I was pleased to hear back from "Nia," a reader who had been in touch with me before about her difficulties finding a bra that didn't irritate her skin. This post includes quotes from her about her experience, but Nia is a pseudonym at her request. The post where I originally spoke about her is linked at 4 Personal Bra Stories: The Size and Fit of Our Lives. Nia's responses are quoted directly, with her permission. I tried several of the bras you had recommended for sensitive skin. One of them, I still couldn't wear because it was too tight and rubbed against me in back. I asked Nia if it was the hooks on that bra that were rubbing against her, and she said she hadn't bought anything with hooks. So, I then asked if it could have been because the size was wrong and it was too tight. She replied that it didn't feel too tight, but that she did still have irritated skin after wearing it, which she could tell because she had hives in the band area after wearing it. I responded to this by saying that skin like hers can react to almost anything, and that the problem was likely ingredients on the bra that her skin had trouble with. I then asked what size the bra came in, and what size she ordered. Her response was: It came in Small, Medium, and Large. I ordered the Small, like the size chart said. Nia measures as a 32B, according to that size chart. But, her actual measurements are: 28" ribcage, and 32" full bust. This puts her at a 28DD or 30D for her most accurate size. Some size charts would put her in a size medium, while others would say she needs a small. There are also size charts that measure differently for D cups or larger, saying that this means Nia should be in a medium. But, given that she measures only 32" at her fullest bust, that can be a difficult thing to tell in bras without wires. Nia, with her sensitive skin, naturally ordered a bralette with no wires, because that's the only thing she can wear that is comfortable. Nia and I are still on the same search for a bra that won't cause her to break out in hives. I think she needs 100% organic cotton, which is what I said she should still keep trying. I feel for her that this is such a struggle, and that there is not a definite solution.

Okay so, I know that a post called "how to wash your nipple covers" may seem oddly specific. And, it is. But here's the thing: some people don't even realize that you need to do this. Or, they think you can just rinse them with water and put the plastic back on (you can do this, but they don't really get clean that way). Or, even worse, they don't put the plastic back on after, and the adhesive on the nipple covers dries out. Here is what you need to do to maintain your silicone nipple covers so that they last longer and stay in good shape: Peel the nipple cover off gently from your skin from the very edge, making sure that the thinnest part doesn't fold over on itself. Hold the nipple cover in the palm of your hand, adhesive side up. Wet the nipple cover with enough water to blend well with the soap you will use. Don't run rushing water from the tap directly over it; instead, put your tap on the weakest drip you can get it and slowly fill the cover with the water. Now, take a mild liquid soap or shampoo with no added moisturizers or other ingredients, and apply a few drops on top of the water. Blend the liquid soap and water with your finger, gently over the top of the nipple cover, in circles. Turn the nipple cover sideways under the tap. Run the tap water over the nipple cover, making sure to rinse it thoroughly. Leave your nipple covers face up to dry, just long enough so that you don't see any drops of water on them. Put the plastic back on top of each nipple cover. Put the nipple covers back in the box, so that they maintain their shape. Do this every time after you have worn the covers. If it seems like too much work, well... then you probably want the cloth disposable kind instead. Silicone needs to be taken care of. Another thing worth thinking about, before you even buy your nipple covers, is whether or not they will match your skin tone; and, how much you need them to match it exactly. It's unusual to get an exact match, so don't expect them to be completely invisible, but you can get an approximation. Focus on what undertones your skin has, and what color your areolas are. You may or may not be able to tell the actual color of nipple covers from a pic online. That's not a reliable way to tell, so look based on undertones: yellow/green/gold, or pink/blue. The covers will blend better with your skin if you get the right undertone, no matter how dark or light your skin is. But, obviously you also want to look at how dark your areolas are. Very dark areolas will be covered better by a darker shade of nipple covers. For very light ones, you'll be able to match more to the skin surrounding them.

