Bra fitting help » Too tight, or not? Cup too big?
Ewa Michalak » Pl Onyks (196) » 75JJ 34:14
Issue resolved
When I got this bra first, it seemed to big at the sides, and slightly too small in the middle. After wearing better bras for a while, my breasts seem to have gotten bigger at the sides and top. I put this down to breast migration, since I've also lost weight. So, now this cup is actually a bit on the small side, I think, maybe. I don't like the shape, though: It seems like the cups "collapse" under the weight of my breasts, so there is hardly any lift
Original problem
After having returned some 80H's with too big bands, and too small cups, I ordered two 75JJ's.
Band: I fear it may be too tight. It was uncomfortable with the wires at the side of my ribcage, so I followed "Bras I Hate"-blog's advice on bending wires to fit shape, and it was a massive improvement. But it may still be too tight, as the clasps seem to have pulled a bit out? Yet I am perfectly able to pull it out a good bit without much resistance.
I was surprised to see that this bra measured 70cm/27.6" un-stretched, and 99cm/39" stretched. I am not 100% sure of my underbust measurement: I am very "squishy", so my tightest measurement is 70cm/27.6" and if I just put the tape around me, I measure 93cm/36.6". This makes it seem like this bra should be a perfect for me!
I have noticed that quite often, bras seem much tighter in the front than in the back for me, as also proven by the fact that I get marks in the front, but none in the back: I think this is because I have a roll just under my bra, so if I slouch in the couch, the wires are squished between my breasts and that roll. It is not comfortable, and I wonder what could be done? I have wanted a long-line to smoothe out said roll, but should I really go for less fabric at the bottom of the bra to avoid this?
Another issue I have with bras in general, and this one too, is that the bottom seam seems much tighter than the top seam of the band, this the bottom seam seems to carry the entire weight. Is this a fit-issue, or just how bras are made?Cup: Based on the 80H's, myself and people of bratabase figured it was 2 cups too small, but I think that may have been too much: I have taken 2 pics of the gaping with straps loosened appropriately - one pic I am just slightly hunching my shoulder, and you can see a slight shadow from gaping, and on the other pic I am pulling out a lot in the bra (so there isn't actually that much space, but just showing that there could easily had been a bigger breast there!). On the other pics the straps are tightened to close the gaping: On the pic where I am lifting my arms, I get much of the desired shape (and a lot of cleavage), but other than that, it seems like my breasts look extremely heavy, and the bra seems to not be able to 'stand up' against the weight. Is this also due to the cups being a bit too big?
From the side view, you can also see that the top-panel which I assume is supposed to sit on the front of the boob, is more like on the top of my boob, like a lid, really, making it flatter there, and giving a pointy-shape where it bends inwards at the seam. I assume this is also due to wrong size?
(My bust measures about 125cm/49", but w/o accurate underbust measurement, that's hardly usefull)I am still in the desperate search of my correct size, so any help is appreciated!
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Suggestions (4)
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helpfulI notice that the center gore in the front isn't lying flat, which usually is an indicator that the cups are actually too small. In this case, since you say the band feels tight and there's gapping in the cups, I think it's probably just the wrong cup shape for you. I suggest trying different cup styles and seeing what works.
You mentioned that you're "squishy," which I definitely am too. The shape and structure of Freya bras tend to work really well for me. Perhaps you'd like to give them a try. Www.figleaves.com currently has a big sale going on, with a lot of variety in small band sizes; maybe that would be helpful.
Updated on July 10, 2012 Flag this
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helpfulI think you would probably LOVE the Freya deco, it's a plunge bra that gives amazing support and a very round and uplifted shape.
You also say you aren't sure about your true size: Fullerfigurefullerbust's blog has some fabulous advice on how to find your true size, and this bra calculator is very accurate http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/bracalculator.htm
Those 2 sites helped me figure out I'm not a 42DD/DDD, but a 38FF U.K/38H U.S.
Good luck!Updated on July 29, 2012 Flag this
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Freya Deco only comes to GG, and I know that would be too small :( Other people have suggested that for my shape as well, so I really wish it came in more sizes!!
Yes, my "bra journey" is rather recent, it's not more than a year ago that I started to gradually move out of 38DD's!! I am familiar with various blogs, but still can't solve my issues :(
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helpfulHi
I am trying to look at your roll and see if you have the same shape as me as it is quite unusual.
If you have a roll right under the bra you might have ribs curved outward. That means a protruding Upper stomach.
Look at this picture: http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa58/vodopad/th_bikinifransidan.jpg
I'm in a way to small bikini here, but the point is to look as my ribs. They are curved like that; outward.
