I really thought this bra was gonna work for me, but there was a slight shape mismatch that I just couldn't get over even though the fit issues are so easily camouflaged by the stiff foam of the cups. I agree with the other reviewers who've said that this bra runs projected-ish in this size range -- this worked out great for me in that Charlotte has the immediate projection that I'm always looking for, but it's too projected at the apex and wants more inner fullness than I have. I was getting some empty space in the cups (not visibly though, the cups still manage to lie flush with my chest) and decided that the awesome shape and lift I get from this bra aren't worth it for a mediocre technical fit. It was incredibly supportive though and has a nice vintage pin-up vibe going on if that's your style. The band is nice and snug and I'd say the cups run a little large in comparison to other 28Ds, but still TTS.
For me, the band runs more true-to-size than tight. I have a 25" snug UB and this does need adjusting every once in a while. In this size range, the cups seem to have average projection rather than being shallow. My breasts usually don't work well with 3-part cups but the stiff padding hides a lot of projection issues, and this bra definitely gives me more of a push-up effect because of the projection.
According to my measurements, I'm not quite a 28D... I would sister size up to a 28B/C instead. But there are too many cute bras in 28D, and I could get this with a good discount, so I went for it.
My ribcage measures a little over 26" around. I haven't tried an actual 26 band yet, but most of the 28s I've tried have been fine for me. This one, not so much. It does stay up on the loosest hook without needing much from the straps - I wore it with too-loose straps for awhile and stayed mostly scooped - but I did notice that the marks ...resulting from a couple hours of wear were a little further down on my ribs, not directly under my breast tissue. (I don't really know how to explain this compared to my other bras - I don't take the stretched band measurement, but it's not a whole lot bigger than or stretchier than them? But it does slip down over time.) There's also quite a lot of gapping at the top of the cups.
However, most of this is remedied to an acceptable level if I clasp it on the middle or tightest hook. Then, the gapping is still present but not as severe. (It's hard to tell with the padded and molded cups how much empty space there is in the cups, but it doesn't feel like much, at least for the bigger breast.) One more issue is that, while the straps stay up fine on me, their placement and the shape where the top of the cups changes into the armhole isn't great for me; when my arms are forward, it rubs. It's not the underwire or the wing height, and unfortunately is just part of the construction of this particular bra. The width of the cups is great, but the straps attach right at the edge of the top of the cups, and that's too wide to be comfortable for me.
I'm a little sad about this not working out, as the shape of the underwire is basically perfect. I don't think any of my other bras have had the wires wrap quite this well. The gore is a great width and tacks just right, and the underwires are the right width and length, with the impressions they leave fitting perfectly into the creases of my tissue. The cups are just a little too tall, or too projected, or something.
The band is a little stretchier than some of my other bras, but still feels very solid. I love the icy blue color, and it's a really cute and fun looking bra. The seam on the inside of the cups makes me a little itchy sometimes, but that may just be me.
I may keep this one and just wear it on the loosest hook under tops that aren't low cut, since the gapping isn't obvious under clothes and it does give a really great, rounded shape. I'll save wearing it on the tighter hook for when I actually care about gapping. It's just too cute to pass on, and I'm a sucker for blue. Read more 414 more words
The trouble with this bra is that it cut in horribly to my super tall roots. It also had a weird gap in the bra in the inside of the bra, but I think that that is my boobs and I have gotten it a few times, and have yet to figure it out https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
I have that problem too -- the gapping isn't visible, but I can feel the empty space when I touch the cups. I think Charlotte requires a very specific shape because it's so moulded.
- Band is pretty tight, almost as if it's a 26. - Wires are too narrow for me. The inner and outer ends of the wires dig in. - Contrary to many reviews, I don't find the cups to be shallow.
I have that problem too -- the gapping isn't visible, but I can feel the empty space when I touch the cups. I think Charlotte requires a very specific shape because it's so moulded.