Sports bras are a vital bit of kit for many people who exercise. Horsham-based female personal trainer, Becky, has recently tried out Maaree’s Solidarity high-impact sports bra and reviews it here.
Sports bra knowledge
I’ve previously been an Ambassador for online retailer, boobydoo. Working with the brand gave me an additional education to my existing knowledge about bra fit, and helped me better understand my own taste in sports bras. I reviewed a number of brands during the year, but Maaree wasn’t part of their range back then.
As a result, I’m pretty confident at fitting a sports bra, which does make shopping a bit easier. But sadly, these products are still a tricky purchase…
The problem with sports bra shopping
Sports bras fit differently to everyday ones, and a lot of people don’t wear the right size in a standard bra either. So many consumers are on the back foot. Opportunities to try sports bras on in brick and mortar stores are also few and far between, so you tend to enter into the lengthy and frustrating (and expensive) process of online orders and returns.
Some brands now offer online fitting to help, but this still isn’t ideal for many. People may be concerned about having an online fitting, and it still tends to lead to a trial and error process before you get the right one.
I do think it’s worth it – breast health and confidence whilst training are important, and once you do know your size, you have something to work from, and making your next purchase should be easier.
Why I wanted to try Maaree
I’d heard of Maaree years ago, and know that they’re a woman-owned brand, which always makes me happy! This year, they went viral thanks to Serena Williams wearing one and sharing a photo of herself in it via social media. As many people know, I’ve been a huge fan of Serena and, during her professional career, she at one point had a partnership with Berlei sports bras, which I actually found kind of frustrating.
I always felt that, on court, Serena didn’t look well-supported in terms of bras. Which I found baffling – she has such resource, and Berlei bras were great when she represented them! I know this because I was a big fan of their range at the time. They made some really supportive bras in larger cup and small band sizes, as well as with nice designs. I don’t know how Serena was still getting it wrong…
But the Maaree looked like a good fit on her, and it made me even more curious.
Maaree at SOOO London
This summer, Regent Street in London hosted a pop-up store dedicated to women’s sports apparel. Several brands that I’ve tried before – including NIXI Body, who I’m still a proud affiliate of (BECKYNIXI gets you money off via their website, and a little kickback for me!) – were stocked there, and I was keen to visit.
It took me longer than I hoped, but I made it to the store and tried on some bras. I was offered a fitting which I politely declined, as I was happy to do it myself. The Maaree bras are engineered a little differently to what I’m used to, but the one I chose does fit like many other compression sports bras. I like that the Solidarity bra has rear hook fastening, like everyday bras, plus my favourite J-hook (the clasp on the straps that allows it to be converted to racerback). The fit took me a little work, but I left reasonably confident that the bra would work for me.
Maaree bra on test
I first wore the Maaree when I was away on a city break! As a woman whose temperature runs hot, I like sports clothes for sightseeing. No, you don’t look smart, but you stay comfortable and cool, and you can easily hand wash and air dry sports clothing when away.
The Maaree was supportive and comfortable all day, then I came home to test it during a workout. Compression bras don’t offer my preferred silhouette, but again the comfort and support were great, so it passes the test.
I think that these bras run tight in the band – I sized up, knowing that it will eventually give a little – but other than that, I would say that the fit is similar to other products.
Overall: well done, Maaree, you’ve found a new customer.