This model is among my favorite bras for evenly flattening compression. Extremely durable, smooth, and shiny like a superhero costume.
Enell's sizing and therefore fitting is unusual because there are only band sizes-- no cup sizing and no underwires. This won't work for everyone, but for my purposes it is a godsend.
The rationale of this style: an Enell controls bounce and protrusion by flattening in all directions. A small ribcage and lots of chest tissue=a big squish. A large ribcage with less tissue=a mild squish.
This is the thunderjacket of sports bras: pressure is evenly distributed with wide straps, broad full-shoulder coverage, and a broad underbust elastic band.
The bra does have a lot cup shaping using horizontal seams, so it lifts up a good deal--unlike a basic sports bra, it's not just a cylinder with straps.
This sports bra is structured like a vest and is meant for heavy exercise. The fabric is stiff but has a bit of stretch. Since it is much too small for me, so I cannot comment on the fit and I couldn't measure the bust perimeter while wearing it. The size chart suggests that it works for someone with a bust of 38-42 inches, and an underbust of 33-35 inches. Based on trying this size and the next size up, I'd say the size chart is accurate and it runs true to size. The colour is really vibrant, and it fits really well with the contrasting blue trims. ...It makes a bra which is otherwise very utilitarian look significantly more attractive. I have this bra in a size 3 in the beige colourway, and I've been wearing it quite a bit and I find that the fact that it's structured more like a vest than a bra is really a relief for the shoulders and the back. It distributes the weight significantly better than with the straps of a traditional sports bra. One thing to consider is that the straps don't adjust. Lying flat, the full height of the bra is 33cm. Read more 94 more words
This bra provides superb support; virtually no movement. My breasts are squished inside and had to be lifted and held close to my chest to fasten the hooks. Frankly, I didn't think I'd be able to close a few of them. But, once firmly smooshed inside, the support is excellent. Sincerely, I understand why athletes wear these.
Unlike the previous Enell I owned, this size does not bite into my sternum at the base of the gore and the strap length is ideal for my short-waisted physique.
The wing pulls a bit too tightly across the upper side of my breast, but I hope to withstand this pressure for the ...few minutes weekly I need this level of suppprt. I intended to wear this for swimming, but I'm certain I can't tolerate the tight outer quadrant for that amount of time. Kindred Bravely Organic Cotton Bra has twice worked perfectly under a rash guard, but it provides light support compared to Enell Sports 100. There is a need for different bras in my wardrobe. Thankfully, we have options! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" /> https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />
Many, many thanks to wild_muses for shopping at a thrift store and offering a fantastic price on Enell Sports bras! Read more 103 more words
I love this bra. I'm quite picky about sports bras and have never found anything as wonderfully supportive for high impact sports as this bra. Seriously. This is Enell #3 for me. Tried a 00 first and it was too tight (I could wear it, but there was overflow and it was difficult to breath in fully when running). 0 has been perfect for me. But one was not enough! It's not the most beautiful bra ever, but it is still one of my all time favorites and has had a huge impact on my movement confidence.
I'm about a 32FF UK and I got this in a size 1, which seems to be a good fit. I have a feeling if I tried one size down it would be too small.
The straps aren't adjustable, and I wonder if that's going to be an issue for me. I only wore it for a few minutes, and my shoulders and neck seemed to be straining a bit.
This bra is a bit of a pain to get on, especially the first few hooks, since it fastens in the front and not the back.
How was the strap length for you, Veritas ? And, where is the strap slide, % extended, when you wear Curvy Kate Bardot? Thank you! I'm trying to determine if I require shortened straps ;-)
Love4Pollinators Unfortunately I can't remember how the strap length was for me; maybe a little short? My Curvy Kate Bardot straps are extended about 95%. For most bras I need the straps extended as long as they will go.
One of the ugliest bras I've ever seen, but by far the BEST sports bra on earth. There is 0 bounce with this baby. Mine has always fit comfortably - the straps fit great, the band is tight enough without cutting off circulation, it's easy to fasten and unfasten myself, an wears well. I've had my bra for almost 3 years (I'll admit I machine wash it) and it's just now starting to wear a bit - it's stretched a little since I first got it and it's now starting to have little stretchy strings sticking out from it. However, it still works great. I think what makes ...it so comfortable is the back -- probably the ugliest part of the bra, as the back is much wider and not a racerback like most sports bras. The fact it fits like a vest means its comfortable and supportive without all that strain on your neck like a racerback normally gives me, and much more secure support than regular straps. It would probably be a lot cuter if the back wasn't SO wide (as it shows under all my workout tops) or if the material wasn't shiny/satiny. But, I'd rather have an ugly bra with 100% support and ZERO bounce than some of those pretty, colourful racerbacks with no support. As I tell anyone who sees it; it's hideous but it is AMAZING. Read more 125 more words
This is an equally good bra as the same one in size 0, but the 00 is too small for me. I get a little bit of overflow on the sides (not awesome) and the band it too high for extreme cardiovascular exercise. The reason I bought my 0 is because I felt like I couldn't fully breath in during my long runs (definitely a problem). I still wear my 00 occasionally (swimming, light exercise), but I prefer the 0 for most activities.
