Xiphoid

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $35.25 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* Available in black, white, nude, and some fun colors.

Band:
* stretch mesh
* Elastic at top of band.
* Wing support: no seaming or boning
* 3-piece band construction
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.

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

Cups:
* seamless, soft full cups
* unpadded, flexible underwire
* Made of a very sheer knit with only horizontal stretch. Unlined.
* Has an inner side support sling made of two layers of stretch mesh. Covers just under half the cup.


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: height good
* no axillary skin spillage

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

Cups:
* WAY too big -- fabric covers breasts without providing any shaping.
* Wires wide enough (SO RARE).
* Top of cup wrinkles, despite elastic on the top edge of the cup. Cup is expecting WAY more upper fullness than I possess.
* Bottom of the cup wrinkles (because bra not providing any support).
* 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.)

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

Comfort & Fit Summary
* Band and cups too big.
* Try 32E & 32F. (Reviewed separately.)
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nude colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 08, 2019 Flag this

Wider wires than most. Straps rest at a natural place on the mid-shoulder -- comfy and don't slide. The lace on the top half of the cup is lined against the breast -- reduces itch and see-through.

Strap fabric is a super smooth neoprene-like fabric making it super smooth against the skin (not the usual piece of stretchy fabric with elastic at the top & bottom edges). This would be a great choice for someone that finds most bands itchy.

Reasonably priced and easily available (Amazon).

Contrary to the name, I don't think it minimizes anything. However, with the wide cups, this isn't a push-up ... bra.

Haven't had it long enough to comment on durability.

UPDATE 10 months later:
* Still looks brand new. Elastic parts still as tight as day one.
* Have been wearing about once per week. Is washed after 3-4 wears (fewer in the summer). Machine washed, cold water, inside lingerie bag, normal cycle, hang dry.
* The best bra I own for controlling contains that loose skin where the armpit meets the chest wall (a.k.a. armpit rolls, a.k.a. axillary skin spillage).
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black colorway

Updated on May 25, 2019 Flag this

Purchasing: $55 on Amazon, non-neutrals available

Band:
Continuous stretch mesh with elastic at top of band
Wing support: FIRM seaming
Back close with 3 columns of hooks
Fit: Length good but wing height too short

Gore: Comfortable, tacks, almost too close together

Cups:
3 piece, balconette made of non-stretch mesh lined with a soft non-stretch mesh
Unpadded underwire
Gives a pleasantly round, slightly projected shape
Fit: Wire sits on axillary breast tissue and gaps at top of cup (likely too projected for my shape)

Straps: ridged elastic, full adjust, leotard back

Fit under clothing:
Nearly invisible under tight tee.
Not visible under v-neck.
Visible under tank.

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
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Nude Dot colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 04, 2019 Flag this

ABOUT THIS BRA
This is a seamless, unpadded, full-cup, underwire NURSING bra.

Purchasing:
* Purchased while ~8 months pregnant guessing at my post-partum size. Guessed wrong so tried on but never wore.

Band:
* One layer of smooth stretch mesh.
* Wing support: seaming.
* Full band - band is straight beneath wires.
* Back close with 4 columns of hooks (yes, 4).

Straps:
* smooth elastic
* soft (don’t stand up on their own)
* full adjust
* leotard back
* single position nursing clasp - side squeeze style

Cups:
* seamless full cup (nearly a full cup, straps are just outside of apex)
* Inner support is a single circle (donut shaped) with a seam below the apex (not just the ... usual strap of elastic).
* unpadded, soft underwire
* Inner top edge of cup is edged with stretchy seaming. Outer cup edge is elastic that continues to top of band.
* Both inner and outer cups are contructed of a single layer of non-stretch, opaque knit.
* Soft, barely molded cups (no foam).
* Drop cup nursing access.


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)
* 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 (not usually a fit issue, but I like that longlines make them disappear)


FIT DETAILS
Note: This is how it currently fits me. I don’t remember how it fitted post-partum, just that it didn’t fit.

Band:
* length: band rides up
* wings: height good, smooth line

Gore: Tacks. Height & width fine.

Straps:
* Feel wide-set but don’t slip with movement.
* Adjust short enough.

Cups:
* Wire sits on axillary breast tissue.
* Top of cup: wrinkles or gaps (expects more upper fullness)
* Bottom of cup: wrinkles or gaps (not enough immediate projection at wire). Wire pushed down to find more cup depth.
* Cup apex: fits (not too deep, too shallow, nor off-center)
* Give a round, projected shape.


