Short version- Like the standard Porcelain, the band is not continuous, and the cups are seamless and molded. The contour material is a good deal thinner than an EM plunge or Freya Deco or padded half-cup, which has its ups and downs (feels lighter, but less nipple modesty). Fully adjustable straps!
This bra stays in place during the day, and I had only a bit of spillage towards the middle after several hours (so far true of all plunge bras I’ve tried, because my tissue is on the soft side). The band is what I would call an ‘average’ 32, does not come up tight as many Panache bras do, ...but not as stretchy as the Freya bras I’ve worn. The straps did not seem as widely set as the standard Porcelain, but one’s mileage may vary. The cups fit just right in a 32G (what I wear in the majority of bras).
There is fabric at the bottom of the cup where it doesn’t curve out at all, but this seems to be the design to provide support. It didn’t feel like the orange-in-a-glass effect which I get with some bras that have very little room at the bottom of the cup. The fabric doesn’t fold over, just tacks against the skin. It may not be for everyone, but suited me just fine and was calibrated for the appropriate size.
Smooth and sleek, this works great for me under fitted or knit tops. The Porcelain Plunge doesn’t give my breasts a ton of lift or projection, but the shape is pretty round and front-and-center. Read more 155 more words
I made peace with Jasmine https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> When I first put it on, the gore wouldn't lay flat, I couldn't tighten the straps short enough, the bra felt really uncomfortable, The wires dug in at the arpit and at the bottom, I couldn't pull the wires where they are supposed to be - I felt there is not enough space for my boobs around them, and the fabric of the cups gave me a rash on my right boob o.O Now, this bra needs to be washed before you even try it on !! Except for the rash, those were all basic problems I ...have with most my bras. HOWEVER
I managed to bend the wires to fit me comfortably, I even bent the gore to lay flat. I realized that wih some fiddling I could shorten the straps even on the padded part. Now Jasmine fits like a dream https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />))
The band Perfect, snug, back fat minimising, 3 hooks and quite sturdy
The straps Too thin if you ask me. Nicely padded, you can adjust all the way with some playing around, but I don't think theye are ment to be fully adjustable.
The wires They are narrower and shorter than most panache wires. I really see this as an major improvement. The gore is also narrower.
The cups 4 - part cups with the lace upper section. The fabric is very sturdy and I think it will last. However, the lace seems VERY delicate and thin, and at the same time it's VERY stretchy. I am courious how this will behave with wear. This type of lace could be at the same time the strongest, and the weakest point of the bra. I feel the cups are a bit deeper than the andorra.
The comfort I am really impressed with cup construction - the lace part is great, it's like spidersweb - very thin, silky and I don't feel it at all. The band is really comfortable and snug, I don't even feel the wires that much now that Ive bent them. The only place I feel the bra is the straps - they digg in a bit, my boobs are too heavy for such thin straps.
The shape This one really does give great shape and uplift. The profile is round - but not the fake round you sometimes get from cleo, but more natural round. I even feel like it slightly minimises the bust without compromising on projection. It's not exactly the green shape, but it isn't that far from it - I don't have any boob bumping with arms https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Not really sure how this is possible https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":D" /> The side support pannel centers the boobs much more than the andorra
Room from improvement - wider straps!!! - print - not really my cup of tea. - I'd like to have this in some lighter colours also, white or nude.
Conclusion Highly reccomend. I think this bra will work for almost every shape out there. Great everyday bra. I feel this bra is anoucing new era in panache bras and I think it is proof that bramakers really hear our feedback.
Oh please, pictures :) I am very curious about how you bent the wires to make it fit :)
I actually bend the wires while wearing the bra. I bend them in the middle, on the very bottom if cups, and at the middle of the gore. I angled it more inwards to make it sit flat. I think this wires are softer than your usual panache :)
Softer wires than usual Panache :O I might need to try this bra after all if only for the wires. I really hate Panache wires.
We really must have the total opposite in rib cage shapes however :D
Thanks for the detailed review Vlatka! I wore it yesterday for the first time. I still think the 30JJ is a bit generous for my smaller breast, but it's a better fit than I originally thought. It indeed must be deeper in the cups than the Andorra, because the Andorra in 30J really was too small for me. But because I already got a kind of orange in a glass thingie on my bigger side, a smaller cup probably won't work either. I just couldn't send it back;) And yes it really gives a great upfront look under clothes. However I was bit a bit black and blue after wearing it for a while, because the center gore won't sit flat on me either - the wires rest thoroughley at breast tissue. Especially my left boob - the bigger one - was a bit black and blue after wearing it. But I will follow your advise and try to bend it. But how did you manage to adjust the non-adjustable part of the straps? On my smaller side I really I need to shorten them a bit more than now is possible;) By the way, I've encountered a white version on Ebay. So it does exist in other colours;)
Wow, I'll look for that, thanks. Now, the straps - you won't be able to shorten it just by pulling up the plastic thingy - you have to pull the strap out with your finger from the middle of the plastic adjuster and then straighten it down - that way you can pull through the padded part too. Am I making any sense? As for the wires - I had the same problem. After bending the gore, you'll have to scoop your boobs away from the gore :)
I think the next version is a flower print. I look forward to that one, I don't like bird prints at all.
