Bra adventures » Bra sizing and fit

May 06, 2013 -- Lepel Fiore, a mystery to solve ...

So, in my last desperate attempt to find a bra 'low' and shallow enough to match my 'short', conical breasts I ordered a couple Lepel Fiore Balcony Bras. And now I am faced with a mystery and a dilemma. As I have to decide very quickly whether to keep (one of) them or send them back and possibly place an ... exchange order, I'm asking you lovely ladies for a little advice. I'm in the process of writing my reviews but my computer has been very cranky with uploading photos, so I'm not sure I'll get them done in time for my decision ...

Anyway, on to the issue:

The 32D is too big all over: the band rides up on the tightest hooks (I have to adjust the straps quite short), the cups gap, the wires are just a smidgen too long and wings are a tiny bit too high (now there's a first!). Also, the sides of the cups and straps cut uncomfortably into my arms. BUT, and here's the mystery, even though everything seems to point towards this bra simply being too big for me, the gore doesn't tack! The cup situation gets somewhat better when I pull the band tighter, but the wires and wings obviously still come up too high.

The 32C almost fits: the band is perfect, the cups seem much better than the cups on the 32D, the wire and strap situation is pretty much ideal, AND, and here is part of the mystery, the gore actually tacks! BUT-- it would obviously have been a no-brainer if there was no but -- the quadboob when I breath in or move my arms backwards even a little bit is monumental and the wires are just that tiny bit too narrow for comfort.

*sigh*

So, what to do?

My breasts seem a bit fuller at the moment, so it might be that the 32C fits at another moment in my cycle -- or then again it might not. I've never noticed much fluctuation so I may just be conning myself here. Either way, it's not entirely unwearable so I could consider keeping it. OR should I just return the lot and consider exchanging for a 30DD, one band size down and one cup size up from the almost fitting 32C? Considering my issues with the 32D, would the 30DD be any better?

Any thoughts? Is this just another hopeless case?
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- Have you compared the measurements of them? I put together a table of the 30D, 30DD, and 32D (there are no measurements of a 32C): http://bra.pe/CB8b/ if you take the measurements for the 32C you have and compare maybe it will give you a better idea of which one would work.
  
  It looks like the band would be about 6-8 cm shorter stretched and 3 cm shorter unstretched on the 30 band, could someone hold the band of the 32D and 32C at that point for you?
- Measurements added ... small measuring errors aside, they look like pretty exact sister sizes to me, which doesn't seem terribly hopeful :(
  
  I think I can wear the 32D that much tighter, which would indeed make the cups gap less, but the armhole, strap, and wing issues would obviously not exactly be helped. Also, the gore still doesn't tack, for reasons I can't quite fathom. I'm thinking it's either to do with the flexibility of the wires or, more likely, with the cups cutting into my arms and thus being pushed forwards?
  
  Great.
  
  I think this means I'm right in between sizes in this one and should probably just give up on it ... now, what else is new? *sigh*
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Braologie's advice

Last week, Vee recommended Braologie to me. So I filled out Braologie's questionnaire, hoping they would tell me what bra in what size to choose. I mentioned my usual bra issues related to my boobs being set relatively high on my chest and me being short in general. Also, I was very interested in what ... they would have to say about my posture.
The answer came this Sunday(!). Tallia wrote: "Looking at your posture, there's really nothing really wrong with it. If you want your upper back to be a bit straighter, you might want to consider the camisole".
I then asked what Braologie bra in what size they would recommend.
Tallia responded immediately:
"Thank you for your interest in purchasing our products. Unfortunately, we are not confident to provide a bra that fits your bodyshape. As you mentioned in the questionnaire, your breasts are set high on your chest and frequently suffer from bra straps digging into armpits. Our bra is designed to be high on chest and thus we have higher side walls and tall cups. We are afraid that you may find our bra digging into your armpits as you concerned."
I'm in awe that a company would not recommend their product instead of trying to make a sale. Wow.
Because, let me tell you, I'm so ready and willing to buy.

