I had purchased several bras on a trip to a boutique to get fitted earlier this year - my first time since 2019 (pre-pandemic). The fitter suggested multiple 32C bras for me, probably because even at a specialty shop, they carry more styles that are in the conventional bra matrix. Also, this particular Montelle push-up doesn't come in bands smaller than 32. It also doesn't come in anything larger than a C or a D cup, I believe. It's unfortunate that the stereotypes that anyone larger than a D cup doesn't need a push-up or a bra that gives them extra lift.
This particular bra ...is new with tags and has never been worn, but due to the boutique's return policy, I was unable to return or receive store credit for it.
I notice that Montelle bras have very stretchy bands and straps. I love the look of this bra and all of the "oomph" it gives. It's just the wrong size for me and would be better suited for someone who can have it be a part of their regular rotation. Read more 78 more words
I'm pretty mad about the whole situation that led me to buy a bunch of 32C bras. During the middle of the pandemic, I thought it would be a good idea to get fitted for bras, since it had been a few months since I had surgery for my shoulder hypermobility and it had been over six months since I was teaching 10+ fitness classes per week since gyms were still closed then. I made an appointment at a pricey but popular shop with a not so great return policy in a pricey neighborhood in a pricey to live in city. The employee fitted me ...as a 32C, which I was a little surprised about, but attributed to my lack of physical activity and upper body workouts.
When I got the bra home, I was already wearing it on the tightest hook, which should have spelled danger. That, and I had to adjust the straps as tight as I could to prevent them from sliding down my shoulders.
Flash forward to a week later: The band was super-stretched out, to the point that on the tightest hook, I could stick my whole hand up there...yikes. I also had to alter the straps and cut two inches from each strap. I am not skilled enough to alter a bra band and prevent the cups from warping or buckling...that's above my pay grade. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":-(" /> I had gotten a few other Montelle bras on this shopping trip and also found a 30 band in another style online and I do have to say that this particular brand seems to have very loose and stretchy bands.
A week after altering the straps: Straps continued to be stretched out to the point where I could have cut more off, but would risk having the top of the bra cup warp.
Rather than continue to reconstruct this bra, I decided it would just be easier to buy something that fit better from the get-go. In the early days of having this bra, I felt like my shape under clothing had improved some but my tolerance waned as soon as it was time to alter it.
I'm not sure if I'm more salty about this bra or the crappy fitting. I'm sure she tried to get me into the "traditional matrix sizes" so that she could sell me more inventory that she had on-hand. Of course, when I called the boutique to ask about a 30 band size and a larger cup, I got the response that the smallest band size this style comes in is a 32 and C is as large as it goes in the cup. Because 30D+ women don't need push-up bras, come on now. /s. Read more 357 more words
The cups are narrow on me and I have some wrinkling at the top (common in plunge bras for me). But it's a cute bra and it definitely fits well enough to keep. I would futz with sizing a bit more on this one before buying the same style again—I think it's possible that the cups are just the wrong shape.
I almost didn't get this bra because I wasn't used to the shape that wire-free bras make (a little less round/perky), but I am so glad I did! I think of all the bras I got on this haul, this one fits me the best. I was worried at first because the gore didn't seem to sit flush on my sternum, but my fitter said that's just the nature of wire-free bras, as they don't have molded cups to "frame" the breasts quite like underwires do. Everything feels fully supported and it feels kinda like a cross between a sports bra and a lined bra. Plus I LOVE the convertible strap system! I'll definitely get more of these.
