BiuBiu Review: Emerald and Prado Verde tops

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With my recent success with Urkye, I was eager to finally try out BiuBiu, another Polish, bust-friendly clothing company that's well-known in the bra blogging world. When I saw that there was free shipping to the U.S. on July 4th, I jumped at the chance and grabbed two tops that were on sale. I received the package just about 2 weeks after ordering.

Now, first off, I noticed that the two shirts I ordered were made from a different material than that of the clothing I have from Urkye. These BiuBiu shirts are made of a 95% Viscose/5% Spandex blend. The lightness and stretchiness is nice, but to be honest, the smell and feel reminds me of a swimsuit. Not exactly preferable to me, but obviously everyone has different materials that they'll prefer [note: the smell faded quickly - I'm just very sensitive to smells/scents :B]. On to the reviews! 
The first top I chose was the Emerald in 36BB/BBB.

BiuBiu Emerald; model wearing a 36B/BB

The shirt wasn't a bad shape on me, and looked very similar on the model as it did on me. Honestly, though, it wasn't my absolute favorite. The color is quite a bit greener than shows in pictures - not a bad thing, but I think it's easier for me to wear blue in terms of finding things to pair with it. I also felt like the bust seemed a little small on me. Or maybe it was just that the black lines on the side gave the illusion that the fabric was straining more than it should?

BiuBiu Emerald, 36BB/BBB

I think I'll keep the shirt, and the fit is good enough, but it doesn't seem as versatile of a shirt as I was hoping, and not necessarily "me".
[ETA - Okay, I wanted to add that after throwing on this shirt with a pair of khakis for an interview, I have to say that it really did end up working well for me. Actually, I'm kind of more in love with it now. The only slight issue I still have is that it seems just a tad small in the bust for me... but it's definitely a near-perfect fit. It's great to have your mind changed sometimes!]


The second shirt I picked out was the Prado Verde, also in 36BB/BBB.

BiuBiu Prado Verde; model wearing a  36B/BB

I loved the print of this shirt, so I snatched it up. Unfortunately, I failed to notice that the bust seam hits at a rather strange point - it sits on the bust rather than underneath it. I feel this gives the illusion that the bust part of the shirt is too small for me (it looks like the seam should be sitting under the bust, but isn't). I already get this "too-small-in-the-bust" look on shirts that I can buy at any department store, so I wasn't too happy that I had missed seeing that for this top. 

BiuBiu Prado Verde 36BB/BBB

Also, the shirt makes me look pretty boxy from the front and back, and makes my shoulders look even broader. This is just a case of the shirt not suiting my body type, I think. :/ 

I really wanted to like this shirt because of the print and because it was really quite comfortable and light-feeling (despite the swimsuit smell). A friend suggested pairing it with a long skirt and belt rather than shorts, so I cobbled together something from my closet for a comparison: 

A bit better, but the shirt gave a pretty boxy look from the front still, and I feel I shouldn't have to wear a belt with a shirt that's supposed to be tailored to a busty body type anyway. I'm fairly sure this one's going to be passed on or returned.


So, concluding thoughts? With all the great things I've heard and seen about BiuBiu, I wasn't as impressed with these two shirts that I chose. They just didn't seem quite as bust-friendly as I was expecting them to be. I also wish I'd been a little more careful and thorough when I chose the tops, but then again, I didn't see a whole lot that really jumped out at me on the site that was stocked in my size.

I do want to add that I am by no means bashing or dismissing BiuBiu. They've really pioneered an awesome site and clothing line for bustier women like me. Their clothing is very affordable, even considering the cost of shipping from Poland. There are quite a range of shapes and patterns available. And I've seen other women wearing their stuff, and it looks amazing on them. So, I do plan to try BiuBiu again sometime in the near future - and I'll cross my fingers that I make better picks!

On Bras, Posture, and Health

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The other day, I was rereading The Butterfly Collection's great post about posture and correct bra fitting. SO much of this article really hit home for me - 
"Besides potentially giving you physical pain, bad posture can affect the way your bra fits you (even a correctly sized bra) and consequently, how you feel about your shape."

"The most common posture issue for busty women is hunched shoulders and this is the direct result of physically hiding your breasts. You see it all the time; huddles of teenage girls with rounded shoulders and folded arms."

I've already written in the past about why it's important to wear the correct bra size, but I thought I'd share a little more of my personal story (along with some examples) to sort of give a better idea of why I'm so passionate about correct fit.

