The Search for the Perfect Bra

I’m beginning my search for a good bra.

My last perfect bra was the Natori Feathers underwire Contour Bra. It sat smooth against my chest and never gapped when I relaxed my shoulders. It also lied undetected under all of my tops (silk, cheap jersey knit, gauzy tees, etc.) which is my number one requirement in a bra. Have you noticed how smooth Oprah’s tops always look? I mean not a hint of undergarment, it’s almost as if she has a doll-like figure under all those sweaters. That’s the standard.

The thing about the Natori bra is that I wasn’t a good parent to it, especially in the wash, so eventually the lace bunched up, it developed pills, hard creases and, ultimately, became visible under my tops.

A no-go.

So while I might go back to the tried and true, and just vow to take good care of her, I’m also open to trying a new brand.

Here’s the criteria:

I need full coverage.

I’ve got some lovely lace bras that I wear with chunky sweaters and when I’m on team #FreeTheNipple but I’d also like some discretion

I need underwire

Maybe it’s that tween brain resurfacing and telling me that underwire is a womanly bra (as opposed to training bras and bralettes) or maybe I just liked being craddled. Either way, I’m not looking for soft construction.

It has to be black

That’s been a non-negotiable since college. It makes me feel put together to have everything match, I don’t have to worry about mismatched tones with different brands or even dye lots. And it’s just less decision making I have to do in the morning when I get dressed.

Padding is a strict no-no

I don’t get it! I’ve always been vigilant about becoming attached to enhancers that make me feel less-than when I take them off. Never wearing make-up so often that folks think I’m sick when I show up as me. Not wearing extensions because I wouldn’t like my self after taking them out. And no fake boobs. But also, it’s just very uncomfortable. The last time I tried on a padded bra happened to be about a month after my gals went from a B to a D cup, so having the extra padding on top of the extra padding was wildly uncomfortable and that’s just been imprinted.

It has to be well-made

Expensive? No. Well made? Yes. I think we know that those words aren’t synonymous, but to be sure, I’ve purchased one of the best bras I’ve ever owned from The Gap and I’ve seen a bra that felt like garbage (think cheap stiff creased foam) for $90 at Nordstrom.

To that point, this dream bra has to have a nice hand feel, an elegant drape, the ends of the straps should be concealed and not just lazily tacked to the body, the hardware should be metal- not plastic.

I’d Prefer No Cups that are fully molded

They always fit well, but in my experience, they tend to be the first bras to show under my tees (the edge of the cups may turn out away from the body and create a line, or it’s just the abrupt termination of the thickness of the bra that creates those hard lines. Not pretty.

Here’s what’s on my radar:

The Cuup Balconette in black.

That sheer mesh and cup that’s contoured with a dart (not molded!) are huge selling points, but I’m mostly drawn by the no-stitch finish on the top edge. Hardware is perfect, shape is a dream.

Third Love Modern Mesh Balconette

Another balconette. It’s got a lot of texture, which could be a fun substitute for lace that won’t get ruined in the wash.

Any others I should be checking out?