If you think that Macy’s lingerie department has nothing for women over a DD, you might want to take another look. I did when I met a friend for coffee at the Herald Square Macy’s last week.
It turns out that my friend adores Chantelle, so she wanted to fit me in one of their bras. I had low expectations for two reasons: (1) I’d never seen anything above a DD at Macy’s before; and (2) I once purchased two Chantelle Hedona bras only to discover later that either (a) their cups were too shallow for me (according to Iris); or (b) I wasn’t fitted correctly to begin with (according to my friend).
My friend humored me by listening to my reservations. Then she gave me the Chantelle Cachemire to try. In 34H. At Macy’s.
It’s pretty, right?
This bra has 3-part cups that bring the breast tissue in from the sides, and, as you can see below, give excellent lift. It felt great.
However, I told my friend that even though I loved it, I knew I wouldn’t wear it because it was white (officially “milk pearl”) and seamed. You can see the show-through below. (I’m wearing a custom shirt from Yaly in these pictures.)
Actually, after viewing this picture, I didn’t think the show-through looked so bad. And I actually thought it looked good once my friend reminded me that it’s very French to celebrate our femininity with lace and color. In fact, she pointed out, Chantelle only introduced T-shirt bras and nude 10 years ago in response to the hyper-modest American market. (For those of us who remain hyper-modest, we may want to try the “mocha” version available elsewhere, although the BareNecessities photo shows some maroon accents that seem like they would show through a white shirt.)
One caveat about finding DD+ sizes at Macy’s: The Herald Square store has offerings that its smaller stores don’t. Even Macys.com doesn’t offer the Chantelle Cachemire. But its availability at any Macy’s may be a good sign of things to come.
I was never able to wear the Chantelle bras for the same reasons until I found the Vintage at Bloomies. It is also 3 piece-has lace that does not show thru and seams are flat. I am a very full 32 DDD-I love this bra!
Thanks for this tip, Donna!
That's great that you were able to find your size in a local store.
Personally, I have a problem with the seam showing through. IMO, this looks sloppy. For me it does not have to do so much with modesty as not looking put together. But, there is that element of not wanting to draw attention to my breasts in most situations. (And if I wanted to be sexy or draw attention to my breasts I don't think seams are the ideal way to do that!)
I have never understood how large busted women can wear seamed bras with anything other than tops with thick materials that don't show the seams. (I imagine that with smaller busts the material is not stretched across the breasts and so the seams do not show – or these women also wear seamless bras.) However, I keep reading that seamed bras give one better lift and move the breasts more forward than molded cup (unseamed) bras – so it feels like one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't situations.
I did order some seamed bras recently so I could experiment – and Darlene, I have to thank you and your blog for my being willing to branch out and try it!
A really high quality seamed bra does not show seams. I have two Empreinte bras that are seamed and I can wear them under any knit. The seams are so fine that they lie perfectly flat.
My one Fantasie bra does show under a thin knit. The seams are just more bulky. I hope I can find other seamed bras that don’t show.
BraCraft, it is great, isn't it? But I don't think "local store" in NYC means the same as "local store" in Cleveland, OH or Champagne, IL, even at a chain like Macy's. Actually, especially at a chain like Macy's, which I hear is only offering things on a regional basis now . . . big breasts aren't regional, but I think that they think they ar–or rather, that there is such a small market that it doesn't make economic sense to hold inventory outside of large urban centers.
So my heart goes out to the women outside of big cities that don't have high quality specialty lingerie boutiques in their town who must depend on ordering online. I wish I could find consistent solutions for them.
By the way, I couldn't open the "read more" link on your shop description. Do you stop at DD? Would love to receive an email from you to hear more about what you do.
Momraths, FINALLY a woman who sees seams the way I do! Thank you!
They're right about seams giving more lift and therefore being more slimming. It's mostly the view from the front where it makes a difference because you're pulled in on the sides vs flattened out and made to look wider. I was finally persuaded when I took pictures for this poast back in October:
https://hourglassy.com/2010/10/it-takes-village-to-buy-bra.html
But so far, I've only been able to persuade myself to use a black seamed bra because the seams are barely apparent under black wovens and knits.
Please share how your experiment works!! I may see what the Vintage bras are like that Donna mentioned in the first comment.
Darlene-Oh No=Just found out they are discontinuing the Vintage!They are more than half off if you can find your size at some places. I found 2 at Neimans-cheap! If you are going to try them, do it quickly. The woman at Bloomies also recommended the Rive Gauche by Chantelle-beautiful but for some reason the 32 was huge around the back. The seams were flat on this one also. If I get brave I will send pics