Fitter's Product Notes
Our corsetry notes can help you choose the right pullover bra.
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.
Why Wear a Pocketed Bandeau Bra?
They may be called a strapless pullover bra, bralette or crop top, but we believe they’re more like a comfort bra or soft bra because they can stabilise smaller breasts but may not have the structure needed to support larger breasts and breast forms.
During radiation or when worn at night, a pullover style bandeau can help to separate the breasts and reduce skin irritation.
If an MRI or other medical scan is needed, this pullover style bandeau is a no metal bra option.
If the cup pocket opening is altered (enlarged), the pocketed cup can fit a breast form after a mastectomy. After implant removal surgery, a lumpectomy, breast reconstruction or radiation, a partial form can be fitted into the altered pocket to balance breast size.
When managing lymphoedema, a pullover style bandeau can be an occasional wear bra with the gentler fit that reduces the risk of restricting lymph flow.
Selecting a Strapless Pullover Bra with the Right Look & Feel
Ambra product description …everyday…option with…eco-friendly…recycled nylon from pre-consumer waste, these bandeaus are soft and sleek…Smooth soft fabrication…Supportive under band…Removable cups…Seam free for all day comfort.…’
In the Fitting Room we’ve learnt what’s needed to achieve softer support and wear comfort.
Measuring comes first. Why? When we fitted our pullover bralettes on a mannequin to compare size and fit, we found one brand’s Medium is another brand’s Small (see our Fitter’s Size Guide for more). Discussion then turns to bra style. Will the shape of the underarm band suit the post operative incision? Does the strapless style and the other parts of the bra suit the torso? And then, which colour?
What have we done to make it easier to select a strapless pullover bra that looks and feels right 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 find a crop top bra with the shape and parts for your surgery or radiation treatment, we put each of our comfort bras on a mannequin, made side-by-side comparisons, then rated the outcomes. The shape and parts ratings for the Ambra Bare Essentials Bandeau are described below.
Since our research suggests we make better choices when the eye is not distracted by the model, we cropped our strapless 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 strapless pullover 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 Pullover Bra Shape Affect Fit?
As corsetry 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 Ambra Bare Essentials Bandeau compares with our other bras. The Fitted Shape description at the top of the page gives you a quick guide when browsing.
Cup Type & Shape The softer, seamless moulded cups tend to flatten the breast and create a more rounded breast shape but may not have the structure needed to support a larger breast or breast form.
Cleavage The medium/high cleavage more fully encapsulates the breast, reducing breast movement and improving wear comfort. The fuller shape over the breast ensures a breast form or partial form is fully concealed.
Underbust Band The medium underbust band provides more support under the breast and creates a medium/long bra length.
Underarm Band The higher underarm can cover mastectomy incisions and the flap of tissue at the end of the incision, lumpectomy incisions to the side of the breast and smaller lymph node removal incisions. If an incision extends up into the armpit, a small pad may be needed to stop the top edge of the underarm band irritating the incision. Before transitioning to lower cut fashion bras, NewGel scar management is an option for reducing and fading lymph node (axillary clearance) or lumpectomy scars that might show.
Back Band The very wide band improves support and wear comfort.
Straps Bandeau style bras are strapless.
What Parts of a Pullover Bra Affect Fit?
Over the years we’ve been fitting crop top and bralette bras we’ve found that the following parts of the Ambra Bare Essentials Bandeau play an important role in selecting a comfortable bra after breast surgery and/or during radiation.
Cup Pocket The pocketed cup has a removable cup pad to conceal the nipples. With the pad removed, and the pocket opening altered (enlarged), the pocket can fit a smaller breast form, partial form or shaper. The pocket does not affect fit or wear comfort after breast implant removal or when worn during radiation treatment after a breast reconstruction.
Fastening None.
Band Adjustment None.
Strap Adjustment Strapless.
Why Question Pullover 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 Ambra Bare Essentials Bandeau.
Material 65% Recycled Nylon, 26% Nylon, 9% Elastane.
Support Rating No claim made. Our fitting experience suggests the support level is better for small to medium breast sizes.
Free of Harmful Chemicals (Latex) No certificate found.
Life of the Bra Manufacturers don’t provide information. Our observations suggest appropriate care may extend the life of a pullover bra from 6-9 to 12+ month.
Brand & Manufacture Australian brand. Made in China.
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
Pullover bandeau sizing makes it harder to know if the fit is right.
One reason is that each size covers multiple Band & Cup sizes. Depending on your Band and Cup Size, the fit could be firmer, just right or a bit loose.
Our corsetry sizing and measurement 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
Ambra Bra Sizing Suggestions
A second reason why pullover bra sizing can be misleading is because the Sizing Charts are Product Specific (ProdSpec). What does this mean? When we compared our pullover bras, we found you could be a Medium in one brand and a Small in another brand.
To help you get the size right, our Australian ONLINE Fitting STUDIO provides you with a where to measure illustration, an Ambra Sizing Chart, a using the Sizing Chart Example and an Inches to Centimetre Conversion Chart.
The first step is to use your Underbust and Bust measurements to determine your Bra Size (e.g. 10/12).
If your Bust measurement is on the border of two Bra Sizes (e.g. 8/10 or 12/14), the larger size is usually the better option, but the multiple Band & Cup sizing can accentuate the change.
If your breasts are a different size, the larger breast is used to calculate the Bust measurement (see Measuring Tips below). A Cup Pad can balance a less noticeable difference in breast size and a Partial Form can balance more noticeable differences in breast size.
If you’ve purchased from BreastCare before, call the STUDIO. We’ll check your size and then you can then make a quick and easy PHONE purchase.
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 Size 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.
