This one is a giveaway from rachaelll and I decided to try it after seeing her review of it. Both her and AprilGoulding thought that I had a chance of it fitting. Spoilers: it doesn’t
When I first got it out of the envelope, I was worried that the material which is the basis of the cups was going to be rough, but it actually is pretty soft. The lace that is along the band is beautiful and love that it’s not a solid line with the elastic...it sort of drapes over the edge...sort of scalloped but not scalloped. The upper ...portion of the cup is also lace, which wraps up the straps some, giving a really unique look and neckline. The lace is on the thicker side. Even the cup material. I’m surprised that it’s got 3 rows of hooks for something this small. Interestingly enough, it also has a j hook. Between this and the lace up the straps, I think that they designed it with a few bralette aesthetics in mind. I really dig the narrow wires, and immediate projection seems ok, but it’s hard to tell exactly how it is when it is not fitting me properly. The gore could stand to be a little bit narrower.
The biggest problem with this bra is that it’s got a strip of elastic which lines the top of the cup, and it digs into the breast tissue there even though I am functionally short rooted and fob. That said, I think that it’s too small in the cup anyway. I noticed that the index size on this is 30:6 or 30E UK so the 30F must be the Canadian/American size, and therefore at least a cup too small for me as I am a 30F/30FF UK. I also feel fairly compressed in this which is probably the size and definitely the elastic strip. I don’t know if removing the strip would improve the fit or not. I had planned to take it to the local shop today, but I got a FaceTime call from my brother in New York and ended up judging their cookie contest (inspired by the Great British Bake Off as my niece [7] and nephew [5 next month] are huge fans of it right now). So of course judging the cookies took precedent over going to the shop. I would not have had enough time after we finished. I will see if I can get there on my next day off next week.
I honestly don’t know if it’s going to make a difference with the elastic removed. I do like the bra and will keep it if it can be altered and fit better, otherwise I will pass it on. I feel almost certain that I need at least a 30G in this. If it’s available. Read more 375 more words
I tried a crap ton of bras a few weeks ago, and this was tied with the Panache as winner, which is not surprising, as this style is extremely similar. The local fitter said that it was based/designed with the Panache sports bra in mind.
My biggest problem with trying the sports bras was that I had a terrible time doing them up. This one was among the first that I was actually able to do up, and supposedly it was position and spacing.
The biggest redeeming features of this bra were that 1) I was able to do up (as above)
2) I was able to wear my ...actual bra size, as I had to size up to a 32 and even 34 (hey shock absorbers I'm talking to you!) with all of the other ones I tried.
3) the J hook was/is adjustable...when the fitter told me about this it was like the heavens above opened up and the angels were singing. Like seriously. Moving it down a bit made it feel so much more comfortable and was not resting RIGHT ON MY SHOULDER BLADES. The downside is that it didn't fit as well in the straps as the Panache did when not hooked in the back.
4) it's actually about $20 less than the Panache was.
I don't think that it is available in hoards of fancy colour options, but I like this one as is. The fitter said that it was a very new style.
Also, disclaimer: I'm not sure if this is the right bra since I was not paying attention to the style when I tried it. But I don't think that they make more than one sports bra. I don't own this but wanted to document it for myself and to add information about it to the page here. I'm actually having a bit of pain these days (more than this time last year) so I'm waiting for my physiologist appointment in a week to determine what level of activity I can do so I might actually get this and add it again later. Read more 243 more words
This is a BEAUTIFUL bra. It's lace, but opaque enough and thick enough to hide nipples. The lace continues around to back of band. Has a J-hook to convert to racerback. Gives terrific, natural, softly rounded shape. Wires are perfect width and height for me, but cups aren't as deep as a UK size F, so gore won't tack. I bought it, knowing the gore didnt tack, but the clerk told me that because I'm augmented and so round, I'd probably never get a bra with a gore that tacks. Aggghhhh. So not true. After 2 wears, I'm going to try to sell it to some other lucky Bratabase member https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
Yeah bra fitters can really suck some times, they just want to get sales ya know! Welcome to bratabase! Please measure the bra as it will add to our all important bratabase, it's how we know if a bra will fit us right or not. If you need any help or anything, please don't be afraid to ask.
LeProfessor I'd love a link with "How to Measure a Bra". Cup depth, mostly. I want to be sure to do it correctly.
AprilGoulding When you measure a bra, Bratabase gives you instructions for each measurement via a little illustration. The way I measure depth is put the cup over my knee and then measure wire end to wire end at the deepest part.
