Looking for an ethical, sustainable, wireless bra available in 26:4-48:19?* Look no further!
*(excluding 38:19,42:19,46:19, and 48:18-19 also an old version of their size chart said they did AA-C cups too)
My shape: full on top, short roots, high set, very narrow/borderline Omega shaped, space between breasts, very soft breast tissue, pendulous, evenish to somewhat center fullness (5'1, short torso, store a lot of fat in my ribcage)
I gave Molke a try because I was tired of waiting around for Lara Intimates to start stocking H or HH cups and found a ...few more ethical, sustainable fuller bust companies, not a ton, but one of those was Molke, which by far has the biggest size range. Huge success! I wore this bra all day today--working, being in class, driving around, walking my dog, and it was super comfortable all day. The fabric is soft and firm, you can never move weird and have a wire poke at you, and the elastic band at the bottom never rolled up under my bust (!!!). This bra held my boobs firm to my chest, and I'd say the amount of movement I got wearing it was pretty much identical to a wired bra.
I absolutely love how these cups are made. It's a wrap style, so the bra essentially crisscrosses in the front--one cup is sewn to the bottom under the other one, so each boob has its own place and gets its own lift, and they don't touch each other. It's an excellent solution to the no-gore-problem in wireless bras--it feels a lot like when I'm just hanging out and shove my shirt under my boobs. It feels natural and comfortable, is I guess what I mean. I'd also say this bra gets a lot of its lift from the fabric being so firm--it feels like the elastic keeps your boobs from falling past a certain point and then the bra just squishes them against your chest. It reminds me a bit of a binder but with less sweat, so I was fond of it. The bra gives a very minimized look as a result.
Speaking of the minimized look, Molke offers a lot of cool patterns. I really like my Uni-verse pattern, but they also have available bras with dinosaur and space patterns--not too typical in bras!
I was a little conflicted picking out a size, but I ended up getting the S Super, which I think was the right choice. The S Super is the 2nd of 6 band sizes and 3rd of 5 cup sizes and is supposed to fit a 30H-J. Here's what I was worried about: the band being too big (I'm leaning towards a 28 nowadays, but the XS is also supposed to fit a 26), the cup being too big (being the smallest size in the S Super), and the straps being too long (they're nonadjustable). The bra feels good, though. The cups are pretty full coverage and there's some wrinkling on my smaller side, but it's not uncomfortable, and I kind of like the full coverage look, especially since the bra is so pretty. You can also see there's a bit of wrinkling towards the strap area--my impression was that, yeah, the straps could probably be a bit shorter, but they contribute so little to the fit it wasn't a problem. I think if you're on the taller side you might have issues with these straps, but I think people a bit shorter than me could manage with the straps too. I'll also note that Molke sells bras at different levels of firmness--supposedly 1-3, where 3 is the firmest, but they're only offering 2 and 3 right now. This bra is a 3: I wonder if I would be bothered by the straps on a 2?
The straps are also very wide and the cups come up pretty high (if you're on the smaller end of the size? in general?)--be prepared for it to show under non t-shirt or button-down shirts. Read more 571 more words
Great review! What a success finding a wireless bra that does everything. It almost sounds too good to be true but looks like it is! Congrats! Also is this Unicorn Universe print?!? OMG I never thought of that combo but it's awesome! I totally want one too. :D
alisa Right? When I bought it, I figured if it wasn't 100% great, I could always use it as a sleep bra, but it's a great everyday bra. It's the criss cross sling pattern, imo. More brands need to pick that up. And yes! Unicorn Universe print!
bustyand does it distribute weight away from the straps? Does the back do enough support so most weight is not on straps? With wireless bras I have (Bravissimo ones) that is my main problem, just after like 2-3 hours there is just too much weight on straps. I love them to hang out in evening or to sleep but cannot wear any for full day wear.
alisa For me it does! I haven't had that many wireless bras, but aside from this one, I've had the Cleo Lyzy (disaster, couldn't hold the weight of my boobs up, band rolling under); the Bravissimo Racerback Sleep Bra (straps not supportive, boobs held sweatily to my chest, band rolling under); and the Sugar Candy Seamless Everyday Bra (which is better and wouldn't be a complete disaster for me to wear around all day but I would prefer not to). This Molke is the best by far.
