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Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. Commando Butter bralette. Commando butter bralettes come from a luxury intimates and clothing brand that prioritizes comfort and features simple, sleek styles in bras, camis, leggings, underwear, bodysuits, tees, and more. Its trademarked Butter fabric is high-gauge Austrian modal, created for extra softness and stretch. The raw-cut edges are free of elastics or sewn trim, allowing for a more comfortable fit, and because of the high density of the fabric, they don't unravel. Commando's cotton collection is also raw-cut, such as this bralette with molded cups and removable pads. They would be great choices for sensitive skin. In addition to the Butter fabric and cotton garments, Commando carries chic faux-leather bras, pants, and skirts which have the look of real leather -- but they're machine-washable! I love anything black faux leather, and have got my eye on the miniskirt. I seem to recall a fashion rule of "no miniskirts after age 25," but even Google says that's outdated. Yes, I did just look it up. The color palette at Commando is minimalist and elegant, with lots of black and white, along with gray, blues, pinks, reds, and skin tones. You won't find many wild patterns or prints here, with the exception of thongs in animal prints and the playful "photo-op" collection. It's refreshing to see that such a high-concept brand can still be funny. Commando's founder, Kerry O'Brien, personally fit-tests every garment. She might be as obsessed with fit as I am. With no formal design training, she founded Commando with the mission to create wearable, well-fitting intimates for real women. From her "People First" statement: "We ensure that people making our products are working under proper conditions and being paid fair wages." Having seen a documentary about the brand SHEIN recently, I have a new understanding of how often this is not the case, and how cutting corners to save customers money can result in the abuse of workers and the production of unsustainable clothing. I appreciate Kerry's commitment to both fairness and quality. For the rest of May, Commando is hosting a sale for up to 70% off select items on their website. You can also purchase Commando pieces at their Amazon store.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. I'm writing this b.tempt'd by Wacoal Ciao Bella bra review because it is highly recommended on the reddit forum A Bra That Fits for women with wide-set breasts. I had bought the Ciao Bella bra a while ago based on this advice. But I didn't buy it on Amazon, so that's why you won't see my review there. I bought it in a department store, where I was able to easily find it in the size and color I wanted: 32C, black. It does indeed fit well on me, and if your breasts are wide-set, I would recommend at least trying it. But this is not one of my personal favorite bras. For me, it falls short on comfort. The Ciao Bella is an underwire balconette bra with contour cups lined with foam and a standard three-row, two-column hook back closure. The fit is excellent across the bust on the loosest row of hooks, with all of my breast tissue being encased within the cups the way I'd like to see it happen in every bra but usually doesn't. That's not me in the pic, but I look similar in it. Coverage is average, with the bra coming up to about the same place on my chest as it does on the model in this photo. It may end up appearing as more of a demi-cup in the larger sizes, but if it's barely covering your nipples, you have the wrong size and need a larger cup. The Ciao Bella bra has double adjustable thin straps, and I find that the doubling of them is a nice touch to prevent the straps from slipping off -- something that can often happen when straps are set at the very outer edges of a bra like they are on this one. Thin double straps are more attractive (to me anyway) than a single set of thick ones, which can look awkward and heavy. Plus, the straps shouldn't be doing much of the work to hold up the bra anyway; it should stay up on its own from the fit of the band and sides. Since I have the proper fit, the Ciao Bella does stay up just fine. So, although I could do without these straps, they don't bother me. They're on the short side and don't stretch, so I wear them pulled most of the way out. The look: it's a classic, feminine bra with floral lace fabric, vertical seams, scalloped trim and a large sheer center bow. Not ideal for wearing underneath anything too form-fitting or low-cut, unless you want it to show, but it's fine with a looser blouse or dress. If you do want it to show, I'd say go for it, because it's a very pretty piece of lingerie and you have a variety of luscious colors available to choose from. (Please note that the colors and prices in the screenshot at right are not necessarily current, depending on when you are reading this post.) Now, let's get to what I don't like about this bra. In spite of its beauty and excellent fit, it feels a little stiff and doesn't move with my body very well. I don't require much in the way of support, and maybe if I did, I'd appreciate the rigid structure of this bra more. But I feel like the structure is somewhat wasted on me, and I want