The Vine: May 14, 2010
Dear Sarah,
After wearing a seat belt, my shirt gets two rub marks in the middle of my chest where it got pushed against the tips of my underwires. Not pretty.
I usually wear 100% cotton t-shirts and always wear full-cup, good quality, underwire bras. I have big boobs (FF) and don’t feel comfortable with lower-cut bras that might place the tips of the wires lower down. I went to the not-so-old lady in the specialty bra store in my area and she confirmed that my bras fit me well.
Additional possibly relevant information: I’m 5’3”, overweight, drive a small car and have this problem with new and old t-shirts alike.
While wearing my jacket in the car helps, it’ll be summer soon and my car’s a/c is not that good. Do you or the readers have any suggestions?
After 8 Years, Wearing A T-shirt And Jeans To Work Still Hasn’t Gotten Old
Dear T,
There must be a way to jury-rig padding for that spot, in the style of those sliding pads you see on the straps of duffel bags. Manhattan Portage used to sell detachable ones for their messenger bags…ah, here’s one. Not sure how you’d get it onto the seatbelt without cutting and resewing, but if you’re even vaguely handy with a needle and thread, it’s an option.
Or you can put together your own using cotton batting or bubble wrap or whatever’s comfortable for you. Any readers found a solution to this problem?
Dear Sars,
I’ve got an Ask the Readers that would really change my life if they could help.
I’ve got a funny kind of persistent heartburn known as GERD, which means, like many others, I get nasty pain and pressure down the middle of my chest, especially right under my breasts.When it’s bad I find bras almost unwearable.Maybe this is something that doesn’t exist, but do you have any ideas for breast support that doesn’t put any pressure right there?
I often feel caught between embarrassment and real discomfort — you can really tell I’m not wearing a bra, but on the other hand, OW!Fellow sufferers, before you say anything, I’m doing all the medical options — tried every prescription that exists, raised my bed, lost weight, watching what I eat — and also all of the “camouflage” ideas like camisoles, big floppy sweatshirts, vest, and so on.None is really working for me.Even if you folks know some bra styles that don’t press quite as much around the chest — I’ll try them, I’m desperate!
Thanks so much,
I live in Florida and it’s T-shirt weather!
Dear Florida,
The only thing I can suggest without knowing your relative breast size is a tank top or bikini top with a soft bra or light built-in support, or perhaps a stretchy but uniformly tight tank or tee under your “real” top that would prevent bounce without putting any undercarriage on the painful points.
Readers?
Tags: Ask The Readers health and beauty retail
After 8 Years,
What you need is a seat belt shoulder pad. They are cushiony little sleeves that go around the seat belt strap. I use them because, like you, I am short and busty, and the seat belt always hits me on the nipple. I HATE getting molested every time I drive.
You can position the pad wherever you need it, and remove it for laundering.
http://www.amazon.com/Type-SB-11711-6-Seat-Belt-Wetsuit/dp/B000CRQ4EC
@Florida – I don’t have GERD but have noticed that I get heartburn if my bra is too tight. Do you think bra extenders would work? I’ve used them in the past with great success – the cup size stays the same, just a little looser around the rib cage. Target has them cheap in 2 or 3 hook varieties. Other than that, I second the camisole w/ built in bra or a spanx like top.
This came up a while ago, but Enesse sports bras are more compression around the boobs than support under the boobs, if that would help?
@ T
The seat belt in my old car just hit me in an uncomfortable spot, so I rigged it with a hair tie to cut across my chest differently. I know they also used to sell seat belt adjusters for kids, so that it wouldn’t hit them in the throat. I’m not sure how effective this will be for your problem, but it’s easy to try and would be less uncomfortable (to me) than putting padding on the belt.
@ Florida
I have a large chest, and on days when I really can’t make myself put on a bra, I wear a tight stretchy tank top (the ones from Old Navy work best for me) under my other clothes. It doesn’t give great support, but it keeps them contained well enough that I don’t mind going out in public.
