One of the biggest challenges to buying lingerie is finding retailers that stock your size and style. Luckily, Dillard’s at Park Place Mall in Tucson stocks a quite a few brands in my size, so I can find styles that suit my taste in their lingerie department. When I stopped by this month, I lucked out because they were having a big sale.
One brand you’ll see quite a bit of at Dillard’s is Cabernet – the brand is exclusive to Dillard’s, and they stock Cabernet deeply at Park Place. The Cabernet brand is quite broad – bras, panties, shapewear, daywear, loungewear, sleepwear, petite and plus.
I’ve been trying to find more local bra options, so this time around I dug through the bra racks quite thoroughly.
I tried the Cabernet Full Busted Bra style in the Cheetah colorway, size 38G . I found it to run true to size (a 38G is equivalent to a 38F U.K.), and I really liked the fabric – the bra is made from a super soft, stretchy and comfortable spandex/microfiber blend.
Unfortunately, the Full Busted bra is not designed for my shape – it has a high gore, tall cups with deep U-ey underwires, as well as shallow cups. If you are average-waisted, average-set, and your breasts are more shallow this bra could be an excellent value at $26 USD – available online through Dillards.com and in stores. U.S. sizes 34D-44DDD (up to H cups in selected sizes).
Cabernet makes two more styles available up to H cups in some band sizes – the Broomhilda and the Microfiber Full-Busted Bra. I think the styling and fit of these two styles are similar to the Full Busted Bra.
Cabernet also makes some soft cup bras, and the Full Busted Non-Wire Bra style is available up to an H cup in some band sizes.
One great thing about Cabernet is their size range. The brand extends selections up to size 3XL in some lingerie, lounge, and sleepwear styles. In particular, I liked the Cheeky Hipster Panty and Cheeky Goddess Camisole (review coming later on the pieces I found on sale!). Both are made of super soft stretch lace and are very comfortable. I was quite pleased to find the Cheeky styles continued from sizes straight sizes into the plus range.
Finally, the best thing about Cabernet is their value – most separates are under $20, bras around $30…and if you watch the sales you can pick them up at half price.
So, what do you think? Have you tried Cabernet?
I didn’t know you were in Tucson!
I’m always tempted to try something in the Cabernet line every time I visit Park Place — largely because of the price tags. I know the underwired bras won’t fit me, but I keep hoping I can finagle a reasonable fit — even for just an around-the-house bra — in a soft cup option. So far, no such luck — but I keep hoping! (Because it would be awesome to have a local place where I could actually try on bras in my size.)
So I guess my main criticism of them is one I experience with many brands: I wish they’d expand their size range. 🙂
Wow, it’s a small world!
Yes, it is unfortunate they don’t go above an H cup U.S. It would be wonderful to find a value-priced bra that fits, wouldn’t it?
While I did have luck with the Cheeky camisole I will admit it is not a proper fit around the chest – I am shoving a too-large set in it.
I do not have a problem fitting into the Cabernet lounge pieces, though, which is great news for my wallet.
I just purchased Cabernet Bra. I like the way it fits, but the wires cut into my arms when I sit down. When I stand it works fine, but it does ride up and I have to keep pulling the bra down. Did I get the wrong size?
Thanks for reading my post, Kay! It’s difficult to know if you’re wearing the wrong size, since size varies by body type and preference. I suggest using a simple calculator like A Sophisticated Pair’s http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/bracalculator.htm to get in the ballpark of “right size”, then try on different band and cup sizes to see what feels best. For example, if you measure a 34F in US sizing, try a 32G and 36DD and 34G. See what feels better to you.
Cabernet wires, at least the styles I tried, are all quite tall at the gore and wing (underarm). You could also need a style with lower wires. If you think the band is a good fit, test the tension on the band – is it uniform on top and bottom? If it isn’t, read this post and see if these issues sound familiar http://widecurves.com/its-your-bra-band-tension/.
I hope you have success find a bra that doesn’t climb up under your arms…I know it is painful!