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Original poster

Bras (again!..I know, I know!) Can we have a thread for bras to fit shallow breasts?

77 replies

msshapelybottom · 10/08/2013 13:45

I wondered if it might be useful to have a thread to share tips on bras to fit shallow breasts?

Mine are wide root, shallow and full on bottom and what a pain in the arse it is to find a bra which fits!

I cannot fill a full cup bra, or any of the normal Freya unpadded bras (gutted cos I found some for ?13 today in Debenhams!) plus the ones I tried gave a weird sort of pointy shape which I didn't like.

I tried on some of the Gorgeous balconettes in Debenhams today in my size which is 30G. They were fine in the band but at least one size too small in the cup and there were none in 30GG for me to try. However, the shape was great for my boobs.

From this post on shallow breasts I would love to try one of the Freya half cup balconettes or the Lepel Fiore half cup. Does anyone know what these are like for size? I could not fill the Freya 30G Rio I tried on today, nor even the 30FF, but I don't know if that was a shape issue or if they run bigger in the cup.

I have one bra which fits, a Cleo Juna in 30G - it's a little small in the cup but wearable, but it's so bulky feeling that I would rather not just buy another one of those.

I'd love any ideas you might have!

OP posts:
NotAQueef · 20/08/2013 09:18

Thanks for the pictures, that really helps. I will have a study when am not at work and figure out what I am!

hardtostayfocused · 20/08/2013 17:36

Hello, I'm back from hell Oxford Circus on this hot and sticky afternoon. Lovely weather for bra shopping...

Had a good session on Bravissimo, I think. My fitting lady just smiled noncommittally when I started wittering on about MN and shallow breasts and lists of bras, and could only be drawn to say that everybody needs to try on a bra to know if its fits or not. (Fair enough.) The good news is that she assessed me (by eye - impressive how they do that) as 32G which is what I thought I was after the measuring thread, so that measuring yourself leaning over business is spot on!

I must have tried on at least 20 including sports bras, and I've bought 3 but one of them's a full cup, so I'm now wondering if I really am that shallow (of breast)... and if not how helpful any of you will find these, but anyway...

I've got this which gives very good shape. It is weird good to feel so uplifted. This is a bigger cup than I've ever worn before and having the wire going right under my arm will take bit of getting used to but the band is comfortable. The only thing is that I've been wearing it for a couple of hours, and now feel like the outside of the shoulder straps are digging into my underarm flab (because the straps are wider on my shoulders than I'm used to) so I hope it will be OK. It is a hot day and I guess it's a bit like breaking in new shoes?!

I've also got this which came up a cup size smaller FWIW, and this which comes up a cup size bigger (32GG) but bloody hell is it tight - it really shapes and hoicks though!

Anyway, lengthy post sorry, but I definitely recommend this Bravissimo to those in striking distance of central London (I think it's their flagship) as it has very nice assistants who want to go the extra mile. And a massive stock - really puts John Lewis to shame. JL have tons of bras but so many seem to be 34C.

lurkingaround · 20/08/2013 18:38

Oh thanks so much hardtostay. I wish I lived closer to Bravissimo. Last time I called (July), it was very disappointing. I think the assistant was having an off day. I ended up coming home and returning the bras by post (grr), they were not a good fit.

Your first and third links just bring me to a page of bras. But I'm eager to see which one it is that shapes and hoicks so well!!! Did you have to size up or down in the Panache Tango?

hardtostayfocused · 20/08/2013 19:23

That's a shame lurking.

My Panache Tango is 32FF. The other one is a Bravissimo own-brand sports bra called Inspire. I'm really hoping I'll be able to get into by myself as the fabric is too strong to do up reaching backwards! Sounds ridiculous but support is amazing.

lurkingaround · 20/08/2013 22:26

I really need to order some to try on. It's just a faff with returns.

Original poster
msshapelybottom · 21/08/2013 13:28

LifeofPo your post made me smile!

Breakout, AFAIK Debenhams own label of bras "Gorgeous" come up small in the cup, I certainly found that when I was trying on, so some of their padded balcony bras in a D might suit you? Might be worth a try anyway. Also, I think Curvy Kate padded bras come up small in the cup, also the Cleo Juna which seems to fit most women who try it with shallow breasts, also comes up a cup size small, so you might be able to fit a D in those.

OnTheNing, the Curvy Kate one has been mentioned a few times, but it just looks like it would be really lumpy under clothes! I can't imagine wearing it day to day. Even the Juna bugs me a little cos it's so much flipping bra!

HardtoStay, so great that you found some comfy bras Smile.
Your lucky that the Tango fits well, it comes in so many pretty colours! I'm so envious of your trip to Bravissimo, but yes to the bra fitting in hot weather :D I had to give up in Debenhams one afternoon cos I was all hot and sweaty and it was just unpleasant trying to get bras on.

Lurking, I hear you on the returns thing. It's a pain, but on the upside there are som brilliant bargains to be had. I'm in Ireland too, so it takes a week for anything from the UK to arrive here, it doesn't suit my impatient nature!

I'm still breaking in the Cleo Lucy and I think I will have to make a slight adjustment to it to make it fit a little better. I'm going to take in the lace part a little because once I've scooped it sits beautifully, then it starts to look a little wrinkled. It's just not quite fitting properly. Sigh.

OP posts:
Original poster
msshapelybottom · 21/08/2013 13:31

Oh I really should preview posts! "You're" lucky HardtoSay!

Also, I meant I'm in Ireland on top of trying to find a bra, it sounds like I think you live here too Lurking.

Going to have some tea, that will help my grammar, surely?!

