Sep 03, 2021
Does anyone have any thoughts on underwires near the armpit feeling uncomfortable and pressing into the body? I have been fitted at some excellent shops recently and I am so sure I'm in my correct size.
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Does anyone have any thoughts on underwires near the armpit feeling uncomfortable and pressing into the body? I have been fitted at some excellent shops recently and I am so sure I'm in my correct size.
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4 comments
Just want to rant lol They are bigger again! All my Comexims no longer fit I have no bras again. I have the most akward projected with narrow roots, full on top and so close set that my tissue actually meets in the middle boobs. I am also very petite. I have only ever ... had a comfortable and decent fit from Comexim. I must have tried every UK bra in existance and a few Ewas ( S and CHP) and had no luck. I have put maybe 3 pound on since I started working from home. Not even enough to effect the fit of my clothes! but all my bras are way too small again. I could cry! Any suggestions for a 26JJ or 28HH/J With my shape are very welcome?
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I have the same shape but my cup is smaller (28FF/G). I love my Comexim 3HC, especially the unlined models. Ewa Michalak's BM and SM cup are also great for narrow projected FOT, but the gore is not as overlapped as Comexim. Their band runs tight so I can wear their 65 band.
Similar issues except I have short roots so anything deep enough with wide enough wires is way too tall, and instead of petite I’m just short waisted. I can wear a BM and a self modified CHP at least but everything hurts me right now and is too small. I ordered some that were too small before they got here 😭😭
I used to be insanely close-set pre abtf, to the point that it was almost congenital symmastia. My boobs looked fantastic and I always had cleavage. After finding and wearing abtf for about 4 years (Ewa SF and BM are my best fit, RIP my sternum) my boobs are now average set and I hate it (no shame on people who like being average set). Is ot possible to make my boobs close-set again?
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I've never heard of that. I would think it would be an advantage to not have close-set breasts, as many styles (UK styles) seem more friendly to wide-set breasts. although one can always alter the gore to make it become a smaller gore.
@braodyssey It's kind of an advantage, but now that the fat on my sternum has been pushed out, gores hurt even worse!
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I need to rant a bit on online stores... -_-
It's already so hard to shop online, to make sure the store has good reputation, that the items are good quality, to research about the fit of bras that we never tried on, to get the size right at the first try, payments, shipping, returns...And now, VAT!
Yes, for us ... europeans used to buy in the UK, now there are new rules!
Recently I got a very unpleasant experience with the store I used to buy from, where the prices used to include VAT, but without notice, VAT was no longer included, but prices stayed the same. I mean, is this even legal? XC I ended up with a very expensive last order from that website, and am now looking for another online store, in europe, preferably, to avoid tax confusions.
Has anyone had problems with taxes when buying from the UK since Brexit?
Any online stores recommendations?
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Hello! I have been buying bras online for some years now. Unfortunately, due to brexit, buying from UK stores is no longer a great idea.
So, I am looking for online stores in Europe that have several brands, specially Panache and Freya, which are the ones I am used to. It would be cool if they had polish brands too, since I have been curious to try them for some time now.
Any suggestions? Thanks for reading!
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Ohh that sucks, I had been wondering about Brexit repercussions for online sales!
One EU store I can definitely recommend is LACE:lingerie. They have a good selection (Polish as well), reasonable prices and great customer service. https://www.lace-lingerie.com/freya
Then there's a bunch of resellers through eBay; that I think are mostly UK based - I'd be curious to find out whether the Brexit VAT situation applies to them as well? Since they're selling through eBay, not through their own store??
Lingerieoutletstore and belle.lingerie come to mind, that I've ordered from and had good experiences with in the past: http://www.ebaystores.com/Lingerie-Outlet-Store
https://www.ebay.com/str/bellelingerie
Annnddd lastly, I've heard good things about (but don't have personal experience with) Lumingerie, a Finnish bra store that sells online as well! https://www.lumingerie.com/freya-lingerie
Thank you very much for your suggestions bubblegum
The problem with Belle lingerie and outletstore is that they are from the UK ^^". And my last order was from Belle and things didn't go well ...
Good question, will ebay stores be affected? I'll look into that. But I think, at least for Portugal, what counts is where the package comes from. So, if the store is from the UK, but the items come from a country in EU, it wouldn't be a problem.
