Thread: Let's talk bra straps ladies

Ok, so I am going to try to describe my problem with as much detail as possible. I have large breasts and a new costume where the cups are just a hair too small. I believe I can pull it off if the straps and support are adjusted just so...

This is a standard issue Turkish costume with skinny straps that sort of come out of the middle of the bra cup in the front and they taper in at an angle in the back. So in the back there is maybe two inches between the straps. I kinda like the shape it gives me in the front, but in the back it pulls the base strap (what is that called?) up giving me this horrible shape in the back. It doesn't help that I have rolls back there either...(which no amount of exercise shall ever get rid of).

Anyway, my first thought was to take the straps in the back and move them out, away from each other, more like a regular bra. But how would that change the shape of my breasts?

My second thought was to make it a halter. I only think that because by far the best cut for my figure is a halter, be it dress, bikinis or costumes. But I am not sure that I can do that with this costume for a number of reasons.

What is your advice? What is the conventional wisdom about how the placement of straps affects the shape of the breasts?

Here's a pic for those of you that are visual. Sorry no picture of the back. I deleted that thing as soon as I saw it! LOL!

so... this shape in the back...is it that the chest band is being pulled up so that it looks as though your breasts are so big that you are being pulled over forwards??? With out the back photo, I need a better verbal....

Personally, for me, halters work the best. Bra straps have a tendency to fall down on me (or I worry that they will)! I'm not certain how you could make a halter for that costume; I'm not very proficient in that area. The costume is beautiful though!

There are a couple of possibilities. If you move the straps outward on the cups, it will create more depth in the cups, which seems like it would be a good thing since the cups are too small. Then the chest strap probably needs to be a little tighter, it should fit very snugly.

If you decide to go with a halter style, you'll want to have wider straps, both for comfort and security. You could use a gold colored fabric to make wider straps, sew the current straps to those and -- optionally -- trim out the edges with more sequins.

Seriously, though, I don't think either of the above is going to fully solve your fit problem because I can see what you're saying -- the cups are just not big enough. I suspect you're wearing the shoulder straps too short and the chest band too big to try to compensate and force the cups to cover the bare minimum, and this is creating your problem in the back. If the costume came with armbands, you might be able to sew those onto the tops of the cups and make them bigger. Or a coordinating fabric with trim. Then you can ease up the shoulder straps just a smidge and tighten the chest strap and you should be good to go.

By the way, for general fitting info, I got this advice years ago & love it.

You should be able to put a bra on without the shoulder straps -- as if it were strapless -- and have it stay in place. Then you know the cups are a good fit & the chestband is tight enough.

The shoulder or halter straps should be an added support, but shouldn't be pulling, tugging or changing the fit of the bra in any way.

I agree with Lauren--it looks to me that the cups are too small and you're falling out the to and the sides. I think you'll have more success if you could enlarge the cups a bit (attaching arm bands to the top or some similar sort of solution).

ita w/ lauren.

your best bet is to:
move the strap attachment in the front towards the outer side of the cup

move the back attachment of the straps as close together as possible. this helps create the racer bra effect for more balance and support.

tighten the back strap

increase the cup size by adding to the top of the cups

those straps look too skiny to make a comfortable halter

very pretty, though. hope you can make it work.

Originally Posted by anala

so... this shape in the back...is it that the chest band is being pulled up so that it looks as though your breasts are so big that you are being pulled over forwards??? With out the back photo, I need a better verbal....

Yep that's it. The back lays flat against my back it just pulls up in the back (while the girls pull down in the front). ;)

Thanks for everyone's advice. I bought this in the grand bazaar in Istanbul so I couldn't really try it on. I really thought that was the right size...my breasts have been grown thanks to contraception (ugh!). I recently had to buy bigger bras too.

Re: Lauren's fitting advice. I generally follow that advice when buying my regular bras, but many of my costumes don't get the same treatment. I know they should, but I am often wooed by the price or costume.

