This is Lady Grey in the Classic Plunge, customized with straps moved in and pockets for asymmetry pads. Having been totally unsure of my size and wanting to try out AP just after it shut down, I ordered based on the recommendations of Jaimie at Bra Obsessed. Seriously, like many others I cannot recommend her expertise in Polish bras enough! The fabric of Lady Grey is extraordinarily beautiful, a really lustrous peachy satin with repeating paisley-like shapes and matching grey bows. It is so silky and comfortable against the skin! The straps are a deep gunmetal with a glossy finish in the center. All together the bra looks ... very very well-made.

I feel like this is about as close to a perfectly-fitting padded bra as I am going to get! As a 28G/30FF in UK brands, I would have never otherwise gone for a size 30GG, but the three-part cups fit like a glove, encompassing my boobs wonderfully with their narrow wires. They are centering enough to provide nice cleavage, yet the gore still tacks-- a phenomenon that really only tends to happen to me in Polish plunge bras. I have included one photo without removable pads and one with (taken from a 65G EM S bra) in order to see the difference. The satiny band doesn't have a lot of stretch and runs about an entire band size small; it's a very comfortable yet firm fit on my 28" ribcage. The placement of the straps is a refreshing change from EM's very wide-set configuration, and I feel like having them moved inward evened out the distribution of tension a little, providing better lift and, according to Jaimie, more room for center fullness. The hook and eye fastening is the normal 3x3.

The matching tap pant in medium is a good fit on my 36" hips, however the elastic cuts in just a hint more than the rest of the fabric. I tend to prefer thongs as I find them more seamless, comfortable and not a cut that you consciously "feel" throughout the day, but the design of these is quite elegant and still "cheeky" enough to prevent looking matronly https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />


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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 10, 2016 Flag this

This beauty, this gem, this gorgeous bra is mine at last. But you know what? When I first put her on, I was completely underwhelmed! I’ve *loved* my 32FF - Anna Pardal For Comexim » Lady Grey Sophisticated Balcon since I got it, and I’ve always loved the grey satin trim on the cup edge of the 3HC in addition to the rounded profile, so it’s baffling to why I felt like that when I first put it on, and I can’t figure out what it is about the fit that makes me feel like this.

True to its sister, the Lady Grey is a ... buttery soft satiny material that feels so luxurious. The peachy salmon base with the grey print is so classy, and the grey straps with the grey satin trim on the cups and bow at the center gore are nicely accented. The print on the cups has almost a navy blue tinge to the grey. Personally, I love the straps on these bras, even though they are thinner and many people prefer a wider strap. Like its sister, this bra also share a 3 hookset tape.

The fit of this is sadly a bit too snug for me. If we’re talking strictly technical fit, then this band is it. It’s snug and I can get two fingers in between my skin and the band. From a comfortable fit perspective, it’s digging into my ribcage and not the best option for lengthy wear. The cups are pretty good but you can see how the satin cup edge ribbon closes the bra off a little bit more than I need and therefore I have a bit of a dent in my boobs from it. But it’s super minor. Were I to find the correct size extender, I might have a little more cup space as a result. The straps are fine, cup width, height, and depth are all pretty good...narrow wires with moderate projection, and because the cup edge is a little bit closed on top, it minimizes a potentially too tall cup height on me in this size, unaltered.

I have not decided what I’m doing with this yet... keep it and wear it for short periods to stretch the band out or resist it? While it’s growing on me more as I try it on, part of me feels like my original Lady Grey is the better fit on me.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Oct 07, 2020 Flag this

In my size range, the Doyenne Half-Cup has the following alterations:
- straps moved in 2cm (roughly an inch)
- lowered gore



I also requested:
- straps moved in further (Anna offered to bring them in a total of 3.5 cm)
- wire overlap (the gore overlaps, reducing the overall width of it)
- cookie pockets

I'm not entirely sure that the cup height was reduced at all, as for half-cups these still seem quite tall. However, I can see that the wires do overlap, and the straps do feel closer set and more comfortable. I'll update soon with a strap comparison between the Doyenne and my Coffee Flower Nuance Plunge ... in the same size.

All 3 of the other Anna Pardals I've owned in this size had 3x3 hook and eye closures; this bra has a 2x3 closure, sadly. It doesn't compromise support as much as I thought it might.

