All bra adventures

4

Being annoying with the Breast Shapes project :P

Hey guys!
In case some of you missed it, we're trying to build a library of breast shapes.

The idea is that once the library is there, you will be able to pick those that resemble your own, then Bratabase will be able to use that as a source of recommendations.

We are in a crisis though! we need a good number of ... pictures to build this, right now there are currently 23 submissions, so please please consider submitting or spreading the word anywhere you can

Please feel free to comment here or on the blog post for any question

http://www.bratabase.com/pages/Shapes/submit/

Read more
49 more words

Determining your breast shape | Bratabase

http://www.bratabase.com/blog/2012/nov/21/determining-your-breast-shape-202/

Filed under

Shared on Dec 04, 2012 Flag this

6 comments
- Have you seen this gallery? I don't know what the copyright on their photos is, but you might look into using them! I'll submit my boobs next time I am shirtless with a camera, though :) http://www.007b.com/breast_gallery.php
- @cake_mimic, yes I've seen that gallery, in the blog post I mention a bit why we can't use that.
  It also does some body naming that can hurt people, classifying breasts as "abnormal" or some bigger sizes as "conditions" and such.
  
  The intention here is not to name the breasts but to have them sorted in an uniform scheme so we can relate that to bra size/model.
- This thread has 6 comments. Log in to read them
add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more
1

Another load of bras - all failures :( :( :(

Sometimes I really think there will be nothing right for my boobs, and I get so sick and tired of this whole ordeal Just tried on yet another big order from Bravissimo - and nothing fits! One was too small in the cup, one was maybe too large in the cup, and the rest was ... just ugggghhhh wrong on so many things, not necessarily size related... A lot of them looked like they were made to make my boobs point downwards! I am just not good friends with those huge upper-sections - all they do on me is just point my boob further and further down. I also have a bit of a jojo-ing weight, and my last order came at a point where I was at my lowest, so it is possible that I have gained weight since, which just further complicates things...
The Lola Basque that I had been so awaiting was very difficult to close, both because it was quite tight around the hips (though it was too loose a size up some time ago!), and because it's 12 hooks! A lot of work, got my nail caught on a hook, eek! Boobs look ok in it, have to consider the rest... May just return it for the larger size again!
And the Boudoir Beau is just driving me crazy... This is the 3rd size I've ordered it in!
Uggggh, may just stick to Ewa Michalak, not that they are great for me either, but at least I can count on what fitting issues I have there, and I can get something that doesn't make me sad to look at my boobs! I am pretty happy with my boobs, but so many bras just make them look so bad
Read more
240 more words

Filed under

Shared on Dec 04, 2012 Flag this

XLhourglass

1002 reputation

83 bras

22 comments
- Oh dear, so sad to hear this.
  I just wanted to say I feel your pain on the upper section thing.. I have yet to see a woman that that kind of construction works on. This is why I seem to be leading Curvy kate antipropaganda - they just make the stupid upper section bigger and bigger and the boobs just look like that sad droopy dog in them.
  I am courious to hear what styles suffer from the same problem - just to be sure to avoid them :)
- I'm sorry you had no luck with your order :(
  I can so relate to that. I tried like 50 bras at least only to find a few that fit decently. I just hate too big upper sections. It never looks good. I could get the Alana to look decently because it's borderline too big and I have tightened the straps very much for good shape and uplift.
  Which ones did you order?
- This thread has 22 comments. Log in to read them
add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more
Gorsenia?

Is anyone familiar with the Gorsenia line? There are two incomplete reviews here and I was wondering what people thought. It's a line from Poland.

Filed under

Shared on Dec 04, 2012 Flag this

8 comments
- I only know the Gorsenia Attina. I saw pictures of a woman who normally wears 34HH/36H, she tried the Gorsenia Attina in 75M (which theoretically is the same size as 34HH) and it was approx 2-3 cups too large on her. The cups seem to be cut with narrow gores and for boobs that are very full on top. Band - probably similar to Panache in tightness. Does this help?
- yes, thanks
- This thread has 8 comments. Log in to read them
add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more
Why does Mademoiselle fit?

Ok I do have to write a bra adventure about this. For the first time I'm having a bra that acts the same almost whatever I do. It's the Mademoiselle 34HH Bravissimo bra. Me and seamstress friend was both shocked about the fact that I could even have a fitting bra. Whatever I do this bra simply does seem to ... stay put without killing me.

