The variation is...maddening. Previously, I have loved 65K/30H Eris 3HC. Lady Grey has a shorter band and a narrower cup. For me, narrower than 6" causes pain and suffering. But, for the more narrow among us, this is a fantastic bra.
This band is one of Comexim's more dimensionally stable: it just doesn't stretch as much as those with a single layer of wing fabric. It is most like those with lace around the entire band. This will be a supportive bra for a long while.
The fabric is peach satin with charcoal print and charcoal straps, fasteners, and bows. Sophisticated and feminine....and masculine all in one.
Lady Grey is a ...more immediately projected Comexim 3HC. Some models have more or less immediate projection than others. For those that I have worn, each has been added to a "more" or "less" immediate projection album: http://www.bratabase.com/list/g7q/
Comexim makes my favorite, ill-fitting bras. So, I have finally decided I will alter them. Lady Grey should fit comfortably after I remove the wires. I'll add "after" photos.
Edit: Unpredictably, the alteration works better with Wacoal bras. Even with the wires removed, the cup was biting under my most projected breast. Disappointing. Read more 87 more words
I asked for straps moved in 2cm, narrowed gore, reduced cups, and cookie pockets. I don't know that I got the narrowed gore because the wires don't overlap, but the rest is definitely noticeabely altered. The band is tight for its size, as usual for Anna Pardal; it will stretch.
This didn't fit me when I initially got it (cups were too big), but it didn't sell and now my boobs have grown into it! Biggest. Silver. Lining. EVER! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
I've heard Florence has the softest fabric of al A.P. If this were a 32GG, I would have instantly purchased it from you. Darn! I have a 30H Florence Doyenne Half Cup arriving...sometime in the future ;-) Beautiful!!
This bra is super comfortable, gorgeous and a perfect fit in the same 30:10 size I wear in Comexim 3HC. Very high quality construction with extraordinarily silky fabric on the exterior and plush cup lining on the inside... it feels absolutely heavenly to wear and gives a magnificent round shape! The band is firm and not very stretchy, fitting in between a 28 and 30, which is just what I need. Overall one of my favorite bras ever, I feel very lucky to have it https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
This is my second try on this bra. The gore is a soft tack. I have touching breasts. The very narrow cup width follows my breast root perfectly.This is a first for me . I believe this cut has reduced cups, gore and straps moved in 2cm. l have a small amount of gaping on my smaller breast. The larger fits well. I'm not that crazy about my already overly full center breasts being pushed even more toward the center. Since taking the pictures, I've lowered the strap about 1/2 inch on my larger breast and that keeps it from pushing against my smaller breast and gives better symmetry. Band is very small, fits more like a 28. For comparison, in a Cleo bra I wear a 28GG or a 30G.
I love the colors of this bra, it is a perfect match to my fair skintone. Unfortunately, the band is far to small for me, I have many other Comexims with 65 bands and I usually need a bit of an extender at first, but don't usually like going up to a 70 since I almost feel like I could start off on the middle hooks. I guess for this bra I should have went up (2 band sizes even), the band only stretches to about 26.5 inches before wires start to distort, I could understand if it were 28/29 but 26.5 is ridiculously small (I ...have emailed Comexim and am waiting to hear back).
I got the straps moved in 3cm on this one, I usually only do 2cm, but was curious about how it would fit with a bit more. I'm not sure if the straps being moved in more caused this or if it's something wrong with the bra, but at the top of the sides there is some puckering? (not exactly sure how to describe it). Other than that the bra fits pretty well, the ribbon might be a bit more closed off than my Irish Coffee, but it's not an issue, the weird puckering or whatever is happening to the side of the cup is a bigger issue as it is a bit irritating and rubs my armpit. I just had a chance to get photos today, so I am going to email Comexim back with some pictures to show the issue along with pictures of other 3HC's in the same size or sister size that don't do this.
Update, I think I figured out the puckering issue. When I wear the band tighter (still on an extender) the puckering decreases, but then I get some slight quadding.
