Bra fitting help » It was good but I tightened the straps and it was bad
Elomi » Kim Plunge Bra (4340) » 38HH 38:12
Issue resolved
I'm just going to resell the bra and keep trying more
Original problem
I asked on reddit ABraThatFits 2 months ago if this fit was good enough because it was comfortable wearing for 6 hours, I didn't get much response but after I decided to keep it I decided to tighten the straps as someone suggested and it immediately became horrible. I really just need as much advice as possible. Here is what I posted on reddit
"I'll try to be concise with my history but I would really like help and I feel I've tried a lot. I'll attach pictures of what I'm about to settle for because I'm at a point where I don't think anything will fit great or perfect.
Spring 2019 is when I started my journey here, I knew my previous bras didn't fit and I knew the one I settled for didn't fit great but I needed something for a long vacation. That was an Elomi Carmen 38GG, I wore that one for a while until Spring 2020 when I needed a sports bra so I got Elomi energise in 38GG, I liked it better so it become my go too until I got the Elomi Jodi 38H (uk) (measured in Spring 2021 but I think I started wearing it before that). Again none of these have fit great but good enough with each being better than the last. Thankfully I started measuring most of them in Bratabase so I can list almost bra I've tried and what fit problems I gathered.
--Also note that I did not wear any of these everyday (except on vacation) most use was probably 1-2 times a week and probably not longer than 6 hours---
Spring 2019- calculator recommended 38JJ All UK sizes
38J Panache Tango- way too big
38JJ Panache Jasmine- also way too big
36F Panache Jasmine (they sent the wrong size so way too small)
38J Glamorise Women's full figure plus size camisole wirefree back close sports bra- no data but probably fit worse since I didn't keep it
**38GG Elomi Carmen (in a caramel color)- definitely too small in cups, felt better than the 38H even though it was smaller
38H Elomi Carmen (in black)- felt much smaller and more restrictive than the 38GG
----so I'm pretty sure the color of the fabric effected the fit at least at the time of trying on, not sure if it would change if I wore it longer
Spring 2020
38GG Elomi Energise- small but I liked the fit better than the carmen
Spring 2021
38H Elomi Jodi- again better but not perfect
-I think I probably tried more but I don't have info on bratabase
Spring 2022
38H Curvy Kate Lifestyle Plunge- underwire digs into sternum because they are too low, wire is too short on sides, can't fill bottom of cup, straps too far apart
38H Curvy Kate Top Spot Balconette- gore doesn't lie flat, underwire digs into sternum because they are too low, can't fill bottom of cup, cuts into breast at top, straps too far apart
38H Curvy Kate Eye Spy Balcony- underwire digs into sternum because they are too low, can't fill bottom of cup, can't fill top of cup, straps too far apart
40H Curvy Kate Flutterby Plunge- can't fill bottom of cup, cuts into breast at top, band rides up (on loosest hook), straps too far apart
38K/L Flirtelle Eloise bralette- cuts into tissue at top, I felt it fit as well as some bralettes/sports bras I could buy at Costco for 1/4 the price
38H Flirtelle Palm Balcony Bay Bikini- gore doesn't lie flat, underwire pokes armpits, empty fabric on sides of cups, can't fill bottom of cup, cuts into breast at top
38H Flirtelle Hayley Plunge- wire is too short on sides, cuts into breast at top, I did not like that this bra was essentially only mesh and not something a little more durable and that it was so see-through
38H Flirtelle Orla Plunge- underwire digs into sternum because they are too low, can't fill bottom of cup, straps too far apart
38H Flirtelle Thalia Balcony- gore doesn't lie flat, underwire digs into sternum because they are too low, underwire pokes armpits, edge of cup cuts into breast tissue under armpit, can't fill bottom of cup, cuts into breast at top,
Summer 2022 (this week)
38HH Freya Fancies Balcony- gore doesn't lie flat, can't fill bottom of cup, can't fill top of cup, straps too far apart
38HH Freya Starlight Side Support- gore doesn't lie flat, wire is too short on sides, can't fill bottom of cup, can't fill top of cup, straps too far apart
38HH Elomi Charley Plunge- underwire digs into sternum because they are too high, can't fill bottom of cup, straps too far apart
38HH Elomi Energise Sports Bra- this one I really couldn't figure out if it was too big or too small or if it was just how the bra is because of the extra fabric at the top that covers all of my chest- it was loose but then I tightened the straps and it was better but gore/fabric above gore wasn't lying flat, gore doesn't lie flat, can't fill bottom of cup, can't fill top of cup, straps too far apart
38HH Elomi Lydia- gore doesn't lie flat, seems to separate for boobs like the gore won't lie flat because its too tall where the boobs want to be basically touching,can't fill bottom of cup (although its pretty close to filling it, small amount of wrinkles at the top-like it feels loose but doesn't look loose in certain positions, not the worst in terms of discomfort but the straps are really digging into my arms above the cup and I'm not a huge fan of how high the cups goes on me, it "feels" tighter than the other bras which I don't hate but it definitely feels like my movement is restricted. The longer I wear it the more comfortable it feels but the less it looks to fit- like the cups are getting wrinklier at the top and the bottom space feels like its getting bigger. Even though the fit is okay I hate how high the cups go and looking at the pictures it seems like it doesn't hold my breasts up like the Kim or how much I'd want a bra too.
