I was looking for a sheer, light bra for hot weather with a center gore no higher than 1.5" and enough of a back band to be comfy, unlike, say, those in Cleo bras. In those three aspects, Agent Provocateur's Ambrose bra succeeds. The 1.25" gore is amazingly low. The band stretches to about 31" even though it is labeled a UK 34E, so my usually 30F boobs are comfortable. Though there are only two rows of three hooks and eyes, the back band is wide enough to be comfortable and forestall bulging.
Unfortunately the shape is mediocre, partly because the cups are too small, and partly, I believe, ... because of construction. Each cup has one vertical seam that goes partway up from the underwire. I wish that vertical seam went all the way up. That might've helped get cakes on a plate cleavage. I wouldn't alter this bra to make the seam go all the way up. That would make the cup volume even smaller. Plus it would mess up the pretty embroidery. As it is, the shape is somewhat flattened above the nipple, a notable failure in a bra containing my full on top boobs. Given the slightest excuse, my firm boobs achieve epic cakes on a plate cleavage.
I have the pink tulle colorway, with black embroidery. The well conceived design combines scalloped embroidery on the top edge of the cups with ruched black silk straps and the same ruched black silk outlining the bottom edge of the band. There is boning in the wings, close to the underwires. The cups are notably wide and high under the arms, given the 31" stretched and 25.25" unstretched band lengths. The Ambrose may, in fact, be my only well fitting bra whose wires are too wide under the arms for me.
This bra is beautiful and comfortable. It doesn't need breaking in and therefore seems worth more than a full price Freya or Panache bra. The materials and construction do not, however, justify the original retail price of $190. I think it's an excellent buy at the $60 sale price. Despite the price, I am returning this for a refund. Sister sizing to a 36E in the same model would give me more cup volume, to enable alterations, but it would also make the straps too wide set. Now I know to avoid this construction in Agent Provocateur bras.
Edited to add:
I forgot to mention that a sterling quality of the Agent Provocateur bras I've tried is their LOW COVERAGE CUPS. In the Ambrose, my nipples and aerolas are covered, but there is perhaps only an inch of fabric above them. Most of my chest is not covered at all! As a petite person who typically wears 30Fs, I find it extremely difficult to find bras that cover what they need to, and no more. I do have tiny nipples and aerolas, so I can imagine another petite 30F having an issue with aerolas peeking over the edges of the cups. Of course, this bra is sheer pink, so those nips and aerolas are visible and will protrude, given the opportunity.
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Updated on Jul 18, 2014 Flag this