I'm a big fan of the regular Deco bras, but I struggle with the fit and find I'm between sizes in it. In this soft cup version I found the fit to be more true to size - my go-to size of a 28G works well. The band is tighter than a normal Deco, which is great for me as normal Decos are always too loose.
The support is not fantastic, which considering the construction is to be expected, but it's great for wearing round the house/popping out to the shops if you want something more comfortable. I know a lot of people were frustrated by the limited size ...range (D-G cups), but I don't think the bra would be supportive enough for a large cup size. I'm dubious it would work even for a 38G, which is the largest size available and considerably bigger than my 28G.
Compared to any other soft cup, the shape is great. It gives the perfectly rounded shape of the usual Deco, instead of the pointy/droopy shape soft cups normally give. It also gives a great cleavage, but in a 'boobs pressed together' way that can be sweaty and uncomfortable when it's hot outside.
The only thing I would really want to change about this bra is to make the band slightly wider. It seems like it has more work to do without wires and as a result it can dig in a bit. This isn't a major problem for me, but again I think it might be more of a problem in the larger sizes.
Overall, I love this bra for when I need something more comfortable than a normal bra but don't want to compromise on shape. I don't know of any other bra in the full bust market that offers this! Read more 189 more words
The Frankie Plunge bra by Freya is such an absolute favourite of mine that I am considering buying it again now that it has starting to stretch a bit, perhaps in black.
I bought this bra back in 2011 when it was sold with an amazingly cute silky shorts. At that time, my breasts were slightly bigger and I got the wrong size so the cup cut in my flesh, gave me subtle quadraboobs and was painful after a while. My breasts also looked very pointy and odd so my review was less enthusiastic.
Why do I love this bra?
1- It's a seamed bra. While not everyone is fond of ...seamed bras, I find them better for many reasons: they give great support, it is easier to notice when they don't fit, they are more suited for my breast shape (more tubular than shallow and wide), it is easier to adapt them to asymmetrical breasts (by tightening one strap) and they have no padding at all. I also have no worries about my nipple showing because I find that it's not that noticeable in this bra.
2- It changed the way I perceived bras because it looks so awesome. The Frankie plunge is neither your typical white tshirt bra nor your typical sexy black-and-red lace bra. As a French woman, I find that the typical bras for adult women are either the big molded bras I hate (in black, white or beige) or the sexy bras (padded or not) with lots of lace, mostly the same. When I saw this one, which is original without looking too childlike, I fell in love with it and thought: what the hell? I'm gonna buy bras that are cool, funny and sexy at the same time because I'll like them and because I'm a funny girl!
With its colourful polka dots, nice silk fabric and see-through top, this bra is quite unique, fun and good looking. The best part for me is that it is not so visible under white clothes, I use the same layering as I do with my Freya Jolie and nobody notices the details.
3- The shape is nice. As I said, I have breasts that have more projection that width, they are more round than pointy but a bit squishy. I find that this bra respects my natural shape while enhancing it and supporting my breasts. I don't find the shape to be too pointy, but it's not perfectly round either. This bra is not the bra that gives me the most projection, but the cup is full everywhere and my breast tissue isn't pushed into a weird shape, which is all I could ask for.
4- It is comfortable. Now that my breasts are really about a 30E, I can appreciate the smoothness of the fabric and it feels so good it's like I'm not even wearing a bra.
5- You can adjust the straps all the way down to the cup. While it is not necessary, I find it really useful because I am quite short. I often need to tighten the straps at least up to my shoulders and having my left breast a bit smaller than my right breast, I find it really useful to be able to tighten the left straps more.
Is there room for improvement? Yes, I wish the underwires would go slightly higher under my arms since my breasts love to flee from the side, but I am still fine with it because at least, it's not poking anywhere, which is an issue I often had with other brands.
I also think that the band stretched out too quickly compared with another Freya I own which is the Jolie bra.
I suspect this bra looks better on breasts that are bottom heavy but I could be wrong.
By the way, for those who might be interested, I advise you take a smaller size than usual when it comes to the shorts. Read more 538 more words
If someone gave me the chance to design my dream bra, I'd probably come up with the Piper.
The shape it gives is perfect- round and lifted, with a perfect amount of cleavage (safe for work but still sexy).
The design is beautiful, pink but not too pink (almost apricoty pink) with a lovely floral print, and plenty of black accents. I feel the bra has its own personality: pink and frilly with a dark edge.
The longline enhances my shape, but presents a minor problem for my flared ribcage- the bottom tends to flip up towards the end of the day. I suspect this issue will rectify itself as ...the bottom stretches out with wear, and in fact this flipping has happened less each consecutive time I've worn Piper.
When I saw this bra I just had to have it, even though I suspected I wouldn't get much practical use out of it. Surprisingly, I can wear it under about two-thirds of my wardrobe. The seams lie flat enough that I can wear it under tight tops, and since they're vertical I don't mind if they show a bit under my thinnest tops, because they look like a feature of the tops, rather than like something sticking out from underneath. The only thing that prevents wearing it with more tops is the lace, which shows through more easily.
The only thing I'd change about Piper is I'd add more sets of hooks (it only has 2) to make it last longer. I love this bra so much that if I could guarantee my bra size wouldn't change I'd order another one for when this one wears out.
Update: contrary to expectations, I've found that over time the band flips up in the front more rather than less. I've decided I'm happiest if I just leave it like that once it flips, as I've gotten used to the feeling so it doesn't bother me any more, and the side and back stay straight so the shape isn't affected. I also find the band in general is sitting slightly lower than it did at first, which causes my breasts to not fill the bottom of the cups (orange in a glass), and slight spillage at the top. It's still wearable, but if I ever buy another longline I'll size up. Read more 276 more words
This is a nice, well-made bra, though I'm not sure if it's the best shape for me. The cups seem to be the right size although there is a bit of wrinkling; I'm not sure whether I should have ordered the DD instead or if it's just because my breasts aren't that full on top. The underwires seem to come up quite high in the centre and I can feel the ends against my sternum, but it's not uncomfortable. The band seems to be a good, snug fit, with no scratchy lace or uncomfortable elastic.
The one thing I don't really like about this style is the way it ...pulls my breasts in towards the centre, flattening the sides, though this is probably just a matter of preference. It does give very good uplift. I love the muted pale pink/mauve colour and the lace and ribbon details.
Side note: I ordered this from brastop.com using their standard delivery option, and it was shipped out the next morning and arrived the day after. Great service.
ETA, October 2012: I bought this bra in summer 2010 when I was in the very early stages of figuring out my size, so in my original review I failed to recognise some fit issues that became glaringly obvious later on. The wrinkling in the cups has happened to me in every single Freya bra I've tried, because the cups are too deep and pointy for me; the overly deep cups then caused the wires to press into my sternum. I'm just not a Freya person but I don't think the Claudia is a bad bra, although the heavily textured, picot-trimmed straps are very hard to adjust. Read more 173 more words
Addendum: after wearing this bra a few times, I have a rather different impression of the fit. The underwires are so tight against my ribcage that my ribs ache after a couple of hours. I think this is because the cups are just too big (I definitely should have ordered DD) and the wires are too long.
Size: My 'real' size is 32E/F and that's what I've tried at first. I have two other Arabella bras in 32E and they are actually almost good, the cups embrace breasts fully, the band is ok, though a slightest bit on the loose side. The only problem is that I have wide root breasts and I prefer wider wires, while this model (and many other Freya models, as far as I can tell) have definitely narrow underwires, shaped like capital letter U. Arabella is so beautiful that I wore 32E anyway and it wasn't tragic, but after several hours I could feel the discomfort from the wires and ...I was afraid I would get dark marks on my skin. Finally I got a possibility of buying an Arabella bra in Cassis (dark violet) shade and in sizes 30FF. When I read the measures of the bra I noticed they actually look more like my measures and I decided to give it a try. It turned out it was a good decision. The cups aren't as perfectly fitting as in 32E, but still good enough and they don't give such slightly tubular shape as the 32E gave me. The band is tight, but ok. And finally the underwires are good! I must confess also I bought a 28FF at the same time, as I was afraid that 30FF may be too big in cups. Well, that 28FF is again too narrow in wires, the cup size itself seems to be fitting, but the band is too tight. I can wear it with an extender, but the wires poke, so I don't.
