Emsiepie

I have wanted this bra for YEARS but couldn't find it easily available in the UK. Plus the confusion of the French sizing that Implicite uses meant I wasn't too confident about picking correctly and didn't want to be lumbered with expensive/difficult exchanges. I forgot about this beauty as for the last couple of years I have worn solely Victoria's Secret bras as I am able to get a great fit in their 32DD and enjoy their regular sales, designs and value. BUT in the last week I have been getting back into the fuller busted / indie lingerie I used to be part of, and ... it wasn't long before I remembered this stunning beauty. There now appear to be a couple of UK (mainly London based) stockists which is great but the colourway I had my heart set on was this gorgeous emerald, the one that first captured my heart. It's now out of production but I saw this on German eBay with matching brand new knickers and so thought I would give it a try. I wear a 32DD, occasionally a 32E so fully expected the cups of this one to be too big - although this is marked as a 32F I believe when this was made, Implicite did not do a DD, meaning their E = UK DD and this F = UK E. Now they have changed their sizing I think so newer versions will go D, DD, E.

The band is definitely fairly roomy on this, if I had the choice I would likely size down so those in between sizes I would advise to take the smallest. The wire is slightly too long for me but looks like it shouldn't cause any problems as the materials used in this bra are noticeably soft and lovely feeling especially the silky straps. The straps are only half adjustable which often causes me issues but this also seems ok so far.
The Bratabase fit guide is interesting as technically as someone who is FOB I fill out the bottom of the cups, I also have a smooth line at the top however there is definite wrinkling in the cups demonstrating as expected this is slightly too big in the volume of the breast. However, I'm actually pretty happy with this as it's very wearable I feel and a better fit than I expected given worst case scenario. The colour is beautiful and I love the design. I'm unsure how technically supportive this is for me as a combination of a largish band and slightly too big cup mean it's almost more like a bralette type style support eg gently cupping rather than full on supportive, I am curious how supportive this would be in one cup size down and would be interested to try it and some point to see if that does indeed improve the support or whether the band size / overall style just isn't that supportive for me.



Read more
395 more words

Updated on Mar 02, 2018 Flag this

This bra has so many good points: it's stunning to look at, fits me really well and is incredibly comfy (I recently wore it for 20 hours which included coach journeys, SERIOUS shopping and standing up and dancing for 6 hours at a gig). However my only complaint is that it gives me points: teenytiny minimised super east west points to be exact!

Unfortunately after wearing it under bulky jumpers for a few times, I wore it for the first time under a tighter fitting top and felt rather self concious of my chest shape - could be great if you want to seriously minimise your bosom and ... don't mind the Madonna cone bra look, but it just gives me such an odd shape that this will definitely only be worn under looser fit items in the future! I was shocked on sitting down as my boobs were basically in my arm pits, yet very conical/pointy and just so strange looking I couldn't stop checking them out https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_confused.gif" alt=":-S" />.

My boyf bought this set for me for Christmas after I'd be lusting after it for ages - I have two sets of Parfait's Carole which are a dream to wear and this seemed to have a similar cut and aesthetic, making me think it would be just as good a fit and investment. Whilst it fits fairly similarly in band size / stretchiness, strap width, wire width etc which is all great for me I would say there are some fit differences which may make this bra a real deal breaker for some. This bra will not be compatible with anyone who has any upper fullness. It quad boobs slightly on my left larger breast which Carole doesn't at all. Although both bras have a stretchy lace cup with an outer trim, the trim and lace on Marianne is far less forgiving - perhaps because on Marianne there is more fine mesh used in the top half of the cups than in Carole? It also isn't suitable for anyone with any centre/inner breast fullness as this is where I get the worst of the quadding and I wouldn't describe myself as particularly full centred. It's almost shockingly shallow on the inner breast but doesn't have the stretchiness in the cup to accommodate tissue either. I've never come across a bra that fits in this way.

But for me the problem is not overly noticeable as I'm full on the bottom/even, I just wonder how anyone with more upper fullness would ever get a good fit in this bra.

Read more
331 more words

Updated on Jan 12, 2016 Flag this

I've been keen to try Fortnight for ages cos...well, hasn't everyone?! Gorgeous bralettes that are somewhat elusive due to being Canadian made means it's pretty hard to come by them in the UK. I swapped for this bra cos I thought it'd be a great chance to try for size. When it arrived I was a little disappointed as it wasn't as pretty as I was expecting - pink is never going to be my first choice but the fact the material has a certain shininess to it put me off - reminds me of nasty flesh coloured shiny tights! Plus it looked tiny - I'm ... talking child-size, so straight away I thought it wouldn't fit.

