Karlee Smith- Body Love Snap Bra

When I heard that I had the opportunity to review a Karlee Smith bra I was really excited. I was even more excited that I got to decide which bra I wanted to review. I immediately began browsing through the website to decide. You see, I had a specific set of things I wanted this bra to be able to do for me, some pretty high expectations. I didn’t expect the choice to be so hard! I did not expect to have color options that included patterned fabric. Zippered front closures but also velcro or snap adjusting straps? In the end I went with the Body Love Snap Bra in grey. I have so many reasons for this, all of which I will get to, I promise!

20 weeks pregnant

The biggest reason that I selected a post op bra was because I wanted something that would stretch to accommodate expanding boobs. I was looking for something to be super supportive but flexible.  You see, I wanted this bra to act as a maternity bra. I am happy to report that this bra has seen me from the first trimester of sore pregnancy boobs to a slowly expanding belly and breasts at 20 weeks.

Bra on initial try on

The Karlee Smith website advertises this bra as a full support option for breast augmentation, reduction, mastectomy, or lift patients. It has a 1.5″ wide band below the breasts which is an ideal feature for me. The fabric content is listed on the website as a nylon/lyrca with “all-over, 4 way stretch, body-wicking moisture control fiber blend”. Trust me when I say I have put the stretch and moisture wicking to the test! 

Here is a list of tests that I have put the Body Love Snap Bra through:

Several 48 hour wear tests.

2+ miles of walking in 90 degree heat.

Low impact stretching and weight lifting.

Nightly use as a sleep bra.

Overall grade has been an A for all of these activities!

Initial try on

I’m not sure if you can see the differences in fit between the initial try on and 20 weeks pregnant, but I can. When I first received the bra I was worried that it would not stretch well around what should be growing boobs. Honestly, I was skeptical that it would fit at all since I have large implants.  When I looked at the fit guide I was surprised to see that it is based on your underbust measurement and the standard matrix sizing (like 32DD).  I was skeptical, very skeptical.  So I went to the “Sexy Fit Calculator Bra Guide” to see what it had to say. Again, the band size was listed as 28-32″ for a small (I am between 26-27″ usually) and up to a 32DD.  Well if a DD is a 5 inch difference, 32 plus 5 is 37, which is what my fullest bust measurement is. So I figured the bra should stretch to fit around a 37″ chest. I decided to take my chances and go for it in a size small.

I’ll be honest here, having larger implants (700cc) I wasn’t expecting it to fit. I have not found a single post op bra that fit me both in the band and around the bust. The one provided from both of my surgeries was sized by band size and always much too large under the bust to fit. I came home from my second surgery in a 36 band bra that just wasn’t going to work. I ended up wearing this weird stacked bra contraption with my post op bra under another bra that was small enough to fit in the band and I just left the top hooks open. It was hot and horrible. Not to mention how often the snaps buckled under pressure and burst open. So when this bra fit, was supportive under my breasts, and stayed zipped all night long I was pretty stinking happy.

Bra Details

Here you have the size tag with washing instructions and fabric content. I bit the bullet for you guys and tossed mine in washing machine and line dried it. I figured it would come out all pilly and a mess. No pilling, some color transfer over to the white. I’m satisfied with that!

The snaps allow me to give some different levels of compression as well as allow for growing room. I do have to have the straps snapped when I put it on, it is easier for comfort.  My favorite feature on this bra is the hook and eye at the bottom. I love the fact that I can quickly hook it and then go about zipping. When you are talking about a bra that is designed with some compression that means you’ll have pressure on the zipper as it goes up. The hook and eye allows me to focus on the zipper (using both hands if I need to) and not hold the bottom closed. Post op bra genius right there!

My old sleep bra 😦

Here you have a visual comparison with what I was wearing for a sleep bra previously. This is just a mass produced, superstore available Hanes bralette. There just isn’t much out there for use as a sleep bra.  You can see the huge differences here. More coverage with out being dowdy, thicker straps, back support, side support, wider underband. I’ll be dropping all of these suckers in the rag pile. No need for these anymore!

Initial try on

On to my only complaint, but it is a small one. Nipple coverage. If you were anything like me, early post op you had majorly sensitive nipples that were on GO all the time. The fabric layers are too thin to hide nipples, as is the case with every other post op or sleep bra I have tried. The difference is definitely in the fabric. Even super sensitive pregnancy nipples are happy in this fabric, so while the headlights may be on, they are at least comfortable.

I also want to use this picture to point out the nice even band placement around my ribcage. Also the front is not super high coverage. The adjustable snap straps can be seen through a super thin t-shirt, but the edge seams are invisible. Which brings me to my final point about this bra as a post op bra, seams and digging. There are two seams on the side of the bra under your arms, nothing on the breast. When you have breast swelling you will not have a digging seam on super sensitive breasts. No irritation from seams is a huge plus in my book.

Like I said above, I put this bra through the wringer. I was skeptical and had low expectations with high hopes. I was not disappointed by anything other than the fact that I had my surgery before I was introduced to the Karlee Smith brand and I put up with horrible post op bra solutions. I will continue to wear this bra through pregnancy and either come back and update this post or write a follow up to let you know how it continues to function as a maternity bra. It is by far better than what I used through my first pregnancy, so I have high hopes!

