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Enell Sports Bras: Our Honest Review After Fitting Thousands of Women
The Enell Sports Bra brand is genuinely unlike anything else we stock at She Science. Made famous by Oprah Winfrey when listed on her favourite things 20+ years ago, we still hear this brand referenced as "Oprah's favourite" by many of our long time Enell lovers.
My name is Tish, I am the Co-Founder and Managing Director of specialty Sports Bra Store, She Science. We started our business way back in 2013, and since then I have personally had the pleasure of conducting over 10,000 Sports Bra Fittings. So I can guarantee, when it comes to sports bras, I have heard it all. Ranging up to a size 24 band and a K cup, our plus size sports bra range has been going from strength to strength over the years.
The Enell Sports Bra's are built for shapely women who seek strong, compressive support. The Enell Sports Bra customer means business when it comes to support.
About the Enell Brand
Founded by Renelle Braaton from Montanna in the USA, the Enell story started like many do, out of a deep personal struggle that the industry had no solution at the time. Renelle was a plus size volleyballer, and local hair dresser. Having been forced to wear two bras for too many years, her and her seamstress mother set out to build her a tailored solution. After years of testing and refining different designs, they finally perfected the ENELL Sport Bra we know today. Having spent years trying to sell the patented designs to lingerie brands, she eventually took matters in to her own hands and launched the Enell Brand.
Why We Love the Enell Sports Bra
Put simply, the Enell Sports Bras don't mess around. When fitted correctly their extreme compression offer support that near-eliminates bounce during high impact activities. For women who have been forced to watch for the side lines - this is high impact sports bra is genuinely life changing.
Their unique front closure design makes the brand a great option for those who have mobility issues, but don't want to compromise on control during their workouts.
Add to that their full back design, which works to transfer the weight of the bust off the shoulders - it's easy to see why Enell has a cult like followings. Once women find this bra, they come back for it. Because they aren't going to find this unique combination of features in a competitor product.
Why it doesn't work for everyone
While I see all the reason's people love the Enell brand; it does of course have some draw backs that won't suit everyone.
❌ Disproportionate framed women. The unconventional sizing system doesn't allow for this.
❌ Those seeking a shapely, "two boob" look.
❌ People seeking an underwire, or any sort of separation.
❌ Anyone who isn't prepared to spend two minutes putting a bra on. All those hooks take a moment (and some strength!)
My overall rating
After fitting thousands of Enell bras on body, here's how I'd rate Enell compared to other industry leading brands.
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Support | ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ (4.5/5) |
| Comfort | ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ (5/5) |
| Fit Accuracy | ⭑⭑⭑⭑ (3/5) |
| Value | ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ (4.25/5) |
| Style | ⭑⭑⭑⭑ (3.5/5) |
Overall Rating: 4 / 5
(but for those that the size works, she'd be more of a 4.5/5!)
The Enell Sports Bra Products
The Enell Range is brief, but impactful. Let me show you through their two cult favourite styles.
Enell Sport
The original 'Enell Sport' is their best seller, both in our store and for the global company. This is their maximum support garment. By far the bra that brings on more happy tears than any other within our range.
The patented design is exclusively for C cup+ customers. The rigid fabric means that even though their is no hook and eye adjustability across the back, you'll still get great lifespan out of it as the material has little to no give over time.
Best for: High-impact exercise for women who like a compressive feel.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong compression | You must be proportioned as per their size guide |
| Great lifespan of product | Needs tailoring if you are short torso'd |
| Comfortable on the shoulders | Can we hard to do up. You need a bit of strength in order to get that compressive feel. |
Enell Lite
The Enell Lite was built as exactly that, a lighter alternative to the original Enell Sports Bra. She has been designed for lower impact activities and every day living.
The Enell Lite has a lot of the same features of the original style, but with a softer fabrication that offers a bit more give and subsequently shape. The cups also sit lower making her easier to wear under tank tops and everyday attire.
Best for: People seeking medium impact support with the convenience of a front closure design. We find lots of nurses love this style for their days on the ward.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Super comfortable from first feel | You must be proportioned as per their size guide |
| Soft straps that sit wide on the shoulders | Lots of front fastening clips, in a small area mean you have to have decent dexterity to do the clips up |
| Shapely, somewhat separated look without the underwire |
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for a reliable sports bra that's going to last the distance; and you happen to fit nicely in to the Enell Size guide (see below), then the Enell brand is definitely one to consider. Particularly if you like the idea of a front closure sport bra. For those who are over the neck and back tension that sometimes comes with a traditional bra, the unique full back design and wire straps can really be a game changer (I mentioned about the happy tears, didn't i?!)
Shop Enell Sports Bras → https://shescience.com.au/collections/enell-bras
Book a Professional Bra Fitting → https://shescience.com.au/pages/best-bra-fitting-melbourne
FAQs
Is the Enell Sports Bra suitable for plus-size women?
Yes, they are specifically made for plus size women. If you think of Oprah Winfrey's frame (the size 14-18 she is really known for), this is essentially the exact frame the bra has been designed for. The founder, Renelle, is a plus size woman herself.
How do I work out my Enell size?
You'll need a measuring tape and the Enell Size chart below.
1. Firstly, take your ribcage measurement, in inches.
2. Then glance over to the Enell Size that corresponds with your inch measurement on the chart below.
3. Lastly, take your bust measurement, in inches.
4. Does your bust measurement sit within the bust measurement zone that corresponds to your Rib measurement / Enell size?
If so - you're good to go with that size.
If your bust measurement doesn't fall within your Rib measurement / Enell size then this style simply won't work for you. You cannot adjust your ribcage size to fit your bust size, if you do this, you will either be fitting the ribcage band too loose to function with any support, or, too firm to allow you to breathe freely. 
Whats the difference between the Enell Sport and Enell Lite?
While similar, they do have very distinct differences.
The Enell Lite features a softer fabrication that allows more give. This gives you a more favourable "two boob" shape, and also as a result less support for sport. She is really designed as a low impact option or for day-to-day wear. The lite also offers a bit less coverage on both the chest and the back.
The Enell Sport offers more coverage, firmer fabrication and overall a stronger supportive style for sports bra. Great for high impact activity when fitted well.
Written by Tish Tily, Co-Founder and Bra Fitter
She Science, our Specialty Bra Store offers cup sizes A - K and band sizes 6 - 24. We work with 22 industry leading brands from all over the world. Our comprehensive Sports and Everyday Bra fitting service is available by appointment, out of our fitting suite in Hawthorn, Melbourne (Australia). Come on in and we'll find you your best match taking in to account your size, shape, activity demands and personal style preferences. Our team of experienced bra fitters would love to meet you.
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