I really don't know how I ever brought this bra home. The cups are at least two sizes too big. So I have no business criticizing the fit because it's not even close.
I can make a couple of comments about the straps. First, because you can unclasp the straps in order to hook them together in another configuration, only the back half of the strap is adjustable. The front half is a narrow, decorative piece with a fixed length. Second, the straps connect to the body of the bra with plastic buckles that slide into loops of fabric attached to the bra. With use, these loops have gotten bunched and worn, and the strap buckles often slip out, occasionally while I was wearing the bra (but mostly just in the laundry).
I was wearing the wrong size until recently (70E which is about a 32DDD, or 32E UK) and it was... okay. But not quite right. I went in to get fitted only to find that instead of being the 32E/32F (US) that I thought I was, I was a 30F/30G. My shock was... well, mixed in with some pleasure. I was given several great bras but the one I was most taken by was the Marie Jo L'Aventure Tom bra. It gave me shape, support, and it was even somewhat sexy, with just a little bit of cleavage and a big full cup. It's a marvelous bra for perky, large breasts and a small band. This bra is the perfect T-Shirt bra, but it will run you over 100 US dollars.
The fit and comfort stunned me when I first put this on. It's extremely comfortable once broken in. Cup shape works well with my tall roots and has a bit of stretch that helps accommodate asymmetry. The 3-hook band provides smooth, even support, although the tape could stand to be a bit plusher. Wires are wider than Simone Perele. The straps are quite wide set and may chafe in the armpits a bit where they meet the cup when new. Part of the strap has limited stretch due to lace applique, and this may also chafe if tightened too much. Fortunately, these straps do a good job of ...staying in place despite being a bit too wide for my petite frame. Overall, nicely constructed with fine, neat stitching.
Note that this bra is convertible to halter, but is not designed to be worn criss-cross: the adjustable portion of the straps is too short. It might work if I could find a compatible clip and sew my own extensions. Also, when worn as a halter, the straps were a bit too long for me. It was easy to alter by picking the seams, cutting off one lace circle on each strap, and re-sewing the strap to shorten. For the price, I think they should have included a second, longer set of extension straps to enable criss-cross wear, or designed the straps to be fully removable so one could replace with a longer, stretchier set.
I have mixed feelings about the appearance of this bra. On the one hand, I think the lines are beautiful and the shape it provides is top-notch and very confidence-boosting. On the other hand, the appliqued dots are definitely a more modern, minimalist aesthetic and aren't particularly gorgeous. I don't totally love the look, but it does a good job of offering some accents that work well with strappy tops while keeping things smooth as a T-shirt bra. Read more 211 more words
Not a gorgeous bra - but simple and nice enough for a nude-colored everyday bra. It looks great under clothes and is comfortable, which I guess is the point!
This bra is extremely comfortable - especially the straps which don't have any exposed elastic, just a smooth surface. I love the convertible straps too.
This was actually the first convertible bra I owned, and I thought all convertible bras would have the same hardware as this one! I was wrong! After trying a few different convertible bras, I have come to appreciate just how perfect this bra's convertible hardware is. The straps do not detach in the front, and they do detach at the back on the band with a hook in a loop of fabric. Most importantly, there is convertible hardware that allows ...you to detach at the *middle* of the strap. That's the thing that I don't see often in other bras, but I love it so so much.
For me the mid-strap hardware means two things:
1) It's very easy to put it on and take it off by myself. With straps that detach only at the band in the back, I would need to contort myself into awkward positions or get a second person to help me put it on with crossed straps. With straps that detach at the front, I'm usually poked in the armpit by the hardware. Straps that detach in the middle make it so easy to cross the straps, without anything to poke me in the armpit, and without a second person to help me put it on or take it off. 2) The mid-strap hardware is in the perfect spot to snap the straps together to wear it in a halter style.
I really miss having that mid-strap hardware in other convertible bras - especially in Prima Donna Swim convertible swim tops where their halter option is nowhere near as easy or as clean-looking as this one is. Mid-strap convertible hardware is such a minor detail that makes such a big difference.