That means I am smaller straight under my bust than on my ribs so the underband will wander down and I will slope into the cups.
Now it doesn't look like you have that shape, it was just the roll issue that got me thinking of it.
Anyhow: This also occurs when you have a long torso.
http://www.bralessinbrasil.com/2012/07/torso-length-height-underarm-fit-and.html
The Onyks seams to cut your breasts off horizontally. It will not cause quadroboob but it will distort the natural shapes of your breasts and you will have underarm fat.
The size might be right, but as long as the shape is wrong it really doesn't help. Also it takes a long time to figure out ones own shape.
But from what I can see your shoulders are sloping and they are quite narrow. So you certainly need to stay away from that wide shaped bras: Freya Lyla, Arabella and those with similar cuts will be completely wrong for you. The Fantasie Elodie will also have the same problem.
We have about the same measurements (I will change my breast perimeter as I have some breast migration going on and I have been living in a 34F for five years) and you are even softer than me under the boobs.
I have a theory that fuller figured softer girls might need to chose; the band digging in if we do want support or the band not digging in and not getting enough support.
I mean try wrapping a band around something soft and put on some weight in one area (boobs): of course the band will wander lower down if it's not tight and sturdy enough. You might also imagine a balcony on a house that is fasted in a wall that is porous. It's the same effect
The construction of the cups alone cannot hold the weight of the boobs as the construction of the balcony alone cannot hold it's weight. It's pure physics
The hater is onto that here: http://brasihate.blogspot.se/2012/01/visual-effects-of-poor-band.htmlIf you measure 70 at your tightest I would say try 70 bras. I measure 81 at my tightest and I am migrating down to 32 bras from 34. I won't even look at the 36 bands.
Also I know my skin is really really sensitive so I've sometimes use a stick thingie called Bodyglide under my bras. It's not sticky and made for preventing chafing for cyclists
It doesn't ruin the clothes.Now as we are about the same size with the same nip to neck distance rounded boobs and soft underbust I will stalk your journey
I have one more theory though and that is... if the boobs can migrate to the armpits and back to our backs can it also migrate to your underbust and even stomach if the wires are too small? Because if that's the case some of us soft underbusties are actually carrying some of our breast tissue Under our breasts and would need to scope breast tissue not just from our backs and armpits but from our underbusts as well.
Updated on July 30, 2012 Flag this
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Thanks for the detailed response!
I don't think my ribs curve outwards: My underbust and waist measure the same, but it is just in between that I have this roll, that doesn't seem to come from ribs. I think my "natrual" body shape is very tiny at the waist, so all my fat can't spread evenly in that area, so I get this very stubborn rolls. It may also be some breast tissue, I don't know. As I also sais, often the weight appears to be only on the bottom seam of the band, and it is tighter at the front so maybe everything has squeezed at that roll to make it more defined :(Yes, my shoulders are small and sloped, this one often slides downs, even when it is too short adjusted.
I don't mind the appearance of a band digging in, I am so tired of bad bras, I just want them to fit, so I would prioritize support over appearance, but of course I don't want it to be uncomfortable.
I think 70bands generally would be too small for me. I have heard that Freya Edina is big ind the band, so I would probably consider somtehing like that in 32. I will stop looking at 36, though ;) I have now worn these Ewa Michalak's for a while, and 34 is fine, not too tight. Still, I have the issue that a lot of the weight is at one point (bottom seam, in front) which is also hard on my skin, so I wear a thick band-aid!
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Hi again.
I have measured myself again. I am indeed 75cm/29.5" at my tightest and I'm going for a 30 band.
I'm thinking if you have a tighter band it will take some of the pressure off the point where you now need a band aid? If it's sturdy enough that means of course :)
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helpfulI would suggest a plunge or a demi cup.
Updated on July 31, 2012 Flag this
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This is a plunge
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Yes, I think maybe the shape is wrong - I have a CH in 80H, which is loose and has slight quadro-boob, but I think CH is better for my shape, but unfortuneately, not made in bigger sizes! I have not had luck with plunges before (and never felt I needed it, I don't wear that low cut necklines), as I do often feel like they are too flat at the center, causing quadroboob there, so it makes sense with this one, that when it is big enough in the midle (or even almost - I too noticed the center wasn't completly flat - about a finger could fit between), it will be too big at the sides. Also, even though I do feel like this one is too big, I still feel like it should rather be a cm wider than narrower at the side.
I had really hope Ewa Michalak would work for me, because I really prefer padded cups to give a better shape for my heavy bust. I see Freya has some padded balconettes, and I may try those! How wide are the wires? I do sometimes have trouble with too wide wires!