Thread: Bra question

Hello ladies,

I have a question pertaining to costume bras. I have been experimenting with both purchased and home-made bras and it seems that the non-stretch stuff doesn't work for me. (I'm a D cup). Is this normal?

To clarify: both bras are fitting fine in the cups and have plenty of length strap-wise. I have tried various types of adjustments, from length, to angles of straps, to different types of closures (tied, pant hooks and bars) and it just seems like buckram or other non stretch fabrics are not working for me. It's like, in order to get enough support for the girls, the non stretch bra has to be tied in a way that digs in my skin and restricts free movement. Not by a lot, just very uncomfortable, even on the homemade, undecorated (and logically lighter) prototype.

Am I the only elastic straps addict, or is it a function of my cup size?

Any input welcome. TIA,

Kem.

Although the elastic straps are a pet peeve among many if not most of the community there are those of us who still stand by the covered store bought with elastic intact. My teacher has been making her costumes this way for 30 years without issue. I too find them more comfortable, less compressing, and less prone to malfunction. I think the main concern is or should be that the lingerie components are covered.

I'm a D cup, and I strongly prefer the non-stretch because I find it almost impossible to get enough support from a stretch bra to do shoulder shimmies and things without an obscene amount of jiggling about. It also looks and feels more like clothing and less like underwear this way.

If you're more comfortable, though, there are ways to make stretch straps work without looking like lingerie, or to cover that architecture with a vest. Either way, I'd still use non-stretch shoulder straps to get some level of support. A pair of D cup breasts unrestrained during a shoulder shimmy is just scary, and during a bouncy Saidi is painful!

My first thought as I tried to imagine your situation was that you may need deeper cups. Either in general (you know how Oprah and all the women's magazines say most of us are wearing our cups a size too small and our bands a size too big?) or just for dance.

I also prefer a stretch braband, but the straps I like non stretch. It's for comfort reasons because as a A cup I don't need to worry about support. I also worry less about malfunctions with stretchy bands because non stretch bands fell like they are about to pop with every breath or lift, if I set them a little less tight i worry about lifting my arms and accidently taking the bra up with them . That and I just like to be able to breath

I make the side panels of my bras out of non-stretch fabric but then sew elastic inside.

Basically you get a piece of elastic thats a little shorter than the panel. Sew one end of the elastic to the inside of the panel just next to the cup and the other end just next to the end of the panel (by where it hooks).

So now you should have the elastic sewn in at both ends but loose in the middle, so the panel will be puckered a little when the elastic is relaxed. Stretch the elastic and either tack it in place at several points along the length of the elastic, or sew a thread "casing" for the elastic to rest in. The thread casing works better. Now repeat on the other panel.

When you put the bra on, the bra will hug your body better because the elastic is pulling it in. You can't make the elastic too small or it will look puckered from the outside, you just want to pull it in a little. I do this on all the bras I purchase as well.

Hope this makes some sort of sense. I'll have to see if I have an unlined bra that I can photograph the inside of.

Also, I wear my bras as tight as I can possibly stand, and I do halter straps. Yeah, they are uncomfortable on my neck but generally my bra is so tight that it will stay in place without the halter, so I just walk around with it undone or loosely hooked (under a cover-up!) until its time to perform.

amanda

The other thing to think about is the shoulder strap configuration. (I'd a 34 DD, I feel your pain. Literally!)

I have a couple of bras which have both over the shoulder and halter straps, which gives a nice lift AND security. The key is to support your breasts while lifting, in such a way that there is very little movement. A good bra, whether it is a commercial lingerie bra or a BD costume, should not need the shoulder straps to keep you in place. Breast should not move, in the perfect world.

Now, in a couple of my vintage BD costume bras, I have seen dancers cover two layers of elastic with decorative trim and use those for the straps. The key is that the elastic does not have very much give, ie: the straps are set so that there is only a tiny amount of difference between the rib cage measurement and the measurement around the chest strap. As in 1/4 inch. This actually gives you quiet a bit of breathing room, while keeping the bra snug.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by FayrouzFarasha

Although the elastic straps are a pet peeve among many if not most of the community there are those of us who still stand by the covered store bought with elastic intact. My teacher has been making her costumes this way for 30 years without issue. I too find them more comfortable, less compressing, and less prone to malfunction. I think the main concern is or should be that the lingerie components are covered.

Thanks, that's good to know. Re covered lingerie components: and let all that embelishment real-estate go to waste? No way! Everything that can will be covered, *wink*

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I'm a D cup, and I strongly prefer the non-stretch because I find it almost impossible to get enough support from a stretch bra to do shoulder shimmies and things without an obscene amount of jiggling about. It also looks and feels more like clothing and less like underwear this way.

