Nordstrom Bra Fitting Experience

Inspired by a few recent-ish threads, and motivated by the increasingly
depressing state of my intimate apparel, I ventured to Nordstrom for a
quick, impromptu bra fitting. Here are my results (#1 conclusion - GET A
PRO FITTING!) - and questions below.

I had been a pretty perfect and happy 32C for years before I had children. Between pregnancy and nursing, I haven't really had a great fitting bra for about 4 years (been wearing soft cup nursing/maternity bras ranging from "medium" to 34G). I am almost done weaning and I think my weight and size has stabilized enough to invest in something that fits and makes me feel
good. So, I was estimating I'd be around a 32D.

I had tried on Le Mystere Dream Tisha Lace in 32D
based on recommendations here, but I while I loved the support and the
lift it offered, it felt too drastic a change from no underwire for 4+
years to the incredible structure. I also thought that I didn't quite
fill out the top of the D - there was a little extra room at the very
top of the cups, which I'm not sure means that it's too big or if it's
just the structure of the bra or my breasts (they're a little like
deflated balloons after breastfeeding - shallow up top). My local
Nordstrom doesn't carry Le Mystere so I couldn't ask for a professional
opinion about the fit, and the saleswoman who helped me at Nordstrom
didn't think highly of Le Mystere. Tisha lovers: Does it ever get really comfy? Anyone had similar issues with the hollow top?

At Nordstrom, I fell in love with the Chantelle Rive Gauche in 32D
- it's so pretty for such a functional bra! The nude/pink was a perfect
color. And it felt wonderfully supportive. And the girls looked lovely!
But, I didn't love how far apart the straps were on my very narrow
shoulders. If you have this bra, do you have any problems with the straps falling down?

The saleswoman brought me a couple of Simone Perele bras, sizing me to 30DD(30E) in the Simone Perele Andora and Caressence...I think I'm in love. I don't love the price but I've ordered the navy Andora on sale for $50 as a trial run....fingers crossed.

Given my notes about the above bras - what other brands/models should I try?

In conclusion to this long post - thanks for reading and for all of the previous posts about bra sizing.

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I have tried Chantelle and found it too round for my shallow shape. (EDIT: had the same issue you describe with the Dream Tisha. Looks like cereal bowls on my chest - NOT good lol.) I own the Perele Caressence in 30E - and it is just a tad too large in the upper cup. Grrr. Also, I find the straps want to slide off my somewhat sloping shoulders.
I'm hanging my hopes on a 30EE by Wacoal.

Jaime

I wear the Chantelle Rive Gauche t shirt bra (I think that is the one you are talking about). It is the most supportive and flattering bra I have found. I have not noticed a problem with the straps. Hope that helps!

Gaylene

My first "professional fitting" was, I now realize, a bust(?--sorry for the bad pun ). The woman sold me a 34D Mystere that made me feel I was wearing a cage; since I have shallow topped, wide-spaced boobs, my girls just rattled around in all that space.

My second fitting, however, was totally different. The girl took the time to tell me about why she was putting me in certain styles. My widely spaced, shallow-topped girls and my broad shoulders made me a perfect candidate for a balconette bra with its widely spaced straps and lower upper volume. A 34D Prima Donna balconette Madison fit me perfectly. Same size, but a totally different style. I also have found that even within the same line I can fit in a different size depending on the style. My two Simone Perele bras are different sizes, but both fit perfectly.

My advice is to carefully study the shape of your favorite bras to help you find similar styles. Bradatabase can sometimes be useful to help find "sister" styles. And be prepared to try on lots of styles and makes, so make sure the online site has a good return policy.

Esther

Active Member

Hi, I too found that after nursing my bras needed to be different. I don't have experience with those bras, but I found that balconette bras work very well for the lack of fullness at the top of the breast. I cannot wear any full-coverage bras anymore. Hope you find some that work for you.