it to have more flexibility. I also think the fabric could be softer. It's not uncomfortable for me, but several reviewers found it scratchy and experienced skin irritation. It's the kind of bra that feels fine for a few hours, but after wearing it all day, I'm finished with it and want to take it off. There's nothing especially wrong with that, but it would be better if I could be comfortable in it for longer. It might run a little small, as some of the reviews suggest, but I think the issue is more that it just doesn't have much give in the wires or in the foam cup linings. Those who appreciate more support from their bras may well have a different experience with this one than I do. I'd be interested to find out if it works better for larger or fuller breasts, especially for women with a small band size who could maybe use the extra back help of a bra like this. If you wear a larger cup size and have tried this bra, please feel free to leave a comment about how you liked it.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. I love the fit and look of front-close bras. Here are a few reasons I recommend trying one. Bras with a front clasp closure have the advantage of being easier to put on. If you have trouble reaching around to fasten the hooks of a back-closure style, slipping into a front-close bra can be a relief. Front-close bras can fit better on some body types than the more common back-hook closure bras. The front clasp pulls your breasts closer towards the front from the sides. For wide-set breasts, this can help move some of your breast tissue forwards from under the arms, providing a fuller appearance at the center. Find suggestions for popular front-close bras here. Those with wide-set breasts may also feel more comfortable in a front-close bra, in addition to the advantage of its more flattering appearance, especially if it has an underwire. This is because you are less likely to have the underwire digging in to sensitive breast tissue at the sides than you are in an underwire back-close bra, since that tissue is being pulled forwards by the center clasp. Prina push-up front-close bra, at Hunkmoller US. If you decide to try a front-closure bra, be sure to get the right band size, since they can’t be adjusted the way a back-hook closure bra can. Measure your underbust below your breasts and around the rib cage. For an odd number, round up to the nearest inch or centimeter. This is your band size in most bras. For cup size, measure around the fullest part of your breasts and around your back under the arms while wearing an unlined bra. For an odd number, round up to the nearest inch or centimeter. Subtract your band size from this number. The result is your cup size. You may need to be less selective in choosing a front-close bra than you would be with back-hook styles, because they are less easily available. So my advice is to make sure that you purchase a front-closure style that you can return or exchange for free if it doesn't fit. Also, make sure you know what tends to fit best on you in general in terms of bra types: is it push-up, lightly lined, demi, full-coverage, wireless, plunge, etc.? Stick with a type that has worked well on your body in the past. Don't rely on how a photo looks to decide whether a bra will fit you or not. This is not a good indicator of how the bra is going to fit in real life. You can sometimes evaluate how a bra will fit you from how it looks on a model if she has a similar body type to yours, but not always, since proportions and angles are not always accurately represented.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. The Kalon bralette four-pack is one of many similar inexpensive summer bralettes being sold in multipacks on Amazon. Many brands also allow you to buy singles, in case you should want only one baby duckling. Allow me to suggest several more to consider bringing into your home. And, like baby ducks, these cost relatively little money and little effort to love. Soft, lightweight, and breathable, they're a no-brainer: there's pretty much nothing that can go wrong if you buy one. You don't even have to feed these bralettes. Unless, of course, you are breastfeeding and choose to nurse in one of them, in which case it will drink milk. There will come a time, or probably more than one time, when it won't have a choice. This faux double-layer Y2K thing is trending right now. I'm not sure how to feel about it as an overall concept, but there are a ton of these crop bras and some of them are cute. This is one of the ones I like. It's not quite a bra top or a cami, but more of a tank. The lines are blurred, because crop tops and spaghetti-strap halters are everywhere too. The reason this works for me is because the straps aren't right next to each other, so it doesn't look like a useless extra set of straps has been sewn into the top for no reason. The color contrast and crossover design of these straps is pretty. Because this top has two sewn-together layers, it provides enough coverage on its own to wear without a bra. Available sizes are XS - XL. The sizing chart is a little strange, using body weight instead of measurements, but it's probably safe for most people to follow it. It puts me at a medium, which is what I usually get in things like this