However, it is in fact a great fit. The cups are perfect for me. For a wireless bra I think it's super supportive, It cups and shapes my tissue slightly to give a pleasing natural front cleavage, although as you can see in the side shot it's not going to disguise my FOB tear drop shape, although that's no bad thing.

I wore it at the weekend to lug some boxes around, and actually went out in it today with a thin-ish cotton top over it, and it's definitely the first non-wired bra I would feel comfortable doing that in. I can't say I noticed any more movement/jiggle than I would with a reasonably fitting wired bra - awesome!

I like the length, it really is a proper longline and fits kind of like a crop top would. I do prefer walking in it to sitting/lounging as it does roll up a little if I'm slouched on the sofa.

I feel this is a case of practicality over aesthetics here. The Vega has won me over.
Read more
185 more words

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 20, 2016 Flag this

I never thought in a million years I would like Victoria's Secret, let alone have become slightly obsessed with their bras.

Let me set the scene. I live in the UK. I discovered my "true" size approx 3 years ago, going from a 34D to a 30DD. I now wear a 30E or F usually. My impression of VS up until the last month was solely based on other people's experiences from reading about bad fittings and company attitudes on online blogs and seeing their somewhat irresponsible advertising and imagery which very much does not appeal to me.
I went to Birmingham a couple of months ago where ... they had a VS store, and I figured I go in and have a look around, hoping to have a giggle at the nasty diamante encrusted push up tack and feel smug about how supportive the bra I was wearing was.
However, my plan failed when I saw a couple of unlined bras I really liked (basically the only two unpadded items in the shop!). I tried one style in a 32DDD (E UK) and the other style in 32DD. The fit was really pretty good...and those designs and materials were gorgeous. Anyway, I promptly left after deciding I couldn't let myself be sucked in and the fact they're like £40 a go meant this was not a decision I wanted to make quickly.
On my way back home to my home town of Bristol, I had a vague recollection a VS was opening...and googled it to find it had already opened, 5 mins walk from where I work! So anyway to cut a long story short I have been lurking in the shop more than it is healthy trying to find the two unlined bras in a 32DD as they NEVER have them in stock. Eventually gave in and ordered online (!!! madness) and then they stuffed up the order and sent me this bra instead of the other style I ordered (I also ordered this bra in light blue which actually fits slightly differently to this one!). BAH!!!

But - this bra is a great fit on me. I measure 30.5 underbust and was worried this may be too big as it is my first 32 bra. However I wore it comfortably on the loosest hook today although think I will definitely be utilising the others fairly shortly as fully stretched this does measure 32 so is true to size. There are 4 sets too which I'm pleased about. For me this design is KILLER! It reminds me very much of my Parfait Caroles except this guy has a gorgeous crochet over the lower boob part rather than lace. The upper cup is a thin mesh. The main difference between this and Carole (and what made me desperate to try this) is that this is a plunge - there is barely a gore in that it doesn't even really come up between my boobs. Sometimes the high gore on my Caroles irritates very very slightly, so to have such a similar design without that one teeny failing is AWESOME! The wires on this are slightly narrower I think, another slight reservation that I had, but I actually think this wire follows my natural breast root better than any other bra. It is very comfy and materials so soft. With no visible seams and no labels the band's interior and exterior are both completely smooth. For all VS's advertising bullshit, they seem to make some smart choices with the designs of their items. Another one is that although the straps are only half adjustable (as they get wider from the top of the shoulder down to the cups), you can detach them at the back and make them into a crossover back. I haven't tried this yet, but it's a great way to provide an alternative/racerback way to wear as well as making the half adjustable issue more wearable for more petite ladies.Smart, huh?

Time will tell with this one how good the quality is and how quickly the band stretches out. If these two factors hold up though, this might be a bra I basically buy in every colour.