My mom has something similar to this that she uses for the same reason (plus comfort because she hates seatbelts:)
I am a big fan of the seatbelt cushion things, but I’m not sure if that’s the issue. I use those when I’m wearing a lower cut shirt and the seatbelt is rubbing against my bare skin. I think maybe her problem is that the seatbelt is tight, thereby pushing on her bra and making the marks. IF that’s the case, the only suggestions I have are putting some padding (just when you drive) under your bra in those places, or most cars have adjustable seat belt heights (on the door) and if you adjust that maybe it could help?
@After 8:
Hmm, my link didn’t work: this is what I meant:
http://www.shearcomfort.com/Seatbelt-pads.asp
@Florida – have you tried wearing a thin cami *under* your bra? This will obviously not work with all bras or clothing options, but it might be enough of a cushion between your body and the pressure points of the bra to allow for support without agony.
Some bustier women I’ve known also swear by underwire-less bras. I am not that brave with my E cups, but it might be worth a try for pressure issues.
Make triple dog sure that your bras are fitting correctly, of course, too. :)
I’m also a GERD sufferer (and have noticed that my below the bra pain is often gas – just a thought, even though you said you were doing all the med things), but as a DD, if I can’t wear a bra, I can usually get by with a good tanktop with a shelf bra. Adjustable straps are a must, and I usually buy a size smaller than I would wear if I were wearing it alone. There’s still a little bit of bounce, but it’s better than going without.
Florida – Target sells nursing tank tops that somehow offer sturdy, almost proper bra-like support with hardly any pressure on the rib cage. I have a bad back and the pressure of bras hurts it… there are times when the tank top isn’t enough support (under thin work tops, etc) but if you don’t need the girls hoisted sky high, these might work, and they’re super comfy. I discovered them when my last kid was born; I haven’t nursed her in months, but I still wear those tank tops almost every day.
I was going to suggest nursing bras/tanks, but CJ beat me to it. They offer support, without being super tight around the ribcage, and most don’t have underwires, because that sort of construction can lead to all sorts of issues for breastfeeding. Anyway. If you can’t find anything without those super attractive clips, look for something similar, like a tank top with shelf bra cups built in, or bras without underwire.
After 8,
Is is possible to position the seatbelt strap above your girls (so it’s right under your collarbone and almost horizontally across you until it goes right under your arm pit)? That’s my solution as a DD. Though I may have to check out the pads as perhaps this is not the best method ever.
How about some kind of corset? Or would it press as much?
GERD–You don’t mention what size you are, which might make a difference, but I’m 8.5 months pregnant and though blessed with NOT suffering heartburn, the rib expansion issues have been pretty epic. I even had a mini panic attack while driving once because I felt the need to get the thing off so badly and COULD NOT in the moment. And that was a bra with a strap size two inches bigger than I normally wear, and on the largest setting. So, I hear you!
Anyway, I just wanted to add my voice to the tight/stretchy tank top chorus. 6 days out of seven I just wear a lycra spaghetti strap under whatever else I’m wearing, and while it doesn’t provide any lift, it does keep things much more shapely and contained than entirely going without. I also can’t stand the feeling of not wearing anything, and this takes care of that too. I have never been so comfy in my life.
Nursing tanks/bras and built in shelf bras are OK, but even some of those have gotten too tight for my taste now. Worth a try, though, especially if you can find ones with wide bands that don’t cut in to you at all.
If you really really need, say, padded cups or stronger shaping, I did get some relief one desperate day at work by going in the bathroom and cutting the underwires out of the old bra I was wearing that day. Worked great! Still got the benefits of the cup without nearly as much pressure on my ribs. So that’s worth a thought as well, perhaps.
@ 8 years: like Sars suggested, Timbuk2 sells a detachable pad that usually goes on their messenger bag straps, but this one closes with Velcro, so it would be super-easy to take on and off the belt: http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/accessories/strap-pad-ballistc
@Florida: I wonder if you could try one of those convertible bras to help adjust the weight distribution so that the underwires aren’t doing all of the work. Also, maybe a sports bra would be a good solution on the days you just can’t deal–I just use a Nike racerback, but Title Nine has some options that would work under “normal” clothes.