Milk and honey is one of my favorites, too. Lovely!! If a cup is too wide, I experience the pucker near the strap, also. And, the 3HCs I've tried without the "straps moved in" alteration, pucker significantly less. ...
I was thinking it might be caused by the strap alteration since I did request 3cm instead of 2cm (or maybe my others didn't get the requested alteration) a bit more than usual. However the cup also measures narrower than other 3HC's but seems like it has more fabric than is needed for the cup width, maybe if I bend the wires out a bit it will decrease the puckering.
Good luck! Hope yiu find a simple solution :-) :-)
Love this bra! The band is snug, which is good because I can wear a 32 or 34 band. I was worried that since it's used it would be too stretchy - but the material the straps are made of continues on the back of the band, and it's pretty firm.
The lace looks bumpy under really sheer/lightweight shirts, but under most of my shirts it's fine.
The cups seem a little smaller than my 75F Comexim plunge as I have less empty space at the top of the cups in this. Also the cups are narrower, to the extent that they pinch the edges of my boobs a little bit (but not too bad, I mostly don't notice it).
Other awesome Polish features - narrow gore, stays in place, good lift/profile. Feels like it will last a long time!
I really like this bra. It has an understated classic look.
I notice in the pictures that it looks like it fits better than it does IRL. The cups feel too small and won't contain underarm tissue which is very loose and kind of floppy. I swoop and scoop and it won't stay in the cup under the arm. Perhaps I need longer wires? Not sure. The reduced gore and overlapping wires are definitely an improvement over a standard gore for me since I have touching breasts. But not sure if I could improve the situation with a narrowed gore too. The lowered gore makes me feel kind of insecure with my center heavy breasts. Not sure what the solution is. Perhaps in a larger cup I would feel more secure with this lower gore?
I'm excited to see you in a 30H/HH..... But, I wonder how the gore height changes with size increase? I bet that is one of the many dimensions that can be specified :-)
I love this bra! It's super comfy and the ribbon at the top gives me a bit extra coverage which I often need. The cups on this AP bra feel a little deeper than some of my other AP bras. The gore tacks perfectly and the lace does not show through shirts - even tight shirts! The band is very firm and because of this I do need to wear it with an extender. I am fine with this though since I would rather my bands be on the snug side than too loose. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite everyday bras! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
The fabric of this bra is so silky and soft I can't stop touching it! It feels absolutely wonderful, like a "forget you're wearing it" type of bra. The Sophisticate balconette shape is perfect for me since the cups are shorter, just 1/8 of an inch taller than Ewa S bras typically are. I'm so glad A Sophisticated Pair had this in stock! There's a small gape on my smaller side when I sit down, so I might try putting a cookie in it (unfortunately it doesn't have pockets--I don't know if you're still able to custom order these AP models or if Sophisticated Pair is just selling ...the ones they have left in stock). However, it fits my large side perfectly. The gore is very low, one of the lowest I've measured at 2 and 1/4 inches. It feels great, because of my splayed breasts that are very close up high so it's not poking into the area where they're close set. The shape this gives is so round and lifted. It seems to have a lot of immediate projection and hasn't budged from my IMF yet. The straps are very narrow, which I was skeptical of, but it doesn't seem to affect support. The strap attachment is low enough for me to move my arms comfortably without rubbing. It came with 3 hooks, unlike my Caramel Latte I ordered direct from AP which had 2--don't know if it's standard or just the usual Comexim not deciding how many hooks to put on their bras, but I'm glad for it. The band stretches a little over 31 inches which makes it perfect for me, a tad looser than other Comexims tho. All together, this is one of my holy grail bras, it almost seems like it was made for me! Read more 193 more words
This is my first attempt at a Polish bra and I am a little perplexed with the fit. I normally wear a 30GG in UK brands Panache and Freya. I took advice from "A Sophisticated Pair" website to size up in the band and the cup, so I purchase a 32GG from A Sophisticated Pair. I received the package within a few days! I believe that the size is correct. When I first put the bra on, it looks awesome. Great uplift, very comfortable, I wear it on the first set of hooks, no empty space at the bottom or top (which ...I do get from Panache and Freya at times), the gore tacks perfectly, etc, etc, all boxes checked. However, within a few hours, my boobs fall toward the center and I appear to have major quadraboob. Perhaps the cut just isn't right for me? Perhaps the cups cut across my boobs at too steep of a slope? I noticed that the cups seem tall. Not sure because I can wear a Freya Deco all day long and not have this happen.
