Sage in Cotton/Lycra blend

This would be the second of the two Decent Exposure bras I tried. This one is a Cotton/Lycra blend, at a 90% Cotton to 10% Lycra ratio. I opted to go with the Sage color, but there are about a dozen or so color options.

The website only lists bands of 30 and above, with cups up to an L, but I knew from Sovavosi that you can order a smaller band within the notes. I requested a 26 band, and within the back and forth with Decent Exposures, I found out that they can do up to an M cup, so ... I opted to try it. They recommended getting the cups lined for extra support, which I said sure, even though it wasn’t really needed for my purpose of sleeping in. I also opted to get the 2” ribbing instead of elastic for the band, as for me, it is typically more comfortable. For whatever reason, the lining of this one is a Cream color instead of the Sage. While it does match nicely, I would have preferred the same Sage color. The lining seems to match the outer cup in size and tension, which is nice, as this is not the case with the Forest Cotton one.

Compared to the all cotton Forest bra, I like the fit and hug of this one far better. It still has that frontal tug which pulls the side seams forward and thus on breast tissue which is a bit irritating, even with the cotton thread used. While both bras were lined both front and back for support, it does not feel like that extra back lining adds support. Overall, it is still comfortable and works well as a sleep bra, so I am happy with it.

Now for measurements:

All measurements are taken prior to trying the bra on to insure no figure is obscured by the body. I also take all flat measurements before taking the stretched cup then band measurements for the same reason.

The band measures 16” and stretches to a max of 27”. It has no hooks, so it is a slip on. With the max of 27”, it is quite comfortable while on but is a real pain to shimmy it up over my hips. Since my hips are around 35” and my bust 42”, it is easier to shimmy up then try to pull over and down.

Cup Depth as measured by:
1 Hovering the cup between the knees, then placing the tape measure into the cups without any resistance.
This measurement is: 10”
2 Placing the cup over the knee and stretching it similar to what a breast would, to the maximum resistance.
This measurement is: 16”

I feel these two figures give you a general idea of the minimum and maximum depth that the cup can accommodate, just like the flat and stretched band measurements do with bands. Since Bratabase only has one cup field, I enter the larger of the two, as it’s this larger number that determines if a cup is going to fit me or not since I am on the max end of the cup scale, but do realize that some may need the lower number to determine fit for their needs, so I will always include both figures in the reviews for full disclosure.

Compared to the Forest, the cups on this one have 2” more give to them, which could also be why they hug better yet stretch more comfortably.

The cup width measures 7” from center looper to side seam, and has a height of 11” mid way on the cup area. The looper puts the gore height at 4.4” and width at 0.5”, but the looper can be removed, though I wouldn’t recommend it personally. It does a great job at putting a bit of separation between the breasts. The band ribbing is 2” tall and quite comfortable.
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Sage colorway

Updated on Mar 20, 2019 Flag this

Decent Exposures makes bras for women's comfort and I've been wearing them for over 20 years. I just received this lavender cotton velour, haven't had a velour for nearly two decades. Velour is very supportive, comfortable, warm. It is supportive, but isn't designed to give a pin-up sillouette. Since each bra is custom made, delivery is about 3 weeks, but DE customer care contacted me to let me know they had this one in stock (I had just ordered an eggplant Decent Exposures Original Un-bra Scoop Back (110) and a lavender camibra).

This is not a fashionable lingerie ... style, so some may find the bra unattractive, but it is built for comfort and support. no bra can beat it!

Sizing: DE uses a customized sizing that may or may not agree with your US/UK size. For me, cup size tends to be in between the UK & US sizing. The good news is each bra is custom fit -- when you first order they provide guidance on how to get the best fit. You may need to return the bra for adjustments, but if you invest the time you will get a bra that really works for you. PLUS, if your body changes and they are able to do so, they will remake your bra for a modest fee. I bought my last DE bra in 2004 and it is still in great shape (just a little too small, sadly).

PROS: No underwires, no poke, no shoulder dig, wide elastic at the bottom anchors for support and doesn't pinch or dig, custom made, so you can get special extras (none on this floor model), but it does have a loose looper (the ring that makes the cups in front can be slid around to the back (see pics) for a uniboob style that is good for sport or for creating a camisole front. No hooks means no dig in the back. No tags means no tag poking in the sides. The velour is good for larger breasts, but DE has a variety of fabrics suited to different breasts and uses. My past experience is that this fabric doesn't stretch out too much over time.