I'll take a look into Lace:Lingerie and Lumingerie :D
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I'd like to try Ewa for the first time, so I assume I'll need to buy multiple bras / sizes and then return those that don't fit. Is https://levanabratique.com/ still the best US retailer to do this with? Does anyone know approx shipping cost for returning like 4 bras?
Or.....could I make a reasonable guess based on ... my size in other brands (32H in Elomi, 34GG or 32H in Panache) full on top?
The last post I could find about this is from 2018, so I wanted to check if anything has changed.
Thank you Thank you Thank you!
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https://levanabratique.com/
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Levana's return policy is that they need to receive your returned merchandise within 10 days of when you received it. (I think that's what it used to be, at least.) They want you to make returns via the US Postal Service. Depending on where you live and all of the issues with the USPS over the past year, I would use Priority Mail. You can get a flat-rate box to put all of the bras in, but it still may cost you upwards of $12 for return shipping.
Levana is excellent with communication and customer service in my experience. I suggest either writing to them about sizing and give details on your best fits and shape to get suggestions, or scheduling a virtual bra fitting with them. I believe there is a cost to the virtual fitting but when I was looking at doing it, that cost went toward the purchase of the bra so if you're planning on buying it's not a loss. They'll be able to help you with sizing and styles to get based on your size and shape.
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I feel like I fell off of the face of Bratabase for a little bit lol.
I haven’t been buying or trying any bras lately, hence the lack of contribution, but I’m so thrilled that not only 1, but 2(!) of the bras I ordered months ago are finally on their way to me. One is the EM S Antonina ... that I ordered from Levana in May. The other is another KL Betty full cup that I ordered from LaBella probably at the end of June, I think?
Here’s to hoping they’ll be the right size, especially since my bra size has tended to fluctuate larger lately… 🤞🏻
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Fingers crossed they fit! I’ve been frustrated with Polish bra shopping lately. It’s a 50/50 chance even though I did all the research. And they are not returnable. Hope you have better luck than me! Kris Line bras are so pretty. Sad mine was too big and I have trouble selling it.
kate166 agreed, Polish bras are really hot and miss and returning them isn’t so easy. I’m fortunate that my 80JJ - Ewa Michalak » Sm Czarna Mgiełka (481) fit because that was the only one ordered directly from Poland that I have that would have been more difficult to return. I’ve lucked out with being able to return other ones that may not have fitted because the boutiques I order from take returns and they’re in the US.
That’s too bad about the Kris Line bra…the Adele is really pretty! I’d buy it from you if it were my size, but unfortunately it would be way too small on me. 😅 Out if all of the bras I’ve tried and worn, Kris Line seem to fit me best for my size and shape.
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I'm so pleased b/c I recommend their store all the time!! for people to find their Polish bra bliss! https://www.instagram.com/p/CSDT2-SsIU1/
Nice that she got recognized. Also, I was following her account and she posted new items from some lines (Anita, Mey, et. all, and asked for feedback. https://www.instagram.com/p/CSCzt1qLgh4/
I wanted to give my opinion - what she should buy - but then I thought maybe I don't have common taste.
Oh well, it's fun to travel along to Curve2021, on IG.
edit: also, it's good to add them on IG, for any sales.
https://www.instagram.com/levanabratique/
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A well deserved award for Judy! I voted on so many of the options while the polls were live and now I want so many of the PJs and bikinis. I originally followed all the social media and signed up for emails to learn about sales but I will say they are excellent with interactions and listening to followers/asking for feedback. Everything I commented on during Curve2021 was liked and they replied to a lot of comments and questions while attending the event. Very well done.
WildWolff , nice!!
Has ordering from Comexim changed? I haven’t ordered from them since early 2017, and I would like to buy some 3 piece half cups.
I’ve been wearing mostly bralettes lately, as most of my bras are in storage.
I have my tropical garden 3hc in 70G, and it fits fine. Should I stick with that size? (I do recall having ... to buy that bra in a few sizes before I got the right fit, but idk why)
ETA- I forgot to add I have gained some weight since I’ve bought from them; not a ton, but enough that I think most of the bras I bought won’t fit
Thank you
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Hey, I think I've referenced your blog! re: Comexim bras ironically ...I love this one https://themusingsofrenzilla.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/comexim-bellissima-longline-65g/ and it made me want to try a longline!
That being said, I don't know what it was like when you ordered from them back in 2017. I only started ordering from them this year (I'm in Canada) They process is straight forward, I use paypal, and it took about 3 weeks for my order to get to me (I'm in Canada, but I think it can be faster in the U.S., not sure)
Anyway, in case you're not aware, Breakout bras carries Comexim now - they even started carrying 4 styles in 26 bands! which is pretty rad.
