Xiphoid

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $55 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* fun, non-neutral colors are available

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

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

Cups:
* 2-seam (3-piece) half-cup (top edge is diagonal, not horizontal, so I can't call this a balconette)
* unpadded, stiff underwire (wire twists instead of stretching)
* Upper panel is non-stretch lace (unlined).
* Lower panels are two layers of 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: just barely tall enough
* no axillary skin spillage

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

Cups:
* Gives a pleasantly round shape.
* Wire width good (SO RARE).
* Top of cup gaps.
* Bottom of cup filled (enough immediate projection at the wire).

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

Comfort & Fit Summary
* Recommended for giving conical breast shapes (like mine) a nice round shape. It did this, but had other fit issues.
* Tried in multiple sizes (reviewed separately), all with a crummy fit. Once the cups were wide enough (32F), they were too big. Finally decided that this style is too projected for me and gave up.
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Updated on Jul 06, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $72 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns or Amazon Wardrobe
* sometimes non-neutral colors are available

Band:
* two layers of a stretch mesh
* elastic at top of band
* no seaming nor boning for wing support
* continuous band - wires lower than wings
* back closure
* 3 columns of hooks

Straps:
* smooth elastic
* stiff (stand up on their own)
* partial adjust (limited by the sliding J-hook)
* leotard back with a J-hook to convert to racer-back

Cups:
* 4-seamed (5-section) half cup
* unpadded underwire
* The top two panels made of mesh that stretches vertically much more than horizontally. The top-most edge is unlined. The lower horizontal ... panel is lined with lace that stretches horizontally only.
* Rest of cup made with a lace outer that stretches horizontally only (no vertical stretch) and non-stretch mesh lining.
* Elastic at top edge of cup.
* 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
* no axillary skin spillage

Gore:
* tacks
* height fine
* separation fine

Cups:
* gives a wide, oval shape
* cups too narrow
* smooth line at top of cup
* wrinkles at bottom the cup (not enough immediate projection at the wire)
* fit was too bad to judge projection

Straps: (did not try racer-back option)
* too far apart (slip)
* adjust short enough

Comfort & Fit Summary
* band too big
* wings too short
* unflattering oval shape
* narrow cups
* not enough immediate projection at the wire
* straps slip
* This style was recommended for wide roots, but isn't. Thus, not worth trying other sizes.
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Ultra Nude colorway

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Updated on Jul 06, 2019 Flag this

Band gaps in the armpit. A smaller band size might correct this issue, but it isn't made in a 34D. (Smallest cup in a 34 band is an G.)

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

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

Purchasing:
* $40.90 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* Available in black, white, nude, and ten fun colors.

Construction: Band, strap, and cup construction identical to the 30F - Gossard » Glossies Moulded Bra (6271), except that band is not super stretchy. (Perhaps because this size is black.)


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:
* not too far apart
* adjust short enough

Cups:
* Wires too wide.
* Top of cup: wrinkles (expects more upper fullness)
* Bottom of cup: filled ok but breasts sag below wire
* Cup apex: not deep enough (breasts being smushed into armpit)
* Side view: round, slightly flat, tiny lift
* Front view: wide (east-west) – side support sling not effective, but doesn’t create new bulges
* Tail of Spence enclosed. Outer edge of cup presses on the brachial plexus causing tingling.
* 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 too shallow (too wide yet not deep enough).
* Tried -1 cup size (same band, 30F), but not deep enough so breast smushed into armpit.
* Try +1 cup size (same band, 30G) for more depth but suspect style is too shallow for my shape.
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black colorway

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Updated on Jul 27, 2019 Flag this

ABOUT THIS BRA:
This is an unpadded, mini-longline with wired half-cups.

Purchasing:
* $41.17 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* not available in neutral colors (only hot pink, acid coral, and bright blue)

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.
* Full band - band straight under wires (a short longline, will not provide waist shaping)
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.
* Extra seaming (not boning) beneath each apex to prevent rolling/bunching. (spoiler: fails).

Straps:
* smooth elastic without outer lacy ... ridges
* 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 non-stretch mesh with dot embroidery.
* Lower panels are non-stretch lace.
* The entire cup is lined with a non-stretch mesh.
* 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

Band:
* length: difficult to fasten (tight) but once on is comfy and stays in place with wear
* wings: too short, boobs escape
* After bending over, the band scrunches up in front because there is no boning there.
* Unable to smooth my rib flares.

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

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

Cups:
* Wires wide enough (SO RARE).
* Smooth line at top of cup on larger breast. (Tiny wrinkles on smaller breast -- acceptable.)
* Bottom of cup filled (enough immediate projection at the wire).
* Apex fits (not too deep, too shallow, nor off-center).
* Gives a wide, oval, breasts-in-the-armpits shape.
* Upper, outer edge of cup cuts into tail of Spence.
* Lace is scratchy.


