Creating a bra for men.

[chestyoldman]

I recently completed the "Know Your Breasts" bra-fitting guide at herroom.com, and it gave me a lot information on how to fit my individual shape.  It is found on their website beneath the big orange banner to the right of where it says "brafitguide".  It is abbreviated as "KYB Bra Finder."  Although it was designed for women, completing it for various scenarios might give you some additional insight into recommendations on how to fit some of our differences.

I don't have enough experience with bras to have a determined a favorite material, although like I said earlier, it shouldn't make me sweat or call attention to itself under a shirt.  As far as concealment goes, I'm interested in concealing the fact that I wear a bra, but I'm past the point of being so concerned with concealing the fact that I have breasts.  They're there and they're pretty obvious if anyone looks closely enough.  Also, I've reached a point in my life (64 YOA) where I'm less concerned about what other people think and more concerned about what is comfortable and good for me.  I care more about taking care of my breasts now that they're here.

[hammer]

At 46H I can't hide mine either, but the bra actually makes them less noticeable because it stops to swaying and bouncing. Comfort is important and hiding that I'm wearing the bra would be nice if possible but I know that is hard. 

[island dude]

As for material, most of the ones I have bought or looked at seem to use nylon, elastane, or spandex, never tried a cotton bra. It's just the ones I've tried and work best firm my needs are made from the three materials noted above, in varying percentages. 

[TigerPaws]

Keep the feedback coming. We're taking a lot of this into consideration.

Racerback as in something like this?
http://www.customink.com/mms/images/catalog/styles/205300/catalog_detail_image_large.jpg?75c134b76eacfec83ee558a584cb9c98

Some suggestions from someone who is 5' 8" 165lbs and a 38C (and I am beginning to push a 38D).
Consider all cotton, no under-wire, mesh, front closure only, cami style, traditional style with wider shoulder straps and an under arm which will not bulge. No bulge back, wider front to accommodate our wider chests, slight padding which will flatten prominent and or dark nipples (no show through).
Comfort
Comfort
Comfort will sell a garment faster than anything else.
Colors: White, Nude, Black
Light compression without feeling like you are wearing a vice.

[hammer]

You make what tigerpaws, listed, in a 46H and I'm ready for a fitting,  of course you will need 44-50 and f-h giving various different sizing charts. But everything that has been listed in the feedback are all good things that I see would be nice in a man's bra, and tigerpaws, sums them all up for you!

I'll be standing by for a fitting.
Bob

[fairviewL]

Design and manufacture any quality product that works and price accordingly, and the market will be there.

A quality product that meets the needs of even a limited niche market like ours and it will be profitable. Develop the same product based on a not to exceed maximum price point and you will have something that is initially wildly profitable and then it will slowly hemorrhage to death on the shelves.

Research price for women's quality bras. They ain't cheap by any stretch of the imagination. You wanna talk sticker shock. Why would there be any expectation that our bra would be significantly cheaper.

Imo your goal should be to offer a Cadillac version. We've been through all the Ford Pintos out there.

One more thing. I think you are putting the cart in front of the horse. Figure out the base design first. If you're male, buy a quality woman's bra and look at how it doesn't work on a man's physique. Put a shirt on. Are you comfortable wearing the bra and a button down without an undershirt. Figure how to get a good fit, comfort, and concealment on yourself and then go for stage 2 where our input makes it functional for us. Just my opinion.

Color is an example. A white bra sounds like it would be the least noticeable. Not true. The color is a nude color. For men of color,  black is also a challenge. That color would be more of a cocoa/mocha shade. Then you have everybody between those extremes which probably represents an equal or larger market than the other two combined. Just my 2 cents. 

