Pretty Plus-Size Bras
When we showed you Alegro a few days ago, dcsurfergirl commented:
So pretty! I wish I could fit those bras!
Can The Lingerie Post feature posts on plus-size bras (the prettier the better)?
Her problem is a common one – all too often, bras get uglier (and more reminiscent of your grandma) when you get into larger sizes of band or cup. This is generally explained away with the reasoning that larger sizes need more support. There’s truth to that statement, but that explanation doesn’t help the plus-size gals feel hot their skivvies! This post is for dcsurfergirl and any others like her who are having trouble finding bras you like and that fit. For the purposes of this article, “plus size” will be considered band sizes 38 and higher. While there isn’t a hard-and-fast rule about where plus size bras begin, plus-size retailer Hips & Curves starts at 38 bands so that is a good point for us too.
Empreinte
Empreinte bras (and bathing suits!) come in sizes 32C-46G. The brand has sexy down, too – their styles have seductive lace, sheer fabrics, and other pretty details. Where so many plus-size lingerie brands cover up, Empreinte manages to show off your assets! You can find Empreinte at Figleaves UK, Figleaves US, and HerRoom.
Elomi
The first brand that comes to mind when I’m asked about plus-size bras is Elomi. The brand often has styles similar to smaller bras, but adjusted for the fuller figure. Bras come in band sizes 34-52 and cup sizes C-HH. Some of their everyday bras can veer toward a lot of coverage (which is not necessarily a bad thing), but when they create a sexier style it’s a home run! Find Elomi at Figleaves UK, Figleaves US, HerRoom, and Bare Necessities.
Oola
Oola is a brand we haven’t covered before, but is sure to make a name for itself with its fun, fresh, and young styles in band sizes 38 to 48 and cup sizes B to G. They come in vibrant colors, and Oola isn’t afraid of a deep plunge! Find Oola at Oola-Lingerie.com, Figleaves UK, and Figleaves US.
Hips & Curves
This isn’t a brand, but a retail website. It’s an important one to mention though, because Hips & Curves has one of the best and largest selections of sexy plus-size lingerie out there; what’s more, it only focuses on these sizes, so you don’t have to wade through thousands of sets that aren’t anywhere near your size. The only drawbacks are that Hips & Curves doesn’t have sales as frequently as other retailers, and they don’t reveal brand names so unless you recognize a style, you will have a hard time finding it somewhere else. But with a selection like this, it is probably well worth the inconvenience!
Did we leave our your favorite plus-size brand? Leave us a note in the comments and we’ll share your suggestion!
January 8, 2010 by Kelly
Filed under Elomi, Empreinte, Hips and Curves, Oola, Plus size lingerie
These are great products! I have some lovely plus sized lingerie at much better prices! I sell alegro for cheaper than other websites and have two whole sections in my store dedicated to plus sized lingerie and bras / bottoms. CHeck out the best selections now at http://www.naughtyandnicelingerie.com. Thanks lingerie post for focusing on plus sized lingerie when other companies don’t see the trend is on!
Prima Donna and Freya both make gorgeous, sexy plus size lingerie. The Arabella bra from Freya in cassis(grape), is a beauty.
LOL! I was just getting ready to do a post almost exactly like this after seeing that V Lingerie photoshoot.
I do agree HipsandCurves is perhaps one of the best online stores offering an excellent selection of womens plus size clothing. I think it is more convenient for a plus size women to purchase plus size clothing online as she may do it from the comforts of her home computer without having to leave home. As well it is a lot easier and as well save time rather than having too chase all over by car to different shopping malls looking for plus size clothing that will fit.
I was thrilled to see this post! Such fabulous lingerie! Plus size girls need love too! Keep this up!
I also encourage lingerie designers, manufacturers and retailers to offer more plus-sized options.
The second pic of the elomi bras looks beautiful…but I’ve never come across this bra before. (I even tried to find it on the elomi website.) Can you let us in on the names (and/or item numbers) of the elomi bras and where you actually can find these. I’m usually a 34H and have a hard time finding sexy and supportive bras. Thanks.
