Bra adventures » Bras ups and downs

1

The mysteries of EM sizes

So, yesterday I received my special order from EM!

A bit disappointing it was when the bras turned out to be too large this time... Really, what is it with those sizes?

As reference material I wore the PL Cielus in 60FF and 60G, both being too small on me. So, when ordering the Pl Cappuccino, I thought the 60GG would ... be right for me. It was about one size too big Only the wires in this bra fit me right.
I also ordered the S Wisniowska in 60GG, that one turned out to be even larger.

The plus side on EM so far is that the 28/60 bands fit me well. But I am really doubtful about ordering from EM again, if I can only order custom made bras (they haven't had 60G in stock for a while now) that are not returnable or exchangeable. It would always be a gamble.

The Pl Cappuccino is so pretty though, that I am considering ordering a custom made 60G.
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Shared on May 25, 2013 Flag this

7 comments
- When it comes to sizing EM seems to be totally unreliable even in the same bra style so I completely agree :O
- Agreed- my 26G Pl Cielus is half a cup to a full cup smaller than my 28FF PL Onyks. I wish there was some standard put in place!
  
  I think most EM PL's need to be a cup bigger than your "measured" size, though. What is your measured size? :)
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I hate Lucy

After getting some rave reviews on my 32G Lucy (yellow), but having to get rid of it because of persistent inner quad boob, I decided to try again and alter one. I got the purple (vibrant purple!) in sister size 34FF. The plan: alter the gore so the cup spacing was as close to 0 as possible, to eliminate the ... inner quad boob and with luck keep the straps from slipping off my narrow, sloping shoulders.

Failing all all counts. The purple bra with a 34 band is tighter than the yellow (feels equally tight, not tighter, but the photos tell the tale). Also feels as though it will loosen quickly (to me, that means poorer quality). However, I wore it for an hour each on separate days and the quad boobage is pretty bad. In the photos I posted with my review you can see it when it was just put on).

The wires are fine on the sides, and would be OK in the center (I think) if the cups didn't angle sharply away from the gore.

No idea what I'm going to do with this one now.

I did sew up the gore of an older Fantasie (bought used) and liked the results, which is why I gambled on this bra.

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Shared on May 25, 2013 Flag this

11 comments
- Hmm my thought is that Lucy isn't very nice towards full on bottom boobs?
- I'd give it mixed reviews on FOB...biggest issue is that it closes up too fast from the bottom root to the gore, at too sharp an angle. So definitely not for those needing wider wires, narrow gore or containment for soft "oyster" boobs (I've switched from octopus boobs as the tentacle imagery doesn't work, even though an octopus body is squidgy).
  
  What my experience also shows is that the different color Lucys do fit much differently, and I see that as a quality control problem.
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May 23, 2013

Quite a miscalculation for me today. I've had so many recent successes I almost forgot how frustrating my boobs can be!

I have a Panache Porcelain in 28DD that I seem to have "outgrown", after loving it for a couple of months. It "cuts me in half" and gives me odd quadra-bumps. I've been wanting to try a ... Cleo for some time and I found an Alexa for a good price. The only available size was 28E, and I thought, if the 28DD is too tight, a Panache 28E may be workable. I do a lot of alterations on my bras, so I figured I could always take in the cups. The straps are REALLY far apart on this one. I always thought the distance between straps had to do with the band, but does it really have to do with cup size? The straps don't adjust short enough for me, either, and that hasn't ever happened to be with a 28 band so far.

Well, the band fits beautifully, and the bottom of my boobs are happy as can be. I love the wide wires. However, the center gore is cutting into my breasts, and the cups seem HUGE. As is typical, the bottom and sides are full, but the cups literally look half full. The whole top part of the cups are empty and gaping. It looks like when my 5 year old daughter tries on my bras and we laugh at how silly they look.

If I stand with my shoulders pushed back as far as possible (not just standing straight but turning inside out), I just look flattened. I'm no stranger to wrinkles and extra material at the tops and tips of cups. Now, I've decided I'll never complain about my Freya or Fantasie cups again! (I'm the only one who can really see the wrinkles in those cups). I won't be able to wear the Alexa at all until I more-or-less reform and reshape the cups, and sew seams into them.

