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Ava Plunge 28F is getting closer - where to go from here?
Hi! This is my first concerted effort to find a well-fitting bra, thanks to all the great people here. I think my range is 28E-F to 30DD-E depending on brand and style. I've been ordering and trying on brands/styles/sizes with limited success. I would love any feedback and recommendations for a next batch of bras to try. Sorry for the info overload.
I think I'm fairly wide-rooted and roughly the same fullness top and bottom when bent over. I'm round with soft tissue, not self-supporting. Many bras are laughably big at the apex on me - I've seen an inch of space at the nipple. So I think of myself as shallow. But when lifted, I've got a fair amount of malleable tissue to spread around, in one direction or another. It's naturally going to go side-to-side rather than out though. Think I'm a bit center-full and average set width-wise.
Right now my best find is the Panache Ava plunge in 28F. Of everything I've tried, it seems the nearest fit, though not perfect. The low gore and lace leave me feeling just a wee bit jiggly. Not a ton of lift, but decent, and for me that's expected with an unlined plunge. Cups are very, very slightly too wide, but pretty darn close and not uncomfortable. I wouldn't rave about it style-wise, but it's totally inoffensive, and I'm excited to be getting closer in shape and fit.
Other bras I've tried: I just sent back a Freya Hero in 30E and sent for a 28E. I dislike the aesthetics of the Hero but I do love the uplift and push-inward effect of the side panel, and it seemed possible that going down a size in cup and band might work...though it still might be too center projected for me, with puckering along the center seam. I liked the Prima Donna Twist in 30E, but it gave me some wrinkling/gapping in the top outer quadrant and apex. I tried a bunch of Chantelle unlined that weren't bad, but these were all in 30E too. I think both PD and Chantelle might have come closer if they came in 28s. This is because I've noticed that when the straps are closer, cups seem less likely to wrinkle and gap on top.
I'm learning I like to be lifted up (more than this Ava does) but without the super-high pushup look. I really like to be pushed in from the sides but not smooshed together. I don't want to be either pointy or perfectly baseball-round. Historically I went for the forgiveness of seamless stretch bras - Body by Wacoal seamless, Wacoal full coverage stretch lace, and b-tempt'd Full Bloom stretch lace. All too big in the band (32D), and, I now realize, they make me too round and splayed E/W. I finally realized that a bit of subtle seamed shaping could actually be more flattering, given the right shape and size.
My most common bra problems are wrinkling near the strap, and gaps at or near the apex. I've noticed it can be helpful when the strap attaches to a 4th outer side section, rather than a top panel. Quadding is a frequent challenge too.
I hear there are more lined bras that work for shallower and softer breasts, which makes sense but is disappointing. I've always avoided lining because I like a more breezy, natural, 70s look. I'd go braless if I was perkier. Since I work at home, I'm mostly in bralettes. I live in hot & swampy New Orleans. My whole wardrobe is ultra-casual thin tank tops and tees, with deep scoops/V-necks/large armholes. So while it seems I benefit from fuller coverage bras shape-wise, I'm drawn to minimalist, casual, delicate, even kind of edgy styles aesthetically (e.g., Lonely). Not big on prints, bows, etc.
Also, I'm small-framed and extremely short-waisted/long-legged/narrow-hipped so I tend to look top-heavy. I look more proportional when minimized but I've never achieved the minimized look without also looking squashed/flattened. Bras with good lift lengthen my waist but seem to often make my breasts look disproportionately larger.
Maybe I'm looking for too many paradoxes, but I'll keep trying to get closer. Huge heartfelt thanks to all for suggestions on where to go from here: other Panache styles? Other Freya styles? Cleo?
Filed under Bras ups and downs
6 comments
I adore Kindred Bravely Organic Cotton Bra for my casual life at home and in the garden. It may work for you, but the x-small-busty is out of stock. It is minimalist and I feel strangely beautiful in this bra simply because I'm 100% comfortable.
Sounds like you may have shorter roots. I, too, am very short-waisted and often experience gaping near the strap. Halfcups fit better in regard to strap gap.
Center pull straps do help minimize gaping across the top. Wacoal Bodysuede is a comfortable, center pull strapped bra. My underbust is 28" and I can wear Bodysuede in 34.
We will be able to better advise when you post a fit request. :-) Ava may be a good starting point.
You could try Cleo Tilda, Morgan, or Lexi for a padded bra.
Or go Polish? I don't know much about Ewa Michalak but plenty of people here can advise you. I tried a Vivisence half padded bra that I like a lot. You might like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Vivisence-Lily-1014-underwired-adjustable/dp/B06WV7C3Q9?th=1&psc=1. It's European size, 30F = 30E in UK size. Other Polish brands you could look at are Ava, Samanta, and Gorteks.
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