I have been purchasing this style PLAYTEX GEL STRAP bra for a number of years - the primary reason being the wonderful GEL STRAP feature and the availability of a "DDD" size.  However, this style is no longer available in the "DDD" (max size is now "DD").  Sadly, since I am aging (55+ years), I find that I can likely drop a cup size with minimal impact in look and comfort in this particular bra.  THAT said, I am not completely satisfied with this bra purchase.  NOT because of FIT, but rather due to COLOR.  I thought a "WARM STEEL" color might be a tone of GRAY, however the bra I received was a rather ODD color - more akin to a lavender with perhaps a touch of gray.  The stretchy fabric sides and back had a slightly more "GRAY" appearance, but from the front, it looks to be more lavender.  I will keep the bra, however I think I'll stick with the usual NUDE and BLACK for my next purchase.

Would I buy this product again?  --NO-- simply for the fact that for ME, the color is unappealing.

Pros:
* Comfortable gel straps
* Overall comfort
* Stretchy adjustable straps
* Secures with 4 hooks at back

Cons:
* "WARM STEEL" color is more lavender than gray
* No longer available in a "DDD" size
* Gives "rounded" minimizer and "uniboob" effect
* Tendency for underwires to poke through casing after time
* Lace at front center initially "scratchy"
* Moderate "Boob Bounce" due to stretchy cup material

Request:
* Need to manufacture larger than DDD cups (so the "girls" are separated)

What initially attracted me to this bra were the shoulder gel pads which have proven to be a Godsend! No more red, irritated indentations at the shoulders. The side panels and back of this bra are made of a combination of cotton and stretchy material; cotton good for extra support and aeration; stretchy good for mobility. The straps are elastic, adjustable, and hold relatively securely, but I find they do "relax" somewhat over time. The strap "relaxation" combined with the gradual "relaxation" of the sides/back panels does allow the back of the bra to creep up, and the front area to sag down over time (which usually reveals to me "it's time to purchase a new bra"). The cups themselves are made of a combination cotton/stretchy material as well. I found the cups not at all "pointy", and in fact, I think they present more of a "rounded" effect (somewhat flattening/minimizing). Due to the elasticity and "give" of the cups, this bra allows more "jiggle" than I would like, but this can make for a more "natural" overall effect. As a size 42DD/42DDD, I find this bra does not separate "the girls" as much as I would like, hence a "uniboob" effect, however I've grown accustomed to this phenomenon over the years given that all but the most "staunch" cotton "cone bras" lack a definitive "separation" zone for a woman my size.

My years of experience with this bra has revealed two problematic areas: 1) the underwires sometimes "dig in" at the underarms and/or irritate the skin just below the cups, however I remedy this by slightly "bending" the wires to conform more to my shape, and 2) occasional underwire "poke through" (see paragraph below). I have noticed on occasion the "scratchiness" some users have alluded to, however this was only when the bras were new. The irritation dissipated with further laundering and use.

The comfort of this bra far exceeds others that I've invested time/money in. As far as durability, I find that the bra loses some of it's support at about 6-9 months of once/twice a week usage. (I wash them on gentle cycle and air dry them.) On occasion I've found that the underwire pokes through it's casing, especially at the top area that separates the cups, however this problem is not limited to this particular bra manufacturer or style. My simple remedy for this problem is to heavily restitch (reinforce) the top and/or bottom of the casing to prevent future "poke throughs", thus extending the use of this bra.

Overall, I would recommend this bra if you desire comfortable shoulder padding, some stretch in the cup area, strong support yet some "give' in the side/back panels, and are possibly in search of a "minimizing" type effect."