I tried Primark’s sell-out T-shirt bra – I’ve been an M&S girl forever but who can say no to an entire undie set for £6
WITH the average UK bust a size 36DD, our boobs can take a battering if the bra holding them up isn’t supportive enough.
But can an underwear set costing just £6 really do the job?
Primark’s seam-free triangle bralette and thong set has set social media alight, with hashtag #primarksets bagging more than 55million views and fans raving about them.
They look fab and come in a variety of colours – including black, grey, white, red, green, blue and purple. But can they live up to the hype?
The high-street brand is fast becoming a destination for underwear, with a pack of their briefs sold every three seconds on average – that’s 10.5million packs a year or 31.5million knickers.
The set is part of its Primark Cares initiative, meaning 50 per cent of the nylon is recycled.
Read More on Fashion
While that might earn you eco points, it doesn’t tell you what they feel like when worn.
The store’s website describes them as being “crafted with a soft, ribbed stretch fabric which provides all-day comfort” and assures customers that they are “seamless under your clothing”.
But can a set that costs that little actually hold up our busts to the heights they deserve?
Clemmie Fieldsend asked a 34A-sized model, and a 32E one, to try the sets out and give them a mark out of ten.
Most read in Fabulous
Lucy Edwards, 44, from Folkestone, Kent - 8/10
"I TRIED the small (10/12), even though I usually take an extra small on top, as on the hanger it looked like it would fit me better.
However, it was slightly too big at the sides – the fabric wrinkled up there, even though it fitted everywhere else.
So instead I went for my normal – the XS (6/8).
That set fitted really well – it didn’t feel restrictive and my skin didn’t bulge out of it at all.
Plus when I took it off, there weren’t any marks showing on my skin.
The bra’s edges were really smooth, which made it comfortable to wear.
The plastic that enables you to adjust the length of the straps didn’t dig in either, which was a big plus point as I find that happens a lot.
The bra’s T-shirt shape didn’t give me the cleavage I usually prefer, but that’s the nature of the design.
Personally I prefer bras to give my bust a rounder shape.
It fits really well, but doesn’t give the cleavage
Lucy Edwards
I prefer.
I don’t like that you can see my nipples through the bra.
If I bought one, I would need to wear nipple covers underneath in case they showed through certain clothes.
It did look seam-free and smooth under a white T-shirt, though, and didn’t show my nipples through that.
The bra actually felt really supportive and as if it had a good grip on my boobs.
Even though it’s not really tight, I would be confident enough to go for a light jog in it.
It’s not the sexiest bra I’ve ever worn, but it’s still bright and fun and ultimately is really comfortable."
Sophie Balasuriya, 25, from East London - 7/10
"THE first thing I thought when I tried on the bra and thong was how comfy they were. It doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything, really.
I opted for a medium (size 12/14) even though that wouldn’t be my go-to sizing for a thong. I’m usually an 8-10 for clothing.
But my cup size is a DD/E and, as this comes in a set, you can’t choose different sizes for the thong and the bra.
In terms of shape, it depends on what you’re after – but if you want an everyday T-shirt-style bra that goes under the majority of your clothes, these are perfect.
I wouldn’t say the bra was hugely supportive for my boobs, and it doesn’t enhance their overall shape or give any lift, but it doesn’t squash or misshape them either.
They’re not super-sexy but they are cute, and this colour in particular is nice and bright.
So comfy it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything.
Sophie Balasuriya
And the fact that, despite being bright red, it didn’t show under a white T-shirt was a bonus.
I assumed that you would be able to spot its ribbed texture under a tight top, but that didn’t show at all.
They are sold as being seamless, but I could see the faint outline of the edge of the bra cup through the T-shirt.
That said, if you were wearing a less bright colour, I doubt it would show.
Overall, I can see this becoming one of my regular sets."
‘Perfect under clothes and the pants are best ever’
BUT what about multiple wears?
Sun Associate Editor Caroline Iggulden is a fan of the bra and pants, saying they’re fantastic value
"I FIRST heard about the new secret weapon in my wardrobe via a WhatsApp from a friend, with a link to a Financial Times article and the instruction: “You MUST buy this bra but DON’T tell anyone or it will sell out!”
The piece was written by the editor of the FT’s How To Spend It mag, a high-end luxe lifestyle guide usually filled with ridiculously priced items.
So I was amazed to see the bra wasn’t from La Perla or Agent Provocateur, but Primark.
“The cut, the fit, the fabric were seamless. It was the perfect shape,” the piece gushed.
Now, I don’t need to be told twice about a bargain, so I nipped straight to Primark to give the undies a try.
I invested in a T-shirt bra and high-waisted knickers.
I certainly couldn’t argue with the price, it’s a whole new underwear set for less than the cost of a takeaway pizza.
It seemed like a steal.
I was pleasantly surprised to find Primark’s cup sizes range all the way from A-G.
My T-shirt bra felt amazing, comfy and, most importantly, looked perfect under clothes.
And the pants are possibly the best I have ever worn. Flattering, comfortable, seamless, with no hint of the dreaded VPL.
They feel like Kim Kardashian’s Skims at a fraction of the price.
The range is also made from 50 per cent recycled materials.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
And I have found it washes brilliantly.
Just because something is inexpensive, it doesn’t mean it is “throwaway fashion”, especially if you love it and wear it over and over. Bra-vo to Primark."