I am currently 24 weeks pregnant and struggling with bra fit. For context, I was a 32FF for a couple of years prior to getting pregnant with little to no change. My favorite bras were the Cleo Maddie, Cleo Skye, and Panache Underwire Sport. My breasts have definitely grown throughout my 2nd trimester - I now measure a 34G/GG according to A Bra That Fits and my 32FF bras clearly don't fit well.
I opted to try the Elomi Smoothing Molded Nursing Bra in a 34G (UK) because I've heard your 2nd trimester size will often work after pregnancy while you are breastfeeding. We'll see if that's true but ...not with this particular bra.
My problems with the bra: 1. The wires are much wider than what I need. There's a good inch between the outer breast root and the underwire. This means that space is not available to my breast tissue and it makes the whole bra feel too small even though it isn't. 2. I cannot get the underwire to sit in my IMF. It gets pushed down and wants to sit about 3 fingers (2") below where it should. Again, this means there is space that should be available in the cup that my breast tissue can't use. 3. The wire/cup issue results in the gore floating off my chest about 1". That is not uncomfortable but it is definitely a sign that the fit is not proper. 4. The sides of the bra rub underneath my armpit/tail of spence. I did try wearing this bra for a whole day - ended up with raw, irritated skin where the underwire hits my underarm area. 5. The straps are a touch wider spaced than I would prefer. Not enough that I couldn't handle it if that was the only fit issue, but it adds another fit issue that makes wearing this bra frustrating.
I had never tried Elomi bras before because my pre-pregnancy size is just below the smallest size they typically offer. I hear great things about the brand and really wanted to like the bra so this was disappointing. I did try the bra in a couple of other sizes. In the next size up (34GG), I had many of the same fit issues as with the 34G except now I also had wrinkling in the top of the cup. In the sister size of 36FF, the scaling of the wires worked much better for me and my breasts could use more of the space but the 36 band is not supportive enough for me.
If Elomi bras normally work for you, the Elomi Smoothing Molded Nursing bra would be a great one to try. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it'll work for me. Read more 343 more words
This is one of the Elomi bras that has the elastic across the top of the cup, which I can't seem to fit into. I went up a cup from the last try, but it's still digging into my tissue. I don't think it's a cup size issue but more of a cup height issue and how I'm built. I like the smooth fabric on the bottom part of the cups, but the stretchy top elastic wasn't enough to keep me from jiggling around.
Almost perfect fit... I have this in both 34gg and 34h. The fabric is slightly scratchy but I'm hoping it softens up with age. It's the only bra that will stay in my IMF for more than 15 minutes, so it's definitely a win at this point. The band is stretchy, so I have it on the middle hook instead of the loosest, but I think one size down would be too tight. The wires are slightly wide, so I get some wrinkling on the sides of the cups, but the wires are soft so the issue is easy to overlook. This is the only Elomi I have tried that doesn't have the stretchy elastic on top of the cups that digs into my tissue. I now own 4 of these so there's something to say about that https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
Supportive, smooth shape, comfortable. I would definitely get this if I needed a strapless bra. Somewhat difficult to put on due to gel-like texture on band.
Very supportive, doesn't feel like it's going to slip down. Difficult to put on because of gel-like substance on band. (I usually put a bra on backwards then spin it around my torso.) Band feels snug but in a good way. Nice rounded cup shape. Some spillage over band on my back.
Elomi 3911 in 38FF is very comfortable, but the top of the cup cut into one of my breasts, which is very slightly larger than the other. So, I thought this size 38G would fit perfectly. Alas, 38G is much too big, particularly at the wings where it cuts across my armpit awkwardly.
Comfortable fabric and band. Round cup shape. Very comfortable. Unfortunately, the top of the cup cuts into one of my breasts, which is very slightly larger than the other.
This Charley fits slightly more like Morgan when I compare it to the 4380 version of the Charley. The top part of the stretch lace cups have a line of elastic along the top which cuts into my tissue. Going up a cup size might fix that, but I'm also not filling out the bottom of this one like I do in the 4380, making me think it's less projected. This underwire seems slightly more stiff than my Matilda and as I wear it, it's not totally comfortable. The wires are wide on me and I think going up a cup size might make that worse... not sure if I should try.
The cups on this Charley seem very small, but it might be due to the non-stretch lace and embroidery on the top half. It's a beautiful bra, but slightly scratchy (even more so than the Matilda). Definitely need to size up at least one cup size in this if I try it again. The projection is decent, so I might try it in a different size without the embroidery to see if that makes it more comfortable.
Since my new favorite bra is the Matilda, I wanted to give this one a try. Unfortunately, the fit is more different than I wanted. The elastic strip along the top of the cups dips into my tissue and creates an indent. Not sure if it's a too-small cup size issue or just the way that style is going to fit me. This bra has a good amount of projection, and I really like the non-lace bottom half of the cup and sides.
This is fairly comfortable, the underwires go a bit further around my ribcage than ideal, but not so much that it is uncomfortable.
The horizontal seam on this bra can be visible under thinner t-shirts. The lace is quite high on the inner edges of the bra, so it can be seen in a lot of my v-neck tops.
Overall it is fairly comfortable (nice thick straps) and I think will work well under sweaters or multiple layers.
Cups too small, top of cup has a non-stretchy band that cuts into my tissue. Band is good fit, but probably because cups are too small. Otherwise, the band would probably be too big.
When I first put this on I thought it was the one. I could probably go down to 34GG because I had it on the tightest hook. After wearing for a few hours, the band flipped up and started shifting up my back. The fabric isn't very comfortable so hopefully that will get better after a few wears.
