In a nutshell

A maternity, nursing and work-out bra in one, ideal for pregnant and breastfeeding women who want support and comfort when in the gym.

What we tested

  • Comfort
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Support
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Room to grow
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Quality
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.1 out of 5.

Pros

  • Breathable, quality fabric that absorbs sweat, washes well and maintains its shape.

Cons

  • Only available in one colour.

Created to “empower pregnant and breastfeeding women” Cake Lingerie is a relative newcomer on the maternity underwear market.

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Back in 2008 newly-pregnant arts teacher Tracey Montford saw a gap in the market for sophisticated and comfy maternity-wear.

So she set out to fill the void with functional, stylish and (dear we say it) sexy maternity underwear, always with this one question in mind – “why compromise?”

And it seems that’s a question that many other pregnant women have asked, as the lingerie brand has gone from an inspired idea to being sold in over 45 countries and in department stores around the UK including Debenhams.

The last year has been great for Cake as it recently won recognition in the Junior Design Awards 2014 and was a finalist in the UK Lingerie Awards 2014.

Up against some pretty stiff competition in the market such as Hotmilk, Anita, Bravado and, when you think about it, every single high street retailer, Cake has still built a significant celebrity following, with Kourtney Kardashian, Miranda Kerr and Mariah Carey all ‘yummy Cake mums.’

What makes Cake Lingerie different from other brands is that is one of the few that offers a sports bra tailored to pregnancy and new mums -the Cake Orange Zest Bra.

One of the brand’s best sellers, it has won a silver award in the Prima Baby & Pregnancy Awards 2014 and is made for gym-loving mums.

What’s in the box?

  • Cake Orange Zest Sports Bra

Any additional extras?

  • Matching Orange Zest briefs - £18

How comfortable is it when working out?

Very - this is a really comfortable bra that provides excellent support in gym classes like Body Pump and Pilates, as well as during higher impact activities like aerobics and jogging.

The breathable fabric feels durable, it absorbed sweat efficiently and kept me cool throughout my workout.

Is it a versatile bra?

Yes! The racer-style back provides good support and is great as most of my gym kit is in the same style, so no unsightly large bra straps or miss-matched kit, a bonus!

The multiple fasteners make it suitable for different cup sizes and allow for growing boobs in pregnancy and beyond.

The bra comes in standard sizes - from 32D to 40K - and for those of us who are a little larger, the 86% polyester, 14% elastane blend bra also comes in sizes 70D – 90K, which is quite an extensive range.

How is breastfeeding with the bra?

The drop-down cups make it suitable for breastfeeding - a very practical design for mums who want to squeeze in a work out between feeds.

And this flexibility to convert into a feeding bra while still offering incredible support as a sports bra makes it unique in the marketplace.

What do you think of the style?

I think this is a bra focusing more on practicality than style, which is the same with the matching pants, which are comfortable but not the sexiest design.

Saying that, the Orange Zest kit is made for the gym, and comfort beats sexiness every time when working out. So if you want to work out with a bump and still be supported and comfortable it’s the bra for you.

Is the product value for money?

Yes and no, the bra is not for mums on a budget, in fact it is quite expensive at £50.

However if money is not your main concern and you’re looking for a great bran for the gym and your growing bump then it’s worth buying, you can wear it when pregnant, leading up to giving birth and afterwards as well.

MadeForMums verdict:

I'd recommend this maternity bra for active pregnant women and mums, especially those with a larger chest who want a practical, functional bra that provides strong support. However, those doing less impactful exercise such as yoga or Pilates could find cheaper, sexier alternatives.

If you liked this bra check out:

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MadeForMums product reviews are independent, honest and provide advice you can have confidence in. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links. However we never allow this to influence our coverage. Our reviews and articles are written by parents who are professional journalists, and we also include feedback from our parent community and industry experts.

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Product Specifications

Product
BrandCake Lingerie
ModelOrange Zest sports bra
Price£44.00
Available sizes32B-90K
StyleMaternity, nursing and sports
Features
FasteningFour-row double hook and eye closure
Made from86% polyester, 14% elastane
Washing instructionsHand wash
Features
  • Smooth spacer technology to reduce friction
  • Moulded cups for seamfree shape
  • Flexible wire for comfortable support
  • Wider padded straps to disperse pressure
  • Racer back conversion clip
Accessories
Optional extrasMatching Orange Zest briefs - £18
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