Jun 20, 2013
Some days I wonder if I should just become really good at sewing so that I can just make my own bras exactly the way I need them with whatever fabric I want.
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Some days I wonder if I should just become really good at sewing so that I can just make my own bras exactly the way I need them with whatever fabric I want.
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My 40E P by A Fiona bra came in and of course it doesn't fit. Band is great, straps cut in badly and I spill like crazy out of the cups. Per my Bravissimo bra consultant, I'm returning it and exchanging for a 38FF. We'll see what happens. Worried the cups will be too big.
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That's only one cupsize up, so if you're spilling out it shouldn't be too big, I'd only be worried about too small. :)
After figuring out my size I tried on lots of bras and found that the centre gore almost never tacked properly, making me think I needed relatively deep cups. (I knew that Freyas - the classic narrow/deep option - didn't work for me at all, but when shallow/wide cups didn't seem to fit either, I wasn't sure what was going ... on.) In reality, I think the shape of my sternum just makes it difficult for gores to sit flat, even when the cups fit.
This didn't really click for me until I read the fit help request linked below and took a closer look at myself. Sure enough, my sternum is slightly curved, and there's a definite indentation between my ribs at underwire level. It makes sense that the gore hardly ever tacks there - it's not a flat surface. (For what it's worth, I'm thin with fairly prominent ribs, and whilst my breasts may be shallow they're very clearly separated at my sternum. There's about three fingers' width of space there.)
This might sound like I'm trying to justify wearing cups too small, but I've tried sizing up in the past, and it just gave me cups that were obviously too big (gaping, wrinkling). Back in 2011, when 28DDs seemed "too small" due to the floating gore issue, I tried a few 28Es and they were all too deep, which in turn made the wires press painfully against my ribs. Just to complicate things, I've lost a little weight since then and need a smaller cup size anyway. I just got a 28C - Mimi Holliday » Panna Cotta Super Plunge (AW11-210) and it's so low-cut that I'm not sure whether the cups are too small or just right, but the wire width feels fine, and it's surprisingly comfortable. This bra actually tacks better than most, for some reason.
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The gore on every bra I own does not lay flat. Can anyone tell from the fit pictures why this ...
http://www.bratabase.com/troubleshoot/dhowa/
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Yup, the complete opposite to someone like me that has a convex ribcage so slight pidgeon chest then.
Chest shape, whether concave or convex, tall or short affects bra fitting in oh so many ways as to making it impossible to have a bra that "fits". The standards in bra fitting are not as logic as they might seem.
That pic still looks like a bad bra fit though.
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Can someone please explain to me what wire length means?
I have a perfectly fitted 28FF Freya Deco Honey except for the fact the wires are too low. The cup width and depth is fine as is the band size. My breasts just escape a little once the wire ends on the side. I double checked the width after taking it ... off and the underwire definitely is not too narrow (not on breast tissue) or too wide. It is just too short. I do not understand what this means and how I fix it. Would Ewa Michalak or Comexim be a good fit as I was wanting to order from them.
Thanks
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If the wires in the Deco Honey are the same as those in the regular Deco, than most Ewa Michalak wires are going to be too short for you. The wires in the Deco boarder on too long for me and most EM wires fit me perfectly. EM sizing and shape varies though, so it would be best to compare the specific measurements in the exact size and style of bra you want.
Different bra styles and manufacturers use different shaped wires. Full coverage bras should have longer wires than balcony or demi cup bras. You might do well with wires that are more vertical and a bit longer on the side. Gorteks uses this wire type frequently but not in all of their bras. Gorteks bras tend to run slightly narrow across cup. It's worth looking at Bratabase to find measurements that match bras you have that fit well.
Bras that have longer side measurements (closer to 4 inches) may also fit better since the wires will likely be longer on the sides.
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Hi Since I've been trying a lot of different bra fitting methods and sizes (I don't believe there's anyone here that's been jumping between 38F and 30K) I have made this conclusion;
If I swoop and scoop my boobs completely into 34GG Tease Me in the front of my armpits I spill out of cups ... and I have a flat top looking like BumbleBean in 34H Masquerade Rhea (6121) Boobs are more projected and concentrated.
But if I use 34HH - Bravissimo » Mademoiselle Bra (LN110) and leave my boobs partially in the armpits, I get boobs creasing, no spilling and a completely different set of boobs. Boob volume are more spread all around my chest and I have a flatter look. To make it work the straps needs to be tightened to the max as well.
My conclusion is that the shallower and closer to my body I fit myself the less I spill.
