Ball Essentials

Ok, ok, I know I'm a bad blogger. But I was inspired this morning for a new post.

It's Ball season here in the Army. Not sports balls, but dancing balls. Our Soldiers put on their dress uniforms, spouses and significant others put on their formal wear, we eat food (usually either really good or really bad, no in-betweens), listen to some speeches, maybe drink some grog, and dance a little.

I didn't go to any balls last year since my husband was deployed, and I really am just arm candy at these things. This season, we have a ball in December and another in February. I have a couple formals in my closet that still fit me, so I'm OK on the dress front.

But this is a blog about bras and lingerie. So what do you wear under the dresses?

One of my dresses is a vintage 1960s ribbon lace sheath. It has a high scoop neck and full back so I can wear a regular bra under it. Yay!

The other dress is strapless and has stretch, which means a strapless bra is a requirement. I have issues with strapless bras. There are some great ones out there for us larger cup women, but I also have a short torso. Many of the strapless bras come up so high on my chest that they show over the top of the dress, and this isn't a low cut dress. I have 2 strapless bras right now, and neither is perfect. One fits well enough but isn't supportive and has textured cups, the other is smooth but a little small in the cup so I spill out the top.

I would like to spend a little time talking about other foundation pieces, though.  They are just as important as the bra. Neither of my dresses are super snug on the hips, nor do they show anything underneath, so panties are not a big issue this time. But they can be. I recall the "date" of a soldier at a past Dining-Out (formal dinner). She had a white dress, more dressy than formal, and was rather obviously wearing a white thong underneath. This wouldn't have been quite as noticeable if it weren't for that tattoo on her cheek. Yes, that cheek. It showed through the white dress.

There are tons of "seamless" panty choices out there now. You want something that won't be moving around and getting out of position. No picking wedgies in your ball gown. I am considering wearing my running panties, actually. C9 by Champion (at Target) has some great sports panties. They are super comfy, stay in place, and don't create any bulging. I need to buy a few more.

There is also shape wear that can smooth out your panty line. I do own a pair of spanx, the kind that goes from mid thigh up to the bra band. I haven't worn it in a long time, since my current formal attire doesn't need it. I also own a shaping slip. It's black, stretchy, and has lace at the bottom hem, just in case it peaks out of a shorter dress. It's perfect for covering cleavage as well as giving a smooth outline. These also come in strapless versions and can have built-in bras.

Of course, there are hose or stocking. I personally avoid them at all costs. It's just a personal taste - I hate them. I can't stand panty hose. I don't like stockings. I'm not fond of tights either. However, if you do choose to wear them, they can add in smoothing the silhouette and help avoid the dreaded thigh chafe.

Oh, thigh chafe. Yes, I get it too. That painful spot where your thighs touch together and get rubbed raw if they stay together too long. Or if it's too hot and damp/sweaty. Ick. There are products you can rub on your thighs to prevent chafe, but none of them last all day.

There is a new solution for thigh chafe that doesn't involve panty hose or tights. I plan to get at least 1 pair before my ball in December. Bandelettes are like the lacy top of stockings without the rest of the stocking. I discovered them through Braless In Brazil's review. I'm not one to let them show under my short shorts, but they would be great for a ball, or even under a skirt in the hot, sweaty summer months. Yes, I definitely need a couple pairs.

They have a simple size chart. You just measure your thigh at the point where they need chafe protection, and pick the letter that fits your measurement. In my lack of shame, I will tell you that the widest part of my thigh is 23 inches. That puts me in a B. And since they have the original black and nude options on sale right now..... yes. Going shopping.

So, my under-dress ball essentials? A good (or at least decent) bra, comfy panties (don't want to be picking a wedgie all night), and now, Bandelettes. What are your essentials?

Review: Adore Me & Paili/Arabella

Whew! This review has been a little rough just getting to this stage.

I had previously read a blog post/review of Adore Me by the Lingerie Addict (read it here), so I had some expectations going into this, but I saw an add for your first set for only $20 and had to give it a try.

I knew that the bras in my size were all from Affinitas, so I looked at some of my go-to sites for reviews. It took me all day to decide, but I ordered the Kimberly bra and panty set (Adore Me calls it the Leona).

Now, when you sign up, you only get the $20 set if you register for the VIP membership, which is where they charge your card each month and you get to pick some lingerie. They send you an email before charging, so you can choose to skip a month.

Ok, ok. I signed up. I went with slow shipping because it's free and I'm cheap.