So - does this mean I should stick with 28DDs although some of them are tight? I can wear some 30Ds, and even some 32Cs & Ds, but even push-ups pads aren't going to help much if I don't alter these E cups.

I'm sure I have all the characteristics of "wide root, shallow" breasts, but perhaps the way my tissue distributes itself (splayed) makes Cleo styles NOT a good match for me?

I love the bra, otherwise. It's beautiful, and a couple of tucks should do the trick.

Thanks for letting me vent here
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- "I always thought the distance between straps had to do with the band, but does it really have to do with cup size?"
  
  Sadly, this is exactly the problem with most bras out there. It's one of the most important reasons why sister sizing does not work: cup volume may remain the same, but bodily proportions change and so should the shape of the cups, especially in relation to the shape and position of the 'armhole' of the bra. Unfortunately, I know of no bra company that actually really takes that into consideration.
  
  I'm pretty sure that a lot of the excess volume you experience is actually caused by the armhole issue: the arms push cups forwards and away from the body, which causes them to look much larger than they are. What you can do to see if this indeed is the case is fold the point where the straps connect to the cups down upon itself and pin in place to temporarily lower and widen the armhole. This gives you a better indication of the actual volume of the cups in relation to your breasts.
- A really, really easy way to check whether the cups are the right volume or not and if it's just the straps which are too wide-set is by holding your arms out straight at the level of your shoulders and moving the straps out so that they sit up straight.
  
  I do this with all my bras now because strap placement in my size range is plain ridiculous. Things which look stupidly huge when I put them on can end up too small.
  
  Just shortening the band and increasing the cup size does not make functioning bras. :( Fit testing is a beautiful thing which should happen more often.
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1

Small breast root/large cup size = sad combination

I think I've figured out my biggest issue with bra fitting. My breast root is very small, especially compared to my cup size. (36J) I was figuring out where the root of my breast starts/ends on the top and bottom. As I don't have a caliper, I am just estimating, but it looks like my breast ... root is only 4-5" high and only slightly bigger in width - roughly 5 inches. Does that seem rather small? It does to me. And when you've got a 36J cup size attached to that small a root, how can there possibly be any shape besides tennis ball in a sock?

Oh, and I made another horrifying discovery. I am in the largest cup size Ewa Michalak makes. If these boobs grow any bigger, I'll be back at step 1 in finding a wearable bra.
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8 comments
- Won't they make custom sizes for you? I think they go past J cup in that band size. You could always sister size in EM as they don't grade any of their sizes.
  
  I can't really comment on the root width though as I don't know much about it, so I'm sorry.
- I also have a very flat root, although it's much wider than yours. I think my root is about 4" high or so, but I'm closer to 8 or 9" wide (34HH here). It can create some issues where I can't fill the bottom of the bra entirely, depending on how the wire is shaped. Vee made an interesting comment on an earlier fit check about a false orange-in-a-glass, where the bra is just shaped differently than your breasts, and so long as it's not causing any other fit issues, it in itself is not necessarily a fit issue.
  
  I know EM used to make custom sizes, I imagine they still will if you need them to! I know I've seen their PLs made in up to an L cup. I think you could probably get the S models made large as well, although if I remember correctly they won't make the halfcup styles past a certain point because they believe the bras aren't capable of support that large of breasts.
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May 23, 2013. EM bra arrived... finally

I got my HP Rokoko today...

It is a nice bra but I cannot help feeling a bit down about this whole exchange project. I think I will not order from EM any more.

There wasn´t anything Dominik- related, and all went well, but it really is tiring having to wait and wait and wait! And I didn´t even wait forever as ... I live in Europe, but still! I returned items I ordered initially as a guaranteed package because I was afraid they´d get lost in the mail. It cost a lot, 15,30e. When I ordered the HP Rokoko was on sale, but the sale price wasn´t valid any more when I exchanged the bra for another size (sale prices not valid after 1.5.2013). It did say so in the web pages, so I was aware, but still it feels bad.

The EM team received my package 8.5. (I checked with the tracking number) but they sent me an email 12 days later. I got many emails from them the same day and then they dispatched my new order.