I just feel so... sad?

I hope that they will introduce a bra for short people soon!

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- They seem to be improving I really really wish I'd waited to order mine because I feel like they are giving better service now. In my comments when I ordered I said that side wings irritate me and asked for lower ones, they sent me the standard bra that I can't wear because it rubs my underarms.
- I'm sorry you don't get to try them. :( That sucks! On the other hand, though, I am pretty impressed they would tell you flat out it wouldn't work rather than wasting your time and tying up your money in buying and returning.
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I may never buy another bra that isn't an EM S. or SM

I thought the S. Fresh was a perfect fit, but the SM Bezyk is even better. The cups may as well have been molded around my boobs.

The band, fortunately, is much closer to the perfect length of the S. Fresh than to the too loose CH Onyx or the miles-too-tight HM Gold. It closes on the loosest hook, but is ... slightly tight, so I'll start out with an extender.

Thank goodness I'm within the standard order size range for most of the S/SM styles- I could have dealt with the extra 20 Zloty for custom, but I am NOT willing to deal with Dominik! I feel so bad for those of you who must custom order...

One more note on the SM Beżyk - the colour is not the cream colour that it seems to be on the website photos, but rather beige.

I'll review properly once I've worn it for more than the few minutes that I spent admiring my chest area in the bathroom mirror.
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- The Sm bra really is amazing. I have the Sm Trefl, and it may be my favorite bra of all time.
  
  I'm actually glad to hear it's more of a beige color rather than cream. I think the beige would be less likely to show under light colored shirts (let us know what you think.)
- I just received my SM Bezyk a couple of days ago and I'm a little disappointed. It could very well be I ordered the wrong size, but the cups did not feel very supportive. I think the underside could use another layer of something. I just posted my review and pictures and am thinking of listing this one. :(
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How tall are you and how does it affect fit?

This adventure is a little bit for funsies, I just think it'd be fun to know how different we all are! But it's not only for funsies though. I'm wondering, are you facing the problems known for petites/tall ladies or is your body type not the "typical" for the petite or tall woman?

Examples of petite ... problems:
- Straps are always too long
- Straps are usually so wide-set that it's cutting into your armpit
- You need cups that are narrower than average height/tall women

Examples of tall women problems:
- Straps are many times too short for comfort
- The too-short straps are making your band ride up
- Bands are positioned too high on your torso, interfering too much with your shoulder blades

Hmm... Those were all that I could come up with. I've learnt that these different body scales share one fit problem usually: armhole vs arms. It's a struggle to get your arms through the armhole because your shoulders are so small (petite) or your arms are so long (tall, struggle to get them in there because of the angle I guess? )

Feel free to add something to the list if you think I've missed something! And also, if there's average height women that feel there are fit issues related to their height, just comment and say so! I do not intend to exclude anyone, it's just that I couldn't come up with any fit issues related to height when it comes to the average height woman. Whether you want to just chime and state your height or discuss fit issues related to height (or both! ), feel free to do it!

I'll start... I'm 5 feet tall (152 cm) and I always encounter the "typical" petite woman problems
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- I'm 5'9" so tallish but not really tall. I don't think I've ever had any bra problems related to height. Pants, shirts, dresses, everything else, absolutely.
- 161.5 cm. Narrow shoulders + wide ribcage. Straps don't adjust short enough. Tall boobs with most tissue on bottom (even if I'm technically fuller on top) + wide root. Makes shallow bras becoming too tall and ending up on my chin.
  
  I do love wires being high in the armpit though, since I use my wires behind my armpits anyway lol.
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How do you swoop and scoop?

Another survey: I figured there are a lot of us that uses different methods to swoop and scoop. How do you do it? Nowadays I actually mostly pull. Lift boobs inwards - pull from outsides. Lift boobs upwards - pull from underneath. Lift boobs outwards (hey center gore suddenly is full from all the pulls) and so I repeat. Sometimes I have to fetch tissue lower down as well. But most is done by the pulling.

