As I had a moment of panic this morning when I couldn't find the bra I have eyed for weeks now (http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=32064), I think I had better order it before it really disappears. It's just that I hate buying clothes without trying them on (and I don't like to return things either). So I hope you can help me reduce the risk.
Most of my bras are 38 C (except the Jolinesse/Lidl ones, they are 38 B), with underwire, balcony or plunge style or something in between (the best-fitting ones are brands Chantelle and Luli, in case that means anything to anybody). My Dorothy Perkins blouses are size 16.
Unfortunately, the Lovehoney models I have my eye on (there's also this one: http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=32861) come in S/M/L and a 38 " bust puts me at the upper end of L. How are the chances that these bras will fit me?
The other question is regarding a plus size dress ( http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=32656 ), made for size 20 - 24. Is it stretched enough on a size 20 to still cling to a size 16, or would it be loose on me? (I've missed my chance to buy the normal sized version of this, but again I'd have been at the upper end of the one size and I read the more the material is stretched the more transparent it becomes. As I want to wear this as a sexy top outside the bedroom I want it to be opaque.)
(I have the feeling I'm on a slippery slope here, but the shop where I used to buy my bras changed its name and its stock and last time I found hardly anything I wanted to try on and nothing that fit :(. So I guess I'm forced to buy here...)
Hi, I got the first bra a few weeks ago and it's gorgeous! I think the fit should be ok, I had a small size (32/34 back) and I'm a 30/32 and it fit whilst still having the stretch for the 34 back size so the size range suggested was spot on! x
I am a 16-18 UK dress size (with knickers at 14-16, L-XL fitting perfectly) and 42DD bra size. I am not sure how these translate to EU or FR measurements, but you can look that up online.
I have bought the Adore Me bra in the 3X/4X size (that they say is for 22-24) and it fitted me well (but got returned because I did not like the way it hung on my neck due to the weight of the "twins").
I have gotten the Spoil Me bra in sixe 1X/2X (they say 18-20) as a secret tester and there is NO WAY it would have fitted me. I assume this size would fit a 38C the most (even though they say the model on the product page is a 38DD and wearing this size). See my review here if you wish to: http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=32862&reviewid=124105#customer_reviews. It is very good quality, it's just the sizing that's off. And in this case there is an extra removable pad on the bottom half of the cups, so that gives you leverage on the measurements.
Conclusion: with Lovehoney bras that have dress sizes instead of bra sizes, go at least 1-2 measurements up your normal.
I have received this past weekend the Halterneck Minidress in question. It fits me, but I did not like the looks on me (the neck part keeps rolling down), and it is transparent, but not overly so. I could have pulled it off wearing it outside the bedroom with a bra underneath (didn't mean too though and probably returning it). If you are smaller than me (from what I understand, you are, well your breasts are for sure!), you can easily pull it off wearing it in public, though strictly with a bra. It will NOT be too big for you, as out of the box it is very narrow, just like tights or stockings are.
Thanks a lot, Era, that is indeed very helpful! It's just a pity Lovehoney can't put the information in the description (or have the bras made so that they correspond to the sizing chart). Not to mention that I personally think that s/m/l is not sufficient for underwire bras, as there's absolutely no margin for error. (Contrary to what my mother thought and what I've read here, a perfectly fitting underwire bra is perfectly comfortable. The difficulty is in finding a perfectly fitting one - I bought my first one in a specialist lingerie store so now I at least know my size.)
So, as I've had my doubts anyway, I'll go with your advice and order the plus sizes. And I'm happy that the halterneck dress will fit me. :)
(I have to disagree with you on the padding part for the large bra sizes, however - or rather, it depends on the definition of large. If the above mentioned bras in plus size fit me I'll definitely not complain about - or remove - the padding. For my breasts are not particularly big, I just have a wide body. And I am tall. So a boost to my breasts wouldn't do any harm at all and I'm rather annoyed when a push-up bra only exists in smaller sizes than mine - as most of them seem to do, grrr...)
(I have to disagree with you on the padding part for the large bra sizes, however - or rather, it depends on the definition of large. If the above mentioned bras in plus size fit me I'll definitely not complain about - or remove - the padding. For my breasts are not particularly big, I just have a wide body. And I am tall. So a boost to my breasts wouldn't do any harm at all and I'm rather annoyed when a push-up bra only exists in smaller sizes than mine - as most of them seem to do, grrr...)
No problem. I'm just not one to be happy about my BIG breasts. Never was. My husband is though, so that kind of makes it better for me... I am rather proportionate all over. But anything that would actually make them seem bigger, like padded bras are a no-no for me. :) I am sorry the one I got as a tester did not fit and am thinking about buying the size up though.
Update: Today I received my "test" order, the LH Spoil Me Triangle Bra in Plus 1X/2X and the Adore Me Halter Bra in L. It turns out that the Plus size is too wide me - even though the "triangles" are not all that big (I completely see why somebody who needs big cups would have a problem), the way they are assembled is for somebody who's considerably wider than me. (Well, I suppose - I only can say for sure that even with shortening the straps there's no way I can get this bra to fit me).
Of course, the L size shows off beautifully the pounds too many I'm carrying around, but I'd rather loose some weight than gain it...
I'm not implying any criticism of era here (not least because she was talking about another model than those two, so everything might change with my next order), I just wanted to add my experience in case other women ask themselves the same questions...