In My Bag » bras http://www.in-my-bag.com Reviewing the stuff I buy Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:03:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Fashion Bug bras http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/04/12/fashion-bug-bras/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/04/12/fashion-bug-bras/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:33:20 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=2674 I have shopped at Fashion Bug for over a decade, but one thing I have never purchased from them is bras. Their bras have always fit weird. Either the cups were too narrow (yes, narrow), too low, too high, or the straps were positioned oddly, or a combination of the above. But now that I’ve lost a significant amount of weight and my bra size is a much more manageable 40ish D-DD (depending on the bra), which means no more shopping for bras large enough to make pool floats out of, I thought I’d give Fashion Bug’s bras another chance. After all, being 250+ and 300+ lbs. can make even plus size apparel and intimates fit oddly.

I picked up four bras from Fashion Bug, including one that was marked down to $8. It’s on the plain side — black, semi sheer, with underwires (underwires are a must for me) and a cute silver rhinestone-studded heart-shaped charm in the middle of the front — but hey, for eight bucks I’m not going to complain. If it fits, is comfortable and provides the support and oomph I’m looking for, I’m game!

The bra in question, which looks a lot like this lace underwire bra, meets my criteria, but I do have a complaint. The molding of the underwires brings them up and between my cleavage and presses them against my chest — hard. It isn’t too bad at first, but after several hours of wearing the bra the pressure from the underwires is definitely apparent, and by the end of the day I have red marks and tender spots from the pressure of the underwires pressing against my chest.

I love this bra, except for the underwires pressing in — because it seriously HURTS after a day of wear. But on the plus side, at least there is ample support and lift! ;)

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Update

It’s barely 4 in the afternoon and I couldn’t take the pressure/rubbing/PAIN any longer — I took the bra off. It lasted less than eight hours. Nice, Fashion Bug. Real nice. For those interested, here’s a picture showing the painful marks the bra’s underwires left between my breasts.

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2010/04/12/fashion-bug-bras/feed/ 2 Cacique Back Smoothing bra http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/08/20/cacique-back-smoothing-bra/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/08/20/cacique-back-smoothing-bra/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:54:37 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=1732 Earlier this summer Lane Bryant sent me a new bra to review — the Cacique Back Smoothing bra. It’s designed to smooth out your appearance “from every angle”.

Cacique Back Smoothing Bra My first impression of the Cacique Back Smoothing bra is that it is a lot like the smooth satin full-coverage bra. But after wearing it for a bit, I can definitely find some differences. The first big difference is how the bra fits — like a glove, almost. The sides and back are wide and supportive, but flat, so that there aren’t any noticeable, unflattering bulges.

The other differences I noticed really aren’t that positive, in my opinion. The bra is comfortable, fits well, and provides great support and lift, but one thing it does not provide is give. You know how most bras are slightly stretchy around the cups, back band and straps? This bra isn’t. What you see is what you get. There is no give or stretching. So if you have the cups runneth over syndrome, you may wish to consider buying this bra in a bigger cup and/or band size.

Besides the slightly spillage-due-to-no-stretching issue, the bra is comfortable, and definitely molds itself to my body nicely. Although I have to say it is not the best summer bra, first because of the material, and second because it’s full coverage, which means the cups come up higher, the sides come up higher, the back comes up higher, and so on and so forth. It really sticks out with tank tops, and with many lower cut tops, too.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/08/20/cacique-back-smoothing-bra/feed/ 1 Lane Bryant microfiber mesh balconette bra http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/05/11/lane-bryant-microfiber-mesh-balconette-bra/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/05/11/lane-bryant-microfiber-mesh-balconette-bra/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 19:27:08 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=1397 Lane Bryant microfiber mesh balconette bra Several months ago, I purchased a Lane Bryant micofiber mesh balconette bra. I loved the color and the style of the bra, even though the fit was a little tight. Well, I’ve recently lost about 15 lbs., and the loss was enough to let me wear the bra comfortably. And… I love it! The underwires are securely encased, so I don’t have to worry about being stabbed in the armpit with them (as I am quite frequently with the Goddess bra). The back doesn’t ride up, the cups are quite shapely and very supportive, and for once the band seems to be doing its job and providing the majority of the support, rather than the straps. Plus, the hot pink color is quite nice as well.