[Paa_Paw]

Fit could be a major issue.  The male chest is more cylindrical while the female chest is more tapered.  The male chest is larger than a female chest and the breasts are further apart.  The Male shoulders have a very different slope than female shoulders.
For many men, concealment can be a major issue.  But Athletic bras tend to merely squash the breasts. They are not only uncomfortable, but the colors defy concealment.   You would have to offer them in a variety of flesh tones to match the skin tones of the individuals.
Lots of men that would benefit from a well tailored Garment are turned off by the name "Bra."  For some there is a bias against them since the word "Bra" is the name of a female garment.   Most of the guys responding here have gotten past that, but for many others it is still an issue.                                 

[note235]

I agree with all your points and I do thank you guys for everything said.
We've tested womens' bras extensively (we've extensively questioned someone who worked at Victoria's secret). The comfort issue came up often, especially since a majority of womens' bras have different cup sizes for the left/right breast. 
The white coloring did come up and she mentioned nude (which initially did surprise me ).
I  definitely want to point out that the breast shape will NOT be like a women's bra shape since mens' shapes are different. 
The name isn't a "man bra", but we do have a name in place. I'll be revealing that at a later phase.
I agree about the quality aspect, and we are definitely targeting more of the middle-upper end.
This is such a great and helpful community!

[TigerPaws]

Design and manufacture any quality product that works and price accordingly, and the market will be there.

A quality product that meets the needs of even a limited niche market like ours and it will be profitable. Develop the same product based on a not to exceed maximum price point and you will have something that is initially wildly profitable and then it will slowly hemorrhage to death on the shelves.

Research price for women's quality bras. They ain't cheap by any stretch of the imagination. You wanna talk sticker shock. Why would there be any expectation that our bra would be significantly cheaper.

Imo your goal should be to offer a Cadillac version. We've been through all the Ford Pintos out there.

One more thing. I think you are putting the cart in front of the horse. Figure out the base design first. If you're male, buy a quality woman's bra and look at how it doesn't work on a man's physique. Put a shirt on. Are you comfortable wearing the bra and a button down without an undershirt. Figure how to get a good fit, comfort, and concealment on yourself and then go for stage 2 where our input makes it functional for us. Just my opinion.

Color is an example. A white bra sounds like it would be the least noticeable. Not true. The color is a nude color. For men of color,  black is also a challenge. That color would be more of a cocoa/mocha shade. Then you have everybody between those extremes which probably represents an equal or larger market than the other two combined. Just my 2 cents.

note235,
Take what is said above to heart if you want to succeed, niche markets while more difficult can be profitable if you have the right product and mix of products regardless of the price. Men with breasts who need support are a niche market and while as a whole we represent a fairly significant number advertizing to those who would actually purchase such a product will be a bigger challenge than actually designing and producing such a product.

Something you need to seriously consider is that you, your team and any investors will need to have and develop VERY thick skin once you present your product. Everyone will have an opinion, some complementary and many will be critical to negative. You are delving into an extremely sensitive area for most men, even on a support forum like this there is a significant difference of opinion concerning what is acceptable and what is not.

Young men have a vastly different opinion than those who are older and hopefully wiser. The women in our lives have a definitive impact on our ability to deal with our breasts. There is a lot to read throughout this forum, why men choose surgery to dealing with wives, girlfriends, people in general and going to the beach. By reading through as much of the forum as you are able to I believe you and your team may be able to come to a better understanding of what many different men of all ages face and how they do and do not deal with it.

Society and its taboos, perceived social norms and how those who are not able to or do not conform is a powerful force to deal with. Keeping some of these things in mind should be of assistance in your quest to develop, produce and bring a unique product to market.     

[note235]

Design and manufacture any quality product that works and price accordingly, and the market will be there.

A quality product that meets the needs of even a limited niche market like ours and it will be profitable. Develop the same product based on a not to exceed maximum price point and you will have something that is initially wildly profitable and then it will slowly hemorrhage to death on the shelves.

Research price for women's quality bras. They ain't cheap by any stretch of the imagination. You wanna talk sticker shock. Why would there be any expectation that our bra would be significantly cheaper.

Imo your goal should be to offer a Cadillac version. We've been through all the Ford Pintos out there.