Then I got this in the mail:

box is a little beat up

but it's all "pretty". i hate pink.

I knew about the relabeling. Of course that's the first thing I checked out. I was shocked at how poorly and obviously it was done.

sewn right on top

you can see where they cut out the old tag

they think the sticker there is sneaky. i guess 

old tag fibers

I really expected more, but oh well. I tried it on. I had ordered up a cup size based on the reviews on other sites. By the way, Adore Me uses US sizing, and goes up to an I, so that's what I got.

The set is adorable. I love pinstripes. The fit, on the other hand, was horrid. The band was too tight and I was spilling out everywhere. *Le Sigh*

Failed attempt. I went online and found the exchange page. It was actually really easy. I filled out a little form, got a printable return mailing label, and got an email with a code to get another set for free. So ease of use has been pretty good.

I picked the Arabella set for my next try, or Paili as they call it (is that even a real name?). I went up to a 34I, so up one band and another cup. Time to wait again.

The box was beat up again, and filled with pink tissue paper again. The tags were much better and look like they were done by the manufacturer.

The fit is, well, it's OK. The 34 band is a little loose, and the cups *barely* fit my boobs, but it fits enough for $20. The girls are a little wider than I'm used to, and the textured cups show under thin and/or light colored fabrics, but it looks good under a dark tshirt.

The panties are super comfy! And sexy, with their see-through back side. I will totally wear them even without the bra. 

no pics of these on - gotta avoid the creepers

So what's my final conclusion?

Meh.

Affinitas bras just don't fit me well, and if that's the only brand Adore Me is going to relabel, then I'll pass. I got a nice deal on this set, but just barely. If Affinitas fit you well, then yeah, check it out. They really are good deals on the bra and panty sets.

I will be canceling my account and heading back over to True&Co. who now carries bras in my size. And lets you try on a handful and keep what fits. Yes yes. In other good news, my town is getting a Nordstrom Rack in October! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they stock lots of bras in my size range.

The Size Issue

Size - Why does it matter so much to us? Why are so many women today stuck on being a certain size? It's just a number. Or a letter. Or both. But it doesn't make us who we are. It has no effect on our personality.

I am guilty of this as well. I look at the numbers and think I should be that number. Or number/letter combo. I tell the world on this blog that I'm a 32FF/32H. That alone should be a clue - I have 2 different sizes based on the country of origin. But also, I am currently wearing a Lunaire 34G, rather comfortably. It has a snug band and very stretchy cups, which more than accommodates my girls. It's a comfy bra that fits me.

And that should be the point, right? Fit! In my jean drawer right now I have mostly 8s, some 6s, and a 4. I have another pair of size 4 in my closet because they are still a bit too small. Most of my current jeans are hand-me-downs, and I only kept what fit (or what I hope to fit). So, sometimes I wear an 8, sometimes a 10, sometimes a 6, and occasionally even a 4.

Yet I still fall victim to the size issue. This "should" fit me because it's "my size."

I am also petite in my upper half. I have a petite cut dress that still needs a good half inch taken out of the shoulders. So in one way, for tops at least, I have learned (the hard way) that I can't just rely on a "size" to fit me. I cannot buy clothes without trying them on, or making sure they have a great exchange/return policy. It makes shopping torturous sometimes. I'll try on 10 things and maybe, if I'm lucky, 1 will fit, or at least fit well enough.

But our society pushes the size issue on us. All those fad diets and diet gimmicks. All the body snark. All the "you must be such and such" shoved down our throats. We are conditioned to feel good or bad based on our size or perceived size.

In actuality, if we focus less on the numbers and more on proper fit, we look and feel much better. I am going to try to focus more on finding a good fit, in all my clothes, no matter what size I end up getting. A good fit makes me happy and comfortable. A good fit looks good on me. A proper fit makes me look slimmer and taller. A proper fit can make me look fit. Ha.

I challenge you to think about fit the next time you go shopping for clothing or shoes. Don't focus on a number or letter or combination thereof, but spend the time to find a proper fit and don't worry about the size. 

Upcoming Review

Just to let y'all know...

I took the plunge and ordered something from AdoreMe today. They actually have my size, and your first purchase (if you sign up for the VIP service) is only $20 for a set. That's a set, as in bra AND panties. Which is really a great deal if you compare the one brand they seem to carry (Parfait by Affinitas, don't think they make it themselves).

