ABOUT THIS BRA This is an unpadded, seamed, half cup, underwire bra with polka dots.
Purchasing: * $68 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns * Also available with Amazon Wardrobe. * Available in black, beige, white, yellow, blue, and purple -- all with tone-on-tone polka dots.
Band: * One layer of smooth (not dotted) stretch mesh. * Wing support: seaming. * Continuous band - wires lower than wings. * Back close with 3 columns of hooks.
Straps: * smooth elastic with outer ridges * soft (don’t stand up on their own) * full adjust * leotard back
Cups: * 2-seam (3-piece) half cup * unpadded, average strength underwire * Inner top edge of cup is edged with elastic. Outer cup edge is non-stretch seaming. * ...Top panel is stretch lace (unlined). * All other panels are constructed of non-stretch mesh over a non-stretch, semi-opaque knit. * Soft cups (no padding or molding).
ABOUT ME: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts * average projection * average-set (one finger width of space between breasts) * very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line) * even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full) * short root height, average vertical placement * mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away) * conical shape (but will squish to round) * full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue * petite (5'3") so have narrow frame * front (anterior) rib flares
FIT DETAILS
Band: * length: band rides up * wings: way too short
Gore: Tacks. Height & width fine.
Straps: * Way too far apart. Slip. * Adjust short enough, but already at shortest setting so won’t be able to tighten when elastic relaxes.
Cups:
* Wires very narrow. * Top of cup: wrinkles or gaps (expects more upper fullness) * Bottom of cup: wrinkles or gaps (not enough immediate projection at wire) * Cup apex: fits (not too deep, too shallow, nor off-center) * Strong wires aren’t pushed down or out. * Just covers boobs, doesn’t provide much shaping. * Outer edge of cup encloses Tail of Spence (and it stays there).
Assessment & Plan: * Band too big. Cups too narrow and deep. Also tried +1 cup size (32FF) which had wide enough wires but is even deeper. This model is too projected for me. STOP, SHAPE MIS-MATCH (too projected). * Also, when will I stop trying half-cup styles? The straps are too wide-set for my petite frame -- slip and cut into tail of Spence. * This style is recommended on r/abtf for FoB/even, wide-ish roots, above average projection, and rounding horizontal oval breasts. This should have checked so many of my fit boxes, but it didn’t. * I recommend this model for FoT/even with above average projection and average (not narrow, not wide) roots and average to broad shoulders (not narrow). It probably would round-out horizontal oval breasts, if it is the correct width and depth. Read more 363 more words
ABOUT THIS BRA This is an unpadded, seamed, half cup, underwire bra with upper stretch lace.
Purchasing: * $44.61 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe) * Available in black, beige, hot pink, teal, and navy.
Band: * One layer of stretch mesh. * Extra wide bottom elastic (1.8cm or 11/16"). * Wing support: seaming. * Continuous band - wires lower than wings. * Back close with 3 columns of hooks.
Straps: * smooth elastic with outer ridges * soft (don’t stand up on their own) * full adjust * leotard back
Cups: * 2-seam (3-piece) half cup * unpadded, average strength underwire * Inner top edge of cup is edged with elastic. Outer cup edge is non-stretch seaming. * Top panel is ...stretch lace (unlined). * All other panels are constructed of non-stretch mesh over a non-stretch, semi-opaque knit. * Soft cups (no padding or molding).
ABOUT ME: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts * average projection * average-set (one finger width of space between breasts) * very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line) * even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full) * short root height, average vertical placement * mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away) * conical shape (but will squish to round) * full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue * petite (5'3") so have narrow frame * front (anterior) rib flares
FIT DETAILS
Band: * length: stays in place with wear BUT top is loose (so outer end of wire is unsupported) * wings: height good
Gore: Tacks. Height & width fine.
Straps: * Very wide set. Slip. The strap-cup junction is nearly in my armpit. * Adjust short enough.
Cups: * Wires enclose tissue nicely AT FIRST, but tissue migrates backwards almost immediately because end of wire is loose. * Smooth line at top of cup on larger breast. (Small wrinkles on smaller breast – acceptable.) * Bottom of cup filled (not too shallow). * Too deep: apex of cup empty and too high. * Give a wide, oval shape. * Outer edge of cup cuts into Tail of Spence.