Janet – The second set is called “Lara” and is available on Figleaves. It’s on sale now too!
http://www.figleaves.com/us/product.asp?product=Elomi-Lara-Underwire-Demi-Cup-Bra&product_id=ELO-EL8060&size=&colour=Black
The first basque is the Occasions basque: http://www.figleaves.com/us/product.asp?product=Elomi-Occasions-Underwired-Basque&product_id=ELO-EL8202%20-OCC&size=&colour=Black
I can’t find the third one anymore. It was on Figleaves when we published this post in January, but perhaps it’s sold out now.
Kelly – Thanks so much for the info. I had just managed to find it on herroom.com before I came back here to see if anyone had commented back to me. Unfortunately, the closest to my size I have found so far is a 36FF (all the ones left on figleaves seem to be 42 or higher in the band). I normally wear about a 34H in panache (or other U.K bras) though sometimes it can vary to 34-36 GG-HH. Do you have any idea what size range elomi makes this Lara demi bra in? (Or where I could find out, if not?) I think it’s super sexy and looks supportive. I’ve had an awful time trying to find bras that fit right for me, possibly because I’m on the short side (I’m only about 5’3); usually most of the balconettes tend to come up too high on me and I can only much wear them under crewnecks or turtlenecks. As far as the plunge bras (and what they call plunge bras) I’ve tried so far, either they creak and sound like they’re about to tear apart or they are really only semi-plunge which come up too high on me. I love the demi style but don’t know of any that come in my size range. If you know of any great demis or plunges that come in my size range, PLEASE let me know. I’m so tired of settling with bras that are in the wrong size or bras that make me feel like a nun. Maybe you could even do a post on great bras for large-busted short women.
One last thing, is there anyway to possibly convince elomi to venture into the larger cup sizes (while also keeping band size options of 34)in their sexier styles? The few specialty bra stores around where I live tend to only have elomi up to size GG (with the exception of a couple full-coverage H ones and none seem to have anything below a 36 for elomi, either). Sorry for this post being so long, but I really need help. I’ve been on a mission for a couple years or so now (since I got formally sized and fitted for a bra) to find bras that truly fit me and that I like and feel good about wearing. I continually often end up coming out just feeling like a freak of nature and that I should just settle (even if it doesn’t fit right and isn’t comfortable); I keep ending up feeling like it’s my breasts that are wrong, not the bras, ultimately; so, I’m looking for something that will make me feel good about my breasts again rather than something that makes me think I should just stop bothering and save up for a breast reduction (which people keep telling me I should just do instead, including my family and even a saleswoman at a bra store). I’m only 23, and I don’t want a breast reduction at this point in my life. I just want a great bra that fits and supports me, and to be able to feel like a normal woman. Again, sorry for the long post, but any help would be greatly appreciated.
It looks like this season’s Lara bra is available in 36-42 D-G so I guess you are out of their size range for that style. You could try getting a 36 band and have it taken in by a tailor or your local lingerie shop – when I tried this once, my tailor tried to charge me $20 (I told him to forget it and just returned the bra). But a lingerie shop near me does it for as little as $5 if you buy the bra from them, so perhaps you could ask around and see if anyone does that kind of alteration within your price range.
Freya’s Arabella bra is a plunge bra that I like pretty well. I have it in three colors! In my experience the band runs a bit large, but Figleaves has one in 32HH so if you want it, it looks like it’s available.
I don’t know how to convince Elomi to expand their size range, but you could try emailing them and letting them know how willing you would be to spend your money with their company if they provided attractive bras in your size. I’ve done that a few times and I’ve gotten a surprisingly good response from a few companies – one is now coming out with my size this year!
I hadn’t ever thought of writing an article about larger bras for short women, mainly because I’m not short and I guess it just never occurred to me that there would be different considerations. I’ll think on that and talk to some people and put an article together if I find some good styles! I *absolutely* understand not wanting a breast reduction. I’m in my 20s too and my chest is smaller than yours but I still get comments about breast reductions. I don’t know where they’re coming from! For example, one friend was talking about how she works with a girl who got a boob job and now can’t breastfeed her baby. She said “Kelly, don’t get a breast reduction until after you’ve had kids – you might not be able to nurse and plus, they might get smaller after nursing anyway.” I didn’t say anything but inside my stomach just dropped. I had NEVER considered a breast reduction before and was sad that she just assumed I wanted one. Finding pretty, well-fitting bras are definitely good at helping busty gals feel good about our bodies, but I agree that at times it can seem an impossible task!