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Original poster

26" bras?

78 replies

Spindelina · 26/06/2015 22:00

I've just found a few threads form a few years back saying that it's pretty much impossible to buy 26" backs off the shelf. Is that still the case?

I've just lost a load of weight, and I need new bras. My measurements put me around around 26DD as a starting point (though I'm 27" back, so going up to 28D wouldn't be disastrous, especially if I can find brands that come up small in the back).

OP posts:

LucyTheValiant · 06/07/2015 18:44

Why do so many places measure wrongly do you think? I know M&S are bad culprits for this but wouldn't it be in their interest to measure properly? Is it just because they have too much stock in 34a etc to tell people they're actually 28dd or whatever they are? Why don't they just do it properly?

I'm very interested to hear about your sister company Katy - I love yours and will definitely buy one to try but it will also be nice to have a range of options.

woodhill · 06/07/2015 21:55

I may have a look just gone from E to F 30 and the wires are digging in my armpit whereas I probably need bigger cups not wider wires itms

Katymac · 07/07/2015 08:08

Wider wires has always been a problem for me (& now DD)

I was a 32DD as a teen.....now I know my rib cage is wider (dresses that would fit pre-pregnancy, won't zip up even as far as my boobs) & yet I am still a 32G......the maths don't work!

woodhill · 07/07/2015 09:40

so which bras if any are better Katy because as that blog said the wires on a small frame cannot be too wide otherwise they would be going round your back.

Katymac · 07/07/2015 14:56

I dunno

I found the Fraya Rio good - but I struggle to find one now

woodhill · 07/07/2015 15:42

thanks went back to my 30E today.

SirVixofVixHall · 07/07/2015 16:46

Polish brands have narrower wires in general. That is partly why I find the Ewa bras comforable but can't cope with Panache, the Ewas sit in a different place on my body, same with Comexim. But also it is trial and error. I measure 26/27, but I am comfortable in a 30 Ewa, even though other women wearing the 30s will be measuring 30 or 31. I really need a 28 in UK brands, but in one brand the 28 was so tiny that I struggled to even do it up, it measured 21 unstretched and 24 at virtually full stretch. (it was a tutti rouge bra, but the 30 is roomy). So it is still a matter of trying as wide a variety of styles and brands as you can until you find one that suits your own shape. I wear mostly this shape www.ewa-michalak.pl/product-eng-491-Biustonosz-SM-Wrozka-.html as of all the styles it fits me best, and I prefer unpadded bras. But I do wear some of the padded ones as they are so pretty. I like comexim bras too, lovely colours. So both those brands seem to work well for a very narrow ribcage. i have rounded breasts, close set, am a GG cup in a 30, h in a 28.

IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt · 07/07/2015 18:35

That's interesting. I love my EW S shape. What differences do you think I would see with Connexim shape wise?

SirVixofVixHall · 07/07/2015 18:45

The comexim bras I have are similar to the S style in Ewa. I would say that is the Ewa shape they are most like, but they don't have the extra pads. I have this one www.comexim.pl/plunge/335-irish-coffee-biustonosz.html and two others that are very similar in shape. I have these in a 60 (28), whereas with Ewa I bought 30s to start with as you can exchange them, but you can't exchange 28s. I found the 30 Ewas fitted fine so stuck with them as I like to be able to exchange if something isn't right. With Comexim the 60 is a standard size, I think I could wear either a 60 or a 65 tbh. Comexim has the similar property of keeping the breasts within the outline of the body, so no East West thing, plenty of forward projection which is how I am naturally shaped, I find bras that pull me sideways really uncomfortable.

SirVixofVixHall · 07/07/2015 18:46

Oh and Comexim pants come up really small so size up!

IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt · 08/07/2015 00:44

Thanks for the info. I will try one at some point. Nice shapes. Wish they were more silk oriented though.

Any advice on the cup sizing? They seem to be missing some double letters.

balletgirlmum · 08/07/2015 00:55

Another plea for plain, no lace no underwire teen bras.

Dd is now a 28D which isn't so bad but when she measured 26 C it was a nightmare.

Wagglebee · 08/07/2015 05:17

This thread is incredibly informative. After years of thinking my boobs were being awkward I've finally realised it's the wires being too wide that's the problem. What KatyBG said about the wires continuing to get wider even though the back is small makes complete sense.

Very tempted to give the Bosom Galore Classique a try. I would love a cakes on a plate bra and I do like some padding as my breast are very soft so need so shaping to get the rounded look I like.

SirVixofVixHall · 08/07/2015 11:27

Re comexim cup sizing, you need to count up as they don't do double letters. So a GG is a J in Comexim. What size are you? I'll work out what it would be.