Before I found my correct size, not only was I wearing uncomfortable, unsupportive bras, but I was embarrassed and ashamed of my body. I was constantly assuming a "defensive" pose (arms crossed over chest), wearing jackets and layers, and - perhaps worst of all - hunching my shoulders and overall carrying a very bad posture. All these things combined to give me back and shoulder pain.
I dug through some old photos and found a few typical examples from several years ago when I was wearing 36DD bras - soon before I started my correctly-sized-bra-journey - of what I mean:


Too-big clothing, too-small clothing, unsupportive bras, hunched shoulders, and jackets galore! Rather than minimizing my bust, all these measures just made me look unsupported and heavier than I actually was.

Contrast the above photos with a few more recent pictures, taken while wearing a bra in the correct size (28GG-28H, depending on the date) along with more flattering clothing and better posture:



The shape in these photos is much more flattering - not just because my boobs are actually supported, but because I'm able to stand straight! No hunching of the back or shoulders!

Keeping a good posture is something I actually still struggle with, even though it's been a few years since I've started wearing better bras. I still need to remind myself to stand straight and keep my shoulders back. Old habits and fears die hard; it's a process, to be sure. But I'm in a much better place now than I was back when I was wearing bras that made it pretty much impossible for me to have a correct, healthy posture.

So, what's my point in this brief post? Wearing a bra that fits well really matters. Not just in terms of looks (although it will help your clothes fit better and give you a better shape), but in terms of your health, posture, and even emotional well-being. It did for me!


For some more great reading from The Butterfly Collection, check out Breaking the D Cup Barrier and Breaking the 34 Band Barrier.

Interested in seeing more bra-size transformations? Take a look at the before and after photos of the U.S. Star in a Bra winners! Fuller Figure Fuller Bust also recently put together a great post illustrating Ill fitted bras vs Well fitted bras.

Not sure you're wearing the correct size? Try out a good bra calculator (or five), or get a free sizing consultation!

Web Searches of July

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I find it pretty amusing to see what kinds of searches lead to my blog, so here's sort of a random post to start off the month. Usually things like "bra calculators" or "28H bras" are what generally show up as searches that lead to hits, but there's also the interesting and varied influx of questions that I wish I could just straight-up answer and/or address. I also find it interesting to see what people are wondering about bras and bra fit...

So, here's some examples from over the course of just one week last month:

Questions about sizes and how sizes work:
"is bra size 36B bigger than 34C"
Nope, these are sister sizes. They'll have the same approximate cup volume as each other, but a bit of a different cup shape and a difference of 2" or so in the bands (so, in a sense, yes, a 36B is bigger in that it's bigger in the band than a 34C). If a 34C cup is too small, go up in cup size (to a 34D).

"difference between 30a and 32aa"
These are also sister sizes - same cup volume, different shape and band.

"us 30i bra conversion"
US to UK size conversion chart. A 30I is equal to a 30G in UK sizing. I find it's much easier to stick with UK sizing (even though I live in the US) simply because there are many more options in UK brands - particularly for smaller bands. In fact, I don't know of any US companies that make below-30 bands (and very few even make below-32 bands). [My UK 28H/HH would be something like a 28K/L in US sizing - but I guarantee no US brands make that size]

"which has a smaller band size 34b 36b or 36c"
The number in a bra size is the band size (aka approximate ribcage measurement). A 34 band is smaller than a 36 band.
Also - a 34B and a 36C are sister sizes (same approximate cup volume). A 36C is one cup size up from a 36B. A 36B is one band size up from a 34B, but the cup of a 36B will be bigger than a 34B as well (this is what trips a lot of people up!).

"i measure 30 but bra band feels too small"
Assuming the measurement is referring to the ribcage and the person is wearing a 30 band, either the person would want to go up a band size due to a too-tight band, or the cups of the bra are actually too small, causing the bra to feel too tight overall; in this case, the person would need to go up in cup size.

"Im 30 inches in boob size"
If 30" is the bust measurement, then an underbust measurement is needed to determine the band size (and relative cup size).

"under my bust is 31" what bra size?"
You'll need a bust measurement, too, in order to get a bra size. Someone with a 31" ribcage will usually feel most comfortable in a 32 or 30 band.

"can a too-small bra squish your ribcage"
If your bra is too small, it'll feel uncomfortable and constricting, yes. But more often too-small bras will squish boobage and just feel too tight on the ribcage because of that.


