Full disclosure: this bra does not fit me. This will exacerbate all of my complaints, as even well-fitted strapless bras can be difficult to get along with.
I really avoid wearing this. Even in strapless dresses, I sometimes cheat and use a cardigan or just let my straps show rather than wear this bra underneath. It's not out-and-out painful, but it's sort of scratchy and is not a bra that lets you forget about it. I am very conscious of wearing this bra. And, since the 30 band is too large for me (I wear this on the tightest hook), the bra tends to slip down my torso throughout ... the day, the underwire leaving red marks about half an inch below my boobs. =(
Now, my fit issues aside, I have to imagine this would stay put pretty well on someone who had a 30 back. It has two strips of silicone, along the top and bottom edge of the band, to keep the bra in place. It is notably tighter than the average 30, as you'd expect of a strapless. And of course it's a Calvin Klein bra, meaning it's great quality and made out of lovely materials. One bummer is that the tag is not printed on the band (i.e. tagless), like in the other CKs I own, and I find that the tag is very itchy (and it curls easily!).
However, my biggest complaint about this bra is with the cups. Specifically, the outside of the cups are too smooth. If I'm wearing a strapless dress made out of cotton, spandex, or any other stretchy fabric, the bra causes it to slide down! These elastic dresses meant to stay up due to tension can't achieve the necessary conditions to avoid slipping. So while the bra works fine under fitted, zip-up dresses, it's a total no-go for your average strapless sundress.
Due to it's somewhat itchy qualities and incompatibility with stretchy tops/dresses, I'd only recommend this bra for wear under formal dresses. It's best when you wear it for five hours or less.
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Updated on Apr 08, 2012 Flag this
Hi! :) I don't want to sound creepy haha, but I recognized your boobs from your bra adventure (you have a birth mark in the middle of your chest) and I just want to remind you of the importance of adding pictures of yourself showing the back of the bra as well! :) When you're wearing it, that is. I remember when I was a new member here, I didn't add pictures of the back and I regret it now! When you're more of an experienced Bratabaser, seeing those old photos of how your previous bras fit you can be extremely helpful in terms of seeing the transition! :) I can tell from the pictures that the cups are too small for you in this bra, but I guess you already know :)