Something I didn't mention in my review is that this bra is 95% cotton and 5% elastane, and I'm pretty sure the elastane is only on the fully black band part. So, I think, because so much of the band isn't stretchy it can do lots of lifting work without the help of the straps. I'd only be worried about them if you're significantly taller than me. I saw some reviews with people noting that the straps were too short for them and therefore hurt. It seems like this started with people who are around 5'7 or 5'8, but some of those reviews were a few years old. If you'd like to check out a review from someone closer to your size, you could check out Chloe from Fuller Bust Inspo on Instagram and YouTube--she wears a 32JJ/34J and has two Molkes in M Mega. Not sure how tall she is, though.
bustyand From those you mentioned I only own Bravissimo Racerback Sleep bra. I like it for sleeping only so straps don't bother me too much but agree it just gives huge mono-boob pushed them together. I love a cotton bra! I found out in their calculator my size is: Your traditional UK size is 32 K. Your starting size in an Original Molke Bra would be... M Mega. Yes I know Chloe's Instagram and like to check out her posts as I am in similar size range than her. So I think the suggested size could work for me too but I'm am worried about my height. I'm 169cm, which translates to 5''6? Have to check out other reviews. I own Bravissimo bralettes Flora and Zara where I can just get away with straps (like 1-2 cm and they wouldn't work) and those bras also don't work for taller women. :S
I got this bra second hand from someone in a bra group on Facebook - it was only worn a few times as it didn't fit the previous owner.
The material of the bra is thick cotton jersey and the colour is so dark it feels more like grayish black than blue.
The bra is put on over one's head and bust, doesn't have any hooks and eyes and honestly, at first I thought I won't be able to pull it over my breasts. However, I succeeded!
Once I managed to get the bra on, it felt comfortable and secure. My only complaint being that the band is ...not as tight as I would have liked, I feel like most of my breasts weight rests on my shoulders. I know other people complained about the straps not being long enough for them, but I do not experience this particular issue - my breasts are quite high set though, and I have very small shoulders and am not tall (5.5).
I think the size is about right for my breasts (currently wearing 28K Curvy Kate bras with 1-2 rows of extender till they stretch a bit), I think if I go up one or two cup sizes (l hope not, but one must be realistic) it would still fit.
I feel like this bra will be nice to wear once the baby is here, as the cups can be easily pulled down. Cotton breast pads fit in nicely and are not as visible as in my unlined Curvy Kate bras.
Overall, it seems like a nice and comfortable bra, but to be honest, I can't help but feel like the price is a bit high. I'll update about the nursing in the future. Read more 183 more words
This looks comfortable! I so hope it works effortlessly for you--one less thing to worry about after your precious bundle arrives.
Thanks for the review! I've been looking into these for light exercise/wear around the house bras so this is helpful. I hope it works well for you once the little one is here!
I am shorter than you and I find the straps too short, but I have a breast base height of 9". Interesting!
Yeah, I'm shorter too @ 5'4". My BBH of 9.25-10"......for some reason every time I measure it changes! But this one was for sure too short for my comfort.
@BlackieBird I'm glad it works for you!!! :-) And congratulations on your bundle to be!!!!
Just found measuring tape - my BBH is 8'' - perhaps that could explain it. I have insanely long legs and arms and short torso for my height.
That definitely could be a factor! I am opposite with short legs and very long torso. :-)
Molke bras are wireless bras which have been designed for nursing. The bra is made from a cotton elastane blend and has two connected cup 'slings' which would allow you to pull out one breast at a time if required for breast feeding while keeping the other breast supported, although there's no separation. It features a firm, elasticised band at the underbust. This is the 'Extremely Dark Navy' colourway, which is, unsurprisingly, a very dark navy throughout. My apologies for the low contrast on the images, it's quite hard to see the details of a bra with a dark colour. It's got wide straps and good coverage at ...the back, but with a fairly deep scoop so it would work with a variety of shirts. I would think that some people (definitely not me) would feel comfortable wearing this as a crop top.
The bra pulls on over your head, and I must say that I had my doubts that it was going to be feasible at my size, but with a bit of wiggling and by pulling each breast through one at a time, it was possible for me to put it on. I'd think that if you had limited mobility you may need some help. This also means that while I've observed due diligence with measuring stretched length of the band, I think that the actual figure may be a little larger when worn on the body. Thankfully it's much easier to take the bra off, and it was also a simple task to pull out and replace one breast at a time (if you wanted to breast feed in the bra).
The Molke sizes encompass a number of regular band/cup size combinations, and I'm just over the edge of the size chart for the Small - Mega (I'd estimate my reference size to be 30:19 or 28:20 after my weight gain over the past year or so). I contacted their customer service for support with my measurements, and this was the size suggested. My breasts are very close set, narrow rooted, very short rooted, even, with lots of projection all over, which is mostly a problem top centre. I've got a fair bit of cleavage in this style, especially as it gives lift but no separation. If there was a bigger cup size offered on the same band (Ultra?) in the future, I'd consider giving it a try as I am very close to spilling out, but the bra is quite comfortable as is. One small problem is that the weight of my breasts pulls the front of the bra down and the rear of the bra up, but I don't know that a smaller band size would correct this. The straps are not adjustable, though I may consider placing some darts in them to make the front section of the bra a little shorter to see if this will even out the band a bit.
I find that underwires are uncomfortable to wear for extended lengths of time as the sheer weight of my breasts means that regardless of bra design or underwire quality, it seems that the wires will dig into my torso and rub after a while, especially if I get sweaty. While I am not pregnant/nursing, this seemed like it may be a comfortable alternative for around the house. I was expecting only light support, but I'd honestly consider this to be a medium level of support, and miles better than the 'mystery ahh bra type thing, size M' which I own. It's very soft, not too high under the arms, and actually gives a pleasing enough shape that I'd consider wearing it out of the house under a t-shirt.