Comfort and shape: This one had wires wide enough for me and I can say that it's amazingly comfortable. Suitable for all day wear and in summer the mesh fabric is a real blessing. It gives me a lot of support, natural shape and moderate lift, while 32E gave me more protruding shape.
Appearance: It looks amazing! I think it's the most beautiful bra design I have ever seen. Arabella just looks good on its own and amazing against the skin. Personally I like Cassis and Oyster colour versions the most and that's what I own, but I wouldn't mind having more colours. I think it's a real shame that Freya doesn't make them any more, as Lyla is nice, but not as strikingly pretty. The bra I own was second-hand and the label was quite washed out, but the condition of the bra is excellent, so I hope it will stay this way for a longer while. I bought a matching shorts and suspender belt, brand new ones and they are exactly the same shade, so I think the colour doesn't fade.
Extra info: My mum is a fan of Arabellas, too. She's over 60 so I'd say this bra is also suitable for mature women. Despite its delicate look it's very supportive. Read more 377 more words
I . . don't really understand this bra. I think, basically, all the problems with this bra stem from it having the flimsiest, stretchiest, pathetic underwires ever. (You could easily bend the wires into a circle if you wanted. I think they are even flimsier than the ones on my Pour Moi 36G!) The cup should fit ok, it seems to be deep enough and wide enough, but the center gore is way out and the bra is really droopy, not because the cup is too small but because the wires aren't strong enough to hold it to my chest! It's too bad, because it is quite a pretty bra and I think it might fit fairly well if it had sturdier underwires. At this size I can only imagine this bra would only work for those with super perky, hold-themselves-up boobs. It provides pretty much no lift.
I LOVE this bra. The longline style band is comfortable and supportive, and the seaming on the cups (vertical rather than the typical diagonal) give me good lift and shape. The cups are padded enough for modesty, but don't add a lot of size. The retro styling makes me feel supported but sexy.
This is, without question, my favorite of the Freya bras I own, and I will definitely be checking out their other longline styles.
Bear in mind that there are only two columns of hooks, so there is less allowance for the band stretching out. I think that the fact that there is a lot more band than other bras will help mitigate any stretching, but it hasn't been long enough for me to know for sure.
Did you find you had to go up a cup in this bra? I just got one in a 30E but am unsure of it's coverage, it seems to be rather short, even though it is a half cup style. And I notice you wear an E in the Deco but F in this. Is that your usual size?
I find I have to go down a cup in the Deco, but that the Edina runs closer to true size. However, the Keisha, which is another padded halfcup, I definitely need the FF. The half cups do tend to be low cut, but I feel pretty secure in the F. I tried on multiple sizes of the Nieve longline in stores, and the FF was definitely too big for me, which is why I went for the F in the Edina.
Despite the fit issue, I love this bra. It's not the absolute most comfortable bra out there, but I can wear it all day without being uncomfortable or things being too itchy. My particular fit issue came from my own ignorance - if I get a 30 band in Freya I need E or F (depending on style) rather than the DD of this bra. When I first ordered it, I was an E, and thanks to the "demi" style of this bra, I could still wear it. I would end up with massive cleavage and a boob-shelf, but no quadraboob. I've grown a bit, though, and now ...have quadraboob. If this bra hadn't been discontinued, I'd order a larger cup size.
I did have an underwire pop out of its containment on this bra, but based on my experience with other Freya bras, I suspect this was either due to fit, or an odd exception. Most Freya bras are durable. I'm mentioning this for the full record, but I don't think it's important to consider.
This is a fantastic looking bra. I really love the widening of the strap as it approaches the cup. Read more 85 more words
The band and cup fit like a glove, the cup is generous enough but not so loose that it causes wrinkles. It has seams and it's lace so this shows through most t-shirts but I can wear it with light sweaters. It gives a rounded sillhouette.
**This is sized with American sizing. It was bought as a G, but comparable to a 28DDDD cup as listed on Figleaves.com
*Update 8/02/11* This did fit...for a short time. Because it's a lace style it is not one I ever wear, so when I do wear it, it's literally to just try it on for a few minutes and see if ...it still fits, then take it off because it's not practical with my clothes. As with ALL of my Freya bras that are lace, the cups wrinkle and sag if this is worn for even a quarter of the day, yet I'll have quad-boob. The reason this is not noticeable in the photos is because I was not wearing it that whole day. Just trying it on. The elastic used in the Freya's I own stretch out after just a few minutes of wear (maybe I got knock-offs??). As with the Pollyanna and Arabella styles, the band is too loose and too tight at the same time no matter what eye I close it on. It's painful to wear like this, although when I close any of my size 28 bras on the tightest eye they lift my boobs to where they should be - halfway between my shoulder and elbow. But I can't even take the 5 minutes of agony I'm in - heartburn and sore ribs because the band is too high and tight, straps have to be adjusted nearly as short as they can go (with about 2.5" of extra band!) if I want the band to stay up high which results in deep red gouges in my shoulders, shoulder, neck and back pain, and a headache.
And here's the big problem! = If I have the band closed on the loosest eyes and tighten the straps, the band is too tight and rides up my back. If I have the band closed on the tightest eyes and tighten the straps, the band is still too tight and rides up my back. If I have the band closed on any setting and loosen the straps, the band is too tight, and rides both UP and DOWN my back and there is no support in the cup! Going down a cup size fixes nothing and the cups are obviously too small. I have contacted so many people, including bra companies about this and they can't even give me an answer as to why my bras are doing this. <=( Read more 350 more words
It says on the left this bra doesn't fit me correctly. I don't know how to change that...because it fits absolutely perfect.
Hi, go to your bras page and edit this bra. On the last tab you should mark the options that it fits you correctly both in the band and cup. Check this to see if it fits you http://bra.pe/Pd :)
It sounds like the problem might be actually the cups being too small AND backsize being too big. The bra sits in the wrong place and too small cups cause pressure & make you feel really uncomfortable which you mistake for the band being too small.
When your straps keep falling off it means the band is too wide. When the band is wide, the straps are wider apart and they fall off despite your efforts of tightening them. When you band rides up your back it means the band is too large. Quad-boob problems indicate too small cup size.
Your correct bra size is probably around 26GG or 26H, but without your measurements I can only guess.
I know this maybe sounds crazy and not actually comforting because basically 26 bands aren't made, altough I've heard that some brands are planning on it. I recommend going a blog called Thin and Curvy. She instructs you how to measure your bra size correctly.
Thank you for the suggestions, but 28 is my correct band size. My ribcage is between 24-26" depending on how tight I hold the tape, and if I've exhaled. 24" exhaling completely and pulling the tape super tight around to the point of discomfort. 26" measured just snug enough but not loose enough to slide around and a moderate amount of air in my lungs.
I do not agree with the advice given on Thin & Curvy, because just like most other methods of measuring, it does not apply to all women, and it's something that works better for those with a fleshier ribcage and larger breasts. Mine are not that big so I don't need as tight of a band as someone who might be, say a 28J and they have a 26" ribcage, also my torso is rather bony (my ribs show and I have no back fat), they are also in pain sometimes due to FMS so a tighter band is out of the question unless I want to be in pain. Now if the Freya Deco were made in a 26 it would probably fit me better since that runs a band size larger than most. I've been fitted by Freya's own Frederika Zappe and she agreed, along with one of Nordstroms regional fitters in New England that 28F/DDDD is my size (same size as this bra above, the label on this one is misprinted but it was purchased as a UK28F-US28G/DDDD so it has a US label instead). I don't think I could wear a bigger cup size such as 28FF or the cups will be obviously too big. (Unless it's a Panache)
I have recently ordered a 26G (based on my measurements 25-35) from thebigbrabar.com and am awaiting that (Nikki suggested that size), though I highly suspect I need a 26FF and not a G. For me, adding 2" to my ribcage measurement works out the best. My breasts are also further apart and wider rather than deep, so other than the straps being too far to the sides, the placement of the cups and underwires on most 28F's fit me just fine. The apex of the cups sit in the correct spot. With a 35" bust that gives me a 7" difference. If I follow Brittany's advice, I end up with a 9" difference giving me a 26G, or an 11" difference giving me a 24H (or HH?), and I know these sizes are quite incorrect for me, going up to the larger sister sizes a 26G would be the same as 32DDD and 24H would be the same as 32F. Yet if I try those sizes on in store the cups (nevermind the band) are way too big! But following the same advice, my measurements do no coincide with 26FF because that would be a 34" bust, which would also suggest I can wear 28E, 30DD and 32D, but those cups are too small.