The bottom section on Jasmine is cut much higher than the bottom section of Andorra. That's why everyone think it's deeper I assume. While the Andorra has the bottom and upper sections being about the same height the Jasmine is clearly bigger on the bottom.
That's why it's probably a true bummer for me. I am not full where that bra is full :D
You are right! That explains why my nipples aren't peaking through the lace :D :facepalm:
Since I saw you in that Amourette Triumph bra I maybe should have known better than suggesting the Andorra to you :O My boobs are kind of upside down from yours :D
But you should make a bra adventure about the scoping from the center gore! That was genious. I just did it on my Andorra :D
Gervaise, are you sure that wasnt the elomi jasmine? Ive been looking for it, cant find it :(
Eliza, bratabase also reccomended andorra to me :) it's a nice bra, just a bit more east-west than I'd like but not nearly as bad as amourette :))) hate that bra with a passion :) sid the gore thing work on the andorra? i thought everybody did the scooping thing that way :)
eliza, yes I also think the bottom section is higher than on the Andorra. But still it also has a deeper cup, I am quite sure about it;)
Gervaise, Im pretty sure that is not the same bra, the cut is different - this is a 3 part cup, and our jasmine is a 4 part :) Never saw this bra in my life :)
@Vlatka: Can you add pics of you in the Andorra? I'm curious.
Also the scoping from the center gore kind of works but the wires ends a little bit lower.
Gervaise: It being deeper is an even bigger bummer for me. Damn ;/
@Vlatka, after taking a better look at it, I guess you are right. This can't be the same item. Weird...
eliza, to be honest I liked the Andorra more than the Jasmine. Probably indeed because the Andorra has a smaller bottom section. Although the Jasmine gives a better shape under clothes. Like Vlatka says, indeed less east/west-ish. And also a bit firmer than the Andorra. I think Alisa noticed this too when they compared both styles.
Gervaise: Ah I see. The 34J Andorra on the tightest hook on me is perfectly rounded but my boobs are way closer to my body than yours (if I'm in the right size and shape that is!) so I can understand how it can become east and west for you.
@Vlatka, I read you advice again regarding the strap adjust, and now I also managed to non-adjustable part with my fingers:)
Oops. Sloppy me.. I meant: I managed to adjust the non-adjustable part with my fingers;)
Great review, Vlatka. I have also had problems with the wires (have with almost all my bras) but I haven't bent them because first I wanted to send the bra back. Now I have finally ordered a 30JJ of Jasmine. Can't wait for it :):) Btw. Figleaves has a 20% off offer now ;) That Jasmin(e) in white I think this is an old style of Panache, it looks nothing like this one. The will be a new flower version with navy blue lace for next season of Jasmine.
Yes, Panache has reused the name Jasmine for their bras. Very strange move I think but there is clearly an old model out there named Jasmine. It's available from Undercoverexperience as well.
Thanks for that 20% Figleaves discount notice Alica!
Good news for you! :) Panache is coming out not only with Jasmine in a pale pink color for next season (A/W), but there's a new neutral based off the Jasmine coming out that will come in beige and black. I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head, but they're on their way!
Envy and Dahlia I think they are called :)) I know, I will go bankrupt this fall :))
This is the first bra I've ever tried that actually fits me perfectly. The band is nice and snug at the loosest hook, the wires encircle my breasts comfortably as they should , the cups are well filled out without wrinkling, spilling or cutting in anywhere, the shape they give me is natural but nice and rounded and not too East-West for a change, in short: everything is perfect!
Bra description:
A handsome full-cup bra made out of black stretch lace partly underlined with a sheer, very smooth, non-stretch mesh. The whole appearance is quite delicate and subtly sheer. The 'side support slings' on the inside of the cups ...are made out the same smooth, sheer mesh material that is folded double so there's no rough, bumpy or overlocked edge touching the breasts.
Fit:
As said, the fit of this bra is the best I've ever had of any bra. The band closes snugly without feeling constricting at the loosest hook, a very first for me. The centre gore stays lies nice and flat. The underwires are suitably wide (but not overly so) and they feel very comfortable. Apparently, a correctly fitting band DOES make all the difference https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
The cups give me a good shape, nothing dramatic, but I'm very happy with it. It's definitely the best I've ever had from a non-padded bra: supported and nicely rounded. I particularly like how my breasts are finally facing FORWARD, instead of their usual East-West. The stretch lace at the top of the cups is forgiving and does not cut in. Although I haven't worn it for very long yet, I feel can comfortably wear this bra despite my fluctuating size (breastfeeding).
