Review: Glamorise Cami Wonderwire Bra

I am always on the lookout for a comfy large cup size cami-bra. Because:

1)  I am both full-on-top and fairly high-set. Result: cleavage is always a factor for me. I have no philosophical issue with cleavage as such, but I simply prefer not to display more than a minimal amount at work. 

2)  I seriously dislike wearing layers of clothing. Indoors. Because dry, overheated air is a huge pet peeve of mine. I define overheated as above 70F. Frankly, I think 68F is plenty, and my own home is kept at 65F. For some reason, gov't buildings here are always 72-75F degrees, which is ridiculous. Especially given that there are constant bulletins about 'fiscal austerity'. So what we have are moratoriums on buying pens and paper, while the heating oil bills don't merit any review. 

Digress much? Don't mind if I do. But my point is that even a camisole is just another layer I do not want to pile on. 

Beauty

Very pretty. The lace is substantial and semi-opaque, so gives very good coverage. For reference, although the cami portion appears to come up quite high, my cleavage begins juuust below that top strip of lace. If you look closely, you can see the faint tell-tale shadow.

Black is hard to photograph and the details are not showing especially well, but the colors are more muted in person:

 Comfort

When I put this on in the morning, I really expected to be writing a rave review later that day. However.....

Wires.  These are wonderful. They are medium-narrow and cushioned with a thin layer of foam which makes them very comfy indeed. This is the 'wonderwire' in the name. They tack fully. There is an additional side sling that adds a bit more padding to the side wire and shapes very nicely.

Cups.  One vertical seam, resulting in a very rounded shape, which is not wide thanks to the narrow wires and side slings. The fabric is smooth and very supportive. I had zero jiggle. In terms of capacity, they run true to size and have moderate stretch. This is a real plus. Both full-on-top and full-on-bottom shapes are easily accommodated in this style.

Shape.  The best I've seen from Glamorise, which, as a more old-school brand, tends to favor a more pointy shape. It is a far better shape than I get from my other go-to cami-bra,N by Natori Truly Soft Bra. As an aside, this pic gives a very clear example of what a full-on-top shape is.

Here is how it looks under my favorite 'cut-way-too-low-for-anything-above-a-B-cup' top.  

    Compromises

Sides & Band. The band is very tall and the sides come up quite high, which is never a plus for me. And unfortunately, the elastic edging the top of the band and armholes is not soft and caused chafing by lunchtime. I really considered taking it off at that point. The only positive here is that there are no side stays. That also means, however, that there is nothing I can do to improve the comfort. 

I don't think this is a matter of softening through washing, either. The irritation it causes is similar to what I get from 'comfort' bras like the Ahh Bra, where the sides are just cut too high for comfort. The fabric is simply covering too much skin area so that even normal motion causes chafing of sensitive skin. If you do not have sensitive skin, and are not high-waisted, this may not even present any difficulties for you. 

When Do I Wear It?

When I want to wear a blouse that, when combined with my cup size, would otherwise risk making me look like I was on my break from working the pole. So, for going out with friends on weekends, when I'll be wearing it for 4 hours or less. If you don't mind tall bands and high sides, this is a very well-made bra, that is both practical and pretty, at a decent price. 

Size: 42F  Remember that Glamorise sizing is old-school US, i.e. the bands run tight, and you must add +4". This fits me like a 38GG (UK) or a 38I (US/Euro)

Review: Glamorise Cami Wonderwire Bra

I am always on the lookout for a comfy large cup size cami-bra. Because:

1)  I am both full-on-top and fairly high-set. Result: cleavage is always a factor for me. I have no philosophical issue with cleavage as such, but I simply prefer not to display more than a minimal amount at work. 

2)  I seriously dislike wearing layers of clothing. Indoors. Because dry, overheated air is a huge pet peeve of mine. I define overheated as above 70F. Frankly, I think 68F is plenty, and my own home is kept at 65F. For some reason, gov't buildings here are always 72-75F degrees, which is ridiculous. Especially given that there are constant bulletins about 'fiscal austerity'. So what we have are moratoriums on buying pens and paper, while the heating oil bills don't merit any review. 

Digress much? Don't mind if I do. But my point is that even a camisole is just another layer I do not want to pile on. 

Beauty

Very pretty. The lace is substantial and semi-opaque, so gives very good coverage. For reference, although the cami portion appears to come up quite high, my cleavage begins juuust below that top strip of lace. If you look closely, you can see the faint tell-tale shadow.

Black is hard to photograph and the details are not showing especially well, but the colors are more muted in person:

 Comfort

When I put this on in the morning, I really expected to be writing a rave review later that day. However.....

Wires.  These are wonderful. They are medium-narrow and cushioned with a thin layer of foam which makes them very comfy indeed. This is the 'wonderwire' in the name. They tack fully. There is an additional side sling that adds a bit more padding to the side wire and shapes very nicely.

Cups.  One vertical seam, resulting in a very rounded shape, which is not wide thanks to the narrow wires and side slings. The fabric is smooth and very supportive. I had zero jiggle. In terms of capacity, they run true to size and have moderate stretch. This is a real plus. Both full-on-top and full-on-bottom shapes are easily accommodated in this style.

Shape.  The best I've seen from Glamorise, which, as a more old-school brand, tends to favor a more pointy shape. It is a far better shape than I get from my other go-to cami-bra,N by Natori Truly Soft Bra. As an aside, this pic gives a very clear example of what a full-on-top shape is.

Here is how it looks under my favorite 'cut-way-too-low-for-anything-above-a-B-cup' top.  

    Compromises

Sides & Band. The band is very tall and the sides come up quite high, which is never a plus for me. And unfortunately, the elastic edging the top of the band and armholes is not soft and caused chafing by lunchtime. I really considered taking it off at that point. The only positive here is that there are no side stays. That also means, however, that there is nothing I can do to improve the comfort. 

