Thread: Bras for the 'oh my god' sizes

Hey ladies,

I have always made my own costumes but since I have put on weight I am having so many problems. I used to be an Australian 12DD but now after putting on a staggering 60+kg and then losing about 25kg I am a 20E-F. I used to buy a good quality, stiff cupped, strapless bra and convert it into a costume bra and that held me in nice and tight. The only problem now is that they don't make decent bras for my size, they are all soft cup minimizers or 'granny lace' bras. I could probably construct something myself but I really want to avoid the pointy Madonna look that buckram gives. I have also tried getting one made in Egypt but it didn't come even close to being decent, coverage wise. I don't think they understand that most of my weight is carried on my front.

I know the ideal solution would be to lose more weight but my doctor is getting mad at me if I lose too quickly due to other health complications and I am getting mad at myself for thinking I shouldn't perform until I am skinny again!

I was just wondering if anyone has had this problem and if they know of a possible solution. I am an advanced sewer and I used to make wedding dresses so I'm not afraid of some hard work and tricky sewing.

Land Bryant
Smooth balconette bra | Lane Bryant

Amity turned me on to these and they are really comefy. Not stiff so you would have to reinforce them. I am going to try some corset boning, grosgrain and maybe pellon...not sure yet.

i don't know Australian sizes so I hope this is within the range.

ooo awesome, I think I am an F in US sizes (the last bra shop I went into they made me model the new US F cup bras they had got in because they couldn't find anyone that size *sigh*

That is definately a workable shape too! THANKS!!!! xx

Ree, you ought to check out bravissimo.com! They will show the prices on their site in AUS$ if you click on the little Australian flag in the corner, so I would expect they ship to Australia. They have a great selection of really good bras in all kinds of sizes. Not just the awful granny-bras that it seems most lingerie designers think busty women want!

Originally Posted by lylagus

Land Bryant
Smooth balconette bra | Lane Bryant

Amity turned me on to these and they are really comefy. Not stiff so you would have to reinforce them. I am going to try some corset boning, grosgrain and maybe pellon...not sure yet.

i don't know Australian sizes so I hope this is within the range.

I wear these everyday! The current downer is that I've lost weight since buying a big stash...and none of them fit!

Originally Posted by 1shadylady

I wear these everyday! The current downer is that I've lost weight since buying a big stash...and none of them fit!

What size??????? PM me because if we are similar I might buy a few off you for costumes

bellydancestore.biz has costumes in the DDD/E/F/G/H range.

Belly Dance Costumes | Belly Dance Store.com: gallery

Incidentally, I think this is a nominee for "best thread title"!!

Originally Posted by lylagus

What size??????? PM me because if we are similar I might buy a few off you for costumes

They're 38DD. I think I might use them for costume bases...but I'm still losing weight and don't know when it will stop-ish (although...I am not complaining at all)...You can have them! (Let me buy new first...I plan on shopping this week or next).

Originally Posted by 1shadylady

They're 38DD. I think I might use them for costume bases...but I'm still losing weight and don't know when it will stop-ish (although...I am not complaining at all)...You can have them! (Let me buy new first...I plan on shopping this week or next).

If Lylagus passes, I'd be interested in taking them ;)

FYI I have a couple of (new) costume bra cups and a (new) bra for sale over in the swap (D-DD cups, a 38D bra).

Ree, I feel you on the 'oh my god' cup size issue. Coverage, perfect fit, flattering design...none can be overlooked or we will get way too looked over! More and more I go for costuming that I can wear my own bra under for reinforcement.

Add me to the list for the 38DD's. Is this a new direction for Bhuz? Oh my, we are all family here, aren't we?

Is it just me, or do many 'plus size' costumes look like they were designed by someone with no taste? I honestly can't understand why there isn't enough designs out there that good for curvy women. I mean, granted I will never be a cut out girl (I'd feel too much like a ham in a string bag) but why can't I have a costume that is luxurious and classy?

Does anyone else feel this way?

