Bra shapes balconette or full cup?

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

I'm confused by bra styles - have googled and haven't found anything concrete so wondered if the BI could help?

I'm wearing a Freya bra 32F, fits well between my boobs and cup encased BUT it's cut too high under my armpit, or the straps are set too wide apart or something...but it's hugely uncomfortable. Is this the balcony style? Do I need to be looking at full cup - are they the ones where the shoulder strap sort of comes from the centre of the cup rather than the sides?

Any thoughts? My old nursing bra (Anita, 3 years old) has given up the ghost so need new ones - Used to love Freya but maybe my boobs aren't the right shape anymore for this style.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

It could be a whole host of problems. Freya bras generally have quite wide wires (so they go far round under your armpits) as well as being quite tall. Can you have a check of the outside of the wires and see whether there is space between the edge of the wire and your breast tissue.

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

Thanks for replying! No there's no space.

I'm looking at it now in the mirror and I think the issue is the side sling bit.

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

m.figleaves.com/uk/product/FRA-AA1361/Gem-Underwired-Balcony-Bra/?productColourId=719964

This is the one.

[marriednotdead]

Is it rubbing at the point where the top of the cup meets your armpit by any chance? Balconettes are set with their straps out to the side, which doesn't suit everyone, especially those whose boobs are set higher on their bodies (clue- many V necks are indecently low and so require a vest top for modesty)

If the above applies, I'd suggest trying one of the following...

Freya Marvel, Fifi, Patsy or any other of the Freya half cups.

Alternatively, the Fantasie Rebecca and Echo Lace have a centralised strap which means that it curves in at the armpit edge, while still sitting wider at the bottom of the cup.
You may need to tweak sizes around, the Gem is big in the band like the half cups, but the Rebecca is firmer and generous in the cup.

For non scientific comparison, I'm a 30g in the Patsy half cup, 32ff in the Marvel/Fifi and 32F in the Rebecca!

[AHatAHatMyKingdomForAHat]

I am about your size. Somehow Freya bras never quite fit me right. Panache work for me.

I like balcony bras because of the shape they give me. Full cup make me look matronly and I have to wear too high a neckline to cover the bra.

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

Thanks Married, yes that's where it's rubbing. Will try the styles you mentioned.

A Hat - I love the look of balconettes too, will try Panache, although I have a panache porcelain which I loathe.

[marriednotdead]

I would be wary of many of the Panache styles for the same reasons as I listed before. I'm guessing you have the porcelain balconette with the very round shape and thin straps- it's the only one of theirs that sat wide enough in the cup, but the straps always used to fall down! They have a new one called Porcelain Grace which almost works for me- worth you trying.

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

The porcelain drives me mad as the bottom of the cups and the wires sit about 2 inches below where my boobs end. And the straps are set too wide apart and don't sit flat. And I don't like the padding. Actually I don't like anything at all about it (bought in an impending interview emergency!)

[StatisticallyChallenged]

A lot of Panache bras have very tall wires - imagine a U shape, whereas the Freya wires are more like a C lying in its side. It means that they end up sitting below the breast tissue on people with high set breasts

[Guyropes]

I have the wxact same problem as op with Freya bras. I long ago came to the conclusion that my tits were 'Freya' shape but the armpit problem put me off. I've just got a fantasie 'elodie' which is just about tolerable but have never fit a panache bra. Is it true that Freya/ panache are mutually exclusive?

Also thanks married not dead for the description of 'high set boobs' I never knew!

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

Guy ropes is there any hope for us :wails:

Thanks for all the advice everyone

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

Have just come back from my local independent (ye gods I had no idea just how much you can pay for a bra)

Very quiet afternoon there so got lots of attention and tried on loads of styles and brands. Came back with these two:

Fantasie Elodie

Freya Pansy

Very happy so thanks for the advice!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I'm jealous, I wanted the Pansy but I'm sized out. Now that you know that Freya shape suits you, there are loads of bargains online.

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

Actually it's this one, sorry:

Fantasie Melissa

[StatisticallyChallenged]

That actually makes more sense - I think those two are pretty much the same bra, just in different fabrics. You'll probably find that most of the side sling fantasie styles work. There are a few Freya with that feature too - I think the Marvel is one.

[StrikesMatches]

Oh, I love these threads, I thought I had short shoulders but instead I have high set boobs, just in time for Valentine's day too

Bill, if you're looking for bog standard bras, love these and I'm the same size, and sounds like shape, as you.

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

Thanks Strikes but I can't open that link I'm afraid - what's the name of the bra?

I'm still on the hunt for the perfect seam free or smoothing bra (non padded) but these are so tricky...

[FamiliesShareGerms]

I find plunge bras work well got me (and also never knew I had high set boobs!!)

[StrikesMatches]

I'll try again but it's Debenhams Gorgeous DD+, 2pack non padded t-shirt bra. They are only in plain black and white but I wear them every day.

[BiggerYellowTaxi]

Bill these are my very favourite bras and might work for you.

[BillStickersIsInnocent]

Thanks Strikes will give those a go - look perfect.

Yellow taxi I will try that one too, I think have it in white but poss in different band size from before I was pg.