Very short, projected, slightly narrow, even, close set, center-full breasts...

Because I thought I could easily find a more beautiful, well-fitting, supportive bra, I started my bra fitting adventure after being professionally fitted in a 32DD Wacoal Basic Beauty Full Figure Seamless Bra. Nine months and 96 bras later, I return to a very similar Wacoal bra, much poorer and having experienced significant discomfort.

The wire does push out of my IMF, but that happens in 95 of the other bras, too. Unlike the other bras, it doesn't hurt in the Basic Beauty. There are no deep red welts under each breast after wearing. And, for those of you ... familiar with torturous Cleo and Panache wires, Wacoal wires are soft, supportive, and comfortable. There is substantial padding around the wire in this Wacoal model. Thank you, Wacoal!

Like all the others, the gore is too wide; a few cut threads and stiches will remedy that issue. I had been ordering "overlapped gore wires" from Comexim. This resulted in a gore .7" wide. And, once overlapped, much more effort was required to disassemble that alteration. I've discovered Wacoal gores are relatively easy to disassemble, narrow, and overlap. This creates a .4" wide gore. With very close-set breasts, I will take the most narrow gore I can buy or easily alter. Advantage Wacoal https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />

Although the straps are partially adjustable, surprisingly, they easily shorten enough for my petite stature. In some Freya bras, I was not able to shorten the straps enough. The straps are wide (.7") and lightly padded in the front.

Although the cup is tall, it is closed. Taller roots may experience cutting in, but this is a fantastic bra for short roots who appreciate full coverage cups. In fact, the cup is cutting into my shorties. I've ordered the 32G which may remedy that issue....and create a few other issues https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" /> The material is just thick enough to cover prominent nipples. However, it is remarkably thinner than Ewa Michalak, Comexim, Curvy Kate, and LuLu Tout padded/t-shirt bras. This does not add bulk, but it does collect, round, and draw breasts near the chest. According to Wacoal, this cup is made from two layers of fabric and designed to breathe. Soon, I will know how it "breathes" in 100+ degrees F with high humidity. Hoping for the best https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />

For those of us who value comfort, supportive bands are cherished. I was delighted the 32DD had three rows of hooks. Imagine my elation when discovering four rows on this 32DDD. Not one of the 96 other bras has a band this supportive. A 32" Curvy Kate band rides up instantly. 30" Curvy Kate rides up within 15 minutes. 32" Wacoal stays firmly in place all day. I strongly suspicion the wide band distrubutes the weight of my projected breasts away from the wire under my breasts. And, the narrow Ewa Michalak bands just can't provide this level of comfort for me.

The back is a thoughtfully designed leotard back with the straps sewn on more narrowly. If you've experienced problems with straps falling off, you may love the "strap security" of this bra. I find the center strap placement helps lift the weight of my breasts off the wire better than wide-set straps. I would not jog or jump on a trampoline in this bra, but the support is sufficient for 95% of my activities. And, the straps will never fall off my shoulders https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />

Now, the part I loathe to discuss: aesthetics. Because my favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla, I suppose it is predictable I would like this vanilla (a.k.a. "bland") bra. No. It looks like a viking breast plate before the ornate decorations. It is, however, simple, tasteful, and elegant in its own way. Because the cup is tall, it is often visible in more open necklines: my wardrobe will adapt. Thoughtfully, this bra is available in basic colors as well as several "fashion" colors; a pleasant array. This summer I discovered fabric dyes--fun https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" /> And, after 95 uncomfortable bras, now I know comfort is more important to me than aesthetics.

Well, I'm off to overlap the gore of this highly comfortable, supportive bra. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />

EDIT: After narrowing the gore, the lack of center projection became apparent. And, the newly narrowed gore still sat upon my breast. Although this bra receives strong recommendations from me, it is not ideal for those of us who require significant center projection. And, tall roots may find the cups too closed. Otherwise, this is fantastically supportive and rounding bra.



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Ivory colorway

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Updated on Oct 13, 2016 Flag this

I have a love-hate relationship with this bra. I got it about a year ago, after losing my pregnancy weight and struggling with La Senza bras for a while before finally giving up on them. I've since found better bras and I don't really reach for this one anymore. I wore it today though, because my only other nude bra needed the day off and I wanted to wear a white t-shirt. I felt my review needed an update.

I love it because it's the first non-nursing bra that actually fit me. Ever. It gets a lot of bonus points for that. I love it because it's nude and ... seamless and disappears under my clothing. Unless I'm super cold, it does a good job hiding my nipples. I also spent *a lot* of money on this thing because it was before I discovered boutique markups and all the fantastic deals you can get online.

