I bought this tankini to wear over a bikini or an old bra. Since I knew it would not be bra sized, I thought it might could work. It's so hard to find a well fitting bra sized tankini in my size range! Anyway I went for the UK size 22, even though I usually wear a UK 18-20 in clothes. I wanted to make sure it has enough boob room.
Failure. It doesn't. Even in a size 22. It is too big at the waist and underbust but too small on my boobs. The band that is supposed to go under your boobs, does sit right on top of ...my boobs if I wear it. There needs to be much more vertical boob room, If I pull it down, I will show off my cleavage (or in this case my Elomi Caitlyn- I just threw it over quickly for tiral). So yeah I could just get a padded Curvy Kate Tankini and show off cleavage like in my Curvy Kate Bikini bra. I wanted something with more coverage.
I don't think my boob perimeter is too big for the tankini. I don't stretch it out much. So the tankini is made to fit around 48inch bust I guess. But rather a 40-42inch underbust than my 34 inch underbust and much smaller boobs than mine. I mean I can easily wear the underbust band on top of my boobs.
I cannot expect a garment that isn't bra sized to fit my 36K Boobs perfectly, but this isn't even close. I know this review sounds negative. I don't think it's a bad option, if you are within the D-H cup range and wear 38+ band size. I wouldn't suggest it as an option, if you are above a H-cup. The Elomi swim bras that are supposed to go with this only come up to H-cup, I guess that should have discouraged me. On the other side my options are so limited that I am desperate to try anything that might could work. Read more 231 more words
Have you looked at Lane Bryant? every swing top I've bought with them has had way more coverage and fabric then I wanted in a bathing suit. Also lands inn?
alisa Oh, what a shame! I was hoping this type of top would work for you.
cjarasmith I believe alisa is located in Europe (Switzerland), so she may not have access to Lane Bryant or Land's End as well as someone in the US. Good suggestions, though!
Thanks but I cannot shop at these stores since I'm in Switzerland.(which is such a bra and plus size desert - meh) BumbleBean Ah it was worth a try I guess. I probably stick to Curvy Kate and just plan 15 min to get those pieces on and hope the wires won't stab my face :S The Curvy Kate Tankinis are okay, I mean I should be glad they exist... I'm probably too picky.
I'm so sorry this didn't work! In my experience non-underwired tankinis in larger sizes are often designed to support via overall compression rather than by wireless-bra-like fit--the seam you expected to sit all the way in the inframammary crease under the bust would probably be assumed to sit away from the ribcage on the lower tier of the breasts. Designers often seem to assume also that there will be enough upper tummy projection for there to be no room for a wide underbust band to truly fit all the way in the IMC. This fit concept may work if the wearer is large enough in the midsection and "fills out" that part of the tankini but if that part is empty, there is not enough fabric tension and the compression effect doesn't happen and doesn't support your breasts.
wendybien Interesting. I haven't tried a non bra sized tankini in probably 10 years or more. (Since they never worked for me, even at much smaller bra sizes like 34DD I used to wear - If I got a size small enough to compress and support my boobs, there wasn't enough fabric.) I don't need this top to support my boobs with compression (would probably have to size down to 16 or 18 to get it tight enough for that) since I'm going to wear a swim bra underneath. (Elomi even says you should wear it with their swim bras) So it is not made to support boobs without a bra underneath anyway.
Anyway so the band is supposed to sit on my lower boob area like in my first picture? I don't like that look very much, but it does downplay the size of my boobs which is a good thing. But it's still too big anywhere else and I don't know if a smaller size will work. I was fooling expecting it would anything like on the model on me, wasn't it... http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTQ1WDUwMA==/z/fFUAAOSwKtVWuHfa/$_12.JPG
Now I have another Idea! Since the underbust band is one of the biggest problems here.