We started to look as to why that is.

It's the sides. The side support panel is strong and it doesn't allow more volume on bottom than on top. This is why it doesn't have any cutting in on top of my boobs under the arms. The armhole isn't smaller than the overall cup depth at that particular point and therefore doesn't cut in. So basically what's killing my boobs on top is the elastic seam combined with too little support on the sides. Andorra is not made to sit under the arms. That's why.

But Bravissimo half cups must be made to sit under the arms since it's a pushup bra.

And this is why all other bras fails me. None of them are made to sit under my arms.

So how could I make them fit? I would need to add a stronger side support panel that would flatten my sides evenly. I can see this construction on Mademoiselle as I can on my Goddess Alice in the same size. It should not be that hard to flatten the sides of a Panache or Freya bra. Or for that matter a Curvy Kate Balconette.

Edit: I just looked at the side support panel on the Jasmine. I think it's constructed in the same way? Anyone trying them both that could enlighten me?
What would I need? A firmer fabric than the flimsy side support panel in Andorra for start. I don't have any volume under my armpits. So then I had to take away the volume of my bras there.

My boobs are not full anywhere. But they are indeed everywhere. Vertical root high as well as horizontal root. But I would like to be able to wear anything but Bravissimo halfcups

Read more
307 more words

Filed under

Shared on Dec 04, 2012 Flag this

22 comments
- I took a look at all the bras you added to bratabase. I think it would be interesting to see you in the CK Emily or the Panache Jasmine.
- @t_maia: I've tried the Emily. I have crappy pictures of it, but I'm still sorry I sent it back :D I'll try to upload pictures of it.
  
  I looked at the Jasmine and saw the side support panel and I am on the verge of deciding to try it as well :D I also have a Cleo George coming my way :)
- This thread has 22 comments. Log in to read them
add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more
3

Band and straps – How tight is tight enough?

So, we know about the two finger rule on bands. But I fear there are also different interpretations on this one - being able to slip two fingers in the band for some means pulling the band from the body by the lenght of two fingers. And for others just barely being able to slip to two fingers in ... there, and keeping them there would mean that they would probably fall off after a couple of minutes How do you feel about bands? My thing is – if they don't ride up, they are okay. Straps are a bit more tricky.
I've noticed recently a trend in tightening the straps all the way, or even further than that by alterations. I've been doing it myself – it's the only way I could get the lift I need (or want maybe?). For this reason I've been putting up with some strap cutting in on the soulders. It's not nearly as bad as it was when I was wearing 34 bands but still.. I would probably have them even shorter if my armpits allowed it. I would probably get a bit of quadboob then. And need bigger cups ans even tighter straps. It's a circle, Isn't it?
I've seen this on other girls too – even in smaller cupsizes that aren't so hard to lift. That way they prevent gapping of the bra, get more coverage and feel more secure.
I can't help but ask myself – are we overdoing it? Are we pushing the limits and making the bras fit in a way that they aren't supposed to?
All the deep questions asside – how tight do you wear your straps? Is there such thing as too tight? How do you know when to stop?

PS - shouts to JJ - I think we might be needing a discussion board - all this bra adventure comments are hurting my eyes!
Read more
268 more words

Filed under

Shared on Dec 04, 2012 Flag this

12 comments
- I wear my straps rather tight because everything falls of my shoulders (I'm short).
- My opinion is that you can tell a well-fitting bra by loosening the straps and tucking them into the cup. If the shape goes south dramatically, it is not as good a fit as you thought it was.
  
  Some changes in shape are normal, after all that is what straps are for, to help with the shape of the cup, but if the cups suddenly droop the cup might be too large or the wrong shape for you.
- This thread has 12 comments. Log in to read them
add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more
Help Me?

If someone more experienced could help I'm wanting to get a bra for my aunt for Christmas. She has lost weight and is still wearing ill fitting 36D. I measured her at a 32F. I can't remember if she had a bra on or not but she did bend over for the bust measurement. I ... am having a really hard time finding a decent 32F in my price range that would suit her style. She likes simple bras with no frills. I found a 32E Deco but looking at it on here I think it would be too small.

