I am, sadly, not sponsored by Aubade. I did not receive this bra in return for a review. But I cannot pass up a decently priced Aubade bra! (Aubade people, are you reading me?) I love their bras. I live in a hot climate, and they are thin and cool and feel like nothing on. I am athletic, so not particularly buxom, yet top-heavy and they make all sorts of unlined bras that do not add bulk to my frame. And these little, lacey marvels of engineering make my 55-year-old décolletage look naturally perky and round, without padding! I love Aubade! In good French bras I am usually a 38C. I am, however, thick through the back and rib cage. So this time I tried ordering a 40C. It was an interesting experience and I will share it here for those of you who are interested. I was thinking the 40 wouldn't need breaking in for the band to be perfectly comfortable, and that it would avoid the issue I have in some Aubade styles where (without the band actually being tight) my breasts are pulled too close together, leaving a bit of breastless rib cage at the sides and also producing cleavage that is downright embarassing in a revealing top. I'm not bragging. I guess, you know, some people might think, "Wow! Fantastic!" and the twins do look good, but a bit too sexy for a married woman with adult sons. It's just not the look I'm going for. So, what I found out was that, in this style at least, 40C changes over into plus sizes. The band is deeper, there are four hooks, and the straps are honking wide. I live in a hot climate (Africa!), so my necklines tend to be a bit broad and open just to keep from being a sweaty mess from May to November. And having a fairly small bosom (C cup), I therefore do not need a wide strap and don't particularly want it. I also find the deeper band flattering in back (although Aubade generally manages not to show off my back fat, even with a narrower band), but the four hooks are fiddly. It's harder to do up all those hooks as you get older... These features are surely fantastic for someone with fuller cups who needs the extra support. These are great bras and this one will definitely work for me. I didn't realise it was plus size, but although it wasn't a great surprise, it's still a very nice bra and I still love it and will wear it to death. Although, on that front, I must point out that I have yet to wear out an Aubade bra. My oldest one is five years old and still going strong. (AND I machine wash it! but do hang it out to dry.) My advice is to go ahead and buy this bra! All the Aubade bras! Aubade people, where are you! This is an honest review, I am speaking from the heart. Send me bras! I will make commercials for you! (But start making matching briefs that are briefs and not bikinis, please!)