The Rio bra above is just not a good style for me. I do better with a demi/balconette in a contoured or moulded cup, not so much a balcony. I don't think my breasts are stiff and pointy enough for these unlined traditional seamed cups. The problem I have with the cups appearing too small is again a matter of the wrong style. I cannot wear lace/seamed bras like this because there is not enough give on the top edge and I don't have very shallow breasts, yet the rest of the cup can either fit fine or even be too loose. With this one, it's all of the above, that's why I have selected "wrinkles, can't quite fill it". The reason I pull the straps up so high is because I get no lift if I have them adjusted lower, and then the cup still does not sit right, it actually looks too big. I've been told by a few women I have the "orange in a glass" problem, though I still do not understand that as I seem to have the opposite problem.
Thanks for the advice though, I appreciate any feedback I can get. (Sorry for the lengthy response, haha)
ETA* Most 28F's fit me...those being just the Freya Deco.
Oh no problem about the lengthy response, I made mine even longer! (Sorry!)
I'm quite small around by ribs too, I measure about 27.6 and around my bust about 35.5 . When I was wearing the band size 30 I was in pain! That was because the cups were too small, not much but it was enough. Now I'm wearing big enough cups and suddenly size 28 feels almost too loose. Just wanted to share this altough people are different and maybe bigger bands really work better for you. The jump from 24 to 28 does feel quite big though! I'm really curious to find out out how that 26G bra will work for you.
Okay, I tried to compare those sizes you mentioned and I'm really quite lost on what sizing system you used there.You mentioned triple d's which would suggest the US system but then you mentioned a FF cup which isn't in the US system, only in UK/New Zealand. You also talked about a fitting in New Zealand. Because I'm uncertain I'll compare sizes in both us and uk measuring systems.
Anyway, you said 26G would be the same as 32DDD - I'm not following you there?
In US I get: 26g --> 28ddd/f --> 30dd/e ==> 32d
In case you are using the british/nz system I get: 26g --> 28ff --> 30f ==> 32e
So 26g's sister sizes are 32d/us and 32e/uk. The 32ddd and 32F bras you tried (and found too big) are bigger than those. 32DDD sounds like an american bra which would be in UK size 28e/26f and US size 26I. You're actually wearing a cupsize bigger in the photo!
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And you said 24H would be the same as 32F. I got this:
So I got 32dd/e in US and 32f/uk. You've said you've tried 32f and found it too big. In US system 32f's sister sizes are 24j and 26i.
In uk/nz 32f is of course 32f. So in the uk system 24h/26gg would be too big in that 32f bra.
Anyway, when I look at these sister - or should I say cousin - sizes I think UK sizes 24gg or 26G might not be too big in cups after all. And since you measure 24-26" I don't think they would be too big in bands either. Anyway, 24H and 26G are sister sizes only in the US system and I'm now wondering why you're using this system as all the 26 band bras are from the UK. I'm getting really confused about what system you mean.
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"But following the same advice, my measurements do no coincide with 26FF because that would be a 34" bust, which would also suggest I can wear 28E, 30DD and 32D, but those cups are too small."
You were thinking that 26ff would fit and then later you said 26FF would be too small, there is no such size in US system to my knowledge so I'll try this in nz/uk system:
UK SYSTEM:
26ff sister sizes:
28f, 30E, 32DD.
26G hasn't been proven too big yet.
26g is bigger than 26ff. You haven't tried either.
28E-->26f. This bra is too small, but it's not a sistersize to 26ff.
30dd-->28e-->26f. Too small. Again, not 26ff's sistersize.
32d-->30dd-->28e-->26f. 26f, bra too small, again not a sistersize.
It's no wonder these cups are too small.
26f would appear to be too small, but 26ff and 26G remain a mystery.
All in all, you've tried bigger cups than 26g's & 26FF's sister sizes are and they've been too big. You've tried smaller cupsizes than 26G's and 26FF'S sister sizes are and you've found them too small.
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Now, If you simply made a mistake and meant to write that 26F might fit yet does not:
US system:
26f's sistersizes: 26ddd/f--->28dd/e-->30d-->32c.
Your too small bras: 28E, 30DD and 32D.
28e is the same as 28dd/e-->26ddd/f and small.
30dd is the same as 26g, bigger than 26f. But the bra is too small.
32d is the same as 26g, bigger than 26f. But the bra is too small.
Size variation between brands and bras might explain this weirdness. Also I wonder if you've kept up with all the bras you've tried since your sizing system seems to change sometimes. But I see no real problem why 24H and 26G couldn't work since bra sizes do vary a lot within sizes.
UK SYSTEM:
28E-->26F and the bra is too small. 30dd-->28e-->26f. The bra is too small. 32d->30dd--26f. The bra is too small.
You said the bra is in american size 28G, than would mean UK sizing 28F, 26ff and 24g.
Since you described overspill I'd go up in cupsize and try UK sizes 24gg, 24g, 26g and 26gg. Your cups in the photo's bra aren't too big at all.
Also if you were talking about UK sizing, then based on the bras you told about, UK 26f is often too small and 26gg is often too big for you so I'd go for 26g or 24gg.
Now, I know the market doesn't really offer these sizes so this is just what I would do in an ideal situation. I really hope you 26g bra fits better! One option could be to select a fitting cupsize in a band too large and then take the band in.
I have no experience with FMS so I don't really know how different bras feel on you. That I can say that cups too small in a right band size can make your breathing halt. I couldn't wear my ill-fitting bra more than a few hours without horrible back pain and red marks and it was only one band size too large.
"The reason I pull the straps up so high is because I get no lift if I have them adjusted lower, and then the cup still does not sit right, it actually looks too big. I've been told by a few women I have the "orange in a glass" problem, though I still do not understand that as I seem to have the opposite problem." I think you just described "orange in a glass" which is essentially wrinkles with overspill. Fiddling with your straps is a band-too-large-problem. Straps should only bring 10% of the support, band 90%. You're trying to find the support you need from the straps and they aren't able to perform.
I do understand that sometimes the bra won't fit no matter what size you are wearing but with your measurements & problems all seems to point to too large a band and too small cups. I realise that you must take your health problems into account but you might be overreacting by wearing a 28 band when you measure 24 inches at your smallest. The bands might feel too tight because the cups are too small.
Now I hope I'm still talking english (I'm actually finnish), I've been staying up to morning hours trying to understand your problem better. x)
Ok, hopefully I'll write this out better. Sometimes I do throw in with my bra reviews that something is US sized or comparable to because it's easier for me (probably not others though, lol). I live in the US, but have grown away some from using US sizing as the bras I wear typically are not sized in US standards. The only ones that are are the Freya Arabella and Rio. I bought them as a size 28F from Figleaves and when I selected the size it said it was comparable to a US G/DDDD. When I got the bras in they both said G on the tag! It must have been a misprint, or maybe because it was Figleaves? I don't know. But they are the same exact size as the rest of my UK sized F's in Freya. I always compare the F's I wear to DDDD because I have seen quite a few bras on here from others that are listed as an E or F and they really mean comparable to DD and DDD (either that or they don't know how to measure but they are definitely smaller in cup width/depth and wire length than the ones I have...and same styles too. You never know which bras you can trust on here. But for the most part I have been trying to use UK sizing as that seems to be the most popular.
