Bra fitting help » This feels wrong.
Fantasie » Annabelle Side Support Bra (2842) » 30D 30:4
Issue resolved
The 3 part cups are causing "orange in a glass" and my shallow breasts are dragged down too much by the cut of the cups. In addition, the altered 30 band does not fit me properly. I will continue to wear this particular bra for the cool comfort (and because it's so darn pretty) but in the future I'll have to stay away from Fantasie because their smallest band, 30, is not a 30 I can wear.
Original problem
I thought this felt like a good fit a few weeks ago, but today it feels wrong. The straps are digging into my shoulders and giving me a headache, and I have to "scoop" at least once an hour unless I'm sitting still (which hardly ever happens). I altered the band after writing down the original measurements and the band is now 25 inches unstretched. Maybe I distorted the cups too much by shortening the band? The cups are wrinkling or gaping and it seems I either have quadra-boob or just "flattened" looking boobs. These cups feel pretty "wide" rather than long & narrow, so "orange in a glass" seems unlikely. I honestly don't know if it's the size of the bra, the styles, the cup shapes, or what, but I need advice about what to try as in size up/down/forget it all together...I was counting on this bra to be a "regular" and today it's driving me crazy.
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Suggestions (2)
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helpfulThe measurements on the width and depth seem good, but I think there's another variable here, one that's hard to represent with a single number/measurement: how open the top of the cup is. That horizontal panel at the top of each cup is constructed so that it curves in too much for a shallow shape; it's fantastic for a full-on-bottom shape. I would honestly just give up on this bra, because sizing up or down won't fix the top of the cup.
Unfortunately, most unlined three- and four-panel bras are going to be exactly the same (in my experience). One of the only ones that sometimes works is the Cleo Lucy (5851) . If you would like some suggestions for bras that are
Updated on May 20, 2013 Flag this
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Stay away from the Lucy-- I have a similar breast shape, and the Lucy cuts in on top even after I've altered it! Try the Marcie instead, it's pretty similar, only way better for our breast shape! :)
Edit: Stay away from this cut of Freya and Fantasie bras as well, they don't work well on shallow breasts at all. You could try the half-cup styles instead (I know Freya makes them, but not sure about Fantasie). Half cups in general are probably going to be your new best friend!
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One more thing: If you still really like the 3-part cup style, I recommend the Cleo Melissa. It's the only 3-part cup I've tried so far that doesn't cut in on top! But seriously, try the Marcie. And halfcups.
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helpfulCouple things.
1. is the stretched band really 35"? if you stretch it that far, does the wire distort? if it does distort when you pull, then it's probably super-floppy and that might be adding to the cup-fit problem.
2. I often have this problem with the outer circumference of the cups causing quadboob while the apex is empty. I agree with ankylosaurus_rex that a larger cup will not fix the problem and you need a different shape/style.
Updated on May 20, 2013 Flag this
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I measured it when I first got the bra, and since then I've altered it. Now it stretches to about 29", and yes, the cups definitely distort when I stretch the band. I also notice, right where my "underarm fat" is located the cups seem to round out, rather than hold me in. I'm certain they didn't do that when I first wore this bra. It's hard to tell from my truly lousy photography, but does this bra look too low overall for skin that wants to migrate under the arms?
I was thinking of possibly trying this style in a 30DD because I wondered if bigger cups would allow me to fall into the cups more? I have about pre-school level experience with bra cups as they've been my nemesis for ages. Probably a bigger cup would just cave in...now that I think about it...And it would be silly to buy another 30 band when I had to alter this one...oh well.
As always, thanks bunches! Learning about bras can be a wonderful, uplifting distraction from everyday stress. Never did I dream I'd EVER, ever post pictures of myself wearing bras on the internet...But in this case, I honestly think our experiences are so good to share, and the advice an encouragement is invaluable.
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Thanks so much! Wow - you were able to zero in immediately on what I now think is the core problem. In the pics I posted, the darker ones were taken a couple of weeks ago, before I altered the band. At the time, the band really felt too loose, and the bra wouldn't "stay put". Maybe I overdid it when I cut the band. In the original pics, the top of the cup is sitting across my boobs, but not digging in or wrinkling. It's not the most flattering shape I've ever worn, but I was hoping this style bra would be good for everyday comfort. I like the "side support" and the unlined cups. (Plus, it's a beautiful bra). Originally there was a slight wrinkling on the right cup, as you can probably see in the dark picture, but I'm standing in a relaxed position.
Now the cups just crinkle over when I scoop and they feel WAY too low on the sides. They're pulling me flat and doubling the skin roll under my arms. I must have really messed up the fit when I altered the band.
I've had my eye on a Cleo Lucy but I haven't been able to purchase on yet. I'm a bit concerned about how far apart the straps look on the Cleo, and I wondered if my shallow shape would make the cups cave in, lol! Keeping fingers crossed, because I SO want "pretty" bras that fit.