At this point, I can definitively say that the subreddit A Bra That Fits is not helpful or useful. Read on for more information. What happened first, years ago, was that I attempted to post something with a link to my blog, where I had interviewed someone and had to defend her against their attack. Here is the link to that post. You can also see my comment in reply. This time, I had given a suggestion that they also didn't approve of, so that was removed by a member of the mod team. The person who spoke to me about it, after I asked about it being removed, said this: "Yes, the mod team removes unhelpful information." You can see some of this exchange in the screenshot that I posted above. My belief is that, unfortunately, this is cult-like and as a result they cannot see any other perspective, and resent it when someone says anything that may contradict them. If this is the case, their ability to give accurate or helpful information is severely compromised by the overall excessive unity of the group and the possible fear of members if they contradict the moderating team. What I was trying to say to the woman who originally posted was that, since her bras did not tack against her chest, she might try a larger cup size to see if that might fit better and more comfortably. Her size is 36H. The poster in the screenshot replied with a recommendation that she switch to the brand Freya, which many people there recommend routinely. There's nothing wrong with Freya bras, but they are more expensive than the brand the original poster had mentioned, and less easy to get unless you live in the UK. Also, I edited the post about Erica to restore the link to Nubian Skin, which for some reason didn't work anymore. Now it does.

Erica: I have two things I'm dealing with when it comes to bras. First, I am an African-American woman with very dark skin, so the so-called "nude" color of whatever bra I might be interested in is usually not going to be anywhere near my natural color. And second is my hard-to-find size of 34AA. Bras Outside the Box: Given this double challenge you're facing, how have you not just given up on bra shopping? E: I did give up, more or less. Except there are situations where you need to have something to go under a certain dress and then you have to come to terms. You try to get creative and come up with something that works. You settle for something that doesn't look too weird, but you don't ever get exactly the right thing. BOTB: Have you ever found a bra that did match your skin tone exactly? E: Not yet. One that I would love to try is the Nubian Skin push-up bra in Berry, because it looks like it could be at least somewhere close to my actual skin tone, though it could still be too light. And I like push-up bras. But I would have to order it and would not be able to try it on first. There is no way for me to tell ahead of time if it blends with my skin under a white top, or whether it fits right. Since there is no 34AA size there, I would have to get the 34A and hope that it fit well enough. I found out about Nubian Skin online and I was very glad to know that there is something made just for black women. If they did have my size I would have probably ordered one already. BOTB: How did you figure out that you needed a 34AA, and have you found a bra in that size that fits well? E: Yes, I have three 34AAs that fit well and that is how I learned that it's the right size for me (by trying them on). I was visiting family in another state and needed something to go under a strapless dress for a formal event. I went to an Aerie store there and got the Aerie Audrey bra in a 32A. The fit was acceptable, but it was very uncomfortable by the end of the night, and when I took it off I had marks around my ribs where it was digging in. But I liked how there was no extra space between me and the bra up at the top of the cups. I ordered another Audrey from the Aerie website in a 34AA and that is the best fit I've had so far. I then ordered two more when they were buy one, get one free. They have these sales regularly and I plan to take advantage of that again at some time in the future. BOTB: Do you feel like it sends you a negative message about your body and/or skin tone when there isn't anything available on the market to meet your needs? E: I don't take it personally at all. But nobody can relate much to me when it comes to bras, because my black friends all have bigger breasts and almost all of them are also lighter-skinned than I am. But they do comprehend the nude bra issue, so at least they understand me on that level. As far as the market not