Less thinking about how to custom order Polish bras from women who think 26 bands are delusional. Plus, I love the punk/trashy look going. Zebra on my boobs!
And, DD+ fashion in size 6 for young people or old people with prowly moments (me).
Unfortunately, from what I've seen so far, MIP does not have good quality bras. They still need a lot of work. I'd wait a while before ordering bras from them. Clothes they are good at it seems though.
Yeah, I haven't heard much good from them :-/
Before doing Made In Preston, Nikki manufactured bras under 2wenty8 which also made 26 bands. There's a couple of bras added one for them in that range Made In Preston Winter Punk Lace Bra and 2wenty8 Loren Midnight Blue if you want to see some reviews.
Something I've been wondering - doesn't the gore height have a huge influence on our cup width measurements? It seems to me that measuring tip to tip on wires, plunges are going to have artificially inflated wire widths, as it's taking the long route diagonally rather than straight across, if you picture it on a body. Doesn't that make cups look automatically wider, comparatively, if you're just looking at the numbers?
It's something I've noticed too but I don't know how you could get around it while measuring. There would be way more error if you tried to measure straight across the cups for every bra as this would require a lot of estimation.
I think you'd just have to take gore height, wire width and wire length into consideration when trying to determine whether the wires would work.
Another thing about the wires is that different brands have different strengths of wires. When worn, a Freya wire will stretch further than a Cleo wire. I don't care if they both look the same on paper if they're doing completely different things on my body. Would it at all be feasible to add a "stretched band wire width" measurement?
I've definitely noticed this, because I can't use the depth measurement unless i'm comparing different sizes of the same model.
I think a better way to measure projection is to hold the bra cup horizontally, and put a small weight in it. The furthest distance the weight can be from the plane of the wire is a good measure of the projection.
This is hard to picture I realize. Let me add a drawing. :)
I did last week a massive bra alteration on the Freya Lydia, which I was looking for a good moment and couldn't find in my usual 28GG nor 30G! Luckily, my sewing skills being advanced, I decided to try to find it in a sister size and cut it open. I bought a 36E, and spent 3 hours work and concentration, and ...at the end, a perfect 28GG! For those who are used to alterations, you don't remove the end bit (with the hooks), but shorten from the part next to the cup. The tricky part is to remove all the stitches, but the hours spent doing it is well worth the result. I took some pictures but don't know how to show them here. As soon as I know, I will show you the result.
I've been wearing it since, to try it on more than a couple of minutes.
A comment regarding altered bras. If the alteration is not super drastic you can add the bra twice (as if you had two bras) to the site, with one with the data before alterations and a second entry with altered data (and indicate that the bra has been altered when entering measurements)
The first entry serves for usual purposes, the 2nd one having the altered measurements flag will not affect other averages but will be used to know what numbers are better for you (considering you've entered bra fit). It makes it easier also for you to search based on measurements.
I hope you figure out how to post the pictures. I really want to see it!
I have a quick fit question (my camera refuses to work without blurring so I'm going to have to take some out of my schedule to fix it). I've lost about 16-18 pounds and the only measurements that have changed are my waist and hips. My tango just isn't doing it anymore-I can wear it all day on a ...tighter hook (I've had the bra less than a month and I don't wear it everyday), the cups wrinkle at the top, I have this really weird wrinkling at the sides toward the bottom, and the underwire is constantly slipping...this is seriously like the only bra that fits me in the cups properly and until I can afford/get to try on the Jasmine and order some Ewa's (although I'm unsure about sizing for those too because I measure as an HH but the cup is seriously too small). Any clue as to what's going on and what size to order from Ewa Michalak? I don't have a ton of side boob, hardly any actually, and I scoop as much as I can get to stay into my cups. Read more 128 more words
I would say there's no way anyone can give you a good answer without you measuring and taking pictures.
Because we need to find your real bra size before we can even guess at an EM size, which runs very different from "true" sizing. I know you don't want to hear this. You want to hurry up and buy an awesome fitting bra and not waste any time. But you've had weight loss and your bra isn't fitting anymore. We have no information to go off of to suggest a size except the fact we know that the Tango is doing odd things. You also didn't mention what size the Tango is, and you've chosen not to display your bras so I can't look it up.