FIT: Anna Pardal's sizing guide suggests I should choose 30GG, generally, since my usual UK sizes have been 28GG and 30G. However, I've suspected that I might do better in an AP 30H. I'm currently at my smallest, and the fit is workable. The cups are tall enough that I really don't think I want to size up to a 30H, and would love them just 1/4" shorter for aesthetic reasons.

I have tried Sabine in the Sophisticate Balconette cut, and had noticeable quadding even at the smallest point in my cycle, and could barely close the bra. With the Doyenne, I do better and I suspect it's because the half-cup is more open on top. That said, this bra felt a bit tight in the band, so I tried it upside down and backward (cups out of the way). The tightness went away. Upon fitting the cups on and clasping the bra, I do find the band a bit tight, so I've been wearing it with one extra set of hooks via an extender. I do get quadding near the gore, but not toward the sides of the bra when I press the floating gore to my sternum.

To be fair, my boobs seem to be a case of unusually short roots.

MATERIAL: I adored the feel of Anna Pardal's Caramel Latte fabric, and have found the Coffee Flower pretty comfortable as well. Sabine feels very soft to my hand, but a little itchy to my breasts. Bear in mind this could be in part due to the tightness of the cups. Where Caramel Latte pilled almost right away, Sabine feels like she'll be much sturdier, on par with my Coffee Flower.

Also, I took a couple of photos while holding the bra up to the light-- Sabine is MUCH lighter and more airy than the other APs I've had! You can actually see through the lace in places, which indicates to me that this may be a more reasonable padded option for the coming summer!

CUPS: I've raved about how forgiving the Nuance Plunge is when it's a little too small for your boobs. I think because of the ribbon detailing, Sabine in any cut is more closed off. Due to this, I'd say if you're unsure of your cup size with AP, either stick with a more open fabric (anything that doesn't have a ribbon across the top) or if you must have Sabine, get her in the Doyenne half-cup cut.

That said, I do find that my breasts feel more secure in this bra than I'm used to-- I'm pleasantly surprised by the "locked and loaded" feeling I get in this bra!

Were it not for the black details, color-wise this bra would vanish under even my Kleenex-weight pink shirt! The seams do show a bit, but they do disappear under my work shirts, which are just barely heavier than the top I use for the Pink Shirt Test.

Also, the SHAPE. I didn't realize how much I loved, needed, wanted this shape. Yes, the half-cup is a bit minimizing in terms of projection, but I do feel that having a little bit of roundness out to my sides helps balance my hips.

STRAPS: As I said of my Coffee Flower, the straps are moved in 3.5 cm, and it makes a huge difference in fit and comfort if you've got very narrow or sloped shoulders. I haven't felt even the hint of a need to tug at my straps while wearing this bra. I have a hunch it may also contribute to the "locked and loaded" feeling I'm getting. I'd also like to note that after quickly laying Sabine's straps over Coffee Flower's, Sabine's straps are not as wide. If you miss the spaghetti-like straps VS offers, these may be a nice compromise between those and the typical full-bust straps.

GORE: So far, my Coffee Flower Nuance is the reigning champ for gore tacking, and even with Sabine's overlapping gore CF still holds that title. Near the gore is also the only area where I get a hint of quadding. Since I'm at the smallest point in my cycle right now, I'm a little concerned that this bra may only be wearable 1-2 weeks out of each 2 month boob-cycle. The gore on Sabine does float a bit, probably due to its height, my close-set breasts, and the wire softness (which is what makes such a high gore wearable for me).

BAND: It feels quite firm. The overlapping gore likely takes some of the length out of the band, which may contribute to how tight it feels. It's also possible that since the hooks are 2x3, the band is narrower than is ideal for me, personally.
The inside is lined with the same super smooth, silky, ridiculously soft stuff as my Caramel Latte and Coffee Flower. However, at the top and bottom of the band, those with sensitive skin may find the it a bit itchy since the lace does extend past the edge of the band (but isn't sewn into the inside of the bra).

WIRES: They are a bit wide for me, but not problematic. In fact, go take a look at lcl0706 's Comexim Sonia 3HC review here:
https://thephotogsbrog.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/bra-review-comexim-sonia-half-cup-60j/
and notice the photo where she indicates the difference between her root and the wire. That is almost exactly how the width of this bra is for me. I've given this bra my usual break-in of working a couple of full shifts in it, and continue to actually feel like my boobs are more secure than I'm used to. Good lord, do I feel strapped in!

