Bra Review: F&F Harmony Lace Fuller Bust Bra in Pink, 32G (32FF)

F&F Harmony Lace Fuller Bust Bra in Pink, available in sizes 32DD - 40G (40FF UK sizing) with no gaps. 

You may remember that I was intrigued by my local Tesco's bra selection. I know from previous experience is that extended sizes get put on the market here in Ireland, then vanish. Why? Because no one fits into them when you encourage your potential customers to wear a band 4 inches too big and a cup about 4 sizes too small... Just like all the poor 28 bands that are no longer in Marks and Spencer's. 

What was I saying... OMG I actually managed to grab one! FIVE EURO! I'm still pretty confused and pissed about their measuring advice, but I'm just going to block it out and go for a sister size of my own. I usually wear about 28GG, I decided to have a look at their 32FF. It's labelled 32G, as they skip FF.

So the bra:

I really like this bra, so I'll have to ignore Tesco's *sigh* utter crap. I have to review this. The bra blogosphere needs me. Tescos / Florence and Fred bras are really under-reviewed. There's about 3 on Bratabase.

Review

Looks: Wow, maybe it's just be but this bra is stunning. Lovely vivid pink with simple lace pattern. Maybe some people might think the fabric looks flimsy though. I think it looks just light. The lacy cups would be visible under tight fitting clothes. I usually wouldn't point this out, but the back band is this lovely shiny silky fabric and it looks like it wouldn't cling or dig in. It seems like an odd aesthetic choice to have this great feature on the back but with the lacy cups on the front.

Feel: This bra feels stretchy - I correctly guessed that the cups are Nylon. It's not really a soft to touch bra, but I love the silky feel of the back mesh.

Shape: Very round, very forgiving stretchy cups. I couldn't tighten the bra as much as I would have liked but I liked the shape very much. 

Other Features:

This bra has a side support panel which is made of nylon. The back has 3 hooks.

Straps: I feel they are kind of thin - 0.5 inches. They are half adjustable, but it would not be hard to take apart and lengthen as the second half of the strap is the same as the front half.

Fit:
Very wide central gore, which did not tack (I wonder if it would if it was taken in?). I think it could be taken in very easily.

The cups were too wide for me (but not particularly wide overall in my opinion).

I think I should try the 32F rather than altering this bra because the cups are very stretchy and thus I think I could get away with a size smaller.

Overall:
If you're in the size range of this bra, check it out! The stretchiness is very forgiving for asymmetry. It's only available online in a 40F though. Don't take the last 32F in my local Tescos!

 

 

Rant on Tescos Fitting Suggestions

I love the idea of selling bras with fitting advice on the back, but not shite like this.

Let me measure as they say. Okay my underbust is 29 SO I'll have to add 5 (why? :S). So that's 34 (oh that's conveniently in their range unlike the 28GG/30G I usually wear). Now for my overbust. In their defence their little model woman drawing is not wearing a bra so I won't wear a super small bra for this measurement (like I usually see with these kind of terrible guides) and go with overbust standing up right now. Okay, 37.5.

34 + 0 = 34 inches = A cup (0 inches?)
34 + 1 = 35 inches  = B cup
34 + 2 = 36 inches = C cup
34 + 3 = 37 inches = D cup
34 + 4 = 38 inches = DD cup

Okay, so I'm a 34D or 34DD. Oh God. God. GOD.

ARREGUITGWRTUB43RGIR VREIHRGBG1I3P5Y

I used to wear 34DD pre-measuring myself. 34DD is waaaaaay too small.  I've never worn a 34D. I actually 'have' a 34D though. My friend left at my house me when I fitted her to a 30E/F.

Let's have a look.

From top down, Primark or Newlook 34D, Newlook 34DD and Cleo 28GG. An interesting fact about bras is that every time you go up a cupsize, the bra gets 1 inch bigger. Another interesting fact is that 34DD can fit 2 apples not 1. Why is it so big? Because my boobs stretched out the cups. Yes. YES. A 34DD. Yep. I measured to a 34DD that I've since gotten rid of.

