tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067167447729498522024-02-19T14:31:54.443-08:00Bras I Hate & LoveA blog for the times when you want something better for your boobsBras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-39075725800210856052016-04-06T10:54:00.002-07:002016-04-06T10:55:34.610-07:00I'm Back and Better Than Ever!<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Big news, bra haters and lovers!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="western" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 1.75em;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">In an effort to move into this millenium, I’m going to be hanging out on a shiny new site now, <a href="http://skepticalbrablog.com/" target="_blank">The Skeptical Bra Blog</a>. Don't worry, brasihate.blogspot.com</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"> will stay right here in all its un-tech-savvy glory--it's not going anywhere, and I won’t be removing any content </span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">from here. All the old posts will stay up, but you'll be able to see them on the new site too (with the original comments!).</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"> <a href="http://skepticalbrablog.com/" target="_blank">New posts will be published on the new site, so click here for the newest bra snark!</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 1.75em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ll be posting about the full-bust bra landscape, life with boobs, and figuring out your shape.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 1.75em;">
<span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Above all, I’ll be writing about how your boobs don’t have to take over your life. If you don’t want to be all-busty-all-the-time, you don’t have to be. If you don’t want to wear special full-bust clothing brands, you don’t have to. If you’re not sure how you feel about having a fuller bust and are curious to see if you can make your boobs blend in rather than standing out (some of the time or all of the time), I can help.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This hasn't been an instant update, and I thought long and hard about the best way to move forward with Bras I Hate. In the end, I wanted to have my cake and eat it too--move into the future without changing everything about the past. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's just say I do not find web design particularly...<i>intuitive</i>, but I recognize it's an important tool to help me share the knowledge that <i>does </i>come naturally to me, so with the help of my <i>really smart </i>friends, I've made it a priority. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you again to all my loyal, awesome readers! Please bookmark and share <a href="http://skepticalbrablog.com/" target="_blank">the new site. </a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If my blog has helped you over the years, why not thank me with your dollars? You can tip me using the super-easy button to the right (check the menu on mobile!) Or if you'd like to show your support with any custom amount, <a href="http://paypal.me/SkepticalBraBlog" target="_blank">you can head on over to my Paypal page</a>. Thanks for your support, financial and otherwise!</span></span>Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-56605747185039201422015-12-14T19:57:00.001-08:002015-12-14T19:57:23.436-08:00I'll Come Out of Hiding......to tell you about how my boobs are in hiding!<br />
<br />
I finally went through and moderated all the comments from over a year of not having the mental space for this blog. I laughed, I cried, I deleted robot sex spam. You guys are the best. I only went in to moderate the comments because I felt terrible that you spent time writing comments that weren't published, but along the way, I realized I can't stand the idea of not giving you all an update!<br />
<br />
My boob-ambivalence is alive and well, but I've found a powerful ally in my quest for flowy crop tops. It happens to be one of the least beautiful bras ever made, and I'm beyond addicted to it. It's the one, the only, the Fantasie Esme. (See my old review<a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2013/10/fantasie-esme-review.html" target="_blank"> here</a>.)<br />
<br />
The main problem with the Esme is that it was discontinued approximately six seconds after I discovered it. One week I bought two of them on eBay in a 32H for $20 a pop, and the next week when I went to buy 800 more of them, they had been scrubbed from the face of the internet.<br />
<br />
Since then I've obsessively bought them in every sister size and altered the bands (the sizes below G only have two hooks and a slightly different shape, so buyer beware if you want to do this).<br />
<br />
Just as a refresher course, this is what my boobs look like in a run-of-the-mill balconette and tight top:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UzMo345bn1pwmU2JwqEybaaLiFJzEKtyBvexLbBEVO79LrsqNIxS5ySbi-woNziPGMfyFyVaFS0CZ8UYde5A6HCwMcwwaNICunDg-KZblRerrZQG8McArpvThfZxyX0dZuWYQe-SlDA/s1600/P1000275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UzMo345bn1pwmU2JwqEybaaLiFJzEKtyBvexLbBEVO79LrsqNIxS5ySbi-woNziPGMfyFyVaFS0CZ8UYde5A6HCwMcwwaNICunDg-KZblRerrZQG8McArpvThfZxyX0dZuWYQe-SlDA/s1600/P1000275.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's what my boobs like look in a Fantasie Esme and a flowy top.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnmMiA8fZWsOyUEb7DtxAA_sK9TqyIbqeGIBpb_HP9RlL0eG3Lj3Dpl9bmyur2lruSxxf6ABA64ZHkRJQtW_ipFrSdaNQns5f6cq6sNgoumE5VpFIkkQQq3QMUCcA-sb4Y9OEhyphenhyphenpIve4/s1600/esme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnmMiA8fZWsOyUEb7DtxAA_sK9TqyIbqeGIBpb_HP9RlL0eG3Lj3Dpl9bmyur2lruSxxf6ABA64ZHkRJQtW_ipFrSdaNQns5f6cq6sNgoumE5VpFIkkQQq3QMUCcA-sb4Y9OEhyphenhyphenpIve4/s320/esme.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
WHERE DID THEY GO?<br />
<br />
They're in hiding, but I'm back... and I'm back to tell you ladies about how you, too, can take your big boobs undercover--if that's something you're into.Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-72402045453197350652014-08-12T15:53:00.001-07:002014-08-12T15:58:53.469-07:00Thoughts for the Road: Full-On-Top Boobs in a World of Lower Fullness<style>
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<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Today
I spent a long time thinking about why I stopped blogging.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Part
of it was (I’ll be honest) the hurt of reading questions on forums when I’d
spent hours writing up detailed posts answering those very questions. It seemed
like it wouldn't matter if I disappeared.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Another part of it is my continued ambivalence about my boobs. I've never been the type to enjoy showing off cleavage; I'm all about bras that minimize and tops that smash my boobs. I have to deal with having big boobs, and I refuse to act like it's hard (it's not), but I don't necessarily have to like it. And sometimes I just want to cling to the<a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2014/01/tutti-rouge-liliana-review.html" target="_blank"> Tutti Rouge Liliana</a> and live it up in flowy crop tops. (At the end of that post you can read about my concern that this bra would allow me to relapse into my insecurity. I guess maybe it did.) And that doesn't really give me much to blog about. I don't want to spread my ambivalence, but right now I've retreated into it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Part
of it is that my passion faded. The bra world dealt me a few minor blows, and a few major ones, which
snowballed together and everything started to seem disappointing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Tutti
Rouge abandoned their cute aesthetic in favor of <a href="http://thefullfiguredchest.com/2014/02/aw-2014-preview-carpe-diem-love-night-tutti-rouge/" target="_blank">this upcoming Fifty Shades of Gray foolishness</a>. Meanwhile their shipping to the US remains so high that I can’t
justify ordering the bras I love from their current collection, even as they
sell out one by one, never to be replaced.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Even
worse news came from Freya. The Marvel, the best bra I ever found for my shape,
didn’t even make it to a third season. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re “replacing” it with <a href="http://www.freyalingerie.com/lingerie/rapture/aw14/side_support_plunge_bra.aspx?colour=neon" target="_blank">a modified side-support full-cup</a> which doesn’t look like it will be open on top at all. They’ve also recently
added piping to the top edges of their Deco, which will reduce gapping
experienced by full-on-bottom users, but will mean it no longer works for
full-on-top boobs. You can see from these comparison photos the way in which
the Deco has been edging away from being full-on-top friendly for years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-CLMnFHRZ46YPImOjbU2NR9vEOhqEPSbgVGJsCfpLUIK1g-Aj4U7a83ra19wZpUWvMuSOyEXFjs40zuY0Ny7XkcZzrbSXfn4Flqq-TZYicfh7PBil41sIYFH7ouS_Q2TrUaqVM4oP4o/s1600/Freya+Deco+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-CLMnFHRZ46YPImOjbU2NR9vEOhqEPSbgVGJsCfpLUIK1g-Aj4U7a83ra19wZpUWvMuSOyEXFjs40zuY0Ny7XkcZzrbSXfn4Flqq-TZYicfh7PBil41sIYFH7ouS_Q2TrUaqVM4oP4o/s1600/Freya+Deco+side.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Freya Deco (Pomegranate)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSle5tejV11Of3EuhAlPC13hO_EJedGtfmphE3XU1KQ2YAqm_aTGx1Em2NxYFEW5K-nJ7o-BIPr29rWtxCDgd_v45r8YmC8oJ8-N1InOb996lpmNw95QiTZcoQtDJ8H1bpxNykg8n3YU/s1600/P1030586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSle5tejV11Of3EuhAlPC13hO_EJedGtfmphE3XU1KQ2YAqm_aTGx1Em2NxYFEW5K-nJ7o-BIPr29rWtxCDgd_v45r8YmC8oJ8-N1InOb996lpmNw95QiTZcoQtDJ8H1bpxNykg8n3YU/s1600/P1030586.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freya Ashlee (Deco Variant) in a cup size BIGGER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">The
new Deco has a tighter top edge like the Ashlee pictured, but the biggest change is a deeper, smaller
apex that just does not work with full-on-top boobs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Both
these moves, I must assume, are meant to correct issues encountered by buyers
with lower fullness, who make up the majority of the market. I GET all this, I
understand. It is not really <b>news</b> to me. The best bras for full-on-top
boobs will always live fast and die
young. I know that the majority of boobs have lower fullness and I know that
companies want and need to cater to the largest sections of their audiences.
Still, I wish… </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">…that
there were more of us? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">That
companies were willing to produce smaller runs of bras for us and just warn off
the full-on-bottom buyers? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">The
alienation I felt as a woman with full-on-top boobs was the biggest, most
painful, and most important reason I started a blog in the first place. I guess
it’s ironic that now it’s the factor that’s forcing me out. At the time, it was
so hard dealing with what felt like a world of bras that wouldn’t fit me in any
size due to cutting in on the top edge. It was so hard having bras that looked
cute on so many people make my boobs look so sad. The hardest thing
was struggling with the fact that people erroneously assume the shape is a synonym for "perky", when in reality full-on-top boobs have a lower apex and tend
to point down naturally. I know now that full-on-top boobs are not something to be
ashamed of, they are just different than what most people have and are familiar with. But, oh, it was
SO hard back then. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">I
try to be more philosophical now. I try to keep in mind the expanded options. I
try to forget <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2012/10/herroom-punches-back.html" target="_blank">the worst slights </a>. I try to snap up <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2013/11/freya-marvel-review.html" target="_blank">the best bras</a> when they come around. I try to spread knowledge so that those
who share my shape can feel okay with it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">But
right now, I just don’t have the love in my heart, and I'm sorry. Let’s go over it one more
time, together, because I don’t know how long it will be before I come back.
Here’s how we full-on-top ladies can navigate a world of bras that just won’t
work for us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Bravissimo:
The Boudoir Beau is the only unpadded balconette that can work. It’s still a
wiggle, but it works. Half cups are always good (Bravissimo’s run small). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Cleo:
Marcie is a good bet. Avoid Meg. For other balconettes, wide gores allow you to
take in the gore to make the shape more open on top—another good bet (try Lucy,
but expect to take in the gore).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Half cups (Juna) are always good.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Panache:
Avoid the sea of full cups. Avoid Tango like the plague. Avoid Tango knockoffs.
Seek only the rarer-than-hens’-teeth balconettes (like Sienna) and the
full-cups with elastic on the top (Jasmine, Envy, Andorra, Clara). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Freya:
Avoid the unpadded balconettes. (I know, I know… but save yourself the grief.
Avoid them all.) Marvel is perfect (wide, though, if that’s not your thing).
Patsy and other padded half-cups are a great bet. That includes the longlines.
Unpadded plunge swimwear is a miracle. (Wear as a swimsuit, wear as a bra, wear
as a shining shield of good feelings.) Look for the oldest Decos without the
trim on the top edge.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Curvy
Kate: Avoid all the balconettes, especially the padded ones. Half-cups
(currently Ritzy, formerly Tease Me/Thrill Me) are a good bet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Fantasie:
Most are not ideal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Masquerade:
Half-cups (Rhea, Delphi) are always a good bet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Tutti
Rouge: Liliana works for the shallow. Betty (half-cup) is a good bet.
Sophia/Mae is okay. Avoid Frankie/Olivia and Birds of a Feather/Evelyn and their
knockoffs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Avoid
anything with horizontal seams.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br />
Seek vertical seams. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Good
luck out there.</span></div>
Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-46749301621992839202014-03-05T07:09:00.000-08:002014-03-05T07:48:54.707-08:00A (Lazy) Guide to Washing Bras<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">The
question of how to wash your bras becomes important when you find the perfect
size, the perfect bra, and curate your ideal collection. I am always surprised
to learn how many people throw their bras into the washer (which can be okay) and-<b>GASP</b>-the
dryer (never okay). Conversely, it seems like people who make an effort to
preserve their bras’ longevity often use expensive lingerie washes and complex
drying techniques to avoid crushing cups. It came to my attention that many
people are not aware that you can use normal detergent and a towel to wash and
dry bras quickly with minimal damage. The perfectionists among us will, of
course, want to continue with high-quality lingerie washes, which may perform
better in the long run. For the lazy among us, here’s my technique. No mesh
lingerie bags, special soaps, or salad spinners required.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Step One. </span></b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Gather all the bras that
need to be washed. Maybe it’s taken awhile to get around to it and you have a
lot. Before starting, you must <b>separate
the colors</b>. I know I said this is a lazy guide, but if you wash a red bra
with a white bra you WILL finish with a red bra and a blotchy pink bra. Ruining
your bras defeats the purpose of washing them, so separate them out. It’s fine
to wash most pastel bras with white bras. Red goes only with red, other bright
colors are best kept alone as well. You can toss navy in with black.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Step Two. </span></b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Fill the sink with cold-ish
water. Hot water is not awesome for the fabric of bras, but it helps avoid the
issue of plunging your hands into a glacier to retrieve the bra, so I usually
make the water lukewarm. Purists will want to use cold water. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Step Three. </span></b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Get out your normal,
regular detergent. There is no real reason why you should need a special
cleanser to wash your bras unless they are extremely delicate, non-washable
fabrics. Whatever you use on your normal laundry should be fine for the vast
majority of normal full-bust bras, unless it contains bleach. I use fragrance
free detergent due to sensitive skin, so I use that for my bras as well. If fragrance
is okay with your normal laundry, it will be fine for your bras as well. It <b>does</b> <b>not take much detergent. </b>Imagine how much you would use for a regular
load and picture how much smaller your bra is, then eyeball it. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Step Four. </span></b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Reach into the water and
swirl the detergent around a bit. Now put the bra or bras into the water and
submerge, and swish them around a bit. You may see the water become slightly
gray if the bra is dirty. (You might see the water become slightly red, and you'll be glad you followed my advice about keeping the colors separate!) If there are any particularly dirty areas, you can
put a little more detergent on your fingers and rub it into those areas.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Step Five. </span></b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Leave the bras in the sink
until the water drains slowly out of the defective drain plug, or until your
roommate needs to brush their teeth, whichever comes first. Drain the remaining
water and hold the bra under running water until the water stops looks looking
soapy. Squeeze some of the water out of the bra. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);"><b>NOTE: </b>It is also okay to wash your bras in the washing machine, and you don't need a special mesh lingerie bag to do it. You DO need to put the bra inside something, though, because in the case that an underwire should pop out in the wash, it can totally destroy your washing machine. The easiest thing to do is to pop the bra inside a pillowcase and tie the top in a single knot. The knot will tighten as it gets wet, helping keep the bra secure inside. Only wash bras on a cold cycle (which should also be fine for all your laundry, because it cleans just as well as hot and saves money and the environment). I haven't had issues with bra colors bleeding in a washing machine, but to be 100% safe, you can just keep red bras out of the machine. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);"><b>NEVER </b>put a bra in the dryer. It will wear the elastic out hundreds of times faster than normal wear. Even if it doesn't look like the dryer destroys your bras, it causes long-term damage. Instead, proceed to: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Step Six—Drying. </span></b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Some people would just hang
the bra on a drying rack at this step, but with padded or molded bras, it can
take <i>days</i> for a bra to dry like this.
Instead, get out a clean towel and lay it on the floor. Place the bra on the
towel. Now fold the towel around the bra. The bra itself should not get folded,
so the bundle you end up with will still be the size and shape of the bra.
Carefully fold this bundle in half along the gore (if you can’t find where that
would be, don’t force it). Now, step and kneel on the towel bundle to crush all
the water out of the bra. Unfold the towel. The bra should now be only slightly
damp. Hang it to dry and it will be ready to wear in a matter of hours rather
than days.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">I
like the towel trick because it allows you to essentially “wring out” the bra
without having to twist and crush the shape and the fabric. It also helps get
the water out of tricky areas, like straps, that can’t easily be wrung out.
Molded bras might briefly get a tiny bit crushed this way, so again, purists
may want to experiment with the salad spinner technique (pretty much what it
sounds like). Or, drape a towel over your knee, place one bra cup over each
knee, fold the towel over the top, and press down. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">I
hope my technique will help lazy women everywhere wash their bras in the
quickest, easiest way possible! If anyone has any tips and tricks for washing
bras, please share them in the comments. </span></span></div>
Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-35316395552628477042014-02-26T08:24:00.000-08:002014-02-26T19:35:15.376-08:00A Conversion Guide for Ordering Bras From Simply Be's US Site <div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">A
while back, I posted <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-quick-note-about-buying-bras-from-asos.html" target="_blank">a guide to navigating ASOS’s confusing bra size conversionon their US site.</a> I’ll never know why these UK websites <b>invent</b> new
sizing systems for their US buyers, but ASOS is not the only one to do it.