I ordered the Lola Balconette (or Leona according to AdoreMe), in a 32I/32G. Yes, I'm normally a 32H/32FF, but I looked up some reviews on different sites and found that Parfait tends to run a cup size small, and maybe a band size small. I prefer my bands pretty snug compared to most women, so I just went up a cup. Plus, I think my strapless bra is by them, and the 32G is even small. If this doesn't fit, I'll see about a refund since I ordered the largest size they carry.

Anywho, this is just a note that I will be reviewing the bra and service soon. Something to look forward too!

in the mean time, I'm going to go see if Jockey has bras in my size yet (I doubt it; too soon).

Companies Really Can Learn (Maybe? We Hope So?)

I admit I'm a little jaded when it comes to new online bra retailers. I've seen too many that push their wares and then don't have my size, even if they carry my brands. When I first saw the add for True&Co., I didn't have high expectations.

What is True&Co.? It's an online retailer that offers to send you 5 bras (and 5 other items) for a deposit. You then try them on, then log on and let them know which ones you want to keep. You print a label to send back the ones you don't want, and there you have it - bras tried on at home. Great idea, no?

Sure enough, they carried my brands in up to an F cup. I was still a G when I found them. Le sigh, no luck. I wasn't too sure of their "fit quiz" either. You answer questions in a little quiz and it seems to suggest the same bra size you entered, or maybe a cup size difference. Then I read some reviews of the company from other bra bloggers, and they seemed to all feel the same way.

So what changed my mind? Let's blame it on my bra fairy. I have a friend who brings me bra luck. She's with me when I find awesome deals on bras, or even just find my bras in our city. She sent me the link to Jockey bras. And yesterday, she sent me a link from True&Co. about their new offering - sports bras. She is my bra fairy.

At first I laughed it off, without even clicking the link, but it was stuck in the back of my head. So I clicked on it and filled out the fit quiz, yet again. To my surprise, when I entered the size of my of favorite bra in question 3 (32FF), I got a message informing me that they do not currently carry my size, but are looking to expand their range. I was asked to enter my email address for updates on their stock.

Wow. Totally unexpected. I actually started an account with my real email address and signed up for info on whenever they stock my size. They linked me to a post where they talked about wanting to expand their offerings (although I can't find it right now). I commented with my favorite brands and all the sizes I've worn in them.

I was impressed. So I tweeted about it linking them, and they thanked me in a reply tweet. Ok, good.

I then found out I had previously started an account with my spam email address (the one I use for stuff I expect to spam me). I re-did the fit quiz based on my bra size before I first got fitted. I answered the questions as I would have then, to the best of my memory. Let's see what this gives me, right?

I was a little disappointed here. They corrected the cup size by 1 or 2, but not the band. None of the questions really seemed to pinpoint if I had a proper band size or not. So I decided they needed my feedback. (This NYT thing must have gone to my head, no?)

I emailed them:

Out of curiosity, I started 2 accounts on your site. My main account, which is linked to this email address, has my current size and fit. I was glad to see that you are looking to expand your size range!
For my other account, with my other email address, I took the fit quiz as I would have answered back before my first real fitting. Back then I was wearing a 38DD. Your fit quiz was suggesting 38Fs, 38Es, and 40DDs, but a real fitting found me to be a 36G.

Your quiz was close on the cups, at least trying to get me into a bigger cup size, but nothing indicated that I was in the wrong band. I remember always tugging my bra band back into place as it would ride up my back. A simple question about bands staying in place or moving, either up or down, could help with that.

I just wanted to give this feedback because, like I said above, I'm excited to see you expanding your size range. The area I live in requires online shopping for bras in my size, and the ability to give them a try and easily return those that don't would make life easier. Having trained and worked as a bra fitter, I love seeing opportunities for all women to get a proper fit.

Thanks for taking the time to read my feedback!


And today, I got a response:

Hi Charla,

Thank you for taking the time to offer us this feedback! We're definitely working to improve our quiz so that we can get better at diagnosing the correct band size. If you do ever have questions for us about fit we're happy to chat with you over the phone, since sometimes we do need more information than the quiz currently collects to make the best possible recommendation.

As we continue to improve we really appreciate any and all suggestions you have for us, particularly pertaining to fit and what did or didn't work for you. Keep an eye out as we expand our range as well, since we do hope to be able to fit you better going forward.

Have a great 4th of July!

