For kicks I decided to take a trip down memory lane and dig up an old model bra that used to be ubiquitous. Way back when, after we grew out of the "Teen Form Training Bra" days, we didn't have Victoria's Secret, or Aerie, or Soma, and we had nothing like Bralettes to soothe our distorted boobs. Shopping for bras created quintessential memories of Body Shaming to the maximum. In high school, I think everyone I knew wore a 34 (not because they fit!), in basic white Playtex, or Maidenform bras that looked just like this.

I loved Bali "natural woman" bras, but I was ... most partial to Olga bras. I can't remember the model name (Bodysilk maybe?), but there was a certain "front-close" bra that basically got me through high school and college. It seemed front close bras were more available then. This was good for me, because the alternative was (as shown in these photos) to have my tissue smashed down all over my ribcage, with weird extra pointy unfilled fabric at my nipples. I used to think this meant I was "flat-chested". And maybe I am, but not in the way I thought as the time! This particular Bali Flower Bra doesn't look very good under my clothing because it's shape is really out of date. This thing provides lift like no other, I'll give it that. However it tried to project the lift (literally) into the tips of the cups so boobs look like thin tubes with conical ends.

I am so grateful for the invention of the T-shirt bra! We've come a long way!
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Updated on Mar 08, 2017 Flag this

Overall, I think this fits well. It is comfortable with no wires poking me. It seems to have nice support.

white colorway

Updated on Dec 18, 2017 Flag this

Grabbed this from a free box. In gently used condition. Previous wearer must have worn this white bra with black shirts as there is black fuzz pilling all over. I've washed and dried and will list this for free soon. Band was hard for me to measure the stretch, so it might stretch even wider.
Wire are extremely bendy and the material is very light and stretch. This would be very easy to alter to a smaller band size.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jun 04, 2017 Flag this

I started wearing this wonderful bra over 20 years ago and it immediately became my everyday bra. The bra itself is fantastic for fuller figures like mine it provides beautiful all day long support while staying super comfortable to wear. More color selection would be nice but it's such a great bra I really don't mind much. I am so happy to have found my perfect fitting dream bra!

Updated on Oct 19, 2022 Flag this

Quite pointy for a underwire bra and I thought generous in the band. Would be nice if they had larger cup sizes as I could do with a 36F. As for and comfortable and I like the non stretch straps.

Updated on Feb 07, 2022 Flag this

I've worn this fantastic bra as my everyday bra for many years. The wide band supports most of the weight of my "girls",so the shoulder straps put very little pressure on my shoulders, even after a full days wear. In fact the fit is so good that I rarely have to fiddle with the straps or tug at the band. For those of us with "more up top" the support and cup coverage make this a great bra to wear while working out. There are a few downsides however; the firm support and construction give a look that is too "pointy" for some wearers. The cups are seamed and will show though some tops, it's an underwire bra so get used to the idea of hand washing it if you want it to last the longest. Also the color selection is pretty limited as your choices are white, beige, and just recently midnight. I was thrilled to find this bra offered Midnight at last.

Updated on Dec 12, 2017 Flag this

Even if this bra fit me right, I don't think I'd keep it. Brand new and fabric is already frayed at the gore and on the straps. The hardware on the straps also feel like cheep, not durable, plastic. Though, for <$20 I guess who cares. On second thought, for $20, if the cups weren't so laughably empty, I'd keep it, but this one I returned.

Nude colorway

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Updated on Apr 26, 2017 Flag this

This bra has been serving me well in the short time I've owned it. The one thing I'm not terribly fond of is the pointy look that it gives me. If you look at some of the reviews of the bra around Amazon and places of the sort, you will see that others liken it to a bullet bra.

Otherwise, I love the support that I get, especially around the sides of my breasts. The one thing I am wary of is that it seems to be stretching out quite quickly. I am going to give it a rest for a while though and see if it recovers.

Updated on May 05, 2015 Flag this

Only a subtle bullet, and it puts my breasts closer together so my arms don't crush them. I kind of like the pointiness - even with t shirts that are meant to be worn with round, moulded cups. I feel like such a badass with pointy boobs! It does cut into my breasts, but it's the best fitting bra I've ever had. It is nice and low in the armpits, so it doesn't even dig in. It is nice and supportive and gives me a flattering silhouette.

32:3 32 C

It diggs into my upper breats tissue, but it's the best fitting bra I've had.

Bali

Flower Bali (180)

2 suggestions

Classic Bali colorway

Updated on Sep 28, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra
This is an unpadded, seamed, underwire, full cup, vintage-styled (bullet) bra that is easily available and crazy cheap.

Purchasing:
* $17.99 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* available only in black, white, and beige

Band:
* One layer of a stretch mesh.
* Wing support: boning.
* Full band - band straight beneath wires
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.

Straps:
* smooth, non-stretch satin
* soft (don't stand up on their own)
* full adjust
* leotard back
* CENTER PULL
* FRONT ADJUST

Cups:
* 2-seam (3-piece) full cup
* unpadded, very flexible underwire with a deep U shape
* Wire is advertised as having "cushion tip," but I can't feel anything ... special at the ends of the wires.
* Inner, top edge of cup is a non-stretch seaming. Outer, top edge of cup is elastic that continues to the top of the band.
* Top panel is non-stretch mesh (unlined).
* Center panel is two layers of a non-stretch, opaque knit.
* Lowest panel is one layer of a thicker, stiffer, non-stretch, opaque knit (unlined).
* Soft cups (no padding or molding).


About Me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* average-set (one finger width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* short root height, average vertical placement
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
* front (anterior) rib flares


Fit

Band:
* length: back rides up
* wings: good height

Gore: High but comfy. Tacks, spacing fine.

Straps:
* Not too far apart
* Adjust short enough, BUT already at shortest setting. Since they are non-stretch satin, this might be ok.

Cups:
* Wires enclose tissue nicely. Smooth line on top of cup.
* Super shallow at wire -- oodles of wrinkling.
* Tiny bit too deep (small wrinkles at the apex).
* Give a round, projected, pointy shape. A good pointy. Slightly wide shape, but better than most. Works well with my natural shape.

Appearance under Clothing:
* Seams NOT visible under thin T-shirt, but apex wrinkles are.
* Top edge of cups VERY visible under V-neck.
* Very visible (~1 cm) in armholes of sleeveless shirt. And edge of straps visible on the back of shoulders (not in front).


Comfort & Fit Summary
* Band too big, cups slightly too projected.
* Want to try next band size smaller with the same-to-smaller cup. Unfortunately, the 32 is the smallest band made in this model.
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white colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 16, 2019 Flag this