Bra fitting help » Cups too big. -1 or -2?
Freya » Ivy Padded Longline Bra (1333) » 30FF 30:8
Issue resolved
Gonna try a 30E, which will hopefully also fix the straps problem!
Original problem
Super gappy, not least because the straps are soooo far out. I like it, but need smaller cups (and a smaller band would help the straps issue a little, I think). You can see in the overhead shot that, even with my arms up above my head, there is still a shadow where the cup is gaping.
Hunching shoulders makes this NSFW, which is why there are no photos of it. Pulling my shoulders way back doesn't fix it (I have tall roots, so usually I can make the top edge touch skin this way and check quad-boob).
Because the cups are tall, I think it will end up being 2 sizes different, but I am not sure and can't try anything on locally, so I want more votes of confidence before I order anything.
What size should I hunt for?
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Suggestions (3)
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helpfulAre your measurements out of date? Cos I can't understand otherwise how you'd be swimming in a 9.2" depth cup...
Updated on August 26, 2015 Flag this
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helpful
It looks pretty big on you as you can see it is not lifting the bust at all. I'd say at least 2 cup sizes. So 28F or FF if you think you will fill it. Not being able to try stuff on makes it near impossible to know.
Updated on August 26, 2015 Flag this
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helpful
To be honest, I'm finding this really tough to tell.
To be safe, I would recommend ordering a 30E and 30F for comparison, and keeping the one that fits better.I would not go down to a 28 band based on your measurements. This is a longline so it runs tighter than regular Freyas. Also, a 28 band will make the cups even wider (as there is more strain on the band), and therefore make the straps even more likely to dig into your armpits.
I think going down in cup size will be enough to remedy the armpit issue.Updated on August 26, 2015 Flag this
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Well, I already had it on the 2nd set of hooks for the photos, and it is comfortable enough on the tightest set. Might it help the strap placement at all to get a 28 and wear it with an extender?
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calenlass
My approach to band size is the following: It's not important whether it is "comfortable enough" on the tightest set of hooks. The only thing that matters is if the band will *stay in place* on the loosest set of hooks, if one is jumping around, rising one's arms stretching, etc.Apart from that, the cup width is exactly the same in a 30E and a 28F if the bra is unstretched. It it is stretched (= put on), however, the cups will become slightly wider on the 28F than they are on the 30E. This means two things:
a) The cups become slightly shallower (which is probably not what you want if you are FoT and at least somewhat projected).
b) The straps move closer to your armpit.I have similar measurements to yours (27" tight, 29" loose) and I've tried 28 bands in Freya longlines and I've found all of them kinda "fit" (I could close them on the loosest set of hooks) but were too tight and restricting in the end of the day. So I came to the conclusion that 30s work just fine for me. They stay in place and give me all the support I need.
But after all, YMMV and all I can do is share my personal experience as advice... the final decision is up to you, of course :)
Tl;dr-version: I don't think a 28 band would be beneficial in any way, and there's no point in wearing a tight band with an extender, if a slightly wider band fits without accessories :)
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Oh, and this may be important too... The Ivy Longline doesn't come in 28 bands.
Other Freya Longlines can have very different fitting characteristics (some run big in the cup, some run small/shallow), so def. check out the reviews before ordering. -
That is pretty important! I will adjust my list of things I'm looking for, then.
I am not really bothered about the band width - it does stay in place, I just like them to feel a little more snug, but it supports well enough. I was mostly theorizing that the proportion or ratio of back versus chest would be different in the 28 (or the 32, for that matter), and whether it would affect where the straps rest. If they might be closer in (in the general direction of the gore) in a different band size, I would be willing to give it a shot. (I have noticed the proportion thing particularly in dress shirts that have those back princess seams, because I can never alter them down properly for the relatively narrow width across my back, but if I don't they billow and bulge and look sloppy and I STILL get that dreaded button-gap at the front.)
Also, I have checked and double-checked, but I don't think things have changed. Pretty sure I'm still not FOT; I just have breast tissue all the way up to my collarbone.
Thanks for all your advice! I second guess myself a lot.
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> I was mostly theorizing that the proportion or ratio of back versus chest would be different in the 28 (or the 32, for that matter), and whether it would affect where the straps rest.
You can check out the measurements and compare band width in the different sister sizes.
My experience says it is not the case, Freya is using the same cup width in ALL sister sizes. All sister sizes have exactly the same wires.
I once compared a 28F and 30E Just Flew In Longline, and the cups were virtually identical - only difference was the band width.Therefore straps are moving closer to the armpit if one chooses a smaller band. Smaller bands don't remedy armpit issues, but make them worse. :)
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No, my measurements are from 3 or 4 weeks ago. I don't really know either, but I was swimming in the two Patsy's I tried, and they were super tall in the cup, which may be a big part of it.