Anyone's advice on sizing and styles would be appreciated!

on the right:
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/307982_4813917783869_96623966_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/538536_3792629932311_1049232650_n.jpg
Read more
58 more words

Filed under

Shared on Dec 03, 2012 Flag this

demdem

353 reputation

31 bras

9 comments
- i will suggest that is better if you will go for 32 F instead of 32 E... because i had the same issue with cup size when i bought my first Deco bra.... Deco always have the smaller cups than the other bra... so i always use a a higher cup size when i am going for deco....
- Decos are notorious for running large in the cup. I'm a small 30FF in most styles now but my 30F Deco still fits on the large side, in fact I sort of had to grow into it.
  
  Does your aunt like moulded bras, unpadded, or padded? Also, what shape, what color?
  I ask about shape because the Deco really lifts and sort of pushes breasts together, and sometimes that doesn't work out well for soft breasts.
  
  Also, I saw a few unpadded black/white bras for about 10$ on ebay including shipping, but I'm not sure what style she likes. Here's one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-32F-Gorgeous-Debenhams-Full-Coverage-Bra-Lace-Made-In-London-/110984154606?pt=US_CSA_WC_Intimates&hash=item19d72bcdee
  And another: http://www.ebay.com/itm/George-black-with-floral-print-soft-cup-bra-UK-size-32F-34G-36F-38G-40F-42F-/140709954100?pt=US_CSA_WC_Intimates&var=440046696706&hash=item20c2f78234
  
  I don't know if you're in the UK or not, but I find that ebay.co.uk usually has better (and cheaper) bra listings than ebay.com. Make sure when you view them, you select "sort by price: lowest" so you get the cheapest ones first.
  
  It's probably difficult to figure out what breast shape she has, but that would help too. For example, would she be better off with wide, shallow Curvy Kate/Panache cups or narrow, deep Freya/Ewa Michalak cups. Since she has lost weight, I am guessing she might not be a fan of plunge styles if her breasts are soft too.
  
  Hope I helped a little!
- This thread has 9 comments. Log in to read them
add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more
Freya Deco sizing, I have questions! edited for title

So I hear it runs big in both band and cup. But I checked the measurements here and it actually looks like the cup would be just right on me, since the cup width is 11 and the depth is 16.9, based on 6 bras. My breast perimeter is 18-19, and I think I need narrow wires since everything I've ... tried so far extends past my breast tissue by 1-2 cms. I was thinking that even if the band runs big (which all but EM bras are bound to be on me), I could always just take it in if the cups fit right.

But what do you ladies think?

p.s. Would I have to size down in the Deco half-cup as well?
Read more
61 more words

Filed under

Shared on Dec 03, 2012 Flag this

nyannekochan

195 reputation

14 bras

23 comments
- I used to wear freyas exclusively until I was effectively sized out by the fabric stretchiness of the band. So now if I find a Freya for dirt cheap, I'll buy it and take in the band. For me, only the bands run big. I wear the same cup size in seamed Curvy Kates and Panache Tango Balconettes as I do in Freya. As for EM, I haven't found my perfect size so I can't say for sure, but I think my perfect cup is still equivalent to my Freya cup size.
- what is a dirt cheap Freya though? How much does it usually cost? I see them on eBay for about as much as the cost on brastop
- This thread has 23 comments. Log in to read them
add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more
Curvy Kate "Tease Me" in Ivory/Pink? What size do I need?

So this whole Curvy Kate fitting differences depending on what season it's from is really confusing to me. Some bands are said to be true to size, some are really loose, some cups are 1 to 3 sizes too small...

Does anyone know about the Ivory/Pink colourway? Bratabase says it is SS2012. I don't have many well known bra models ... that actually fit. I have for reference the Masquerade Rhea in 36G in ice blue which is currently my best fitting bra, but I bulge out of just a little bit (after altering the straps to sit closer together), and the 36GG Rhea is too big/tall in the cups. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Edit: I forgot to mention that I've never tried any CK bras in general, and I hear that the Showgirl collection tends to run smaller compared to other brands. So I really have no idea what size to consider!
Read more
93 more words

tease-me-showgirl-ivory-pink-curvy-kate-ss12.png

Filed under

Shared on Dec 03, 2012 Flag this

8 comments
- The Showgirl collection runs a lot looser in the band than the regular part of the Curvy Kate line, which, if anything runs tight in the band. The Showgirl plunges runs super-small in the cup, the half cups are not especially of at all in my opinion, but it depends on what you compare with.
  
