A Sophisticated Notion

Hello Ladies,

While I tend to dress more conservatively, I occasionally want to channel my inner Sofia Vergara and rock some killer cleavage.  In the past, my go-to bra has been an ill-fitting Freya Deco in size 30GG.  If I only partially scoop and play with my neckline, you can barely see the overflow.  I know, I know.  I’m supposed to be a professional, and I’m admitting to wearing a bra in the wrong size.  Consequently, when I saw the Curvy Kate Desire, I put aside my turbulent relationship with their fit and ordered one to test.

The lovely Laura Butler modelling the Desire
The lovely Laura Butler modelling the Desire

Sizing & Fit:  I vacillate between a 30HH and 30J in Curvy Kate bras, and since the Desire is a low coverage plunge, I opted for the larger cup size.  In retrospect, I should have ordered a larger band size as well because the band on the 30 is tight.  For the pictures I am wearing an extender to allow an inch of extra space, and I would estimate the 30 band is comparable to a standard 28.  On the positive side, women needing firmer 28s or 26 bands may have an option here.  Sadly, I think the J cup is about as good a size as I will find because the fit is abysmal.  I hate labeling a bra terrible, but the fit for this cup size should never have received final approval.  My breasts are spilling over the center, and the gore does not tack properly.  The combination of wide underwires extending too far back on the side and overly tall cups results in a lot of extra space on the side of the cup and gaping near the top.  However, the strangest aspect of the fit is how the cups do not maintain a consistent shape across my breasts.  

Desire_3The cup folds outward near the center where my cleavage is but then darts back abruptly before expanding again toward the center.  From the side, the cup almost has a wave appearance which looks awkward under my clothes.  Moreover, the bottom of the cup is so shallow that my breasts are sitting a good inch above the underwire and buckling the padding.

Desire_1Materials:  Traditional satin sheen fabric adorns the exterior cup while soft cotton-like fabric lines the interior, and the combination feels predictably wonderful against the skin.  Fully-adjustable straps detach so the Desire can be worn criss-cross or halter for maximum versatility.  Even though the band is tighter than expected, I love how firm the wings feel on the side, and side stays reinforce the wings to keep the bra in place regardless of how you wear the straps.  Overall, I love the materials of the bra, but I think part of my fit issues originate from how thin and flexible the padding in the cups can be.  My breast tissue is literally crushing it from the weight and shape, which I believe accounts for a few of the aforementioned fit issues.

Desire_2Design:  A multi-way plunge sounds like the perfect addition to a bra wardrobe because many necklines requiring a plunge often have alternative necklines.  The Desire sports a basic design for added versatility, but I love how they used a flat swirling pattern on the cups for visual interest.  Currently available in black and ivory, I would have preferred to see a contrasting element to the bra (maybe on the bow in the center?) for a dose of fun.

Desire_4
Oh how I wished this looked like it does on Laura!

Other Comments:  A 30J is on the outside of what the bra is expected to support which may account for why the fit feels subpar.  However, a bra retailing for $70 should have the fit kinks smoothed out before being released to the public, and if the bra is not designed to be worn by a woman needing a 30J, then do not market it as such.  In the past, I have written about my love/hate relationship with Curvy Kate on account of my close set, deeper boobs not liking their wider, shallower designs, and I feel like the Desire continues the trend.  However, both Voluptuously Thin and Bras I Hate & Love have tried this style before and experienced the same fit issues.  Perhaps the style would work better on women in the G cup and under sizes?  Either way, I might be buying a 32GG Deco and altering the band in the future.

For more information on the Curvy Kate Desire, check out the video below: