This Kali Babydoll is one of those frivolous purchases that one doesn't exactly need, but is fun to have on hand. It's been a really long time since I purchased an underwire nightie-type piece (I consider the Masquerade Alice Slip I recently got to be functional, since it can be worn under clothing). I kind of forgot how odd it feels to have underwires in a garment that you will not be wearing outside the house. Kali is an OK fit, but due to the underwires, it's not the most comfortable thing in my collection. It's definitely cute though, so I can see myself ...prancing around in it, but not exactly lounging in it for comfort.
I have actually never tried the Kali bra in 30DD, so I can't compare it directly against one in my collection. However, I have a 30D, which fit me when I was 30D, and I have tried on a 28E before. Based on comparing the measurements of my Kali Babydoll to the 30DD Kali bras here on Bratabase, the main conclusion I can draw is that the band is far looser on the babydoll than it is on the bra. The band on the 28E bra I tried was 57 cm, and the band on the 30D bra I own is 58 cm. It seems that it's pretty common for Kali bands to run extremely tight. This babydoll is constructed as a bra top with a curved open panel seamed on to the bra band, hence it should fit exactly like a bra and can be measured exactly like a bra. This measured 62 cm, which I think contributes to most of the difference I feel in fit.
I have written in my Marcie and Lucy reviews that the cups fit me kind of funny if the bra band is not snug. In Marcie, the wires tend to take some adjusting to sit in place properly. In Lucy, the cups need some adjusting since it is not a full band style. Since Kali is very similar to Lucy, in not being a full band style, I get the simultaneous issue of wires needing a lot of adjustment and cups needing a lot of adjustment because the band is not snug. Once I get it on, the fit is pretty good. There is some wrinkling in the upper cup where the embroidered panel is a little too projected and too closed off for me, but it's not too bad. I just tried on the 30D Kali bra again and it's definitely too small in the cups, so I wouldn't be able to size down. The Lucy 28E is a better fit for me, but I remember having the same issue with wrinkling in the upper cup of Lucy 30DD. I can't be entirely sure, but I suspect that the proportions of 28E in Cleo fits are just more suited for my shape than the sister size of 30DD.
I think Kali and Lucy in my correct size are just designed for a more FOT shape than I have, and they work if I have a snug band, but in a looser band, the shape mismatch is more visible.
Other than this, it's a very cute style. I have the purple colorway, and it is a deep, rich eggplant shade. The only downside to the color is that it's so dark that it's hard to see the heart embroidery that makes Kali such a charming style. The babydoll is constructed exactly like the bra, with a double layer mesh and tricot bottom cup, scattered heart embroidery on the bottom cup, and a single layer mesh embroidered upper cup with a more concentrated heart pattern. The wires are slightly wide and C curved, the same as Marcie and Lucy. Straps are medium width matte elastic with a picot edge, and the center gore is decorated with a two tone grosgrain ribbon bow. The band is firm powermesh with a leotard back, and the hardware is contrast hot pink, same as the contrast used on the bow.
I didn't realize that this was going to be constructed as an open back babydoll, but really the body is just one panel of fabric that attaches to the band and is open at the back. It has curved hems and a flyaway back, sort of like an apron. I assumed it would have a closed back, but this construction is definitely easier to put on, so I don't mind.
It's a really cute style, but I am a little surprised that the band fits TTS for a standard 30 band and isn't as snug as the normal Kali band. I think 28E would be a better size for me in this style as that is my normal Cleo size, but it's still nice to have in my collection! Read more 721 more words
I tried this on at Nordstrom Rack to get an idea of how Cleo bands run, knowing this would not be the right cup size.
The band felt ok, but now I realize I prefer a 28 instead of 30.
The cups feel quite big. 30DD is technically only one size too big for me, but it felt about a size and a half too big.
I felt the padding on this bra was quite thick and stiff, so this is not a style I would personally wear. Also, I don't like the center front seam as the only reason I would wear a bra that's not unlined is to give a very smooth appearance under very tight clothing.
This bra feels simultaneously too big and too small. When I first put it on, it fits okay on my smaller boob, but has gaping at the top of my larger boob. After a few minutes, the whole thing starts sliding down and then it gaps on both sides. To keep it in my imf, I have to yank it up high enough that the wings are in my armpit and the side is pushing hard into my tail of spence.
My boobs: I am tall rooted, slightly narrow and projected up to my apex, shallow above the apex. Soft tissue.