Best,
Molly

True&Co


I think that's a pretty damn good response. And it's real and personal. I must say, I'm pretty impressed. Of course, much like Jockey Bras, I cannot yet use their service. However, my Bra Fairy can, and is considering it. Should she check it out, I will get her to do a review for me. (She has one pending on Jockey, BTW.)

So? My point? Companies can learn. Companies can grow with their market base. And we should support the companies that are trying. I think this one is trying. Check them out. Let me know what you think.

Home Again (And Looking For Ideas)

Ok, so I've been home for a while. And I've not been blogging. My husband has turned into a better blogger than me (probably because he's still new at it, not disillusioned yet).

Unfortunately, there were no bra stores to stop at on my vacation. I don't have any fun new bras to review.

However, my friend was able to get her hands on a Jockey Bra and is writing up a review for us! Preliminary reports are good - very comfortable. I got to check it out and their underwire resin thingy looks pretty awesome. There are a couple things they could improve on, like some topstitching to hold lining fabrics in place, but all in all it looks like a good start. Even has some pretty hardware on it.

In the meantime, I haven't yet reviewed the bras I have been wearing on a daily basis, and would love to do so. So I will get started on those.

But since I have some new readers (more than just family and friends), what would you like to read about? What can I talk about to keep you interested?

Anything to do with boobs, bras, what have you, is open to suggestion. 

My Boobs Are Famous!

Wow. So, I have never had so much traffic on my blog! If you are one of those reading the archive, you'll notice that I don't write a lot lately.

Thanks to Stephanie Clifford, the writer of the New York Times article I was mentioned in, my blog has exploded (not literally, thank goodness). And of course all this happened as I prepare for vacation.

This is official vacation notice. I will be on vacation for a while, and don't plan on blogging during that time. I may surprise us all with a post, but my plans include more reading and relaxing. There will probably be some research in that reading, and I will try to keep up with comments.

Thanks to everyone for checking out this little blog. I'm just a girl that's obsessed with bras and good fit, ever since it change my own relationship with my boobs.

I will try to keep this blog rolling upon my return, so check back in 2 weeks(ish) and expect more regular posting.

Sincerely,
Charla E. Welch
Bra Crusader

Review: Jockey Bra Fit Kit

UPDATE: It turns out they have 2 different websites from which you can order these bras: the one below, and this one. This new site lets you sort by size, and my size is NOT listed. I will have to rely on my friends, if any of them wish to purchase a bra, to get a review of the actual bra fit and comfort. And yes, I am headed to their facebook page to ask about this. And probably ask for a refund, since they don't even make my size, apparently. It took me playing around on my new laptop (yay mac!) tonight to realize this. The site linked in my original post below just says my size is out of stock.


My friend tweeted me recently about a new product. She wanted to know what I thought about it. It seems the Jockey Company has gone into bras, but with a different cup sizing system based on “volume” and with 10 cup sizes. They are also doing a different kind of “wire” for the underwire that is supposed to be more comfortable. Of course I was intrigued. You have to pay for the kit, but get a coupon of equal value towards a bra purchase. You can also get a refund if you don’t like it, according to their FAQ.

I bought a kit. They stored everything in a nice mesh bag which would be ideal for washing bras. Kit includes 10 “cups,” a measuring tape, and a brochure with instructions and bra styles.

All in the bag

Out of the bag

Cups 1 and 10 next to each other

The cups are a plastic stuff, with arrows pointing up and a number on each one. You put the breast in the cup, and the one that fits best is your cup size. I noticed the cups were kinda tall for my short torso. I started at the big end and went down. The 10 was obviously big, 9 looked pretty good, and 8 had a little side spillage.  I put a bra on for pics.

A little tall, but best fit

Next is band size. Their measuring tape is simplified and colorful. Basically, each inch section is colored differently from the inch to either side, so you don’t worry about how close it is to what inch. If it falls in the 35 section, you measure at 35. Of course, per tradition, the bra bands are sized in even numbers. I can’t find anything that says what to do if you get an odd band size, like my 31, so I rounded up to 32.

skinny ribs

So, according to Jockey’s sizing, I’m a 09/32. Unfortunately, my size is only available in 2 of their 5 styles. My size is also out of stock in those 2 styles.

Even a place to write it all down

I find it interested that I measure a 9 cup in this system, and my general measurements have a 9 inch difference (31/40). I’m going to ask a couple friends to try the kit as well, one on the smaller end and one towards the middle. I want to see if the “volumetric” fit works like the ratio fit that I use.

