Of the three full-bust bikini/tankini bras that I've tried (one panache, one curvy kate, and one fantasie), this one is the most flattering and the most comfortable. It's also this beautiful classic, feminine, and unique color (cranberry sounds perfect to describe it). However, I got it on sale and it's 1-2 sizes down from my normal cup size, and I can tell. I've got a slight "quad-boob" effect in the top of the cup, but luckily I doubt anyone else will notice (I've also been losing weight and am hoping to continue to do to so before bikini season). I was counting on the fact that bathing suits ... tend to give you a little wiggle room in the size, but I'm glad to know that panache is consistent in their sizing system, even between bras and swimwear. However, even with my little fit issues, I can see it holding up my breasts and giving me some beautiful cleavage.

I bought a tankini because I wanted the extra tummy coverage, but I do feel like I had to make a few sacrifies for that extra coverage. First, this thing is a lot harder to put on than a bikini because there's all the extra fabric that goes all the way around without hooks. And because it has to be stretchy enough to get around your hips, shoulders, and wider parts of your body, I feel like the band is looser than I'm used to. Plus, as with most tankinis I've seen, it's a plunge style, which isn't very good for my close-set breasts. I personally feel like I'm going to fall out into the middle, especially since the gore isn't made to come up between my breasts. It will be okay if I'm only doing light swimming or sunbathing, but I wouldn't be hitting any waves in this.

The straps are comfortable and seem to adjust just fine. They're also not too wide, which I have problems with a lot. Another thing I love about the halle is that the underwires aren't too long or wide, which is another common problem for me. I don't think these things are going to stab me.

I haven't had a chance to try this by the pool yet, but I feel like as long as I continue to exercise (just not in this tankni), this will be my new favorite choice for swimwear.
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Updated on Feb 07, 2014 Flag this