Bra fitting help » First attempt at a properly fitting bra. Fit is lacking a little, suggestions?
Panache » Envy Balconnet Bra (7285) » 36H 36:11
Issue resolved
Trying a different brand/style with more space at the wire.
Original problem
Ok, this is my first attempt at a properly fitting bra. I've figured myself to be a 36H using an online calculator, which is a far cry from the 38DD I was cramming myself into previously. Anywho, I tried this puppy on after getting it in the mail today and wore it for approx. 4 hours. I found the underwire to perhaps be too narrow? for me and the extra fabric above them on the outside ends was folding over making the wires poke my armpits. Then there was the center gore, which tacked wonderfully, but I felt that it might be slightly too high and/or too wide for the proximity of my breasts. There was also a significant amount of empty cup beneath the fold of my breast, so much so that it is wrinkling and folding. However, I felt like I filled out the rest of the bra quite nicely. I'm not sure if I'm imagining these problems, or if I'm just not used to a properly fitting bra.
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Suggestions (5)
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helpful
Not bad for your first go! Did you scoop & swoop when you put the bra on? Can you pull the underwires up any higher? Like grab the cup & reach in & lift the bottom of your breast & try to actually place the underwires all the way up into your IMF. If you can get them there, do they stay there? The way it's sitting now is too low, and I don't know if it's because it's truly too shallow for you or if it's because you just didn't put it on properly.
The wires don't look too narrow. They may be poking you because Panache wires are super long and very firm. Hard tacking gores & pokey wires are a common Panache complaint.
Just by the depth measurement this cup is giant for you, but it doesn't look too big the way it's sitting. I suspect if you had the cup up where it belongs you'd have empty space in the top of it. Let me know if you already did everything I asked lol & we'll go from there.
Updated on February 5, 2016 Flag this
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When you leaned forward to s&s did you try to actually pull the cups up any higher? Sometimes especially with larger volume breasts you have to make the wire get up there. If it just won't go, maybe have a look at Jasmine which IIRC has a bit more room at the wire. So do Freyas unlined plunge bras. I think you're evenly full with average root height and narrow roots. Common shape for your size! Gem and Rio may be your best bets in Freya, most of the rest of their unlined bras are FOB friendly.
I suspect Ewa Michalak will be the way you go eventually. Some people are intimidated by the Polish process at first and some aren't. It's up to you. I'd be looking around the listings and r/braswap for any BM or SM styles in a 80H or thereabouts.
So glad my blog was helpful to you! Thank you!
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When I try to pull the cups higher they just slide back into the same position as pictured. Would you recommend a different cup size? or staying with the 36 H when I place another order. I feel like if the under wires on this fit properly the cup would be too big. Thanks for all your help and suggestions!
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As far as the measurement goes, I feel like the bra was probably mis-measured; I have Envy in 36HH and the cup depth is nowhere near that.
Also with this bra in particular I find it hard to get fully in my IMF because the wires are so high on the side.
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Admittedly, I did struggle with measuring this fabric. I didn't think it was that far off but maybe I'm inept when it comes to using a measuring tape lol
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I agree with this. I have to shove the wire and hold it there while I physically scoop the tissue into the Envy. Up and from the side.
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BNA123 when you measure lay the bra cup over your knee with the tape between your knee and the inside of the bra cup. Or turn it inside out over your knee and put the tape over the cup. That's the most accurate way I've found to do it.
I think you should try a 36H again, and a 36GG. In Panache Jasmine, and Freya Gem and Rio. Maybe Cleo Lily if you can find one still somewhere.
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Alrighty, I feel like I know where to go from here. Thanks for all your help!
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I see you have it on the tightest hook at the back. Your band may be too large which might be causing the issues with the wires poking in. You should be hooking at the last set of hooks to start then moving in as the bra loosens with wear. Try a band that is what you measure your ribcage at. For instance, if it is 34 inches you measure then try a 34 band and adjust the cup for your sister size. It does take some trial and error. I was the same....trying to cram into a C cup and am more like an H or I in US sizing.
Updated on February 5, 2016 Flag this
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I actually didn't realize that (oops) and put it on the last set of hooks and it doesn't dig like it did before. However, the gap at the bottom is still an issue. I can't believe I went so long hating how my breasts looked/felt without doing something about it. No more quadboob for me! lol
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helpfulI've found Envy and Jasmine to be among the closest-set of the Panache bras that I've tried, but the gore is just too high for all day comfort for me in either (as are pretty much all of Panache's bras). It's challenging to find a supportive bra with a lower gore in GG+, so I put up with them both, but they've never "relaxed" to fit more comfortably.
I think Jasmine is slightly more flexible in terms of fit than Envy (both have stretch lace on top, but I find that Envy is a little roomier there). You might also browse Elomi, as many of those appear to have a lower gore.
Edited to correct re: stretch lace.
Updated on February 6, 2016 Flag this
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Hmm that's twice now that Jasmine has been suggested. Maybe I'll have to check it out for #2. Thanks for your help!
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Btw, Jasmine and Envy both have stretch lace.
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You're absolutely right; I'll edit my post . I find that it fits larger in the top of the cup than any of the Jasmine colorways I own, and in my head I'd apparently decided this was why. Thanks for the correction Hootymyboobs !
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helpfulI have envy in 32J. Its too shallow at the bottom of the cup. I've tried and tried and I cant make it comfortable, the wires come down too far and hurt my ribcage. Its so sad because it gives such a nice round shape and is so flexible with that stretch lace.
My favorite bra is now Ewa Michalak S . . .
Updated on February 6, 2016 Flag this
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Yes, I think that's the problem here for me, too. I can scoop and swoop and lift my little heart out but that space just doesn't seem to want to go away! I'll have to take a peak at the polish process, seems like its recommended by quite of few of you lovely ladies. Thanks for your help!
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I've had the exact problems in most bras and we're a similar size and shape. The Jasmine and Rio both fit me well but gave me a really awful sloped pointy shape. Ewa S and Comexim plunges are a godsend for me. I also like the Cleo Lily but it does have wider wires than I need and the wires on the side aren't the comfiest (wings are very high on me) but still very wearable.
Updated on February 6, 2016 Flag this
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I'm going to have to look into these polish brands. Thanks for the suggestions!
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Ok, so roxanney pointed out that my band was on the tightest hook and I didn't even realize (duh) so I tried it on the loosest and the cups aren't jabbing my armpits like they were. However, I did the lean forward scoop and swoop and I still have a significant amount of loose cup at the bottom (little more that two finger widths) from the crease of my breast when I put my arms at my sides. I do have some space at the top right now, but not much. I bet there would be a bigger space if the under wire was really in my IMF. I'm a little lost when it comes to defining my shape, but suspect that it has something to do with the extra room.
PS your blog was one of the few that introduced me to properly fitting bras, so thank-you! lol