having the bra I need, yes it would be better if there was something available, and hopefully there will be in my lifetime. I will probably order from Nubian Skin if only to support what they are doing, because I think it's so important. Black women need bras that match us. With skin like mine, you can't wear a white or light-colored bra under a white top and have it not show. You end up having to accept that and either not wear white, or wear a camisole or something that you don't mind showing underneath. (Editor's note: Erica has agreed to follow up on this blog if she does end up ordering the Nubian Skin bra in Berry, so we'll be able to find out how it works for her.) #34AA #32A #NubianSkin #Aerie #AAcup #nudebras #smallbusted #AfricanAmerican #personalstories

Now that we're well into summer, I wanted to talk a little bit about swimwear. In particular, bikini tops and how to find one that fits, based on what usually fits well on you in bras. Swim tops are usually sized the same way that clothing is, although you can find the corresponding bra size for some of those. If the company also sells bras, which some do, you can check to see if they have a bra size chart... but even if they do have one, unfortunately it may not be correct. That's why all of this is such a guessing game. Maybe some of you are already all set on bikini tops (or whatever else you wear at the beach or pool) for the summer, but I figure I can't be the only one who buys everything online last-minute and hopes it will arrive in time for me to go on vacation. Yeah... you know you do this. My sister is worse: she once had to have Amazon deliver underwear to where she was staying, because she forgot to pack any. The most important thing to know, when shopping for a bikini top online, is first: what is its structure? Does it have an underwire? Most don't. But they may have an underband, which is likely to provide more support than you would get from one without that feature. If you're looking for a top that will lift your breasts from underneath, you'll want to check out that style, if you can't find one with an underwire. Straps at the shoulders that work like bra straps are also helpful for support, because they aren't tying around your neck. Halter tops that tie around the neck and back are going to be your least supportive option. Another type of swim top you can look for, if you like the look and want to make sure it keeps your breasts in place, is a pull-on sports bra style. These usually don't have adjustable straps, but instead have wider and more secure straps that connect with the rest of the top and either work as a racerback (with a Y-shape in back), or a full-coverage swimsuit top with material over all of your chest and back. You'll be able to wear this type of bikini top just fine while swimming, although it may flatten you out a little. Here was my experience recently: I bought a bikini top with an underband, that also had connected straps in back that laced across the back and then came over the shoulders. I thought this looked great, but the problem was that when I tied the straps tight enough in back for it to fit there, they were too tight and uncomfortable on my shoulders. I figured I'm going to need either adjustable straps, or a style that doesn't connect them to the back.. So, it was on to the next. After that, I went for a traditional halter-style that ties around the neck and back. I can usually wear this without much trouble, although sometimes the sizing is confusing. In this case, I chose a size small. If you're okay with having bikini top cups that have minimal coverage, you'll be fine with the smallest size that will fit you. So, you can order according to your usual clothing size up top, unless your bra size is out of the standard range. But, if your cup size is larger than DD or if you just want to make sure the cups cover more of your chest, ordering up one (or more) sizes from your usual clothing size might make sense. The way to tell for sure is to check the measurements of the cups, if that information is available, mainly for how tall they are but also for the width. Height is more important because that can't be adjusted, whereas most bikini tops have sliding cups that can be pulled out on the string from the bottom (but, always make sure it has that too). Very petite women who also wear a small bra size may want to order down; for example, if your clothing size is a Small, see if the bikini comes in XS. Even if XS tops in clothes don't fit you, a bikini top in that size very well could, because you don't have to worry about shoulder width.

