Bra fitting help » Need more projection?
Panache » Andorra Full Cup Bra (5675) » 32H 32:11
Issue resolved
Going to try on different sizes in cups and bands close to this one to see if I can resolve this issue. Thank you all for your help.
Original problem
So, did I goof up with the sizing or do I need a different bra entirely?
I am back from a long time of not buying any new bras, so I'm basically starting over from the beginning again. I owned this bra in a smaller cup size before, so I figured I'd try it again, but I think the issues I had with it were maybe not just size related.
My main issue is the wrinkling at the bottom of the cup. I apologize that the lighting in my photos is difficult to make out.
I have found that throughout the day, even though the band is snugly in place, the bra seems to settle lower down on my rib cage. I end up with a space in my cups that wrinkles because the tissue won't stay there. This affects the shape and it becomes less comfortable to wear.
It's also funny because it seems to hide when the size is wrong. I've noticed that I get some quadboob when I scoop and swoop more thoroughly, but then it settles and looks fine. I think this is how I got stuck with bras that didn't really fit before.I've also noticed that this size seems to pull my breasts to the sides and flatten them more than I thought it would. The center of my breasts is definitely not where they like to sit normally.
The wires don't bother me, but it seems like they're actually too wide for me on the sides as well.Earlier I wondered if it's possible that sizing up (again) in the cup will solve my issues, but after doing some looking around, I wonder if I need more projection and support than this bra can give me.
If that's the case, I'm not really sure where to go from here.Any thoughts? I'd love some feedback before trying again. I don't have any bras that fit right now and I'm done putting it off.
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Suggestions (4)
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helpfulI believe this band is too tight and that is throwing off the fit. The downward creep of the band throughout the day is a typical sign of a too-small band. The appearance of the cups when worn is also telling. There is some serious cup distortion going on (which explains why your initial quadboob disappears as the tissue gradually settles into the cups which are being pulled to the sides of your body). For Panache's notoriously hard and inflexible wires to be pulled laterally outward this way, we are probably talking about a whole band size under what would work.
Try it with an extender and reassess the fit in order to see how the cup volume works and whether you need a different size or not. I'm guessing you have the right volume in the cups but just need a band that is not so tight.
Updated on February 29, 2016 Flag this
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Well, not all 32 bands are equal. In fact it is appallingly common for the SAME bra design, in the SAME size, to have a full 2" difference in stretched band length in different colorways! So, this doesn't mean much for your size in any other bra or brand--just this specific one right here. Just speaking generally, I'd say measurements like yours usually suggest a wearer who would be between the two sizes--probably a 32 in the majority of brands but a 34 in anything that runs a little bit small.
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helpfulI think the primary problem is this cup size is too small. Looks like you need to go up one cup size. A full cup is always likely to flatten the top of your breasts a bit; that's the nature of them. You shouldn't be quadding but it'll probably always be pointy, even in the proper size. If you want a more rounded shape, look into a balconette instead of a full cup.
Updated on February 29, 2016 Flag this
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I do generally prefer the shape of a balconette, now that you mention it. Perhaps I'd be better suited to moving towards that style anyway. I guess I'd at least like to understand what's going on here so I can avoid making the same mistakes again.
Thank you for your suggestions.
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helpfulAndorra is a pretty shallow bra, so while I agree with others that it's probably about a cup size too small for you here, it's most likely because it's simply the wrong shape and you need a bra with more depth and projection to it.
Panache Envy would probably work better for you; I'd try that in both this size and a cup size up. Especially seeing that Lucy's a good fit for you, as that's also a more projected bra than Andorra is.
Updated on March 1, 2016 Flag this
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helpfulI agree with wendybien - the band looks too tight, therefore the wires become distorted and the cups end up too shallow. The wires are sitting below your armpits and so the too-short band is 'stealing' cup volume and projection that you would need to make the bra a good fit for you.
Panache bras' bands tend to run quite tight, so this has to be considered too.
Looking at the measurements, it seems like you stretched the bra band quite strongly when you measured 34" - this is not unusual: As strength differs between people, different results have to be expected.
Looking at the Bratabase entry of the Andorra, the average measurement for the Andorra is at ~33" stretched.So, considering your loose ribcage measurement of 35", a 34 band (with about 34-35" stretched length) seems like a reasonable fit.
Updated on March 14, 2016 Flag this
I hadn't considered that the band was too tight.
I often find that a 34 band is too loose for me, usually feeling comfortable on the tightest hook, which I don't like. I guess I assumed based on the way the last one fit and from what I generally wore that a 32 was the right size.
I was surprised to see your suggestion as the band doesn't feel uncomfortably tight to me. I hadn't read anything about this problem being caused by a too tight band either, so now I have more to look for.
I will definitely pick up an extender to see what happens.
Thank you for your input.