DOWNSIDE(S): I think 30GG may have either been a touch too small in the cups to begin with, or I am slowly outgrowing it. The cup height seems a little excessive to me. I'd love a wider band, and after wearing for a bit, my larger left side shows about 1/2" of bruising along the bottom middle of the wire line, in a stippling pattern. I suspect this might be due to the cups not being quite deep enough or the band being a bit too narrow (not distributing the weight as much), although I would love some other thoughts on why this might happen!

UPSIDE(S): Love, love the look of this bra. The overlapping gore is much more helpful than I even anticipated. I'm surprised at how secure the Doyenne HC feels, and if speaking purely of aesthetics, the daintiness of this bra is really lovely.
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Sabine colorway

Updated on Mar 14, 2016 Flag this

In my size range, the Nuance Plunge has the following alterations:
- straps moved in 2cm (roughly an inch)
- lowered gore
- reduced cup height

I also requested:
- straps moved in further (Anna offered to bring them in a total of 3.5 cm-- paid customization)
- cookie pockets (free customization).

And this size includes a 3x3 hook and eye closure.

FIT: On her website, Anna suggests that if you have a UK size you're comfortable with, keep your letter and go up one band. I have typically worn 28GG and 30G over the last several months. It's possible I could go down a band and up one cup further ... since I seem to be growing, currently, and it's something I will be considering and keeping an eye on. Currently, this and my EM S Kamea in 30GG (on Kamea's 3rd hooks) are my best fits.

MATERIAL: I raved about the softness of the Caramel Latte colorway, and rightfully so! The inside of this bra is also luxuriously soft. The outside of the Caramel Latte had lace that was smooth, silky soft, and had a very stretchy quality to it. Caramel Latte's lace also didn't really extend past the edges of the bra where it would touch skin. The lace doesn't come into the inside of either of these bras.

In contrast, Coffee Flower's lace extends beyond the edges of the bra both above and below to give this bra a frilly, feminine look. It's lovely, but might be a bit much for those with skin sensitivities or sensory issues. Coffe Flower's lace isn't as soft, and doesn't have Latte's stretchiness-- it may itch or tickle a little for some people, but it feels sturdier. I'm not as afraid that I'll snag and destroy the lace on this bra!

CUPS: I said it before, I'll say it again. The Nuance cut seems to be pretty forgiving of boobs that are slightly too big/swollen for it. My slight quadding (PMS, what can ya do?) doesn't show at all in shirts.

I have a ridiculously thin, pale pink shirt that I like to test my bras with. Due to the dark color of the bra and the slight bumps of the decorative gold stitching, this bra did not pass The Pink Shirt Test. I also tried a normal weight tee shirt with it, and while the color didn't show through, the bumps of the decorative gold flower stitching were visible from an arm's length away, but only if the observer was looking for it. My SO is my guinea pig, and did not notice the slight bumps until I pointed them out. It mostly disappeared under my work shirt today, and I had no problems with a somewhat heavier unisex "nerdy tee".

STRAPS: I have been really happy with the Nuance Plunge standard of having straps moved in 2cm. This bra has them moved in 3.5cm. And I've gotta say, it seems to make a huge difference for me in terms of fit, comfort, stability, and support. It feels like serious boob sorcery. It's odd not to feel like I might lose my straps if I move the wrong way, or sling on a purse over my bra strap. If you plan on having other customizations already, I recommend trying having the straps brought in further if you have narrow shoulders. WORLDS OF DIFFERENCE!

GORE: On my Caramel Latte in 30G, the gore soft tacked. On this bra, it fully tacks. And somehow I feel like I have more room near the gore? How?! Whatever sorcery this is, I'm cool with it. My boobs are pretty happy!

BAND: Feels pretty firm. The inside is lined with the same super smooth, silky, ridiculously soft stuff as my Caramel Latte. If you miss the texture of Victoria's Secret bras, an AP might be just the thing to give you your fix. I will note again, though, that right below the bottom and top of the band on this one you might find some itchiness to the lace on this colorway.