A lot of fitting problems:
"spillage on top of bra"
"the band on my bra is loose"
"bra fitting center gore not flat"
"bra fit problem band pulls away"
"breast spilling out the side of bra"
"why does my underwire keep slipping below my breasts"
"gore sits away from my body"

All of these are pretty common problems - fortunately there are solutions!

Fitting and shopping questions...

"bras without a band"
? (honestly, I'm not sure how these things work... do they make your boobs float?)

"why bra fittings don't work"
It's a sad fact that the majority of places (in the US, at least) don't correctly fit most women for bras. Nordstrom and small boutiques usually are your best bet, or you could save yourself the trouble and just measure yourself at home.

"according to herroom.com im a 34d but the cups are too..."
[too small? too large? the link cuts off so I can't see D:] Unfortunately, the sizing advice on Herroom.com is going to be off for most women as they add around 3 inches to underbust measurement. With my underbust measurement of approximately 27" they would put me in a 30 band (which is definitely too loose for me), and if I didn't take a tight measurement, I would measure myself at 28" and think I needed a 32 band!
If you're measuring something like 31" underbust and 38" overbust, Heroom would put you in a 34D while your actual size is going to be more along the lines of a 30E (the sister size of a 34D, but you'll be able to get a much better idea of how the cups are fitting if the band is right).

"where to buy 32 band bra"
In the US, Nordstrom carries 32 bands, and several other larger department stores should, too (Dillards, etc). But you may want to look at a list of online stores if you're finding it too difficult to find your correct size.

"the only bras that fit me are too expensive"
Allow me to introduce you to Brastop! :D

"none of my bras fit i'm too small"
You're most probably wearing a band that is too large for you, so the entire bra seems too big. Try measuring yourself!

"does victorias secret tell everyone theyre a d cup"
Ha. No. They do incorrectly size the majority of women, though.

"victorias secret bands are too big"
There is life beyond Vicky's! You're most probably a 28 or 30 band - check out some online stores.

And then, just some random ones...
"katie forced not to wear a bra"
"big stretched boobs" 
"34c boobs video"
...Yeah, definitely going to find what you're looking for here. :P


Other bra bloggers - do you get similar random searches? Or do you tend to get the same type over and over?
What led you to first discover bra blogs (web searches, another website)? I find all this quite interesting :D

If anyone has any bra-related questions like those above - I'd be happy to help answer them!

Nursing Bra Blues [Guest Post by Kendra]

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Today's guest post is written by a good friend, Kendra. She's a first-time mom with a 14-month old, and she blogs about her experiences (including sleep training and chiropractics for young children) on her blog Art & Other! In this guest post, she goes over some of the bras that she tried out during the year she nursed her son. I'm sure any mom who's struggled with figuring out size and bras during pregnancy and nursing can relate to some of the things she's dealt with!


It's been a while since I have been fitted for a bra, admittedly.  Before pregnancy, I was wearing a 34D or DD.  After spending years trying to find a bra that not only fit well, but was comfortable and  looked pretty, I finally found a Wacoal at Dillard's.  $60 was a small price to pay after being let down by so many.  I wore the bra for about a week, then I found out I was pregnant.  I had to put that bra away shortly afterward, not to be worn again (at least not since... I still have it in hopes I'll be able to wear it again one day).

I bought two nursing bras before my son was born. They were both what I would consider daytime styles with underwires - I optimistically planned to wear them when going out in public.  I also bought a nursing tank which turned out to be wonderful (I bought about 4 more soon after giving birth and I realized how valuable they were).  Little did I know that my size would change dramatically enough to render these bras (that I so naively purchased in my eagerness to prepare for baby) almost useless.  So, if I could go back in time, I would tell myself:
Buy one or two of the more forgiving and comfortable sleep nursing bras to take to the hospital and use in the first week or two.  Save investing in a good daytime nursing bra for post pregnancy and post engorgement, because your size may change a lot in that time.

After I learned this lesson, I had to buy some nursing bras that might fit. It didn't appeal to me at all to go out in public more than necessary for a couple of months, so I really didn't even care to try on nursing bras. I'm pretty picky when shopping for bras, anyway (a lot of the readers here probably know exactly what I mean) and I felt like I had exhausted all of the nearby retailers, anyway. The two that I had bought were somewhat out of desperation at our local Motherhood Maternity that was closing, and hey, they were on clearance. I knew what I did NOT want (tiny elastic straps, anything that might result in uniboob or quadraboob, flimsy material). What I hoped to find was structure, support, and quality, and I knew I'd be really lucky if I also found comfort and something pretty.
I bought 3 very different bras on the Internet.  Even without trying them on I thought I could find something better than what I had.

