A formidable 42K: It’s the world’s biggest strapless bra

By
Liz Hull

17:39 EST, 4 July 2012

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10:56 EST, 5 July 2012

As women with an ample bosom know only too well, their physique rules out all manner of summer wardrobe options – in particular strappy dresses.

The problem is that it has been virtually impossible to find underwear which offers enough support to enable them to look elegant in a shoulder-baring outfit.

Now a company promises to boost the fashion potential of Britain’s larger ladies – by offering the world’s biggest strapless bra.

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Pretty in pink: The makers N Brown of the 42K bra, which has a similar style to this smaller strapless bra, describes the new design as a 'triumph'

Pretty in pink: The makers N Brown of the 42K bra, which has a similar style to this smaller strapless bra, describes the new design as a ‘triumph’

At a prodigious size 42K – the equivalent of a dress size 26 – the bra, described by its makers as a ‘triumph of textile engineering’, claims to accommodate the bosoms of some of Britain’s bustiest women.

It is made of polyester, nylon and elastane and has a toughened underwire to give maximum lift. The cups are fully lined and have strengthened seams to give additional bust support. The bra also has extra boning in the sides to enhance the bust shape and profile.

The world's largest bra is being sold by N Brown, which owns online mail order brands Simply Be and Figleaves

The world’s largest bra is being sold by N Brown, which owns online mail order brands Simply Be and Figleaves

Despite being jokingly dubbed a ‘hammock’, the bra, created by plus-size clothing retailer N Brown, is far from dowdy, with the firm crediting the garment for a recent rise in sales.

N Brown, which owns online mail order brands Simply Be and Figleaves, offers clothing for women sized 14 to 32 who have difficulty finding fashionable garments in regular shops.

Its chief executive Alan White said the strapless bra was one factor behind a  2 per cent increase in sales since February.

Since the 42K bra was launched around 12 months ago it has sold more than £100,000 of stock worldwide – accounting for a tenth of the company’s bra sales last year.

It has been so successful that the firm is planning on launching an L cup version next year.

Mr White said of the strapless bra: ‘It involves very clever engineering to support what are very large weights.  A “K” is, indeed, a very big cup size.’

Costing £27, the bra, which comes in ivory and magenta, also has detachable straps which can be worn four ways.

An ample bosomed woman tries out the 42K strapless bra

An ample bosomed woman tries out the 42K strapless bra

It is a full three sizes smaller than the biggest strapped bra on the market, which comes in a size 48N, created by Rigby Peller, the Queen’s underwear retailer.

Average women’s body shapes have changed in recent decades, with the most common bra size in the UK  having increased from a 34B ten years ago, to a 36D.

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

42K? fat back lol 42inch back is huge! at 32G its SOO hard to get bras 🙁 x

I’m 16, and depending on the make of the bra – I’m a 32K-34J
That bra really does not look very comfortable, I would absolutely love to be able to wear strapless tops being still very young and all, but I need funding for a breast reduction. However, in regards to one of the comments someone put up about Bravissimo – I stood in their store crying because they had NOTHING… At all… to fit me so that’s not always the answer to the bustier woman’s problems!

I am a 38 DD and break every underwire bra that I buy. If I were any bigger, I would get breast reduction surgery. My former boss would just look at them and it was embarassing. I wanted to say “my eyes are up here.”

In the video my favorite was the pink Balconette bra. The model is beautiful and she looks incredibly sexy in the matching bikini panty. Real curvy women are so much more appealing than those impossibly thin models we are constantly being bombarded with in ads. Love the feel of a true voluptuous woman. Can’t really say anything about bra support though…I’m the wrong gender to comment.

Would it be a good idea for a 42k to go strapless though? I’m guessing the back pain would be horrendous.

There is no way that model is a K cup

have none of you ladies ever tired bravissimo? they stock a huge range of biiger cup sized bras their website is brilliant. i used to buy all my bras there. but i have since had a reduction. best 5k ive ever spent! hated them before

Rigby and Peller have been selling bras up to a size ‘t’ cup for years

couldn’t find anyone to fit the dumb thing for the picture; or no one that fit the bra was willing to get pictured?

Thanks to all those who explained a ridiculously complex system. (Guys have got it easy: See top; buy top; leave.) If like you said E=5″ and each letter and double letter is an additional inch then a K bust is ridiculously a foot and a half larger than the ribcage regardless of the bandsize right? Then I agree with the women who say this bra is a bad idea. Even if they can make it this size it is likely to break and not when it’s in the cupboard at home! Anybody who is THAT endowed will look “fat” or overweight whether they are or not because dresses will hang off you for one thing. The other big reason I wouldn’t wear it is because if you are that endowed and you wear a strapless number you could be the nicest person ever BUT society will act as if you are a loose sl*pper or begging attention, even if that’s not the case – don’t ask me why though.

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