When I saw this bra I thought that it was so chic and elegant that I knew that I wanted to buy it. I know its out of the usual bra sizes that I wear but I decided to go for it. I don't regret this purchase for one second. I love the fit and comfort of this bra. It just works on me. If there is one thing that I have learned its that when you have shallow and asymmetrical breasts that bras have a tendency to fit you when you would think they otherwise wouldn't. I bought this bra from another user.
This review is for the Chantelle Rive Gauche T-back Spacer Bra 70E, colour Black.
General comments:
I bought this bra because I felt the 70D really was too small, even though I still wouldn't consider this model my style: narrowly placed straps and racer backs make my already wide shoulders appear even wider. They're also not ideal for the wide-necked shirts I like to wear. Furthermore, higher centre gores and more horizontally cut cup edges (half cups) work better for my shape and give me a more fitting cleavage than deep plunges like this. However, this model is so ridiculously comfortable that I haven't been wearing anything else since I ...got my first two 70Ds.
Bra description:
A front closing plunging racer back design with plain and seamless, soft, very slightly stretchy cups made out of ultralight foam-like 'spacer' knit. The cups of the 70E differ from the 70D in that there is an additional non-stretch side support sling hidden inside. The back is made out of a super soft stretch lace backed with soft, sheer, stretch mesh. The thin, smooth straps are embellished with a contrasting running stitch detail. Silver coloured findings and front closing clasp with Chantelle logo. Small silver coloured tag on the right bottom side with Chantelle brand name. The whole appearance is simultaneously plain, somewhat utilitarian, yet somehow delicate, feminine and fresh as well -- in my opinion a successful yet difficult to describe blend, really.
I just love the spacer knit. It's really quite miraculous stuff: super soft, ultralight and slightly stretchy, but at the same remarkably supportive. It gives a flattering, smooth shape without feeling bulky or stiff. Nipples might show through very slightly. I'm quite smitten with the stuff and I'll definitely stay on the lookout for more in this material.
Bra fit:
I measure 27" underbust (tightly) so for all practical purposes I should have no business donning a 70 band. However, I've come to the conclusion that I'm one of those persons for whom the +0 method just doesn't work: I have a super conical torso, a somewhat muscular back, no squish and my breasts sit high on my chest: I just really need the looser band. Having said that, the band of this Chantelle Rive Gauche T-back Spacer Bra 70E fits really firmly. I'd say it feels firmer than the band of the 70D I also have and judging by the way the very flexible wires seem somewhat stretched it maybe even is a little bit too tight, although comfort- and support-wise it really is spot on. Any looser and I'm sure the band would start riding up.
As to the fit of the cups I'm a bit puzzled: from the front they clearly fit better than the 70D -- almost no sign of quadboob left. Looking closer however it is quite clear I'm totally not filling out the cups near the wires. Also, when I take the bra off the markings show I have A LOT of empty space at the sides. Strangely enough, compared to the 70D the wires in this 70D really aren't that much wider. The main difference is that they are A LOT longer. I'm thinking that the cups are simply so much roomier that they do not pull back on the wires and therefore allow the wires, which are indeed quite flexible, to become slightly overstretched, flattening the bottom of the cups in the process. What I don't quite understand is how the size difference between the 70D -- which clearly is too small in terms of cup colume -- and the 70E -- which then clearly is too large in terms of cup volume -- can be THIS big. It puzzles and frustrates me because it just seems to confirm my fear that no bra will ever fit me the way it should https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
Anyway, the spacer material is so forgiving that it really doesn't bother me: the shape is great and support doesn't seem compromised. Also, I just love the longer wires and higher wings: they feel so much more supportive and comfortable!
Usually with cups that come up this high towards the straps I don't quite fill them out towards the top. However, this doesn't seem too much of an issue with this bra. IF there even is excess space there, thanks to the forgiving material it really is not noticeable. The armhole is slightly tight though -- it's simply cut too straight -- for my short upper torso and high-on-chest breasts, which is something I might try and change if I finds it bothers me more than it should.
As said, the shape this bra gives me is really quite good. It's nothing compared to the super rounded and lifted 'Regency' cleavage my beloved Rhea gives me but it's a separated, understated, and natural look that's perfect both for 'around the house' as well as underneath clothes. Even though it's ever so slightly East-West it's not unflattering on my frame. I would actually say that this is how I feel they look best. Instead of putting them 'up and out' this bra keeps my breasts close to my chest and therefore more how and where they are naturally. The best thing, however, is that it really makes my breasts appear nice and round and anything but pointy which is one of their natural features I'm none too keen on. And the cups are just so soft! I keep touching them, because they just feel yummy!
