Thread: why are bra cups so small on new costumes?

In looking at the latest flyer from Dahlal, I am astounded by the tiny tops. I think a small top, rather than looking sexy, makes the costume look unbalanced and makes the wearer's hips look too large in proportion. It was mainly in the Hanan costumes, but there were a few others like this.

What do you think about this trend?

When I was perusing Andrea2's costumes at Michelle Joyce, I was surprised to see so many small bras, because I usually have a hard to finding anything that will fit me in top (I'm barely an A cup). Not only were there small ones, but there were a few that were heavily pre-padded, which I've never seen before. She said it's because many of the designers are now targeting the Japanese/Korean market, where BD has gotten huge. Many of the dancers over their are very slightly built, and need small bras with lots of padding.

I can't tell you how awesome it was to not have to pad the bra in the costume I got from her. The padding was arranged perfectly in there, and it gives me amazing cleavage.

Dahlals models may be wearing bras that do not really fit them, and instead are meant for a much smaller bust.

I totally agree about the proportion! Small tops also make your torso look huge by comparison -- not in a Pamela Anderson way, but in an Arnold Schwarzenegger way!!

Andrea may be right about the models having to wear too-small costumes for the newsletter. I don't think Dahlal has any A/B cup models on tap. But it may also be the Dina Effect, trying to expose as much of the breast globe as possible while cleverly concealing the goodies. *shudder*

Originally Posted by Lauren_

trying to expose as much of the breast globe as possible while cleverly concealing the goodies. *shudder*

I shudder with you.

On a side note, I'm not feeling the "clear strap making it look like you're going to pop open in the front" look, either.

Yeah, I've got a GORGEOUS new Eman that is supposedly a C cup, but it looks more like an A/B. Sure, everything fits, but I'm going to need double tape just to feel secure.

And even then...

Debating on whether or not to reconstruct, but am afraid to wreck it. It's not a simple "add to the top" fix...

So, no - I don't like this new trend at all and prefer more modesty, personally.

Originally Posted by Adishakti

Yeah, I've got a GORGEOUS new Eman that is supposedly a C cup, but it looks more like an A/B. Sure, everything fits, but I'm going to need double tape just to feel secure.

And even then...

Debating on whether or not to reconstruct, but am afraid to wreck it. It's not a simple "add to the top" fix...

So, no - I don't like this new trend at all and prefer more modesty, personally.

Was it vanity sized, meaning that the designer wishes to make the wearer feel bigger than she is?

I can remember being shocked by costumes, like Mona in the black fishnet dress I just posted, or Dina in a simple pink Sahar that's NOTHING compared to what Sahar is doing now. Today when I look at those costumes I don't bat an eye, and when I post those clips people just say 'cute costume.'

Things sure have changed in the last 5 years!

As a bigger breasted gal, I don't like the smaller cup fad. I NEED coverage, and not just for my nipples. Yeah, it is a bra top but that doesn't mean I want the girls jumping out to say hey.

Belly Dance Store.com

I don't think I could rock something like this even though I'm an A cup- there would just be too much space in between of open chest... i would also feel way too naked.

Being a D I too prefer more coverage. I get nervous enough, I don't need to be worried about a wardrobe malfunction.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

As a bigger breasted gal, I don't like the smaller cup fad. I NEED coverage, and not just for my nipples. Yeah, it is a bra top but that doesn't mean I want the girls jumping out to say hey.

sing it to me! I ordered a costume from eman and asked for a cup size 5. she instead sent me one of those dina style cupcake bras. it was frightening. if I put the costume on and bent forward, oh, maybe ten degrees, you could no longer see the bra.

I think those bras are gorgeous on the right pair of boobies, but the range that they fit well is pretty narrow. regular cups are so much more flexible, in that you can pad them or un pad them or move them closer together or further apart...

Originally Posted by anyadance

Belly Dance Store.com

I don't think I could rock something like this even though I'm an A cup- there would just be too much space in between of open chest... i would also feel way too naked.

...but remember that we all have different rib cage sizes, too. I know some women who are broad up top yet still a small or medium cup size. And some women have breasts that are simply placed more far apart.

I'm a DD with a comparatively small ribcage (yes really) and wide set boobs. It's tricky getting a good fit that also looks sexy and attractive. I'd *like* to show more cleavage sometimes!

