Fruit of the Loom Women's Front Close Sports Bra - Cotton Blend, Easy Fit & Built-Up Support

This is the only bra I will wear. I would wear a 46DD in a more structured or underwired bra and this bra takes the weight. I have all the colors it comes in and could not be more pleased. If they would make more colors, I would snap them up, because a pretty bra that fits, works, feels good and is easy to care lifts more than your bustline and shape; it lifts your spirits. An instant mood boost. I have tried supposedly similar bras that gave me a disastrous squeezing uni-boob or else no support whatsoever, like with the sling-type sleep bras that are more for modesty, and yes, it works for modesty, but not for going out into the world, out of control. This bra gives you good support without you having to rig the straps together in back to be tighter and more of a halter, which is common in front-closr bras where the stress on the back wears it out.Another huge plus for this bra is the front closure. Once you start wearing front closure bras, you will never go back to the old way that dislocates your arms at the shoulder as you bend over blindly and struggle against gravity to hook it (OK, once in awhile with a plunging neckline it might be justifiable, but that is rare and was never in this bra's wheelhouse). That's not all though. With the front closure on this bra (6 count-em six adjustable hooks), while the gathers also give you room, shape and fit, it is so easy to put on, either as stated, like buttoning a blouse, or especially if you have mobility issues like arthritis or are in a hurry, you can fasten it first and pull it on over your head like a tank top, or you can even step into it. Yes, you can do some of those tricks with back-hook bras too, but it destroys their elastic, and if they have underwires, forget it. The fabric of this bra is not rigidly athletic but can take a lot of stretching without losing its shape, and once it is on, however you put it on, you can do that little chicken dance and duck-and-weave that everybody does when they put on their bra, until everything is to your liking, and it stays put because the fabric clings. I will take that instead of itchy lace anytime. And it wicks away the sweat.This bra also isn't a minimizer like a lot of the sports bras are. A sports bra that is well designed should not flatten you into immobility and this one doesn't. Being a sports bra, it is nice that this comes in numerous colors, because of all the sports bras I have known, if any of it does show at the cleavage or underarms, it really does look like you have a tank top or camisole on that is meant to be seen. (Seeing someone's bra under their arm, as with a sleeveless or tank top with deep armholes, when it is not supposed to show, and maybe even seeing part of the underwire, etc., has always been a pet peeve of mine. That's not sexy. It's just poor planning.) So yes, this is a sports bra, of sorts. I wouldn't say it is a good candidate for high-impact leaping around, but for the amount of regular daily activity I do, it is fine. If I were to leap around, I might fall and break a hip. On the other hand, the description is 100% accurate about it being a comfort bra, and it is great for yoga and low-impact stretching. And for those who care, it does not look like some kind of breastfeeding or geriatric garment.Which brings me to the topic of the bust pads. To pad or not to pad, that is the question, and this bra initially won my heart because of that little pocket under each armpit. That is not a flaw or a tear. That is an intentional little opening where you can slide in a pad, for modesty or friction or sweat or whatever reason. After all, the fabric is like a beefy T-shirt (although it softens up really nicely with each wash and does not get fuzzy), so you might want more between you and some tighter or more sheer garments. Now, at first they used to give you 2 pads per bra, which was great. The pads are standard teardrop shape (some others are round or triangular) in a very thin foam which does not change your cup size or lead to later disappointment, is not pointy like in a bathing suit, does not shift around, and I leave it to you to use them or not. You fold it in half and put it through the opening, then smooth it out. You could fit most of your hand in there and it would not damage the bra. When you do laundry, you take it out and can wash and dry them in the same load as the bra. What a bargain! But then... for some reason they started giving us one set of 2 pads with a pack of 3 bras. That was kind of stingy, and obviously you would not swap them out previously worn between bras without washing them, so a bit inconvenient if you use the pads a lot. But considering how affordable the bras are, like less than $8-9 each, which you pay for one pretty panty, it is still worth it. There are several places on Amazon that sell bra pads, although choices for a D cup or larger admittedly are limited. Still no biggie but worth mentioning because there were these hard feelings. Apparently some women have written that now only the black bra gets pads, or that these bras are worthless without the pads. I see it as versatility. Also of note, there are bras made by this same manufacturer that look very similar and do have pads permanently installed, not removable. That is just a basic padded bra, but still made of cotton, which is always preferable.Now for the final phase of feedback. After considerable AI query and research, not just on Amazon but several sellers of this wonderful bra that are now using wonderful bots to relate to us about our bras, I have my reasons, and my conclusion is that as long as bra #96014D still allows for the insertion of a bust pad, even though AI's answers about identical images stating they are #96014, #96014A & #96014PK are at odds over this, I love this bra, and I don't care if I have to provide my own pad(s) or prosthesis. The bra's pocket feature is hugely important to post-mastectomy or "uneven" women who otherwise must buy custom-made, cost-prohibitive bras (@$150). I rely on these bras, so please work with Fruit of the Loom and please get your act together about the style numbers the same way Playtex, Olga and Warners do so you can order refills of your proven bra by number, and do not rename, tweak, modify or fix what ain't broke. It's an affordable, comfortable, easy-care, versatile, long-lasting, cute bra, maybe even sexy. Being able to buy my favorite and "normal" bra off-the-rack (or online) at a regular store makes me feel happy, which is the right of every woman no matter what size, shape, age or variety of body she has. This bra is a keeper.I am leaving this review on another 3-pack of exactly the same bras I already have because I don't want to find out they aren't available anymore when I need new ones. Seriously, it has to be one GOAT bra if people stockpile it.Thanks for listening.