Now about the 26G being the same as 32DDD, it would. UK sizing again. 26G - 28FF - 30F - 32E (aka DDD) - 34DD - 36D. (Btw, how did you get a 28E and 32DDD as being the same cup volume? It's the same letter/conversion and distance between full bust and frame but not volume, those two have a 2 cup size difference) I already know everything from the 28 and on to be too large in the cup. So I really don't know if the 26G I ordered from BBB will fit, I have a feeling it will wrinkle. That being said, a 26FF would be the same cup volume as the bras I'm wearing currently in 28F - 30E - 32DD - 34D - 36C (I do not own 36, but the rest of those sizes I do). However! a 26FF has, or should have a full bust of 34". Mine is 35. With a bra on standing up and with a bra off leaning over. To me it seems the super snug method of measuring does not work. So if I'm measuring 35" and a 28F fits good in the cup it would make sense if I needed a smaller band size to go to a 26FF, yet my measurements do not equal that size. My thoughts are because of that, 26 is not really my appropriate band size. I think I mixed up my sizes when I wrote a 26FF is the same as a 32D, it's not, it should be the same as a 32DD. What I meant was a full bust of 34 would be a 26FF yet if that's the full bust measurement for it and mine is 35 when it should be 34 for my smaller sister-size then 28E, 30DD, 32D should fit but they're too small. It's possible I'm entirely screwing that up. The bra in the photo is the right size, but wrong style. It's labeled US 28G but the same as a UK 28F. I can tell that if it were a cup size smaller I would be spilling out of it. The wires fully encase my breast tissue without extending well beyond them (I can tell when I take it off because I'm left with deep red marks everywhere). The problem lies with the very center
Right now a brand new Freya Deco feels tight enough on the loosest setting, but if I reach something up high it does slide up a tiny bit. Especially over my ribs at my side. Directly under the breasts and center gore it does not move. But the side and back do. That could be because my ribs have very little flesh on them. People who work with Freya directly have told me they are making their bands larger for some reason. So I think if Freya made more (true to size) bands they would fit better. The Panache Porcelain I have in a 28F (which does run too small in the cup much like most other bras from them) is super tight. Obviously I don't wear that anymore because of the spilling. The band in front pinches my ribs, it must be either because it's tight or where the wires are placed. My FMS is mild right now but certain parts of me I can't have anything too restricting, one of those being my torso. Now you could say the band hurts because the cups are too small. If I take the straps off and let the cups hang open the band still hurts and is tight. Even sometimes with the Decos they hurt my ribs and I also get heartburn from them. I think the problem here might lie with my ribcage itself. If you've ever noticed in my photos my ribs/abs are sticking out, it almost looks like I've got a gut. This may be why the bands feel too tight on me but slide up my back...'cause there's nothing around my back to hold it in place. My muscles tend to be a bit more puffy too and I do a lot of situps, but even without exercise, my ribs themselves are angled out. I recently read on a review for the Sadie Longline that if you have ribs like that, a band size up is not going to feel as if it's too big (which is a good thing 'cause I just ordered the Freya Edina! =D And it starts at 30). But it would only work for a longline style since it sits over that part.
The orange in a glass seems to be a little different of a problem than what I have. I only have what appears to be quad-boob along the very top edge of the bra, everything else fits fine. So I always thought that term applied to the entire cup pinching on the edges and then center being loose. It was pointed out to me by Freya's fitter that it's just not the right style for me, and I do agree. Most of the bras designed like Freya (pretty much anything that is a lace, seamed plunge/balcony) have a very tight upper edge. Sometimes it looks as if they're not sewn correctly. Even if you're looking at it in your hands the cup has a very geometric look to it. My breasts are more like bowls of pudding (LOL!). They're not stiff, rigid or perky. They start low on my chest, but also high at the same time. And again, my exercising probably doesn't help that (bench press, pull ups, push ups), so it makes me look a little fuller on top though it does squish down and there's still boob there without muscle. I wouldn't consider them fuller on top like a high profile boob job, but they're certainly not shallow and I have a feeling most of Freya's styles are directed towards that kind of profile (except for the Deco). And it doesn't help those styles lift and seperate, and you'd think that mine being a little further apart (2-3 fingers width at gore) would work great with this style.
I once used the bra calculator on EM's site and it suggested a 60F, even with my tightest measurement. I asked the owner and she said because their bras run small they wear them looser but measure tighter...something along those lines. I thought it odd because you have Brittany from Thin & Curvy saying to wear what you measure at, but then even in their bras too. I haven't ordered from them and probably won't. The shipping I've heard is outrageous if you need to return (something around $20).
I guess we'll just have to find out when I get that bra in. If Freya made 26 they would probably fit good, since they run large in the band their 26 would be more like a 28. Personally I don't see it as beneficial to either the wearer or the bra to wear it so tight. A bras maximum stretch shouldn't be the same as your torso because you should be factoring in water weight, food intake and breathing (and I have to wonder if any of these girls are that are wearing what they measure at). So ideally - in my opinion and comfort level - the band should be 1-2" larger when it's completely stretched than what you measure at to accomodate for this, and most of mine are. I was over a friends house a few months ago wearing my very stretched out Deco (the nude one I bought 3 years ago), and just from drinking a glass of liquid I had horrendous heartburn I thought I was going to be sick. You might think maybe I'm wearing them too low and they're pressing on my stomach because of that, but that's where my boobs start. I have the wires right up underneath the tissue, and if I pull it up any high then it rests on a couple of my ribs that have the worse of the pain. I'd probably benefit greatly if all my bras had more cushioning. I think I'll start working on that ;)
Alright, I hope I was able to clear up any confusion. Bras should be done away with and everyone should just wear underbust corsets. Then you only have to figure out the number, haha! (Btw, my mom has the same problem too. 31/32" ribcage but she actually wears a 36! FMS, and she also gets heartburn, even from 34's. Our shapes are completely opposite though)
Okay, this will be easier now that I know you are talking about UK sizes!
I think it's pretty much impossible to know what your weirdly tagged bra's size actually is. It could be that for some reason the UK 28F bra had tags for different nationalities - UK 28F is american 28G as you said. The tag could even be european sizing as UK F is european G. I live in Finland and I've sometimes seen really bizarre tags that say something like "UK 28F, EU 28G" even though the european system isn't marked in inches and the back size should be 60 not 28. Also, different bras aren't consistent in sizing so it could be just a coincidence that the misprinted bra is comparable to your other bras. Maybe they shipped the wrong bra - you asked for 28F but got 28G and the bras were unusually small in the cup for a G or your bras in F are unusually large.
"Btw, how did you get a 28E and 32DDD as being the same cup volume? It's the same letter/conversion and distance between full bust and frame but not volume, those two have a 2 cup size difference"
Sorry about that! I was quite sleep deprived when I wrote my message and using a foreign language and changing sister sizes and jumping from one sizing system to other must have fried my brain. Now when I look at my incorrect conversion - 28E being the same as 32DDD - I think I just changed UK e to us DDD and somehow didn't realise that the backsize wasn't the same. (That wasn't very bright, sorry!)
Also I didn't really fully realise that you could be using the UK sizing system and still refer to an american size tag. Of course UK 32E is the same as american 32DDD, you are absolutely right.
Anyway. I feel that you haven't quite taken into account that the right cup in a bigger sister size may be hard to recognize. I know this from experience as I once had my band taken in from a larger sister size. When you try on a larger sister size the bra doesn't sit right. For instance, it doesn't go under the breast properly because the too large band doesn't pull it there. The cup fabric doesn't get enough tension from the band and straps. It may seem too big, especially if it's a much larger sister size than your actual size. The straps are too wide apart and pull the cup in a slightly off direction and the band isn't tight enough to pull the cups from the sides and make them sit smoothly. But when the cup gets enough tension from ALL directions, it isn't too large anymore. This could be why women often wear too small cups and too large bands - with a large band the right cup feels too big.
About the measuring methods - I don't think you are doing it right. You said your underbust measurement is 24 when you exhale and your bust is 35. 35-24 = 11.
Now, I'm using UK sizing again. When you count to the 11th cup, you get 24H. I started from A (like Brittany instructs) so I guess it might be one cupsize smaller if the brand starts their cups from AA.
24H's sister sizes would be 26GG, 28G, 30FF, 32F... Which again might seem too large because it can be hard to recognize the right cupsize as larger sister sizes don't sit right. Also, bras aren't consistant in their sizing so even if you try on a correct sister size, it might be too big or small in cup.
I think size 28 band (even in a right size cup) is way too large for you so I wouldn't put you in 28 anything. I have several reasons for this:
1. Your underbust measurement is actually 24.
I checked out what you said about your fitting bras.
2. You say your straps are set too wide apart - in a too large band they are. 3. You tighten your straps too much, you get headaches (the strain on your shoulders leading to circulation problems). You do this because the band doesn't give you the support you need. 3. You say your straps don't adjust short enough - it's because the band gives no support causing you to tighten the straps too much. 4. You said a fairly new bra "slides around". Your bra shouldn't be moving in any direction.
So my suggestions using the measuring method (like Brittany does, starting from A) are:
24H. Adding a "young/firm cup" to previous, 24HH 26GG. Adding a "young/firm cup" to previous, 26H.