CONS: only two problems. If you have mobility issues it could be hard to put it on, but then it may be easier than reaching around your back or slidng a tight band around your body. Second, this is not the bra for fashions that require a high bust profile as the darts and tailoring won't match and you may be unused to the look of more natural boobs in more amenable garments.
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Lavender Cotton Velour, standard looper (loose, standard armhole colorway

Updated on Oct 25, 2014 Flag this

I’m really impressed with this bra and with the company’s customer service. I have sensitive skin and some sensory issues with regard to clothing, and a bra made from soft cotton fabric with covered band elastic and no wires sounds like the best thing ever, so I finally emailed Decent Exposures to ask if they could recommend a size for me. (Sizes 30-54 AA-K are available to select on their site, but they’ll make other sizes to order, including 26 and 28 bands and AAA cups.) They recommend +0 measuring for the band in their size guide, but suggested I start with a 28C instead of 26D after ... I mentioned I was sensitive to pressure from tight bands. As I didn’t know what their standard strap length was like, I gave them my measurement from top of shoulder to bra band and they made the bra with straps 1.5" longer than standard, hence the “28C 1 1/2 L” on the size label. I also asked for the bra to be made with a wide front looper (1.5” instead of 0.5”) which turned out to be perfect for my wide-set breasts. There was no extra charge for these adjustments, and I believe Decent Exposures will accept returns on made-to-order items.

The fabric I chose was their 100% organic cotton interlock, and it’s very soft and comfortable. It has some give to it, but didn't stretch out after a few wears. I’m pretty happy with the fit of the 28 band - it's small (only 48cm/18.9” unstretched) but stretchy enough that I can easily pull the bra on over my shoulders. The cups are slightly too big, though, and after wearing the bra a few times I shortened the straps by about 2" to reduce the cup volume. While the style doesn’t provide a lot of lift or shaping, it has the best cup separation I’ve ever seen in a wireless bra. The front looper actually touches my sternum! I love how comfortable it is, and I'm planning on getting one in 28B as soon as I can order again.

EDIT: I eventually had to stop wearing this bra, as the narrow elastic at the top of the band (under the arm) stretched out over time, to the point where the cup gaped in that area. The bra was never tight there, so I think the elastic may have been stretched by my habit of pulling the bra off by grabbing the top of the band. I still love the DE design and plan on getting another bra from them some day.
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Eggplant organic cotton colorway

Updated on Jun 05, 2019 Flag this

Eggplant in Cotton/Lycra blend 26K unlined

My love for the Decent Exposure bras continues, as does my need to experiment with the sizing, haha. This time I ordered the 30K to be made as a 26K (since 30 is the smallest band they list but not the smallest they make) in the unlined Cotton/Lycra blend for the up and coming summer days. While the unlined 26L is fine for night wear, it doesn’t offer as much support for days as I desire, and I go through spurts where I want a good wireless comfort but don’t want to be constricted by a Sports bra. I also ordered the looper ... (The loop fabric that creates the gore and separates the breasts) to be 6” tall which is 3” longer than standard (per DE) for this size. I have some major gore tug going on in my other DE bras and it finally dawned on me that it’s the looper not being tall enough to accommodate my taller than average breasts. This is just one of several customizations that can be done to accommodate individual needs. The looper can be ordered wider as well, the band as elastic or a softer ribbing, the strap area lengthened or shortened, the armholes raised or lowered, cookie pockets added, band length adjusted to between sizes (25,27,29,31,33” etc) and even front opening. Plus there’s about a dozen fabric options including lined and unlined, as well as swim fabric options, and a large selection of solid colors, with a few having patterns available too.

A 26K in Decent Exposure is 26:11 which I’m sure sounds insane for my normal 28:16-28:17 size, and this can be very misleading, so let me give a quick rundown on their sizing.