One more thing. I think you are putting the cart in front of the horse. Figure out the base design first. If you're male, buy a quality woman's bra and look at how it doesn't work on a man's physique. Put a shirt on. Are you comfortable wearing the bra and a button down without an undershirt. Figure how to get a good fit, comfort, and concealment on yourself and then go for stage 2 where our input makes it functional for us. Just my opinion.

Color is an example. A white bra sounds like it would be the least noticeable. Not true. The color is a nude color. For men of color,  black is also a challenge. That color would be more of a cocoa/mocha shade. Then you have everybody between those extremes which probably represents an equal or larger market than the other two combined. Just my 2 cents.

note235,
Take what is said above to heart if you want to succeed, niche markets while more difficult can be profitable if you have the right product and mix of products regardless of the price. Men with breasts who need support are a niche market and while as a whole we represent a fairly significant number advertizing to those who would actually purchase such a product will be a bigger challenge than actually designing and producing such a product.

Something you need to seriously consider is that you, your team and any investors will need to have and develop VERY thick skin once you present your product. Everyone will have an opinion, some complementary and many will be critical to negative. You are delving into an extremely sensitive area for most men, even on a support forum like this there is a significant difference of opinion concerning what is acceptable and what is not.

Young men have a vastly different opinion than those who are older and hopefully wiser. The women in our lives have a definitive impact on our ability to deal with our breasts. There is a lot to read throughout this forum, why men choose surgery to dealing with wives, girlfriends, people in general and going to the beach. By reading through as much of the forum as you are able to I believe you and your team may be able to come to a better understanding of what many different men of all ages face and how they do and do not deal with it.

Society and its taboos, perceived social norms and how those who are not able to or do not conform is a powerful force to deal with. Keeping some of these things in mind should be of assistance in your quest to develop, produce and bring a unique product to market.      

Thank you TigerPaws. I appreciate you writing this. 
We will struggle with what the task at hand. 
And yes I agree, we'll be coming out with iterations of our design.

[Samael]

I would like to see a choice of under wire sizes and how far back the wire goes. And from what I've seen, a selection of cups that can fill the different breast shapes (Top/Bottom breast shapes - link from r/ABraThatFits/)

[expedient-traveller]

I cannot add anything to what has been said already, but I wish to lend my support to the venture. If and when a men's support device becomes available, I am a sure buyer (44 B/C). I do tend to appreciate total encapsulation which keeps the "assets" from becoming mobile and as for the "uniboob" look...it really does not matter. Separation is far more comfortable than squishing them together and racer back is a good idea due to our more muscular and sloping shoulders. Thanks and I look forward to getting real man support. : )

[TigerPaws]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3146327/How-one-woman-SEVEN-different-bra-sizes-infuriating-truth-lingerie-fittings-revealed.html
Great article on variations in bra sizes. We are not alone in our fight to find a bra that fits.

[note235]

I cannot add anything to what has been said already, but I wish to lend my support to the venture. If and when a men's support device becomes available, I am a sure buyer (44 B/C). I do tend to appreciate total encapsulation which keeps the "assets" from becoming mobile and as for the "uniboob" look...it really does not matter. Separation is far more comfortable than squishing them together and racer back is a good idea due to our more muscular and sloping shoulders. Thanks and I look forward to getting real man support. : )

Thanks for your support!


And as for the link, that's very enlightening. Thanks!

[Alchemist]

While I am not currently a likely customer, things can change or grow.  Something I want to mention.  My breasts are 9 inches wide at the base.  Looking at women, most have an obviously much narrower breast base.  My nipples are 12+ inches apart.   This kind of thing is common in men.  Be sure to take that into account.  My chest is 12 inches thick at the sternum.  Again, I haven't seen women with a deep chest like that.  All these things are bound to affect fit.  Goods luck.  I've been advocating a bra designed for men and have stated that we would likely see TV ads in the not too distant future.