I currently have the 30G and the 30FF in my possession, both NWT. The 30G was just a wee bit too big in the cup, so I listed it and ordered the 30FF.
The 30FF... was also a wee bit too big in the cup.
So, measuring time. I re-measured both bras, just to make sure I wasn't going crazy.
The 30G is 0.5 cm wider but 0.5 cm shallower than the 30FF. And the 30G has a band that is about 3 cm longer than the 30FF when unstretched. (I didn't take stretched measurements.)
In other words, they pretty much have the ...same exact volume, in a different shape, on different length bands.
CURVY KATE, THAT IS NOT HOW SIZES WORK.
I like the appearance and fabric of this bra, but I'm not going to spend hours of my life trying to work the math and trudging back and forth to the post office, abusing my Amazon Prime account, in the hopes of hitting on something approximating 14 cm wide by 26.5 cm deep. It ain't worth it.
(ETA: Sorry, I tried to submit photo proof of the wonky size/scale issues, but Bratabase ate my photos three times, and I gave up.) Read more 98 more words
I've been wondering if we need to be sending our feedback to the manufacturers rather than just venting here when we see this kind of crazy stuff. Like my bra where the wires go past my arm pit. who has boobs that go past the outside of their arm pits?
I agree, and I did at least post this same info to Amazon, where CK is marginally more likely to see it. I'm not a big CK customer, because they traditionally make wide/shallow bras, and I'm very narrow/projected (slave to the Ewa S cut!), but I applaud this attempt at offering a variety of shapes and want CK to do it RIGHT. I just may write them directly.
I am big fan of ck and so far ck gave best fits on me but I can tell since this year CK's cup design way to different.
Weird! I went to their website to see if they had a new lead designer who might have different ideas about fit, but I couldn't tell. All I can say is, it's one thing to add more variety to bring in new customers. It's another thing entirely to alienate the customers you already have!
Oooh lordy this bra is bad! I knew I'd be taking a risk and that the Gia was one with a lot of problems, but I figured since it only cost $14, I was fine with the risk since I liked the color. Plus one of my fave bloggers, the lovely Bras & Body Image tried it in the gorgeous deep purple colorway and liked it (granted, the red didn't work for her).
But no. It's bad. Fits like your average CK with super W I D E wires. They are almost on my back. It's bad. It's going back to amazon tomorrow.
I wanted to enter this ...in case anyone else was entertaining thoughts of the Gia. It is far too shallow for me as well. I'm not super projected, but between the horrendously wide wires and the very shallow cup, it was definitely a disaster on my boobs. Oh well. Lesson learned!
As for quality, I wouldn't say the Gia is bad, I would say though that it's not exactly up to CK's usual standards.
It's so bad that I put it back into the package and into the Amazon box immediately. I don't want to take photos of it and don't feel like measuring it, it just has to go back ASAP. Read more 106 more words
I love the looks of this, but i think the shape is wrong. Too small in the cups and shallow for me https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
The Starlet is so shallow at the bottom of the cups that it creases badly there on me and just about everyone else I've seen. Not really sure who it's supposed to fit.
I really hope there's someone it'll fit, because it looks so nice :)
I know! Mine is in the petrol colorway and I kept it because it's wearable and I love the matching high-waisted briefs.
I would say that the Gia is the best style of bra I've tried. I currently own this in black and the cherry blush color. I definitely need a smaller band and a larger cup and I have a 28H in the blush color on the way and will update once I receive that. If the 28H fits I will most likely list the 30G's for sale (after replacing them, of course). The band is very stretchy, but comfortable and the cups give a nice shape and look nice with their detailing. I really like this bra.
The bra is very pretty, but the fabric is a bit too scratchy to be comfortable to wear all day. The support is adequate, although the fabric is a little bit flimsy, The straps are set too wide at the bottom for my taste and comfort, but that is probably the way the balcony style is. The center sternum pokes me a little when I lay on my side. Excellent separation and lift, but I would need a softer fabric to wear it all day. The wires are of a narrow u-shape, which I did not think would work when I first saw it. However, the wires fit beautifully with the exception of a little poking occasionally in the armpit.
