So...the highly anticipated Curvy Kate full figure bra....has a lot of problems. There are also some really great things about it. It is a complicated bra. Let’s dive in.
First, the materials are super soft in the hands, really nice feeling. Nothing is hard or scratchy. Neither the band elastic nor the strap elastic has any nasty plasticky loops that are so common on Curvy Kate bras. The bra is lined with a firm but lightweight tulle on bottom and the same mesh as the band on top, under the lace, so there’s no internal quadboob anywhere. The ...design is a pretty typical 4 part cup where one part is a power bar up to the strap. The shape is more of a high apex plunge than a balconnet, although the gore is a similar height to a balconnet I have in the same size- this is not shown in the numbers, however, because while the wires match up, the gores overlapping A shaped bottom shortens the gore at the bottom. This is possibly my favorite part of the bra and others with high stomachs will love this. Most of my bras cut in at the bottom of the gore so I might be doing a new alteration on my bras from here on out.
The general shape of the bra is good. There is finally enough center and top room and the shape is right for me. The stretch lace is nice and firm. The higher strap attachment in theory allows more centered straps. The cup is plenty deep at the center and deepest part. The gore is not too tall or wide.
There are two main problems with this bra: 1. The bra fits about 1-2 cups bigger than other Curvy Kates I own or have tried in 40JJ. It is both much wider and deeper. I wonder if there is vanity sizing going on, or an actual fit problem, as described below. 2. The bra materials, besides those mentioned, are pretty problematic:
The wires are probably the worst part of the bra. They are the most flexible I've ever experienced. Combined with a firm band, they stretch back to my back. If I stretch the bra at all they begin flexing back. This may be intentional- when I hook the bra on the tightest hooks, they are really at my back, but the front of the bra is fairly smooth and fits pretty well. The sides of the bra don't gap as much. But the straps are then pulled too wide. The wires are also too short for the bra, causing a lot of gapping and loose floppy material at the top of the cup edge, which is exacerbated by the cup edge elastic being incorrectly sewed without stretching it enough. The wires actually end before the comfort cushion part, which means that the cushion does nothing. However, I will say that I can imagine the cushion would be really excellent protection for the chubbier-sided bra wearer. Certainly I can see its benefit for me.
The overlay fabric is likewise terrible. It is very stretchy and loose, and because it doesn't match the tension of the non-stretch tulle lining there are a lot of sewing errors and a ton of strange wrinkles. If I were to keep the bra, I would remove this layer of fabric as it does literally nothing except cause problems.
The straps are not great either. Although I love how wide and soft they are, they are a little too stretchy. I have to shorten them very short indeed to get any lift at all.
I want to compare this bra to my 40JJ - Curvy Kate » Curvy Kate Poppy Balcony Bra (CK10011) and my 40J - Curvy Kate » Dragonfly Plunge Bra (SG5411) , both of which are really excellent fits and pretty great feats of engineering in my mind, to say nothing of their beauty. Curvy Kate can make a really good bra when they spend the time and effort to engineer a good fit. This bra falls short, but there are concepts and qualities that can be improved on. My hope is that, with feedback, Curvy Kate can create something spectacular for the larger band + cup size that marries the elegance and excellent fit of their last season's best bras and the ingenuity and promise of this one.
As I typically switch out bra wires anyway, I almost want to try this bra in a 40J and change the wires, cut off the top fabric, and take in the sides where they gap if needed. Maybe when it goes on sale, or is sold used somewhere I could try it. It has a lot of potential, even if I would never recommend it for anyone to try off the rack. Read more 741 more words
I can't believe those looks are an intentional design decision. Looks like they didn't test it :|
Oh no! The promo descriptive photo made it look so promising. Sorry it falls so short of the expectations. :-(
I love how you can still find the positive gems within the bra, and do hope you get the opportunity to try the 40J soon.
I'm looking at insta pictures of it, and on all the bigger cup sizes the models have their arms down and their hair in the way, hiding the sides. This may be a case of, tested well in smaller cup or band sizes, not tested at the top of the size spectrum. Also, there may be sewing errors. I don't know.
So frustrating when they "hide" the details. ......
Wow, this bra is a mess!
Uhhh those wires. That canNOT be on purpose. Somebody done fucked up.
OMG those must be wires made of pudding… why oh whyyy.
Oh wow :|
Wow, that is seriously a mess. Not a well designed bra at all, sadly. The idea of this bra is great, the result though...
I was looking forward to this review because the whole concept behind it sounded really good... But wow... hopefully they'll get enough feedback to rework it so it actually works in the range of cup sizes they offer
I had the same side gaping issue with CK padded bikinis tops, must be a CK grading thing in big cups or because the straps are more centered, there is too much fabric there? I wonder how it would fit if it had decent wires, I hope you can get 40J for cheap sale price and do some alternations and bra science with it...
I don’t get this in other bras of theirs but you’re right, one of the bikinis I have from them did the same thing.
Have you considered emailing them to show them how horrible the fit is?