I would like some soft boob person try both these methods to see if the result would be the same. Would another soft boob person be able to wear halfcups some sizes up with a tighter band and wires further back? Are we all convertible? Could this work for someone more narrow rooted? Are we all capable of getting boobs creasing in a decolletage or is this something only I can do with my tall and wide rooted semi soft and shallow boobs?
I'm so curious.
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I unwittingly tried this for a while with @Panache Tango Ii in 28H, but on this soft narrow girl, it led to nothing but discomfort. So far, only a technically one cup too big @Ewa Michalak PL Cielus has contained the boobage without issues. Part of the problem with Panache was the wire height, but I tended to ooze out the top while having loads of empty cup east, west and south. They mostly just want to be long, I think.
psyc2321 Oh that doesn't sound like me no. On me to fit by this method they kind of have to be as compressed as possible against my chest to work. Not as much as a sportsbra, but somewhat in between sportsbra and halfcup compression I think :)
In Ewa I think; Ewa puts me in 34G/36FF but for this method to work a 32J cup would probably work the best. So three cup sizes up and one band size down.
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Any suggestions for bras with narrow straps (for narrow/small built shoulders), and medium wire width? Or just bras with narrow straps in general?
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I found the Claudette Dessous Mesh Underwire Bra (CD2000) to have closer set shoulder straps. It didn't seem to have an overly narrow or wide width with.
Narrow-set? Let me know when you find them! That's on my wish list. Fantasie bras are kinda medium width but most have wide-set straps which keeps me from being their biggest fan.
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Break-the-tape: 27.5"
Normal: 28.5"
Leaning: 37.5? 38?
Standing: 35.5? 36? I can never tell how tight to pull it.
Migration? Already? In two weeks, since I first figured out I might not be a 36D, my underbust measurement has decreased 1.5" and my bending overbust measurement has increased an inch. Now the overbust measurement could be related to the fact that I'm at a ... different point in my cycle, but that wouldn't affect the underbust measurement, right? The 30FF - Panache » Tango Ii Balconette (3251) that fit so well on the loosest hook a week ago is now fitting on the tightest, after wearing and washing only once. Should I really be sizing down to a 28? And should I be averaging the leaning and standing measurements, or just using the leaning, or ?
Agh, this is frustrating.
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It can be frustrating! It will be much better in the end, though... :D
When I started out, I had to go down band size again, after I thought I found my "real" one. I don't know if it was weight fluctuation or if the migration into boob-shape changed things or if it was the fact that I finally had a large enough cup to contain my boobs... I was solid 36-band, but now I'm sometimes 34, sometimes 36.
Might want to consider getting 28 and wearing an extender while it breaks in?
Of course your cycle can affect your underbust measurement. Women often retain or shed water at various points in their cycle. I usually swell up a little all over when I am going to have a period.
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Well, I'm here because the inevitable happened- I got pregnant before I lost enough weight to get down into a reasonable bra size.
I'm currently wearing a Freya Pollyanna in a 32J which I'm finding comfortable enough, but the center gore doesn't lie flat because it's a little too wide for the space in between my boobs.
I have a 34" ribcage ... (while exhaling, tend to like my bands on the snug side.)
15" breast (sternum to ribcage as required for this site.)
12" nip to neck.
I would describe my breasts as Full on top, Wide root, Close boobs, Narrow shoulders.
I know these measurements are gonna change probably before the end of my pregnancy, and definitely when my milk comes in. I am hoping to breastfeed.
I have tried the Panache Sofie Soft Cup in a 34 J, and the cups were way too small, ribcage was snug but not tight).
The Bravado Sublime in a 34 J/K (WAY too small in the cup. Fit fine in the ribcage.)
And finally the Royce Sadie Soft Cup in a 36 K, which was just way too small all over, lord that brand runs small.
I am at my wit's end and wondering about ordering from Ewa Michalak (specifically http://www.ewa-michalak.pl/product-eng-278-KM-Biszkopty.html) or getting a custom made bra from a local seamstress who seems confident- but I am worried about cost.
Anyone have any suggestions? Comments? Questions? Halp!
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can you remove the wires and convert your polyanna?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56N2i8LhzPk
Also google showed these wireless bras though I am not familiar with them
http://www.biggerbras.com/catalog/bras-lingerie-swimwear.shtml?ss_1=&ss_2=&ss_3=&ss_4=809
Thank you for the ideas! I never would have thought of removing the underwire from an existing bra. I guess I didn't think they would hold up. Perhaps I should try getting crafty
I also hadn't come across that site- I will do some looking into the fit and sizing on Goddess- I'm not familiar with them.