Today we’ll look into Simply Be’s bra size conversion on their US site. Simply
Be has a small, but well-curated selection of Panache, Cleo, Freya, and Curvy
Kate. They also have really good offers quite frequently, which is what
originally tempted me to tackle their size conversion. They stock mostly 34
bands and above, but they do have a decent amount of bras starting at 30 or 32.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Simply
Be, unlike ASOS, actually presents us with a size chart: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJLS_-QH2e8wTLRQtYPQXaOwb9iQoHSMC3akj-5PAxnyn3VdpMkyecgx_wXDHpNspA_Y24968iLuQTRQmbsf0kTqnCZscRRqXwYE7Z7wUEdcD7qRwzi7vHPIk-oTS9Oyg4mAkGvQqPoE/s1600/simply+be+sizing.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJLS_-QH2e8wTLRQtYPQXaOwb9iQoHSMC3akj-5PAxnyn3VdpMkyecgx_wXDHpNspA_Y24968iLuQTRQmbsf0kTqnCZscRRqXwYE7Z7wUEdcD7qRwzi7vHPIk-oTS9Oyg4mAkGvQqPoE/s1600/simply+be+sizing.tiff" /> </a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Please
note that by this size chart, Simply Be’s US site does NOT sell bras in FF
cup—they just skip the size for some reason. Knowing this throws off my
original conversion, since I had assumed they had a FF. I can’t think of any
reasonable explanation for why they do this, but I’m not totally shocked, since
ASOS had a particularly odd conversion for FF as well. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Simply
Be has included band sizes in their chart, which, in my opinion, makes it quite
confusing visually, so I have created a simplistic cup size conversion chart as
I did for ASOS. The band sizes, as with ASOS, are the same.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hLGQnv26K4jGbFcJhAkzbEOXJbZRfjbK-rcJpXp1Wl_R-_pk41TshZvAYYfY8fipGC8Dph7Ppq_PU5gpPGHLORCR7lzU7Ny1CPVhmVqbhKjR74rk084PjbB3Nf1xkPTkSKMyVPkYC4I/s1600/simply+be+cup+convert.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hLGQnv26K4jGbFcJhAkzbEOXJbZRfjbK-rcJpXp1Wl_R-_pk41TshZvAYYfY8fipGC8Dph7Ppq_PU5gpPGHLORCR7lzU7Ny1CPVhmVqbhKjR74rk084PjbB3Nf1xkPTkSKMyVPkYC4I/s1600/simply+be+cup+convert.tiff" /> </a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">In
my travels around the Simply Be website, I’ve noticed there is an occasional
glitch that causes the size conversion to alter in 36 bands and above. This
happened last night while I was preparing my post, and has corrected by this
morning. If you ever see a changed cup size listing in 36 bands or above, I
would recommend just waiting to order until it is fixed. If you can’t wait, I
present my best attempt at a conversion for these glitchy times:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFirB20fmPE5bdK3wZ4GD0wzdjGulNhe08yz3GXVHKgmcRlwpkrIg-KKVdfb7N-81dXT3GgM1p72VcQ1LIWmfBJnOI4JHTpiEKowkKM2WWAd10ekuWgvjBoNyFBbqDPa2ZwYVOSr5pvw/s1600/Simply+Be+glitchy+conversion.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFirB20fmPE5bdK3wZ4GD0wzdjGulNhe08yz3GXVHKgmcRlwpkrIg-KKVdfb7N-81dXT3GgM1p72VcQ1LIWmfBJnOI4JHTpiEKowkKM2WWAd10ekuWgvjBoNyFBbqDPa2ZwYVOSr5pvw/s1600/Simply+Be+glitchy+conversion.tiff" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">The
UK D=US DD and UK C= US D issue irks me especially because ALL of these (C, D,
and DD) are proper UK sizes, and they are NOT interchangeable. I’m guessing
Simply Be has alienated more than a few D or DD-wearing customers who found
they didn’t get what they bargained for. Furthermore, the true irony is that
these UK brands are shoe-horned into a nonexistent “US Size System” to appeal
to US buyers, but this invariably means the cup sizes look even BIGGER than
they really are (K becomes <i>P</i>) which
makes them more likely to alienate uneducated US buyers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Now,
despite this annoyance, I do actually have experience ordering from Simply Be
and can vouch for certain size conversions…</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">I
ordered a Tutti Rouge Liliana in 34L, which turned out to be a UK 34H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">I
ordered a Freya Deco in 30K, which turned out to be a UK 30GG.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">I
ordered a Curvy Kate Lola and a Cleo Lucy in 32L, both of which turned out to
be UK 32H.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);">Finally,
I ordered a Tutti Rouge Betty in 32M, which is a UK 32HH.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(251, 251, 250);"><br />
I was correct in guessing at all of these sizes, and due to the 30% and
40% off promotions that Simply Be often offers, I was glad I took the risk. In
addition to their amazing offers, they also often have exclusive colors. So I
hope this post offers some guidance for those willing to step outside the safe
land of Figleaves and Bravissimo. (And no—Simply Be’s UK site won’t ship to the
USA, as far as I can tell.)</span></span></div>
Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-85779057673020521062014-02-19T16:11:00.000-08:002014-02-19T16:11:00.562-08:00A Tale of Two Babydolls: Curvy Kate "Lola" and "Ritzy" ReviewLast week I posted about <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2014/02/sleeping-in-bra-is-it-right-for-you.html" target="_blank">my tendency to wear wired bras to bed</a>. With the recent WONDERFUL explosion of babydolls on the full bust market, it was a natural and fun transition to begin wearing these to bed. The babydoll phenomenon really did happen all at once, and suddenly I went from having zero options to having four. Curvy Kate put out two babydolls, the Lola:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmyQQGxcUbWLr6OT-e6v0eRUH14Za8gwFMDH1D2qC9Jo_6lLYHQV812OK-lFrBTEFhzrrzIPm84x7HfArpvqojv9KEcIHsdbWmnp680ljDdgUf7n9heNfDauZ54fwMdE9cXkIFqQhd74/s1600/lola-black-almond-curvy-kate-babydoll-mask-aw13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmyQQGxcUbWLr6OT-e6v0eRUH14Za8gwFMDH1D2qC9Jo_6lLYHQV812OK-lFrBTEFhzrrzIPm84x7HfArpvqojv9KEcIHsdbWmnp680ljDdgUf7n9heNfDauZ54fwMdE9cXkIFqQhd74/s1600/lola-black-almond-curvy-kate-babydoll-mask-aw13.jpg" height="640" width="302" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
and the Ritzy:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_WODmnBjXZNEJJtQc5Z8kMkQJcMQYxiHboDT8VtF4K_TDS_-emsfKG6WGvPy4mkrn5Cs5now83DvIS8osBXO8vW2ifKHucoIUuEx1Qhg9O2DyATtt76sveg1e_TmC7nLPBOXbRoxsMo/s1600/B361P_SP470_08_3NPXP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_WODmnBjXZNEJJtQc5Z8kMkQJcMQYxiHboDT8VtF4K_TDS_-emsfKG6WGvPy4mkrn5Cs5now83DvIS8osBXO8vW2ifKHucoIUuEx1Qhg9O2DyATtt76sveg1e_TmC7nLPBOXbRoxsMo/s1600/B361P_SP470_08_3NPXP.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Cleo also produced a babydoll version of their Marcie bra:<br />
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Because they inexplicably decided to make this babydoll totally open in the butt, it's fairly useless for my purposes (to use as a nightgown) and therefore I'll be skipping it permanently. <br />
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The fourth option is Parfait's Alexis babydoll, which I have not yet tried:<br />
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Curvy Kate's Lola was the first to make it to my home. The structure of the cups is a padded version of their normal balconette shape, which makes it the same as the Daily Boost. Now, I knew I was taking a bit of a risk here. Curvy Kate's balconettes tend to fit me well but not give me a great shape. However, since <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2013/09/curvy-kate-flirtelle-and-upside-down.html" target="_blank">the shape usually looks decent at first and slowly degrades throughout the day</a>, I thought I would be totally fine with a nightwear item, which just needs to look half-decent on its own--no issues with the look under clothing. However, I thought wrong:<br />
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WAUGH! UGH! CURVY KATE WHY!!!!<br />
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The cups on this bra are So. Pointy. when combined with my full-on-top shape. Now, I am sure some readers take no issue with getting this look in a bra, but I also know that I am NOT okay with it and that many of my readers join me in attempting to avoid this shape. I encourage these readers to refer to my post <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2013/09/why-do-full-on-top-boobs-look-pointy-in.html" target="_blank">"Why Do Full-On-Top Boobs Look Pointy in Full-Cup Bras?"</a> to answer the pressing question "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING??" This Lola has balconette cups, not a full-cup structure. Even so, the graphics in that post will help to explain why this bra looks like crazy sauce on me, but will likely look totally normal on ladies with less upper fullness than me. If not exactly rounded, these cups will at least probably be 'good pointy', the cute retro look, on those who don't share my shape. <i>Anyone who has boobs as full-on-top as mine knows that the sun will rise in the west and set in the east before our boobs can ever get that shape.........</i><br />
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In any case, my natural first thought was to perform the alteration described in my post <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-make-pointy-bra-round.html" target="_blank">"How To Make a Pointy Bra Round."</a> To my consternation, the alteration DID NOT HELP. These cups remained stubbornly just as pointy as ever. Shortening/lengthening the straps also made no difference. <br />
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This was a tragic turn of events because the Lola babydoll is <b>so perfect in every other way</b>. The body is made of a soft, high-quality mesh and the hem is finished with a gorgeous wide stretch satin trim. Because it came so close to being wonderful (and yet so, so far) I decided to keep it, wear it to bed, and just avoid ever standing in direct profile in the vicinity of my boyfriend or a mirror.<br />
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For sizing reference, I got the Lola babydoll in a 32H. The cups and band run the same as other Curvy Kate balconettes. My hip measurement is about 2 inches smaller than my bust measurement, and I found that with the notch in the babydoll section where the band meets, I am able to step into it and pull it up over my hips with no difficulty. Judging from other reviews, if your hip measurement is larger than your bust, you will need to shimmy it on over your head.<br />
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Following my disappointment with the Lola babydoll, I decided to have another try with the Ritzy babydoll. This cup structure, being a half-cup, is innately much more full-on-top friendly, so I had no worries that it would work perfectly for me in the same size I'd tried in the Lola (32H). Behold:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrhqDAKtOLh6yY7AKF4BhKkZZ19u1YT-jSz0OIo_0AVbe5gQ9tb4N24l4x7lY7z-y552tLEH8EakBXO60QFFGQkW-mm-1uLY8nurX2hZrqy_ZN2FNU3x1TNKyVPfE4gFN_EYMvyDU4_o/s1600/P1030430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrhqDAKtOLh6yY7AKF4BhKkZZ19u1YT-jSz0OIo_0AVbe5gQ9tb4N24l4x7lY7z-y552tLEH8EakBXO60QFFGQkW-mm-1uLY8nurX2hZrqy_ZN2FNU3x1TNKyVPfE4gFN_EYMvyDU4_o/s1600/P1030430.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The Ritzy is a regular old half-cup style with two vertical seams. I originally thought that Curvy Kate had experimented with a single-verticle-seam half-cup structure similar to Tutti Rouge's Betty, because you can only see one vertical seam on the cup overlay. However, the inside of the cup reveals there are two seams. This means the cup shape is the same as Curvy Kate's <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2012/03/adventures-in-showgirl-curvy-kates.html" target="_blank">Tease Me and Thrill Me</a> styles. The one difference is that the Ritzy runs larger in the cups than the later iterations of Tease Me and Thrill Me (which got smaller as the seasons went along). I only *just* squeeze into the Thrill Me in a 32H, but I get slight gapping in the Ritzy in 32H when lying down. Ladies with less upper fullness can possibly fit into a size smaller in the Ritzy than they would need in the Thrill Me and Tease Me. The band is also tighter on the Ritzy babydoll. I know some people felt that the Showgirl bands were a little too loose, so this will be good news for them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64jsHbkuJ6UeEeWKNtIcn5T8W7tbiOLt1KNVMh_KwzVfvB3ylTHpFgcTLg3SxSuq53C8VdLuXBor9MTLyFqnPXW9bvwj1oBmuzZYOg4KU1nMcT6LRjInRGtwiotB1kwJM0V2T4NKM_V0/s1600/P1030429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64jsHbkuJ6UeEeWKNtIcn5T8W7tbiOLt1KNVMh_KwzVfvB3ylTHpFgcTLg3SxSuq53C8VdLuXBor9MTLyFqnPXW9bvwj1oBmuzZYOg4KU1nMcT6LRjInRGtwiotB1kwJM0V2T4NKM_V0/s1600/P1030429.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The body section of the Ritzy babydoll was at first less to my taste than the Lola's body section. The body section is more clingy, almost as though it was static-y. It also lacks the satin trim of the Lola and is much less substantial-feeling. I prefer the Lola's body section, but I feel that Curvy Kate may have made the Ritzy's body section in this way to deal with the worries some women have about having their body swamped in a babydoll. It's a fairly classic full-bust dilemma to wish you could cut apart the sections of various items to create one that is perfect. Failing that, the Ritzy is the stronger option for now. And it will be coming out in red for Autumn/Winter '14:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiyIWWtggNfb2UxuArZrcX9VoSkdW2pKajGGDKL7KUf7MzgY-UVKu08atPA3cI5N-uhzRm9qu9uowHycOrEdML5prBfUDvAH1I3EkDB0The8z2z97SmwRzhecfXLv1Xs_XanCpUPOyqE/s1600/ritzy+aw14.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiyIWWtggNfb2UxuArZrcX9VoSkdW2pKajGGDKL7KUf7MzgY-UVKu08atPA3cI5N-uhzRm9qu9uowHycOrEdML5prBfUDvAH1I3EkDB0The8z2z97SmwRzhecfXLv1Xs_XanCpUPOyqE/s1600/ritzy+aw14.tiff" height="320" width="170" /></a></div>
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Of course, I still prefer the Lola colorway for AW14:<br />
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However, since the number of babydolls available has increased vastly from the previous zero, I'm not going to grumble too much.
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Sleeping in a bra--especially a wired bra--is a fairly controversial topic because lots of women have a pretty strong opinion one way or another. There are three main camps: </div>
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1. Women who cannot imagine sleeping in a bra due to discomfort, or who find it most comfortable to sleep braless (the largest group).</div>
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2. Women who sleep in an underwired bra and cannot imagine sleeping without the support of a bra with wires (a minority).</div>
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3. Women who prefer to sleep with support, but desire that support to be wireless. Members of this camp are often turned off by both the other methods.</div>
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There are also some of us who switch between methods depending on mood or circumstance.</div>
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I am a member of the smaller second camp, and I suspect a decent number of readers are making a face right now and thinking "Sleeping with wires? Wouldn't that be awfully uncomfortable?" I want to talk a little bit about my preference to do this because I think it has a few potential benefits that are not well known, and perhaps there are some readers who have not tried it but would like to. I don't want to 'convert' anyone, other than perhaps women who are uncomfortable sleeping braless and want information about a different option.<br />
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<i>"Wouldn't that be awfully uncomfortable?"</i> The answer is, some people do find it uncomfortable and therefore it's not a good method for them. I, however, find it to be more comfortable than any other method because of various tradeoffs, and I also find there are some other benefits to it as well. All of the methods have some benefits and some drawbacks, so I will go over my personal experience in the hopes that it can enlighten others. I would love to hear about other people's experiences in the comments.</div>
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I used to sleep braless, mostly because it was what I did when I was young and I continued to do it even once I was wearing bras every day. I was never very happy with the braless approach because I disliked the feeling of being unsupported. I especially hated waking up in the morning and either needing to put a bra on right away, or having to walk down the stairs gingerly clutching my chest. Eventually I began to experiment with various wireless options but was even more unsatisfied with them due to their tendency to push my boobs together so they touched in the center. Finally I started leaving my bra on all night out of pure laziness. I must say that it was a bit of an adjustment and in the first days, I would wake up wondering what had gotten into me that convinced me to sleep in a (new, non-broken-in) wired bra. After about a week and a switch to some better-broken-in bras, it started to seem totally normal and I have never looked back. </div>
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Since I began sleeping in a bra, I have noticed certain benefits. The shape of my boobs has actually changed somewhat. My theory is that since my boobs are rarely unsupported by a bra, the weight puts less stress on the skin, causing less loss of elasticity. My boobs are slightly more self-supporting now as the skin seems to have stretched back to a smaller shape. I believe this process was aided by my religious use of lotion and my youth, but that is not to say it could not happen to others as well. In addition to this small reversal of the work of gravity, I have a theory that sleeping in a bra (either wired or wire-free) could potentially reduce or delay changes in shape that come with age.<br />
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Obviously, all breasts will change over time, and that is fine and normal. According to most theories, the major factor supporting breasts naturally is your Cooper's ligaments. Your skin has some elasticity, which in some cases can cause very tiny shape changes, as I've described above. However, Cooper's ligaments don't have any way to bounce back from shape changes, which is why boobs usually lose elasticity as we age. This is a normal, inevitable process. Other factors can also cause shape changes--the most common being significant weight gains or losses, which is often something we cannot control for. <br />
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It does seem to be the case that relying on bras for support, rather than the Cooper's ligaments, causes less 'wear and tear' on them--many of us already rely on this during the day by wearing supportive, well-fitting bras. Good support matters most during the day, when you are moving around and standing/sitting upright. Depending on other factors like breast size, breast weight, and sleeping position, support during the night may also contribute. This theory is based on my personal experience and will be hard to prove, even over time due to the lack of a control group with identical breasts to mine. I've chosen to share my thoughts and experiences in case it is of interest to some women. I recognize others will disagree or have different experiences and I'm also looking to gather information about that from my readers.</div>
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<b>What Kind of Bra Is Best for Sleeping?</b> </div>
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If you are interested in trying out sleeping in a bra, don't just grab whatever bra you see in front of you. There are certain types of bras that are best suited to the practice. </div>
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<b>Wireless Bras</b></div>
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<b> </b> A good option to start with is the wireless support style that I mentioned above. The upside is that you will never experience discomfort from poking wires. The downside is that good wireless bras can be nigh-impossible to find in large cup sizes. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> Unfortunately, a
wireless bra, even while providing lift and support, will never be able to <i>separate</i> large heavy breasts unless it has a VERY
firm structure—think all-over molding—which would possibly defeat the
comfort purpose. You can check out <a href="http://www.curvywordy.com/2012/06/my-quest-for-sleep-bra-bravissimo.html" target="_blank">Curvy Wordy's "Quest for a Sleep Bra" (links to other attempts at the bottom of this post)</a> to see how difficult this search can be. If you don't mind your boobs touching, then this will not be an issue for you.</div>
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For those seeking out wireless options, there are several different categories you can check out. Several brands make wireless bras specifically for this purpose. From what I have heard, Panache's Sophie bra is one of the better options--I know two people who swear by it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEunMx_JSL5pAiPuRgAj6RxTgTxyqzvTlbjxgipL3n29_MflyK6tosy8_cyCPIeV5w9WS3cURZ95_6eNy0M-dCe0fD2gd6RBVhT1De9RV9xhSApYxTTzQcAQWyPb1flH5gQnOdWAUU3XY/s1600/Main_Sophie_Nursing_Bra_5821_Panache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEunMx_JSL5pAiPuRgAj6RxTgTxyqzvTlbjxgipL3n29_MflyK6tosy8_cyCPIeV5w9WS3cURZ95_6eNy0M-dCe0fD2gd6RBVhT1De9RV9xhSApYxTTzQcAQWyPb1flH5gQnOdWAUU3XY/s1600/Main_Sophie_Nursing_Bra_5821_Panache.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
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You can also check out sports bras without wires--Royce's Impact Free is one with which I have seen people have success as a sleep bra.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlldBBulmIY1ty4PYJx1q_ntSXbTUDej5dAPjXWMoITVPvG9AQSJCtGl6Ns3u2TzQt1vE_XD-FxvW0rSXw2uSozx7mvPFCP6tmwUZCHLPjp68bPxF1acXdqWThpkyXZYNc6byuFv6tGgI/s1600/S925-ImpactFree1-Grey_W195H268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlldBBulmIY1ty4PYJx1q_ntSXbTUDej5dAPjXWMoITVPvG9AQSJCtGl6Ns3u2TzQt1vE_XD-FxvW0rSXw2uSozx7mvPFCP6tmwUZCHLPjp68bPxF1acXdqWThpkyXZYNc6byuFv6tGgI/s1600/S925-ImpactFree1-Grey_W195H268.jpg" /></a></div>
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There are also nightwear items, likes those from Bravissimo, that provide a certain level of support. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbP7NtOhsrHxh0bdJ9p98xTFPCu3qUW3m1Y9TXeu7Uc2HS_eTyos57oV3L-fLHi-hMe7HW2UlkpM1b5Od8ahxlnlmo45hyphenhyphenGvqnOjhpMBnWkpr7ggeIPG7Auy5jhSnYoBQ4coy8EgnmBM/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbP7NtOhsrHxh0bdJ9p98xTFPCu3qUW3m1Y9TXeu7Uc2HS_eTyos57oV3L-fLHi-hMe7HW2UlkpM1b5Od8ahxlnlmo45hyphenhyphenGvqnOjhpMBnWkpr7ggeIPG7Auy5jhSnYoBQ4coy8EgnmBM/s1600/images-1.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8_ZSKwdMP2Q4eSBgBbS515c3cY_O_uN3HR3DfNxhPTMOJpUlRfhSAN6g5Cy1UnCkVpSmhtObvS-VeuA1JTf1Xkj6EechNz59Ir7cnxTMgAKao9LgdgidHS7ABE7bUYYR2UI_U46Zyms/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8_ZSKwdMP2Q4eSBgBbS515c3cY_O_uN3HR3DfNxhPTMOJpUlRfhSAN6g5Cy1UnCkVpSmhtObvS-VeuA1JTf1Xkj6EechNz59Ir7cnxTMgAKao9LgdgidHS7ABE7bUYYR2UI_U46Zyms/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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I personally find these to be less than ideal because they smoosh my boobs together and provide an unfathomable level of cleavage above the cup section, which for me nullifies the feeling of support. Part of the problem is, as a poster child for full-on-top boobs, I just have way too much breast tissue above where Bravissimo thinks I do. However, their nightwear line certainly has its fans and if you get along with Bravissimo's own-brand Alana-type bras, you most likely will have better luck with the nightwear items than I do.</div>