I'll add some more notes to my review after I've worn the bra for a while, but I'm exceedingly happy with this Molke and would consider purchasing more if they are available in my size and a colour which interests me (I saw some really great rainbow unicorn ones on their Facebook which I'd love to buy if they did another run).
They now have Thundercups which is a step up from the Mega (covering LL-M+ UK.) Currently it's available in their new Rainbow one, as well as the Dark Navy or White. :-)
I'm definitely planning to pick up one of the new Thundercups. The rainbow is pretty much my dream bra aesthetic, and having a bit more room in the cup would be really nice.
I had originally bought this in one size down, basing my purchase on my UK size rather than the calculator that they base their bras on. This was a mistake and the other bra was way too small in the cups for me. If you are interested in purchasing one of these, go with the ideal size from the calculator they have linked through their site. For example, my ideal size on their calculator is a 26K, instead of the 28JJ that I would normally wear. 26K matches this size that ended up working for me.
My first thought putting this on is “I have cleavage?” This only happens ...to me when something smooshes my breasts together. The only separation that occurs in this bra is from placing the wrap portion between the breasts. This is slightly less irritating to my sensitive skin than the looper on my Decent Exposures bra. It is difficult to pull this bra on over one’s head, the band is less stretchy than a Decent Exposures bra.
The cups and band fit great on this, but the straps are extremely short. I am 5'4" and this feels like it was made for someone a lot shorter than me, judging by the cut of the armholes and the way the back rides up in order for me to get enough space in front. Hopefully it will soften up with repeated washing and wear. I really like the design and material on this bra. The cups are very soft and silky, and the band provides good support. It’s also great for sleeping in. My breasts always fall into my armpits lying on my back, this bra prevents some of that.
The only down side I’ve found to this bra is the materials do not dry quickly. It takes over 24 hours to dry in a humid climate, where my padded bras only take 24 hours. Given the lack of wireless options in this size range, this is a minor nitpick. This bra is another great wireless option. Read more 229 more words
Ahhh I really want one. Have to sign up for their newsletter as they never have my size in stock.
I really think they are awesome, I am waiting for the unicorn one to come back.
This looks so lovely. Soft and supportive: perfect wireless :-) :-)
I emailed them about the too short straps and they told me to up the band size and go down a cup size. I think I will stick with the size I have.
Speaking of unicorns! There will be a new unicorn print for sale on 12/13.
I think there is a trick to dealing with the short straps. Molke told me that a lot of people pull their breasts up into the cups. I tried this, pulled them in and then popped them out, then settled the fabric around them. It makes the strain from the straps less. Odd how that works.
I love the fabric pattern, and how nice to find another sleeping bra option! I was about to start the hunt again, but you may have saved me the trouble!
Yet again, I'm reviewing an original style Molke bra, and I will note yet again that Molke makes ethical, sustainable, wireless bras and swimsuits (and some other miscellaneous clothing) in sizes 26:1-48:19 (excluding 38:19,42:19,46:19, and 48:18-19). This is a band size (and cup size) down from my S SUPER - Molke » Uni-verse and in a fabric rating 1 instead of 3.
My shape: full on top, short roots, high set, very narrow/borderline Omega shaped, space between breasts, very soft breast tissue, pendulous, evenish to somewhat center fullness (5'1, short torso, store a lot of fat in my ribcage)
Ugh, ...I just had to have this print! SO pretty. Anyway, like I said on my S SUPER - Molke » Power Bra review, Molke's fabric ratings are weird in my experience. The Turtles and the Uni-verse feel like a similar firmness off my body. I figured I'd try an XS Super because this is labeled as a 1 and I'm between a 28 and 30, and it's fine but definitely tighter than my S Supers. I'd say you can wriggle around with your sizing a bit. XS Super is supposed to fit a 26HH-JJ or 28H-J. I'm closest to a 28HH, and the left cup digs ever so slightly into my boob. I think a lot of this has to do with my shape, though--I think if I had firmer tissue or was fuller on bottom it wouldn't do that. Also, not quite sure why this is--the straps on the Turtles feel shorter than on my other two Molkes. Is this a size thing? A firmness thing? A Turtles thing? Who's to say!
EDIT: Meant to add, original Molkes aren't exactly the most intuitive bras to get on, so I'd say if you have mobility issues and are between sizes, pick the bigger one.
Overall, my favorite of my Molkes fit-wise is my Uni-verse. Read more 214 more words
I was so excited to finally get my hands on one of these, but sadly, it doesn't fit. I selected this size based on what I thought my UK size was (28JJ). The band is tight, and it is difficult for me to pull over my head. Once I get it onto my ribcage, it is fine. The cups on this are hilariously small. I cannot fit my breasts into them. They just hang out of the bottom because the shoulder straps aren't long enough and don't stretch. When I tried to stuff my breasts into the cups, it was extremely tight and painful. I am completely flattened and if I was actually needing this for a nursing bra, it would fail in its purpose. There is no way for me to pull a breast out of the front.
