This is my first purchased bra since joining bratabase and using the calculator, which gave me the size 34FF as a starting point. This review is for the Idina Plunge 6966 in Latte in a 34G, and I suspect I would better fit a 34GG in this model.
Following advice on bratabase and also customer feedback on Bravissimo's website, I chose the Idina Plunge because I wanted an unpadded, everyday bra with decent coverage, but with a low-ish gore for my close-set boobs.
Although this was my first purchase, I had previously tried on a selection of bras in two UK department stores, where 34G was a ... best fit in several Freya and Debenhams own brand models and 36F a reasonable fit in M & S (where most band sizes seemed to run tight, and where FF cupsize does not exist!)
Based on this experience, and after reviewing others' feedback on the Idina plunge, I therefore sized up one cup size to a 34G from my suggested starting point size of 34FF.
On first trying on the bra, I found the band to be stretchy and comfortable but also very snug and level around my body (34 for a snug underbust measurement of 33.5, and a "break the tape" measurement of 31.5). After several hours' wear, it is still in place, and feels both firm and supportive without digging in.
The cup size I chose is OK, and the stretch lace helps to give a smooth fit, but there is slight quadding on my larger breast, and so I suspect the 34GG might be a more ideal size for me. I bought this bra from an Amazon seller and don't feel inclined to send it back, but will store this information for next time.
I think I am even/FOB in shape and the cut-and-sew cup of the Idina gives good coverage for my immediate projection. The gore sits flat against my ribcage and the wire fits nicely right around the breast, with no excess fabric wrinkles underneath (which is a problem I have found with the "smoothing" unpadded T-shirt bras that I prefer aesthetically under slim-fitting clothes, but which tend not to provide the immediate projection that I need on the bottom of the cup). Under a semi-sheer blouse, the lace pattern of this bra does show slightly, but it does not show under a reasonable quality T-shirt, so this seems a good compromise for now.
Other than the cup fit issue, this is a lovely everyday bra with stretch lace over smooth mesh-lined half cups. The straps are backed with soft lining for comfort, are fully adjustable and fit well. The hardware is a warm copper which makes an otherwise plain bra look more pretty.
The bra feels so lovely that I am going to keep it, and will probably wear it into a Bravissimo store, to give a good starting point for a proper fitting session where I can get a second opinion to help me find an even better fit.
Edited to add: after a couple of wears I am still very happy overall. I did start to feel the wire on my fullest breast side digging in after a full day of wear. It was digging into the ribcage, not the breast tissue. I noticed that the wire is actually a half inch shorter than the casing so, as I prefer a low central gore anyway, I pushed the wire round so that it comes higher up the side and lower in tbe middle. I will put a stitch in the centre to keep it this way, and make a note to myself to look for models with a low central gore but a higher side wire when I go shopping.
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Latte colorway
Updated on Jan 15, 2016 Flag this
This is a great review. Very detailed and informative.