Here is something I've noticed as a trend emerging in bra fitting among some companies that make bras and lingerie: getting very specific about fit, right down to half-cup sizes and figuring out new ways to tell customers exactly which bra will work best for them. But, how much of this is useful information? When does it begin to become too confusing and discouraging for those who already struggle to navigate bra sizing because they don't conform to any standard fitting method? Example 1: Petite Bra Fitting at Little Women Some of the intense focus on fit can, in fact, be helpful -- like if a company is providing a necessary alternative size for an under-served population. For example, creating an AAA cup size is an interesting choice that some petite bra specialists have made in order to help very small women get a better idea of how their bras are scaled down to smaller proportions. Little Women, a UK boutique brand specializing in small-cup bras, sells AAA cups for those who find that AA cups are too large in volume; in other words, too deep. What the AAA cup size does, in effect, is separate those who have a half-inch difference between full bust and underbust measurements (AA cup) from those who have less than that (AAA). Here's how it works at Little Women if you're shopping online: you take a fitting quiz, in which you are asked what size bra you are currently wearing and how well it fits. Depending on how tight or loose the band is, and whether you are spilling out of the cups or have gaps in them, you are then told to size up or down in one or the other, or both. I experimented with this using A and AA cup sizing. In the fit quiz, what happens if you tell them you're wearing an A cup but it gaps significantly is that you are advised to try an AAA cup. If you tell them your bra gaps slightly, you are directed to try an AA. Little Women bra size chart (there isn't one). What this company doesn't do is provide a bra sizing chart to help customers figure out their own fit by measurement. Instead, as the screenshot at left from their website demonstrates, it strongly pushes its specialized fitting service via video or in-person consultation. There is a brief explanation here, in their introduction to AAA cup sizing, about why this is necessary for small cup sizes -- but nothing about how to tell whether or not you'll be able to wear a size AA or if you really need the AAA. In this article, they also note that you "may also consider AA cup bras for small busts or A cup bras for small breasts. Explore our bras for small busts." And so, at that point, women looking at these sizes are back at the beginning: consider all of them, and if you still don't know, we'll look at you over a video call and tell you what to get. Helpful, or not? You tell me. I think if I had tried a number of different AA cup bras and none of them fit, I'd probably be interested in the AAA option. But in my experience helping very small-breasted women find a good bra, the half-inch difference between these two sizes is not substantial enough to guarantee that the AAA cup will reliably be a better option. That's because bras differ in cup structure, coverage level, material, shape, amount of padding, underwire or wireless... you get the idea. There are too many variables to be certain of fit when you're talking about less than half an inch. Example 2: Half-Cup Sizes at ThirdLove ThirdLove bra sizing chart. ThirdLove is a company that offers a "100% Fit Guarantee." This quote is from one of their sponsored ads. The language should tell you something about what kind of marketing strategy they're using: the hard sell. This is defined in an AI overview search response from Google as follows: A hard sell is an aggressive, high-pressure sales technique focused on getting a buyer to make an immediate purchase. It relies heavily on urgency, scarcity, and assertive persuasion rather than relationship-building. [1, 2, 3] The phrase is also commonly used to describe an idea, product, or policy that is simply very difficult to convince people to accept or agree with. [1, 2] But before we rush to judgment, let's take a look at where ThirdLove's promise of the perfect fit is coming from. Its sales tactics don't necessarily mean it isn't providing something valuable. In fact, this company does provide lots of information about bra fitting for its customers. My own website, when I had an AI tool analyze it, compared unfavorably to ThirdLove in how many common questions about bra fitting I answer; the likely common perception of my level of expertise on the subject (lacking); and my overall estimated reputation as a trusted and well-liked source of guidance online ("neutral," while ThirdLove rated as highly positive). The fitting method they're using is half-cup sizing, but not for unusual or difficult-to-measure dimensions. This is, more or less, calling yourself "B/C-ish," as I often do when describing my ideal bra size. Many, if not most, people are going to fit into this category. It's not often you'll find someone who is a perfect 34D, or any other bra size, every single time. So in fact, half-cup sizing for average women who can easily find themselves on a standardized bra fitting chart does make sense... sort of. It's something most of us can relate to. For me, when I heard that they were doing this, I thought: "that sounds great. I love the idea of having a B/C-ish bra that fits me just right, as if it were made for my body." Who wouldn't want such a thing? Unfortunately, according to many reviews of ThirdLove bras, my B/C-ish fantasy may be just that: a dream that they can't make into reality. Unlike Little Women, there is a chart for the brand's sizing; it does exactly what you would expect, which is separate cup sizes into "possibly this one, or maybe that one" by grouping them into flexible ranges. So if you're at the higher end of the B-cup range, for example, they call this a B+; smack in the middle, a B; and at the lower end, a B-... also known as A+. Guess what: all B cup bras actually have this range. ThirdLove's bra size chart is the same as most others, with some overlap between both band and cup sizes so that it's possible to find your measurements corresponding to more than one size. All they've done is provide new labels for what is already provided by most other brands as well, and apparently it hasn't done much for how well their bras actually fit. Critics of ThirdLove have found its sizing unreliable and overly reliant on the stretch of their materials, rather than on proper technical construction based on shape. Do some people love their bras? Sure, and that's just fine. But their marketing tactics strike me as deceptive, and what they're actually creating doesn't seem to be backing up all the hype of their claims. Compared to Little Women, a company that is in fact serving a demonstrated need, ThirdLove has not clearly established itself as having much of an impact on the evolution of bra fitting.

