Sternum Compression (BR00)

5
like

The Sternum Compression Bra by Isavela is sold as a “Sternum Compression and Symmastia Prevention Bra” for post breast surgery compression. Yet it does have other uses, one of which was my reasoning for buying it.

As I am in my mid 40s and a side sleeper, I started noticing those “old lady chest wrinkles” in the morning several years ago. I tried those breast pillows, but they are just too wide for my breasts and thus didn’t want to stay in place for the night. As a result, I was wearing a razorback sports bra backwards (with the razor part between my breasts) to help prevent this each ... morning. While it did work, the issue was that most razorbacks are too wide and not comfortable in this position due to my close set breasts. I have searched for an actual bra made for this purpose several times over the years (I know I am not the only one who doesn’t want those chest wrinkles!) but I could only find ridiculously priced ones, and wasn’t willing to pay $120 for a cupless bra.

Earlier this year I found this one, nicely priced at $29.95 and located in the US resulting in quick shipping so I figured what the heck and gave it a try. With my razorback woahs, I didn’t hold much hope for this being better. Boy was I wrong! It works like a dream as a sleep bra (no pun intended) when paired with my CelerSport seamless Yoga bra for a blissful and comfortable nights rest. Seriously I love this bra!

Their sizing chart is a bit off, but keeping in mind that I wanted it for sleep and not actual compression, this worked out to my benefit. Per their size chart the XS=20-24”, SM=24-28”, MD=28-32”, LG=32-36”, XL=36-40”, 2XL=40-44”, and 3XL=44-48”

My current underbust is 24.75” tight to 26.5” loose, so I ordered their Small, which measured straight out of the box at 25.25” and stretched to 34”. Measuring from hooks to 1st set of loops=24.5” so I wasn’t surprised when it felt loose compared to most bras. It did provide the separation I was looking for and the crossed straps in the front (which is what creates the gore) worked beautifully to help keep the skin and tissue from scrunching during slumber. I also found that the random sternum pains I was getting prior seemed to stop once I started wearing this each night. This prompted me to buy a second one during their Valentine’s Day sale, which measured 26” out of the box but stretched to the same 34”. It also measured 24.5” from hooks to first (loosest) set of eye loops though, so it really fits the same as the first. The straps are adjustable which aids in customized comfort.

I would honestly recommend this bra for anyone who is a side sleeper, especially if you are concerned with those chest wrinkles or have sternum pains. It is available in Cream (light Beige) and Black.

Also, Isavela is currently having an Easter sale (now until 4/10/18) with 20% off everything on their site (Code: EASTER18 ) for anyone who is interested in the sternum bra, or any other item they have for sale. (The sale email is what reminded me I hadn’t considered adding these to Bratabase in the first place!) They appear to have a 20% off sale at each US holiday, so if you miss this one, they are bound to have another soon. You can sign up for their email mailing to get notifications of the sales. They sale a lot of compression garments for all shapes, sizes, and purposes (Breast and Body), including several binders for those who are interested. I was amazed by all the products they offered.

http://www.isavela.com/womens-garments/sternum-compression-and-symmastia-prevention-bra-br00.html

I am wearing a normal green bikini top under the bra for modesty/lewd avoidance. The bra itself is black and cupless.

While I know this looks silly, I couldn’t think of a better way to keep the modesty factor and still show the whole bra to demonstrate its function and support placement. The emoticons were not covering enough otherwise, and looked even more ridiculous, haha!

Read more
582 more words

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Dec 01, 2018 Flag this

Quality: Excellent!
Comfort: Excellent!
Bra appearance: Excellent!

Entry closed

Sternum Compression (BR00)

1
like

XS

Fits

The Sternum Compression Bra by Isavela is sold as a “Sternum Compression and Symmastia Prevention Bra” for post breast surgery compression. Yet it does have other uses, one of which was my reasoning for buying it: I use them as sleep bras, to avoid the side sleeping chest wrinkles!

I tried this one earlier this year in the small, but that was too big in the band, so I opted to order it again in the XS.
The Small is supposed to be for ribcage measuring 24-28”, while the XS is for 20-24”. I ordered two XS this time, both reviewed here, but also tried two in Small ... as noted, reviewed together under the Small size. I will add that data within this review for comparison purposes. I only took “bra” on photos for the Small, as these all look the same, and I don’t feel there is any additional value in adding more “bra” on photos for this design. That being said, if someone does want to see how it looks on compared to the Small, or how it looks worn under a regular bra, etc. just let me know and I will upload some photos as requested. ☺

Now for the details! The band of the XS measures smaller than the Small at 24.1” to a max of 33” on the first and 24.4” to 32.5” on the second. I am not sure why the 2nd one feels firmer in the band, but it does! Either way, for a band intended for a 20-24” ribcage, these are still much longer than they should be. My two Smalls measured 25.25” and 26” to a max of 34” for both.

The wing of both XS is 2.15”, with 0.7” straps. The gore is 6.5” tall on the first yet 6.38” on the second, with 0.75” wide at the narrowest part. The wings of the Small were the same 2.15”, with gore and straps being slightly wider at 0.75”, and a center gore height of 6.25” for one and 6.65” for the other. This center gore is created by overlapping of the strap crossover so they obviously have some manual variations of crossover.

The band is wide at 1.5” giving a secure feeling without dig in. This is nice as I wear them to sleep in only and don’t want the dig in.

The band has 4 sets of hooks, and three rows of eye loops.

The great thing about these sternum bras is not only do the stop the chest wrinkles in the morning; they also keep the breasts separated so you get less night sweat issues. This would be a great feature for those who are prone to between the breast friction and irritations.

It can also help keep space between the breasts during the day and can be worn easily under a regular bra. Doing this also adds a bit of a buffer from the underwire digging into the ribs as the wires of a regular bra rest on the band of the sternum bra instead of the ribs directly. This also means the gore wires rest on the sternum bra crossover instead of digging in as well. Wearing under a bra would also allow for more comfort for those wider than needed gores on some bras. This can additionally aide in a better bra fit for those with close set center full breasts, as it gently separates the breasts allowing for more space at the center gore for the bra to fit into. ☺

The straps are fully adjustable, yet I find them just long enough completely let out, so this would be an issue for those with lower set breasts.

Overall, I just love these things!

Read more
511 more words