Assessment & Plan:
* Didn’t fit when nursing and never returned, probably due to new parent exhausion.
* Have weaned last child so no longer need. SELL.
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Beige colorway

Updated on Jul 16, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $23.19 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* not available in neutral colors (only bright, bold colors)

Band:
* One layer of stretch mesh outside boning (between boning and clasps).
* Band between cup/wire and wing boning constructed of non-stretch lace lined with non-stretch mesh.
* Elastic at top of band.
* Wing support: boning.
* Continuous band - band straight under wires (a short longline, will not provide waist shaping)
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.
* Extra boning beneath each apex to prevent rolling/bunching.

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

Cups:
* 3-seam (4-piece) half-cup (top ... edge is diagonal, not horizontal, so I can't call this a balconette)
* unpadded, stiff underwire
* Upper panel is mesh with only vertical stretch (no horizontal stretch) and lined with non-stretch mesh.
* Lower panels are non-stretch lace lined with non-stretch mesh.
* Soft cups (no padding or molding).


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: fits
* wings: barely high enough
* no axillary skin spillage
* Smooths my rib flares nicely.

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

Cups:
* Cups far too big. Fabric only covers breasts (with gapping) and provides no shaping.
* Wires wide enough (SO RARE).
* Bottom of cup filled (enough immediate projection at the wire).
* Upper, outer edge of cup cuts into tail of Spence.

Straps:
* not too far apart
* adjust short enough

Comfort & Fit Summary
* I tried this bra because it looked pretty in pictures. The mini-longline band is very flattering (accents my narrow ribcage).
* I chose this size based off a measurements search (cup depth & wire width) here on bratabase. The cups were wide enough, but far too big, so this style may be too projected for me.
* Think about trying a 32E or 32F. According to measurements table, as cup size drops in this range, cup depth decreases but cup width stays the same.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 06, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* Paid $40 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* Available in black, white, and brown only.
* Followed advice from other reviews to size up in the band and down in the cup.

Band:
* Stretch lace with a very wide bottom elastic band.
* Elastic at top of band (usual width).
* A true longline (will provide waist shaping).
* Wing support: boning (total of 4 pieces: at outside edge of each cup and each wing)
* Continuous band - band straight under wires.
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.

Straps:
** smooth satin, do NOT stretch
* soft (don't stand up on their own)
** front adjust
* ... partial adjust (fixed portion is in the back)
* leotard back (yes, a leotard back on a longline)
* CENTER PULL

Cups:
* 2-seam (3-piece) full cups
** no underwire, but looks like it does because has an empty channel
* Boning extends where the outside of wire would sit.
* All pieces constructed of non-stretch lace and lined with a non-stretch, opaque knit.
* Between lace and lining is a thin, smooth layer of fiber-fill (like the stuffing in stuffed animals).
* Soft cups. (Fiber fill provides modesty only, no shaping.)


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: Was not able to fasten behind by back on my own. (Was able to fasten in front, but then could not turn it around. Had to have my husband fasten it.) Once fastened, was comfortable (not too tight) and stays in place.
* wings: height good
* no axillary skin spillage
* smooths rib flares
* attractive and comfortable waist shaping

Gore: Comfortable, good spacing, height fine. Wireless, so doesn't fully tack, but close.

Cup:
* Gives breasts projected shape.
* Edge of cup and underarm boning sit on breast tissue. Wing boning is far behind breast tissue.
* Top of cup wrinkles (can accept more upper fullness than I have).
* Bottom of cup: filled very nicely

Straps:
* not too far apart (excellent separation)
* adjust short enough

Assessment and Plan:
* Cups too narrow. Try 34DD.
* Looks sexy. Husband loves it too. Not an everyday bra. Would work as a bedroom bra (where fit is far less important than looks).
* Online advice to size up in band and down in cup was correct. Two sizes each might be even better.
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black colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 09, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* Paid $38.79 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* Available in solid black and beige plus several fun colors (all with black accents).
* Followed advice to size up in the band.

Band:
* One layer of stretch mesh with a stretch lace overlay
* Elastic at top of band.
* Wing support: boning
* Additional boning under each apex to keep band flat. (A short longline. Will not provide waist shaping.)
* Continuous band - wires lower than wings.
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.

Straps:
* smooth elastic
* full adjust
* straight back (not leotard)

Cups:
* seamless, molded half cup with lace overlay
* unpadded, stiff ... underwire


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: rides up
* wings: too short
* axillary skin spillage
* band stays flat (boning works, doesn't bunch up)
* smooths my rib flare nicely
* feels tighter than most 34-bands, but not very supportive

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

Cup:
* Gives breasts flat shape.
* Wires too narrow.
* Top of cup gaps.

Straps:
* not too far apart
* adjust short enough

Assessment and Plan:
* Too projected. Try other styles.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 08, 2019 Flag this

ABOUT THIS BRA
An unpadded, seamed, half cup, underwire bra with top stretch.
This is the discontinued but still available (as of July 2019) “Average Coverage” Fantasie Fusion (3090), not the “Full Coverage, Side Support” model (3091).

