Bra fitting help » How bad is this fit? Worth keeping?
Parfait By Affinitas » Charlotte Padded Bra (6901) » 36GG 36:10
Issue resolved
I figured out that I need a bra with more depth because this causes the east-west thing.
Original problem
I think the cups are too small, especially on the larger side. There's quad boob, and I think the center gore doesn't tack because the cups aren't big enough. Otherwise, the band is about right. There is not enough depth in the cups -- I would need 2-4 more inches of depth, I think. And I get close to falling out if I bend over, but I don't quite. The photos from the top show a crease in the top of the outer side of each breast -- what does that mean? It's something that happens a lot with cups that are too small for me. Is that a narrow root thing? The straps are wide set, but I can deal with that because it's not as bad as others I've tried in the brand. Also, I have to pull the straps a bit high, which is not a problem I often have. This is not as disastrous as many others I've posted here. So should I keep it? It seemed fairly comfortable. I might be able to shift more tissue over to the sides if I bend the wires a bit as well. And I don't really have anything that fits well right now. How bad is this fit?
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Suggestions (2)
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helpful
It doesn;t look like a bad fit size-wise--the cups are just a lot shallower and wider than you are, with no room for inner fullness. That's why you're getting shoved east and west. It will probably look fine under clothes so consider comfort when deciding whether to keep it.
Updated on July 23, 2014 Flag this
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With this bra, yes, you are lacking some depth, that the bra sort of makes up for with its excessive width.
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So, it won't cause weird tissue migration or anything, right?
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I'm the wrong person to ask since I'm a skeptic on tissue migration in the first place--there is no scientific evidence of it, it flies in the face of what we know about breast tissue (glandular tissue which is SUPPOSED to extend up into the armpit, this is not a deformity) and there are so many confounding factors (including the fact that many women get into correct bra-fitting in their late teens and 20s when the breasts are still growing) that even the numerous reports of breasts increasing in size after better-fitting bras are worn are open to interpretation.
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No. Tissue migration has no scientific basis (I have found no scientific journal articles on the topic and if it were an observed phenomenon that would be a huge breakthrough in the fields of breast cancer research). I have observed my own breasts change shape since I started wearing better fitted bras, but people's breasts fluctuate. I wouldn't worry about the breast migration thing. It's not the end of the world. People's breast tissue can get softer due to bras that squish breasts too much as well as binders, and that's really all I know about with regards to the effect of bras on breast tissue.
If it's not comfortable, return it. If it is, wear it. In the meanwhile, I would look for bras that actually match your shape. Have you considered Freya's unpadded stuff or Fantasie's side support bras?
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I "feel your pain" on this one. Really wanted this attractive bra to work for me. I am generally 36J and ordered 3 sizes. The 36K was the best fit on me but the lack of depth off the gore pushed me totally to the side as well. There has been a bunch of discussion about how wide and shallow this style is. You could attempt to go up 2 cup sizes from your "usual" size and see what happens but I also believe that like me, it is just the wrong shape for you.
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Oh, KristinR , you asked the question I have been trying to figure out too! (Though I haven’t managed to photograph myself yet for a fit request.)
I have searched a bajillion different terms in my quest to understand “a crease in the top of the outer side of each breast—what does that mean?” I really haven’t seen a whole lot of mentions of it.
Nearly every bra I try creates a similar fold, at least on my larger side (and sometimes the smaller, too). It can be uncomfortable. However, deep cups that remedy the crease can cause me to feel kind of jiggly on top (especially on the smaller side).
I wish I had some knowledge to share, but I’m really just starting to figure this stuff out myself. Thanks for mentioning the issue!
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Boobs crease when they are being compressed or "folded" in one direction or another. So basically any cup that is not an exact match for your breast dimensions and shape will result in some creasing.
It's not a problem in and of itself, but can help you identify other issues which ARE problems and can lead to discomfort or an appearance which is different from what you're looking for. If you see creases all along the top, "super cleavage style", as you probably know, this indicates your boobs are being vigorously shoved upwards. Good if you are looking for sexy cleavage and uplift, bad if you want to be able to wear a V neck without scandalizing your very conservative Great-Aunt Beulah. Creases on the outer edge means your boobs are being pushed apart more than they naturally want--this can be a feature of a bra that is shallow all over, or simply that does not allow enough space for your inner fullness. This outer-edge creasing is EXTREMELY common in padded/foam/contoured cups if you have a lot of projection. If you dislike the appearance of these creases try a cut and sew, unpadded cup.
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This is very helpful, thank you! It's a problem I have with virtually every bra I try on as well, especially on the larger side. I find the creases uncomfortable more than anything. It's helpful to know what to look for now.
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Maybe I have loads of inner fullness and/or projection because I get outer-edge creases in most of my bras (which are mostly unpadded cut-and-sews). I’m still figuring out my shape and I hadn’t even considered inner fullness as a possible concern for me. I really appreciate reading your thoughtful comments, wendybien :)
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helpfulThe creases are from your pendulous breasts being pushed upward. They are natural, normal, and not at all a sign of a bad fit.
You actually do have just enough room in the cups, I think, but you're not using it all. Take the straps in your hands and vigorously shake your breasts to the bottom of the cups, until the underwire is just under your root. Once done, you will probably find you are no longer quadding.
Charlotte is already a shallow bra and it runs tight in the band. You will get a better fit and have less strap in your armpit if you sister size to a 38G. This will make it a little less shallow and pull the straps closer in. (You might even find you can go down a cup to FF when you go up to a 38.) The band is tight and also very wide and sturdy, so a 38 should be fine on you.
Updated on July 23, 2014 Flag this
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This isn't really what's happening. My breasts aren't being pushed up, and this is the only band I have that I think fits properly and isn't too big. These straps are fully adjustable, and the bra falls low enough on my torso. And I do fill out the bottom of the cups. Also, at least according to the herroom.com definitions, I have soft tissue but not pendulous breasts yet. Definitely out and to the sides as explained above.
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This is one of the bras this site recommended to me, but I ordered it before I set up an account here. Also, the site recommends it in an H or HH cup and not this. So, I guess my issue is not width like I thought? It's more of a depth problem, right? Sometimes the east-west thing is a little better if I wear a bra with a racerback strap. Might try that. I looked under clothes and it wasn't nearly as bad as the other two I had in this brand. I think those made me point straight out on the sides.