Ewa Michalak SM Różowa Mgiełka Babydoll

Hi everyone! I am super excited to bring you a review of the Ewa Michalak SM Różowa Mgiełka Babydoll and matching full bottom brief. I originally ordered this through Bra Obsessed as a special order. At the time it was not available and there were not plans for production. Well now this beautiful fabric has the entire line ready for purchase! Babydoll, SM bra, 3DM bra, full briefs, and thong. 

It does not get any more girly than this babydoll. To be honest, when I first took it out of the box I thought it was just too much. It has ruffles and poof to spare! But once on, my thoughts changed. It works for me, but I know it will be just too much for some.

Like I said, this is made with a very feminine look in mind. Ruffles on the top of the cups (these are not on the bra), the ruffled bottom that is made in proportion to bandsize, embroidered straps, and little pink bows. It has a set of four hooks and eyes, a nice and firm band. The ribbon is two sections, connected at the seams at the back, and runs the length of the front to the babydoll when tied.  

I found the fit to be standard for an SM in the cups. Obviously the volume was fine for me in a 60H but there is no way for my implants to settle into the lower portion of my  cups. The band is great on me, a nice 60 but not too tight. The bottom starts to flair immediately, good for my currently growing and pregnant belly. This wasn’t what I was looking for when I first purchased it, I thought the flair accentuated the slight belly round I had. Something to consider for you and your body shape.

I was concerned about the ruffled edges on the top of the cups. Looking at how ruffled the bottom was I was expecting so much more ruffle power. The fullness of the top is not nearly to the level of the ruffles on the bottom hem, something I was very happy to see. 

Matching bottoms are very sheer, with the section below the ruffles being a tulle that is more sheer than the remaining fabric of the panties. The same detailing used on the babydoll is continued to the bottoms. The lace used on the waist band is the lace used to line the top edge of the SM and 3DM bra. There is a small section of ruffles on the back of the bottom, with more found on the thong. It’s important to note that the bra does not have the ruffles, so keep that in mind when choosing the style of your bottoms. And of course the little pink bows continue to both bottoms. 

A note on color, I have yellow undertones to my skin. It’s more apparent in the photos than in person, the pink actually goes very well with the yellow tones. I have to be careful with pinks, some pink tones just do not work well for me. 

Baby’s story

Today marks the 7 year anniversary of my first breast augmentation. It seems fitting that I use this date to share the story behind my choice, even as I am still working on understanding it completely.
**trigger warning- I’ll be talking about sexual assault (not rape) and the effects on me. Additionally I’ll be talking about my own body, using terms that I felt at the time. My words toward my own body are just that, my own for me. They are in no way meant to be taken as a statement towards someone else’s body.

Pre surgery, no bra

 

I’ll start by talking a bit about me and then go on to what changed. I was your average petite girl through school. By the time of my high school graduation, I was 5’1.5″ and 94lbs. In some ways I was an early bloomer; puberty started and appeared to end early. Breast buds started in elementary school but never passed that stage. I kept a boyish figure until my early 20’s, then I got a bit of curve to my hips.

Pre surgery, padded bikini top

 

Through school I dealt with the normal comments. “Itty bitty titty committee.” “Why do you bother wearing a bra?” And many more that were much more hurtful that I won’t put into writing. It was during this time that I had a life changing event. (*here’s where the talk about sexual assault starts, just a fair warning.) At the ripe age of 16, dating what was maybe the third person I had dated, I experienced a sexual assault. I was fortunate that it did not progress, but it left me feeling completely disassociated with my breasts. It was focused on my breasts alone.  My words of rejection were not respected. Being only 16 I handled it in the best way I knew how. I told my parents a partial truth and shoved it all aside in the deepest parts of my mind. Little did I know just how much I pushed aside and how this would change my views of my body.

Pre surgery, padded 32AA bra, empty gapping cups.

 

Years later I met the man that I would marry. Along with this came my first positive experiences toward sex and my own sexuality. My ideas about sex changed drastically and quickly, but there was a part still hidden deeply. I can’t express in words what I felt towards my breasts; but it was expressed in an extreme show of modesty, the fear of being seen or touched. I still struggle with modesty and feeling comfortable today.

My feelings of modesty and protection towards my breasts was something my husband respected, but questioned at the same time. It wasn’t until years later, after my first breast augmentation, that I told him some details of what happened to me.

After my first surgery, 397cc mod+

 

While in the military, my path crossed with someone who planned on having their breast augmentation after we returned from deployment. Following on her research I really started to consider it for me. I had initially discounted the idea of surgery as being too painful. However, after a stomach surgery with a long recovery I decided a beast augmentation couldn’t hold a candle on that and it would be worth it to love my breasts. That’s where I made a mistake. I knew I wanted to have a breast augmentation, but I hadn’t come to terms with the why behind the want and why I didn’t love my breasts.

