Easy and cheap bra replacement for plus sized chests

I have been finding my ability to stand irritating things, like the feeling of a bra, is disappearing so I needed to figure out some alternates.
Unfortunately, my size means that just leaving it off completely is also pretty uncomfortable. Some minor support and a layer between the bottom of my breasts and my chest were needed.
Answer is a soft bralet or camisole but finding those in the right sizes was hard and expensive. I also didn't like the fabric mixes in most of them and they were often too flimsy.

After a few trial runs, there was a very simple option that is working for me. I've been picking up 100% cotton tshirts at the thrift store and just cutting off the arms to convert them to a great undershirt.
They need to be at least slightly stretchy, and tight, but not too tight. Mediums to smalls have been working for me. The existing arms don't matter but you need to make sure the neck is a comfortable size.
Once you you have the shirt, then just cut the sleeves off to make it fit you comfortably. That's it, then just pull over and tuck the bottom up under your breast and you are good to go. I have not needed to do any sewing on the sleeves. All of mine are holding up well with raw edges.
They can get a bit warm in the hot weather so I keep a few of the old bras around, but have mostly converted!

Good idea!  I've been wearing tight camisoles/ tank tops under my bras and that's alleviated a lot of the issues with rubbing and cutting in.  There are still a lot of days I don't want to wear a bra and need support and sports bras are just crap, even if I roll up a washcloth and put it between my boobs and add squares of some kind of cotton under-boob.  Mostly I just let the udders sway and deal with that discomfort.

A few questions--do you ever experience falling out of the arm holes when working/ moving around a lot/ bending over?  Some t-shirts have pretty big arm holes, even if they're sized small.

Does the t-shirt stay up under your boobs on its own?  I tuck my shirts up in the summer, but they always fall out (and it's not like I've got mosquito bites, I definitely pass that old-time pencil test).  Now I'm thinking maybe a band of thick underwear elastic might work to help hold it up, I'm going to have to experiment there.

Anyway, huzzah for finding solutions for big chests!  

I haven't had any issues with the armholes, but some of that might just be body shape.

Finding the right combo of size and stretchiness does keep them tucked up under but not all are as good as some. I haven't paid more than $2 for any of the ones I've used so having a few that are not as good for more active days is still fine. If you have a sewing machine, you might be able to tighten up the bottoms a bit so they stay up better. I haven't done that yet but it is the next stage of altering.

Ok, I will just say outright that I am wholly unqualified to add any real commentary about bras for obvious reasons.


However, Dian, I do wholeheartedly applaud your resourcefulness, inventiveness and your ability to problem solve with everyday things around you.  This attitude is a really good Permies trait, so if you can forgive the intrusion, I just wanted to say congratulations for figuring out a simple solution for a problem that had vexed you!

Eric

This process reminds me of how several women on the farms and communes I've lived on would cut a T-shirt so as to make a halter top....basically cutting sleeves and most of the back away, leaving strips behind the neck and lower back that can be tied.  Since T shirt fabric is knit, it hardly unravels along the cut edges so the strips didn't need hemming or anything, and they can be tied tight or loose as desired. There is even a series of books called "Generation T" which go into all kinds of patterns using T shirts....all kinds of clothes, accessories, bags, etc.....many requiring little or no sewing and instead relying on cutting and tying only.

Oh man, I've done the halter top thing and let me tell you, DO NOT BEND OVER unless you're under 25 and under a C cup, otherwise you may knock yourself out.