Bra fitting help » Stays in IMF, band a bit tight, and seam isn't laying flat?
Bali » One Smooth U Ultra Light Illusion Neckline Convertible Bra (3439) » 34DD 34:5
Issue resolved
The bras design is more at fault then anything else.
Original problem
This bra ALMOST fits, I swear, even better then the last.
The main issue is the seam is not sitting flush with the top of my breast.
I also can see some tissue poking out of my armpits.
The band also feels slightly tight, but not too bad.
This is the only bra I have found that doesn't slide down my IMF. I jumped up and down and it stayed firmly in place.
I would think I have to size up to a 34DDD/F, but sadly they don't make this bra in that size. I will see if I can find a sister bra in a size up.
Advice is appreciated!
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Suggestions (1)
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I actually think that 34DDD in this bra (if they made it) would be far too wide and tall! I don't see any tissue poking out of your armpits. If you're referring to your Tail of spence, it's normal for that to be outside of the bra cup.
I do think that the band is overstretched. I would suggest using one or two extra sets of hooks from a non-stretch band extender to see if that improves the fit and comfort.
If you haven't tried them yet, a few other bras that might have similar-ish fits are Freya's high apex styles, like Freya Cameo High Apex Bra (3161) or Freya Expression High Apex (5494); Chantelle Norah Molded Bra (13F106); and Wacoal Halo Lace Underwire Bra (851205).
Updated on March 21, 2024 Flag this
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To me, the crease just looks like an artifact of the two different fabric types meeting at that seam more so than a fitting issue.
Wacoal do run tight in the band (sometimes by nearly a full size), so you might want to size up to 36D in them.
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Ah okay, that's what I was thinking honestly. So this bra is probably out of the question since I can't fully pull it taught. I'll probably go with the Chantelle.
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I'm no expert by any means but I am wondering something and maybe it doesn't apply to you but I realized the other day I have slight pendulous breasts (I always just thought the term saggy haha) because the tissue lays past my IMF about 1.5 inches and touches my chest. I was reading a bunch on reddit about bras that have immediate projection and I think this might be a solution? They suggested a few bras for it such as Panache envy, Freya fancies plunge, Fantasie alex, Cleo marcie, Fantasie Fusion (one I tried and am trying in another size because I really liked it) Comexim and EM brands. I haven't tried the last two brands. Anyways, just thinking out loud but maybe it might help you? Maybe you are not pendulous shaped but have a lot of immediate lower projection and/or are heavy on bottom and it pushes the bra down over time when wearing it?
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Hey Elladeer, thanks for the suggestion. I was on ABTFs for about 2 months trying to work with them to get something that fits me. Sadly I have come to discover that they are a sponsored subreddit that was bought out. You can read about that here, https://www.bratabase.com/adventures/entry/21747/#adventure-comment-85141. Which makes SO much sense, the only every threw the same brands and bras at me over and over. Even after I specifically told them to STOP with those brands and bras. They didn't fit, they where uncomfortable, and just terribly scratchy. I gave up on that place and came here. I'm definitely not projected, I'm a shallow breast. I learned heavily about shapes here, and it confirmed my theory that I'm shallow. https://www.lilypadesigns.com/breast-anatomy-bra All the projected bras they claimed would fit me had massive gaps at the top. They would like cone out, and had huge flaps above my breasts.
I do not have Pendulous breasts, I did a research, and it's a lot more then just sag. It means they have a smaller root then the base tissue, the main tissue is wider/bigger and more towards the nipple. My breasts are the exact opposite. They are the same root as the width for about 60% off the breast, then taper off. I've read for pendulous breasts you want stretchy fabric, and to go a cub size down. I think.
Thank you for the suggestions though! I feel like I'm getting really close with my Chantelle Norah. The 34DD was too tight, and hurt, the IMF was dropping over an inch while the band was digging in. I discovered yesterday the wires where sitting on my breast tissue, and that's likely what was pushing it down. I had ordered a 36D before realizing this. I decided to give it a shot, it doesn't hurt at all, and the IMF only drops half an inch, and it's not sitting on my breast tissue. So I think I'm going to try a 36DD and see what happens..
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Woah that's sad to hear about the whole sponsored subreddit. :( I had actually been on this site about 7 years ago and forgot all about it and randomly found my profile again and was surprised a website like this is still around with people actively still using it! I really appreciate all your insights too.
I was wondering why no one was suggesting brands like Chantelle because I love that brand and it's been my bra brand for quite some time despite being in the wrong size. I just love the fabric and quality. I have the Norah in my cart on Amazon to try as well from your prior suggestion. Also gonna try a wireless bra from Wacoal and a couple other Fantasie bras and one last try with the Freya Offbeat and Panache Plunge but like you I don't care for the fabric on those last two.
Hmm that's interesting about the pendulous breasts. I always figured it was because I had larger breasts in high school while taking birth control and gained a bit of weight then lost the weight and stopped the birth control and they sort of deflated from that point on.
It's funny that my most comfy bra is a bralette from an Amazon brand called Mae that is technically meant for A-C cup size but the medium fairly well even though the band could be a bit tighter. It's very light support but gives just enough lift and allows the breasts to stay slightly splayed and of course no gore means no weird center spillage...but this brand is gone from Amazon now.
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Berrigold ABTF isn't run by corporate shills; it's just a conspiracy theory that BraOdyssey is promoting without any concrete evidence. There is a lot of repeat advice on the subreddit (and a lot of bad advice, because none of the regular commenters are professional bra fitters!), but it's because people repeat popular recommendations--simple as that.
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bananaboats, oh I see. It felt like it made a lot of sense because they never seemed to listen to me and kept insisting they knew better about my body then I did. I guess that is true, well, I'm getting somewhere here because over there I was getting no where.
Hello bananaboats, I think I am referring to the tail of spence. I did not know that was a thing, I heard a lot of people talking about how it was a sign of an ill fitting bra.
I could try to get an extension, I've heard that suggested a few times.
What about the seam crease on the upper part of the cup? That shows right through my shirt.
Thank you for the suggestions, I tend to avoid Freya just because I find their bras very scratchy and uncomfortable. I have tried both the Chantelle Norah, which I loved and ordered. Only to discover the bra slipped out of my IMF too far to be comfortable and caused pain. The Wacoal I tried was too tight and put too much pressure on my spine. I have an old back injury there, and if the band is pressing too hard it'll cause me pain pretty quickly.
I actually still have the Chantelle, so many I should measure it out and post some fit help. Cuz I honestly love that bra and wish it would fit.
Edit: this got me thinking and I measured right under my breast, and made SURE it was in the right spot. I'm actually measuring a 34.5... so the extender might be the answer. The band is shifting down to a spot it actually fits.