  Rhea runs big in thge cup compared to most styles and brands, so you will need to size up. I would suggest two cup sizes from your Rhea size, so a 36H. They are quite a bit looser in the band though, so a 34HH or a 32J is probably what you would need. The problem is that they stop at a cup size smaller. So, a 32HH or a 34H is the best you'll be able to find.
- Thank you Nesoa that helps a lot! Would you say that the Rhea and Tease me have an almost identical fit/shape? I ask because I find it weird that I have a different bra in the same UK size and measured depth to depth, it's the same as my 36G Rhea. Yet there's gaping at the top, but I think that has to do with it being a plunge and cause I never altered the strap position.
  
  The two 36G bras measured at 11.5 inches depth and there's a Tease me on bratabase in size 34H which shows depth as 11.8 so I guess I'm also worried about having to alter the straps on the Tease Me because literally every new bra in my new found size have been too far into my armpits.
- This thread has 8 comments. Log in to read them
add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more
3

New insight, new problems, Ewa Michalak & Bravissimo...

Oh my, I just realised WHY I’m still having problems with my bras. Or let's say I'm on my way finding it out.
We’re talking here about minor isses, good even very good fits, which are just not perfect.
I recently put on my old Andorra 30J (which is just a bit too small on me now) but then I realised ... why I had issues with it anyway: it is too shallow on bottom! That’s why my boobs are pushed upwards out of the cups and to the sides! There is not enough space on bottom of the cups at all.
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9881/newbrainsights3.jpg
On the picture, the green section is too shallow. Boobs pushed to the side and up.
Even when the 30J has fitted there was something odd, but I haven’t realised then, because when I got the Andorra first, it was just the best and comfiest bra I ever tried and I fell in love with it and overlooked it’s flaws.

I was really impressed with the Bravissimo Alana. Never have I had a bra that felt more supportive. (boobs of steel) At first it was really uncomfortable to wear, but got better with washing. One issue I could not get rid of it and that was that it cut in very weirdly on bottom of the cups into my breast tissue – I got some pain from wearing it the whole day and red marking.
If you know any Bras that get deeper right away from where the wires are, please tell me.
On the Cleo Meg, as much as I love it, the shoulder straps are annoying me to no ends and keep digging into my arms.
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8274/newbrainsights2.jpg
If I loose them to get more comfortable, they fall off and I loose all the uplift and shape!

All of this bras are not bad, but there are still some issues bothering me!

Do you know this feeling too? That you thought, you found the perfect bra but realize sometime later that it wasn’t so perfect at all?

I have ordered some Pepperberry/ Bravissimo stuff. Also one of the Alana-Doppelgangers. But I think this bra is not right for me at all and I may want to cancel it.
Can I change something about my order after I placed it? For example order another size? I looked at the order details on my account and it said on 2 items: ordered and on the rest: released. So does “released” mean that they are already shipped?

And then another Question about Ewa Michalak Orders:
Did you have to pay custom fees on EM orders? Do they send the parcel marked as “gift” ? (because BiuBiu does that so I don’t had to pay fees) If not I have to have the parcel sent to my friends in germany, I don’t want to pay extra cost.

Thanks for any help

Read more
418 more words

Filed under

Shared on Dec 03, 2012 Flag this

67 comments
- So, we've talked about my saga with Bravissimo (my adventure 257), etc. in which case, you may (or not) remember that I had the same realization about depth at the very bottom of the cup.
  
  What I found is that, for seamed bras, 4 part bras, with side support panel, tend to be able to allow more depth right at the bottom of the cup than 3-section ones, because they have 3 seams meeting there. So, Jasmine is one of the best I've found so far for that. (Did you have a chance to try the 30JJ yet?) And of the 3-section shapes, the type that Alana is (small inner lower section, large outer lower section, smallish upper section) has the least depth, and the other kind (like Panache Tango, with the large upper sections and two smaller lower sections) is sort of in between.
  
  We talked about this a little back in Vee's adventure, 213
  
  From Bravissimo, you mentioned Linear Rose/Fleur were on your wishlist, did you have a chance to try either of those yet? If you can, I would suggest you try the Fleur, as I did find that one good as far as depth at the bottom.
- Yes I remember:) It just took me a bit longer to come to the realization that I struggle with this problem too.Better late than never.
  I have actually just placed an Bravissimo order on sunday. I have ordered these:
  Fleur 32K
  Linear Rose 30K
  Ditsy Blossom 30K
  Dotty Spot 30JJ
  & a Pepperberry cardigan
  
  It might take 2 or 3 weeks until I get it. I have followed your advice and ordered Fleur in 32K (one band size & cup size up from Alana).
  
