Xiphoid

This is an unlined lace/mesh plunge bra.

About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* wide-set (3 fingers width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* short roots
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame

Fit:
* Strap separation: good
* Straps adjust short enough: yes
* ... Band length: slightly tight
* Band Height: borderline short (tiny axillary skin spillage)
* Cup fit: BAD. Wide-set, triangular cups that barely covered the nipple. This shape would be good for wide-set breasts with nipples point out to the sides, but NOT my wide-set breasts that point forward. Nipples popped out during scoop & sweep. I could tuck them back in, but am afraid they would escape with activity. Cup smooth along top line (really the middle edge of the cup since the "top" line is nearly vertical). Bottom filled nicely. Gave nice shape to breasts.
* Gore fit: Really good.
* Wire length: GOOD (This is a toughy for me. I need long wires for wide-set breast tissue but am petite so many long wires poke into the armpit.)
* Cup width: Good. Wider than most. (Most cups aren't wide enough.)

Misc:
* The lace on the band was scratchy, not soft, even kinda itchy. I have sensitive skin, but rarely have an issue with bra bands. I am careful with detergents & cosmetics but don't worry about fabrics so this was a surprise. (It's probably been 20 years since the last time I tried on an itchy bra.)
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 04, 2019 Flag this

ABOUT THIS BRA
This is an unpadded, non-stretch, seamed, wireless, full cup, bullet bra.

Purchasing:
* $16.04 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns
* Not available with Amazon Wardrobe.
* Available in black, white, and beige only.
* Available in US sizes 34-48 B-DD only.

Band:
* Most of the band is constructed of a non-stretch, woven, smooth, opaque cotton-poly blend fabric. The top of the band has firm, non-stretch seaming. The bottom of the fabric is banded with elastic. However, the elastic can barely stretch because it is firmly attached to the non-stretch fabric. (This fabric is similar to a starched men’s dress shirt – flexible with a crisp ... hand.)
* Near the hooks, the band changes to wide elastic, 1" long (one piece on each side so 2" total).
* At the gore and underneath cups, the band is one layer of stretch mesh.
* Wing support: no seaming nor boning.
* Full band - band is straight beneath wires.
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.

Straps:
* smooth, non-stretch, woven poly-cotton
* soft (don’t stand up on their own)
* full adjust
* straight back (not leotard)
* center pull
* front adjust
* padding for straps – slides along strap, not a fixed position, 3.6 cm wide
* Adjustment slider is complex. Don’t expect to adjust the strap length while wearing the bra. But once set is very, very secure. These straps won’t get longer as the day goes on!

Cups:
* seamed full cup
* No special side support.
* No underwire.
* Inner top edge of cup is two layers of stretch mesh. The edge is folded so there is no seaming or edge banding.
* Outer top edge of cup is a continuation of the non-stretch poly-cotton band fabric and non-stretch seaming at the top of the band. It is actually all one piece; there is no vertical seam to separate the top edge of cup and the band. This made measuring cup width & depth tricky. I used the ends of the horizontal seaming as measurement points.
* The remainder of the cut-and-sewn cup is the same non-stretch, poly-cotton fabric.
* Soft cups (no padding or molding).


ABOUT ME: petite with wide, horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection (not shallow nor super projected)
* average-set (one finger width of space between breasts)
* wide roots (extend to the mid-axillary line)
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* short root height, average vertical placement
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FoB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
* front (anterior) rib flares (not usually a fit issue, but I like that longlines make them disappear)


FIT DETAILS

Band:
* way too big
* wings: too high, touches axillary fossa (armpit crease)

Gore: Height & width fine.

Straps:
* Not too far apart.
* Adjust short enough.

Cups:
* Wide enough.
* Breast pushes wing away from body (wing just covers, doesn’t support, probably b/c too big).
* Top of cup: gaps (expects more upper fullness)
* Bottom of cup filled (enough immediate projection at wire)
* Cup apex: too deep
* Shaping: Unsupported breasts sag below band.
* Tail of Spence enclosed but happy.


ASSESSMENT & PLAN
* Band & cups too big. (Cup volume might be ok, if bra could keep boob inside cup.)
* I would try a 30- or 32-band, but they aren’t made. STOP.

