Fitter's Product Notes
Use our corsetry notes to select a bra that looks and feels right.
But you’re not alone. You can always call the STUDIO to talk to a Fitter or organise a Virtual Bra Fitting. PHONE (08) 9361 1300.
If you’re in WA, you’re welcome to drop-in for a STUDIO Fitting.
Is it an Underwire Bra or Mastectomy Bra?
Whilst they’re may be called a mastectomy bra, we believe they’re better thought of as wire, wired, or underwire bra with many uses.
When lymph nodes are affected by a mastectomy, lumpectomy or breast reconstruction, and when managing lymphoedema, a wired bra can be better used as an occasional wear bra because prolonged wear can increase the risk of underwire pressure lines aggravating lymph flow.
If an underwire bra has a pocketed cup or has a cup pocket fitted, it can be worn with a breast form after a mastectomy, a partial form after breast reconstruction and/or radiation treatment and a shaper after a lumpectomy.
And, if you’re wondering about underwire or non-underwire, University of Newcastle research suggests underwires can shape the breast but may not improve bra support.
Selecting a Fashion Bra that Looks & Feels Right
Amoena product description …fresh floral print on…microfibre...beautiful lace inserts…underwired…cut-and-sewn cups provide…shape and support…breathable, temperature-regulating microfibre pockets…side support…without…side bones…adjustable back straps…’
What have we learnt about fitting corsetry for breast shape and wear comfort?
Measuring comes first because, sometimes, what we would like to be isn’t what we measure. Discussion then usually turns to bra style. Would a soft, moulded or padded cup be better? What cleavage height is preferred and will the underarm band shape be comfortable over incisions. Does strap adjustment and the other parts of the bra suit the torso? And then, which colours?
What have we done to help you select a fashion bra with the right look and feel on our Australian ONLINE Fitting STUDIO?
We put the cup type (soft, moulded etc) up front in the bra name so you can see it when browsing.
To make it easier to select a wired fashion bra with the shape and parts suited to your breast surgery, we put our fashion bras on a mannequin, made side-by-side comparisons, then rated the outcomes. The shape and parts ratings for the Amoena Kalina Underwire Bra are described below.
Since our research suggests we make better choices when the eye is not distracted by the model, we cropped our fashion bra images and put all the colours for each bra on the same page so you know what’s available, can see them side-by-side, and can choose one or more colours at the same time.
To help you get your fashion bra size right, our Fitter’s Size Guide explains how we do it in the STUDIO.
And don’t forget to check if you can claim for a pocketed fashion bra on Private Health Insurance.
How Does Fashion Bra Shape Affect Fit?
As corsetry fitting specialists, we’ve learnt that it’s easy to be drawn to the colour and fabric and not see if the fitted shape of a bra suits your after surgery breast and body shape.
This is how the shape of the Amoena Kalina Soft Wired Bra compares with other bras in our Australian ONLINE Fitting STUDIO. The Fitted Shape description at the top of the page gives you a quick guide when browsing.
Cup Type & Shape The two-section soft pocketed cup has a diagonal seam and a cup shape that creates more projection by lifting and separating the breasts. Cup seam may show under a sheer blouse. If the breast is less rounded after breast reconstruction a Cup Pad or Partial Formmay be needed to stop the fuller cup shape puckering.
Cleavage The medium cleavage covers the chest and the fuller cup shape covers the upper breast to ensure a breast form or partial form is fully concealed. The slight V-shape at the bottom of the more rounded cleavage shape tends to lower the look of the cleavage.
Underbust Band The narrower underbust band supports the breasts and stabilises the bra. The softer fit can reduce the risk of lymph flow restriction.
Underarm Band The medium/low underarm band may cover the tissue flap that can occur at the end of a mastectomy incision. Soft seams and no rigid side stays for better wear comfort over incisions. The tapering medium/low height may contain excess underarm tissue and the upper edge may sit below a lymph node removal or lumpectomy incision. NewGel scar management can be an option for reducing and fading new or older lymph node (axillary clearance) or lumpectomy scars that show above the underarm band.
Back Band The narrower back band allows for tops with a deeper back cut-out.
Straps The narrower straps suit tops where the straps may show but can increase pressure on the shoulder as breast size increases. The straps are medium spaced across the shoulder.
What Parts of a Fashion Bra Affect Fit?
Over the many years we’ve been fitting corsetry we’ve found the following parts of the Amoena Kalina Soft Underwire Bra play an important role in selecting a comfortable bra after breast surgery.
Underwire The wired seam around the bottom of the cup can increase the risk of localised pressure on the chest, around the breast and over incisions. University of Newcastle research suggests underwires may not improve bra support, but after a mastectomy, lumpectomy, breast reconstruction or other breast surgery, localised pressure from underwires can aggravate the lymph system and trigger swelling.
Side Stays (or Bones) None.
Cup Pocket The pocketed cup can be used to fit a breast form, partial form or shaper. The pocket does not affect fit or wear comfort after breast reconstruction, a breast reduction or other breast surgery.
Fastening Rear clips.
