It's been 3....er, 4 months now since I've gone any further than the wild rose hedge that forms the border of my garden. I do take a drive along the water once every week or two, but other than that, I'm not going anywhere. So basically, my working-from-home wardrobe consists of yoga pants and T-shirts. I feel fortunate to be able to work from home. And even happier that my job actually discourages video meetings.
I realize I haven't worn an underwire bra in...well, 4 months. Because slouching on the sofa with a laptop is even less underwire-friendly than sitting at a desk. Instead, I've rediscovered some old wire-free friends.
Like these two all-cotton styles from Fruit of the Loom that I used to wear on weekends, about 10 years ago. I was concerned they would no longer fit me at my current 40G size, but due to the generous US cup sizing, they do.
Fruit of the Loom Style 96715
Band. One of the greatest factors in comfort for me is a minimal, not too tall, not too tight band. Being short-waisted, too much structured band just rolls up or digs in or constricts. It is not worth the trade-off of increased support. So this nice & low cotton band is comfy and has 4 hooks.
Cups & Shape. Difficult to see in black, but this is my favorite seam style: diagonal-shaped, and high up on the cups.
This makes for a full-on-top friendly bra, and the stretch in the cotton allows my natural upper fullness to assert itself. Result? A very nice profile shape. Rounded and with no flattening.
Straps. Built up in the front, adjustable in back. Also cotton. On the narrow side, actually. I'd prefer them wider, but they are adequate.
Compromises. While the profile shape is great, because it's wire-free the shape from the front is wider, and a little east-west. The upside is that you get actual separation and there is no smooshed together uni-boob shape.
I find the shape perfectly acceptable under clothing:
Fruit of the Loom Style 96825
I actually find this one the slightly comfier of the two, due to the simpler cup style: fewer seams across the top because it does not have that pretty satin inset. Also, it has a little more cup capacity. The trade-off is that the shape is a little less perky. But still very acceptable.
Cups. A traditional frumpy design with a single horizontal seam. The bottom 1/2 is double-layer, providing some actual support. Because the cotton has stretch, it doesn't create the unfortunate flattened yet pointy shape full on top boobs usually get from this style. In fact, under clothing, I get a nice rounded shape, as below:
The only other real difference is that the band has only 3 hooks. For some reason, the bands are only a single layer of cotton, which is a lost opportunity for support, but not a dealbreaker.
When Do I Wear Them?
Quarantine for the win! These are really great for light, simple support while working from home. Also while doing yard work outside in the humidity, because they are all cotton and do provide some separation. If you deal with hot, humid summers (I only deal with that 2nd part) then cotton bras are a practical necessity. They don't chafe and they breathe. I'm very comfortable wearing them out of the house, even in a Tshirt. Where I wouldn't wear them is with clingy, silky fabrics.
Sizing.
U.S. and very generous. I'm wearing both bras in a 40DD. Yes, I'm serious. I am a US 40H, or UK 40G. That tells you how generous the cups are and how forgiving a fabric cotton is. Ten years ago, I was a 36GG and I wore these styles in a 40D, on the middle hooks. So, say you're a 36G, you should do fine in a 38D. If you're a 34DD, I'd try a 36C. And so on.
Pricepoint.
Ridiculously affordable at $10 each. You can expect 1-2 years of good wear out of these, and you don't need to fuss too much with laundering them, either. Slip them into a mesh bag and wash with your other cottons. If you forget the bag, they're still pretty rugged.
I got mine from Walmart.com and Amazon has them as well.
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