Design and Quality: This bra is clearly very well made. The stitching is done superbly, and the main fabric of the bra is a beautiful light, silky, breathable fabric. However, the fabric of the band seems like it might 'ball up' in the wash, unfortunately. Perhaps not in a lingerie bag. Being a sports bra, the design is very simple, but the seams almost look like intentional patterns so that's nice.
Straps: Oooh, padded straps! Love the idea of them and they're just as comfy as I expected. This bra seems to sit too low on my chest, but I would not blame an insufficient amount of strap ... adjustment for this issue. When the straps are adjusted to their shortest, I don't think I would want them to go much shorter. If they could be adjusted shorter, the top edge of the bra may come up uncomfortably high and the sides may cut into the underarms more.
Cups: I measure as a 32GG, but bought the 34GG after being advised by Bratabase users that this bra runs small in both cup and band. The cups push my boobs up very high, almost to my collar bones, leaving the lower portion of the bra quite empty and causing the bra to cut into the breast tissue that has been pushed up at the top and sides. This feels uncomfortable and looks unflattering. The bra cuts in at the sides more than the top, making it mildly painful there, and where it cuts in at the top it simply puts a little strain on my breathing. Because there is no underwire, I'm sort of confused as to wear my boobs are supposed to sit. At the front, the lowest point of the horizontal seams which sit under each breast are only just above my underbust. Then there's like 3" of empty wrinkling fabric! In photos of other women wearing this style, their breasts seem to fill the entire bottom section almost right up to the band. I feel like this size might work if all my breast tissue sat lower on my chest. I don't consider my breasts high-set or full on top, but I've definitely got more breast tissue filling the top portion of this bra that the lower portion. From the side, my boobs certainly look compressed, but not unflatteringly so. Despite the tissue at the top and sides, a nice round shape is indeed created.
Support: Oh boy! Despite the fit issues, the support is still incredible. I jumped around and had a quick run to the top of my street and back- enough to test out its basic capabilities without getting sweat on this bra since I don't think I'm keeping this size. I was very impressed. I actually purchased the bra for light exercise like walking and yoga, but feel I could absolutely use it for jogging too. I felt almost no bounce and like zero impact pain.
Band: With the way the bra cuts in under the arms, my arms are too restricted in this bra to get the back done up as I usually would (last) so I had to do the old 'round the waist do up first. No big deal, really, but made it a bit difficult to get up and over my boobs and settled into place. On a hot day, getting into it would probably give me a panic attack though. It felt tight in the back getting it on and into place but less so after. The band does still feel very snug as the fabric has little give. I measure 32" comfortably, but bought the 34 because it was said to fit like a 32. I does feel as snug as a 32 to me, but it rides up at the back and the band at the front folds over on itself. I can also fit my whole hand under the band with a little effort.
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Updated on Apr 10, 2014 Flag this