Assessment & Plan: * Stop trying half-cup styles. The straps are too wide-set for my petite frame -- slip and cut into tail of Spence. * Would recommend this style for FoT breasts that are on the shallow side of average projection (not shallow and not super projected). Read more 273 more words
Good: simple, comfortable, probably good shape in the right size, band feels nice and soft but supportive, wires comfortable. Not so good: flimsy straps, wideish wires (but still comfy). Ordered a 32G and got a 32F, so it's going back. I might try and get the 32G, although the wires might turn out to be too wide.
Finally enough immediate projection! Unfortunately, I have too much center fullness (one of the wires keeps popping out) , and there's way too much extra space at the top of the cup. Wire length is at max tolerance, but cup covers tail of spence and armpit. Note: I'm short waisted.
The band feels looser and stretchier than other brands' 32 bands. Even the arm straps feel stretchy. I'm going to give it a go for a few days and see if I need to go down a band size.
Seems to look alright under a shirt. Does push my boobs towards the center of my chest (my preference). The Plum version is so lovely. And most important, the gore is quite low (great for my boobs!) but doesn't have the problem of my boobs popping out in the center.
I really adore this bra, but not sure it's completely right for me. It was almost a match, but had some wrinkling in the right cup. Calculators keep putting me at 32F I almost felt like I needed to size down on this one.
Yeah, definitely. I don't like how shallow the cups are, the cup construction has a definite role in that. I'm sure it's not just wrong size. Don't love balconettes on me in general.
It's a nice bra, with plenty of projection. It's not really practical under clothes - not only is it sheer, but there are raised dots in the fabric, lace flowers, and attached bows that all show through. It's a very comfortable bra. The wires are short on the sides.
This is such a cute bra. I like that it's light and wispy, good for a summer day. Although it's made of plastic mesh type fabric, it's finer, softer, and more comfortable than most. The Sapphire/Amber is a nice colorway, a good deep periwinkle blue with cheerful carrot-orange ribbons. It gives a nice rounded bust appearance and, for such a thin bra, it hides headlights surprisingly effectively.
I was pretty happy with the CK Portia at my previous size, and once again, the fit is strong. Unlike most CK bras, this one has plenty of depth and there's enough immediate projection. The gore doesn't quite tack but the gap ...is minimal. Given that gore hardly ever really tacks for me, it's good enough.
The wispy lace on the cup edges is pretty forgiving for my top-fullness but the ribbon detailing can create a bit of an odd look. Although there's a smooth line along the top of the cup, there's a bit of a weird dented shape along the ribbon channel on my larger breast because the ribbon is less stretchy than the cup. This is generally only noticeable "that time of month" and is helped by loosening the strap on that side, although there's some loss of shape when I do that. I wish the ribbon itself was adjustable or stretchy.
EDIT: After wearing this a few times, I'm quadding over the course of the day. The band is also stretchier than I thought initially. Going down a band & up a cup size. Read more 146 more words
Short, projected, slightly narrow, center full, close set, even breasts....
I hypothesized black Florence ran small. So, I ordered a Blush Florence. Additionally, I hypothesized a 30" band distorted the wires. So, I order a Blush, 32F Florence... Well, the 30 band wires are not distorting, and the 32 band is too big. Now, I know. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />
Although I need a 32" band in Curvy Kate Plunges, the 30" band is significantly more supportive in the balcony styles. I adore wide straps and thick bands. The 30FF has both of these characteristics whereas the 32F does not. I find the wire digs into my ribs when I wear Curvy Kate 32" balconies. It also digs into my ribs when I wear 28" bands. The band has to be "just right." If the band is loose, the wire digs into my ribs directly under my breasts, too.
Florence is still an amazing, lightweight bra for short-rooted breasts.
Aaaack. As a very projected person, I knew I was taking a risk trying a bra with no Bratabase recommendations, especially a Curvy Kate (although some fit me well - like the Portia). I've never even TRIED a bra this shallow. I'm popping out every which way but sideways. The width is fine... that's all I can say for this incredibly tight, absolutely wrong for me bra top.
It's super cute if it fits you. It's a vertical seam style cup with 3 sections. It has a plastic swim top clasp, and convertible clips which allow the straps to be crisscrossed as racerback or worn straight. (Be careful when tightening the straps, as I did catch some skin in the open part of the convertible clip, and it hurt a lot!)
Way too wide and shallow for my FoT, projected, close-set breasts. I'm somehow both too full on top and not full enough, and I get gapping under the strap as well as quad-boob in the center of the plunge. My boobs are trying to escape any way they can, if they can't get out through the middle they'll flee out the outer sides.