* Found this bra while browsing Amazon for projected styles. Super cheap (<$20).
* Almost no measurements in Bratabase so size was a total guess.
* I would recommend this bra for a woman with very wide and very projected breasts (in the manufactured size range of 34-48 B-DD) looking for a bullet bra. The tall cups would suit a long torso and/or low-set breasts.
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White colorway

Updated on Jul 27, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $56 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (some sizes/colors are on Amazon Wardrobe)
* fun, non-neutral colors are available

Band:
* Single layer of stretch opaque knit from seaming to clasps.
* Between outer edge of wire and wing-support seaming has a black, non-stretch lace outer and a gray, non-stretch mesh lining. Gore has same construction.
* elastic at top of band
* soft seaming for wing support
* continuous band - wires lower than wings
* back closure
* 3 columns of hooks

Straps:
* ridged elastic
* stiff (stand up on their own)
* full adjust
* leotard back

Cups:
* 2-seamed (3-section) balconette
* unpadded, very stiff underwire
* All panels are constructed of a black ... stretch lace. The top of cup is unlined. The remainder of the cup is lined with a gray non-stretch mesh.
* soft cups (no molding or padding)


Fit

About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* wide-set (3 fingers width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* short root height, average vertical placement
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
* front (anterior) rib flares

Band:
* length: stays in place with wear
* wings: too short, boobs escape
* no axillary skin spillage

Gore: Comfortable, tacks, good spacing, height fine.

Cups:
* Gave a wide, oval shape.
* Wires wide enough (SO RARE!!)
* Smooth line at top of cup on larger breast. (Wrinkles on smaller breast.)
* wrinkles at bottom the cup (not enough immediate projection at the wire)
* fit was too bad to judge projection
* Upper, outer edge of cups cut into armpit.

Straps:
* not too far apart, slip
* adjust short enough

Comfort & Fit Summary
* Recommended for wide and even fullness, but gave an unflattering shape.
* Didn't bother trying other sizes.
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black colorway

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Updated on Jul 06, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $40.07 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* Available in fun colors only. No black, white, or beige.

Band:
* One layer of stretch mesh.
* Elastic at top of band.
* Wing support: seaming
* Continuous band - wires lower than wings.
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.

Straps:
* smooth elastic
* full adjust
* leotard back

Cups:
* 2-seam (3-piece) half cup
* Called a balconette but the cup edge is diagonal, not horizontal, so a half cup, not a balconette.
* unpadded underwire
* All pieces are constructed of a non-stretch mesh. Unlined.
* Soft cups (no molding or padding).


Fit

About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, ... slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* wide-set (3 fingers width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* short root height, average vertical placement
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
* front (anterior) rib flares

Band:
* length: way too big
* wings: too short, boobs escape
* axillary skin spillage

Gore: Comfortable, tacks, good spacing, height fine.

Cup:
* Gives breasts an horizontal oval shape.
* Wires wide enough (SO RARE).
* Top of cup smooth on larger breast. Slight wrinkles on smaller breast.
* Bottom of cup wrinkles (not enough projection at the wire).

Straps:
* WAY too far apart, slip
* adjust short enough

Assessment and Plan:
* Band too big.
* Didn't try other sizes, because I tried them in the Tango II (model 3251) which is supposed to be the same cut.
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fushia colorway

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Updated on Jul 08, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $78 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* sometimes non-neutral colors are available
* Chantelle uses French sizing. Bratabase displays this brand using European sizing. This review is for a UK 32DD (US 32DD, EU 70E, FR 85E).

Band:
* Outer layer is a beige stretch mesh. Inner layer is a pink, nearly opaque stretch knit.
* elastic at top of band
* no seaming nor boning for wing support
* continuous band - wires lower than wings
* back closure
** 4 columns of hooks

Straps:
* smooth elastic
* soft (don't stand up on their own)
* full adjust
* leotard back

Cups:
* 3-seamed (4-section) full cup (center pull straps) ...
* unpadded underwire
* The top panel is made of a beige mesh that stretches vertically much more than horizontally.
* Outer panel of cup (side support) is made with a beige mesh that stretches horizontally much more than vertically (opposite of the top edge of the cup).
* Rest of cup made with a non-stretch beige mesh.
* Top edge of cup is unlined. Rest of cup lined with a PINK, non-stretch mesh.
* soft cups (no molding or padding)


Fit

About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* wide-set (3 fingers width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* short root height, average vertical placement
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
* front (anterior) rib flares

