UPDATE 2: I think I have FINALLY made friends with this bra. I tightened the straps about 1/2-1 inch past what I thought was a good fit and it doesn't slip down as much. I may try tightening a bit more, but I think that is going to make the wires poke under the arms. At the level it is now, I can feel the wires, but they are not painful. I think I'm walking a fine line with this one and I think if I shorten the straps the poking will become bothersome. Hopefully I can find the "sweet spot". ...
I will say I still think the center gore is VERY high on this bra. That's because I'm used to more of a plunge style, I think. Much of my wardrobe is knit v-neck shirts, so the seams show through, the darkness of the bra shows through lighter colors, and with the center gore so high, I'm feeling it's rather visible. I can't see it in the mirror, but can when I look down. Maybe no one else can see it?
I am going to try sewing a bra liner for myself because now with the elastic on the front sewn up, the wires themselves are digging in. They are not very padded and I think sewing up the elastic has stretched the casing, making it provide even less cushion.
UPDATE: I thought I should update my review on this bra because my views have changed, as noted in the numerous comments below. This bra has taken a back seat to my too big band/too small cup bras I had been wearing because of comfort and ill fit. I have worked with it to try and make it wearable, but it just isn't fitting well. The elastic rolls under in front, cutting in. I have rolled it out and sewed it up so it does not roll under and cause pain anymore.
The major problem is that the bra slides down after and hour or 2 of wear, making my breasts droop, causing quad boob, the wide-set straps to cut in on the front of the arms, and major jiggle with each step since there's basically minimal support in that slipped-down position. I've added "after" pictures, where you can see the major difference when it slips down. I cannot be sure if it's a cup or band problem. The band could be too tight, although it's pretty comfortable after washing and wearing a few times. I have long, heavy breasts, so it could just be the leverage that heavy breasts sticking out that far in a bra is too much for the bra to hold up.
This bra, for me, starts out great and ends up MEH in a couple of hours. :-/
ORIGINAL POST: I've seen several rave reviews about this bra and finally got mine, in a 36J. I have to say, this bra is some kind of wonderful. If it came in 20 colors, I'd probably get them all. Sadly, as of now, there is only ONE color - a black bird print. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":-(" /> It's very pretty, but I doubt it would be acceptable under a white shirt at church.
While the bottom of the cups aren't quite full enough for me (still have some wrinkling and push-down of the wires under the cups from orange in a glass syndrome), I think it's just about as close to a perfect fit as I may ever come. Band is quite stiff, but it is still very new. It does seem to create less prominent back rolls than most bras because the mesh is stiffer and the elastic along the bottom and top edges of the band are thicker.
When I first put it on and looked down, I thought... wow, that's some forward projection right there. Think dual rocket boosters. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":-D" /> Seriously, there's like a parallel line between the cups actually LIFTING, POINTING FORWARD and SEPARATING my breasts instead of just splaying them east and west like most bras seem to do.
Also, the stretch lace on the top of the cups is very forgiving. I think it makes the cups more adjustable than most bras with nonstretchy material along the top edge. I've seen it referred to as a half cup with a stretch lace "guard" to keep soft breasts from falling out when you bend over. I agree with this description. I bent over as if to pick some things up from the floor, reached down with both arms a few times, and stood back up. Still completely contained. I can't say that about many bras.
I do have one complaint. The straps are too wide set. Because they are attached on the side of the cup instead of the front, they twist and the edge of the strap digs in and rubs a bit on the front of my arms and shoulders. However, I think attaching far at the sides is what gives you the forward projection instead of simply smashing the cup and breast tissue against you. I'm not sure how you could do that and not have the strap turn that direction. Most bras with "side support" seem to do this, but this one more so and perhaps the straps are set a little far back. I'm thinking straps placed 1/4 inch forward on the cup would alleviate the rubbing for me.
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Updated on Jan 17, 2013 Flag this
so curious what bras work for you because I recognize a lot of your issues!!