(Yet another) Bra Intervention Thread!

[Allinafankle]

I was fitted at Bravissimo a few months ago as a 38F. I've lost some weight since and have just measured myself using the method suggested here as a 36FF, which kind of makes sense. But I really want to try Ewa Michalak and using the guide on their website I'm a 40C.
Can anyone shed some light on what I should be looking for?!

[SorrelForbes]

Ignore the EM size guide! They run pretty true to usual size. Which ones are you looking at?

[Allinafankle]

The S styles. Must admit the thought of being a C cup was frankly ridiculous!

[ilovepowerhoop]

while you are here Sorrel, what are your thoughts on sports bra sizings? I measure out at 36GG and have a Freya active underwired bra in a 38GG but the central gore doesnt sit flat. Does that mean cup size is too small? Any recommendations for sports bras that are true to size?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Try the panache one
Runs true to size ime

[ilovepowerhoop]

thanks

[SorrelForbes]

Stats Up later than me!

ilovepowerhoop Yes, sounds like the cup was too small. I struggle to get a good fit with the Freya. If can get the cups big enough to allow the gore to sit flat, the wires are so wide they stretch round my back.

Allinafankle StatisticallyChallenged has some S styles so can probably advise on fit.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

In the S style, I wear one cup size bigger than I wear in Cleo/Panache, and the same as freya. I wear the same band size too - they fluctuate a bit depending on fabric but they generally fit me fine.

Ilovepowerhoop (I actually do btw!) the freya one does have particularly wide wires, it's especially problematic in the big cup narrow band bras. Like Sorrel, my wires were actually round my back. The panache has much narrow wires, and it's also moulded. It looks almost crop top like (but solid) and is very good at holding everything in place and stopping bounce. Bonus is it doesn't look totally ridiculous under tops (which a lot of sports bras do. this is it although you will probably be able to find it cheaper elsewhere.

[NuggetofPurestGreen]

Can i interject? I need a bra intervention too. I just measured and am 30inches on the band and 40 around boobs. My boobs are very 'soft' ie not firm or pert in any way so hang down loads when I bend over.

Should I try a 30gg? Will they have those in Debenhams? Don't have bravissimo or the other shops I see mentioned here where I live. Thanks bra helpers!

[SorrelForbes]

Yes, try a 30GG (and sizes around that area 30FF/G/H) but be prepared to try a 32 band if trying any of the Debenhams Gorgeous range. My local Debenhams has quite a large lingerie section but still only stocks a few 30 band bras! It's very annoying.

I'd suggest trying unpadded balconette styles rather than plunges.

[NuggetofPurestGreen]

Thanks Sorrel I've been buying the exact same 36c bra in one shop for about 20 years. It was the only 36c I could ever get to fit me somewhat properly. Probably because I'm not a 36c eh?

I'll pop into Debenhams later and see now I go.

[stillfrazzled]

I'm a 30dd after being bra intervened on here abd I love the idea of an ewa bra. Which size should I look at? I like push up styles best (find some balconettes squish me down) so any recommendations?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

The plunge is the most cleavage producing, followed by the S followed by the CHP. Conversely the CHP gives the most lift, followed by the S, followed by the PL (IMO). However they're all fab, and which suits you best is a bit size dependent.

What brands do you wear just now?

[stillfrazzled]

My two favourites are both Debenhams - one Gorgeous long line and one Ultimate which I think was described as a push up and plunge. They both give a lovely lift v and add oomph.

I have bras from Lepel (gel filled, nice but gore not quite flat), Floozie (pretty but balcony one seems to pull me down a bit, which am not keen on being small of nork) and Panache which fits beautifully but looks a bit meh under clothes.

I prefer a bit of assistance in my bras I think

[alemci]

what is CHP please. Is S sports.

I am 30 E and all my bras seem to give me cleavage which I don't really want.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Chp is a half cup style in ewa michalak. S is a sort of very uplifting but still has a cleavage bra

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Are you very close set alemci

[alemci]

no, my breasts are quite round and set apart but the bras seem to push them together.

I seem to have got bigger since I hit my 40s and gone up 2 cup sizes.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

OK, sounds like a style issue. I have very close set breasts so I can get cleavage quite easily!

Which bras do you generally wear? I suspect we just need a different style but it would be useful to know what you wear just now

[alemci]

I think they are balconette which seem to fit me.

I wear Rebecca by Fantasy which seem to fit well, some Freya, some Peru Una, Panache and a John Lewis one. I like the Fantasy as they are padded as well so don't get show through of nipple etc.

I always wear a vest top but constantly push it up as they slip down at the top and ride up my stomach for some reason

[StatisticallyChallenged]

When you say your breasts are round, do they have quite a lot of fullness at the top?

Do you know which freyas you have?

[alemci]

yes I think so. One Freya untamed in purple and green and is a plunge bra so that would explain it and the other one is ruffle my feathers again plunge but they do seem to give good support.

I don't think i get quite as much cleavage with the Rebecca fantasie bras

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I think you probably need something which supports in a slightly different way. It's been a while since I wore that freya cut (I'm sized out) but from what I remember they do lift your breasts up and in, rather than just up. I think you need something more balconette or balcony, and with a higher central gore as if you have top fullness your boobs will produce cleavage more easily (I'm also top heavy, just as well I don't mind cleavage too much huh!)

Top heavy but cleavage dodging is basically a hard combination because to avoid quad boob you need relatively open cups (the alana below is more closed but if I go up a cup it's fine), but open cups at the top quite often accompany bras designed to shove you together.

Bras I don't get cleavage in - the cleo unpadded balconettes - this shape
bravissimo alana, go up a cup
cleo minnie

[alemci]

thanks statistical

the thing I find with higher gore is that they dug in at the front.

I will look at my bras and try to identify which do what,

the freya bras are lovely though.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Yup, major balancing act and a bit of trial and error on the high gores vs comfort thing but it's pretty much the only way to stop the cleavage. What you can also do is bend the gores out just a teeny bit so they don't dig.

[alemci]

ok, I have the bravissimo catalogue but I think I would visit the shop as it is best to try on.

I am wearing a 32 dd per una. I think they come up narrower in the back in that make.

I think the Rebecca bras give more coverage but they do make indents. I also got sore bit on my back where straps met band..

thanks for your wisdom statitical