Their too-large-in-the-band sister sizes are 28G and 28GG. I know that's different from what you are wearing now but you _are_ still searching for the bra that sits well on you, right?
Anyway, even though I'm a fan of measuring I do think that the measurements are only the STARTING point. It's hard to get the correct measurement. When I first measured myself I got the band size right but I was too modest about my bust. I didn't realise how much my ill-fitting bra compressed my boobs so my measurement was smaller than I actually am. The bras I had ordered were of course too small in cups.
After I had sent back the too small cupped bras I tried measuring again, this time leaning forward without my bra on and I got a totally different measurement.
So the measurement method is a good starting point if it's done right. If the measured size doesn't fit in any bra model you usually need to go up in cups, especially if you are young.
I checked out the other bras that fit you. There was one 28FF which you said didn't sit on skin at the frontcenter - it means too small cups or too wide center piece. About a 28F(which you said is larger in nude which you have) you said that you have top cup issues - I guess you mean it digs on your skin? - which would mean the cups are too small. You also said that the underwire bends which I'd translate to cups being too narrow/small or centerpiece being too wide. In the sports bra I can see overspill next to your armpit - it's too small in cup. In Cleo Sadie 28FF I again see migrated breast tissue next to your armpits, the cups are too small.
Orange in a glass means that the cup is too narrow. When the cup is too narrow it usually means that the cup is too small, as smaller cups are narrower. In a cup too narrow the breast doesn't "sink" to the bottom of the cup where the underwire is the narrowest. There is empty space on the bottom and spillage at the top because the cup depth is too small as well. Imagine an orange in a glass, it's too large to go to the bottom. It is too big to fully fit inside. I think this is what "orange-in-glass" expression comes from. An empty space with overspill.
Orange in a glass and quad-boob on top are pretty similar problems, cups are too small/narrow. I can't see orange in the glass with your fitting bras but this could be because I'm only looking at a picture, I can't know if there are empty spaces inside your bra. It sometimes isn't easy to see especially if the cup fabric is very stiff/thick. I do see the overspill though, the cups are too small.
About the Freya fitting, I've had umm... six? different saleswomen/fitters put me in WAY too small cups so I've sort of lost my faith in fitters who are trying to sell me a bra at the same time. x)
"Obviously I don't wear that anymore because of the spilling. The band in front pinches my ribs, it must be either because it's tight or where the wires are placed. " I think the pinching happens because the cups are too small. The underwires are too small/narrow so they cause pressure and pinch at the front.
"Now you could say the band hurts because the cups are too small. If I take the straps off and let the cups hang open the band still hurts and is tight." When you take the straps off, the underwires are still too narrow and pinch.
And hey! I see nothing unusual about you ribs/back/breast, please don't think that the problem is your body! Your back isn't supposed to do anything about keeping a bra in place! A bra supports you, you don't support the bra. I don't think you/your ribs are unusually pointy or bony either. I'm actually so thin that I can clearly see my ribs in the mirror but they don't cause me any problems when I have a bra on.
Btw, I love that you compare your breast to bowls of pudding xD
About bra calculators - don't trust them! They just NEVER give you the correct calculation. Ewa Michalek included, I just tried it out and it gives me a totally absurd calculation. Two band sizes too large and way too small in cupsize!
This one is the only one I've ever encountered that makes any sense:
Now, I've thought about your health problem and I'm thinking that you might actually feel the most comfortable in a bra that corresponds to your actual underbust measurement (given that the cups are big enough too!). When you are wearing the right band and cups, the bra is comfortable yet supportive, it doesn't dig in anywhere, the weigh of the breasts is carried by both band and straps meaning a wider area does the supporting. When you have support from a wide area, the weigh is balanced more evenly.
A band in 28 isn't doing any work at all, the whole weigh of your breasts is supported by the straps or should I say shoulders and that sounds just painful!
If you find that you need a slightly looser band then I'd suggest bras in bandsize 26, maybe taking in a 28 band in a larger sister size. Altough I've heard that many manufactures are planning on introducing 26 bands, yay!
One thing to keep in mind when I'm measuring, I only get 24" if I exhale completely and pull the tape extremely tight to the point of pain and flesh hanging over and under it around my sides/back. I do not consider this a very good way of finding out your band size, and I'm never going to have all the air out of my lungs. So I would say 25/26 is my actual measurement. When I'm making shirts or dresses I always use 26" at the very least when making a form fitted garment (especially corsets or bras). Of course bras stretch so I prefer them to be a few inches smaller than my actual frame, but have a maximum stretch an inch or two larger to accomodate for daily fluctuations. As I said in my previous comment, some of my 28's are causing pain and I don't think it's a matter of cup size being too small because it happens in the band itself, not so much in the cups. My breast perimeter is only 8.5-9" (right breast appears smaller because of scoliosis "stretching" it), so this would fit just fine in a cup with similar depth. And that's what 28F, 30E, 32DD all have. (For the most part. I try to measure mine accurately, there are a couple ladies on here who have a 28F Deco listed as having only a 7.8" cup depth and that's not right)
The 28FF Sadie I have fits me ok, however I have noticed the band feels a lot looser in 28FF as opposed to 28E and 28F (I went to a really bad fitter who said the Sadie fit me in a 28E and my nipples were just barely covered! LOL), and I know this could be because the cups fit better so it doesn't make the band feel as tight, but it still does. The band sticks away in front because of it's shape. I mentioned this in my review and it's also noted on another review (I found it once before but can't remember where), the center gore is curved up for those who have a fuller stomach. Mine is flat (with the exception of ribs) so it makes it seem like the gore is too loose, but it's laying flat. Bands that are straight across on the bottom feel much firmer. Before I went to get fitted by Freya I was wearing my straps way too tight. They adjusted them for me (I was wearing one of the Deco's which they said fit me perfect), and when I got home I readjusted the straps on all my bras. So I was just wearing that one too high. Also upper armpit fat is kind of unavoidable. I've always had it and I've always been a thin kid. I see some people in their bra blogs wearing the cups extremely high and it pinches the fat right there just like it does mine. But it also positions the cups and center gore too high, making it look like it doesn't fit.
The 28F in nude fits fine, considering it is 3 years old. It has stretched out and I was washing them in the machine (compact version, no center agitation, and always in a bag, no softener). The upper cup has no issue, it has to do with the dye. Having worked in retail this is something I've always noticed but more so with feel rather than size. Bras that have a lot of dye in them, or are a darker color will always fit smaller than something that is white or nude. The dye shrinks the fabric. The nude Deco has cups that are about 1/4 taller and side wings 1/8" taller but it is the same exact size as the black and charcoal ones I have. So it may appear as if it gaps at the top, but only when I weigh less
The 28G bras I have are sized correctly. They have the wrong tags. I'm looking at the tags again. Freya Rio - UK/FR 28F, US 28G, EU 60F, AUS/NZ 6F Freya Arabella - (says exactly the same thing) And then I have a Freya Pollyanna purchased from Nordstrom in a 28/60/6F (and I specifically asked to make sure it was the same as DDDD). If you measure the Arabella and Pollyanna, or even lay them on top of one another, they are exactly the same, to a T. So I definitely know these bras I have labeled as a G are in fact a US G, not a UK G. (I wonder if Figleaves gets the mistake label bras?)
Ok...I don't know what's wrong with that website, but everytime I used that link it just says Bra Calculator, with a paragraph explaining it, but no fields to input your stats. I tried the one JJ had in her blog too and it was the same thing. Does it require flash or video of some type?
I know what you mean about a bra in the correct band will pull as it should in all directions. I've noticed this with a bra I bought 5 years ago from Victoria's Secret (white, full coverage I have on here). When I initially bought it it felt so huge on me and never got worn. Then I was altering all my bras one day in 32/34 with a stitched down pleat. I think I knocked close to 6" off the band of that bra and took in the center gore. Now it fits correctly and doesn't move around, probably one of my most comfortable and well fitting (I can't say that on here though since it is a 34, that's misleading for others my size, haha). I have done the center gore dart to a couple of my 28's (everything but the Deco's, it doesn't sit well with the foam for some reason) and the cups fit better. It brings them up higher in the center and creates more room at the top of the cup so the rigid lace doesn't pinch. But it did make the bands too tight, taking off about half an inch from the total length and I could close them on the loosest setting. But it was just too tight so I undid my stitches. The only one that still has it remaining is the Fantasie Karly 30E. I can wear that on the tightest setting.
