hey Steph, I have a couple of "Simply Basic" bras myself I bought last year when told I needed to start wearing them at work. They work well enough but have a seam in the cup I find uncomfortable and the seam around the edges bothers me some. Also they are in a 38" band which is a little tight for me. I couldn't find a larger band in smaller cup sizes.
As for support, I wouldn't really need much in the way of that myself as realistically I'm not actually a full B cup yet, I don't crowd the top of the cups in a B and any seams or such in the lining of the cups can really irritate me when wearing to tight a band. Keep in mind when I say support in relation to myself, I'm talking more about firmness then bouncing happily around. As it is, I have rather "sloshy" tities these days and it embarresses me. Though at my age, it would be expected of a naturally born female in most cases, but I've yet to accept the age factor, though I'm gonna have to soon enough.
The underwire issue is to collect and squeeze the base forward so as not to allow it to simply squeeze out from under the edges of the cups of regular bras on the sides with the smaller bands and seems to put it all forward. I guess I should lighten up on appearance issues as I am somewhat sensitive to breast issues myself.
The problems I currently have is I have a rather large base, but cone out, and toward the sides rather then forward, not being well rounded, and the underwire tends to hold and squeeze every thing forward, making them more rounded and mature appearing and provide firmness that prevents flattning when I wear the form fitting tops I love so much. without a bra, they presently press down under the tops somewhat to much and it is much like the "binding" effect that FtM's use, though not nearly so sever. If I were to simply wear looser tops, it probably wouldn't be such an issue, it is just that I have always dressed in a more "poured in" fashion, even as male, rather then looser styles which are actually quite popular these days. Since I have mostly always maintained a very lean body, I can get away with such and actually lean women do very well as small breasted. I really shouldn't make an issue of it with myself. Just my juvenilish nature I suppose.
Part of my problem with seams is that it is so hard to find anything in less then a C cup with a 40" or better band size, so I normally have to settle for 38 B or A which can easily be found. Extenders can be purchased to increase the band size, but the cups are closer together. I am lean enough not to roll out around the band, but the tighter fit makes the band and any seams uncomfortable. The Underwires I found were in a 40" band which is why I bought them and I enjoyed the more rounded look they gave me, but the underwire itself sometimes drives me nuts, especially in the heat.
I'm gonna have to just go back to front hooks as Leigh suggested, but I have never found these in larger band sizes then 38" for smaller then a C cup in the cheaper stores and I have never seen extenders for front hooks, though it seems they must exist, anyone know where? A 38 B with an extender would be perfect if I can't locate more 40 B's without a lot of ground pounding for the price range i'm comfortable paying, When I found the 40 B's I have it was the only ones they had, so I bought them both. anyone know where I can find extenders without making them myself for a front hook 38 band?
And Brenda, the only issue most of the girls here would have against Walmart would be political because of their discriminatory practice against women and transgenders. Some boycott Wal Mart because of this, but I guess many do not. Anyway, as I remember, nothing wrong with most of their clothing as they carry many good brand names.
Terri