Purchasing: Purchased in white for $33.75 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns. (Beige was available on Amazon Wardrobe too.) Available only in white and beige, not black or any other colors.

Band, strap, and cup construction identical to 32F - Fantasie » Fusion Average Coverage (3090) .


ABOUT ME: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection (not shallow or very 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


FIT:

Band rides up. Wings too high yet too short – arm pinches escaped flesh (from too big band) against wire.

Gore is comfortable, tacks, good spacing, height fine. (Not nearly as high as the “full coverage” version.)

Straps are too wide-set and slip with movement, even when adjusted rather tightly. The strap-cup junction is lateral to the anterior axillary line (outside of armpit crease).

Cups: Wires enclose breast tissue nicely and keep it inside the cup. Cups are too big -- wrinkles in top half of cup (expects more upper fullness than I possess) and apex is empty and higher than my natural apex. Upper edge of cup is in my axillary fossa. Slight wrinkles at bottom of cup (would be acceptable, if no other fit issues). Viewed from the side, gives breasts some lift (not great, not saggy) and a bottom-heavy shape (almost an “elf-shoe” shape). From the front, gives an undesired wide, oval shape (east-west).


ASSESSMENT & PLAN:
* Tried this size (32FF) because the cups were too narrow in the 32F.
* Cups are now wide enough but now too deep. Also, band is now too big, probably b/c side boob no longer taking up part of the band.
* This model was not made in a 30-band (and is recently discontinued, so no hope of it being added). STOP.
* Style too projected (once wires are wide enough, cups are too deep). STOP.
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White colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 27, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $76 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns or Amazon Wardrobe
* black only

Band:
* One layer of stretch mesh.
* Elastic at top of band.
* Wing support: seaming
* Continuous band - band straight under wires (a short longline, will not provide waist shaping)
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.
* Extra seaming beneath each apex and where straps attach to prevent rolling/bunching. (Doesn't work.)

Straps:
* smooth elastic
* stiff (stand up on their own)
* partial adjust (front lace prevents slider from moving)
* straight back (not leotard)

Cups:
* 3-seam (4-piece) half-cup
* unpadded, stiff underwire
* Outer fabric is black, non-stretch lace (all panels).
* Top panel is unlined. Remainder ... of cup is like the a beige (not black) non-stretch mesh.
* There is elastic on the top edge of cup.
* Soft cups (no padding or molding).


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
* no axillary skin spillage
* Extended band doesn't stay extended -- it bunches up. Thus is uncomfortable and does nothing to smooth my rib flare.

Gore: Pokes -- too high. Tacks, width fine.

Cups:
* Wires too narrow.
* Top of cup smooth.
* Bottom of cup wrinkles (not enough immediate projection at the wire).
* Don't shape breasts, just covers them.

Straps:
* not too far apart
* adjust short enough

Final Thoughts:
* There was no info on Bratabase for this model, so guessed (badly) on size.
* I tried this bra because it looked pretty in pictures on Amazon and potentially had center-pull straps. The straps look center-pull on the model, but (on my body) aren't quite over the apex. However, they are narrower set on the shoulders than most half-cups, a big plus for my frame.
* Didn't bother to try other sizes because they wouldn't fix the band bunching up. (Boning is needed for that; seaming isn't enough.)
* Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Fantasie-Womens-Longline-Support-Underwire/dp/B07BFJ1F9K/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fantasie+bronte+longline&link_code=qs&qid=1562454826&s=gateway&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-1
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Black with beige lining colorway

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Updated on Jul 06, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $60 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns or Amazon Wardrobe.
* Available in neutrals plus many fun colors.

Band:
* Two layers of stretch mesh.
* Elastic at top of band.
* Wing support: soft boning
* Continuous band - wires lower than wings.
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.

Straps:
* smooth, non-stretch satin
* soft (don’t stand up on their own)
* full adjust
* leotard back
* CENTER PULL

Cups:
* 2-seam (3-piece) half cup
* unpadded, flexible underwire
* All pieces constructed of non-stretch mesh with a partial overlay of non-stretch lace.
* 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
* Breast is pushing wire away from body.
* no axillary skin spillage

Gore: Comfortable, tacks, good spacing, height fine. High, but comfortable.

Cup:
* Way too big. Can fit my fist into the upper cup.
* Wires very, very narrow.
* Top of cup wrinkles.
* Bottom of cup wrinkles.
* Doesn’t cut into tail of Spence.


Straps:
* not too far apart
* adjust short enough

Assessment and Plan:
* Don’t mind the pointy shape, but wires are way too narrow and band too big. Trying other sizes (32DD, 32DDD, and 34D) haven’t helped.
* Need a 30-band, which is not made. Even then, probably too projected.
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Toast colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 08, 2019 Flag this