I can't blame Gossard for most of the fit issues I've had with this bra because it was my own fault for ordering the wrong size. Because of that, I hope you won't judge the bra or brand solely based on the fit issues I will discuss.
My most comfortable underbust size is 32" and my overbust is 42" with a best fit of a 32GG, so I was WAAAY off when I picked this size; I couldn't even sister size down to this size, as I'm about 200cc off the correct amount of volume needed for my chest. My fault, completely.
Taking my sizing failure into account, ...I've chosen to give Gossard the benefit of the doubt in regards to how uncomfortable this bra is to wear. That is, I'm assuming that the fit issues I've experienced are because I bought to wrong size and would not exist (or be as bad) if I bought the correct size.
Yep, so this bra is terrible to wear. It offers no support or lift and is awfully uncomfortable. I feel very insecure in this bra. Assuming all those problems could be solved by wearing the correct size, I'll talk about the things fully in Gossard's control first: design and quality.
Design and Quality: I bought this bra about 6 months ago mostly because I liked the look of the design. The red is pretty, the fabric is silky and it has ruffly bits and a cute black bow and detailing. Unfortunately, when you look at it up close, it looks like it was sewn together in the dark. The stitching is wonky and lazy, especially around the underwire where it is an absolute mess. The underwire appears to be severely warped (you can probably see this the best in my side on photo where the band is being pulled back) possibly because of how it was sewn into the bra. The fabric of the band is far too elastic and therefore would not provide firm support even for somebody with a 36" underbust, rather than one of 32". The ruffly bits on the straps and below the band frayed quickly.
In short, even though it wasn't Gossard's fault that I bought the wrong size, their bra is still pretty crap. Now, onto the fit issues:
Straps: They are far too long and do not adjust short enough. Despite the straps taking most of the weight of my chest because the band is too large, they still manage to slip off my shoulders. I think the reason for this is because they don't do much heavy lifting, as not only does this bra not lift my boobs at all, but it actually squishes them down lower.
Underwire/center gore: With the straps fully adjusted to their shortest, the underwire and center gore of this bra sit more than an inch lower than my underbust. If I wriggle the bra upwards to sit at my actual underbust, the traps become ever longer and therefore more likely to slip off and the bra quickly slides back down at the front and up at the back again anyway. With the underwire sitting so low on my torso, all it does is poke my ribs rather than supporting my bust in any way, shape, or form. The underwires at the center gore sit about an inch out from my body, poking into my breast tissue and giving the part of my bust a horrible misshapen appearance. If I press the center gore flat against my body, it simply digs into the breast tissue more and makes it obvious that the cups are placed too far apart for my close-set boobs.
Cups: The very top of these cups where they attach to the straps sag out from my body because the straps are too long. If this bra lifted my breasts, this area of the cups might be filled with more breast tissue lifted up from my full-on-bottom boobs, but the lifting of that tissue would only increase the 'quad-boob' effect of the too-small cups. Because the underwires of the bra sit more than an inch below my underbust, that inch and a bit of cup space is left completely empty, pressed up against my body and therefore the fabric there wrinkles a bit.
Band: Obviously like 6" too big for my body even on the tightest hook. No support whatsoever, lots of riding up. Enough said. Read more 631 more words
I own this bra since a while but I practically have never worn it. There are some little issues that prevent me from wearing it. First, I think the cup size is not right for me, I should have tried a 30dd. I can fill the cups, but they run extremely high on the sides (it’s uncomfortable under the armpits) and give too much coverage. At the same time, the cup edge cuts a little in the breast tissue. The band size is too loose for me even on the tightest hook and I have extra room in the upper part of the band. I also don’t really like the ...one hook band. Concerning the shape – this is a real plunge bra, it gives a nice cleavage and could probably work well with a deep neckline. But I can’t accept the triangular shape it gives in profile. Once again, I think that sizing down would resolve the problem. This bra is very well done and with nice materials. I like the lace on the cups, the soft band material, and straps – thin and supportive.
The Esprit is a beautiful unpadded halfcup bra with side support sling. The cups are true to size and very open on top, and have wide wires (great for wide root shallow boobs!) The band runs tight. I usually wear a 30 band (29" loose underbust), but I went for a 32 band in the Esprit and it fits well.
There are two downsides: 1) The side support sling. It's made of foam padding and cut into my breast tissue. This gave me weird bulges and an odd shape. 2) The fact that the closure only has 3x1 hook (not 3x2 as most bras), so there is a lot of strain on the closure and the band is not very stable especially in the larger cup sizes.
This band is definitely too big. It only stretched about an inch when I hooked it, and still feels too loose on the tightest hook. It could be a 32 band. The straps are also only semi-adjustable, so if you have high breasts like I do, these straps won't adjust short enough for you.
The cup volume is a tiny bit too big, but that could be because the band is loose and isn't pulling the cups into me as securely as they could be. The seam that goes across the bra is REALLY obvious, especially with me not filling the bra perfectly. The lace on the upper part ...of the cup is really stretchy, so someone with more fullness maybe could round out the bra and make it look less pointy. Definitely good for full-on-top breasts.
Overall this was a very cute and unique bra with the spotted satin. The band only has a few inches or stretch so really supportive, but it started out too big to begin with for me. It would probably fit a true 30 much better. I'm sad that it didn't work out because I really like the appearance. Read more 85 more words
I have close-set, wide, round and not very squishy boobs. I feel like this bra was made for me. The gore is super tiny, the straps are skinny and adjust short enough for me, the tiny one-hook band is somehow supportive enough, and the pattern is adorable. I measure 27" under and 33/34" around. Gossard bands seem to be a little snug, so I always buy 30 bands from them and they are my go-to brand now. Great cleavage and support without push-up padding. Seams show under many shirts, which is too bad but expected. I wish I could own this bra in a bunch of colors because it fits me so well.
