I was already ordering an original bra and a swim top from Molke, so I figured I might as well add this on. It looks very similar in design to the Molke swim top, but the fit isn't exactly the same.

This is called a flexi-size bra, which means that instead of using Molke's unique sizing system like their original bras do, it instead has enough stretch and adjustability (6 columns of hook&eyes!) in the band to accommodate a few different sizes. The 28H/HH supposedly fits 26HH/J, 28H/HH, and 30 GG/H. Unlike the swim bra, though, I don't think that's actually going to work for this bra. The cups ... are fine for the size range. The band, however, is both loose and stretchy, as you can see from the measurements, stretching up to 40 inches. I'm wearing it on the tightest hooks right now, and it kind of reminds me of the Bravissimo Zara - it's not so loose that it doesn't fit, but it would be much more supportive if it were tighter. I can get my whole hand under the band comfortably, but it doesn't ride up. The loose band puts this solidly in lounge bra territory. I might wear it out on errands, but I don't think I'd wear it to work. I cannot imagine how this band would work for someone who's a 26 when it's 27 inches unstretched.

Another difference from the similarly designed swim top is the cup design. The swim top has a total of 3 parts to the cup, while this one has only 2: a bottom cup lined with mesh and a slightly stretchier top cup, with a curved seam between the two. I think the lack of that 3rd piece, which went along the side and bottom of the swim top's cups almost like a side support panel, takes away from the support. Maybe the mesh lining is supposed to make up for that? I don't know, but I don't think it works the same.

Like the swim top, this bra has a drawstring to adjust the neckline. When it's tightened, it pulls the center of the neckline down, simultaneously creating some separation between the cups. It's a nice feature, but it doesn't work well for my 28HH breasts. When I tighten it more than a tiny bit, the top of the cup starts cutting into my breasts. It might work better if I were a 28H. It does seem like the fabric is stretching a bit with wear, so maybe it will work for me eventually. With the neckline left straight across, it's a crop top style bra with no separation between the breasts.

While it's not a perfect bra, it does have a couple features I'm fond of. The material is very soft and comfortable, and it feels lightweight enough that it should be good in hot weather. The bottom band is a nice thick elastic that stays in place and doesn't roll up. I would like to take that band and put it on every bra. The straps are also nice. They're not any wider than the usual bra straps, but they're a different elastic that feels softer, maybe a little bit stretchier. They have to be taking a fair amount of breast weight since the band is looser, but they don't feel like they're digging into my shoulders at all.

It really is too bad about the loose band, because a solid black crop top bra would actually be great under a lot of clothes if it were more supportive. With a lower neckline, it's just going to look like a camisole, no need to worry about it showing a bit. I may just try some alterations to tighten up the band and maybe make the straps convertible to crossback, see if that improves the support.
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black colorway

Updated on Jun 23, 2021 Flag this

So, for those new to Molke, they're a very size inclusive small business that uses their own sizing system. This is their flexi-size style, which fits a range of 6 sizes, approximately. It's a comfortable wire-free bra with decent support.

This is one of Molke's updated flexi-size designs (as of the time I'm writing this, the other is hot leopard). The main improvement is a snugger band. The old flexis ran almost a full size loose in the band. These new ones run a bit tight. This one is supposed to fit a 26-30 band, but as a 28, I'm fastening it on the loosest hooks. I'm really happy ... with that, and it means these will actually fit 26 bands now, but if you're on the top end of the band size range, you might need to size up. This isn't a change in measurements. When I set a new one and an old one side by side, they're identical. It's just a firmer elastic.

Along with the tighter band, there are a few changes to the cups and wings. The cup section is wider now. With the old ones, the edge of cup seam sat on the side of my breast (not really a fit problem with the design of these, but it meant the power mesh section didn't contain everything). The side seam of this one lies right where my breast ends. The wings are now lined with another layer of fabric.

These still seem to run a bit small in the cup. I fit a 28J in wired bras and get sized at 28H/HH or 28J/JJ by Molke's calculator depending on when I measure, but I'm most comfortable in the K/KK flexi. I can wear J/JJ and even H/HH, but I'll get quad-boob if I do anything more active than sit at my desk, and I can't adjust the neckline at all. With the K/KK, I can adjust the neckline, which gives a bit more separation, or wear it straight across, which is more of a mono-boob.

