I love Curvy Kate bras. They are elegant, supportive and made of good quality material. I own a few Curvy Kate bras in different styles and I really enjoy wearing them. However, the road to getting them to fit was quite arduous. It was confusing, frustrating and a time consuming process to find the right fit in Curvy Kate bras. After some extensive online research coupled with my own experience, I thought I'd share my findings. Please keep in mind that every woman's shape is different and what works for me might not work for you. I'm only sharing my opinion based on my experiences with the CK bras that I own.

Every brand of bras has it's pros and cons. I think Curvy Kate bras excel in the 'appeal' department. They really make very beautiful bras. Out of the hundreds of CK bras I've seen, I may have disliked only one bra because the colour did not suit my taste. Otherwise, CK bras are very pretty and feminine (always a bonus). Don't get me wrong though, I love industrial bras too (referred to as "ugly bras" by my husband) but they have a time and place. I do not think of CK bras as industrial. They are supportive enough for everyday wear yet elegant enough for a special occasion. They are also quite affordable. Curvy Kate bras are not as cheap as department store bras (which are very low quality in my opinion and in this case you really get what you pay for) but they won't break the bank either. More often than not, I find them on sale in many online stores, sometimes even up to 70% off on fashion colours, which makes them a steal at that point.

I've heard from many women as well as store owners that Curvy Kate bras are not very supportive. I personally think that this is untrue but I believe I understand why some might see CK bras that way. Over the course of the last year I've tried on several Curvy Kate bras through online and local stores. I found that Curvy Kate bras are supportive when they are in the correct size. They work fine and will even look okay initially but they will not offer enough support if not in the proper size, which for me felt very much like a game of Where's Waldo. Not only that, but also it took me a while to figure out that I am wearing the wrong size CK bra because with many CK bras, the tell-tale signs of bad fit are not very visible. Instead, CK bras tend to give an odd shape to the breast. I'll talk about that in a bit. Upon discovering this, and to prove the theory to myself, I tried one specific bra in multiple sizes. Sure enough, I did not get quadraboob (at least not initially), and I did not get any side spilling. However, the shape was all wrong.

Let's talk about shape. Different bras give different shapes. What may be ideal for one woman, may be undesirable for another. Not every woman thinks of shapes the same way. Some women think that a round shape is the ideal one for them. Some prefer a more natural shape. And some prefer a pointy shape. Of course, these are my own interpretations of the shapes down to the names. I am not sure if others even refer to them that way but the best way to demonstrate what those shapes are, from my perspective, is through pictures. Observe..

For me, all those shapes are good. It all depends on what I'm wearing. As a fuller bust girl/woman/lady (although the lady part is most likely debatable), I know that my boobs often enter the room before I do. It's just the natural order of things. I make no attempts to hide my boobs (and I hate minimizer bras by the way) because they are a part of me. I often tell women who feel ashamed of their breast size that they have nothing to be ashamed of and that if others are uncomfortable with big boobs then that's their problem. It's not like we can magically wave a wand and shrink our boobs. My breasts are there and they're mine (although my husband seems to think they're his). Deal with it and move on. That's the attitude I project when I'm at the mall and some ditsy fart with perfectly shaped C cups gives my chest the evil eye and assumes that I belong on a street corner or a porn set. For those women, I will flaunt my boobs. I am proud. I am woman. Hear me roar. Yada yada, etc. Moving on...

I definitely prefer a round shape under t-shirts and tight fitting clothes. Bras that give me a round shape often lift my breasts dramatically and project them forward. I often prefer a natural shape if I'm wearing more formal clothes like silk blouses or dresses with soft flow material. A natural shape also gives me a little bit of an hourglass figure when viewed from the front so I find it ideal under dresses and thin blouses. Bras that give a pointy shape, commonly referred to as the 'Madonna Boob', are not everyone's cup of tea. I, for one, do not prefer this shape under dresses or shirts. I have two pointy shape bras that give me incredible support and are super comfortable. Mind you, they are very industrial and almost matronly but they are ideal on days when I will be moving a lot, doing heavy lifting and other annoying things like buying groceries, doing laundry and reorganizing closets. I prefer pointy shape bras under sweaters, jackets and thick clothing. Essentially, I wear pointy bras under anything that already makes me look square or clothing that doesn't give me a particular shape. Pointy bras are great for days when I just want to hide under a rock, usually when things are not going my way. Pointy bras are equally good for days when I want to find a black hole to crawl into, such as when the cups are not all lined perfectly in the cupboard. It is OCD central in this house. Anyway...

