Meryl, Front-Closure Cotton Bra, Comfort Sleep for Women, Breathable, Unlined, Full Coverage, Wireless, 36A-56H

This is it. This is the one. I have been sleeping in my older bras, when they aren't quite good enough to wear out anymore, for more years than I care to admit. Always seeking a new, brand new, never worn, certainly not worn out, sleep bra, in store upon store, year after year, I have tried nearly every bra under $100 in the last five years and had honestly given up. Every bra I tried for this purpose was too uncomfortable, too tight, too stretchy, too floppy, too droopy. And then, by sheer accident, in reading a review of a comfort wire-free bra for daywear I was considering (and am now wearing to rave reviews each and every day, well, rave review from the same two people) this bra popped up as a similar item.Here's what you need to know:The Leading Lady Women's Leisure/Sleep Bra is a cotton/spandex blend, 90% cotton to be clear. As a result, this bra does not irritate the skin in the least. I have a latex allergy and this bra does not bother be, at all. Because it is cotton, it is soft, like baby clothing in the 1980s when baby clothing was all cotton and didn't have sequins or feathers. SOFT.The bra is front closure for ease of use but, more importantly, for exceptional comfort on the back. The style on the back is more like a sports bra/crop top, with fabric really covering a section of your back, and the classic U-shape back for comfort.The front closure lays flat between the breasts. No, I am not kidding. It actually stays put. After wearing it for a while around the house, cleaning and the like, it pulled away only a few millimeters at the top, due to chest motion when I was leaning over. The breasts remained SEPARATED, yes, separated, all day long when I wore it due to fatigue and every night, all night long, when I wear it to sleep. It is designed with a soft cotton, five hook front closure that lays flat between stretch cotton cups that expand only enough to allow breasts to relax but not enough for them to droop. (Of course, as it wears out, you'll need to get a new one if it starts to droop but that is true of all bras.)This bra keeps them high but not as high as a balconette, deco, or plunge push up bra. It is the height I typically see with a good day-time, wire-free, support bra but not quite what you get from an extra support bra (that has all that extra fabric under them to push them up).The coverage is full, front to side and to top, again, for sleeping, so they don't fall out the center/top with side sleeping. When I wake up, they are, for lack of a better phrase, right where I left them and there is no more pain in my underarm from wearing a too-tight sports bra to keep them in place during the night.The side support is just right. It keeps them from ending up in my armpits when I sleep on my sides but doesn't restrict motion so much as to make them ache in the morning and I don't end up sleeping on them.The straps are comfort straps, a soft fabric style elastic instead of that horrid rubber-string style you get in socks and some bras nowadays, lines not the center but, rather, each edge of the strap the ranges from an inch to and inch and a half in width. The center of each strap is the same cotton as the cups and back. this stretch non-elastic style elastic (sorry I don't have a better word for it) is sewn on with a very soft, non -irritating stitch done in cotton thread.The back of the front closure hook set-ups is done in a felt-like cotton so you don't feel that apparatus at all through the fabric. Perfectly comfortable and different from any front-closure leisure I have tried. I can usually feel the hooks on this type of bra but not on this company's and not even after hours of wear.The shape you will achieve, if you wear it around the house, is a natural, more rounded shape as, again, the cups just expand like those spandex bras you see on TV. The difference is that the bras on TV curl around the base band where this bra does not and the ones on TV are pullover (impossible to get on) or back hook and so tight you practically loose your mind trying to get them on. I didn't like the support of the Genie or Ahh bra (yes, I tried them both) or the Dr. Rey or Dr. Ray collection. This bra supports me enough to be comfortable and not too bound.The last thing you need to know is that it is a cotton/spandex fabric LEISURE, which means it is not a molded cup or lined cup bra. This is not for modesty because it is designed for people to sleep in or to wear for comfort due to surgery, nursing, pregnancy, menstruation tenderness, and the like. It is designed to let the skin on the chest breathe, not be covered so tightly and fully that the skin sweats and oils. As a result, if you select to wear it out, you can't wear a thin t-shirt over it unless you are accepting of the show through you will get due to temperature change. If you are concerned with showage, wear a thicker shirt or wear a different bra to work or for errands.For the record, I am a 36 DD in US sizing, 36 E in UK and I buy this in both a 36 C D DD and a 38 C D DD for the following reason: The band is accurate when stretched but to sleep, the true size is binding. I use the 38 to sleep and I like it but I have been told by a friend (who is now using this) that she went up two sizes in band because she likes it loose. Be warned, if you go up two sizes, the closure doesn't lay as flat. If you go up one size in band, it still lays flat. If you use your correct band size, the only consequence is that, if you turn over, you will feel you are wearing a bra, a constricted feeling we are all familiar with. If you go up one size, like 32 to 34 and so on, you will feel "freer", again, not very many good ways to convey that idea but I'm hoping you get the point. This bra is comfortable enough for me, in one band size up but same cup size, that I can wear it and feel well. I am actually starting to think I may finally be making peace with the bulk I inherited on my chest which is tough to appreciate when you wear bad bras as I have, unfortunately, more than I care to admit.Good luck with your bra search.Mine is over.