I do like the pattern on the bra and I like the silky feel of it. Sadly this will have to be returned. I'd like to try this one again in an XS-Mega.
Sorry that it didn't fit. :( Maybe it was intuition when I mistakenly suggested the Mega they had in stock a month or so back?!? ;)
Ugh. So disappointing. Sounds similar to the Kindred Bravely bras, but with less breast accessibility. Sigh.
I’m still trying to find the perfect wireless. Any recommendations?
How disappointing! I'm really happy with my Molke, I hope the Mega may be better for you.
Aside from Molke, you could look at Decent Exposures maybe? I know that dbmamaz used to wear these bras exclusively, so she might be able to give you some help/insight into what size/style to pick.
dbmamaz - I realised when I checked again my previous comment didn't tag properly for some reason.
Ereshiy I have one, and it works great except pre-shark week, when the looper irritates me. The looper is actually too wide for me.
How annoying! It's really difficult to find a decent wireless bra in this size range.
Yet again, I'm reviewing an original style Molke bra, and I will note yet again that Molke makes ethical, sustainable, wireless bras and swimsuits (and some other miscellaneous clothing) in sizes 26:1-48:19 (excluding 38:19,42:19,46:19, and 48:18-19). This is the same size as my S SUPER - Molke » Uni-verse but in a fabric rating 2 instead of 3.
My shape: full on top, short roots, high set, very narrow/borderline Omega shaped, space between breasts, very soft breast tissue, pendulous, evenish to somewhat center fullness (5'1, short torso, store a lot of fat in my ribcage)
Yeah, I don't know what ...the deal is with the fabric ratings. This 2 feels less firm than the Uni-verse in 3 but also feels less firm than the other Molke I got recently, the XS SUPER - Molke » Turtles which is supposedly a 1. And I do mean that on a fabric level--off my body, this one feels less firm. Fortunately, I got this one as a sleep bra, so it doesn't matter, but I wouldn't really want to wear this one around as a regular bra. It just feels and looks loose--you can see the gaping in the pictures and my boobs can slip quite a bit below my IMF.
Overall, my favorite of my Molkes fit-wise is my Uni-verse.
One final note: this bra is so pretty! I didn't think I was gonna like its look, but its colors are just so vibrant. The pictures don't do it justice. Read more 149 more words
Thundercups Navy in XS This is my first time trying the Molke brand, and I decided to try it out in two patterns and sizes, the Galaxy Unicorn in XS Mega and the new Thundercups in Navy size XS both reviewed separately.
So, what can I say about the Molke bras? Well, let’s start with a general review of the style of bra. There is no adjustment to the “straps” as it is all the same material and not really straps. The back of the bra is a single solid piece, with seams at the sides under the arms and at the shoulder area. The band is 1.25” wide, ...and is a single piece, as this is a pull over type bra. It is marketed as a nursing bra, but sold as a universal comfortable lounge bra for all ages. The “gore” is simply created by the cups overlapping at the center, so take the gore measurement as a general ballpark and not a solid measurement. There are no wires in this bra, and is made of 95% cotton and 5% elastane.
Molke states on their site they us the Boob or Bust site for sizing calculations, and this should have made me leery, as that site’s sizing chart is insane, but I’ll save that rant for a later time. So now on to the bra specifics!
The Thundercups is the newest edition to the Molke family of bras. It is in reference to the cup size, which is intended to cover the larger cup sizes, around the KK to N range, varying slightly dependant on the band. The description on their site states it’s been tested to a UK size P, but I find that to be an unbelievable claim. I ordered it in the XS, which is supposed to cover the 26-28” band and the L through N cup (with the Mega now covering J-KK.) The Thundercup was available for preorder only in White, Navy, and Rainbow, but doesn’t seem to be on their site currently. I am not sure if this is a temporary removal as they wait for feedback on fit, or if the pre-sales were not enough for them to add this cup size as a regular feature. The difference between their normal cup range (Regular to Mega) aside from size is that the Thundercup comes with a seam in the cup, while the rest of the sizes are a seamless cup. This seam is diagonal from the band at the wing to the center near the top of the breast.
The Navy color of this bra is dark. Really dark. We’re talking it looks black it’s so dark. I love black, so this isn’t a bad thing for me. The cups fit nicely but there’s not much room for expansion, so I can’t see them working for anyone with a much larger bust than I am, though taller roots would fit in there nicely.
Trying to get this thing on (and off) was an impossible solo task, requiring my husband’s assistance. The band measures 21.5” and stretches to 31” so as you can imagine it took some creative maneuvering to get my 41” bustline around this band and into the cups. This bra is 10.5” tall from band to top of straps. While this is ½” taller than the Mega, it would be more comfortable if it was a bit taller. Yet, there is some vertical give (very little) which did allow me to get the band below by breasts, though again, it took some force and a partner to achieve this feat.
