This is not the best model of sports bra that Champion makes, but it is still better than the no-brand sport bras I had before. I did own just one Champion bra in the past and it was better than this one (sorry, can't remember which model), but this "Freedom" model is good for the price. FIT: I bought extra large because the largest size they had of my previous "no-brand" bras was still too tight. In this model of Champion, the extra large seems to be about American ladies' size 14-16. However, it seems kind of loose in the cup area, so I have to hike the straps back over my shoulders to keep from flopping. I don't think I have shrunk (if anything, the contrary), so I think the cup area of this bra is just cut more generously than my old "no-brand" sport bras from the supermarket aisle. The fit around my rib cage is okay, neither too loose nor too tight. I thought about shrinking it in the dryer or buying one size down, but then I decided I would rather wear it a little loose than have it too tight. FABRIC: Spandex, you love it, you hate it. It keeps you from bouncing, but it also traps sweat next to your skin. As far as I know, nobody has invented anything better as of yet. This bra is pretty good in that it doesn't pinch at the edges like the old ones did. QUALITY: Well made, all the seams are solid. I bought 7 of these all the same, and they were all good quality. WASHING INSTRUCTIONS: Machine wash cold, let it air dry on a rack or draped over a hanger. (In the past, I foolishly put spandex in the dryer and it shrank, and I would truly not advise that.) PRICE: I bought 7 of these at $15 each, because I like to have a clean one every day so I can work out. There is nothing worse than having to work out in a stinky sports bra, or having to do your laundry more than once a week. The $15 price is very fair for this level of quality. Also I would rather have 7 at $15 each, than just own 2 or 3 good ones at double the price, because washing them more than once a week is too much hassle, and face it, ladies really do sweat (unless maybe you're from the South, I couldn't say). BTW: I only wear these Champion bras for working out, I actually have a second set of cheaper and more comfortable bras for just every day wear. SHOULD YOU BUY IT? If you're shopping for sports bras because you're thinking about starting a work-out program, and if you can afford this price, I would say, just go for it. Having good quality sports bras makes it a lot easier to stick with aerobics or kick boxing, or any high impact exercise where you bounce a lot. The no brand sport bras might be okay but then again, they might not, and do you really want to find out after you've sweated all over it and you can't really sent it back. And if you are blessed or cursed with being a larger lady, you might not get enough support from the no-brand sport bras that a skinnier person could wear. If you are literally training for an Olympic event, then I would say, shop for a more expensive model of Champion. If you are doing some kind of exercise, like walking, where you don't have to bounce, then you could shop for something with less support. But if you are just doing regular sport training to keep fit, and you have to kind of do it on a budget, this might be the right one for you.