Wow. WOW. Mine came in today in 34J, so we shall see...
Can’t wait! I hope yours is good! Maybe mine is a lemon.
So yeah, I just tried it on real quick. I will try and do a proper review in a separate post tomorrow, but here are a few things to note:
I have the same colorway in a 34J.
The cushion pads do overlap the underwire by maybe 1/4 of an inch. Not much, but enough to relieve pressure imo. I'd say that's a scaling issue on CK's part (as usual).
I get the same weird side gaping, but I often have extra fabric there because my breasts are so center-full. There's definitely a lot of it, however, more than I'd expect. I wonder if part of the issue there is because the bra doesn't really have side wings. You know how normally it goes cup/underwire, a little piece of fabric, a seam and then the band? This bra goes straight from cup/underwire to the band. Where I have that extra fabric is about where a side wing might be, but the bra is expecting breast tissue. Maybe a better fit for someone with a lot of side tissue, idk.
I absolutely get the same wire issue as you do. They're just barely not on my back.
Despite all that I don't totally hate this bra. I'm gonna play around with it and redo the measurements tomorrow.
triumphof I know, right? There are problems but it’s still got a lot that’s good!
Me: Full on top, effectively full on bottom, omega shape, round boobs, soft on outside, firm on inside, full everywhere, short roots.
Shape/fit: Projected at the apex without much pointyness. More room at the apex than the bottom of the cup, but still lots of room at the wire. Good for short/average roots. Might work for taller ones too though as the top of the cup is elasticized. Narrowest wires for this size. Gives a rounded natural shape. Similar in fit to Curvy Kate Daydreamer Balcony Bra (CK5401) but with a more forgiving cup edge. Great if you're full on ...top. In this size band is a little stretchier at the bottom of the band, perfect for those of us who are more A shaped/have back fat.
Gore is fairly short for a balconette, especially in this size, sides are a bit taller but not uncomfortable. Wires are firm but softer than Panache. Band is very stretchy, size down one band. Bottom cup material is strong, double-reinforced mesh. It's soft enough, but not as smooth as the Daydreamer. The elastics are also comfortable, much more so than most Curvy Kate elastics. Straps are just right- not too stiff and hard, not too stretchy. The mesh top has some stretch, and the top pink elastic is just right- it's not sewn on stretched, so it won't cut into full on top boobs.
Looks: Oh my god every bra should be like this. It's gaudy and tacky and I love it so much. I've been waiting for a year for this bra and I'm not disappointed. There's at least three different fluorescent pink colors used, lots of aqua and purple and ridiculousness. The flamingos really are what bring it over the top. I love flamingos and kitchy prints and this is my bread and butter. More bras like this please!
Support/comfort: The bottom lace is purely decorative but doesn't chafe- it's quite soft. The bra feels a tiny bit itchy in places but I haven't washed it yet. I've been wearing it for about five hours without pain at this point, meaning it's one of two bras I own I can wear. It is so supportive due to the firm mesh cup. No bouncing at all for my huge breasts. I haven't had a bra that controls them like this since I grew out of my full coverage Elomis.
Tldr: Rounded apex projection, narrow wires, good construction, comfortable, and the most supportive Curvy Kate out there, all in the most ugly-pretty package imaginable. Size down in the band. If you don't like this color, though, this one is coming out soon: http://www.lingerieinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Tropics-1.jpg Read more 363 more words
Have you ever needed to wear a bra as outerwear, somehow? Have you tried to match your lipstick to the color or mood of the bra? That’s how I feel about Poppy. After wanting it too much since seeing it teased in April, I finally am wearing it and I do have ruby red lipstick on and I do feel as sultry and exotic as the opium poppies printed all over this bra.
Fit-wise, this is nearly exactly the same as my 40JJ - Curvy Kate » Vegas Balcony Bra (CK5601). Which means it’s close to perfect except for stretchy, low ...quality straps and band. Great, at least at my size, for women with shorter roots and certainly more closed off than 40JJ - Curvy Kate » Charm Babydoll (SG5207) or 38K - Curvy Kate » Sheer Joy. I have to hook the band on the last hooks so that’s a bummer, but I had the same problem with Vegas. The cups are very deep and narrow for this size: more so than Ewa Michalak. I think only Comexim makes bras with narrower wires around this size.
The most impressive thing here is the materials. A beautiful, delicate, but firm floral lace is used on the top cups, and prevents in cup quad. If 38J - Curvy Kate » Daydreamer (5401) or Vegas was a good fit but you didn’t like the in-cup quad, this is the bra for you. The top elastic is soft and doesn’t cut in to my pre-period boobs and keeps my smaller side from gapping. And, here’s the impressive part. They even used the lace on the wing. It’s so pretty!
The poppy fabric itself is softer than previous iterations of CK’s bonded reinforced fabrics so it’s much more comfortable to wear. It’s a beautiful darker purplier red, with tiny indigo accents. The pattern itself is a chintz or chinoiserie style- the height of fashion this season.