The only thing to watch out for in this bra is to not tighten the straps too much. Pull them too tight ant the 'side support sling' will cause a slightly odd shape in the cups: a kind of indentation at the edge of the sling. My 'pear-shaped' breasts (relatively wide base topped with a puffy areola) actually HAVE an indentation at that point naturally so maybe this is something that isn't very noticeable in other breast shapes, but I though I'd mention it anyway.
Appearance:
On me it is indeed a very full cup. I like the look and I'm not concerned with the lace showing under low-cut shirts as it's definitely pretty enough and I prefer seeing lace over cleavage anyway, but if that is not your thing then this is maybe not the bra for you. The bra is pretty and delicate and I just cannot believe how lovely and round my breasts look in it!
Conclusion:
My favourite bra ever! Okay, so I haven't been around in the proper bra size world for that long as this is only my first 'real' bra, but it certainly is a good start https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
Edited To Add: I have now also added drop-cup nursing clasps to this bra which makes it even more perfect. Read more 390 more words
After searching for a bra with the perfect fit, I finally found it! I am so happy, because I don't experience any poking or digging in (unless I let my posture slide!) and I fill out the cups perfectly. There is very little wrinkling and they fit me smoothly with no cutting in. I was wary of the lacy part at the tops of the cups, but it is't itchy at all and the rest of the bra is made out of a nice and silky material.
The quality is really good (at least, from what I have seen of bras) and the overall design is ...incredibly gorgeous and sexy. I just wish that this bra came in more colors, because I definitely want to get more! I don't feel like I am being strapped into some sort of boulder-holder because the straps are reasonably narrow.
Unlike the Freya Rio and the Panache Tango II balconette, the cups do not come up nearly as high, which suits my shape quite well. Too much material at the top of the cup means that I get unwanted wrinkles when the rest of the cup is perfectly filled out. This bra works much better for my low cut tops and I was even brave enough to wear it under a light tanktop without any peeking or seam/lace show-through.
This is my favorite bra so far!
Measurements for this bra (and my other 28Gs) will be coming as soon as I can get the time to properly measure them all! Read more 151 more words
The Panache Porcelain fit me very strangely. It flattened me and looked like I was wearing two clamshells. Just as with the Panache Tango II Plunge (3256), the cups are much too far apart and too wide for this size. It causes the breasts to look low and to the sides -- a very unflattering look.
I did love the thin, pliable padding (just 1/8" thick), and really wanted to like this bra. Unfortunately after trying it in 2 sizes I had to give up on it (and Panache bras in general).
Panache and its sub-brands like my favored Sculptresse play with their supportive, center & forward-projected workhorse SUPERBRA, the 4-part cup balconette @Panache » Jasmine Balconnet Bra (6951) and panache » Serene is the new & improved sister cut. Panache Jasmine Balconnet Bra (6951) boasts an amazing construction BUT 1) mid-range mesh fabric and 2) brighter colorways dominated by funky patterns or florals and lacking in more elegant or inclusive neutrals. Jasmine's big cup big band sister @Sculptresse » Chi-chi Full Cup Bra (7695) uses the same construction AND smoother mesh + soft, dual layer / double-bagged band which is comfier for one's underarm and back, ...especially for prolonged daily wear. BUT doubles down on 2) brighter colorways with 2 random animal prints and several loud, contrasting swimsuit-like florals. Once again lacking more elegant and functional neutrals. The Chi chi "Cappuccino" beige is actually an ashy, mushroomy greige that doesn't match ANYONE'S skintone and isn't very flattering IMHO. Sister models Misty was discontinued, Dionne is explicitly styled as lingerie, etc.
ENTER panache » Serene The cup construction is based on the best-selling Panache Jasmine Balconnet Bra (6951). As with all Panache bras, the wires are firmer. As with all Jasmine clones the tall gore tacks like a dream, the lift is high, the projection is forward. The faric is smoother and less mesh-like, the band is double-bagged though less soft than in Chi-chi As with all aforementioned Jasmine clones, Panache remembered the human women among us who experience changes in breast volume or have asymmetry so there is: the STRETCH MESH upper cup section which is NOT LACE Panache floral stretch LACE can still show under thin fabrics and does pill after a year or so of regular wear. Serene features SILKY, FINELY MESHED, neutrally geometric, UNBANDED STRETCH MESH for a more open upper cup section, one of the BEST Panache stretch material choices to date. Less biting into your upper breast tissue and quadding - unlike 90% of other multipart soft-cup balconettes. Practically no show-through under clothes so far. As with many Panache bras, the runs pretty stetchy. I'm in between 38 and 40 and opted for 40 because I have a number of bras in rotation. If you are buying this bra for heavy-duty daily wear, consider sister sizing to the smaller band size. I can't comment on how this bra scales at small band/big cup and big band/big cup ends of the range, as I'm just outside the core range.
