Bra fitting help » Straps too widely spaced
Figleaves » Eva T-shirt Bra (b-g) (007028) » 30F 30:7
This is so close to fitting well! The straps rub uncomfortably where they meet the cups (enough to leave red marks), and they gap at the edges when I move my arms forward. I'm finding it nigh impossible to find a bra that has both narrowly spaced straps AND a low enough/narrow enough gore. The Fantasie Rebecca is the closest I've found to a perfect fit, but the center gore rests on breast tissue because it is too wide at the top.
I'm not sure why the widely set straps are such a problem as I don't have narrow shoulders, and they're so ubiquitous, surely they must be working for most people, right? But these are about as closely spaced as I can find for a plunge style bra, and they hurt. If anyone has suggestions for something that has both a very low/narrow gore, as well as a more centered strap placement, I would really appreciate it.
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Suggestions (4)
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helpfulYou should use a racerback clip! I have the same problem with straps too widely placed, except I am petite with narrow, sloping shoulders. Half cups and balconettes are the worst offenders at weirdly placed straps, but full cups and some balconettes tend to be more centered. Bras with J hooks like the Freya Decob Vibe (which has a lower gore) also work well since it's like a built in racerback clip.
Updated on March 24, 2017 Flag this
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Part of the problem is that plunges or short gore bras are balanced such that the straps have to sit a bit wider in order to get the right shape. Full- cups have the narrowest set straps as a general rule, because the balance point is near the centre of the breast. Balconnettes can vary between super wide set and almost full-cup set width by cheating the diagonal seam angle. Plunges, unfortunately, tend to be wider set because there is no "top part" to the cup. Half cups might work better for you as the balance there is horizontal and not diagonal so it is possible to get away with narrower set straps. Usually, molded or padded balconnettes and half cups can get away with narrower set straps than unpadded because the stiffness of the material disperses the weight.
As to what to do about it, have you ever tried Comexim plunges? They routinely customize (for free, but unreturnable) strap set width. I would suggest you try their plunges unaltered and returnable, maybe through Bra Obsessed or Zanthya, to find the right Comexim sizes (their bands are usually a bit tight, and they cup size by 2 cm not inches so you may need to cup up for volume). Once you have the right size, you can order half cups and/or plunges with overlapping and/or shortened gores and narrower set straps if necessary. I would strongly advise that you move the straps in by *no more than 2 cm each because moving the strap attachment can change the shape of the cup and mess up the shape, especially on unpadded.
Alternatively, you can look for bras made for shorter roots or with a more closed top cup as this *usually* means that the straps attach lower down on the cup and *can therefore attach a little narrower and acheive the same balance and shape as the taller cup models of the same style. I can't wear plunges, so I do not know which models are shorter, but you can search by cup height in bratabase and/or look for reviews which talk about being good for short roots or FoB because the cups are shorter or more closed. The only problem there is that you might not be able to wear a more closed cup without quading depending on your own root height and upper fullness.
Plus - here is a blog that demonstrates the terms I'm using fairly well and might help you out.
http://thepetitecollegiate.com/2016/04/21/photo-glossary-bra-fitting-and-breast-shape/Good luck!
Updated on March 25, 2017 Flag this
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Thanks for all the information! I'll see if I can figure out more of what I'm looking for from the link you posted. It's a little overwhelming trying to figure all this out, haha. I haven't tried Comexim before, so that will be next on my list. I suspect I have more even fullness rather than FoB, and have no idea how tall my roots are, so the more closed cups you're talking about may or may not work. It's worth a shot.
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Check out Love4Pollinators. She has similar issues and has had some success with Wacoal
Updated on March 25, 2017 Flag this
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Yes, I can see a few that may work for me based on her reviews! Thank you so much!
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B.tempted B.wow'd, Wacoal Amazing Assets Push Up, and B.tempted B.Splendid may work, but the straps are still a little wide. Wacoal La Femme has a lower gore and the straps hold well despite their width. Bali 6549 looks very presentable under knits, has no underwires, straps are more centered, and the padding is less than the aforementioned models. You may, however, need to alter the band. Hope you find a comfortable solution soon :-)
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Thank you, I'm going to try some of the Bali ones. No underwires and less padding sounds very comfortable!
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jaciek It is SO comfortable. Hope you find a wireless wonder you can love :-)
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helpfulI have the same problem with straps slipping off my shoulders and I am not a petite lady either(170cm tall) but I have found @ Bravissimo Satine style good on me, it is a plunge style so has a low gore but straps stay on me ok.
Updated on May 31, 2017 Flag this
Thanks for the suggestion! I can see how that would help with straps slipping off the shoulders, but unfortunately even with the racerback clip the straps are still rubbing and causing the edges of the cup to gap. I think I'll either have to have the straps moved in or this bra just won't work.