Originally Posted by ReeAbrahams

Is it just me, or do many 'plus size' costumes look like they were designed by someone with no taste? I honestly can't understand why there isn't enough designs out there that good for curvy women. I mean, granted I will never be a cut out girl (I'd feel too much like a ham in a string bag) but why can't I have a costume that is luxurious and classy?

Does anyone else feel this way?

I think it's supply and demand. In Cairo, although most women dance, only pros wear costumes and they tend to be have slender figures or wear galabeyas. I think it's hard for the manufacturers and designers to really understand a market for the costumes in these sizes -- not that they're being judgmental, necessarily, it's just completely outside their experience.

To make matters worse, I was told a while back that there's been such a huge surge in the popularity of bellydance in the Far Eastern countries that a big part of the demand for costumes is coming from there -- and the women there tend to be very, very tiny and petite. So the designers are producing even more A cup and B cup costumes with 30 inch hips. ,f::

Russian dancers appear to be mostly slender as well. Worldwide, I think the curvacious women really don't represent a big enough portion of the market to be influential.

That's why I was so happy to see Bellydancestore bring in a variety of styles, and some of them are lovely, in my opinion. I *hope* they get a great response to the costumes in this size and that the retailer and the designers do so well with the costumes that they'll want to offer lots more in this size range!

Also, for those who want to sew their costume bras from scratch: Green and blue lace lingerie set #5 – Sewing Patterns | BurdaStyle.com

This pattern is offered in a few different LARGE cup variations - find the cup size that fits, and simply extend the band to match! I'm waiting for $$ to go buy buckram and make a test bra, to see how it turns out. And since the pattern is home-printable, you can easily fiddle with it and not have to worry about wrecking a flimsy tissue pattern...

Originally Posted by ReeAbrahams

Is it just me, or do many 'plus size' costumes look like they were designed by someone with no taste? I honestly can't understand why there isn't enough designs out there that good for curvy women. I mean, granted I will never be a cut out girl (I'd feel too much like a ham in a string bag) but why can't I have a costume that is luxurious and classy?

Does anyone else feel this way?

Yes! And not only that, they also expect that you can't have boobs larger than a C or MAYBE a D cup unless you're also plus size! Try being a 32F/32FF with a 35" high hip.

Oh, and the fact that so many of the bigger-bra costumes are covered in oodles of long fringe? Not so cool. I mean, I have big tits. I don't exactly need to cover them in MORE junk to make them look even BIGGER! ,m::

email me: bellydancewithfaaria@hotmail.com I work with a costume maker who makes great DD size costumes!!!!! To your measurements, not very expensive! (as in no extra charge for larger sizes!)

Originally Posted by Anahit_Karyan

Yes! And not only that, they also expect that you can't have boobs larger than a C or MAYBE a D cup unless you're also plus size! Try being a 32F/32FF with a 35" high hip.

Oh, and the fact that so many of the bigger-bra costumes are covered in oodles of long fringe? Not so cool. I mean, I have big tits. I don't exactly need to cover them in MORE junk to make them look even BIGGER! ,m::

Exactly, that was always the problem I had when I was smaller, I have had my measurements taken to Egypt before and they refused to make anything because they said the measurements were wrong! I've never been a fan of having large amounts of fringing on my bra as you are right, there is more than enough there without adding to it! I tend to go for the long bunch of beaded strands between the boobs. I also have the disadvantage of having a very short body so lots of fringing just makes me look fatter than I am.

Also I refuse to wear a flesh coloured body stocking just because I'm bigger. I think they look terrible, it's like putting a flashing neon sign on the area you don't want people to look at. The times I wear a body stocking, it is always a colour to compliment my costume. Helps with elongating my body. Plus I am super pale and flash cameras and my pasty white belly don't mix lol

Originally Posted by ReeAbrahams

g to it! I tend to go for the long bunch of beaded strands between the boobs. I also have the disadvantage of having a very short body so lots of fringing just makes me look fatter than I am.

Same here. I have a short waist, and too much fringe just hides the fact that I HAVE a waist.