Bra adventures » Bra sizing and fit

• As someone who has owned 30,000 Marcies, I absolutely vouch for that style. It works wonders for FOT shapes. My warning is just that the gore might hurt you after wearing it for a while (I am really sensitive to gores though, so it might just be me), but it is an A++++ for immediate projection and a half-spherical shape. It looks like in a 38FF, the gore is a hair shy of 4".

  I would not personally recommend the Lucy. From my experience, it simply doesn't work on FOT shapes as well as the Marcie. I know there is a gore alteration you can do to sort of force it into the same shape as the Marcie, but I have no personal experience with that! I just know that it's a really FOB bra and that it failed on me lol. I also have had little luck with bandless styles.

  I know the Freya Arabella plunge tends to be good for even projection. I'm even/leaning on FOT, and I know the Arabella was actually a great fit for me, so maybe you might have some luck in that one (it has no padding or lining and is pretty much just sheer).

  I would recommend Fauve half-cups, however, they are padded so they don't quite fit what you're looking for (but they'd be good for the winter, I say?).

  My only experience with CK wasn't too successful, so I can't speak to any of their cuts, but I know the Florence actually had too much space at the top for me and was pretty much a no-stretch cup - so that might actually work in your favor?

  I hope any of this was helpful for you!!

• thank you so much and okay i wont try the lucy unless its on super sale but ill try the marci and ill look into the fauve half cups and the freya arabella this was so helpful thank you :)
  

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Inframammary fold and wires

I recently noticed that I'm most comfortable when the wire of my bra is about 1 cm below my inframammary fold. I know it's suposed to be *in it*, but then it just hurts like hell, because the wires rub on my ribs. What say you? Can it mean that my current size ( 32F / 30FF ) might not be my size at all?

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Shared on Jun 30, 2016 Flag this

MiskiDwie

6201 reputation

586 bras

19 comments

• I can't stand wires in my IMF, when the wires are too wide! They hurt like hell when they are in my fold under my breast, because they press so badly on the sides of my ribs!
  (I hope you can picture what I'm trying to say! :D)

• I've been going through some issues with the wire and my IMF. If it's just barely below it, it moves around and gives me marks in my IMF and on the sides. If it's an inch below I get marks there too. I have to be careful because most underwires hurt there. I've only had a few that don't. I feel like it's a lost cause for me!

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9 comments

• For ordering the 3hc I emailed and was told to order through their website and put that request in the comments. Any alterations are non returnable though so I was also told that by email. Their customer service is really good. The English you sometimes have to decipher but keep it simple. Like my girl asked what size bowls I wanted instead of cups. It was kind of cute but I repeated again what I wanted in very simple English.

• roxannelovesbras if she orders the rose longline as a regular 3HC through the website, she'd still be paying for the longline price. Since converting a bra into a longline is more, I would think converting it into a 3HC would make it cheaper.
  voluptuousbeauties I would ask about the rose. There's an alert on the site about a vacation, so if you don't order it today, you may end up waiting a month for The to start making it. I too want the Rose Asa regular 3HC

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3 comments

• The wires dig in because the cup size is too small so more pressure is put on the wires. An ill fitting bra is never comfortable. Have you tried a 38G? If there is boob quadding then go to a 38H.

• you can also do a fit request so we can see. Bras dont only come in different sizes, they come in different shapes. If we can see HOW its not fitting, someone might be able to suggest a brand that would fit better

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5 comments

• I personally didn't need to size up in the band. I generally wear a 32J, and have a 32H in the Panache Sports bra. Ideally I would wear a 32HH (I have short roots so I don't want extra space at the top) but they're kind of expensive and I found got the 32H secondhand for like $20 so it works well enough lol.

  I also have the Panache Sport vest (which I have heard is the exact same bra just with a built in shirt) in a 34H. I prefer the cup on that but the band is looser than I'd want. So for me, I prefer to size down in the cup and keep the same band size as I usually wear.

• I usually wear a 28FF/30F and I went for a 30E at the sports bra!