Btw, I do appreciate the time you're taking to explain and help me with all this =)
You are indeed supposed to exhale when you measure yourself but you shouldn't be strangling yourself with the measuring tape. Just hold it snugly against the skin, make sure the tape doesn't sag. It doesn't need to be so tight that you are in pain or have flesh hanging over. Now that I know how you measured yourself I agree that 26 is probably a more truthful measurement for you. If you measure 25/26, a 26 band should be perfect because the band does stretch a lot.
If size 28 bands were right for you I don't think you ever would have adjusted your straps too tightly. I doubt that would be having these fit problems either.
"Also upper armpit fat is kind of unavoidable. I've always had it and I've always been a thin kid."
You were talking about "armpit fat". I'm guessing your armpit fat appeared some time after your breasts started to grow? That's because it is NOT armpit fat. There's no such thing as armpit fat! Especially not with thin women such as you are. It is migrated breast tissue. If you touch it, you'll notice it feels pretty similar to your breasts. The breast tissue has migrated there because you wear too small cups, all of the breast tissue simply doesn't fit in. Your straps and the top of the cup are pressing into the tissue so after a while it sort of parts from the main breast and goes up because that's where the pressure is leading it. The breast tissue will probably go back to its proper place once you are wearing a bra that fits correctly, it will take some time though.
You don't need to wear "granny fashion" bras for that. Regular bras will work, they actually come pretty high in the armpit if the fit is right. Here, I'll demonstrate how different the exact same bra can look when it fits and when it doesn't:
See how high the same bra sits compared to the same bra that's too small in the cups/is too wide in the band?
"I see some people in their bra blogs wearing the cups extremely high and it pinches the fat right there just like it does mine. But it also positions the cups and center gore too high, making it look like it doesn't fit."
If the bra doesn't capture the migrated breast tissue it really DOESN'T fit. The problem is probably the band if the centerpiece is against the skin and cups are high ( = big) enough. With different sized bands the position of the straps changes so an improper band size can be one reason why all of the breast tissue isn't captured by the bra. The problem could also be the bra itself, it just isn't right in any size.
About the centergores: There are indeed bras that curve up in the center gore for a fuller stomach. I doesn't make much sense to make those in size 28 though? Women wearing size 28 would hardly ever need a curved up centergore. Maybe if they were pregnant. So I'm wondering if that information came from the manufacturer or from someone who just came to that conclusion?
"Ok...I don't know what's wrong with that website, but everytime I used that link it just says Bra Calculator, with a paragraph explaining it, but no fields to input your stats. I tried the one JJ had in her blog too and it was the same thing. Does it require flash or video of some type?"
The calculator does that to me sometimes too, I don't know why. You could try opening it with a different web browser, that sometimes works for me if a website doesn't open. If that doesn't help then I don't know what would.
"Then I was altering all my bras one day in 32/34 with a stitched down pleat. I think I knocked close to 6" off the band of that bra and took in the center gore. Now it fits correctly and doesn't move around, probably one of my most comfortable and well fitting (I can't say that on here though since it is a 34, that's misleading for others my size, haha)." I'd be interested in knowing what size cups did that bra have before the alteration?
"I have done the center gore dart to a couple of my 28's (everything but the Deco's, it doesn't sit well with the foam for some reason) and the cups fit better. It brings them up higher in the center and creates more room at the top of the cup so the rigid lace doesn't pinch. But it did make the bands too tight, taking off about half an inch from the total length and I could close them on the loosest setting. But it was just too tight so I undid my stitches." Do you mean that you could close the tightest hooks after the alteration? If you can close the band on the tightest setting it really shouldn't be too tight. I do think the problem might be the underwires which are taking from the space. They make the band seem too tight because they don't stretch or bend and with a tighter band they are quite frankly strangling you. This would be because the underwires aren't a good fit for you, they are too narrow.
If you feel doubtful then just try on bigger cups in band size 28. See what happens to the band when you have on a cupsize that is much bigger than your regular F or FF. There are currently some very inexpensive bras for sale on Bratabase Listings.
"The only one that still has it remaining is the Fantasie Karly 30E. I can wear that on the tightest setting." No wonder you can wear it on the tightest setting, the band is enormous compared to your size. x)
Anyway. With the measurements of 26/35 I get a bra size 26g. I think it makes sense because your 28Fs & 28FFs seem just a bit off when it comes to the fit. The 28FF seems to fit the best from what I can see. I think a size 26 band would be much better for you and I think your cups could be just a bit bigger.
When you measure your bust it's normally a measurement that's smaller than your actual size. It's easy to take off inches from your measurement, harder to add them. So 26G, 26GG and 26H would likely fit quite well. It's great that a 26G bra is already on the way and you will see if it's big enough in the cups. If it's not then I think it would be worth it to at least try ordering 26GG and 26H (Ewa Michalek) or adjusting 28G and 28H bras (both the band and placement of straps, possibly the centerpiece too if it's too wide). From your comments I get that you've already adjusted your other bras so this project wouldn't be too difficult for you!
You were talking about you breast being different at some point. Remember, if your breast are different sizes then you should always cater to the bigger breast. You can add some filling into the cup that gapes.
Btw, it would be good if you took always took 1) one pic that shows you up to your shoulders with your hands at your sides (use a timer if you can't get anyone to help you). This angle shows armpits well. 2) A photo from the front where your arms aren't at your sides. This angle shows how the band sits & if there is any overspill from the sides. 3) photos from the side, silhouette. This angle shows how the cup meets your skin and if there is any quad-boob. 4) A photo of your back to see the how the band sits 5) A photo that shows the centregore, from an angle (up or down) that shows if it sits on skin 6) A photo that shows how the straps sit on your skin
Some of the photos you've taken are a bit too close so I can't see everything properly.
I hope you aren't sick of my comments yet! I hope you don't feel pressured into anything, these are just suggestions which I think would be easy enough to try. :)
I've already adjusted the tissue in, starting from the back/sides, underneath and at the underarm. That part next to my arm just moves over and is sticking out more in the bras that are adjusted too high. And I have always had that, even before wearing bras, the little bit of tissue that's at the very top crease of your arm. I know it sounds impossible but it's true. Most straps are set too far apart, except for the white 34D I altered down to a 28 or so (just remeasured and it has a 21.5" band without stretching, 27.5" with stretching, so it would be a 28F). It's a full coverage style so the straps pull more from the center and better suited to my frame, yet even those pinch the skin next to my arm. It seems strange that I get told by all kinds of fitters not to wear my bra as high as I was yet I see so many girls doing so and saying how comforable it is. I was in pain, I can't imagine how they must feel. I'm not getting any more headaches or neck/shoulder strain now that the straps are lengthened. Another problem I have is the chafing. When I was wearing my bras higher up and the cups/straps were on that part of flesh holding it in, every time I reached my arms forward it would rub. Now that doesn't happen. So I'm really on the fence whether the bras should be positioned that high and cause discomfort or have them lower. It wouldn't make sense to have straps set even closer to my frame because they wouldn't be holding in that part of tissue, they'd be pushing it out, that's what the white one does and so does the sports bra. Even if the cups are positioned higher due to either tightening the straps or a smaller band, they would be rubbing against my arms. And then I still have the problem of the band. If it were any smaller it would hurt. A brand new bra I can close on the largest and middle setting. I think what I really need is a 27, rather than 26 or 28.
Thank you for the alteration link. I have done that to 1 or 2 bras in the past, but for me it doesn't work out as well because it sets the straps too close in the back that they're resting on my neck/shoulders in an awkward way and hurt. It makes more of a halter style (but not quite as severe) so the cups get curved in the front, which is good if they're just a tad too small since it creates more room. It's better to take it in in 4 places rather than just 2 in the back to keep distributing even. But she does a very good job explaining that, and it suits the bra she's doing it to. Some bras just work better if you alter the side wing rather than the back closure. The white 34D I did had a lot of excess fabric on the side wings.
Haha, yeah I really need someone to help me take pics of the bras, but my husband is never around, and when he is he doesn't get a good shot. And oddly enough...the camera on my phone doesn't have a time on it.
