Question about stuffing/padding bras (linked to older thread)

[ecnyx]

Hi All,

I am looking for advice on how to fix a bra that is 1 cup size too big. I have attached the bra padding to the costume bra, but because my girls are too petite, I have this gap that looks pretty bad =(.

I stumbled upon this thread that might help me as well as others (good info here!):

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/m/5821-bra...-too-much.html

*note*- I'm linking it since the thread has been closed.

My question pertains specifically to Shira's suggestion in the thread about lining the costume bra with a bra that fits me. Just wondering, for those who have used this method, does it matter if the bra has an underwire or not? As a quick test, I used a bra on hand that has an underwire, but it's pretty rigid and the costume bra will probably conform to the bra. Is that okay?

Any suggestions about this method?

-ecnyx

[ssipes]

Having just gone through this myself, my advice is sell the costume and buy one that fits. If you have added stuffing, and adjust the angles and lengths of the strappage, and the bra is still gaping open, it is probably more than one cup size too big. Moreover, it is probable that if all this is the case, the bra cups are large enough that from the outside, gapping aside, the bra will look proportionally too big for the rest of your torso. This was the case with my costume below, although I did not realize this component of the problem until I tried on a bra that truly fit, which made me look taller and longer in the torso!

Below is a pic of me in a costume I just sold, for which the bra is fully two cup sizes too big. The off-white thing you can see inside the cup is a pushup pad. At this point, the straps were an engineering feat of pure genius in terms of attempting to pull the cups towards my body and it was still gaping open.

[mihnea]

It can be difficult to get the correct padding for a bra that just doesn't fit you. I managed to get one bra two cup sizes different from me to fit by adding another little piece of strap to the halter, so that instead of it connecting in one place on the bra cup, I had a piece come down from the strap and connected in another place on the bra, so there was a little triangle. That little piece held the cup firmer to me, preventing the gapping that was occuring. It's the green and black I have in my picture gallery.

But, as ssipes just said, the cups still looked off to me because of the large size. Now I want to sell the costume. But the fix did make it work and it did fit me and look ok.

[Lauren_]

Just wondering, for those who have used this method, does it matter if the bra has an underwire or not? As a quick test, I used a bra on hand that has an underwire, but it's pretty rigid and the costume bra will probably conform to the bra. Is that okay?

Hmmmmm... I've used this method, and always use underwire cups, but only to suspend the girls in hammocks within rock-hard Egyptian 'sequinned suit of armor' bras that wouldn't conform to anything. If your costume bra is soft/flexible, I'm not sure it's a good plan.

Can you post a pic of the bra in question? There are several fitting techniques, but it' shard to recommend anything without seeing the shape of the cups, straps, etc.

[Anjela]

One trick that my seamstress has used on some of my bras is to line the tops of the cups with strong, yet flexible, wire. Cut enough wire to span the length of the tops of the cups, and then stitch it in place just far enough inside the cup so that it won't be visible (the closer to the edge of the cup, the better it will do its job). Then you can use the wire to bend the cup inward, down towards the breast, to eliminate the "gappage." I believe that Bella wires all of her bra cups, correct?

[Lauren_]

Wire is a good idea! I was wondering, if the cups are relatively soft, if their inner edges could be elasticized for snugness, but wire is probably a better idea.

Often moving the straps inward on the cups will solve a gapping issue, too -- but that depends so much on cup shape, how the straps are attached, etc.

[ecnyx]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I'll try and include a picture of my bra at some point. I really like the wire idea! Any more specific details on what type of wire works well?
The bra I have is fairly rigid but not stiff. It's like a really really thick cardboard......Although it appears that my bras underwire would conform to the cup.....
I won't have time to try anything until the weekend, but please keep the ideas coming!