Band:
* length: way too big (even on tightest hook)
* wings: too short, boobs escape
* no axillary skin spillage

Gore:
* tacks
* height fine
* separation fine

Cups:
* way too small, breasts look smashed
* cups too narrow (not even close)
* smooth line at top of cup (only because so much breast tissue is sitting outside the wire, pushed out by too small cups and giant band)
* wrinkles at bottom the cup (not enough immediate projection at the wire)
* fit was too bad to judge projection

Straps:
* feel far apart but don't slip
* adjust short enough

Comfort & Fit Summary
* band too big, cups too small
* Ordered a UK 32E at the same time (will review separately), hopefully will fit better.
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Suede (pink/nude) colorway

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Updated on Jul 06, 2019 Flag this

ABOUT THIS BRA
This is an unpadded, seamed, half cup, underwire bra with polka dots.
Note: The purchasing and construction details of this bra are identical to the 32F.

Purchasing:
* $68 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns
* Also available with Amazon Wardrobe.
* Available in black, beige, white, yellow, blue, and purple -- all with tone-on-tone polka dots.

Band:
* One layer of smooth (not dotted) stretch mesh.
* Wing support: seaming.
* Continuous band - wires lower than wings.
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.

Straps:
* smooth elastic with outer ridges
* soft (don’t stand up on their own)
* full adjust
* leotard back

Cups:
* 2-seam (3-piece) half cup
* unpadded, average strength underwire
* Inner top ... edge of cup is edged with elastic. Outer cup edge is non-stretch seaming.
* Top panel is stretch lace (unlined).
* All other panels are constructed of non-stretch mesh over a non-stretch, semi-opaque knit.
* Soft cups (no padding or molding).


ABOUT ME: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* average-set (one finger width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* short root height, average vertical placement
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
* front (anterior) rib flares


FIT DETAILS

Band:
* length: stays in place with wear but feels slightly loose (suspect will need to move to middle hook sooner than usual)
* wings: way too short

Gore: Tacks. Height & width fine.

Straps:
* Way too far apart. Slip.
* Adjust short enough.

Cups:
* Wires wide enough (unlike the 32F).
* Top of cup: wrinkles or gaps (expects more upper fullness)
* Bottom of cup: wrinkles or gaps (not enough immediate projection at wire)
* Cup apex: too deep
* Strong wires aren’t pushed down or out.
* Just covers boobs, doesn’t provide much shaping.
* Outer edge of cup cuts into Tail of Spence.


Assessment & Plan:
* Cups wide enough but too deep. Also tried -1 cup size (32F) which was too narrow but not as deep (still too deep). This model is too projected for me. STOP, SHAPE MIS-MATCH (too projected).
* Also, when will I stop trying half-cup styles? The straps are too wide-set for my petite frame -- slip and cut into tail of Spence.
* This style is recommended on r/abtf for FoB/even, wide-ish roots, above average projection, and rounding horizontal oval breasts. This should have checked so many of my fit boxes, but it didn’t.
* I recommend this model for FoT/even with above average projection and average (not narrow, not wide) roots and average to broad shoulders (not narrow). It probably would round-out horizontal oval breasts, if it is the correct width and depth.
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White colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 16, 2019 Flag this

This is a lined-lace underwire bra. It's labeled as a T-shirt bra, but I prefer a smooth moulded cup for under a tee. The shape of the cup would be best for breasts that are wide-set and nipples point out. I am wide-set but point straight forward so a scoop & sweep caused the nipple to pop out. I could tuck it back in, but am afraid of falling out with movement. Returned.

About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* wide-set (3 fingers width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* short roots
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 04, 2019 Flag this

By the numbers, this bra fit, but I returned it anyhow. I didn't like the shape it gave my breasts -- too flat, not perky. This shape might be great for someone with ample projection looking for minimization, but not for me.

About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* wide-set (3 fingers width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* short roots
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, ... not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame


Fit Details:
* Strap separation: good
* Straps adjust short enough: yes
* Band length: good
* Band Height: ok to borderline short (tiny axillary skin spillage)
* Cup fit: GOOD but BAD. Cup smooth along top line. Bottom filled nicely. Nice rounded shape (not conical) but too flat. Under a shirt, I looked like an A cup, not a D. Kinda like a sports bra with separation.
* Gore fit: Very good.
* Wire length: GOOD. (This is a toughy for me. I need long wires for wide-set breast tissue but am petite so many long wires poke into the armpit.)
* Cup width: Good. Wider than most. (Most cups aren't wide enough.)