anyway. Most of the reviews indicate that the top fits true to size. There are several more color combination varieties. Baby duckling number two, at right (or, I guess technically we are at six in this post): a cami scoop neck demi bra with no padding or contouring, just soft modal fabric and simple pull-on styling. One Amazon reviewer commented that it feels and fits similar to a popular Skims bralette. It's not clear whether it was modeled on that bra or not, since many similar styles tend to come out around the same time, but for this reviewer, the comparison to Skims was high praise. (Having never tried Skims, I can't confirm that, but I'll take her word for it). This bralette comes in twelve color choices, and sizes XS - XXL. Alyce Intimates bralettes (the five-pack at left) have been around for a while. I can remember getting a pack of them years ago, and being very satisfied. I'm not sure how much they've changed since then, but at the time, they were surprisingly high-quality for the price. I've paid this amount for single bralettes that were about equal in quality, and felt that I really was getting a great deal for five of these. The fabric is a nice soft nylon with good stretch, and they look to be well sewn. The one less-than-awesome thing about them is the removable pads, which for some reason are mediocre compared to the rest of the piece, but they can be easily replaced with better ones. The fit of the Alyce bralettes is true to size. They're low in support, and high in comfort. These are true lounge bras. That's what they do, and they do it well. Colors are this set of neutrals as shown, or a second selection featuring brighter shades of pink and purple. By now, if you have clicked on any of the above links, you may have started to notice the comfortable bralettes collecting in alarming numbers at the bottom of the product pages. There is no escape. They will follow you home and want to be cuddled. I suggest that you use these styles as jumping-off points on your shopping journey, and have fun exploring.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. This is a set of inexpensive bralettes I've bought before on Amazon, and I decided it was time to replace them. The brand is 4Leezy, and they come in the colors pictured, as well as several other options. The color palate is as soft and soothing as the fabric. Having bought them twice now, it's only fair they should get a bralettes review on the blog. Unfortunately the 4Leezy bralette is somewhat deceptively marketed as a sports bra, which does not seem to be the best use for this soft wireless bralette. It's more like a sleep or lounge bra, with very little support or structure, but that's one of the reasons I love it. I have rarely come across something more comfortable to wear while doing nothing. The fabric is butter-soft and smooth, a good choice for sensitive skin. It's a pull-on bralette with a longline band and crossover racerback straps in back. The straps are adjustable, thin, and light. Its cups are triangle-shaped and well-separated, so you don't get uniboob like with many bralettes that don't have separation at the center. It features thin removable pads which are just enough to provide nipple coverage, and easy to take out while washing it or if you prefer to wear it without them. Sizing seems accurate, with the 4Leezy bralettes available in sizes XS through XXL, corresponding to 32 - 40 bands. Cups are estimated to stretch to fit A through D, although the Small and Medium bras only go to a C cup. That's likely because the cup shape doesn't provide much coverage at the center, so D-cup breasts could have trouble with slipping out of them at the front in the smaller sizes. For small-busted women who don't need much support anyway, these do provide enough coverage for everyday wear. The photo in the Amazon review here is of me when I had purchased these in bralettes in size large. At the time, I was heavier and a larger C cup, while I am now wearing them in a medium. I had noted they didn't have much support, but that they were supremely comfortable, and that continues to be the case. The product has not changed since I first purchased them two years ago.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. You probably know that pocketed bras are used by breast cancer survivors to hold mastectomy breast forms. But are you aware that they can also be used to even out an asymmetrical bust, and that they provide a convenient way for trans women to wear a set of breast forms or enhancers? Many women have two different sized breasts. As I recently saw someone say in a YouTube video: "they're sisters, but they're not twins." If that's the case for you, and you'd like to even things out, you can use a symmetry shaper or foam breast pad and place it inside a pocketed bra on your smaller side. But let me explain exactly how that works. What is a pocketed bra, and how does it work with a symmetry shaper or breast enhancer pad? AnaOno carries a selection of best-selling pocketed bras in different styles to meet your needs, including everyday comfort, full-coverage, and molded cup choices. One of the best things about pocketed bras is that they don't require underwires in order to support the shaper or insert. Many of these bras are wireless