This bra: fits really nicely! I sized down as I read here that this bra runs big in the cups, and that is definitely true. The depth of mine is 8.5, which I think is about a half cup size bigger than most 30DDs. As I usually do well in 30Es that run slightly small, I thought I'd give this one a try and I am so glad I did. It works very well for my shape. There is good depth at the wire and good overall projection. The ...top section works well with my tall shallow-ish roots because the black ribbon closes the cup somewhat more than Marcie. I don't find the black ribbon cuts in at all. It also makes my boobs look round, which never happens to me. Plus it is very comfortable, the fabric is soft All in all, I want to panic buy as many of these in this size as I can because I adore the look and fit of this one but it is discontinued :/
The wire on my bigger size is too narrow for me, I switched it out for a wire from a worn out Marcie in a cup up and it works like a dream now. (All measurements are from the unaltered side.) Read more 124 more words
Narrow cup with a lot of projection and very open on top, which is perfect for tall roots and people with more tissue above the nipple. The band is pretty stretchy in the blue polka-dot colorway.
This bra's measurements have been altered
Bent the wires outward slightly at the center gore because they were digging in.
I like this bra. It does run a cup size small. I could definitely wear a 30E instead of DD in this bra. My tissue is very soft so the quadding on the bigger breast doesn't show through shirts, and I don't feel pinched by the wires. This bra cup top is "open". If you're very shallow on top it might not work. I'm full on bottom, but the tissue has nowhere to go but up, so it easily fills the top. Bottom of these cups is very shallow.
This is such a cute and comfortable bra and I love it so much... Except that it definitely doesn't fit. The top of the cup gapes a good amount (can fit a finger there) and it's just too projected on top to work for me. I really love it and it's super great, and I'd imagine anyone who is more projected or full-on-top would really enjoy wearing it.
When swooping and scooping, my tissue fills the cup well, but when I start moving and the tissue settles, there is gapping at the top of the cup. I am not quite FoT enough to fill the cup, I don't think sizing down would help as I would likely be quadding out.
I loved the feel and look of the bra. Especially being the first unlined one I've tried. However, my breasts didn't quite fill the top, since it wrinkles, even after scooping and swooping. It doesn't quite have the tall sides to take in the underarm bulge, either. I really wish this fit, its so pretty and comfortable.
The cups definitely run large and tall in this bra. The width and depth are fairly typical for a 30DD, but the height just adds so much volume to the cup. With my short roots, I have to add inserts and tighten the straps to fill the top of the cups, especially on my smaller right side. Boning in the longline band prevents it from rolling up the way some Freya longlines do.
Colors and pattern are beautiful and unique - I don't often see such vibrant floral patterns on black backgrounds.
This is the first molded bra I own and it feels so wonderful. It's very secure and encases all of my boob on the sides which is my biggest problem area being how wide set I am. The top of the cup has a little gapping which is discouraging because I love the feel of this bra and the uplift it gives me is perfect without all the clevage. I guess maybe a molded is not best for me since I am so shallow on top. Due to nursing, I think. But maybe after some wear it will settle a bit better for me. Maybe not. I ...don't know if a smaller cup would work for me since the rest of it is such a great fit on me. I could have gone down a band size being that I can fasten this bra on the tightest hook. So maybe a 28E would work. I may be done buying bras online. Anyway, the detailing on this bra are lovely. Lace trim is visible through thin shirt but may not be a problem for you if you fill the top cups better. Read more 85 more words
I had tried guys bra in the past but it was a sunlight shape mismatch. Now though this bra is great! It's just the right amount of lift mixed with the really rounded shape that Cleo is known for
This bra is used, but still firm and like new for me to use. The lace is a little stiff but not to annoying. The bra color is not faded, like some bra lace gets when it's been used and washed. But I've found that the Cleo Lucy is the most inconsistent shaped bra EVER! So try at least 3 of one size before you know if that size doesn't work for you, I had to, and I'm glad I did.
This almost worked. The cup itself fits nicely, but the lace on top is too deep for my breasts. There are 2 wrinkles on the side of the cup, I'm not sure if that's because of some orange in glass effect. Maybe narrowing the straps would help with the side wrinkles, although they seem narrow enough for my shoulders. The bottom of the cup fits nicely. The gore is narrower than most bras I have tried, which I like, although I'd still need a narrower or lower gore. I'm almost considering sewing the lace a little inwards to make it fit better, as the bra is incredibly cute and I love the dark blue and yellow colors.
I bought this bra used because I was more than curious to test this cut. My standard size is 30D - 30DD and this bra is very wide in the band - I need the second hook - and rather big or open on the top. I am full on bottom and I can fill the lower part of the cup very well but the upper part is gaping. It is wearable but as I already own be tter fitting bras this one is not a keeper
This bra fits well for my after breast feeding boobs. I have the most volume under my nipples and soft tissue. I need middle wide hanger and cups which are not too deep. The darcy gives me a round forward shape.
This bra was a recommendation from someone on the ABTF facebook page. I never thought an unlined bra would fit comfortably and look nice on me, but I'm so delighted I was wrong. This bra is comfortable, gives a nice shape, and is pretty.