How do yo do it?

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- Similar to you, I lift boob into the middle, bend over and do a pull/scoop from the side, armpit and bottom, then stand up and jiggle a bit to settle.
- I got a fitting at Bravissimo and was told not to do this, but I think it's probably the best way.
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Finally My Comexims Arrive And There Is Much Celebration

I don't know what it is about packages coming from Poland but they always end up looking abused. Do the people in customs play kickball with them before handing them over to USPS? Because my package looked like it had seen better days, to the point where I was worried that there would be no bras inside.

But my bras turned ... out to be okay! They are at least sealed up in a plastic bag to weather the elements. I ended up getting a 65HH - Comexim » Juliette and a 60J - Comexim » Magic Blue. I ordered these sizes based off how this Basic (170) in 65J fit me. Since I'm between bands, I decided to see whether a 60 or 65 would fit better. And I decided to go a cup size down because the 65J Comexim fits best while I have my period boobs.

Well, it turns out they both fit just fine in the band and I didn't have to worry about the 60J being too tight. I thought I would, because the best fit for the 65HH was on the loosest hooks. I was all set to use an extender tbh. I found the bands... TOO similar, so I did some measuring. Turns out, they BOTH stretch to 31"! Unstretched, the Magic Blue is an inch shorter?? But stretched? They are exactly the same! And just now, brajunkie has mentioned that the Magic Blue is said to run super tight. I wondered if I actually got a mislabeled 65J, but it doesn't fit like the 65J I already have. Very curious.

After I've worn them both a couple of times, I will be adding my reviews and comparisons to Bratabase. So far, they seem to be a good fit, band mysteries aside.
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- Maybe it is mislabeled. The other Magic Blue bras added on here are 75 bands and they stretch less than an inch longer than the 60 you have. That is a crazy variance for one model!
- If it is mislabeled then I wish I knew what the real band and cup size was! Because I like the fit. I could see it being a 65HH maybe, but not a 65J. So maybe 65HH is my Comexim size.
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Have I gotten it all backwards?

This is like a fit request so please try to help me out here <3

When I thought I was a 34F I would fit myself into the 34F - Freya » Millie (5920) and the 34F - Freya » Pollyanna (5922) and the bane of my existance would be bras like @arabella

They were too wide ... set, ended in the middle of my boobs and extended too far backwards. I always looked for tall bras with narrower wires. I hated my 34F - Panache » Tango Ii Plunge (3256) I hated Panache in general. They simply didn't work for me.

I soon grew out of Millie and had to use Pollyanna instead. Hint; Pollyanna has wider wires.

The years went by and I would look like this in a tall bra 34F - Freya » Cabaret Bikini Top (3076)

My boobs doesn't look wide and neither are they full on bottom. But in bras. 30K - Freya » Lauren Balcony (4823) 36HH - Bravissimo » Rococo Charm (SB19) they look different.

When I go for a shallow bra they end up too narrow on me. Not too narrow like wires too narrow, but too narrow in cup depth, ergo too small in the bratabase sense. I feel cramped even in a 36J Andorra. In the 34J - Panache » Andorra Full Cup (5675) I am leaking out in all directions And feeling cramped. In 34J - Panache » Ariza Balconnet Bra (5051) I am just slightly cramped, but still cramped.

Does this means bras like Arabella that once was the bane of my existance would now be better?! I know the straps would sit terribly wrong but what I mean is; Compared to bras I am better of thinking about myself as wide and spread rather than typically shallow?

Because it seems when it comes to shallow bras, shallow is rather described in the vertical dimension, not the horizontal?