After surgery, with complications

 

Having my surgery was good for me in a few ways. I went for an average implant size in a moderate plus profile. All was good until a few months in and  then it wasn’t. My left breast started bottoming out (settling too low) and the right healed in a way that left it oval shaped instead of round. I was going to need a second surgery. This time I spent a lot more time researching what look I wanted, for me.

The happiest I had been my first implants

With the need to revise in front of me I spent a lot of time looking at different augmented breasts, sizes and shapes. I decided to go with a uhp silicone implant to get the look and size that I wanted. Just three months after my revision I got pregnant. Planned, but earlier than expected. The changes of healing, pregnancy, and breastfeeding all worked to change my relationship with my breasts. I felt like the size was me. Breastfeeding gave them a purpose, pushed me to expose myself at home (an environment I am comfortable in), and forced me to associate with my breasts in a way I hadn’t before. Weaning took this purpose away and left an emptiness.

And today. And I love them.

And here’s where we are now. After weaning I bought my first Polish bras in my new size, and took a look at myself. I wore the same bras in a different size while nursing, but things were different now. During this time my husband was gone for a deployment, it was just me and my own feelings about my body. I guess you could say I did a little bit of soul searching. After a year away, my husband came home. I’ve learned to appreciate a new side to these boobs, the TMI side. 😉 With the movement to normalize breasts, breastfeeding and free the female nipple, the idea of the sexuality of breasts is becoming taboo. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t learn to see and love them for my own sexuality. This slow process has helped me break the remnants and disassociation having my breasts assaulted left behind. I am happy with them now. I love them for what they are. I see their many purposes. I do wonder how the future will change my feelings. A breast augmentation isn’t a one time thing, I know at some point in my life I will have surgery on them again, and hopefully it is many years down the line. My current implants are 4 years old, have been through pregnancy, breastfeeding, weaning, weight gain, weight loss. They have plenty of time left!

Ewa Michalak CHP Myszka

Hey all!! Long time, no post on my part. I won’t bore you with details of life, I know you all know what happens when things get super busy and when a bit of the ‘end of winter blues’ hits.  Anyway, I wanted to chat with you about the Ewa Michalak CHP Myszka. Aka the grey bra of my dreams. The story of this bra started in November when a sneak peek of the bra took my heart and squeezed it. Shortly after was a moment of extreme disappointment on hearing that it wasn’t to be released. What followed was a moment of panic, an email to Jaimie at BraObsessed, then the euphoric news that this bra would be mine.

I received this bra in early January from Bra Obsessed. Now seems like a good time to get the review out as it has changed from a limited run to available for order. I wonder if that means that our vocal response and orders through Bra Obsessed were heard? Jaimie does have some of these left in stock, so if you are super lucky you can get it quick. If not, she is happy to order for you as well, which makes exchanges a bit more convenient.
On to the details!!

The CHP cut is a three part halfcup with a moderate gore height and wider placed straps. My bra has four sets of hooks and eyes. The button details are fun without being cutesy. The fabric along the top edge is not a feminine lace, but still soft with a bit of abstract detailing. It’s a hint of masculine charm combined with feminine touches. I love it, especially after having to give up my Prohibicja.

Materials- the bra is a pretty standard composition of nylon, polyester, cotton, and elastine. It has the usual silky smooth feel to the external material but is not shiny. My bra has really great stitch work, something I have had be hit or miss on a few styles. Mistakes happen anytime you have someone sewing and not a machine, but with the black stitching on the grey material of the bra I was very excited to see how uniform it looks. Not like anyone would notice but me, but still it’s something that makes me happy when I get a bra.

I always have two problems with the CHP cut. The gore is too wide for me to get a good tack. Even in a good cup volume my implants sit too close together to get that firmly seated gore. I’m ok with that because it doesn’t lower the support I get from the bra. If my breasts were made of more natural tissue and less implant it could cause a problem with breast tissue trying to migrate under the gore as I find this gore to be a softer fit and not a hard tacking gore (which is my preference).

The CHp is my go to style because the open style of the cups. I would have to size up quite a few sizes to get the cup depth I need for the projection of my implants.  But when I take the ideal size for the volume I need (60HH), the cup depth isn’t ideal. The result is a emptiness at the bottom of the cups above the wire, some emptiness and wrinkling along the side of the cup,  and breast pushed upward. Add the pads in to the removable pockets, let the open cup style shift around the upper pole fullness of my UP implants, then I am good to go. Perfect fit, not even close. Wearable, definitely. Gives the look I want, definitely.

My second problem area is the strap placement. And this actually isn’t as much of a problem with this bra. The straps look angled, similar to a halter bra. But the placement is not digging in to my armpits like my other CHP bras. If I put them in order, this bra is by far the most comfortable, followed by the Klaudyna and Marcepanowa Magnolia, with Noir being the least comfortable. (Reviews for the CHP Klaudyna and the CHP Marcepanowa Magnolia compared to the S).

Fit note- here you can see the emptiness in the bottom and side of the cups. This is my larger side as well. The wrinkling in the material is puzzling. My assumption is that the wrinkles are from the cups being stretched forward for the projected shape I would need, straining that elastic area between the strap and underarm.

