I found this bra a really good fit for me. It was comfy and looked nice on. Would be a great everyday bra!
Updated on Jul 28, 2011 Flag this
Bras » Bravissimo » Alana Bra (AU01)
Size range
Read reviews
-
-
The cupsize was right, but the rim of the cup cut into the breast tissue. At the same time I had loose fabric in the upper part of the cup between the rim of the cup and the deepest point. This is a common problem with this bra. I've found that the Bravissimo Broderie and the Bravissimo Boudoir Beau have a similar cut to the Alana, but are less likely to cause quadboob.
The wires are lower under the arms than what is average for a bra in this size.This bra is not owned any more
Updated on Jul 27, 2011 Flag this
-
In my experience all Bravissimo bras are comfortable and are well built. They do not make my sizes so I tend to have the bras heavily altered. I had the straps removed by my tailor to convert this into a strapless bra that I wear around my hips. The bra texture is very soft/fine and looks great in person. Three hooks is a joke for a 40Q though.
White colorway
- This bra's measurements have been altered
- Altered straps, Had straps removed to convert into strapless bra
Updated on Jun 23, 2023 Flag this
-
Great Bravissimo bra. Like my blue one, this is also a first edition and is not sold anymore in this color. It does not fit me anymore unless I have the straps removed. Not a fan of the color and have not worn this for a long time. Open to selling.
Brown colorway
Updated on Jun 23, 2023 Flag this
-
Great Bravissimo bra. This is a first edition and is not sold anymore in this color. It does not fit me anymore unless I have the straps removed. Not sure I am going to keep this one, open to selling.
Blue colorway
- This bra's measurements have been altered
- Altered straps, Cut straps off to make this strapless to wear around my vagina. My second (white) one is unaltered
Updated on Jun 16, 2023 Flag this
-
very empty on top.
gore slightly too highUpdated on Apr 02, 2023 Flag this
-
Fits ribcage 27
B. perimeter 11.3
Stretched Band 31.0
Band Length 23.0
Stretch ratio 1.3
Cup width 6.3
Cup depth 11.0
Depth ratio 1.8
Wire length 11.5
Cup height 8.0
Cup separation 0.9
Gore height 3.4
Wing height 3.8
Strap width 0.8
Strap length 16
Hooks 3Updated on Aug 08, 2022 Flag this
-
Apr 2018
My nude/porcelain Alana's are very different from other nude colorways I have had in the past. It's almost like there is a hint of pink in the material. This Alana was naturally very similar to the other Alana colorways I have. Comfort and fit with any Alana far exceeded anything else I previously had.
Feb 2021
It's been 3 years of infrequent use for this Alana as I have worn this bra maybe 10 times since my purchase in 2018. My rotation is over 50 bras strong so this should not be surprising. My recent success with a pair of 38L Annie's and a similar sized Gemma prompted me ... to revisit all of my 38L Alana's. The wires on this Alana run over an inch further towards my back than the Annie or Gemma do and I now realize that I am not filling the back of the cup very well. The cups on this Alana are at least 1 and maybe 2 cups smaller than the Annie, which are another cup smaller than my 38L Gemma. Being 3 yeas old, the straps on this Alana are not as nice as the newer Bravissimo bras and are thus of inferior quality and seem to be carrying more of the load than the Annie or Gemma do. The cups are a little too snug, with significant compression and how I quad out of the top. The band also feels significantly tighter than the newer bras.
Bottom line, if the new narrow wire Bravissimo bras did not exist, I would be happy with my Alana's. Unfortunately, this one will be used even less because of my newer Bravissimo bras.
Aug 2021
In my previous update, I incorrectly described how the cups on this 38L Alana were smaller than the similar sized Annie and Gemma. The reality is, they have a similar depth compared to the Annie and about a cup size smaller than Gemma and this is because of where the wires on this Alana ends on the sides. The wires go at least an inch further back on the Alana which makes sense as the new narrow wire bras are marketed as, well, narrow wire bras. I can't fill the sides of this bra yet the cups seem too small. This results in a bra that seems too small and a significant pointy cakes on a plate look. My 38L Annie gives me more usable space in the cup and so I end up with less of a pointy look. Of my 3 - 38L nude/beige/porcelain Alana's, this one gives me the most pointy look and I am not sure why.
Read more
329 more words
Porcelain colorway
Updated on Oct 05, 2021 Flag this
-
I picked up this mint Alana in early 2016. It was on my 3rd order from Bravissimo over a 4 month period. I had purchased this mint colorway in a 40L previously, I loved the color and the cups were spot on but the band was destined to become too big as it stretched out.
The band on this 38L has been perfect over the past 4 years as I am most often on the loosest hooks still. I will never tire of this color but the cups are another matter, as they usually are for me in a 38L. I have given up hope that Bravissimo will ever ... put out a LL or M cup as I imagine there are not many of us out there who need this size.