Like with the Galaxy Unicorn XS Mega, the band rides up in the back, but I couldn’t get it over my boobs if they were any tighter. After discussing this with Sovavosi, we’ve concluded that this is a combination of the stretchier band and the short height, which results in the breasts pulling down in the front and, without that flexibility of the straps due to no adjustment ability, it forces the back to ride up.
The gore when flat measures 5.25” tall but only 4.5” when on due to the breast separation. This will vary based on breast size and shape obviously, but gives you a general idea.
I actually like this one. Once I get it on, it is fairly comfortable. The shortened height does cause some pressure on my shoulders, and I can’t imagine it will be comfortable for all day wear, and would ultimately result in a headache & neck pain. But, I bought it for sleeping, not day wear, so hopefully it won’t be an issue.
Thanks for this review! I am now waiting for the same bra to arrive and really hope it fits me. How do you feel about actually using it for nursing?
This one should work well for nursing as long as your breasts aren't too compressed. I tried the Mega cup as well, which was so painfully compressive there would have been no way it would work for nursing. This one was far more accommodating for sure.
Update: After wearing this a couple times (for sleeping) I find the large seam under the breasts horribly uncomfortable. While this may be acerbated by the fact that the whole bra is too short for me, it definitely is not something I enjoy sleeping in. The seam is worse than Panache underwires, so if you have sensitive skin, this is not a bra for you. :-/
There's so much variation in bodies! Seeing this on you makes me suspect that my Thundercup order is going to be on the tall side in the cup area. My breasts are short-rooted and high set. I guess this is the downfall of having a non-adjustable strap area.
I saw the customer service mention on their Facebook that they are looking into some options regarding strap length in the future as a possibility.
Ereshiy, I tried the Mega cup after the manufacturing change and I feel it actually is a bit smaller in the cup on top than the previous incarnation, so YMMV on the new thundercups.
I'll just have to see how I go. I did think the announcement of 'up to P cup' seemed a bit enthusiastic, but I don't need a whole lot more room than what was provided in the old Mega, which I do hope the new Thundercup will provide.
More closed on top may actually solve some problems for me as I could do with a bit less room at the top of my current Mega, as long as there is still room in the centre. I have the problem which I do with all bras, which is that I need a lot of room for the fullest part of my breasts which are very projected, but they are just so short! A slight difference between root width and root height adds up to a really dramatic difference in fit when you're in my size range I think. I won't be able to tell until I actually receive my bra. Shipping always takes a little while to get to Australia, so I'll just have to be patient until it shows up!
I wish you good luck!
Ereshiy Hopefully it will work well for you. They've got to fit someone perfectly after all! Unfortunately that's not me or Sovavosi, but we can hope it will be a great fit for you. :-)
Galaxy Unicorn in XS Mega This is my first time trying the Molke brand, and I decided to try it out in two patterns and sizes, the Galaxy Unicorn in XS Mega and the new Thundercups in Navy size XS both reviewed separately.
So, what can I say about the Molke bras? Well, let’s start with a general review of the style of bra. There is no adjustment to the “straps” as it is all the same material and not really straps. The back of the bra is a single solid piece, with seams at the sides under the arms and at the shoulder area. The band is 1” ...wide, and is a single piece, as this is a pull over type bra. It is marketed as a nursing bra, but sold as a universal comfortable lounge bra for all ages. The “gore” is simply created by the cups overlapping at the center, so take the gore measurement as a general ballpark and not a solid measurement. There are no wires in this bra, and is made of 95% cotton and 5% elastane.
Molke states on their site they us the Boob or Bust site for sizing calculations, and this should have made me leery, as that site’s sizing chart is insane, but I’ll save that rant for a later time. So now on to the bra specifics!
The Galaxy Unicorn is an awesome galaxy pattern with Unicorns on it. I love the galaxy print! It is beautiful and fits my personality perfectly. I don’t mind the unicorns, but would have preferred just the galaxy print personally.
I ordered this in the XS Mega, the smallest band and largest cup this pattern is available in, which is supposed to be for 26-28” band and for a UK J to KK cup. I would have to disagree strongly with this, as my most common size is a 28KK and this one is not meant for my breasts at all! The compression is so tight and painful, it is horrible, and I actually worried it might pop my implants. Yes, it was that tight. These cups are seriously small, and I find it difficult to think it would even fit a 26/28JJ cup. I really wish Molke would do this one in the Thundercup.
Trying to get this thing on (and off) was an impossible solo task, requiring my husband’s assistance. The band measures 21.5” and stretches to 31” so as you can imagine it took some creative maneuvering to get my 41” bustline around this band and into the cups. The whole bra is 10” tall from the band to the top of the shoulder area. So seriously short. If I measure 10” down from the top of my shoulders, that 10” marker is above my nipple, so I was not being optimistic when putting this one on. Yet, there is some vertical give (very little) which did allow me to get the band below by breasts, though again, it took great force and a partner to achieve this feat. I am used to my cups alone being that tall, not the whole bra, haha. I am starting to believe I have taller &/or lower set breasts than I previously thought…….
