This is called a plunge bra, but I found it to give far more coverage than I'd expect from a plunge bra. It also doesn't give any cleavage.

The cups are soft, not foam molded, but they have two vertical seams & are thickly lined so as to have some shape on their own. The cups generally conform to the breast shape, rather than vice versa.

It's a very pretty fuchsia shade of silk with lime green lace. It looks pricier than it is.

This bra is from the M+S Limited Collection DD Plus line. The band is stretchier & larger than the 28 band in M+S A-DD line. It ... stretches up to 30" max & is 25" unstretched, whereas a 28 band I tried in a bra from the A-DD line stretched up to 26.5" when new. This fits me most comfortably on the second hook, although I can fasten it on the tightest also.

The straps are partially adjustable, with the front of them being very, very stretchy. The straps form a U shape with the band in the back. Unfortunately they don't adjust tight enough for me, partly because they are so stretchy. However, the bra fits well over all, and so I will keep it & possibly just alter the straps about 1cm shorter. It fits well enough to wear in the meantime too.

I have breasts that are a bit less full on the top than the bottom, so the style has slightly too much coverage for me. I feel like I barely fill these out, although they don't gap or wrinkle unless I really hunch forward. I think shorter/tighter straps would probably make the fit perfect. I tried the bra with a "bra buddy" (an accessory thing to make bra straps like a racer back), as it tightens the straps, and the cups laid better against the top of my bust, so I could lean forward & they'd stay put. However, the bra buddy doesn't work with the U-shaped back on this bra; it distorts the back so it puckers. That thing is not comfy anyway! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" />

When I first tried the bra on, the wires in the center dug into my sternum a bit, but I just bent them so they were less curved & wider, and now it fits great. I think the wires are perfect in length, or very nearly so, but the shape curved wrong for my body shape. I wore the bra all day & found it conforms to me better after "breaking" it in. I should note that I do have a bony ribcage & in the past would find that even too loose 32 bands would make the underwires dig into me because I have little fat padding & many bras do not have wires that are very padded for comfort.

I have a feeling, as suggested by someone else here, that M+S bras will work best for me in 30DD, as the DD+ lines seem to have stretchier bands & straps. However, as I said already, I will keep this because it's a pretty good fit over all. It is flattering under clothes, supportive, and comfortable once I bent the wires. The fit issues seem rather minor & fixable, and it might aid me in comparison as I continue to replace my old bras.
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Updated on Feb 12, 2012 Flag this

I like it since it give me support (for once!) It feels pretty tight in the band, it says 28 but it was pretty tight on the first hook. I was barely able to pull it 2 inches away from my body.

The wires kind of hurt me, even after I bent them more into shape. It could be because I'm really skinny or because I'm not used to snug bras yet.

The band stretched a lot when me and my husband pulled it to measure stretched band length, but like I said above, it was hard for me to pull it away from my body when worn.

The cups have a weird outward turned seam on the top, but if you had breast tissue enough to lay against it it would probably be quadboob XD So I think it is just a weird seam.

http://bayewulf.blogspot.com/2012/11/introduction-to-bra-sizing-and-marks.html

Updated on Nov 24, 2012 Flag this

nyannekochan

189 reputation

14 bras

Full name: Limited Collection Satin Padded Balcony Bra (T81/8242P) in Cream Mix. As far as I know, it's from one of the 2010 collections.

This bra is discontinued, but the shape and fit are pretty representative of Limited Collection A-DD balconettes.* The cups are wide and shallow, the straps are quite wide-set, and the band runs tight. The bra has thin, flexible padding in the lower part of the cup and a lace panel at the top, with a thin strip of elastic that (on me) cuts in really easily. I'm not sure if I just need a larger cup or if it's a shape issue - the cup ... edge is often problematic for me even when I've got the cup size right. On the positive side, it's a very pretty style with beautiful details.

*The Limited Collection range includes A-DD and DD-GG models, but the construction and fit in DD-GG is very different and they tend to run larger in the cup.

ETA, October 2012: I removed the elastic strip from the lace on this bra and my other M&S balconette with the same cut ( http://bra.pe/SB0u/ ), and it solved my problems with the cup edge cutting in; it seems that I just needed the cups to be more open on top. The bra is still too wide-set for me - nearly 28cm measured between the outer tips of the wires vs. 25cm in my Lepel Honeycomb - but removing the elastic has made it look and feel a lot better. The fit issues I reported reflect the fit before alteration.
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Updated on Oct 23, 2012 Flag this

I will write a review of this bra on my blog in due course but for the time being I wanted to make a few notes on here.

This bra is lovely and soft. The moulded cups are a good shape and have decent depth to them. The band is pretty stretchy so do make sure you get the right band size for you but as it is so soft with its high cotton content that I imagine it would be incredibly comfortable to wear all day.

