Plus Size Bra Review: Elomi Betty

I promised this review to be posted on Saturday, and then I remembered that I don't really blog/facebook/twitter much on the weekends :-)

Anyways...



 

The Elomi Betty is available in sizes 34 GG-HH, 36-42 D-HH, 44 D-G, and 46 D-DD in the beautiful navy color (and soon in Black/White dot in December). Matching panties available in sizes M-4XL. I paid $68 for the bra, and $32 for the matching panties. I almost cried.

On my trip to size a friend at Nordstrom, I happened to see that they finally started carrying the Betty and matching shorts. I knew I shouldn't have tried it on....because as soon as I did, I had to buy it. I bought the Betty in a 40HH, and the matching shorts in a 2XL.

Pics:



 



 



 

Features: Fully adjustable straps, 3 hook and eyes, plunging center gore, 4 part cups including side sling to push tissue forward, embroidered rose detail, bows on straps and central gore, minimum stretch 1" straps, mesh wings, banded bottom.

Fit: A 40HH is typically the size that I can wear in a lot of Elomi bras. I need a 38J, but a lot of Elomi's styles do not come up to a J-cup (at least not most of the really cute bras). Anyways, I could use a smidge more space on the side of the cups, but overall, the fit is good. I've worn this a few times and even once for more than 5 hours. I do not feel as though I am going to fall out of the cups, as is what usually happens when I wear a plunge bra.

Support and Shape: The support in the Betty is fabulous!! The shape on the other hand.....a tad too point for my tastes. Admittedly, I would love a little more more "oomph".  I would love for my girls to be smushed together a bit more for a bit more of a dramatic cleavage line. See here how it holds up under a few of my low v-neck shirts/dresses:



[caption id="attachment_450" align="alignnone" width="300"]    t-shirt[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_451" align="alignnone" width="300"] wrap dress

Wrap dress[/caption]

 

As you can see, either my purple wrap dress is too low, or the Betty isn't a good option for that dress. You also get more of an understanding of how pointy the Betty is in the side view.

Other Thoughts: I was really surprised by how stiff the material of the Betty was when I first got it. It reminded me of industrial strength netting that you would use to sew strange foundation garments. The panties are made of a similar material, though not as stiff. With multiple washes, the panties have definitely softened up, but the bra is still stiff. The material does not bother my skin, but it feels weird to touch. I do love the novelty of the Betty plunge, but as you can see, it's not ideal for very low necklines, and gives quite a pointy shape. Other than that, the bra is quite comfortable, and you don't fall out of it. I would have loved more oomph in this bra.

The Panty Experience: I did buy the matching panties in a 2XL. There's no clear size conversion for Elomi's panties, but I would say that the 2XL is comparable to a US 18/20. They are definitely much shorter than I am used to wearing (I typically wear full briefs), which is kind of hard to get used to. Also, they are completely sheer - hence no pictures. My husband really appreciates this characteristic, but I was kind of "meh" about it. The material of the panties is kind of slippery; when I wore them with jeans, I felt like my jeans were about to slide off of my bottom because of the panties. (maybe I need smaller jeans...)

Overall Grade: B.....the shape and the oomph of this bra could be improved! 

Also, follow me on Pinterest! :-) 

 

 

Plus Size Bra Review: Elomi Sakura

The Elomi Sakura bra is actually a discontinued style, however, the new 'Libby' is built on the same frame. The Libby is available in sizes 36-42 E-JJ and 44 E-G in Raisin/Chocolate for AW '12. Matching panties are available in sizes M-4XL

I remember seeing the navy blue print of the Sakura a while ago on HerRoom's website and didn't buy it. However, a couple weeks ago I happened to find the Sakura in Blossom on eBay in a 40J for only $27.50 (in my mind, quite the deal!). Yes I need 38's, but I really wanted this bra and figured I could take in the band if need be.

Pictures:

[caption id="attachment_430" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Sakura, 40 J[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_431" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Sakura, 40 J[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_432" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Sakura, 40J[/caption]

Features: Fully adjustable, minimal stretch straps, banded bottom, higher central gore - though not as high as the Caitlyn, 3 hooks and eyes, 4 part full coverage cup, bows on straps and center gore, and mesh wings.

Fit: In the 40J, there was a little bit of space in the cups as you can see. Also, I think in general, I'm struggling with how wide the wires are. I know that in Elomi bras, in a 40HH, I still get the same side coverage I need without the really wide wires (you can see in the Sakura that the wires are almost to my back). The wideness of the wires isn't uncomfortable, but it looks silly and I worry that it won't help in the retraining of my migrated tissue. The central gore sits flush against my chest BUT I have found that because of the height of the wires and the non-stretch materials of the cup, the bra tends to shift throughout the day, pushing the central gore away from my chest and giving me a bit of double boob on my bigger side. The band was surprisingly firm in the 40 when I first wore it, but it only took a day of wear for it to relax.

The band is not too tight, but no surprise to me, the bottom of it tends to flip up. The banded part of the bra flipped when I had only had the bra on for a couple minutes! I know that the Libby was often suggested to me when I first started buying bras in my more accurate size, and when I expressed concerns about the banded bottom, I was told not to worry. I think the reality is that I am really quite short waisted, so even the slightest bit of extra material around the wires is uncomfortable for me. Instead of me constantly flipping the band back down, I just let it flip and then go about my day as it is more comfortable without the band pressing on my tummy anyways.

Support and Shape: I very much prefer the shape of the Sakura than my other Elomi bras such as the Briony and the Abi; I feel as though I get much better lift in this bra and the shape is less wide. It might have something to do with the better anchorage of the banded bottom, but I'm no bra constructionist.

Other Thoughts: This bra is soooo pretty. It makes me happy to wear it. Probably not the sexiest thing, but I love all of the sweet touches of femininity on this bra. I wore this bra, and then wore my new Betty (review to come after a few more wears), which has led me to truly appreciate plunge bras as I love the lower central gores.

I would definitely recommend the Libby to anyone who is looking for a full coverage bra that provides great support and shape, without being as overwhelming (and work horse-like) as the Caitlyn.

Grade: A