I have been wearing this all day, and it is very comfortable. No digging in front area where the snaps are. Cup size is perfect, probably going to order another one soon. I do wish the straps were adjustable but not a big issue I guess as I still find this bra to be very comfortable. I did squish the hooks closed as it tended to come unhooked fairly easily, so I just squished them closed. Not a lot of support of course but not flopping around either, so all is good. Very happy with this purchase.

These have got to be the most comfortable bras in the world & also the easiest to put on since they fasten in front. GREAT for some of us older ladies who have stiff joints!The only reason I'm giving the bra 4 stars is because they are not consistent in size. I have always worn a 38 C/D, but when I ordered that size 'previously' it was SO small I could barely breathe & it left an irritated raised red mark all the way around my rib cage. It was also too small as far as bust wise causing a great deal of pressure on all sides! Thank heavens the bra was on sale which meant I didn't spend full price for it.The next time I placed an order I got 1 - 40C/D/DD & 1-42C/D/DD - cost for the two was the original cost for just one. When they arrived I tried on the 40 & it was also too tight, but not as bad as the 38. Then I tried on the 42 & it was absolutely perfect in ALL ways! Hmmm... sort of sounds like the story of the '3 Bears' only in this case it would be '3 bras'... but I digress.Since the 42 fit & felt absolutely like a wee bit of heaven, I waited until the bras went on sale & this time I purchased this one (black), along with a soft pink & white & then held my breath when they arrived because I was concerned they might be too big, based on sizing issues. All 3 fit comfortably, although the pink is a wee bit tighter than the other two, but not enough to complain about. However... I will make sure to wash these in either cold or warm water & they will be hung on a hanger to dry to prevent them from shrinking.I now have a small wardrobe of these bras & will not need to purchase more for quite awhile as they wear well because they are made of good material. A plus here is the fact that I was able to purchase 4 of the right size for the cost of two. Gotta love a sale!!!The white was made in Cambodia & the black & pink in Bangladesh. They are 90% cotton & 10% spandex which makes them just stretchy enough, but not so much so that you get too much jiggle when you walk.Try them, they are well worth the purchase!!!

Revising my review down a star. After wearing for a while, I agree with others that the bottom hook digs in. It’s a shame they only put less than 1/4” of fabric behind the hooks which unfortunately does not cover the back of the hooks. I may try to sew a piece onto it, at least 1/2” wide. Such a shame to skimp on this important area when the rest of the bra is pretty greatI will keep this bra, glad I ordered it a size up. My only complaint is the cup sizing. C/D results in being a little big for a C, with gapping under the arms. Wish they did individual cup sizes instead of combining them.Bra is comfortable and I like the front closure. I agree with others that fewer hooks would work just as well