I would check sizes by ordering a 3HC from Breakout bras first? And just return it if you need alterations done. Obviously, any of the bras from Breakout bras are without alterations. https://www.breakoutbras.com/collections/comexim Depending how fast shipping is in the U.S., you could have a bra to try on in a couple of days ;)
BraOdyssey I’ve ordered a comexim bra from breakout bras right when they first carried them. The only issues I have with ordering from them is that you can’t customize it, and their sizing confuses me. Idk what size would equate to a 70G. I know 70 is normally a 32, but what is a G cup?
And thank you for checking out my blog.
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I just got this bra in 32JJ - and it fits like a dream! At first I tought it's slightly small (I wear 32K in the regular Lacey style) but had to make the straps a bit looser. I had it before in 32HH but it felt flimsy and unsupportive. It had only 2 hooks and very thin straps in ... that size. The 32JJ has 3 hooks and thicker straps, the upper cup has extra lining but it's still stretchy.
It gives a very round shape. So far it's also comfortable. (I only wore it half a day so will have to update on that)
Recently I tried so many bras by Bravissimo, and while some were kinda okay and decent fits, there was just one issue with each...
one hurts be after half a day
one has thin straps that fold
one lack in support
one gives a too pointy shape
one has cups that come up to high
one has straps in my armpits
but this Lacey for far has none of this! I am shocked! If I only knew how good exactly this bra in this size was before!
Did you try any Lacey bras?
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https://www.bravissimo.com/products/lacey-floral-bra-ln652/#ginger-ln652gin
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Does anyone else have issues with bra straps that twist while worn? Why does this happen? Is there a solution to this?
It's happened to me across different sizes, brands, and styles of bra (plunge, demi, t-shirt). I've tried adjusting the straps to be looser and the straps will twist. I've tried adjusting the straps tighter and ... the straps will twist.
My guess is it might have to do with where the strap "sits" on my shoulders (very close to the edges of my shoulders vs. midway between my neck and edge of my shoulder). Any movement of my arms/scapula (the shoulder blade bone in back) causes the strap to twist or roll. The further away the strap sits from my neck, the more likely it is that the straps on the bra will twist.
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I personally have never had bra straps twist, but would a racer back, or cross back bra work better for you?
I have had this problem only with one style of bra (Ewa Michalak PL style). I think it's where the strap is attached at the cup and the back of the band and where it sits on your body. In the front the strap is almost in my armpit it's so wide apart so it twists a little and in the back they line up with my shoulder blades and when I move my arms a lot they move a bit. When I add an extender the problem goes away but I can't do that once the bra is broken in. I moved the straps in on the front side on my own and don't have the problem anymore. All the other EM styles have wide set straps but don't twist at all for me, it's a strangely unique experience in one style for me. Maybe a racer back style would work? Or get one of those plastic clips that bring the straps together in the back?
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Every time I think I find “the one”! I was adoring my Comexims, but I think the wires are slightly too narrow, like 1-2 wire widths. I’m pretty confident I can’t go up in size because it will be way too tall I think? Is there something with similar depth but slightly wider wires?
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Hmm, I wonder if you can custom order wider wires?
So, just to reiterate, when you take the bra off (at the end of the day) you feel like there is wire marks on the breast tissue?
BraOdyssey yes they sit right on the edge, but just towards breast tissue. It doesn’t cause me pain though. I guess if it’s not hurting maybe it’s not a problem? Like it’s sooooo close.
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I am looking for the most lift and overall pointy silhouette possible, without venturing into historical fashion or actual bullet bras.
I am not sure if that is achieved by side support bras, or if I need to look for specific cup construction, but basically I want the opposite of the moulded t-shirt style bra. I also prefer underwires on the narrower side (generally yes to Freya and @Fantasie, no to @Panache).
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If you can get your hands on one (it's discontinued): Gossard Retrolution!
http://bra.pe/MBu3/
Freya plunges can sometimes fit pointy too.
In my experience this applies more to their older models, like Ooh La La.
There's also a bunch of retro-inspired brands like Rago, What Katie Did, Carnival.. Though I'm not sure if that's too much into 'historical' territory for you.
And some regular brands that make a couple pointier bras, like Wacoal and Bali:
http://bra.pe/Swo/
http://bra.pe/MJm/
Good luck!
