​Bras Outside the Box is a body-positive blog about bras and lingerie.

What are quarter cup bras, and what are they for? These are usually look-at-me, sensual styles meant to reveal the top three-quarters of the breasts. They can either be entirely empty over the tops, or have sheer lace or mesh overlay.

I bought this Aerie unlined bra in size 36B. This is the Smoothez full-coverage underwire mesh style still for sale online. I wanted to try it, and this was the only size available at the price I paid, plus I was also able to get a pair of AE shorts from the same seller. Aerie has since added removable pads to this bra, but otherwise it looks to be the same as the one I bought. The cups do fit better with the underwires removed, but it doesn't help with the band size.

This is a review of the Aerie Smoothez lightly lined demi bra. I've liked Aerie bras for a while, dating back to when I wore a 32A. Nowadays, their size chart puts me in a 34B, but I prefer their 34C because it's more comfortable. I hate tight bras and have always found this brand to run a little smaller than others, probably because their target audience is teenagers. The Aerie bra fit is great for smaller breasts. They don't come up to my neck, even the full-coverage styles

This is a balconette style bra like the previous one I reviewed, only with light push-up padding in the cups. So I thought I'd give it a try, given that sometimes padded cups fit smaller. Unfortunately, with this one, that is not the case; my 34B-ish chest doesn't fill it out. Good news for those who really do wear a 34C, because this bra seems to run true to size.