With the 0 I can leave it on for awhile post-exercise, but with the 00 I try to take it off as soon as I can post-exercise. Definitely too small for me for it to be a lounging bra.
I love this bra. Definitely the absolute best I've had as far as reducing bounce. There is still some movement, but I don't notice at all when I'm running or doing anything else active. Great for high impact. It's very encompassing (like a little vest), so it's not the most attractive bra I've ever worn (though I've worn it as a swim top without anything over it before), but that doesn't detract from it at all (in my opinion).
Definitely nothing moves while working out. It is a bit too tight at the band area and I do end up with a bit of uniboob at the end of a jog. Having said that I feel no tissue being squooshed. A good bra altogether.
This bra is labelled as a 6, but it's been designed as part of Enell's custom fit process, so it's actually a 6 front with a 00 back and band. For reference, I measure 28.5" (72cm) around my underbust snugly and 26" (66cm) very tightly, and 43" (110cm) around my bust in most bras, and have lately been mostly wearing bras around a 30K with the band taken in to about 67cm stretched length.
So, the measurements probably aren't super useful to you- unless you were interested in this specific bra. Onto the bra itself! Enell creates compression sports bras, and it's basically a front-opening vest with hook and ...eyes in the centre. This would show up under anything except for a t-shirt with a very high neck, and the shiny fabric isn't exactly the most aesthetically pleasing compared to say a Panache Sports or Freya Active, but it does it's job. I don't expect sports bras to be pretty, but I do know some people consider aesthetics when choosing one.
After communicating with the Enell team, they directed me to the custom fit department as my measurements were (well) outside of the range of their standard sports bras. One downside of the whole process was that it took 3 months from when I had initial discussions to when I actually received the bra, so if you want a custom bra, don't expect it in a hurry! There's a base price depending on the size of the bra you get ($64 for sizes 00-3 and $66 for sizes 4 and up), a custom fee of $15 and then each extra modification from the pattern costs $7.50. My bra had the straps shortened and the smaller back, so that was two alterations and cost me $88.50 US. You also get a choice from several colours as an included option, and I'm very happy with my choice of pink.
The band on the bra is incredibly comfortable- I wish that other bras came with this really thick, supportive elastic on the bottom. I could do with the straps being a little closer set, and I think that my problem with breasts which are very short for their projection has come into play, as I fill out the bottom 2/3 of the bra very well, but have a lot of space at the top, meaning that it can't reduce bounce at all. I'm planning to try to shorten the front section a little to see if this improves the fit and means I can actually wear it as a sports bra. It is comfortable to wear around the house though, and actually in my size range doesn't give me a shape which is any more odd than a regular bra, if I'm prepared to wear something very high cut to cover it up.
I would think that the issues with fit are mainly to do with my large amount of projection for breast height and not indicative of the custom fit process. If you're hard to fit, or want a compression bra which will hold you down regardless of size, I think that Enell could be very good (as long as you're prepared to wait a while for your bra to be delivered). Read more 428 more words
I think the store I ordered this from should probably have assigned me to size 1 given that I normally wear a 30G, but instead I was given a size 0. I find it way too tight - it fastens via a long line of hooks at the front center of the bra, and I can never get all of the hooks done up. I would need someone to help me with it. It's always a struggle to fasten it, and a relief to unleash my breasts at the end of a workout. I also find the bra cuts in at the top and sides of my breasts a bit. However, all that being said, I do still use the bra when I work out, because it holds my breasts COMPLETELY steady. After years of being mortified and basically unable to do jumping jacks and other high-motion exercises because of my breasts, it's amazing to be able to do a full workout without my breasts getting in the way. I would definitely buy again, just a size up.
This is my second Enell, and since Enell has it's own sizing system, the 34H is only approximate. In their system the size is 2. This means that my mostly 32HH bust fits in nicely, but the band is a tad too loose for a sports bra. I'll try their custom service next time and get myself a size 2 bra with a size 1 band. For overall pros and cons, check my review on this same bra in 32G.
As you likely know, Enell has its own sizing system and my bra is size 1. It's too small for me now across the boobs, but when I bought it three years ago (and two cup sizes ago...) it was fine. Pros: - You don't come closer to zero bounce than this. - As it squeezes your boobs against your chest, visually you lose something like four cup sizes. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> - The material is sturdy, but breathes well. It doesn't wear out even with a lot of washing (I wash mine in the machine... shame on me!) and it doesn't stretch out. Cons: - It's quite massive as bras go, more like a top. Not necessarily a bad thing, as it guarantees performance, but if you're looking for something light and feminine, this is not it. - The sizing sucks. For us big-boobs-small-band-people it's a problem and I may have to resort to their custom-made service in the future.
This Enell Sports bra is size 0. Works like a charm. Nothing moves Anywhere. : P It fastens with 9 hooks to the front of it and I sometimes don't fasten the bottom three because it can get too tight. Excellent sports bra though. Would definitely recommend.
How was the strap length for you, Veritas ? And, where is the strap slide, % extended, when you wear Curvy Kate Bardot? Thank you! I'm trying to determine if I require shortened straps ;-)