This is by far the best looking bra I’ve owned – the pictures do no justice at all to the ice blue color! It has a singular black bow on the gore, but isn’t overly lacy or covered in charms/bows, which is a look and style I really appreciate. It’s very silky and smooth, and the cups are made of a very thin foam layer – it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing any padding, but no nipplege will show through it. The straps are THICK, even thick enough that I can wear them over my bad shoulder and tighten them without pain, which is a first for me ...with uncrossed straps. The band feels perfect: I can breathe and move, but it stays in place and is supportive. The band is also mesh, so it stretches easily and gives your back a way to breathe so you won’t get sweaty. The cups are simultaneously my favorite thing about this bra and the reason it doesn’t fit: they are the perfect size, lined in softness on the inside, stunning in appearance, and have the most wonderful and comfortable elastic line running along the top of the cups, perfectly smooth to my skin. However, the sides of the cup where the fabric drapes down from the straps come up way, WAY too high on me. In order to wear this bra, I have to lift my shoulders up pretty high, because of my arms are down in a natural position they force the underwire down, sliding the bra down my body or bending the cup at weird angles.
What I’d love to know is if I can save this bra, or if it’s just not a good fit for me. I absolutely love it, and would really hate to have to give it up. Would a sister size change anything? Has anyone else had trouble with Parfait’s wires and cup being too high? Is this something that is possible to fix as an alteration?
Also, I’d LOVE recommendations of things that would fit similar and have that nice little elastic on top of the cups with a lowered cup and wire height. This bra is for sure my new holy grail in terms of shape and overall feel, and would be perfect if the cup and wire were just a little lower. What sort of shape do I have if this fits super well (except those tall wires)? Read more 298 more words
Do the wires fill the channel completely? If not, you can force them all the way towards the gore, then lower the wing and armpit curve. If the wire fills the channel, you could do a wire switch out, or even shorten the wire if you have a way to soften the wire edge afterwards.
Sister sizing most likely will not help with this issue, as cup volume would theoretically be the same, so the wing most likely would be the same as well. :-/
MamaPagan They do completely fill their channels, though I now notice one is about .125 inch longer than the other.
What is a wire switch out? Not sure if I could soften the cut edge or not if I go that route.
A wire switchout is where you take the wires out and replace them with another set of wires. cupandahalf has a lot of experience with this so she could offer more insight into the process, but as a quick/general idea, the replacement wires can come from another "parts" bra or you can buy replacements online or from most fabric stores.
@Robras If you are comfortable with alterations, you could do this yourself. You would need to remove the end stitching on the wire channel, remove the existing wire then put in the new shorter wire. Then you would want to decide the new wing height and armpit curve, mark that in chalk or something that would wash out easily or carefully mark it will pins. Next you need to remove the edge stitching, cut and fold over at the new desired height/curve pin it in place then sew a new seam, making sure to stretch the elastic as you go so the cup curve still hugs the breast. I've altered the cup curve before but haven't switched wires, but I assume it would be a fairly easy step in the process. Just make sure you sew closed the wire channel so the wire doesn't slip out afterwards. :-D
MamaPagan Thank you for being so thorough!! That sounds super doable.
You're welcome Robras :-) Hopefully cupandahalf can add some insight into which wires would be best to choose and things to consider or avoid. I am clueless with that aspect for sure!
Robras, I bought the same bra recently, and had the same problem as you. I think they have a problem scaling for small band and large bust. I will be very curious to hear if you alter and it is successful, because my bra is currently unwearable...
You honestly don’t need to alter anything but switch out the wire if it’s just the wire that’s the problem. I don’t find any issue with the empty wire channel chafing or flapping around- one you have clothes on it lays flat pretty well. Make sure you match the wire up to your root- I would buy a few wire sizes and styles to try out first.
veggiechic yeah, it’s not even slight either – the cup is like .5 inch too high. I wonder if this is a common issue and if Parfait is aware of it or willing to make a custom. I’ll definitely let you if I manage to figure something out! :)
cupandahalf do you have any advice on doing this for the first time? Or how to guess what sort of wire might be a good fit?
Well you probably know around what width you need. I would buy a few wires around that witdth in different shapes and sizes (Porcelynne’s are $2.50 a pair). Before you put them in your bra, put them up to/in your imf to see if they match at all. Once you get a good match Open the wire channel with a seam ripper- I typically choose the channel top by the band. Take out the original wire and slide in the new wire. I like to stitch the wire so it’s firmly in place- that means adding stitches at the top of the wire, not the top of the channel. I have no problem with an extra half inch of fabric at the side but if it irritates you you can just fold the extra fabric over and tack it down but I doubt a half inch will be noticeable.
cupandahalf thanm you so much! Did you teach yourself to do this? Also, what is imf?