In general, Curvy Kate bras do not give me a pointy shape. In fact, I have yet to come across one that does. I find that CK bras give me a very natural shape. They do not lift up my breasts as high as some of my other bras, such as Freya, Fantasie and Panache (which actually give me a very uplifted round shape) but CK bras are supportive when I get fitted in the right size. And herein lies the problem. My biggest beef with Curvy Kate bras is the inconsistency in sizing between the different models. Sometimes even the same bra in a different colour will fit differently. It's borderline maddening! 

When I wear a CK bra in the right size, I almost always end up with a natural shape which is the desired effect. It's also hard to get comfortable in some of the bras because I find that CK suits women with wider shoulders. I have narrow shoulders and when I wear a brand new CK bra I always get the dreaded chafing at the shoulder, where the strap meets the cup. This is partly due to my shape, I guess, as I'm narrow and boney at the shoulders. I don't have much meat around that area though I'm working on building muscle there so I can lift grocery bags without tipping over. But in all fairness that is a design issue which I can't really fault Curvy Kate for. I just have tiny shoulders. Thankfully, after a few washes the bra softens and the chafing goes away.

The first Curvy Kate bra I bought was the Emily. I fell in love with it because it looked so elegant but I could not get it to fit right no matter how hard I tried. It started to slowly slide down my torso into the smaller part of my waist and so after wearing the bra for an hour I would end up with a very odd shape, almost like a square/triangle/trapezoid. I didn't really get quadraboob, rather a slight bubble at the top edge of the cup. It looked like I am about to spill out yet not really spilling. It turns out that the band was too big. 

I realize that in most cases a band that is too big will ride up, but I am certain that there are other women out there who are built like me with narrow shoulders and a narrow ribcage that kind of curves in towards the waist so that bras sometimes will slide down with the weight of the breasts. Basically the band slides down and so my breasts do not fill the cup entirely and I get spillage at the top of the cup. I have to thank Claire of Butterfly Collection for this discovery. I didn't realize that I was not filling the cup until I talked to her. She brought my attention to the fact that just because I'm spilling out of the cup does not necessarily mean that the bra is too small and that I shouldn't discard a bra until I make sure that I am filling the cup all the way. It's when I looked into why I am not filling the cup that I accidentally discovered why Curvy Kate gives such a weird shape.

In brands like Freya, Panache, and Fantasie, 30G is my size in most of their various styles. Even when I go with a different size in another brand like say Cleo, I tend to take 30GG in most of their bras. My size in most styles of those brands remains consistent. However, with Curvy Kate bras, my size is all over the map depending on the style. Here is an example of my favourite CK bras in the sizes that fit and at the same time give me a nice natural shape:

When you look at the sizes above it makes you wonder if I'm just a lunatic. But the truth is, Curvy Kate sizes seem inconsistent and many people share the same frustration I have. One redeeming quality to all this is the fact that an ill fitting CK bra will not look horrible. If I wear a Panache bra that's too small I get the dreaded quadraboob; if the Panache bra is too big then the band rides up and I get no support at all. On the other hand, with Curvy Kate bras (especially if I'm only off by one size) I get a very distinct shape...

The first time I tried the Emily I opted for my usual size of 30G. It looked fine initially but then 20 minutes later I got this square like shape you see above. I didn't know it at the time but it turns out this is what Curvy Kate looks like when it's too small. So I went back to the store and I tried the 30GG. I got the shape you see in the middle and it was huge. I had wrinkling at the top and the straps would not stay up even though I had them pretty tight. I left the store thinking that the Emily is just not for me. But I couldn't get over the colours. I just loved the bra and couldn't let it go. It's not until I came across this post by Bras I Hate that I realized how the sizing works in Curvy Kate. Thanks to her, I was able to go back and keep trying different sizes until I discovered that the Emily looks absolutely PERFECT on me in 28H. However, I discovered that 28H doesn't work for me in other CK styles. When I tried  a black CK Princess in 28H for example, I couldn't even hook it. I had to wear it with an extender on the loosest setting and I still got a bit of that square shape. In 30H, the black Princess fits perfectly. Yet the Princess in other colours like pink or wine is too big in 30H and I end up with no support at all. Instead, the 28GG in the pink or wine fits perfectly. 

