View Feedback | Send this Article | Published 3/21/03

Graphic By: Jonelle Thackston

The Very Sexy demi, convertible bra by Victoria¼s Secret has the ultimate sex appeal. The unique braided center is usually a source of uncomfortable pinching. This is one of the appearances that is deceiving about this particular design. Instead of the generally annoying satin rose that is placed in the center of most bras, the braided design adds a sexy device that most bras don¼t have. Most women would buy this bra for its looks, but it is one of the few convertible bras that is quite comfortable. It has a rubber grip that has been placed along the upper edge of the back. I myself thought that this would cause it to be rather irritating, but Victoria knows her stuff. It is a new rubbery material that adjusts to the body¼s movements. So if you should happen to sit down, lay down, or do any of the things women¼s bodies are capable of doing, you will be the utmost of comfortable.

The Body by Victoria that comes without an underwire is a bit uncomfortable due to the width of the entire thing in general. There is no wire, but the manner in which this bra was built ascertains that the woman wearing it must have breasts nearly underneath her armpits.

The Body by Victoria shaping demi bra is the best-selling bra that Victoria¼s Secret has in its market today. When I first saw it, I didn¼t quite understand why it could possibly be the best-selling bra that they have. It has virtually no sex appeal, no lace, and it has one of those annoying little roses in the center (which I have already mentioned thus far). And then you actually wear it! The nylon/lycra material on both sides does little justice to its comfort. As far as I can tell, it has extreme potential. That is, if one were crazy enough to assume bras are capable of potential. Women generally hate underwire bras because they poke you in the armpits and feel like they¼re giving you a free mastectomy. This bra has the wires completely surrounded so that they offer the utmost comfort and support no matter what way you look at it. If there was such a thing as a female John Wayne, Victoria would wear a cowboy hat, chaps and her own little underwire- round-up posse!

The Very Sexy un-lined, push-up bra was very sheik. Made almost entirely of lace, it is the ideal lingerie. Based on looks, I would not have given it a chance. This is mainly because lace has the reputation of irritating skin. Nevertheless, for an un-lined bra, it is comfortable and offers an unidentifiable source of support. Ahhh, ladies, the first mystery bra, and Vicky makes it!

Now, up until this point in my review I have been reviewing bras manufactured by Victoria¼s Secret. As most of you know, college students have more limited funds than drug addicts. So it¼s no secret that ladies can be on a bit of a fixed budget when it comes to unmentionables. I¼m not ashamed to admit that Victoria¼s Secret can be exceptionally overpriced. That¼s why department stores such as Belk and JC Penny are our best friends. Here are some of the other bras that are less expensive and still quite comfortable: Barely There has a nylon bra with a comfortable, cotton interior lining. The exterior has a satiny spandex look with (get this), lack of Ýanythingÿ flowery in the center. The only complaint that I have about this bra is that there is an itchy ribbing along the inner arm binding. If you ignore it for a while you get used to it. Basically, you shouldn¼t have to pay for something that¼s going to irritate you. Then again, if you¼re used to putting up with things, by all means, this is the bra for you.

When it comes to strapless bras, Barely There must be in cahoots with Victoria. The new unlined, strapless lycra bra is extremely comfortable and gives an amazing amount of support. A bit like the Very Sexy convertible bra by Victoria¼s Secret, this bra also has a rubbery grip to keep it from sliding down around your ankles. It is not constricting in any way. The underwires do not poke or prod, which is exceptional for a strapless bra. All in all, it has my 100% approval.

Bali has a full coverage bra that is comfortable to a certain extent. Yet, it made me feel a bit as though I was walking around on stilts, except not on my feet, if you catch my drift. The underwires poke in a very uncomfortable way that suggests they did not spend much time making this bra to suit a woman¼s needs. The material was comfortable except that it came up entirely too close to my neck. This is definitely not a bra that I would recommend to most women.

In conclusion, if you can afford a Victoria¼s Secret bra, ladies, then go buy one. They are on the costly side but entirely worth anything you spend on them. So, in the words of Bette Midler, "Do you buy a titsling or do you buy a brassiere?"