KatyBG · 08/07/2015 15:17

LucyTheValiant I'm really pleased that you're interested in our sister company. It will be at least another year before we can launch it but it's certainly a direction that we're aiming to take.

Wagglebee I'm glad that my explanation was helpful :) I think that it's this sort of information that can make bra shopping a little easier. Our bespoke underwires are currently under development and will be available this Autumn onwards.

Our Classique does tend give a lovely rounded shape with a nice 'two cakes on a plate' look whilst still offering sufficient coverage. I practically live in my Classique! A lovely young lady commented today how the lace sits completely flush against the skin creating a really smooth finish that makes it ideal under a t-shirt.

As it is a fairly low cup bra we're also developing a 3 piece cup version (available in August) that offers more coverage whilst maintaining the lovely rounded shape.

SirVixofVixHall · 08/07/2015 15:43

Katy do you have a mailing list so that we could get updates of new styles?

SorrelForbes · 08/07/2015 16:09

Just a quick update on the Classique bra. My bra arrived yesterday in a 30GG and it is absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, the bra is much too shallow and wide for me and it just didn't give me any lift at all, just a flat, squashed look.

However, if you like the Curvy Kate Tease Me, the Parfait Afinitas Charlotte or the Bravissimo padded half cups then this could work really well for you. The material and colour are beautiful, the band is nice and firm and the straps comfortable.

Sorry KatyBG . It's not the bra's fault! Can you make something else but based on the EW CHP shape ?

SirVixofVixHall · 08/07/2015 16:33

Shallow and wide is the problem I had with Tutti Rouge bras. As though they were made for someone much wider framed with a much smaller cupsize, but with half the back chopped off. Perhaps the newer bras to come won't have this as they'll have the bespoke wiring?

Wagglebee · 08/07/2015 17:15

Sorrel Thanks for updating. Shame it wasn't for you. My boobs are bottom heavy and shallower on top, so think it might still be a good possibility for me. I'll update when/if I order too. All this sharing of info is really helpful.

Katy I've never seen it explained like that before so it was a revelation for me after spending the past week whining about my bra buying failures. I might actually be able to buy a couple of good ones now I'm armed with info. I'm definitely keeping an eye on your site/company. So glad someone who knows what they're talking about is finally in the lingerie world.

SorrelForbes · 08/07/2015 17:16

When I say the bra is shallow I'm talking about the depth and projection of the cups and not the height of the cups IYSWIM?

KatyBG · 08/07/2015 17:36

Hi SorrelForbes I'm really grateful for your feedback...thank you :) I've replied to your email by the way.

The ideal fit of the Classique is shown here: www.bratabase.com/browse/bosom-galore/classique/30G/

However, this varies according to breast shape and composition. I've personally been quite amazed by how differently the same bra can fit from woman to woman.

It does sound like the Classique wires are too wide for you. Our new Louise and Sophia will however use our new bespoke, more narrow wires. And from Autumn onwards, all of our lingerie will use these wires bespoke to us; designed specifically for full busts on small bands.

Overall, we've received fantastic feedback regarding the fit of our Classique and Amelia, but we are aware that some of the larger sizes may not be suitable for those who require more narrow wires. Our aim, by the end of 2015 if to carry a range of styles to cater for a wide variety of bra needs...something for everyone :)

Thank you for trying us and for discussing the fit. I'm confident that our new wires will be far more suitable :)

Cabbagesandcustard · 08/07/2015 17:36

I my daughter was fitted as a 28B at John Lewis. It's hard to find small teen-sized black bras so I looked online, found these and ordered them in the same size. They were absolutely teeny, compared to the JL ones - I sent them back and reordered a selection of larger sizes. We ended up with a 32B (there's no way she's a 32 as that's what I wear!). They refunded the ones I didn't want immediately so I can recommend the seller. Might be worth a try if you're prepared to fiddle around to get the right fitting. They do white ones too.

SorrelForbes · 08/07/2015 17:48

Thanks for the email KatyBG. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the new styles as I am really, really impressed with the construction and quality of the Classique.

Sadly, I definitely didn't look like the photos on Bratabase. My chest was very squished and flat rather than lifted and forward. I get the same effect if I wear Freya or Bravissimo padded half cups so stick to my Ewa Michalaks or my Cleos. I would be lovely to have another brand in my collection!

SirVixofVixHall · 08/07/2015 22:48

Cabbage I find that Royce measure accurately by the standard system still, so you need to add 4-6 inches depending on the rib measurement. So if your DD measures 28 around the ribs then she would need a 32 or even a 34. If she is 24 then a 30 should be right.

IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt · 09/07/2015 00:08

Thanks. Re Connexim. So I'm a FF which would be H right?

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