Bra fitting help » Cups are too pointy and have vertical wrinkles
Freya » Pollyanna Plunge Balcony Bra (5922) » 28F 28:7
Issue resolved
This was also pointed out to me the other day by Frederika Zappe (Freya's fit specialist), the cups just don't work for me and are sitting in the wrong spot. I simply just don't have the right shape for this style as brought out by the suggestions.
Original problem
Cups are too pointy and have vertical wrinkles (may not be noticeable in the photos because if I stand with my shoulders back it takes this away but it's extremely uncomfortable). Band slides up in back but also pinches in the front. Leaves red marks all over. The only way it looks halfway decent is if I tighten the band all the way and raise it higher in the back than in the front, shorten the straps as much as possible and move them towards my shoulders. But it just doesn't sit right. Cups are both too small and too big it seems. The band is more than tight enough even though it rides up. After just a few minutes of wear, the cup fabric sags and looks bumpy. (Not sure why it looks way more rounded in the photo than what I'm describing, but it's never given a round look) Any help/suggestions offered is much appreciated!
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Suggestions (5)
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5
helpful
Freya bras have a tendency to be fairly deep and also demand a lot of roundness, and from what I can see you have a fairly large base but not so much depth. I think Freya just might not be the brand for you. The wrinkles you describe also supports this. Those wrinkles are classical for someone in a Freya bra that just doesn't have Freya boobs. Try some of the Panache brands (Panache, Cleo, Masquerade) or Curvy Kate or Flirtelle, they should fit you better in the cups.
Also, about the band, I can see two main reasons. The first one is that the wires still are flat, which means that all extra space goes to the front which makes it feel tighter than it really is. However, what I really wonder is if you just don't have a too straight back for Freya? Their bands are very curved, which means that if you have a straight back they are tight at the bottom but loose at the top which makes them slide up.
Since you seam to be a fairly small 28 I would suggest Curvy Kate Angel, it is similar to Pollyanna, but has a wider wire and shallower cup plus, it is very tight for a 28-band. Curvy Kate Ella could also be good.
Updated on November 22, 2011 Flag this
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What did you mean about the wires being flat? Aren't they supposed to be?
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There are stores in the US starting to get them in. Check www.curvykate.com for stores, they are launching them there now. Apart from that www.brastop.com have a big cheap selection.
I'm a bit bigger than you in the band, but very straight in my ribcage, I still find many bras in 28-backs too big in the back. However, until you have tried smaller bras this is hard to tell. Just one size off is usually very hard to notice. I had the exact same style, colour, and size and mine was one of the tighter 28-banded bras I've tried. I also get the fabric sticking out on Freya Deco, and that is usually a sign of the bra being very big in the band, but also that you are too straight in your ribcage. If you were more conical the tension would be more equal at the top part of the band and the bottom part.
You cannot really use an upperbust measurement since it's nearly impossible to measure it without boobs affecting the number you get, plus it's hard to get it straight across.
Not all Curvy Kate bras are tight in the back. Angel and Ella is however very tight. All Showgirl are big, so are also Emily. Portia and Princess is small to regular.
Yes, and no. Your ribcage isn't flat, it is round. Therfor the wires have to bend to fit you. When a bra have been worn a lot the wire have usually bent according to the body. As long as the wire is flat the end of the wire will try to push away from the body and the band will try to keep it close. That brings extra tightness to the back, and extra looseness at the wire ends.
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Oh, you mean around? I thought you meant vertically. Do you mean conical as a cone right side up or inverted? If you could see me from the back you can see just how much my back tapers out as you get to just under my arms. I should clarify the upperbust measurement is 31" without a bra, but 33" with one on. The tape was level all around. You just have to pull it a little firmer over breast tissue. Thank you for the links =)
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helpfulIf the band is riding up, it is too big. I know that you find all bands to feel too tight, but riding up means too big, period. And with a too-big band, the cups are not pulled into the right shape, so you won't get a good fit. It's hard to evaluate the cups when the band is too loose.