SO PRETTY WHY WON'T YOU FIT ME. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> Depth is in all the wrong places (I need immediate projection at the base and center of my bras). Gore is a bit too wide and a bit too high. Wire widths are a bit too wide. Feels a little tight in the band.
I *think* I may have finally found my Holy Grail in bras! I recently got fitted at a local boutique (Nordies had me in a DD for YEARS and so I thought discomfort was normal) and found out I was a 36G. I found this beautiful Lilac/Orchid on eBay for 25 dollars from a Store Seller and figured I would try it. I was very skeptical at first due to a lot of bra bloggers saying they were having trouble with fit but I'm so glad I took the chance!
The fit, is PERFECT (I think, I'm new to this whole proper fitting bra game eek!) I love ...the natural but uplifted shape it gives and you wouldn't know it by looking at it but it is very very supportive. I can wear it all day and not even know it's on, no poking, no strap slippage. I put it on in the morning and never have to tug or pull or readjust anything throughout the day. The color, a gorgeous light purple with contrasting embroidery that goes from light to dark purple and a dark purple ribbon, has a very fairytale look to it. The fabric is really soft but the flocked dots DO tend to pick up any color so I have to be very careful if I choose to where it with a dark color and if anyone knows how to fix this please let me know. Also, strap adjustment, the straps are adjustable. It takes a little patience to do it, but be very careful and you can slowly wiggle up and down without harming your straps https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
Overall, it's a great fitting and gorgeous bra that I would recommend, but I do have one lone tenny tiny problem with it. I feel like the wires on the side could be a smidge taller. Again, I'm new to proper fitting bras so maybe it's just in my head and it really is a perfect fit. I'm going to ask for Fitting Help and see what everyone else says and then I will revise my review. Read more 247 more words
Not sure this one fits as well as the Portia. Definitely cuts into my armpit more, and there's more breast tissue that it's sitting on. My breasts seem a little droopier, too. Cups sit well on top though, and band feels good.
Love the Curvy Kate Showgirl range and love the Thrill Me bra. However, this bra is designed to push you in and up and therefore I imagine most people (especially with bottom heavy breasts will need to go up a cup size or even two to get an adequate fit. Those with top heavy breasts may find that the rather open top of the cups is fine for their regular size. The bra itself has no padding but is lined with a three part cup that goes from shallow to open on top.
When in the right cup size this bra feels super comfortable. My ...breasts do not feel squashed or restricted. The band is very generous whilst still firm enough to stay in place for my current 26 inch under bust. Likewise the straps are supportive yet soft and stretchy so I don't get any strain.
In terms of the look. Whilst the straps are super comfortable they are too thick to be worn under dainty clothing and singlets (which is exactly what you would want to wear this bra under). Lets face it, this is not an everyday support bra https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />
The lace and the frills at the top of cups look great without clothing. In fact they look rather burlesque. However, they prove to be a nightmare under clothing. Not only do they show through but they also create bumps and lumps and can also stick out funny giving you a square kinda odd look under clothes.
All in all I feel very comfortable when wearing this bra for special occasions. Read more 165 more words
This bra is really pretty, but the cup shape is very odd. The cups are very shallow on the outside and squash my boobs, but very deep on the inside. It makes a strange, narrow pointy shape, and it worse when the straps are tightened. I could not even get the bra to lay in a normal-ish shape to measure it.
Even without the cup issues, the wires are slightly too narrow.
I also tried a 28E, see my other review.
I've seen this bra look great on some other women. I think it was designed in a larger size and not scaled down well. It is a shame.
Maybe it was made for people with a conical shape.
I have a conical shape. This bra is not conical, it's a very strange shape that is hard to describe. Somewhat like a half-sphere that is flattened on one side.
Well, this bra is really nice, but is too projected and too closed on top for me... It's very nice though, even with my hatred of leopard print. Seems like a good quality bra too.