Anyway, I'll try the quick fix for now of moving the bra straps out and then I'll work on expanding the cups. I got wrist cuffs. I am not sure if they are long enough, but i'll try. For now I just want something that will make do on Sat night. :)

Thanks!

I have the same problem you do. With heavy breasts you don't want to do a halter. But what you can do is cross the straps in the back. You may need to lengthen the straps. You probably also need to make the chest strap tighter. It is like wearing a strapless bra. The chest strap has to be tight to hold the bra up.

You can also make some drapes or a shrug that will camoflage some of what is going on in the back. Bellydance Costume Goddess Tells All: Enter has some nice examples of drapes for the backs of the shoulder and instructions on making a shrug. Something soft in chiffon would do the trick.

Souzan

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Yep that's it. The back lays flat against my back it just pulls up in the back (while the girls pull down in the front). ;)

If the strap is pulling up at the back, the back measurement on it is too large, a bra should go straight across your back. If it was an underwear bra I would suggest a smaller back size and a bigger cup. As you can't swap it out like that, I would suggest you start by shortening the back measurement, then look at the cups, you might want to shorten it at the back, the side or between the cups (maybe with a strong piece of webbing pulling them together behind the decoration).

Looking at the photo I would suggest your straps need shortening so the whole thing sits a touch higher.

To be really honest, the colors are great on you, but I think the bra is too small for you. I would sell it and get something that you don't have to do so much engineering work on. Babylon Breeze has many similar sets for a reasonable price.

Originally Posted by mish_mish

To be really honest, the colors are great on you, but I think the bra is too small for you. I would sell it and get something that you don't have to do so much engineering work on. Babylon Breeze has many similar sets for a reasonable price.

I would be devastated to sell this costume. This was my one special purchase in Istanbul. I would rather hold on to it and lose weight to get into it than sell it. I should've listened to my boyfriend, he was like, "are you sure that bra is the right size?" Apparently he knows my chest better than I do. ..l;,

If you have the resources...take the whole affair to a seamstress...a good one who does bridal.

I know I should talk you into selling this, for a bargain price, to me ;-) Love the color, this is gorgeous. I want it!!!

But, short of that: I second making the bra go up, by tightening the chest strap but a few inches, and then working on the shoulder straps. I was surprised how using a safety pin to bring the shoulder straps together at the neck changed the fit of a bra from droopy to wooom!

It looks as if the cups are actually quite wide - I'd consider bringing them together more, to move coverage from the sides to the center.

And, if the girls have are secure in the cups, you can easily use fabric to add more coverage at the top - I did that on a bra, it was the easiest costume modification ever.

Here is a photo of a fabric top modified bra. I am sooooo big! That is Mesmera on my left. I am two of her. That is a pleated silk addition with a fuseable backing for body and a few sew on jewels taken from the belt for stablity and design continuity.

Off subject (sort of): Anala, if that is you in the middle, what is that body stocking/underthing you're wearing? Is it a Sugar Petals? What style? I also like what you're wearing on your arms but I can't quite see the whole thing: is it a shrug? Did you use a pattern? If so, which one? Your costume is so classy and the fabric top you added to your bra adds to the effect...it's amazing what small details can do. Have a great day!

Originally Posted by anala

Here is a photo of a fabric top modified bra. I am sooooo big! That is Mesmera on my left. I am two of her. That is a pleated silk addition with a fuseable backing for body and a few sew on jewels taken from the belt for stablity and design continuity.

You're in the center? Wow. I love that costume! I've done a bra modification like that on my orange costume. I'll see what I can do with this one, because I am not ready to give up! I do have some extra blue stretch velvet that I used to make the skirt with...no beads that match currently, but a trip to the store would be worth it...or I could use the ones from the wrist cuffs.

