I wanted to try an Enell bra and see if it could work for me. This is a high quality bra. The fabric is silky and comfortable, but still thick and somewhat stiff in order to create support. This model has a racer back style. The straps are thick. They are not adjustable. I found the length to be fine, but it is a note for people who tend to need longer or shorter straps. Panache Sport bras do have adjustable straps. The front has the classic Enell hook and eye closure.
I knew this was a gamble to try. I found an inexpensive one on eBay. ...I knew a custom Enell would be a safer bet, but much more pricy. This is a size 0 (zero). Enell lists the corresponding size to be rib 29-31 and bust 34-37. My current tight underbust is slightly under 28.5. My bust measurement is between 37.5 and 38. So I knew it might be a little too small, but hoped that would be minor, and not too big of a problem with the compression nature of the bra.
The underbust band is not a problem, it is very comfortable, could easily be a bit tighter for me. The coverage and support of my breasts is much less ideal, as is very noticeable in the pictures. I am literally busting out everywhere. I wouldn’t be as upset if it was just front and top. However, breasts spilling out the side doesn’t look good. And because I am not contained at the sides it gives the effect of armpit/ back fat, which is a look I would prefer to avoid in sleeveless tops at the gym. Also because my breasts aren’t all contained, I am not very supported. I got a fair amount of bounce. More than I get in my Panache Sport. My breasts are very soft, and I did not have any problem hooking the bra closed.
I have started doing CrossFit recently. I need good support for it. I am hoping that as I work out more maybe my breasts will shrink a little. Maybe that is a daydream or maybe it will happen, haha. I have been shrinking a bit recently with weight loss. So, if I shrink a little more I can retry the bra and see if it could work. What makes me concerned even if I am a little smaller is the extent to which I spill out the side. It doesn’t look promising. For now it will be another bra languishing in my drawer! Read more 324 more words
Bummer it didn't fit. It looks like it would be a great "lockdown" bra in the correct size.
Have you looked into KrisLine Sports bras? They have a much larger (and bra specific) size range which could work better for you.
For a cheap option, Royce Sports Bras can usually be picked up on eBay for like $10. Just order your normal cup size but go up a band size as the bands are tight and the cups a bit small. (So if a 30J go with a 32J.)
Good tip to try Royce, I had forgotten all about them. I am very curious to try the KrisLine ones, they look great. I believe DerangedDragons19 got one that was too big and reordered a smaller size? When I saw her review it made me want to wait and see another review so I could learn a bit more about sizing, but maybe I should just go ahead and order one. I only have 2 fitting sports bras, which means I have to wash them a lot if I go to the gym twice a week!
Without much to go by with KL Sports bras, I can understand the hesitation. But yes, Royce is a good option for a great price. Definitely worth the gamble.
Enell will custom make sizes, it's just expensive. I tried calling about it and they weren't very quick in returning my phone call.
I tried a 0 on in the store and I could only get the bottom hook hooked. I'll have to try contacting them again at some point. 🙃
I’ve had to go to the wired Panache sports bra, but I used to wear Elomi wireless (when I was a G cup). Two of the Elomi wireless sports bras kept the bouncing to a minimum but felt comfortable.
berexxa , 2 Enell bras sounds like a lot of hooks and eyes, haha! The more I have thought about it, the more I cannot imagine this bra being an actually good fit even if my bust measurement was 1 inch smaller. I dont think that would solve the problem. I imagine that you are right, G cup and under would probably be fine, but I am in the HH/J range...
My shape: close set, center full, full on bottom, average/narrow width roots, tall shallow roots, soft tissue.
I have read lots of great things about Enell bras, so I was excited to try this racer back style. I was attracted to this option since I figured it wouldn't impede arm/shoulder movement too much and because it might feel cooler for high-impact/cardio exercise than their regular style. I love the black/silver print; the fabric is silky and cool to the touch. The inside is lined with black fabric, feels silky and satiny just like the outside.
The cups and the front part of the straps don't have much stretch which is ...good (I think it's double-lined, but I'm not sure); the back of the straps and band do have a little bit more stretch. It has 9 hooks in the front, so two hooks less than the traditional style I believe. This also means that it comes a little bit lower in the front, just under 7" (17.5 cm). The band has a very thick elastic, over 1" wide (~3cm) and is pretty firm.
I didn't like the overall fit on me. The cups came a little bit too low, and it compresses my soft breast tissue up and out of the cups giving me a bit of quad boob. My standing bust measurement is 37.5" and leaning bust is 39" and size 0 says it fits a bust of 34-37" so it might be just slightly small for me.
The band is very tight! This says it's ideal for rib measurements of 29-31", I measure 29.5" tight/30.3" snug /31.2" loose and it feels way too tight for me. The straps are also little too long and sadly not adjustable. I also noticed that the cups seemed to buckle down at the bottom (not sure this is the right word) and fold a little on itself, almost like they couldn't keep their shape. Maybe if I could adjust the straps up, the cup fold would disappear.
I really wanted to love this bra, but I don't think it's the right style and size for me. Read more 244 more words
I tried this size on in the store and I could only get the bottom hook done up. You are right, they have no stretch! I’d love to have one of these if the sizing wasn’t so wonky. They do make custom sizes but they are very expensive.
I tried one as well, and was literally spilling out everywhere, I would apparently need a custom size as well, but it’s not that tempting to spend a lot on it since Panache Sport work for me.
Sovavosi Yep, so tight! I wouldn’t feel confident enough to order a custom size since it’s very expensive. I do think I might try the regular version in the future to see how differently it fits, but I don’t even feel confident about that either.
veggiechic I have recently tried on some Panache as well and I think they’re definitely a better option for me. I still need to test it out during my high impact exercise. Fingers crossed since I’m really hoping it does the trick for me.
This is a 15 year old bra, by the way, so the band may have stretched, but - talk about dollar value! I am not the kind of person to do high impact sports every week, but it has been worn and washed an average of once every six weeks for fifteen years. I have two and other than one eyelet (the bottom one, of course) being a tiny bit loose on one of the two, they are both still in excellent shape.
The fit is a little small in the cups and a bit big in the band - as I usually wear ...30GG - but being compression style and wireless (and being two sizes smaller on one side) it works. No bounce. At all. I can fit both hands under the band, but as I’m usually breathing heavy when I wear them and as the compression means they still never move anyway, I like the looser band.
I have worn them daily for four to six day backpacking trips where I wear them from wake up to bed time (usually undoing the top 6 hooks after we stop hiking for the day) and I did find the compression a little uncomfortable - slightly sore nips by day’s end - but I found it worth it for the total freedom of just not having to think about my boobs in mixed company. I guess it is a combination of personal comfort with compression style in the first place (I do not have sensitive breast tissue generally) and just getting used to the feeling.
Plus, being able to fit in the cute sporty athletic tops made for flat chested women without having to buy sizes so big I float is a total bonus!
I call these my “harness” and would never leave home without it. I just can’t get comfortable in other non-supportive sports bra and have taken to wearing them for medium intensity exercise like brisk walking, biking, downhill skiing, and canoeing too. If only they made a bathing suit..... Read more 245 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 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).
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 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.
Bummer it didn't fit. It looks like it would be a great "lockdown" bra in the correct size.
Have you looked into KrisLine Sports bras? They have a much larger (and bra specific) size range which could work better for you.
For a cheap option, Royce Sports Bras can usually be picked up on eBay for like $10. Just order your normal cup size but go up a band size as the bands are tight and the cups a bit small. (So if a 30J go with a 32J.)