OP posts:
hardtostayfocused · 21/08/2013 14:46

Forgot to say - I also tried a lovely Freya half-cup balcony called Tartan Zest; very comfortable, pretty bra. I was too tight to pay £32 after buying all the others yesterday but just swooped on a cheaper one on eBay.
This came up a cup size smaller for me (32FF).

Original poster
msshapelybottom · 21/08/2013 16:15

Hardtosay, I'm coveting one of those Freya half cups...good to know they come up big in the cup. The tartan one looks lovely :)

For any A-D cups there are some beautiful Lepel Balconettes which look as though they could be good for shallowness...

wish I could have this one!

OP posts:
LizzyDay · 21/08/2013 16:57

Oh - eureka moment, thank you Sorrel. I am shallow-breasted.

I occasionally pop up on these threads whinging about how I can't wear bras because they are too uncomfortable, now I know (partly) why!

That's absolutely it - crop tops are way more comfortable because they encase all the breast tissue (or at least don't cut tightly across it like bras do).

I also have ishoos with uncomfortable material / fasteners though, so no shape of conventional bra is ever going to work if they use conventional scratchy materials and structure.

For any fellow bra weirdos refusers there are a couple of crop top style bras in Sainsburys which are good - they go on over the head like a crop top, are stretchy, but have built in cups which provide the shape and coverage which is usually lacking in crop tops, hurrah.

Wilding · 21/08/2013 19:04

I know those bras, Lizzy! Love them so much.

I really should go and try some on in Bravissimo but I'm worried that they'll just laugh me out of the shop as being too small for their bras - I measured myself as a 32D but occasionally 32s are just too small in the back and I have to go down to about a 34C instead, and obviously they don't do bras in that size. Is there anywhere else worth trying? Or should I just order a lot online? It is a faff having to send things back though.

LizzyDay · 21/08/2013 20:23

Oh good, glad it's not just me that loves them Wilding Grin

I love Sloggi crop tops too, though they are a bit saggy on me these days.

Figleaves are pretty good on their returns - free returns, v easy to do, though you do usually have to pay for delivery.

SorrelForbes · 21/08/2013 22:54

Wilding Honestly, they won't laugh at you in Bravissimo and I put money on you fitting into their size range!

marriednotdead · 22/08/2013 08:06

I can only see the link to the Tango which although it has a wide base, is a pretty deep cup! If the other bra is digging, take it back. It's not worth being uncomfortable. I'd be interested to know which ones they are- if you don't have the name could you put the code from your receipt into their search bar?

There's a new brand called Tutti Rouge stocked at Bravissimo that I've not seen on any of the lists. So far they've had two bras out- Betty and Lilliana- and both have the widest base I've seen. Lilliana seems to fit a little better as it has a small band of stretch lace accross the top of the cup.
Previous shopping experience found Elle McPherson bras also wide and shallow.

Wilding · 22/08/2013 09:27

Thanks Sorrel - I'll pluck up my courage and go and try them out Smile

Original poster
msshapelybottom · 22/08/2013 09:43

Married, those Tutti Rouge bras sound promising! That cream coloured one is so pretty :) Do you have any idea if they run true to size?

OP posts:
goodasitgets · 22/08/2013 16:28

My new bra arrived and it doesn't fit Sad
It's so pretty too!

Original poster
msshapelybottom · 22/08/2013 21:01

goodasitgets, which bra did you order? What was off about the fit? Was it close or waaaay off?

OP posts:
goodasitgets · 22/08/2013 21:21

The extended size range Parfait Charlotte I was so excited for Sad

I have quad boob, the cups seem wide and maybe more suited to shallow breasts? It's a stunning bra but the cup/shape just doesn't work on me. Amazing shape from the front!

SorrelForbes · 22/08/2013 23:50

I ordered one too, beautiful bra but not the right shape for me, too wide and shallow. I'm sticking to my Cleos cos marriednotdead told me too

Original poster
msshapelybottom · 23/08/2013 07:58

goodasitgets - Oh that is a beautiful bra! What a shame it didn't fit.

Sorrell, I love Cleos too, they give such a lovely shape from the side. Have you tried any other other non padded ones...the Marcie or the Brooke? I'm trying to get used to the Lucy but it's not comfy - the wires don't have enough padding around them and they hurt and the straps are so far apart that they dig into my underarms!

OP posts:
SorrelForbes · 23/08/2013 09:30

Aggghhh to. (must not post on MN after Pimms)

SorrelForbes · 23/08/2013 09:32

I have the Meg, the Melissa and the Bella. The Melissa and the Bella are the same cut but the Melissa seems to fit a teensy bit better on the top of the cup. There a bit of wrinkling with the Bella but nothing that's noticeable under a top. On sale at ASOS at the moment for £17 too which is a bargain.

I think the Marcie will be next. I'm liking them better than my Ewa Michalaks and my Fauves which is saying something.

Original poster
msshapelybottom · 23/08/2013 10:33

wow Sorrell! I'm impressed you even knew what/how to order from the EM site, so many pretty bras but very confusing!

Can't wait to hear how you get on with the Marcie (although I think we may be a different shape!!) it's still good to read lots of opinions.

I'm going for the Lepel Fiore balconette next I've decided. I just wish I could get hold of it in a non neutral colour!

OP posts:
SorrelForbes · 23/08/2013 10:46

Trial and error to be fair! StatisticallyChallenged has some EMs too so is a good source of info. The CH and CHP styles seem to run fairly true to size.

Have you tried Amazon for the Fiore?

I am totally the opposite of shallow breasted so should probably step away from this thread Grin

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