This was my first full Swimsuit I tried on from Bravissimo and the first one I tried in years since I had lost weight. I used to struggle with swimsuits as they never fit quite right, so I sticked to tankinis. I was curious if Bravissimo swimsuits might fit me better than a very ill-fitting Panache Veronica I had years ago. This one was on sale so I gave it a try. Reviews said that the cups run large - so I decided to size down. I asked customer service how to choose the best size in a suit so it also fits the rest of my body ...and they told me that if I'm size 14 in clothes I need to choose 34 band.
Anyway - when I tried to get it on I almost thought it wouldn't happen- I have thick thighs it would almost not go over. Lets say it was a huge struggle to get it on. It took me like 10 mins.
So when I finally had it on I tried to adjust the bra part which is padded underwired cups under swimwear fabric. Since my lower body took up a lot of space in the suit (I'm 169cm tall) the underwires sat about 1-2 cm too low. I tried to move the suit up as much as possible but it gave me more leg exposure than I wanted. Like those high leg briefs... which is not a look I like and not flattering on my figure. Also it was difficult to close. Once I had it on I felt constricted and the padded cups (which imo didn't run large) felt very tight on my boobs. To make it short, I really disliked every minute I wore it.
I think if I ever would try another swimstyle I have to size up to a 36 band and HH cup maybe to get a better fit. As I am currently a size UK 16 that would probably work better - but maybe would still be not long in enough in the body? Bands run tight so sizing up in band size is not such an issue. But if I go by Bravissimo sizing rules, my usual band size 32 would put me in a size 12 swimsuit which would never work. I think I will stick to separates as Swimwear. Read more 285 more words
Cup sized swimsuits are so hard to fit! I've tried a few over the last few years, and I always find that I have to size up in the band so that I can get it over my body (and off again), and then the band ends up being loose so the cups don't fit right. Tankinis are impossible to put on/get off in my actual cup size, and even 1 size larger band isn't much better. I decided this summer that I'll buy bikinis in cup sizes and tankinis/swimsuits in generic sized M (as I don't have much boob to hold up I figured that would be good enough). Hope your quest to find a suit is fruitful for you! I empathize with your journey, lol!
Thanks for the review, my thighs are also very big and many swimsuits can't provide enough coverage for me.
I went for a tankini over a swimsuit because I'm also tall, I knew for sure a regular swimsuit would never fit hehe. I've probably mentioned some time too that the tankini I got has built in bra hook closure in the back instead of the bikini closure, maybe that style would work better for you? because then the fabric part would be more relaxed in the back, and you'd have more of a bra band supporting instead. Perhaps then the wires would sit higher,( unless they are too shallow ofc)
I also wear a UK 16 clothing although I like a loose fit, I can totally see a 34 being a size 14, although it's for sure a body con fit :P
Shame it didn't work out for you :( it looks so cute on you at least!! But comfort is key for sure.
I'm glad it was helpful. I had to finally review it, since I sent it back 2 months ago. It had to be documented. I think a person with my measurements but with smaller height could probably fit this suit. I just would have to size up more which would probably end up in having a band that is too large in a 36.
The onlyswimsuit that was made for taller women imo was 34HH - Curvy Kate » Sheer Class Black Plunge Swimsuit (CS001605 because it was longer in body and the wires were actually under my boobs. But it was a nightmare to get in.
Swimsuits are so hard! Thanks for reviewing this to help future shoppers.
I just read this: "Swimsuits sold by bra size are for people who are 5’5″. " I'm not that much above 5'5" at about 5'7" (169cm) but it's still difficult for me to fit into them. They recommend size up in band and down in cup if taller and size down in band and up in cup if you are short.
So probably should go for something like 36H/HH next time I try.
34HH is my normal UK size Racerback lace length is too tall, I am 5 ft 3 for reference. I think I'd need to be at least 2 inches taller for this to not be an issue. The strap adjustments will change the length in front, but not help a problem at the back, as the band-to-neck size is determined by the lace at the back. Too short of a person and the fastener is in the back of my neck when straps are tightened, but with lace drooping down if the buckle is in the right spot. To tall of a person would still be able to wear ...thing, but the back of the neck fastener would sit much lower on their back. The cup isn't immediately projected enough, so there's wrinkling where my breasts try to force up and over the bottom inch to project outward. wire is about 4 fingers away from my root on my side The clasp behind the neck is probably going to be tricky for anyone not used to that sort of thing. In case anyone reading this is wondering, the pin of one side comes from above and a 90 degree angle, slides downward, then flips to lie flat. It's easier when right in front, but very tricky to do behind my neck. I also definately got the "fiddly clasp" despite the listing I purchased from on Bravissimo's website saying "New J hook fastening means it’s easy to attach the straps at the back (no fiddly claps – yay!)"