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- Hmmm, difficult. I think I get what you mean though: I just got my Lepel Fiore Balconies, which are notoriously shallow, but guess what, even though the cup depth is a close match to my breast perimeter and the wires (which are horribly flexible, by the way) are the perfect width, they don't fit: the gore doesn't tack and when I pull the band tighter (it's a bit too loose) it's quadbood galore. To be honest, I don't quite get it, but I think it's similar to what you describe? Your breasts are not deep -- as in, they don't work with deep cups -- but they don't work with shallow cups either? So, what you would need is not a shallow cup with relatively less volume, but rather a wide cup with 'regular' volume?
  
  Did this make any sense at all?
- Yes, something like that. It seams to me all the volume is collected at bottom nowadays and so I just need deeper and deeper cups. But still the root stays the same or even wider.
  
  Even more confusing: It seems I could have two migration processes going on that kind of contradicts one another. As if parts of my armpit fat should be on top of my boobs. Part of it should be in my armpit. And I still think it's all boobs. But it's like "layered". One bit cannot be moved and simply is my root. One layer can be moved and is top tissue.
  
  Ping drownedsalad what do you think about this theory, it's you that has taught me about the tall cups.
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May 03, 2013

So, I got a 28G - Curvy Kate » Lottie (CK1601) from a bratabase user today. I'm still working on my perfect fit. The best I have so far is the Masquerade Rhea (6121) in 28FF which fits me pretty well with a little gaping due to the strap position. I figured the Lottie ... would be too big, but I wanted to try it out and see.

I don't have any pictures in it, but the cups were definitely too big at the top. I filled out the bottom almost perfectly though. I think a cup size smaller would be the correct size, but I also know that the fit would be horrible. When I stand straight, I could almost wear the bra now, but when I slouch it gets all wrinkly. I can tell that I'd have both quadboob and wrinkles if I was wearing the correct size.

What made me sad is that it fit amazingly on the side. I've noticed that I need wide cups. I can't feel any breast tissue on my side, but the wide cups are so much more comfortable. I noticed this in the Lottie and the Marks & Spencer Limited Collection bra I had in 28F.

I really want to find some non moulded or padded bras that fit me well. I need to figure out my shape better so I can use bratabase optimally. I'm currently trying to find the Cleo Lucy (5851) in a 28FF for cheap to test it out. Are there any wide, non moulded or padded bras for women with even fullness breasts?
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I need a 34-band intervention!

The next time I see a 34DD bra for a really good price (that isn't Panache or one of its sub-brands), and start thinking I should buy it, I need one of you to give me a good smack upside the head. Seriously.

Non-Panache 34 bands always end up the same way: at best, they're slightly too loose even on the ... tightest hooks — not unwearably so, but as soon as the band starts stretching out a bit, that's it. Not a good deal no matter how cheap the bra was.

Just because I fit into a 34DD in Panache bras and have owned quite a number of them, does not mean I should buy that size in other brands. It's an easy size to find, but six months after having my proper-bra-size epiphany, I should know that I need 32 bands in almost all other bras. (Also, once I take off the bit of weight I've put on since last summer because Achilles tendinitis disrupted my gym routine, it's obvious that I'll be needing 30 bands.)

Why do I keep doing this to myself (and my bra budget)?

I can't be the only one who indulges in bra-related wishful thinking, but I really need to stop!
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- I know that feeling :/
  
  Pardon me while I shamefully scoot my assorted 32DDDs and 32Es to a hidden spot so no one knows my folly. One day I will list the damn things! Just because something is *ON SALE* does not mean it will magically fit me :'(
- You are not alone!!!
  
  I have kept bras that don´t fit perfectly, because they are so cute or cheap... I´m really trying not to do that again.
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May 03, 2013. Ewa Michalak HP Rokoko and CHP Groszki i Roze arrived!

Today I got my EM bras, HP Rokoko and CHP Groszki i roze

I like them very much, only I should´ve got one cup size up!! I got both in 65E and if I don´t tighten the straps too much, the line up is smooth, but the minute I inhale, I get quadboob. Or if I ... tighten the straps any more :-/

This was kind of unexpected because the CHP is supposed to run large compared to PL, and the PL Eden I have in 65F is okay, even a hint bigger and it would be too big. So I thought 65E would be okay for me in CHP. Bummer! I would definitely be better off in a 65F.

