Thread: Tell me about your silicone bra inserts!

Otherwise known as the "Chicken Cutlet" ..l;,

I have lost some weight recently, which is good - but along with the weight has gone my boobs! .w.: I have been adding padding to my costume bras, but I'm thinking of getting those silicone inserts that go in your bra...

I don't want to go up a ton, I just want to fill out my C-cups again!

Anyone tried these? Did you like them? Is there a particular brand or style you recommend? Anything you don't recommend?

Tell me about your falsies, ladies! ..l;,..l;,

I wouldn't recommend them for costume bras. I had one slide out the bottom of bra bra during a particularly sweaty show and land at the feet of some diners. I swooped it back up, danced behind a pole and shoved it back in then went on like nothing happened. I have never used a pad i couldn't secure in the bra since then.

Agree with stardancer. They get slippery when they get sweaty. I lost one, too, but fortunately, it was backstage right after I danced.

If you can make a pocket in the bra cup, that will alleviate the problem. I did this and it worked fine. Except for the fact that at the time, no chicken cutlet was ever gonna help my ironing board chest! ..l;,

Not silicone, but I used a couple of gel ones you find in VS bras as bump pads in the bottom of my cups. I used double sticky tape to attach them to the inside of the costume. Worked well.

make sure them suckers are GLUED ON ..my dance friend did a turkish drop and one popped out on the floor

One of the Canadian fabric shops (Fabricland) sells something similar to the cutlets but they are wrapped in fabric. Retail $14, but often on sale.

I tacked snaps to the corners, and then placed matching snaps on the inside of my costume bras. That way they are "locked" in place, but I can move them between costumes too.

Originally Posted by stardancer

I wouldn't recommend them for costume bras. I had one slide out the bottom of bra bra during a particularly sweaty show and land at the feet of some diners. I swooped it back up, danced behind a pole and shoved it back in then went on like nothing happened. I have never used a pad i couldn't secure in the bra since then.

Yikes! Sounds like you handled it well, though.

I have read warnings about these popping out on other threads, too, so obviously they need to be secured somehow. Double sided tape seems like a great idea! No sewing involved.

For those that had them pop out - did you stop using them after that?

Originally Posted by caasious

One of the Canadian fabric shops (Fabricland) sells something similar to the cutlets but they are wrapped in fabric. Retail $14, but often on sale.

I tacked snaps to the corners, and then placed matching snaps on the inside of my costume bras. That way they are "locked" in place, but I can move them between costumes too.

I will look for these, thanks!

Originally Posted by Asra*

I will look for these, thanks!

These sound cool. Let me know if you find them is the US.

I stopped using them, yes. I don't want to risk that happening in performance.

I have purchased some of the type caasious mentioned. I usually stitch those into my costumes, although I don't have them in all my costumes yet.

Originally Posted by caasious

One of the Canadian fabric shops (Fabricland) sells something similar to the cutlets but they are wrapped in fabric. Retail $14, but often on sale.

I tacked snaps to the corners, and then placed matching snaps on the inside of my costume bras. That way they are "locked" in place, but I can move them between costumes too.

I looked in one Fabricland today but didn't find them, and I was too shy to ask anyone

I am on a mission, though - and I will be looking for them. There are a couple of other Fabriclands in my town, plus other fabric places. Hopefully I can track some down

Originally Posted by Asra*

I looked in one Fabricland today but didn't find them, and I was too shy to ask anyone

fyi... they should be in the notions department - somewhere near the purse handles and shoulder pads. Displayed with the bathing suit cup inserts, ask for those instead!!.

Originally Posted by caasious

fyi... they should be in the notions department - somewhere near the purse handles and shoulder pads. Displayed with the bathing suit cup inserts, ask for those instead!!.

Thanks ..l;,

Yeah, ITA with Azhia. You could give me a chicken cutlet hand-crafted by angels and filled with the tears of unicorns and I still wouldn't get any cleavage ..cr.:

For placebo effect, however, I like to make a little pocket to slip the cutlet in. Or, I like to bust open the lining, stuff it to the gills with poly filling (like what you stuff pillows or Build-A-Bears with LOL) and sew it back together. There are far too many caveats to inserting a cutlet and praying it doesn't land in somebody's baba ghanoush.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

For placebo effect, however, I like to make a little pocket to slip the cutlet in. Or, I like to bust open the lining, stuff it to the gills with poly filling (like what you stuff pillows or Build-A-Bears with LOL) and sew it back together. There are far too many caveats to inserting a cutlet and praying it doesn't land in somebody's baba ghanoush.