The materials are all really soft and a wonderful quality. It makes me consider keeping a bra I know doesn't fit well, just because it's so comfortable. Im a huge texture person and this may be the nicest feeling materials I've ever come across in a bra. Quality-wise everything seems really nice. All the finishing touches on this lilac bra are done in rose gold, the bra strap metals, the hook and eyes, the back of the neck clasp. It's really nice. I also liked how they made this feminine with quality lace and beautiful colors and didnt need to add an unnecessary bow in front to cover shabby construction. I love that this is a fun color, but also functions similarly to a beige bra in that it wont show up as a stark color difference through a lighter shirt. Im really impressed and really wish the fit was a better. This might be the most comfortable not-fitting bra I've tried. If it was just too wide cups I could maybe deal with it, but the lack of immediate projection is an issue for me.
My common issues with bras are sternum pain, being close set, and nipple bumps showing. I did not have issues with any of those in this bra, although Im not sure if the thin foam would keep bumps concealed after wear. Read more 373 more words
I really hoped this bra would fit, because the star pattern and white fabric make a nice style (and there are so few white bras out there!), but unfortunately the fit is a somehow off.
First, the construction - the cups are made from a single layer of non-stretch fabric. It's a full-cup design, made from four parts. The seams on the inside of the cup have some loose threads, but otherwise the sewing is reasonably tidy. The band is also made from a single layer of stretchy powermesh. It looked to me in the pictures like it had side boning, but it doesn't. The materials feel sturdy ...and are quite soft. Compared to an older Bravissimo Alana, the materials are significantly softer, both in the cup and the band.
Since the fabric on the cups is completely non-stretch, the cups really show any asymmetry or a too large/small cup. The shape is very projected at the middle of the cup, but average projected at the bottom, giving more of a "green" shape. The wires are a bit too hard for me and the gore is stabby. I'm having a bit of a shape mismatch, a better fit for me has more bottom projection but creates a rounder, flatter shape - that's why the Bravissimo Millie in the same cup size works better for me. For me, full cups don't usually tend to work.
Regarding the sizing, it seems consistent with the usual Bravissimo sizing, in that the band runs true to size/tight-ish and the cups run one size small compared to the usual British size. Read more 158 more words
This is up to date my best fitting bra. It flattens my boobs so much that I'm actually having the same amount of projection as I had in my 34F Freya Millie and Pollyanna. I kind of miss the east and west spread I got used to now suddenly looking all BrasIHate in shape, but it is my shape so I better get used to it.
This is the first bra I seem to be able to move around in and still having the same fit.
I get a very subtle look, with an ever so slight hint of cleavage.
This is my first bra that doesn't rest ...on breast tissue in the Center gore and while the center gore doesn't sit flash, due to the bra being ever a smidge too small it's not a problem really. Neither is the slight cutting in I have on my larger boob. It's kind of interesting now in the correct size beginning to see how big the difference is between my boobs.
This bra will probably become too small pretty fast as I do have a feeling it actually can be a good migration bra. I would have never thought that about a half cup. But it comes pretty high up on me.
The cup depth without stretching is 34, but I have a 35cm perimeter with the bra on so it stretches a little. It stretches just some milimeters above that when measuring over the knee.
The wires stretches from 18.5-21 Not that bad really.
The problems are the wires being just a tad bit to low in the bottom front. And the straps cutting in on the sides of course. But I can live with that too.
And the straps. My god, the straps. They are very thick and very comfortable. Probably the most comfortable straps I've tried on a bra so far. But the bra is so firm I can almost wear it strapless https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
It's vintage looking, it's very me and I will update this review in the future. Read more 238 more words
Branarchist Hi, I was searching for someone with similar measurements, and I stumbled across you and while you don't have similar measurements it seems like you are struggling to find a size and bra that fits.. I hope I can offer some advice I would suggest that you get a skype fitting with the ladies at butterflycollection.ca they offer skype fittings and since your sizes are all over the place maybe they can pinpoint your size a little better. Since you have a large array of sizes I think it would really be beneficial for you. I wish you the best of luck and I hope that this will at least steer you in the right direction.
