Shape: round, projected, even, close set, on the narrow end of average root width.

UPDATE: After wearing this a few days over the last couple weeks I have to amend what I said in my original review: while the sides don't LOOK super tall in the armpit, and didn't bother me during my review + fit check, my experience is that the underwire + side boning do end up rubbing in an uncomfortable way while wearing over the course of a full day. I don't have this problem with any other bras :/ It's disappointing, and it means that I'll probably limit wear of the Piper to special occasion ... or short wears only.

Original review:
It's here! I finally got my hands on the Piper. Here's my quickie review:

The good:
- The color of this bra is even brighter and more saturated in real life. It's very striking and quite the statement piece - if you're into subtle, this ain't it.

- Love the little details. The eyelash lace at the bottom of the bra, the tiny polka dot print on the top mesh section of the cup, the lime green hooks to match the lime bow on the gore.

- The band fits true to size! I'd been worried after running into stretchy band after stretchy band in new Cleo colorways (Bluebell Marcie, Floral Della, and Turquoise Blake, with reports that the Leopard Della and Cerise Blake also suffered from the dreaded too-loose band). I was so concerned about this that I also ordered the 28F, just in case. Luckily, the 30E is comfy on the loosest hooks. The 28F - Cleo » Piper Longline Balconnet Bra (9351) is too tight to be comfortable for me, even on the loosest hooks.

- The cups are on the narrow end of average width, which is just about perfect for me. The cups have good immediate projection (are we calling it depth now? Immediate depth?). Wires sit right in my IMF, and don't budge. Actually, NOTHING budges in this bra. Perhaps it's the nature of the longline, but my breasts don't move *at all* in this thing - they are locked down in the cups.

- I'd heard there was the possibility of the sides running really tall under the armpits. I'm happy to announce that this isn't an issue for me at all.


The not-so-good:
- While the cups fit, I get some annoying wrinkling in the top (near the strap) and sides of the cup. The bra isn't too wide for me, and I fill out the cups, so not sure what's causing it.

- FOT or particularly tall-rooted folks take note: the top of the cup closes in quickly. I get the tiniest bit of quad boob on my larger side (check the angle shot), and I'm even-to-FOB.

- No super round and uplifted Marcie basketballs here. I would describe the shape as "my breasts but better" - a lower set, more natural shape. If you're VERY close set or have oodles of center fullness, you may find this to be a shape mismatch.

- Let's just put it out there: while this longline is beautiful, fastening the 5, yes, FIVE, hooks in the back is a huge pain. Save your wrists and get help, lol.

Overall:
I'm really happy with this! Love the color, the fit is comfortable (especially for a longline), and the matching briefs (a good fit in UK10 for my 38" hips) are adorable. It's a keeper - and I look forward to stalking next spring's Acid Coral colorway!

Read more
476 more words

Cobalt colorway

Updated on Oct 26, 2016 Flag this

I got lucky and got my hands on a Cleo Piper!! I had to sister size up a band due to availability and pray. Overall I'm desperately in love with it. It's projected, fairly narrow, stunningly gorgeous... and I'm way behind on my bra reviews and just got this in yesterday but I felt it was important to get this review out to the masses ASAP before Piper is released on a large scale, because there are Two Glaring Problems that I think are going to affect everybody who tries this https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":-(" /> and I know a lot of us love it. Full review on the blog.

Cleo Piper is one of those bras that absolutely stole my heart from the second i

http://dreamsandunderthings.com/2016/09/17/bra-review-cleo-piper-longline-30f/

Cobalt colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Sep 17, 2016 Flag this

lcl0706

6295 reputation

165 bras

My stats for reference:

5'3, 28G.5, FOT, tall and narrow roots, center full, projected, average to high set, short torso, 25" waist.

Look:
This bra is absolutely adorable! The blue is super rich and would be flattering for many skin tones, unlike the cotton candy pink color. I don't think the green bow at the center gore is very complementary, but it's not terrible. The eyelash lace at the bottom of the front would definitely curl over if I sat down in it for too long. I wonder if I can iron lingerie?

Fit:
The band definitely runs super snug in this. It seems like it would fit someone directly ... between a 26 and 28 band. The cups fit like most cleos which are touted for being FOT-friendly (even though this bra is generally recommended as a FOB bra); they dig into my upper boobs, creating some serious quadboob. The cups are too wide and shallow for me, the wire is sitting about .5" below my lowest IMF, so my boobs are fighting their way to the top. I may not have had such severe quadding if I was shallower. The wires sit about 1" away from the end of my root. So overall, I have the polar opposite of orange-in-a-glass (is there a term for that?). The longline hits just above my waist, which is good because I have almost no space between my ribs and hips. I was so worried that this longline would dig in and hurt, I'm pleasantly surprised by this bra. The waist is definitely snug, so if you have a larger waist in proportion to your band size, this bra isn't for you.
Read more
169 more words

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 24, 2021 Flag this

I tried this bra on a whim. I have a super short torso, and have never really given longlines a second glance, but with a color this pretty I couldn't resist at least trying... Plus my size was on Amazon so it was risk free!

