Bra fitting help » shape mismatch? Wrong size? Stuck!
Cleo » Lucy Balconnet Bra (5851) » 30F 30:7
Issue resolved
Have decided to order more sizes (28G and 30FF to start) and do trial and error. Now that I have more understanding of fit, shape, and style (thanks to fitting advice on several bras, along with lots of looking and comparing here), I know more of what I'm looking for. And thus the real journey begins!
Original problem
This was a brand new, free to me bra (merchant sent 2 because of an error, only wanted one back for return). So I took in the gore (easily undone) as an experiment, which does help some. Before it fit worse. I hear the Lucy is a bra that helps determine shape and projection. I'm aware the cups on this are too small. If I wear it on the loosest hook, it isn't as bad as the photos, but the band is more comfotable on the second hook, which causes the look in the photos. I tried to take pics showing the overspill and where it is (second hook on band, after scooping and swooping). I'm also pretty sure that there is not enough bottom projection in this for me, which is also where some of the overspill is coming from. It is possible for me to put my breasts back in the cup without much overspill (more of an indent on the top), but I get a more pointy shape that way and feel I am bordering on the wire being on tissue under my arms and overspill in my armpits. Neither way is very comfortable. I'm full on bottom unsupported (have soft tissue that's center full), but when supported am even (per reddit's a bra that fits guide). I'm not ready to buy a polish bra until I nail down my bra size and cup depth needs. I want a nice round shape. I hear Cleo is known for a round shape, which is why I'm looking into her bras. I was looking at the Marcie or Erin (or other more projected, deeper cup shapes) as a possibility. Am I on the right track? I think the Lucy seems to be a shape mismatch, but maybe it's just a size issue? Help! I am stuck and still learning.
You must be logged in to leave suggestions
-
New user?
-
Have an account?
Suggestions (3)
-
2
helpful
You absolutely cannot figure out fit with a bra that's a full 1-2 cup sizes too small. You need to try the Lucy in a 30FF or G before you can figure out if it is right for you.
Don't worry about FoT/FoB just yet. This is a single shape criterion that is used and abused by people trying to characterize their overall breast shape and proportions, when in fact it only really takes on a useful meaning in connection with other shape and size characteristics (tall or short roots, degree of projection, width or narrowness, gradual or abrupt slope to the upper half of the breast when supported, tail of spence prominent or not, etc.)
The concept/term was coined and used quite clearly and accurately by a well-known bra fit blogger, but the reason she used it accurately was that she was talking about her own breast shape and dimensions after quite a lot of experience trying numerous bras. As a newbie who isn't even sure of size and is only beginning to try to just understand how to fit your shape, you don't yet have a firm foundation of info/understanding about your fit needs for the whole full on top, full on bottom stuff to make any sense.
Updated on September 16, 2015 Flag this
-
Hmm you're right wendybien, it's all about the context.
I think FoB / FoT have become such household terms in my bra vocabulary that I'm sometimes throwing them around too soon or too randomly? But without root width + height / firmness etc. its all still very relative and uncertain.
-
Well, you really are going to want to use both avenues (looking at cup depths before determining what size will work, and then trying different sizes in the same bra design to see if one of them is a good fit).
For band length, I think you could go either way. 28s are hard to come by though.
-
0
helpful
I think that if you order the Cleo Marcie in 30F, you will know if you are more FOT or if you need 30FF in future bras. My guess is that the Cleo Marcie in 30F will be a better fit for you. It is highly possible that you have an FOT shape, and the Marcie was created for FOT types.
Updated on September 16, 2015 Flag this
-
I guess I'm now thoroughly confused as to how I determine FOT vs even vs FOB? I at first was using a guide that said you are FOB if when you lean over you have more fullness below the nipple and it points forward, even if nipple points straight down, FOT if more on top and nipple points back. Some others say this is not really a good determining way and its determined while supported and overall shape vs nipple placement (the reddit a bra that fits guide). Or is it really just best to try bras to find out?
-
Frillycupcakes the only true way is to try bras and find out.
-
-
0
helpful
I was about to suggest the same as Saskia: from these pictures, it looks like you're more even or leaning towards FOT. Based on that shape, I'd definitely suggest Cleo Marcie over Lucy - I believe Lucy is mostly described as FOB friendly. So Marcie should work much better for you! Check the measurements, 30F or FF may work.
Then again, it's hard to define your shape based on the pics alone (because as you say, these cups are too small). So your tissue may be pushed upwards, influencing how your shape looks.
It's basically trial and error until you find out what works best (:
Good luck!Updated on September 16, 2015 Flag this
-
Would you suggest a slightly deeper cup or slightly shallower cup in the Marcie? I'm a bit worried I won't fill out the FF cup totally or it won't round me as much as the F. But the F is slightly too shallow compared to my measurements. I'm feeling so confused and like everything I thought before May be wrong. On another note, I definitely think the cups are pushing me upwards to an extent, but not to the extreme, which is why I'm questioning my shape and thinking I'm closer to even. Thanks for the luck.
-
Haha, hopefully it's not a bad thing, bonjourhi! I'm still so appreciaive of the help you and others have given. Maybe someday when I've learned more I can assist others like you all are helping me. Would you recommend I try an FF in the Lucy? Or an FF in the Marcie? And should I stick with the 30 band, as this fits most comfortable on the second hook?
-
Amazon prime shipping! Maybe I'll see about ordering a Lucy in a 30FF and a 28G next to try, since Amazon has it on 2 day shipping with free returns. That's what I'm using at the moment, since its low risk and costs nothing to return if it's not a good fit. I'm trying not to get ahead of myself, but have seen the possibilities now, and am anxious for the results! Feel like a kid. Ha.
-
Ok. Sounds like I've got my priorities mixed up. I'll work on finding a bra in a cup size that actually fits. I have 3 questions.
1) Would you recommend using my measurements to find bras?
2) Or is it better to try to nail my size down within a brand and style (this one, Cleo Lucy for example) before moving on to a new style?
3) Also, if the hook fits best on the middle hook, should I size down in the band, or would that possibly be too tight or uncomfortable? (30 to 28).
Thanks so much for the advice. I really appreciate it!