Band Adjustment The rear fastener has 3 clip adjustment positions. The clip gauge matches standard bra extenders, allowing an extender to be fitted.
Strap Adjustment Sliding buckles on the back of the straps allow for strap adjustment. Beware of non-adjustable straps. For longer or shorter torsos, this can result in the bra band sitting up into the breast or too low below the breast.
Why Question Fashion Bra Performance?
Why question supplier product performance and certification claims? Because we’ve learnt that marketing statements are not always verified. This is what we know about the Amoena Kalina Soft Underwire Bra.
Material 76% Polyamide, 13% Elastane, 11 Polyester.
Support Rating No claim made. When compared with our other fashion bras, our fitting experience suggests medium support.
Free of Harmful Chemicals (Latex) Third part OEKO-TEX material certificates. No Ready-to-Wear Product Certification.
Life of the Bra Manufacturers don’t provide information. Our observations suggest appropriate care and adjustment may extend the life of a quality fashion bra from 6-9 to 12-18 months.
Brand & Manufacture German brand. Made in Vietnam.
Wherever you are in Australia, if you’d like to talk about a product, your size or how it might fit, call the STUDIO (08) 9361 1300.
If you're in WA, drop-in for a Fitting. Our STUDIO is centrally located in the Perth suburb of Burswood.
If you're flying into Perth, our STUDIO is on the way from the Airport to the City.
Measure & Size Notes
Have you ever purchased a bra online only to find it doesn’t fit?
It might be because fashion bra sizes look the same, but bra fit can vary between brands.
Our corsetry size and measuring notes can help you get the size and fit right.
But you’re not alone. You can always call the STUDIO to talk to a Fitter or organise a Virtual Bra Fitting. PHONE (08) 9361 1300.
If you’re in WA, you’re welcome to drop-in for a STUDIO Fitting.
Selecting Your Amoena Kalina Soft Wired Bra Size
The Amoena Kalina Soft Underwire Bra uses International Bra Sizing, so we show the Australian (AU) size.
Note If you’re wearing an imported bra, use the Bra Size Conversion Chart above to convert the EU, UK or US size on the label to an AU size.
To help you get the size right, our Australian ONLINE Fitting STUDIO provides you with a where to measure illustration, an Australian (AU) Sizing Chart, a using the Sizing Chart Example and an Inches to Centimetre Conversion Chart.
As shown on our Sizing Chart Example, when you look down the Band Size column, if the Bust measurement is within one of the measurement ranges, the bra Band & Cup Size shown on the right-hand side is likely to be a good fit.
If the Bust measurement is on the border of two sizes, the breast may tend to spill out of the smaller cup, so the larger cup is usually the better option.
If the Band on your current Amoena Kalina Soft Underwire Bra is a bit tight (or loose), don’t change the Band Size without also adjusting the Cup Size. Strange as it may seem, if you go up a Band Size, you need to go down a Cup Size (click here to learn more).
If you’re wearing a different Brand with AU Bra Sizing, beware that a Band Size 14 in a bra with a softer, more stretchy, lower elasticity band may feel the same as a Band Size 16 in a bra with a firmer, less stretchy, higher elasticity band.
If you’ve recovered from a mastectomy and are ready to start wearing non-underwire fashion bras, the Measuring Tips below explain how to determine your Cup Size.
If your breasts are a different size, the larger breast is used to calculate the Bust measurement (see Measuring Tips below). To stop the bra cup puckering (wrinkling) over the smaller breast, a Cup Pad can balance a less noticeable difference in breast size and a Partial Form can balance more noticeable differences in breast size.
Bra Measuring Tips
In the Fitting Room we use a flexible cloth tape and measure to the nearest centimetre.
If you don’t have a cloth tape, use non-stretch fabric or a belt, mark the size and then measure the length with a metal tape or ruler. Avoid string because it presses into the skin and flexible metal tapes because they wrap unevenly.
We find having someone else measure is quicker and more accurate. If self-measuring, use a mirror to check that the tape is level and wrapped firmly (but not tightly) around the body. When measuring, stand still and upright, relax, breathe out, then measure.
Bust measurements are taken over the breast whilst only wearing a fashion bra and the Underbust measurement is taken over the skin, just under the bra band.
After a unilateral mastectomy (one breast removed), measure the natural breast in the bra as shown in the Half Bust x 2 illustration above, then calculate the Bust measurement.
After a bilateral mastectomy (both breasts removed), measure the Underbust, then use the Sizing Chart to select your preferred Cup Size.
If your breast size is uneven, we suggest you do not try to measure. Calling the STUDIO, organising a Virtual Fitting or dropping into the STUDIO can be a better way to decide on the bra or bra and partial form needed to balance your breast shape.
Wherever you are in Australia, if you’d like to talk about a product, your size or how it might fit, call the STUDIO (08) 9361 1300.
If you're in WA, drop-in for a Fitting. Our STUDIO is centrally located in the Perth suburb of Burswood.
If you're flying into Perth, our STUDIO is on the way from the Airport to the City.