Whoa, these look great, thank you for sharing! Looks like I should be searching for a horizontal seam and definitely a fuller cup.
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Wow I haven’t posted in forever!!!! So I bought some new bras (finally) and I am loving them!!!! Both are Ewa Michalak CHP 65GG they seem to fit perfectly except for the minor issue of the underwire at the bottom of the cup digging into my rib. I have tried tightening my straps thinking that might help, loosened straps as ... well but still get digging in. It’s like when I scoop and swoop the weight of my boobs weighs down my bra. My boobs are not that big but I’ve never had this issue before even when I was breaking in my 60GG a few years ago. The band feels great so this wire digging has me confused.
Any suggestions!?!? Haven’t had a chance to add my new bras yet will try tonight and add a link for pictures.
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This could be due to 2 things:
Rib flares
Or the band may be a bit tight. It's recommended to size up a band in ewa because they have snug bands and extremely hard wires, especially in BM so you may want to avoid that cut.
I'm not sure if this is something you want to do, but you might want to try bending the wires a bit. The underwires are flat, but your body is not; you can bend a curve into them to follow the shape of your torso better. I have to do this to all my Ewas; otherwise, they dig badly. Once bent, they're basically invisible.
I bend a slight curve into them using the vertical seam as my guide point. What I mean is with the inside of the bra facing me, I put my thumbs on the wire where the seam is then bend them slightly towards me. You don't have to do it much, just a little, and it's a massive relief.
I got my Comexim Gaja and the fit is almost perfect (just need straps moved in). Which others besides the Ginger have the lower plunge design?!? I’m having trouble telling just by looking!!!
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that's a good question...I don't know what other comexims are like that.
the good thing about Comexim: they will customize another bra into that style. Not sure if they will do that for every bra, but it doesn't hurt to ask!
Hey, glad to hear it worked for you!
I think the Dalia is also a lower plunge
https://www.comexim.pl/en/balkonetki/694-dalia-biustonosz.html
A tip I learned from another bratabase user is to view the site in Polish, then copy the description in google translate. They have detailed descriptions of their bras in Polish.
Curious, why do you think the lower plunge works for you? (I’m trying to figure out if any comexim plunges would work for me)
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I'm confused, did you confuse this as the search bar?
Sorry this is my first visit at this site, so I think I did a mistake, got a bit confused. You don't have to make a notice of my comment. Best regards:)
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Hello any girl who stumbles upon this post... Well, this is my first story (or we can say rant)... *sigh* Well, I just think this life will be too short for me to find a bra that fits (and in the afterlife I think it won't be important anymore). Even now when I'm a mother and really don't have time ... for this, sometimes I just wish to have a bra that fits. And I make some attempts to get one... but still no success AT ALL. It's always a boob hat or a parachute. Or simply a misfit.
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Hello hello. Don’t give up! Plenty of people have felt the way you do, and been stuck in the ill fitting bra limbo. But, there are lots of knowledgeable people here who can help. Best advice I can give is upload a Fitting Help request. May the bra force be with you. : )
@Happy2BraShop Thank you very much for your comment, that sounds encouraging :')
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I'm about to order some bras to try on and I've been eyeing Panache Envy and either Tango och Sculptresse Estel. Should I go ahead and order my suggested size (38K), or order the size with a cup depth matching one I already own? Any suggestions or tips are extremely welcome.
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The bra size doesn't mean shit half the time, pardon my language. There are some 28D unlined bras with same depth as some 28E bras from a different brand or lined. If there's anything I've learned, it's that the bra size doesn't mean much.
I'd definitely suggest getting the size with the depth that best matches your breast perimeter/the depth of the bras you are already comfortable in.
Good luck!
MeeM_13 Thanks, that's what I think too but it's always nice to have someone agree!
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My sister recently forwarded me this email from LuLulemon. I think she thought they would have my size? It's re: the release of their new "larger cup" sports bra. C-DDD cup.
I had to explain to her (we don't discuss bras! though I sort of bravangelize her, but she actually doesn't need to wear a bra for support -the $ ... she must save!) that their system was both too large (band) and too small (DDD) for me.
She's an intelligent person, so I think she got it, but later I was thinking --this DDD+ bra-sizing system the U.S. uses is truly ridiculous. Just from fact that it's so much less confusing to just use one or two letters.
either stick with the EU system (one letter), or UK system (one letter, double letters, one letter, double, etc. starting at D.) I found this handy chart. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Cupumrechnung.svg
addendum: has anyone tried the Air Support bra from Lulu? What do you think?
