A bra frustration

Elly

I will preface this with the acknowledgement that I have been trying to fit myself, since I do not do Denver (which is a 7 hour drive) and my other closest option is Phoenix, which is a 10 hour drive.

After 7 tries I finally found something that is comfortable and seems to fit in the band and cups well. However, when I try it on with a thin t-shirt I get visible armpit fat. I have that weird little pocket of fat high up right where my arm meets my chest that sits on pec muscle. The tighter cups/band are making it more obvious compared to my old bras that don't provide lift. I tried the cup size up and the cups are two big. What is going on here? Is it normal?

Also, this bra is completely changing my silhouette. On one hand I like the lift, but it makes my chest look smaller and my bust measurement itself smaller and I think it throws of my proportions. At this point in my life I have a little extra weight on the bottom half and like having a curvier chest to balance it out. I thought going from the wrong size (34 D or DD) to the right size was supposed to make a positive difference--- especially when your new size can't be had for less than 50-60 bucks.

I have tried almost every other t-shirt bra in my new size and have had fit issues with each ( UK 30 E or F depending, US30G). What is a girl to do?

14 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from mrseccentric

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm not sure this is a bad bra fit, Elly. It's very possible that you are not used to your altered silhouette.

Also, if you are fitting yourself, it's possible that you are still in the wrong bra STYLE, and not necessarily the wrong size.

14 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Elly - my suspicion is that the cups may bee too small, or at least too narrow but that it's the band that is actually too big when you are going up a cup size. Just a guess.
When I start to get armpit spillover, it's usually a sign that either my cups are too small, or that I haven't properly adjusted my breasts into my bra (here's a good guideline, although personally I have to fasten my bra in front and spin the clasps to the back), or simply that the bra is not the right style for me.
For example: I tried Panache bras, which a lot of women in larger cup sizes like; however, the cups were too "deep" and "narrow", so I ended up with wrinkling around the nipple area and armpit spillover. Chantelle bras (or at least the style I'm currently enamored with) have a shallower, wider cup, so when I'm properly fitted the underwire encircles *all* the breast tissue without digging in or creating unsightly armpit bulges.
I was skeptical about this at first, but I've gradually come around to the idea that seamed cups also provide superior fit to the molded/unseamed tee shirt version. I get much better support from the diagonal seams across the cup, and the shape seems more natural - a lot of the tee shirt bras I tried gave me kind of a bullet-bra effect that I didn't like at all.
The best tee shirt bra I have is not molded or seamed, and is a Fantasie bra that looks quite similar to this one: http://www.barenecessities.com.....38;search= I use light foam inserts called "no peeks" that I slip into the bra to prevent nipple show-through when I'm wearing a fine-knit tee.
However, my favorite bra overall is this one by Chantelle: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ch.....n=category (Yes, it's incredibly pricey - I scour the internet for sales and stock up when I find a deal, or wait for NAS in the summer.) If you zoom in you can see that the underwire/cups are wide, which works very well for my bust shape. The curved diagonal seam across the cup is exactly what I need to give me the proper lift and support, and it really doesn't show much under most knits unless I'm wearing a very fine, tight tee (a rarity these days.)

I hope that helps, Elly, and I wish you lots of luck. Bra shopping can be so frustrating but it's worth it when you hit on a winner.

14 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Thanks Kari-- I suppose I am frustrated because my "armpit fat" style is the Fantasie you are talking about. I have tried every other t-shirt bra I know of made in my size and readily available in the US with no luck. The band on this one is not rib-compressing but still quite snug and of course very few bras (especially t-shirt bras) come in 28s. I tried a 28 in a Freya bra that is supposed to run big in the band and it was too tight.

Your favorite Chantelle doesn't even come in a 30 band, but looks very nice.

Most of the bras I have tried just flatten me out, but the larger cup size is too roomy. All of the ones that have come closer to fitting in the cups have the armpit fat issue, except a few flattening styles that are providing no lift.

14 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Aaargh... that's so frustrating. I think you're on the right path, Elly - but I'm sorry that you haven't found the perfect bra just yet. (I'm surprised that Chantelle bra doesn't come in a 30 band size - most of theirs do!) FWIW, I just remembered that a few years ago I also had some good luck with molded Chantelle tee shirt bras. The style is no longer available so I can't link to it, but it had a molded cup and a lace band, and it came in a 30 band size. The bras did not last as long as my seamed styles do, though.
One idea - you could always try purchasing a bra in a 32 band size where the cups fit you well and the band is *oh so close* to being snug enough, but have a tailor who specializes in lingerie items take the band in just a little. I think that Maya had this one at her Intimacy fitting, if I remember correctly.

