Bra fitting help » Please help, where to go from here?
Bravissimo » Boudoir Beau Bra (LN149) » 38JJ 38:14
Issue resolved
Selling this bra, it doesn't work for me
Original problem
Although this bra pretty much "fits" (no spillage or anything), the shape is AWFUL due to it not being very supportive.
You can see in one of my photos, when I pull on the lace at the top of the cup, it gives a more rounded, supportive shape and feel.
What's this all about? Someone please explain this to me, because I feel like this has been an issue with a lot of bras I've tried on that "fit" but I won't wear them.
I tried the 38J in this and the 38K also. The J looks a LOT better, but after several minutes, there is spillage out of the top. The K is just too big and looks even worse than the JJ. Also, I can put this on the way it is, but chose to wear it with an extender. I have a couple of bras on order from EM, but other than that, I'm at a loss and don't know what to try next.
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Suggestions (5)
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helpfulIts the same on me, i figured it was the rubbish elastic on the straps thatmake it unsupportive
Updated on April 17, 2014 Flag this
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helpfulit's 1 or 2 cup sizes too big. When you tug on the top, you are effectively making the cup smaller, and therefore more supportive and uplifting.
The reason you spill out of the 38J is that the band is too tight. I don't mean that it's uncomfortable, though you say that it is. I mean that the tight band is pulling the cup to the side, allowing you to spill out the middle.
Don't know what the size range of this bra is, but think you'd do better in the neighborhood of 40HH.
Updated on April 17, 2014 Flag this
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helpfulI have nothing to add about the Beau since I haven't tried it. However, I do think we've chatted before here on Bratabase?
You sure have tried quite a few bras, haven't you? I certainly understand your frustration.
I noticed you liked the elomi Amelia and you were struggling with the gore. Well, I'm also close set and that gore shift/roll you notice is common when you are close set and the bra is set a bit too wide for you, and probably too tall. I do the same thing. My best solution (don't laugh) is to size down in band and up in cup and use a non stretch extender.
I am currently wearing 36H Idina Plunges this way. Not kidding. 2"-3" of extender because the 38's do the gore roll on me and shove down my torso. I know this sounds like a major bra sin but I've discovered there are precious few bras that are designed for my shape and being close set is a MAJOR issue.
I think you'd be best in a plunge (brand/style tbd) but finding one in a JJ cup…ouch. The only one I cup up with is the Freya Faye Plunge in a 36JJ… I wonder if an extender would work? I don't know if you've tried the Panache Envy but I hear great things about it.
I do think trying Ewa or a brand like Comexim, which can be customized, may be your best bet.
Another alternative is to alter bras that are close fits. This may involve sizing down in band, up in cup, etc. If a bra is a good fit other than a bit of gape then that is easily altered. If you want more lift and can't get it because wires are too long at the wing you may be able to trim wires and take a bit of fabric off around the underarm. In short, you need a seamstress experienced with bra alterations. I alter bras (I should say I take them to be altered)… in fact, my Idina plunges will get altered AND I'll use extenders.
There's a certain point where you just have to feel free to rip a bra apart and make the sucker fit. And looking at your list of bras you've tried…well, I'd be there.
These fit problems aren't your fault… the industry has just quite simply failed to supply close set women in larger cups with choices.
Updated on April 17, 2014 Flag this
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Just out of curiosity, what about trying a Bravissimo plunge? They go up to J cups in 38. Add an extender if needed…but see how a plunge works. The Bravissimo styles have lowish wing wires, so that may help, too.
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…and, Alegro has a plunge in 40J. Worth a try, maybe?
http://www.herroom.com/alegro-9025a-dreamweaver-underwire-plunge-bra.shtml
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I would bet my purse that within 2 washes the band will not be tight. Bravissimo does not use good quality elastic
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Alegro is horrible. Very soft wires, very soft band, totally unsupportive and very shallow cups. Don't bother.
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I just tried the Alegro, it was horrible on me. I'm getting ready to add it to "My Bras", with a couple of pictures. Mine is the 40J in Grey color.
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I was looking at your images/reviews on the Elomi and curvy Kate plunges and I think the plunge styles look to be closer fits than most balcony styles. Have you tried playing with band/cup sizes in the plunges? Trying a smaller band/larger cup with extenders?
I know the (probable) permanent use of an extender sounds counterintuitive but it can help with painful or wide gores when you are close set.
Do you have a seamstress you could consult about alterations?
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WideCurves , I have tried on so many I can't keep it all straight. I am totally and completely open to trying anything. I don't know of any seamstresses, although I'm sure there must be one around here. I just added a bunch of bras on here. I'm currently "trying out" a few to see if I want to keep them, although they aren't optimal. I'm desperate though. They are the Elomi 8790 in 40HH, Elomi 8850 in 40HH, Elomi 8510 in 40HH, and the Cleo Marcie in 38J. They all hold me in and give a good shape. But the wires seem pretty wide on the Elomis and are also rubbing the front area of my armpits. I'm wondering if that will stop after washing. If not, I'll probably need to send them back. Are there any plunges in particular you can suggest for me?
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If the Elomi styles are rubbing on you at the armpit, that may not change. It didn't for me.
What about revisiting Curvy Kate? Can you sister size into a smaller band, larger cup or do you get sized out?
Same with bravissimo plunges....
In both brands I think there are two basic styles out right now. So, make sure you sample both. Bratabase is good at telling you which ones are shaped the same.
Call local lingerie shops or sewing/tailors shops and ask for recommendations for people who work with bras or lingerie in your area.
