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

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Oct 13, 2016 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’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.

This bra is not owned any more

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

Type of bra fits pretty well but either weight of boobs or tightness of the band hurts.

Ivory colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Sep 17, 2020 Flag this

This review is for the color "Black". This bra is above and beyond comfortable, which is what is at the top of my list right now. It has a sturdy band and the cups provide a nice rounded shape under clothing. The backband has four hooks adding to the band support. I also love the fact the straps are set closer together in both the front and back. This prevents any strap slippage off your shoulders. I’m 9 months postpartum so I’m constantly bending over to handle baby. Who has time to adjust!? The cups have a very slight show through if it’s cold out, but so very minimal it doesn’t bother me. I love the comfort and fit so much I’ll be looking for this in every color I can find.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 11, 2018 Flag this

I've been wearing this bra for over a year. It's a good bra, nothing really special to look at, but it serves it's purpose and doesn't show lines under t-shirts. I have lost some fullness in the boob department over the past few months and now I notice that there are little air pockets at the top. The band started out having to be secured on the tightest hooks, so it's ready to be retired. Most likely I'll be sacrificing this bra to the costume gods sometime in the near future.

nude colorway

Updated on Apr 23, 2018 Flag this

This bra isn't much to look at. It's very utilitarian. But it has some nice features...and others that are not so nice.

Pro's: Thin spacer-type foam cups.
Tall, full cup, (but not too open).
Stretchy cups conform to you rather than you conforming to them. They create a nice rounded shape.
Cups are very comfortable and will stretch with you for those times when you feel fuller.
Tall wings (aka 'side support').
Kicked in back straps (won't fall off).
Amazing 4 hooks on a DDD!

Con's:
Front straps are very wide and cut into my Tail of Spense. Also, not fully adjustable.
... Band is stronger on the elastic edges, so that the rest of the band is weaker.
Because the band is so tall it creates bulges in the back & underarm.
Gore is slightly more than 3" tall and sits awkwardly on my close-set breasts.
Oddly, the gore (mostly) tacks when standing (before swoop & scoop), but doesn't when leaning/after the swoop & scoop.
The fabrics used in the cups/straps do not prevent bounce.
'Cashmere Rose' color is just a fancy name for Pink Mauve. Not my favorite.
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Cashmere Rose colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 02, 2017 Flag this

I had high hopes as I've previously (before baby 2) loved the non wired version of this bra, but this cuts into my ribs & after 20 minutes I'm screaming to take it off. It's nothing special to look at, but @Wacoal does make some pretty colors & for a t-shirt bra it doesn't need to be fancy, but it does need too be comfy. Will be returning

Natural colorway

Updated on Mar 29, 2017 Flag this

Didn't write a review

Added on Feb 13, 2018