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A final option is just using a regular t-shirt or camisole that is tight enough to provide some level of support. In some size ranges, regular old camis with built-in bras might work surprisingly well for this.</div>
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<b>Wired Bras</b></div>
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Although wireless bras are a good option
for those craving a balance of support and comfort, an underwired bra will
provide more <i>separation</i>, which is the major difference between wired and non-wired bras. My personal pet peeve is having my boobs touch in the middle all
night, which makes it impossible for me to get comfortable, so wireless options are no good for me. I do NOT recommend wearing an underwired bra at night to those who find it uncomfortable--don't put yourself through pain; it's not for everyone. </div>
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With that disclaimer out of the way, if you DO want to sleep in an underwired bra to get that separation, here is what to look for:</div>
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1. <b>A <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>high
center gore to provide separation</b>, especially if you sleep on your side or belly.</div>
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2. <b>A cup
with a very round shape or a very well-fitted shape</b>. It's tempting to sleep in a bra that doesn't suit your shape, since you won't be wearing it during the day, but that's not the best method. A cup that has more projection
than your boobs--that is, empty space in the apex--won’t provide the same support while you are lying down as a bra that fits your boobs perfectly. It's also important to avoid bras that are too small or too tight in sections like the top. Any bra cup that smashes you down where you don't want to be squished could damage your boobs, whether it's during the day or night, so don't just jump to using your worst-fitting bras as sleep bras. However, it's fine to use bras that fall short in other ways--like displaying too much or too little cleavage, or having thick seams that show under shirts--as sleep bras.</div>
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3. <b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">The </span>band
should be looser than what you’d wear during the day</b>. You don’t need nearly as much
horizontal support while sleeping, and it’s important to allow your back a little break
from that compression, especially if your boobs are heavy. An everyday bra that is past its prime due to lost elasticity in the band could be a good option. Personally, I buy bras in a band size up to use specifically as sleep bras.</div>
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My favorite sleep bras:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKQWj3fTRBKZqhaXLBRuFXrOCHKoF4L17RKJNR1OhVw3dJPpV5ODkQAJSsjMvCPwEcdveSZf2nkc78BvljDIUHYGEvRvqWOIXlJyxiLD2s2RhpfbEVr9w9SdWsDpmuvFRl4Mq2dksiyY/s1600/curvykate_showgirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKQWj3fTRBKZqhaXLBRuFXrOCHKoF4L17RKJNR1OhVw3dJPpV5ODkQAJSsjMvCPwEcdveSZf2nkc78BvljDIUHYGEvRvqWOIXlJyxiLD2s2RhpfbEVr9w9SdWsDpmuvFRl4Mq2dksiyY/s1600/curvykate_showgirl.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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That's right--Curvy Kate's Thrill Me and Tease Me styles. These bras tick all the boxes for a perfect sleep bra--a high gore, a compact rounded shape that supports but doesn't smash me anywhere, too much cleavage for my preference during the day, and a nice comfortably stretchy band. </div>
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When it comes to sleeping, you should do what makes you happy. Sleeping in a bra is certainly not for everyone, but if you're uncomfortable sleeping braless and have never tried sleeping in a bra,
I recommend giving it a shot. You <i>might</i> be surprised at how comfy you find it...Or
you might hate it and go straight back to bralessness. There’s only one way to
find out. </div>
Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-35441729236842902652014-02-05T11:33:00.000-08:002014-02-05T11:33:00.419-08:00Tutti Rouge "Sophia" ReviewThe Sophia bra from Tutti Rouge's first season was the bra that originally caught my eye in their collection, because it comes in a lovely pale pink shade that has been hard to find in the large-cup lingerie world in recent years. This is a shade that works well as a nude for my skin tone, but also one that I find very attractive. Pastels are like catnip to me and the Sophia was therefore a object of lust.<br />
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In terms of the sizing, I went with the same size I've fit in every Tutti Rouge bra--32HH, which I guessed at from <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2013/09/bras-i-hate-love-tries-tutti-rouge.html" target="_blank">my initial try-on of several Tutti Rouge styles</a>. I usually wear a 32H in most other bras these days. Tutti Rouge bands run small in most of their bras, especially in the lower band sizes, so I could wear a 34 happily in most of their bras. However, the 32 band in the Sophia is true to size and feels similar to a 32 band in other brands. So if you're figuring out your size in Sophia based on your size in Tutti Rouge's Liliana or Betty, keep in mind you'll probably suit a smaller band size in Sophia than in those others. <br />
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(By the way, if anyone was wondering, I'm wearing a 32 rather than the 30 I'd favored in the past because I gained some weight and the 32 suits me better now. I do also love looser bands, but I'm still using +2 from my measurement in inches to get my band size.)<br />
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Here is the Sophia from the front: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uCQiGLFeIIB1SrMlz_FhmRe40Lm6CdkR84-oMOQWo-a8fYC3FsyWp741wd4Q8iA3JgVYxeOCzhgWVChMSelPxAfWm_s6rXy85CzxTk_J02g5tfmxqKuQupVrjJzpkDIpLlQF5NDhvzw/s1600/P1030233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uCQiGLFeIIB1SrMlz_FhmRe40Lm6CdkR84-oMOQWo-a8fYC3FsyWp741wd4Q8iA3JgVYxeOCzhgWVChMSelPxAfWm_s6rXy85CzxTk_J02g5tfmxqKuQupVrjJzpkDIpLlQF5NDhvzw/s1600/P1030233.jpg" height="277" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can see straight away from this photo the minor issue that I have with the Sophia (and I suspect most users will experience the same). The upper tulle section has the interesting feature of having no seam at the top. It is folded over on itself, which gives it the ability to flex or move a certain amount to suit different shapes, despite not being particularly stretchy. Unfortunately, it is SO open and flexible that it actually gaps in the upper corner. Since my boobs are so full on top, this is a very rare occurrence for me. Since it is just in the upper corner, it does not bother me much and is hidden under clothing. However, those with less upper volume will probably find this to be more of an issue and may even need to consider sizing down or skipping this model.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf5NNHRwR3VKfFbybhn5_lhPC4OYSk87uHPl3YRzn2D0hYTPcj2fiHmdmVWfDjFqeZDpwNE_F9k6fkftv-X-ArpI2lOZxjkNx8mrhxUVjp33QKy6kKr_nNgxtJ9ox3elUg6FQPZ49GJQ/s1600/P1030236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf5NNHRwR3VKfFbybhn5_lhPC4OYSk87uHPl3YRzn2D0hYTPcj2fiHmdmVWfDjFqeZDpwNE_F9k6fkftv-X-ArpI2lOZxjkNx8mrhxUVjp33QKy6kKr_nNgxtJ9ox3elUg6FQPZ49GJQ/s1600/P1030236.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhlt7eI-HBCmOd04QDHS5BbzFoMHCsUbWYZ9-4dy58k0Dx9Y386FB1_HZjdXS7QkxXfDN_szVbmW6T9r9pEcpFSFSv1LvGDZeMv7onUg_44eUFXJ7kn46fDbG-sc1vZPpWJ2DFqCd7N4/s1600/P1030237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhlt7eI-HBCmOd04QDHS5BbzFoMHCsUbWYZ9-4dy58k0Dx9Y386FB1_HZjdXS7QkxXfDN_szVbmW6T9r9pEcpFSFSv1LvGDZeMv7onUg_44eUFXJ7kn46fDbG-sc1vZPpWJ2DFqCd7N4/s1600/P1030237.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The little bit of gapping in the corner also makes it hard to get an accurate photo of the shape from the side:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDCSO-ukKPYRhQnetEXvatBaeV5uFyvuklyp7xScxF2RFHEqYVpSAHpXTpMw3QudjmCio-JNVSj6bgaaaF5nDja2HxrORHdA3lxzncOnhvb6tgKpr21mFuP-5XVs2NVnurriF55P57n0/s1600/P1030234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDCSO-ukKPYRhQnetEXvatBaeV5uFyvuklyp7xScxF2RFHEqYVpSAHpXTpMw3QudjmCio-JNVSj6bgaaaF5nDja2HxrORHdA3lxzncOnhvb6tgKpr21mFuP-5XVs2NVnurriF55P57n0/s1600/P1030234.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0O95GSmWwOcQ5hDz7lHZH55ANDat-Jw1fmpv4mwUnCHDC8ZweSoOS5QNz1r_qSiNDafxl0CS9MrCPnVEq64VtLaYnv3DFXwCDXT-kZgYxE4KEfIz-7URDYf5p-EcKsZgEgy2Eo1eNQs/s1600/P1030238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0O95GSmWwOcQ5hDz7lHZH55ANDat-Jw1fmpv4mwUnCHDC8ZweSoOS5QNz1r_qSiNDafxl0CS9MrCPnVEq64VtLaYnv3DFXwCDXT-kZgYxE4KEfIz-7URDYf5p-EcKsZgEgy2Eo1eNQs/s1600/P1030238.jpg" height="276" width="320" /></a></div>
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In both these photos, the fabric that sticks up makes the shape look kind of square or artificial. But since that fabric would be held down under clothing, it doesn't affect the shape once I'm dressed. You can see the shape slightly better here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiomNCcfowUdBbGSyWeQma9PTHPO9z9lyH5ogrEYCIlDga_Y955L0boom8NKk-EvAG4O52Qdo_KC-o5yAkaN155DK8yh6onTk1vucfgqEZW9vm60oqop7iRy9J6KZHvMKcCCrWKvzQnY4/s1600/P1030235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiomNCcfowUdBbGSyWeQma9PTHPO9z9lyH5ogrEYCIlDga_Y955L0boom8NKk-EvAG4O52Qdo_KC-o5yAkaN155DK8yh6onTk1vucfgqEZW9vm60oqop7iRy9J6KZHvMKcCCrWKvzQnY4/s1600/P1030235.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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However, that little loose bit of fabric STILL creates a look of bulging that isn't really there. Because it's hard to photograph the shape this bra gives, I'll have to just describe it: rounded, fairly casual and not super in-your-face or perky. It's a shape I like, while women who prefer a ton of uplift and projection may not like it as much. <br />
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Despite the gapping, I do think this bra can also work well for full-on-the-bottom ladies. I have very little lower volume and this bra has more room than I need in the bottom of the cups. Because of this, it has a tendency to move slightly downward while I'm wearing it as the bottom of the cups begins to function as part of the band. This is something I have experienced to varying degrees in lots of bras--in fact, I have never had a bra that does <i>not</i> do this to some extent due to my lack of lower volume. So if you haven't experienced this effect with other bras, you likely won't experience it with the Sophia either. But if you do find that this happens, look for a bra with less depth in the bottom of the cups, like Tutti Rouge's Liliana.Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-36009536348378769442014-01-29T11:47:00.000-08:002014-01-29T11:47:00.013-08:00Tutti Rouge "Betty" ReviewTutti Rouge's Betty bra is a fully padded half-cup with a single vertical seam. So far, it appears to be Tutti Rouge's most versatile cut, with the potential to work for many different shapes. It gives a very round, very compressed shape; as a result it is also slightly minimizing in terms of projection. It will tend to provide a lot of cleavage on most shapes.<br />
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In terms of sizing, the Betty runs the same as Tutti Rouge's other bras in the cup, which typically will mean 1 cup size up from what you need in other brands. It is MUCH tighter in the band than Tutti Rouge's other bras. I comfortably wear a 32HH in the Liliana as my everyday bra, but the 32 in the Betty feels more like a 28. I cannot even fasten it without an extender. Most people will probably want to size up in the band in this bra. Women looking for a small 28 band or a 26 band should take note of this option!<br />
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The details on the bra are gorgeous, with delicate lace edging the cups and a ruffle underneath. Tutti Rouge speaks to my personal aesthetic in a way that most bra brands don't. Even Cleo, my standby, has recently disappointed me by delving into a look I'd call "80s tropical nightclub chic as imagined by someone who has never been to a nightclub". (Sorry, Cleo. I still love you. I'm sure your next collection will be more to my taste.) Tutti Rouge's bras are consistently "that bra I always wished I could buy, but which never existed until now". I LOVE this exaggerated floral print, which totally turns the tired over-used floral concept on its head. <br />
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And I passionately love the shape:<br />
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The side-angle even better displays this miracle of bra engineering:<br />
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The Betty's compact, rounded, cleavage-y shape is perfect for dresses and special occasions. Due to the lack of elastic in the band, I personally don't rely on this bra as an everyday staple, but lovers of firm bands can and will. <br />
<br />Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-70614504507197238732014-01-22T14:29:00.000-08:002014-01-22T14:51:38.052-08:00Tutti Rouge "Liliana" ReviewTutti Rouge's Liliana bra has filled a massive void in my life and I can't get enough. Here's the gang:<br />
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I know, I know, I have SO many of these. So what's the secret to my great love for the Liliana? Well, it's two-fold. First off, the Liliana is THE BRA that I have been lusting after for years in terms of appearance. It's the sort of bra I bought back when my size was common and I had options. The vanilla with pink ribbon, particularly, brings me back to a simpler time when finding a bra was never hard. The Liliana's existence gives me the option to actually buy the type of bra I want.<br />
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The second reason I love the Liliana is the shape. Specifically, the very minimized shape:<br />
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I have to wear scrubs at my job, and those who have worn them know that scrubs tend to be baggy and are not very bust-friendly. Despite this, I love the concept of scrubs because they are so egalitarian and simple. The Liliana bra gives me a way to make peace between the two opposing viewpoints.<br />
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For reference, this is what my scrub tops look like with a regular bra (Cleo Lucy in this case):<br />
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My boobs look nicely uplifted, but this also creates the issue where my whole body appears to be the width of my boobs. I know not everyone shares my feeling on this, but it makes me feel that my boobs are on show in a way I'm not comfortable with, as well as making me appear larger than I am.<br />
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Here is the same scrub top with the magical Liliana bra:<br />
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In this photo you can see that my boobs are not as lifted, but they are also less noticeable. The result is a more compact overall look. You still can't see my waist, but I look like anyone else in scrubs and feel much more comfortable.<br />
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In addition to being the best 'scrubs bra', the Liliana also has this effect under drapey tops and slightly baggy t-shirts that would otherwise be unflattering. It gives me the ability to wear outfits I would have previously not chosen.<br />
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On the other hand, the Liliana does NOT look very good under fitted dresses because it just doesn't lift the boobs high enough on my short torso. It has its roles and that is not one of them. <br />
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Now, you can see by my large collection that I find the Liliana bra essential for day-to-day life. And I am delighted to have access to it. But this also makes me feel a little nervous. In certain ways, leaning so heavily on the Liliana to minimize my boobs feels regressive. It feels like I am going back to a time in my life when I had very strict standards for which bras I felt comfortable in. I occasionally fear I am relapsing to that dislike of my boobs when I regret wearing a bra other than the Liliana because I've gotten used to a smaller look. In a way, bras that minimize the boobs can be a crutch--a substitute for accepting one's own body. That said, I would NEVER deny the necessity of such a bra for people who, like me, haven't always been psyched about having larger-than-average boobs.<br />
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In terms of sizing, the Liliana is fairly small in the band. I wear a 32HH and it fits similar to a standard 30 band, or maybe in between a tight 30 and a 32. I wear the same cup size in the Liliana as I do in all Tutti Rouge's bras--one cup size up from what I normally wear in other brands. However, the Liliana is more shallow, so some people might find they need to size up from their normal Tutti Rouge size. In fact, Tutti Rouge is now emailing customers who order the Liliana to inform them that it runs small. I don't necessarily agree that it is any smaller than their other bras, but it is certainly shallower, and therefore is not suited to anyone who needs deep cups.<br />
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On another note, when I ordered my most recent round of Lilianas, the wonderful people at Tutti Rouge included a HAND-WRITTEN NOTE and a FREE PAIR OF UNDERWEAR. I don't usually get so into specific companies, but I was very touched by this--particularly because I ordered incognito, so they did not know I am a blogger when they sent me free underwear. The pair they included was the Liliana Brazilian brief, and I can vouch for the fact that it is insanely comfortable. I wouldn't have ever thought to try it if it hadn't been free, but I recommend it to those who like matching sets. <br />
<br />Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-74948374334067604562013-12-08T11:41:00.004-08:002013-12-08T13:38:15.476-08:00What Tutti Rouge Has to Offer (so far)Over the past couple of months, I've made an attempt to familiarize myself with all of Tutti Rouge's bra offerings. There are many reviews coming up, but I wanted to post a summary just to start off with to help my readers get some mental categories started on what may or may not work for them. For the most part, I've found that it's necessary to size up in the band and cup from your normal size to fit in Tutti Rouge, so I wear a 32HH in Tutti Rouge as compared with a 30HH in other brands. However, it seems (from preliminary information from those who have tried these bras) that the bands suddenly get larger around 34 and start running normally. This means that true 32 bands may be sized out, oddly enough. Exceptions are noted. Tutti Rouge's original collection contained the following shapes:<br />
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1. The Liliana, a half-padded semi-plunge balconette shape.<br />
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Though too shallow to work for some people, it is a miracle bra for anyone who is looking for a really minimized shape. I have to wear scrubs for work, so I wear the Liliana every day. Tutti Rouge is now recommending to anyone ordering from Big Cartel that the Liliana runs a size small (as in a size smaller than their other bras). They actually will email you to tell you this if you order. I personally wear the same size in the Liliana as in Tutti Rouge's other bras (and fit the same size in all of their bras, despite the huge differences in shape) but anyone with deeper boobs needing more projection might want to heed this advice to size up. If you do that, though, expect the wires to be wider as well.<br />
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2. The Betty is a padded half-cup.<br />
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The band on the Betty is by far the smallest of any of Tutti Rouge's bras as well as having pretty much no stretch in it. The 32 I have feels like a 28 and I can't even get it on without an extender. The cups give a great round shape and nice cleavage. I think Betty is a really successful bra and probably Tutti Rouge's most versatile shape currently. I wish the band had more stretch, though. Small 28s and 26s, take notice. <br />
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3. The Sophia is a half-padded balconette with a higher gore than the Liliana as well as a completely different shape.<br />
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I would say the Sophia is Tutti Rouge's most basic everyday shape. I found it to be a very good fit and give a nice rounded shape. It's not minimizing, like the Liliana, and it's a bit less cleavage-y than the Betty. The top section is an interesting mesh material with no upper seam at all--the fabric is just folded on itself at the top--which gives it an interesting quality of versatility because it can somewhat conform to different upper-breast shape needs. However, I think the upper section is a bit too loose--even I, with a lot of upper fullness, find that I get a bit of gapping in the outer corners of the top section. Those without much upper fullness might find this bra is not compatible. The Sophia's band is MUCH stretchier than any other Tutti Rouge bras, so those who typically wear a 32 or above do NOT need to size up in this one. However, I've heard from a friend that it does indeed run very small in the 30. This may mean that true 30s are sized out in the Sophia.<br />
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4. The Frankie is an unpadded balconette.<br />
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I think it's a pretty good, relatively versatile cut. The shape falls somewhere between Cleo and Freya balconettes. I'm too full-on-top for the Frankie, so it doesn't work for me, but women who are just a little less full-on-top, balanced or full-on-bottom will probably have success in this bra and get a round shape.<br />
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5. The Lottie is a fully padded plunge bra.<br />
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This one did not work for me at ALL. It gave an extremely pointy, downward-facing shape. I suppose it might work for full-on-bottom ladies, and women who like a retro shape may appreciate this bra. However, I don't think it's Tutti Rouge's most versatile or strongest option right now.<br />
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6. The Birds of a Feather bra is a half-padded full-cup shape with side support.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ITrJH2rnHics7frjoaq-mQEpVBHhOBeEIIBUZBppS3NzsDVgpNLRFjhbqFpgUXB00b31i8eR036fxvMRr0aUGEIpLzF-Usapq7r5m3qmSVke1y035P9D0zSOCisUU2HzsqXYJmlzp6o/s1600/BOAF_BRA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ITrJH2rnHics7frjoaq-mQEpVBHhOBeEIIBUZBppS3NzsDVgpNLRFjhbqFpgUXB00b31i8eR036fxvMRr0aUGEIpLzF-Usapq7r5m3qmSVke1y035P9D0zSOCisUU2HzsqXYJmlzp6o/s1600/BOAF_BRA.jpg" /></a></div>
Like many full-cups, it's not going to give a rounded shape for full-on-top ladies. However, full-on-bottom ladies who need more projection may like this shape. <br />
<br />
Tutti Rouge's new collection contains the following new bras:<br />
<br />