I realize that 28GG, 30G, 28H, 30GG, and 32G are sister sizes and that many women can get away with that in some bras. In my case, I cannot. And definitely not with Curvy Kate bras. I have to be spot on with the sizing otherwise I don't get that natural shape and instead end up with either a square trapezoid shape or a droopy triangle shape. I also find the inconsistency between colours to be quite frustrating. It's especially annoying when ordering online because I can't just order a bra I like in a different colour. There is always a good chance that it will fit differently and returns are always a hassle especially for international orders. Case in point; the blue Portia fits good in 32G; the purple Portia fits good in 30G. Yet, in bras like the Emily and Tease Me, the size is consistent across colours respectively. Go figure!

In summary, I think Curvy Kate makes some stunning bras and I really hope that they can make their sizing more consistent in the future. As it stands now, any time I see a Curvy Kate bra that I like, it's always a gamble as to whether it will fit. Despite all this madness, I think Curvy Kate bras are beautiful enough that I would go through the trouble of trying to find the size that fits me best. The bras are also affordable and so a little bit of effort goes a long way. Okay, maybe a lot of effort but still, I think CK bras are too pretty to give up on them. Even though I have issues with the sizing, I'd say that Curvy Kate bras are among my favourites. I find myself reaching for one at least twice a week. Simply put, Curvy Kate bras are pretty, supportive and fairly comfortable. And when they fit properly, they look gorgeous.

To learn more about the latest styles of Curvy Kate bras you can visit them here. 

Truth be told I am not fond of the local bra stores we have in this province. Department stores, even the ones claiming that they have a professional fitter on staff, do not fit women in the proper size. The cup sizes on those bras are dismal and only go up to a DD which encourages bra fitters to put women in the wrong size so they can sell the product. Local bra boutiques that sell D-K cups are not much better. Despite the fact that they sell bras in larger cup sizes and smaller bands, I have a few major issues with them. They seem to follow the same questionable practices that big department stores do.


Favouring the sale over the fit
I've gone into several of the local bra boutiques in the city many times throughout the past year. My pet peeve with those stores is the saleswoman's attempt to sell me a Chantelle bra. It never fails. It's a different fitter every time, but it's the same brand and style of bra that they try to sell, not just to me, but to other women as well. I've had some of my friends test this theory in the name of research. I fail to understand why the saleswomen do that. The stores carry other brands like Freya, Fantasie, and Curvy Kate; they carry those bras in my size too, but I'm always given three or four Chantelle bras every time I enter the store. Chantelle is not a bad brand but I find that their bras do not work for me at all. They are just horrible on me. In my usual size, the cups are all wrinkled and I'm floating in them. When I go down a size (either in band or cup) I do not get the quadraboob effect, but I get a lot of side bubbling and a weird east and west shape that points down. It's just not a brand for me. Also, the selection of Chantelle bras in the store is not good. There are no vibrant colours - they're either black, white or nude and the styles are very grandmotherly. Chantelle bras sold in the local stores cost about $130 plus tax, on average. Compared to Freya and Curvy Kate bras which range from $80 to $95, Chantelle bras are expensive and not nearly as attractive. Furthermore, once you try one Chantelle bra, (that the saleswoman happens to think fits properly), she stops suggesting other models and will not bring in any other brands. Instead, she will focus on trying to sell you that Chantelle bra. It's almost as if you have to know what brand suits your shape first before going into the store and specifically asking to try those brands on, while in the same breath explaining to the salesclerk that you do not like Chantelle. Some of them might even ask why - like somehow it's a problem, or that it's something they can fix.

