I don't have much upper fullness, and had to size down 2 cup sizes. The wide gore in this does not fit between my breasts. (Freya active is a bit more narrow and friendly to my shape). This bra is very tall- which is great for a lot of people but not me with my short roots. The wires of the gore end at a normal height but the top fabric of the bra extends significantly higher, which makes it poke out away from my body- it is noticeable thru tshirts, otherwise I would like it as an everyday bra. The straps are a but too long for me.
That being said, I still love it for exercising. Once I sized down the 2 cups, it controls bouncing nicely. The padded underwires are awesome. Awesome. Why don't all bras do this? And the fabric and design really do minimize boob swear and keep me cool.

Updated on Oct 09, 2014 Flag this

Too big in band. Not very supportive. The straps didn't adjust short enough.

About the bra in general:
+ It is beyond comfortable!
+ Padded wire channels / wide shoulder straps
+ Band is wide and supportive
+ racer-back option
+ very nice round shape (not the dreaded flat boob shape)
+ good for lighter activities or lounging

- limited size range (If there was 34J / 34JJ, I think that would be my "proper" size)
- it does limit bouncing somewhat but I doubt I'd go jogging with this bra or do heavy impact activity https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_confused.gif" alt=":S" />
- gore does not tack (in any of the sizes I tried)

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on May 24, 2014 Flag this

"What's good about this bra?"

Well, first of all, and most importantly – it supports!

The sizing runs quite large both in the cup and the band, so if you're between sizes, I recommend sizing down, or even beyond that. I first tried it in 70G, which already is smaller than the 70GG that mostly I use in Ewa Michalak. But even if the cup was fairly okay, it was way too big in the band and offered zero support.

The 65G (i.e. one size smaller both in the band and cup), on the other hand, is pretty much perfect! It passed my bounce and wiggle test with flying colours. ... I'll give you an update tomorrow after putting it through the ultimate test: horseback riding.

The band is okay, snug enough, although I can fasten it in the second hooks without it being too uncomfortable. Thus I might have to narrow it down in the future, but that's not anytime too soon, I hope. The cup might be just a tad too small for me (especially my right breast), but if that's the price for decent support, I'm definitely willing to pay!

The straps are wide and comfortable, but a bit too long for me – I always have to shorten the straps if they're not fully adjustable... But when the straps are fastened to an X with the extra hook between the shoulder blades, they're okay, and the support is even better.

As if it wasn't enough that there exists a sports bra in this universe that actually fits and supports even my size, the shape this bra gives is very nice! Not at all sports-bra-ey.

Edit: Now it's been tested in horseback riding, and I can confirm it works. Or at least I didn't notice any disturbing bouncing – of course my focus isn't on my boobs when I'm riding (and I'm wearing winter clothes), but if it were too bouncy, I think I'd feel it. So far, still so good!
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Updated on Feb 20, 2013 Flag this

I never thought a sports bra could be this amazing! It fits so well. I might have been able to get away with a 38GG as the cup is a little big. I might be able to tighten the straps enough for this to not matter. There is an option to hook the straps together in back to do a crossback/racer-back style, which could tighten it up a bit more. The bra is incredibly comfortable and gives a really round and uplifted shape.

My favorite part of this bra is the center gore which lies completely flat and separates nicely. I tend to sweat in my cleavage a lot ... when I wear sports bras that just mash the boobs together. There are actually two layers in the center, one which sits against the breastbone while the other mesh layer is further away, giving it that typical crop-top style sports bra look.

It's nice being able to get cute sports bras that fit in my size. If I felt comfortable enough, I would even wear this without a shirt over it.
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Updated on Feb 01, 2013 Flag this

LOVE. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

The band is nice and snug. The double layer over the cups (a foamy layer with encased underwires plus a seamed stretchy fabric cover) is super awesome. It looks good under a shirt, and I'm seriously tempted to wear it as a bikini top for fresh water swimming as the seam lines are very flattering.

The bra keeps me separated, without sticking my boobs into my armpits. I can do cartwheels without needing to adjust. Nothing pokes me or scratches me. The wires stop at "balconette" level in the centre, and then the padded fabric/mesh overlay continues up, so there's no chance of pressure sores on ... the sternum. This is so much more comfortable than my (now too big) Freya Underwire sports bra.

The straps are padded, as is the fabric that goes under the hooks in the back. The straps can also hook together to make the bra into a racer-back style, but I haven't tried that yet.

If only it had a lower neckline, so I could make it my every day bra. Sigh. I love my Elomi Caitlyn as well (which I also wish was lower cut), but this bra does a little minimizing due to the compression, which makes me happy on days where I don't want my boobs to be centre of attention.