This all took almost a month, and what first was 2 bras + 2 underpants for 81,80e, turned out to be 1 bra + 1 undies ca. 90e. E-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e. But now I have the bra and undies. The bra fits fine, but I think I will make it even better by altering it, I will move the straps a little more to the center.
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- I'm currently trying to move the straps on an EM (CHP Mak) and not having much luck so far. The EM faries sewed those straps on like they MEANT it! Let me know how yours goes?
- I did move my PL Eden´s straps earlier, and they were really sewed tightly! I have a seam ripper, I couldn´t do without... and a sewing machine. I didn´t have problems then.
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7

Ewa Michalak light bulb moment

I was looking at the S Porcelanka to see how easy it would be to shorten a band (i.e. order the 38J instead of 36JJ and shorten it when it stretches out - or if it's too big when it arrives). I realized cutting an inch or so off would mean the band would be wider where I was attaching. Then it hit me... I could make it a FOUR HOOK closure. And then I think I heard angels singing. LOL

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Shared on May 23, 2013 Flag this

4 comments
- :)
- I never would have thought of that. LOL I had a friend shorten the band for me instead. :) The band is fairly loose and a band up from what it's supposed to be, I noticed. I'm glad you found a solution.
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6

May 23, 2013

It has been a crazy couple of weeks since I figured out my true bra size on 4/11/13, thanks to reddit. I spent my life since junior high school believing I was flat chested, only to find out 25 years since I first started wearing bras that I'm actually a 34D/ 32DD cup! Where the heck was this fitting advice ... when my boobs could have really appreciated it?!? Oh well, I hope some of the damage can be undone.
But there have been some significant changes in my brattitude.
1) I've filled a grocery bag with bras to donate to the local homeless shelter that up until a couple of weeks ago I was absolutely certain beyond a shadow of a doubt were my correct size. Hopefully they are someone else's correct size, or at least better than not having a bra at all for some ladies.
2) I've been to a dozen stores and tried on probably close to 100 bras, bought 3 dozen, returned some that I didn't like so much when I got home or that hurt after a day of work, and am now down to 10.
3) I bought one bra, a La Perla that looks to me like something a Greek goddess would wear, for what I usually pay for 2 to 5 bras.
4) I changed from a collection of *entirely* padded push-up bras (no, seriously, my bag of donation bras could line a space shuttle for re-entry), to 2 dark, 2 nude push-ups and 6 very lightly padded/ lined bras (I don't count the B.tempt'd Flirt Alert as a push-up, since by my standards, there is neither much padding nor pushing-up, and my left side has the thin, removable cookie removed anyway). There's another La Perla at the same store that I bought the first one at that looked really interesting on me. It was sheer in black and gold, with a very art deco shell pattern. I'm contemplating going back for it if it's still there next month, but I'm working on accepting this sheer bra thing after 2.5 decades as a padded push-up aficionado. If I go back for it, there will be nipple petals from Joann's fabrics in my future. I don't like the world knowing when I'm cold, if you know what I'm saying.
5) I'm awaiting the arrival of 2 bras purchased on the internet in styles I've never tried on before. That is a first for me, ever. One is the Lepel Fiore padded balcony. I think this bra looks so awesome I'd wear it as a top if I could get away with it (which isn't impossible, being a person into medieval/ fantasy re-enactments and horse show costume classes). The second is a Freya Halle, to test the waters in the sheer bra pool. If it works, not only will it be all about the nipple petals, it'll be the first sheer bra I've ever owned.
Hey, if you don't try new things, you grow old and die. And I'm a long way from that yet.
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June Tailor Beautiful You Breast Petals & foundations at ...

http://www.joann.com/june-tailor-beautiful-you-breast-petals/prd59632/

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Shared on May 23, 2013 Flag this
- Congrats :)
- that's so exciting! :)
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5

May 22, 2013

Yipee! I just made my first Ewa Michalak order, an S Porcelanka in 38HH! Can't wait for it to arrive already! I just hope to get a quick refund for my two last eBay purchases of ill-fitting bras. Fed up with wasting money in shipping and returns of - supposedly - cheaper bras which either end up in a drawer or being sent back to the seller, so I hope I made the right choice.

