Sports Bras!

[Catrin]

The Freya will be my first true encapsulated sports bra. The Juno seems to really be in between - I don't have the traditional uniboob look - though it seems to lean in that direction but perhaps because the cups are too small? I can make the Juno work, and at least it fits a little better than my old, worn out sports bras that are going to their well-deserved rest.

Here is an image of the Freya I am getting, if you embiggen the image you will see that seperation and a supportive band. I've read this bra can be...challenging to get in and out of but I expect that. I am also thankful I took advantage of the sale price...and that I've been saving. I wish that I didn't need so much support but, I do.

I DON'T get the sports bras with underwires - that sounds like pain to me but I was scared off underwires long ago.

[OakLeaf]

I could barely get into the Handful even BEFORE my injuries. I'd just about have to dislocate my shoulders getting it on, and once it was on I found it super uncomfortable.

I guess, if the support has to come from the band whichever style you get, then going to encapsulation won't help me. I was hoping I'd be able to support the girls without compressing the ribcage.

Juno doesn't go down to a 34-small-B/large-A. I've also found even before my injury that if the cups are too big, the band is SUPER uncomfortable.

Oh well.

[Crankin]

Oak, I wear a bigger size in the Handful than normal. I got a small rather than an extra small at first. I always wear the pads, I like the way it looks and it's not too tight. When I bought the second round, I got the extra small and I wish I didn't. It's not hard to put on, but it chafes a bit. From your description, I would say it is encapsulated as it looks like a regular bra, not the tank top type of sports bra. There's definitely separate cups.
I am just thankful that there is finally a sports bra in small sizes that isn't just a lacy little thing, like the Title 9 bras. I don't need that much support, I just want to look decent and not have the headlights show. Based on what I've seen advertised and read on threads like these, I feel thankful sports bras aren't an issue for me!

[Catrin]

Girls, boobs, breasts, I am sure there are other things we can call them as well.

I note in the photo that the band appears to be flat against her skin in the area between her breasts - I've never seen that myself (but we've established that I've never had the right size for band or cup) Of course, I've spent all of my life under the mistaken idea that the band is just there, that the cups are supposed to support me gals.

Herroom.com has a nice "Know Your Breasts" bra finder that helps you determine what is special about your girls and help direct you to appropriate bras. I found this very helpful. I wound up half stripping and checking out the bathroom mirror to answer a couple of the questions. This bra finder is probably not work friendly... anyway, they ask questions that I've never even thought about.

I do like the Juno, but after examining how it is constructed I don't think it is truly, or at least fully encapsulated. I can easily pull the band 2.5-3 inches away from my body, and the cups give every sign of being too small. My poor gals will breath a sigh of relief when finally settled into something that properly fits for the first time in their lives. The cups are snug enough that I can make the Juno work - I can't return it and I am sure that no one wants to buy a used bra - thankfully I got it for a very good price.

Oakleaf, that sounds painful I hope you can find something that will work for you that won't aggravate your back! I suggest checking out the bra finder I linked to above. It may be able to give you an idea of something that might work. The finder doesn't ask about injuries, it took all of my answers and gave me a list of suggested brands that might be good for THIS, or THAT, or THAT OTHER thing that I noted about my girls - they don't just give you one suggestion but many. They really only gave me one suggestion for a sports bra however, and that was the one I zeroed in on. Their bras aren't inexpensive but is a good place to get ideas for further research. They do have some nice sales right now.

[OakLeaf]

I suggest checking out the bra finder I linked to above.

I did that, thanks! It didn't return any sports bra suggestions, but there are a couple that look possible. A couple of the Shock Absorber bras, for one. It's good to see a high impact bra that comes in an A cup, that makes it less likely that the B cup is an afterthought that's really meant to fit a small C.

I might just order a few to try ... HerRoom's posted return policy is liberal ... anyone have any actual experience returning/exchanging merchandise from them??

[goldfinch]

HerRoom's posted return policy is liberal ... anyone have any actual experience returning/exchanging merchandise from them??