Yes I think it is designed to fit with the band sitting on the lower boob area, pretty much. That is how I see this type of item fitting on various positive online reviews with photos, on friends who've tried similar items from full bust swimwear lines and who are wearing their true dress size, and even, if you take into account the photoshopping etc., on the models in stock photos. I mean there is a very distinctive, kinda retro look to nonwired swim tops with a true underbust band that actually fits like a bra, and this isn't that look that you get in the tankinis if that makes sense. It also doesn't make sense that Elomi, whose entire raison d'etre is to serve the full bust and plus size markets, would make a tankini that would only fit a small-busted wearer in its intended dress size range!
I would size down a good couple of sizes if you wanted to persist with this one. That's if you like the look of it of course.
This bra has a awesome side panel, basically it's narrow on the side of the cups, full on the bottom and a good shape for me on the top. The bottom fullness makes for a rounded shape with a soft point. The cups are a little wide, but because the shape brings the side tissue forward this isn't an issue in the fit. The bottom fullness of both my Elomi's has been a dream. This runs true to size in the cups, and a bit small in the band, the band is firmly snug but the fabric is so soft it's not uncomfortable. The straps seem to be set in closer to the center of the cup then bras this size in other brands that I have tried. All the elastic is tight but not in a not enough fabric and they are skimping and it's over stretched kind of way, in a this is heavy tight woven elastic that will never give out, kind of way.
I'd love some feedback on plunges in this size range, (40h) because to me this is looking like a full coverage bra. The pattern is really interesting, and I like the fact that the outside of the cups is reinforced so it coxes the tissue onto the front part of the body. Which is amazzing and I'm sold for that point.
I bought the plunge because my breasts kinda V outward but are close together, so every gore no matter how narrow all came up to high and dug into the tissue. So it's doing it's job there. But is sure doesn't feel very plunge like/doesn't create cleavage.
So I wear mostly Elomi and am 36J/38HH right now. That limits my options in plunges since many are at an H cup "barrier." I tried Madison and it was a disaster on me . Kenza worked better but I really hate the stupid jungle print( not to my taste). I think you might like Elomi Carmen if you have not tried it. It comes in a nice new blue as well as black and beige. The stretch lace cup tops do a great job even on my soft tissue and the gore is a bit lower. There is also a helpful J-Hook.
AWESOME, this thing very very very nearly fits. I was looking at the Carmen but got this because I found a deal on it. That great info thanks! :-)
Boy finding the right size and the right bra is definitely a journey. I started out in Sept of this year to find my right size and the right bra. This site recommended 36GG to 38FF. Herroom recommended 38H. Before I knew what my size might be, I ordered a Soma 38G, which was fine in the band, but way too small in the cup. After I ordered a Wacoal in a 38G and it was a bit loose in band and too small in cup. I then ordered a 38H in Wacoal and it fit in band but cup was too small. I then ...found out that Soma and Wacoal are US sizes. I ordered a Panache in a 38FF and it was too big in the band and too small in the cup. I ordered a Elomi Amelia in a 38FF and it was loose in the band and too small in the cup. I just ordered this bra in a 38G and the band seems to fit good but the cup is too small. I was going to reorder the Elomi Amelia in a 36GG to see how it might fit and decided to try this bra in a 38G. I am coming to the conclusion that even in the same brand, if the style is different the bra will fit different. Totally confusing! Maybe I should stick with the styles I tried but go up a cup size in some and down a band size and up a cup size in others. Does anyone have any helpful feedback? I am beginning to believe I need a H cup though. Read more 180 more words
With an extender, this bra is the closest I've gotten to a perfect fit. It's very supportive. Without the extender, wearing this bra is an exercise in pain tolerance. I have a beige one and a black one in the same size that I bought at the same time several months ago. The black one is much worse than the beige one about cutting into my skin (again, without the extender). It would probably all be fine if I'd just bought both of them in a bigger band size and not let the bra fitting lady convince me otherwise. Ah well. (This review is for the black bra. I'll post one for the beige bra once I have taken pictures.)