I don't think this is a matter of softening through washing, either. The irritation it causes is similar to what I get from 'comfort' bras like the Ahh Bra, where the sides are just cut too high for comfort. The fabric is simply covering too much skin area so that even normal motion causes chafing of sensitive skin. If you do not have sensitive skin, and are not high-waisted, this may not even present any difficulties for you. 

When Do I Wear It?

When I want to wear a blouse that, when combined with my cup size, would otherwise risk making me look like I was on my break from working the pole. So, for going out with friends on weekends, when I'll be wearing it for 4 hours or less. If you don't mind tall bands and high sides, this is a very well-made bra, that is both practical and pretty, at a decent price. 

Size: 42F  Remember that Glamorise sizing is old-school US, i.e. the bands run tight, and you must add +4". This fits me like a 38GG (UK) or a 38I (US/Euro)

Review: Rosme Marta

From what I can tell, Rosme has what they consider their 'Classic' (read: pointier) collection and their newer styles. Marta is firmly in that former category. There are real differences in shape in all of the styles I've tried, with the best shape (for me) being the newer Rosabel and (far & away) the worst being Annija with this one, the older classic Marta, being 2nd worst. Unfortunately, the 'classics' are also the most comfy with softer fabric used for the lace, band and clasp. The Mona is in between these two shapes, and is also the most comfy.

Beauty

Here is how the Marta looks on (much) smaller boobs:

Definitely no wow factor with the very basic colorways but the contrasting lace makes it less plain and the strap detailing is a nice touch. 

Comfort & Fit

Fabric.  The microfiber is smooth and the lace is on the softer side and has moderate stretch -not as much as the other styles, but enough to prevent cutting in or gaping on different shapes.

Band.  2-hooks, as with all the styles I've tried; it's not a dealbreaker, as it does not cut in like say, the dreadful band of a Cleo. It is mesh, but reasonably soft. I find Rosme bands to be true to size, maybe slightly on the loose side, but not enough to drop down a size.

Cups.   Decidedly aimed at full-on-bottom boob shapes. Though not to the  extreme that the Annija is. A balanced shape might do well with the Marta, though you are still going to get a shape that is on the pointy side--just not to the degree that I am getting here. 

Shape.

Good lord, I feel like I'm in danger of putting someone's eye out.

This is similar to the shape I get with Curvy Kate (see Dreamcatcher) though this shape is actually a bit better than CK.  




The cups are cute quite low for a balconette and are almost giving a hybrid plunge effect.

The cup is not too small, but I'm getting that squared-off triangle shape I also get with Curvy Kate.  

The shape of the cup is just not a great match for my full-on-top shape. And the lace isn't stretchy enough to overcome that, the way it is in the Mona. 

When Do I Wear It?

It's not going to be very often. Even under a structured blouse, the shape will be too projected and pointy. Under a drapey knit fabric, this shape would cause epic boob-tenting of circus proportions. Which really just leaves sweaters. Very thick ones. Which I cannot wear to my overheated office. So the usefuless of Marta is very limited for me, pretty much just to weekend grocery shopping. However, if you are full-on-bottom--and you happen to like that moderately pointy/perky shape--this would be a good choice for a fairly comfy work bra that is a bargain. 
Size: 40H 

Review: Rosme Marta

From what I can tell, Rosme has what they consider their 'Classic' (read: pointier) collection and their newer styles. Marta is firmly in that former category. There are real differences in shape in all of the styles I've tried, with the best shape (for me) being the newer Rosabel and (far & away) the worst being Annija with this one, the older classic Marta, being 2nd worst. Unfortunately, the 'classics' are also the most comfy with softer fabric used for the lace, band and clasp. The Mona is in between these two shapes, and is also the most comfy.

Beauty

Here is how the Marta looks on (much) smaller boobs:

Definitely no wow factor with the very basic colorways but the contrasting lace makes it less plain and the strap detailing is a nice touch. 

Comfort & Fit

Fabric.  The microfiber is smooth and the lace is on the softer side and has moderate stretch -not as much as the other styles, but enough to prevent cutting in or gaping on different shapes.

Band.  2-hooks, as with all the styles I've tried; it's not a dealbreaker, as it does not cut in like say, the dreadful band of a Cleo. It is mesh, but reasonably soft. I find Rosme bands to be true to size, maybe slightly on the loose side, but not enough to drop down a size.

Cups.   Decidedly aimed at full-on-bottom boob shapes. Though not to the  extreme that the Annija is. A balanced shape might do well with the Marta, though you are still going to get a shape that is on the pointy side--just not to the degree that I am getting here. 

Shape.

Good lord, I feel like I'm in danger of putting someone's eye out.

This is similar to the shape I get with Curvy Kate (see Dreamcatcher) though this shape is actually a bit better than CK.  




The cups are cute quite low for a balconette and are almost giving a hybrid plunge effect.

The cup is not too small, but I'm getting that squared-off triangle shape I also get with Curvy Kate.  

The shape of the cup is just not a great match for my full-on-top shape. And the lace isn't stretchy enough to overcome that, the way it is in the Mona. 

When Do I Wear It?

It's not going to be very often. Even under a structured blouse, the shape will be too projected and pointy. Under a drapey knit fabric, this shape would cause epic boob-tenting of circus proportions. Which really just leaves sweaters. Very thick ones. Which I cannot wear to my overheated office. So the usefuless of Marta is very limited for me, pretty much just to weekend grocery shopping. However, if you are full-on-bottom--and you happen to like that moderately pointy/perky shape--this would be a good choice for a fairly comfy work bra that is a bargain. 
Size: 40H