Some people can't wear Freya, and I am one of them. You mentioned to me that you don't have a lot of top fullness, and that is probably the cause of the vertical wrinkling. Freya cups are cut for lots of top fullness.
Updated on November 21, 2011 Flag this
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2
helpful
Hello! I think you know that the bad news is, this bra doesn't fit you. What I can help you with is why it doesn't fit you.
The band is too big which is the source of many of the problems (not all 28 bands are created equal and the Polyanna/Faye styles are big in the band).
The other problem is that this bra is designed for a tall person. I don't know how tall you are but the wide set straps are what are causing the vertical lines in the cups which make them feel too big, but the cup is too small, causing the quadraboob. As you pull the straps in to fit your shoulders it changes where the cup sits. The fact that you're having to shorten the straps so much is an indication that this bra is designed for a taller person.
A lot of brands are guilty of not taking into consideration height as well as bust size. You should look for straps set closer together, this is tough in a 28 back.
Rest assured there is nothing wrong with your figure (you have an amazing shape) you just have to find the right style as well as size. Hope that helps xx
Updated on November 21, 2011 Flag this
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=) Thank you for the advice!! How do you tell which bras are for petite and which aren't? (I'm 5'4")
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Petite friendly brands usually have straps that are set closer in (they come out of the centre top of the cup not the side) These are hard to find and impossible in tiny backs big cups. I am flying to the UK next week to meet with Panache and ask them to create a line of petite friendly D-K cup bras because it's such a widespread problem. Jeunique and Prima Donna are petite friendly but don't do your size. Ewa Michalak (a polish brand we're trying to import) will create 26 bands for about $50USD. You want to make sure you buy bras with Fully Adjustable straps (can be shortened all the way to the front) to account for your height. You have been blessed by mother nature and let down by the manufacturing industry, but things can and are changing :) xx
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It's not necessarily your style but this is a petite friendly bra in your size from Jeunique http://www.jeunique.com/en/pages/bodyfashions/sub_products/300.html You could try and reach them directly.
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helpfulI would suggest a wider underwire in your bra. This one you measured at 5inches while the Panache Cloe that does fit measures at 6 inches. It sounds like you have a problem with too much width causing your breast to not properly fill the front of the bra cup. Think of a wide mouth glass with an orange sitting on the top. The width of the orange keeps it from fitting in the glass even if the volume of the orange would fit in it.
Additionally to this, many Freya styles have a wrinkle in the top of the cup on a woman that does not have a lot of fullness in the upper pole of the breast. It's not just this style, there are many styles that have this wrinkle. Again, I'd suggest a bra that allows for more width to the breast and less forward projection.
Like another poster stated, some people just can't wear Freya bras. I only have one style that I can wear. You may need to stick with Panache and other wider wire styles.Updated on November 21, 2011 Flag this
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helpfulYou definitely need a smaller back band. If a bra rides up at the back, that's because it's too big. Measure your ribcage and wear a band that is as close to this measurement as possible.
It sounds like the Freya shape is wrong for you. I'm afraid you will find it hard obtaining bras with a small back band but have a look as there are some out there. Ewa Michalak can custom-make bras but they are then non-returnable. You might find some on here for sale with small bands.
Plus check out the following blogs: 'Thin and Curvy' and 'Invest In Your Chest', both of which feature reviews of/advice on bras with smaller back bands.
Good luck
Updated on December 29, 2011 Flag this
Thank you for the suggestion! I haven't tried Curvy Kate yet though I want to, I don't think there are any stores in the US who stock them. As for my back, it's not straight at all, it's more of a V. My ribcage is only 24.5-26" (varies if I'm exhaling), yet my upperbust above my boobs, is 33". The only bra from Freya I notice that is too big in the band is the Deco, and I do see on that one the band is looser at the top just under my arm, it sticks out a little. All of the lace styles actually pinch my back fat, you can see a little bit of a bulge on this one. I think if it were taller on the sides that problem would be eliminated.
Are most of the bras from Curvy Kate more of a snug fit compared to other brands?