Visual of three CHP bras, all in 60HH. See the creasing in the straps?

This is the right breast, which is slightly smaller and sits higher. The fact that it is higher makes for a touch more width, so that is my best guess for why there is no wrinkling. The open cups also makes for no muffin boob.

Front photo obviously shows the wide straps and my implants flattened by the lack of projection in the cups. Sizing up would eliminate or reduce that but the straps would be even wider and the empty space above the wire would be larger in volume. I have tall breasts as is, so the pushed up implants is not as much of a detriment to me as it could be for other women. Not a perfect fit, or really even close, but it ticks some boxes for what I need in a bra for certain looks.

Tanzilove in her 80G CHP Myszka and her thoughts on the bra:

The trim on the top of the bra cups sticks out a bit. Other than that, it’s the perfect BAM EM bra.

What do you think of the CHP Myszka?  Grey bras are hard to find!  Will this be on your Spring shopping list?

Comparison- Ewa Michalak CHP Marcepanowa Magnolia & S Marcepanowa Magnolia

Hey everyone!  It has been a while, for all the AEE ladies. The holiday season is a booty kicker! But we are getting back in to the swing of things and are ready to start the year with a big bang!

First up is a bra comparison post, the Ewa Michalak CHP Marcepanowa Magnolia and the Ewa Michalak S Marcepanowa Magnolia. Before we get into crazy details, you can check out Chezbella’s Ewa Michalak study of styles post if you are looking for general information about the EM style options. The purpose of this post is to really show the same bra, in the same size, on the same boobs, but in different cuts so you can easily compare. 

I purchased my S Magnolia from Brava Lingerie but it is now available on the Ewa Michalak website. Brava also has the CHP version available. This particular bra is also available in a KM version for nursing mothers and the BM version. Chezbella has done a review of the S version which you can read here. If you’d like a specific review of the CHP version please let us know!
  Some details for the purpose of this review. Both bras are a 60HH, photos are taken with the pads in. For fit purposes, I really should have removed the pads. I have 700cc UHP silicone implants, which means my bras need to have a lot of depth for the projection of my implants. I tend to prefer the CHP cut because it ends before the bra starts to curve in around the breast. I find that this fits me better in the upperpole of my breasts. The top portion of the cup in the S style can sometimes start to curve in before my breasts are ready for it to, which can cause some quad boob even in the right size.

I do have higher set breasts and no breast crease. I find that most bras will have a gap in the bottom of the cups along the wire. Ladies with more breast tissue or natural breasts often experience this gap when the cup depth is not correct (deep enough) for their breasts. This is a fit issue for many women with implants, it isn’t an issue that can be fixed by changing sizes. My photo above shows that the gap is more pronounced with the CHP, but it is still there with the S style. The cut is a shallower shape in my size, so this is expected. So ladies with implants, do try and assess that gap and see if another style bra may work better for you. Something with more cup depth of a band that sits higher under your breast may be a better option. There is often a point where no increase in size or projection will improve the fit in that area, so it will be a personal preference for you.

Another personal preference, I prefer the CHP cut under clothes over the S. I find the vertical 3 part cups show less seams than the 3 part shape of the S style. I do apologize in these photos my shirt is pulled down a bit lower for the CHP photo. The S style actually provides more lift from under the breasts, but I have less cleavage. The CHP is not as lifted but the cups shape the breast closer to the chestwall which creates a bit more of a rounded look.

The side photo is where I can see the most difference with these two styles. The S is more relaxed through the upper portion of the breast and the projection is more apparent. The CHP you can see that the bra pulls the breast in toward the chestwall more, which minimizes the projection, both pushing the breast up but also downward a bit. This gives almost a minimized look, but also makes my breasts appear to take up more height on my chest. (My obvious need to take the pads out of this bra is much more evident here.)

On to some good stuff!  The S bra is on first with the CHP over it. Of course the fit and shape of both bras will factor into the shape of my breasts, but the point of this photo is to really show the cup shape differences. You can see how the CHP cut stops just lower than the S. The top cup section of the S starts in the middle of the lace of the CHP. This will be perfect for some ladies, while the openness of the CHP will be perfect for others. The gore placement of these bras is essentially the same for me, because of the height and width I will always have a soft tack or a slightly lifting gore.

Same photo, S below the CHP. The fact that the straps have not pulled the cup shape tight exaggerates the different cup heights between these two styles.    From the 3/4 view you can see how much more cup there is on the S style. But the important thing I want you to see is the height under the arm. The CHP is just a touch shorter, ideal when you are a shorty like me (I am 5’1.5″). That smidgen of extra height there is just enough to make the S less ideal for me. Add in the extra cup height and the fact that the cup curves in at the top and I am not sure if this S style is a keeper.
The biggest complaint I have read about the CHP style in my size range is the wider placement of the straps. It really doesn’t look like much, but when you are measuring bras in cm, that is a large difference! This is my one complaint with the CHP style, the straps can push into the soft tissue right at the armpit. But let’s talk about the look the CHP is supposed to give. The wider strap placement is necessary for the lifted, round, cakes on a plate cleavage that this bra is designed for. If you read the description from the Ewa Michalak website:

A delicately padded halfcup bra, perfect for low and broad neckline. Comes with removable push up pads for correction of asymmetry.
Vertical seams of the cups lift the breast and give them rounded shape, just like apples in a basket.