Inexperienced fitters
I'm not a professional bra fitter, and never claim to be. I'm just a person who is interested in the subject and have only recently discovered bras that are made for small women with big breasts. Through extensive online research and conversations with professional bra fitters I've come to learn a lot about bras in general. I am able to tell the difference between a properly fitting bra and an ill-fitting one. I'm quite familiar with many of the big brands and can appreciate the pros and cons of many styles. I understand the target audience for those brands and can determine if certain styles will fit me based on the demographic I fall into. That being said, I still have nowhere near the amount of experience or knowledge that a professional fitter ought to bring to the table. It's pretty bad when even I can spot an ill-fitting bra in the local store whereas the professional fitter thinks it's a good fit. If I can tell that the wire is not wide enough and is digging into the side of the breast, then the professional fitter is either inexperienced or not paying attention. When my friends and I went into the local store last week, something strange happened. Slowly but surely, each one went into the room to try on the bra and after the fitter went in to "help" with the fit, each girl would ask me to come in and see if the fitter did a good job. If the customer has no confidence in the fitter, then she is less likely to buy the right bra and equally less likely to get fitted again. Bra shopping is already a harrowing experience for many women but add to that a fitter who is unable to establish a connection with the customer means no one will benefit in the end, especially the woman who is looking for a proper fitting bra. Sadly, in this instance, for most of my friends I recommended a different size, despite the advice of the fitter. When they tried my suggestions, they were much happier with the fit (the digging was gone, or the tightness in the back stopped, etc.) which is something I think a professional fitter should be able to address.

Selling what the customer wants not what she needs
In the lingerie industry, I think bras fit like a suit in many ways. A man can go into a suit store, choose the style and colour, but the fit is determined by the tailor or the person fitting the customer, because presumably they know better about fit. A good bra fitter knows that the majority of women walking into the store are wearing the wrong size bra. It stands to reason that a woman who's wearing a size 40DD would complain about a 34FF size bra and would even go so far as to say it hurts. That's because she's obviously not used to wearing a properly fitted bra and she came into the store with the common notion that if you feel the bra, then it's too tight. In truth, a good bra fitter knows that "feeling" a bra is actually necessary for proper fit. If the band is not hugging the frame, then it will not support the weight of the breasts and the shoulders end up carrying it. Too many times, I've seen the fitter go up in band size and down in cup to accommodate a customer who's wearing the wrong size but wants her new bra to feel like the old ill-fitting one. When that happens, I don't think the fitter is doing the customer any favours because the customer is still in the wrong size bra and may encounter other fit problems. She may no longer experience pain in her shoulders because the band is tighter, but she may find that the wires now poke her soft breast tissue because the cup is still too small. The end result is the customer still buys an ill-fitting bra and the store makes money. There's something wrong with this picture. I think a good fitter should be able to read the woman she is fitting. Some women are not ready to admit, even to themselves, that they require a larger cup size to accommodate their breasts. Many women get hung up on the numbers and letters without understanding the relationship between the band and cup sizes. In their eyes anything above a DD is massive, when in reality that DD means absolutely nothing without the band size (due to the inverse sizing relationship between band size and cup size). Surely, a good bra fitter would know that. And she would also know that there is no point in trying to fit someone who is not ready to be fitted. Fitting a woman in the wrong size to accommodate the number or letter she feels comfortable with is completely detrimental to a proper fitting (and kinda daft). Breasts and underbust determine fit, not the measuring tape (although that could help immensely) and not the media. 

No Returns, Refunds or Exchanges
The hefty price tag that comes with each bra sold in the local stores does not come with a guarantee. Unlike many online vendors, once you set foot outside of the local store, the bra you bought is yours for life whether you're happy with it or not. Local stores do not refund, return or exchange any bras that have been bought and paid for, even if the tag is still on it, the bra has not been worn or washed, and is in resalable condition. That tells me that a) they do not care about fit, because as you may very well know, it takes at least twenty minutes if not a few hours before you can truly tell how comfortable or uncomfortable a new bra is, and b) they do not understand bras very well, because a new bra may initially look good, but as breasts settle in and shift, the bra may not feel comfortable or look good any more, both of which are valid reasons for not wanting to wear it again. I don't know about you but if I'm shelling out $130 on a bra, I expect it to perform in accordance with that price tag (or maybe even wash the dishes every once in a while). I really like to get my money's worth. That means I do not want to worry about wires digging, bands chafing, boobs spilling, or straps slipping or digging. In general, I expect it to fit perfectly. If or when it doesn't, I would like to be able to return it. But to take my hard earned money, improperly fit me, claim to be better than department stores and then refuse to return my money when the bra fails to deliver - well, that sounds like a bad business practice. This is one area where online stores excel and why they remain to be a favourable option for many women. Not only are the prices a lot more affordable (in many cases the same bra costs one quarter of the price than in the local store) but also many of these online stores provide truly hassle free returns and exchanges. Some of them even offer free shipping. Local stores need to wise up before it's too late.