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HI Ladies
Thank you all for your help. Since I was getting varied numbers when measuring cup size, not to mention having trouble holding the measuring tape parallel, I tried something new. My breasts are rather perky, so I decided to try something. At the base of my left breast, where the band would lay, I took the measuring tape ... and placed that against my skin, and went out with the measuring tape to the tip of my nipple. The tape was straight, completely. I got a measurement of four inches, which does relate to the 4 inch difference I usually get when measuring the normal ways. Just wanted to share this with as it may be a way to measure for cup size if you have firm breasts. If I stick out four inches in front thats a really easy way to tell a cup measurement. Thoughts ladies, if I am off base here?
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If each breast did project four inches, that would be 8 inches of projection total. When you measure the regular way, you are getting roughly half of the difference between your underbust and your bust from one breast, and half from the other.
I think it is just coincidence that in your case this works.
If you measure from the bottom to the nipple, there will be variability due to overall breast height and nipple placement. If you measure from the inside or outside, you'll still be affected by the curve of the breast itself.
Hi Aaa,
I do see your point. I hadnt really thought of what you said and I guess its just dumb luck that it worked. If you have a chance, could you view my fit request? Several folks say I need to size down in the band, and I have that on order, but someone else told me a size down in the band would be an inch smaller than the tightest setting on the band in the bra I asked for help on, so now I am thinking a size down would be too small.
Thank you
RADIO
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I very rarely wear bras, partly out of laziness, partly because I *really* cannot be bothered navigating the racks to find my apparent bra size - it seems like discount department stores like Target and K-Mark rarely stock 10A bras, because the average sizes have increased massively.
However, I'm working on a costume formal dress that isn't black, so I need ... to purchase a nude strapless bra. I've been looking for the last couple of weeks in my local Target and K-Mart, but I've had no success. I've resigned myself to the fact that I do need to spend more than $20 on a bra.
I almost found the perfect bra at one store that would've only cost me $35. The 10A seemed to be too small in the band for me (lots of wrinkles where the band is attached to the cup), but the 12A is too large in the cup.
I set foot in the Bras N Things store in the Mid-City building at Pitt St Mall, Sydney. I was previously fitted at another Bras N Things a few years ago, but I didn't really pay much heed to it as the woman didn't seem to be trained too well. I had found a couple of bras that would work, one in a 10A ($40 or so) and one in a 12A (around $35). I ran into the same problem as I did before; wrinking in the 10A band and gapping in the 12A.
I don't know why I asked if they had a 12AA. I think I was deluding myself into thinking that they *may* have something - ANYTHING - that would work. The response I got? "Oh, sorry - no-one makes AA sized bras anymore."
WHAT. THE. F***? Not only was I told something completely and totally wrong (I had seen wire-free "training" bras in a 10AA at Target; a two-pack even!), but then their solution was to sell me a bra extender to go with the 10A. I caved out of embarassment and shock and purchased the 10A bra and their extender... I am still too angry to return to their store to get a refund. When I do go back, I will be telling them exactly what I think of their "customer service".
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Have you tried online? Places like figleaves have a wide range of smaller sizes plus they have an outlet where you can get proper bargains.
I don't mean to be too nosey, as this is a very personal issue, but I read in your post that you haven't been fitted in a few years. Part of your problem could be that your measurements have changed since your last fitting. It's sometimes better to measure yourself at home. If you're interested in measuring yourself at home, a lot of ladies have success using the methods on this site: http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/measuring
But whatever you choose to do, good luck! Finding a strapless bra is a pain! :/
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I tried the Deco once before but I think I could have used a size up. The cup seemed droopy to me and just did not hold up well under the weight. Today I tried the Flamingo print Deco in the store and it seemed like the cups were thicker than I remember. Does anyone else find certain styles of the Deco to be thicker in the cup than the regular nude plunge?
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A droopy shape and issues with support can also be caused by problems with the strap placement or 'armhole' of the bra. If you're petite, high-on-chest, and/or narrow-shouldered your arms can be pushing the cups forward and down.
Yeah, some of the 'fashion' styles of the Deco (Taylor, Flamingo) are a lot sturdier in the cup--thicker padding I suppose?--with further sturdiness added by the trim around the cups.
Just a question; How should I measure cup depth? Today I measure slightly stretched over my knee because boobs will add some force to the bra when on and it turns out logic for me to measure in that way. How do you measure?
So Jj what is the right way?
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I also had some difficulty measuring this, but I just tried to measure along the longest line between each end of the underwires, without stretching.
In my experience you have to use something to stretch out the cup on almost all the bras to get the right cup depth as there is some elastic at the armhole that on all unpadded bras pull the cup together slightly....
