the net is tightening on the PPE money.

They’re just not bras for someone like me. They’re specifically designed to push your boobs up and out / they’re more a fashion bra for young, small-boobed women - and they’re not very comfortable.

[Margaret]

How to make a blouse look good if you have big boobs.

I think Abbi does well here, but see how the base of the blouse sticks out from her waist. Is there anything a busty woman can do to minimize this?

Any clothing with big boobs is a challenge - blouses tend to either over-emphasise them, or, make you look fat. Finding flattering clothes is generally quite frustrating.

[Hiram]

Any clothing with big boobs is a challenge - blouses tend to either over-emphasise them, or, make you look fat. Finding flattering clothes is generally quite frustrating.

Have you found a solution?

I have a recollection about a garment that flattened a woman's boobs, which sounds awful.

Ah this is it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_binding

This is a rabbit hole I didn't expect to go down, just found Minimiser Bras - https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/lingerie/bras/fs5/minimiser-1 

Is a Minimiser Bra something that would work for someone bigger than a D?

[Margaret]

Any clothing with big boobs is a challenge - blouses tend to either over-emphasise them, or, make you look fat. Finding flattering clothes is generally quite frustrating.

Have you found a solution?

I have a recollection about a garment that flattened a woman's boobs, which sounds awful.

Ah this is it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_binding

This is a rabbit hole I didn't expect to go down, just found Minimiser Bras - https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/lingerie/bras/fs5/minimiser-1 

Is a Minimiser Bra something that would work for someone bigger than a D?

I think the solution is always just to keep looking - and wear what makes you feel comfortable and happy. It’s a difficult relationship though - there’s been times I’ve seen photos of a friend wearing an amazing, tight minidress and naively ordered one for myself, in the crazy hope that I’d look as good as she does - only to find out I’ve deluded myself. I’ve also bought outfits, dresses etc and come home and tried them on, but ended up sobbing at the sight of myself in the mirror. And then there’s times I get it right (not often!) and it feels amazing. The right dress/outfit/shoes/boots/hair/whatever has a transformational effect. You feel happy, comfortable and sexy.

Now, minimiser bras - I’ve sort-of tried them. Not extreme ones (like binding), but just ones that flatten you down slightly (this was a long time ago), and they’re not great. I understand why some women would want to reduce the appearance of big boobs, but I kind of just dress in a way that doesn’t draw attention to my boobs. I’m not a prude, but I don’t like unwanted attention. Or stares (from anyone). It’s a rare occasion when I show too much cleavage (other than to my partner). I have friends who are happy for their boobs to be a big feature of their image - many women do. But not me. I’m also getting older, and it’s not flattering to dress like a young person - but, in my day, I wore short skirts/dresses and low cut tops. Nowadays, if I tried that, I’d look like something from a bad comedy sketch - so I dress to the occasion and to make myself happy and comfortable.

[Hiram]

I think the solution is always just to keep looking - and wear what makes you feel comfortable and happy.

I agree, and I think this gets easier as we get older.  I was in the supermarket recently, it is cold so I had a hat on. I took my hat off as I went in the shop.  The thing is, when I saw myself in the window when I left - my hair had been sticking up all the time.  I just chuckled to myself. I don't care think these days.

I’ve also bought outfits, dresses etc and come home and tried them on, but ended up sobbing at the sight of myself in the mirror. And then there’s times I get it right (not often!) and it feels amazing. The right dress/outfit/shoes/boots/hair/whatever has a transformational effect. You feel happy, comfortable and sexy.

Something that I am envious, but also not envious of women and their clothes.  I have never felt the highs and lows of my outfit.  Mine have always been, well, meh.  It would be great to have an outfit and feel I look good. I only feel like that if I wear a suit and tie, but there isn't much variety in it.

Now, minimiser bras - I’ve sort-of tried them. Not extreme ones (like binding), but just ones that flatten you down slightly (this was a long time ago), and they’re not great. I understand why some women would want to reduce the appearance of big boobs,

Binding sounds medieval. I assume minimiser bras don't have that great of an effect, and only for smaller ladies.

I kind of just dress in a way that doesn’t draw attention to my boobs. I’m not a prude, but I don’t like unwanted attention. Or stares (from anyone).

I have seen this stare myself, jeez probably done it too.  I wouldn't want it either.

The fashion for really tight yoga pants that women all seem to be wearing.  They really are very revealing, I honestly don't want to see this while I am picking some parsnips.  I'm not sure of this is confidence or ignorance on some women.

It’s a rare occasion when I show too much cleavage

I was going to ask you about cleavage. Its a tricky one. I feel it okay in a cocktail dress, but not at the supermarket.

I have friends who are happy for their boobs to be a big feature of their image - many women do.

I do know of women like that.  I also know women who have never used there boobs like that. I don't think a woman should define herself for just her chest.

it’s not flattering to dress like a young person

I do see that a lot where I live. It isn't just the clothes, the hair and the tan - it isn't a good look for a middle aged woman.

I wore short skirts/dresses and low cut tops. Nowadays, if I tried that, I’d look like something from a bad comedy sketch - so I dress to the occasion and to make myself happy and comfortable.

When you did dress in skirts/dresses and low cut tops (and I'm not sure how to phrase this) what were your thoughts when deciding what to wear?

[Hiram]

I had a crush on Gabrielle Drake when I was young, never knew she did nudes.

But what was her bust size?