First, the good: the color is gorgeous! It's a nice saturated cobalt blue. The eyelash lace is a nice touch. The straps are padded between the shoulder and cup (but this makes them only half adjustable).

Now, the bad: This didn't fit me at all. The band was huge. I could fasten it on the tightest hooks right out of the package; the stretched ... measurement is 39" on this 34GG! I actually double checked several times to make sure Amazon sent me the right size. I usually don't have an issue with Panache/Cleo bands, if anything they're usually too tight (I'm between 32 and 34), this was much looser than normal. It mostly stayed put due to being a longline, but definitely would've had issues were it a regular bra.

The cups were either a smidge too small or possibly the wrong shape. I couldn't get the wire to stay in my IMF, it felt like it was floating down a bit, plus I got noticeable quadboob on both sides. I think a bigger cup would've helped, maybe... But with the lack of proper tension from the loose band and the way the cup is shaped (NOT good for FOT ladies!) it was tough to judge. The gore tacked just fine, go figure. I kept trying to hike it up to get my boobs to settle into the cups, but it just wasn't working for me.

The wires are at least 1/2" shorter than their channels, which makes the wings do an uncomfortable pokey maneuver in my armpit. Despite the side stays and the band of elastic along the front, the section with the eyelash lace kept rolling up while I was standing still (not sitting or even walking).

There also seem to be some quality control issues. In addition to the very stretchy band, the lace had several runs/pulls/bobbles and there were loose threads attached all over the cup seams (see pics).

Despite how lovely this bra is, I'll be sending it back.
Read more
271 more words

Cobalt blue colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Oct 05, 2016 Flag this

I've had such high hopes for this bra! The longline design, the unpadded cups, the fun colour, the pretty lace - what's not to love? It really is a great bra, and I'm happy that Panache is trying out unpadded longlines. However, the cups are not a perfect fit on me shape-wise, even though their volume and bottom projection seems to be ok.

Nice things first: the colour is as pretty in person as it is in photos. I'm not a great fan of neon accents, but on this bra they are contained to a tiny centre bow, which could be easily removed, and the hooks. The lace doesn't ... look luxurious, but it does look good and quite elegant even, and the eyelash finish along the bottom edge is a nice tough. I also enjoy how it's paired with the mesh upper part of the cup, which has a very subtle dot patter. The inside mesh lining is soft enough and I experience no discomfort, but then I'm not particularly sensitive to rough fabrics. The straps have comfortable soft lining and are fully adjustable.

The band is true to size, barely stretching to 28in. I'm wearing it on the loosest set of hooks and its plenty snug, more so than my other Cleos with a 28 band, but this impression might be partially caused by the longline design. The gore tacks with no issues. I have no problem with the sides being too high, but it's a problem I never experience, having breasts which are set fairly low on my chest. For the same reason, the band ends rather low, at my natural waist, which I think looks ok, but would be a problem is the band was even a bit longer / my torso was a bit shorter.

Now on to the main problem. The top section of the cup is really closed off, something I've never experienced in any Panache/Cleo soft cup bras. My shape is rather even, I wouldn't classify it as FOT. This leads me to believe that my roots must be long, and therefore not really suited to this bra. I tried hard to convince myself that the cups look good enough, but when I keep my back really straight, the spillover is impossible to miss (as shown on one of the detail shots). Sadly, I think I'll still have to wait to fulfil my dreams of a well-fitting longline.


Read more
294 more words

Updated on Sep 29, 2016 Flag this

Me: Average projection. Fuller on bottom. Slightly wider left breast (I suspect this breast is also 1-2 ml taller than my other breast). Usually wear 28DD or 30D.

It's a cute bra but definitely not for me. It's comfortable and helps emphasize my waist. However, there's some serious side quad boob going on. The cups seem to mostly encompass my breasts; after I scoop and swoop, there is slight quad boob at the top of the cups but barely noticeable. Slight wrinkling in the cups, too. My wider breast seems to fill out the cup nicely but not so much for my other breast. I do think this bra might be for someone who isn't as broad-shouldered as I am. I think my broad shoulder contributed to the side quad boob.

Coral colorway

Updated on Jul 29, 2020 Flag this

This particular bra didn't fit me, so the review won't be as detailed as the Cleo Piper that fits me.

As always the quality of this bra is great, the seams are sturdy and the wires are comfortable. This is a 30 band so it's not as tight as my Piper in 28, but due to the five hooks it still stays well. The comfort was OK, the cups were too small so it didn't fit, but the band wasn't too tight.