It may only be my first day wearing this bra, but I would definitely give it a full positive rating!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/05/11/lane-bryant-microfiber-mesh-balconette-bra/feed/ 0 Lane Bryant smooth satin full-coverage bra http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/04/01/lane-bryant-smooth-satin-full-coverage-bra/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/04/01/lane-bryant-smooth-satin-full-coverage-bra/#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:27:18 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=1349 Finding a great-fitting bra can be a pain. And if you’re plus-size with breasts that are still larger than average (for your plus size figure), it can be a real bitch. So you better believe that when I find a bra that fits well I buy it, and several others in different colors!

Lane Bryant smooth satin full-coverage bra Well, on January 10th, 2009, while enjoying a mini-vacation in Pittsburgh with my husband, I checked out a local Lane Bryant to see what kind of jeans they had in stock. While I was there I also looked over the bras, and tried on and fell in love with the smooth satin full-coverage bra (note: it’s worth mentioning that the smooth satin full-coverage bra is very very very similar to the sateen sculpted bra). Since the smooth satin full-coverage bra fit well, and the price was right (buy one, get one half off), I decided to buy three of them: one white, one black, one cafe mocha. (I also bought a fourth bra, in another style.)

A few days later we made the 250 mile drive back from Pittsburgh. A day after that, after wearing the white bra exactly two times, an underwire broke through the side. I must emphasize that I wore the bra TWICE, and never even washed it. Well, needless to say I was a bit annoyed when the bra broke, since I had just purchased it. Worse yet, the closest Lane Bryant I could go to for an exchange or return was almost fifty miles away.

It wasn’t until a month later, on February 22nd, 2009, that I happened to be in the area of a Lane Bryant, so I made sure to bring the bra with me that day. I exchanged the broken white bra for another one, and made sure to let the clerk know that I had not abused the bra in any way (aka I made sure to take it off properly and not twist or bend the underwires), and it hadn’t even been washed yet.

I can’t believe this actually happened again, but it did. Last week my husband and I were at the park, and one of the underwires on the replacement white bra broke through. Same underwire, same side. This leads me to believe that there is obviously a defect with this particular bra. Why else would it happen twice to the same colored bra in the same spot? My black bra and tan bra are just fine. And for the record, this time around the white bra had been worn perhaps five or six times, and had been washed twice. I wash my bras by hand, using cold water and very little detergent. I then lay them flat to dry in the bath tub.

So now I don’t know what to do. I should just make the hundred mile round trip to the closest Lane Bryant and exchange the broken replacement bra for yet another replacement — only this time I’ll make sure to get a black one or a cafe mocha one! I’m also thinking I should write a letter of complaint to Lane Bryant. In fact, I think I’ll do that first, and see if they’ll be willing to do an exchange through the mail. Wish me luck (I also hope that when this is over I don’t need to join a wine of the month club just to deal with the hassle!)!

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/04/01/lane-bryant-smooth-satin-full-coverage-bra/feed/ 4 Goddess bras http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/03/15/goddess-bras/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/03/15/goddess-bras/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:45:29 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=1152 Suffice to say, without the aid of weight loss products or a strength and determination that I haven’t yet come into possession of, I will continue to wear a specialty bra size that isn’t available in most stores. I even have trouble finding my bra size in plus-size shops like Fashion Bug and Lane Bryant. But my problem isn’t the band size, it’s the cup size. I can find my band size and then some in most plus size stores. But try finding my band size + DDD. Let me tell you, it’s not happening!

Goddess bra So when I know of a reputable brand of bra, I tend to stick with it. Last week I was browsing eBay and found a listing for a Goddess bra, and since I know and trust Goddess bras from my days of nursing and wearing nursing bras (can you believe I scored six of them for just $5 apiece at an outlet store?!), I went ahead and bought the bra.
I got the bra a few days ago, and I tried it out the day I got it, and then wore it again today. It’s comfortable… mostly. There’s a weird lump of strap right near the strap adjuster on the right side, and it itches and pokes beneath my shoulder blade. I had to adjust that strap to a tighter-than-usual position in order to alleviate the lump of strap. But other than that, the support is excellent, and the girls are very well showcased.