Returned.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 04, 2019 Flag this

This review and measurements are for the "Magic Wire" version of this bra. It is a molded cup, full coverage bra with a nearly invisible wire that is heavily padded (approaching a push-up bra). In fact, it was tough to measure this bra because the wire is so hard to find. Wires end very quickly upon entering the gore. The "flexible silicone wire" is so flexible that it provides zero support. This caused the top of the gore to float and the wings to stick out at an odd angle (did not sit flat against the skin). Returned quickly.

Fit:
* Strap separation: ... fine
* Straps adjust short enough: yes
* Band length: good (However, elastic is only at the bottom of the band. Inadequate support along the top edge of the band.)
* Gore fit: Comfy, spaced well, top floats due to design issues.

* Cup fit: TERRIBLE. The combination of a worthless wire and stretchy band with no wing support caused the weight of the axillary breast tissue to push the wings out at an odd angle. This caused the gore to float with lateral gapping and medial quadding. Most bras gently push on the breast tissue. (I dare say that is a bra's function in life.) For this bra, the breast moves the bra. The cup tries to resist (since it is so thickly molded) but can't without assistance from the underwire and band. Hilarity ensues. (And a seriously fugly shape.)

* Band Height: borderline too short (tiny axillary skin spillage)
* Wire length: The wire is length is moot (it is too flimsy and padded to be offensive). However, the bra still pokes my armpit. There is a vertical side seam (maybe even boning) in the wing (presumably to add support; spoiler: it doesn't). This sucker pokes. This bra is marketed towards those that find underwires uncomfortable. Why heavily pad a flimsy underwire then make the side boning poke? Why o' why? (I am petite, so it's not uncommon for a long underwire to poke me in the armpit with movement.)

* Cup width: Ample. Since the breast tissue pushes the top of the band and underwire away from the body, there is oodles of space. Is this spillage? Gappage? A pocket for valuables? (Note: Don't put anything too valuable in there. It will fall out (along with your breast tissue) the first time you raise your arm.)

Pro: Looks great on the hanger.
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Updated on Jul 20, 2018 Flag this

ABOUT THIS BRA
This is a very sheer, seamless, molded, full cup, wired bra.

Purchasing:
* $45.85 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* Available in black, white, nude, and ten fun colors.

Band:
* Super stretchy
* Inner layer of stretch mesh. Outer layer of sheer, stretch knit.
* Wing support: no seaming or boning
* 3-piece band construction
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.

Straps:
* smooth elastic with lacy edges
* soft (don't stand up on their own)
* full adjust
* leotard back
* CENTER PULL

Cups:
* soft, molded, seamless, full cups
* unpadded, soft underwire
* Inner top edge of cup is edged with very stretchy elastic. Outer cup edge is non-stretch seaming.
* Made ... of one layer of a very sheer knit with only horizontal stretch. Unlined.
* Has an inner side support sling made of two layers of non-stretch mesh.


ABOUT ME: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* wide-set (3 fingers width of space between breasts)
* wide roots (extend to the mid-axillary line)
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* short root height, average vertical placement
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
* front (anterior) rib flares


FIT
Band:
* length: stays in place with wear
* wings: looks good immediately after scoop & sweep but tissue escapes with movement

Gore: Comfortable, tacks, good spacing, height fine.

Straps:
* feel widely placed but are not slipping
* adjust short enough

Cups:
* Wires enclose tissue nicely AT FIRST, but tissue migrates backwards with movement. (Wires can’t keep breast inside cup.)
* Top of cup: smooth line.
* Bottom of cup: wrinkles or gaps (not enough immediate projection at wire), wire pushed down b/c breast looking for space
* Cup apex: not deep enough (breasts being smushed into armpit)
* Side view: flat
* Front view: wide (east-west) – side support sling not effective
* Tail of Spence starts enclosed but escapes with movement. Once escaped, outer edge of cup cuts in.
* Don't be fooled by the stock photos. This fabric is very, very sheer. Everything shows. (This is a pro or a con, depending on your goals.)

ASSESSMENT & PLAN
* Cups not deep enough. Try +1 & +2 cup sizes (same band).
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Nude colorway

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Updated on Jul 27, 2019 Flag this