My breasts aren't so much different sizes as they are a different shape. My right one is taller (on that side of my body everything is an inch or so higher than the left) making it seem a quarter, almost half cup size smaller, whereas my left one is shorter so it seems just slightly deeper. I've tried inserts but they add too much, even the thinnest of ones. It helps if I have the straps adjusted to the length of each shoulder, so I think they just kind of correct themselves in height.
The only 28FF I have is the Cleo Sadie, which is known to run a cup size too small (as with most of Panaches bras). I do know if I had the Deco or any of my other Freyas in a larger cup size they'd be too big. Even in a smaller band, they would just be too large. Certain styles I could get away with a bigger cup. I recently ordered the Taylor and because of the detailing at the top of the cup, it cut in, so I'm in the process of exchaning it for a bigger cup. Layed on top of my other Decos in the same size it was a lot smaller!
I remeasured my ribcage yesterday. Exhaling and giving a gentle tug at the tape I end up with 25, almost 25.5". Relaxed and pulled around it's 26". The reason I was pulling it so tight before is because I was following Brittany's advice. She said to pull the tape really tight, like you're strangling, and I've actually gotten as small as 23.5" doing that (no food or water in me).
Your comments are more than welcome! It's nice to have feedback from the other end of the spectrum. Most of my friends think I'm flat chested and size me up to be a 34B. They give me strange looks and are almost hateful when I tell them I can fit in the cups of a 34D. So this is quite refreshing =)
"I've already adjusted the tissue in, starting from the back/sides, underneath and at the underarm. That part next to my arm just moves over and is sticking out more in the bras that are adjusted too high. And I have always had that, even before wearing bras, the little bit of tissue that's at the very top crease of your arm. I know it sounds impossible but it's true. Most straps are set too far apart, except for the white 34D I altered down to a 28 or so (just remeasured and it has a 21.5" band without stretching, 27.5" with stretching, so it would be a 28F). It's a full coverage style so the straps pull more from the center and better suited to my frame, yet even those pinch the skin next to my arm."
When you have big enough cups and the right band size, the higher part of the bra won't dig into your skin. When your band is too big, your straps are set too wide. You wouldn't need to search for a bra that has straps closer to your neck if your bands were snug enough. The likely reason why the bra digs into your skin even in that adjusted bra is that the cups are too small. So you need a smaller band (26) and bigger cups. I'm thinking that 26G won't probably fit you because it's a sistersize to 28FF and I can see spillage in bras that you own in that size. I even see spillage in the 28G bras that you own. Big bra bar does offer size 26H, it would be interesting to see how that size would fit.
"I'm not getting any more headaches or neck/shoulder strain now that the straps are lengthened."
I think that you've only cured the symptoms (too tight straps) and not the real problem (too wide band).
"And then I still have the problem of the band. If it were any smaller it would hurt. A brand new bra I can close on the largest and middle setting. I think what I really need is a 27, rather than 26 or 28."
I think size 26 would be comfortable, but you'd need to go up MORE than one cup. Also, because you measure a low 26, backsize 26 wouldn't be too tight at all.
A while ago I helped my sister find a better bra for her. She was wearing 34F. It didn't look that ill-fitting on her. I did notice that there was some spillage next to her armpits and the band seemed really snug. I measured her. She should have been wearing a band size 30, she was wearing 34. I figured that the reason why the band must seem so snug was that her breasts were pushed to the sides by the too small cups. The spillage was taking away space from the band. Also I noticed that the 34F was actually very close to my "cousinsize" which was alarming because my breasts are clearly a lot smaller than hers. I tied the band to a knot thus making the band smaller and tried it on. The cups fit me. The bra was obviously wrong for her. So I ordered several bras in band size 30 and went up a lot in cup size. Turns out, 30JJ fit her. All in all she went from 34F (=30G) to 30JJ. Her wrong size bra didn't even look that bad on her! She was eating a lot of pain medication for back pains though and was also considering a breast reduction.
This might be an unreliable way to look at things but your breast look quite similar to mine, your are maybe even bigger. But you are wearing much smaller cups than I am. I'm usually size 28GG. I measure 28.3 around my ribcage. As I've said, I experienced pain when I was wearing a too big band with too small cups. The spillage from the cups really makes the band feel tight. I wasn't able to wear size 30F more than a few hours without awful pain. 30F was one back size UP from what I'm wearing now but several cups smaller. With large enough cups the 28 band isn't too tight at all, it's almost too loose.
Btw, what you say about the bigger cups gapping... My mom had some trouble believing that I won't find the right sizes in finnish bra stores so she dragged me to one. This was just a few days ago so now I have more insight on orange-in-the-glass!
They had the right back size (28) but the cups weren't big enough.
What happened every time was this: I would try the biggest cupsize FF and what I'd get was orange-in-the-glass. I'd be spilling from the sides and armpits even when the cups (usually the top of the cups) were gapping. However, the saleswoman always took the orange-in-the-glass for too large cups and was very amazed when a smaller size fit even worse. I tried like 8 different type bras, knowing that they were too small in the cups. The saleswoman finally decided that the problem was the bra model. How could that be the problem when I had tried every single bra model there was in 28F and 28FF?!
"The reason I was pulling it so tight before is because I was following Brittany's advice. She said to pull the tape really tight, like you're strangling, and I've actually gotten as small as 23.5" doing that (no food or water in me)."
"Measure this tight! You _don't_ need to be straining to pull it tight as a corset, or leaving marks on your skin, or anything like that." This is what Brittany says, she actually advises AGAINST measuring too tightly.
Btw, I was wondering if the bras you've adjusted had straps that sat in the middle of your shoulders. If you move those straps even closer to the neck then they would naturally be quite awkwardly positioned.
"Your comments are more than welcome! It's nice to have feedback from the other end of the spectrum. Most of my friends think I'm flat chested and size me up to be a 34B. They give me strange looks and are almost hateful when I tell them I can fit in the cups of a 34D. So this is quite refreshing =)"
My friends aren't quite that lost but they do get sick of me babbling about bras and bra fitting all the time x) I've also fitted pretty much every friend I have who's kind enough to let me xD Right now I'm working on fitting my mom, I need to be really cunning with her because she's Very Stubborn. :>
This bra was very big on me. To give you an idea the cup has the capacity of a baseball cap. The band was also very large compared to other 30 band bras, it was bigger on the band than my Le Mystere 32F.
Overall this particular Freya model runs larger than expected I'd say about 1.5 size bigger than you'd expect.
Also, the bra looks much whiter on the pictures on the stores than the actual bra, I got the Ivory version.
------ Update Jul/2011
It-s been 5 months since I got this bra and is now too small. When I first tried it on last year it was definitely too big. About 5 months ago my 30Hs were a bit tight, and this bra now fitted me.
By now it is getting too small on the cups (center gore doesn't reach my sternum anymore).
If you would like a more detailed descriptionof this bra style, please go read my review for Freya's Rio bra in size 28F. Thank you!
This bra fit me better than the size 28F bra, although I still experienced poking from the underwires and wrinkling where the cup meets the strap. I found that the poking is particularly bad in the center gore area. I have experienced this with every single balconette style that i have tried so far, no matter how well they fit me, so I am coming to the conclusion that I will e needing a lower-cut style such as a plunge bra.
If you find the mesh material slightly itchy in che cup, please give it a wash or two and it will go away. I would also like to note that the band might be a little tight (and I should technically be wearing a 26 band size), but this will also lessen after a few wears. This style isn't my favorite bra, but it could be a lot worse.
This review is for the Deco bra "fashion color" Animal Print/Frida. Purchased Mid-January 2011.
Took 1 cup size larger than my soft-cup Freya's. FF made me feel I was falling out into the center. After leaning over I felt my larger breast shift itself into the open cleavage-y plunge area, if that makes sense. With the G cup it accommodates my larger breast, only instead it feels like it shifts downward slightly in the padded cup. Either way, one up was better.
Freya confirmed this is the exact same bra as the ever popular Deco. I've read dozens upon dozens of Deco reviews and recommendations to down-1 band, up-1 cup ...size but my conclusion is that may work best for women who are more likely in-between band sizes. Not so for me. This is my 1st padded Freya and it's a plunge which affects my comfort level*. Ultimately, I feel more 'secure' in 30G than 30FF. Your result may slightly vary. I'd suggest to try them both on.