Bought used and so it was broken in when I first wore it. It's material is very soft and comfortable. Lightly padded, molded cups that give you a round shape. It's very comfortable to wear and looks smooth under tees. This would make a great sleeping bra when it becomes too loose for daily ware. It gives a rounded shape that is closer to the body than the Elomi Caitlyn Underwire Side Support (8030) does. The top of the cup presses in slightly on the top of the breast and does need to be adjusted during the day. The gore fits reasonably well, lifting away slightly near ...the top. I have deep breasts and my bras do that if they are not very low gore or very high gore. I am still pretty new at figuring this stuff out, although I am 61. I was only fitted this month by a woman who was fairly good at it and actually stocked bras that might work for me so I had a few to try on to judge which worked best for the first time ever.
This bra looks great under tees and gives a lower profile than my other bras. Read more 93 more words
I bought this bra knowing that it was going to have a too big band. Elomi caters to the "plus size" set, and while I'm not plus sized, my narrow shoulders and round rib cage means that their cut works best for me (because they don't assume I have linebacker shoulders like every other brand does). Unfortunately, they don't make my size, so I had to sister size a 36E. (Although I might now be able to wear a 34G since some tissue has migrated back into it's proper place--when I ordered these a year or so ago I fit best into a 34FF.)
As soon as I got ...these (I ordered 2; one red & one pale pink), I took in the band to make it fit better. After that I just wore them. At first, I didn't love the mesh fabric that the cups are made of, but they either softened with wear or I got used to them. Or a little of both. A combination of poor posture and super narrow shoulders means that straps often try to saw my arms off; while these do rub if I spend too many hours in front of the computer, they really aren't that bad for the most part. And considering all of the whining I've done on here about that very issue, that's a pretty big deal!
Likes: Low center gore Narrow strap placement (seriously, YAY!!) The perfect shade of red The pink is a perfect "nude" for me
What I'd change if I were in charge: Take the loopy bits off of the straps and elastic (picot edges on anything bug my skin.) Increase the size range (more women with my shape would benefit from at least being able to see if it worked for them) Decrease the frame length or make it frameless (the bottom of the band curls up, I HATE that!!) Even though I'm petite, I'd make the wires about 1/2" longer under the arm only.
Definitely give this brand/style a try if they have your size! Read more 222 more words
This bra is comfortable, but I think only because of the racerback clip. The cups are way too wide (ending behind my arms).
After wearing this a few times, I've come to the conclusion that it just doesn't work for me. Without the racerback clip, the cups and straps are too big. With the racerback clip it pulls on my neck and shoulders.
This was my first attempt at finding a bra that fits me properly (/r/abrathatfits). The gore tacked. I didn't fill out the top of the cups. It felt overall too tall. The underwires and wings poked under my arms and because of that, my arm hanging at my side or moving would push the wires out of my IMF. The mesh on the gore was a little scratchy. I'm returning this bra since it didn't fit.
I didn't end up keeping this bra because the top is too big for me and I didn't fill it up. The bra itself is super comfortable and nice, shame my shape is not right for it.
Bra is lovely. Made very well. Everything about it is high quality. The band seems too small for me and maybe the cup is too large. I was fitted at a popular bra store that is found all around the US. I think the girl who fitted me was still learning. I had that impression only because we tried like 20+(not an exaggeration) different brands and sizes. This bra came the closest to fitting. I was pooped by that time so I grabbed the bra and ran. All that being said, it's not the bra's fault. I intend to try in a different size. It's still the best fitting bra I have right now.
Wire width is perfect. Cups are just a smidge too small. Center gore barely tacks. Band feels too big and rides up. Not a fan of the lacy fabric around the sides of the cup.