WIRES: Not only are the wires narrow, but they stay that way. After certain experiences with UK bras, I feel especially pleased with bras that don't have premature wire distortion issues. And I haven't yet measured this bra, so I can't say for sure what the difference is, but my swoop & scoop job stayed better in this bra than it does in anything aside from my 65K Comexim Queen of Hearts. The wires seem to stay right up in my IMF (worked a full shift in this bra, which seems to be my way of christening new bras).

Also, I've always thought it was total BS when movies or photos showed girls who still fully filled out their cups when lying down, because my boobs always seemed to deflate and ooze away. I laid down in this bra to see if the wires hurt when I lie down (common problem for me). Not only did the wires not hurt, but my boobs STAYED IN! I still filled out my bra! WHAT BLACK MAGIC IS THIS?!

DOWNSIDES: Slight quadding which could be due to needing a slightly different size, PMS swelling, or a slight shape mismatch. Also, that it took me so long to find a fit this good!
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Coffee Flower colorway

Updated on Dec 31, 2015 Flag this

My stats for reference:

5'3, 28G.5, FOT, tall and narrow roots, center full, projected, average to high set.

Look:
This bra is breathtaking! It reminds me of like a 19th century vampire novel. If someone turned Bram Stoker's "Dracula" into a Calligula type movie, this would fit right in. The cups are covered in red mesh with a black velvet pattern. Just like my Lady Grey, this bra has a luxurious feel, Anna Pardal knew what she was doing. I wish she'd come back!

Fit:

This bra is definitely a true 30, unlike the Lady Grey, the fabric covered band doesn't interfere with stretchiness at all. If anything, it ... increases it, this feels much looser thsn my 65HH Queen of Hearts. I have to wear it on the tightest set of hooks, and I got this bra very lightly used, so the band isn't stretched out. The cups are narrow and fairly projected, with lots oc immediate projection. It gives a super rounded shape. I do quad severely on my larger side due to center fullness, tall roots and being FOT. It seems more severe than the slight cutting in I have with my Lady Grey even though they're the same size. The straps seem like thry were moved in at least 1cm and the gore was definitely overlapped, it's so small that it would actually fit between my boobs if it'd just tack! There are also cookie pockets, which seem super weird, they cover the entire cup. Maybe I can use them to hold my credit card and keys so I don't have to carry a purse, lol. (Obviously I'd never, that would wreck the bra.). I do wonder why this bra is labeled 65J when other Anna Pardals would be labeled 30GG. I'm not sure if I can justify keeping this bra, it's stunning, but it isn't a "perfect fit".
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 27, 2021 Flag this

Oh my god! This set is stunning! I feel like some rich duchess or something in it. The fabric is SO soft, literally like butter. The band definitely fits like a 60 because the fabric covered band is stiff. I get slight quadding from the ribbon edge, and if I push the gore flat the quadding is drastic. This may be better for FOB ladies. The fabric is much more salmon colored than the pictures show, which is gorgeous! But unfortunately dosen't work very well with my cool toned skin. Nevertheless, This set is drop dead gorgeous.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Dec 26, 2020 Flag this

Cup height is 6.75in tall. Love this bra except it's still a little tall at the strap. But the space isn't obvious under shirts. The band is rather tight but I'm gonna try an extender and see if that helps. Overall I love this bra!!!!

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 13, 2016 Flag this

This bra is unbelievably soft and comfortable. It fits really well and I love it. The cups are wonderfully narrow and I feel really well supported in it.

Updated on Feb 28, 2020 Flag this

This bra is super comfortable, gorgeous and a perfect fit in the same 30:10 size I wear in Comexim 3HC. Very high quality construction with extraordinarily silky fabric on the exterior and plush cup lining on the inside... it feels absolutely heavenly to wear and gives a magnificent round shape! The band is firm and not very stretchy, fitting in between a 28 and 30, which is just what I need. Overall one of my favorite bras ever, I feel very lucky to have it https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 01, 2016 Flag this

I really like this bra. It has an understated classic look.

I notice in the pictures that it looks like it fits better than it does IRL. The cups feel too small and won't contain underarm tissue which is very loose and kind of floppy.
I swoop and scoop and it won't stay in the cup under the arm.
Perhaps I need longer wires? Not sure.
The reduced gore and overlapping wires are definitely an improvement over a standard gore for me since I have touching breasts. But not sure if I could improve the situation with a narrowed gore too.
The lowered gore makes me feel kind of insecure with my center heavy breasts. Not sure
what the solution is. Perhaps in a larger cup I would feel more secure with this lower gore?