I'll note that sizing on these is still not the same as the Molke swim tops. It's closer than before, but it's now tighter in the band and still smaller in the cup. (I'm still comfortably wearing my 28H/HH swim top).

The result of the changes is a more supportive bra than the previous flexis. It's still not as good as the Molke Original (the crossover style), but it's on par with some of my wired bras. It's comfier than wired and works with some tops I can't wear the regular Molkes with. Compared to a wired bra, the main downside would be less separation. Adjusting the center strings gives some (if you get the cup size right), but it's not a full tacking gore. Compared to wired, this is a fairly full coverage style even with the neckline adjusted down. The middle of cup seam is visible through thin clothes.

In terms of appearance, this wouldn't have been my first choice. I'm hoping they'll redo the other colors in this new fit. I suppose my inner 80s child is happy with the pattern.
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Retro Rainbows colorway

Updated on Jul 24, 2023 Flag this

To start with, for those unfamiliar with Molke, they're a sustainable brand with a huge size range and their own unique sizing systems. This is their flexi-size style, which covers a total of 6 UK sizes, at least in theory. This one fits 26JJ/K, 28J/JJ, and 30HH/J. My usual bra size is between 28HH and 28J, depending on brand, style, time of the month, etc. In Molke, I wear a XS Super original and a 28H/HH swim top.

I previously tried this bra in size 28H/HH and found it functional as a lounge bra but too loose in the band to be supportive. I was expecting the same ... with this one, and went up a cup mostly to see if I could get more use out of the adjustable neckline. I'm pleasantly surprised by the band this time around! I'm not sure whether they did a bit of a redesign or if my black one was a fluke, but this one is a lot closer to a correct fit in the band. It's still on the loose side, as you can see from the measurements. I'm not sure whether this would fit someone who wears a 26 or not; it's measuring 26 inches unstretched (though it does have more columns of hook&eyes than most bras, which adds length), and I can comfortably wear it on the tightest hooks as a 28. It will definitely fit someone who wears a 30 band, and might fit a 32.

Along with the very adjustable band, the bra has drawstrings to adjust the neckline where the gore on a wired bra would be. As I expected, sizing up in the cup let me make more use of this feature. With the 28H/HH, I could only wear the bra with a straight neckline. With the 28J/JJ, I can tighten the strings, which not only adjusts the neckline but also creates separation between the cups. The more the string is tightened, the better the separation. Based on how the H/HH and J/JJ fit me, I'm guessing that if I went up to a K/KK, I could tighten the strings all the way and achieve separation on par with a wired bra. Not sure if I could wear it with the neckline straight across in that size, though.

There is definitely some wiggle room in the sizing on these. If you want a lounge bra, follow Molke's size chart and go up in the cup if you're between sizes. If you want a fit closer to a wired bra, size down in the band and up at least once in the cup. That may vary depending on how close you are to the top/bottom of the size range and how you prefer to wear the neckline. They're doing free exchanges now, so experiment a bit and see what works.

No matter how I adjust the bra, support is moderate. I'm getting a bit less lift and more bounce than I get with my Molke originals. I haven't worn a wired bra in a while, but trying on my Freya Offbeat (28J) for comparison, lift and bounce are pretty close to that, maybe a little less lift and a more minimized shape. It feels less supportive than the wired bra, but significantly more comfortable. Unlike my firmer Molke original bras, I would not wear this for any kind of exercise. I would wear it out of the house, and probably will get a lot of use out of it in summer since my usual wireless bras aren't great under tank tops.

In terms of appearance, I find the cherry lace pattern very pretty. It's a pattern I was skeptical of (it isn't real lace, after all!) but have ended up really liking. It would probably look nice under a sheer shirt. The materials are all very soft. I'm especially fond of the elastics they're using for the band and straps. Also, it's machine washable, which is always nice.
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Cherry lace colorway

Updated on Jan 23, 2022 Flag this