This is an "Elizabeth" Cotton/Mesh Wireless Nursing Bra in 36F.  I bought it a cup size up because I felt like cup sizes were always too small on me (hence my need to remeasure properly).  In my frustration I ordered the cup size bigger, but this was totally the wrong bra to do it on, as it is a full coverage bra already. Pros:  I think I would love this bra for comfort, structure, support, and breathability, except that the cups are just too dang big.  Not a problem I've ever had in a bra I've managed to think is a good enough fit to bring home before. Cons:  There is nothing is uglier, and anything with a neckline lower than a t-shirt (slight exaggeration) reveals it.
I paid: $28.99 on BreakoutBras.com


This is a Bamboo Nursing Softcup in 36DD.
Pros:  Comfortable, soft bamboo material.  It got softer with age.  I wore it quite a bit at home, but didn't like the look of it enough to wear it out.Cons:  Weak in the structure/support department.  I expected more since it has an underwire.  Perhaps I should have ordered a smaller band.
I paid: $22.99 on BreakoutBras.com




This is Panache's "Alisha" Nursing Softcup in 36E.Pros:  I thought I could get away with this one being my good daytime bra.  For no underwire, it does have good support.  And it's almost pretty (c:  The straps are narrow but made out of non-elastic material (eureka!).Cons:  My biggest disappointment is that I paid twice as much for this bra as the others and I didn't necessarily like it more.  On top of that, the hook snapped after about 6 months of occasional use [see detail pic].  It still functioned, but it left a sharp edge and I cut myself on it numerous times while trying to blindly hook it and hold baby at the same time.  I don't think the hooks are of any higher or lower quality than the other bras, just an unfortunate thing to happen to this one.  Also, I thought this bra would be the one that I'd wear out and about, but after an hour or so, things shift around and it no longer gives the proper support or look that I like. I paid: $59.00 on BreakoutBras.com


All three of these bras I would wear with nursing tanks over them 95% of the time to add the support that I needed.  When buying bras in the future I will have more experience and put more priority in sizing myself and finding the right size, because in writing this blog I see that is my main problem.

I had two styles of tanks.  The gray one [pictured] is called a full sling, and the black one is not (not sure what it's called).  I got them both from Target.  In retrospect I would have bought up more of the styles like the black one, although they cost almost double.  The sling portion of the gray styled one tended to peek up over the top of the outer layer of the tank, making for a very awkward neckline if anyone happened to see it.  I don't mind people knowing that I breastfeed, I just don't want my gear to be all sloppy :P For the Full-Sling style (gray) I paid: $16.99


I breastfed my son until 1 week before his 1st birthday (I was fortunate enough that he self-weaned and there was absolutely nothing difficult about it). So for almost a year, nursing bras and tanks with carefully chosen tops or (mostly) lazily worn husband t-shirts were my staples.  None of the nursing bras I ever bought were good enough to really wear by themselves. I almost always wore a nursing bra with a nursing tank, which kept my boobs strapped down so tight that I'd have red marks all over me at the end of the day, which I'm sure was not ideal for lactating booby health. During the summer it was not comfortable at all as you can imagine (Texas. Ugh.). I longed for a good nursing bra that I could wear normal cute girl shirts with and leave the tanks at home. The thought made me feel so free... but I never found that bra. Here's to next time (c: 
I would love to hear your tips and recommendations for nursing bras. I have found a tutorial for converting one's normal bra into one, and I might just opt for that at the risk of destroying my favorite bra if it comes to that :D

Nursing moms, did you experience fitting woes when trying to find a good nursing bra? Does anyone have suggestions or advice on nursing bras/bras/bra sizing for Kendra? Has anyone else tried out the bras she mentioned? :)

Related guest post - Nursing Bras: Things to Consider [Guest Post by April]

How to (Correctly) Wear a Bra

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I've written so much in the past on how NOT to wear bras that I figured it was high time I wrote a post showing the right way to wear them! I've found that many women have actually never worn or even seen a well-fitting bra worn in their lives - so how are they to know what one looks or feels like?

If you're not sure if you're wearing the correct size, check out 5 Signs of a Poorly-Fitting Bra. If you're experiencing any of these signs of a poor fit, never fear - this post should help get you back on the right track! You may also want to measure yourself (WikiHow also has a great guide) to check your starting point size.