FINALLY, there are only 2 colorways but they are ELEGANT NEUTRALS! "Midnight" is a dark navy that can pass for black and "Vintage" is a pastel pink-leaning beige that will be neutral and flattering on a range of skintones.
How panache » Serene stands out and distinguishes itself from its predecessors is in the details - sleeker, eco-friendlier fabric, double-bagged band, an uncommon and more functional choice of upper cup stretch material, and elegant, neutral solid colors. Read more 383 more words
TLDR: Another pretty Panache bra, unfortunately a shape mismatch for me.
QUALITY: Excellent quality from Panache. Sturdy seams, nice fabric. Stiff wires like most Panache bras. I bought this in a Bravissimo store location many years ago.
FIT: This bra never really fit me right. It lacks just enough immediate projection that the cups wrinkle and slide down a little during the day, but also the band always rode up on me. It was probably a shape mismatch. The straps were too wide set for me as well, but the cup tension probably wasn't optimal, therfore contributing to that issue. I haven't worn this in a long time so ...it's hard to give a detailed description of fit. I didn't wear it much because the band always sat wrong on me. Stretch lace was a big plus for me when I wore this though!
DESIGN: This bra is pretty. I've always been fond of floral designs and this is no exception. The pink flowers are sweet little color splashes across the black fabric, and I appreciate that the stretch lace also has a floral pattern. I like the loops of string to decorate the straps as well. There's a bow in the middle of the gore, which is nice since I'm a big fan of decorations at the gore. Read more 109 more words
This bra is a winner if I had ordered it in a different cup size.
I find it more comfy than the Panache Envy, the gore isn't tacking as stiffly. It's more of a relaxed feel with the cups. Feels like it would be a really comfy bra to wear throughout the day.
This bra is cute as heck but I need a bigger cup size.
This is my first time reviewing Andorra on Bratabase but I’ve tried it before when I was a 34HH and found out the hard way that the band and cups run small, so this time I tried sizing up.
Honestly, I probably didn’t need to size up in the cup, but definitely needed to size up the band. This bra was TIGHT. Actually, it was partially my fault- you’ll notice that I didn’t upload a back view picture of this bra and the reason is because when I was reviewing the pictures to add I noticed the reason I could only close one hook was because I had ...it hooked on the middle row. 🤦♀️ Either way, still way too tight for me.
The bra is made of lace and has a neat little side sling, I’m guessing to give more side support and bring the ladies forward.
The overall fit was meh, it was not the right wire shape and I have space at the bottom. The wires were also too wide. And the GORE. Holy hell the gore jabbed my sternum so hard! I’m normally having the opposite problem with bras lately so I was not psyched about that stabbing pain either.
I probably won’t try Andorra again, I’m just not a fan. It actually reminds me a little of Freya Fancies in construction and fit. Read more 120 more words
I recently bought this and returned it after wearing it for 6 hours. The wires are too hard. The non wired version feels better.
Busty_and_Trans they were seriously so uncomfortable! I think Panache is known for hard wires but this one was one of the most uncomfortable bras I’ve ever tried lol.
Another sad fit, definitely too large in the cups but the band was actually okay. I knew Panache and Andorra in particular runs snug so I made sure to size up. Unfortunately I also sized up in the cups and it didn’t work out too well. Wires too wide, cups actually too wide and too separated which gave me an east-west thing going on there. Not a fan of the color either, but this one was already not a keeper anyway.
This is my first time reviewing the Panache Tango on Bratabase, but I have tried it one other time before, though I don’t remember the size I remember it was too small in the band and cups.
This bra is just sad. Like literally, my boobs are growing, can you see it? They always say go big or go home, and, well, I definitely went big on this one. Too big in fact.
The actual bra itself is a nice sturdy construction, but that being said there’s no stretch to it. I’ve always seen this bra being touted as one for FOB folks, so I guess this is ...too FOB for me maybe, otherwise I’m not sure what the deal is here. The cups obviously are way too big, as seen by the gaping and wrinkles everywhere. I liked how full coverage it was, but that was about where it stopped. The wires are too long and pokey, and it’s just so…sad looking. The band was nice and snug.
I won’t blame Panache for this one, as I’m sure it fits great when it’s the right size and shape, but it’s obviously not for me.
PS- I hate the color, but I’m definitely a beige/nude/tan hater anyway so 🤷♀️ Read more 101 more words
FOB/Projected. Pro: I love the color. So pretty and fun! Mesh leaf embroidery fabric also very cute. Cons: Everything else. Tops of the cups gaped on both cups, wrinkles on bottom near outer underwire, gore came up a bit too high, and all in all gave me an unflattering shape. Return to sender!