I have always liked the Elomi Betty plunge bras but have always had to sister size to a 38HH as there weren't any Elomi plunges in a 36J. This has meant I have had to do them up on the tightest hook from the start. When Elomi brought out the Kenza that did go to 36 J and above I was tempted to try it but as I was not keen on the colour I didn't buy one. When I spotted the Orla the other night on ASOS I decided to order it there and then. It arrived today and I am happy to say that it fits nicely and ...feels comfortable. The band is snug but comfortable and while the cups are actually a bit wide on me the wires do not poke or jab at all. I did use to think that I had wide roots, but now I am sure they are average to narrow. The only bra I have where the wires are not wider than my roots is a Kris Line 80KK. There is no stretch in the cups at all but this has not caused me any issues as the cups fit well with no quadding or gaping. This could be a problem for anyone who is very full on top. I am fairly even with short roots. Read more 115 more words
Hi Wanabee thanks for the suggestion I have looked at the Rixie Clip before and will keep it in mind but probably so far the bands have not loosened very much at all.
This is probably due to a couple of things, the first I have bought quite a number of bras that fit me in the past 12 months, meaning that some bras only get worn once every couple of weeks and secondly due to some health issues I lead a fairly sedentary life at the moment.
I'm just recently discovering my accurate bra size, so I don't have much to compare this bra to as of yet. That said, the cup size on this seemed a tad too big compared to the Fantasie I have that's supposedly the same size. This 36G is a little tight on the band for me, but i'm right at 37" underbust, so I was trying to steer towards a tight band that would loosen to just right over time. The lace and scalloped trim they've chosen however has been unbearably itchy, the center gore was so tight against my breast bone that I thought it might bruise, I couldn't even manage to wear it for the day. It doesn't have any padding, and I love how wide the straps and band are, but loosening the straps to a comfortable level caused some wrinkling in the top just below the strap that I wasn't crazy about.
My experience with Elomi bras thus far is that they tend to run large in the cup - I usually go down a cup size for them. Also their gores can really hurt at first; I bend mine out a bit so they don't stab. They're the only bras I have that I've had to do that with.
overthestars I just can't figure out what size it's supposed to be. It fits the same as the other bra I got (Fantasie 2961, labelled US 36G/UK36F), but the label says "US 36G/UK36G" 0.0 - well, which is it, label?! Do other Elomi bras have the same US & UK cup size listed? I thought they should be one cup different.
Some brands like to put that uk and us are the same on the tag. A lot of my bras have that. Elomi and fantasie are uk brands, so ignore that US size listed. So your fantasie is a 36F and your elomi is a 36G. They're 2cups apart, that's why they feel different.
This is easily the most surprising bra I've ever put on. Support for days and days, and comfortable too. It's held up amazingly well, considering its been worn daily for six months (same bra). The center gore doesn't quite tack, and the cup clips are just now starting to break in to be one hand, but those are small considerations.
As a testament to the comfort of this bra, I developed acute mastitis about 5 months into nursing, and this bra was so much more comfortable to wear; I was advised to go without, which was absolutely excruciating.
Its not pretty, it's very utilitarian, but the shape, the ...comfort, and the function make for up it in spades. As long as it continues to fit, I will wear it, though I'm starting to shrink back into some of my other girls, so I will put them into rotation as they fit. If I were to get pregnant again, I would grab another of these bras in a heartbeat. I can't say enough about how happy I am with the support! Read more 72 more words
This is one i got used in 46DD along with a pure lace in same size thought would chance it the pure lace from pananche fitted ok too but this being a cup larger than normal take fitted ok too as seems to have some leeway without being too wrinkly or wires poking but liked it so much went and got more in 46D i can go 44DD in Elomi brands so have around 7. But the fit is soo nice very smooth so don't show so much gives you a more rounded cup shape so slightly minimising but holds you in total comfort. 3hooks on 44/46 so ...good depth of band feel secure/snug but not pinched and the straps are great no slipping or digging in as edges are covered but for something so light can't believe the snugness/secure feel it gives you as soon as put it on and once in you stay in the cups so wear all day in comfort and many times forget wearing a bra it's that nice and it's one of my favourites/top of the drawer bra's to wear as so easy to get on with no fuss no drama type the Asia print looks nice but they do a plain one too EL3911 and think the Nala is based on it too the asia is a discontinued bra they also did a grey/silver type version they also do a fully moulded cup bra EL1220? but i don't really like that one as stiff feel and also comes up large in the cups.
