Switching in Underwires?

Posted by wurstergirl on June 29, 2009, 3:31 pm

Hi,

Does anyone know any reason why one should not switch in different
underwires into a bra? Different as in different size/shape. Is
there some mathematical reason? It seems to me that my rib cage is
narrow side to side but deep front to back. So I need a narrower
curved wire than the standard combinations for band+cup. I've got the
right size wires so I thought I'd try it. Not earth-shattering, just
thought I'd ask.

Pora

Posted by Kate XXXXXX on June 29, 2009, 3:59 pm

wurstergirl wrote:

> Hi,

> Does anyone know any reason why one should not switch in different

> underwires into a bra? Different as in different size/shape. Is

> there some mathematical reason? It seems to me that my rib cage is

> narrow side to side but deep front to back. So I need a narrower

> curved wire than the standard combinations for band+cup. I've got the

> right size wires so I thought I'd try it. Not earth-shattering, just

> thought I'd ask.

> Pora

I also have a narrow ribcage, and I've pondered this a few times. You
might find that the shape the fabric of the band and the cup as it is
cut to accommodate the wider wire will pull the narrower shape out at
the sides. You may want to cut a band that is the same shape as the
wire where the cups fit into it...

If the wider wire is like this,
| |
____/ then the 'hole' in the band will be the same profile. For a
band shaped more like this:
| |
__/ then you'll need a 'hole' of the same size and shape, with the
bulk for the breast in the same volume of cup cut deeper from chest wall
to apex too.

Engineering problem: same volume, different shape...
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Posted by wurstergirl on June 29, 2009, 7:17 pm

> If the wider wire is like this,

> | |

> ____/ then the 'hole' in the band will be the same profile. For a

> band shaped more like this:

> | |

> __/ then you'll need a 'hole' of the same size and shape, with the

> bulk for the breast in the same volume of cup cut deeper from chest wall

> to apex too.

Yes, this was my thought too.

P.

Posted by Betsy on July 1, 2009, 6:34 pm

wurstergirl wrote:

> Hi,

> Does anyone know any reason why one should not switch in different

> underwires into a bra? Different as in different size/shape. Is

> there some mathematical reason? It seems to me that my rib cage is

> narrow side to side but deep front to back. So I need a narrower

> curved wire than the standard combinations for band+cup. I've got the

> right size wires so I thought I'd try it. Not earth-shattering, just

> thought I'd ask.

You might as well try it, if you don't like it, you can slide the old
ones back in. There are various issues involved.

Different size and style underwires are different lengths. You could
end up with an underwire that is too long or too short. In some styles
of bra, a too short one may be OK, in other styles, the bra wouldn't be
able to function correctly.

If your new underwire has a tighter curve, it may make your bra bump
down more at the bottom of the cup. Once again, depending on the style
of bra, this may be fine, or it may be a problem.

Changing the underwire shape can change the volume of the cup. If the
cup volume is correct now, it may not be right after changing the underwire.

--Betsy