I absolutely love these sports bras. I’m a 36D. Got the 36. I love the fit & softness of material. I sweat my butt off at the gym & these are super easy to get off. I hated peeling off soaking wet pull over bras. My daughter is much larger in the bust & she hated them. She didn’t like the fit or the hold. But they are perfect for me. Just the right amount of hold & tightness for my needs. I don’t like the super tight zip up bras they don’t give me full range of motion. Also I can’t see the seem through my clothes. I bought 3 sets & use them daily for my workouts. I’m very happy with them & would recommend you try them

UPDATE -- I have been air drying them, but missed a couple that got dried in the dyer....those are a bit snug now with the pads included, so you may want to size. Purchased 7 total bras from the same listing and am finding that not all the colors are really the same style, even though they seem to be from the pictures. 2 Black and 2 Sand are the same and fit great. Easy to put on and take off if you have shoulder problems. The fabric is soft, stretchy, tagless and gives some support -- although if you are large busted, the support may not be enough. I liked these enough to purchase a 3 pack of White, Grey, and Light Blue...these styles are different from the others purchased. All 3 colors are made with side openings for removable pads (but they only include 1 set of pads for 3 bras) I haven't tried the ones with the pads, but if they don't work for me, I will just leave them out...but they do give a bit more coverage and support. Fabric content on the light blue is more of a cotton/poly blend if that matters to some. I don't know if this is a newer style or older stock, as they are called the same thing., but I like both styles equally. If I had to choose between them, I'd rebuy the 3 pack and either use or remove the pads as they seem the same otherwise and prices are great.

Great price for the product - I am not one to baby my 'delicates' and so after two years of washer and dryer I needed to re charge my leisure bras with new ones. Also I have lost some weight and so the others are just plain loose and I am big enough I don't like to sash'sway' when I am out in public even if it is under a sweater or sweatshirt. These fit well, love that came with inserts, love that the inserts come out and can be hand washed when needed to eliminate misshaping in the wash. The issue of scratching, etc., at the bottom of the hook and eyes has been there for years and years, with the material stiffer for the binding and the thread nylon filament based - started folding a tissue and placing it between the girls and under that portion. I have also used a very small thin panty liner and it really does the trick. Love the sizing choices - thank you Fruiit of the Loom!