And collect a few varieties of extenders - nonstretch and stretch. I'd bet nonstretch works better but you never know.
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I just realized I do get quad-boob with the Elomi Izzy. So that ones out. I *possibly* may be able to wear a cup size down in the Elomi Persia. I'll try it. The extenders I have are nonstretch, as that's all I could find at my local stores. I'm not sure if I'll order from Bravissimo again as it is a little too expensive for "trial and error" for me. I can most definitely try some more Curvy Kate plunges. I will probably place another order tonight with either HerRoom or Bare Necessities.
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38H looks like the biggest size in CK plunges at HR & BN, aside from the Daisy Chain which I have tried in 38J and have pictures/review up here on the site.
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On Amazon.com they have the Gia (which I didn't think was awful but that's your decision) in a 36JJ.
They have the Dare in a 38J and 36J.
They have Daisy Chain in 36/38J.
Their Elomi collection isn't very good on Amazon.
Since you already know where you're at on the Gia, what about trying a band size down, cup up? See if that helps the gore (with extender).
Same with Daisy Chain.
Have you tried the Dare?
Elomi cuts their plunges off at lower cup sizes…unfortunately. Can you do a 38HH if they make it, or a 36J in the Persia?
What about a 38J/JJ in the Izzy with extender?
And you like the Eva in the 40HH?
I liked the gore on the Tiffany.
If the cups were too big in the Renee, try going down a cup? I think the 38 gore looked better than some. Add an extender and see what happens.
I could go on, but keep going through your lists and order a band down/up and cup down/up on your better feeling tries. Try with an extender. See what happens.
One of the things *I found* in Elomi (and this may not work for you but it's worth mentioning) is that I quad in a too big band and small cup. I need to size down in band, up in cup and the quadding stops. So, a 38G will quad but a 36GG won't. Same cup volume. It's because they make their gores wide or something else I can't pinpoint in the structure. But it happens every time. I *think* the cup is the right size because I have some empty space+quadding or cut-in but it's actually too small (and band too large).
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Thank you again, SO MUCH! I am going to try my best to do everything you've suggested! Thank you thank you thank you! :) And yes I do like the Elomi Eva in 40HH, but the wires are too wide and rubbing the front of my armpit...Cup must be too big. I'm not going to send it back right away. I'm going to place another order tonight so I'll have new ones in just a few days. If nothing pans out in that order then I may keep the Eva I have right now. If I get lucky then I'll send it back.
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I liked the Elomi Jocelyn on you...
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And yes, I liked the Gia, but the gore hurt in the 38J.
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Sorry, I see where you addressed the Gia gore issue.
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Try the Eva in a 38J! It may be the width of the frame because you're close set. It may move the wires just enough to fit (with extender).
I am cursing the lack of bras for us close-set ladies right now, especially above an H cup. Grrr….
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I know it is incredibly difficult to shake the idea that the cups are too big when they rub under your arms…but I swear most of the time it's the band/cup ratio and you need smaller band/larger cups and a stupid extender.
Close Set. Ugh.
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I tried the Eva in 38J, I have pictures and a not-so-good review it seems. I can give it another try and see how it fits.
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And the Gia *may* just need an extender. If you're normally a 38 in CK then try a 36….but if you are better in 40 CK then you may just need an extender. I've had it happen like that, where the gore was because of the tightness of the band, and worked great with an extender.
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Were the cups hitting your underarms or uncomfortable in the 38J Eva? Maybe it just needed an extender?
I looked at the pics and I don't know…
Maybe you could talk to a seamstress about altering it just a bit under the arms in the 40HH.
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I honestly don't remember what the issue was but the fact that I typed I wanted to try a larger cup makes me think I must have had some quad-boob.
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Then try the J and JJ. Hey, every bra is different. The 40HH looks really good on you, I think. The fabric may soften up or is it the wire?
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The fabric
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I'd say there's hope if it's the fabric. At least I would have hope…this is *your* body :). It's easier to snip/hem fabric than wires….
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helpfulCould you add pictures / do a fit request with the 38J? Ideally with and without an extender?
Ideal would also be if you tried to take pictures similar to this example: http://imgur.com/a/S3EWD Especially the 45 degree angle is very telling.
I suspect you got a shape mismatch in the Bravissimo Boudoir, but it is hard to tell without more sizes for comparision.
I also looked at your pictures of the Panache Jasmine in 38J, it looks very good. A supportive bra will always bring them up, so I don't quite get your complaint.
Updated on April 18, 2014 Flag this
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Yes, I can put up those pictures you are requesting in the 38J later today. My complaint is I just do not like that kind of look on myself. I understand some people do, but I don't feel comfortable looking like that, and I don't wear the clothes that would look good with that look anyway. I never dress up, I always just wear t-shirts, and not tight ones. I look like a box with a shirt on over bras that make my boobs look like the Jasmine does.
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helpfulI own this bra, and have noticed that the elastic is a much lower quality than on their Paradise Fizz bra. I initially had this same issue that you are having, but I cranked those straps way up and it really helped me. Not so far that they hurt, but enough that it's more supportive. I'm sure you've tried that, but it's just a suggestion.
Also, have you tried "swooping" the fat from your back and under your armpits into the cups? That always makes a huge difference in fit for me. I dont know if you have it or not but it's worth a shot right?
Updated on May 20, 2014 Flag this
This particular bra doesn't come in a 40 band, but Bravissimo carries some that do. I was surprised, living in the US, I received my order 7 days after placing it! Thanks for the suggestions!