Disclosure: this post contains an affiliate link. I wanted to try out and review these adhesive bras from SealGirl because they come in a convenient two-pack, with one beige and one black, for just $9.99. The fabric is advertised as cotton, which I had my doubts about, but I didn't need it to be cotton anyway. The package also comes with two pairs of silicone nipple covers: one round, and one petal-shaped. Not bad for less than $10. So what's the catch? Well, in my order, the contents were mixed in quality. I got the size C cup bras, and the black one was perfect: the adhesive looked fine, although I didn't remove the plastic (you'll find out why in a minute), and the cups had a smooth surface with a simple plastic clasp at the center that was easy to use. They looked true to size, with about the right amount of overall circumference and depth. The beige bra, on the other hand, had deep wrinkles in the fabric that I couldn't remove by trying to smooth them out with my fingers. One cup also had a couple of little picks, like it had gotten caught on something that pulled on the surface. If I could have kept the black bra and returned the beige one, I would have, but since that wasn't possible, I ended up sending back the whole package. I wondered if part of the problem was the actual size of the box. The bras were shoved in there like they were one of those gel-capsule sponge animals that grow when you put them in water. It's a very small box, for a not-very-small product. A shame, because I think the bras might have been fine if they were packaged properly. But until they fix that problem, I can't recommend these. The total verdict: three out of five stars, because one of them was fine and it's a good value with the nipple covers added. By the way, that thing on the upper left in the photo is (I think) a package with liners, which you can put underneath the bras and on top of your nipples if you have sensitive skin. Again, a good idea and thoughtful of them to include. If you don't care that much about wrinkles or picks, go for it.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. 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 recently sold a black front-close underwire bra (shown here at left) that had a single layer of lace over the tops. These cups were lightly lined and molded at the bottoms, coming up below nipple height on a size 34C or 32D (the size was marked as Medium, so this was my estimate). The bra had metal hooks at the front. Now, this bra was unusual in more ways than one, being both front-close and low coverage; but, it's one example of this type of bra that I happen to have a photo of. You can find bras of this type pretty much anywhere, in any price range. Expect to get what you pay for in terms of quality, just like you would with any other type of bra. They go from very inexpensive to bespoke custom-made. But with this type, the emphasis tends to be on shaping, since it's sort of like a cake plate for your boobs. So you'll tend to see these bras mostly in underwire, or else having a clearly defined shape via halter or racerback straps. Brands to look for include Frederick's of Hollywood and Avidlove. What you need to know about fit, with these, is that you do need to get the right size. They might not look like much of anything, but if you get one that is too big or too small, it's not going to work on you -- just like any other bra. If it's too small, the wires will cut in and/or you'll spill out over the tops of the cups to the point where you might as well not even bother. If it's too big, you'll have gaps around the edges, and the "shelf" won't actually act as one because you'll slip backwards from it. So, if you're ordering one online, make sure you can return it for a refund.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. This bra review is of the True & Co True Body Lift Triangle Adjustable Strap Bra. It's a full-coverage unlined soft-cup bra with removable pads, wide adjustable straps, and a generous band. I bought the size Small, which corresponds to a 34B or 32C. It's a good fit, and I'm glad I didn't go with the Medium. If you are between sizes in either band or cup (or both), then based on my experience, I'd recommend ordering the smaller corresponding size in True & Co. The material is 75% nylon and 25% spandex. It's lightweight and thin, making the removable pads necessary if you want nipple coverage. The pads are not visible through the fabric. This bra is very comfortable, and it does manage to be supportive even with the lack of underwires and not much structure in the cups. There are seams that go from underneath each cup to under the arms, where they connect with the seams that come down from the straps. It also has support from the band, which I would describe as longline-style. It's longer than some other bands in bras like this and comes down over my whole