I like it since it give me support (for once!) It feels pretty tight in the band, it says 28 but it was pretty tight on the first hook. I was barely able to pull it 2 inches away from my body.
The wires kind of hurt me, even after I bent them more into shape. It could be because I'm really skinny or because I'm not used to snug bras yet.
The band stretched a lot when me and my husband pulled it to measure stretched band length, but like I said above, it was hard for me to pull it away from my body when worn.
The cups have a weird outward turned seam on the top, but if you had breast tissue enough to lay against it it would probably be quadboob XD So I think it is just a weird seam.
Full name: Limited Collection Satin Padded Balcony Bra (T81/8242P) in Cream Mix. As far as I know, it's from one of the 2010 collections.
This bra is discontinued, but the shape and fit are pretty representative of Limited Collection A-DD balconettes.* The cups are wide and shallow, the straps are quite wide-set, and the band runs tight. The bra has thin, flexible padding in the lower part of the cup and a lace panel at the top, with a thin strip of elastic that (on me) cuts in really easily. I'm not sure if I just need a larger cup or if it's a shape issue - the cup ...edge is often problematic for me even when I've got the cup size right. On the positive side, it's a very pretty style with beautiful details.
*The Limited Collection range includes A-DD and DD-GG models, but the construction and fit in DD-GG is very different and they tend to run larger in the cup.
ETA, October 2012: I removed the elastic strip from the lace on this bra and my other M&S balconette with the same cut ( http://bra.pe/SB0u/ ), and it solved my problems with the cup edge cutting in; it seems that I just needed the cups to be more open on top. The bra is still too wide-set for me - nearly 28cm measured between the outer tips of the wires vs. 25cm in my Lepel Honeycomb - but removing the elastic has made it look and feel a lot better. The fit issues I reported reflect the fit before alteration. Read more 154 more words
Love the color/print of the Marks & Spencer bra I got on ebay (for like $20 including S+H to the USA - woo!). The quality seems decent, especially for the price.
The cups have some very minor inner "paneling" (not sure what to call it) for shaping. I find the top edge of the bra very "rounded" for a balcony style (which I expected to be more straight across). The straps are slender & comfortable, and the band is only slightly stretchy, so that I think it may run slightly small (it does not stretch to 28" when new, which is good if your back is smaller).
Happy to find ...a band that fits! This confirmed I need a 28 band, at least in M&S bras. The band stretches to only 26.5" or so.
The band was snug as a bug in a rug on the largest hook for me, and it passed the "two finger" test.
The cups seem wrong, unfortunately. This is likely not an issue with the bra running strange so much as me still figuring out what size/shapes works best for me.
The center gores does not lay flat, although it's close. I have wrinkling at the top of the cups, which suggests they are either too large or the wrong shape. However, I have "armpit fat" still, which looks worse in person than in the photos. When I scoop all this into the cups, then I end up with "quadra-boobs" and breast tissue squishing out the center gore area (and then the gore REALLY does not lay flat). The wrinkling doesn't go away, even when I do that though. All in all, not a good look. It could be a matter of style. Balconette/demi styles should fit my shape well (teardrop & wide), and they usually do, but this one comes up higher than most and is "curved".
The wire width only seems slightly too short or maybe the cups are just slightly too far apart. I can see in the center that the wires cut into the breasts tissue a tiny bit (probably why the gore won't lay flat). This makes me think the cups are too small, despite the wrinkling, too far apart, and/or they are just the wrong shape.
The ebay seller takes returns, so this will go back. Read more 274 more words
"Balconette/demi styles should fit my shape well (teardrop & wide), and they usually do, but this one comes up higher than most and is "curved"."
I have similar measurements to you and get the same problem with M&S balconettes, and I think it's because the upper half of the cup is too "closed", meaning the cup edge cuts in really easily (and you often get wrinkling in the upper cup as well, even though it's not too big). I have one in 28DD ( http://bra.pe/S5d/ ) that doesn't really fit for these reasons. In general I have more luck with half-cups than any other style, although I've yet to find one in the right size.
