Note: I suffer from a skin condition called Hidradenitis Suppurativa. So if you see marks or scars on my skin that's my H.S. Please be considerate when viewing my pics. I took it on a old webcam. If you need better pics just ask.
Anyway, i'd like to share my experience with it since i just got it on Wednesday (May 14 2014) and i was wondering if any of you who have this bra had the same experience.
First off i have to say i got the May in the blush version in a 44H. In the Elomi Imogen that i bought on May 2 i got it on ... a 42H and it fit me well (though the wires, like all of Elomi's wires tend to do, keeps poking my arm fat, but i think i can easily fix that with tightening the straps...i hope). But otherwise the Imogen fits me well (tho there's some slight boob spill) but its a gorgeous bra.
With the May, since i've read blog reviews concerning Sculptresse (not necessarily the May), i knew i had to size up. I measure around 43 inches around my rib cage, so i got the 44 since i would think the 46 would be too loose....boy was i wrong.
From the start, even with the straps lengthen (the straps are semi adjustable...that's asking for trouble i mention more on that later) the band was so tight i couldn't even hook it...and this is a 44H i like to reiterate. I put an extender to see if it would make a difference, it did, but it made the bra too loose for me (i like to have a firm not constricting band). After fooling and trying to stretch it for awhile it finally stretch (tho i swear i heard a snap but i'm not sure if it was the band or something else...but otherwise the bra is ok). The band started to not feel so bad, problem is that i could easily get it now to the tightest hooks easily...so i don't know if i broke the bra too quickly, but otherwise its tight but not as tight a fit when i first got it on.
The Cups: The cups are not made from a stiff material, they're actually very flexible and soft. They're no side support panels which is crazy for a plus size full cup bra. Worst of all they provide no lift and support, and i get tons of strap gap. I tighten the straps to the max to see if it would lift more but i still sometimes do get it. There's some side boob spillage but since i have one breast bigger then the other it sometimes looks worst on my bigger breast. I honestly think its the way the cup is cut that makes me have the side boobage spills. But yeah...i don't know what they were going for with the cut of this bra. I'm not sure about cup size. I don't know if its the cut of the bra or what but the top of the cup leaves me with strap gap but then i get side spillage, so i'm not sure if i should size up or down. So i would like your advice on this. Should i get a 46H or 46HH? Or maybe even a 46G or 46GG?
The Wire: The wires tbh aren't that bad. The problem i have with Elomi bras is that they tend to be really high and either poke me in the arm or be too high in the center gore so it shows through shirts a bit. I don't think the wires cut into my breasts tissue as much since they don't poke me at all and the height is great for me since i'm under 5'5. Though by messing with the bra a bit i probably stretched the wires out with the weight of my breasts. But otherwise i don't feel its that bad, but i also don't feel its the greatest. I don't know i just feel there's something off, but otherwise the wires aren't that big of a problem at least for me.
The Band: Like i said before, if i wanted to buy again from this line (and i'm contemplating getting the Blue May bra soon from Ebay) i think i would have to get it on a 46.The bands material i have to say doesn't flip like my Elomi's tend to do (tho the May does flip a bit but not as bad as Elomi). The material for the band is really soft and its very well made. Hopefully Elomi takes notes on Sculptresse band material (though hopefully they won't take up in putting it so tight as Sculptresse tended to do).
The Straps: Oh boy! My biggest problem with this bra is the straps. They're elastic which is a big no no for me since they don't make the cups flush to the skin very well. Also they're semi adjustable, so you can't tighten all the way if you wished. I don't know why Panache thought it would be a good idea to make the Straps semi adjustable and on top of that elastic, especially with a cup that isn't made with stiffer material. If the straps were made from a stiffer material like Elomi and be fully adjustable, i don't think i would have so much strap gap. While wearing this bra i have to tighten the straps to the max otherwise i don't feel supported because the cup will look saggy to me and i won't get any lift. Bad news is they make my arms feel a bit weird and such, so i don't know if its cutting some blood circulation or what. It's so weird this band is tight but yet i don't feel lifted in this bra at all. I feel the cups are just like plastic wrap on my breasts. Even though Elomi has some issues, its not as bad as Sculptresse. I do understand this is their first foray into the plus size market, but they still have alot of work to do to be even a challenger to Elomi or Goddess.
Overall: I don't hate the bra, but fit wise it isn't my favorite. It's a gorgeous bra, but with the insane adjustments i had to do with it and the weirdness of this bra i would have to advise someone to be prepared to do a ton of adjustments or return the bra back. I didn't return it since i wore the bra for a day for a test run and since i've never return a bra before in the mail (i got it through Figleaves and i live in the U.S.) i felt that it would be more trouble then its worth to return it so i just stayed with it. But yeah, if anyone is considering buying this bra, size 1 or 2 sizes up in the band, i'm not kidding, its that tight. Expect side boob spillage and the wires being a bit narrow at first and expect TONS of Strap Gap as well (you will hate the straps at the end of the day). If you can deal with any of these things, in the end, hopefully when the bra is stretched out you'll be left with a very feminine pretty bra.
Anyway i'd like to know anyone elses experience with the Sculptresse May bra.
And i would like some advice on my pontential purchase of the blue May bra.
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Updated on May 15, 2014 Flag this