The band ordered should be your underbust measurement. Their cup sizes available are A through M, with A-C increasing 1” each, then D&E 2” each cup, F-I 1.5”, J 2.5”, and K + being 1.5” with a one cup adjustment made for Lined vs Unlined versions. So 26K is intended for 26” underbust, and 39-41.5” overbust for lined bras, and 41.5-43” for unlined. This makes the unlined 26K true to size for my bust. While the index sizing can give you a bit of reverse letter phobia when compared to your normal bras, especially in the upper end of the cup scale, once you’ve tried a few, you get a better sense that their sizing chart is pretty accurate, and sizing up based on normal logic isn’t going to give you support. Sizing up is wonderful for sleeping and comfort mind you, but for an average day, not so much. That being said, the sub 30 bands get more complicated than that.

I had my suspicions confirmed about the sizing and 26/28 bands. Per Decent Exposures, the 26 and 28 bands are created like this:
“So the material will fit the ribbing or elastic better, we do take some fabric off the bottom edge of the bra, but it’s graded to standard (30 band) halfway towards the armhole, so the upper part of the back was standard on the bras we’ve sent.”

So honestly a 26K, 28K, and 30K has the same cup area but the 26 and 28 are just shorter at the bottom to hug the ribs. This means a 26K & 28K really are 30Ks with a band shortened just as ordered. This functionally makes the 26K not a 26:11 but a 26:13 (sister size to the 30K) instead. Does this matter? Not at all, but it may help combat some of the mental math confusion their sizing can create.

Pricing varies by cup, fabric, and option selection, ranging from $37 (30AA-D unlined cotton) up to $91(60J-L lined lycra/dri-release etc with front closure & w/pockets.) So, yes, they do increase the price based on the cup and band size. So the more fabric used the higher the price. Also, I have been told that if you order 3 or more un-Bras in a size/style you have previously ordered, you get a $3 per bra discount. I have not done this yet, as I am still dabbling with the sizing and options, but it’s nice to know! Not included on their drop down menu is the M cup which I know is $2 more in the 26-30 band range, though is possibly higher in the upper bands.

They also have Cami style bras and tankini top options as well ranging in price from $52-109 depending on options chosen. Really, the options are almost endless!

Now for measurements:

All measurements are taken prior to trying the bra on to insure no figure is obscured by the body. I also take all flat measurements before taking the stretched cup then band measurements for the same reason.

The band measures 20.5” and stretches to a max of 32”. It has no hooks, so it is a slip on.

Cup Depth as measured by:
1 Hovering the cup between the knees, then placing the tape measure into the cups without any resistance.
This measurement is: 9.25”
2 Placing the cup over the knee and stretching it similar to what a breast would, to the maximum resistance.
This measurement is: 15”

I feel these two figures give you a general idea of the minimum and maximum depth that the cup can accommodate, just like the flat and stretched band measurements do with bands. Since Bratabase only has one cup field, I enter the larger of the two, as it’s this larger number that determines if a cup is going to fit me or not since I am on the max end of the cup scale, but do realize that some may need the lower number to determine fit for their needs, so I will always include both figures in the reviews for full disclosure. With these types of bras, I am measuring the cup depth from center looper to wing seam to determine the cup depth.

The cup width measures 7” from center looper to side seam, and has a height of 12” mid way on the cup area. The looper puts the gore height at 6” and width at 1/2” but in this size it would normally be 3” tall-I specifically ordered it at 6” tall. While the looper can be removed, I wouldn’t recommend it personally. It does a great job at putting a bit of separation between the breasts.

Additonal measurements:

The back is 4.5” tall, and 16.5” wide at the top wing to wing. The front gore is 14.5” tall with the looper removed.

I have 6 Decent Exposure Bras now, 3 Lined Cotton/Lycra-two in 26M & 1 in 26L, 1 Lined 100% Cotton in 26M, 1 Unlined Cotton/Lycra in 26L, and this one. Of these, Two were ordered with ribbed band instead of elastic (26M lined Cotton & one of the 26M Lined Cotton/Lycra blends) which are more comfortable on the rib area if you have sensitive skin, but are more difficult to get on as the ribbing does not stretch like the elastic. If you have a large bust or a larger rump than rib measurement, this makes it close to impossible to pull over your bust from above or shimmy up from below, and after doing so a few times the ribbing loses some of its tension, resulting in a looser than desired band. It is still comfortable and supportive, just not as much as in the beginning. So due to this, I would recommend sticking with the elastic band for most people, especially if you plan on using them as active day support.