1. Mae--appears to be the same cup shape as the Sophia:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVO86PEwNtGvvdLOmW1Xih9pMoNLOwYnf6k0yK41SITnSQgrxg1J2yKf8_ZKCbke-I_CeULXOVF176MmmXg7PpIh7EjGpO4E0ja5fU1kQY-gN_rWk1bk2i1IqpjtKXEP-kj3F6ZZTF8o/s1600/YX4E0984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVO86PEwNtGvvdLOmW1Xih9pMoNLOwYnf6k0yK41SITnSQgrxg1J2yKf8_ZKCbke-I_CeULXOVF176MmmXg7PpIh7EjGpO4E0ja5fU1kQY-gN_rWk1bk2i1IqpjtKXEP-kj3F6ZZTF8o/s1600/YX4E0984.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
2. Olivia--appears to be the same cup shape as the Lottie:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt4XC9PVbbFSB7Fd9oEohRqOJMD56t_Xl_KrEZho9uayix5vWQNjdTsic91JYs7Y9hwNamLOguW8MBcw_DKqZXL8HU2ncjHbmG6ZMcgOGAMrH26a9bFD25PyheqSIVvDuf9LiBNMKN3U/s1600/YX4E0968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt4XC9PVbbFSB7Fd9oEohRqOJMD56t_Xl_KrEZho9uayix5vWQNjdTsic91JYs7Y9hwNamLOguW8MBcw_DKqZXL8HU2ncjHbmG6ZMcgOGAMrH26a9bFD25PyheqSIVvDuf9LiBNMKN3U/s1600/YX4E0968.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
3. Queenie-- appears to possibly be a similar cup shape as the Lottie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4ESEysyU57DfrdumECBLQjpJA0pyeqKYHNza4CfNfLA4un9pioF5qBYKrZtDTalmL9dMGkis-pBaVIvTPPoBCubZp19uamNilWdqDN1hr16b_pstbPmsgswG5zse0QjAHN0m2PDa970/s1600/YX4E0977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4ESEysyU57DfrdumECBLQjpJA0pyeqKYHNza4CfNfLA4un9pioF5qBYKrZtDTalmL9dMGkis-pBaVIvTPPoBCubZp19uamNilWdqDN1hr16b_pstbPmsgswG5zse0QjAHN0m2PDa970/s1600/YX4E0977.jpg" /></a></div>
As you can see, however, there is some indication from the photos that this bra may have three lower sections and one upper section, making it a four-section cup overall and thus a totally different shape. It's not out yet, so it is hard to know so far.<br />
<br />
4. Evelyn--appears to be the same cup shape as Birds of a Feather.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4-jF_UxEHCBgNSo1dV9AL0UkB2JloXdz3Nr6d3gZT6yIch5lmff60n_zP4ahEtU8FUUS29G0NMdhhQVT5CaPXRJrhPs6K6Z5dW0iCKWzSpwmwMmFhyLmRTBM-XiPcoyEiEyZsveTyFA/s1600/YX4E0952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4-jF_UxEHCBgNSo1dV9AL0UkB2JloXdz3Nr6d3gZT6yIch5lmff60n_zP4ahEtU8FUUS29G0NMdhhQVT5CaPXRJrhPs6K6Z5dW0iCKWzSpwmwMmFhyLmRTBM-XiPcoyEiEyZsveTyFA/s1600/YX4E0952.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
Which is sad for me, as it's my favorite of their prints this season and the shape won't work for me. Ah well, that's what the panties are for.<br />
<br />
5. Pearl, an unpadded balconette.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYOwHusA7UWjPUYQim4zzR9eCSeJxSWTkfCbCZ-s3E17R8LOD1QXFj7k4kAZ9UHCrb33Wh3ertiArhJWnyW_dfSc9bTdb463VT0AGw5egejBc8AgjTCG53CW3tshYH7xqKvjfTGMRm8w/s1600/YX4E0964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYOwHusA7UWjPUYQim4zzR9eCSeJxSWTkfCbCZ-s3E17R8LOD1QXFj7k4kAZ9UHCrb33Wh3ertiArhJWnyW_dfSc9bTdb463VT0AGw5egejBc8AgjTCG53CW3tshYH7xqKvjfTGMRm8w/s1600/YX4E0964.jpg" /></a></div>
I'm guessing this is a similar cup shape to the Frankie, though it seems vaguely different to me somehow.<br />
<br />
The new collection also includes new colors of the Liliana and Betty. Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-91426575037834658412013-11-15T16:21:00.004-08:002013-11-16T04:10:29.964-08:00Freya "Marvel" Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The long-awaited Freya Marvel finally arrived on my doorstep today. Ever since I saw this bra previewed on Stanikomania many months ago, I knew it was going to be great. Despite Freya's nervousness about the design, I wasn't nervous. I could see that this was a first step at bringing the innovation and genius of Freya Swim constructions into their bra collection. Well, I was right. It's great. You may all go back to your homes now, there is nothing more to see. Just kidding--here is the bra:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYErvub-M_rsa2hyphenhyphenFogFFxzckqx6EqgaK3ehc1ABW0sHv3FA0XflIKjUr2LF9yR1pMWeVRLkUME9F8x7dsjDIBmHgBOp7N_DCpT7zsFsskwkW0zAa_zAwn4dneDezsT0UuLQ0X4b1_e8/s1600/Photo+292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYErvub-M_rsa2hyphenhyphenFogFFxzckqx6EqgaK3ehc1ABW0sHv3FA0XflIKjUr2LF9yR1pMWeVRLkUME9F8x7dsjDIBmHgBOp7N_DCpT7zsFsskwkW0zAa_zAwn4dneDezsT0UuLQ0X4b1_e8/s320/Photo+292.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You may notice that this bra is slightly different from the bra that was marketed:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7z2VrS0YcXitKYwmv33OP047lWJYRd_rcOssQqjOp0zBmfDLydcl6UOtRSUMd4F14BGhA7pXLDqFODdxhx9VRB_Srrd4p2M8vkqdH55Pi3p6Gt-CrhfVVnYvBx7LCeDRnps5A3mTPuo/s1600/url-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7z2VrS0YcXitKYwmv33OP047lWJYRd_rcOssQqjOp0zBmfDLydcl6UOtRSUMd4F14BGhA7pXLDqFODdxhx9VRB_Srrd4p2M8vkqdH55Pi3p6Gt-CrhfVVnYvBx7LCeDRnps5A3mTPuo/s400/url-1.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
In this photo, the purple mesh at the top of the cups is transparent. In real life, it's sitting on top of the cups themselves. Some companies' product photos reflect this change, others don't. I like it better with the transparent mesh, but that's okay, Freya. It's a minor detail.<br />
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What really matters is the most important photo, the side view!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytVALyTQGuhQUQRwoTIXQhYBzR_Y0F3V2BGxbiDIIwDJgq91HNf5q7paUcGnGB-4QDn4et4tdAPn9xRKjNKLzyzdcGUyZkt153JVNeki5nOYiZc8k15JVTOKbkX9_0pYLzg01NjH1JXE/s1600/Photo+293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytVALyTQGuhQUQRwoTIXQhYBzR_Y0F3V2BGxbiDIIwDJgq91HNf5q7paUcGnGB-4QDn4et4tdAPn9xRKjNKLzyzdcGUyZkt153JVNeki5nOYiZc8k15JVTOKbkX9_0pYLzg01NjH1JXE/s320/Photo+293.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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YUP, THOUGHT SO! This bra gets a solid gold A+ for shape. It combines a few features of 'good shape' that are rarely found together: it is simultaneously<br />
<br />
a. very rounded and slightly minimizing<br />
b. very uplifting<br />
c. 'perky' in shape (that tiniest touch of elf shoe)<br />
<br />
Most bras that are very rounded and slightly minimizing tend to sit a little lower on the chest, while most bras that have extreme uplift tend to give a different, more projected shape. The elusive but delightful 'perky' shape is hardly ever found on a bra that is also slightly minimizing. The subtle mix (elements of each) is enchanting.<br />
<br />
This bra is very open on the top, which makes it well suited for full-on-top ladies who need space there. I am convinced that it will also work well for full-on-bottom boobs. The shape is not stiff or tight/closed in any area, which is a good sign of potential versatility. The fact that it has that little hint of a 'green shape'--the perkiness--is another clue that it may be FOB-friendly as well as FOT-friendly. I really encourage anyone with that shape who tries it to comment and let me know if this is the case.<br />
<br />
I got the Marvel in a 32H, which is pretty much my size in everything right now.<br />
<br />
The band on this bra is great. It has a healthy level of stretch, which means it won't feel too stiff for those of us who like looser bands, and it won't feel too loose for those who like firmness. It's made of a lovely thick material, not the crappy mesh you find in most bra bands.<br />
<br />
Who is this bra NOT suited for? Anyone who hates wide wires. The patterned part is ALL cup, so you can see that the wires do go pretty far around. (<a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-to-do-with-those-pesky-wide.html" target="_blank">That's what bending them is for.</a>) It will also not work for ladies who need a lot of projection and depth in the cup. It's not as shallow as the padded half-cups, though. A mid-level of projection should still be okay to try this bra.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FA6fsVJgo9kleGp0yVDh8f-Fq5xxFZgZ5BedEa0lCWrkdGnMHTIapgWaI14w94dlxfEXPebDU0sybreOz7gH0zshcjDOpigmNzO9PcDqxULFVmvP62ePTRhUQTzPw_IYPBWOxP6_DZo/s1600/Photo+294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FA6fsVJgo9kleGp0yVDh8f-Fq5xxFZgZ5BedEa0lCWrkdGnMHTIapgWaI14w94dlxfEXPebDU0sybreOz7gH0zshcjDOpigmNzO9PcDqxULFVmvP62ePTRhUQTzPw_IYPBWOxP6_DZo/s320/Photo+294.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
In the photo above, you can see the feature that makes this construction a little unusual: a side-sling, typically found on some full-cup bras to add uplifted. I know these photos suck, but the feature I'm referring to is the seam that goes straight down the side of the cup. It's my professional opinion that this seam functions fairly similarly to the vertical seams in a half-cup and, as such, doesn't put this bra in a separate category from your standard half-cup construction. I don't mean that as an insult, though. There is very little selection in the unpadded half-cup category, and this is a really strong contribution to it--likely the best that currently exists. </div>
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<div>
I want to note that I am aware this review is more 'gushing' than what is typical for this blog. That tone comes from a place of long-standing frustration with Freya's nervousness regarding newer, better styles. They always tread carefully with innovative, exciting designs, while continuing to thoughtlessly produce their generally weak GG-K balconies with flimsy wires, weird bands, extremely full coverage, and disappointing appearances. They have no fear about releasing something that is known to be not-great, but they always tremble with terror at the release of something that is practically guaranteed to work better. Their expansion of the padded half-cups to H ended up taking on the tone of some sort of cover-up, it was so little marketed. The Marvel also doesn't go above an H, though it would work well past that. There have been times recently when I've gotten the sense that Freya is being run by the underpants gnomes:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLO3k29QI0lGuSB5QvrN4xCgn6puWPahxskwX2TKVk_9w4IUozNRGEX3neQsXv0WGXsUqeUrjOCmie6wG2_hK5wgTdy0OFMCcfHpcWQH5RpiiVMMXYx_T5hzeZBNogubDe4FLqVQ5AfU/s1600/Gnomes_plan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLO3k29QI0lGuSB5QvrN4xCgn6puWPahxskwX2TKVk_9w4IUozNRGEX3neQsXv0WGXsUqeUrjOCmie6wG2_hK5wgTdy0OFMCcfHpcWQH5RpiiVMMXYx_T5hzeZBNogubDe4FLqVQ5AfU/s320/Gnomes_plan.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
...that or they have just grown too big and bureaucratic to allow new ideas to have their moment in the sun. To be fair, I feel the same way about Panache (though the Jasmine was a big breakthrough for them). It seems like there is a lot of red tape to get through and playing it safe has become the norm. That's why I'm writing such a gushing review of this new, excellent design. I want people to be able to benefit from bras like this--first because I think a lot of people will like it, and second because I want THIS kind of design to become the norm.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now. Please, anyone who tries this, comment to let us all know how it goes--whether good or bad. Every piece of information helps!</div>
Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-81384494848693304212013-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:002013-11-03T17:15:55.330-08:00Full Bust “Greatest Hits”: Bras I Hate & Love Gives Out Some Awards<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">A
couple of clever readers have suggested that I do some sort of round-up of the
best bras available and I thought it was a really great idea. I think it will
be helpful for anyone who isn’t sure where to start with properly fitted bras
or new knowledge of their shape, or for anyone struggling to build a basic
collection. I’m trying to cover all the bases here. Let me know what I missed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">I’ve
distinguished in some categories between bras that give a ‘purple shape’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqjIhO_3uOLq8Qt18fuIk4K2xI4inbF1LMQNCvMuICbI9d8Wg_r_BR7uMRbdq6LZRgSiA9LIx4TQCClvzPHfWFp8lb0l10iAziLnGF82vgV9bdhnlNo5LoS2GqJ6DI7oTqcgODrnLH0w/s1600/shape+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqjIhO_3uOLq8Qt18fuIk4K2xI4inbF1LMQNCvMuICbI9d8Wg_r_BR7uMRbdq6LZRgSiA9LIx4TQCClvzPHfWFp8lb0l10iAziLnGF82vgV9bdhnlNo5LoS2GqJ6DI7oTqcgODrnLH0w/s1600/shape+1.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">and
bras that give a ‘green shape’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBAN8y62Lcxv4LyrlpGZ5sJ9ZthqMKxcwSNReQVNFMAdqHhJCMu9A3zZBEKkJyiOrvTlVc_t3d_kXHtNVwS8KNE2Qyqj0pAtCDJRMGOck0l0rlxK186h_N0o53U7-vZu7aa5Wu-NuOTw/s1600/shape+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBAN8y62Lcxv4LyrlpGZ5sJ9ZthqMKxcwSNReQVNFMAdqHhJCMu9A3zZBEKkJyiOrvTlVc_t3d_kXHtNVwS8KNE2Qyqj0pAtCDJRMGOck0l0rlxK186h_N0o53U7-vZu7aa5Wu-NuOTw/s1600/shape+2.png" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">I’ve
also tried to distinguish between bras for <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2013/02/clarifying-breast-shape-full-on-top-vs.html" target="_blank">full-on-top boobs and full-on-bottom boobs</a> wherever relevant. Bras I’ve honored for shapes other than my own are
based on the experiences of bloggers, forum members, and friends with different
shapes than mine. Bras lost points for things like crappy band construction and
problems that plague almost everyone. (That’s why you don’t see the Cleo Lucy
on here, even though it’s a personal favorite—the band is at a stupidly high
angle and the gore is too wide for most people.) I also pretty much ignored
bras with smaller cup size ranges because I just don’t have a personal
experience of them. Please note that this list is based on fit and shape, NOT fashion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
‘purple shape’ balconette bra for full-on-top boobs: Cleo Marcie. </b></span></div>
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<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3a5xD-vnjQQDXBoMHROOH84CsoJNAAQkrK2F5AVMUfo-jQ5jrVzx7L91oQTZvL9K4qW2C-kfDjlws0Xbgncqt_CFIFLm0BIBi1fg5YoPo2M_sIsaz8dv8T_uehoOirsl9gg95QbyQqc/s1600/url.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3a5xD-vnjQQDXBoMHROOH84CsoJNAAQkrK2F5AVMUfo-jQ5jrVzx7L91oQTZvL9K4qW2C-kfDjlws0Xbgncqt_CFIFLm0BIBi1fg5YoPo2M_sIsaz8dv8T_uehoOirsl9gg95QbyQqc/s320/url.jpeg" width="272" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This one wins
over the Lucy, etc because the band is better constructed and more stable, and
the gore is narrower. The Marcie is pretty much a miracle constructed with
magic, and gives the roundest of round shapes without pushing your boobs into
your armpits. It needs to come out in black and beige, like, yesterday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Honorable
mention: Panache Sienna. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQoJtS_HpGaReNrAbo9d1kZsCgyKIfp9KQToV7EZ6yQo7Zu6stWaFYGyzy7NQnyHU7LOeBf_5sk-gsn5cskkb7tkqSVafS6AnHhXq7I8fzNyeqNwSFTA6R7iDFdczQl8metarp6F3iiw/s1600/url-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQoJtS_HpGaReNrAbo9d1kZsCgyKIfp9KQToV7EZ6yQo7Zu6stWaFYGyzy7NQnyHU7LOeBf_5sk-gsn5cskkb7tkqSVafS6AnHhXq7I8fzNyeqNwSFTA6R7iDFdczQl8metarp6F3iiw/s320/url-1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Despite the lovely shape, I couldn’t let this one win because it comes out in
dismally few colors and even those colors are boring repeats of colors it’s
already come out in. It also lost points for confusing sizing--you ned to go up a cup size in the Sienna! This one runs a full cup
size small. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
‘purple shape’ balconette bra for full-on-bottom boobs: Cleo Meg</b> (and, I’m
hoping, the new Lily—a slightly altered but ostensibly similar design). </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97xbP7cBNTvGU-Dq5k0UOnRMlKu8f15fVrPclWghiTWmtRojnxZTvz8-bQvKO08kGzytUYAd6xgcIfDKt8dRcAGwsKSEKvvFj6-2-UKh0vpwLP4u0MafZ3nvEcSJOLUsFOQYvMJI1JMk/s1600/url-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97xbP7cBNTvGU-Dq5k0UOnRMlKu8f15fVrPclWghiTWmtRojnxZTvz8-bQvKO08kGzytUYAd6xgcIfDKt8dRcAGwsKSEKvvFj6-2-UKh0vpwLP4u0MafZ3nvEcSJOLUsFOQYvMJI1JMk/s320/url-2.jpeg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F5_sl-1V7R9A_RLziYE5UhTHVWOLqjTZUGkoNNxUNmQLmMpRbXkaWdhOQA5t8pE7GkZc28Qm5FfwC4DfaK8TKijoZfPELHq4aErc0lRuava5Vmf_nkhBaYaaGWDux15CYk7gAvCMoAo/s1600/url-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F5_sl-1V7R9A_RLziYE5UhTHVWOLqjTZUGkoNNxUNmQLmMpRbXkaWdhOQA5t8pE7GkZc28Qm5FfwC4DfaK8TKijoZfPELHq4aErc0lRuava5Vmf_nkhBaYaaGWDux15CYk7gAvCMoAo/s200/url-3.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This bra is
different from the Marcie’s construction. The top edge curves in more steeply
and there’s more space at the diagonal seam. It works well for full-on-bottom
ladies who want a really round shape but experience gapping in the Marcie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
‘green shape’ balconette bra for full-on-bottom boobs: Bravissimo Alana. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxh6aQTakysBzTe43Qlkp6SYeBdd4GDIQ7tdkRc-HGDYbEiC57V5PaN07x4I8tQmnmARQeod0Fm-iepIpxW-2mKPFFLpI5iwt3RhqYpZ29qPRKKJydyBE2fkuIv_24Inx5abN9qDHVuw/s1600/alana.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxh6aQTakysBzTe43Qlkp6SYeBdd4GDIQ7tdkRc-HGDYbEiC57V5PaN07x4I8tQmnmARQeod0Fm-iepIpxW-2mKPFFLpI5iwt3RhqYpZ29qPRKKJydyBE2fkuIv_24Inx5abN9qDHVuw/s400/alana.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This
is one of those ‘old faithful’ bras that you can buy in a ton of cute or useful colors if it
fits. It’s loved for its perky shape and firm support. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Sizing:
Runs a little bit small. Go up if you’re between sizes. This one will not work
for full-on-top boobs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
full-cup bra: Panache Jasmine. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0Jxo2ZVXsloc5n6x3ZRfoqmIGSxIayPt7zSjuV096whyphenhyphen6zJmQ2ZBll0ns2ctlnY3L_zykYGDaIoDIefLpaWIyrF4qhEg4tGd1QwTRgOYHeyaEesvDNDK0_6cTsD4LoTXM6_YrpLyPmQ/s1600/url-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0Jxo2ZVXsloc5n6x3ZRfoqmIGSxIayPt7zSjuV096whyphenhyphen6zJmQ2ZBll0ns2ctlnY3L_zykYGDaIoDIefLpaWIyrF4qhEg4tGd1QwTRgOYHeyaEesvDNDK0_6cTsD4LoTXM6_YrpLyPmQ/s1600/url-4.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This bra exploded on the scene a couple seasons
back and has been really popular. Its genius comes from the uplifting side
panel, the supportive firm fabric on the bottom, and the stretch lace in the
top. That stretch allows the Jasmine to work for loads of people who tend to be
a tricky fit. It expands to deal with bountiful upper breast fullness that
tends to overwhelm most full-cup bras. It stretches back in to deal with breast
with less upper fullness who tend to experience gapping. It provides a good fit
to those with asymmetrical boobs who may struggle to find ANYTHING that works
for both sides. See also: The new
Envy and Clara bras are based on the Jasmine, though with little tweaks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdbgDXQzEp5dOciqP9P7J8bexPwu5mPtUivAujdY5j0jpsHP2SA_lHuKoHkcYUw7hlTi6xuPN65evt7ZoskJkAl8GOh9N6fGEPN6LO-bCNP7-lwJaZVp6rBVqpgvOlgnaZzi_MAu-Pvo/s1600/url-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdbgDXQzEp5dOciqP9P7J8bexPwu5mPtUivAujdY5j0jpsHP2SA_lHuKoHkcYUw7hlTi6xuPN65evt7ZoskJkAl8GOh9N6fGEPN6LO-bCNP7-lwJaZVp6rBVqpgvOlgnaZzi_MAu-Pvo/s320/url-5.jpeg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Envy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH6_ub4LsXsku8Pzx2dpErIfG7agnjnMJ8KkJGUotyfawDrF0fW-lmvtO11HJGgytvtNb_c3TL2Rbca1Iu28VGkT2exEzuY87uZaEXrNXmcbKOjXEREuw6M9C7aFxLtfNg44i0Xjikt8/s1600/url-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH6_ub4LsXsku8Pzx2dpErIfG7agnjnMJ8KkJGUotyfawDrF0fW-lmvtO11HJGgytvtNb_c3TL2Rbca1Iu28VGkT2exEzuY87uZaEXrNXmcbKOjXEREuw6M9C7aFxLtfNg44i0Xjikt8/s320/url-6.jpeg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clara</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Honorable
mention: Panache Andorra. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUv2MenUXJiZ-4CfxbAxyqILMDjdTI2o2X3qYOxNW5bDDIXcYJIpFDvvQxVheXYwCj4610vrwsxnzKd4XbnC9W2HWPM5bVRTpe9nTYH0l2m1lsDYs-0qjztO-jkseFF7InmPFzo6Xt4A/s1600/url-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUv2MenUXJiZ-4CfxbAxyqILMDjdTI2o2X3qYOxNW5bDDIXcYJIpFDvvQxVheXYwCj4610vrwsxnzKd4XbnC9W2HWPM5bVRTpe9nTYH0l2m1lsDYs-0qjztO-jkseFF7InmPFzo6Xt4A/s1600/url-7.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This ancestor of Jasmine has the same stretchy lace
in the top, but it’s not as crazy-well-loved as the Jasmine and is, I think, a
little less supportive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
bra for a retro shape: Bravissimo Dotty Spot. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6MCrvCE6PsYTRYoLXR6hw0jJI097ZA-Zmm41Tl4tQMZ-QFwhrtc9j_Cd6OnRTGqsPM0oyE0sD8rp_FshZoXufvTbafD_INxaFrHGSQYYuog1v1eVaoELt5Qh8iK5-aup8Mb9axNJAzI/s1600/url-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6MCrvCE6PsYTRYoLXR6hw0jJI097ZA-Zmm41Tl4tQMZ-QFwhrtc9j_Cd6OnRTGqsPM0oyE0sD8rp_FshZoXufvTbafD_INxaFrHGSQYYuog1v1eVaoELt5Qh8iK5-aup8Mb9axNJAzI/s320/url-8.jpeg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This bra gives an extreme green
shape, what I call “good pointy”. It’s a cult classic, beloved by a committed fan
base. The shape is definitely not for everyone, but I couldn’t not mention it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Sizing:
Works better for those without too much upper fullness, but can work for
various shapes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
bra for a round but minimized shape: Tutti Rouge Liliana. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYN14de8v5kT8_zubFUPkaU2g0MpYuWO6Hi47e0fSWQDgFNE_KyQVUuiPPnPisHbbzP1Y3ujWL7RnFX8pmj0aKXyt1K2OTDlbtUmyuKW_6aBzk8Jrw1tL6xmGxmaKy946kCYuVMNIeTw/s1600/url-9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYN14de8v5kT8_zubFUPkaU2g0MpYuWO6Hi47e0fSWQDgFNE_KyQVUuiPPnPisHbbzP1Y3ujWL7RnFX8pmj0aKXyt1K2OTDlbtUmyuKW_6aBzk8Jrw1tL6xmGxmaKy946kCYuVMNIeTw/s320/url-9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">If you prefer to
blend in rather than stand out, if you’re not at an emotionally stable place
about having larger boobs, if you have to wear scrubs for work, if you have
your eye on a drapy top, or if you just prefer a minimized look, try this one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Sizing:
Go up a band size and a cup size. (E.g. If you normally wear a 30HH, try a
32HH.) Also, works better for shallower breasts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
plunge bra for firm breasts: Panache Andorra Plunge. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAChuSoEvM5zPTDT55g21zPp5eltqihPKQ-XmbVzXf888I0ImB7MNQ3tMzzonlYZ8zxIV8pbQNA-X1r2Zynl42CQLD1RJN-TOBAS99caa1TEsDrbuultB8_I5TG_jv9r6g0xCfXzsb94/s1600/url-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAChuSoEvM5zPTDT55g21zPp5eltqihPKQ-XmbVzXf888I0ImB7MNQ3tMzzonlYZ8zxIV8pbQNA-X1r2Zynl42CQLD1RJN-TOBAS99caa1TEsDrbuultB8_I5TG_jv9r6g0xCfXzsb94/s320/url-10.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This one benefits from the
same stretchy material as the full-cup, which makes it really comfortable and
helps it fit stubbornly shaped firm boobs. It provides the best subtle cleavage
I’ve experienced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
plunge for soft breasts: Cleo Molly. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFbBS-hUNMmQlu8BgsYWbN6QSPyS2gm9dlWOVGMAKQh-FRok9fxDdwP2x9ZIpd10RuRyi61V0i_ATitRZsWglQbM_qgykWcbNwZTmFXZJLjtBncsTySSEXG-ftoA-R_aQBthdYEKjmek/s1600/molly-cleo-plum-berry-114052_L.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFbBS-hUNMmQlu8BgsYWbN6QSPyS2gm9dlWOVGMAKQh-FRok9fxDdwP2x9ZIpd10RuRyi61V0i_ATitRZsWglQbM_qgykWcbNwZTmFXZJLjtBncsTySSEXG-ftoA-R_aQBthdYEKjmek/s1600/molly-cleo-plum-berry-114052_L.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">I’ve heard this from a few people. Many
women with softer breast tissue find they fall into the center in a plunge bra.