If you're more comfortable, though, there are ways to make stretch straps work without looking like lingerie, or to cover that architecture with a vest. Either way, I'd still use non-stretch shoulder straps to get some level of support. A pair of D cup breasts unrestrained during a shoulder shimmy is just scary, and during a bouncy Saidi is painful!

My first thought as I tried to imagine your situation was that you may need deeper cups. Either in general (you know how Oprah and all the women's magazines say most of us are wearing our cups a size too small and our bands a size too big?) or just for dance.

Lauren, I wish I could deal with non stretch straps, but they just seem to dig so much, regardless of width. That being said, my regular stretch bra straps don't let me jiggle, so I think it should be ok for a costume bra, right? (Besides, I don't fancy the idea of giving myself a shiner during a Saidi... *g*)

Re deeper cups: I thought about that too, but I know it's not the case bc since I've been on my "journey" to lose 60 pounds, I've had regular bra fittings. My last one dates back 3 weeks. It's also part of the reason why I want stretchy straps: since I'm half way there (still 30 lbs to lose), I'm thinking that the stretch will somewhat reduce the amount of times that I will have to alter the darn thing.

Thanks for your input!

Originally Posted by elenya

I also prefer a stretch braband, but the straps I like non stretch. It's for comfort reasons because as a A cup I don't need to worry about support. I also worry less about malfunctions with stretchy bands because non stretch bands fell like they are about to pop with every breath or lift, if I set them a little less tight i worry about lifting my arms and accidently taking the bra up with them . That and I just like to be able to breath

You have no idea how much I envy your A cups... *g* I hear what you're saying about breathing, whenever I take a breath in those non stretch types bras I feel the straps straining a little bit.

Originally Posted by amanda_raqs

I make the side panels of my bras out of non-stretch fabric but then sew elastic inside.

Basically you get a piece of elastic thats a little shorter than the panel. Sew one end of the elastic to the inside of the panel just next to the cup and the other end just next to the end of the panel (by where it hooks).

So now you should have the elastic sewn in at both ends but loose in the middle, so the panel will be puckered a little when the elastic is relaxed. Stretch the elastic and either tack it in place at several points along the length of the elastic, or sew a thread "casing" for the elastic to rest in. The thread casing works better. Now repeat on the other panel.

When you put the bra on, the bra will hug your body better because the elastic is pulling it in. You can't make the elastic too small or it will look puckered from the outside, you just want to pull it in a little. I do this on all the bras I purchase as well.

Hope this makes some sort of sense. I'll have to see if I have an unlined bra that I can photograph the inside of.

Also, I wear my bras as tight as I can possibly stand, and I do halter straps. Yeah, they are uncomfortable on my neck but generally my bra is so tight that it will stay in place without the halter, so I just walk around with it undone or loosely hooked (under a cover-up!) until its time to perform.

amanda

That sounds like a very clever method Amanda. If you can, please do post those pics, I would really appreciate it.

I don't think I can pull off the halter strap anyways, bc my short neck and beer bottle shoulders

Thanks!

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

A good bra, whether it is a commercial lingerie bra or a BD costume, should not need the shoulder straps to keep you in place. Breast should not move, in the perfect world.

Now, in a couple of my vintage BD costume bras, I have seen dancers cover two layers of elastic with decorative trim and use those for the straps. The key is that the elastic does not have very much give, ie: the straps are set so that there is only a tiny amount of difference between the rib cage measurement and the measurement around the chest strap. As in 1/4 inch. This actually gives you quiet a bit of breathing room, while keeping the bra snug.

{{{HUGS}}}

In a perfect world, my boobs would look the way they do when I'm in water up to my neck, no bra required, regardless of where I am. ..l;,

I really like the idea of double elastic... Will have to see how the thickness would jive with my prototype, but that would be a nice way to have the best of both worlds AND real-estate for embellishments. Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

The other thing to think about is the shoulder strap configuration. (I'd a 34 DD, I feel your pain. Literally!)
I have a couple of bras which have both over the shoulder and halter straps, which gives a nice lift AND security.
{{{HUGS}}}

I have to agree with Tahira, I like having both shoulder straps and a halter strap, that combination works very well. It also relives some of the stress on the neck if you're generously "blessed". I like to keep the boob jiggle as minimal as possible.

Lauren pointed out the need for having a proper cup size which I agree with 100% because people really don't think about it, they just buy the size they use for everyday wear. In fact everyone I know who gave me advice when I started making my own costumes told me to get a cup one size larger then I normally wear. Any extra 'room' will be taken up once you have the cup covered and lined. Also if you buy a cup size that is too small you'll look like you're wearing pasties. ,r:;