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- Yay! Good first choice! That's one more true to size and without a ribs-breaking band.
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5

So I'm kind of curious

Those of you who have significant others, how do they react to your bra obsessions? Are they supportive of your quest for The One or are they mystified by your behavior? My boyfriend basically is like "What's the big deal, it's just bras" but then he's one of those guys that doesn't get all worked up over lingerie? Like it ... makes no difference if I wear a burlap sack or Mimi Holliday, apparently lol. Apparently it's only going to come off anyway. Like, if I wear ridiculous heels the reaction is not "Dang!" it's... "Aren't those heels uncomfortable? ... "

So then he found out I'm swapping and selling my old (but in good condition) bras and he's weirded out by this?? He doesn't understand and said something about sweaty undergarments and how he wouldn't wear some dude's secondhand drawers. And I'm like "Some people spend upwards of $40 on a damn bra -- this is something that you don't even have to deal with! Maybe some people (myself included) like a good bargain!" He's still like "That's still kind of weird? I still wouldn't wear underwear that had someone's sweaty balls in it even after they were washed!"

Hello! Boobs are not exactly the same thing as balls, oh my godddd. What the hell.

And I'm just... ...ಠ_ಠ

I just had to vent ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ
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- Haha! Mine doesn't understand why I spend so much money on bras. He does appreciate really attractive bras though. I've been on a quest to find a Mulberry Rhea and he actually keeps asking "When are you going to get that sexy wine colored bra?". And he was also really excited when I bought a Masquerade Delphi Basque. But in general, I usually get, "You bought ANOTHER bra?!"
  
  He also thinks it's crazy that I spend so much time on the internet talking about bras when I should be doing homework or something fun.
- My boyfriend has been surprisingly supportive. I've spent a lot of time ranting and showing him my old stuff, how badly it fits and what's going wrong. When I order new stuff, I will try on everything I consider keeping for him. He's much more objective about fit (he doesn't get excited about colors and styles ahead of time) than I am so his input is actually very helpful. If he thinks I'm completely insane for buying so many bras, he hides it pretty well.
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12

Exploring nearby sizes

Guys, last night I installed a new feature on the site, here's the blog post explaining more about it, and another few things

Thanks of course to Nesoa and Suna for their help tuning this

Exploring nearby sizes by measurement and others | Bratabase

http://www.bratabase.com/blog/2013/may/21/exploring-nearby-sizes-by-measureme...

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- Squee! I really think that this will be a great option when exploring new brands and styles.
- WOW!
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May 21, 2013-- no Juna for me

The Cleo Juna was a failure and I had high hopes for it! The 30DD was too small, but the 30E was too big!
I really need a simple nude bra, and I loved the flexible padding of the Juna, and I loved the soft straps.

I don't know where to go from here, since so many bras are the wrong shape. I see a lot in my size on eBay, but can't tell if they will work out, because they don't have Bratabase listings.

Can I post eBay listings here to get opinions?

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Shared on May 21, 2013 Flag this

5 comments
- Why don't you put up a fitting request? It would be easier to see what you need and the suggestions would be more accurate :)
- Seconding Vee: please, put up a fitting help request! :)
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1

May 21, 2013 -- And we have a winner ... ?

There's about a finger of empty space in the bottom, there's empty space in the top, the cup edge almost cuts in, the apex is about 2cm too far 'up and out', the strap placement is slightly wide, and it's moulded and padded where I am looking for the seamed and unlined, but who cares if the wires are in ... the right spot and it doesn't really look too bad. And hey, it has boning in the wings!!!

The reason for my 'euforia': Chantelle Rive Gauche T-shirt Bra (3086) in 65E (30DD). Any sane person would send it back, but I think this one might be a keeper ...
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Curvy Kate A/W 2013

I like Starlet.

Kasie grzeczne i gładkie, czyli Curvy Kate jesień-zima 2013

http://stanikomania.blox.pl/2013/05/Kasie-grzeczne-i-gladkie-czyli-Curvy-Kate...