Anecdotally, the Cleo Molly is genius for fixing this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
padded plunge overall: Bravissimo Satine. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxS66CUvJhsQjih9Rm7f5ImdnyEQj8bwpWKKp_goZ0dYvNtqlpMltFBi6Q81_C-AQAo7k6Esqt40nnQHE3WEyUSai8sHfD7xnngju72LGJkfp-ZCODY9U2ellSBE8WPXC_xYWEv79SyK8/s1600/url-11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxS66CUvJhsQjih9Rm7f5ImdnyEQj8bwpWKKp_goZ0dYvNtqlpMltFBi6Q81_C-AQAo7k6Esqt40nnQHE3WEyUSai8sHfD7xnngju72LGJkfp-ZCODY9U2ellSBE8WPXC_xYWEv79SyK8/s320/url-11.jpeg" width="250" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This one works for a lot of different
shapes. It fits my full-on-top boobs perfectly and also perfectly fits my
friend who is full-on-bottom. It gives a really nice balanced shape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
plunge for higher cup sizes: Ewa Michalak PL bras. </b></span></div>
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<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1Wj3AZpavK0ygq16wpOgIGipMkuFyb4GsTkloRA9IE3Umkv68JxW4pHXjo2sGOvxwBY7mA0UINKmkEyJ6gKlKKTO5AYXCKRI0fqiT4Czx3xyItrm-6coVDVDxXsHQ3HHXBcGaLuPkAk/s1600/pol_pm_Biustonosz-usztywniany-PL-Purple-Ewa-Michalak-2655_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1Wj3AZpavK0ygq16wpOgIGipMkuFyb4GsTkloRA9IE3Umkv68JxW4pHXjo2sGOvxwBY7mA0UINKmkEyJ6gKlKKTO5AYXCKRI0fqiT4Czx3xyItrm-6coVDVDxXsHQ3HHXBcGaLuPkAk/s1600/pol_pm_Biustonosz-usztywniany-PL-Purple-Ewa-Michalak-2655_2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Ewa’s PL bras go up to
higher sizes than British plunge bras, and the expert construction provides the
necessary stability even for heavy boobs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
strapless:</b> HAHAHAHAHAHA funny joke. Errbody needs to go back to the drawing
board on this one. Hint: Vertical seams. For instance, I have my eye on the
Curvy Kate strapless that is slowly inching towards production.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
unpadded half cup: Ewa Michalak’s HM styles. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyZTXhAQK9zLuhGEI0k0ZhY2-M-c-1svniGpxhuQXCJxJTrk7299_leurpV8k-amtm31HXmyYqrKBw-_TIeX60LNx_ygYlgO2e54C2-NOTeVg6jssqJgDzRNdLSpxJkmXJr8fU0KRT2M/s1600/url-12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyZTXhAQK9zLuhGEI0k0ZhY2-M-c-1svniGpxhuQXCJxJTrk7299_leurpV8k-amtm31HXmyYqrKBw-_TIeX60LNx_ygYlgO2e54C2-NOTeVg6jssqJgDzRNdLSpxJkmXJr8fU0KRT2M/s320/url-12.jpeg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">There are not a lot of options for
unpadded half cups out there, but of those available, the HM is the most
stable. Half cups can sometimes get a little jiggly and weak in the center, but
the HM’s gore tends to sit flat. </span><span style="background-color: #fbfbfa;">Some HM styles require going up in the band. Check Bratabase to verify for
individual styles.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
padded half cup: Masquerade Coco. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG23ErD8_tnOc6xIwwjzuXnrN-QbuILNpy29bfqShA4FPcaU5l3IfXx3lCcTJUfMIhSA6bAANjjPemxSJ6DtOBFGFq7OaZ2hvmOi8XbHrhNdut8qtrdMF2McGFp5-tu09juynhvRLaPms/s1600/$(KGrHqJHJFUE91+DtcnRBPiT7zHOj!~~60_35.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG23ErD8_tnOc6xIwwjzuXnrN-QbuILNpy29bfqShA4FPcaU5l3IfXx3lCcTJUfMIhSA6bAANjjPemxSJ6DtOBFGFq7OaZ2hvmOi8XbHrhNdut8qtrdMF2McGFp5-tu09juynhvRLaPms/s1600/$(KGrHqJHJFUE91+DtcnRBPiT7zHOj!~~60_35.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">I know this seems obscure. The Rhea and
Delphi by rights belong here, but I took points off because the Rhea’s padding
is a little too stiff and the Delphi’s straps are too thick to be practical. So
although the Coco seems a strange choice, I believe it combines the best
features of Rhea and Delphi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1g5GD5romgS1p_j-y45p9KFn7uBBw_X7Vi763qtcDg9qLRTFJlLorsh0M6Va56i0-bgcr5DRHE-CtVXSUIC1Szojs8wN64A4vG0NydeXi3uYVmIc5jePBYPIlJs9O8xFa74LeqRseAM/s1600/url-13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1g5GD5romgS1p_j-y45p9KFn7uBBw_X7Vi763qtcDg9qLRTFJlLorsh0M6Va56i0-bgcr5DRHE-CtVXSUIC1Szojs8wN64A4vG0NydeXi3uYVmIc5jePBYPIlJs9O8xFa74LeqRseAM/s320/url-13.jpeg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpkN2qsXsSzMJThgDVUrlJcwSnF5rH5AYSFDMxLyOGkBITVUshTd86pnk47Md4X4sooIcLr-xQxyVgc7eeSMbbHlB-t-W7o3mpmtM26Jpa7HDkHFCg7XKquzlvuqGO6dFRBUrGd_K0_Q/s1600/masquerade-delphi-balconette-bra.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpkN2qsXsSzMJThgDVUrlJcwSnF5rH5AYSFDMxLyOGkBITVUshTd86pnk47Md4X4sooIcLr-xQxyVgc7eeSMbbHlB-t-W7o3mpmtM26Jpa7HDkHFCg7XKquzlvuqGO6dFRBUrGd_K0_Q/s320/masquerade-delphi-balconette-bra.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delphi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Honorable
mention: Tutti Rouge Betty. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfk3adNedlC7sv5SIVspBGjd4Rff7SNwL-oTPH-TKm1_-PhwkVydRo8r-9iULlgRCds1-cywg2EePYmgm6I8J5RPF3ku1IBldp6afu8eE8uPdy2w3B9BcmyHiY_JZs-PtcTpa8XIrasg/s1600/url-15.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfk3adNedlC7sv5SIVspBGjd4Rff7SNwL-oTPH-TKm1_-PhwkVydRo8r-9iULlgRCds1-cywg2EePYmgm6I8J5RPF3ku1IBldp6afu8eE8uPdy2w3B9BcmyHiY_JZs-PtcTpa8XIrasg/s1600/url-15.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Though new on the scene, this half-cup is a blogger favorite. I think it's Tutti Rouge's most versatile fit, and as such, probably their best bra so far. Go up a band size and a cup size in this one (if you normally wear a 32F, try a 34F). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
Swimwear in General: FREYA!!!!!!! </b>Hands down, no one else can even compete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
padded Swimwear: Freya’s padded sweetheart cut</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfZRE9duKdRGx1zRE0QwY7A6vh9jk-_CC6V3x2w_dOhiz4wsMUKjYVsdJhrABQmO69OeZq4NRNNdXqfMzatyHUS9z5HldxDQHDdkoRIrnYDtTA7ZyGDz_c7wQRtSFjQwKkr6Jy1X0aPI/s1600/url-16.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfZRE9duKdRGx1zRE0QwY7A6vh9jk-_CC6V3x2w_dOhiz4wsMUKjYVsdJhrABQmO69OeZq4NRNNdXqfMzatyHUS9z5HldxDQHDdkoRIrnYDtTA7ZyGDz_c7wQRtSFjQwKkr6Jy1X0aPI/s1600/url-16.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lindy Hop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
unpadded swimwear: Freya’s plunge cut. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibnoIlo8NgYy-z2W1C2hmPOUgMekwLPZmkb0FZMPFlVlnymNNKw4tBctI6iMouDfi9fCeyzq_KrTqTTc62KUT7kEObF6HO0-TAcuaTPeC8mOhVM9XsRYbTfD7EGYn9-PnJB_K4nrej3U/s1600/url-17.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibnoIlo8NgYy-z2W1C2hmPOUgMekwLPZmkb0FZMPFlVlnymNNKw4tBctI6iMouDfi9fCeyzq_KrTqTTc62KUT7kEObF6HO0-TAcuaTPeC8mOhVM9XsRYbTfD7EGYn9-PnJB_K4nrej3U/s1600/url-17.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fever</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">In particular, the Fever bikini is their
best. The construction changes slightly starting with H cups but it is still
great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
molded (purple shape): Freya Deco. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZepqGs15DrQ5Lm0ysXsCjRe4vGXG5ywuFqinR-oXB0qG1mR5d8V3D7Pv2ofDezR75YppNCwKtnwZJOVTbA3nNtyHwKOgbNptSbGp0S_MeyVrIImqyIAxANMdpAZG6pd_0jPAtqdsM_ig/s1600/url-18.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZepqGs15DrQ5Lm0ysXsCjRe4vGXG5ywuFqinR-oXB0qG1mR5d8V3D7Pv2ofDezR75YppNCwKtnwZJOVTbA3nNtyHwKOgbNptSbGp0S_MeyVrIImqyIAxANMdpAZG6pd_0jPAtqdsM_ig/s320/url-18.jpeg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This bra also wins the category for <b>“Best
Bra to Feel Normal if You’re Used to Victoria’s Secret”.</b> It wins this category
by a sweep because it’s one of the few bras to come in TONS of colors, it has a
low gore, and it has a comfy band. Some full-on-bottom ladies may struggle
with gapping in this style.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Honorable
Mention: Curvy Kate Smoothie. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOqCFQt0OgYYCADjTSPkamFR3dKfujIK-ygNH97HxCSaBBO4wlA_9lQ0u8ewU2mgBWE3JMrBvUva3KzDs1AI-GIhODZalze6v-4m4dcyiE_WUQuc9Io7cgnK4lZhsvtOnDzny3fM7aUI/s1600/url-19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOqCFQt0OgYYCADjTSPkamFR3dKfujIK-ygNH97HxCSaBBO4wlA_9lQ0u8ewU2mgBWE3JMrBvUva3KzDs1AI-GIhODZalze6v-4m4dcyiE_WUQuc9Io7cgnK4lZhsvtOnDzny3fM7aUI/s320/url-19.jpeg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">I can’t let this one win because preliminary
reports indicate that these bras have already shrunk a full cup size in the new
colors since my positive review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
molded (green shape): Fantasie 4510 Smoothing Molded T-Shirt Bra. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuwCc6_I-OGzFjs7i0IJu7vsT5D1xqQyiM5tOQIe26LTDdLQFKBMRDG2uMzvNjAep8x0hnK3rTdwDSXd_EZP8i2Fibu-VRpWV74ZAtQzvYUBMipiMZlJW9v-J1EqCjMJmCZUAbd5Afcs/s1600/url-20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuwCc6_I-OGzFjs7i0IJu7vsT5D1xqQyiM5tOQIe26LTDdLQFKBMRDG2uMzvNjAep8x0hnK3rTdwDSXd_EZP8i2Fibu-VRpWV74ZAtQzvYUBMipiMZlJW9v-J1EqCjMJmCZUAbd5Afcs/s1600/url-20.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This one
gives a lovely perky, projected shape. I think it’s pretty underrated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Best
for deep cups with narrow wires: Ewa Michalak S and SM, and Comexim.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEJO8E0hrepe8A-Vljdx9NETaop1WpUjDLYnaUz6hEEYcdWbTzePPDh582yJOOABuhN2vKTbvGs8FjGvscLQ1YwxWaVQFPptF4zIopCkk_b1xw8g-_TQbAO-nUBjrnmmkxTkDhKUTua8/s1600/url-21.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEJO8E0hrepe8A-Vljdx9NETaop1WpUjDLYnaUz6hEEYcdWbTzePPDh582yJOOABuhN2vKTbvGs8FjGvscLQ1YwxWaVQFPptF4zIopCkk_b1xw8g-_TQbAO-nUBjrnmmkxTkDhKUTua8/s320/url-21.jpeg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ewa Michalak S Bambino</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-qag5c8Zp6KmQH42P-lcBJOotdn7RT_TMUKiYuz7Jc1N6etwEb1Brq3VTSUFPemRG5BBwSAG6J7ofdqf_2wEYQQBmkLNfti76QwnerjfnaT3RGNnDlBIR75nzfYRVIuRrGMGLKE9tAs/s1600/url-22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-qag5c8Zp6KmQH42P-lcBJOotdn7RT_TMUKiYuz7Jc1N6etwEb1Brq3VTSUFPemRG5BBwSAG6J7ofdqf_2wEYQQBmkLNfti76QwnerjfnaT3RGNnDlBIR75nzfYRVIuRrGMGLKE9tAs/s320/url-22.jpeg" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ewa Michalak SM Trefl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMMyDhIiAaIhPWu6Ub2XO-WKBNgX7t-K2BKXerpENLLpi8ZDsoKFEIZ8MyeCuWPsE1JhSQH85dkQOi2BgI87XNyaL7hXzBBb2V7EarQBSeD_cWxyC6ycapXpVhZiMlrSOpZFrHU8jP4Q/s1600/181-349-thickbox.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMMyDhIiAaIhPWu6Ub2XO-WKBNgX7t-K2BKXerpENLLpi8ZDsoKFEIZ8MyeCuWPsE1JhSQH85dkQOi2BgI87XNyaL7hXzBBb2V7EarQBSeD_cWxyC6ycapXpVhZiMlrSOpZFrHU8jP4Q/s320/181-349-thickbox.jpeg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comexim Green Velvet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Ewa Michalak’s S and SM bras offer tons of
projection and suit deep boobs that don’t get along with shallow British
styles. </span><span style="background-color: #fbfbfa;">The narrow wires make them especially good for small-framed women who
can’t wear wide wires, or for anyone with narrow breast roots. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa;">Comexim bras
also win in the deep cup/narrow wire category, and are even narrower in the wires than Ewa
Michalak.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Most
attractive sports bra: Panache Sports Bra. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZR2rngkekNnU0_wThLKlO3BEHyK2CEkH578wTbJUXhz09f1CHarkCWaYafVqDhhLyfl4EC4aXvmWejbkNlfi1wfzj6l5FGJgNyqDZaRZ3qgBOaQYPUjLXQKdyN87etceTljNl2I4rJU/s1600/url-23.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZR2rngkekNnU0_wThLKlO3BEHyK2CEkH578wTbJUXhz09f1CHarkCWaYafVqDhhLyfl4EC4aXvmWejbkNlfi1wfzj6l5FGJgNyqDZaRZ3qgBOaQYPUjLXQKdyN87etceTljNl2I4rJU/s320/url-23.jpeg" width="250" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">This one definitely gives the best
shape of any sports bra out there. It also comes in cute colors, and I like the
use of underwire as well as the racerback clip. I recommend sizing down in the
band to increase stability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Most
effective sports bra: Bravissimo Inspire. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIPtXF81I4tCpP4aE5SBf18Ieb26eGVGhRVhJ4uUrqfZsJ02g3NBQ_0fvga0rw4FwQSVbUm7KYzS-gKnCd7kN_Y3JXsQazXLPCGH9JHpfZzPSydBD2twIXuwc5brXkWbH-Bq2oVegosI/s1600/url-24.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIPtXF81I4tCpP4aE5SBf18Ieb26eGVGhRVhJ4uUrqfZsJ02g3NBQ_0fvga0rw4FwQSVbUm7KYzS-gKnCd7kN_Y3JXsQazXLPCGH9JHpfZzPSydBD2twIXuwc5brXkWbH-Bq2oVegosI/s320/url-24.jpeg" width="249" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">It’s a LITTLE less ugly than the
Freya Sports bra, and it immobilizes the boobs. It’s underwired, so it keeps
everything separated and in place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Honorable
Mention: Shock Absorber Max Sports Top. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tFHXC5aP6j_K6qI9rEt1c2HrGgsIAW1DQZHa0VVotYJqaOW9fQyzEPrS_rcvPxg_svJGIxncekY7hvHcHx7DJNiQYDDP_aSbW2pWIJuKXcV5DL-e-hsC_D5srkY9Q63UC7bBJBCjFWw/s1600/Shock+Absorber+Max+Sports+Bra+in+Coral+%E2%82%AC40.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tFHXC5aP6j_K6qI9rEt1c2HrGgsIAW1DQZHa0VVotYJqaOW9fQyzEPrS_rcvPxg_svJGIxncekY7hvHcHx7DJNiQYDDP_aSbW2pWIJuKXcV5DL-e-hsC_D5srkY9Q63UC7bBJBCjFWw/s320/Shock+Absorber+Max+Sports+Bra+in+Coral+%E2%82%AC40.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">I didn’t give the category to this one
because I feel the lack of underwire can cause breasts to rub against each
other unless you wear another bra underneath. However, this one will completely
eliminate bounce. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">That's all I've got for now... Did your favorite make the cut? If I missed something important, let me know in the comments!</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-45344801628905459292013-10-29T14:07:00.000-07:002013-10-29T14:07:05.611-07:00Fantasie 'Esme' Review<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">The
Fantasie Esme’s claim to fame is its ‘center-pull straps’—essentially, the
location of the straps has been modified so they are closer together in the
back. This is useful for women with narrow shoulders who find straps usually
slide off. It’s also a nice alternative to having straps sit in the exact same
place every day. The Esme is also part of a small group of molded Fantasie bras
which are, in my opinion, rather underrated and under-reviewed. So when I got a
chance to try the Esme in a store, I snapped a couple photos so I could review
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Like
the Fantasie Smoothing (4520), the Esme is MOLDED but NOT PADDED. The concept
of this confused me before I had tried it, but it essentially just means that
the fabric itself has been molded into a seamless shape. A molded AND padded
bra would have foam as well as fabric molded into the shape; however, although
they’re often synonymous, padding doesn’t need to be part of a molded bra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">I
tried the Esme in a 30H. I’d say it runs fairly true to size, though a little
larger in the cups than Bravissimo balconettes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33bIwzS7MNaQY4T_0_1RRSwghuDfLNHLhc2DvVYwDTHHc8SeRoCm8z7BIEX1ELM_QR33syrUxr5L4MVJJB2Yc7K4XoDsfAknCVPe9MzqKvYL14YVphYAdaCgfl8cjptLJ5jW3rhCSlik/s1600/P1020988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33bIwzS7MNaQY4T_0_1RRSwghuDfLNHLhc2DvVYwDTHHc8SeRoCm8z7BIEX1ELM_QR33syrUxr5L4MVJJB2Yc7K4XoDsfAknCVPe9MzqKvYL14YVphYAdaCgfl8cjptLJ5jW3rhCSlik/s320/P1020988.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Like
the Smoothing 4520, it came up a little bit higher than I’d like in the cups
(which was the ultimate reason I didn’t buy it). I tend to wear some fairly
low-cut tops, though, so if you wear tops with more coverage, this won’t be an
issue. It also won’t be an issue if you’re considering this bra, as I was, as
something to wear under button-down shirts for work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">I
loved the feeling of the modified straps. Since most straps sit in the same
tender groove on my shoulders, I loved the fact that these were pulled in
closer to my neck. This is what it looked like from the back:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNef9hl-KM1J40fn4hOPIiHus6KnPZnlmP1ccT9iXuViiKDtLfNAm46vmFyXNHGyG2n-LZpFKwTzgBihB3gw3TJzYqF_FiutuaxTwERVpQVV_Cx3UpeSQ65Pk3sUu6lz4qNF2hnsG8kpA/s1600/P1020990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNef9hl-KM1J40fn4hOPIiHus6KnPZnlmP1ccT9iXuViiKDtLfNAm46vmFyXNHGyG2n-LZpFKwTzgBihB3gw3TJzYqF_FiutuaxTwERVpQVV_Cx3UpeSQ65Pk3sUu6lz4qNF2hnsG8kpA/s320/P1020990.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">The
shape from the side was quite good:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__U5eQ2igCN6zPW-CwzaN-QTHMLKFbrPYp3wNIRhqi5r-2eDn5eCgLCyWwXRridzadEN6whsn-FGiMv7AP0FAHi3_siJxsNpgzlzVwEujpGnlPbI-vMGmMEUqrbmVGj66t6R0OVgY8oM/s1600/P1020989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__U5eQ2igCN6zPW-CwzaN-QTHMLKFbrPYp3wNIRhqi5r-2eDn5eCgLCyWwXRridzadEN6whsn-FGiMv7AP0FAHi3_siJxsNpgzlzVwEujpGnlPbI-vMGmMEUqrbmVGj66t6R0OVgY8oM/s320/P1020989.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"> I often have a knee-jerk fear that
Fantasie bras will be pointy, but frankly this is undeserved. Though they do
still produce some clunkers like the Belle full-cup, they also make a lot of
really nice basic bras that give nice shapes. The Esme is similar to the
unpadded Smoothing 4520 in its somewhat minimized, nicely rounded shape. The
padded Smoothing T-Shirt Bra (4510) gives a different, but still lovely, shape—perky
and projected. Another benefit of these bras is that they reliably come out in
basic colors. I know, it seems odd that I get excited by boring black and beige
bras, but I feel like a lot of brands have gone too far in the other direction,
while Fantasie still understands that plenty of customers need something
practical or have simple tastes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">If
you’re looking for a seamless bra, and especially if you have problems with
wide straps falling off your shoulders, give the Esme a try. It’s one of
Fantasie’s ‘good ones.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-51461007320268684272013-10-28T14:38:00.002-07:002013-10-28T14:38:53.272-07:00Panache "Envy" ReviewI've been eager to try Panache's new Envy bra. Being based on their extremely successful Jasmine bra, I figured it would be a good one. However, I heard initial reports that it was different from the Jasmine, so I was worried it wouldn't deliver. However, this weekend I got the chance to try the Envy in a store and I was blown away by how great it is. I haven't tried the Jasmine (shameful, I know) so I can't report back on the differences, but I <b>can </b>say that this is a great bra that I'd highly recommend.<br />
<br />
Here's the front view. Like the Jasmine and its ancestor, the Andorra, the Envy has a modified full-cup construction with a side support panel and stretchy upper section.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPurY5pAG9K5Nz0cJ84cMs9ecRhMNPiJ-hTruH8o5w_HykNW-o2F7FbSnQJ-GvS7d5DhwVqOW8cIFthcLtLINJeL6hz5cLXq2XaxtfeVSl__QF-6F7njA9nbeGSvke-9kRcPHgDMZ9Xc/s1600/2013-10-26+13.48.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPurY5pAG9K5Nz0cJ84cMs9ecRhMNPiJ-hTruH8o5w_HykNW-o2F7FbSnQJ-GvS7d5DhwVqOW8cIFthcLtLINJeL6hz5cLXq2XaxtfeVSl__QF-6F7njA9nbeGSvke-9kRcPHgDMZ9Xc/s320/2013-10-26+13.48.46.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
The combination of the uplifting side support and the stretch in the top means that these bras don't suffer from the problems that regular full-cup bras have. However, I still get a very slightly pointed shape in the Andorra full cup. That was NOT the case in the Envy:<br />
<br />
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXLXsi-A1j9LeKMGRFxZpxKvfLj0Ge_JZQMB5DsIe-2UzSmZAio8ejK69-b3DScBt2GxsYbZIejTaH6P04vFv66vceWth5ADEwDmJH2RWR9VnbZTjXzda-pfOOpaHKcg0eVfcMNtUvoY/s1600/2013-10-26+13.49.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXLXsi-A1j9LeKMGRFxZpxKvfLj0Ge_JZQMB5DsIe-2UzSmZAio8ejK69-b3DScBt2GxsYbZIejTaH6P04vFv66vceWth5ADEwDmJH2RWR9VnbZTjXzda-pfOOpaHKcg0eVfcMNtUvoY/s320/2013-10-26+13.49.00.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This is one of the best shapes I've ever seen--held close to the chest and extremely rounded. At first I couldn't believe the shape I was seeing, so I did some bouncing around, but it seems like this is the real deal.<br />
<br />
I tried the Envy in a 30HH and 32H. The cups run true to the size I currently need in Panache, Freya, Curvy Kate, Bravissimo and Cleo bras (though I can still wear a 30H in Cleo Marcie), so I would say the cups are true to size. The band felt a little firm to me in the 30, as I'm more of a 32 now. I would say the band is also true to size and is made of a lovely high-quality material like the Andorra rather than the typical crappy mesh.<br />
<br />
I'm really impressed by this new offering by Panache. Because of the stretchy upper cups, it will work well for both full-on-top and full-on-bottom types--it works to combat both cutting in AND gapping. I'm really glad to see Panache beefing up their collections (which have been a bit weak in recent seasons) with such a well-constructed bra.Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-86792831546484135942013-10-21T14:10:00.001-07:002013-10-21T14:10:54.347-07:00Tutorial: Shortening a Bra BandWhen it comes to bra fitting, I have a philosophy of independence. I want myself and all women to know their shape and what fits them without needing to rely on commercial interests for that advice. I also want myself and all women to be free from the sometimes tiny constraints of the full-bust market--that is, I want us to be able to work with what is available, even when it is not good, to move past the limitations of the market so we can get what we need. That is why I am an advocate of knowing how to sew--sewing is power, and if you know how, your bra world opens up to include models that wouldn't otherwise work for you. Sewing and alteration enable us to improve fit faster than the glacially slow evolutions of the brands themselves. <br />
