Bra fitting help » Are the cups too small?
Curvy Kate » Portia Balcony Bra (CK4001) » 28FF 28:8
You may not be able to see it in the photo, but the left cup cuts into breast tissue a little, causing a subtle quad-boob effect.
If I look at the end of the wire from the side, I see that the part of the underwire pocket that's empty (doesn't contain wire) is strained.
The back lies horizontally, but there are bulges around the band.
My guess is that I need to go up maybe one cup size. Any observations or suggestions?
The wires at the center dig into my breast tissue. But I don't think this is a sizing issue; my boobs are just very close together.
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Suggestions (10)
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5
helpfulIf the cup fits in every other way, but digs a little on the top edge, I might suggest just cutting the ribbon. Brasihate did that to make hers fit. The ribbon is known for being tight.
Updated on May 6, 2012 Flag this
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helpfulHow does the band fit? I find that Curvy Kate wires distort under pressure, so that while the cups might be technically ok, they get shallower and wider after I fasten the back. My 28G Portia is way more comfortable when I wear an extender, even though I'm actually a 26.5" band: the band needs to be loose for me to have decently shaped cups!
Sometimes it helps me to sew the gore narrower, which tips the cups so that they aren't so tight on top. That minimizes quadraboob and makes the bra fit better for my close-together breasts.
Updated on May 4, 2012 Flag this
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Thanks for responding! Your measurements seem to be similar to mine, so this is really helpful.
I have actually heard from others that Curvy Kate tend to be shallower and wider. Now that I've tried it, I have to agree.
I'm curious how you sew the gore to be narrower, since the wires seem to be almost touching in the middle even now. Do you just take it in along the bottom of the band? I can't sew, but I might be able to get my mom to help :)
And that's a great tip with the extender. I might have to try that.
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By the way, how loose does the band have to be for the cups to fit right for you? If you pull the back away from your body, how far away does it go?
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A few fingers away; I think a 30G/FF CK would actually fit me better than the 28. (Even though my ribcage is only 26.5"!)
I do this to the gore: http://boobiusmaximus.livejournal.com/1474.html
and also found that my CK bra benefited from this: http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-to-do-with-those-pesky-wide.html -
So CK might in fact be one of those brands with which we can use the +4 method to find the band size. Thank you for your tips! The sewing seems to be simple enough even for me. I will try doing both those things when I locate the needle and the thread :D
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Yeah, I don't know whether CK really does take that into account, or if Freya (my usual go-to) is just really REALLY stretchy. I suspect it's the latter. I also blame the wire bendiness as playing a significant role in my desire to size up. I think I want the bigger band just to stop the wires from bending. I've tried on Cleo in 28G, which has firmer bands like CK but also firmer wires, and haven't felt the need to size up.
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helpfulIt's a bit tricky to tell from a photo but I'd throw on a tshirt and jump a few times, bend over etc to let your breasts settle naturally into place in the bra. See if this makes the left cup cut in further, or if it stays the same.
If it stays the same then it's up to you if you feel comfortable in this size.
The back does look a little strained on that last hook. If it's uncomfortable when you breathe deeply you might want to switch to a 30 and then reevaluate the cup.
Updated on May 6, 2012 Flag this
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I did try scooping my breasts into the cups and the cups cut in further. It seems the band is too tight, so I'll try the extender idea and see if the cup fits better. Because right now the cups extend too far back, so the extender might help place the cups closer to the front where my breast tissue is.
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helpfulOnce you have scooped into the cups, try 'shimmying' the wires up. Hold the bottom of the underwire, and jiggle it side to side while moving it up towards your chin. I had never heard of this until a recent fitting, and bras I thought were too small were actually too big.
Like others said, try an extender, and see how it stretches out with a few wears.Updated on May 19, 2012 Flag this
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helpfulIf it cuts in, even the slightest, the cup is too small. It also looks too narrow for you, as if the wire is slightly cuttin into your breast tissue under the arm. A cup size up should fix both issues though.
When it comes to the wires digging in at the top of the bridge, that's quite common with higher wires as the wires are flat while your body isn't. Just bend the tip slightly outwards to relieve the pressure. It will still be lying against your body, just not press as hard.
Updated on October 29, 2012 Flag this
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helpfulHow old is the bra? If it's new, don't be worried about the band, since it will stretch out (maybe wear it with an extender until it does)... if you've worn it for a while now (a few weeks), then you might consider a looser band.
Updated on May 7, 2012 Flag this
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I actually just got it, so the extender might be the way to go. Thanks!
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Get an extender and see if it helps at all with the cup situation... as NeverTookHomeEc noted, sometimes a too-tight band can distort the cup. But since it's a new bra, it will definitely loosen up, and the 28 looks like it will be fine!
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helpfulI get the same effect from this bra. Do not go up in band size. That is not tge problem. Are you wearing it on the tightest or loosest hook?
Updated on September 1, 2012 Flag this
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helpfulI agree that the band looks too snug in the back, but I think it may be because the straps are tightened quite a bit. It actually looks like they straps are tightened to the extent that the band is riding up the back. I also find that Curvy Kate bands stretch out a lot and very quickly! That being said, the band should be the size that is most comfortable to you. I think you could go either way. You could keep it or you might want to try going up a band size and down a cup size to compare the fit.
Updated on August 5, 2013 Flag this
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helpfulhi.... i am agree with Shehfer... cup is looking fine...but from back view your band is bit smaller...
please go for a higher band size with same cup . i hope then this underwire prob would be solved as well...Updated on December 3, 2012 Flag this
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helpfulI think the cups are ok but try a bigger band size, also u cud try the next cup size as well, but certainly the band size is small
Updated on June 21, 2012 Flag this
The ribbon is actually pretty loose on mine. I could see that there's some slack in how the ribbon rests. So that doesn't seem to be the problem, which is good because I love the ribbon! :D