Curvy Kate is an amazing brand I’ve admired for a long time. Their body positive nature, their use of everyday women as models, and their dedication to making beautiful, girly lingerie for the fuller-busted woman – a lot of brands could learn from them. So today, I thought I would write about a few of my experiences with their lingerie…
The first Curvy Kate set I’ve owned is the Angel in Black/Ivory in a 28K with size 10 shorts, which I won in a Brastop competition. The set is also available with a thong brief instead of shorts, and a (gorgeous!) suspender belt.
Obviously, it’s a gorgeous set – the contrast embroidery, the criss-cross ribbons behind the cups – but the fit here is clearly completely wrong for me. I have to wear the bra with an extender, and the cups are much too small. I could also size up in the shorts. Though the wire width is okay, I also found the gore to be slightly too wide for me, something I have found on all the Curvy Kate bras I have tried so far.
My second try with the Angel set was the Black/Teal in a 30K with size 12 shorts, which is a much better fit for me. The bra was bought on Brastop, and the shorts in a current Debenhams sale.
The band is fairly firm and true to size, however I just don’t like the shape it gives me. I find it very east-west, and, though fairly supportive, it doesn’t give a profile that I like. Though my breasts are lifted off my ribcage, they are not rounded – it almost gives my breasts a sort of upside down “7” shape. It seems like the bottom section of the cup is not large enough to really give a well-rounded shape. I can get a better shape by tightening the straps, but this results in overspill, and as this is a 30K I can’t exactly size up again. I also find the 30K wires to be too wide, resulting in excess fabric towards the sides. It seems that the unpadded styles are best suited up to about a GG cup, after which a good shape can be hard to get.
My third set is the Portia set in a 30K with size 10 shorts, which I won in Fuller Figure Fuller Bust‘s big blog giveaway.
The band is quite firm and true to size, and it seems to give a fairly good support with a nice rounded shape, however it (once again) very small in the cup, and would probably better fit a 30HH/J. I would need to size up at least another cupsize, but unfortunately Curvy Kate stops at a K. If I could get this bra in a larger cup I am sure it would be very comfortable and versatile – it is plain enough to be wearable under every day clothing, however the delicate detailing makes it a gorgeously girly set which wants to be seen. The only solution I can think of would be to cut the non-stretch ribbon across the top, in a bid to open up the top of the cup.
My last set is the Showgirl Thrill Me in Jade/Fuschia in a 30J (the largest available cup) with size 14 shorts. Even without properly scooping my breasts into the cup, it’s quite obvious the cup is too small. I would ideally need something like a 30K in this style to eliminate overspill. Ignoring the cup, I adore this set! The jewel-bright colours, the ruffles – sigh! I’m not usually one to buy a bra I am certain won’t fit me, but with a £22-for-£9 voucher from Groupon fast expiring, and nothing else I wanted…Well, a girl needs a good bedroom set!
Having heard the Showgirl bands were loose, it was firmer than I expected, though this could be due to the small cups. The straps seem very stretchy, which could be a problem for those who often need to tighten a lot. The cups are fairly shallow, with not a lot of forward projection. The wire width is fairly good for me, however the central gore is still slightly too wide (and, for obvious reasons, doesn’t sit flat). Though the fit is obviously less-than-perfect, I love this set, and think I may just have to get it in more colours!
From my experiences with Curvy Kate I’d say there is definitely a need for expansion in sizes – though I usually wear a 30JJ, I have found I need to size up to at least a 30K, perhaps even more in some styles. It also seems the unpadded bra construction needs adjusting, as my case is not the first I’ve heard of a poor profile in the upper cup sizes. However, for those who fit into the Showgirl range, and those who need a smaller cup in the unpadded, Curvy Kate’s bras are definitely some of the best on the market, and usually findable on sale at Brastop!
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It seems like we’ve had almost identical experiences with Curvy Kate. I have a Thrill Me in 30H. I took in the center gore, so that helps with the too big back problem and it gave me a bit more space up front but it is definitely good two cup sizes too small. I’m currently waiting on a 30J, so hopefully that’ll be a better fit (yet I still use my 30H often because I love it so much).
However, I just haven’t had much of luck with the sheer cup bras. I own to in 28J and I’d need at least a 28JJ, if not 28K. I do have a 28JJ Lottie coming that I’m going to try but that’ll probably be my last try with the sheer cups being that the shape just isn’t as good. It’s sad because the Angel, especially, is SO pretty! I just wish the cups were deeper with narrower wires. Normally, I’m a 28J, possibly even 28HH in some brands, which means I need to go up about 1-2 cup sizes on these too.
I’m tempted to take in the central gore on my Thrill Me, though my last attempt at it (on the CK Princess) didn’t go very well! I’ve heard so many shape complaints in the higher cup sizes, there’s just something in the bra construction that isn’t right :/ It’s such a shame as I adore the designs, I just can’t find a good fit with them.
I didn’t have much luck with taking in the center gore on the sheer cups either, but it’s made a huge difference on the fit with the Thrill Me. Might be worth a try because you can always remove it if you don’t like it. 😉
This confirms I shouldn’t try Curvy Kate unless they expand their size range.
Great to see you posting again!
I am a similar size to you, 30JJ/30K and found that I had the same issues with shape with curvy kate bras. However, I discovered that when your bust looks sort of spread out like that it is because the band is too tight thus pulling the wires and spreading out your breasts apart. Try these bras in a bigger band and a smaller cup. Maybe a 32J/JJ. Maybe even a 32HH. I know it sounds wrong but try it. I found that when I did this I got that nice round shape we tend to look for. You may find that you get a bit of cleavage but unless you don’t like that look, it looks a bit sexier but not over the top. If that still does not work then, maybe curvy kate bras are not right for your shape.
I have tried quite a few Curvy Kate bras in a 32J and found the problems to be much worse. I wore a 32J for a while in my search for the right size, and I can honestly say it just did not work for me. The band rode up significantly, the profile was very droopy, and they were unsupportive and uncomfortable. I think they are just not going to work for me, which is heartbreaking as the designs are so lovely!
Ahh, that is a shame. Curvy kate bras are fantastic when they work. However, the panache cleos suit you better and look as though they were made for you.
I *HATE* the Curvy Kate shape – you’ve described it soo well . It is a upside down 7 look and it makes me wanna cry as they are too so lovely. What angers me the most is that they keep making bras in the exact same shape that isn’t working for anyone – regardless of the type of shape you look for, teardrop, pointy, rounded or pushup – it’s just wrong wrong wrong. I do hope they try to change their cuts cause they don’t work!!
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