My whole problem with this bra is that I was fitted into it by a changing room attendant at M&S who ... really had no idea what she was talking about. She was very sweet but hadn't a clue about how a bra should fit. I started off in a 40GG I had taken off the rack as part of my 'high street fitting challenge'. The assistant did not assess the cup fit AT ALL and instead spun me round to check the back band. I had the straps adjusted fully so the band was halfway up my shoulder blades (it was all I could do to stop from yanking it down!) and she said the band was possibly a bit loose and I should try the 38GG.

Some time later I was given a 38GG. This felt no better on me but again I asked the assistant to check it for me. Once more she ignored the cup fit, looked at the back and told me off for putting the bra on the tightest hooks - she said it was too tight for me like that (having just been fitted as a 30K in Leia I almost choked at this comment!!). She moved the bra on to the loosest hooks and said it was perfect for me. I bought the bra so I could write a review and take pictures but will of course be returning it to the store.

Sorry - a bit off topic there but it goes to show that not all high street stores have got their bra fitting services sorted!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this bra or require further information.
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Updated on Apr 10, 2012 Flag this

CurvyWordy

2139 reputation

170 bras

Well, this bra is pretty, but it is definitely made for someone with a narrow/deep shape. It doesn't work at all if you have a more wide/shallow shape. The wires come up a bit too low on the sides in my opinion. The fabric is comfortable and the straps are closer to the center, which I really like. The band is very stretchy though, i'd size down in the band for this bra.

Updated on Jan 12, 2013 Flag this

I bought this bra to see if an F would fit me, but it ended up being a strange choice for that kind of trial. The cups seem really big on the top, despite the depth being close to my Es, and really wide on the sides (better for me than most bras which aren't wide enough though) yet not narrow enough for me in the middle. And the band is really much tighter than a regular 28 as it seems to be with most M&S bras. Still looks pretty though and I might try to get some major alteration done just to wear it. The quality isn't great though and the hooks in the back can easily bust out of their sockets.

Updated on Dec 03, 2012 Flag this

This is a really pretty bra! I love the color and the gore detail (bow and peep hole). I got this in a 28F hoping it was closer to my size than previous bras I've bought. The cups seem to be alright but the band is too tight. I can fasten it but it hurts and I can barely breathe! I had to go and buy an extender just to wear it.

I fill the cups at the bottom. The top has some slight wrinkling on my smaller boob but it isn't really an issue because of the lace. There is an elastic band on the top section but ... it doesn't cut in. I wonder if I could even use a cup smaller (I've heard the DD+ run large in the cup).

The band is very firm and doesn't have a lot of stretch, a 30 probably would have been a better fit but I guess I will get more life out of the bra with an extender.

The only fit issue besides the too tight band is the straps. They are very separate. They don't fall down or anything but they dig right into my armpit/crease. I think it's because I'm so petite (I have this problem with other bras). If the straps were closer set they wouldn't go right under my arm.

Overall this is my best fitting bra right now and it is really lovely!
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Updated on Oct 30, 2012 Flag this

demdem

353 reputation

31 bras

Cutwise this is the same bra as this one:
http://www.bratabase.com/browse/marks-spencer/limited-collection-satin-padded-balcony-t818242p/

I completely agree with her review, the lace cuts in. I think this could be fixed to a certain degree by removing the little elastic rubber band that is sewn onto the stretchy lace. The lace should then stretch enough to allow more room.

Otherwise I think this bra might work well on breasts that are somewhat pointy.

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Updated on Aug 20, 2012 Flag this

Firstly I should mention that this bra is in fact a 28FF, but Marks and Spencer for some strange reason don't sell FF cups and instead call them G cups.

The fit of this bra is not right at all. Firstly, the band is extremely tight and has little stretch. It feels more like a 26 or even smaller - my underbust measurement is 27" and this is bra is still a bit too tight with an extender. Secondly, the cups are too small, giving me quad-boob and flattening me out.

Looks-wise, it is a nice bra. It is a bright blue colour with lace overlay on the cups and the inside has a blue & white spotty design. It is a low-cut plunge style, which would give good cleavage in the right size. It is also a comfortable bra and the wires do not dig in. Just not one for me.

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Updated on Oct 24, 2011 Flag this

laura_144

594 reputation

126 bras

This bra is firm and tight in the band. It seems to have a lot of stitching in the bottom part of the band so hopefully it will not stretch badly. I can fit more than 2 fingers under the band, but this is pretty much as tight as I am going to find. The cups themselves are pretty with out over doing it. The colors contrast nicely and the lace overlay covers the seams from the 3 part cups. I'd like the straps to be thinner, but they are fully extended with plenty of room to tighten. The underwire does sit higher in the armpit but I have no issues with it digging. I am really happy with this bra. I hope it wears well and does not stretch too badly.

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Updated on Jun 27, 2011 Flag this

bybabysrules

839 reputation

96 bras