I bought this bra new and unworn, so the measurements I took were without any wear or "breaking in" of the fabric.
Despite having a 37" comfortably snug underbust measurement with compressability down to 35" at the extreme, I found that I could almost not clasp this bra. While it does stretch to 38", it takes a massive amount of force to do so. This fabric is quite firm!!
With a "normal" amount of tension (the amount of tension I tend to exert on my other bras in normal use and the tension it takes to measure them at their longest) this band only measures to 34".
I would ...advise most folks to size up in this band, or prepare to use an extender.
I found the wires much too narrow in this bra. It is not shaped like other Panache models at all. I ordered a Freya Lyla Balcony (4302) in 36GG at the same time, and it had wider wires than this Masquerade Persia even though Freya's wires are notoriously narrow in general.
The bra is quite pretty, though not really in my taste. I like it more in person than I did viewing it online and am glad I got to try it out. I feel like only two hooks on a bra in this size and with so much band firmness is sort of silly, as it means the wings taper down to be quite short. The lack of give in the band just meant ridiculous back indentations and bulging on a cushier lady like myself.
This is one of the first Panache bras in my size where the wire height under my arms was not uncomfortable. From the tip of the underwire to the band it is only about 5", and that felt really perfect for me as a high chested lady with only 5'1" of height. If that is you too and you have a narrower root, this could be a good bra to try.
I warn though that the cup seemed to come up a bit high, and the cup at the very top was a bit roomy. I think this bra was made for someone a bit more shallow than me - less projection and more height - as the lower part of the cups seemed to compress my breasts quite a bit. Read more 280 more words
I so wanted a vertically seamed balconette, and this bra is a stunning aesthetic example of one. It features lovely, scroll-patterned lace in an understated neutral shade and a darling tear drop pearl bauble detail at the gore.
I have the vanilla color, it's a lovely ivory-cream-oatmeal shade, and since I'm quite pale it works as a nude under light clothing. Although the lace does show a bit under thin tops, it doesn't bother me.
It runs so tight in the band and small/shallow in the cup that I'd definitely advise going up a band and cup size. I wear it with an extender, which solves the tourniquet band, but there's spillage at the top of the cup and I find myself frequently adjusting during the day. Despite this, the shape it gives me is lovely and round. If it had fit me better, I could see it being a favorite bra.
Well made, beautiful bra. I wish it had fit better, or came in larger cup sizes.
This was the first bra I got in my "right" size. The band runs a tight. I loved the cakes on a platter look it gave me. It doesn't look good under higher cut clothing.
This bra was really pretty and gave a very nice round shape. Unfortunately the wires were way more narrow than other Panache and Masquerade bras in this size, while the band was significantly firmer. I was almost unable to fasten it, and felt like I was dying once I had. Because my breast tissue is so soft, this forced the gore to tack even though the lower volume of the cups was too shallow for me. The resulting compression of my lower breasts was pretty uncomfortable. Someone with more a full on top shape (I'm more even) and narrower root would do better in this bra than I did, especially if they got the correct size. I needed a 38H or 38HH for this bra to come close to being comfortable.
Beautiful bra, no doubt https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Now, some fit issues: I think I got it too big, I think a 34H or 36GG would have been a better fit, and I may get that if I am to order it again. (normally I think I am a 34HH) I think it is important to note how un-stretchy this bra is: By far the most firm band and straps I've seen - I find this to be a disadvantage, as normally if you twist and turn, the elasticity will make sure the bra doesn't move too much, but here, if you lift your shoulder for instance, the ...whole bra is moved. The centergore did no lie flat, and as mentioned, I think it is actually too big for me, so that can't be it: The center is very high up, and my breasts are very close together, so I think that might be what does it. I found the straps to not be able to adjust very short, I have them at the shortest (partly because the cup is too big). The tight straps might be what makes the band ride up, as I find it a bit difficult to determine if the band is the right size or not: Fits with the rule of 2 fingers but not hand, but does ride up. I wear a 34 more often than a 36, but had heard the band was a bit tight, though I found it to fit much like many other 36's, though difficult to tell due to the non-stretchy material. But, even in too big cup, it gives an amazing uplifted shape, and seperated, yet pointed forward boobs, which is what I look for. Read more 179 more words
Hey I know this is waaaaay old so you mightn't be able to remember at all, but am I correct in interpreting that this 36H was actually too big in the cups for your when you were a 34HH? I'm about an 34J and I'm wondering if I could squeeze myself into a 36H in this or if I'd need a 38H with the band altered down shorter.
I just love the pale blue one so, so much. I actually own one in a 32GG and you can imagine how laughably bad it would be if I tried to wear it now! It didn't even fit me when I got it because I was more like a 32H then. But I ADORE the look of it so, so much.
Hey I know this is waaaaay old so you mightn't be able to remember at all, but am I correct in interpreting that this 36H was actually too big in the cups for your when you were a 34HH? I'm about an 34J and I'm wondering if I could squeeze myself into a 36H in this or if I'd need a 38H with the band altered down shorter.
I just love the pale blue one so, so much. I actually own one in a 32GG and you can imagine how laughably bad it would be if I tried to wear it now! It didn't even fit me when I got it because I was more like a 32H then. But I ADORE the look of it so, so much.