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My new Comexim Green Velvet from Emmeth was waiting for me when I got home from work. I have to say I don't regret leaping at the opportunity to purchase this bra. What a beautiful bra! I just love the color and the velvet flocking is a nice touch. I just put it on, so I'm ... not ready to declare "It fits!" just yet. My first observation is that the cups seem slightly roomier than my Comexim Juliette which is also 65HH. But not a big deal! It will be interesting to compare their measurements. For now, I'm going to wear it around for a while and see how it feels! This seems like a keeper
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hooray, i'm glad it got there quickly :] interesting to know that it's bigger than the juliette, in case i ever get the urge to buy another of their bras. i hope it fits!
We're very fortunate in our town to have a independent boutique that offers a very good fitting service - it stocks all the main UK brands - so cleo, panache, freya etc. however it isn't flawless.
Due to weight loss/tissue migration in recent months, I recently found myself busting out of my 32gs that had suddenly become big in the ... band but too small in the cup. So off I went for a fitting!
Firstly, my fitter was very hands on (they always are) and looked at the fit of the deco I had on - she looked at my fit (band riding up on its tightest setting/quadraboob) and said 'maybe its just coz it's an old bra!' (Yes coz 3 months is ancient for a bra!) she brought me a brand new 32g to try on - it can only be described as an epic fail! I was bulging out the cups at the front and the sides! So she dutifully went and got a 32gg. The fit on the cups was perfect and she was adamant that the band was perfect too- even tho I said that it felt loose. I bought the bra (mainly because I'm not ready to admit I've been sized out of my beloved deco). After two weeks of wear, not only is the band on the 2nd hook (I'm loathe to put it on the smallest so that I extend the life of my bra) but there are two empty pockets of space behind the wings that I can get my thumbs down! And my fitter was adamant that it was perfect! Hmmmm!
Overall I think this is the worst fitting I've had there - my first fitting there was amazing and the one I had when I went to collect a cleo I had ordered was 1st class as well- however I am uncomfortable with the fact that they sometimes will put women in the wrong size bra to get a sale- it would have been easier if the fitter had said 'your sized out of deco, but x,y,or z will give a similar shape/style/level of support', especially as the cleo bella I ordered gives a similar high, round shape to a deco.
It's by no means the worst bra fitting I've ever had (hello m&s) but it left a little to be desired- I suppose it goes to show that really good boutiques even have off days!
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What a shame the fitter didn´t admit the bra was not a perfect fit, when it obviously wasn´t :(
As far as high street fittings go it was pretty good- but it still wasn't perfect :/
So I did a comparison with my 30J - Curvy Kate » Emily (CK5001) and 30J - Cleo » George (5131) The largest of them is the CK bra, not the Cleo bra. But where is the Emily smaller? In the front near the gore.
Panache Andorra Full Cup (5675) same story different name ... and brand. Shallow near the gore. Especially on top. Actually George in 30J has the same volume near the gore as 34J - Panache » Andorra Full Cup (5675). Tango is a shallow bra? No way. Not shallow in any kind of way. In 30JJ (one size smaller than 34J Andorra it's way larger and allows an immense volume front and center near the gore.
Liliana Bra (TU100) 32J Same volume as Andorra 34J in the gore but far more shallow in the armpit. Overall that bra is seriously shallow. But for those saying Andorra has narrow wires and Liliana wide wires. No. 34J Andorra has at least one cm larger wires in one size larger.
Conclusion: Andorra doesn't run small in the cup and neither does Emily. They run small in the gore and both has wide wires.
Liliana is like the shallowest bra ever produced but it's very front and center.
Cleo George runs quite small in the cup but allows gore volume and therefore comes off as larger.
And Panache Tango is simply a huge bra!
But! How all this turns out on a body is a completely different story.
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Just got a Panache Sienna from another member here and your comment "How all this turns out on a body is a completely different story." is the understatement of the year.
Time for 3D uploads of boobs and bras and computerized matching. Jj and Nesoa : this won't be a problem, will it? :)
Oh dear @RG I would have talked you out of trying that bra had I known you would XD I find that bra very very shallow on bottom. Good for me but probably not for you. It's a difficult bra to say the least. For Panache, I wonder why I haven't thought about it before, you could try Jasmine. In either 32G or 34FF (tight band and run large in the cup) I think. That bra actually could give you less coverage and the front depth you need.
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I have had good luck so far with Ewa Michalak as far as shape goes. I have narrow, round breasts with a lot of projection. I have heard Comexim is also good for my shape, but I'm not sure where to start with finding my size. My best fit is usually 32GG/30H, underbust is 30" and over is 41", which ... puts me in a 75HH on their size chart. From reading reviews, results from using their size chart vary. I tend to prefer the firmer support of a slightly smaller cup and I don't quadraboob too easily. Any suggestions on where to start? What are your experiences with Comexim sizing?