This bra's measurements have been altered

reduced gore and overlapping wires.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jun 09, 2016 Flag this

I believe I'm the third owner of this bra; it's the Sophisticate cut and the first Anna Pardal I've tried! It's a deep, saturated cherry red with oriental-inspired lace overlay and trim, which looks exactly the same as the Comexim Geisha. The design is not overly decorated, finished only with matching red bows on the straps and gore, and black straps with a subtle glossy finish in the center. I think Sabine's charm lies in its elegant simplicity, which allows its beautiful, well-made materials to shine https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />

I admit, I've hesitated to order directly from Anna Pardal before, noticing that many of ... her bras look extremely similar to Comexim's, which are much more affordable, and wondering whether the extra luxurious details were worth the cost differential. Now that AP has gone out of business and I've had the opportunity to try this one, I really do see the appeal! The inner lining of the band is silky soft, the cups are cut in perfect accordance with my breast shape, and the band is firm, stretching not much beyond 28". In fact I'd say that this 30GG fits band and cup volume wise more like a Comexim 60J, it definitely isn't a true to size 30. So, possibly consider sizing up if you're on the larger end of your usual band size. Sabine's very thin foam shapes the breasts into a flattering round shape without adding a lot of bulk or extra padding, in contrast to say Ewa Michalak's S cut, which gives a super projected look that can make me extra conscious of the size of my boobs and can only be worn under very fitted shirts to prevent the dreaded "boob tent" look.

The only thing that I dislike about this bra is that it exaggerates my tail of spence a bit, but that's much more the fault of my individual anatomy than the bra's. I think I could do with just a hint more immediate projection, but we'll see how Sabine fares with further wear https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />




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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 05, 2016 Flag this

This is the first AP half cup I've tried. Typically, I wear Comexim 3HCs, and AP Sabine is lighweight compared to the Comexim 3HC. This bra, although lined, may be an excellent choice for summer. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />

The gore is lower and overlaps near the top: it is delightfully comfortable. It appears I may benefit from both a lower and narrow gore. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" /> Thank you, imabratinfluence --another alteration https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" /> https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" />

The wings are fabulously low, yet high enough to encapsulate all my breast tissue.

Because I ... previously wore a 30GG Sabine Sophisticate plunge, I anticipated this band would require an extender. Surprisingly, the half cup band is more true to size than the plunge band. Fortuitously, we can order the precise band length we require from Comexim/AP. If you need a specific length, they will accommodate your request.

Sadly, because the cup is too narrow for me, my breasts are not as lifted or centered like I experience in the 65K, and 70J. I need a wider wire for lift and centering. However, the cup height is perfect for my very short roots. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />

For those of you who experience the painful red marks under each breast when wearing Ewa Michalak bras, I do not experiencd such pain in Comexim or Anna Pardal. I'm intensely thankful for Comexim, their artisans, and their patterns!!

Truly, this is a great bra for narrow, projected breasts. Sincerely, I look forward to the 30H AP Half Cup I ordered a few weeks ago. These AP bras are very well-crafted!

For those needing more or less immediate projection in Comexim/AP 3HC, here is a list:
http://www.bratabase.com/list/g7q/
http://www.bratabase.com/list/g7p/

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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 04, 2017 Flag this

Have been waiting since Dec for this bra! Sadly the cup is to tall so there is empty space toward the straps. Was really hoping it would work out but no luck https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />

Updated on Mar 11, 2016 Flag this

This is the Sophisticate Cut which includes reduced cup height, reduced gore height, and straps moved inward 2cm. Additionally, this gore has overlapping wires: swoon. Fortuitously, this bra does not swallow my very short roots. The cups are fantastically designed to lift and center. The straps are narrow enough to patiently sit on my shoulders without adjustment. The wings are high enough to contain all tissue and low enough to create complete comfort. The cups are expertly lined in cloud-like cotton. Anna Pardal bras have been thoroughly and thoughtfully designed! I will patiently wait for this level of comfort. However, like every other Comexim plunge I've tried, there is not enough immediate projection. I feel overstuffed into a too small space near the wire. With a heavy heart, I admit this piece of art and engineering does not fit. However, I will eagerly trade for an Anna Pardal 30GG Doyenne Half cup https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" /> https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" />

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 28, 2016 Flag this