This bra is not the best Gossard bra I have tried... The band is less tight than the Femme Fatale's . The principal problem for me with this bra in a 32FF is that when you rule the straps, the band can't stay in place. It goes up what is a real problem and because of that it has not enough support for me ( Even if the fit is better than a lot of other gossard bras.) It gives a rounded shape. I think I should have take a 30G .
It's a beautiful unpadded halfcup bra with side support sling. The cups are true to size and very open on top, and have wide wires (great for wide root shallow boobs!) The band runs tight. I usually wear a 30 band (29" loose underbust), but I went for a 32 band in the Esprit and it fits well. The cups of the 32C did not fit well however. The wires were too narrow and cut into breast tissue.
I am too projected for this bra and get wrinkling at the bottom. I wear it in the raceback configuration for wearing with low cut dresses as it give lovely cleavage and doesn't show very much due to the deep plunge.
The good: Wow this feels tight, I had to try it using a bra extender, I realise not every one will see this as a good point as technically it means that the bra doesn't fit, but I like my bras nice and snug and don't mind one bit if I have to use a extender until the stretch out enough to fit; Four hooks, the back of the bra is nice and thick and feels like it would be supportive (if it fit) whilst still being quite pretty; The straps adjust fine for me and they have those ...hoopy edges to keep the slides in place.
The bad: The underwires are overly flexible, flimsy even, they stretch far too easily; The bra is supposed to be long line but it only extends 1 inch below the bottom of the cups; It gives me a very vintage pointy shape, I feel like I could have someone's eye out if I turned around too fast; The thin foam on the inside of the cups looks and feels cheap, I wouldn't describe it as moulded or padded, structured perhaps, like the cup linings I remember from from my Mum's swimsuits in the 80s.
I am really unimpressed with this bra, although outwardly pretty the inside of this bra really lets it down for me, not to mention that It really isn't that long line. The overly pointy shape really isn't to my taste and I cant imagine that it would be comfortable to wear for any length of time. I definitely wont be trying this in any other sizes. Read more 166 more words
This bra is very short. Almost as short as, if not shorter than, super plunge bras from Mimi Holliday. The front half of the straps are not adjustable, and I think they are pretty unique. Fabrics near the hooks are ruched. The placement of the lace at the top is weird. The seams where the cups and laces meet stick out and make my chest very pointy. Perhaps it's because the shape doesn't work on me. It might be good for bedroom/lounging...
This is a tankini constructed as a bra with added fabric at the bottom, there is a normal bra band all around. It has silicone tape at the back, and a plastic swimwear clasp - no hooks and no regulation. Cups are rather stiff, thermoformed, with heavy padding. They call it bandeau plunge and I think it's a good description - the top line and sides have bandeau line, but there is a plunging sweetheart cleavage in the middle. It has two detachable straps to be tied as a halter-neck, so each has only one hook. It can be worn strapless, but I guess the straps ...are safer for swimming.
First of all, it's on the snugger side. I was wondering if I shouldn't take 34, but I was afraid it wouldn't stay in place in water and that the fabric would be loose around the torso, which I hate. I went for 32 and it's tolerable, though tight. So if you can't decide between two sizes, you'd better think if you can tolerate super snug fit or not. I feel the tankini could be a bit longer, though it may a matter of my height.
The cleavage is very umm... dramatic. I feel a bit like Jessica Rabbit. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" /> Padding adds extra volume, and the cups gather breast from the sides and push them up. Surprisingly, it gives very good support, even without straps. However, I haven't tested it in water yet.
The quality seems very good. Matching pants I'm wearing on the photo are tanga brief in size M (hipster briefs) and I measure about 104 cm in hips. Read more 168 more words
Love this bra, best sheer bra there is. I love Nylon bra`s. (if anyone knows more sheer bra`s please let me now) the bra gives good support, give my boobs a good form, specialy under shirts. and looks beautifull. now the sad part i cant wear it for longer then 4 hrs then again my arm pitt gets irritaded and when i take it of its all red and sensitif. i tried the bra in 4 sizes and the 80E/36E fits best, i have the brace shortened but stil it`s irritaded. i think its the material and the stitches. but i love my freya just as much. and thats my favorite.
I’ve tried Gossard bras in the past, and find them to fit one cup and one band size small. With a usual size of 28G (UK), I tried this one in 30G. But the band is so outrageously tight that I literally cannot close it. I had my SO close it for me so I could at least assess the cups, and they are very round and uplifted with some INTENSE cleavage, but they're also a touch too shallow on my very full-on-bottom breasts, leading the cups to fold over a little at the bottom.
This bra has a rather heavy band, which I like since it helps it stay smooth instead of pinching in on the top and bottom edge where the elastic and silicon are located. And with five rows of hooks and eyes, it's effectively a longline. In the right size, I think this bra would have been quite comfortable and would stay up really well.
Includes fully adjustable straps that can be removed or worn in a variety of ways (halter, crossback, regular, etc.).
This bra has a firm band and runs pretty small. The shape was wrong for me. It had projection too high up for me and not enough at the bottom of the cup.
This bra is very pretty. Like most Gossard, it has a very firm band. The fit was fine except that the bottom was too shallow and created a fold at the bottom of the cup. I really liked that the straps were smaller than other large-cupped bras.
Do you mind measuring this bra?