The cups in HP Rokoko and CHP Groszki are btw identical (?)! They are the same size and same shape and everything, there is NO difference (okay, when measuring I got tiny differences of some millimetres, doesn´t really count)!! I really don´t get it, how are these two supposed to differ from each other?? Even the center gore is same hight.

I also have CH Lato in 65F and it fits. So my size in EM bras is 65F in PL, CH, CHP and HP???!

EM bras, at least in my size, have narrowish underwires. At first I was scared of them being much too narrow, but somehow I can wear them. I would definitely prefer wider ones, but these are not exactly sitting on breast tissue (at least I don´t think so) and they don´t hurt.

I´m going to keep these bras because they were both on sale. If I exchange the HP Rokoko, I will have to pay for extra, it said so on the pages (the sale lasted till 1.5.2013 and does not include exhanges after that time limit...). And the CHP Groszki is sold out, I didn´t find it any more in their shop. Of course if someone would have these two bras in 65F and would like to exchange them for my 65Es that would be nice

EDIT. Okay, I got to my senses and I will send these bras back. Why should I keep too small bras?? Could some of you please explain to me, how am I supposed to handle this if I want to order one 65F bra in exchange??
Do I have to deal with Dominik..?
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- What if you were to resell them on bratabase :O? How much would you possibly want for them? (so gorgeous!)
- I don´t know... I also ordered shorts (size 38), and if I was to sell the bras here, I´d also want to sell the Groszki bottom.
  
  I think I still want to order HP Rokoko 65F, and it is now more expensive than it was initially. So...
  
  I think I´d need about 70 euros for the whole set of Rokoko bra, Groszki bra and Groszki shorts. That is a few euros more than what I paid for them but now that I have to pay much more for the Rokoko bra 65F, I´d like to compensate the prize a little... Please let me know soon, if you would like to buy these, because I was planning to take them to the post office to be returned today, in about 6 hours. (I´m afraid they will not reach Poland in time otherwise...).
  
  EDIT. I calculated, if you were to order the whole set from EM now (2 bras + short) it would cost about 77e to European destinations. And ordering just the 2 bras would be about 67e. (because of shipping + paypal fee). Of course one could not order the Groszki bra before I return it to EM, it is sold out.
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I am so tired of all too small bras!

Even if my bras gapes like madness on top I'm still always wider than my bras. I have to adjust myself each 10 minute. My bras are never deep enough. I constantly feel like coming out of them because they do not cover my root.

I've already gone from 34F to 34J and my cups really are still too small. ... My boobs folds and wants out of them even if I have gaping everywhere.

They go out in every direction! They even sneak out underneath! Invisible.

I have like 3 options:
1.Wear a too projected bra and have your boobs swimming so much that you don't even feel like swoop and scoop.
2. Wear a shallow bra and need to size up so much you cannot wear any plunging necklines what so ever. Still you need to alter the straps, and possibly add center pulled straps on top of that.
3. Wear a too small bra and have tissue leaking.

That's the choices in bra fitting I have.

Shallow vertically. Very wide. No projection. Add to that narrow shoulders, small back compared to front (boobs takes up ~50 cm, back takes up ~40 cm if I measure myself loosely), migrated since 20 years, curved ribcage and a petite person!

My boobs are absolutely everywhere and they are not admitted even to exist by any bras what so ever!

Every time I thing I've found a bra that works I soon start feeling cramped.

I HATE BRAS! I REALLY HATE BRAS!
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- Poor you :(
  It seems you have much more problems with bras than what is legal anymore... I hope you still will find a bra that fits!
- I know! I've been thinking about making Frankenbras, but I'm too attached to do that. God damn sentimentality.
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I am so tired of all too small bras!

Even if my bras gapes like madness on top I'm still always wider than my bras. I have to adjust myself each 10 minute. My bras are never deep enough. I constantly feel like coming out of them because they do not cover my root.