<br />
For those of us who wear smaller band sizes, we often find ourselves frustrated that the bras we want don't go up to high enough cup sizes. You need to go up a cup size to keep the same volume when you go down a band size, but most bras cut off at a certain cup size across the board. So a brand will claim "We can't make this bra above a G cup", when actually, the 38G that is produced has the same cup volume as the 30J they refuse to manufacture.<br />
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I've heard a lot of people cautioning that taking in a band can be disruptive to the fit of a bra. However, I disagree. Think about it--within most brands, the cups are usually not 'scaled' from size to size--that is, the cups will be identical across the sister sizes. All you do when you take in a band is remove the length that has been added. There are, of course, inconsistencies that will arise with home alterations; however, in a general sense, there is no reason you should not be able to alter a band--even many sizes--and still get a good fit. The only real sticking point comes if the point where the strap hit the band is significantly changed. If you find this is the case, you may actually like the results--it's nice once in awhile to have your bra straps sit somewhere slightly different--or you can take in fabric on both sides of the strap to even out the position. I did not find this to be an issue.<br />
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I'm a huge fan of Freya's padded half-cup shape, as seen in <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2013/08/freya-patsy-padded-half-cup-h-cup-review.html" target="_blank">my review of the Patsy</a>. However, I've been unimpressed with their lack of speed and enthusiasm in expanding the cup sizes for this shape, so I decided Freya's padded half-cup would be a good model to use for this post.<br />
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In this tutorial, I'll show you how I turned a 38FF Freya Daphne padded half-cup into a 32H. Since I modeled the alteration after a bra with the same shape, I was able to be quite confident that it would work for me. If you are altering a bra that you haven't tried in the correct band size, be aware that cups can seem bigger when you try on a loose-banded bra, so make sure the bra you are altering has enough room in the cups. You should also model your alteration after a bra with similar cup width and similar level of stretch in the band; otherwise the results may be different than you would like. <br />
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I did this alteration on a machine, since it's much faster. However, this alteration can also be performed by hand--you just need to use a small enough stitch to hold in the mesh. <br />
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This is an alteration that likely can be removed without damaging the bra. As always, though, alterations are performed at your own risk. <br />
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Here's the fit of the 38FF Daphne before alteration:<br />
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As you can see, it is massively too big in the band and rides up; the cups are therefore not supportive. <br />
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To begin, I compared the bands of my 38FF Daphne and 32H Patsy to mark how much material needed to be taken in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyYHLnZo_w52lBXyyFb5jw2gFhrNi5NON4z_FBLeuHDb06REjp3k8HqIdPB1UIwofDo9IlBJyRPISz_e95k8C_suUAH4aaLp4Kc7gVl8pefa0_OVCWE9CBtM47PXcqvB18hZrshANGwc/s1600/P1030124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyYHLnZo_w52lBXyyFb5jw2gFhrNi5NON4z_FBLeuHDb06REjp3k8HqIdPB1UIwofDo9IlBJyRPISz_e95k8C_suUAH4aaLp4Kc7gVl8pefa0_OVCWE9CBtM47PXcqvB18hZrshANGwc/s320/P1030124.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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I then folded the band over itself and pinned it in place. At this point, you should double-check against the bra you're using as a model to make sure the band has the proper length.<br />
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My next step was simply to sew this fold in place, all the way around so the stitching forms a rectangle. The most important areas to secure are the horizontal seams that will actually hold the alteration in place, but the vertical seams add strength and keep everything in place. I used a small stitch to secure the mesh material, and I used a dark thread so it is visible for the tutorial.<br />
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That's all! I didn't cut any material out, but simply folded it inside so it does not show when the bra is worn. With this strategy, it actually helped that I was taking in a band so many sizes too large--there was enough material that the fold can lie completely flat. If you are taking in just one band size, you may find the fold a bit bulge-y and want to do it the other way, so it is on the outside, for comfort. <br />
<br />Here's the fit of the altered Daphne:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaC0WWQka6Q6g_1g2xrzlgpjqIVMNlpyDuejRoH8MMIOmFcjIvaAcBuDik6YqoFjkecBeffV2QN49lzIQMVlE2RnqzMlZi4HD7fKH5dd-hMyq-8PuEu9DZuciGPeZD6uL6UXdd_wQLPg/s1600/P1030186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaC0WWQka6Q6g_1g2xrzlgpjqIVMNlpyDuejRoH8MMIOmFcjIvaAcBuDik6YqoFjkecBeffV2QN49lzIQMVlE2RnqzMlZi4HD7fKH5dd-hMyq-8PuEu9DZuciGPeZD6uL6UXdd_wQLPg/s320/P1030186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-51844999765258041852013-09-30T09:52:00.000-07:002013-09-30T09:52:00.627-07:00Cardigan Geometry: How to Highlight or Disguise Your Boobs with a CardiganWith September drawing to a close, we're getting into Autumn weather. I wanted to talk a bit about the various ways that cardigan sweaters (jumpers) can be worn. Cardigans are often considered to be one of the 'tricky' items for full-busted ladies, and as a result companies like Pepperberry have made them with extra boob room:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepperberry V-neck Cardigan</td></tr>
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This is great if you're looking for a sweater to wear buttoned-up, but that's not how I like to wear my cardigans. I prefer to wear them open. What I'm about to suggest is a little unorthodox, but hear me out.<br /><br />The key to flatter a full bust with an unbuttoned cardigan is to SIZE DOWN. You should think in terms of buying a size that would NEVER button over your boobs, and maybe wouldn't even button over your waist. The function here is to eliminate flapping, bagginess, and shapelessness that can come as a result of wearing an unbuttoned cardigan. When the size is significantly 'too small' for you, the entire body of the cardigan will sort of contract around/behind you and just gently lurk around your body without any issues of draping or hanging. I tend to be a size Medium in tops, but I favor an Extra Small in cardigans for this reason. <br />
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When sizing down this much, you can just let the cardigan hang down under your arms and it will look fine. But you can also pull the top of the cardigan over your boobs and let it sit there. Here's where things get interesting. Cardigans that have a gently tapering neckline--or in other words, what would look like a V-neck if buttoned, will play up, highlight, or create the illusion of an hourglass figure.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWULCO_zd8Xaweki7Xn97cA_OhHBYbNCIGQ6ckY6XtjMHPX8cR6LYYFHpintcWLXhnGC8HeBFdKJranLpRhJmRcgWpDwvPDVPNQpZoAtK-3lonQyJoJib6M86nMbjXrPWFEvpJ5VryE8/s1600/V-neck+Cami.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWULCO_zd8Xaweki7Xn97cA_OhHBYbNCIGQ6ckY6XtjMHPX8cR6LYYFHpintcWLXhnGC8HeBFdKJranLpRhJmRcgWpDwvPDVPNQpZoAtK-3lonQyJoJib6M86nMbjXrPWFEvpJ5VryE8/s1600/V-neck+Cami.png" /></a></div>
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In this diagram, you see the lines that are created. The cardigan tapers in at the waist, and out at the neck and hips.<br /><br />While some of us like to highlight an hourglass figure, others of us prefer to conceal or downplay the size of our boobs. I'm definitely one who has plenty of days where I want to balance out my boobs and disguise the comparative smallness of my waist. To achieve this look, use a square-neck or boat-neck cardigan--one where it buttons all the way up to the neckline.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CgNclw0Jq5x6gHi1PECZVwryd-a475hZPZvXTq2SENi9uoESMegizDNQ49YsTUhsX0DQw-LUs05TMcVHJQmajM86LhXkO8-EqcYWItUvXyYj2GeaLXr_JGvPlLKkH4ogNTLH2-MG4oE/s1600/boatneck+cardigan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CgNclw0Jq5x6gHi1PECZVwryd-a475hZPZvXTq2SENi9uoESMegizDNQ49YsTUhsX0DQw-LUs05TMcVHJQmajM86LhXkO8-EqcYWItUvXyYj2GeaLXr_JGvPlLKkH4ogNTLH2-MG4oE/s1600/boatneck+cardigan.png" /></a></div>
<br />Compare the different lines created by this cardigan. The smallest opening is at the bust, and it gets more open through the waist and hips. This visually tricks the eye into seeing the bust as smaller.<br /><br />How do you like to wear your cardigan? Do you like to play up or camouflage your boobs? If you have any thoughts or other tips for cardigan use, let us know in the comments!Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-41484886444092181132013-09-24T21:13:00.001-07:002013-09-24T21:13:26.689-07:00Curvy Kate, Flirtelle, and the "Upside-Down Seven" ShapeI started this blog about two years ago with a huge pile of Curvy Kate bra reviews. At the time, the brand seemed like the best new hope for full-busted women--a fun brand with a great social media presence, cool contests, great colors, and a cheaper sister brand, Flirtelle. Yet now, even though all of those things are still true, I feel let down by Curvy Kate--particularly their unpadded balconette bras. I don't mean to suggest their unpadded balconettes don't work for anyone. That's far from true. But there are pervasive problems, which tend to intensify in the bigger cup sizes. The specific problem I want to address now is an issue of fabric tension. It is, I believe, largely responsible for the fabled "upside-down seven" shape.<br />
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What's the upside-down seven shape? It's a phrase that was <a href="http://brasandbodyimage.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/my-curvy-kate-sets/" target="_blank">coined by Bras and Body Image in this post</a> and quickly entered the lexicon on Bratabase and other forums. It essentially refers to a shape where the upper curve of the breast takes on an extra angle where the bra ends. The profile in the bra beneath points too far down as a result.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkaLyHP5xFXbm0N1sV12Wgl-CVUsLPFqppYkOdMPe_VlDA4RTx8AS1eHDOCNAVrsigBrXL6XS62iI0PqjrU-gEZxJYYfy4bQiJ4e2nn9PA5hyphenhyphen6P8K0VD8Lj2Ov_omlLKsBSc30qf_iPU/s1600/upside+down+seven.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkaLyHP5xFXbm0N1sV12Wgl-CVUsLPFqppYkOdMPe_VlDA4RTx8AS1eHDOCNAVrsigBrXL6XS62iI0PqjrU-gEZxJYYfy4bQiJ4e2nn9PA5hyphenhyphen6P8K0VD8Lj2Ov_omlLKsBSc30qf_iPU/s1600/upside+down+seven.png" /></a></div>
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Now, the tricky thing with the upside-down seven shape in Curvy Kate/Flirtelle is that there are two different stages where it can occur. The first stage occurs when trying a cup size that is too small in these brands. A large number of people will always get this shape if their cup is too small.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upside-Down Seven Shape in a too-small Curvy Kate</td></tr>
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So what's the next step? Size up and shorten the straps. And, to some extent, this works. That's why my initial reviews of Curvy Kate's unpadded bras were so positive once I found my size. I bought a ton of them and happily wore them... UNTIL...<br />
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Do you ever catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror when you're not expecting it and suddenly realize "I NEED TO GET RID OF ALL MY BRAS"? That's what happened to me. Midway through the day, my Curvy Kate balconette had lost its lovely morning shape and my boobs were pointing at the ground.<br />
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<b>What is behind this mysterious loss of shape throughout the day?</b><br />
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Bras and Body Image had it right on when she commented "It seems like the bottom section of the cup is not large enough to really give a well-rounded shape." Flipping this around, I believe the problem is that the upper section of the cups is TOO BIG. The top section is responsible for some shaping, but the bottom sections do the lion's share of the lifting. That's why bras where the bottom sections connect to the strap give better lift than bras where only the top section connects. When the bottom sections of a bra end too low, particularly if they end below the apex of the breast, the resulting vast expanse of fabric in the upper section often fails to achieve the desired lifting and shaping results.<br />
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With Curvy Kate and Flirtelle, though, there's more to it than that. The crux of the issue is their use of a fabric that DOES NOT STRETCH but CAN DISTORT. Let's get our terms straight here. When you grab the fabric in the top of a Curvy Kate balconette, you'll find that it can 'stretch' in all directions (along each grain and also diagonally to the grain). However, this isn't really stretch because there's no elastic in the fabric. That means it can change shape... but it can't change back. By contrast, the stretchy fabric in the top section of the Panache Andorra or Jasmine stretches, but it has the elastic to be able to bounce back and hold its shape even while adjusting to your shape. Other bras have no ability to stretch or distort in the top section. This tends to result in a trickier fit as it has to be perfect, but once you've found it, these bras won't change shape throughout the day. But fabric that distorts, but doesn't stretch, will embark each morning on a slow march toward loss of support. That's why you sometimes find a bra that looks great at first, but stops looking good later. It's not that you were temporarily deluded, it's that the bra actually changed.<br />
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For Curvy Kate and Flirtelle balconettes, the distorting fabric combined with the too-large top section means that these factors become a huge problem. For me, it's been enough to put me off these balconettes altogether. Let's look at how the shape changes on a Flirtelle Dahlia balconette.<br />
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At first, it's looking good:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuv6efSdtMmweipUQ6HXMs2GodrnS0q5UPB5YFR_6wdYptPUP7CuAQrtVoaAOQp-uigA0juRjM8xI4LRznrs6SzzWuV5JLP-nch4cx7HqU68ijjlqw7p70I6ZObwLydALnwL7t_3XoPJs/s1600/P1020963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuv6efSdtMmweipUQ6HXMs2GodrnS0q5UPB5YFR_6wdYptPUP7CuAQrtVoaAOQp-uigA0juRjM8xI4LRznrs6SzzWuV5JLP-nch4cx7HqU68ijjlqw7p70I6ZObwLydALnwL7t_3XoPJs/s320/P1020963.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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Still looking pretty good:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVf-KT-kvUi0OItZ38wLdUFTFsR6yR3sDXNAUvuESu8dHMHq5zJ9aiWy8dcWUT3RqGwBzpUYtP8tT2rip0yYdbMdhIiNBBSTVS2bxjr7I_N8peSJ3Wj5SKpfVZDyoqF51cHSoSYGxNbM/s1600/P1020964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVf-KT-kvUi0OItZ38wLdUFTFsR6yR3sDXNAUvuESu8dHMHq5zJ9aiWy8dcWUT3RqGwBzpUYtP8tT2rip0yYdbMdhIiNBBSTVS2bxjr7I_N8peSJ3Wj5SKpfVZDyoqF51cHSoSYGxNbM/s320/P1020964.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Starting to look a little weird:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKcIRixUzbFb7ngyGiJtTkFY8f5lANRa7YvtIwmfC0obg3YA-NuNuGXcCghyphenhyphenIw3sUep0o7ScMTycRWjsh9rJB7krtAMLSHGjYUTlr7GUXIzHjtRhfj59SVb-PpdBLyHyqdl18eude97s/s1600/P1020966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKcIRixUzbFb7ngyGiJtTkFY8f5lANRa7YvtIwmfC0obg3YA-NuNuGXcCghyphenhyphenIw3sUep0o7ScMTycRWjsh9rJB7krtAMLSHGjYUTlr7GUXIzHjtRhfj59SVb-PpdBLyHyqdl18eude97s/s320/P1020966.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not looking so good now:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQRlI0xS0qBuKbA8pmIgN9MVhR7VPx43MK-CTeAtvWgLsweBurHos5noDPBnhXobXmD7FrzICVNR6poAWpqKZdFEhCe8V_H6BU1mZPieeKdsR-_qLx8HLRwjitIjsubfniRjEwxqACzM/s1600/P1020969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQRlI0xS0qBuKbA8pmIgN9MVhR7VPx43MK-CTeAtvWgLsweBurHos5noDPBnhXobXmD7FrzICVNR6poAWpqKZdFEhCe8V_H6BU1mZPieeKdsR-_qLx8HLRwjitIjsubfniRjEwxqACzM/s320/P1020969.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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By the last photo, I'm in full-on upside-down seven mode. And this is just after a few MINUTES of vigorously leaping around to simulate the effects of a day of walking and living life. In my opinion, it's really a shame that this issue with Curvy Kate and Flirtelle balconettes has persisted so long, so maybe it's time we start talking about it. These balconettes need firmer fabric that doesn't distort, or a little bit of elastic to fight those effects; or failing that, an upper section that is cut smaller. Please comment if you've had this problem with Curvy Kate. Was it solved by sizing up or did you find it persisted? I'm also curious to know if this problem is unique to full-on-top (FOT) boobs or is also experience by full-on-bottom (FOB) and balanced boobs.Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-53517716152506786102013-09-22T12:51:00.001-07:002013-09-22T12:51:27.443-07:00Why Do Full-On-Top Boobs Look Pointy in Full-Cup Bras?One of the most irksome aspects of the <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2012/08/herroomcom-makes-me-want-to-punch.html" target="_blank">HerRoom bra shape quiz kerfuffle</a> was their suggestion that full-on-top breast shapes would be suited to full cup bras. I've constantly asserted since starting my blog that that's not the case. But I never really explained WHY NOT, and I want to provide some visuals so people who are frustrated by this problem can grasp the central issue.<br />
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By now, you may be familiar with my "bra seam structure graphic".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HKA0v2GRvzDJNhqjUu91z2GKrrUEi5Zl5bQnHwv574fnO59nJ0ZFxyL6qwGkZJX_hN0qWPMceGPGbwvbzpiWLk5j3Hq55NGtHvST-RImu-6o29crAhvXRBXLzaFObKa2HYDKehXRPv8/s1600/bras+shapes+and+support+final.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HKA0v2GRvzDJNhqjUu91z2GKrrUEi5Zl5bQnHwv574fnO59nJ0ZFxyL6qwGkZJX_hN0qWPMceGPGbwvbzpiWLk5j3Hq55NGtHvST-RImu-6o29crAhvXRBXLzaFObKa2HYDKehXRPv8/s640/bras+shapes+and+support+final.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The full-cup bra seam structure shown in the diagram isn't good at shaping boobs. But despite this, lots of people get a nice shape in full-cup bras and really like them. But others (hint: full-on-top ladies) tend to get a really pointy shape, and hate these bras. What's the secret behind this?<br />
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To start with, let's look at the sort of photos I usually DON'T post to this blog: my own full-on-top boobs looking really sad in a full-cup bra.<br />
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From the front, the Panache Loretta in a 30H fits well:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEoRHD2urbttU8rVtdnUBOeXhZLF1_K5tlL10NN1bMHXOC3xYSUiAY_Lx6Np92v93hAF5UFzGbDrWOsqClq4ij0w-fv_JnuaeqZE3StXTZ-vz0poeGQtf_XXr6k5vX5IPzyzvd2lrZ4k/s1600/P1030005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEoRHD2urbttU8rVtdnUBOeXhZLF1_K5tlL10NN1bMHXOC3xYSUiAY_Lx6Np92v93hAF5UFzGbDrWOsqClq4ij0w-fv_JnuaeqZE3StXTZ-vz0poeGQtf_XXr6k5vX5IPzyzvd2lrZ4k/s320/P1030005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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But from the side, you see the truth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2xw5l3ASSaHYzS4yhVz4xjOafHqRwhmCC6uPAQUdJuwvdOQAyfCDZgs1FTRxr9CDR0Lpyszq1no_R0jp2J5hXyeYJmVOMyhtanS4sovYH8h4qhcmg9zbEi34LVpOb8ctdZVcIED5S-0/s1600/P1030010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2xw5l3ASSaHYzS4yhVz4xjOafHqRwhmCC6uPAQUdJuwvdOQAyfCDZgs1FTRxr9CDR0Lpyszq1no_R0jp2J5hXyeYJmVOMyhtanS4sovYH8h4qhcmg9zbEi34LVpOb8ctdZVcIED5S-0/s320/P1030010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Seeing this photo and keeping in mind the hefty percentage of bras that are made with this construction, you might begin to realize why I named my blog "Bras I Hate.")<br />