While these are far from sexy, they are so comfortable and have so many options, I just can’t say enough how much I recommend them.

I am really eager to play with the customizations for these bras. I view it like a puzzle, trying to get the perfect balance between fit, support, and comfort.
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Eggplant Organic Cotton/Lycra colorway

Updated on Apr 30, 2019 Flag this

I ordered this bra in the lined dri-release wicking fabric as it said it was better for D-K cups. Since they do not have 28 bands listed on their website, they told me to order a 30 and ask for rib size 28 in the special instructions box during checkout. It took them about two weeks to manufacture this bra for me.

When I got it, my first thought was “how will I ever pull it over my head and shoulders?”. It turns out that the band on this bra is pretty stretchy, but goes back to the 28” I requested very well. The fabric feels fairly lightweight, relatively ... cool for the type of fabric, and dries quickly after being washed.

Their cup sizes don’t correspond to UK sizes but they do have a chart telling you how to measure for their sizes. The J cups in the lined dri-release fabric fit my 12” difference very well. I don’t feel squished nor do I feel like my breasts are sliding around. The looper is actually touching my sternum also, I’ve not had this experience with other wireless bras I own. I feel pretty supported, no shoulder aching from a too large band. The top of the cups lie flat against my shallow tissue without gaping or cutting in. The fabric feels stiff enough that I could do yoga in it without much trouble. This bra is also great for sleeping in too. My only complaint is the looper is too wide for me, as my breasts almost touch when supported.
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Lined Dri-Release Teal colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Oct 04, 2017 Flag this

This one is made from the lined dri-release fabric. I really love these things, they are wireless bra bliss. They give very firm support and are extremely comfortable. One thing I do notice about this brand is that the colour really affects the flexibility and support of the fabric. The grey colour feels stiffer and more supportive than the teal or aqua. They have told me the pink is not as supportive. Great brand and they are good at communicating with customers.

Lined Dri-Release Gray colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 12, 2019 Flag this

My lined dri-release Decent Exposures have been feeling tight and uncomfortable, so I decided to try an all cotton one as well as another dri-release in the next size up.

This one is 100% organic cotton in the colour sage. There are no other modifications other than making the band 2” shorter, as a 28 is not listed on their website. I requested the band be made shorter in the special instruction box during checkout. The all cotton one is listed as light support, but only recommended for smaller cup sizes. I think the cups look odd compared to the dri-release. It looks too big to me, but ... that could just be the wrinkling of the fabric. I don’t feel unsupported, as my breasts tend to ache when out of a bra too long. I don’t have that feeling wearing it so I know it is doing something.

I feel like this bra would not be supportive for someone with heavy pendulous breasts. I bought it as a sleeping/lounging bra and I feel like it is wonderful for this purpose. The cotton is very soft and does not trap heat as much as the lined dri-release. The looper tacks firmly to my chest, providing seperation at night and while sitting on the couch. This is not a bra that I’d wear around the house to do chores in, there is too much jiggle.

I’ve been really happy with everything I’ve bought from Decent Exposures thus far.
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Organic Cotton Sage colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 10, 2019 Flag this

Purple in Cotton/Lycra blend 26M Lined front & back

This is the final bra of my second order from Decent Exposure. This one is a Cotton/Lycra blend, at a 90% Cotton to 10% Lycra ratio. I opted to go with the Purple color for this one, but there are 20 colors to choose from. Due to a quality control issue (poor stitching) they didn’t ship this one with the other 2 I ordered, as it needed to be redone. They were quick to correct and shipped it 4 days (two business days) later, yet what I received had a section of horrible only partially done stitching, so honestly I ... don’t think they corrected the issue that delayed shipping in the first place. This is disappointing, but not worth the hassle of complaint or returning for correction. If the stitching comes out, I can redo it if needed.

