This is another one of those occasions where I have to say sorryyyy but I loved this and I didn’t care that it was 2 band sizes too big and 2 cup sizes too small – it was pretty, it was on Black Friday sale, so I bought it. I’m going to refer back to my “Why your bra size isn’t the end of the world” post here because, although I’m all about getting women to know that there are sizes beyond DD+ and below 32 and that they might fit those, I also don’t stress too much over every one of my bras being one of these.
As I said, on Black Friday every year, the only thing that I allow myself to purchase for myself is lingerie. I mean, if there was something I really needed or wanted that was something else, I wouldn’t say no, but lingerie is where I want to spend my budget. And I also don’t set a budget because it might be that a super expensive piece is suddenly a lot less expensive but is still pretty costly in most people’s eyes but worth it for me. But it might also be that I stumble across aalong with various sports bra (that are really just crop tops, who are they kidding?!) under £10, and I go for that. So this was one of my 2016 Black Friday purchases, along with my Janay triangle set.
Shape & Appearance
Like I said earlier, I bought this bra because it looked really pretty. I really love bras that have a lace overlay on a sheer cup like this – in this respect it reminds me of my black lace Debenhams bra – and I also love ones that have triangle shaped cups that extend up towards the shoulder.
The cup is all one piece of slightly stretchy sheer mesh with that gorgeous lace overlay in the same shade. It’s as well as the “Candy Apple” shade I went for, although I really want the dusky black plum too. The cups are unlined, so don’t give a huge amount of shaping leading to a very natural tear drop shape on me.
The wires are low at the front, especially for a D+ bra, making it a true plunge shape – it’s often difficult to find these in my size so I always really appreciate them!
The straps are adjustable up to around the shoulder where they meet with the part of the bra that becomes the cups. They’re also interesting as they’re able to be detached where they meet the band so that they can be worn normally or cross-backed. The band fastens at the back with 3 sets of 2 hooks and eyes. Apparently in the 36DD to 38DDD sizes the band is wider with 3 sets of 3 hooks and eyes.
Size, fit & comfort
As I’ve mentioned, this bra isn’t my size, however it doesn’t fit too badly actually! Normally I wear a 28GG and this is a 32DDD. Yes, the cups are a little on the small side so that they dig slightly at the top edge of the cup, especially if I scoop and swoop a little too much, and yes, the band is a little big. But overall, it’s actually pretty comfortable to wear.
I don’t get a lot of support from it due to the band being too big and the cups being unlined stretch mesh, but to be honest, I’m not really wearing this bra as a “hoist them up and hold them in place” kind of bra – for me, it functions more like the kind of pretty bralette you’d see smaller busted ladies wearing – pretty, but not hugely functional.
The wires are a pretty good fit really – not too wide and they don’t dig anywhere. They’re a comfortable fit.
But what I love most about the comfort of this bra is the band fabric – it’s SO SOFT! I do own another Victoria’s Secret bra and this one also has the same super soft band fabric so I think it must be something that’s key to the brand.
Hi Sian! I am so glad to see a review of this bra, and it’s one of my favourites and I suffered guilt when I bought it from a) it not being technically my correct size and b) it being Victoria’s Secret (as an English person the only exposure I’d had to VS up until that point was their awful rep for sizing etc).
I found this bra a year or so ago after wearing my “true” size of 30F for a while, and the 32DD fits me perfectly. I waxed lyrical about it on Bratabase (and now have it in three colours!) and still think it’s a really great bra – pretty and super comfy with smart design choices (like you said, the ability to make it cross back, and secondly no labels at all!). I’m now super into VS but this was the first bra there that caught my eye, so it’s cool to see it get the love from other somewhat fit-conscious Brits :-).
I have never bought from VS, but then iv never thought about checking out their black friday sales, this year ill be there 🙂 i think your bra looks fantastic on you, its a lovely colour and the pattern on the lace is gorgeous.