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Now, in the first stages of putting this bra on and swooping/scooping, it appears to mostly fit but not suit my shape. But a few minutes of jiggling around make the problems worse...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbDXK01te807foDwZdvfNG77r4wutxK3v8Ku_iTjrPgH5l0vlqzxFlQurs4SNnL-RwgMvgxGjN9lFLpxbQLA115CQe_K0zLeNiJqqfBmtGPd52ma4omgd5W0lz9ADcODoTgsYPvgjHAA/s1600/P1030008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbDXK01te807foDwZdvfNG77r4wutxK3v8Ku_iTjrPgH5l0vlqzxFlQurs4SNnL-RwgMvgxGjN9lFLpxbQLA115CQe_K0zLeNiJqqfBmtGPd52ma4omgd5W0lz9ADcODoTgsYPvgjHAA/s320/P1030008.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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And worse...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHTtfo1y4wGjXJ_tDAs-H9yctEWx31Kpl3Tgc7GXdfJ3UdpgEdQsLDlBTndnxssGmyMdNMzOlmfPIQuKvT9jcMULBS65dK0F0ISBajSqz3nQspXndrGO5NRwiasGJdXWhm1zZPrbjDhM/s1600/P1030009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHTtfo1y4wGjXJ_tDAs-H9yctEWx31Kpl3Tgc7GXdfJ3UdpgEdQsLDlBTndnxssGmyMdNMzOlmfPIQuKvT9jcMULBS65dK0F0ISBajSqz3nQspXndrGO5NRwiasGJdXWhm1zZPrbjDhM/s320/P1030009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know what you're thinking--you need a bigger size! In a way, yes, but largely no. Sizing up in this sort of bra WILL eliminate the bulging, but it will make the shape even worse and will create more and more extra space in the apex of the cup. Clearly this isn't a bra structure compatible with my shape. The problem? Full-cup bras provide a lot of support in the top section without enough openness. This tends to have a 'squashing' effect on those who have lots of tissue there. Combined with the lack of lift from the bottom, the shape is very downward-facing and pointy.<br />
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Why is it, though, that ladies with full-on-the-bottom boobs can still often get a nice shape in this sort of bra even though there isn't much lift from the bottom? Let's examine some graphics.<br />
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Here's what happens to full-on-top boobs in a full-cup bra.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5udvUTReJZXbb63hEPlsXZN4PelCt1pLb0Ppa8XplBC4LbBp2EKhMpuxAWLabpjJuEfzgOhG88d7DhAnU0KAjXtTIn0ucNz1f-qXpXfIfjeBy10yfpw6zcThdba3fctMv__HYlMMkstM/s1600/full+cup+bra+FOT.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5udvUTReJZXbb63hEPlsXZN4PelCt1pLb0Ppa8XplBC4LbBp2EKhMpuxAWLabpjJuEfzgOhG88d7DhAnU0KAjXtTIn0ucNz1f-qXpXfIfjeBy10yfpw6zcThdba3fctMv__HYlMMkstM/s1600/full+cup+bra+FOT.png" /></a></div>
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The large amount of tissue that needs to sit outside the bra forms a really steep slope that, combined with the way the bra lies, creates this shape that most of us don't desire.<br />
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Here's what happens to boobs with lower fullness:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrqu7QQVKjKaI9jBwVDhWVae40pAGsReSbqdPbjdprXdTrAWBX43i3yC5nvoP0EEi16YfIT6NcVc-xMvon2oluq4DiiQ8SAeLrNbPcuO0CUDNb2PnfIqy9bxN-NeSGm_VXqJ3jQ1cKYE/s1600/full+cup+bra+FOB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrqu7QQVKjKaI9jBwVDhWVae40pAGsReSbqdPbjdprXdTrAWBX43i3yC5nvoP0EEi16YfIT6NcVc-xMvon2oluq4DiiQ8SAeLrNbPcuO0CUDNb2PnfIqy9bxN-NeSGm_VXqJ3jQ1cKYE/s1600/full+cup+bra+FOB.png" /></a></div>
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The gentler slope at the top of the boobs meshes well with the intended line of the bra's profile, and the result is a perky 'green shape'.<br />
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I hope this is enlightening to anyone who wonders why full-cup bras work or don't work on their shape. For those who don't like full-cup bras, don't worry, there's hope--balconettes and half-cups.Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-63678001257624166012013-09-19T18:18:00.001-07:002013-09-19T18:18:35.812-07:00Bras I Hate & Love Tries Tutti Rouge!I've been dying to try the new brand, Tutti Rouge, ever since I first saw the product photos. Recently, I was fortunate enough to be loaned a few of the styles by the lovely <a href="http://sophisticatedpair.com/blog/" target="_blank">Erica over at A Sophisticated Pair</a>. I tried the Liliana in 30HH, the Betty in 30HH, and the Birds of a Feather in 32HH. My immediate thoughts are really positive. I figured I was going to love this brand, and I did. The bras are lovely in person and are really well-made, which is nice because they are also fairly affordable. I expected that I would need a larger cup size and band size in this brand, and I did. My conclusion is that I would fit a 32HH in all the styles I tried. Since I usually wear a 30H in Cleo and a 30HH in other brands, that's 1 band size up and 1-2 cups sizes up. I would recommend most people try a size up from their normal size in this brand. From what I have heard, the bands run tight in the smaller size region and start to run larger in the upper band sizes due to increased stretch, so if you wear a 34/36 band or above, you likely won't need to size up in the band.<br />
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Now let's see the bras...<br />
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Here's the Liliana in 30HH. Liliana has a three-piece balconette construction with padding in the lower two sections. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQzmsUINPqknhvUT8DcZvEC6LJOUB-1kyg8mMg0wGy5WlHnC8FgIwqV2l0xBJ4BhJzZ7Yvx24gVurd6hRDLzwm_-dBeRwz5NNyq0o1qgt5RH6fgwBzOyV_D7eYt0BvJz73TAH76LQkxw/s1600/P1030020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQzmsUINPqknhvUT8DcZvEC6LJOUB-1kyg8mMg0wGy5WlHnC8FgIwqV2l0xBJ4BhJzZ7Yvx24gVurd6hRDLzwm_-dBeRwz5NNyq0o1qgt5RH6fgwBzOyV_D7eYt0BvJz73TAH76LQkxw/s320/P1030020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's too small, but the shape is perfect for my boobs. This bra gives a very rounded shape. It keeps the girls really close to the chest, and as such is pretty minimizing. This bra is going to be GREAT for anyone who wants their boobs to look a bit more subtle but still really rounded.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWQmHskrgKchy9TsiRf1S-om-e0BfiJA3XIqTczRFtzRx7XldJgFo5lG6WPNRYP8zg7Lx0eWkWY4vtziso-juvFPpIGsm6RmVmfUoHyZi-jCn_EO4pxpzaA0j-l5lYVAPDRSBU0h1Euc/s1600/P1030024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWQmHskrgKchy9TsiRf1S-om-e0BfiJA3XIqTczRFtzRx7XldJgFo5lG6WPNRYP8zg7Lx0eWkWY4vtziso-juvFPpIGsm6RmVmfUoHyZi-jCn_EO4pxpzaA0j-l5lYVAPDRSBU0h1Euc/s320/P1030024.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFsBHEAt6vnSFEbs15LNiYpcC1_9xT9nv_LNtdpOMlC-KCAPsOzWs59brtE6vFIEctZYGsmDK5kOJ1HPcPMa516inr1HhLXHmaQVqNL0ZCa8-HVPi6v7IsvRMeaS_rspX_dlET9BhLMc/s1600/P1030022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFsBHEAt6vnSFEbs15LNiYpcC1_9xT9nv_LNtdpOMlC-KCAPsOzWs59brtE6vFIEctZYGsmDK5kOJ1HPcPMa516inr1HhLXHmaQVqNL0ZCa8-HVPi6v7IsvRMeaS_rspX_dlET9BhLMc/s320/P1030022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I actually liked the partially-padded cup construction. I don't dislike padding as much as I once did, but having the top section unpadded really helps minimize that bulk that some of us dislike in padded bras. I had heard that this top section was stretchy, but I didn't find that it had much stretch to it.<br />
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The Liliana won't work for those who need deep cups and a lot of projection. It's just cut too shallow for that shape. If you have shallower boobs and like the 'purple shape', try the Liliana.<br />
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Next up, the Betty in 30HH. This bra has a half-cup construction with vertical seams--a shape guaranteed to give lots of uplift and never look pointy. Unlike most half-cups that have two seams, the Betty just has one:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kI6PyEARFMlk3tLFhfBzyS3cEyUCkwLqROLxu-uLtCDt1YXoScuw7LfkZ7keEdzRcpHQ-tytUrIeW9h4TTm0_x063QwK6XFfPxJEdll9n1nNVuWbKwsA2RyZB1UbLCaLX9Kq6VeDKow/s1600/P1030011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kI6PyEARFMlk3tLFhfBzyS3cEyUCkwLqROLxu-uLtCDt1YXoScuw7LfkZ7keEdzRcpHQ-tytUrIeW9h4TTm0_x063QwK6XFfPxJEdll9n1nNVuWbKwsA2RyZB1UbLCaLX9Kq6VeDKow/s320/P1030011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apologies about the antique mirror.</td></tr>
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Again, this bra is one cup size too small, but the shape works for me.<br />
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It's so uplifting that it almost works as a strapless (and no, my boobs aren't self-supporting):<br />
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Half-cups typically work best for full-on-top boobs because the upper tissue can sit outside the cup. Those with full-on-bottom boobs can still get awesome cleavage in half-cups but might need to size up. I think the Betty will work for both types.<br />
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Like the Liliana, it is somewhat minimizing, so it's good for those of us who like that. Because of the nice cleavage it gives, though, this one will also appeal to those who like to give their boobs more visual oomph. In terms of size I think it runs about the same as Curvy Kate's Thrill Me and Tease Me half-cups--in other words, a little small.<br />
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It's cuter in person than it looks online, with the ruffle detail and cool modern-looking flowers. In this colorway, it's almost a little too twee for my tastes, but it's going to be coming out in red/black and a blue shade next season. I think I'll find myself tempted by the blue.<br />
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Next, I tried the Birds of a Feather bra in 32HH.<br />
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This one was the perfect size and fit, but didn't work for my shape. It has a full-cup construction with a side support panel, and like the Liliana the bottom sections are padded. Full-cup constructions usually don't work for full-on-top boobs because the upper tissue tends to make them look pointy (a topic I'll be posting about later this week), but sometimes they can succeed with a side-support panel. This one didn't have quite enough lift to avoid the pointy look on me, and also had some extra space I couldn't fill at the bottom:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dKoaDJ12ffeDSNkLQs_hOvBKv6ENKibe53QKj-Rm0r8YQ3mIUu_6968OUuqZ12tqkY9B8RH1dVBVmldlBZ_1Y2-VnmB0NXEgQCiQDX3nbgjUhC2_G03z6Qt1w9tfVcz-EXnHSaKQ5DM/s1600/P1030032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dKoaDJ12ffeDSNkLQs_hOvBKv6ENKibe53QKj-Rm0r8YQ3mIUu_6968OUuqZ12tqkY9B8RH1dVBVmldlBZ_1Y2-VnmB0NXEgQCiQDX3nbgjUhC2_G03z6Qt1w9tfVcz-EXnHSaKQ5DM/s320/P1030032.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need this much lift.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEwi1upXqHLSnOL0FdqimQsTTA5XWeTLCb0eA6VcwRj6pY-8-tv1ij8YLyUQSRDnmCITZFzB6rkstNAkcNNGJs_fNqSWVJBvuermc3dhmaOQaBydimVgIL19B0yeAOB2gm7Ge0on0g-Y/s1600/P1030033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEwi1upXqHLSnOL0FdqimQsTTA5XWeTLCb0eA6VcwRj6pY-8-tv1ij8YLyUQSRDnmCITZFzB6rkstNAkcNNGJs_fNqSWVJBvuermc3dhmaOQaBydimVgIL19B0yeAOB2gm7Ge0on0g-Y/s320/P1030033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If I had less upper tissue, though, my boobs would curve back in a different place, which would eliminate the pointy look. This bra will likely work better for full-on-the-bottom ladies. It also has a little too much depth for me, so there's a bit of empty space where my boobs are too shallow to fill the cups. So women who have more depth and projection to their boob will fare better with the Birds of a Feather bra, even though the Liliana probably won't work for them.<br />
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Overall I'm really happy with Tutti Rouge's launch. They started right off going up to a HH cup in all their bras, which fills my heart with joy. Since they run a little small in the cups, I hope to see them expand up to K or higher in the future, and with their clear enthusiasm to go to higher cup sizes straight off, I'm guessing they probably will at some point. I also like the fact that Tutti Rouge offers a range of different constructions and cuts so that different shapes will be able to wear the brand. Trying this brand felt sort of like the way I WANTED to feel trying Curvy Kate for the first time (sorry, Curvy Kate--expect a post about THAT next week!). I'd recommend Tutti Rouge (in a cup size up!) to fans of Cleo and Freya who want to expand their horizons.Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-16453763818688421472013-08-26T07:54:00.000-07:002013-08-26T07:54:00.244-07:00Curvy Kate "Desire" Multiway Bra ReviewDue to the miserable lack of options for multiway bras above a G cup, I was understandably excited to see Curvy Kate coming out with a bra that can be worn as a halter or cross-back. When I found the Desire for sale cheaply in a 28J, I decided to try it out.<br />
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I knew I would need an extender with the 28 back as I am more like a 30HH or 32H in Curvy Kate now. Even with an extender, this is a small 28 band.<br />
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The bra doesn't come with an additional strap to become the halter strap. Rather, the normal straps are long enough so that one can be made into a halter strap. Although I worried the straps were too easily adjustable and thus would slide out of shape, I didn't find that to be a problem.<br />
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The bra is very low in the armpits, which I know some of you will like, and others will dislike.<br />
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Beyond these factors, though, I'm very sorry to say that the Desire is <b>disastrous</b>. And not just disastrous on me; the bra itself has a MAJOR issue that will need to be corrected before this bra can be remotely marketable.<br />
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You can see from the front that the bra looks to be a pretty good fit. The gore is nice and low but lies flat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCuGcGOIUL4g5fsxvRnKx3nJany5TjrlRBlvEBNHwD3JymeI5XhHeyhiNWZnqUU5wm_bLxDUG4LV5SJZ3lsFz2TdXZb36Xv4_KlRO2xxR2GTw8aQ4QqXhAGjbBKgk_QdKHXcgh0AJ4Qg/s1600/P1020973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCuGcGOIUL4g5fsxvRnKx3nJany5TjrlRBlvEBNHwD3JymeI5XhHeyhiNWZnqUU5wm_bLxDUG4LV5SJZ3lsFz2TdXZb36Xv4_KlRO2xxR2GTw8aQ4QqXhAGjbBKgk_QdKHXcgh0AJ4Qg/s320/P1020973.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The issue arises when you look at the side view. Somehow the foam in the padding is distorted. It squishes in about an inch from the top edge, and then flares out. Even with my aggressive upper fullness, my boobs can't fill that huge flare at the top when they are being squished in just an inch underneath.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtzu432et-m6ssk3XG6X0j9N31cWctArXhdhwHK1BaLul9zF6nOiDnmbk-4kyIX_hbw3agJamXJ5HzT6AkgZTh3PiggJom9pfT9N36YGsKW3tM_eCVaQdp6suf_TuvCPDSVQoBznj5_A/s1600/P1020978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtzu432et-m6ssk3XG6X0j9N31cWctArXhdhwHK1BaLul9zF6nOiDnmbk-4kyIX_hbw3agJamXJ5HzT6AkgZTh3PiggJom9pfT9N36YGsKW3tM_eCVaQdp6suf_TuvCPDSVQoBznj5_A/s320/P1020978.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indicating the place where the foam squishes inward</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtER3-FGg0WHmVkFnfQmJJdW9kkmyBH6XYjPSXnkb2JjUyLo3tVhFCE7V0RTCGQXKaWHL0r6l7Fk2VeJMGEqMHGu3O5V9Ji4DPe-_nDkZxRkCNSNdeafizxVqhYEllw99i-CXGKRk6_bU/s1600/P1020981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtER3-FGg0WHmVkFnfQmJJdW9kkmyBH6XYjPSXnkb2JjUyLo3tVhFCE7V0RTCGQXKaWHL0r6l7Fk2VeJMGEqMHGu3O5V9Ji4DPe-_nDkZxRkCNSNdeafizxVqhYEllw99i-CXGKRk6_bU/s320/P1020981.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better view of the edge flaring out</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXACiWbnGdJTmDXURnY-MwrR1cqkzwhFB6bW965KqH1_H6VVJ9mL5MpaoV3NDGTYiboiApkIYkHTECt1AOZCeCWC1Ye7RyEDC37L_7XcjwOXQDViyRI-v3SAv7oaSBSaka-UkVqqieGMY/s1600/P1020982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXACiWbnGdJTmDXURnY-MwrR1cqkzwhFB6bW965KqH1_H6VVJ9mL5MpaoV3NDGTYiboiApkIYkHTECt1AOZCeCWC1Ye7RyEDC37L_7XcjwOXQDViyRI-v3SAv7oaSBSaka-UkVqqieGMY/s320/P1020982.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best photo I captured of the overall distorted shape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm pretty baffled by this shape snafu. I'm sure this is not how Curvy Kate INTENDED for the cups to be shaped, because this is not a shape that will work for anyone. Check out <a href="http://voluptuouslythin.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/desire-by-curvy-kate-review/" target="_blank">another review of this bra from a blogger with a completely different shape</a> to witness how problematic this issue is. It also suggests that I didn't just get a 'dud', but rather than this is a persistent issue--at least in the upper cup size range. I'm really hopeful that Curvy Kate will take quick steps to resolve this. As is, I can't even re-sell the bra in good conscience because I very much doubt it will work for anyone. Instead, I'm going to try to do some alterations on the bra to make it work. I still really want a halter bra just to have the pressure moved to a different place on my shoulders on some days, and I'm wondering if taking a dart in the top of the cup could help with the shape. I'll update when I've figured something out.<br />
<br />
Has anyone else tried this bra? Has anyone tried it and NOT had this issue? Let us know in the comments.<br />
<br />
<br />Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-28067980278462372922013-08-19T13:20:00.001-07:002013-08-19T17:55:53.370-07:00Freya "Patsy" Padded Half Cup (H-cup!) Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm back :)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Freya recently made a (very quiet) decision to extend the sizes of their padded half-cup bras to H (previously they only went to G). I was thrilled to hear this, because the vertical-seam design of the padded half-cups is perfect for giving a round shape. Since Freya's balconettes tend to give a pointy shape on lots of people, I was happy to see them giving more attention to a better seam structure. Unfortunately, <a href="http://www.missunderpinnings.com/2013/08/curve-ny-freya-springsummer-2014_7.html" target="_blank">Miss Underpinnings recently reported</a> that (after only about a week of these bras being available in H-cups) they're already limiting the number of bras that will have this extended size range for next season. Boo, Freya. Don't be frightened of adding a mere TWO cup sizes to a successful shape. We want these bras and we will buy them if you make them. I'm hoping my review can highlight the fact that these bras are here, they work, and they're great! If we all go and buy one, maybe Freya will see that there is indeed demand for this shape up to H cups. That's my shameless plug.</div>
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To start with, I've always loved the design of the Patsy but never bought the unpadded balconette because it's famous for giving a very pointy shape. I always lusted after the half-cup, but wasn't sure if I could take in a 34G to make it work. I love the new "Ballet Pink" color, the first to go to H, and couldn't buy it fast enough. I decided in the end to get a 32H instead of a 30H, because I was afraid these would run a little small in the cups. (The band doesn't matter much to me because I've recently gained weight and a 32 band is fine for me now, though I've preferred a 30 in the past.)</div>
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I was right that the cups run a little small, and the 32H was perfect for me in the cups. I'd recommend going up a cup size if you have a lot of upper volume or if you are usually between sizes. For those with lower fullness who are consistently the same cup size, normal cup size should be okay. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLc2mgudXLTi0eSmlZIB_bC9XDO1sTOuxkbZA5fGdFhPTugcufDGKs96EZCac4u7anMwC1drKjHzA2F8t4LVwh47w6XBnLKVnR6lHU2Waz8wrFdBOLSN_6DEmf2xb1hT9nPNLukcdBws/s1600/P1020957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLc2mgudXLTi0eSmlZIB_bC9XDO1sTOuxkbZA5fGdFhPTugcufDGKs96EZCac4u7anMwC1drKjHzA2F8t4LVwh47w6XBnLKVnR6lHU2Waz8wrFdBOLSN_6DEmf2xb1hT9nPNLukcdBws/s320/P1020957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The gore on this bra does NOT lay flat on me. This is not ideal, but also not unexpected as Freya is not known to have the strongest wires. I don't mind very much because my boobs are firm enough to not slip around, and in some ways it actually makes the bra more comfortable. However, if you are a perfectionist about gores lying flat, or if you have boobs that tend to spill over into the middle, the gore in these higher cup sizes may be an issue to be aware of.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vwL4c8k9bxUHukQ3DCKi4bSSa6DPxZcRMN34kCzAGtA3OmADDpgPUso6NLVL8TlSQW1uTe9hzJqGMpyjFMOBbQ0RjK0jy6cvFNvQEbsT8fUPl3yfcUmU17cpHIG-7haz1YufxCqcntk/s1600/P1020958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vwL4c8k9bxUHukQ3DCKi4bSSa6DPxZcRMN34kCzAGtA3OmADDpgPUso6NLVL8TlSQW1uTe9hzJqGMpyjFMOBbQ0RjK0jy6cvFNvQEbsT8fUPl3yfcUmU17cpHIG-7haz1YufxCqcntk/s320/P1020958.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
The shape from the side is stellar, exactly what I look for. The Patsy (and by extension, the Freya padded half-cup shape in general) gives a bit more lift than Cleo's Juna-based half-cups or Curvy Kate's Showgirl half-cups. It is less low-slung than those and consequently a little less minimizing, but still holds everything closer to home than most balconettes do.<br />
<br />
As you can see, the underwires are a little less wide than many British bras in this size range. They're not as narrow as most Polish bras, though.<br />
<br />
The padding is thin, which I'm glad about. However, when combined with the patterned mesh overlay, it's also a little 'rustle-y'.<br />
<br />
