Bra fitting help » Cleo Lucy 30E-Uncertain about cup width and strap firmness.
Cleo » Lucy Balconnet Bra (5851) » 30E 30:6
Issue resolved
Thanks everyone! Your insights were very helpful!
Original problem
Hello everyone! This is my first fit check on bratabase, so bear with me.
A few things about me first. 1. I am just finishing up breastfeeding my soon to be 2-year-old (yikes they grow so fast!) so my breasts are softer and further down on my chest then they were pre-pregnancy. 2. I would say I am of average projection, FOB, wide-rooted and (though splayed) close-set. But this is my second bra-fitting attempt, so if it seems that I am off on any of that please let me know! I've had it for about two weeks, enough to break it in a little bit.Overall it is generally comfortable; I get good, firm support without any over tightness/rubbing. But, I have noticed a few issues that I'd like your input on! First of all, I notice that throughout the day the bra starts sinking down on my rib cage ever so slightly and I have to intermittently tug the straps to get it back up where it belongs. Also, when I swoop and scoop, my nipples end up above the lace line. Furthermore, I noticed that I get red marks/indents on the inside of my breast tissue while wearing it. Since the outer underwires are basically sitting on my inframammary fold, if I was to alter the gore, I don't think the cups would enclose my side tissue. I was thinking about going up a size and then altering that gore, but how should I do that? Do I just need to go up a cup size and keep the same band? Finally, as I continue this journey of finding my perfect bra, suggestions from anyone with similar breasts would be greatly appreciated!
You must be logged in to leave suggestions
-
New user?
-
Have an account?
Suggestions (3)
-
4
helpfulThe bra creeping downwards is a reflection of the fact that you have a projected shape and the bra cup probably does not quite match this shape at the bottom of the cup. I would not size up for this issue--if you are projected enough, and I'd say you actually do have some serious projection for your size range, 90% of bras will do this on you regardless of size and it is definitely not worth ruining the fit of all other dimensions by getting an oversized cup. (For me the only bras that don't do this at all are the Prima Donna Deauville and Empreinte bras, all of which are known for running very, very deep.) However, it's something to be aware of and when you do find a model with those rare extra-projected cups, definitely buy several of that bra!
Other issues:
Nipples ending above the lace line: do you mean they are actually above the edge of the bra cup? Or just the middle seam? The latter is perfectly normal. Nipple placement is not a factor in a bra's design. Different boobs, different nipple position, it's all good. If scooping and swooping leads to your nipples actually escaping from the cup altogether, obviously this indicates a fit problem.
Red marks or indents are par for the course. If there is no discomfort associated with them it's not an issue. if you are uncomfortable then you may want to consider another bra design instead of a different size; since it's in the inner boob area, it's either a gore height or gore width issue, or else this brand may use tough unyielding wires which are not comfortable for you (many UK brands use fairly floppy wires so it shouldn't be too tough to find alternatives).
Updated on August 3, 2014 Flag this
-
Sizing up to a bigger cup, you would have... a bigger cup :-D Which means a loss of support since this appears to be the correct volume. A bra cup that is too big for your breast cannot lift or support the tissue properly.
Marks are usually normal to be honest. When I take off an underwire bra I normally have marks from the wires and sometimes the band too, depending on the material and type of elastic. I even get marks from socks! Marks don't mean anything unless they are accompanied by discomfort or actual signs of damage to your body e.g. bruising, skin breakdown etc.
-
4
helpfulThe bra sinking down may mean that the wires' shape doesn't fit your root's shape, or that the wires are too narrow. The cup volume seem ok, I think that a bigger cup will fit better in terms of wires, but can be too deep.
Updated on August 3, 2014 Flag this
-
I honestly do think the wires are just about too narrow-they barely enclose everything. As I said above, I only really am considering upsizing in cup so that I could alter the gore and still have the cups be wide enough. Ideally, I need to
find a bra with wider wires and a narrower gore if possible!
-
-
0
helpfulI think we have very similar breasts! Same size even, though I don't have any children (and so no no breastfeeding
). I'm still looking for mine, too, but I suggest looking at plunge bras! Good for close-set breasts because the gore is so low. I think Freya Deco moulded fits me, it does give massive cleavage and it's not very projected.EDIT: you might also try the fantasie elodie side support bra! It fit me fantastically, I just didn't like the shape. It's has a narrow gore and wide wire and it's very projected, which helps with fit but also gives a pointy shape.
http://www.bratabase.com/browse/fantasie/elodie-2182/Updated on July 17, 2015 Flag this
Thank for your detailed reply! It really helps to get things confirmed, i.e. my shape, so I can figure what I need. I guess I should add "deep bottomed cups" to that list! As far as the other questions:
-> Since my nipples only rise above the middle seam, I guess its not a problem then. Just wanted to double check because I saw someone else mention it as a possible fit issue.
-> The red marks aren't painful (just to clarify.) I do think it's a width issue because they're only on the bottom inside tissue. I was thinking about altering the gore (only to improve fit/support)as some users on Reddit suggested. But then it occurred to me that I would lose width on the outer wires, which are already barely wide enough-this leads to my upsizing question. I thought if I could get a bigger cup, I could then alter the gore and still have wide enough wires. But maybe this would mess with the overall proportions?
-->Sorry for the rambling, just trying to respond to all your great advice and questions! Thank you again!