This review is for Rhea in 32DD and the antique colourway. I got it inexpensively from the outlet section of a large lingerie onlineshop. I knew I had to order it for sience (bra science!), although I was quite sure it would not work for my shape (tall, medium width roots, even fulness, medium projection, self-supporting, usually a 30E).
Rhea surprised me in several ways.

- First of all, the band: I had expected that I'd needed to take it in, but this 32 band works just fine on my 27"/29" ribcage. I can't speak for every colourway, but this Rhea in antique definitely runs tighter!
- The cups also fit ... me quite well, with some minor gaping at the center but that's totally tolerable.

- Rhea's look, feel and fit is quite similar to the Masquerade Georgiana (5471), a bra that many people with wide root shallow boobs (and other shapes as well) love and cherish. The band and straps are nearly identical, however, Georgiana is stretchier in the band.
- The cups are similar at first sight (lightly padded halfcup cut with two vertical seams), and both bras are less than 3/4 coverage, but there is a subtle difference: Georgiana's cup edges are sloping down slightly towards the center gore, making the bra higher at the sides and lower at the gore - a typical 'balconette' shape. Rhea's cups, in contrary, have the same height all over, the rims are perfectly horizontal and give the bra a 'bandeau' kind of look.
- Therefore, Rhea's cups have slightly more volume overall. The bra requires some more upper and/or center fulness than Georgiana.
- Cup width is similar in both, I'd consider this a typical Cleo/Panache wire width.
- Also, Rhea's cups are definitely sturdier than Georgiana's and feel stiff in comparison.

I wouldn't recommend Rhea to people with wide root shallow boobs unless they have a) a certain amount of projection or fulness at the center or b) a FoT shape. The cups will gape on people that are FoB or don't have enough center fulness.

- Appearance: Rhea works for me as a skintone-ish coloured bra and doesn't show through light, loose-fitting clothing. The shape is slightly minimized in profile, but it does create some 'cakes on a plate' kind of cleavage.
I noticed that the bra has boxy appearance to it, because the seams are quite stiff and prominent, and the horizontal lace trim also shows through tight shirts.
It probably works best under tops with boat neck necklines.
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antique colorway

Updated on Jul 04, 2016 Flag this

This is an odd one. I have very broad, square shoulders, but the straps are clearly too far apart for me. Although the cups are gapping a little bit at the top, I think this is because the straps are pulling the sides inward and it would be fine if they were lifting straight up.

I think I also need to go down a band size, as it fastens easily on the smallest hook and I can still fit my whole fist underneath, so it could be that the straps would be fine in the correct band size. As it is, I think I'm going to have a ... go at altering it so the straps sit where they should.

The fabric is quite soft and comfortable, the lace is a nice quality (though I admit lace in general isn't really my thing), and the straps are firm and would be supportive if placed correctly.

Edit - as suspected, moving the strap in about 1 1/4 inches on each side did the trick. It's still a tiny bit big (I think I might be between a 30DD and 30E on this one) but it helps a lot and should be wearable now.
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Updated on Jul 16, 2013 Flag this

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Added on Oct 15, 2014

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This bra is not owned any more

Added on Mar 01, 2018

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Added on May 06, 2018