Normal UK size 34HH, which is what I tried. Im more close set than this bra, While the cup sort of elastics to my shape, there is an obvious dent in the cup where it changes from following my torso to my root. There's about 3 finger-widths between the outer bottom wire and my tissue. I am Omega-rooted so this is a common fit issue, but the dent impression left by this bras looks really weird. I am definitely more immediate projected, with my tissue not sitting in the bottom of the cup. Without tissue sitting in the outer/bottom cup, it is fighting to come out top/center/front and is ...quad-boobing. This effect is not helped by the weird mesh frill added along the top of the cup seam, making that area more bulky for not reason The bra would have looked just as good or better without it. (Also looking at you weird badly sewn on button on the gore and bows on the straps.) The gore surprisingly tracks well and isn't painful, which is rare for a non-Polish bra with how close-set I am.
Quality wise, it seems ok. I would say it's definitely more in a daily wear category than anything luxe, despite the satin finish. Many of the materials seem basic and hopefully durable. Read more 106 more words
Finally settled on 34HH in this bra. Odd since all the 34J from Bravissimo I've tried before have been too small, and Allie in 34JJ fits me basically the same as this one does.
Conclusion, this bra runs big. See more in depth reviews of this bra in my 34JJ/J reviews.
Disappointed with this one. It comes very high under the arm and it rubs, it's tight at the gore and presses on my sternum, and the straps also seem to rub. Not quite sure how I ended up buying this but it was fitted at Bravissimo so I suppose I expected it to get more comfortable. It hasn't!
I love everything about this bra, except I was a bit too optimistic with my band size, so I'm exchanging my 34HH for a 36H. This bra is probably not for most people though. I have very close set breasts and it's really difficult for me to find bras with gores that will tack. This tacked beautifully, which gave my breasts way more support than I normally get. However, a lot of people will probably find the wires a bit much at the sternum but softer wires just won't tack for me, period. I also have breasts that are full on top and bottom, so I'm always spilling ...out of everything, even if it seems like the right size. Usually someone like me gets recommendations for lace bras, but I hate how lace feels, how my breasts look, and being able to see my flesh. This bra completely contains all my fullness while not being a sexy, lace bra (a plus for me). The negatives are that you can see the seams through some shirts, it doesn't come in any light colors at the time of this posting, and the straps are on the wide side, which is good for me but not everyone. Read more 96 more words
What a disappointment. I was so hoping that I could finally wear moulded bras again but alas this just did not work. If you want an extreme minimizer this is the bra for you. I looked so small from the profile and from the front I look wide. It pushed my breast to the sides towards the armpits. On the plus side I would say its true to Bravissimo's sizing and it was so comfortable. It also had great coverage and held the girls in place but not too high up so you can wear a v-neck with this bra. Sadly I have to return this bra because its just too minimizing of a shape and too east-west for me. I guess I have to stick with seamed bras to pull the girls forward.
Tried it in pink and slate in 34J. It fit alright, but the lace was a little loose, and I reasoned that it would get a rounder shape in a size smaller. This time I got it this black and green. And I must say, I think it is very true that black fabrics are smaller, due to dye process! This is definitely too small in the black lace! So will exchange it to a 34J in this color (no more confusions!)
Beautiful bra, and amazingly supportive and shaping for an unpadded bra! Does just as well a job as a padded bra. Extremely similar to the Diva Demi bra, suprised it doesn't say it is based on the same shape. Too small for me though https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
Simply insanely wide wires - literally touched my shoulder-blades! Can't imagine who that is designed for :/ The strap was attached to the back of the band only 1" away from the wire - who is this shaped for!? I did that test too where you close the bra, and see if it can lay flat (if it can, then at least half the circumsphere is band, rather than cup) it could absolutely not lay flat! Which means way more than half the bra was cup. I don't get it. I think this may be a flaw only with specific sizes, because I've seen other have succes with it ...- maybe they only 're-design' the cups for some size, and for others they just shorten the bands. Hmm..
Other than that, quite lovely - Very good shape! I am a fan of padded bras, but this shape and comfort (besides wires) would live up to my requirements https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> It also looks great - there is side support on the cup, which takes up about 1/3 which isn't as cute, but good for shape, I guess. The straps start at this part too, so about 1/3 into the cup. Read more 94 more words
One of my Favorites. Perky , upfront shape. fabric on top cup slightly loose at apex, but otherwise perfect. Band loose enough to close on tightest hook, but not bad.
Cup sized swimsuits are so hard to fit! I've tried a few over the last few years, and I always find that I have to size up in the band so that I can get it over my body (and off again), and then the band ends up being loose so the cups don't fit right. Tankinis are impossible to put on/get off in my actual cup size, and even 1 size larger band isn't much better.
I decided this summer that I'll buy bikinis in cup sizes and tankinis/swimsuits in generic sized M (as I don't have much boob to hold up I figured that would be good enough). Hope your quest to find a suit is fruitful for you! I empathize with your journey, lol!