I love how the pattern is continued on the straps and around the entire band. It's such a cute bra, just the thing I've been hoping to own for years.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqGFzsuWOtEpU8NpethXICtRuF-96wZ4kwxJWp50Sa1ta3hSgRIru6KCmE7JE0MOP8ZC21eli159wEAs-JqIGPVft7YMv4XHUek23vlNWS7SUpPNkzAr_cqE2-aop1ZdxD_uElhMBrfg/s1600/P1020959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqGFzsuWOtEpU8NpethXICtRuF-96wZ4kwxJWp50Sa1ta3hSgRIru6KCmE7JE0MOP8ZC21eli159wEAs-JqIGPVft7YMv4XHUek23vlNWS7SUpPNkzAr_cqE2-aop1ZdxD_uElhMBrfg/s320/P1020959.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
As you can see from the above photo, the apex this bra gives me is a bit low (which matches my natural apex, actually, but looks slightly different from the visual apex I get in Cleo bras). This supports my theory that the Patsy half-cup may actually work for both upper AND lower fullness. Half-cups often work only for those with upper fullness and gape on those with lower fullness, but I feel that the Patsy could work well for both. For those without upper fullness, the shape will curve back in where the bra ends, giving an uplifted round shape. For those with upper fullness, the shape ends up being a little longer and lower--actually mimicking the real shape of full-on-top boobs. I'm kind of into this.<br />
<br />
One more note about this bra, though. It is VERY shallow. Those who have a lot of projection and need deep cups will not find this bra serves them well.<br />
<br />
If anyone else has tried the Patsy half-cup up to H, or even in the previously existing lower sizes, let us know in the comments if it worked for your shape!</div>
Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-67227677845711806472013-07-13T09:39:00.001-07:002013-07-13T09:39:56.629-07:00Guest Post: Enell Sports Bra Review<i>You might remember my mom's guest post in which she <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-sports-bra-revolution-guest-post.html" target="_blank">shared her experiences with various sports bras. </a>She mentioned in that post that she had recently ordered an Enell sports bra, and many readers requested a full review. Ask and you shall receive! Here's her review of the Enell.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAv38s4hL20p2NNQ1GQvpEkDMPi82cGcXDDhtQobl13b6V_c_tHnGDI-f0_MJGZMK756jXzslkkaoKaqcjlgmGu9apla7BliWp4rlekOx9uj9GtKaJnDYadqF9s0hUFldo8pfAs4d63pY/s1600/000_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAv38s4hL20p2NNQ1GQvpEkDMPi82cGcXDDhtQobl13b6V_c_tHnGDI-f0_MJGZMK756jXzslkkaoKaqcjlgmGu9apla7BliWp4rlekOx9uj9GtKaJnDYadqF9s0hUFldo8pfAs4d63pY/s320/000_0617.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPL5b0DBnSa5X8YkhSkW0uP3BhY1au6oYZCgCYuzEBlUDQUUuI9U7TcgFhM-Qk9Zx1z30534cU-2OZmJy3ibYmc_OUVPWahTxsBPT_ewzFWyEfreWAX6Z2Q241u-MTkdaL18rfnVv2pA/s1600/000_0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPL5b0DBnSa5X8YkhSkW0uP3BhY1au6oYZCgCYuzEBlUDQUUuI9U7TcgFhM-Qk9Zx1z30534cU-2OZmJy3ibYmc_OUVPWahTxsBPT_ewzFWyEfreWAX6Z2Q241u-MTkdaL18rfnVv2pA/s320/000_0619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW5LgTVmazWOWHCqFoEFWNVq1vYtCz5moSUpR0LEXAsFxFZ-5k-sPvhcPcPWQZq0gxUBrtENLs7-HT3VqwCmExBxbDB0ZpZravJYCSgfPwEcFTB-_RN4pChASEXeusfiW0eTL90PBuMM/s1600/000_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW5LgTVmazWOWHCqFoEFWNVq1vYtCz5moSUpR0LEXAsFxFZ-5k-sPvhcPcPWQZq0gxUBrtENLs7-HT3VqwCmExBxbDB0ZpZravJYCSgfPwEcFTB-_RN4pChASEXeusfiW0eTL90PBuMM/s320/000_0620.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I wore my new Enell Sport bra for several trail and road
runs. I forgot I was wearing a bra. More accurately, I forgot all about bras
and chests. I just ran.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The
Enell—which, <a href="http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-sports-bra-revolution-guest-post.html" target="_blank">I reported before</a>, suffers the unfair moniker of “Last Resort Bra”
in the Title Nine Sports catalog—passes two acid tests. First, it holds my
breasts close to the body so that they don’t bounce all over the place. (They
still bounce. Breasts always will bounce a little. Anyone who says otherwise I
challenge to a duel.) </div>
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<br /></div>
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Second, the
Enell does not chafe, even after several miles of sweaty running.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Whenever I
put on this bra, I laugh that I have gone backwards in time to the corset.
That’s a joke that only a modern woman could make; in fact, it resembles a
corset in length and front-hooks only. I realize that I know nothing of how my
ancestors must have suffered. Corsets obviously were terribly constricting, and
this bra is anything but that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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But make no
mistake: the Enell holds yo in for high-impact sports. It isn’t the sort of bra
you’d wear all day at your desk, although you might be able to get away with it
for half a day before you realized you were wearing a top with 12 hooks and
eyes. Getting dressed into the Enell takes longer than hooking up any other bra
I could mention. But it’s worth it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I wear a
32E or sometimes 34DD these days. In an Enell sport bra, I choose size 1. The
sizes go from 00 to 8, which means that this bra takes seriously its mission to
help real women with real chests to real sports. I’d ignore the corresponding
commercial bra sizes in the chart and stick to the bust and rib cage
measurements as your guide. Oddly, the size chart never goes above a DDD in the
cup size, which irritates me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Because
of this size-chart vagueness, I worry that this bra is not
sized for those with small rib cages and large breasts. Or that the size chart
is misleading. So I suggest trying on a few for size. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Remember,
because it’s a sports bra, it is designed to give a bit. You are going to
breathe hard when you run or jump for the volleyball net. The “give” cleverly
remains in the back with wide criss-crossing elastics hidden beneath the
fabric. The front of the bra has no elastic but does have seams, so the breasts
are resting comfortably in those cages as I like to call them, without bouncing
either out the bottom or up the front.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A
final word: I’ve lost weight since I bought my Enell—about 9 pounds. I don’t
think I’ve gone down a size in my bras, but when I looked at these photos of me
now, in the Enell, I see some extra fabric there. But it doesn't affect its
support. There’s room in the bra to grow a bit without losing out on its
wonderful, unobtrusive ability to reign me in for a good run.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-27623364072168727372013-06-23T17:57:00.001-07:002013-08-19T16:08:10.004-07:00Let's Just Figure Out Cup Size For Starters<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">In
the past few weeks, I’ve read a bunch of articles in which we can see that the bra
blogosphere has begun to infiltrate popular media, and it seems to really
confuse people. See, for instance, this Jezebel article <a href="http://jezebel.com/are-bras-from-outer-space-why-cant-we-figure-out-bras-512926656" target="_blank">"Are Bras From Outer Space? Why Can't We Figure Out Bras?"</a> The article was <a href="http://jezebel.com/bras-are-not-from-outer-space-and-we-can-totally-figure-513131539" target="_blank">followed up as well.</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Here's <a href="http://observer.com/2013/06/bra-sizing-confusion-system-average-american-breast-size/" target="_blank">another example from the Observer.</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">The New York Times <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/business/a-new-step-in-wrestling-with-the-bra.html" target="_blank">also recently ran an article about Jockey</a>. I have to say the media
blitz surrounding this frustrates me a little. Jockey is not a brand that I am super
familiar with because it’s not one of the brands that’s ACTUALLY been quietly
working towards better sizing for years. Okay, they created a new sizing system. Cool.
But Freya, Panache, Curvy Kate have been doing it for years without ever getting
this kind of exposure. Still, it's good to see bra sizes getting more exposure--one woman mentioned in the article wears a 32H, and there's no backhanded comment about that being a "huge" size. I'll try to find out more about how the Jockey sizing performs on larger cup sizes when I have more time on my hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">But most frustrating are articles I'd characterize as "backlash." Check out this one: <a href="http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/05/stop-telling-us-we8217re-wearing-the-wrong-size-bra.html" target="_blank">"Stop Telling Us We're Wearing the Wrong Bra Size." </a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It really upsets me when people <span style="background-color: #fbfbfa;">seem to believe that proper bra fitting is “a scam” designed to fool women and drive sales. By all means, if you truly believe this is all a big marketing scam, just continue to wear the size you’re wearing—if you’re happy enough in a size that you're unwilling to question it, then I’m going to respect you enough to believe that it is a size that works for you. But you also have to accept that tons and tons and tons of people have NEVER had the privilege of feeling like that. When your boobs are <b>actually</b> too big for the standard 32-38 A-DD sizes, and you’ve tried on hundreds of bras and maybe found two that sort of work if you readjust constantly throughout the day, you’re going to be pretty predisposed to be open to questioning your size. Before I got fitted properly, my ill-fitting 36C didn’t really feel right. I didn’t BELIEVE in my heart that I could be bigger than a C, but when I read an article in Oprah suggesting that I go down a band size and up a couple cup sizes, I switched to a 34DD because I knew something was wrong. I was pretty sure that was the right size for me, but I still could hardly ever find a bra in that size that fit, because I was convinced that most bras just sucked. (That’s a symptom, folks! If you think bras suck, try a radically different size.) So then I allowed my friend to drag me to a bra boutique, which fitted me into a 30GG. Boom, life made sense. No more constant readjustment. <b>It’s not a scam.</b> Some people really do need sizes that are not served by mainstream companies.</span><span style="background-color: #fbfbfa;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa;">As always, I enjoyed seeing the author of the backlash article get lampooned in the comments by like-minded souls: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">"Maybe you're just cranky because your bra
doesn't fit. Adding inches to determine band size is outdated and inaccurate."</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">"This is the dumbest thing I have ever read. I
imagine the author does not have large breasts. The difference between a proper
fitting bra and an ill-fitting bra is night and day if you have large boobs.
The reason why so many women are wearing the wrong size is because the lingerie
industry tries to squeeze women into a limited number of sizes so they don't
have to stock large numbers of sizes. Many women don't even realize a better
fitting size exists… The reason people need to keep hearing about this stat is
because too many women think a bra is SUPPOSED to be uncomfortable and painful
at the end of the day and they are NOT."</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">"A correctly fitting bra does so much more than
"make elements of your life pleasant"! It improves posture, can
improve the shape and firmness of the breast both in the bra and out, should
not cause discomfort or chafing unlike the wrong size... it can heal
decades-long insecurity issues about your breasts. It's all-around better for a
woman physically and emotionally to wear the right size bra. It absolutely IS a
revelation when you find a perfect bra. It seems you are yet to find your right
size... when that happens, you will know what we all mean by
"revelation". </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Please don't write an arrogant article about
something which you know nothing about."</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">--And yes, by the way. Getting the right bra fit can reverse aging because your boobs will get better shaped and less saggy when you’re no longer smashing them down against your chest in cups that are nine sizes too small. They’ll recover from the damage over time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">But
I do understand that for your average woman who has never been exposed to bra
fitting, it can be kind of confusing. I think the confusion often stems from
the band size issue which so many bloggers (including me, of course!) are
passionate about. But the biggest issue for people in the G+ range (especially
those who don’t know yet that they are in that range) is really CUP SIZE. Going
down a bunch of band sizes will accomplish nothing in terms of fit UNLESS the
cups are big enough. If anything, sizing down in the band before you find big
enough cups will make small cups seem even smaller, and make the subject even
more confused. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">So
if you don’t have a clear idea on what size you are, you’re reading blogs and think
36DDD might not really be your size—focus first on cups. When you finally try
on a bra with cups big enough, you will realize, if you haven't already, why bra fitting is so important
to women in the blogosphere. And then, with that figured out, you can go down
in the band until it feels stable and doesn’t ride up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><b>Here
are the signs that you need a bigger cup size. </b>Keep going up, up, up until ALL
of these disappear!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Obvious visual signs like a bulge where the bra meets your
boobs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. When you press the center gore (the part between the cups)
flush to your body, the cups start to seem smaller, even if they “fit”
otherwise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-indent: -0.25in;">You’re wearing the largest size you can *<b>find</b><b>* </b>because it’s the largest size you
could find, rather than because the next size up was too large.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; text-indent: -0.25in;">4. You have to readjust or tuck your boobs back in often
throughout the day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">5. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-indent: -0.25in;">When you reach into the bra and lift your boobs up into the
cups, the cups suddenly seem smaller. This process is called “swooping and
scooping” and is meant to make sure all your breast tissue is inside the bra
cups.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; text-indent: -0.25in;">6. Your boobs look or feel somehow out of proportion, like
they don’t really match your body. This is a more personal one for me, and I’ve
heard other women mention feeling like this as well before they got into big
enough cups. Wearing too-small cups, especially with a too-big band, can cause
your boobs to sit lower on your body, which can obscure your waist and make you
feel like your body is hidden.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #fbfbfa; text-indent: -0.25in;">7. If you feel like your boobs are a huge hassle and are kind
of taking over your life—try bigger cups!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">To
ensure that you’ve found the proper size, keep going up until you find a cup
size that is <b>too big</b> and wrinkles
even after you scoop everything in and adjust the straps. Once you’ve found a
cup that’s too big, try one size smaller. That’s your cup size! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">As for band size, try measuring your underbust. Add 2 to that measurement if you prefer a less-tight band, add 0 if you want a tight band. Voila, that's your band size. If
you change your band size after figuring out your cup size, remember that every
time you go down a band size, you have to go up a cup size to get the same cup
volume, because cups are proportional to bands. This limited conversion chart
will help you get the idea. (E is the same as the American size DDD.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">40F=38FF=36G=34GG=32H=30HH=28J<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">40E=38F=36FF=34G=32GG=30H=28HH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">40DD=38E=36F=34FF=32G=30GG=28H<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">40D=38DD=36E=34F=32FF=30G=28GG<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">40C=38D=36DD=34E=32F=30FF=28G<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-706716744772949852.post-85133382047046237752013-06-15T09:49:00.000-07:002013-06-15T09:49:49.700-07:00My Friend's Fitting Experience
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">Recently
I had my first experience of actually fitting someone into a better bra size.
It might surprise you to know that I’ve never done that before! Instead, I’ve
referred people to the shop near where I live that does fittings, and I’ve
helped many people online. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">It
can be hard to fit someone in person because most of us don’t have a ton of
bras in random sizes lying around. I happened to have an old 32E Deco that was
once my sister’s before her size changed, and I suspected that it might be
around the range of my friend's size. I think it helps a lot to have at least one bra
in the general area of what you think your friend might need. Otherwise, a
fitting would be best accomplished in stages—first do a preliminary measurement
and chat, then try ordering a few potential sizes from a website that offers
free shipping. Depending on your friend’s size range, you might also be able to
find bras for her to try in a store like Victoria’s Secret, Marshall’s, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">My friend came in wearing a 34C. She told me she often wears bras in B, C, or D cups and
just buys them without trying them on, so she was getting a lot of
inconsistency in her fit and was uncomfortable. One major complaint was the
sensation of her band moving around throughout the day. Her underbust measured
33’’, but because of her complaint about the 34 band feeling loose, I figured
she would be happier in a 32 band, so that’s what I suggested. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">We also experimented with measuring for cup size and entering the measurements into good online bra size calculators, like the one at <a href="http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/bracalculator.htm" target="_blank">Sophisticated Pair</a> or <a href="http://www.curvesandcorsets.com/bra-sizing" target="_blank">Curves and Corsets</a>. These calculators did suggest similar sizes to what my friend ended up in, but it can be really hard to tell how a size will fit someone from a straight cup size measurement. That's why it's still important to do a fitting in stages, ultimately providing options to try something on. If you don't have any bras for your friend to try, using one of these calculators is a good first step. Then you or your friend can order bras in several sizes--the suggested cup size, one size smaller, one size bigger, etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">My friend reads my blog and said her boobs have lower fullness. Because of that, I knew
the Deco might not be the perfect shape, but I had her try it on anyway. At
first she thought it was way too big in the cups, but then I taught her to “swoop
and scoop”, which she’s never done before. After doing that, the cups changed
from looking way too big, to looking like a near-perfect fit with just a tiny
bit of gapping! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">My
conclusion is that she will probably want to wear a 32E in bras that don’t run
big. (Deco runs one cup size large, so the 32E that was slightly too big is the
equivalent of a 32F in many other bras.) After an initial fitting, especially
with someone who hasn’t swooped and scooped before, there will likely be some
tissue migration—breast tissue that has been squashed into the armpits by
wearing poorly fitted bras will gradually become part of the breast again. So
once this has occurred, a 32F may be the perfect size for her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #FBFBFA; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">The
real takeaway for me is the importance of emphasizing the “swoop and scoop”
method. I’d never realized how much it needs to be emphasized, as it always
seemed intuitive to me and I always did it even when I was wearing a 34DD. But
now I realize that lots of people wouldn’t think to do it, and it can make a
really huge difference in the size you need. If you don’t lift your boobs up
into the bra and pull in all the tissue, you can damage your boobs over time—being
pressed down like that day after day will eventually lead to loss of elasticity
(commonly known as sagging). If the bottom of your breast touches your torso at
all INSIDE the bra, that’s a sure sign you need to lift it up so that it is
fully supported by the bra. Once you’ve done that, the cups of the bra may seem
smaller—a sign that you need bigger cups!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bras I Hatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692999972337398680noreply@blogger.com3