  Now I had just tried to cancel the Ditsy Blossom (it has the same cut as Alana, so not so good for me) but I think I accidentally cancelled the whole order. Now I wrote an E-Mail to bravissimo to sort it out. I think part of it was already shipped.
  Linear Rose is not aviable anymore in the size I ordered it, but it was when I placed the order. Now it’s sold out. What happens in this case? If it gets back in stock (someone returns one) then I’ll get it later? (like some kind of wait-list?) Do I have to pay postage twice then?
  
  I just got the Jasmine today! :) I have briefly tried it on and it fits :) It is a little bit big on my smaller bust, but nothing severe. I’ll have try it on tomorrow again for further insight but so far it is really good. Today I’m just too tired for anything. Had a rough day:(
- This thread has 67 comments. Log in to read them
add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more
Dec 03, 2012 -- So, how is EM PL supposed to fit?

This is a bit of a stupid question, coming from someone who has owned a PL Onyks for a couple of months, having posted a fitting help request about it, and thinking she got it all figured out, but here goes:

So, I have a PL Onyks and although I love the feel, shape and support this bra gives, I'm just ... not entirely happy about it. Because I don't think it fits me that well (I also think I'm just not really the 'plunge-y' type, but that is another question). The cup edges gap like crazy yet I simultaneously seem to spill towards the centre. I also get quite some diagonal 'pulling' wrinkling from the bottom front of the cups up and out towards the apex of the cup. "PL is just not my cup of tea", I told myself: my breasts are too 'soft' for the low centre gore and the cups come up too high on my very short upper torso.

Then I saw the blog posts by Windiegardie who reviewed the PL Onyks twice (and several other PL's as well) and comparing her notes I noticed something: the cups on her PL Onyks cover much more of her chest than the cups on my PL Onyks. Then, yesterday, it was I think, someone mentioned that the straps on PL should be tightened a lot to make the cups sit nice and flush. Now, I've been wearing my PL Onyks with the comfort straps at their tightest, because I found the regular straps also included in the package way too uncomfortable (really, they simply cut into my skin -- anyone else has that problem?). The comfort straps are only partly adjustable, but I THOUGHT they were tight enough. This misconception is probably a relic of my years of wearing 32 bands: the only thing I could do to not having those ride up like crazy was have the straps as loose as possible (which meant straps often just falling off my shoulders and cups that offered nigh to no support, let alone shape). Anyway, I now realise they probably weren't even close to tight enough: I finally managed to sew up another pair of detachable straps (scavenged from my poor 65E HM Gold that was too large for me) and tried the PL Onyks on again with, what I now assume, 'properly' tightened straps and the difference is, well, striking: instead of gently spilling towards the centre, I'm now outright quadboobing (my breasts are also slightly full at the moment, but still). All the way up near the straps the cups are STILL not entirely flush against my body, but otherwise they seem to stay put much better.

When I posted my fitting help request someone already mentioned that instead of too large, the cups of the 65E looked too small on me. I brushed that aside because at the time I was very new to the game and all I could see was major gapping. Gapping = excess space, right? Plus, 'big' breasts (as in > AA/A cup) are still not exactly part of my body image, so yeah, disbelieve might have also factored into my reaction, blissfully ignoring the fact that I've often seen it mentioned that people have to size up in PL ...

Anyway, I'm a bit curious now as to whether I was just totally wrong in my assessment of the PL's suitability for my shape and if I should perhaps give it another chance ... ? The wires in the 65E are only barely wide enough, possibly slightly too narrow even, and don't come up very high -- I can easily do with wider and longer wires. So, what should I try next? 65F? I'm about to send a CHP on its return journey, so I can just as well exchange it for something else ...
Read more
585 more words

Filed under Bra sizing and fit

Shared on Dec 03, 2012 Flag this

10 comments
- Post pictures of how it fits with straps tightened? It certainly sounds like the signs I have in a too small bra.
- My breasts ARE a bit swollen at the moment, but boy does this thing suddenly look way too small on me -- I mean, really, like 'tacky centrefold' kind of too small ... !
  
  So, shoulder straps ... right. How come I don't know how to tighten shoulder straps?! *rolls eyes*
- This thread has 10 comments. Log in to read them
add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more