The fabric is amazing; it's soft, pretty, and supportive. Well-made, as you would expect from Panache. Good projection, rounded shape (on me). The seams don't show TOO much once you've worn it a bit; the most obvious seam is the horizontal one. The straps are set a bit wide, as with most balconnets, but wasn't quite a problem for me. The band rolls out a bit in front under the wires - normal for me because I'm short-waisted and my stomach sticks out. I think overlapping the gore and putting shorter wires in will solve the most urgent fit issues for me.
Really like this bra. It's a really great shape for my breasts. The material has very little stretch, which provides nice shaping and support but is also not very forgiving to weight fluctuations.
I do have some wrinkling on side/bottom of right cup but none on left. My right breast is my larger one, so I think the wrinkling may reflect a need for a bit more projection at the bottom of the cup, rather than the bra being too wide. Not 100% certain though.
Wires run a bit higher than I'd prefer, but nothing I can't get used to. (It's more that my underarms aren't used to feeling fabric there than an issue of the underwire poking, so it doesn't bother me once I'm dressed.)
Appearance wise, I like the bright colors and sheen of the embroidery, although it's definitely not the sexiest or most beautiful bra I own. Overall, feels like quality construction, although a thread has popped up out of the embroidery.
Back when I was a 32H, I owned this bra, and loved it so much I collected colorways like they were Pokemon. I would literally go to Intimacy/Rigby and Peller and buy the colors they had in stock, then scour Amazon for the ones they didn't have. Then dark days came (i.e. I outgrew all my bras), and I frantically searched high and low for Claras in long-since discontinued colors. I eventually found it on eBay in both plum/silver and emerald/gold, and practically wept tears of joy when I tried them on. Yes, they do fit me in a 32J, which is fortunate since that's the biggest size the Clara comes in. The gore tacks, the wires are comfortable, and I don't get any quadding. The photos I took don't do the colors justice.
It looks great on you. I love the Clara, such a beautiful bra, it hates me though 😂 The 28 band is too big and the wires are agony. I still have it sat in my drawer though!
It is a lovely bra. If you are going to Pokemon a model, this is a pretty good choice. :)
Heck yes I think the Clara is suchhhh a beautiful bra, my personal favorite is the peacock/petrol color with navy blue.
Sadly I passed it on to a friend as it didn't fit me right, but I keep being tempted whenever I see a Clara online.
I purchased the Tango in a 32J in both Pale Jade (light green) and Tiger Lily (orange). To my surprise, the pale jade one seemed to fit perfectly, and the tiger lily was a little too big (wrinkling at the top of the cup). Currently, the tiger lily is a better fit for me. Since the pale jade was an older colorway, maybe the Tango has been redesigned recently? Back when I was a 32H, I owned the Tango in pale jade, blue/gold, wisteria, and forest, and all the colorways seems to fit me the same way back then. I'm hoping Panache brings back some of the old colors eventually, because orange is not exactly my color.
My shape is low set, short and narrow rooted, and soft.
I previously tried a 30E - Panache » Cari Moulded Spacer Bra (7961), but the cups were too small. The band, however, was perfect in the 30". I knew that the band on this 28FF may be a bit tight when I bought it based on how the 30" fit (and from reading reviews), but I wasn't expecting it to be quite as firm as it is. I bought this one off ebay for a bit less than the 30F, so I thought it would be fine. I can fasten it alright without an extender, but ...I find it much more comfortable with the extender on the 2nd or even the 3rd set of hooks. The straps are fully adjustable and they have a J hook on the back, which is a nice feature since I don't have any racerback bras or other J hook bras currently. The detail on the band of the bra is pretty...the bottom of the gore comes up in an upside down V, which makes it look nice. The pattern on the gore and lower band is little circles. The shape that the bra gives is nice and rounded, but perhaps slightly minimized. The cups fit me perfectly! It's a great everyday bra really. I have a feeling I'll get a lot of wear out of this one because the cups fit so well and look great under a t-shirt. The cups have the spacer foam, which is flexible and not very thick.
Overall, it's constructed very well and is of excellent quality from what I can tell (only tried on so far). The comfort is great as long as I'm using the extender. A 30F would have been better of course. The appearance is okay being that it's beige, but this bra in another colour looked quite nice. Read more 207 more words
I keep thinking about getting one of these again. I do have sacrifice fit a bit but it does look amazing under clothes!
confused Same here! My current one in 28F is perfect in the wires and cup volume, but the top edge is just a little too closed off on me and gives me quadboob. But I just love it because it's so comfortable, and I always try to wear it with clothing where the quadboob won't be as noticeable lol
The Panache Idina was one of the few "older" Panache bras I haven't tried yet. But I was always curious about it. It's discontinued now but can be found for low price on ebay, that's where I found mine. It's an interesting bra - but it did not work for me.