So, I get my usual quadding in this 38L but the straps are perfect, they never fall off and they tame any bounce I may have. The band is TTS and supports me very well as the strapless test confirms, the bra stays up and in place when I tug them off of my shoulders.
I dread the day when Bravissimo discontinues the Alana. At my age, I am fairly certain I have stopped growing and although I may develop more sagging as I get even older, the amount of compression I currently experience does not bother me much and a little more should be ok. I hope.
Winter 2020/2021
I wore this bra for the first time in over a year. I did this one up using the middle hooks for the first time and the fit was nice and snug. As expected, I was still quadding out of both cups although it was barely noticeable on my smaller side. I was a little disappointed though with the straps, especially on my bigger side as it seemed to have lost its elasticity. The strap kept falling off my shoulder, even if I tightened the strap far more than my smaller side. The straps on my newer bras, like the Annie and Gemma are much better and I think will last longer.
After Bravissimo released bras with the new narrower wires, I found myself hoping they will release an Alana with the same wires as this may give me the 38LL or 38M Alana I have been waiting for.
Read more
276 more words
Mint colorway
Updated on Sep 02, 2021 Flag this
-
I have officially assigned this bra to my housework drawer, meaning I will use this for physical duties such as house cleaning and gardening. I am a little saddened by this as it was one of fave Alana colors but it has served me well.
-
Wore this 7 year old bra to do some yard work on Sunday and I have to say it held up much better than I thought it would. The straps were tightened much more than ever and although it was a bit painful, I barely noticed the pain while outdoors. That said, I suspect the straps will snap real soon, something that hasn't happened to me in over 10 years.
-
-
Jul 2019
Purchased in Oct 2015, this white Alana is still comfortable and supportive despite at least 100+ wears. I purchased this 38L Alana along with a 40L nude/porcelain and 40L teal on the same order and the white seems to now be just a little bit less supportive, especially in the cup where I have a bit of sagginess, especially when compared to the teal. The teal was worn far less than either the white or nude/porcelain so that could explain why it is still holding up.
At the time of this purchase, Bravissimo was enduring a controversy relating to wires popping out of their channels prematurely. I was ... so thrilled with the fit and comfort of my initial purchases that I decided to double up on my Alana orders with the expectation that I too would have to deal with the wire issue. I have never had to. I hand wash all my bras regardless of brand so that may have contributed to my success with the Alana.
One inconsistency I have noticed between different colorways is the softness of the hook and eye materials. Some, like the Papaya's I purchased in 2017 are very soft and luxurious while others, like all 3 on this order are rather plain. Curious.
If you don't mind a tendency to a cakes on a plate look, the Alana may become a staple for you as it is for me. Through the course of time, I have noticed that my Alana's tend to initially have the cakes on a plate look but will soften and become a rounder shape with frequent use. This white Alana does not do a very good job of masking my nipples though so I tend to wear a camisole or add additional layers of clothing or if I really have to, nipple covers, to compensate.
Mar 2020
I recently purchased the lilac/lemon version which has different straps that tend to roll up and dig in. That feels like a step backwards for Bravissimo. I have a 21 Alana's in either 38L or 40L and still believe a 38LL would be the perfect bra for me. Bravissimo has not done this yet but I do hope they release the Alana with their new narrow wires that I have had success with. My 38L Annie's are like a 38LL in terms of cup volume but they are still a little torpedoey although much less so than when initially purchased. I am a bit amused that I have still not endured a wire popping out on me on any of my Alana's or any other Bravissimo bra. I guess I bought into Bravissimo just after they solved this problem
Read more
335 more words
white colorway
Updated on Aug 21, 2021 Flag this
-
Feb 2022
I think it is time to retire this bra. The band is still supportive but the straps do not seem to be carrying the 20% of the load I expect them too. As a result the stress on my shoulders ha become much more noticeable. The cups also have always had about 2 inches of unusable cup depth on the sides which is likely a shape mismatch. The cups have become less supportive over the years as well with a more sagginess compared to brand new. The dis-coloration of this white Alana is also quite noticeable, I seem to re-coil every time I reach for this bra before putting it on.. lol.
-
I wore this Alana for the first time since my last review update so it's been over a year! I got the familiar, somewhat pointy look as before and the straps are close to losing their elasticity. There is less than an inch of empty cup space on the sides which is pretty much what I used to get and is 1.5 to 2 inches better than my 40 band Alana's.
Still, this bra is comfortable and lasted through the day without complaint. I have recently had a rotation that centered on the racer back styled Jenna with the Annie balconette and I will add my Alana's back into use, mainly to get close to 2 dozen bras that have not been used much in the last couple of years.