Bra fitting help » Chafes underarm and gaps on top, what other bras might work better for me?
Freya » Gem Balcony Bra (1361) » 36G 36:9
Issue resolved
Thanks for all the suggestions. This bra was definitely too big in the cup size. I found that I was measuring myself incorrectly, starting too far back alongside my ribs. And I think the balconette style doesn't work well for my shape. I'm trying some full cup bras in a 36FF next.
Original problem
I only recently started exploring to try to find my real size, beyond the 42C's that I've been cramming myself into. This bra seems close but not quite a good fit. The upper lace section of the cup gaps and wrinkles at the top, where my wide FOB boobs don't quite fill it out. Also, the edge of the wing digs into the front of my underarm so that it rubs and chafes. If I lengthen the straps it helps with the chafing problem but makes the gapping problem worse, as well as making the overall shape become too pointy. Should I try a smaller cup size in the same bra? Or is there a different brand / style that might fit my shape better? Please help! I'm ordering online because there's no place locally I can find these sizes to try on. I'd like to have a good idea of what might work before I order any more bras.
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Suggestions (4)
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helpfulThe cup is 2-3 sizes too big in this particular bra, though there are some bras where you would need a 36G. All bras fit differently. It's also possible that once you get down to the right cup size in the Gem, the band will feel a little tight and you'd prefer a 38.
I don't think Gem is a bad option for your shape. Try it in some different sizes and see what you think.
The chafing you're getting is from the cups being too big. The band being tight will add to that.
Updated on July 30, 2015 Flag this
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helpfulThe cups have me very confused because it seems like you are narrow and projected and Gem balcony plunge is recommended for that shape so it should be a better fit, in theory. However, it looks like it is too shallow and wide for you. (If you look at the sides you will see there is a lot of room between where your breast ends and where the wire is sitting - that indicates wires that are too wide). So... if I look at the measurements you took of the bra and of yourself, it is definitely too shallow. The depth of the cup is only 12.2" and your horizontal perimeter is 15". That is a big difference and is likely to cause fit issues. For example, my perimeter measurement is 10" but I can get away with a bra that is 9" or 9.5" in depth but I will definitely have quadboob or the bra will wrinkle and gap a bit because that 9" cup is not really deep enough to accommodate my breasts. Does that make sense?
Have you taken your 5 measurements? Those are the ones that are snug underbust, tight underbust, standing overbust, leaning overbust and laying overbust? These are different from the ones here, btw. I only ask because I am curious to see if you have the right size. It looks like your underbust is correct although Freya bands run large and most people have to size down one band size to get the best support. Does the band feel loose and/or is it riding up at all?
I know that is a lot of questions but I feel like this should be a better fit for you based on the shape you appear to be. I want to make sure you have the right size cup. It may be as simple as one cup size difference or I could be totally wrong and you could need a different bra altogether but I just don't understand why a narrow and projected bra would look so wide and shallow on you!
Updated on July 29, 2015 Flag this
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I'm confused that you said I seem to be narrow? I think I'm wide, as far as I can tell. Anyway I re-checked my measurements more carefully and made some corrections. My perimeter measurement was wrong, I corrected it downwards.
Yes my 5 measurements also give a 36G size. This band feels comfortably snug to me. It's possible that in time it will start to feel loose, but for now it stays in place fine.
I appreciate all the questions! I'm new at this, and you got me to read the full instructions thoroughly and take more careful measurements. Thanks for helping me learn how to do it right.
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Oh sorry for the confusion! The only reason I suggested that you might be narrow is because that particular bra is known for having a relatively narrow wires but the wires were clearly too wide for you. The only explanation that I could up with to explain why it would fit you that way was if it were wrong size or if you were actually a bit more narrow than you initially thought. I have thought about it a bit more though and I remembered reading that some bra brands tend to run wider/shallower in cups sizes G and up. Freya may indeed be one of them but I just don't have enough experience to be able to say for sure.
I am glad I was able to help even a little bit and if I come across any info about Freya running wide in your size, I will let you know. Oh and so glad to hear that the band fits you well. I have great luck with them as well and have never had to go down a size but wow - most people do not. I rarely find any posts where the buyer did not have to size down in the band on a Freya bra. So... Yay!
Good luck and happy bra hunting!
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Thank you so much!
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Pictures tend to tell more than measurements, so even though measurements may indicate one thing the pictures tell a different story. This bra is obviously not too shallow for the OP, but just too large in the cup.
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helpfulHi! I think you may have what is termed "shallow breasts".
At the fullest part of my bust I am a B, but I can wear a double A bra, barely able to breathe and STILL have gapping at the top. Women with shallow breasts tend to have pointer breasts or breasts that "swoop" down and out versus just sitting like a semi-circle on your chest (not trying to offend anyone). Shallow breasts look more teardrop-shaped at the sides than rounded.
I would try a Natori bra! I have only tried one, Natori Feathers Contour Plunge (730023), but the fit is wonderful, bra may be $60-$80 but so worth it. The top part is lace and stretches over your breast so the cups fit me great at the top and bottom and don't gap. I would try a bra with a very stretchy triangle-shaped top! Good luck!
Updated on August 5, 2015 Flag this
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Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try that.
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helpfulThat looks like its just . .wrong. I might try a smaller cup, even tho by measurements that doesnt make much sense. Your breasts look to have a short root but pretty pointy. Have you tried any half cups?
Updated on July 28, 2015 Flag this
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I just found a couple of half cups on sale and ordered them, thanks for the suggestion.
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good luck! I'm no expert, they could be too shallow? idk, its so hard to find the right one!
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That makes a lot of sense. Thank you!