This is a beautiful bra and very comfortable. I think my next attempt will be a half cup like the Ewa Michalak CHP Read more 110 more words
I believe I'm the third owner of this bra; it's the Sophisticate cut and the first Anna Pardal I've tried! It's a deep, saturated cherry red with oriental-inspired lace overlay and trim, which looks exactly the same as the Comexim Geisha. The design is not overly decorated, finished only with matching red bows on the straps and gore, and black straps with a subtle glossy finish in the center. I think Sabine's charm lies in its elegant simplicity, which allows its beautiful, well-made materials to shine https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
I admit, I've hesitated to order directly from Anna Pardal before, noticing that many of ...her bras look extremely similar to Comexim's, which are much more affordable, and wondering whether the extra luxurious details were worth the cost differential. Now that AP has gone out of business and I've had the opportunity to try this one, I really do see the appeal! The inner lining of the band is silky soft, the cups are cut in perfect accordance with my breast shape, and the band is firm, stretching not much beyond 28". In fact I'd say that this 30GG fits band and cup volume wise more like a Comexim 60J, it definitely isn't a true to size 30. So, possibly consider sizing up if you're on the larger end of your usual band size. Sabine's very thin foam shapes the breasts into a flattering round shape without adding a lot of bulk or extra padding, in contrast to say Ewa Michalak's S cut, which gives a super projected look that can make me extra conscious of the size of my boobs and can only be worn under very fitted shirts to prevent the dreaded "boob tent" look.
The only thing that I dislike about this bra is that it exaggerates my tail of spence a bit, but that's much more the fault of my individual anatomy than the bra's. I think I could do with just a hint more immediate projection, but we'll see how Sabine fares with further wear https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
This bra is very comfortable and incredibly soft. The lace does continue all the way around the band which looks great. I got this in a 32F since it is a Nuance Plunge and it was also the closest size that Erica at Sophisticated Pair was getting in. I had gotten the Stiff Cappuccino from her in 30FF and it didn't work out for me, it was unaltered and the cups were much to tall especially near the strap, I think it may have ran a bit taller since it was an older model, but I didn't get measurements because I was in a rush to ...get it ready to ship back. While the Caramel Latte Nuance plunge works much better for me than the 30FF Stiff Cappuccino it's not quite as good a fit as my custom ordered Comexims. I'm actually wondering if the cups were reduced at all, I have 65H that to my knowledge is not altered and has the same cup height measurement as the Caramel Latte, and my other 65H Comexims that are reduced 2cm measure almost exactly 2cm less than both the unaltered 65H and the 32F Caramel Latte.
I also tried the bra on for a bit longer today and I don't feel quite supported enough. I think it is a combination of issues causing this probably because without the cup and strap alterations the 32F is a bit too big for me. I have Comexim's in 65H (30FF) with 2cm reduced cups and straps moved in that fit quite well, both with and without alteration to the gore.
Update: I emailed Erica and she did find out that in my size the Nuance Plunge only receives a reduced gore and no alterations to cup height or strap placement. Erica has been extremely helpful and I am sending this one back for a Lady Grey in 30FF in the Sophisticate that does have all the alterations I usually get with the cups reduced, straps moved in and lowered gore. Read more 236 more words
This has a reduced cup and reduced gore. While the material is beautiful, it pills easily. The straps are almost wider than the adjuster, making it difficult to shorten/lengthen sometimes. Straps are wider set than I like, and I had to bend the wires to get a better fit. Got it from a listing in great condition, so I'm satisfied.