********38HH Elomi Kim- can't fill bottom of cup, straps too far apart. I have worn this bra for probably 6+ hours now and am I thinking about keeping it even though the bottom of the cup doesn't fit right. A few hours in it did cause some pain on the bottom sides of the wires but not much and it didn't last long. This is my main reason for posting should it stay or should it go? It feels much better than anything I currently own so unless someone knows something better or warns me that after more use it will hurt more I'll probably keep it
Some of these I could tell something was wrong but not exactly what was causing it or what "counted" like if the metal wire part of the gore was "flat" but fabric above the wire wasn't flat I wouldn't say there was a problem with the gore lying flat in that situation but maybe I should have.
Also most of these I probably wore for a max of 5 minutes. I know only a few seems to have problem with cup separation, I think that's because I usually go for the plunge, as anything that has a higher gore is too separate and I think the gore won't lie flat because the breast tissue is practically touching. Some with a shorter gore, the gore would lie flat but right above the gore the boobs would kind of want to escape the to touch in the middle.
So I think my main issues are
cups won't fill at the bottom- my inframammary fold seems to be pretty darn flat across not a curved shape like most bra wires. I know projection can have an effect but it seems when I go bigger in the cup it just wrinkles at the top and the bottom not that the breast is pushed into filling the cups "correctly".
The straps are too far apart- I'm willing to deal unless someone knows of a unicorn bra, I think its because I'm fat and the bras are designed for a bigger build on a person and I have a small but fat build.
I think basically all if not every single bra has some extra room in a little triangle area near the straps, doesn't bother me but the info may be helpful
I know that many people would prefer a bigger band size when their band measurement is essentially the same as the band- 38" for a 38 band but I actually enjoy the tightness.
I think both of my breasts are the same size, one is just attached higher on my body than the other so its possible one will always not be able to fill the bottom of the cup due to that. In the pictures they look different sizes but I think its because of my arms they look literally the same when my arms are by my side.
Sorry about the length but feel free to give me any and all advice-even if you aren't sure! I don't have pictures of most of them because that would take forever just what I might keep. Ask any questions and I 'll do my best to answer them!
I covered up a potentially identifying mark in any pictures it was visible.
Link has ABTF and Bratabase measurements
Edit: new link with photos of me in smaller bras
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Suggestions (3)
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helpfulThis bra has fit issues. Shape mismatch. Plunge bras don’t work for you. Side support bras might work for you. You can try that style, if you like. Good luck
Updated on September 21, 2022 Flag this
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helpfulI don't have any ideas for you but your post sure made me feel validated. We are similar in size and I've spent the last year buying and returning over 40 bras.
I used to wear Elomi and the wires fit beautifully, but they no longer fit. They are too wide now.
I did find one bra last week that has wires that fit comfortably - it's Fantasie Lucia, but the straps are too wide and cut into my armpit. I'm going to move the straps in - the top is lace so it will be a project, but it would be nice to have a bra that wasn't some sort of frankenbra.
Bras with J-hooks never have straps long enough for me because I'm so low. I wish bra measurements included the distance between the straps when the bra is being worn. That wouldn't necessarily make more bras that fit, but it wold sure save us some money on return postage.
I hope you find something that works for you, Your detailed descriptions are really helpful.
Updated on October 30, 2022 Flag this
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I'm so glad I'm not alone! everyone seems to be able to find one that fits within like 25 bras and I get that maybe my times are spread out too much but its just so overwhelming to keep trying and trying! And the bratabase measurements for bras this size are lacking and it seems people willing to help start to lack either because of the size or because of my post length (which I get is ridiculously long but I don't want people to waste time asking questions when i can provide as much info as possible up front!
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helpfulI think you need a bra with narrower wires. EM bras have narrower wires, and plunge bras, full cup bras with side support slings. Comexim is another polish brand. The elomi Kim wires too wide for your breast shape. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 29, 2022 Flag this
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Thanks! I found it hard to tell how the width of the wires fit because of my extra chub, I will look for bras with narrower wires!
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This chart (https://i.imgur.com/2UVzC.png, by Reddit user Amalas) which I got from ABTF on reddit, has been super helpful.
Apparently it's not up on the wiki there anymore because it wasn't considered accurate, but it has helped me a lot. I kept trying to find an 38J in an Elomi or a Goddess bra that would fit, but since I've gained some weight, they are unbearable.
This chart gave me some ideas for what brands might work better. Doesn't matter to me if it's not entirely accurate. I'm just grateful to find some bras with wires that fit.
Now if I could just find one with straps that don't dig, I am not sure if I'd be able to stop smiling. Nothing like a constant reminder that your body doesn't fit with the rest of the world . . .
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You can check on eBay, Poshmark, these are the best sites to find cheap goddess and elomi bras in 38j. Hope this helps
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linabella I have seen that before and I plan to keep it in mind when looking, because of my extra chub I just really have no idea how much narrower I need to look and I assume if its the right width I'll know because it'll be comfortable but I don't know how to tell visibly.
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tater200 I thought all of these had side support? I don't really know what that means otherwise. Plunge bras are the only bras that have a short enough gore to even pretend to be comfortable on my frame. Plus my breasts seem really close set and for the gore to lay flat that high up two wires wouldn't be able to fit.