Aside from the funky stitching section, the bra is perfect and comfortable. The only difference between the 26L and 26M appears to be the strap length (2” difference) as the cup tension feels the same in both sizes. I have come to realize that the 26L straps are too short, which results in the band riding up (both front and back) so that the band digs into the bottom of my breast tissue after a few hours of wear. The 26L feels more supportive, but that’s just because it’s tugging up on my breasts and that supportive feeling is replaced with discomfort fairly quickly. For sleep purposes, I will stick with the 26M. For day support wear, I think I’d order the 26M with the straps shortened 1” or the 26L with the straps lengthened 1” which should resolve the issue. I will have to think about it more before placing a future order. (Technically the cup area is taller and thus larger in the 26M but with the looper in place, it results in the same cup height, tension, and feel aside from the strap tug.)


Now for measurements:

All measurements are taken prior to trying the bra on to insure no figure is obscured by the body. I also take all flat measurements before taking the stretched cup then band measurements for the same reason.

The band measures 21” and stretches to a max of 32”. It has no hooks, so it is a slip on.
Cup Depth as measured by:
1 Hovering the cup between the knees, then placing the tape measure into the cups without any resistance.
This measurement is: 12”
2 Placing the cup over the knee and stretching it similar to what a breast would, to the maximum resistance.
This measurement is: 17”

I feel these two figures give you a general idea of the minimum and maximum depth that the cup can accommodate, just like the flat and stretched band measurements do with bands. Since Bratabase only has one cup field, I enter the larger of the two, as it’s this larger number that determines if a cup is going to fit me or not since I am on the max end of the cup scale, but do realize that some may need the lower number to determine fit for their needs, so I will always include both figures in the reviews for full disclosure.


The cup width measures 7” from center looper to side seam, and has a height of 11” mid way on the cup area. The looper puts the gore height at 5.25” and width at 0.5”. While the looper can be removed, I wouldn’t recommend it personally. It does a great job at putting a bit of separation between the breasts. The band is 1.25” tall and comfortable but the ribbing is more comfortable while wearing.

Additonal measurements:

The back is 4” tall, and 16” wide at the top wing to wing. The front gore is 16.5” tall with the looper removed.

To compare to the other Lycra/Cotton blends:
26M Sage (ribbed band): band 16-27”, cup width 7”, cup depth 10-16”, wing 5.15”, gore 4.4” (not incl ribbed band)
26L Turquoise: band 21-32”, cup width 7.5”, cup depth 10-16”, wing 5.75”, gore 5”
26L Teal (unlined): band 21-32”, cup width 7.5”, cup depth 10-17”, wing 6.15”, gore 5”

This does show some variants occur, though that could be either due to different colored material tensions or simple human manufacturing variation.
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Purple colorway

Updated on Apr 14, 2019 Flag this

Turquoise in Cotton/Lycra blend 26L Lined front & back

This would be the second bra from my second Decent Exposure order. This one is a Cotton/Lycra blend, at a 90% Cotton to 10% Lycra ratio. It is lined from and back and is Turquoise color, but there are about a dozen or so color options.

While the band does ride up in the back even after just a few minutes of wear, it’s comfortable and doesn’t feel like it’s an issue. Like with the other DE bras I have, it has that frontal tug which pulls the side seams forward and thus on breast tissue which is a bit ... irritating but I get used to it. After one night’s wear, I do think I prefer the 26L over the 26M, but I am at low tide, so my opinion may change as I get closer to high tide.

Now for measurements:

All measurements are taken prior to trying the bra on to insure no figure is obscured by the body. I also take all flat measurements before taking the stretched cup then band measurements for the same reason.

The band measures 21” and stretches to a max of 32”. It has no hooks, so it is a slip on.

Cup Depth as measured by:
1 Hovering the cup between the knees, then placing the tape measure into the cups without any resistance.
This measurement is: 10”
2 Placing the cup over the knee and stretching it similar to what a breast would, to the maximum resistance.
This measurement is: 16”

I feel these two figures give you a general idea of the minimum and maximum depth that the cup can accommodate, just like the flat and stretched band measurements do with bands. Since Bratabase only has one cup field, I enter the larger of the two, as it’s this larger number that determines if a cup is going to fit me or not since I am on the max end of the cup scale, but do realize that some may need the lower number to determine fit for their needs, so I will always include both figures in the reviews for full disclosure.

This gives the 26L Lined Lycra the same “cup” depth as the 26M Lined Lycra. While on, the feel the same. Really the only difference is the between the two is the 26M straps are 2” longer than the 26L, making the 26L a bit more supportive feeling.