Keywords here, low and broad neckline. If the straps on this bra are moved inward you run the risk of having them show on the neckline/chest area of a wide scoop neck top. In the winter time I love wearing a scoop neck thermal top, the CHP shape is ideal for this. The S style is more suited for a higher V neck top which often has the top of the neckline in a narrower shape.

Both of these bras offer a set of 4 hooks and eyes for closures, removable push up pads, and fully adjustable straps. You can see that the pockets for each style are created differently, with the CHP pocket being place low on the breast for a lifted, rounded shape and the S pocket being larger and placed toward the front of the bra. I find that the S pads can be shifted around in the pocket, so you can place them as needed to suit your breast shape. 
The lace on both bras is the same, but placed in different locations. On the left is the top cup edge of the CHP. On the right is the bottom of the S under the center gore. 

 The bras have the same bow at the center gore, with the same small “diamond” jewel. The KM has the same bow and jewel, Chezbella’s recent BM Magnolia has only the bow.

Bottomline, this is where we see the versatility that is Ewa Michalak. The material choice for the base of these bras is a basic material that makes for an easy swap to several styles. with the price staying the same. The BM is slightly more expensive because the switch of the material to all over lace with a firm knit lining. The KM is the highest priced, with the addition of nursing clips and the strap down the side of the cup to hold the bra in place while nursing.

I know many of us fall in love with a material but want a different cut, an email to ask seems to have a 50/50 chance of being told it is possible. The more complex the material, the harder it is to pattern match at the seams, the more time it takes to swap the cut of your bra. (We all know that time = money.) While it never hurts to ask, you may just get a yes, you have to respect the work that goes in to making a specific material fit the cut of a bra.

All hope is not lost!

Have you ever had a moment where you read something and your heart catches, your eyes start to build tears, and your inner Polish bra diva dies a little bit inside?  Like three days ago when luxury designer Anna Pardal announced that she would be shutting down. Well all hope is not lost!

Lady Grey, a personal favorite

Jaimie, the lovely lady behind Bra Obsessed has a solution for you. I’ll cut to the chase with the details because I know you are all good Polish bra divas and already subscribe to her newsletter. Here’s the nitty gritty:

1. Existing AP designs can be ordered through Bra Obsessed. The current price is 90CAD (check your current exchange rates). Price on matching bottoms is pending.
2. Fabrics will run out, so don’t dilly dally! Some fabrics are reorder-able, no word on which at this time. But that means some AP bras may be around for a while still.
3. You can order through Jaimie in the sizing that works best for you. If you know that you take the Classic fit with certain specific alterations, order that way. If you know you want the AP Sophisticate cut, order that way. Bra Obsessed works in UK sizing, so Jaimie can do any conversions to Comexim sizing for you.
4. Any customizations you could order before are still available now.

Now my dear Polish Bra Gang, it is up to you to decide. You had these bras taken from you. Some will sell out, others will continue to be available. What will your order be? Do you take the chance on missing out on these limited Anna Pardal designs?

Personally, I’m going for Caramel Latte.

Comexim Snow- Plain Jane or Simply Sweet?

Meet the Comexim Snow, a seemingly Plain Jane of a bra, fitting in with Jelzzz’s last post on the simple but surprising Ewa Michalak Bezus. While this bra may look pretty plain, it has some details to make it stand out from your basic white bra. In fact, this bra is enough of a wardrobe staple for me that I have purchased it twice now!This post is going to cover both my new 60M Snow, with no alterations and my older 60L Snow with a reduced cup and gore. I usually order a 60L with those alterations, plus now the straps moved in, but lately the sizing just hasn’t been right. I’m not sure if there is a change in things from the company side or a change in my boobs, but something is most definitely different. The 60M is technically a fit, but there are some of my own fit preferences that it does not meet. I definitely prefer my usual requested alterations with this bra. The cups are filled, gore is flat, wire is great, but the top of the cup and strap placement is not ideal for me. It could possibly be solved with just moving the straps in, no reduction in cup height. I’m a short person (5’1.2″) with a small ribcage, but it is wide across the front and narrow from the side. This means I need a wider implant to fill my chest wall width, and with that goes more implant height.
The photo above shows exactly what I mean with the strap and end of the cups. The height looks good in theory, but the strap placement is just a touch wide. In the first photo you can also see how I need to angle the straps inward slightly to maintain their fit on my shoulders. The second photo and the detail photo on the bra strap shows that they are definitely too far into my armpit, I have some wrinkling in the strap. The wings of the bra are nice and low while still being wide. Perfect in my bra world!   The straps themselves are fully adjustable, great for the short torso ladies! But they are stretchy material. Those with heavier breasts may find that they must continue to tighten their straps. Details, on the plain side, white strap hardware with a pretty white bow. Nothing to write home to mama about, but this bra doesn’t need anything flashy.
Like I said before, I have owned this bra twice now. I’ve worn it to the point that it is dingy grey from washing, even though it still has wear left in it. At some point between when I first ordered and my recent purchase the bow in the center gore has been updated. Just a touch of different, again nothing super special. Pretty, basic, fitting with the bra style.   Here is the money maker on the bra!  The bra itself is basic white. But the cups and the front of the band are covered in a leaf print mesh material. Cute, different, and just enough to take this potentially Plain Jane out of boring bra territory. The back band is also a power mesh, but no pattern. The top photo is the new Snow, bottom is my dingy greyed Snow. You can see how the mesh is such a light pattern, it is hard to capture on photo. But luckily my dingy grey Snow shows it better. Makes me wonder how this bra would take to a soak in fabric dye. Suggestions for color?