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11 comments

• My experience with Natori - the styles I own and the ones I've tried on but didn't buy because my boobs needed the space in the bottom of the cup that, hidden glamour for example, simply didn't have to give - is that they have very stretchy bands. All of the styles. I have a couple of contour styles (cool contour, body sense contour, and contour balconette) and the stretchy band is consistently a feature I've identified even on the styles that I tried but didn't buy.

  I've got tall+wide roots, my most favorite best fit unlined style is Chantelle's rive gauche which really seems to be a marvel of bra engineering because when it's just sitting on the bed it looks like the wire shouldn't be right and the bra shouldn't work for me. Once it's on is a different story, and if it's not bra engineering it's magic. The 2nd most favorite and best unlined fit is the Wacoal Enchantment. When comparing the numbers on the two, the Wacoal has a lower wing but more depth. The Chantelle has wider cup, longer band, longer wire, and the wing/gore the same height and higher than the Wacoal.

  Now, what this all means? Other than the guess that the slight design differences and measurements just work with my body? Heck if I know. ;)

• The thing that made me switch to tighter hooks on my Fauve Pearl was that the gore poked when it never had before, and once I got the band tight enough again, the stabbing stopped. I had the worst time with Chantelle and stabby gores, but maybe I should consider re-assessing them with tighter bands?

  Stabby tall gores and upper-cups that are too closed off are the reason I don't do many balconettes. Is the Rive Gauche super open on top>

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10 comments

• I don't know much about unwired bras, but Comexim will usually do almost anything that you ask them to (that doesn't require some sort of major pattern change). You could maybe email them before ordering to make sure, but I bet they would be willing to make a bra without the underwires for you.

• You going to have to take some leeway with fit on her , you haven't said exactly what reconstruction she had if it also included implants ? I am assuming yes as you say she is an e now . However my mom just went through a mastectomy and her reconstruction with implants a year ago I know she can no longer tolerate tight band or cups both from scars and the nerve damage /neuropathic pain that comes from chemotherapy .
  Nice thing is they typically put in a gel silicon implant so it has a nice shape and is self supporting even in a woman my mom's age of 62 . Bad thing is scars and possibly rippling that can be seen though the skin .
  Now she can probably get away with bralette type that we would not normally recommend because of the above .
  They make mastectomy bras but I wouldn't say they are pretty .

  My mom likes this bra if that helps and no I can't get her in a fully bra that fits but that is ok she doesn't need to have a tight band to lift anything up anymore .. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/wacoal-how-perfect-wire-free-contour-bra/3680558?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashionsize=30F%20(US)%20(3D)%20%2F%2030E%20(UK)&fashioncolor=NATURALLY%20NUDE

  I think the walcoal retro chic is cute it comes in wireless . It's sized different though I tried it on the wired one and a 34 i almost fit and I am a 30jj/k so a trying on would be good . It would show up with low tops though .

  Maybe a focus on soft wires as well such as freya , ewa and walcoal ect .. sorry don't know anything about the small cup sizes brand wise so many .

  More of the traditional American bra company make soft cup bras you do fit and size a bit different though from underwires . Bali , and such .

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Ewa plunge fit

How does the M fit compared to the PL?

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Shared on Jun 06, 2016 Flag this

Prettyncharmeuse

4198 reputation

338 bras

• I did a comparison recently https://mythoughtsonbras.blogspot.com/2016/06/ewa-michalak-m-magique-and-mpl.html

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• I've only tried one BM and one SM (BM Szmaragd and SM Czarna Mgielka). If I had to pick one that's more lifted, I would pick the SM... I think my BM has more immediate depth at the wire giving an overall more rounded shape, while the SM comes to a peak (it seems shallower along the vertical seam, which seems to give a hair more lift). So, that's my opinion based on my very small sample size of Ewa bras :P

• I would also say that the SM is more lifted based on my one BM and one SM bra. Maybe in smaller sizes the BM is more lifted, but in larger sizes I just don't think that the stretchy material has the capability to really hold them up as much as the non-stretch lace of the SM cut

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• Ewa Michalak uses EU bands, but she uses UK cup sizes so all you really have to convert is your band. And you don't really even have to do that because in parenthesis next to the Ewa Michalak size is the UK size! However, in general a lot of people like to go up one cup size from their UK size in the S cut (and maybe PL as well).