Conclusion:
For me this bra is a typical case of comfort over style -- or even fit. I scored a bunch more 70Es in both Black and Cappuccino on eBay and even though it's still far from the perfect fit, I'm perfectly happy wearing them. Read more 848 more words
This bra was the first bra I was fitted into, and it is a little big for me. I had bra shock when I went to the store, going from La Senza's 36D-DD to 32E. Since these purchases I've realized that I'm actually a 30F but with the exception of my having to use the bra on the second hook, these bras are my absolute favourite!
They are on the pricier end of the spectrum- I bought the black one for $120CDN in a brick and mortar store, but found the nude one on eBay for $30USD. I really love this bra, and would recommend it to anyone! It fits beautifully, makes me look amazing, and I feel so awesome with it on.
I really like this bra. When I put it on, I think it will irritate my armpits because it feels a little high up, but it never does. This is one of those bras that I forget I'm wearing, even during physical activity like hiking and traveling.
The center gore does not lay flat on my chest, but they're also not laying on top of any boobage.
The cups are lined, so the fabric doesn't itch at all, and so far it has not stretched out.
This bra has puzzled me a bit. It's the first bra I got in my actual size after hunting down a store that sells 30 bands in larger cups, so I may not be a true fit expert here, but it seems to fit me quite well, and is adorable. The stitching on the straps and center gore bow is one of the little details on this bra that I enjoy greatly. However, I do have two qualms with it... I think. The underwires settle a little bit lower than usual, so there is some part of the cup that doesn't contain any breast, and no matter how ...I manipulate the position of the bra on my chest, I can't get that bottom part of the cup to move in the right way to keep me in place. When sitting slouchily, a crease will develop in the cup in about the place underwires would be on me normally. I'd hazard a guess that this bra is looking for heavier boobs than mine. Even a bit out of place, the cups fit great otherwise. My other problem with this bra is that my boobs have particularly wide roots that extend under the armpits, so to keep "armpit" fat in place I need wider cups. These may almost be too wide, because the place where the straps meet the cups sometimes rubs against the inside of my arm. So uh, this bra (on me) is a bit... quirky. Read more 138 more words
Note: Entire cup is lined in this size. The upper panel is not more sheer, although there is some see-through for the cups. Overall quality of the fabric doesn't seem as nice as most Chantelles, although the wing fabric is very strong. The fit is also not as nice as I'm used to with them. Great support, but the cups seemed to be straining a little bit, so a cup size up would have been better. The band runs smaller than other Chantelle bras I've tried, and felt right about right for my 28"-ish underbust. My main objection was to the underwires. The shape was strange and made ...too deep a U, which meant that my breasts couldn't quite sit at the bottom and the wires dug under my arm. The center portions of the wires also ran too high to press into my sternum, and caused too much space between the cups. The area by the arm is also a bit scratchy, but I think that will go away with a bit of use. Not terrible, but I won't be buying another of these. Read more 78 more words
Molded bra looks good under t-shirts. The band did wear out a lot on my first one. Bought 2 new ones recently that still fit well. Once the band wears out too much the support disappears completely.
Why I love this bra: - it has a very open cut, compared to most of the bras I see in my size (32DDD american/70F european size) - it's comfortable! the lace band is attractive and doesn't dig in anywhere. - it has removable booster pads, if you want a sexy cleavage look, keep them in, if you need a little more room in the cup (like I do) take them out, and the bra still looks great. - it looks better on me than it does on the models on the website! I feel like it's made just to make my boobs look better, while being comfortable and fairly ...supportive, which is something I have never felt about a bra before. Why I don't love this bra more: - This may be just because of the shape of my body/the fact that I should probably be wearing a 30F but it seems like the cups should be closer together. It almost feels like my breasts aren't round enough for it... if that makes sense. - It's not great under a thinner/tighter shirt, the lace is too bumpy. - with the cookies in, I get some double boob. without the cookies in, they still seem to want to pop out, but again this may be the fact that the cups seem too far apart as opposed to the cups actually being too small. Read more 121 more words
Cups and band run small! Only one hook too. I will for sure need a 32 band and perhaps an F cup which I have never worn. Material feels nice. Gore looks like it may work well for close set center full chests but I will need to size up to know for sure.
Wanted to Love this bra. Very pretty, feels luxurious and well stitched. Cups are too small but give me cone boob. The wire goes to far back on the side. I think this bra is better for someone with wide set/splayed breasts with side issues. I don't think a cup size up will benefit my close set wide root breasts.
Edit 12/6/2020 - apparently it really was just too big. It fits me perfectly now, at roughly 32G UK. So yes, the cup height makes it large on me with my short roots, but sizing down one cup and up one band fixes that.