Bras do not always fit right and I agree with Lauren's idea - move those straps, which are too skinny to be turned into halter, more towards the outside edge of cups to create more "depth" in cup and then yes, tighten the back strap. You might also consider installing a triple layer of black elastic on back strap (assuming it's a back closing bra) because you get a much better "fit" on bras that have some sort of "give", but it has to be STURDY - I fold elastic into a three layer piece. Otherwise, if you tighten the back strap enough to help support the girls, it will leave marks on your skin and also eventually weaken that back strap. Also, the shoulder straps can't be so tight that they force the back strap up - I had to actually lengthen shoulder straps with a new Pharonics bra that was actually a demi-cup and I ordered it in a D cup size on the advice of Dahlal.com and I'm a C cup in a regular full coverage bra. I moved the straps more towards outside of cup and had to tighten the back strap considerably to make the bra look right.

I think bras are a nightmare to fit and take considerable work to fit "just right"- I wouldn't sell your costume, I'd alter back and shoulder strap placement because I think it is not THAT small a cup size for you. I agree, however, that when a back strap pulls up, it is very odd looking and detracts from the costume.

Good luck, it is a beautiful costume on your and I actually think you can make it work without having to add trim to top of cups, which wouldn't help with the back strap pulling up in any case.



Good luck and don't give up!

The top is a Turkish vest made with very full sleeves. They used to be harem pants!!! The skirt had matching harems that were slit up the sides and I made the legs into sleeves and there was juuuuust enough to make the back and sides. The body stocking is a fishnet affair, but the legs are pany hose with the feet cut off. Wont do that again cause my legs are shiny and my belly is not. I will now go for a pair of nude fishnet hose attached to my bra band with a pair of panties underneath the hose for non wedgie comfort.

This is a very timely thread for me! I have to fit a bra super-quickly this week, and I normally wear dresses so it's a whole new world. So I'll add some questions while we're on the subject, if that's OK.

Nisima, if you add elastic to the back band, how/where do you attach it? That is exactly what I want to do, both to snug the back up a bit and as "backup" because I'm really afraid of something giving way. (Big heavy boobs here.) Wasn't sure whether it should go all the way around the back or just across the back opening with a few inches leeway on either side. I assume it gets its own hooks or giant snap. If not, how do you get into it?

Shrug/drape: I'm looking for the easiest one ever for someone with almost no sewing experience. I have thoughts of making one by cutting a long rectangle (say 5 feet times the distance from halter to bra band) out of the matching veil, draping it across my upper back and along my arms, and either sewing seams just along the upper arms or pinching at shoulder and elbow, with the ends left free as a sleeve drape. But I have never seen this done with a non-stretch fabric and I really don't sew (yet), so someone needs to tell me if I'm crazy to think it will work! (I have a lace top that matches the costume perfectly and was going to wear that, but the sleeves keep getting caught on the prongs of the kazillion little rhinestones.)

Thanks for letting me tag along on your thread, Andalee, and thanks to all who are sharing your knowledge.

Anala, that costume is beautiful and so are you. Nice work!

One thing I have learned from that photo....do not let the flanking dancers tuck their hips behind yours!!! Makes you look 3 times bigger than them!!! Wenches!

Originally Posted by Zana

Nisima, if you add elastic to the back band, how/where do you attach it? That is exactly what I want to do, both to snug the back up a bit and as "backup" because I'm really afraid of something giving way. (Big heavy boobs here.) Wasn't sure whether it should go all the way around the back or just across the back opening with a few inches leeway on either side. I assume it gets its own hooks or giant snap. If not, how do you get into it?

Shrug/drape: I'm looking for the easiest one ever for someone with almost no sewing experience. I have thoughts of making one by cutting a long rectangle (say 5 feet times the distance from halter to bra band) out of the matching veil, draping it across my upper back and along my arms, and either sewing seams just along the upper arms or pinching at shoulder and elbow, with the ends left free as a sleeve drape. But I have never seen this done with a non-stretch fabric and I really don't sew (yet), so someone needs to tell me if I'm crazy to think it will work!