Whilst VS have some clear failings, they've pleasantly surprised me in many ways so far. I must say I do feel slightly ashamed of this blossoming love but it's also pretty awesome to have a shop in my city that sells beautiful things that fit me well (albeit at a rather inflated price). Arghh I feel like I'm selling out the large cup community and am battling slightly with my initial judgements of the company and how I feel now.
But yeah, great bra if you fit in the size range! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />
Read more
700 more words

Neon Coral colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 10, 2016 Flag this

Well, I wanted this bra as soon as I saw it on the Moda previews maybe at the end of last year as I love the bright and fresh pattern. It's been a long time since I tried any unpadded Cleos - at the beginning of my bra journey (approx. 2 years ago) I tried a far-too-deep Meg and learnt from that experience and from other's reviews that Cleo just are not an ideal partner for my wide rooted, shallowish, FOB boobs.

I did however try a cobalt Marcie in Bravissimo at the end of last year and this was a gloriously perfect fit (should have bought it ... really, tsk...) as I've filled out a fair bit (for me, ha!) on the top of my FOB boobs, to the point where I rarely get gaping in new bras I try any more. I did think post-Marcie success that maybe my shape could now be described more as even, hence why I was keen to give Kira a go despite knowing things might not work out.

Well, one quick try on of this knocked my poor FOB boobs back down to size - this bra is FAR TOO FOT for me - there is so much gaping on the pink lacy stuff that it makes me feel very flat and ski-slopey. It's as if the last few months of me feeling comparatively cleavagey and buxom have vanished in the blink of an eye! Sob.

As well as being designed for those with quite a lot up top, I think this bra is also fairly open. Wires were perfect on me so I know downsizing to a 30E would be a futile mission (I suspect it would very much feel too small in the lower cup). I fill the bottom of the cups perfectly and the band was surprisingly just right on me (I also ordered a 32E as I expected the band would be really tight, but it's actually not at all, a very standard 30 methinks). The pink colour is quite different in person from how it appears in pictures - in person it's pretty luminous - super bright and shocking. I'm actually not as in love with the look of it as I was previously, so not too devastated about the poor fit. This one is going straight back to Figleaves...

##Edit: Just added pics (unfort quantity rather than quality - my usual photographer is not about today so had to take pics on my phone) after a slightly more substantial trying on session - argh realised I could really love this bra if it fitted. The material is actually really soft (I know some Cleos have quite harsh thick fabrics) and quite lightweight so would be great for summer with the really bright straps on display. Looks almost ok in fit until I start wiggling around to show how much space there is in the top of the cups, bah...
Read more
388 more words

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 12, 2015 Flag this

I love this bralette - and am wearing it now (albeit with far more layers on top than in my pics, haha!). Gorgeous aqua colour, lovely soft stretch lace. Three hooks and eyes on a nice wide band means that it is somewhat supportive (enough for moving around the house in or probably even going for a walk under a thick hoodie etc) despite the shoestring straps. The seaming on the cups is soft to wear and also helps with support. As soon as I saw this I wanted it - then sighed due to the lack of sizes (this is the smallest band and largest cup available (!!!! MADNESS...)) but decided I could likely get away with it - as a 30E-F the cup is fine for me and could probably accommodate far larger/more full on top busts than mine I'd reckon. I love wearing this - for some reason it makes me feel like a hot surf chick with a passion for lingerie, haha! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />

Aqua Green/Dresden Blue colorway

Updated on Jan 25, 2015 Flag this

Amazingly gorgeous, but ridiculously tiny for the 30E it's supposed to be https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":-(" /> more like a 28D I think, hence will list it for sale. Bought from Brand Alley in a flurry of excitement cos it's the colour I've been after, but compared to the later seasons Parma Violet/Concrete and Peacock/Concrete that I have and fit me beautifully, this was a complete non starter. Fuller review to come...(and I'm also going to write to Claudette asking how they can make such ridiculously HUGE changes in sizing from season to season whilst calling it the same bra model - incredibly misleading for people purchasing their goods :-/).