Edit: It's probably not evident from the photo, but the wires in the centre gore sit against my chest, but the extension tends to poof out. I *just* fill this bra, but a cup size down was too small. If you're not very soft, or don't have a lot on top, this bra probably won't work for you.
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Updated on Jan 05, 2013 Flag this

I like this bra. This is the first sports bra that I've ever owned, and I decided that it was time to invest in one. So far, I've been using this as a yoga/around-the-house/sleeping bra. I'm excited that I'll finally have something appropriate for dance classes once I can afford to take those again.

The bra fits really well, except that the center gore is a little wide and a little high for my close set breasts,,, This is why I usually wear nothing but plunge bras. They fit my shape the best... Anyways, as a result, the center gore of this sports bra can sometimes become a little irritating/itchy with a lot of movement.

However, this isn't super noticeable and is offset by the fact that I get such great support in this thing. I just feel really secure. No jiggling because the bra covers the entire breast area. Cups are true to size and the band is nice and firm. This also gives a really nice shape under a shirt.

Updated on Jan 05, 2013 Flag this

I am not such a super exercise machine like I should be, but I wanted to invest in a good sports bra because, let's face it -- without one, there's absolutely NO hope of me ever getting out there to exercise! I like to jog when I have time and the weather is good, so I really needed something better than the crappy one-size-fits-most champion sports bras.

I chose the purple and grey version of the panache sports bra simply because it looked awesome. It's a little more "fun" than just black and probably shows the grime a little less than white. It doesn't look like a sports bra ... meant to hold in big boobs, it looks great!

The biggest con so far is that the band is, in my opinion, extremely small. My underbust measurement fluctuates between about 27.5 to 28.5, and I can close this band on the loosest hooks, but just barely. I feel that I may have to get a band extender to extend it seriously just one more hook's width in order to, you know, breathe properly! I like a good, fitted band, but this might be a bit too much.

The other HUGE plus of this bra is the shape it gives me! Whoa! I'm used to the unending uniboob of other sports bras, but this gives a nice, rounded shape with two clearly defined boobs! It isn't as super awesome as my other bras(naturally), but I feel like I could wear this underneath real clothing with the intention of taking a jog later in the day and not feel self conscious that it's overtly obvious that I am wearing a sports bra, given that the cut of the shirt isn't giving it away.
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Updated on Oct 10, 2012 Flag this

UPDATE: This bra no longer fits as a sports bra, but that doesn't stop me from wearing it as a comfortable lounge bra. The gore, still sits on my chest, and on the tightest set of hooks, it still supports me without riding up in the back. The cup on my smaller side isn't quite filled at the top, but otherwise, I still love it, and as soon as I stop moving around weight-wise, I'll re-purchase it.

This is a fantastic bra - supportive, comfortable, and attractive enough that I don't hesitate to wear it under a T-shirt (do note that the gore cups up about 3" higher ... than the underwire, and it is padded enough to add an 1" to my full bust).

I would say that it runs fairly true in the cup but perhaps a tad small in the band (it is a sports bra). It was a bit snug in the cup when I purchased it (many reviews say to go down a cup size, but I disagree - if anything, I should have gone up to a G), but now that I measure a 32G, it actually fits quite comfortably. I do yoga and horseback ride in it (not jumping https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />. It's a great all around sports bra.

Also, the purple is awesome.
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Updated on Jul 21, 2012 Flag this

I like this bra a lot, even though I'm not quite happy with the support it gives. In a scale 1-10 I'd give it a 7 for support, whereas I'd give Enell a 9,5, Bravissimo Inspire a 9 and Royce a 6.5. In other words, yeah, it's good for most low impact sports, but for running or martial arts I'll still go for Enell and Bravissimo. If you use the racerback option the support is a bit better, but I still think there's too much upward bounce.
The bra looks good, a definite plus. The colours (I have the grey-lilac) are really nice and it's the only sports bra I've had that gives a decent-looking shape under shirts. Not too pointy and not a uni-boob.
It's also extremely comfortable on, the straps are great and the wires are well padded. A shame they don't make it in larger cups than H. (HINT!!!)

Updated on Jun 27, 2012 Flag this

If I were in charge of naming this bra, it's name would be "Like a Boss." It looks and feels like serious armor and, indeed, I'm not going anywhere in this thing, no matter how much jumping and bending over I do. But it's so comfortable!! There is no part of this bra that pokes or pinches or digs in anywhere. There is extra cushioning in the straps, around the wires, and behind the hooks. The wires also stop way before the bra does, which makes them extra comfy (1/2 in under the arm and 2 inches in the front!). My boobs ... are separated and supported and so happy. I want to wear this everyday!

A few more things I should mention: I never ever work out, I just wanted something for every day. Though, I do watch a lot of kids at work, that's kind-of exercising.. Also, this review was written the day I bought the bra, so if anything changes, I'll come back and edit. And third, my measurement of the inside of the cup may be off. There is a double layer of fabric in the cups, and they don't lay together until you put it on. Lastly, you can wear this with straight straps or as a racer back. Awesome!

eta: It's still wonderful, I love it!
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Updated on May 28, 2012 Flag this