Totally agree. My underbust is 31" and I have have DDs on a good day (I really wear a 34DDD). Costumes use to always have underbust straps that would nearly wrap around twice in order to get the right cup size. I still often place a wider connector between the cups to get more width.

I am so into serious comfort and coverage. All the costumes I design have supportive side panels that aren't just a thin strip meant to hold you in and I use all different cup sizes. No one is the same. It is silly to think that padding or the lack of it alone is going to solve all the problems a bra might have. I always start with a cup size 1 bigger than your street size because bras shrink when you start putting decorations and lining on them.

I just received a costume today. I'm a B/C and I ordered a C, and it fits more like a A/B! I'm spilling out and have to find a solution to this problem! Thankfully there's so much fringe on the top that it mostly covers what spills out from the bottom. That'll have to do for now...

LOL big boobed here, don't even get me started!

I'm, like, an AA on a good day and the new style still doesn't look flattering on me. It's not so much the size of the cups as the space in between. It just emphasizes the sternum and the flatness ,f::

Originally Posted by KelsNasim

Being a D I too prefer more coverage. I get nervous enough, I don't need to be worried about a wardrobe malfunction.

Totally agree. I can't dance when I'm so worried about my top.

More coverage for me too. I like wearing cholis with a bra for more coverage and support.

When I have purchased bras (which I have never purchased Hanan) they always are smaller, I have to take them apart, and reconstruct them to my size.

Originally Posted by Whisper

Totally agree. My underbust is 31" and I have have DDs on a good day (I really wear a 34DDD). Costumes use to always have underbust straps that would nearly wrap around twice in order to get the right cup size.

I have a 30" underbust and am a 34D and have the same issue--if the cups fit, then the hook on the back strap is practically in my armpit

I'll be joining the Big Boob, Small Ribcage group! I have a sparkly red costume that I can't even wear because it just looks obscene. It sort of fits but gives way to much cleavage and too much side boob is showing. *sigh*

Originally Posted by badriya_al_ahmar

I have a 30" underbust and am a 34D and have the same issue--if the cups fit, then the hook on the back strap is practically in my armpit

There is a solution for this issue: scissors ..l;,
Just got a costume in the same size (34D) and cut about 2inchs of from both sides.

where is this small ribcage big boob group? ;o) I'm a 32F! ( bless you Bravissimo x)

Originally Posted by anyadance

Belly Dance Store.com

I don't think I could rock something like this even though I'm an A cup- there would just be too much space in between of open chest... i would also feel way too naked.

Yowza... I'm trying to imagine this sucker on my Ds... I'd call my "Let's be friends!" costume.
I mean, why bother with the straps? Slap on some pasties and be done with it! LOL

Seriously, the more I look at pro costume bras, the more I think that I'd prefer to make my own and hopefully make it on a sports bra frame. Support and coverage. Simple things but seemingly rare in pro costumes.

Originally Posted by sha-ri

There is a solution for this issue: scissors ..l;,

I debated that on my last costume fitting project, but decided not to cut, for two reasons. One was the beadwork that went all around the edges of the straps. The other was thinking about future resale value, and allowing the bra to fit a wider range of sizes. Though now that I know there's a lot more people in the same predicament, maybe I'll be more likely to cut and just deal with reinforcing all the beadwork...

Originally Posted by badriya_al_ahmar

I debated that on my last costume fitting project, but decided not to cut, for two reasons. One was the beadwork that went all around the edges of the straps. The other was thinking about future resale value, and allowing the bra to fit a wider range of sizes. Though now that I know there's a lot more people in the same predicament, maybe I'll be more likely to cut and just deal with reinforcing all the beadwork...

What I do is open up the back straps and collect and save all the beads. I cut the base, but tuck the fabric back inside. Then I can add more to the base and the fabric just covers it.

I hate having straps wrap too far over.

How do those clear straps look? Are they easily adjustable?

I seemto have a never-ending conundrum with bra fit. I have large breasts a bit of extra belly and a short torso, so I try to push the girls up to elongate the torso and give a slimming effect, which adds extra cleavage which sometimes is nice, but then i end up with the brastrap area bulge in the underarm and back area from having to have the straps and side panels tight enough to support the girls...so it's either that or saggy boobs and unflatteringly short torso-belly..can't win!!!