In our small city of Halifax and surrounding areas, I have yet to come across a professional fitter who is actually good at what she does. Some have come close but inevitably they always try to make a sale using one of the above tactics. This is why I have resorted to buying online. I go to the local stores to try the bras and see which ones fit me best. Once I figure that out, I order the bras I like through online vendors. In the past two months, I have helped fit more than a dozen women. I'm starting to wonder if I should get into the business or at least collaborate with some of the good fitters out there. In my opinion, the best bra fitter I've ever come across is Claire Dumican, the owner of Butterfly Collection. She's been spot on with every problem I've encountered with my bras so far. She helped me figure out my correct size and was even kind enough to help me with the fit of other bras that I bought elsewhere. She may not be a veteran of the bra fitting campaigns of the previous century but I think she's better at fitting than many of the seasoned bra fitters at the local stores here. Claire is my "go to" person when I have a bra problem. Her customer service skills are exemplary and she's just downright amazing. Too bad she's based out of Vancouver. We could use her help out here in the east coast!

I recently read a statistic which claimed that more than 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra. It might seem ridiculous, but think about it for a second. How many of us actually know our body measurements? I mean, yes, I've gone to Sears, and the old lady with the thick glasses and heavy accent told me (after lots of hmming and umming) that my bra size is 36DD. I often wondered how they arrive at that number. They would have you believe that there is some sort of NASA devised formula especially designed to accurately determine boobie size by measuring this part here and adding 4 inches there, etc. Really? And then after you buy the bra and wear it for a month, you discover that your back is rubbed raw, your neck is screaming with pain, and your shoulders have permanent grooves. Meanwhile, your boobs are trying to talk to your knees because no one upwards is listening.

Well, my boobs have finally rebelled. When I was heavier, it wasn't apparent. I had aches and pains in the majority of my body. My neck and back aches were often attributed to the extra weight I'm carrying around the tummy and shoulders on my small frame. When I lost 140 pounds, the pain became excruciating and much more pronounced. After a considerable amount of research I've finally found out why. I am wearing the wrong size bra (insert light bulb moment here). It turns out that I needed a much smaller band and much larger cup size. I am most definitely not a 36DD. Instead, I am a proud 30G. Take that Sears, ha!

See, what most women don't know is a) the lady at Sears is TOTALLY wrong, b) that formula they stole from NASA doesn't actually work on well endowed chests, and c) women do not have to "put up with the pain" because they have big bouncy boobs. This whole business of adding 4 inches stops working once you hit the D cup. Oh and did you know that cup sizes go all the way to K, and I've heard that there will be a size N soon! Amazing isn't it?

In our current miserable bra market, local stores would have you believe that a big woman has big boobs and a small woman has small boobs. How many department stores do you know of that carry a size 32J or a 44B? In those stores, the smaller the number, the smaller the cup, and vice versa. It's like saying big women have long hair and small women have short hair. Doesn't that sound utterly ridiculous and nonsensical? The fact of the matter is, women come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Breasts also come in different shapes and sizes. A big woman can have small breasts and a small woman can most definitely have large breasts.

Okay, so what's large and what's small? How do you know? I see a woman claiming that she is a 32J yet the person beside her looks at her with absolute horror, because she looks smaller than the 36C over there. But, it's all about proportion. For example, a DD cup does not mean anything at all unless you attach a number to it. That DD may actually have the same size breast as an E or even F. The ratio between the band size (which is essentially your underbust or ribcage measurement) and the cup is what determines the true size. Need more clarification? Check out this fantastic blog that explains it detail.

In my search for the perfect bra, I've come across many web sites but I fell in love with one: Butterfly Collection. From the moment I spoke to the owner, Claire Dumican, I could tell that this will be the beginning of a very beautiful relationship. First of all, she did not make me feel like a number. Her customer service is exemplary and I mean impeccable. Moreover, she is extremely skilled at figuring out sizing even over the phone! She doesn't need the thick glasses or the measuring tape around her neck, though I do love her accent. (Okay, I confess, I love everything British, but that's besides the point.) Claire treated me like a person. The best part -  she was not trying to make a sale. Unlike department stores who encourage you to buy the same bra in many colours before you even try it, Claire suggested that I buy just one bra to make sure the size is right before proceeding to buy more.