But no matter how pretty a white bra is, time will take its toll. This bra did get dingy over time, even with careful washing. If you want your Snow to stay white I would recommend a gently sink handwash more often, and on it’s own (or with other white bras). I think with the care I provided this bra and the wear it received the appearance is fitting and well within expectations for normal wear.
We get so many questions about what the alterations on a bra can do for the fit. Now keep in mind that the bottom bra is a 60M, one cup volume bigger than the 60L. Take a look at the Bratabase table so you can compare sizing measurements when comparing how the alterations change the bra. On the 60L the gore is reduced and the cup height is lowered. I definitely prefer the reduced gore, but both bras tack. I prefer the reduced gore because the shape of the cups more closely matches my breast shape. A gore that is not reduced has the cups starting higher on the breast which can sometimes lead to gapping with movement for me. Reducing the cup height also helps solve the strap problem for me. It also reduces the area covering the side of my breast down into the wing. I think that having the straps moved in on their own would be enough to fix the strap issue and may be a more ideal cup height for me, but the reduced cup really benefits me along that sideboob area into the wing.

White bras are a bit of a pariah for many in the fullbust spectrum because before finding brands that offer variety, women are often stuck in a boring plain white, black, or beige bra. I really encourage anyone to take a closer look at these “Plain Jane” bras. Check the details, look closely. You may be surprised that they are not so Plain Jane at all; they are basic and functional while still being pretty and unique. Don’t let a solid color bra pass you by, you could be missing out!

Measurements for the 60M

Bra Fitting- 5 fit points

Previously we chatted about measuring for a bra with implants. Next is walking through the process of trying on a bra and assessing the fit. This will be a simple guide; not all inclusive, but it will give you a starting point for checking your fit as you purchase your new bras.

Your first fit point, and a very important one is the band of your bra. When you try on your bra you will hook it on the first set of hooks. Don’t put your breasts into the cups yet! I had to for this picture, Internet modesty. Once you have your brand hooked you will put two fingers between your back and the band, now pull away from your body. The recommendation for a firm fitting and supportive band is the 2’s, 2 fingers pulling away 2 inches. This will give enough breathing room for the average person.

Now, bodies are different, so you may need more room or less room. Women with more soft tissue over the ribs may prefer a wider band with a more firm fit. Women with less soft tissue or a muscular body structure may prefer a less firm fit. Different shapes to your body can be a factor as well, scoliosis, pectus (sternum) deformities, placement of your floating ribs.

Why do you not put your breasts in the cup? The band fit can change with your cup fit. If your cups are too small or if your projection is too much for the cup you may find that your band pulls tighter around your body. More on this in our fit problems post (coming soon!).

Next you’ll place your breasts into the cup. First start by reading putting your bra on properly by Bras and Body Image. She is going to teach you how to properly swoop and scoop and what a difference you may see.

Our second fit point is the cups. You want the cup shape to fully encase your breast, with out bulging over the top. AKA muffin boob. There are a few parts of the cup you want to look at besides just the cup edge, which will be addressed in the post about fit problems.

Fitting point three is the wire. You want the underwire to fully encase your breast, all the way back behind your sideboob. Ladies with implants can have a firmer, rounder sideboob shape. This can be a problem if the wire is not wide enough, it will sit in your implant and breast tissue. With augmented breasts the wire being too wide isn’t as much of a fit issue as it is for ladies with more natural breast tissue. So how much extra wire width is ok will depend on you and your breast shape.

The center gore is our forth fit point. You’ll see reference to the center gore tacking. What on earth does this mean? A center gore tacking means it sits flat on your sternum. How you want this to feel will depend on your preferences and your breast shape. We will talk extensively about the center gore in a future post, the different types of tacking, as well as the ways your own anatomy can change how your gore sits on your body.

The important thing to consider with your early bra fitting is that you want the gore to fit comfortably against your body and feel supporting to your breasts. You do not want it to be painful, to sit on your breast tissue or implants, or to be away from your body so you can fit fingers between it and your body.

Last, your straps. The straps on the bra should not provide much actual suport. The band should provide most of your support from under your breasts. The cups provide support in the form of shaping, how much shaping will depend on you and how much tissue you have over your implants. The straps provide the last bit of support but also help the cups shape to you. Some cup fit issues can be addressed by adjusting your straps. But your straps should not dig into your shoulders. Women with heavier breasts often have grooves left in their shoulders from weight pulling on the straps of the bra. We want to avoid that by providing as much lift from below.

