Bra fitting help » Is this how it should be?

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Panache Sport » Sports Bra (5021) » 28FF 28:8

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Suggestions (3)

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  helpful

  You are right, there is more to band fit that "can't fasten" and "rides up". It's just an easy place to start.

  In general, you want a sports bra as tight as possible without it restricting you. You need to be able to draw deep breaths. You need to feel that the bra isn't going anywhere, even if you jump up to deliver a volley ball smash. It should stay where it is, but you should still be able to breath properly.

  Do you feel more comfortable on the tightest hooks? Based on the measurments, though I think that the stretched measurement really is bigger than your ribcage I wouldn't say that this is a too big bra i nthe band.

  About a "whole hand". In my interpretation and what I've seen at Bravissimo, the easiest way is to either try to put a fist under the band, or, to put a flat hand and then angle it so that it is in a 90-degree angle to the surface of your back. A flat hand along your back is something that you should be able to fit as it really won't be much of a difference compared to the two things.

  So, judge on how it behaves. Jump, move around, do whatever you usually do and see if the bra back moves around or if it seems to stay in place.

  Updated on February 22, 2013 Flag this

  
  

  • Measured comfortably, my ribcage measures 72 cm. As tight as possible my ribcage measures 69 cm. Believe me, I stretched this bra to the absolute maximum that I could while taking the stretched band measurement! I actually placed my foot on one end of it and placed the other foot on the other end while standing up, this way I can keep the band stretched while measuring it. It confuses me though... I measured myself while inhaling(breathing in as deeply as I possibly could) and I then measure 78 cm. That would theoretically mean that my ribs would get squashed when I inhale, right? Yet I can fasten it straight away on the tighest hook, breathe as deeply as I can and feel no discomfort due to the band being too tight. Hmm... I'm confused. This really is a bra matrix...

  • Could you measure your underbust with the sport bra on and breath in as deeply as possible and measure then? Then you will now if you're "squashed".

  • Bras truly work in mysterious ways ;)
    I think that your measurements don't necessarily say anything about how a bra fits. In the end, it all comes down to how your body feels when wearing the bra and your own preferences.
    Do follow Nesoa's advice but I think you should try a smaller cupsize. Or if that won't fit, a different sports bra altogether.

    Random note: I own a Panache Sports bra as well and it is (of course) too small in the cups. But just looking at it, one would never notice that...
    

  • (I also think you should size down in the cups... I was just not commenting on it as the question was about the band, but of course, definitly a cup size down. :) )

  • I just did what you asked for Nesoa :) I measured myself with the sports bra on while breathing in as deeply as possible. Result? 78 cm. Just like the measurement I get when I'm wearing no bra, no t-shirt, no nothing :) I'd be lying to myself if I didn't say it feels a tiny bit constrictive, but that's only the last few cms of fully inhaling. I do think that this bra is too big for me though. This bra is brand new so it hasn't stretched one tiny bit, I have another one in black(also a 28" back and it doesn't feel constrictive at all after wear) which is good around the back. I think I have to alter the band on this bra, don't you think? Since this is how it is supposed to feel on the loosest hook straight away.

  • If so it stretches to atleast 78 cm, maybe even more.

    I only think you need to alter the back if it actually rides up or leaves you feeling unsupported. I have some bras that stretches up to 78 cm (and I measure 68 snugly) that is just fine, because they are so firm in the stretch that they don't ride up or cause any problems at all... So, I would say, go by fitting problems. Does it move around?

  • It definitely does not move around. You're right, if it feels good it feels good no matter what the cms are or whatever. I do think I'll alter the band however, because with wear it'll stretch and then the tightest hook won't be tight anymore. Thanks a lot! :)

  • Sounds like a good plan, though if I were you I would probably wait until it is starting to get too big before altering, just because it will be easier to hand it on without alterations if you end up needing a smaller or bigger cup after some time for well, any reason.

  • 1

    That's clever! :) I might actually do that instead. Thanks a lot!

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• 1
  helpful

  I'm terribly confused about band fit myself, but I think that a band should be as tight as NEEDED -- e.g. tight enough to prevent it from riding up -- not as tight as POSSIBLE.

  I've recently started thinking that in addition to the 'regular' underbust measurements (supertight, comfortably snug, etc.) one should measure the underbust FULLY INHALED and use that as a guideline for band size as well. At the very least the band should stretch to match that measurement.

  Also bear in mind that people with smaller, shallower and/or otherwise 'less heavy' breasts can probably get away with slightly looser bands than people with larger, deeper and/or otherwise 'heavier' breasts.

  Anyway, I think there is no 'one way fits all' -- whatever way works for you in terms of comfort and support is the right way for you.

  Updated on February 22, 2013 Flag this

  
  

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• 0
  helpful

  The band is plenty tight on you! Can you see how your hand is not flat, but that your fingers are being smushed down because the band if tight?
  Band's that are too loose mean that you can put your hand under the band and flatten the hand, like you were going to shake hands with someone... you can't do this, therefore this band is tight enough!

  Sports bands should arguably be tighter in order to ensure the breasts don't move around, but the best way to test is to jump up and down!

  As for the cup fit, have you put your hand into the cup, under your boob, and 'pulled' the boob up after having put the bra on? This is important, because otherwise cups can look too small, when if you adjust correctly, they actually fit!

  This blog post explains and shows you what i mean:
  
  http://brasandbodyimage.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/putting-your-bra-on-properly/

  I actually think you might need to migrate some of the underarm skin to the breast area.
  

  Updated on February 22, 2013 Flag this

  
  

  • "Band's that are too loose mean that you can put your hand under the band and flatten the hand, like you were going to shake hands with someone... you can't do this, therefore this band is tight enough!"

    I don't quite understand the bit about shaking hands with someone? You just mean that the hand should be able to lie flat underneath the band in a similar matter like when you extend your hand to someone? Am I right?

  • I'm totally with you about the suggestion that I need to migrate some of the underarm skin to the breast area. I have migrated breast tissue, although not a huge amount of it and I do swoop and scoop every time I put on a bra. I'm VERY aware about it :) I've seen that post a million times but I'm glad you linked it anyway, it's great for others who haven't seen it. Swooping and scooping,(also pulling the boob up of course) this is the result I get in this bra.

  • a flatten hand that is vertical is what i mean! so not horizontal like a hand shake, but i guess i wanted to express that the hand has to be flat, whereas yours is squished up! i hope that's clearer now :)

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