The straps were a bit too wideset with this bra after wearing it once so I did my Ewa- inspired strap fix. Now they feel super secure.
The shape is projected but rounded. It looks good with or without clothes on.
Your review is so wonderfully written it makes me want to buy the bra, and I don't even like Curvy Kate bras! If I could vote it up more than once I would.
Glad this one works so well for you and makes you happy :-)
I've seen ppl wear thin sheer tops that show their bra, or strappy tops that show their bra. and apparently its more common in europe to let the bra show somewhat
I’ve actually been looking for a sheer top to show off more of my prettiest bras!
This is really beautiful! I had not heard of it until now. The comments about no in cup quadding is encouraging. And I totally try to match my bra with things. I’m the same way with my cloth pads. I’m way more likely to choose the one that matches my underwear or outfit. ;)
I've never worn matching sets, because i have had so much yeast issues, I only wear cotton panties. but i have noticed i do like it when they at least color coordinate
This is so beautiful!
dbmamaz have you considered a few cloth liners that you can add to the non cotton pretty undies? Like, as a barrier layer between you and the underwear gusset? Maybe something like that might work. Don't know your full situation so pardon my suggestion if it is not something you can do.
Its not enough for me. I've had non-cotton panties w cotton patches. it still doenst breathe. The issue is not the contact, its the air flow
Ah, I see. Well, poop. I tried.
Its ok, I'm happy w my cotton undies. and recently I found some . . idk, bamboo or something. softer and smoother. Too high cut, but omg I've gained so much weight . . . i have no idea why any more.
Wow. It’s been a while since I bought a Curvy Kate bra, and now I remember why I like them. The shape of this is phenomenal on me- round and sexy, no upside down 7 or pointy look like on most of my Elomis.
Size wise this fits me almost perfectly. There is very slight orange in a glass at the bottom of the cup, but otherwise my larger side is contained, the wires are nice and narrow, and the cup is very deep at the apex, but still rounded. The sides are slightly too tall, but I mostly feel this on my smaller side ...where there is less weight and pull from my breasts to drag the side into the appropriate position.
The shape of the bra itself is very much a low balconette- cups are fairly straight across from a surprisingly low gore. I thought it would fit like the old Bardot style but it does not- the top is shorter and more open, which works even better for me. Folks with tall roots might still find it a tad too closed however. In this size it’s definitely built for short, narrow roots, and maybe for folks who are narrow and fob.
The band feels true to size and comfortable. The mesh is firm and umstretchy. The embroidery is soft.
Comfort wise- cons: straps, other elastic. CK just insists on crappy narrow elastics, which is stupid because the straps aren’t supportive enough in this size. and the armpit and, to some extent, the band can dig in. Pros- the mesh, embroidery, and satin are all very soft and nice. The babydoll skirt is heavier weight and feels airy but not staticky.
It also just looks so nice on me. The embroidery is less of a hot pink and more of a purple-pink. The embroidery itself, and the charm at the gore, are very sweet. I love the bra portion, and feel like I would like the babydoll but in a different form where I would actually wear it.
Alterations I will make- cut the babydoll off and repurpose it sewed to a Torrid bralette I like (that is incredibly comfortable so I can lounge around the house or in bed it it). Fix the armpit and change the straps out for a pair of super comfortable Comexim or Elomi straps I have laying around.
This looks FANtastic!! Thrilled you were able to repurpose the skirt. Awesome :-)
Wow! I have a 30FF in Bardot but it's just a wee bit too big. I've been thinking about trying this in the 30F. Appreciate the comparison. You think that it's still a good fit for shorter even to fob roots?
I can’t really speculate on fit as you’re on the opposite band/cup spectrum from me, but aesthetically it is quite similar. If you can get it and exchange it I think it’s worth a try!
haha love that idea to move the skirt to something more comfortable! I keep wondering if I would get any use out of an underwired babydoll . . .
Out of desperation, I ordered this bra with a band with that was too small for me. I have found though, that with an extender, this bra fits me wonderfully. Who knew? The only drawback is that after a few wearings, the upper part of the cup stretches and the support fails ever so slightly, but a wash and a gentle dry later, it bounces right back.
I think this would have made a great everyday bra if I'd gotten the right size! Apparently I'm a 40HH, not JJ. This bra got returned, but I plan to purchase it in the correct size eventually so we will see
It sounds like you and I are a similar size. I’m still honing in on my size, but I am having the best luck so far with 40HH bras. I have the Curvy Kate Daily Boost in a 40HH and it has kind of an odd fit on me: LOTS of extra space on the outside of the cups but otherwise a decent fit.
I also tried it in a 40H and still had lots of gapping on the sides and also had spillage on top and a weird shape overall.
I’m returning the 40H but keeping my 40HH because it’s one of my only bras with a lower gore and it’s my only bra that works with certain garments.
I’d be interested to hear how the Daily Boost works for you in a smaller cup!
I can't believe those looks are an intentional design decision. Looks like they didn't test it :|