I haven’t had the rubbing on my underwires that you have, but most seatbelts do hit me in the neck and are uncomfortable.
What I do is take a heavy duty binder clip (like you use for a thick stack of paper) and attach it to the seatbelt just before it goes into the take-up reel on the door-post of the car. I pull out a little extra belt so it isn’t so tight against me – but not so loose that it renders the belt useless. Maybe reducing the tension of the belt against your body will be enough to quit making marks.
A car I used to drive had kind of a ratchet built into the take-up reel that would prevent constant pressure, but nothing in the last 10 years or so.
@unicorn hair: Don’t wear the seatbelt under your armpit, it can’t protect your upper body that way.
At the risk of stating the obvious, can you adjust the seat of your car better? I would think moving the back of the seat forward or backword until the seatbelt hits you in a more comfortable place would work. Or if you have a car with seats that raise/lower, play with that.
Florida,
If you’re looking more for camouflage than support, a possible option is to prevent headlights with medical tape. I’ve heard some people use duct tape, but… um… ow.
Hi everyone,
Thanks for the great suggestions and links. I’m leaning toward Mika’s suggestion since it’s both soft and colorful. (You can sell me almost anything if it’s in the right color – my car is bright yellow.)
Until car seat belt configurations are designed by well-endowed women, I will always risk decapitation. My seat belt strap (unless I’m wearing a coat)cuts right across my neck. If the catch permits me to wear the chest strap more loosely, that’s what I do (keeping the lap belt snug). If not (and I know it’s not maximum safety, but it’s better than going headless), the chest strap goes under my left armpit.
More women engineers!
@ T – You can try a seat belt adjuster like this one: http://tinyurl.com/38x997c
It basically pulls the seat belt shoulder strap down so that it hits you in a different position. It’s designed to keep the straps from lying across children’s necks, but there’s no reason you can’t use one to adjust the fit across your bust. If you don’t like that particular design, a google shopping search for “seat belt adjuster” will turn up several others.
8 Years – This might be an extreme / expensive solution, but have you considered switching the type of seatbelt you have in the car? You could have the standard issue shoulder / lap belt system replaced with a racing harness type of arrangement. Supposedly, these are safer anyway, and they probably wouldn’t hit you in the same “area.”
http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/racingbelts.html#5-point-harnesses
Oh, yeah – my link is just an example, not an endorsement.
Oh my god! I thought I was the only one who got those marks on my shirts, from wearing a seatbelt (or even a purse that cuts across that way!) I am SO glad to know I am not the only one. I’m an H cup and am only 5′ tall. I HATE that seatbelts aren’t adjustable like they were in the old days, when you could lock them with a little slack.
The only solution I’ve ever found is to readjust the strap so that it sits right in the middle of my right boob (when I’m driving…so, the other boob when I’m riding) and it’s never comfortable. I’m always readjusting it and I’m always fearful that my boob will explode on impact (I’m only half kidding there).
I think that’s the reason that I most enjoy wearing t-shirts with some sort of logo on the front, because I can finally sit in a car comfortably, with my seatbelt on, because it won’t show those marks.
15 years ago, I used something like this, but it was metal and seemed really sturdy. I’m not sure how these plastic ones would work, but I might look into getting one again.
http://tinyurl.com/2vzm8bk
Anyway, I will be watching this closely, to see what others come up with.
@attica – make that “short well-endowed women”. I wear a 30E & am just shy of 5′ tall, so the bloody belt decapitates or at very least slices off an ear. Car seats (actually, chairs in general) are not designed for people under 5’4″. I usually crank the seat height as much as possible to get the belt to where it should be (oh, and to see over the dashboard, too – hi there, officer), but have also been known to use a wedge cushion & back support to augment even more.
@ Florida – Is your GERD being adequately treated? The goal is to be symptom free. I recommend seeing your doctor who may be able to play around with your treatment.
If I manage to solve the seat-belt-cutting-into-my-neck problem too this shall be a very good weekend indeed!
Tisha – I was so happy Sars didn’t think it was too weird a question and I’m doubly happy not to be alone in this situation.