You're going to have to put up a fitting request and go from there, or you'll just end up wasting a ton more time and money. There's just too many unknown variables to even remotely suggest a size here.
Do I really? So sorry, I didn't realize they weren't displayed. I'm currently in a 32JJ I measure more of a 34HH, even with the Ewa calculator-my underbust is 33 my standing bust is 42.
I'm going through some kind of giant bra haul where I am buying a ton of bras and going to try them on and review them (as many as I can). My husband's not particularly happy with it, but I know 90% will go back anyway. I just like trying on different ones to learn about how ...bras work and bra construction and it can be pretty fun.
So I have a bunch of things from Bravissimo and Panache coming but I keep thinking about Cleo. I know they do not technically go up to my size, but I am still interested in trying out some 38Js since I can alter the band if I feel that I can get a good fit with them. But Cleo is pretty much confusing for me. There's a ton of models and I know nothing about them other than that the Marcie is good for FoT women and the Meg is allegedly good for FoB and the Lucy is...popular? That's literally it.
I am aware they only have two hooks too, but when I tried the only Cleo bra I did (the Marcie, in two cup sizes too small) even with all the quadboob I was impressed and intrigued by the shape and support it gave. Then someone told me they didn't think the Cleo Marcie was good in bigger cup sizes and now I'm all confused.
Does anyone know anything about Cleo in the H+ cup territory? Any recommendations for my shape? I'd at least like to try one that should fit in the cups before I rule them out.
My shape: My breasts are narrow rooted, deep, full on top, very "soft", close together, high set, heavy.
We've got very similar boobs, only mine are less fabulous (smaller). I'm also more full-on-bottom, probably balanced now. I live in their balconnettes.
Meg: runs about a cup-size large. The fabric is very firm, very utilitarian, and so works quite well under strain. The top of the cups can be finicky because they turn in quite sharply - I tolerate a bit of looseness in the top of the cup on my smaller breast. The straps can be a bit wide on some people. Overall a GREAT bra though.
Lily: Allegedly the same as Meg but seems to be true to size. Fabric is much softer and more delicate, and as a result does not offer the same support. I'd give this one a miss unless you absolutely love the pattern. I get a lot of jiggle and a weird shape at the side where the fabric warps under strain.
Bella/Melissa: firm fabric, but less strong than Meg. Still good. Also a bit of a tricky fit at the top - I'd size up to be safe, as I prefer a bit of wrinkling at the top to quadboob. The wrinkling doesn't show under clothing as the cup curves in very sharply. The straps are really short so bear in mind if you are low-set (might be different in larger band sizes).
Lana: this is the same cut as above, but a different fabric. It's more open on top so more forgiving, but the fabric is softer and less supportive. I can still wear my old 30GG in this one, but I jiggle like crazy.
I've never tried Marcie or Lucy. The padded styles have not worked for me at all, as they are wider and shallower in shape.
With the balconnettes, as you can see, the fit does differ a lot based on the fabric used. I'd personally steer clear of the thinner/softer fabrics as they just do not work in the larger cup sizes.
Ah, I think I just responded to you on my blog! I'm so glad you saw this, as you've got a lot of experience with Cleo. I actually am beginning to see that cup construction is very vital, right down to the materials used, so I'm so glad you talked about that here.
The Marcie isn't padded? Or were you just saying the padded styles don't work for you? I didn't even know there were padded Cleo bras.
I think as much as the Meg is a temptation, that it won't be a good fit for me because of how full on top and soft I am, I'll probably just gradually come out over the course of the day. Well, if I find it I'll probably try it just for bra science anyway, knowing me. The fabric does look really heavy duty.
The Bella looks the most forgiving? The Melissa looks closer to the Meg. I'm already going to be sized to the max at first so I can't go a cup up unfortunately.
Doesn't sound like the Lana is a safe bet or the Lily. There's still a billion other Cleo models to go through, but I do appreciate the info! I think I'll be looking into the Marcie (again), Bella, and possibly if I see the Meg just to experiment with I may try it. Thanks. I'll continue researching.
I love Nordstrom. I really do. But I hate what happened when I went to try on bras the other day.
