Chantelle has been my go-to brand for years, but I keep getting sized out of the bras I like. This one is kind of a last resort and I liked it....at first.

It's got the open, balconette shape I prefer, and Chantelle's memory foam t-shirt bras are always super soft and comfy.

The big, BIG downside is that the band stretches out way too fast on this model. I've owned it less than a month and it's already a little too loose on the tightest hook. I can't size down in the band to correct this because they don't make a 34H in this style. This ... is a serious design flaw as far as I'm concerned. Bras should last longer than three weeks.

Once I started looking for other bras, I realized that the fit on this bra was not as good as it could be. The top of the cup does gape a little - not noticeably under clothes, but enough to be kind of annoying. The only thing making me want to salvage this bra is that Chantelle seems to be the only brand that cuts their bras low enough in the armpit to be really comfortable on me. The wire doesn't poke on other bras, but most brands extend the wing up a quarter to a half inch or so above the end of the wire on the side, while Chantelle wings start about where the wire ends. This half inch can make a big difference.

I saw a suggestion on a bra blog to sew a ribbon into part of the band to make it less stretchy. I may try that for days when I just can't stand the high wings on my other bras.

EDIT: okay, I've realized part of the problem: this bra, perhaps more than any other bra I've owned, needs to rest two days between wearings. I've been bad about that in the past, but now that I have other bras that fit, I've stuck to giving this one rests and I'm happy to report that I can comfortably wear it on the middle hooks. The fit issues I was having all but disappear when the band isn't all stretched out. Yay!!
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Updated on Jul 15, 2013 Flag this

Purchasing: $72 on Amazon with Prime Free Shipping & Free Returns, some sizes/colors available through Prime Wardrobe, non-neutrals available

Band:
Three-piece smooth knit with elastic at top of band.
Wing support: None.
Back close with 3 columns of hooks.
Fit: Length good. Wing height just barely tall enough. NO axillary skin spillage.

Gore: Comfortable, tacks, good spacing

Cups: Full coverage and seamless outer layer and lining (layer touching skin) with molded foam.
Unpadded underwire.
Gives a pleasantly round shape.
Fit: Almost but not quite wide enough to contain all breast tissue, but this is a constant struggle. Smooth line on the top of the cup. Projection is average.

Straps:
Front is two pieces of slippery satin. Back is ordinary smooth elastic.
Partial adjust, leotard back.
Fit: Tend to slip due to the slippery satin. Don't think they are too far apart for my frame because they sit in the same notch as most bras.

Fit under clothing:
Smooth under tight tee, EXCEPT the decorative bows at the cup-strap junction.
Not visible under v-neck.
Wing shows under tank.

Updated on May 25, 2019 Flag this

Utility bra
It's not fancy to look at, but my bust looks great in a tight tee. Comes in basic colors all the time & fun colors are released on occasion. The fun colors are great to pick up when they go on sale, the basics don't seem to.

Slightly padded, but it really does mold to my shape, so all I get is a nice perky smooth look.

The double strap is a little weird & I'm not totally sure I like it. When I move I can sometimes hear the two parts rubbing together. Hoping that subsequent washes soften them enough that I can't hear that any more.

Taupe colorway

Updated on Apr 01, 2017 Flag this

I've not worn it a full day yet-so I can't say how it wears long term, but out of all the 40-50 bras I tried on this one was the winner! It's perfect for a lined/molded t-shirt type bra, smooth edges, round uplifted shape, it is not full coverage, but it's not a plunge or cleavage creator either. I was in between cup sizes E & F: F has some gaping at the very top and E has every so slightly spillage. I found this at Nordstrom rack for $27+ so far, it's a keeper.

Updated on Mar 21, 2017 Flag this

Band fits fine, cups are just too small or too closed at the top. I was so happy to find a basic, comfortable dark brown bra that I bought it, and I shouldn't have. And it is comfortable, I just have extra boobs popping out the top. Ah well.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on May 03, 2016 Flag this

*THIS BRA HAS BEEN ALTERED TO A 32" TOTAL BAND STRETCH* using two 4.5" long pieces of 0.5" width ribbon, sewn close to the hooks on each end of the band while the bra was unstretched (please see the photographs). The review for the original, unaltered bra can be found at http://www.bratabase.com/bra/dlqss/

A very plain, pinkish bra with wonderfully soft memory foam cups and a very, very soft band. The bows where the two-part straps meet the cup are almost girlishly cute, but not overstated and not enough to show through my clothing. The band is 2x3 hooks in a 70F. I have a little trouble filling ... the tops of the cups as I lose more weight, even though the top of the cup meets my skin, making me believe this may be more suited towards an even or full-on-top shape.

The band being altered closer to my ribcage measurement has only changed the resting band measurement from 28" to 27", perhaps due to my altering the unstretched band. The wires on this are somewhat flexible, with perhaps a 1" stretch on each underwire if I stretch it to its absolute maximum of 34.5", but far less than some of the bras I've owned (80F - Ewa Michalak » S Szafirek (498)). The underwires return to shape immediately after tension is released.
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This bra's measurements have been altered

Altered band,

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Dec 25, 2015 Flag this

*THIS BRA HAS BEEN ALTERED TO A 32" TOTAL BAND STRETCH* using two 4.5" long pieces of 0.5" width ribbon, sewn close to the hooks on each end of the band while the bra was unstretched. This is the review for the original, unaltered bra; the review for the altered bra can be found at http://www.bratabase.com/bra/dibrh/

A very plain, pinkish bra with wonderfully soft memory foam cups and a very, very soft and stretchy (36" unaltered) band. The bows where the two-part straps meet the cup are almost girlishly cute, but not overstated and not enough to show through my clothing. The band is 2x3 hooks in a 70F. I have a little trouble filling the tops of the cups as I lose more weight, even though the top of the cup meets my skin, making me believe this may be more suited towards an even or full-on-top shape.

The underwires on this did not warp until well after its original stretch of 36".

This bra's measurements have been altered

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Dec 25, 2015 Flag this

One of my favorite bras. It's not perfect, because the underwire doesn't sit right at the root, but overall gives a very nice shape.

Updated on Oct 29, 2015 Flag this

Beautiful and comfortable but it's too small for me.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 26, 2015 Flag this

Beautiful tshirt bra best for shallower shapes. Bought new in October, worn about 10 times. Band was a bit loose when purchased, and is now too lose. Tissue migration means I now need a bit more room in the cup. It would be a better fit for a 34E. Note that the cups are memory foam, and while they might crush in e mail, they will smooth out on wearing.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 25, 2015 Flag this