Now that I have learned how to get a good fit in Curvy Kate, she is my new best friend! I have the Gia in 36J, and I know that to be my Curvy Kate size now. I bought this one when I was trying to figure out what size I was ( no options "on the ground"). This sister size works, although the band is a bit too loose. I have two more of these on the way in 36J, but this one in 38HH is wearable until I stretch it out. I am wearing this sister size on the tightest hook, so it won't last as ...long as my correct size. This bra is really pretty, with the ribbon detail on the front, and comes in beautiful candy colors. The two I have coming are watermelon and lime! A great fit and great colors. One of the things I love about Curvy Kate is that the styles and colors are the kind of bras I longed for in my 20s (38 now) but could never find in my size. I spent years in ill fitting ugly bras because I thought they were my only option. Thanks CK! Read more 91 more words
Way to wide for me and perhaps a cup small but going up a cup wouldn't really help as my issues with it are related to my shape. Not great for my center fullness and projected, soft, pendulous breasts. Band is better than the previous Tease Me bras but still very stretchy. I'm selling a lot of my bras that are shape mismatches but I'm keeping this for when I get smaller/ because I love how it makes my breasts look. Great cleavage. Great cups on a plate look. Also, from my photos I know it looks like the straps are really tight, but I have permanent indentations from years of trying to get some sort of support from poor fitting bras.
I really thought this bra fit until I saw the pics. There's a tiny bit unfilled/wrinkly bit at the top and cuts in a smidge. Drat. It fits like a dream otherwise. The band and straps are comfy. The wires are wide and high enough. And it's beautiful. I may wear it anyway and stitch the top up a cm or so.
Update: I narrowed the gore and it now fits. Apparently this tips the cups a tiny bit and made the whole thing work better.
Sadly, this didn't fit me. I'm reviewing the lime version and it's supposedly narrower than previous Portias. I believe that to be true so if Portia almost fit you or could've fit if it was just a bit narrower, try it again in the newer colours https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> For me, a narrower fit is still not narrow enough. Had this been a padded bra, I would've probably kept it. My breast tissue is quite firm so when underwires are just a tad too wide, it doesn't matter. My boobs don't shift around as long as the cup fits well otherwise and the band ...does so too. When it's nonpadded, you're relying entirely upon the seams and them aligning well with your particular breasts, this does not align well enough to create a round flattering shape. It was a little sad shape ("saggy", although my boobs are far from saggy) and that's because of the underwires being too wide (consequently, the fabric connecting the strap is too far out to properly lift the breast to create that round shape, pulling from the wrong place/angle). The band was too big but it was a thousand times more comfortable than say the Freya Antoinette in terms of the band (more even band tension, the Antoinette may just be the worst case of uneven band tension I've ever come across!). If the cups would be perfect for me, I'd need this in a 28FF and I'm generally in-between band sizes (28 and 30) so if you are too, I definitely recommend sizing down rather than up. Too bad it didn't fit me... The colours are stunning and I *really* wanted a light bra for summer. Oh well, sweating in bulky molded bras it is.... Read more 187 more words
This is the best fit I've ever had with a bra. I can tell it's not perfect, but I don't have anything better to compare it with (yet). I'm sad that I have to return it, but if I had gotten it cheaper I'd seriously consider keeping it... But it was $66 on amazon and I really can't justify that.
I can wear it comfortably on the 3rd hook (brand new) so that is only adding to my desire for 26 bands, although it wouldn't be a big deal if it was the only issue - I'd happily alter it or wear a rixie clip after it stretched ...out. The real reason is that I seriously don't think I can do soft cups. First of all, I can't wear most of my wardrobe and be modest. Which is enough, really. But after having this bra on for about an hour, my skin is starting to feel irritated and itchy. I don't think I could be comfortable with this as a daily bra... maybe with nipple tape? I thought that was just a modesty thing but someone mentioned to me recently that they thought it could make this kind of bra more comfortable. Anyway, I'm not going to keep this bra long enough to figure it out, but it's something I'd like to explore later. Also, while the shape it gives me isn't horrible, it could be better. Oh, and the gore digs into righty a little https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
Positives: The fit in the cup amazed me. It seems to be just my size, with the wire circling around my breast like it's supposed to and my breasts filling out the whole cup. Even though it wasn't worth keeping, it was exciting to think, "omg! Something that fits my boobs! There is hope!!"