First, the Idina is not like other Panache balconettes. I speak of Jasmine / Envy / Floris cut, they have very deep projected cups. Idina has moderately deep cups. It is also not like Tango Full cup cut, as it's wires and gore are lower. I also find the wires to be one of the narrowest wire ...I found on a Panache bra. So it's narrow, moderately deep - sound good, but for my tall shape (+ full-on-top) it is not tall enough. There isn't enough coverage and therefore less support in the upper cup (which I also need at my size ). It kinda looks on me like a half cup. Or maybe it is just too small. As the Idina stops at a J-cup I cannot try a larger size and the band already is stretchy enough so I shouldn't size up to 34J. If I compare the cup height of Panache Idina to a bra that fits me well aka 30JJ - Bravissimo » Lacey Bra (LN486) then I notice that the Lacey cup fabric comes like 2 cm higher than Idina cup. So that explains why I cannot work for me.
I'd recommend it though if you need a shorter cup and all Panache bras have been too tall for you. The fabric is super nice and soft, the bottom cup is lined and the top half is a stretchy lace. The color is a pale beige that works well on pale skin types. It's overall well made and it felt supportive when I wore it... I just had issues with the top part and slight quadboob above the cups. Read more 219 more words
So I made it to LA after a full day of travel yesterday (partly because we opted to leave a lot earlier than we actually needed to but we were cautious in case of weather delays) and I convinced hubby that we should grab a lyft to Jenette Bras on Santa Monica Blvd today, as the convention officially starts tomorrow, making today a free day for us. He was quite happy to stay out in the waiting area as they were playing a great Spotify playlist of his favourite stuff and they had a photography book that had lots of musicians he liked (book was by a fellow ...that was a photographer for a lot of musicians in the early 80s or something like that).
They pretty much took me at my word for my size and evaluated the fit of the bra I was wearing today (65FF BM Cabernet) which she agreed fit but she did adjust the straps a little bit tighter. She pulled out a few things from the drawers, and I went out to them and grabbed a few. One of the bras that she had grabbed for me was a 28G Envy in a beautiful blue...it’s called Navy, but mine seemed like it had a tinge of teal in it, but maybe it’s a trick of the lighting? Seriously though, this colour is really stunning! On my own, I went to look at the drawers in my size range and pick out some stuff, and I came across 28FF Jasmine in caramel, a bra in a size that I’ve actually tried before (but never got any pictures of up here). I just reviewed that here before this one.
Now traditionally, Envy and Jasmine have not been my friends. They are too projected at the apex, and in the case of Envy, too tall. However, I have had some growth since the summer and it’s evened me out some with a little bit more tissue/volume on top that I did not have prior. My lack of upper tissue and softer, pendulous, fob breasts is often a problem for this kind of bra style, so I usually end up with a bit of a pointy shape because I just sink into the cups and fill the space until it’s done and then I often have spread out so forward in that deep apex that I no longer have enough tissue to round out in the bra on top. Given that I am somewhat more full on top now than the last time, I thought I would try them again and see if it is still a shape mismatch or if it’s a better fit.
In the case of the Jasmine, this was definitely the case. I got a bit more of a rounded and fuller profile than I have had in the past. I don’t know if it’s because of the size or the increased fullness. With this bra, I feel like I am getting a little bit better shape than I have, but it’s still a little bit pointy on me. It’s not as bad as it has been. I’ll have to see if I can find other pictures of me in various sizes of Envy, because I have certainly tried more than a few sizes.
As with the 28FF Jasmine, I felt like the band was tight. The fitter thought that it was the right size and not too tight or putting too much strain on the hooks. It’s making me reconsider the 28G Lily I have. That said, I’m sure that I would still be a bit more comfortable in the 30 band for now. I was unsure if the cups would be a better fit in the 28FF, but when I tried it, I had a small amount of cutting in, so it is definitely a better fit in the cups in the 28G.
I don’t quite fill the bottom of the cups, and if you look closely at the images, you’ll see the wrinkles at the wire. To me, it’s not a huge problem, as I do not think that it’s going to be a problem with my imf. But it’s a bit annoying still that I don’t have a smooth cup there. I am pendulous and definitely need a bit of immediate depth.
I still think that it’s a bit too tall for me and a bit of a shape mismatch, but I think that it’s a little bit better of a fit for me now with my increased growth. I do love the Envy’s signature houndstooth print on the lower half of the cup as well as the colour of this one. They do have a great selection of colours for this style.
The big question is probably if I would buy one, and I think that it would be dependent on the size and colour, but also the price, because I know that it’s not a perfect fit, but it’s a doable one that might be a good fit for me under my work uniform.