Very short, projected, slightly narrow, close set, center full, even breasts....
Thanks again to courtnelius for recommending Portia. Portia is exceptionally comfortable and fits very well compared to most of the bras I've tried. She is a "keeper." In fact, I fell asleep while wearing her and felt 100% comfortable. Impressive https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />
Like courtnelius experienced, Portia has a more closed cup edge. This barely cuts into my soft upper tissue, but does not show under knits. This is another Curvy Kate I recommend for short, projected, narrow breasts. The closed cup is excellent for many of us. The cut of ...the cup is minimizing and holds breast tissue close to the chest.
This cup has great immediate projection and rounds projected breasts beautifully. Under shirts, this is one of my favorites because the shape is round and equally distributed-demure. Much to my surprise, this bra stays in my IMF. I will have a Dreamcatcher and Madagascar soon. Exciting to finally have bras that don't cause me to cringe just thinking about wearing them. In fact, this morning while preparing for a four hour hike in 95F+ temperatures, this was the bra I grabbed.
However, after wearing this for a few hours, it is obvious it has shallow center projection. If you have center-full breasts, Ellace and Florence will fit better. This lack of center projection causes the wire to sit on one breast during wear. This causes discomfort. Ellace and Florence designs have more space in the center.
Allows more apex projection than Florence, but has slightly less center projection. Scratchy outer material lined with soft, fine mesh. Typical .8" Curvy Kate gore width.
Short, projected, slightly narrow, close set, center full, even breasts....
I'm not confident enough to wear a bikini. So, this year I began searching for a tankini that allowed me to fully enjoy the water (I.e. no worrying about escapees and no uncomfortable compression). A common fit issue I've experienced with other tankinis are too-high wings. Curvy Kate thoughtfully incorporates low wings into all of their new designs.
This is a colorful, jubilant print. Plum, saffron, and coral are scattered across a sea green background. Plum, black, red, and white coordinate effortlessly with this vivid print. Additionally, this tankini uses XtraLife Lycra which should incresase its longevity.
For my dimensions (28" ...underbust, 26" waist) this 32 feels too large. I experienced a similar sensation in the 32FF Shockwave Halter neck Tankini. However, the Aloha Balcony better accommodates my center-full breasts and has better immediate projection. The bra fits somewhat like Florence, Bardot, Ellace, and Cascade.
When I find a low-priced 30FF, it will accompany me to the pool, splashpad, and in the yard for several years https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" /> Read more 73 more words
Very short, projected, slightly narrow, close set, even breasts....
A Bratabase user suggested a 30FF Ellace would fit better than a 30G Ellace. I found the sister size 32F. This cup causes the very familiar "my lymph nodes are screaming" sensation that indicates the cup is too narrow. Thankfully, I still have a 30G Ellace which keeps my lymph nodes happy. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />
This is Bardot....improved. The band!! Ellace has a firm piece of peach elastic to which the cups and lace are sewn. This elastic dramatically improves the weight distribution of my breasts. In Bardot, the wire "dug in" under my most projected breast. ...Ellace's elastic prevents that pain. Wow.
Although I don't yet have a reliable method to measure this, Ellace feels more immediately projected then Bardot. However, this feeling may be more closely related to the weight distributing effect of the firm, peach elastic. Whatever it is, Ellace feels more supportive than Bardot.
Ellace's fabrics are softer and smoother. Mesh is not my favorite, but Ellace's mesh is soft! Not quite as soft as the mesh Legaby Mellisia band, but considerably softer than Bardot. I would not recommend Bardot to those with fabric sensitivities, but Ellace may be acceptable.
The stretch lace across the top of the cup may be a problem for soft breast tissue. My shorties present in-cup quadding at the seam. However, this may be caused by my prominent nipple sitting above the apex. I would prefer a stretch lace with elasticity more closely resembling the mesh lower cup. That may come in Ellace 2.0 https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" /> This is one detraction, but it won't prevent me from wearing this very comfortable, supportive bra.
Band feels true to size. I've been told to size down in the band for Curvy Kate, but this feels very much like a 32. I sized up in the cup here, and I can't explain why I thought that was a good idea, 'cause sure enough it's at least one cup size too big. It's a basic, pretty, comfy black bra in every other respect, with just a few little flourishes - there's a subtle diamond pattern in the fabric and a lace edge at the top of the cups.
Kinda looks like its flattening your boobs?