I bought over a $1000 worth of bras from them and returned about $750 worth. Kind of embarrassing, but I wanted to find what would fit. I actually exchanged emails with them and ordered some of what they suggested. They had no problems whatsoever with the returns just as long as the tags were still on the bras. It was inexpensive to ship because I did so many at once.

[Catrin]

I think if you sell your ill-fitting gently used bras on TE, you may find a buyer. Good bras are expensive.

What size(s) are they?

My Fiona's tend to run smaller in the cups than other brands. And the bands feel a little smaller, too. The problem with ordering online. That plus I'm too lazy to return.

The only one worth considering is the Juno - it is a 36C in purple. I bought the last one that TE had in stock and it is discontinued. I need to wait until the Freya shows up to see how the new size fits before I decide what to do with this one. I am a bit nervous at pulling the trigger on a size I've not actually seen/tried on before but they do have a generous return/exchange policy. If I do decide to offer the Juno for sale the proceeds would help to purchase a replacement.

I bought over a $1000 worth of bras from them and returned about $750 worth. Kind of embarrassing, but I wanted to find what would fit. I actually exchanged emails with them and ordered some of what they suggested. They had no problems whatsoever with the returns just as long as the tags were still on the bras. It was inexpensive to ship because I did so many at once.

Goldfinch - that sounds like it worked well for you. If you had spread that out over a longer time then you would have spent far more in shipping and may not have really found what you liked the best. I had a couple of questions about the Freya and they were very responsive. I really hope it fits...

[OakLeaf]

I bought over a $1000 worth of bras from them and returned about $750 worth.

Heh ... I guess that means they're good about returns! Thanks for the info.

[Catrin]

The exchanged Freya arrived today, and it fit! I thought the cups might be too large until I...ummmmm...adjusted things. This is a great sports bra. I admit that it feels quite odd to have support from the band but I swear that my gals breathed a huge sigh of relief to not be smushed! The bra is very well made and while it doesn't go on, or off, easily, it feels like a dream when on. I am quite glad that I followed my instincts and went up 2 cup sizes and 1 band size to a 32 F (who knew such a wide range of sizes are out there???) I got THIS one (in black) and am very thankful I pulled the trigger when it was on a decent sale...

[Catrin]

I forgot to thank everyone for their advice and comments in this thread. I had NO idea how much difference it makes to have properly fitting support! Pity it's taken me so long to figure this out...I am now looking at my others, knowing that I really need to start replacing those as well. As an F cup, AKA DDD, I am beginning to wonder if some of my back twinges have been from improper support...

[Catrin]

Here is what I mean by 'too low and wide,' scroll down to the picture entitled "don't get used to too low and too wide," it's a before and after picture of incorrect and correct fit. It's the number one problem with bra fit, and results from too wide band combined with too small cup.

Before and After.

Edit: might as well insert the picture, but the article is nice, too.

hmmmmmm, looks familiar I am so glad I started this thread and hopefully all of the information will help other members. I never dreamed for all of my adult life that I wasn't in the right bra. There were such a limited number of sizes in the store and had no idea there were many, many other options. Obviously I needed a larger size back when I was a size 22 but even that probably didn't fit. The article was short, but sweet. Interesting points they brought up.

Hopefully my Freya will be delivered today, but we will see if it gets slowed down after the fresh snow fall last night. It IS in Indianapolis and that is encouraging.

[Catrin]

The Freya arrived today! Sadly, however, the E cups are far from large enough so I will need to exchange it for either an F or FF cup. I was going to order the F but second guessed myself. Guess I shouldn't have done that! It was quite difficult to get it on but it felt good once I got it on (and this is what the reviews said), outside of my girls being in a too small cup. The band seemed fine - though I better not gain weight with that band I am unaccustomed to actually FEELING the band but it didn't feel too tight. I will talk with them and determine the next size to try since I am now out of my depth. So far I am really liking their customer service.