Last fit notes-

Marks are ok! Bra marks left on your body are like other pressure marks from your clothing. Any type of clothing can cause these marks. They should not be painful, they should fade quickly.

The math and the fit points are just a start! There is so much to bra fitting, we are just getting started! I hope you’ll stick around a learn more about fitting your implants, because once you have this knowledge fitting yourself becomes almost automatic.

Comfort. Nothing else has a higher priority. It does not matter if your bra “fits” if you want to murder it with a steak knife when you take it off.

Surgeon approval- you need to have healed enough and have surgeon approval before wearing an underwire bra. Trust me, listen to the one you paid the big $$$ to!

Changes- things change through the first year post op. The earlier you are the more fit problems you are likely to encounter. Be prepared to refit yourself several times as your implants soften. Women’s natural breast tissue changes through their life, so you’ll fit yourself as you go through life.

See other posts in our bra fitting series:

Measuring with breast implants

Measuring for a Bra, with Breast Implants

There are a multitude of ways you can measure for a bra and most companies will provide their own guide. Usually it is based on a simple set of math equations. It’s a starting point; a best guess on the cup size volume your breasts will fill. However, once you have breast implants, the math may not always come close at all.

Luckily, there are ways that you can try to help get a better idea for a starting point. Measuring is just that, a starting point. After years of helping other women with implants find a good fit I have gathered some patterns to help you get started.

Let’s start with the basic measurements! You’ll need a fabric tape measure, a mirror, and someone to help you if possible. Make sure it is someone you are comfortable with, in most cases these measurements are taken with no bra.
Your first measurement is where you’ll need your friend or mirror the most. You are going to take a set of underbust measurements.

This measurement is taken just under the breasts, around the rib cage where your bra band sits. This measurement should be level around your body, no dropping to your waist or up your back. This is where your mirror or friend will be helpful.

The big debate in bra fitting circles is exactly how to take this measurement. There is the BTT (break the tape) measurement, which literally has you pulling as tightly around the body as you can after exhaling. There is a firm measure, which is a firm measurement around your body but no tighter than what you’d want your bra band to be. Then there are variations of a loose measurement, up to an measurement while completely inhaled. All of these are useful! More on that in a bit.

Our next measurement set will be the fullest bust measurement. It is important that your tape stays level around your body here, so keep that friend or mirror handy! You’ll take this measurement around the fullest part of your bust, not necessarily at the nipple but wherever is fullest. Every woman is different, so the fullest portion of the bust can be higher or lower than the nipple. For breasts with natural hang, in your best fitting bra may be best. Many of us augmented ladies are more self supporting, so you may not need a bra.

Our second measurement will be the same, but you’ll lean forward so you are bent at the waist, body at a 90 degree angle. This is a no bra measurement. This is like simulating a really good swoop and scoop. Any and all breast tissue that may not be caught by that first measurement will be caught by this one. Some women will have both measurements exactly the same, others have several inches different.

Our final measurement set will be the perimeter of your largest breast. You may have to do each breast to find which is larger. You’ll also do this leaning over. Like the fullest bust measurement, you may need to use a bra for the standing measurement if you have a lot of natural breast tissue. To take this measurement you will want to measure from the furthest point of your sideboob or the edge of your implant, across the fullest part of your breast, to your cleavage. Like before, your fullest point may or may not be your nipple.

Now, what do these measurements tell us? They tell us a lot!

The rib cage measurements tell us about band size. Different companies size differently, different bodies wear bras differently, and different personal preferences will dictate what each woman wants their bra to feel like. Your firm ribcage measurement is often used as a starting band size. The BTT measure will tell how much soft tissue there is over your ribs. Soft tissue is compressible, so some women with more soft tissue prefer a tighter or wider band. The inhaled measurement can tell how much stretch you need.

Hypothetical example- firm ribcage measurement of 28in, BTT measurement of 27in, inhaled measurement of 31in. This lady would want to look at band sizes in the range of 28-32. Sounds like a big range – that is 3 sizes.  She will want a firm fit for support, but she needs room for her ribs and lungs to expand. A stretchy 28 in one brand may be ideal while a very firm 32 may be perfect in another brand.

Next up is the fullest bust measurement. These two measurements tell a few things. Comparing the two will give an idea of your soft tissue and how it is placed in the breast. Women with very little natural tissue and whose breasts are mostly implant will find that these measurements are very close to each other. Women with more natural tissue with even breast fullness may find that their leaning bust measurement is larger. A leaning bust measurement that is smaller is often found with very bottom heavy breasts, which you do not often find in augmented women. The above applies to the individual breast measurements as well. Why do we do both then? Well, I’m getting to that!

Traditional calculations will either say to take fullest bust – band size = cup size or fullest bust – rib measurement = cup size. Well that gives you a big range depending on what your measurements are. That is where the single breast measurement comes in! Using the equations above, let’s say you got a result of 8in and 9in. But your leaning single breast parameter measurement is 10in. Now you are thinking, oh my gosh this is never going to be easy, I’ve got three measurements for cup size and I already had three band sizes.