  In terms of currency, I usually just google "Zloty to USD" and plug in the prices to convert it. For the bra names, I usually use Google Chrome to browse the Polish version of the site, so it will translate the names from Polish to English for me (I like to be able to see what the names mean). But there is also an English version of the site if you'd like to use that, though the bra names are still in Polish there.

  Each different cup is designated a letter (for example: M, S, PL, CHP, CH, HM, SF, etc.) You can look here to see what each of those letters means: http://www.ewa-michalak.pl/Style-Guide-cinfo-eng-6.html
  

• Also, since you're in the US Zathiya might be a good retailer to look into! They carry Ewa Michalak bras, the prices are comparable to what ordering directly would cost you, and if they have the bra in stock that you're looking for it will get to you in a few days. I would say that either that or buying one secondhand from someone would be the easiest and cheapest way to initially pin down your size.

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9 comments

• Most of the old-school longlines run so tight that you will have NO problem with a 34. In some of them you may want a 36 especially if you have some more tummy volume compared to your underbust. I don't know if Goddess qualifies as old-school anymore as they have more updated designs, but Rago, Carnival, Exquisite Form, etc. should be A-OK for you. If you look at my profile you'll see the ones I tried. I was a bit heavier then but my underbust never really changed from its current 29-ish inches. Some of them also run HUUUUGE in the cup. If you are interested in a different one than those I entered on here, feel free to post a link as I also tried quite a lot that I couldn't even begin to get into, and so therefore couldn't really do a review.
  

• I was considering trying this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009PLSS0O/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_3GQpxb7MNDXD6 since it's cheap in a 34C since that's the biggest cup they offer in a 34 and i did read the cups run way large. I'm a 32F typically, would it be worth a try or should i find something that comes in 34D? I had seen your reviews before so i figured if you take 34DD I'd probably be more like 34D.

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Comexim unlined/soft cups

I posted this over at ABTF on Reddit, but I'm hoping for some more insight. My mom's best fit so far are Fantasie side support bras in 38FF (like 38FF - Fantasie » Julia Side Support Bra (9162) ), only she finds the wires bothersome on her ribs. I'd like to be able to offer her another brand ... to try and Comexim Eve Bra (46) looks promising, but there's no data here. She's petite, full on bottom, with average to tall roots, very close set (touching) and often has too much empty space at the top of cups in her size. Gores too high won't tack at all and gores too low result in spillage. Elomi and Panache don't work for her. She keeps asking for "softer wires" and "softer material". Is it worth trying Comexim? Has anyone in the 38FF or thereabouts range tried a Comexim soft cup? I'm not sure what her size would be in that brand.
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Shared on May 15, 2016 Flag this

letstalkaboutbras

1949 reputation

146 bras

• I am waiting for Eve from Bra Obsessed. Jaimie recommended it for my full on bottom breasts. I also requested a narrower gore. It may be great for your mother as it is closed on top, but does allow for some upper fullness. Good luck!

• Thanks for this info! I'll keep an eye out for a future review from you. :)

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11 comments

• Ah, "strap gap" and I are very well acquainted. I have short roots that are high set and I'm also petite in stature. Almost every bra I own gaps near the strap. But if your band is riding up/down, it's likely that you're in the wrong size and/or that the cups are the wrong shape for you. I'm not an expert in your size range for availability, but even though you're FoT you might need more space near the wire in the cups. That can be contributing to the band not staying put. I hope someone else will chime in who is more familiar with your size range. But you're not alone with strap gap! It's very common and may not have to be a deal breaker for fit if it's not bothersome, but it sounds like your bras don't fit the way you want in other aspects, too.