First things first:

Steps for Putting on a Bra

[Blogger CarissaRose has a great tutorial with pictures that is infinitely better than this written list! But here's a long-winded step-by-step in any case:]
1. It's generally recommended that you start by holding the bra so the bottom wires of the cups are under your breasts and hook the band from behind, but if that's too difficult right now (or you just don't prefer doing it this way), go ahead and hook it in front and spin the cups forward, no one will tell ;) Be sure you're fastening it on the loosest hook.

2. Now that the bra is hooked on and the cups are in front, pull up a bit if need be to be sure that the bottom cup wires are right under your breasts. Go ahead and put your arms through the straps (loosen them for the moment if need be) and put them over your shoulders.

3. Now for the fun part: bend and scoop! Bend forward and reach down into the sides and bottom of the bra cups to to lift and adjust your breasts into the cups, pulling in any breast tissue from your underarm back into the cups. Jiggle things around if need be! Make sure that the wires are sitting against your skin underneath your breasts.

4. Stand up and finish making sure all your breast tissue is inside the cups (if you're getting overspill at this point, you'll know instantly that the cups are too small) and that the wires are sitting firmly against your skin. Then adjust/tighten the straps.

When you have your bra on, remember that it should feel a) snug and supportive, and b) comfortable. If it doesn't feel supportive and/or comfortable, you're probably in the wrong size (or style).

For a quick summation, check out this great short video by Ewa Michalak for a visual example of how to put on a bra, along with an example of proper fit. Also, all of the models on the EM website are wearing the correct size, so it's a good reference!


Now that your bra is on properly, on to figuring out if it's fitting you correctly!

The Wires

The wires of your bra should be fully encasing your breasts and sitting firmly against your ribcage - not floating off the ribcage or digging or sitting on the breasts! The center gore (the wire between the cups) needs to be sitting firm and flush against your sternum, not floating between the breasts - but it shouldn't be cutting or digging into your breastbone, either. Your breasts should definitely not be falling out the wires/bottom of the cups.

Proper Wire Placement:

Bras from Ewa Michalak

Note position of the wires in all these bras. The wires are underneath the breasts and extend to underneath the armpit (some bras will have wider wires than Ewa Michalak bras, and will extend a little further under the armpit). The center gore sits flush against the sternum. No wires are sitting on breast tissue. The bras in the above example are all plunge-type bras, but the same goes for other styles with higher center wires.

The Band

The band of the bra should feel firm and snug on the loosest hook, and it should sit level around your body (it shouldn't ride up, and the bra shouldn't shift around). You shouldn't be able to pull it very far away from your body - maybe a few finger's worth at most - and you shouldn't be able to easily put it on the tightest hook right away. At the same time, the bra shouldn't cut in uncomfortably.

Proper Band Placement:

Bras from Ewa Michalak

The bands on these examples are snug on the loosest hook and sitting straight and firm across the back. They're not digging in, nor are they riding up.


The Cups

Tied in very closely with the wires - once the wires are in their correct spot, there should be no overspill anywhere (top, sides, or bottom!) or gapping in the cups. The cup should create a smooth line on your breasts. Your breasts should look "uplifted" and not droopy.

Proper Cup Fit:

Bras from Ewa Michalak and Cleo by Panache

The cups in these examples are fully encasing the breasts.

The Straps

The straps should not be cutting or digging in, nor should they be taking much weight - they should only be doing around 10-15% of the lifting. At the same time, make sure that they are tightened up enough so you're not getting sagging in the cups. Any of the above picture examples show proper strap placement.

Movement and Comfort

Does it seem like your bra is in line with the signs of a proper fit? Great! Now move around some - walk, jump, sit, jiggle, raise your arms. Does the bra poke or stab uncomfortably? Does it shift around? Do you lose support? A bra that's a proper fit will hold your shape and its support well, and it won't move out of place.

Some final well-fitting examples to wrap it up:

Bras from Curvy Kate

So - does your bra look like these examples? If not, it's time to try another size (or style)!


For further reading:
Ill-fitting Bras vs Well-Fitting Bras - great picture-comparison post from FullerFigureFullerBust.
The Perils of Size Charts and "Plus Four" - Brastop blog shows how wrongly the +4 method leads us with a comparison of Jo in her "Plus Four" (incorrect) size of 36F and her actual, proper size of 32J.
Let's Panic About Badly-Fitting Bras - examples of poorly-fitting bras (and a few examples of good fit thrown in!