but many seem to like this bra from reading around and i can see why as it's just one of those perfectly made/designed things that come along once in a while. So if it fit's your breast type buy while you can!
I do always handwash all my bra's plus rotate only wear one day at a time to give time to reshape elastics that way get good life from them. Read more 221 more words
I already had this bra in a nude colour, and now I have it in black as it is the only bra I have found yet that works for me. It is a bit tight on the band at first, but after a few wears and wash it fits great.
Thanks for the comment about the band loosening after a few wears & washes. I find the 36" too tight and the 38" too loose. I'm keeping both sizes to try with an extender (36") and tighter hooks (38") to see which one works better over time. From your comment, looks like it will be the 36". Thanks.
So, I love the pretty purple color this bra comes in. I love that I can wear my low-cut shirts again. But the very first thing I noticed is how stretchy the band is. I almost feel like I could have gotten away with ordering a 34HH instead of a 36H, it's that's stretchy. This gives me worries about how long the bra will last me, especially as I've been losing weight.
Beyond that: the lace on the cups does a good job at holding things in place, though it bothers me a bit that even that still covers SO MUCH of my breasts. I've ...become used to bras with such high gores that this one felt a bit weird at first, but today it feels fine. The straps are a bit wider than Elomi Caitlyn Underwire Side Support (8030) - one thing I love about that bra is that the straps don't feel like they're going to slide off my shoulders at any second, like my Panaches do (and I have wide shoulders), but Jocelyn's straps still aren't as wide as those bras, so it doesn't bother me much.
It is very, very comfy to wear (partly because of the super-stretchy band I'm sure), though I'm also starting to feel like my roots are probably not as wide as I had initially thought, or possibly that my breasts have changed some since I started wearing properly-fitting bras.
I do like this bra a lot though, and there is little in the way of plunges in this size range, so I'll take it. If the stretchy band causes it to wear out faster...well, I only paid $20 for it, so whatever. Read more 180 more words
This bra is pretty off and on, but pretty comes at a price. The mesh is a bit rough and if not properly adjusted can cause "sawing" at the bottom. Like all Elomi's it pouches out on the sides for me, giving that Yaya Han effect (too round, looks fake). so that the boobs are pushed out onto my arms when typing, etc. They don't poke under the arms, but the wire kind of rubs my arms if I don't have on clothes. With clothes it is fine.
The cups are almost a fit, but just tight enough at the top to cause the ghost of quad-boob. It's not noticeable under clothing.
I would not keep this except for the fact that the color is MINE! and I need a true plunge bra. This color is on the way out, but purple came in for fall, so...
I've got this one, and I'm still debating whether or not to keep it. I THOUGHT while trying on in stores that Elomi was perfect for my shape, but when I got home I realized they all give me the upside down 7 shape. I got a 34GG and took in the band -- and now I'm quadding in it. For now, it's the only plunge bra I have. But man... I was so disappointed. Can't even return it since I altered it.
In general Elomi's are my best fit as well but I really hate the "side slings." Your description as "pouching out at the sides" is really perfect.
I am in your general size range but have trouble with plunges because I am older and have very soft tissue. I would also suggest that you try Elomi Bras on the "Abi/Maggie/Eva/Yolanda frame. These have gore heights between the plunges and the Kaitlyn, Libby, Renee, Rita heights.
Have you looked at Lane Bryant? every swing top I've bought with them has had way more coverage and fabric then I wanted in a bathing suit. Also lands inn?