FYI, Marks & Spencer DD+ styles usually have a different shape and construction than their A-DD bras and can run larger in the cup, so it can be a difficult brand if you're a DD or DD/E. A lot of their bras run small enough that a 30D/DD might work for you, but it could be that the cup shape just isn't compatible. Regardless, I think you're on the right track trying 28DDs. :)
^ Thanks for the comment & advice. The ebay store I ordered from only had 28E in a plunge style, so I exchanged it for that. It fits better, well enough to keep, but I notice the band & straps are "stretchier" in their DD+ styles. I can wear the band on the tightest hook, whereas with the 28DD (part of an A-DD line) I could only wear it on the loosest hook. (I will be writing a full review for my new M+S bra in 28E soon.)
This definitely makes me think that 30DD will be my best bet in the future with M+S bras, just as you indicated.
The tops are all wrinkly on me. I can't tell if the cup is too small or big, the cut wrong for me or what. I fill the bottom molded part out well enough though https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
The wires make me uncomfy, but I think I just need to break the bra in.
The band is very stretchy, and it is snug only on the third hook. I may have to use a Rixie clip with this as it breaks in,
EDIT: I've taken in the gore and cut off the fabric that wrinkles, and now it's snug on the second hook of the bra. It looks as if it fits perfectly now.
I posted the bra to reddit, and have been told that it seems to run big.
This bra is extremely cute and quite comfortable. The band feels true to size, but the cups run small since my larger breast is right on the edge of quadboobing. I would recommend sizing up at least one cup size on this one. In addition, shallow breasts seem best suited to the shape of the cup.
Edit: Alas, the quadboob only seems to have grown more prominent/uncomfortable, which is unfortunate since this bra is adorable.
The band runs firm and cups runs small. I believe that I'm between sizes (28D and 28DD). The cups gape slightly at the top on my larger breast. I have shallow and even breasts. But holy craptastic is there a lot of padding, it honestly looks like the bottom half of the cups are just padding. The cups are lined with a material that isn't too breathable so I find it a bit sticky and sweaty to wear in warmer weather. Six hooks so I'm breaking it in with two sets of three hook extender.
This band is tight. I mean REALLY tight. It's much better suited to a 26 than a 28. It's very pretty, but I can't speak much about the fit since I couldn't get it on
I love this bra so much! First of all it looks very nice. It runs tight, which is good for me since I'm not a true 28-band. It still rode up a liiiittle on my back, which could just be from my slouching awkwardly for the hour before I took it off. It hold my left breast nicely - perfect fit. However, the right cup is too large (My right breast is about a cup size smaller than my left). Overall, this bra is amazing!
This is a gorgeous looking bra, with great push up for a good cleavage.
It has a very tight band, probably to fit a 26E rather than a 28DD.
Some padding in the bottom of the cups, but not obvious or uncomfortable.
I would keep this bra, which I got from another bratabase member, but I need to accept the fact that it just doesn't fit https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
Very pretty bra, supportive with only 1 hook and gives a little cleavage but I have issues with the cup.
There is a small gap at the top of the cup, but overall the cup looks to be way too small for my breasts.
The underwires are too small and do not encapsulate the entire breast and the straps do not like to stay in the length I adjusted, it slips and becomes longer with time.
I think it is a good bra, but the cup and underwire part did not work for me.
Padding is about 2mm thick, cup underwire is a bit springy it tends to be pulled slighly backward when wear. It's a cotton rich bra hence it's very comfortable. Nice neckline too...
"Balconette/demi styles should fit my shape well (teardrop & wide), and they usually do, but this one comes up higher than most and is "curved"."
I have similar measurements to you and get the same problem with M&S balconettes, and I think it's because the upper half of the cup is too "closed", meaning the cup edge cuts in really easily (and you often get wrinkling in the upper cup as well, even though it's not too big). I have one in 28DD ( http://bra.pe/S5d/ ) that doesn't really fit for these reasons. In general I have more luck with half-cups than any other style, although I've yet to find one in the right size.
FYI, Marks & Spencer DD+ styles usually have a different shape and construction than their A-DD bras and can run larger in the cup, so it can be a difficult brand if you're a DD or DD/E. A lot of their bras run small enough that a 30D/DD might work for you, but it could be that the cup shape just isn't compatible. Regardless, I think you're on the right track trying 28DDs. :)