I also noticed that, in the 2 styles that carry the full cup range, the top 3 cup sizes were sold out. This makes me think that a lot of women are having something of an epiphany when it comes to bra size. By using numbers instead of letters, Jockey is keeping those women loyal to their bras. It would be nice if they would use a simple letter system (A through I) to help women relate their size to other brands. It would also be nice if they would offer more styles in the full cup range.

On the other end of the spectrum, the same 2 bras that come in my size are the only ones that come in cup size 1. So A cups need an underwire? I suspect it’s more that they don’t expect to sell as many of those bras.

One thing that worries me is that they aren’t relating cup size to band size. I’m not sure how well that will work in real world practice. It’s a great idea, but is my 9 cup with a 32 band going to be the same as someone else who has a 9 cup and, say, a 38 band? Will the underwire be adjusted for that difference? Because, in real practice, a D in a 32 is very different from a D in a 38. The wire, the structure, the fit of the bra have to be adjusted for the band size. Just look at this image from Wellfitting.com.

In general, I like that they are offering women in the US a simple way to fit themselves at home. I like that they didn’t even mention the “add 5” rule. I wish their sizing system was more translatable to the standard system so that women can go from Jockey to other brands, especially with the limited selection of Jockey bras right now. I wish Jockey offered the full cup size range in all 5 bras. And I wish they weren’t out of stock in my size.

When they are back in stock, I will order a bra (no stores anywhere near me) and review that as well. I’ll also update, probably with the bra review, as to how the kit works for my friends and how it compares to the ratio fit method. 

Brand Loyalty?

If you know me, you know I tend to stick with 2 bra brands - Fantasie and Freya. This is partially because they make such a lovely size range, and mostly because they tend to fit me really well. Panache makes a great size range as well, but their bras just don't fit my body that well. Although I did order one of their softcup bras and hey, shouldn't that be here by now?

Anywho. I have been losing weight since I started this blog. I noticed about a month ago that my 32Gs weren't fitting right. The cups were actually too big. I have one 32FF that fit well enough as a G, and it was fitting me really well. So I pulled out the 32FFs I had shoved in a drawer. One of them fits great. The other still bulges a bit on my larger breast, but I have a few more pounds to lose.

So yes, I am officially down to a 32FF. (Disclaimer: I wear my band very tight. It does leave red marks. But I feel like a 34 is sliding around all day. Where was I?

Yes, brands. I recently tweeted (@lifewithRemy) that as a 32FF, I could start wearing 32H in US brands. Then I read on article on The Lingerie Addict (great lingerie blog for all sizes) about knock-offs and design stealing/borrowing. One point it brought up is whether it's OK for a brand to basically copy a popular design for sizes the original maker doesn't offer. I personally like this, and hope the original designer sees that so many people loved the original design.

That all got me thinking about brand loyalty. With as much as I want US brands to offer a larger size range, should I be supporting those companies that I only just now fit into? I have lost 35 pounds since I first started my bra obsession, and I only just now fit into their sizes.

I was never obese, just overweight. I now wear a size 8 in bottoms, but still need a 12/14 on top because my chest is big. If I can lose 35 pounds and still have big boobs, I know they aren't going anywhere. At this point, I don't want them to! I like my chest, even with the trouble of finding clothes that fit. I wouldn't know what to do without them. I wouldn't look right.

After this whole thought process, my heart (yes, that's me choosing heart over brain) says to stick with the brands I already love. My brain rationalized this as well - I'm supporting the brands that I approve of and, hopefully, the brands that are losing my business will someday see that they are missing out.

*side note*
I woke up early this morning to very high winds blowing open my utility doors (outside the house because I live in military quarters). They blew open 3 times between 0530 and 0600, until I duct taped the doors shut. One strip over the seam between the doors and a small strip to reinforce the latch. They stayed shut, but I was not able to get back to sleep. This makes me grumpy. So I got online. I ended up on Zappos.com and decided to check out their bra selection - it sucks. I read reviews on a Le Mystere bra and someone recommended going with the manufacturer sizing. So of course, I went to their site. How could I resist?

Um, yeah. That was a mistake. They told me to measure OVER my bust to get my band size. I said, "Oh, really?" And got my tape measure (and a bra since I'm still in PJs). YEAH. Their sizing says I'm a 36D.

Oh dear baby Jesus. I have not been a 36 since 35 pounds ago. I haven't been a D, or even a DD since High School (14 years if anyone is counting). This was not a good time to visit that page.