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Shared on May 21, 2013 Flag this

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- For some strange reason I cannot tag this bra: http://www.bratabase.com/browse/curvy-kate/starlet-moulded-bra-ck2501/ but it is here on Bratabase... It's supposed to be the same as the Curvy Kate Smoothie (CK1401) , but I wonder if it will fit like the new or old Smoothies, or if they will have redone the design again by then...
- I'm looking forward to trying their updated versions, since the old ones gave me a droopy unnatural look. I'm hoping the strap position has been changed.
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May 20, 2013

Here is a bra adventure with a hope for help. After going to two different stores this week, and trying on many many bras, I have come to the decision that my boobs just cannot handle a full cup bra. However, my breasts also dont seem to fill out balconette bras either in B cups or higher, and there were no A cups to try out. My boobs just dont look like they are supposed to in this type of bra either. So if balconette and full coverage dont work what am I left with?

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5 comments
- have you tried any demi or half-cups? Also, what sizes are you looking for?
- Oh I stalked you a bit, you my friend have shallow boob problems :) Fear not, your timing is impeccable because this was just published ^^
  http://www.bratabase.com/profile/65y/adventures/1530/#adventure-comment-11756
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May 20, 2013

I have a few Ewa Michalak in 75G's & 75GG's that I would be willing to exchange with someone for a 70H/HH/J. Message me!

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1

Gore height bug fix

If you measured your bra this weekend, could you please check that the gore height is not on 0?

Thanks to Aaa for pointing out this bug that was introduced on Friday

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May 20, 2013

I've been on an adventurous search for a strapless bra which will actually provide support and lift and not end up as a weird uncomfortable belt by the end of the day. The winner is the Va Bien Ultra Lift! I can safely say this is the first time in my life I have found a strapless bra which WORKS, ... and I am very much looking forward to wearing cute strapless summer tops and sundresses without feeling like my boobs are a danger to myself. Seriously, this is life-changing. I haven't worn a strapless top or any kind of top with spaghetti straps since I was maybe 12 or 13!

I also tried the Freya Deco strapless, and it is a very close second, so I purchased it as well. The two bras give quite different shapes, with the Freya Deco Strapless (4233) being more rounded and the Va Bien Ultra Lift Strapless (1506) providing cleavage that just won't quit. However, I just feel way more supported in the Va Bien, and that's no small feat because my breasts are heavy.
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- I just looked it up and was surprised to see the model on Amazon appeared to be wearing the correct size. That's pretty rare. Sadly, not in my size, but I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it!
- I am now curious how it looks on you but you havne't put it up yet :p what size did you take anyway?
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2

Continuing the tall breast discussion

This follows from the discussion on http://www.bratabase.com/browse/bravissimo/inspire-sports-au27/34GG/#review-8697 between me and prettyNpetite but others are quite welcome to join!

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21 comments
- I don't think your breasts are taller than mine, prettyNpetite so much as higher set. I was looking at the picture you posted with the outline traced at http://imgur.com/a/dMzhe#1 and I just did one of mine (although I'm not sure where to upload it; I'm feeling kind of lazy about creating an account just for that) and the bottom of my breasts is pretty much even with my elbows. They just go up to the collarbone from there. Total height is probably about 18 cm, with about 6 of that being more or less flat. I should link this to the last discussion of this that I was having with Branarchist if only I could find it (computer is making it hard to search right now).
- You definitely should link it to Branarchist! If you can't find it though, she'll see it here :) Yeah maybe you're right in the fact that mine aren't taller than yours, just simply higher set!
  
  Oh won't you please make an imgur account? You got me so curious! It'll be done so quickly and it's like the best online image sharer because if you set it to private or hidden (don't remember which) only those with the link can see it! :) That way, no creepers will see it.
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Cute storyline

Reruns, but cute storyline about bra fitting. Teena is the tomboy younger sister.
http://www.gocomics.com/preteena/2013/05/14

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3

*Guilty shuffle*

Gah, I feel like I need to confess. I just made a stupidly expensive Bravissimo order. Whyyy does US shipping have to be so much? At least keep your fingers crossed for me to dodge customs! And, well, at least I'll finally satisfy my curiosity on how their own-brand stuff fits me.

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Shared on May 19, 2013 Flag this

5 comments
- I keep fingers crossed :)
  How much is the shipping, btw?
- It's about $12usd to get it here, and will probably cost me more than that to send back my rejects.
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