First of all, I had to rely on the fitter to retrieve sizes for me. They are kept in the back. So much for being able to research and scope them out on my own. I had barely even ...walked into the section before being asked what I needed help with. Yes, this is normal in retail land (been there done that), but I couldn't tell you a thing about what this store carries, as I didn't get to see any of it. It would have been really nice if she had at least walked through with me so I could show her what styles I like. Sure, I could have stayed and looked around more after we were done, but that would have meant dealing with her even longer.
At this point, the fitter pretty much took over.
After telling her that I was looking to try some 30FF's and 32F's to compare the fit, she gave me an odd look then asked "Do you mind if I measure you?" I figured what the heck, measuring yourself is hard enough. Let the pro do it, right? Wrong. She never broke out a measuring tape. Just had me take my shirt off. She looked at me and said "Oh I guess you are!".....are what? Why would my size be at all surprising to someone who does bra fitting every day?
I was wearing my 32F cleo marcie, which is my best fit so far. I pointed out that the bra I had on fit okay in the band, but that the elastic cut into me in an unflattering way. I was hoping for something with wider elastic or something. She interpreted the cutting in to mean that the band was too small. The fitter just didn't believe I had the right size. And so begins the most cringe-worthy part of this experience.
I asked to try some 30FF's, since some of my 32 bands were starting to ride up. For the record, my snug underbust measurement is 30.5 inches. Tight is 28.8. She made a big show about how a 30 would just be wayyyyyy too tight. Almost didn't even bring me one. When I finally talked her into letting me try one, she VERY THEATRICALLY tried to close it in the back and insisted there was no way it would work. This is with the front of the bra sitting on some of my breast tissue. She did not even try to hook the damn thing. Whatever. I guess 32 bands are good enough. On to the next size.
34D. She put me in a 34D. No measuring, nothing.
She proudly declared that it fit, until I swoop and scooped and had quad-boob all over the place. The rest of the session was her bringing me sizes that were wrong (34DD, 32D, 32DD) and me pointing out WHY they were wrong. She was getting visible frustrated whenever I would swoop and scoop. At one point she even told me to stop and to just "let the bra sit naturally". She readjusted one bra so that I wasn't quadding by lifting the underwire up onto breast tissue. I had to raise up my arms and point out to her that yes, that is still my boob. She didn't bring me even ONE bra in my current measured size.
The only reason I made a purchase was because I desperately needed a nude t-shirt bra. Ended up with a 32DDD Chantelle that happens to fit because the cups seem to run large. So thanks, lady at Nordstrom, for making me feel both fatter and flatter than I really am.
Sorry for spewing out all that evil. It just left me so freakin irritated and feeling like Ron Swanson at Lowes.
I'm so sorry you had such a shitty experience. I know the feeling. I think we all do. I think we have to go in places like these ready to do battle with our knowledge. I know how it can be when you're taken aback. But really though, too bad you didn't ask about her credentials. What was her experience? Where did she read? Did she not know the proper way to fit a bra? I think letting people talk themselves and show their lack of knowledge is vital in situations like these, as you stare at them knowingly. Perhaps even ask her about her own bra.
What makes me sad is to know that she is going to ignorantly fit other women like that. I would have told her, I'm sorry but I've tried on a lot of bras and I know my size so either you can bring me these bras or I'll go elsewhere (or talk to the manager).
Just remember, even the most "professional" bra fitter could have knowledge from god knows where that is totally wrong. I don't think I'd trust anyone at this point, as they think they know it all and there's not exactly a bra fitting school or certification they can get to show me what they know.
It doesn't even sound like this lady gave you privacy. Hourglassy regularly reviews bra fitters and in sometimes they talk about the hallmark of a good fitter, and one of them is that they are respectful and give you privacy. I can't find that post, but here's a link to some of their reviews http://hourglassy.com/category/bra-fitting-reviews/
Personally, I think Nordstrom is overrated in bra-fitting. I don't think I've ever lived in the middle of nowhere, in fact, I've generally lived in big cities and I often go there because there's otherwise good customer service.
I've never seen a single bra in Nordstrom Non-Rack with a 30 band, even though I am really short and thin, so if they should whip them out for anyone it's me. They, along with VS jerks, measured my underbust at 30 in, which I believed until the day I took out a tape measure and found it was 25 in, and if anything I'm fatter now. 5 in off is a LOT!