So I've told you why I'm in love with Claire (mainly because she made my pain go away and because she is generally awesome) but let me tell you why I love the web site. For starters, Butterfly Collection has one of the most accurate bra size calculators I've seen. Give it a shot, if only for the sake of curiosity. The bras they offer are not dull. I am tired of wearing beige, white and black. The small band big cup bras come in a variety of bright and beautiful colours. It is truly lingerie. The bras are not only functional but also quite pretty and the detailing is exquisite. Butterfly Collection is Canadian and prices are in Canadian dollars. Shipping is also FREE in Canada & USA, no minimum order. Should I keep going? Okay...

The other thing I like about Butterfly Collection is that they do Skype fittings. Yes, you read that right - Skype fittings. If you're not camera shy, they can help you determine your proper fit on Skype. You obviously don't undress in front of the camera (there is modesty involved you know) but they could easily tell you what fits and what doesn't, what the problems are with your current fit and how well the bra you bought fits. I bought the Cleo Lucy Bra after speaking to Claire and based on her size recommendation. It's perfect and I love it! I never used the Skype service, though I did take pictures of myself in the bra and sent them to Claire to help determine if the bra fits properly. I know, it sounds quite creepy when I say it out loud. I sent semi nude pictures of myself to a person I've never met before. This is how comfortable Claire made me feel. She instantly recognized my problem and recommended the right size in the bra I liked.

The bra fits snugly around my rib cage and cups the breasts beautifully. It has a very delicate and attractive look to it. I really like that the bra is not padded. For some reason, fully padded bras never worked for my shape. The Lucy Bra is also very supportive. The band carries the majority of the weight as opposed to the shoulders. I love the lace details on the edges; it looks very pretty (i.e. sexy). Initially the wires seem tight but they still lie flat against the chest. As I wore it, the bra started to stretch yet still hugged my chest quite snug. I have to say, so far, it looks like this is the best bra I have ever owned. I really love this bra and will be buying it in other colours.

Something else that sets Butterfly Collection apart from other online retailers is their description of the bra fit as well as their models. When you click on the link to a bra, it includes a detailed section outlining the fit of the bra and whether it runs true to size or smaller/bigger in the band or cup. Not only that, but also they make it easier by figuring it all out for you, so that all you have to do is actually input your usual size and they will determine what size in that bra will fit. They don't keep you in the dark either; they declare the fit of the bra in bold red on the details page so you're not alarmed when you purchase the bra and discover that the label does not match the size you ordered. Something else that is unique to them which I don't see very often are the images of real models. I mean real people who are not airbrushed and homogenized like you see on Victoria's Secret. I'm not sure exactly what Victoria's secret is but I sure as hell don't want to know it. Butterfly Collection does not airbrush what makes those women real. The models to not have concave tummies and flat butts. And they most certainly do not have quadraboobs. If I want quadraboobs I can go to Victoria's Secret, thank you very much.

Last but not least, is the pricing issue. You know I'm all about frugal this and that. However, in this case, you truly get what you pay for. In general, many of the bras sold by Butterfly Collection are found in only two local boutiques here in Nova Scotia. However, Butterfly Collection offers those bras at a wider range of sizes and at a fraction of the price compared to the local boutiques. And yes, that includes that ridiculous boutique downtown (not naming any names here) that sells one bra for $300. I realize that the health of my boobs is important but if I can't pay my mortgage or put food on the table, my boobs will be the least of my worries. The average bra price on Butterfly Collection is between $50 to $70. You can get a better deal on sale days too. Even at regular price, it is still quite reasonable compared to the insane prices we are asked to pay here in the city for the non-generic sizes.

I'm in the process of ordering more bras from Butterfly Collection. I think they are my favourite bra store now. I will post more about the other bras once I've had a chance to try them. All in all, I'd say that Butterfly Collection is one of the best bra stores in Canada. They are a perfect package deal that offers beauty, variety, and excellent customer service coupled with honest and accurate information about sizing regardless of it's impact on their making a sale. For small women with well endowed chests, Butterfly Collection is heaven.