If they're doling out this advice to someone who has a 10 inch difference between her underbust and overbust (leaning forward...), which clearly is a lot of boob right there, no wonder the extended sizes are on sale. ¬¬;

For example, my mother, who fits into their range - 34FF (34G in their sizing), would need a 38 band and about a D cup too! No wonder they're on sale, all their potential customers already fit into the 34A - 38DD crap size range everywhere bloody sells!

Secondly, that 0 inches thing though... I don't get that. 0 inches means no boobs. As in the amount of boob is nil. If it's higher than that, say 0.5 to 1, then that's usually an AA cup, and 1 inch is an A cup. Why that's there is that you can say get this problem:

Let's say the two measurements I took were these.

Example 1:

Underbust: 27
Overbust: 32

Okay, I'll add 5 to my measurement. Okay, That's 27 + 5 = 32. Okay, that's 0 difference. An A. Well, actually it makes no bloody sense! Let's try these measurements:

Example 2:

Underbust: 27
Overbust: 31

Okay, I'll add 5 to my measurement. Okay, That's 27 + 5 = 32. Okay...I'm a -A cup... So erm, how does she have boobs if her measurement is less than zero...

...
...
...
...

Now those women, the way I measure them, I would get at least 28DD (she could measure higher when leaning forward) and for the second example, 28D.

Go to Tescos, and measure yourself and discover you have minus boobs!

Shortening a bra band for the scared!

I wanted to write this post for the people who say they can't sew.

Here's a story that is very long and barely on topic.
In Secondary School, I was an excellent Home Economics student. I loved the subject! If you have the option to study it or learn more, I would recommend it! The subject combines sociology, consumer studies, food science, cookery and even a bit of crafting! It's very broad, but very rewarding as a subject. I swear it overlaps with pretty much everything I've done in college so far, and at the oddest times! As I adored the class so much I was excited for sewing classes.

Only I was terrible.

Sadly, a portion of the exam was based on a sewing project. And I couldn't sew. I have very poor hand eye co-ordination. I can't tread a needle. I kept on tearing fabrics. I nearly broke the school's sewing machine (I was banned from touching it.).

My teacher took my aside and told me I was doing the Childcare Project (I didn't get a choice!), a written alternative assignment for the exam, otherwise I would sabotage my chance of getting my A.

I got an A in both that Junior Cert and my Leaving Cert exams (which thank God had no sewing part!) in Home Economics, and I acknowledged I couldn't sew. Just couldn't. Incapable.

If it hadn't been for the bra fitting community, maybe I never would have tried again. But I've tried. I'm still pretty bad, but I can do it. I thought myself using books from the library and guesswork.

So, I'm going to show you that someone who has been repeatedly told to back off from the needles that you can do it! It feels great! I've patched up some of my clothes already.

I am shortening a bra band in the same way as MsMandrakeRoot is in her tutorial here:
http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/comments/1ffet8/as_requested_a_picture_tutorial_of_how_to_shorten/

I am not adding anything to her tutorial, I'm just showing myself doing to to show it's possible even for the challenged sewers. So I would look at her tutorial!

Here is my victim!

An unknown Freya Bra in 36F that I found in a charity shop for 4 euro! My mum is a 34FF, a sister size.

Quite a mystery. I couldn't find this lovely bra on Bratabase. If anyone does know the name, please tell me. I'd love one that is a little smaller in the cup for myself.

Okay, first we need sewing stuff. You only need the basics:

A needle

Strong thread (I used red polyester thread)

A seam ripper

Scissors (I have this little fancy thing you can use to cut thread with that allows you to use one hand, but scissors will do!)

Big old fabric scissors for when you get angry and have to hack through elastic.

A ruler or some of those fancy ones you get in a sewing box you use for hems (something I have yet to master). Mine's clearly from a geometry set...