ribcage, but I'd rather have it be too long than too short. Fortunately, it doesn't roll or fold up and has a nice secure fit. Taller women will appreciate the length. The sides of the Body bra are relatively high, giving it the capacity to smooth side bulges and gently pull the breasts towards the center. But it will only do this if you tighten the straps enough, which I haven't done because I prefer a looser fit. Still, you do get coverage from the sides even if you wear the straps loose, and there won't be any side-boob going on in this bra. With more coverage, you gain certain things: a more flattering, smoother look and a feeling of security. You also lose a little bit of freedom and have less ventilation in hot weather. So this may not be your favorite bra to wear outside in 90-degree heat, but it's perfect to go underneath a thin top or dress at work or for an evening out. And the comfort level is a definite five stars. You can put this on and not think about it all day.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. Wearing clothes that resemble lingerie, or lingerie that can double as clothing, is not a new thing. It's a trend that comes and goes, but with lots of '90s styles being highlighted at the moment, I'm happy to see this look showing up more often. We're seeing babydoll dresses, camisole tops, and layered spaghetti-strap tanks. Artless Forever is a Los Angeles boutique that fully embraces '90s minimalism and features several lingerie-inspired pieces, like the satin Greer dress shown at left and the Blake lace cami top, below. I especially love the bits of white lace appearing to peek out the top edges of the Greer dress, and the elegant 100% silk construction of the Blake top. Both pieces have an unapologetic aura of stepping outside the boundaries of being this or that type of garment. Founder Madison Orlando says in her mission statement: "Artless is inspired by the quiet confidence of people, places, and objects that simply exist." That's not to say that Orlando's designs aren't structured; the dress certainly is, with a form-fitting cut and figure-flattering seams. The top, too, has a neckline and straps that are quite deliberately cut in a way that makes it fall just so -- with no awkward extra fabric, and a body-skimming fit that gently brushes the skin. This cami might be fine with a bra underneath, but I would keep it very simple: black, ideally; not padded; and either strapless or with thin straps. I think it's perfect with jeans, but you could also pair it with an ivory pencil skirt or pants and a suit jacket for work. Is anyone surprised that I even wear real clothes? I wouldn't blame you, since I almost never write about them. But I certainly wouldn't hesitate to wear either of these.

Shop for Bras by Fit is a page I made on Amazon that shows you bras by category based on your body type, breast shape or size, or other area of lingerie interest. Why did I decide to make ten Amazon lists of various bras and lingerie related products? It all started when I got approved as an Amazon associate for the second time, having previously been kicked out of their program for inactivity. They had informed me that I still had money in my account, but that I wouldn't be getting it because they were kicking me out. Like, great thanks so much. I decided to re-apply, even though I wouldn't be able to get the money I had previously made. For some reason, they let me back in, but they're going to kick me out again if I don't get at least three sales in 180 days. Guess how many I have so far? That's right: zero. A sale happens when somebody buys something from your link, and it's a qualified sale, meaning it isn't disqualified for any number of reasons that Amazon can decide it doesn't count. I'm making every possible effort to get those sales. You might be thinking, so what if they kick you out again? Who cares? Well, see, now it's personal. Now, I'm pissed off because they wouldn't give me my money. I really have to get those sales so I can stay in the program and make the bots or whoever runs the stupid thing feel guilty for not paying me. Another thing I find irritating is that it won't let me use the word "breasts" in any of the descriptions I write on these lists. It gets flagged as inappropriate. So I've had to get very creative in not using that word. I find this ridiculous, and it's yet another reason why I want to squeeze Amazon for every penny it will give me. And that's where Shop for Bras by Fit comes in. I wanted to put bras on Amazon into categories based on what body type or breast shape they would fit best on. I started out with wide-set breasts, my own type, and went from there. Then I started creating categories that have nothing to do with fit, so now the description doesn't really make sense anymore because it's like, everything. But it's my curation, dammit, and I'll put whatever I want in it. Don't feel too sorry for me. I'm doing well on Vinted, mainly with buyers in the UK for some reason. I guess they like bras more there.