Update: I have found the various fit request albums that included the Envy in various sizes and included the screenshots in the gallery for the 28G that I am reviewing here.
The 32E (peacock) is the oldest and from the trip I took with my husband to England for our 20th anniversary in October 2016. It’s back when I was still wearing 32 bands.
The 28F (black) and 30E (beige) are from January 2018, so a little bit more than a year ago. I went to the local specialty shop we had at the time feeling confident about my size but agreed to get measured anyway and they told me that I was a 28F. I agreed to try the 28F in Envy, as it was the only one that they had, and I surprisingly got it done up, but it felt really tight, and I asked them for the 30E to compare. The 30E felt better in the band but the fitter was insisting that it was not as good a fit as the 28F, at least technically, though agreed that it was a shape mismatch and not a good style for me anyway.
Hopefully the extra pictures are helpful in comparing the fits in Envy I have had in the past with the 28G of this review. Personally, I see a small difference, but not a huge difference. Read more 967 more words
oh wow the peacock and the navy are really gorgeous colors. Beautiful! Visually they really do look fine, even the peacock tried earlier looks quite passable on my screen. I agree the difference is not especially striking.
So, idk, I don't think there is a right or wrong answer... if you love it go for it! But this is pretty subjective... if it doesn't feel all that great and you aren't a fan of the shape, that is a totally valid reason not to buy/keep this one. Shape and coverage-wise this would not bug me, on my own body that is. I do like a good old traditional full or nearly full coverage style and I am not averse to a bit of retro pointiness either. That's why I enjoyed the Prima Donna Deauville when i could find it! Then again, Prima Donna has very soft wires so I found even PD full cups sat very lightly on the body so to speak, whereas it sounds like maybe this was a little much. Panaches like Envy/Jasmine are "a lot of bra" compared to other options in your size range, so, perhaps it's overengineered compared to what you need.
Also FWIW I'm not a fan of fitters assuring you a band is fine if you feel it's too tight... you know your body... Especially for bras with notably hard wires--nobody wants those bad boys embedded halfway into their pancreas tyvm.
If I were you, I wouldn't even be trying 28 bands anymore. So far few seem to have worked, which is fine, sometimes the measurements don't match how we feel. I know in my case it was like that and I decided to just stop torturing myself with a smaller band when I clearly am more comfy in larger.
Anyway, I tried Envy when I thought I was a 34E (and got it in that size) and I was not at all impressed with the fabrics and just the bra overall seemed more like body armor (for something looking so delicate).
Such a lovely color! Amazon often has Envy available at good prices and with free returns if you are interested enough.
And glad the weather didn't impede your travels! :-)
The colours are pretty :) I think that the amount of fit or style compromises that it makes sense to make really depend on your other options. If it's already hard to find anything that fits, then something wearable but with a few flaws is the best option available, maybe even some bra surgery or alterations are worth trying. If however, you already have better fitting, comfier and prettier option in your bra drawer or that you can buy, I fear that a bra that's just meh will end up gathering dust and not being worn, so it's not really worth buying in my opinion :)
I'm happy you were able to go there and had a good experience!
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I did try on some Prima Donna, Simone Perele, and some of the other French brands but I didn’t document anything that I tried on. I could probably try to find the names on the site and match visually, but as many were 30G and didn’t fit, I think that it was not worth reporting on. As far as trying the 28 bands, they only had Panache and Cleo in 28s, so it was really the only chance that I had to try them on and gage cup fit. That said, one of them was a Cleo Mimi in 28GG, which was too large in the cup but was perfectly fine in the band, so it is really dependent on how big or stretchy the band is. But yes, mostly I need 30 for comfort. Or at least 29” stretched, whichever size fits like that. The peacock and navy are so rich and beautiful, and there are a ton of beautiful shades. Ultimately, I don’t think that I would buy it unless I was able to get a 30FF for super cheap and it fit as well as this, but I also have so many other bras that fit me better that I would probably not look at this one. Jasmine is a more noticeably better fit with my size and shape changes.
For the record, does this 28G Navy Envy look like it fits any better than the others or about the same? Also, I will say that although it was a bit tight, I feel like it was not as tight as it was when I first tried the 28s. That said, back then, my snug under bust measurement was closer to 29” (28.75-29.25”) and now it is closer to 28” (28-28.5”). So maybe it’s not as bad as then because of this? But like I said, I prefer 29” minimum, whatever size it comes from, so I am kind of in between the 28 and 30.
It is frustrating being between sizes, sorry honey. :-(
I think the older photos aren't really comparable since your size and fullness has changed, so comparing the older photos at different sizes vs the newer ones is tricky.
I know the Panache bras I have tried (like most brands) vary with each bra you try, so even if you try the exact same model and colorway, you likely will experience a slightly different fit. It is more of a bra by bra trial and error experience.