I also like how comfortable this bra is. I love the smooth, smooth, smooth underside of the straps - and the absence of all poky things in the armpit area. Armpit convertible hardware and armpit decorations usually poke me, and this bra doesn't do that, because it's just smooth fabric in that area.
I don't think the fit is quite right for me because the underwires are sitting a little bit on top of breast tissue on the sides. This bra used to fit me, but I think I need a 30DD size lately. And like most bras, I wish the cups were a little bit closer together (even though these cups are closer together than most.) But in spite of those two issues, I still love this bra. Read more 348 more words
This was once my favorite bra, but I think my shape has changed - now it gives me spillage on top even though it fits around the underwire. So I'm looking for something to replace it.
First off, this bra is adorable. Cream with sparkly gold square dots and two cute peach flowers at each strap (the flowers are removable). I have the matching panties as well and they're equally cute. I got it as a giveaway from Schmarminkeltje even though I knew it was the wrong size because I couldn't say no to such a pretty bra.
As far as the fit goes I would say it fits closer to a 32C than a 34B, but it's still miles too big for me in the band. On top of that the band is very soft and stretchy and only has one hook so it's ...really not supportive at all. I plan to take the band in though because the cup fits fairly well and I'm so in love with how this bra looks. I might salvage a 2-hook closure off of an old thrift store bra and swap it out when I take in the band.
The cups fit me quite nicely and give a very natural/slightly pointy shape due to the 2-part horizontally seamed cup. The cups are also a little stretchy, so again, not that supportive, but I don't think that was ever the intention of this bra; it's more like cute tropical wedding lingerie.
Overall, I like the bra and plan to keep it. If only I could get it in a 30D... Read more 120 more words
Just out of curiosity - did you manage to alter it :D ? I remember how thrilled you were to get it.
I never did alter it, but I did wear it as is. I should probably try. At this point it's really getting a bit small in the cup, but I still think it's adorable.
I did finally get a sewing machine but it's... kind of a project itself unfortunately.
[GIVEAWAY BRA] VERY pretty bra in ivory with little flecks of golden glitter. It has soft balconette cups and detachable chiffon flowers. Looks sturdy.
This was a my best bra for about a year, but now it is getting less comfortable. The cups didn't used to gap at the top (now they do) and the band rides down.
Best fitting bra that I've ever tried on. Pricey but quality seems good. Only complaint is that the gore may dig into the sternum a little bit, but only time will tell there. Band is tighter than the Simone Perele t-shirt bras I tried on at the same time and less stretchy than some of the other Marie Jo bras with less structure. Only available in a dark nude color.
It was fairly comfortable for a bra but too small, I had to really squish into it. The shape also wasn't that good for me since it cut across the top of my boob.
Very comfortable bra, but leaves something to be desired. Shape is a bit pointy for me and seams show through clothes. Also single column of hooks in not adequate for the heft of my boobs. The band is thick enough prior to the hooks, I don't see why it doesn't have at least two columns per row. The wire and fabric is very comfy, but the cups aren't quite large enough for me.
This was suggested by a fitter at Intimacy. It is soft with minimal decoration (I am sensitive to a lot of lace), creates a nice shape, and I think it fits really well. I purchased it and wore for most of the day with no comfort issues, but the next morning the tops of my shoulders look and felt sunburned where the trim on the straps was rubbing. So, I don't think it is going to work out for me.
Super soft and comfortable, with interesting circle detailing. Although the the cup is too loose on me, the top still manages to stay pretty smooth under shirts. The straps are both the best and worst part. On one hand, they have the most amazing, easy-to-use, non-snagging snap/clip that allows the bra to be worn regular, cross-back, or halter. On the other hand, the strap length sucks. The small amount of adjustment the back of the strap allows for leaves it a little too long to be worn regular or halter, but so short that I can't even put the thing on when cross-backed. What the heck, hundred-dollar-bra?
Just out of curiosity - did you manage to alter it :D ? I remember how thrilled you were to get it.