Stop right here, let’s go for the simple side! Your single breast measurement being larger indicates that the traditional calculation methods will estimate your size too small. This is common when you have implants, especially higher profile implants. So simple math here, 10in for your cup volume, no adding and subtracting. That is a UK GG. Now what band size? Here is where your preferences come in. Do you want a firm band? Try a 28GG. Do you prefer something looser? Try a 30G, maybe 30GG.

Let’s say you had the same results (8in and 9in) but your single breast measurement was 9in. You’ve got a great starting estimate by using 9in! The recommended starting size would be a 28G or a 30FF/G.

As you can see, the basic math equation doesn’t give a firm answer. It doesn’t for ladies with natural breasts and it doesn’t for ladies with augmented breasts. The math can give you an idea of where to start. Your knowledge of your own body, your preferences, and your implants will help guide where to go from that starting estimate. The final step is trying on bras, and assessing their fit.

Be sure to check out the rest of the series!

5 fit points

Comexim Arabella from Zathiya Lingerie

This is my second purchase of the Comexim Arabella. The first was a sizing flop, and was sold on via Bratabase. I usually order a 60L with reduced cup and gore, this bra is a 65K with no alterations. I ordered from Zathiya Lingerie instead of direct from Comexim. I already had the matching panties, so I wanted to get the bra quickly. Zathiya is located in Texas, so shipping in the US is pretty quick. At a cost of $50 (USD) it is priced higher than a direct order through Comexim. Direct through Comexim this bra retails at 130,00zl ($34.30 USD as of July 30, 2105). Shipping through Zathiya is $7, or free for orders over $100. 
Any bra ordered through an authorized Comexim retailer will have a hang tag. Bras ordered direct come new, without tags.

Looking at the online image on the Comexim website, the band fabric looks to be a simple basic band. You have to really zoom in if you want to see the real detail here. The band is a textured floral fabric that coordinates with the cup fabric in pattern. I was surprised to see the texture to this when I pulled it out of the package.  
The cup fabric is also a floral type fabric. The fabric of the band and the cups are not the exact same pattern, but a coordinating pattern. I’m not a floral person, at all. But I am a fan of this. It is almost like a floral/damask/paisley pattern; it works for me.

So lets go on to the fit. Like I said before, I usually do a 60L or 60K with reduced cup and gore. My first order was for exactly that but in a 60K, placed with A Sophisticated Pair. The band was very small when compared to my other 60 bands. The cups were also smaller than any 60K I had.  I believe this is because of the alterations. The 60K was wearable, if I wanted mega cleavage.  The goal for this bra was super sexy cleavage, but I had a bit too much! And the quad boob! Being all implant it is hard for me to quad boob, but that 60K did.  When fellow blogger Tanzilove found Zathiya and I saw a 65K in stock I debated ordering it for a good week. My best fit is with the reduced gore and cups.

Because the gore is not reduced I have an awkward gap going on in the cleavage by the gore of the bra. Hard to capture on photo and hard to explain. Reducing the gore height does the trick for this.  The problem I had is that the gore sits too high to firmly tack on my sternum. Close cleavage with firm breast tissue (that’s most of our ladies with implants!) almost always makes for the need to have the gore reduced.

You can see the unfilled lower portion of the cup in this photo. Really that is an acceptable fit issue for me. I will never have that filled lower cup. Why? Because I have almost zero natural breast tissue, and pre-surgery I had no breast crease. I have self supporting breasts with very little lower pole and no natural hang shape. So I just cannot settle into the bottom of the cup like a natural breast will.

You can also see the low wings on this bra. They are lower than many other Comexim I have, and not altered. You can also see that the wire is slightly shorter than most bras that I wear.  There are no alterations to strap placement or cup height, both of which I could probably benefit from. The straps are a soft material with minimal stretch, but the material is smooth. Some women with heavier breasts may find that their straps easily loosen. The band does fit a bit firm for a 65 band, as indicated by the measurements below. Pleas note- The stretched band measurement is taken to the point of wire distortion. The band of this bra will stretch past that, but the wires will start to distort and bend backwards, widening.

You can find the comparison measurements of the 65K and my original 60K here.  Last but not least, the matching bottoms. I don’t always buy matching bottoms, but this was one I wanted to have. But they are a fail on me. Sizewise, I probably should have gone for a small and not a medium. They are wearable, but the flouncy edges have too much movement. I think a tighter fit would help with that, but I don’t love this style bottom.
This style of bottom looks like a standard bikini brief fit. Which it is, almost. The flouncy edges and cut of this bottom make it less full coverage in the back than a bikini bottom. This does not work for me. These are the type of bottoms that will ride up on you until you pull them down if you have a flat booty like I do. Maybe a lady with a different booty type can weigh in, but I would generally consider these to be a better cut for someone that prefers a cheeky fit to their bottoms. Cheekies and I do not get along, these are not the right cut for me.

Overall, I would give this bra a rating of A-. I love it, but there is some issues that may make it not work for other women. If you need higher/wider wings this is probably not a bra for you.