I hate it because the band is really, really tight. It feels fine for a couple hours and then feels like it's trying to saw me in half. To be fair, that's more a shape problem. It's shallow and I'm not. The foam cups are made of that spacer fabric and it's very forgiving, so it tricks you into thinking it's a fabulous fit when it really isn't.

I hate it because of the shape it gives. Again, not it's fault. It's very minimizing, mostly due to its shallow shape. It has a sling inside the cups supposedly to bring your breasts more front and centre, but I'm pretty sure that's just a marketing gimmick. My breasts are very centre-full, but this bra pulls them as far apart as they can go.

I hate it because it looks like such an old lady bra. Again, not it's fault. Some people like that look. It's very practical and utilitarian. It's just not very cute.
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Nude colorway

Updated on May 10, 2018 Flag this

I had pretty good luck in wearing this bra in a 32DDD, but due to some weight gain the triple D’s just don’t fit as comfortably. While I still love the comfort and style of this very basic bra, I don’t feel I get as much uplift with this size. I feel a little more east-west spread.

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Updated on Apr 24, 2019 Flag this

I really desperately want this bra to work for me, because there are so many things I love about it. It’s so comfortable. It’s got good immediate projection. The wires are nice and narrow (5 inches at this size). I love the 3 hooks. The straps are set close together. I love the shape it gives me. I think it’s cute, too.

Alas, it’s just too tall for me. On my larger side, it works fine, I think because I have soft-ish tissue that ultimately kind of gets pushed up into that area. But on my smaller side, there’s an empty pocket at the top that’s honestly not a ... big deal when I’m standing straight. It’s too evident to me when I start to move around, though.

I wore it for a while in 30DD, and the cups are too small. I’m debating pulling that size out and trying it again, anyway, because it’s just so dang comfortable. (Edited: I tried it. It’s just too small.) I tried 30DDD a while back, and the band was oddly tight (like, it was weird how small the band was), which is why I tried the 32DD, instead.

I usually wear the Panache Cari in 32DD, which works fine. It’s just not nearly as comfortable as this bra. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
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Updated on Dec 14, 2022 Flag this

This review is for the color "Deep Taupe". It goes without saying the Basic Beauty is my favorite. And what do we do when we love something? We buy it in ALL the colors. This color is almost like a light chocolate brown color. I do have to say this particular bra runs short in the band, even shorter than the black one I have. But when it is on it fits just the same as all the rest. I feel nothing but comfort in this bra. I can wear it all day and evening and not have any issues. I feel contained in the cup and have no worries of falling out or any need to adjust after bending over and bending down all day (I have a 9 month old, so we all know how that goes). As always the straps are perfect for narrow shoulders and don't slip off or need to be readjusted at all. This is also the only bra I've found that works under the straps of a tanktop!.

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Updated on Jul 11, 2018 Flag this

I like this bra. The cups look a bit small and shallow off, but have some give to them. It cuts in slightly up top, but it's passed my wear-all-day tests and stays in my IMF. I don't think it's too minimizing, though I wouldn't mind less coverage. The spacer material is wonderful as always.

I chose this size when 30DDD was a bit big in the cup and tight in the band, so for me sizing down in the cup and up in the band worked. It also helps the cups be shorter, always a plus for me!

Updated on Aug 12, 2017 Flag this

I found this bra very uncomfortable, as the underwires come up really high in the center, and push against my sternum.

Updated on May 21, 2016 Flag this

This was my very first correctly fitted bra! I tried it on in the store and couldn't wait to get it home! The cups are very comfortable and the bra itself is very supportive. However, I still have some digging in the gore and under arm area. I believe this is not a size issue but I do think it has to do with the tall cups on my frame. My collarbone to nip measurement is 8 inches so I think I will have to look for shorter cups.

This bra's measurements have been altered

Altered band,

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Updated on Apr 30, 2014 Flag this

I’m currently 9 months postpartum. Comfort is at the top of my list. This bra certainly fits the bill for me. This band runs a little on the small side for a 32 band in my opinion. But I still need to wear it on the tightest set of hooks for a firm fit. The cup fabric is a stretchy yet firm spacer fabric. It gives me a lovely lifted, natural round shape that I love. It does not give me cleavage. You do get some show through when it’s cold out, but it’s not too terrible. The band is very comfortable and I love the four hooks in the back. The straps are set closer together so I don’t have to deal with straps falling down or too wide in the front where the straps attach to the cups. This has become my go2 everyday bra. I’ve actually ordered several more in different colors.

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Updated on Jul 11, 2018 Flag this

This Review is for the color "Eventide". Ok...I have a problem, I know. Someone might need to stage an intervention with my addiction to this bra. I'm one who loves color. This color is beautiful. I would describe this as a muted periwinkle color. As with all my other reviews of this bra, the fit for this is awesome for me. Comfort and color at its finest. Two thumbs way up.

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Updated on Jul 11, 2018 Flag this