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We are almost the same measurements. I am 31" & $2". I've been told to start when my usual 32/70 band and use the chart for my bust measurement. I have a 65M & 70K in transit. I'll let you know how they fit when I receive them.
I look forward to hearing how they work out. Good luck with the fit!
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I examined some bras today at an Intimacy. (No time to try on, unfortunately. Next time.)
Upon this cursory examination of wire widths, immediate projection, and cup height, I believe that the only bra brand that will consistently fit me is Empreinte.
>.<
Needless to say (but I will anyway), I currently cannot afford bras that are US $170 plus.
If ... I magically win the lottery, my fellow bravangelists here on Bratabase, especially my short-boobed comrades-in-empty-cup-tops, will receive a selection of Empreinte bras for them to try, in their appropriate size ranges, of course. Alas, I do not expect this windfall to come, since you have to PLAY the lottery to be able to win it, but a girl can always hope.
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Grrr.
Upon further examination of their band and cup ranges, I will likely only fit into 2 or 3 of their styles. And I don't think they go under 32 band or over H cup, unless they're silly and convert to US sizing incorrectly.
omg their sizing is different for every style in each line.
so confusing
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I am now purchasing a Panache Ariza Balconnet Bra (5051) wish me luck!!! I've never in my life had a proper fitting bra and now I don't even have a bra period, so this absolutley neeeeds to work.
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Good luck!
The Ariza has wires that are quite narrow by Panache standards, so if they're too narrow for you, don't give up on the brand. On the other hand, if they're too wide, Panache (and its sub-brands) is probably not the brand for you.
If it doesn't fit when you get it, go ahead and take pics so you can put up a fitting request. Even if this bra doesn't work, if we can see how it fits, you can get advice on which bras (and sizes) may work better (but hopefully the Ariza will work!) :)
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Edited - thank you for all the advice!
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Hello :)
You are almost my measurement twin and I think our breast shapes are pretty similar as well. *twin wave*
It's possible that your breasts are a bit less wide (I mean, cover less of the width of your torso, don't know how to put this better :)) than mine... Fantasie bras, so far, didn't work for me, but since you said that the Cleo Juna & Meg fitted you, I'd advise you to check out the Ewa Michalak Strapless models.
I added a 70C - Ewa Michalak » Czarny Strapless to the site, check out the measurements. I would now rather choose a 70D for myself than a 70C, maybe that would be a better size for you, too. However, I think it might help you to get a rough idea of what the specs are for this bra :)
Generally, the EM straplesses are the best! :D To be honest, I only tried one other strapless bra, the Panache Porcelain Moulded Strapless (3370), and that bra's a catastrophe on almost everyone, so I don't have a lot of experience, but I know that the EM Strapless I have is so comfortable I can wear it all day, so I think it's a good bra.
Thanks Suna - this is super helpful, and always good to know you're not alone! I too have found the Panache Porcelain a complete disaster - I tried a couple of wonderbras which didn't work either and then felt a bit dispirited. I'm interested by your EM suggestion - had discounted her bras on the grounds I (think I) need fairly wide wires, but I won't know until I try, and it's encouraging to hear it works for you. I find her size calculator completely baffling - it tells me I'm a 75B - should I just ignore that?
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What is the difference between a 30 and 34 band?
Easy one. The 34 band is much longer than the 30 band!
But Panache doesn't think so!
I did today a comparison picture of 3 Arizas and was shocked at the difference!
All three bras have not been worn before I took the picture. I had all 3 bras washed and stuffed away, ... so I didn't stretch out the bands by wearing.
The black one is a 30K and has the longest band!
Middle one: 34J lilac/ pink = fits me best.
Violet mix is a 32JJ and I have the gore taken in on that one. (but not on the other ones) The black 30K has still the biggest band!
Proof picture where you can see all size tags: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96373516@N07/8997185694/
Are you serious, Panache?
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Explore Braboratory's photos on Flickr. Braboratory has uploaded 44 photos to Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96373516@N07/8997188156/
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I'm not surprised. I think there might be similar issues with Andorra.
But what I think about is something like this; does some of the bands stretch more than the others? My 32H - Panache » Andorra Full Cup (5675) is like 70cm nowadays I think
Hmm it seems the measurements on Andorra are the same, but the different colors have stretched extremely differently.
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Same here. I have about 15 Frankenbra prototypes right now, but I have yet to cry "It's alive!"
LOL. I have images of mad bra-scientists armed with seam rippers and needles and thread. For some reason, lab goggles and a white lab coat seem appropriate.