*Raises hand*

Another big boobed girl here. I add elastic to almost all of my bra bands so I'll try to explain how I do it.

You want a piece of heavy duty elastic (I only use 1 layer) for each side of the bra band (assuming back closure) that is a little bit shorter than the actual bra band. Not too much shorter, just enough to snug it in, to much gives back fat (or more back fat, in my case).
I securely attach the elastic to the inside of the band just past the cups, so about under your armpit. Then I securely attach the other end of the elastic close to the end of the band. Then I take thread and stitch into the bra band above and below the elastic all the way along, stretching the elastic as you go so that it lays flat against the band. You end up with your elastic in sort of a thread "casing" Make sure to use heavy duty thread and make the casing a little loose, so the elastic can move freely from contracting to stretching.
So you end up with the elastic laying flat inside the bra band and the thread going in an up and down zig-zag along the length of the elastic. The thread should only be actually attached to the elastic at the ends. When your bra is not on you, the elastic with contract and your bands will be a little bunchy, but when you put it on, the elastic will snug the band up to you for a more secure fit.
I hope that makes sense! I may be able to take a picture tonight if visual aids would help!

As for the shrug/drape, your idea should work but if it's a non-stretch fabric you are going to end up with something kind of blousy and loose in the back, rather than something fitted (not sure if that's what you are going for). You may need to pin it to your bra straps as well, to keep it from falling off your shoulders.

Good luck!
amanda

Originally Posted by Zana

Shrug/drape: I'm looking for the easiest one ever for someone with almost no sewing experience. I have thoughts of making one by cutting a long rectangle (say 5 feet times the distance from halter to bra band) out of the matching veil, draping it across my upper back and along my arms, and either sewing seams just along the upper arms or pinching at shoulder and elbow, with the ends left free as a sleeve drape. But I have never seen this done with a non-stretch fabric and I really don't sew (yet), so someone needs to tell me if I'm crazy to think it will work! (I have a lace top that matches the costume perfectly and was going to wear that, but the sleeves keep getting caught on the prongs of the kazillion little rhinestones.)

Thanks for letting me tag along on your thread, Andalee, and thanks to all who are sharing your knowledge.

Simplicity pattern 2941 has a shrug and a vest. If you are not great with sewing you may find it easier to use a pattern...

Originally Posted by amanda_raqs

*Raises hand*

Another big boobed girl here. I add elastic to almost all of my bra bands so I'll try to explain how I do it.

You want a piece of heavy duty elastic (I only use 1 layer) for each side of the bra band (assuming back closure) that is a little bit shorter than the actual bra band. Not too much shorter, just enough to snug it in, to much gives back fat (or more back fat, in my case).
I securely attach the elastic to the inside of the band just past the cups, so about under your armpit. Then I securely attach the other end of the elastic close to the end of the band. Then I take thread and stitch into the bra band above and below the elastic all the way along, stretching the elastic as you go so that it lays flat against the band. You end up with your elastic in sort of a thread "casing" Make sure to use heavy duty thread and make the casing a little loose, so the elastic can move freely from contracting to stretching.
So you end up with the elastic laying flat inside the bra band and the thread going in an up and down zig-zag along the length of the elastic. The thread should only be actually attached to the elastic at the ends. When your bra is not on you, the elastic with contract and your bands will be a little bunchy, but when you put it on, the elastic will snug the band up to you for a more secure fit.
I hope that makes sense! I may be able to take a picture tonight if visual aids would help!

As for the shrug/drape, your idea should work but if it's a non-stretch fabric you are going to end up with something kind of blousy and loose in the back, rather than something fitted (not sure if that's what you are going for). You may need to pin it to your bra straps as well, to keep it from falling off your shoulders.

Good luck!
amanda

Yeah, um. I'm gonna need a picture. Visual person here! ;) I do have some heavy duty elastic that I bought for a skirt and it was so thick that it gave me a muffin top, so I replaced it with thinner elastic. I've got the tools and I think that would help, especially because I need something to pull in on the sides under my pits.