I've already gone from 34F to 34J and my cups really are still too small. ... My boobs folds and wants out of them even if I have gaping everywhere.

They go out in every direction! They even sneak out underneath! Invisible.

I have like 3 options:
1.Wear a too projected bra and have your boobs swimming so much that you don't even feel like swoop and scoop.
2. Wear a shallow bra and need to size up so much you cannot wear any plunging necklines what so ever. Still you need to alter the straps, and possibly add center pulled straps on top of that.
3. Wear a too small bra and have tissue leaking.

That's the choices in bra fitting I have.

Shallow vertically. Very wide. No projection. Add to that narrow shoulders, small back compared to front (boobs takes up ~50 cm, back takes up ~40 cm if I measure myself loosely), migrated since 20 years, curved ribcage and a petite person!

My boobs are absolutely everywhere and they are not admitted even to exist by any bras what so ever!

I HATE BRAS! I REALLY HATE BRAS!
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Straps!

I often leave my straps loose because they feel comfortable. I KNOW! Bad move! I've neglected my straps for so long. With my new Freya bras, which has longer straps, I actually had to tighten them so they don't fall off. It feels great whatever. Then I experiments with my Marcie and BANG, at ... first it went from what I thought was too big + full on bottom shape + pointy because too deep to just a little too open on top. And it's more comfortable. I always worried that tightening the straps would make the cutting in of the sides on the straps (BRA COMPANIES, STOP THE FUCKING LACE ON THE STRAPS, IT HURTS) and it instead bra my boobs up to a before imaginary height for me as well as got rid of the stupid lacy strap problem because the sides of the cups aren't lacy (and they cut in instead, but in an infinitely more comfortable way).

And also, I finally have cleavage that doesn't lessen throughout the day in my EM PL.

Let this be a lesson to newbies not to neglect the straps.
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Jillsas

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63 bras
- I discovered yesterday that when I tighten the straps, the shape improves in my Andorra bras! What I got before was very pointy and weird, but it gets a little more rounded when I tighten. The straps felt okay before tightening so i thought there is no need to do that.
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Strap Separation Musings

After my disaster with the PL Toffik that I got, it made me think about strap separation on bras, and how it can affect the fit of the bra. I did some quick measurements and the distance between where my straps should sit on my shoulders for maximum comfort is about 11-12", and the distance between the Toffik's straps at ... the front of the bra was about 14-15" (I took the measurement a few times because it's kind of hard to do yourself). That could be 4 inches (or two on each side) between where the bra straps want to sit and where they were actually sitting. No wonder the cup got distorted!

Do other people find strap separation an issue? Do you think it would be a feasible or useful feature to track here? I'm resigned that I'll have to adjust anything that I wear to make it function correctly, but I'm wondering if this could be useful for people in a size range where bras don't suffer from terrible grading issues.
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- We currently track that, when you add fit information you answer whether the straps were too close or too far for you. We still don't make much use of this information but you can see it in the reviews.
  This measurement is not considered because it is very hard to calculate with the bra alone and wearing it it will vary depending on the wearer, so we're better off avoiding this confusion when measuring your bra :-/
- I have huge issues with strap separation. I have scars where my arms turn to my armpit/boob area because companies don't recognize that just because you have a narrow ribcage doesn't mean you're narrow from the side (I'm only narrow in front for example). I would kill for straps that sit 9.5-10 inches apart.
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A new way to determine cup depth you need? Join the experiment!

For doing experiment you need:
- a horizontal, flat surface (floor or a bed)
- a soft tape measurer
- a boob (the bigger one)

Method:
Lay flat on your back. Boobs naturally fall too the sides, they go to meet their friends the armpits.
To avoid this, you will slightly tilt your body to one side, so that your ... bigger boob ends completely on your torso. (The other one will probably be laying on the bed with the rest of you)
Put a finger where your root is, or even push it a bit to the torso if needed.
In this position, measure the perimeter of your boob.

