I’ve been hanging on to reviews of a few Natori and N by Natori bras because I was attempting to find my “perfect fit”…and in fact, I would have….except, I got sized out.
My boobs and underbust have made some sort of up/down movement size-wise and I am now, sadly, sitting outside the Natori and N by Natori bra range – and rather put out about it.
Since I’m sized out (and won’t be trying more Natori or N by Natori bras) I decided to lump my experiences together in one giant review and pity party.
Natori carries many styles in sizes 30A-40G (U.S. sizing). That means you can have between a 1″- 7″ difference between cup and band. N by Natori styles are sized from 32C-40H (U.S. sizing) – you can have a 3″- 8″ difference between cup and band. If you are curious about which Natori and N by Natori bras come in your size, they have a great search function on both sites – type in your size and all styles in your size range will pop up. They also have a new Bra Finder App you can use on your cell phone.
Natori and N by Natori bras come very close to owning the Queen of the Bras title, from my perspective. The construction quality and design are impeccable – metal hardware, superior fabrics and thoughtful design in the $50-$70 USD range. If you are a stickler for quality and comfort you need to try Natori and N by Natori. These two lines are also, without question, the most all-around comfortable bras I’ve ever tried. Prominent pectorals, sensitive skin, difficult to fit…Natori or N by Natori bras have a style for you. The designs are are built to be the beautiful workhorses of your lingerie wardrobe.
The only negatives I can think of regarding the Natori and N by Natori bra lines are the size range. They do not make 26/28 bands, the cups stop at a U.S. H cup (U.K. FF/G depending on chart) and the cups are average to shallow. As an example, I’m fitting into a 36G/38FF U.K. currently and I would need a 36I in N by Natori styles I’ve tried…the cups lift off my chest at the gore and sometimes under my breast root. Good news is the genius cup designs aren’t generally shallow at the bottom, they’re shallow all over…so a narrower root/wide base build like mine can fill the bottoms of the cups…the cups just stand out from my chest. The gore wires are generally not close set, so they are not a line I can sister-size into a 38 band.
Here are some quick reviews on the five styles I’ve tried.
N by Natori Bare Support 1338103
Band: A 38 is a very, very comfortable fit. A nice tall, 3 prong band.
Gore: Does not tack. Gore wires are too wide set and are sitting on tissue.
Wires: The wires narrow for my close-set and wide build and are sitting on tissue. The wires are a slightly U-ey shape compared to the Idina Plunge, but not so different they aren’t comfortable. I don’t feel the bottoms of the cups bang into my ribs when I sit or bend.
Cups: The fabric they used to line the cups is divinely soft. The outer stretch lace moulds beautifully to my shape. Overall, the cups are a bit small and shallow. A 38H will probably fit near the wing; however, I am concerned the wires may be too tall at the wing and even wider at the gore.
Straps: Pure bliss. Not too widely set. Half adjustable.
Conclusion: The Bare Support is almost perfect…just a touch small and shallow in the cup. It is a super comfortable and extremely well made bra. Metal hardware, three rows/columns hooks. The perfect amount of stretch, and I get a great shape. I definitely recommend trying the N by Natori Bare Support if you are high set, short waisted, and if you have wide base breasts.
Natori Element 736046
I tried the Natori Element in a 38G. This bra is like comfort pillows for your boobs. On steroids. I mean, wow. The most comfortable contour cup bra I’ve ever tried and I loved it. The cups are the deepest Natori cups I’ve tried, by far. I had just a touch of lift at the gore. The band is also long…if I wouldn’t have looked at the tag I would have thought it was a 40. I’d need a 36H/I in the Element. A great bra for close-set, high-set, and short waisted women.
Natori Reverie 736054
The Reverie is gorgeous…a little bit girly, a lot of sophistication, and no frills or bows. Just my kind of bra…. Except she’s 1-2 sizes small. If you have flared ribs, I would approach the Reverie with caution, since the band is not very stretchy but tall, and you can experience some odd wrinkles over your rib flare. A great bra for the high-set, but not necessarily the short waisted set.
Natori Fatale 736053
The bra that started it all. I lucked into a few Natoris at Nordstrom this summer and the unbelievable comfort of this bra won me over. Soft lace and gorgeous fabric. Again, I’d probably need a 36I in this style. A great bra for close-set, high-set, and short waisted women.
N by Natori Conceal Contour T-Shirt Bra 1336101
I tried the Conceal Contour during the same fitting as the Natori Fatale…and as I type this I think I tried a G cup…which makes me wonder if I might be able to fit into an H cup…. Anyway, same story. Super comfortable and I needed a cup larger. A great bra for close-set, high-set, and short waisted women. This bra story may be continued….
So here you have it, readers. My Natori and N by Natori tragedy. The bras I wish I could wear (because I know they’d fit), if they only came in larger cup sizes.
If you fall in the Natori or N by Natori size range I recommend you try their styles – they really are wonderful.
Even though they no longer work for you, I’m glad you got a chance to try some Natori styles and share your experiences. Personally, I think their quality and comfort level are phenomenal, and they are favorites among my customers. In fact, if Panache did not have the sales of their sports bra, Natori would sell better than them in the shop. I think their aesthetic is more basic and everyday American, so they don’t get as much attention in the blogosphere where everyone is interested in the latest avant garde design or cute Cleo print. Wonderful post!
Thanks! I’m still licking my wounds over this brand.
Just wanted to mention that I actually tried the Natori N Sheer Luxe because I read in your blog that your customers loved it. As a 36GG in Freya, I juuuust fit into the H cup if I bump up 2 band sizes. Since they run tighter than Freya, it works. I’m full on top but the stretchy light material allows me to cheat a little & avoid double bubble.
The wonderful airy material is perfect for traveling to hotter climes than mine here in Alaska, & I was soooo glad to have it on a recent trip to CA in the 90s. I was comfy thru a day of long flights, & supported driving on dusty, bumpy roads thru wine country.
So thanks for bringing to my attention a brand I would never have thought of in my size range.
I’m terribly jealous, but glad you had success!
How wonderful! The Sheer Luxe is incredibly light, and that mesh feels fantastic. I am so disappointed that they have decided to discontinue it. I think we might try the Bare Support in the store, but Sheer Luxe was just so great!