Thank*
cupandahalf Do you feel that changing the wire width by too much effects/distorts the cup, band, or fit? My theory (based purely on silly logic and not experience) is that if the width changes too much (such as replacing a 7" wide wire with a 6" one) that the band would be/feel shorter, the cups more immediately projected, & the risk of wire distortions greatly increased. Is there a safe zone of width change, like 1/2" is ok but 1" too much etc, or is it really dependent on the wire strength and flexibility?
Robras I did teach myself. I have very short roots and not a lot of bra choices at 40JJ so it was necessary.
MamaPagan everyone says it will change the fit but I haven’t really noticed a huge difference unless the wire curves up before the cup gets to the band. That’s the biggest problem I’ve encountered.
Robras I did teach myself. I have very short roots and not a lot of bra choices at 40JJ so it was necessary.
MamaPagan everyone says it will change the fit but I haven’t really noticed a huge difference unless the wire curves up before the cup gets to the band. That’s the biggest problem I’ve encountered.
Thank you cupandahalf! That is good to know and can open up some other possibilities for sure. Maybe I can wear KrisLine after all.....wire shopping time!! :-D
I mean maybe my boobs are just big and a bit squishy so they go where the wire puts them, I dunno. Unless you are a stickler for fit I don’t think it’s going to be a huge deal.
It is worth trying as long as I know someone was successful with it. :-) Thank you again!
cupandahalf Wow, that’s so cool! Are there any good places to buy these wires?
My favorite is Porcelynne because of the variety. Really you can google sew lingerie underwire and find lots of places though.
After reading nothing but great reviews about this bra, I decided to get one for myself. The wild pink colour is something between bubble gum pink and hot pink which a shade I am a fan of. The straps are very wide (the widest I`ve seen on any bra). While it is a god send to my shoulders, my brain is telling me it looks a bit too wide to satisfy my bra aesthetics requirement.
Regarding fit, the cups are a tad bit shallow on me, resulting in the wires being pushed out by my boobs and floating away from my chest wall. Sizing up would certainly make ...the wires too wide. The wing and wire height, however, are not bothersome though they are high. I did appreciate the side coverage.
The last item to note is the band stretchiness. I`ve never liked Parfait bands. I own 2 others that use the same band design. It`s a powermesh elastic panel that while good and tight, the fact that it is not lined (like on my Freya Decos), I actually find it to be less effective. Not only does the band ride up beginning at the point that the band transitions to this powermesh material, but it rides up with a vengeance. It also likes to pinch and showcase any flesh you might have on your back. So while I decided the bra looks great on me, the band construction/composition is what ultimately convinced me to return it. Read more 139 more words
I was skeptical about this bra because it looks very heavy and IMHO the design is a bit much. But I changed my mind when I tried it on- it’s actually one of the most comfortable bras I’ve ever worn and my boobs feel completely supported and weightless. It’s got pretty mega lift as well. Almost like a corset, but way more comfortable.
The fit unfortunately is not quite perfect, but I think I will keep this bra anyway because I really love the “weightless” feeling it gives me. The padding predictably makes the cups shallow and does not allow for a lot of immediate projection or inner ...projection, which causes the gore not to tack on me in my usual size, 28H. As some people recommended, I tried to size up to a 28HH but it was comically large. The wings were jutting into my armpits, the cups were up to my chin, and the top gaped. So back to the 28H I went, and just accepted that the gore wouldn’t tack.
I wish I’d gotten the blue color. The “dusty rose” is okay but a bit underwhelming. Read more 80 more words
Affinitas Parfait Charlotte set in Ice Blue/Black UK size 28H + Small high waisted 1950s vintage-style knickers. This is a truly lovely set in the most beautiful shade of blue. I adore all things blue and always wanted to try this stunning style but sadly it is not compatible with my petite frame. I am unable to wear British brands due to my 24" underbust but have always felt compelled to try the Charlotte and perhaps have the band taken in but alas the proportions are not compatible with my petite frame. The bra feels very sturdy and well constructed and is most likely highly supportive in the right size. I love the attention to detail throughout the design and the matching high waisted knickers are superbly crafted and beautifully complete the set.
I absolutely love this bra. It my first bra that fits correctly. My boobs stay in it while I'm moving around and bending I've, which is new to me. The band is nice and snug. And for once bigger cups aren't poking my under arms. Have I mentioned im in love. 😍
This would be a good bra for someone who has shallow wide set breasts. It's pretty, plus gives a good shape and support if you fit it properly. Though I overflow the cups, the sides are left with little tissue in them and I gape near the straps. Going up a size just makes things worse, I swim in the 28HH. I also am unable to tighten the straps cause they cut in to my armpit and hurt at the 28HH size. So sad I really like the look of this bra and wanted it to work, but alas it is just the wrong shape.
Do the wires fill the channel completely? If not, you can force them all the way towards the gore, then lower the wing and armpit curve. If the wire fills the channel, you could do a wire switch out, or even shorten the wire if you have a way to soften the wire edge afterwards.
Sister sizing most likely will not help with this issue, as cup volume would theoretically be the same, so the wing most likely would be the same as well. :-/