Are you going to be able to buy any bras on this trip, or is it more of a solidifying your wish list for future buys situation?
I won’t be buying anything on this trip unless I’m able to get to the Nordstrom rack, but when I was there last, they didn’t have any bras. But that was a year ago. This trip is expensive as it is, with some things that are limited to this convention, like a picture with Catherine Tate, whereas I can buy a bra any time, you know? I mean, I might see some of the guests at other cons, but this is a grab it while you can kind of thing, and I prioritize it higher than more bras. Plus, I am getting the 65G S bras this evening. So I’m still getting bras on the trip. I guess I was just trying to figure out if I fit it/them better now BECAUSE of the growth which is why I added the older pics of how it has fit in the past.
Completely understandable. Hopefully your trip is enjoyable and your bra treasure tonight fits beautifully. :-)
agh.. I don't think I can judge confidently about the relative merits (or not) of the navy Envy because on my screen it is a bit hard to tell due to the darker color. But as you say, it's a moot point when you have so many preferred options: on paper you're a very decent match for this Panache shape because you have only moderate root height and a pretty straight tapered upper boob curve, but in reality it sounds like it's just meh in terms of comfort and preferred appearance. And I agree with both you and brasaremean about 28s, you prob only want to consider those in brands known for stretchiness. Was it you who said you had a little rib flare (one or two ribs a bit out of alignment just below the bra band)? If so, I think that is an important factor in sensitivity to tight bands for a lot of people. I have a slight prominence difference in the ribs, sort of between the front and side of my body, right where many underwires settle, and that's the reason I can tolerate much tighter non-wired bras than wired ones--those ribs don't like being gouged!
This looks pretty good on you, but the band is pulling the wires too wide. It certainly doesn’t look any better than the 30E.
I would take the fitters advice with a grain of salt especially if this was the only bra she had left in this size. Maybe they don’t sell too many 28Fs and she finally wanted to get rid of it.
The fitter was not being any more aggressive about this one than others that I had tried, which is to say that she was not aggressive at all. I simply asked her opinion about the fits of the 28 bands and she gave me her thoughts.
The fitter was not being any more aggressive about this one than others that I had tried, which is to say that she was not aggressive at all. I simply asked her opinion about the fits of the 28 bands and she gave me her thoughts.
The 30K of this bra is too small. The band is too tight (I'm wearing an extender for these pictures) and the cups are slightly small. Check out my review for the 32K Tango in the pink Color for more information and how this bra can fit better.
Don't have many bras that currently fit me, so I still wear this bra occasionally. It gives me very good support and uplift. The shape is okay, although I prefer a more front and center shape compared to the slight east-west appearance of Tango. The cups are deep and roomy in all directions, but not in the top section. So ...if you are full on top, this could be difficult. But I have to say, that I have had worse fits with full cup bras than the Tango. So it is not a full-on-top friendly bra but still better than many others.
30K, even though it is too small, to me is much more comfortable to wear than my 32K and that is only because of the center gore. On the 32K the center gore is 13cm tall, and it very much hurts me. It is too tall for me. On the 30K the gore is 11cm tall, which works just fine and does not hurt me. Just for that reason I prefer to wear a too small 30K over a 32K that actually fits. The things you have to do for comfort…
Oh and I have to say, that for me it is not quadboob, if it not visible under clothing. That's just something when you are at the upper end of the size charts you learn to make things work. But technically I have slight quadboob in this bra and also cutting in of the cups under my arms. So this bra is wearable to me but not a proper fit. Read more 201 more words
Yeah, if there's one thing I don't miss from panache is their wires at the gore. I love the colour though!
Personally Tango has never worked with my shape but this doesn't look too bad. And yeah I can understand that about the minor cutting in..I usually just compromise if it doesn't show through. Or find a way to work it if it does, sometimes I have no choice. Lol
Yes it is not that bad. Imo one of the best bras big cup sizes when it comes to support and uplift. That's why it's still around after all those years. The band and cups are really designed for hard work of lifting heavy boobs and not put too much pressure on straps. I rather have great support and no pain on my neck from too much weight on should straps than a flimsy bra with stretchy lace with no quadboob but also no support.
I honestly wish I could say the same for Tango, because it's a no go for me. I didn't even know it could give that kind of shape..lol.. As for me, stretch lace is an absolute must (it doesn't always work, but it does better my chances of a fit).
It's always amazing to see how different shapes can affect fit and how they work with different styles.
I still don't know why the Tango somewhat works for me. Back in the day everyone told me to avoid it with my full on top shape, but I ordered one and was impressed. The Panache bras with stretchy top section were such fails for me, because they felt flimsy and unsupportive because of that. I felt like so much pressure was put on the shoulder straps because the bra cups would not hold in my boobs properly.
Oh please, pictures :) I am very curious about how you bent the wires to make it fit :)