I ordered this 65DD bra after I had bought the 65E version, just to see how much the sizes differ. You can find my earlier review of the 65E version here: http://www.bratabase.com/browse/change-lingerie/florence-nursing-29704363/65E/#review-3309. I will be returning this one and possibly exchange it for another 65E as it doesn't fit me as well as the larger size does.

General comments:

The Change sizing is slightly odd: A B C D DD E F G H I J (not all available in all band sizes). The online bra size calculator in the Change webshop (find it here: http://change.com/fi/bh-guide -- apologies for linking to the Finnish site) translates my measurements as 60F, which seems quite spot on in this case. I have been breastfeeding for 10 months and counting -- in this brand's sizing, the size and shape of my breasts seem to hover somewhere between 60E and 60G.

Bra description:

This cups of this bra are slightly stretchy -- they're made out of stretch lace over a microfibre lining and they're shaped with darts. The front edge of the cups is stitched onto some elastic resulting in a lightly gathered lace 'ruffle'. The underwires are very flexible and very wide. They come up all the way to the top of the centre gore, but stay about 1 cm short of the upper underarm edge. The band is very stretchy. The plastic nursing clasps are easy to open with one hand and stay closed when they need to. The strap support 'frame' is made of a layer of microfibre over a layer of soft jersey with overlocked edges. It doesn't offer much support to the breast when the cup is down, but it does prevent the strap from slipping.

Fit:

For me, this 65DD clearly fits less well than the 65E. The centre gore does not stay flat on my sternum due to the fact that the cups are too small for my breasts, especially for my larger right side. The left side seems to fit okay though and the whole bra might be just fine when my breasts are at their 'emptiest', but that doesn't allow for much flexibility, which for me, unfortunately, IS quite necessary in a nursing bra. (*) The edge of the cups cuts in slightly, although again, this is more noticeable on my fuller right side. The band is obviously too wide, but reasonably snug as long as I wear it on the tightest hook. Despite the sub-optimum fit, the cups gives me a decent-ish shape (which is rare for me in a soft cup bra). I have some quad-boob tendencies, but no other spill, because even in this smaller size, the flexible underwires ARE actually WIDE enough to accommodate my wide-set and wide-based breasts. The look is not what I would call 'up front and centred', but on my peculiar frame (narrow ribcage, wide shoulders) this really isn't too bad as it kind of echoes my 'natural' shape. The darts/seams don't bother me at all and the lining fabric of the cups feels smooth and soft against my skin.In the right size this bra also seems to offer enough support for my size, although with all the stretch going on I wouldn't call it a 'heavy lifter'.

(*) The fit of the cups is quite forgiving, but in this smaller size clearly not enough to cater to my breasts: when my breasts are at their emptiest I might fill them out completely, but my breasts seldom are/remain in that state. The edge already cuts in slightly on my fuller right side and this will only get worse as my breasts 'fill up'.

Appearance:

It's a very full cup and definitely not the sexiest of designs. Also, the construction is a bit 'clunky', and finishing is lacking. For the price I would expect more obvious quality, to be honest. Despite the lace, I don't find it shows under clothing.

Conclusion:

In the correct size, I find this bra reasonably well-fitting, comfortable to wear, and quite practical -- a serviceable, everyday kind of bra that works for my shape with the lace and ruffled edge adding just a touch of 'cuteness'. I feel a bit like a broken record, but the underwires of this model are definitely WIDE, in part probably because of their flexibility. Underwires seldom even come close for me, so this does mean something. It definitely isn't my 'dream nursing bra' though, so I'll just keep on looking https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Sep 24, 2012 Flag this

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