The band rides up in the back, but I wouldn’t be able to get it over my boobs if it was any tighter. After discussing this with Sovavosi, we’ve concluded that this is a combination of the stretchier band and the short height, which results in the breasts pulling down in the front and, without that flexibility of the straps due to no adjustment ability, it forces the back to ride up.
The gore when flat measures 5” tall but only 4.25” when on due to the breast separation. This will vary based on breast size and shape obviously, but gives you a general idea.
I kind of feel like I’m wearing a slingshot, and not in a good way. Hopefully the cups will soften and stretch, yet not the band if I’m lucky. I’d love to wear this one but it won’t be possible without it giving some in the cup. But hey, maybe it will work as a high impact compression sports bra for me!
I’m trying to see the silver lining in this purchase and remain optimistic, but I am not thinking that I will be able to make this bra usable without modifications of some sort, with the first being convert the back of this bra to a hook and eye closure to allow for putting it on and taking it off without a helper, followed by adding some height to the overall bra. I’m thinking if the bra was taller, maybe the cups wouldn’t be so small and compressed, but I could be wrong with that theory.
I could not imagine a nursing mother attempting to get this bra on, let alone being able to free a breast for feeding.
If you look at their models, they are showing quite a bit of cleavage. They told me that this size was too big on me because I don't have any. I think that the company is mistaken on their sizing, after seeing you in this one.
Cleavage on the Thundercups is okay, but this one is beyond ouch. The compression is horridly painful. So, I must agree with you! Besides, different breasts produce different looks in regards to cleavage so it's really silly for them to guage fit on cleavage! Not every woman can achieve cleavage afterall, and we know fit vs fail regardless.
I feel like I'm getting repetitive on these original Molke bra reviews. They are my favorite wireless bras.
Let's just copy some basics from another review, shall we? The wrap structure creates separation, and the wide band, straps, and back keep everything in place. It lifts well for a non-wired bra, and it's also minimizing. Neither the straps nor the back are adjustable, so it may not work as well for taller folks as it does for my petite self. It's also more difficult to get on than bras that fasten in the back. If you have limited mobility, this may not be the bra for you. If you ...hate feeling hooks and eyes on your back, however, you'll love it. I don't normally sleep in a bra, and usually can't stand it, but with the lack of fasteners and minimal seams, I could sleep in this one. Molke uses a somewhat unique sizing system, but their sizing chart is pretty straightforward if you know your UK size. It's a huge range of sizes. Another thing to note about Molke bras is that they are machine washable. They can't go in the dryer, though.
Now, onto the specifics for this bra. Molke rates the firmness of this fabric at a 2, which is medium. I'm not sure I agree with them. It feels as firm as my level 3 black bra, not as soft as my level 2 white bra. This is not a loose bralette, but a supportive non-wired bra that will keep things in place even through light exercise. Maybe this will change with wear? We shall see! Regardless, the difference between fabric levels doesn't seem to be that much. I feel well supported in both level 2 and level 3 (haven't tried any in level 1 to compare).
Pictures do not do this fabric justice. The watercolor turtle pattern is absolutely gorgeous. The colors are soft enough that I suspect this will work under most of my light-colored clothes. The lining is a nice turquoise shade, and I wish they'd lined the back as well as the front to make it reversible. Read more 244 more words
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. Read more 529 more words
I originally was not going to review this bra, but this is the first Molke I've received after they changed their manufacturing process. There are slight differences between this and my two others that are worth going over.
This bra's fabric feels similar but not the same as the Tropical and Galaxy Unicorn ones. They probably have different types of fabric per print, as they say that each print will stretch differently. This bra still has too short straps, and it rides up badly in the back. I am hesitant to say that it fits, as the upper portion of the bra cuts into my boobs where the seams ...are, about 3" down from my collar bones. Because of my shape there is no quadboob, but I can feel it cutting in regardless.
The overlap panel seems to be further over than the previous models. This makes taking out the right breast to readjust or for breastfeeding difficult. Combined with the stiffer fabric, it's not comfortable or easy to put on. The band is not very stretchy and it is difficult to get this over one's shoulders to put on. I can do it solo, but it takes some wrangling and feels like I am going to dislocate a shoulder. When on, the band feels fairly supportive, but I don't think it is thick enough to deal adequately with the weight of heavier breasts. Short straps + thin band == lots of pressure on the shoulders.
I generally wear these for sleeping, but during the times I want to wear a wireless bra while standing I don't think Molke is a good choice because it cannot be customized like Decent Exposures. Read more 170 more words
Welp, it’s no good lying down or sitting. I feel like I’m being crushed. Bummer.
