It’s a miracle. After three years of knowing my correct size (and a dozen with the wrong sizes!), I have finally found my perfect bra brand—and it’s both American and reasonably priced! It’s the Parfait by Affinitas line (which you may remember from Darlene’s coverage of their big-busted camisoles).
I first fell in love with the red and black Charlotte when I saw it on a couple sites around Christmastime. But I was hesitant to try a new brand; I guess I prefer to stick with bras that I know fit, rather than take the time or money testing the unknown. But then Hautelook.com had a sale on Affinitas bras, offering them for up to 60% off (or $18 a pop!), so I couldn’t resist.
And now I’m kicking myself for not ordering the entire stock! Here are the two I did purchase:
The Parfait Bess
The Parfait Tanya
I spent Tuesday wearing a scratchy bra with too-wide wires that dug into my ribs and rubbed my armpits raw. I also received my Hautelook package that same day, and when I tried on the new bras that night, it was a revelation. Compared to the one I’d been wearing all day, these felt like being caressed with a silken cloud. The fabric is so smooth, the wires are the perfect (narrow) radius, the horizontal seams sit at the nipple instead of below, and the cups are (for once) deep enough at the base. Not to mention the fact that they are beautiful: the color is more vibrant than pictured above and the details are charming. I adore the pleats on the Bess. It takes what could have been a boring pink staple and makes it modern and unique.
And get this: the regular prices are only $40-$45. Amazing! And according to their website’s store locator, there are lots of online retailers, as well as brick and mortar stores, that carry them. So if you live in the U.S. and near a city, you may even be able to try one on in person.
The two bras I selected are both described as “padded,” but they’re not so much padded as simply molded. The fabric is only moderately thick and somewhat stiff, with a flattering perky, round shape without “push-up.” Many of the “padded” designs also come in what’s called a “wired” version, which looks to be a thinner, non-molded fabric. So if you prefer soft cups, they’ve got you covered.
As for sizing, this line runs both a band and a cup size small. Every review I found online said as much, so that’s what I tried, and it’s perfect. And thank goodness for that, because I’m a 28 and these are not made below a 30 band. (The full range is 30-40 D-G.)
Even Freya, which has been my go-to brand ever since I figured out my real size, doesn’t fit quite as well as Affinitas. I’m not a huge fan of Freya’s ratio of sheer mesh to opaque fabric (I would prefer more of the opaque), and find that the horizontal seam tends to sit just below the nipple, but I feel more supported when it’s level or just above. The base of Freya cups are also just a touch shallow on me.
If I could afford to replace my entire bra collection with Affinitas choices, I would!
Leah,
Do you find the Freya bra bands to be loose in the 28s? I also am a 28 (measure 27″ underbust), but I find the 28 Freya bands are too stretchy to provide the support I need. Do the Parfaits have a tighter band?
No, I’m usually pretty solid with Freya bands (but I measure 29″ underbust). I’d say the Affinitas 30s are the same tightness as Freya 28s.
Karen,
I have a 26″ ribcage and can wear most Parfait bras in a 30 on the loosest hook. My Charlotte bras only stretch to 26.5″ in the band and they are 30s. The only one that I have found to be loose is the Casey. I also attempt to wear a 28 band in Freya and find most of them are too large in the band. I love the Parfait bras, I just wish they’d expand into the G+ market.
The Bess bra is one of my all time favorites. Check out their babydolls and camisoles as well! They’re all great. One of my favorite brands.
I tried on the Charlotte and the Casey in a store and think that the Casey runs about true to size but the Charlotte does not. The Casey 30 is about on par with a Freya 28, but looser than a Curvy Kate 28. I loved the Charlotte, but the 30G was too small in the cups for my 28GG boobs. I wish I had tried on the 32G, but instead bought (and returned) a 30G Casey.
I just wrote them an email (sales@affinitasintimates.com) pleading for GG+ bras and raving about the Charlotte. I suggest others do as well! Maybe it will have an impact?
So if I’m normally a 32E, what would I be with the parfait?
I’d recommend trying a 34E. And if you’re located in the U.S., I’d also recommend ordering from a U.S.-based retailer so you can do an easy exchange if you need to try a different size. I’ve had good experiences with BreakoutBras.com: they have free shipping and no-hassle returns. Just don’t use their size selector or brand selector, because they don’t work. You have to do a search for the word “Parfait” to see all the choices.