Suz

I'm small busted with slightly shallow on top, widely spaced girls. I tried a Le Mystere bra on and did not like it at all for me. I used to own and love a Chantelle Rive Gauche and I now own a Simone Perelle Caressence and like it a great deal. The straps don't fall down on me, but my shoulders are relatively square despite my having a rather small frame. The bra is a full cup rather than balconette but it seems to work well because of the type of fabric it's made from molding to the body.

sarah

I have been wearing the Mystere for the past several months, and I agree it was a big change for me. It did feel quite "constricting" at first, but now I'm used to it, the elastic has stretched a bit, and I find it quite comfortable. I would say that I do have a bit of room up top, as after 2 kids/breastfeeding at age 39 and 41, there's an awful lot of drooping (which is why I went with that bra in the first place - everything else was beginning to look really saggy, even my other underwires). But I do with it wasn't QUITE so projectile. I am curious to try the Simone Perele, although I can't imagine I would ever fit into a 30. I'm also a 32D in most other bras (including the Mystere). Thanks for the summary.

DonnaF

I have a Dream Tisha lace that has a bit of room at the top and another that doesn't in a different color. However, the one with room may be a larger cup size. I've ordered wildly patterned Dream Tisha laces from the Rack and they were at least one or two sizes too big in the band; I don't remember how the cup size fit, but they were wildly out of whack. The Dream Tishas without lace fit me fine but are starting to stretch out and unlike the lace ones are limited in much the straps can be shortened.

I like the Dream Tishas, lace and w/o because the straps never fall down and they have a wide three hook band that gives me extra support and reduces my back fat. I've rejected many a bra for having only two hooks.

K. Period.

I had the Dream Tisha too and loved it for years. Then, after the second kiddo and weight loss, I didn't fill out the Tisha anymore. I had to pass mine along to my mom, who does. The fill-out is the real issue. You asked about comfort--they do soften in the band and you get used to them and they become very comfortable if they are the right size. Like any bra, they need a little time to warm up and mold to you to go from okay comfortable to truly comfortable. (Note that I'm not saying you should buy any bra that is uncomfortable. They absolutely should be firm fitting but still okay comfortable when you buy them. I'm just saying they will be less comfortable when brand new than once you've worn them a bit.)

It sounds like you and I have very similar sizes and fit concerns. I have had great luck with Wacoal, even though they have discontinued (darn them!) my favorite bra. Try Wacoal. Natori doesn't usually have firm enough cups for me for modesty/cold office issues. Same issue with Chantelle for me, but I do like the fit of the Chantelle typically. The strap slippage on them did me in, though. I did have good luck with a lovely Stella McCartney recently, fwiw, but the straps are a little slippy too. (sigh.)

Thistle

I have tried a couple, but at a 36FF I feel like I have fewer options.

After pregnancy and nursing, I feel like I have wide set, deflated girls, and I found that Fayreform works really well for me. I won't settle for less than the full three section bra as I really, really need support.

I also tried Elomi and I did not re-buy any of the bras I originally bought.

It has been over 6 months since my last fitting, so time to go again. *sigh* I refreshes with two more Fayreforms, but I do really need a whole new fitting. And yes, I have to replace bras in regular rotation every 6-9 months.

cinnamon fern

I had the same issue with the Tisha, but my favorite bra ever is the Le Mystere Techfit. Similar construction, same band, but cut shallow-to-average in the cups.

saramir

Just want to thank everyone for chiming in with their
It seems like we all have issues with fit...never realized how many were close to my size and had similar issues. I have high hopes for the Simone Perele Andora, but I'm going to keep my eyes open for the Caressence as well.

Jenava

I loved the Chantelle, it looked great on me, but I find they stretch out quickly and are pricey. I've recently taken to wearing this Wacoal Enchantment bra:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/wa.....ra/3393381

and now have two nude and will purchase the black next. I have never nursed, but I have that kind of shallow profile to my breasts that makes a balconette style bra work well for me (I'm a 32DDD ATM).

Category

Nordstrom Bra Fitting Experience - Le Mystere, Chantelle, Simone Perele