*I measure 73cm or 28.75in and find I can't do up 28's but rather 30's. Thanks to Bratabase I can see why: the combination of material & exact band measurement of each bra will vary from one to another. Will have to remember to bring my tape measure next time I hit the boutiques!
Update July 2, 2011: I love this bra but started on 2nd hook as the band is loose on me. Months after this purchase I found a local store (WOW!) carrying Black 28G but found it just a bit too tight in the band and cup. Anticipate 28GG would fit even better (with an extender for the first few months) if it were made! Read more 174 more words
The Freya Antoinette is comfortable and supportive and well constructed. No foam in this one, though the lower cup sections are lined with an extra layer of firm fabric. The inside seams are bound for more comfort (for you non-sewers, that means they're covered over with smooth strips of fabric). I wish they made this bra in pastel colors (I ordered nude), but even so, this bra is prettier than it looks in pictures, and the strap detailing is cute. A nice bra for when you want to feel like it's "just you" in there!
Note on fit: Band size is true but the cups run a bit small. If you measure between cup sizes, you might want to round up; you will definitely need to do so if your breasts are on the fuller/rounder side. Purchased Spring 2010 from HerRoom.
This is a popular bra with many good reviews, so this will be a bit specific to my perspective, rather than the general review I typically try to write.
The Deco is a plunge, so one of the goals of the bra is cleavage with a low center gore. The cleavage I get in this bra is massive - my breasts are mashed together. If I move aggressively (leaning to a side, or similar), it feels as if the "higher" breast could fall out of the cup... except it's mashed into the lower breast, and that holds it in. It's a bit disturbing, at first, but not a big ...deal. I mention it as something to be aware of, not necessarily a problem.
Unfortunately, I think my breast shape may not be a good fit for the Deco. I'm a bit "full on bottom". In the 28F Deco, I mostly fill the top of the cups - I fill them when sitting or standing normally. There will be a bit of extra space with some ways I move, and the top of my breast is never "too much" for the cup. However, in the lower portion of the bra, my breast easily fills the entire cup, and there's almost a "quadraboob" effect on the lower portion of the bra. As a result of this "too big on the top, too small on the bottom," I suspect I'm too bottom-heavy for the Deco. Still, it's "close enough" and I'll continue to wear it. Read more 142 more words
I love the spiral embroidery pattern on this bra, very nice details. It looks good when worn and it's comfortable. But some of the gingham fabric (on the band) seems to have faded after only one or two washes.
It's an alright bra. It doesn't do anything magical for me other than maintain a rounded shape. It gives a lot more coverage than i had expected. I do get a little wrinkling at the top of the cups, however the 28D caused major spillage so the 28DD will have to do.
The lace detail is nice, the amethyst (purple) colour is nice. The straps have real potential, i don't think they'll loosen on their own easily like some other bras.
As a side note, i found the matching shorts were quite generous and had to be sent back for a smaller size.
Plunge: Freya Retro - Says its padded but its just a thick soft cupper in my opinion... Its nice and low cut with great support, comfortable but I think the band seem a little loose, (I throw it in the dryer to tighten it up when I wash it) its nice but not as super cleavagey as I would like..I mean whats the point of the big boobs if you can't show em off..maybe thats just me https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
This is THE best bra I have ever purchased. It is a seamless t-shirt bra, molded cup, and plunge style. I was unsure at first, as I've always fallen through the middle of plunge styles, but this one is absolutely perfect! I can wear it all day and not worry about readjusting myself, which is a breath of relief! It doesn't have seams down the centre, so it gives a perfectly rounded shape. Many reviews say this bra runs large, but I found it True to Size. The band is snug, and does not stretch out quickly like other brands, giving it a longer lifespan. I will be buying this in every colour!
I'd like to know which color are you basing your review on?
I found the Nude and Black (30FF) versions to be true to my non-moulded Freya size yet the Charcoal (30G)(and presumably the Lupin color as well since they are both the current version). I tried adjusting the straps on the Black, Nude and Charcoal until the cups fit best without cleavage-area gaping.
Based on *so* many reviews I feel this bra is best tried on in multiple sizes by every woman as we are all different shapes! :)
I tried this bra on in a local bra store. The band felt really tight, and I was quadraboobing. I'm usually 28h in Freya but I had to size up to 28HH. I still has some overflow in this one.
The gore doesn't touch my sternum either. The underwire cup isn't too long, and the side of the cup doesn't go into my armpits.
I love this bra visually as it is very pretty. It's an okay fit, but not my absolute best. I believe I have shorter roots and slightly FOT (or the opposite, tall roots but FOB - I am not sure yet). Either way, I need more upper open-ness than some very closed FOB bras. The 30DD is way way too closed on top and I get quadding. The 30E is better - it may be slightly too shallow and wide, so it is not quite as much of a forward look as bras like the panache ana or the comexim plunges. I am also rather center full, so I ...have to really scoop the tissue away from the gore (my tissue is soft and will just go wherever lol). However, it is still a round look and a comfortable bra, and cute.
This bra runs really snug in the band, so after 2 months I still wear it with one hook on an extender. I don't even use an extender on the Ana, which does run looser, but yes the offbeat SS is very snug. I believe my 30E fits closer to a 28E in how small it runs. I wouldn't mind getting another offbeat eventually in 30E (there's a decadence lime green on amazon that is quite cute) but I want to see if there are better fits out there first.
Update: this bra doesn’t work https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> my center fullness keeps falling under the gore and hurts me. I’ll be selling it Read more 148 more words
You could have short roots and be functionally fob. I am. My root length is approximately 2 inches long by 5.4-5.6 wide.
I cannot see my nipples when I bend over making me full on top, BUT, due to short roots + top emptiness all of my breasts are at the bottom making me functionally fob despite me actually being fot.
If your breasts are low, you have short roots and you're fob from what you described.
Try a more projected bra (polish bras are the most projected imo) and see if that fixes your issue.
You can get comexim at break out bras if you're in the US. Levana is ok for getting ewa Michalak. Bob carries nessa as well Miseczki carries a bunch of polish bras.
Ewa Michalak CHP is very open on top, SMN sm may be other good choices. BM is also great for upper breast fullness (get a bra with stretch lace on top/mesh to accommodate top fullness so instead of quadding, it will stretch to you)
For in between shallow and projected you should look at subtille and brands like it.
I adore Rosa Bella (check out her IG) she's amazing no matter your location.
Fantasie would be another brand you could try. And bravissimo.
Start with bras that have play room (the stretch top) before trying bras that aren't stretchy on top and then use bratabase. When you find a good fit, check out others who also wore that bra and try those as well.
Oh yes I am most likely FOT/even and slightly FOT with short, narrower roots. When I bend down, my tissue is very round on top and seems to be slightly FOT, but the root is shorter so it makes me more functionally FOB I think?
I actually love comexim! The overlapping gore and seams with padding is quite comfortable for me and allows for projection. I did some trial and error with breakout bras, and 30F fits me best - 30E is a little too narrow and was sitting on tissue, 30FF is too open at the top and seems too tall/scratched my armpits. In 30F, the wires are just right and are just a little past my roots, which seems ideal. I own a plunge and a halfcup and they're some of my most comfortable bras. The halfcup especially, because it is shorter and very open at top but with flexible seams, accounts for my upper fullness without any quadding. The plunges run a little tall but I've been able to figure out which are a little shorter, and will maybe get another eventually if it goes on sale.
I also am interesting in trying Ewa but I have..no clue how to get them in my size. Breakout Bras carries 30F in every bra, but it seems like Levana Bratique only cares Ewa in larger sizes and doesn't account for my small but rather projected bust. I think I'd wear a 70DD in them? People say to move up a band size and keep the cup the same or move up one, I'm a little confused, may need some more research.
And yeah, I've looking into fantasie and bravissimo - apart from the deco, most freya bras have too tall and wide of a gore for me, and don't really work. I've tried like...every freya plunge known to mankind, and all are too wide in the gore.
You could try comexim unpadded! Bob has a few 😊 they may work well for you. Try a size down from the padded though 😊 if comexim works well for you, there's no need to swap up unless you just want to! Comexim makes plenty of bras and you can order directly for a lot cheaper if you buy multiple.
Addendum: after wearing this bra a few times, I have a rather different impression of the fit. The underwires are so tight against my ribcage that my ribs ache after a couple of hours. I think this is because the cups are just too big (I definitely should have ordered DD) and the wires are too long.