Big-boobed women unite!
@ Tisha I have those in my car because, no matter what size my body is, I don’t fit into most foreign car seatbelts. I love them! I get them for gifts for many people. The plastic works great. It does break eventually, but we are talking years, not months. I think the first pair I had lasted about 3-4 years? YMMV, FWIW.
re:seatbelts~they have these little velcro sleeves that wrap around the straps in infant car seats to prevent the edges of the straps from rubbing on baby skin. they also work REALLY well on adult seat belts. Just get comfy in your seat with your belt on a wrap it around the belt where you need the protection. the one I have is really soft white fleece with a ladybug on it :-P
Everyone, thank you so much for the suggestions! First thing tomorrow, I will be out on a shopping expedition looking for all of your ideas. I had not thought of nursing bras or strap extenders, and although I’ve tried several tanks that have been either too tight or not supportive at all, maybe I just need to keep on until I find the right size.
@An: Where might I find Enesse bras?
@Krissa: I’ve never worn underwires, but maybe it is time to go in for another fitting :)
@Leigh: Wow, a panic attack sounds scary. Good to know I’m not the only one with this problem!
@Mystery Amanda: Ow is right! I don’t need a huge amount of lift, but I think I may need a little more than tape:)
@Laura: Thanks – my doctor and I are still working on the symptoms. The current pill (Aciphex) seems to be doing better but I’ve only been on it a few weeks, and none of them seem to be tested completely safe for pregnancy, which I’m thinking about soon.
Again, thank you all so much!
I’m the only person to have seen this? http://www.tiddybearcomfortstrap.com/
Should that embarrass me?
Someone 5’3″ might actually need pedal extenders, so she’s not sitting too close to the steering wheel (my SIL does this, and it’s scary to drive with her.) Then, if she’s far enough back from the steering wheel, the seat belt might fit better.
I know the place I’ve linked to says to 5’2″, but if you’re on the short side, might be worth a try.
http://www.pedalextenders.com/
@Florida,
For the GERD, have you tried Aloe? Yeah like the stuff you use after you get a sunburn. It sounds crazy but they make Aloe Vera Juice. It really helps me with my heartburn (Crohn’s related). It has no known drug interactions according to my Gastro. And if you can’t take the taste, GNC sells it in pill form!
@Sandra~the tiddy bears freak me out~I’d much rather use the infant car seat-strap pad that I use than the gropey bear.
I’m not short, but I am busty, and tired of having the seat belt cut across my neck and through my armpit (and I second whoever said postioning it that way intentionally is a BAD idea, safety-wise). Here’s the belt positioner I use: http://tinyurl.com/2bbu4yd Bought (and used it) for my son, then thought, huh, maybe it would work for me too. Choirs of angels sang!
Florida:
Looks like you’ve already made some progress, but I’ll add my suggestions.
I’ve always found standard underwire bras uncomfortable.
First, I started wearing sports bras (Target has a good selection), which provide decent shape and good coverage without needing to be tight. Depending on your size, you may be able to find one that is loose-fitting underneath.
I’ve since begun wearing a Victoria’s Secret bra that has no underwire. For me, it doesn’t press against the center of the chest at all, but most of my bras never have. If you go to the website, you can shop by wireless.
Good luck!!
I have DDs and the best luck I’ve had is with t-shirt bras.
After 8,
I once was “driving” in rush-hour traffic next to a little old lady with about six clothespins attached to her rearview mirror. As I sat next to her for what seemed like forever, I watched her use three of those clothespins to alter her seatbelt so that it sat lower on her chest. One was stuck closer to the mechanism, so that it didn’t retract so tightly against her body and one clipped the chest strap to the lap belt so that it cut across her chest at a better height. I couldn’t see what she did with the third one.
I was struck be her genius on that day. There was no way that those cheapie clothespins would stop the belt from working in case of an accident, but they sure did make her look much more comfortable. And they were free!
For the underwire uncomfortables: http://sassybax.com/bralette.php looks as if it might offer support without compression – and without underwires.