Bra fitting help » Gaping and spilling at the same time, need bra recommendations
Panache » Dahlia Balconnet Bra (7291) » 30G 30:9
Issue resolved
band too big, cups too small, shape not suitable for me. need more depth and projection.
Original problem
Hello, I need general fitting help and bra recommendations. My breasts are really soft and bell-shaped (lost lots of weight) and I have troubles finding a bra which gives me both a nice shape and support.
This Dahlia from Panache feels comfortable, but does not look right. There is slight gaping on top when I sit, but when I stand I have a quadboob (when I go a size up, there is lots of gaping). I am not sure if there is enough support, as the material is very soft.
Panache bras have wide enough wires for me, but I tend to have these gaping/spilling issues on top of the cups. Freya, or Fantasie give me more projection, but the wires are often not wide enough and I have spilling on the sides (not just armpit fat, but breast tissue).
Moulded cups do not work for me, at all (massive gaping on top). My boobs usually "fall out" of plunge bras. (Plunge) balconies are usually fine, but it is difficult to find wide enough wires.
What bras do you recommend for me? Is this style generally right?
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Suggestions (2)
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1
helpfulHave you tried Jasmine, Floris, or Thea? They give you a bit more space in the top of the cup, and they have quite a bit of apex projection which may or may not be what your require. If yes, how did these other models fit?
Gorsenia unlined balconies K001-K199 and those with "big" in the description are wider, have space for center fullness, lots of immediate projection, and can accommodate even vertical distribution. But, finding your size requires a bit of trial and error which can be exasperating.
@finallygotboobs What do you recommend? If memory serves me correctly, Dahlia is one of your favorites.
Updated on August 10, 2017 Flag this
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Panache Sport is like an oven! Hot!
You will be most comfortable in a bra you like. So, if Floris and Jasmine weren't your preference, just keep looking. It sounds like they weren't an improvement over Dahlia anyway.
There are Fauves available at discount websites. Belle Lingerie and Lingerie Outlet Stores often have Fauves, the listings here, Ebay, and even Amazon. Occasionally, they are for sale on Poshmark, too. If you've scoured those resources and not found a Fauve that will work, you may be out of luck for the moment. But, you could create a listing alert here, and Bratabase will send you a message when a Fauve in your size and/or specific model is posted for sale. :-)
It is possible, as finallygotboobs alludes, you may not require as wide a wire when you find the cup depth you need. Ewa Michalak, Comexim plunges and unlined, and Gorsenia K200+ balconies all have very narrow wires. If the narrow wire + deep cup doesn't work, Comexim half cups, Gorsenia halfcups/unlined halfcups/unlined balconies K001-K199 "Big" models all have wider wires.
Curvy Kate Ellace is neither as narrow as the narrow wire list above nor as wide as the wide wire list above. It may be a good, easy place to start. 28HH or 28J (the bratabase data shows a big dimensional change from the 28HH to 28J which causes me to question the measurement accuracy) may have enough projection, the band is quite supportive, and the materials lightweight.
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Thank you for your reply! I will definitely try the Polish bras (I live in Berlin, Germany, so I could easily do a weekend trip to Poland).
Fauve is hard to come by here, at least in my size. And I do not even know if they would fit me now because when I used to like them, I had no back fat etc....when one comes up on Amazon, I will give them another try!
I have heard about the Ellace! Maybe that would also help with my different breast sizes (left and right)...
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Oh great!! You can try a wide variety of Polish bras!!! :-) :-) :-) I may be little jealous ;-) ;-)
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helpfulThe band of this is too large, it's riding up in back which isn't helping with the fit, but mostly the cups are several sizes too small and this shape doesn't work for you.
You have a horizontal perimeter of 13.4; the cup depth is only 11.4. You need a cup depth closer to your horizontal perimeter measurement.
Dahlia is a weird cut. It has a lot of immediate projection but less apex projection than most Panache styles and it's somewhat open on top so it's better for tall roots. Your roots are shorter which is why you get gapping in a larger cup.
It looks like your left breast is larger than your right by maybe as much as 2 cup sizes? Generally you want to dress your larger breast and pad the cup on your smaller side. Look for stretch lace cups which will somewhat compensate for the difference. Curvy Kate Ellace in 28H and 28HH would be one to try. Panache Olivia has a firmer band so 30HH/J might work for you.
You might want to go Polish to get a better fit. Ask for suggestions for Ewa Michalak and Comexim styles that will work for you.
Updated on August 10, 2017 Flag this
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Thank you very much for your analysis - you are correct, my left breast is 1-2 cup sizes larger than the right. Thank you for pointing me to the Panache Olivia, I did not know this one.
If I found any in my size, I would actually prefer "Grandma bras" (cotton-like material, no scratchy applications, more than 3 hooks, thick straps) - any ideas on that?
I will try the Polish bras, I have also found a store nearby which carries sizes 28E-40M. I hope they know as much about bras as you! :-)
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Panache bras have 3 hooks in GG cups and above. Olivia is supposed to be soft although it's not a cottony fabric.
I really do think your size is somewhere around UK 28J/30HH. It helps to know that going in when you shop locally. I just saw your comment above that you live in Berlin. From what I've read German bras are sized very differently from U.K. bras so you'll have to trust the fitter but also trust what your body tells you. When you try on move your arms and bend over to make sure the band doesn't ride up. Check to see that the wires sit in your imf. Make sure the cup fits your larger breast without quadding. I find that I see details better when I'm looking at a photo than when I look in the mirror, so I suggest you take pictures with your phone and check them for any fit issues before you buy anything. Also ask about the return policy. If you take the bra home and wear it for a short time with the tags still on will they let you return it if it becomes uncomfortable?
Please add whatever you purchase to bratabase too! Happy shopping and may the bra fitting gods smile upon you.
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Oh, don`t worry, the store mostly carries UK brands because German bra manufacturers offer about the same size range as US manufacturers (there`s nothing even close to fitting me...). They will let me return bras within 2 weeks, so I can take pictures and post them here.
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I recently tried Jasmine and Floris, I never tried Thea. The support (lift) was better (maybe due to the material), the gaping/spilling was kind of the same. They all gave me a "shelf-like" chest, which I do not really like, so I did not buy them. Maybe the fit would be better for me and I should try them.
When I was a couple of pounds lighter and I was wearing 28FF/30F, I really liked Fauve. They are not produced anymore, so I cannot try them in my current size.
The bra I like most is actually the Panache Sports bra with wires (I wear that one as a regular bra). It gives me lift without creating a shelf and offers enough support + the wires are wide enough. The shape looks very good under tight shirts/dresses - the problem is that in summer, the material creates too much heat and I sweat intensely (kind of ironic for a sports bra). Also, the bra seems to make my breasts look even larger, which is not really what I am going for.