• ewa michalak should have some things that fit. i think there's another UK brand that has really big cups too, but I always forget what they are called - I dont think they sell directly in the US?

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6 comments

• I've tried one: the Georgina in 30DD (I'm usually 30E). Beautiful, soft, padded balconette bra, but with a huge amount of apex projection, so no good for me unfortunately! I've no idea if that is typical though, I'm afraid.

• I tried the Kris Line Diamond Semi Soft in 65DD - I felt that it ran large in the cup. Without the cutlets, it didn't fit me .. and I consider myself more 65E/30E. It was gorgeous. The padding was thicker than I'm used to, but it felt very soft and luxurious. The other Semi Soft bras I saw listed seemed a bit large too, but maybe the other bras by them will fit differently.

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6 comments

• I ignore both EM and Comexims size charts. Comexim uses EU sizing & scaling. I'd start with an 80J.

• unless its one of those sellers who repackages comexim in EU sizing?

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I'd be cranky too!

This promotional link came up in my FB feed (can't hide your shopping habits from Mark Zuckerberg...) This image makes me want to start a The Toast-style compilation of Models Feeling Annoyed By Lingerie That Does Not Fit Them:

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Shared on May 14, 2016 Flag this

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• Oh how horrible! I'd kill someone in her place... :P

• Yes I have to give her credit for not strangling the stylist with the spaghetti straps and storming out of there :-D She is obviously a tall woman, they should have used the largest size to get the required length to fit her torso and pinned it at the back.

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4 comments

• wow yeah it looks like a whole size difference looking at them like that.

• what size bra were they each from? and how do you have enough bras to sacrifice them for science lol

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• I have endometriosis. Started having symptoms when I was 18, then was officially diagnosed when I was 26 (in 2002) by laparoscopy surgery. I then completed 6 months of GnRH hormone therapy (Lupron). Ever since then, I've been on low-estrogen or progestin-only birth control to keep everything stable. I was told there was only about a 1% chance I'd ever get pregnant, but that was okay with me since I never really wanted to have kids (don't judge -- children aren't for everyone).

  It's been 14 years now since all of that, and I'm lucky that my symptoms have been kept at bay for the most part since then (besides infertility). If anyone is wondering, Lupron REALLY helped! Unfortunately, I have had more frequent/severe episodes of pain in the last few months. I have moved a few times in the last few years, so unfortunately I have had breaks between birth control prescriptions. Not having that constant controlled-hormone environment is causing the adhesions to grow, causing more problems.

  As far as my bra size fluctuating -- I can't say that I've had a huge issue with it, beyond noticing expected changes if I've gained/lost weight or if I've changed birth control pills. I do increase about a 1/2 cup during my period, but I don't think that's out of the ordinary for anyone.

• Oh gawd yes. My endo makes my weight unpredictable in general (I've lost and regained the same 20 lbs. twice in the past year and a half), and I never know what weight loss is going to do to my fat/muscle ratio or my breast size. Top that off with gaining up to 5 lbs. of pure water during shark week, and I'm a total mess. So I've got everything from a 30F to a 32GG in my bra collection, and they're ALL in the current rotation.

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14 comments

• I'm fairly new to Comexim myself, but it may depend on which bra you're looking at - for example, I'm a 60F in the Mint (band runs tight) and a 60G in the Ginger (band runs loose). I highly recommend buying/swapping a listing first.

• Thanks! Can I ask what size you wear in other brands? The problem with buying a bra listed on here is that I can't return it if it doesn't fit, and I really can't afford to take the risk!

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4 comments

• I have heard that every time you change size, you have to change brands. sounds painful I mean, i'm seriously looking forward to having less boobage some day, but not to buying all new bras

• Oh no! My new strappy one from Ewa has a firm band and I swear the cups are smaller than my other S. It is not a lot but if I had not dropped a couple of pounds it would be too tight in band and cup on my larger side. I thought it was just me!

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