The cup width measures 7.5” from center looper to side seam, and has a height of 11” mid way on the cup area. The looper puts the gore height at 5” and width at 0.5”, but the looper can be removed, though I wouldn’t recommend it personally. It does a great job at putting a bit of separation between the breasts. The band elastic is 1.2” tall and quite comfortable.

The back is 17” wide from the top of the wing to wing unstretched. The front “gore” is 15” tall with the looper removed.
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Turquoise colorway

Updated on Mar 20, 2019 Flag this

Teal in Cotton/Lycra blend 26L Unlined
This would be my second order from Decent Exposure. For this order, I opted to keep the bottom elastic instead of switching it to ribbing in hopes it would be easier to get on and off. I also decided to try this one unlined and in a cup size down to counter the lessened tension of the lining layer removed. This is a Cotton/Lycra blend, at a 90% Cotton to 10% Lycra ratio unlined in Teal. I also ordered a 26L Lined Lycra/Cotton (for more of a lockdown feel and to wear during the day with more support) in Turquoise and a second ... 26M lined Lycra/Cotton in Purple. They will be reviewed separately.

I ordered the 30L (30 is the smallest band they offer online) with the request for a 26L in notes. The receipt shows as 30L with the bottom elastic 4” shorter, while the tag & label show 26L. This does make me wonder if the cups are from the 30L with just the band shortened or if they actually alter the bra structure altogether to accommodate the smaller size. Personally, based on the width of the back aside from the bottom elastic, I feel it is just a 30L with the bottom shortened as the top of the back is very wide. 16.5” from seam to seam at the top of the wing across the back to be exact.

Without the lining, you can easily see nipples, which the lined versions hide fairly well. I didn’t think much about it, but my husband made sure to point it out that he could tell the difference by the nip shine through, so I felt it was worth mentioning for those who have issue with this shine through.

For fit, I feel it’s not bad. The cups feel snug but not painful. It still has that frontal tug which pulls the side seams forward and thus on breast tissue which is a bit irritating but I get used to it. With this one being unlined, it feels much lighter and cooler and will be wonderful for the summertime. The cups don’t feel as supportive without the second layer of fabric, but will work fine as a sleep bra. I am tempted to try this again in a 26K to see how the fit compares, but fear the straps would be too short if I did, so I most likely pass on that.

Now for measurements:

All measurements are taken prior to trying the bra on to insure no figure is obscured by the body. I also take all flat measurements before taking the stretched cup then band measurements for the same reason.

The band measures 21” and stretches to a max of 32”. It has no hooks, so it is a slip on. This measurement is much larger than my 26Ms with the ribbing instead of elastic (those measured 16” to a max of 27”.) While this makes putting it on much easier, I was surprised it is so much larger.

Cup Depth as measured by:
1 Hovering the cup between the knees, then placing the tape measure into the cups without any resistance.
This measurement is: 10”
2 Placing the cup over the knee and stretching it similar to what a breast would, to the maximum resistance.
This measurement is: 17”

I feel these two figures give you a general idea of the minimum and maximum depth that the cup can accommodate, just like the flat and stretched band measurements do with bands. Since Bratabase only has one cup field, I enter the larger of the two, as it’s this larger number that determines if a cup is going to fit me or not since I am on the max end of the cup scale, but do realize that some may need the lower number to determine fit for their needs, so I will always include both figures in the reviews for full disclosure.

This gives the unlined 26L Lycra 1” more stretch ability than the lined Lycra in 26L and 26M. Like with the lined 26L, this one has straps that are 2” shorter than the 26M.

The cup width measures 7.5” from center looper to side seam, and has a height of 11” mid way on the cup area. The looper puts the gore height at 5” and width at 0.5”, but the looper can be removed, though I wouldn’t recommend it personally. It does a great job at putting a bit of separation between the breasts. The band is 1.2” tall and quite comfortable.

Additional measurements: As mentioned above, the top of the back measures 16.5” across from top of wing to wing unstretched. If the looper is removed (or shifted to the back) the Front “gore” area is 15” tall.
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Teal colorway

Updated on Mar 20, 2019 Flag this