Bra cuts - are they always "true"?
I've been thinking about this for a while. It is said that bras with horizontal seams will typically give you pointy boobs, that bras with vertical seams (like the Curvy Kate Entice (SG1601) for example) will offer stellar uplift, that 3-part cups are more supportive than 2-part cups. How much truth is it to this, really? Of course it has to do with structure, and certain structures provide different features, but I'm still curious to know if this is always the case. Have any of you been surprised by certain bras, having expected that it would act a certain way and then it didn't? Please exclude disastrous fits that threw off the whole judging point, correct or almost correct fits are allowed to be brought up here
Partly why I'm asking is because I'm looking into buying a bra pattern from www.makebra.com (they have nice patterns for larger breasts, such a shame that the band sizes are bigger than what I need though, I'll make adjustments to the pattern along the way if I decide to buy one) and even though I *think* I know everything about patterns, I'm not quite sure and I might get surprised.
The names of these patterns are different from what I'll call them, but let's call them this when discussing them here, for the sake of simplicity;
Pattern 1 - http://www.makebra.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bra-pattern-for-larger-size.jpg
My thoughts on this pattern (provided that it fits the wearer) is that it's a highly supportive bra. The 3-part cup construction suggests it is and the straps are more centered than a typical balconette, making sure the breasts are held taut against the chestwall (note that I'm not saying they're smashed or anything, just held taut). The fact that the straps are like a continuation of the cup and quite wide suggest to me that that would add a little extra support than a "normal" balconette for example. I'm not sure what I'd categorize this pattern as, maybe a fullcup?
Pattern 2 - http://www.makebra.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/downloadable-bra-pattern.jpg
This is probably a pattern that we are more familiar with here at Bratabase. A 3-part cup, balconette bra with wide-set straps (not wide-set as in too wide, but wide-set) and not the fullest coverage there is. Pretty supportive but not the most supportive pattern in the world, centered straps provide better support. You are all free to disagree with me, and if so, I'd like to know whyI just wanna make a discussion and see if we're all seeing and experiencing the same thing or if it's different (again, provided that the bra fits the wearer).
Pattern 3 - http://www.makebra.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DL02-bra-pattern.jpg
This is a pattern that I have never come across before, at least I don't think I have. I think this is one of the more supportive patterns out there, what strikes my mind that it's probably supportive is that the straps are in conjunction with the middle part of the cup, and the straps are centered. Vertical seams are also supposed to be super-supportive, at least that's what I've heard. I guess this pattern would be more FOT-friendly than pattern 1?
If you'd like to share your thoughts I'd be very happy because I really feel like venting about this and getting feedback from the rest of you.
Filed under Bra sizing and fit
9 comments
I've scoped out that same website! I gave up on it when I saw their sizes, though. Designing a bra is like designing a bridge, and I doubt I have the engineering ability to do it!
That being said, I'm getting to the point where I can recognize the shape I will get from, say, two vertical seams vs. three-part cups vs. moulded lined cups. For me, the 3 part cups are undoubtedly, absolutely the most supportive, and the cups with two vertical seams often provide the most "rounded" shape. Moulded cups never really fit me properly and they tend to flatten me out and/or make me look saggy; them shape my lower breasts, where my breasts are fullest, but do nothing for the upper tissue that basically starts at my collarbone.
I love pattern 3. It makes me wonder why it is not more common. I think having three vertical seems is the best design for FOB shapes because it allows for the most immediate projection at the base. I agree that centered straps are the most supportive, but not for all shapes. I think wider breasts need wider set straps for the best support. In every unpadded balconet I've tried the strap is attached above my armpit, where, as it turns out, I have no breast tissue so I feel very unsupported. I think pattern 3 is the solution to unpadded bras for narrow breasts.
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