Bra fitting help » Some thoughts on bra construction
Bravissimo » Rococo Charm (SB19) » 28HH 28:12
Issue resolved
Bending the underwires, in the end, helped a little. However, I am still going to sell the bra, as I don't feel too comforable in it. Next time, it's 30H/HH in this style
Original problem
I love the look of this bra. However, it doesn't fit me and I think that even a larger cup wouldn't solve the problem.
I was fitted into two 30GG Freya bras in a local pro shop. However, even though they fit me, more or less, I feel more comfortable in a 28 band and decided to try future bras in 28H. After ordering the Panache Confetti, though, I discovered that this particular style requires me to go up at least one cup size, if not two. So when ordering the Rococo, which appears to be of similar construction as the Confetti, I ordered the largest option - 28HH.
First of all, the band is too snug, so I used an extender buckled on the first row of hooks. The cups fit then, as seen in the photo above, but only if I don't move around too much. When I do, spillage occurs. Not much, but enough to make the beautiful round shape from the side look less round and rather ugly.
Under normal circumstances, I would get a 28J. It doesn't exist, though, so I tried the following options:
- buckling the extender on the second and third row of hooks, thus creating a pseudo-30H bra. The cups fit awesomely, but the band rode up. I tried wearing it in this way, but my back started hurting after a while.
- I considered swapping the bra for a 30HH and taking the band in. However, I'm not sure it would work because of the width of the underwires. I tried to ilustrate it in the photos ("side view" and "Panache Confetti underwires x Rococo Charm underwires") - basically, while the Confetti underwires curve up to enclose the breast when they should, the Rococo ones go on for ever and end up almost next to my shoulder blades. I'm afraid that if I bought a 30HH, the cups will be as shallow as the 28HH ones, and compensate with even wider underwires, which would end up halfway across my back.
So I'm looking for advice
Should I swap for a 30H (could have more space up front) or a 30HH (despite the underwire threat)? Or do I just have bad boob/body shape for this type of bra (quite possible)? Or am I missing something here, such as that I should be wearing a completely different size? And why on earth would someone make the underwires so wide?
Thanks in advance!
Here's a link to the underwire comparison photo:
http://media.bratabase.com/cache/f6/00/f6003bd4e4386f1bca21c57e1448f642.jpg
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Suggestions (3)
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2
helpful
Are the wires bending under the pressure of the band? Curvy Kates and Flirtelles do this for me, pulling the 28GG underwire all the way to, as you said, the shoulderblades. I think I need a 30 band in most CK bras, particularly as the band is pretty firm.
If you were returning the bra, I'd vote for a 30H. Supposedly the space in the bottom of the cup is due to cups not being wide enough (the orange in the glass phenomenon), but I haven't really seen this in action enough to think it's always the case.
I ended up keeping one Curvy Kate bra that did this, and a few times bent the wires like this (http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-to-do-with-those-pesky-wide.html) to help ameliorate the stretch. Would this help you, particularly when paired with the extender?
What is your extender like? Maybe one that's less stretchy (or more stretchy!) would work for you. You can cannibalize an old bra for the hooks and sew them together for a non-stretchy extender.
The last time I wore my CK bra, it was actually comfortable all day. I think I just needed to break it in with repeated wire bendings, washings and wear.
Updated on April 4, 2012 Flag this
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helpfulThanks for the pictures of this. Seems to me that I need to order the Roccoco Charm, it might be what I have been looking for for years.
To answer your question: I think this bra might be the wrong style for you. I would instead recommend that you look at Cleo and Masquerade Halfcups, on those the underwires are more narrow.
Updated on April 7, 2012 Flag this
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Hope it works out for you! I'll definitely look into them, when I feel brave enough to face a halfcup bra again :)
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helpfulIn response to: "Or do I just have bad boob/body shape for this type of bra (quite possible)?"
Please remember that although the bra may be super pretty and enticing not all bras are meant for every person! It pains me to read such a statement. I wish I had ordered this style but it may not have worked for me either.
(This comment may be less than helpful for fit but just wanted to remind everyone to love themselves with the proper language. <3)
Updated on April 4, 2012 Flag this
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Well, "I have bad boob shape for this bra" and "not all bras are meant for every person" means exactly the same thing, only the first one is more specific as to why a bra won't fit me :)
Sorry, though, I'll be more sensitive next time, so no one feels pained :D
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Yes! I think that's exactly it - the situation you described with the CKs fits quite well.
In the end, I decided against returning it and bent the underwires (thanks for the link!). My extender is a non-stretchy one and looks exactly like the end of the bra :) I've compromised and loosened it a little, and now the whole bra fits better. Still not ideal, but much better.
Thanks for the help! I hope that the bra really loosens up with wear. And the next time I'm ordering a similar bra, I'm definitely going for 30H :)
I'll leave the question open for a while longer in case anyone else has some constructive thoughts.