My Strapless Bra - How I found the perfect fit for my bridal shower dress

^{Article by Annalisa, Brava Bra Fitter}

^{As a professional bra fitter, I always thought I had strapless bras figured out. I mean, I’m the one everyone goes to for advice on these things, right? After years of helping others find their perfect fit, how hard could it be to find my own, especially for my bridal shower? Well, spoiler alert: it turns out way harder than I thought.}

^{For my bridal shower, I decided to step out of my usual wardrobe comfort zone and go for something bold. I picked a one-shouldered dress. It was elegant, a little dramatic, and, honestly, just a touch more "wow" than my usual fare. The only problem? A one-shouldered dress requires a strapless bra. And finding the right one—that actually stays in place, supports you, and doesn’t make you feel like you’re wearing a medieval torture device—is no small feat.}

^{So, I started my strapless bra journey with confidence. Little did I know, it would involve a lot of trial and error—and a lot of bra-related existential crises.}

_{1. Elomi Smooth Strapless Bra – My Former Go-To, But No Longer The One}

^{First up, I grabbed my trusty Elomi Smooth Strapless Bra}. ^{The bra I’ve recommended to countless clients and used to wear all the time myself. This bra had always been my go-to for support. The wide band, smooth cups, and those handy silicone strips to keep it in place made it feel like a solid choice for my fuller bust. So, naturally, I thought it would be perfect for my bridal shower.}

^{Well, guess what? After some pretty significant weight loss over the last couple of years, my bust has changed shape. (Who knew your body could do that?!) I slipped into the Elomi Smooth, and suddenly it felt like my old reliable had turned into a slightly saggy sweater. The band was still secure, but the cups? Not so much. They didn’t give me the lift I was hoping for, and it just didn’t have the same smooth, flattering shape it used to. My bust now sits differently—shallower at the top with more weight carried lower down—and the Elomi Smooth just didn’t give me the shape I needed. It was time to say goodbye to my old friend and start over.}

_{2. Sculptresse Dana Strapless Bra – Supportive, But Not Quite Right For My New Shape}

^{Next, I tried the Sculptresse Dana Strapless Bra}. ^{A bra that, as a fitter, I regularly recommend to clients, especially those with a fuller bust. It’s known for its four-piece cups that offer great structure and support, and I had high hopes for it. The Dana is a fantastic option for many women because of its supportive fit and the way it keeps everything in place without digging in.}

^{For me, though, it didn’t quite work the way I expected. While the bra gave me solid support, my weight loss had made my bust softer and a bit less firm. I found that I was moving around a bit more in the Dana than I was comfortable with. While the bra’s panels and structure helped hold everything in place, I wasn’t feeling as secure as I wanted to, especially with such a significant event. I felt more aware of the bra than I should have. I needed something that would keep me feeling solidly supported and, to be honest, I just wasn’t quite getting that “secure all day” feeling with the Dana.}

^{That said, the Dana is still a great bra for many, and I definitely continue to recommend it to clients. It just didn’t quite align with my body’s new shape and my need for more security.}

_{3. Curvy Kate Smoothie Strapless Bra – The Unexpected Hero}

^{And then, just when I was about to give up on finding my perfect strapless, I thought, “Okay, I’ll give this one more try.” Enter the Curvy Kate Smoothie Strapless Bra. Now, I’ll admit—this was a bra I had tried on a year ago and promptly written off. I remember it as being way too deep, with cups that gaped at the top. At the time, I just assumed it wasn’t for me. But... I decided to give it another go.}

^{Cue the dramatic music. This is where things took an unexpected turn. I slipped it on, and… magic. The cups fit. The top didn’t gape. It gave me lift. It actually gave me the shape I was looking for. In fact, it felt like I’d finally found the Holy Grail of strapless bras. Not only did it stay in place (which is no small feat for someone with a bust like mine), but it also gave me enough lift and comfort to wear it all day. It was a reminder that our bodies change—and so do our bra needs.}

^{I had written off the Smoothie in the past, but after revisiting it, I realised how important it is to get checked regularly for your bra needs. What didn’t work a year ago suddenly fit like a glove. The Curvy Kate Smoothie was my happy accident, and honestly? I was thrilled to have found it. I could move, dance, hug, and enjoy my bridal shower without worrying about a single strapless mishap.}

_{The Takeaway: The Right Strapless Bra for the Job}

^{So, after all that searching, I learned a valuable lesson: just because something worked for you in the past doesn’t mean it’ll still work now. Even as a bra fitter, I was surprised by how much my bust had changed and how that affected what bras worked for me. The Elomi Smooth and Sculptresse Dana just weren’t right for me anymore, but the Curvy Kate Smoothie turned out to be the perfect fit.}

^{If there’s one takeaway from my whole strapless bra journey, it’s this: body changes happen, and so should your bra wardrobe. Whether you've lost or gained weight, had a baby, or just noticed things shifting over time, it’s important to regularly revisit your bra choices. What didn’t work last year might just be the perfect fit now.}

^{And the right strapless bra? Well, it’s everything. It can turn your whole outfit around and give you the confidence to enjoy your day without a second thought. So go ahead—treat yourself to a bra fitting and discover the magic of the right strapless. It might just surprise you.}