However, I must admit that I have my doubts on how long the bra will last for. You see, the underwires and numerous side panels are made out of plastic. I know this because I have been listening to them creak since a few minutes after trying on the bra for the first time. You would think that bra manufacturers would provide big-chested girls with underwires and panels made out of metal more often, and not cheaper plastic which will definitely break sooner!

Well, time will only tell… I’ll continue to wear the bra, hand wash it and air dry it, and report back when the underwires do finally give way, which they eventually will (I’m sure of it).

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2009/03/15/goddess-bras/feed/ 1 Cacique sheer lace full-coverage bra http://www.in-my-bag.com/2008/08/24/cacique-sheer-lace-full-coverage-bra/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2008/08/24/cacique-sheer-lace-full-coverage-bra/#comments Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:36:28 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=672 Wearing a larger cup size means shopping at specialty stores for bras. For the past three years all of my bras have come from Lane Bryant. I have good reason for sticking to this store’s bras: not only do they come in my size (DDD), but they fit true to size. And they’re not just your run of the mill over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders, that are built for function and not for style. Lane Bryant’s bras do provide support and are quite functional, but they are also quite attractive. Of course, even LB, one of the leading stores for plus size clothing, discriminates against plus size women. Their extensive collection of attractive, sexy and feminine bras typically run to DD and no higher. For us DDD+ ladies, we have a much smaller collection of pretty bras available to us.

Anyway, the bra that I am reviewing is one that I am wearing right now: Cacique’s sheer lace full-coverage bra. I have two of these bras (black and pink), and I plan on going back to the LB outlet to pick up a few more. The bra does come with underwires along the bottom, and stiff side panels, all of which seem well contained within the fabric. The cups are slightly stretchy, and are definitely not the full coverage as the page claims they are. I would label this bra style to be a balconette.

The bra is very comfortable, breathes well and fits nicely. It’s easy to adjust, and I am having no problems with the back riding up or straps digging into my shoulders. I do have two complaints about the bra. First, the underwires are very thick and solid, so they sometimes dig in and rub the skin underneath my breasts. And second, the material of the bra is rather sheer, so make sure to not wear a sheer top, or else you’ll be giving everyone a good glimpse of your nipples!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

]]> http://www.in-my-bag.com/2008/08/24/cacique-sheer-lace-full-coverage-bra/feed/ 1 Ashley Stewart Butterfly Bra http://www.in-my-bag.com/2008/08/22/ashley-stewart-butterfly-bra/ http://www.in-my-bag.com/2008/08/22/ashley-stewart-butterfly-bra/#comments Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:49:50 +0000 Jenn http://www.in-my-bag.com/?p=664 The Ashley Stewart Butterfly Bra is the answer to every big chested girl’s prayers. Prior to having children, I was a DD cup. After two pregnancies and two years of combined breastfeeding, I have remained steady at a DDD cup. Needless to say, it can be somewhat difficult to find stylish, supportive bras in my size. And when I do, it’s a hit or miss thing in terms of that bra being comfortable.

I would say that my biggest complaint with any bra is straps digging in, and a back band that isn’t wide enough, and winds up rolling up/down onto itself. This is definitely a problem with any strapless bra that I have had.

The Ashley Stewart Butterfly Bra claims to solve a lot of problems us big chested girls run into, including:

  • straps that dig in
  • narrow back bands
  • sides that are too high or too low
  • unflattering styles

I splurged and purchased the strapless Ashley Stewart Butterfly Bra. It’s built the same way the regular bra is, except that its straps are clear and can be adjusted in six different ways, including being removed altogether.

I think the best feature of the Butterfly Bra is the back of it. Rather than one narrow band, there are two wide bands, spaced 2-3 inches apart from one another. This means that while it can be a pain to get yourself in and out of the bra, the support is amazing, because the weight of your breasts and the support of them is distributed widely and evenly across your back. Backaches and rolled up/down back bands are a thing of the past with this bra!

Of course, where there’s good, there’s bad. The bra is amazing and comfortable, but it can be difficult to get into and out of yourself. Also, the bra is very restrictive when latched and pulled up to the right height; I had trouble drawing a full breath!

But I will say that the bra is comfortable and does its job; as you can see from the following photos, there is definitely good support going on!

DSC_8924 (by Jenn ?)

DSC_8898 (by Jenn ?)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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