I had hoped Anna's bras ran tight in the band. I was armed with an extender: it was unnecessary. If you need a 30" band, order a 30". This is the first bra in my correct size that lifts and centers my breasts enough that they meet and greet in the middle: imagine my surprise. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" /> Just one month ago, I thought I was wide and shallow; not so in Anna Pardal's Caramel Latte Nuance. Although I don't fear I will fall out, there is more tissue exposed in the ...center than I prefer. Sadly, because of the impressive lift and center, the gore pokes the now centered breasts. Anna Pardal's Doyenne half cup has overlapping wires and excellent immediate projection which may remedy my fit issues with the Nuance Plunge. This is an exceptionally comfortable, supportive bra and a gateway bra for my Polish addiction. If you are narrow and projected, Anna Pardal's bras with her use of sumptuous fabrics may soon become your favorite bras. My first Anna Pardal but definitely not the last! Read more 86 more words
I thought I would need a 34 in this, but I don't. The band runs pretty true to size, so it's too big for me.
I ordered as a Sophisticate with additionally reduced cups. I still get that little gap by the gore--hopefully by talking to Anna I'll be able to figure out what it is, the width of the gore, the height or something else (the gore is very low and narrow).
For the short time I tried this on it was extremely comfortable. All I feel is the lift at the root. The band is lined with soft fabric and the padding in the cups is super lightweight. The lace is really pretty and has a touch of metallic to it.
I'm sad that it didn't fit but the great thing about Anna is that she allows you to exchange altered bras.
This review is for the Sophisticate balconette cut 32FF. Summary: the best-fitting bra I have ever owned.
This is equivalent to a 30 band in UK sizes. I used Sophisticatedpair sizing advice. From the descriptions of the soph balc cut, it sounds like it would be the same as customizing straps moved in, reduced cups, and reduced gore. Not positive on that - I don't think anyone but Anna of AP truly knows. There are probably more subtle adjustments throughout the size range (#hooks, strap width, strap distance apart, etc). I would recommend this bra to those with even or bottom fullness; those who need narrow wires; those who ...are tired of straps/underarm chafing; and those who don't mind waiting a month or more to receive it. On Anna Pardal: they are a young small business. There were multiple delays with my item, yadda yadda yadda, I was partially refunded and given a discount for future use. The quality of the product is spectacular, so that has helped as well, and if it fares well over time, I will order from them again.
Aesthetic: Feminine and sophisticated. I love the grey. I was quite surprised when I pulled it out of the box because the background color is truly pink-peach, not ivory. That aside, still quite beautiful, just not quite as complementary to my pale skin as it might have been. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" /> I love the AP designs: while Comexim and Cleo can be fun, their neon colors, excess frills, or strange patterns seem to disregard the fact that you will be wearing this under clothing that fits you and usually have to go to work(!). Lol. AP is gorgeous, considerate of the typical lifestyle, and makes me feel like a sexy young woman. Yay!
Wires: The miracle has occurred. The wires are flush with my breast tissue all the way around! They live oh-so happily in my inframammary fold. When I take it off, the lines are right there. YES! The gore tacks, there's no wrinkling in the bottom of the cups or space down there, and they are just the right width to encompass all my side tissue without going further back than they need to. And no strap chafing!
Band: perfect. Comfortably tight on the loosest set of hooks. Speaking of which, there are 3. I didn't ask, they're just there. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Note: this is true in my size, but I don't know about other sizes. I've never had 3 hooks in a non-sports bra before; I didn't know how much I wanted them until now! They're closely spaced, so it doesn't increase the band height all that much, but provides noticeable extra stability. They made use of this stability by making the straps only 0.5inch each. I'm still deciding if it's wide enough, but I think it is, and it will be nice for those shirts that show straps to not be noticeable on my smallish frame. They don't feel like they carry much weight right now.