The theory:
The number you get should equal the *smallest possible cup depth* you'd need in a fitting bra.

Explanation:
Measuring breast perimeter while bending over is often misleading. It will depend on an amount of saggines or loose skin one has. That's why the cup depth that actually works for you will be noticeably smaller then your measured perimeter.
While on the back, a boob is held closest to the chest without being squashed,
so this kind of measuring seems to be more accurate.
So far the theory has been confirmed by three Bratabase members,
I'd love if more members would join the experiment!

Playing with boobs is a revelation in so many ways
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- My breast perimeter today :
  
  -bending over : between 19 and 20 cm (it depens if I count a very shallow thing near my sternum)
  -laying flat on the back : 21cm
  -standing : 21cm
  
  I have the inverse result you get, bending over, my breast perimeter is smaller ! Strange.
- Ha! Very strange indeed. But I'd still say 21 is the cup depth you'd ideally need. A very shallow one, if I remember your boobs correctly :)
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Freya!

I got my Freya bras today. I'm so in love with the Piper and it doesn't even fit. The band feels perfect. There's excess fabric, but it feels fine. The wires are pretty awesome. The shape isn't half bad. The fabric is softer. It might just be the most comfortable bra I own. ...

Not so in love with the Ivy. The Ivy's going to need several alterations if I want to wear it, and even then, there's almost nothing I can do about the straps being too wide. The Ivy gives me an elf shoes sort of look because it doesn't have a lot of room in the top of the cups and there's excess fabric. The fabric feels like a sail. The band is too tight. I think I'm going to sell it :/
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Jillsas

2719 reputation

63 bras

4 comments
- I just looked at you in Piper. The awesome thing with it on you is that it actually shows your natural breast shape. I think that's kind of cool!
- I know! It wasn't as round as I'm used to, but I didn't feel like I was wearing nothing you know. And I didn't feel like I was about to poke anyone's eye out.
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May 01, 2013

Has anyone had any experience with the Pour Moi bikini tops?
They have pretty cute styles, but there isn't much to go from on Bratabase...

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- Be careful! I have this one http://www.figleaves.com/uk/product/pm-1122/ (in like a 32ff, I'm usually a 30gg/h, told to size down in cup) and the cups are huge, with really shallow/wide and wide-set wires, and yet loads of gaping. The band has no stability, it is impossible to tie it tight enough for any support and it pulls on the wires.
  
  It looks gorgeous, but my breasts will not stay in the cups with any security, the whole thing wants to fall away from my body. I think it's a really tricky fit, but have heard that very wide and shallow cups are the norm from Pour Moi, so that fits some people a lot better than me.
  
  I think sophiajenner did a review.
- Sophia did a review of one :)
  http://sophiajenner.wordpress.com/tag/pour-moi/
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EM fitting request

Dear EM-experienced Bratabase users,

I just set up a fit request for my 55JJ PL Onyks. Could some of you please take a look at it?
Thank you.

How many cupsizes too small + other issues? | 55JJ - Ewa ...

When I first bought this bra, it was already too small in both band and cups. I figured I could ...

http://bra.pe/THN/

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7

Braologie Lacie vs. Ewa's Pl

I know some of you had disapointing experiences with Braologie but in my case, as someone who has waited for a replacement for over two months, I am happy to say it was worth the wait.
Behold - me in the black-beige mix
http://www.bratabase.com/browse/braologie/posture-contour-bra-lacie/30J/?system=UK
I will be adding the numbers later today.

This is a good link too because you ... can see on EllenMcisaac how wrong it can get.

However, on me it seems to work, and even though generally I'm not into plunges and tend to leak out of them eventually, I think this one agrees with me far better then my pl karmelki. (http://www.bratabase.com/browse/ewa-michalak/pl-karmelki/65K/?system=EU)

I will just talk about the fit differences between the two because I believe there was enough said on the construction field.

