Bra fitting help » I can't tell if I'm having a size or fit issue.
Panache » Andorra Plunge (5676) » 32F 32:7
Initially when I put this on I thought it was as closest to a perfect fit that I've had yet. But after wearing it around the house for a few hours I have a couple concerns. It wasn't tight at first but then became more uncomfortable, especially the very top of the gore which felt like it was digging into my sternum. I noticed that even if the markings show the wire is sitting in my IMF there still seems to be space between my breast and the wire- does that mean the cup isn't quite deep enough? It also digs in at the tops of my arms/ chest (tail of spence area?)
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Suggestions (3)
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helpfulWhat happens when you loosen the straps a bit? That in itself may solve the armpit problem. Or, if there is some empty space at the top of the cup when you loosen the straps, it's worth trying 32E and 34DD in this Andorra, which will be narrower and not rub your tail of spence. Otherwise, try a narrower bra.
As long as the wire isn't sitting way lower (like 3/4") than your breast root, don't stress the bottom of the cup too much.
I think the gore is probably poking you because the band is a little tight. You can wear an extender for awhile or try a 34. If it still pokes, you can bend it (like against a tabletop) away from you at the center. I actually do this with all of my panache bras -- they use just killer stiff wires.
Updated on August 17, 2016 Flag this
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great! and loosen the straps?
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I loosened the straps and it created a gap at the inside of my cup at the gore?
I ordered an extender online and when it arrives I'm going to trying bending the gore a bit more as well because I don't know that I moved it much. So far I'm not sure this is the one for me.
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symbioticalgae When ordering an extender, make sure it does not have a stretchy part in the middle. A regular, non-stretchy one that just adds a set of clasps would be enough; stretchy extenders usually add too much band width and make the bra unstable overall.
Also I agree with melifish that both issues (digging center gore and rubbing armpits) might be a result of the band being a little too tight.
If loosening the straps causes much gapping in the cups (so much it becomes visible under a shirt), it might be a good idea to go a cup size down in the cup.
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helpfulWider wires would have little impact on the rubbing on the front of your armpit, that is more to do with strap placement and to a certain extent is unavoidable with larger cup bras even when they fit well. I have found I got used to it, but best to wear new bras for shorter periods to begin with. I would also say I suffer terrible discomfort when my wires are less than 1/2" too low so for me it's a major no-no. 3/4" is a lot. Even if it doesn't cause direct problems it CAN be an indicator of other potential fit issues, or can help you identify what they are.
Panache wires are brutal, I can't wear them, though you can bend the gore tips away from you if you decide the rest of the fit is good. There is a clue from your nipples being well above the seam that the cup may not have enough space in the bottom for you, you may need to size up (are you fully swooping and scooping?) or need a more projected cup.
For your ribage a 32 band in Panache is going to be snug, a 34 may be too big, an extender may be bang on and would probably help the gore issue, though not much else.
I would try some classic FOB Freya plunge balconies (not the side support models they are wider) in 32F such as Arabella or Ooh La La (or dups).
I just checked your other fits and realised I commented on the Kali fit with almost opposite comments, could you take both bras and compare wire widths and work out which ones you think fit best? it will give a clue as to projection as well as width.
Updated on August 18, 2016 Flag this
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Yeah it's not the wide wires per se but the overall width of the cups definitely will cause underarm chafing.
joanna1970 I know you have had a lot of problems finding a good fit (if you are the person i'm thinking of?) and everyone is different but i have to 100% disagree with you that armpit chafing/discomfort is inevitable, especially in this extremely average size range. In my opinion it is a result of mismatched shape and/or one cup volume too large. And overtightened straps can exacerbate it too.
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I may have overstated the case but, having spent an age moving Deco plunge straps in wards, I then found that my other bras that had been just as ouch at my tail of spence because perfectly comfortable 99% of the time, I just needed to get used to it. If that was the only problem with a bra I'd probably keep it and wear it increasingly longer periods of time. Definitely a lesser evil.
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ooh not for me. For me it's a dealbreaker if i can even feel them there. If I can feel them, I try the cup size down, and if that doesn't work, i forget about the bra. That's what i tell my clients too -- if there's even a hint of chafing when you're trying the bra on, it will only get worse over time.
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Ugh, this was my problem. Total chafing. I loosed the straps but got gapping at the centre gore. tried wearing it around to see if I'd get used to it and it was almost like blisters on forming. This just might not be the one for me.
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I also want to add. After wearing this for several hours I think it's sitting on my tissue above my IMF and reaches to far past the tissue under my arm.
Probably just the wrong style/ shape overall?
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if you're not in love...don't force it. There are plenty of other bras.
as for the gap when you loosen the straps -- that's what i thought might happen. in conjunction with the overly wide cups it indicates to me that you could go down in cup volume in this bra and potentially be more comfortable/get a better fit. but again, if you're not in love with the bra, try a different one.
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helpfulCan you double check the wire width? 6'7" seems INSANE for a 32F!
That aside, when you say it bothers you in the tail of Spence area do you mean at the point where the top of the cup meets the strap? Or at the outer end of the underwire?
As for the sensation of tightness, going by the numbers I would not expect this to be too snug for you, but who knows. You can try an extender and see if that helps. I suspect it is more likely due to how hard the wires are--Panache are known for using tough and unyielding wires. And also if the cups are super wide, that means half the bra is rigid wire, and this can end up hurting just because it doesn't conform to your body, i.e. the band is not too small, but it is too "hard" lol.
Updated on August 17, 2016 Flag this
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I just went to remeasure and apparently I didn't put the measuring tape away where it belongs- as soon as I find it I'll double check that measurement.
Where it bothers me is in both places? But it's more of a rubbing or chaffing where the cup meets the strap. A bra fitter in a boutique once told me I had a sort torso and need wide but short wires but she also adamant that I was a 34D so I'm not sure if she was terribly credible.
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"...apparently I didn't put the measuring tape away where it belongs..."
symbioticalgae , if you have a cat, I'd suspect her first, lol.
I'm sorry I have no useful brafitting advice to add. wendybien is on the scene, however, so you're in good hands!
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well cups that bother you up there where the cup meets the strap are usually too tall for you and/or straps too wide-set.
I'm inclined to think the wire discomfort at both gore and sides is simply due to them being so hard, as the side view does not show the end of the wire really anywhere near your armpit.
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Thanks, I'll try an extender and then maybe bend the centre gore. That really does seem to be where it's the most uncomfortable