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Just like the Panache sports bra - tight band and tall (huge on me) cups. I bought this at the same time as my 32G Natori Zen (which is technically too small for me now) knowing it was too big but assuming pregnancy weight gain would make it fit me at some point. At 33 weeks pregnant, this is not going to happen unless I gain another two or three cup sizes or my boobs find the space on my chest to grow taller instead of more projected.
I have no idea why I keep buying Panache Sports and clones - they're severely overrated in my opinion, and they never fit me right. If I size down to where I can fill the cups, the gore always floats. Can't win with this shape.
The Chantelle Norah bra has the softest fabric, and feels really good on my skin. The wires are wide enough for my very wide roots, but I might bend them out just a smidge to help them follow my IMF better. I don't love how the shape looks on me (doesn't feel super sexy), but it's a great everyday bra that is smooth under clothing and supportive. Typically high gores are painful for my center-full breasts, but this gore is narrow enough that it doesn't bother me. Because the underwires are not super stiff, I do have to swoop and scoop multiple times during the day, but personally, I prefer that over painful digging wires, and it is really hard to find bras that are wide enough to accommodate my roots.
I found this in a thrift store and will remove elastic straps and J-hook for my own sports bra project. Not sure if I'm allowed to list the remains of the bra as a give away but any busty lady can contact me if you need this as a project. Maybe you already own one in a similar size and need parts for repair?
General info. Looks a lot like the panache sports bra but has an adjustable racerback option. Cups feels softer and have horisontal stretch. Band feels slightly tight, but OK, for a size 75/34. Padded strap 2,3 cm and elastic strap 1,8 cm.
Pretty, delicate bra with soft, comfortable fabric. It feels good to wear around the house and for light activity like walking; haven’t tried to wear it for a long day yet so we’ll see. The band is very stretchy and runs large. It’s comfortable on the tightest hook but I can fit an entire hand underneath. Cups have a shallow fit especially near the bottom. There’s a bit of a fold at the bottom while it cuts into the tissue at the top. Wires seem to move a little below my IMF because of this and the stretchy band. Cups seem flattening near the center gore. This bra ...gives me a nice lift but has a bit of a minimizing effect. It looks nice and very natural under fitted t-shirts. It seems to be trying to separate my breasts slightly more than they want to be separated. It’s a flattering look under clothing. It feels like I’m barely wearing anything. It doesn’t come in a smaller band size, so I’m going to keep it and hope the band retains its elasticity over time and that the cups conform to my shape a little more. Read more 86 more words
This is so pretty in person. The color is a gorgeous mauve. The band is super stretchy and not lace. There is lining that covers the nipples, but the lining does not go up as high as the lace cup. CORRECTION: The lining is as high and sewn to the top of the lace. I just noticed the lining is like satin until about an inch from the top it turns to mesh. The lace has a low projection that does not show under tops.. The lace is designed to look like little flowers less than an inch in diameter each, with four pedals each. The hooks are spaced farther than my bra extender hooks. So keep that in mind if you plan on buying a sister size one band size down. But it's so stretchy you probably could size down in the band. The wire is longer than my other 34ddd bras. Still comfortable and never pokes. I actually need higher side support. I now own 3. This remains my most comfortable bras. More comfortable than my wireless.
This is a UK 34F (with a super stretchy band). My abtf size is 32GG. The band is too loose, the cups are quadding, there's insufficient immediate projection, and there's some some east/west business at the apex. I could never use the J hook as it set the straps so close they were on my neck and it jacked up the shape of the cups. But it is a beautiful black tshirt bra if it would just fit. I also have this in Blue https://www.bratabase.com/bra/dn7po/.
I love the shape and lift of this bra and overall it fits well and is super comfortable. As is commonly a problem for me, the sides tend to dig into my armpits and I wish the wire was a bit shorter and narrower.
I’ve had a few of these Chantelle Rive Gauche bras over the last several years in a few different sizes. The band is VERY stretchy in every size and every color. You will probably want to size down in the band and up in the cup. My measurements for this bra size are probably larger than the average because I’ve had this bra for a couple of years, but it was very stretchy when it was brand new.
If you have a narrow breast shape, this is a good option because it’s more narrow in the wire than the Chantelle Parisian Allure Lace Plunge Bra (2231). The gore is a little wider than what I need, but it’s not uncomfortable. This Rive Gauche bra is really pretty and creates a natural, round shape. You’re not going to get major lift, but you’ll be supported.
It’s a good everyday bra that will last a long time.
Great review :)!
Is there anything you don't like about the bra ? :)