and rely on other design features like wide bands, strategic seams, and supportive fabrics for necessary structure and support. This makes AnaOno pocketed bras more comfortable, breathable, and wearer-friendly for those who can't tolerate underwires or are looking for an easier way to wear breast forms or shaper inserts every day. These bras have pockets sewn into the cups to hold the type of bra inserts that are specifically designed to add fullness, shape, and lift to your smaller breast. The pockets have overlapping edges that close over the insert and lie flat on top of it after placing it inside, like with the removable pads in a sports bra or bralette. You don't have to choose an insert that is marketed as a symmetry shaper, but these are great if you have had surgery or have more than a one or two cup size difference between breasts. Find more bras recommended for asymmetrical breasts here. Other options, if you need less volume in a shaper, are traditional push-up pads or full-cup inserts that add one-half to one cup size in the area you want to fill out. Any of these can be placed inside the bra pocket to keep it secure throughout the day, and you'll get a better fit that anchors the insert to your chest so it doesn't shift around inside your bra. People often complain that push-up pads or breast enhancer inserts don't fit them correctly, migrate to the wrong place, or even fall out. With a pocketed bra, you won't have to worry about this happening. You may need to experiment with positioning the bra insert to find the best fit inside the pocket against your breast. But if you purchase a symmetry shaper or full-cup pad that covers the entire area of the breast, all you have to do is make sure you get the right size for your pocketed bra, and place the insert inside the pocket. It will fit securely without extra space, and you can go on about your day just as you would in any other type of bra. Check the measurements of the insert to make sure it will fit inside the pocketed bra you choose, or contact customer service for bra fitting assistance if you are purchasing both from the same site and need help selecting the right match. There are often size guides for bra inserts that indicate which to purchase for the corresponding bra cup size. If you are shopping on the AnaOno website, they have size charts available for each type of full-cup breast form, shaper, or foam pad to help guide you. I also recommend these bras for trans women seeking a way to comfortably and securely wear breast forms or push-up enhancer inserts. Lightweight foam forms from any manufacturer will fit inside AnaOno bras. Compare the size chart from your breast form manufacturer's website to AnaOno's mastectomy bra fit guide to find the bra right fit for your forms. All products featured on this page can be purchased at AnaOno.

Disclosure: this post contains an affiliate link. This bra arrived today and instead of just bitching about how unnecessarily padded it is, I'm going to actually review it. You're welcome. To sum it up: If you want a Victoria's Secret bra that fits better than this one on petites, or probably on anyone for that matter, try the VS Pink Wear Everywhere push-up bra. It has less insane padding and a much better, more comfortable fit. Another good option is the Denim Rose Lace bra, which I wrote a review of and like quite a bit. As for specifics: the Bombshell is pretty accurate in the band size. I got a 34A and if I wear it on the tightest hook, it fits almost the way it's supposed to around the rib cage, which is consistent with my measured band size of about 32 (underbust measurement 30"+2 = 32 band). Plus I like the fact that the center of it provides a little more space between the cups than many bras. That works well for my wide-set girls. I think the color is pretty, and the smooth cups would work well as a t-shirt bra. However... It doesn't even fit the mannequin. I don't really feel like I can wear it comfortably. This bra is not so much pushing up or in, as it is adding on. It doesn't really do much in the way of support -- and yes, this is probably in part because it's a band size too large for me, but that's not the entire problem. It simply has so much padding in the cups that there is very little room for my breasts. The way that this pushes up is by crowding me out. If I were to wear this all day, I think by the end I would feel very constricted and sick of it. Another thing about such heavy padding is that if the bra happens to shift to the side one way or the other, it will stay like that and you have to pull it back into place. The underwires of this aren't secure enough to prevent the cups from shifting due to all that inside stuffing. I suppose if I got a 32B or 32C that might solve part of the problem, but not entirely, because having the bra pulled tighter isn't going to make me feel less constricted and it still may shift if I drop one shoulder or twist to one side. Bras like this are picky about how you can move, in order for them to still fit the way they are supposed to. And the last thing I want to do is have to think about making sure I am adapting my body to a bra, for god sake. Three stars. Looks pretty, fit is eh, and the padding is problematic. Second photo credit: Amanda Lombardi.