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The AirSupport Bra is a breakthrough in high support and comfort that feels ligh
https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-sports-bras/AirSupport-Bra/_/prod10620025?...
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I always try to preach that **There is NOT US SYSTEM**. Stop pretending you can say a US cup.
Anybody trying to do a US translation will always get it wrong because each brand has the all-american freedom to do whatever they want in their sizing, and change it whenever they want.
UK is MUCH more consistent, and even then still not 100% used, I recall there being some UK brand using I cups, and it's unexplored territories beyond KK.
EU can misleading since one the most popular big size EU brand (Ewa Michalak) uses actually UK cups. And EU brands will do different things:
https://www.bratabase.com/browse/comexim/vs/brand/ewa-bien/
https://www.bratabase.com/browse/avocado/vs/brand/gorsenia/
It's best to stick to Index sizes ;)
All this is of course because there is no ISO about how cups should grade, I know there's some tailoring standards, but if brands were to stick to it, they would lose their secret sauce on their so called "perfect fit".
The whole idea behind starting Bratabase 14 years ago was just that, that even within the same UK system you cannot trust that an H cup will fit the same.
yes! it was even mentioned in this academic paper,
"It is important that women realise there may be discrepancies in bra sizing between manufacturers (Hardaker and Fozzard 1997) and that their body shape may influence bra fit (Chen et al. 2010, Pandarum et al. 2011). A woman’s breasts will change size and shape throughout the menstrual cycle and throughout the life cycle (McCool et al. 1998, Page and Steele 1999), so frequent evaluation of bra fit is necessary. To help women select appropriately fitting bras McGhee and Steele (2006) suggested that a new reliable bra sizing system should be developed, which standardises the procedure for calculating cup and band sizes..."
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So I used to be pretty solid 30G in the before time (10+ years ago) and I never had any trouble finding a bra that fit because I lived in a city with a wicked good bra boutique.
Then I had some life changes and lots of body changes and I took to wearing sports bras or no bras and ... life was pretty sweet for a while. After a few years I became pregnant, had a baby, nursed forever (still am) and slowly realised that I really needed to get a decent bra because major ouch. I tried to guess my size by trying on some old ones and trying to figure out what I'd need for it to fit and of course (of course) the bras I bought never fit. I didn't really have any headspace for trial and error so I just used what I had and then I stumbled upon A bra that fits! and started to learn about bra fitting. I did the calculator and wound up with a size that I tried a few times and just cried because _none of them fit_. I know I'm far from alone in this but it's just so depressing to have an incorrect size over and over and over.
A few days ago, months and years after starting this never-ending incorrect bra size adventure, I found this blog about parachute bras:
http://hugsforyourjugs.blogspot.com/2017/04/bra-science-16-signs-youre-wearing.html
It was pretty eye-opening because I realised that this is what I've been doing now, I've been taught that tighter is better and as tight as possible is the best fit. But of course it isn't because you're not supposed to be in pain from wearing bras, a bit of discomfort - maybe, but pain? No.
So I redid my measurements with the ABTF calculator, carefully smooshing my bottom-outer full, soft, very pendulous and narrow-short rooted omega boobs together and ended up with the suggested starting size of 38K. I've never tried a 38 band before because I've thought that it's going to be too loose, but if I'm going to start all over doing this, I might as well start at the beginning, so to speak.
I'm feeling a little bit dejected because I seem to always end up here, with no bras that fit and a very small selection of bras that are potentially going to fit but maybe probably not. None of us are made of money and the thought of spending any more on trying to find even one single bra that fits is making me feel a bit tired.
End rant.
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http://hugsforyourjugs.blogspot.com/2017/04/bra-science-16-signs-youre-wearin...
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5 comments
we are here for you. feel free to vent any time ; /
BraOdyssey <3
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Is the pressing more like a poke into your armpit, or is it more of a pinching feeling on the side of your breast?
If it pokes really high, like near your armpit, the underwire could be too long or too wide.
If it pinched and feels like it’s sitting on breast tissue, the wires could be too short or too narrow.
Agree with @pretty_promise!
If you're on the shorter side and/or your boobs are high-set, wire length can be an issue.
Also, if your breast roots are wider than your bra accomodates, wires can pinch/poke because they're too narrow.
Even in the 'correct size', there's major differences in wire length, wire width, wire firmness etc. between different bra models and brands!
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