Note: I'm wearing the band on the tightest hook in the pictures. Read more 210 more words
This is my first bra that actually fits using my proper measurements. So far I really like it- even if the color is a bit wild for me. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" /> I wish it had a little more padding, and was a bit less sheer through the top, but it shapes me very well and is leaps and bounds more comfortable than I could have expected. My smaller side (right) tends to get rubbed a bit by the fabric and gets red after a long day though, might need a different model/brand. Overall a great bra!
Great quality bra, and runs much truer to size than older unpadded Curvy Kate bras. This is a good fit for me in my current usual size of 30K (whereas a couple of years ago when I was a 30JJ in most bras, all Curvy Kate balconettes were all too small in a 30K). The cut was revamped after the first season - I would not recommend the Cherry/Blush colourway, but from the Seafoam onwards this cut is great (although the Seafoam did have quality control issues). The Purple/Black colourway is amazing. Narrow wires, deep cups, and a reasonably open upper section means this is great for me. ...The material is sturdy and doesn't stretch or distort, so I get a great uplifted shape which doesn't change throughout the day (no upside-down 7!). The gore is reasonably narrow and low, so it just about tacks on my close-set breasts. The wires are actually just about the perfect shape for my root. The main issue I have is that, though the wires are reasonably low at the centre and sides, the sides of the cups themselves are quite tall. While this is great to contain sideboob, they're just a bit too tall for me, and they rubs my armpits if I tighten the straps to where I'd like them to be. Aside from this issue, the bra is very comfortable and supportive, so I am considering altering the armpits just to make it a bit more comfortable.
I'd recommend this bra to anyone with an average-to-narrow root, average-to-deep breasts, and without "extreme" fullness (i.e. probably not those who are very FOB or very FOT). Due to the height of the cup sides, it may also be better suited to those with a tall root, long torso, or low-set breasts, or perhaps anyone who wants to contain migrated breast tissue. Overall though, it's a very solid bra, and the first unpadded Curvy Kate bra to actually work for me. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try if Curvy Kate haven't worked for you before. Read more 233 more words
This bra is so close to being great for me! It's my first attempt at getting a bra using the size recommended to me at the r/abrathatfits/ calculator, and I'm pretty impressed. The good: The gore tacks flat to my sternum, and is neither to wide nor too narrow. The bra feels sturdy and the band is perfect. The straps get short enough for me (which has been a problem in the past). I've only worn it to try it on, but the fabric feels firm enough to hold its shape all day. Also, the bows are incredibly adorable!
The bad: The gore, while sitting beautifully, is just too ...high. In fact, and this is just a preference, the whole bra comes up higher than I'd prefer on my chest. Also in the 'purely preference' catagory-- I feel like the bra doesn't quite flatter my shape the way I'd like. I look more bottom heavy than I am in it. The cup size is just slightly too big-- even on my larger breast, I get a bit of gaping at the top. But most noticably, the bra is just too wide for me. The underwire extends an inch or slightly more past my root, and the sides of the cups feel empty, with some resulting wrinkling at the bottom. The tops of the cups run into my armpits, causing discomfort.
In short, it's a lovely bra that would work beautifully on someone with slightly larger and wider breasts. Read more 140 more words
I have a love/hate relationship with Curvy Kate. They are pretty, well made and comfortable bras, but I dont get the uplift I'm looking for. The Princess is no exception. I've worn it several times, but I always end up feeling sloppy because my breasts seem to be too low on my body.
I've been wondering if we need to be sending our feedback to the manufacturers rather than just venting here when we see this kind of crazy stuff. Like my bra where the wires go past my arm pit. who has boobs that go past the outside of their arm pits?