To be fair, I don't think they are jerks, but I believe that they are trained, officially or not, to take measurements so that no one falls outside the range that the store carries. Also, Nordstrom salespeople work at least partially on commission, which means that even if the store carries your size, it's in their interest to fit you in a size that they carry many models in, because that correlates to a higher commission, and more food on the table. Also keep in mind that the "weird size" market IS mainly online, so that if you leave the store convinced you are 30FF, you MIGHT buy one bra from there, and then you are probably going to do your shopping online because that's cheaper.
So I wouldn't take it personally, because basically fitting you right is going to lose them money. But basically unless the fitter owns the business or a share of the business, and profits from your repeat patronage, the incentives work against getting an accurate fit.
Anybody any tips for boob-friendly jackets or blazers for broad-shouldered, small-waisted, wide-hipped petites? Ideally I'd sew my own, but I simply don't have the time
My typical jacket (or any sleeved top) fitting issues are the following: a jacket that fits my waist is usually the correct length as well, but (way) too narrow in the ...shoulders and hips. After my first pregnancy I also got boobs to take into account, so now this same jacket will fit me even worse. I can size up to get my shoulders to fit and usually this will work for my bust and hips as well, but then the thing will be way too long with oodles of excess fabric in the back and around the waist, not to mention that that waist ends up sitting nowhere near where it's supposed to be ... Read more 85 more words
From your page, it seems that you are an ex-small-breasted person, so maybe the issue might be that you're shopping at the same places that fit a shallow bust well. What my somewhat-bustier-but-otherwise-clone BFF does is shop selectively at stores with a more, um, middle-aged reputation. Basically stick to classic colors and shapes, and you won't actually look 55. It usually gets you in the general realm of fitting well enough so that a tailor can do the rest.
I haven't shopped in Finland, so I have no idea what brands are available. Because I think I'm about one cup volume down from you, I can attest that American and British petites will almost certainly work for you. Southern European brands tend to scale height down more than Northern European ones, so if you have access to that, might give it a shot.
As an American, almost ALL American brands carry petite, and you seem to be in the range of 2P or so. If you want to do online orders, if you let us know what type of jacket you are looking for, we can come up with some stuff for you to look at.
Yup, going from youngish chains to more mature ditto has helped me find better fitting clothes in Sweden. The main reason is that the models are better suited for a busty figure (e.g. more v-necks) but the cuts (actual boob room around the arms) and the materials (just the right amount of stretch to allow for extra volume without bagging) work better too.
Are there any wire-free bras for size 30G and up that actually work? Because in my experience they just give me uniboob, the pictures are so misleading because they have the breasts separated. Has anyone found one that works in real life? A wire-free nursing one would be great (for night time feeding and sleeping).
There's a brand called Decent Exposures that makes cup-sized wireless bras (no small/medium/large nonsense!). The blog http://braslessinbrasil.blogspot.com posted a positive review of the wireless bra, you should be able to find it if you google "decent exposures review".
I've been going back and forth on ordering from the myself, but I can't decide between the bra and the camisole top. And international shipping will probably be pretty steep.
Yeah, I'm about to order from them myself! For night time sleeping and nursing :)
So glad you have the Pl Onyks on the way! I have that bra in 65F, and I really like it. It's one of my stalwarts. Good luck!
learningaboutbras Thanks! I'm so excited, and just ready to have a bra that fits! I'm stuck in my old out-grown nursing bras until my EM and Comexim orders arrive in the next week or so. It is so frustrating wearing uncomfy, ill-fitting bras, I really hope the Pl Onyks works :)
Unfortunately, from what I've seen so far, MIP does not have good quality bras. They still need a lot of work. I'd wait a while before ordering bras from them. Clothes they are good at it seems though.
Yeah, I haven't heard much good from them :-/
Before doing Made In Preston, Nikki manufactured bras under 2wenty8 which also made 26 bands. There's a couple of bras added one for them in that range Made In Preston Winter Punk Lace Bra and 2wenty8 Loren Midnight Blue if you want to see some reviews.
Btw, you can explore which brands make 26 bands (abeit not if thei're custom orders) when browsing by size http://www.bratabase.com/browse/by-size/26/
This thread has 8 comments. Log in to read them