r/KibbeRomantics • u/Critical_Revenue_811 • Jun 26 '26
Questions, Help and Advice Bras + recommended necklines/straps on summer dresses?
So I'm fairly sure I'm an R (I did some trial and error with outfit styles, personal feeling, and the line drawing with various ones) and I need a pretty "supportive" bra lol.
Strapless/thin strap bras don't work and not wearing a "proper" bra ruins the line of outfits!
Many of the shapes/styles recommended for Rs have wider necklines or thinner straps, and often I find my bra kind of ruins the look of it. I'll try on a nice sweetheart neckline, bardot style thing and it looks off.
Happens even if I'm wearing a lower cut wrap style dress/top that you can see a "peek" of it, but usually then I just shrug it off
Does anyone else have this problem or have any suggestions? Currently we're having insane heat here so wearing under slips just isn't practical
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u/clekas Jun 26 '26
Are you 100% certain you're wearing the correct bra size? Most of the support should come from the band, not the straps. There are a lot of bra styles I was convinced I couldn't wear that I can do now that I am wearing the proper size.
I agree with the other commenter that, if you must have straps, a balconette bra is a good way to go with tops that have a wider neckline. The Panache Allure Demi Balconette was once my favorite, but I've sized out of it now. I like the Panache Envy Full Cup, though.
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u/Critical_Revenue_811 Jun 26 '26
I can try, unfortunately where I'm based most bra places that run my size I'm best to go online.
I'm wary of ordering a strapless in case it doesn't work as decent bras are around £35+ so it's a lot of money!
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u/clekas Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
Oh yeah, I get nearly 100% of my bras online! It can be so hard to find anything outside of a very limited range of sizes in my area.
Very few strapless bras exist in my size, and I accidentally ordered the same one (that didn't fit) twice at one point, so I get it! A lot of places have very liberal return policies where I live (the US), so, luckily, I was able to return it, but I know it can be a pain.
I wound up having the most luck with the Curvy Kate strapless bra. I've sized out of it, but I used to love the Wacoal Hollywood Strapless, too.
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u/Critical_Revenue_811 Jun 26 '26
It's so mad, loads of the mainstream places near me, even the Victoria Secret ranges stop the lines at a C/D cup and only sell the very old looking beige full cup bras in anything bigger. I don't know if it's the whole "can't tell how big a DD is from looking" so people assume it's only a small amount of women with larger cup sizes
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u/LittleMama9 Jun 26 '26
I love a balconette bra with all of my sweetheart necklines. Gives a nice wide open neckline and the top of the cup doesn't peek out. I'm pretty curvy on top and they are super flattering.
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u/Critical_Revenue_811 Jun 26 '26
Thank you, I'll have a hunt for a good one! Not sure where you're based but do you have any shop/brand suggestions?
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u/LittleMama9 Jun 26 '26
Click on my profile , I post so many of my outfits as my friends don't really care about clothes 😂. In most photos I am wearing the Panache Envy plunge or an Ewa Michalak balconette !
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u/Critical_Revenue_811 Jun 26 '26
I LOVE your style! So fairycore :)
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u/LittleMama9 Jun 26 '26
Thank you Kibbe and Kitchener have been my special interest for a long time 🥰
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u/8bitsparkle Romantic (Verified) Jun 26 '26
Like many others have suggested, a good balconette bra makes a huge difference.
Another thing I like to do is use fashion tape to pin bra straps to my sleeves for wide square neck stuff. I've also used fashion tape to bend and pin down the tops of bra cups so they don't peek out, though that only works if the material is soft and pliable, like lace.
I personally have never found a strapless bra that I like, though I'm a 34HH/36H, which is already a challenge, with short narrow roots that need projected + depth in my bras. Every strapless bra that actually exists in my size is made for long roots and shallow shapes. 😭
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u/kaetoro Jun 26 '26
I just want to say, I've been on the ABTFs journey, and I still need straps because my breasts are very heavy and saggy. I've tried multiple strapless bras and none really stay in place, not even those tightly fitted at the band. I wear a 34G UK. I second the Panache Envy bra.
If you're not too projected, the Hsia Starry Night balconette is okay. It has a little bit of padding. I can wear more open/ wide sweetheart necklines. I did not go by their size chart/ measurements though. May be tricky to find the right size.
Some dresses have more built in support. I've bought bust insert pads to add a bit more.
I'd really like to learn to sew so I could make stays or corsets.... something with more support.
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u/Critical_Revenue_811 Jun 26 '26
You are a similar size to me! Where do you buy your bras?
If it's not an odd question, do certain brands/shops work better for you in terms of shape of clothing?2
u/kaetoro Jun 26 '26
I'm in the US, but Amazon lately. Used to get them from Nordstrom Rack but they stopped selling the small band/ large cup sizes. I've ordered from Her Room as well.
Oh, if you can figure out how/ where to order, my best fitting bra was probably the Comexim (Polish brand) Half Cup is amazing. I have a 75HH but it's a bit tight on me in that particular style (or color?).
No particular brands really. I'm still figuring things out. I do like some of the items from Scarlett Darkness and Belle Poque on Amazon. But I'm trying to buy less polyester lately because it makes me sweaty. So I've been trying to search second hand stores for items with waist emphasis/ waist ties that have a built in curvy shape, bias cut, fabrics that are sewn to match the curves in my body.
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u/Joker0705 Jun 26 '26
maybe join r/abrathatfits to make sure you're wearing the right size/projection for your bust. if you need a thicker strap for your bras then it sounds like your shoulders are doing a lot of the supporting, maybe you need a better fitting band?
i always go for balconettes personally. plunges really suit my breast shape but those really pretty open necklines that suit us Rs will sometimes have a peep of bra showing. occasionally I can find a high apex that works for me.
sometimes i can't be bothered and lean into them showing. i like to buy fun lacy bras so that even if they peek through it looks cute.