AprilGoulding everything said is good. I will add that I measure depth a few ways. First, I measure with the bra over my knee as stated, but I do it both ways...with the details of the bra facing me and with the wire wire facing me. I have to stretch the bra on my knee though to get the full depth. I also try to measure with the bra on. I like this way so I can see where it is the deepest part to measure over my knee. Generally the knee method with details facing you will yield a bigger number than the other way. With the three measurements, I take the average or if 2 of 3 are the same, that number. What helped me was to buy a listing from an experienced user and see how/if my measurements match. If they did not, I’d re-examine the measurements to see if I can figure out what they did. Some of the time I would see the way it was done and adjusted my measurements, and some of the time I couldn’t, so I would stick with what I was getting. This has helped me get a bit of confidence in my own measuring. I hope this helps.
Oh Calluna I really like that idea of measuring over top the bra while wearing to get an idea of where the deepest part of the bra is. Good idea if you can't see where the deepest area of the bra is. AprilGoulding I measure the bra in two ways. Hanging the bra cup between my knees (or somehow keeping the bra in the air while still being able to use both hands, i've done some funny looking set ups for this purpose). I lay the measure tape inside of the bra cup along the deepest point. I find the deepest point by taking the measurement near the bottom, middle and top of the cup. I imagine you would need to take several more measurements if your cups are taller than 5 inches. Generally speaking the apex is at the middle/top of the cup. Now that I know which part is the apex/deepest section of the cup, I lay the measure tape into the cup. Hold the edge against the inside of the wire channel and press my finger onto the measure tape along the depth of the cup making sure the tape remains taught. Mind you I am not stretching the fabric here. Then I will take the same measurement again, this time stretching the fabric. Which I either do with my knee or tacking down the edge of the measure tape to the wire channel and using my hands/fingers to stretch the fabric. I take each measurement a couple times. I know it's accurate as long as it is within a 1/4 inch of the same measurement, because well I am human. From now on I will note both these measurements in my reviews, but for my posted measurements, I always chose the non-stretched measurement. If I were to measure all my bras again I would pick the average number between the two. The instructions here are good for measuring the cup depth. But as you continue to do it over and over and try on more and more bras and realize where the apex/deepest point is, you will become more confident with your measurements. It took me a while to think I was doing it right, when all along I was doing it just fine. I do always take my measurements on the inside of the cup. But I am sure one of us, one of these days will inevitably make such a video! XD
It digs in when I lay down, but it is comfortable every other time! I should probably be in a 28 band, but the 30 is very comfortable on the later hooks.
This is a wonderfully secure sports bra. The only problem I have with it is that the straps do not tighten enough for me. I wear a 30F in this bra and it gaps slightly if I do not have the straps in a racerback.
This bra is beautiful. The lace detailing turns a basic black bra into a show stopper. I was really impressed by the quality of the design and materials. The j-hook option on the straps is also a huge bonus.
The wires on this bra are surprisingly very narrow, they remind me of polish wires. This bra also has a decent amount of the projection at the wire, but not quite enough for me. It is a close fit, but the wires do not stay in my IMF. The stretch lace at the top of the cup is very accommodating and the moulds nicely to my shape.
This bra would be a wonderful everyday black bra option for someone who needs narrow cups and average projection.
I wonder if this would fit me? I wonder if the problem with projection and slipping is due to the band being loose for you.
I wonder if this would fit me? I wonder if the problem with projection and slipping is due to the band being loose for you.
Calluna do you want to try it? It was a give-away from AprilGoulding. I can just send it to you! I think Bratabase will cover the shipping
Sure! The cups look tall but everything else looks good.
Calluna awesome! Can you send me a message with your address? I'll transfer the bra to you.
rachaelll so close, but no cigar. It's a shame, because it's a really stunning bra and it needs a home.
@Calluna cups on this one no taller than a BM. I hope it fits you. I paid a lot for it (the clerk convinced me that I didn't need my gore to tack wtf This is one of my pet peeves - convincing people to buy something they know isn't good just to make their commission) I only wore it twice before I gave up on it because it clearly was too small and kept sliding down out of my imf and giving me rib pain. It's got a very beautiful band - the lace goes all the way around.
Thanks rachaelll. I’ll message you. AprilGoulding it is funny what fitters will say. I was in La Senza and quadding out of the 32D So Free Lightly Lined Balconette, which I had been wearing (the style and size) for a while, which was not a perfect fit, but decent if it came from the semi annual $10 bin (band too stretchy and cups bordering too small and shallow). But this particular one was cutting in bad bad bad and the fitter just said that it’s a balconette and supposed to fit like that. I asked her for a 32DD and showed her how it should fit. I mean, I still had major stretch with the band, and it was going to slip down from my imf once I would be active and move around. Ugh.
Too bad :( it's a gorgeous bra. From the front and even some side pics it looks like it fits.
I agree with the sizing. I think it's an American F.