Fabric chalk

Pins

Optional:

A pencil

Paper. I recommend using highly confidential stuff flipped onto the other side.

A needle threader, if you're not like me and constantly breaking the damn things.

If you wish, using your paper and a pencil that poorly shows up on a camera, trace around the bra shape.

Okay, how much are you going to take off. Oh God this is scary. I mean, I've done this before and it's still scary. Be brave. It's only 4 euro down the drain.

I opted for 2 cm. Which turned out to be too little. So I erred wrong. Oh well. But regardless, stay with cutting off a little bit. 

Mark off the amount you are going to cut off. Then you can trace around the shape so the bra wing will stay the same shape. Also you can compare the sides before cutting them off so they are the same amount.

Okay, I've marked of the amount I'm going to cut off. I can do this.

Use the seam ripper to detach the eyes or hooks at the end.

ARGH I gave up and used scissors. Too hard. The sewing at the end of this was very hard to cut off.

Well. It could be more mangled. At least I'm cutting this end bit off.

At least this bit looks okay.

 Now for the elastic at the side and the strap.

I found that reaching under the stitches and moving forward actually worked quite well.

Looking good!

I've accidentally ripped out some elastic here

This is very hard to take off, so I resorted to cutting.

Finally free!

Look, I'm using the pattern I made earlier. :)

I shouldn't be trusted with these.

No going back now!

Pin the elastic back into place.

Sew! Use a non-straight stitch or it'll rip. It should be a zig-zig stitch according to my books but alas I don't own a sewing machine... Here's the top. Leave room to put the strap back!

Now the strap! Just slot it back into place. Not backwards though!

Now the hooks or eyes. Make sure it's not backwards! I drew the right attachment on the paper so I would remember.

Make sure to do both sides!

Hey, that wasn't horrific! Barely any sewing and nothing too complicated! Check out the tutorial by MsMandrakeRoot and have your own go!

Now, who needs Home Economics lessons? I need money for bras.

How To Stop Bra Straps Falling Down!

Before I was fitted into my bra size (based off something crazy like my measurements), New Look were the only shop that actually had bras that were unpadded (sometimes), not designed for old women and I could squeeze myself into (sometimes). I had a balonette that was deep pink that wore until it fell apart. The straps were always falling down - because the bra was far too small and it was so old the straps had forgot what elasticity was.

I remember I was after this guy and the most common thing he used to say to me always arrogantly, (except perhaps concern over how I knew his schedule off my heart!) was: "your bra strap is down again".

Were you looking another girl's bra straps.. not that I care about that anything... (Me when I was 16)

I wonder if he thought that I was trying to seduce him with my weird and tattered pink and purple straps. In a fit of frustration I used overweight baggage tape to hold the straps together.Yes. Overweight baggage.

This is the most frequent bra fitting problem I see. In fact, my friends have asked me to fix their bra straps, because I am the mysterious lingerie expert and that's where my skills lie. Every time I suggest they should also tighten the back. The ALWAYS whine that makes no sense and make it worse.

Actually, tightening the bra straps makes the problem of loose bra straps worse.

Yes! A bra is a system - every part is linked. Here's the real solution.

A bra's back should be tight. Really tight. Think how tight a bra should be and forget that. Tighter. Very tight.

This keeps the straps in place. When a bra is too loose (i.e. all my friends bras) the back crawls upwards. This makes the straps rise of the shoulders. When you tighten your straps, the bra back crawls upwards... then your straps fall down.

The solution is to tighten the back of your bra. Well, this isn't usually enough. The solution is a bra that is much larger in the cup and tighter in the band. Try tightening your back band and then tightening your straps. Then scoop yourself into your bra. Are you everywhere from Cork to Derry (think that was a metaphor)? Yeah, that bra is wrong.