Cups: on a scale of natural to half-basketball (0-10), I would call this an 8, which I would say is ideal. They are perky, central, and cleavagey, but don't attempt to make my boobs so round that they compress them (huzzah). I have never tried reduced cups or reduced gore, so there is more exposed in the center than I'm used to, but I don't feel unstable and my boobs don't touch. This cut drastically improved the fit compared to my unaltered Comexim. My right breast is almost a cup size larger than left, and if I aggressively swoop and scoop, there is quadboob on the right. I could consider 32G with the complimentary "cookie pocket" to use on my smaller side and possibly straps moved in (they're great in this size, but increasing cup size usually makes them further apart, which I don't want). This is pretty perfect as-is, and I hate the idea of having to stuff something in my bra (my boobs are big enough as is). I'll see if the gore continues to tack after several wears and then decide if I need to go up.
Fabrics: Inside the cups is soft cotton. The outer fabric is stretch satin (beautiful sheen, moves well without wrinkling on the cup), and the cup trim is a grey, non-stretch satin ribbon. I am a big fan of the ribbon because its firmness reinforces the shape of the cups right at the edge, where they take the most pressure from my center-full breasts. In some women, this may cause quadboob, but on me it does not. It helps prevent gaping and falling toward the middle. None of their other designs have this ribbon set-up (an old model, Fifi, used to), so I may hold out for their next season and see. I do have my eyes on the Florence, though, because it also has this stretch satin, so the seams don't show. I could ask for a ribbon along the Florence edge custom, but I feel like it's an insult to a designer. Thoughts? Read more 744 more words
If you need narrow wires and are looking for a thinly padded bra, try it! However, I have a theory that the the center cup height is too low for women of this size...
NB: This bra is a prototype and may not reflect the finished product.
I have been exceptionally fortunate and was sent a second slightly different prototype of the Aubergine. I've already reviewed the bra (see my other entry), but this version has green straps and clasp instead of the black of the initial bra.
This version is also a reduced cup and still has fully adjustable straps and fastens with 4 columns of 3 rows of hook and eyes. The cup and wing fabric is identical (and very nice).
While the basics are the same, I have found that the green elastic is slightly more stretchy than the black, making the ...band on the longer side for me (it's currently most comfortable on the second or third hook), and the straps are a little flimsier. I think that the green straps must be a little longer as I've found them slightly too long even fully shortened for my high-set breasts.
If I wear the band on a comfortable hook, the fit of this bra is similar (nice cup depth, cups a little tall for my short breasts, gore doesn't quite tack, straps much too far apart).
I think that I prefer the appearance of this version, but the version with the black elastic is a little sturdier, and therefore more comfortable for my very heavy, projected breasts. Read more 114 more words
I'm more adding this to include the measurements, as there aren't many AP bras on here.
Anna W. with AP sent me both a 34H and a 36GG Emeline, so I could determine my best size in the brand. The 34H is shockingly small; I could barely fasten it. The 36GG, however, is perfect.
Oddly, the 34H also quadded pretty substantially on my larger boob, while the 36GG fit both breasts perfectly. It may be because of a distorted wire from far too small a band.
Overall, gorgeous and very high quality bra, but this is definitely the wrong size for me.
Background: I usually wear UK 38F or 38FF, and do not get along with Comexim's padded plunges at all (need more space at the bottom and less at the apex and top).
I originally ordered a 40F because unlined Comexims seemed to run big in the cup, but that was much too small. 40G is as close as it will get to my ideal size. See also: http://sophisticatedpair.com/blog/?p=13738 A Sophisticated Pair's advice.
Pros for me: - Narrow wires if you need them; definitely narrower than Ewa Michalak. - A lot of bottom projection. Very few bras can contain all of my breast tissue at the underwire, and this ...is one of them. - Soft, comfortable fabric for the band and straps.
Cons for me: - The cups are too tall for my FOB breasts. I think I could have done with a 40GG otherwise as I have some overflow near the gore, but the top section is already too loose on the 40G. - The shape is not as high and rounded as I would like (YMMV). The vertical seams sort of go off to the side rather than being at my nipples, which suggests a shape mismatch of some kind. Read more 92 more words
I've heard Florence has the softest fabric of al A.P. If this were a 32GG, I would have instantly purchased it from you. Darn! I have a 30H Florence Doyenne Half Cup arriving...sometime in the future ;-) Beautiful!!