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 23, 2014 Flag this

Devastated this is such a horrendous fail :-/ measuring it confirms what attempting to try it on suggested heavily - an 8.8 depth for an 11 inch wire makes this very shallow and frankly just a very unusual shaped bra. I think the one (?) other review here said what I'm going to reiterate - extremely shallow at the bottom of the cups. Believe me, I love a wide and shallow bra but this is the most extreme version of that combo I've ever come across.
Band is too tight for me (I am a large 30 but don't own any 32s - sister sized up in ... this as I knew it was supposed to run small but it's still too tight to be wearable), would best suit a large 28/small 30, so I can't really even get an idea of how this bra should look. It's very pretty though and basically a longline as it has a little bit of boning (?) under each cup at the front to help the elongated front band stay down, and 3 hooks and eyes at the back. V. sad.
Read more
80 more words

Blondie/Godiva colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 23, 2016 Flag this

This and the other one I bought in the desert flower colour-way are my new favourite bras! I was a tad worried that the high gore may rub/poke but so far so good. I's really comfy, I've worn it out and about this morning and am now lounging around this arvo and no discomfort anywhere.

I feel so much like a retro pin up in this it's amazing! It makes me think of Claudette who I love - I think the shape is very similar to Claudette Fishnet Scoop Neck Bra in that it's almost like a crop top style. I love the smooth clean lines of the straps ... and the neckline - it's a very basic utilitarian shape juxtaposed with a retro lacy layer over each cup. The design is really knock-out for me. I felt bad for buying another purple bra but the imperial purple is a really stunning rich jewel-y dark purple, not cheap and bright looking like some can be.

I purchased it in a wonderful store in Chicago called G Boutique (I was there last week on holiday and did research before visiting so that I could try and snaffle some lingerie delights whilst there!) that I can't recommend highly enough. They don't have a huge selection of fuller bust items (a few Cleo , Panache , Parfait etc.) but what they do carry is very well chosen. The store is beautiful and has a large array of other lingerie/nightwear that is wholly drool-some, like Cosabella , Fleur't , Mimi Holliday , Maison Lejaby etc. I bought the purple bra and matching knickers (and a Parfait cupcake hipster knicker - soooo cute!) and had to go back on my last day to buy the other colour way of this bra also as I couldn't stop thinking about it!

The shape is gives is beautifully rounded, very naturally so as there's a gentle but not huge amount of uplift. It still gives a more projected and rounded look under clothes than a lot of unpadded bras do on me (I'm looking at you Claudette Dessous ), a very satisfying side view I think.

Wires are gloriously wide. There is absolutely no cutting in or gaping on the top of the cups - not even on my smaller breast which often struggles to completely fill out some of my F cups and usually needs the strap adjusting quite a bit shorter than my other breast to compensate.

I think this is an excellent bra for full on bottom to even boobs. Unsure about how those with upper fullness would fair.

The purple seems to fit a bit more snuggly around band than the lighter one (as I know can often be the case) but both are a good firm fit for me. I almost think I prefer the slightly tighter grip of this one compared with the looser one I wore yesterday.
The band has two hooks but feels satisfyingly wide and supportive. The non lace material eg the band is very soft to the touch, I would think this would be a good bra for those who have particularly sensitive skin and can't have scratchy/harsh fabrics There is nothing I don't like about this bra!

The matching briefs are beautiful as well, I really appreciate decent co-ordinates -
they have a large lacy section over the bottom of each bum cheek and although they weren't cheap I have no regrets about buying them as they so wearable and comfortable yet feel really special too.



Read more
474 more words

Imperial Purple colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 29, 2015 Flag this

I just received this in a bra swap - I already have one in grey so know it's a reasonably good fit for me. I wasn't that excited about the pinky blush colour but in person it's waaay prettier than I was expecting, it's got a slight sheen to it. It also works as a shockingly good English rose nude for my reasonably pale pinky complexion, score! The band stretches to over 35 inches so I am wearing it straight on the second to tightest (out of 4) sets of hooks, and this didn't ride up on my trip out and about today. These bras ... are very light, comfy and easy to wear yet provide a natural yet quite rounded shape under clothes - it's not that evident in these pics and my side profile in these looks pretty flat/not round but under clothes it seems far more satisfying https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />. I will wear this more than I originally thought I would, so that is a nice surprise. The straps are thin and made from a really soft material that I love. I think this one is a slightly older version than the one I already had (and bought recently in the last few months) as the charm in the middle of the gore is a little different. The cups on this one feel wider (will have to check measurements to see if they actually are) but I'm not sure if wearing this one on a tighter hook would pull the wires out at all and that's why? Although I'm fairly shallow with little upper fullness the cup fits really well with no wrinkling at all, but I think due to the stretch lace cup is could accommodate a fuller/more projected boob. A nice light basic, very pleased.
Read more
202 more words

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 17, 2016 Flag this