Bra fitting help » band far too tight among other issues
Cleo » Lucy Balconnet Bra (5851) » 30DD 30:5
first off sorry if the pics kinda suck they were taken with a webcam so are kinda janky..
so, while i can put the bra On, the band even on loosest hooks feels so, so, so incredibly tight, and like the entire bra is pulling me in somehow, if that makes sense?
the band is too tight, i can hardly take a deep breath with it on, the straps restrict my movement and just arent comfortable even when as loose as i can get em, the underwire digs in on the outer side of my bigger breast (my <- side), and (should be in pictures) seems to dig in to the smaller one too, but it doesnt hurt on that one?? and if i have my arms forward at all the straps dig into my armpit/tail of spence?
i got an extender for it which SHOULD be in the pictures and if the pics are displayed in the same order i uploaded them in initially, the latter pics should be the ones where i'm wearing it with the extender. but when i wear it with the extender i get LOTS of gaping in the cup no matter how much i scoop & swoop like my boobs fall down and to the sides, the band feels far too loose like it's falling down, really the only sturdy things are the underwire (which still cuts into my larger breast on the outer side even with the extender) and the straps which still hurt loads.
i've worn this bra with the extender for a few hours once and my main issue was, again, how much the underwire on my outer larger breast hurt (though it's worth noting ALL the underwire ALWAYS hurts, it's just most noticable on the outer side larger breast if it isn't clacking against my ribs). i was relieved to take it off and felt like i could properly breathe when i did. i've never worn it without the extender for more than 15 minutes because of how straining it is.
i should have more details on the exact fit of this on my review of it which i'm pretty sure is public if you check my owned bras section? but it was very wordy and missing the point a little so i didn't feel like copy+pasting it for this lol
underwire width issue aside the cups fit the best out of any bra i have, it's just that the band+straps issue makes it unwearable for any real comfort. is this a size, shape, or some other kind of issue??
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7
helpful
Sooo seems to me there's a couple separate things going on here?
1) Bra style
This bra is what we'd call a 'bandless' model, which often causes wires to dig in / press into your ribs under the cups. https://www.panache-lingerie.com/us/journal/what-is-a-bandless-bra
Preferences vary from person to person, but looks like you may prefer banded bras instead (as do I, and many people on here)2) Cup shape / size
The cups seem a bit too large to me: with your bust perimeter measuring less than the cup depth. This is in part compensated by the tight band pulling on the cups, but more visible with the extender. Generally I'd say it's a wrong shape for you?
I suppose you need a shallower shape, that's also more open on top - while this has more apex projection whilst being quite closed on top.3) Band
According to measurements, the band on this bra stretches to less than your firm or comfy ribcage measurement, which can indicate it's too tight - especially for people with a leaner torso.4) Straps
A tight band can also exacerbate the strap placement (do they feel better at all with the extender?). In general, Cleo bras have always had horrible strap placement for me as well, and unfortunately it's a common issue in bra fitting
My suggestions on where to go from here:
1) try banded bra styles instead.
2) try bras that are more shallow and open; like many halfcup styles are.
3) try going up in the band, down in the cup - to 32D as a starter size? I'd recommend to look at measurements more than at sizes, because not all brands size the same!
Also try a non-elastic extender, if you do end up preferring 30 bands?
4) There's bras with more comfortable strap placement, alternatively you could learn to re-sew the straps in a more comfortable position, and like I mentioned, sister sizing may help a bit.There's also brands like Comexim, that do custom alterations - where you can ask them to move the straps inwards. They are Polish though, and non-refundable if altered, so I'd explore other options first if I were you! Or try and find a 2nd hand Comexim in the listings on here!
I'm not in your size range, so few specific bra recommendations that I know would work, but perhaps MeeM_13 can help??
It will probably still be a process of some trial and error, but at least I hope some of this input is helpful for you!
Updated on August 23, 2021 Flag this
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You're very welcome :D Glad I could help a little!
And I totally feel you on strap placement; I'm mostly a UK 32G(-GG) and the armpit attack is REAL :(
In that regard, Comexim has been great for me, and many people on here - mostly because of their alteration options.
But: even with straps moved inward 3 cm. or so (they're Polish so they use cm.) the straps are still far-ish apart for me haha.Some people (like us both) are just unlucky I think, with regards to frame width, combined with tail of spence sensory (in)tolerance?
Because I do see other people, on here & in well-fitting bras, wear wider-set straps than me; without much discomfort!
So yeah, you'll come to find there's lots of individual factors involved - don't feel discouraged if things don't work out perfectly the first few months / trials! Eventually you'll narrow down what works for you and what doesn't.
Viewing it from a perspective of measurements, rather than labels / sizes, is so immensely helpful though - you might be a 32C in some brands and a 32D or 30DD in others!
Good luck (:
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helpful
It just seems like there are too many issues to overcome with that bra. Not sure its worth teh effort- try a larger band but maybe use the same cup size?
Updated on September 3, 2021 Flag this
bubblegum thank you so much!!! ♥
i didn't know about banded vs bandless bras, i would definetely at least like to try a banded bra :D
and regarding the shallowness, yeah, that's what i was thinking too but i wasn't quite sure how projected i am! i love how more open cups look too, so a shallow open cup is a win-win for me XD
after i got this bra i got a 32d but it was far far too big for me in both the cups and band, but that mightve been cause it was very very cheap(ly made)? but i will definetely take the 'measurements over sizes' advice in mind and see if i can find any 32d's that run kinda small i think?? and yeah i'm waiting for a non-elastic extender in the mail and will see how that fits!
and yeah, the straps still restrict movement+cut into my armpit/tail of spence with the extender, but also if i slide them to the slide at all they fall right off- i'm suspecting that they're just too wide/far apart/off to the sides for me?
again thank you so much, i'm brand new to all this and the technicals of it all can make my head spin, and your comment definetely helps me get a better idea of where to go from here!! thank you!! ♥