A second reason is that cup is too small. Coupled with loose bands, the weight of the breasts drags up the band... and the straps fall down. Those friends would refuse to believe their breasts weigh anything because they believe they have no breasts... errr no. I've seen you trapped in clothes because of your breasts just like me... ;)

I know some people have sloping shoulders, and yes that does effect bra strap security. But when I refitted my mother and my best friend they both told me their bra straps mysteriously stopped falling down.

Anyways, if you want to learn more check out the Bra Matrix and My Wife is Busty Fitting Guide. I won't be making my own fitting guide because I believe these two are great and I don't think at the moment I can do anything better. But I implore you to check it out! You WON'T regret it. Overweight baggage tape is not something that can look cute with a frilly dress. Go on. Go on.

You know you read too many lingerie blogs when...

Feel free you keep this as 'Lingerie Blogger Bingo'

1. You are always tearing out chunks of your hair in rage when you see the following: a). Side-boob, b.) riding up back bands c.) incredibly small straps on your larger busted friends (don't they hurt?)

2. All the bras in shops seem laughably, laughably small (even if you are smaller busted and they fit you, you're just that indoctrinated). For example, you think DD bras are nothing more than pasties.

3. You see your favourite bloggers sizes in shops/online and wonder if they would like that bra.

4. You consider a 32 back bras to be if anything, rather large comparatively on the size scale - the inverse of your friends/chain stores opinion.

5. You scoff at in store fittings and think of Busts4Justice.

6. You know the latest trends... because you've spotted them in the lingerie world.

7. You consider discovering your best well-fitting bra as the most ultimate beautiful revelation. You play them out in your head like the sob-stories on X Factor.

8. You refit your friends and go bra shopping/browse bras online with them.

9. You want to meet all your blogging heroines.

10. You dream of going to an event run by your favourite lingerie company.

11. You have a lot body confidence. (I had this already, though I'm not a big cleavage fan).

12. You see 24H and see it as a bra size, not 24 hours.

13. Poland? Is that were Kris Lane, Ewa, Biu Biu and Urkye are from aren't they?

14. You can recognise bras from your favourite brands in designer shop windows.

15. (Suggested by friend/sort of cook at my house) If you are in a relationship, you're the one obsessed with lingerie models.

16. You know the true meaning and value of a central gore.

17. You are no longer ignorant of what a sternum is.

In the red corner: Soft Cups! Moulded Cups v Soft Cups

Moulded Bras v. Soft Cup Bras: The Showdown.

I've decided to make my first bra post be a bit lighter. 

Me and a close friend of mine have one big disagreement over bras - I like soft cup, she likes moulded/padded bras. 

So to settle this dispute, I have decided to frame our argument the only way it can be settled. She draws a soft-cup bra protagonist in the most girly way possible and I will design a moulded-cup protagonist in a comprising position on an unicorn.  No wait, that sounds familiar.

I'd like to mention she is about a 30E/F and I am about a 28GG. So we are similar enough in size, though our difference could lie in her love of cleavage and the fact I'm not into showing it. 

Soft-Cup Bras:

1. Soft-Cup bras do not look like they could belong to your milliner. 

I don't know what size moulded bras come to life. 

Ergo... I believe Freya actually a reason for this discrepancy... 

This season too!? Is Freya Taylor 28GG mean death in some foreign language?

Thankfully this amazing soft-cup number is available up to a K! (well not 38 JJ/K!). Not the same can be said about their lovely moulded up offering... only available in 30 backs and in much smaller cups!

(Why, it isn't just some silly size-phobia rooted in the fact they use the Plus 5 method after all.)

Moulded bras can be swarming bats crawling up the inside of your wardrobe. It must depends on the brand. I will say that moulded cups in my size are very hard to store (I find it very hard to close my drawer). This can make the cups appear massive as they can't be neatly folded away.

Simply saying that you can store more soft-cup bras, so you can buy more. Not to mention, they can't be used to smother said near friend as easily. 

3. Give a more natural shape/Padding is the be-all and end all.

Moulded bras scare me cos they scream Penneys/Primark 34B ultra-quilted bras which are more padding than cup. 

