Bra fitting help » Center full and projected??
Cleo » Hettie Balconnet Bra (9011) » 32F 32:7
Issue resolved
Fits much better with an extender, probably still on the small side
Original problem
So I've recently reassessed and think I may be center full and somewhat projected, with roots towards the narrow side of average. May explain why trying every bra for shallow shapes never worked lol I like this ok. Had to overlap the center wires, they sat in breast tissue. Gore is still high and annoying but tolerable. Otherwise wondering how the fit looked? Thanks!
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helpful
It looks like you're experiencing a bit of wire/cup distortion due to Cleos being so snug, and this is probably also the reason you were losing cup depth at the center and experiencing gore discomfort (Hettie runs larger than the others, but even Hettie is not likely to work well with +0 band sizing in your size range). If you can throw on an extender--not the wonky kind with an elastic in the middle but a plain one--this should relieve a bit of the tension and allow you to judge the cup fit better.
Updated on November 9, 2019 Flag this
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Yes I know it can be confusing when you're trying to figure that out--but really not all of the possible factors apply meaningfully to everyone. For example, yes, someone who carries a very ample amount of their body weight on their ribcage and/or who is plus sized may want to do +0 or even -2 for their band, but you are not in this demographic at all. Having up to an inch or so of soft squish on your ribs isn't going to significantly affect your ideal band size formula, especially since you are not dealing with the other possible band-sizing challenge of getting a band firm enough to anchor a super heavy 10lb pair of boobs.
Don't stress about the numbers when you have a bra in hand to try on--in that case it is more useful to learn to spot the telltale signs of a band that is too tight. Start with the most obvious and problematic ones (hard to close, feels too firm, hooks are straining, wires are hurting or digging on your sides or at the gore). If those aren't enough to determine it's a bad size, move on to the most visually obvious issues: cups are being pulled east-west i.e. outwards laterally, cups are fitting oddly shallow at the cup edge and cup base, straps are way out in your armpits and/or too far out on your shoulders (despite a perfectly average frame width: at 12" you aren't built like an Olympic rower but you're also not so petite that you might expect to constantly battle with bra straps falling off).
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Ok good to know! I'm not sure what +0 means, I'm guessing its referring to the difference between my band and my measurements? Do you think 34 band might be a better starting point? I know different brands can have different fits in bands, but I figure if I can get at least ONE bra that's really close to good and comfy, I can work outward from there using those measurements if that makes sense! I'm ordering some non stretchy 2 hook strap extenders from Amazon prime to add to my collection
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Sorry, yes, +0 (or +2, -1, +4...) just refers to the difference between comfortable measurement and band size! For Cleo bras, which run tight and have stiff wires, yes I would certainly go with 34 bands in your case. Ditto with Natori or other brands that run small in the band. For a brand like Freya that tends to run big, you might be 32 or 34 depending on the bra.
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Ok good to know! I've tried several Freya in 32 that almost feel too big, but if I'm used to bands that fit like this Cleo then maybe I'm used to too tight ???? The sister size in a 30 freya band is definitely too small.
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helpfulI'm center full and projected and struggling to find bras that fit me. I was wondering if I should try this bra. I think I have slightly wider roots than you. But I'm curious about the gore. It likes like you're close set? Is that why you had to overlap the wires? I have a two finger width separation.
The side looks like it's really digging into you. Did you try the extender?
Updated on November 18, 2019 Flag this
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greenfuse I wouldn't say I'm super close set, about a 2 finger separation as well, but when my breasts are supported they definitely "squish" towards the middle if that makes sense lol I overlapped the wires because otherwise they were definitely sitting on the breast tissue. This one was good for my projection. Before I overlapped the wires the gore hurt for sure. Overlapping made it better, and with an extender it's much more comfortable, so I'm thinking this band was just too tight. To be fair I bought this bra when I was about 15 lbs lighter. So I think it's worth a try especially if you think overlapping wires is something you can do! :)
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Thanks I will try that! I have a really hard time judging what's "right" for bands, especially since putting back on some weight so theres some squish on top of my ribs.