Each manufacturer that I spoke to at Curve allowed walk-ins, so it was slightly intimidating that Chantelle required an appointment. However, my recent discovery of the Cachemire bra gave me enough curiosity to book one. Tiffany Berrier, the specialty business manager that I met with, was so interesting to talk to that I forgot my earlier fears.
Those of you who have winced at the Empreinte and Prima Donna prices might feel a little more comfortable with this line. Chantelle’s prices begin at $68 and don’t go above $105 for their laciest bras.
Also, if the first Chantelle bra that you try isn’t perfect, don’t give up. Tiffany confirmed that cup depth can vary between styles. For example, the C Chic bra fit the model perfectly, but there was a tiny bit of extra room at the bottom of the Cachemire cup on her. (Tiffany had an actual model wear each bra that she wanted to show me.)
With the help of her model, Tiffany talked me through the best styles for us, beginning with the seamed bras. (If you click on the Her Room link below and then on the video link, you can hear Tiffany describe each bra yourself!)
- The Rive Gauche 3281 has a lined lower cup that lifts each breast, with stretch fabric at the top. The interior side sling centers each breast so that you don’t, as Tiffany put it, “look like a balloon”.
- The C Chic 3582 has a super flat seam and a youthful look.
- The Icone 3851 has a very deep cup (deeper than the C Chic and Rive Gauche). I tried this bra last month and loved the fit but felt washed out by the nude color. The good news is that it will be available in iris this fall (the color of the Icone shorty panties below).
- The Cachemire 3371 also runs deep. Here’s some more good color news: (1) it’s coming out in a true nude this June (so you don’t have to buy the mocha with the maroon paisley); and (2) this gorgeous prune for fall is being delivered in July. (I link to my great experience with this bra in the first paragraph of this post.)
For seamless cups, Tiffany recommends the Hedona 2031 for D-F cups (it’s their top seller worldwide) and the Rive Gauche T-Shirt Bra 3286 for larger cups. The latter has center pull straps, like the Fantasie 4500, which helps keep them from sliding if you have narrow or sloping shoulders. It also has a soft brushed fabric inside that is helpful if you have sensitive skin or nipples.
Finally, because the seamless C Chic 3581 comes with a racerback option, I asked Tiffany if Chantelle would ever produce a racerback bra suitable for larger cup sizes. Her scientific explanation was fascinating.
- Racerback bras require front closure.
- Full busts need the center gore to tack between breasts to anchor the bra to the body.
- With so much pressure on this center anchor, a front closure wouldn’t stay closed.
- She’s going to ask the design team to look into a racerback clip for a three-part cup bra, like the one you see below for the C Chic 3581.
Tiffany is also the one who explained the benefits of the leotard strap back that I described two weeks ago. You can understand why I’m glad I made the appointment that allowed me to learn so much from her!
These look great. I'm a 36 F and was always told I should have a bra with a wide band at the back i.e. 4 hook closure. The bands on these bras look quite narrow – I would be interested to know the pros and cons of band width and closure if you ever get a chance to ask.
I purchased the Rive Gauche – my first 3-part cup bra after years of wearing Fantasie 4500 smooth cup. (I started reading your blog, Darlene, and decided to go out on a limb and try a new style with a new shape!) I like the difference in shape – although now that I've worn it a few times, I'm not 100% sure about having found the right size. It fits well in the cups but maybe is a teensy big in the band? It seems to ride up a tiny bit slowly over time and then the underwire pokes me in the armpit. But maybe I need a style with a shorter band under the arm?
I need to experiment further I guess…
But this was the first bra that the underwires at the top between my breasts sits flat on my body. And it feels very supportive.
SM, I was told the same thing growing up, which is why I find bra shopping so much fun now–I'm not limited to 4-hook closures! But I've wondered the same thing. My 2-hook Prima Donna Satin and my 3-hook Prima Donna Madison both give great support, so I haven't bothered to research this, but now you've got me curious again.
Momraths, how exciting to hear that I've inspired you to try a different bra. But I'm disappointed it's poking you in the armpit. Another friend told me on Saturday that she was having the same issue w/ the Chantelle that she just purchased, but she couldn't remember the style. Do you think you need to go down in your band size?
I was wondering the same thing – it wouldn't hurt to try one band size down I suppose. I measure approx 31.5 around the ribcage though and I did try a 30 in the Fantasie 4500 but it was very tight. It didn't move a millimeter – but I wondered if it would just be too tight (read get painful) to wear all day. The Chantelle seemed tighter in the 32 band than the Fantasie in the 32 band so I thought it would work.
I am really trying to keep an optimistic attitude and be much more persistent in trying things out and not giving up as quickly as I have in the past – but this gets so frustrating sometimes!
What's the technical definition of a deep cup? Is a deep cup the same volume as a shallow cup of the same size, but a different shape so the breast projects more?
Momraths, I can see why it's frustrating. I haven't done this before but keep thinking it would be a good idea to use an extender on the tighter band until it loosens up and is comfortable w/o the extender.
Fiona, good question! I'll have to ask someone. I thought shaping was the reason, but when you think of it, cup sizes are measured in inches out from the band. So my latest theory is that, if a D is 4 inches out, then a "deep" cup might extend 4.5" and a "shallow" cup might extend exactly 4". I may be taking Shelly for a fitting tomorrow. If I do, I'll ask one of the fitters, but I really should contact the Chantelle reps.
I'm looking forward to hearing what you find out!
I have yet to find a strapless bra that doesn’t cut under the arms nor contain upper part of breast letting them just float &jiggle…..any suggestions? My last one was a Wacoal.