What is wrong with the actual (slightly pointed) shape of my breasts? What's wrong with perky, why distort them into a round shape? What I'm saying is that is possible to get a lifted shape through unmoulded bras too. 

I once read a book where the protagonist put two mircowavable soup packets down her top! I didn't end up too badly, the other party-goers assumed she threw up, not that her chest exploded! 

Finally, (if the previous paragraph hasn't caused you to burn every paddable bra you own as a preventive measure so that one day you don't go crazy wake up and decide to put Knorrs' soup into them) - you have been warned - give in and let them stay causal.

From that monologue, if you haven't lost me, I like the slightly pointed shape soft bras give. They're causal but they're still supportive.

If you'd like to see someone who rocks this look, I'd check out Undiegamer. :)

4. They exclude a grown-up aura.

Lacy soft cup bras are subtle, but attractive. When they're slightly see-through, it's a look from the grown ups! Our bras aren't from Penneys. Our bras aren't covered in hearts or spaceships with a racerback. We are fully fledged adults. Someone give me an adult card! Even when they're nude, they don't look like they're vying for all the attention. Check out this nude bra  from Avocado, which I saw featured on Bra Fitting Cicade. It looks amazing in her pictures, it is a must see!

This picture is from Avocado's official website. The bra is called the Charlotte. I'd give the sizes but they're all through the link, but remember they are in EU sizes. :) 

Could such a effect be made with a moulded bra? 

5. Easier to fit.

Moulded bras also can be moulded to a shapes that, at least in my own experience can be hard to fit. I tried on a 30FF moulded bra in TK Maxx recently and it the cups were like huge flat sheets over my breasts that still remained far too small! I'd love to have tried a decent moulded bra just prior to this article to get a feel for a few new styles... like the Taylor *sob*

6. Easier to dry

 Okay, this seems small, but moulded bras take an age to try.

6. Soft Cups can be T-shirt bras too!

I don't get the argument that people need a soft cup for t-shirts or to cover nipples. I always wear soft-cup bras and I frequently wear thin fabrics. Never once have I seen my nipples showing and I live in a cold country! Here's an example from a bra I own:

Picture from Figleaves, this is the Freya Naomi.

See where the seam running vertically reaches the lace? That is always where my nipple is and the seam always keeps it from popping up(!) I recently read someone describe The Scoop Method on another website (unfortunately I've forgotten the URL, if I remember I will of course link it) and she explained that that is exactly why we this method of putting on a bra is the best way (as opposed to stuffing  like a turkey! Her words, not mine).

I just gave a link to the must beautiful beige bra I have seen - I think it could work fine under my white shirts. 

Finally, seam fear. As I just said, I live in a cold country, and most t-shirts are slightly thicker than paper-thin (it's okay to splash out a non-paper thin t-shirt!) and usually I have to wear an under layer (vest, body or slip) under everything in Spring/Autumn/Winter (and sometimes the Summer too!). In such a case, if your seams were visible they certainly wouldn't be after all that layering!

Well if you aren't ripping off your sweaty mouldy... I mean moulded bra for a beautiful soft-cup, decorated with the finer lace panels finer than those on Kate Middleton's wedding dress, maybe I can't change you completely. I would implore you to try out a soft-cup bra before you make your conclusion! I think you might not be a convert, but wearing a soft cup bra for even a day or two a week will make you feel like a little bit sultry, yet laid back. You owe your boobs. ;)

In my next post in this challenge, I will play devil's advocate with myself and extol the virtue of moulded bras (I might need some help, my love of soft cups is pretty visible!). Don't let my Naomi hear this, she'd be crushed.

It's not what it looks like, she's not even in my size! I swear baby!

I'd like to add this post was tongue in cheek - there's nothing wrong with moulded/padded cups, they aren't my personal thing! Perhaps I will get in my friend as a guest post writer for the second half.