VS still has the Denim Rose Lace push-up bra in stock as part of their Very Sexy collection, but the style has changed a bit since I bought it. It now has a different center gore, and the rose pattern is done in black rather than metallic silver. I assume for the purpose of this bra review's fit advice that the updated version isn't drastically different. But I can't say for certain that they haven't changed any aspects of how it might fit. I have it in a 34B, which seems true to size. The cups fit fine, but it’s loose in the band. That’s what I can usually expect in a standard 34B. The 32C in this bra would be a better fit on me. It’s an underwire plunge bra with a medium level of graduated foam push-up padding. I don’t find it to be so padded as to be uncomfortable to wear, although I wouldn’t choose it in hot weather. It adds the appearance of one cup size, at the most. On mine, there are flexible side bones (stays) leading to mesh wings and a two-hook back closure. The side stays feel supportive and stabilizing rather than constricting. These are not scary Bones of Steel. They are likely made of plastic. The fabric is nylon/spandex. The outsides of the cups are trimmed with mesh lace fringe at the tops. This trim can fold over underneath the top edges, which may or may not bother you. If you’re careful about how you put the bra on, and you aren’t getting dressed half asleep like I usually do, this probably won’t happen. Overall, if I had this bra in a 32C, I would still be wearing it. If you want a less expensive alternative that looks similar, try this push-up in the Unique Grey or Moonlight Blue. I don't have experience with it, but the reviews are excellent.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. I bought this light beige Dobreva longline wireless push-up bra used on Mercari, because I'm cheap and wanted to try it without having to commit to making a new purchase. As it turns out, I'm quite happy with it. So I decided to write up a Dobreva bra review. This is a size 34B. Like most push-up bras, it has graduated padding that is thickest at the bottoms of the cups and thins out at the tops. The version I got has lace trim at the top edges, but it also comes in smooth cup, ribbed, and eyelash lace varieties. You can choose between longline or standard length for the band. And if those aren't enough options, it's available in an impressive eleven colors, from the usual basics to rich jewel tones and leopard print. It's a demi-cup style with a wide, shallow profile -- a type of bra that often works well on me, so it's not surprising that this is a good fit. I have no gaps in the cups and no spillage anywhere. The straps can be converted to cross-back, and I tried wearing them that way, but it's more comfortable for me to keep them hooked traditionally. Crossing the straps may have changed the shape of the cups a bit, since having no wires likely makes them more flexible. As a result, what I felt might have been that the cups on this bra had a narrower fit when I wore the straps crossed. If you find that narrow cups are best for your breast shape, converting the straps to cross-back may get you the fit you need. You can shop for the Dobreva wireless push-up bra on Amazon in sizes 32 - 40 A, B, C, D, and DD; and 42 B, C, and D.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. This is a review of the Aerie Smoothez demi lightly lined bra. I've liked Aerie bras for a while, dating back to when I wore a 32A. Nowadays, their size chart puts me at 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. I'm not complaining. The Aerie bra fit is great for smaller breasts. These bras don't come up to my neck, not even the full-coverage styles, and the 34Cs do not gap on me. They even have options available for the AA-cup crowd: 32AA and 34AA. But, part of the reason why the cups fit so well is not limited to the smaller sizes. Aerie designers have produced a feature called floating cups, which means the underwires aren't stitched to the cups. Instead, there is a little space left between the wires and the layer of cushioned fabric inside the cups that covers them. Aerie is not the only company to do this. Check out another floating cup bra here, from the Latin American lingerie brand Ilusion. Floating cups can shift separately from the underwires along with your body when you flex your ribs forwards, settle backwards, or turn to one side or the other. Even for the awkward in-between cup sizes, where many of us find ourselves, a great fit is possible -- because the bra adapts to you, rather than you having to hope you can adapt to the bra. This demi-cup style has the necessary adjustable straps, a two-hook back closure with four rows, and pretty scallops at the bottom edge. It comes in seven colors: black, white, "ballet pink," and a set of neutrals that approximate various skin tones. I'd like to see more vibrant color choices available. Where is the red, purple, blue? Its best feature: the soft feel of the material. The bra is 80% polyamide nylon and 20% spandex. It's described as "buttery soft," and in this case that's no exaggeration. Even my cat likes it. SEO: Aerie Smoothez bra review