The Straps
Ewa has much wider straps that are more comfortable if not adjusted to the max.
However, I need straps adjusted to the max on both bras, and this is where Ewa becomes more problematic:
- the karmelki straps digg into my armpits more, braologie has more centered straps but still cause a problem at the armpit, just not as much as Ewa
- the big adjuster is way more annoying on the top of my shoulder than the small braologie one
- karmelki straps curl up from the strain and cause deep red marks and hurt my shouders quite badly,
while braologie leaves less marks but does hurt a bit because the straps are too narrow and thin.

The Band:
- Braologie band doesn't give me any back fat over, under or on the sides while wearing it.
Ewa Michalak gives me a somewhat of a roll under the band on the back, and also I have fluff bulging near the armpit where strap meets the band. I have always felt it actually made migration worse for me.
- I can also wear Braologie band a lot looser without it riding up.
Ewa karmelki can ride up even if it's strangling me when I tighten the straps to the max what I need for a decent lift.
-Braologie band is way more comfortable, at the back and front.

The wires
- Haven't measured yet, but I think the width is about the same
However Braologie uses softer, bendable wires that don't digg in anywhere.
-Ewa wires are the only wires that cause a rash in my boob crease for some reason.

The shape
Based on my own preferences, I like Braologie a lot better front and side.
-I feel it gives a rounder and more uplifted profile that is closer to the chest while ewa looks like a elipse/more projected from the profile.
-From the front boobs also look better in Braologie, they are more inside my frame then Ewa pl and they look more compact. I think this is due to the side support Ewa doesn't have.

The Cup comfort and support
- Cups of both bras are eaqually comfortable, even though Braologie uses better quality foam for the cups.
- In terms of support Braologie is the winner by a landslide. It makes me stand up straigher and I don't feel the weight on my breasts nearly as much as in other bras. I feel even less weight with the boned pads in.
I do feel it a bit now in the right size, while when in the one too small I didn't feel the boob weight at all.

Cleavage, jiggle and readjusting
- Equally impressive cleavage in both bras on me, on smaller boobs I think Braologie would give better cleavage
- Ewa without the pads, Braologie with pads: after 3 or more hours I leak out of both bras in the middle and need to readjust because both gores are too low
- Braologie without the pads: I can go 5 hours without the need to readjust.
- Both gores are comortable, braologie floats about 0.5 cm from my sternum.
- I jiggle equally in both bras without the pads in
- I would feel a lot safer in a bra with a higher gore (ideally 10-11 cm compared to the two)

The touch factor
This is the only category where Ewa wins. Karmelki is much nicer to touch and it's kind of weird feeling the boning when you grope yourself in Braologie. Boyfriend doesn't seem to mind.

The Boyfriend vote
Braologie! Prettier, sexier, even under clothes he says the boobs are more round and *in his face*. And he is 202 cm tall

So, Braologie for me is probably the best a plunge can get. The room for improvement would be more centered straps (Freedom to armpits movement!) and wider, padded straps that adjust so the slider ends on the back, not at the front.
But that's about it

I would love it if Braologie kept developing the fullcup construction and I'm eager to help in that department!
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- The Braologie looks awesome on you!
- I'm glad it worked for you! I am doubtful I will ever get such good results but I hope I get to this point too.
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Love this Butterfly Collection blog post

Just came across this today. Great analysis of boob shape vs. bra shape.

Makes me want to do their skype fitting as soon as possible!

http://blog.butterflycollection.ca/2013/04/how-wire-width...

http://blog.butterflycollection.ca/2013/04/how-wire-width-and-cup-shape-affec...

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4 comments
- I also liked how she admitted in the comments it's thrown off proportions if one is short and shallow and wide.
  
  Another thing; Have I ever suggested you should try Andorra? If not, do it :) It really is shallow :)
- Awesome post :D it's almost like she has been reading Branarchist shallow rants and my volume distribution theories :) I'm glad we are all in the same paige and kudos for linking Bratabase! :)
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