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. I bought this Aerie unlined bra used at a discount in size 36B and removed the underwires. This is the Smoothez full-coverage sheer 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 results? My feedback is mixed. The cups do fit better with the underwires removed, but it doesn't help with the band size. The bra overall is fine. It's true to size, for the most part, which means it doesn't fit me. I was expecting as much, but thought I might be able to get it to fit better without the underwires. My usual size in Aerie is 34C, and 36B is a sister size of this. There was a decent chance it would work. Unfortunately, even on the tightest hooks, this is just too loose around the back. So I'd have to sew on an extra set of hooks in order to get the right fit in the band. And I probably won't do that, because my sewing skills are like... they mostly don't exist. In the cups, it was closer to fitting correctly. They were not full coverage on me, but I didn't mind that too much as I prefer demi cup bras anyway. But these cups did an odd thing where they folded under at the top edges, creating slight quad-boob at the same time that tops of them wouldn't lie flat. I still can't quite explain what exactly caused this particular problem, which is not one I've had before, but I assume it has something to do with how thin the fabric is and the fact that this is the wrong cup size. I opted to take out the underwires because they weren't doing much in the way of support or shaping. In some bras, I do find an underwire helpful for these aspects, but in this one it felt like the wires were just sitting there. So I snipped small holes in the casings at the tops on each side of the bra and slid them out. These are thin, flexible wires -- the type that may get bent in the washing machine. So I advise using a protective mesh lingerie or bra wash bag unless you wash this bra by hand. It's also quite delicate because of the unlined mesh material of the cups. This is not a bra that can take a lot of rough treatment. On the Aerie website, some reviews mentioned the underwires poking out through the casings after only a brief period of time of owning and wearing this bra. One woman mentioned liking it, but having had to buy it multiple times after it fell apart. I don't know if she washes her bras in a bag or not, but it couldn't hurt. Find bra wash bag suggestions here. The fit in the cups without the underwires is much better. I find that they no longer fold under at the top edges, and instead lie flat against my chest the way they're supposed to, with a full-coverage fit. But without the underwires, the center gore does not tack between my breasts, instead standing out slightly away from my breast bone. It's similar to what often happens with bralettes that don't have an underwire, and is not drastically noticeable on me. It's something I could live with, if it weren't for the band not fitting. I should note that it's possible the bra was stretched out prior to my having received it, so the band might have fit better if I had bought it new. But it may also indicate that it stretches out easily and won't stay in good shape for very long, as some of the reviews on the Aerie website have suggested. So, in the end I think if I'd been able to get this in a 34C or even a 34B, I would have been happy with it. I don't mind the unlined cups, because in the black color, it isn't completely see-through and I'm not very self-conscious about my nipples showing. If you feel the same way and you like the understated sex appeal of bras like this, also check out the INLYRIC sheer mesh plunge balconette demi bra, or this version which is a balconette demi without the plunge cups. Both have a similar look, fit, and feel to the Aerie unlined bra. Having tried both of these from INLYRIC, I prefer the second, because the wires don't come up as high at the sides and the cups are set wider apart. Which to choose is a matter of what tends to fit best on your body. The brand has excellent reviews on Amazon. Back to the Aerie bra review: this unlined full-coverage style was never going to be my favorite from Aerie (that will always be this one), but it's a very soft and comfortable bra. The addition of removable pads is a reasonable idea for those who aren't sure they really want a bra this sheer, although I wonder how well the pads work inside such thin mesh fabric. Hopefully they are properly fitted to the cups so that there isn't awkward show-through. I have this bra for sale on Mercari if anyone is interested. I am certainly open to offers, especially from my readers. Or shop my current selection of bras on Vinted. I'll have some Aerie bras listed there soon too.