14 years ago

Steph

Veteran

This sounds very frustrating. I have had the armpit fat issue (as well as the back fat issue with a properly fitting band), and I agree with Angie that it is often that the style is wrong, even if the size is right. I think you got some great advice from Kari, and I would second the suggestion about getting a bra tailored. I'm generally a 32, but in some brands I need more like a 31, and I have had my bra bands altered as a result. If you look at 32s you will have more options, so maybe finding a 32 that fits and then getting the band taken in a little is the way to go.

I also agree that seamed bras are the best in terms of making everything look great, but I do wear a lot of snug tops and can't always do a seamed bra. My favorite bra tee-shirt type bra is the Chantelle Rive Gauche: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ch.....2219319097 Again, it only comes in 32, but if you can get it altered that might not be a problem.

14 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Also, this article and some of the ensuing comments might help:

http://www.thinandcurvy.com/20.....tting.html

14 years ago

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

hi Elly! this is the type of thing that can drive a person nuts, 4 sure! i've had times when my weight was fluctuating a lot (due to medication) which would cause my bras to not fit, etc. one trick that worked for me was to throw in a couple of cutlets when the bras i had were too big in the cups for the current size of my breasts. It would fill things out and give a smooth line - and if you like a bustier appearance it would do that too!

i just used some that came with another bra so i have no recommendations - sorry. but good luck and keep on it - think how thrilled you'll be when you find the perfect bra !!!! steph

14 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

If it helps, I've had good luck with Hanro bras with both underwire and non, and I have totally temperamental tatas. The Hanros are pricey but they last a long time and are delicious cotton. One note: my girls are divas but they're hardly bountiful, so if you are lucky enough to have mountains instead of molehills, 1) congrats! and 2) I'd see what other full-busted ladies have to say before trying.

14 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Thanks Kari-- The only way I could try Chantelle is if I ordered a 32 and got it altered. I just tried the t-shirt bra they make in my size that comes in nude (there is one that is almost 100 dollars that only comes in black, and another that is even fuller coverage) and although it fits, I get the smooshing and couldn't wear it with a scoopneck or vneck.

I may end up having to do that. However, that would mean finding a tailor I trust in my very small town. I usually do my own alternations with the help of family members, but I would not be comfortable altering bras.

Question--- how do you tell you won't have the armpit fat problem with a a 32 that is altered down? For example, if I had ordered this bra in a 32 I guarantee I wouldn't be having the armpit fat issue, but I also wouldn't be getting any support either. I'm afraid to alter a bra and then find the fit isn't quite right and not being able to return it.

Steph-- thanks for the cutlet suggestion. I'm not sure that would be good for me. I have never tried them, but padded or push up bras always leave me with breasts that are almost as long as my ribcage rather than getting push up or profile action. I bet these would do similar.

Iron Kurtin-- thanks for the suggestion. I haven't had the best luck with cotton bras, as I find that they stretch under the waist of my more "mountain" like girls. For panty-line free undies, check out the thread you posted on earlier-- I left you my suggestion for my favorite cotton pair.

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I have the same issue, but with a smaller chest. I found a discontinued Natori bra to be the best fit. Not sure if it comes in your size, but it's tight in the band for it's size and the fit is purposefully wide and shallow. I found one on eBay a month or so ago and it's heaven for my in between size. http://www.herroom.com/Natori-.....-Bra.shtml

14 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Thanks mo--- I guess I am frustrated because the wide-and-shallow fits seem to be too shallow and actually spread all of my tissue out over the largest area possible and leave me looking flattened. On the other hand, sometimes I don't have enough tissue to fill a cup. I'm a bit stumped as for that one.

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Elly, no advice, only commiseration. Have you seen the famous bra fitting thread? Lots of super advice here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ing-thread

Count me as another extremely frustrated bra shopper. I am also a 30 (or probably a 28) band size, but my cup size is also small. However, it's not small ENOUGH to fit the little petite bras. So there are scarcely any bras on the market that fit me.

14 years ago

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Hi Elly! yeah, i can see where you would think that. i can tell you that for me it's a very different effect than with a push-up or padded bra. With a supportive bra that overall fits well, but you're just not quite filling out the cups, a cutlet at the bottom/side of the cups just fills out the natural shape of the cup.

If you find yourself in that type of situation, and you have a couple of handy cutlets it may be worth a try, just because you are having such a tough time getting the fit right. and considering your experience with padding, you may want to try placing any 'additions' more to the side as opposed to on the bottom (that's another difference versus a padded bra, in this case you can adjust the placement of the 'filler').

Best of luck and let us know how it goes!!! steph

14 years ago

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