Did the seam of the band (where the "bra" & band meet) bother you? It ended up being horrible for me, so after 2 attempted wears the Molke has officially been moved to my never wear tub. :-/
Sorry this one didn't work for you either.
It doesn’t bug me but the overlap on this one does.
For those unfamiliar with Molke, see my other reviews of these. If you're looking for a size inclusive, supportive wire-free bra, these things are amazing.
I've put on a couple pounds and am now between sizes. I'm still wearing XS Super as well, just trying out the bigger cup in some of the firmer fabrics. For anyone else in the same boat, I'll note that the smaller cup feels like it lifts a bit more, allows less jiggling, and works better with low-cut shirts. The downside with the smaller cup is that my bigger boob slips out a bit and the seams can dig in. The larger cup is ...fuller coverage, keeping both boobs contained, and the seams don't dig in as much, but I feel a little less lifted. Both are comfortable.
For those familiar with Molke, Pride is a nice firm fabric. About the same as uni-verse. The lining is a really soft light blue fabric. I'm not sure if it's true for all of them, but on this one at least, the stripes on the cups are really symmetrical. Read more 72 more words
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. Read more 410 more words
Another Molke style, another Molke sizing system. The size chart on their website for this one goes by UK dress sizes. I have no idea whether that works or not; I find dress sizes too inconsistent to even try to figure out what mine is. On their Facebook group, a lot of people suggest going with the size that matches your band size in the original Molke bra, which is the better way to go. If you've never worn Molke bras before, find your band size on the size chart for the original bra, then use that band size for the racerback. If you're between sizes or toward ...the lower end of a size range, consider sizing down. I'm a 28 band and find the XS comfortable, but I wouldn't be surprised if the 2XS also fit me. For those on the larger end of the band sizes, these things go up all the way to 4XL, which would be something like a 56 band (this is bigger than the original Molke bands go).
The racerback comes in two styles: mighty and epic. Mighty is low cut, epic is fuller coverage. Think of these as small and large cup sizes. Small boobs will fit in the mighty, big ones will fit in the epic. Smaller sizes can wear the epic as a longline, but you'll lose support because the band will be so far down. For me, the epic seems a bit too big, but I'm not sure whether that's because my HH/J boobs are around the middle of the range of sizes Molke covers, or if it's because I'm petite and the back and straps are too big for me. I'll probably try shortening the straps.
Support is nothing like the Molke original, or even their flexi-size bra. This is 100% a lounge bralette, with minimal support. There is no separation at all. I would wear it to run out and grab the mail, but not to go to the store, and definitely not to work. If you're not looking for support or separation, this is a very comfortable bralette with a much better size range than the typical cheap bralettes on the market. If you want support, stick with the original Molke bra.
A couple things I haven't tried myself, but have seen on the facebook page: -The racerback can be combined with the original Molke bra for exercise. The original provides the support, and the racerback goes over it for coverage and bounce control. I'm planning to try this but haven't had a chance yet. -The Power pattern fabric is firmer and more supportive than the others. Molke may be switching the other colors to the firmer fabric, too, but they haven't said when. Read more 344 more words
I usually wear a UK32H with most brands, and took the size calculator on the site to be recommended a bra size of UK32JJ and their size of a M/Super. Partially ignoring this information (because 32JJ is ridiculously oversized on me), and taking into account that a lot of reviews stated that the band was quite loose, I looked at the size guide and determined that a size S/Super would be more ideal for me.
Visually the bra is really beautiful, with the unicorn galaxy print I was itching to get, but once it was on (which took quite a while because big bust and small rib cage make ...for awkward pulling on without a hook and eye closure) I wasn't feeling too great. First of all, the straps were incredibly short. By design, they seem to be made for the small pixie women the site always mentions. (I have a long torso for my 1,72m/5'8" height). It is so short that I felt the bra was determined to make my boobs start at my collarbones, rather than where they actually start; at about the height of my armpits. Because of this my center-heavy tissue felt the need to escape out the middle at the (by design) non-existent gore. Then there was the issue of the band being too loose in the back and it riding up (despite my sizing down), but being too tight in the front where I actually needed it. Turns out I have a need for two different band sizes in this brand... I'd say this is a no-fit for me, mainly because my tissue is way too soft for something with hardly any construction to give me enough support, when not even regular bras can provide this for me. If I had firmer tissue I'd at least consider altering the band of a larger size to fit tighter in the back, but I'm not seeing a good future with this bra. I'm sending it back and hoping that someone else has a better experience with it.
Edit: In hindsight the cups were probably too small for me. I have now been wearing an M Super and while it feels alright with the fit (absolutely amazing in the comfort department though, because no wires means I have barely any chafing in the summer), the band is riding up in the back and the straps still feel quite short. Someone has pointed out to me that a bigger cup size might help so I am soon going to get an M Mega and S Mega to compare. Read more 319 more words
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. Read more 548 more words
This is my favorite Molke fit-wise thus far. The fabric is not as firm as the Turtles and the cups are a little taller. See my other Molke reviews for more details.
