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Cuup
I first came across Cuup, a six-year-old lingerie startup founded by Free People alum, as an ad on Instagram. Despite being a size 32E, I find myself drawn to sheer, natural-looking, barely-there styles, even if they tend to forgo functionality. The caveat is that Cuup's unlined bras are supposed to represent a rare sweet-spot — a daily bra that combines the look and feel of a bralette with the support of any other underwire bra.
Intrigued, I contacted the company and set up a fitting. Since then, I've been wearing their sheer mesh, deep-V style, The Plunge ($68) on repeat. To me, it's one of the best bras because it stays out of the way, doesn't trap heat, and makes me feel like my most unaltered self.
I'll get into the nitty-gritty in my review below, but the short debrief is this: The Plunge has quickly become my go-to bra. It's unexpectedly supportive while also being sexy and practical. If you're looking for something sleek and airy, but need the support of underwire, Cuup's Plunge Bra is a great option to consider.
The Five Cuup Bras
Having just five core designs may seem threadbare for a brand that specializes in lingerie, but these styles cover all the bases. The collection includes The Plunge ($68), The Balconette ($68), The Scoop ($78), The Demi ($78), and The Wireless Plunge ($65). I consider these a relatively justifiable expense for a comfortable bra you can wear every day, but impractical for anything that'd be best described as a lounge bra.
Right now, The Plunge comes in a whopping 46 colors that range from classic neutrals to red, orange, and navy. It's also available in band sizes 30-44 and cup sizes A-H.
Materials
Cuup/Instagram
The Plunge Bra comes in three materials: mesh, satin, and modal.
Since Cuup's mesh fabric is airy and semi-sheer, I was surprised by how supportive it is — it's like a military-grade pantyhose. It lifts and softens out my natural shape for modesty, and doesn't add any bulk. The underwire is functional, but ultimately forgettable, which I'm grateful for.
The supportive materials are aided by The Plunge's deep-V neckline and wide band, which helps create a seamless fit for bottom-heavy breasts without padding or sagging.
How to wear the Cuup Plunge Bra
I wouldn't want to wear this bra on a run, and it's not ideal for work if I'm wearing a light-colored or tight shirt, as there's some nipple visibility. Otherwise, it's been perfect for my everyday life. I've worn it everywhere — from the office to date nights — and it's perfectly invisible under a V-neck. You can also pair the Plunge Bra with some of our favorite underwear for women, including a bikini ($20), high-waisted brief ($20), or thong ($20) to make it a matching lingerie set.
Sizing and fit
I recommend ordering your standard size. If you flip-flop frequently between sister sizes, I'd suggest prioritizing the one with a smaller band if you order the mesh Plunge Bra, since the material stretches over time.
Cuup has a few fit resources if you need additional help. The site technically has an on-site chat feature, but it really just sends an email to customer service for you (the wait time is stated to be within 24 hours); a more accurate option is to schedule a 20-minute fitting online. Or, if you're local to New York City, you can book a meeting with a Cuup Fit Therapist at Bloomingdale's in Midtown Manhattan. You can also feel good about going with your typical size since I scheduled an in-person fitting and walked out with what I would have ordered online anyway (my true size, with a smaller band).
If you order a bra that isn't the right style or fit, you can easily try another. The company offers free returns and exchanges on most of their styles. If you're unsure of your exact measurements, you can use the company's fit video for tips on how to measure yourself at home.
Style and beauty editor Maiya Pascouche also spoke about the Plunge's size and fit, as she was already acquainted with the brand: "After a couple of years of wear, I've fallen in love with Cuup's The Balconette, so when I saw other styles on sale, I decided to pick up The Plunge in a vibrant coral color and soft mesh fabric. I took the Cuup Fit Quiz to see if it'd recommend the same size as The Balconette for The Plunge, and it did.
After the first try-on, I could tell I would love this bra almost as much as my original. The band size is just the right fit when notched on the loosest hooks, and the straps are adjustable with very minimal digging throughout the day. The cups are incredibly supportive, almost too much for my liking, as I normally wear a bralette with no underwire daily. But that being said, the bra looks great under a button-down shirt or V-neck cardigan, offering a barely-there look but with a nice amount of lift."
Cons to consider
If there's a con that I've found, it's that the mesh Plunge Bra's band may be stretching out slightly faster than my non-mesh styles. And since I'm in my mid-twenties, I don't need as much support as I likely will later in life — so I'd caution that this may not provide adequate support for some larger cup sizes.
Pascouche concluded that The Balconette has its own advantages over The Plunge. "If I had to point out any cons, it would be that the top seam of the cup does dig in a bit more than my original does on me, and I'm missing the sexy look of The Balconette style; The Plunge being more of an everyday bra," she says.
It's also worth noting that breasts are like sisters, not identical twins. So for people who have a significant size disparity between the two, the Plunge may not be the right choice.
Cuup
The bottom line
Overall, Cuup's The Plunge is a lightweight yet supportive everyday bra that's both sexy and functional. It's quickly become my go-to, and I favor it for weekends as much as weekdays. I love that the mesh molds to my body for a perfect fit that softens and lifts without covering my natural shape. And, for a barely-there bra that can transition from work to a night out, it's a great use of $68 in my opinion.
As an e-commerce reporter, I get a firsthand look at dozens of products in a given month that are marketed as the latest-and-greatest. In reality, they're a mix of terrible, excellent, and everything in-between. So when I spend my own money, I tend to buy the very best of what I've been exposed to in my years of testing. Cuup is one brand that I'll personally be buying more of — including The Scoop, which is another favorite bra of mine. And when my friends ask me what internet-blackhole find I'm most excited about at the moment, I'll be telling them about this.
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