True. It just seems easier to me to have one set of inserts to transfer from bra to bra than have to stuff all my costume bras. I hate sewing ,m::

I will definitely take steps to ensure they stay put though.

Originally Posted by Asra*

True. It just seems easier to me to have one set of inserts to transfer from bra to bra than have to stuff all my costume bras.

imo its actually easier to build what you need into each costume. then its secure and no chance of flying parts. every bra is different and will need slightly different padding amounts, angles, etc.
you can also use quilting batting or shoulder pads under the lining. its not real sewing. just make an opening in the lining, suff & tack shut.

I sew shoulder pads under the lining instead-
lighter and cheaper ;)

Bhuzzing after three dance classes make me post without reading what Sabrina wrote before me,sorry!

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

imo its actually easier to build what you need into each costume. then its secure and no chance of flying parts. every bra is different and will need slightly different padding amounts, angles, etc.
you can also use quilting batting or shoulder pads under the lining. its not real sewing. just make an opening in the lining, suff & tack shut.

Thanks for the advice. I've tried the shoulder pad thing and wasn't thrilled with the results. They just sort of squished the boobs down and didn't lift them up and together like I wanted. It may just be placement issue, like you describe. I could probably make them work, but I just don't want to spend the time required to perfect each bra.

Call me impatient, I guess! ,r:;

I think I'm going for the inserts - would love to hear about anyone's experiences with them.

For shoulder pads, try folding them in half before tacking into the bra, so the center is a bit "fluffier". If you tack the to the bottom-outer edge (on an angle) you'll get better results than trying to "fill the cups" with the padding.

It's like building a little shelf for your parts to sit on in stead of being squished. :-)

With the inserts from Fabricland, I find they're bigger than the silicone inserts. Instead of just being "bottom lifters" they are full cups with gel pieces at the bottom. Because of that, I find they are sometimes a little bigger than I'd like or not quite the right shape. They come in only a couple of colours, too (black and white--I don't think I've seen a nude, but I can't recall for sure). So, my concern is the edge of them showing. I sometimes trim them. They are definitely more of a PITA than having a pair of silicone inserts to use with any costume, but they aren't perfect, either.

It just occurs to me that making little nude-coloured covers for the silicone inserts might be a solution--sort of like little pillow cases. Hmm. Must think more on this.

Originally Posted by Shalimah

With the inserts from Fabricland, I find they're bigger than the silicone inserts. Instead of just being "bottom lifters" they are full cups with gel pieces at the bottom. Because of that, I find they are sometimes a little bigger than I'd like or not quite the right shape. They come in only a couple of colours, too (black and white--I don't think I've seen a nude, but I can't recall for sure). So, my concern is the edge of them showing. I sometimes trim them. They are definitely more of a PITA than having a pair of silicone inserts to use with any costume, but they aren't perfect, either.

It just occurs to me that making little nude-coloured covers for the silicone inserts might be a solution--sort of like little pillow cases. Hmm. Must think more on this.

Hmmm...maybe I have to see them to know if they're what I want. I plan to have a look on tuesday :)

BTW, love your tagline, Asra. My DH and I always joke that we are a couple of magpies.

Originally Posted by Shalimah

BTW, love your tagline, Asra. My DH and I always joke that we are a couple of magpies.

..l;,Oh, thanks! I can't take credit, I read it somewhere - but it's so perfect. I never met a bellydancer who wasn't obsessed with shiny things!

I found out the hard way too, I realised that my gel insert was sticking half way out by the end of the night...embarrasing!

I use the stick on silicon bra things, not very eloquently put but they stick to your skin and then clip together to give better cleavage. google it, can't remember the make.

I've used the silicone gel breast things (NuBra brand) under two evening dresses and they worked well but dancing made them clammy. I think using pockets for inserts or the tape makes sense.

Originally Posted by helgargarner

I found out the hard way too, I realised that my gel insert was sticking half way out by the end of the night...embarrasing!

I use the stick on silicon bra things, not very eloquently put but they stick to your skin and then clip together to give better cleavage. google it, can't remember the make.

I'll check that out, thanks!

Originally Posted by bgordon2020

I've used the silicone gel breast things (NuBra brand) under two evening dresses and they worked well but dancing made them clammy. I think using pockets for inserts or the tape makes sense.

Yes, I've seen NuBra ones on eBay. Good to know, thanks. I's much rather go with a brand that someone has used successfully than some mystery brand that could end up being complete crap.

I think that the cutlets are waaay too heavy. I prefer a lighter and fluffier fiber fill option. There is no need to add that extra weight or "realness." Its not like I am slow dancing at 16 and I am afraid my date might know my chest is enchanced.