Bra fitting help » Wrinkling at top, alteration suggestions
Cleo » Lily Balconnet Bra (7351) » 28F 28:7
Issue resolved
Some great suggestions for alterations were given. Thanks ladies!
Original problem
So for the most part, I love this bra. The shape it gives is amazing, but the very top section (with the ribbon) wrinkles a bit. It isn't really noticeable under clothing, but it's annoying. I think that the cups are a tiny bit too tall and wide at the top. I don't think I could size down in this because the wires are already fighting to leave my IMF. On the right side particularly, the wire either floats if I pull it up all the way or sits too far down and wrinkles. Anyone have any suggestions of alterations that could be done to fix one (or both) issues? Or should I just leave it alone and accept it as good but not great.
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Suggestions (3)
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2
helpful
You could try this alteration by prettyncharmuese: https://themusingsofrenzilla.wordpress.com/2015/07/17/cleo-minnie-alteration/
Tucking in the lace and sewing it to the horizontal seam. I don't think you have to tuck in as much fabric as shown in the pictures, but maybe a few mm can make a notable difference.I would not recommend sizing down as the bra seems to fit you very well otherwise. It's just the lace in the upper cup that's a bit wrinkly. This is actually quite common in Cleo balconettes in the smaller cup sizes.
Updated on August 19, 2015 Flag this
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helpfulI do think it's worth trying a 28E, as overall this is just a lot of bra on you -- height, width, depth at apex. Also the straps look a little tight.
If the 28E is too small, you can nip a little dart in the top and sew this one by hand or machine. That's about all you can do. Cleo designs are incredible for lift, but then it's a lower price point so there's no follow through for quality, and that top cup section is often not optimally sewn.
Updated on August 18, 2015 Flag this
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I do think you should just try it, no matter what the bratabase measurements say. I take all measurements with a grain of salt, because it's really difficult to measure bras, and everyone measures differently. I promise Cleo isn't putting that much effort into the scaling of their bras (or any, honestly...it's not Empreinte) to change anything except overall volume from 28E to 28F. It's definitely not going to be wider -- if it's marked that way on here, that's a measurement issue.
If the straps are so wide they keep falling off, going down in size is going to bring them in. Again I strongly recommend just trying it. I think a lot of times we are so scared of going back to our own personal dark ages of too-small cups that we are afraid of even trying a cup smaller than we measure or than we think we should wear. I wish someone had told me earlier in my bra journey that cups that are a little too big are just as uncomfortable/problematic for fit as ones that are too small. I would have wasted a lot less time altering the tops of cups, as well as thinking that well-fitting bras are always just uncomfortable on the armpits .
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helpful
If you want to keep this size, here's a option for alterations: http://www.allsfairinloveandlingerie.com/?p=1473 depending on where the wrinkle sits, you can sew it how you want.
BrasIHate also has some good alteration advice, this one might be most suited to your issue: http://brasihate.blogspot.nl/2012/07/how-to-make-high-cut-bra-lower-cut.html
Good luck!
Updated on August 19, 2015 Flag this
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Oooh thank you so much! Cutting makes me nervous, but the bras I hate alteration looks as though it would do exactly what I want. I do think I need to alter the 28F down as opposed to buy a 28E because the scaling changes in between the two styles. Unfortunately for me, the 28E is wider and significantly shallower than the F. I may try just moving the straps in first or folding the bra by the edge of them.
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Yeah moving in the straps can also help significantly for any gaping or wrinkling!
I know cutting up a 'good' bra can seem scary, but I've tried lots of alterations (moving straps, lowering (moulded) cup height, creating more open armpit space, shortening band etc etc) and usually it turns out really well :)
Just make sure to pin (or tape) before you sew; then I'm sure it will improve your fit!
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I wish there was a 28E.5 in this model. Ubfortunately, it looks like the scaling changes in that size to be wider and shallower. So if I want the style to work, I probably have to just alter this one smaller. Bratabase is giving 5inches width and 8 inches depth. I agree that this one definitely a smidge too large in the upper portion. I do like my straps tight so they don't fall off my shoulders, so I don't see that as a fit issue. I may try to move them in so I can have them looser. Ugh, why can't bras just all be made to measure. The shape and band of this one is so perfect!