Yes, please, a picture would be fantastic if you don't mind. But your description is very clear and helpful -- thank you very much! I think this is within my limited range of sewing skills and should really help with the fit.

Thanks also for the pattern link, Andalee.

[QUOTE=Zana;166769]This is a very timely thread for me! I have to fit a bra super-quickly this week, and I normally wear dresses so it's a whole new world. So I'll add some questions while we're on the subject, if that's OK.

Nisima, if you add elastic to the back band, how/where do you attach it? That is exactly what I want to do, both to snug the back up a bit and as "backup" because I'm really afraid of something giving way. (Big heavy boobs here.) Wasn't sure whether it should go all the way around the back or just across the back opening with a few inches leeway on either side. I assume it gets its own hooks or giant snap. If not, how do you get into it?

Nisima here: What I do is attach elastic that is triple strength and about 1-1/2" long to one end of the back strap then I sew one side of the "hook" and eye set to the elastic; that provides the "give". Same thing if bra is front closing, except you sew the elastic to inside of bra cup where hook would normally be. BUT, there's then the trick of "hiding" the elastic - sometimes I sew a jewel on top, or for large back straps even a sparkley brooch that "overlaps" the elastic and disguises it. Because depending on how long the elastic is, the back strap won't lay flat where elastic is. But for bras that need that "give" it's soooooo worth it. ..g.: A front closing bra is easier to disguise a short lenght of sturdy elastic than back strap, IMO.

I have found that the sturdier bras from Egypt that have stiff back straps support so well that I don't need elastic but I'm talking really stiff buckram enhanced back straps, not soft felt lined material.

That bra looks a little small, and doesn't fit right, but I think you can solve it:
- move the cups closer together and slightly tilt them inward
- move the straps out in the front; right now they are coming from the top, they should be coming from top outside corner
- make it a halter
-add just an inch of fabric on top.
I added to a Turkish bra in a way that know one can tell and it's pretty. I cut up the headband: I didn't like the way it made me look anyways, and it was the same colors, with excellent beading. I cut it in half, (cut out the middle part) and now I had 2 identical pieces, that fit right on top of my bras.

Originally Posted by Zana

Shrug/drape: I'm looking for the easiest one ever for someone with almost no sewing experience. I have thoughts of making one by cutting a long rectangle (say 5 feet times the distance from halter to bra band) out of the matching veil,

Sorry for the verbose descriptions. When my photographer brother in law returns from his hiatus, I will have him photograph the steps for this wrap and post it in my blog, picture is worth a thousand words and all that. I get a lot of requests for this one. It's an oldie, but a goodie.

Veil Jacket
1. Place veil over shoulders like a shawl - hold both hands out in front. One corner of the veil in each hand. One long side (side A) runs from one hand, over your shoulders, down the other arm to the other hand. The body of the veil covers your back.

2. Using the corners in your hands, tie a loose square knot (if you want to remove the veil jacket while dancing, just tie half a knot) keeping Side A of the veil over your shoulders & the back of your neck, so the body of the veil covers your back

3. Hold the knot in one hand (hand #1) in front of your face.

4. With the other hand (#2), reach around to the back of your neck. Grasp the center of long side A at the nape of your neck. Pull the veil over head, and bring that center point to the knot you're holding in front of your face.

5. Stop for a moment, and look at the loops that have formed in Side A of the veil. There should be one loop on the right, and one on the left. The center point between the two loops is at your hands.

6. Wrap that center point of side A (it's in hand #2) around the knot in hand #1. It works best if you put the knot above the fabric, bringing the fabric under the knot, out away from your body, up over the know. In other words, roll the knot up in the fabric. Just a wrap or two is sufficient.

7. Carefully lift the wrapped knot over your head to the back of your neck.

6. Gently place arms through loopholes from step 5.