It has been two months since I started wearing my Empreinte Kaela and my Wacoal Alluring, and guess what? In the same week, both have become loose enough to wear on the middle hook.
When I first started wearing them, they were so tight I could just barely fasten the loosest hook. Now the middle hook is perfectly comfortable. I wore the Empreinte on the middle hook all day Sunday (church, grocery shopping, etc.) and the Alluring on the middle hook all day Tuesday (dawn to dusk and beyond election inspecting). Both had just been washed, so it wasn’t a matter of their having been worn too many days in a row.
Here are the implications for me: I will never buy a bra that must be fastened on the middle hook before leaving the store. I recently purchased a Panache Melody in 36H because the store didn’t have it in 34H.  It seemed to fit perfectly, but now I know better. I’m returning it asap and waiting for the 34H. I’d rather use an extender than be on the tightest hook in only two months.
Has anyone else kept track of how long it takes them to need a tighter hook?
9 Months of CONSTANT use (like wear everyday for a week, take one week off for wash/dry, then everyday the next week, ect.), and I’m on the tightest hook. It was almost too tight to fasten when I purchased the bra.
I keep going back and forth between the loosest to middle hook on my panache Sienna and it’s been *almost* through constant wear for about 3 weeks now.
Karen, which bra is now on the tightest hook after 9 months–your Kaela or another one?
June, you give me further support for why I should get the Panache Melody in a 34 band.
Empreinte bras are so stretchy! When fitting you can usually go down a band and up a cup with them, and in Empreintes stretched out in no time 🙁
When first purchasing, I want a band that is really, really tight, and a good-fitting cup, because I can always use an extender until the band stretches out. In fact I am considering going a band down and cup up with my next bra purchase, wondering if I will get more wear out of it.
Thanks for sharing your experience w/ Empreintes. I was really surprised at this because they emphasize how strong their power mesh is.
I’m w/ you on the extender route.