Here I am reviewing another Molke Original. For those unfamiliar with the brand, Molke makes wireless bras in a huge range of sizes. They use their own sizing system, with bands going from XS (26-28) to 2XL (44-48) and cups from Stellar (A-DD, approximately, depending on band size) to Thunder (L-M, approximately, depending on band size). They're sustainable, ethical, and impressively inclusive. Shipping outside the UK is a bit pricy and takes a couple weeks, but I find it worth it since nothing comes close in comfort and support. I usually wear a 28HH/28J in conventional bras, and the XS Super fits me perfectly.
This one is their cherry ...lace pattern, which is a printed design that looks like black lace on a red background. I had my doubts about how good it would look since it isn't really lace, but it's actually very pretty. The pictures turned out a bit dull and don't quite do it justice. If you want a bra to show through a sheer black top or something like that, this one would be perfect. It's also a nice bra if you want something comfortable but a bit sexy - my partner finds the set attractive, at least. The color of the pattern does get a bit lighter when the fabric is stretched since it's a dark design printed on white fabric. This isn't noticeable at all in the front of the bra because it has a black lining, but it's visible on the back. You'll also see this effect with the matching undies, so you may want to size up on those if you're between sizes. The briefs are very stretchy, but they do seem to run a hair on the snug side (or maybe my butt is just that big).
In terms of support, Molke rates this fabric as a 2, which is their medium, everyday level. It's noticeably less tight than my unicorn Molke, but snugger than my white one. I find the support to be equivalent to a wired bra, better than most non-wired bras. The only other non-wired bra that I get this good of support from is the Bravissimo Flora. I can chase my children and dog around in this bra without worrying about excessive bouncing or my boobs falling out, but I wouldn't do an intense workout in it. Support comes from a snug band and a wide back, so it isn't as much weight on the shoulders as some wireless bras.
I find it comfortable to wear all day, and I could sleep in it if I had to, though I don't normally wear bras to sleep. There are a couple things that might be problems for others, though. First, the straps don't adjust, so if you have low roots or a longer torso, these bras might not work for you. Second, there are some thick seams on the interior that could bother someone with sensory concerns. Wearing the bra inside out will solve the seam problem, but if you're doing that, you'll want to stick with the solid color bras since the patterns are only on one side. Finally, this is a pullover style that takes a bit of wriggling to get into because of the snug band. That may not work if you have mobility concerns.
Under clothes, Original Molkes are all fairly minimizing. The cups are very full coverage and the back comes up high as well, so these won't work with all clothes. The crossover center is fairly low, so they work well under a button down shirt or a v-neck, but they're not so great with wide or low necklines. There are no seams on the cups, making them very smooth under a thin top. The crossover "gore" in the middle creates good separation, meaning none of the dreaded wireless bra mono-boob. Read more 528 more words
This is my unicorn bra. Literally. It's super comfortable, it fits perfectly, it supports my giant boobs, and it has space unicorns on it.
So, for those not already familiar with Molke, this is their original bra style. It's a wireless bra with a wrap front that functions sort of like the gore of a wired bra to keep the breasts separate. Support comes from a thick, sturdy band, a wide back, and wide straps. I find the support as good as a wired bra. The shape is a bit different than a typical wired bra - more minimized, less separated, but about the same lift. Nothing is adjustable, ...meaning that it may not work for taller folks or anyone who has trouble putting things on that have to be pulled over the head. With the tight band, it does take a bit of wiggling and reaching it get it on. Once it's on, though, it's staying in place. While there are seams around the edges of the cups and the band, there are no seams on the cups themselves, and the material is a nice soft cotton, so this should be a good bra if you have sensory issues or want something to sleep in. The wrap front allows for breastfeeding. It is machine washable (just keep it out of the dryer). It's full coverage, so it may not work under some low necklines, but the smooth cups disappear under even thin t-shirts. In short, it's a great everyday wireless bra that comes in a huge range of sizes.
Molke rates their fabric by level of firmness, and this one is a 3, which is the firmest. They say it can work as a sports bra. Not sure I'd run in it, but it's perfect for lower impact exercise like yoga, yard work, or hiking. The size is consistent with my other XS Super Molke bras - perfect for me at a 28 HH, and it handles size fluctuation with my periods just fine. I'm comfortable wearing this bra all day, and while I prefer to sleep without one, I could sleep in this one if I had to.
Did I mention it has space unicorns? The fabric is really, really pretty. Dark shades of purple, pink, and blue on a black background. It warms my geeky, bisexual heart. Really, I would be equally happy with just the space print minus the unicorns, since it's such a gorgeous pattern, but the unicorns add a whimsical touch that's a lot of fun. Read more 311 more words
Great review! What a success finding a wireless bra that does everything. It almost sounds too good to be true but looks like it is! Congrats! Also is this Unicorn Universe print?!? OMG I never thought of that combo but it's awesome! I totally want one too. :D