The blue is a nice color, the neon/lime green bow and corresponding books isn't the prettiest combination with blue, but neon isn't generally something I'm very fond of. ... I like the clear contrast between neon green and blue though if nothing else.

When wearing this bra it's clear how poorly it fits! The four part cup isn't something that fits my shape very well but I can make do with it, though the main issue is that the cups are way too small. I'd need at least a 30F. A 30FF might be a better choice though.

I'd say the bra is true to size, it never felt like it was u reasonably small or big anywhere. The gore was a bit wide and the depth/shape of the cups didn't work, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Read more
107 more words

Blue colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 03, 2019 Flag this

Phew. Can't remember the last time I tried so hard to buy a new bra style.

I adore this bra. I think the colour is wonderful, the shape is flattering and the longline makes me feel like I could wear this around the house all weekend with a singlet and be 21 again.

Unfortunately I don't think it suits my shape AND it's actually quite hard to get on.

I bought a size 30GG - my usual Cleo/Panache size these days - to try first off. Unfortunately it dug right into my breast tissue and gave me a noticeable bulge above the bra edge. Otherwise the bra was pretty good ... - a bit loose around the back about half way down the hooks though. Other than the digging into the breast tissue, it looked good on and I was tempted to keep it.

I knew I would be tugging at the top of the cup all day if I kept the 30GG trying to get it smooth, so I send the 30GG back and tried the 30H. I have never ever worn a size H cup before, but I knew that the 30 band was only just tight enough and I wouldn't want to go up to a 32 band to stay in the same cup size.

This is the 30H that I've photographed on me here. It still digs into my breast tissue towards the centre gore and the straps are now really uncomfortably wide and the underwires are way too wide. I wonder if the 30GG was also too wide and I wasn't settling into the bottom of the cups either. Maybe that's why I'm inching out the top of the cups.

Either way, wrong shape for me. Sorry Piper!

Congratulations to everyone who suits this style - it's gorgeous.

(ps. Also, I usually but a bra on by putting the cups against my belly - face down - and then reach around and clip the hooks and eyes together with my hands, then flip the bra over and up onto my breasts... that was very difficult to do in a longline where it has corsetting for inches down the sides in addition to the underwires. I wonder if I owned this how many days I would think TOO HARD and wear a different bra after all)
Read more
274 more words

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Dec 10, 2016 Flag this

I love this one. The fit is the best I've found so far on my ABTF hunt. The straps are wider set, and it would be slightly more awesome if they were just a little closer- however it's not problematic at all!

Cobalt colorway

Updated on Jun 18, 2021 Flag this

I have been trying a lot more Freyas in 28E/28F and haven't really been exploring Cleo's fashion styles outside of the ones I reviewed last year. For some reason many of them have not appealed to me, however the Piper Longline, with her brilliant cobalt fabric, has been intriguing for a while. I finally decided to try this, and the size available was 30DD, my sister size.

The appearance of this bra is lovely, with gorgeous cobalt lace making up the entirety of the bra. The lace design is floral with arabesques on mesh. As Cleo likes to add a touch of pop color, the ... center gore bow is bright lime green, as are the hooks in the back. The cups are a 4 piece construction with the bottom made of 3 vertical panels and the upper a horizontal piece made of double layer mesh, while the bottom cups are mesh-backed lace. I have rarely seen this construction from Cleo, but more often from Panache-- it is a bit similar to Panache Oriane. The back of the band is solid powermesh throughout, and there are strips of boning on each side connecting the front panel to the back. The front also has two seams for decorative purposes that don't have boning.

Despite being a 30 band, it actually measures pretty small. This felt comfortable but not snug, and I liked that it didn't put extra pressure on my ribcage and feel constricting to breathe. It was relatively easy to hook on my own because the band wasn't super tight, which is always my concern with longlines. When I tried a Freya longline in 30DD, the band was incredibly huge, so I was a bit surprised to see that the band on this style fit. There are 5 sets of hooks on this style, set in two rows. I would always prefer three rows of hooks on longlines instead of two, so this is a minor negative.

The main problem for me is that the cups overall are just a bit too small. I think this runs slightly small, though probably not an entire half cup. Overall there was just enough fabric in the cups, since the lace has a bit of stretch, but the wires were too narrow and short. The wires on this style feel closer to a 30D though the cup volume was pretty true to a 30DD. The wires have an average amount of flex as they did not dig in and become painful. This might be good for someone who needs small wires and more projection, provided that you order a size up. Other than the wire mismatch, I think this would suit a balanced shape best as the top is rather closed off.

Piper is a nice longline that's easy to put on and unique to look at. Since the cup construction is a bit different from most other Cleo offerings I have tried, I'd recommend not blind-buying this and making sure you have a chance to try it on.
Read more
413 more words

Cobalt colorway

Updated on Sep 26, 2020 Flag this