I jumped at the chance to review Lilyette sports bras. Since I heard that they came out with different support levels for different activities—some with underwire, some not—I had to try them out! After taking two of their “Level 2” (medium support) bras out for a spin, I'm here to pass along the great news.
The Fit
Instead of 1X, 2X, XL nonsense that makes sports bras a pain to buy, these new Lilyette bras are perfect for anyone looking for an exact fit, and are available in sizes up to 40DD. (I'm still pulling for larger sizes, and if you need something more substantial, I recommend trying Always for Me Active Wear.)
One feature I really enjoyed from Lilyette was their adjustable strap option on all of their bras. Substantial straps are adjustable in the back, with a mesh-lined, double-binded strap in the front area. If you choose a bra without underwire, you'll find that the straps are slightly thicker.
You won't need to pull either of these bras over your head, either! Each of the bras have a multi-clasp closure along the back of the bra for easy one-off. If you're larger-busted, you've probably been “trapped” in a bra or two in the past when you try to pull it over your head. . . not with Lilyette.
Low-Impact
Low-impact activities work perfectly in both style of bras (underwire and non-wired). You start to feel a slight difference in performance when you reach the “Tier II” threshold, which means that if you're on a mountain biking excursion, you'll probably want to try the underwire instead. You can certainly use their non-wired bra for golfing and weight training, but it's nice to have that extra security if you might engage in impromptu high-impact movements.
High-Impact
Okay, the sports bras that I was trying were for mid-level activities, which means that I didn't get a chance to examine the Level III hold. However, judging from the effective bounce-protection from the Level II, I would say that the underwire selection with a regular athletic sports top will be perfect.
General Activity Holdup
If you're walking, hiking, or playing with children, I would recommend wearing a non-wired Level II for comfort. The slight racerback shape will allow you to wear it underneath some tank tops as well.
Quality
These bras come with a MSRP of around $38, and I think that they're well worth the price. The seams are bound perfectly and they are fully lined to absorb sweat—even the straps! Black looks like it will wear better, simply because the darker color won't show sweat marks as easily.
Notes
Their tag features multiple color bubbles, which are really confusing until you check out the info tag. I realized that each level of support is color-coded, and the circles on the supplemental tag show you what your bra can “handle.” It is also divided by size. Just a heads up!