Assessment & Plan
* Band & cups fit. Straps too wide and cups cut into tail of Spence. Unattractive shaping. Front of mini-longline band scrunches up due to lack of boning.
* Longlines without boning don't stay put. Don't bother with them.
* Stop trying half-cup styles -- the wide-set straps slip and rub on my tail of Spence.
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Acid Coral colorway

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Updated on Jul 16, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $41.68 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* available in neutrals plus seasonal fun colors

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

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

Cups:
* 5-seam (6-piece) half-cup
* unpadded underwire
* Top panel is stretch lace (unlined).
* Lower horizontal panel is non-stretch mesh (unlined).
* Remainder of cup is a non-stretch opaque knit (unlined).
* 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: back rides up
* wings: too short, boobs escape
* no axillary skin spillage

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

Cups:
* Gives an oval shape.
* Wires too narrow.
* Top of cup wrinkles.
* Bottom of cup wrinkles (breasts looking for more projection). Breast pushes wire down.

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

Comfort & Fit Summary
* The black fabric with white pin-stripes is super cute yet sophisticated. And flattering.
* Band too big, cups too big & narrow.
* Try 30F. By the measurements, cup likely too narrow. However, Fantasie has soft wires, so might work.
* By the measurements table for this style, a 30FF would probably be a better cup width, but all colors are sold-out on Amazon. Added to wish-list, so will be notified when back in stock.
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Black colorway

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Updated on Jul 07, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $52.25 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* fun, non-neutral colors are available

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

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

Cups:
* 2-seam (3-piece) half-cup (top edge is diagonal, not horizontal, so I can't call this a balconette)
* unpadded, stiff underwire
* Upper panel is non-stretch lace (unlined).
* Lower panels are two layers of 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: too short, boobs escape
* no axillary skin spillage

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

Cups:
* Gives a pleasantly round shape.
* Wires too narrow.
* Top of cup gaps (perhaps because so mush of my breast is outside the wires).
* Bottom of cup filled (enough immediate projection at the wire).

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

Comfort & Fit Summary
* Recommended for giving conical breast shapes (like mine) a nice round shape. It did this, but had other fit issues.
* Tried in multiple sizes (reviewed separately), all with a crummy fit. Once the cups were wide enough (32F), they were too big. Finally decided that this style is too projected for me and gave up.
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208 more words

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 06, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $44.59 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* available in non-neutral colors

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

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

Cups:
* 3-seam (4-piece) half-cup
* unpadded, stiff underwire
* Upper panel is non-stretch lace (unlined).
* Lower panels are non-stretch opaque knit (unlined).
* 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: height good
* no axillary skin spillage

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).

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

Comfort & Fit Summary
* I tried this bra because it is recommended for side support and center pull straps. I should have looked at the pictures first because they are NOT center-pull straps. I can't speak to side support since the band & cups were way too big.
* I chose this size based off a measurements search here on bratabase. I used my _leaning_ horizontal perimeter to predict cup depth and that was a bad idea. Laying horizontal perimeter is a better predictor (or somewhere between the two measurements).
* I don't know what I was thinking when ordering a 36 band. The measurements table shows it would be far too big for my rib cage and it is right.
* Ordered a 36E (same band, one cup larger) at the same time (reviewed separately) -- so I didn't just click the wrong size. Who knows what I was thinking!
* Consider trying a 32DD, but I suspect the cups will be far too narrow (and Fantasie wires are stiff).
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Black colorway

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Updated on Jul 06, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* $67 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* Available in black, white, nude, and some fun colors.

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

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

Cups:
* 3-seam (4-piece) half cup
* Called a full cup (by Panache) and a balconette (by Bratabase), but I call this a half cup. Straps sit at the outside of the cup, not over the apex, so not a full cup. ... Center edge of cup is diagonal, not horizontal, so not a balconette.
* unpadded, stiff underwire
* Top of cup is unlined, stretch lace.
* Rest of cup is unlined, 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: rides up
* wings: too short, boobs escape
* no axillary skin spillage

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

Cups:
* Gives breasts an oval shape.
* Wires wide enough (SO RARE).
* Top of cup smooth.
* Bottom of cup wrinkles.

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

Comfort & Fit Summary
* Band too big.
* Didn't try other sizes. Not sure why. Per the measurements table, the 30FF would have a smaller band with the same cup width and depth.
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Ivory colorway

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Updated on Jul 10, 2019 Flag this

Purchased for $55 on Amazon with Prime Free Shipping and Free Returns.
Available in fun colors & neutrals.

Band:
Continuous, stretch mesh with elastic at top of band.
Seaming for wing support.
Back closure with 3 columns of hooks.
Fit: Band length good but wire/wing too short (oodles of axillary skin spillage).

Cups:
Two layers of soft, non-stretch mesh.
Three-piece balconette cup.
Unpadded underwire.
Fit: Quad boob. Cups far too narrow. Gave me an unattractive oval shape.

Straps:
Ridged elastic with leotard attachment.
Full adjust.
Fit: good

Fit under clothing:
Not smooth 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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73 more words

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 04, 2019 Flag this