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. Adhesive bras and nipple covers are useful solutions to the need for breast lift, shaping, and nipple concealment when it's not convenient to wear a bra (or when you just don't want to). These products have become popular, with many women trying out different types and brands. The Niidor sticky bra has thousands of 4 and 5 star ratings on Amazon. They have developed a number of different options for which type of adhesive bra or nipple covers to choose, depending on your individual needs and preferences. These adhesive bras are silicone or fabric, with several colors and from four to seven sizes available depending on the style. Their nipple covers come in five varieties, up to four colors, and two sizes. One type of cover does not have chemical adhesive and is designed for allergic skin. Let's face it: adhesive bras and nipple concealers are very hit-or-miss. Some can have irritating chemicals, come unstuck easily, or are nowhere near matching the skin color of... well, anyone. However, there's nothing like sticking a couple of covers on your nipples when you're running late or just can't deal with a bra. It's worth making sure you shop smart when buying an adhesive bra or set of nipple covers, because they are in direct contact with a sensitive area. That's where Niidor comes in. These can be worn in place of a bra or inside swimwear. But it can take some practice to figure out how to wear these products, and how to wash and store them so that they last. Especially when shopping for nipple covers, it's not a bad idea to purchase some cheap generic ones first before you invest in anything of higher quality, so that you have a chance to get the hang of putting them on and removing them. (Those with very sensitive or allergic skin may want to skip this step. I don't blame you.) Here are some other nipple covers and adhesive bra options available. Some look to be of better quality than others. I made this linked list with the understanding that people often decide to spend less. If you don't have sensitive skin, you'll have more flexibility in what you decide to try. Once you're comfortable applying and wearing a less expensive sticky bra or set of nipple concealers, you can take the leap and get something with a reliable reputation for being gentle, durable, breathable, and adhesive enough that it won't shift or fall off.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. You may have seen the terms "bra inserts" and "push- up pads" used interchangeably. They can mean the same thing, but not always. An insert is just anything you put inside a bra, and does not always add size or lift, while push-up pads always do this. The amount of increased size and lift that a push-up insert provides depends on its diameter, thickness, and placement inside the bra. Push-up pad bra inserts are often thicker at the bottom, gradually thinning out at the top. Above left is an example of this type of insert, sized to fit inside A and B cup bras. These can be used for one breast only to even out asymmetry, or as a pair to provide enhancement for both. When shopping for push-up pads, look to see if they are sewn around the edges rather than free-cut foam. They can do what you want either way, but reinforced sewn edges will help them keep their shape longer during washing and wearing. For the most lift, place push-up bra inserts at the bottom of your bra and settle each breast into the cups above them. To bring your breasts closer together for enhanced cleavage, put the inserts at the outsides of the bra with the thinner halves facing inwards, and scoop each breast in towards the center. What about breast forms? A breast form (shown at right) is a full artificial breast prosthesis made out of silicone gel, foam, fiberfill, and/or polyurethane. This will usually have a flat back, and is meant to be worn inside a mastectomy bra with a pocket to accommodate it. A breast form can also be worn inside a regular underwire bra for those who can tolerate underwires, as long as the form is the right size. Breast forms come in sizes like bras do. It's best to look up the size chart that is specific to the brand of your breast form to get the most accurate information about its sizing, but Google has a general guide. Check out my post about pocketed bras to find out more about breast forms.