I went to their contact email form and ranted: about sizing and sizes offered. Le Mystere, as hyped up by Oprah, offers 2 bras in my size. That's it. Only 2 bras go up to an H cup. Not to mention, when I did try their bras on a few years ago, the bands felt huge. I was a true 34 back then and tried on 32 bands that still felt loose.

So no, I will not ever be recommended that brand. Unless they do a big overhaul.

I will be recommending Fantasie and Freya, because I still LOVE LOVE LOVE them. Panache, too, just not for me as much. By the way, got a new strapless bra from a Panache sub-brand, and for petite women, it is great. Sizing is small in the cup though. And any brands under the Eveden parent company. Even though it's part of Wacoal now. I don't mind Wacoal.

Done for now. 

Bra Review: Lynx Sportswear

Ok not really. But I have 2 tops from Lynx Sportswear that I would like to review for you.

First is the Sports bra. I ordered blue. Amber is very proud of me for not getting black.

not black!

Now the pics online showed black trim, and I got white, but I can live with it. They are measurement based, much like Enell. You get a number and a letter. The letters stand for their 3 size ranges, Sprint, Dart, and Zoom. My measurements had me in a 3, and kinda between Dart and Zoom. They actually contacted me (via email) on Christmas day after I placed my order and offered to send both a dart and a zoom for me to try on, with a pre-paid envelope to return the one that didn't fit. The Zoom went on well, but had some extra fabric in a few spots. It doesn't help that I have such a short torso! The Dart is a snug fit, but I prefer snug.

over the shoulder boulder holder view

At first I was worried that the band wasn't tight enough. Again, I prefer a snug fit. But I decided to not make snap judgments. The elastic has 3 loops in the back for some adjustment options. I set it on the loosest and made sure everything was adjusted in there. Then I tested. I jumped, I ran down the hallway, I sat, I stood, I wiggled. It actually felt rather secure. The band does roll up when I sit down, but I get that on all my bras and believe it's the short torso coming into play again.

ignore the weird look on my face. self-portrait curse.

I did a short run in this first. I was very conscious of the band at first, but by the first mile I was distracted and didn't think of it again. I don't notice the bounce, which means there is very little. The white on the front and back are a very fine-weave mesh that gives ventilation. This will be amazing when it warms up.

I also got their support tank. In black. Because they didn't have blue and I like black. This option does not have the Zoom sizing yet, but I'm sure it will happen. Basically, they took the bra and added an extension of the same fabric to cover your stomach. It covers the band and has a keyhole in back. Same clasp design in back. 

these are my snug jeans, hence a slight muffin-top

The fit is the same as the regular bra. Like I said, they just put an extension to cover your stomach. The stomach-cover could be a couple inches longer. I could see someone with a long torso having issue with this.  I, on the other hand, get some bunching in the back because of el short torso.

yeah, i'm short

I wore this under a cold weather top for a long run (10 miles). I will NOT be wearing these on cold days. I thought my nipples were going to have frostbite. (Just what you wanted to hear, no?) That is where the double-layer Enell comes in handy. As for support, I have no complaints. I didn't feel the need to adjust anything. And no, I didn't get frostbite on anything. I did have a couple small chafe spots right where the seams from the middle mesh panel are. I chafe in the Enell on long runs, too. Bodyglide take care of it.

yes, i'm sucking in the gut

I am happy with these. I am looking forward to wearing them this summer when the temperature rises. I will probably also be wearing them to yoga, especially in the summer. And maybe even to belly dance. The company had great customer service. It's a young company that is growing, and I look forward to seeing where it goes.

I know when I sports bra shop, I compare them to what I know, and what I know is Enell. So what makes these different from Enell? These tops are designed for an even larger size range. While Enell goes up to "DDD," Lynx goes up to G, H, I, even J. On the Enell size chart, my bust measurement is one size and my rib cage another. On the Lynx size chart, I fall into a 3 Zoom, but just barely. Knowing that, A.) I sometimes measure just a bit bigger than I fit (even with regular bras), B.) I was wearing a molded bra, which doesn't add much but does add the tiniest bit, and C.) I'm still losing weight, I figured the Dart would be a happier fit for me. I was right. 

I would love to see these carried in stores someday. I don't see them being at the big chain sports stores, but maybe the specialty running stores. Oh, just like buying my Enell! 

Finally, this is a real lynx. And a baby lynx, because adorbs.