This review is for the neon pink/black colorway, which is one of the oldest (from 2012 I believe). I have heard that this bra has changed substantially since then, so keep that in mind with this review!
I got this bra from the Claudette encore sale (because $10!) and was not at all prepared to love it as much as I did! The 30FF ran TTS on me. I fill the cups well and actually like how tall they are--somehow they are stretchy enough to not cut in to my taller roots. It also gives me one of the best shapes I've ever gotten in an unlined bra--very round, ...but also somewhat natural, minimized, and relaxed. Since it is super sheer, frankly, it makes it look like I have just really beautiful boobs, haha. I have soft tissue and a slightly conical shape, so getting a shape that is both round and natural is hard to do!
The wires on this bra are narrow and U-shaped. I am average width and this was fine.
A note about consistency between bras, however. I ordered a 30FF and 30G in the exact same colorway, and in terms of the cup, the 30FF (my usual size) was the right one. 30G had wrinkling and empty space. However, on the 30FF the band is very stretchy (I got it to 33 inches). On the 30G, however, it was quite tight--I had to stretch as much as I could to get it just to 30! This makes me wonder if a) the 30FF had been tried on a lot, or returned, or something, and b) if this means that the mesh used in this bra stretches out SUPER quickly. The fabric on the 30FF was also very comfortable, whereas the 30G was really scratchy--again, making me wonder if the 30FF had gotten more use? I guess the good news is that it seems the fabric gets softer/more comfortable over time.
Still, I love this bra and want to snag some of the older colorways while I can, since I suspect the newer fit won't work as well on me. Due to the seeming inconsistencies among bras with the same band size and color, I'm not sure I'd ever consider it worth it to buy a Dessous for the full price. Read more 276 more words
That looks so good on you! I'm jealous! :) Claudette definitely did not love me like that.
Well, the ten bucks were definitely well spent! :) Great fit.
I actually tried on one of the newer colorways (I want to say there was purple, but it's been a few months) and in a 32G it fit very well, similarly to how you described your fit, down to not cutting into tall roots. I didn't end up buying it, but I've considered wandering back to the boutique I tried it on at to buy it.
Editing after wearing for a couple months: this bra was way too tight at first and then quickly became too stretched out. It's made from cotton so I guess that's expected, but it's stretched in a lot of odd places. The band and around the seams didn't stretch as much, which makes sense, but the seams run down the center of the cup so there's now bulging around the seam and empty cup in other areas. It's still comfortable. I am not self supporting and suffer from a lot of pain if I don't wear a bra, so this is for the days I just want a bit ...of support and don't care about anything else. It's probably the most unusual bra I have ever owned.
Bought this as a comfy wear around the house bra and it works very well for those purposes. Gives a natural shape and nipples point through so I probably won't wear it with a tighter shirt. Fit very tight for the first two or three wears so I wore an extender but after a couple wears it fits well. Wires are narrow and cups are pretty deep. One of my biggest issues with bras is where they come up under the armpit and chafe, or dig in or too much cup at the top I can't fill, and this bra does not have any of those problems. The cup height is very short but I am very full on bottom and lost basically all of my upper fullness after losing a lot of weight so it encompasses everything for me. Great support for my immediate projection and bottom fullness. I was surprised by how well this fits and how comfortable it is. Read more 179 more words
Interesting. People are always asking for bras like this on the ABTF forum - something cotton and comfortable. But great point that cotton stretches out quickly!
BraOdyssey It's definitely comfortable, but the shape and construction are so odd. It's a very short cup and the edges are reinforced with cotton so they're thick and cut into the tissue/show through shirts. It would not work for a full on top shape at all. The band and straps are also cotton so they were way too tight at first. And the straps only adjust part way so it would probably be loose in band and straps pretty quickly. The idea is awesome but there's a reason why the price was so low so quickly and I don't think they make it anymore. I thought I wanted cotton and cool for sensory/skin needs and summer heat but turns out I just don't react well to cheap mesh and all my mesh Polish bras are totally fine and cooler!
This is for the mauve colorway - The color is nice and the bra gives a slightly relaxed shape that's good for weekends. Unfortunately it isn't the most comfortable bra, the gore is a little bit higher than I like and it isn't very supportive. I think this is due the fabric (cotton) stretching out over the course of the day. I bought this on Claudette Encore and am glad I didn't pay a lot for it. I wouldn't buy it again. I also bought the white color and it's less supportive than the mauve. Like the Dessous the cup runs about a size small.
I was expecting this to fit me fairly poorly, but as a pleasant surprise, I really like it. Okay, the color helps bias my assessment (Turquoise!!!!), but really, this is a brand I think I can actually put on my radar.
The cups are fairly shallow near the gore, which for my center heavy boobs is a bummer, and it is somewhat minimizing (I miiiiight be able to go up a cup). I do get a bit of in-cup quadding. However, the wires are comfortable and fairly narrow, and the band is stretchy but not limp like some materials I've encountered. It measures a fair 32" stretched instead of ...30", which for me is more comfortable anyway. Two major plus points for this size/model: decently wide straps, and a 3-hook closure.
Will be updating the review once I've field tested the bra for a full day.
Update: Due to the rough nature of the lace, my skin can't tolerate this bra for regular wear (I have obnoxiously sensitive skin). The wires were heavenly to start with, far less stiff than other bras that I own, and I hardly noticed them until the end of the day. They do come out about a half an inch too far on me due to stretching with the band, though, and by the end of the day one wire had "bitten" me on my larger side. Ouch. Also, for some reason (probably the itchy nature of the lace) to top of the cup didn't bother my arms at the start of the day but by the end I was majorly chafed. I'm glad to have tried the brand and am somewhat interested in future offerings since I've heard they have more depth, but this particular bra may need to find a new home.
Update 2: A white residue showed up on the bra after I washed it. I queried Claudette about this, and here is their response:
"When Dessous originally launched the double layer portion of the cup was laminated for strength. This lamination is a substance that is layered onto the fabric to make it stronger and to keep the double ply together. It’s a very common practice and you may see it more regularly in specially treated denim or ready to wear pieces that have special finishes on them for effect.
In a couple of colors of Dessous, mostly violet, a “shedding” of the lamination occurred. It doesn’t happen all the time and it’s the natural process of the finish washing away, however in this circumstance, it is a rapid breakdown of the laminate. We were told it was a possible reaction between the fabric dye of the specific color and lamination in conjunction with certain types of detergents but after selling thousands of these bras, in the neon colors, it was an extremely small percentage that had this issue and there was no clear answer as to why it happened. In every case, the lamination did break down and dissolve no matter what. We just saw a slightly different reaction in only a selection of Dessous like the reaction you are describing.
In the following seasons we chose not to laminate any of our product and this should not be an issue going forward.
Please note that it will all wash away. I suggest you soak the bra in lingerie soap over night which will further break down the reminisce of the lamination and it my take a few washes but it will all disappear. This does not at all effect the function or wear ability of the bra, and you will notice after a handful of washes it will all be gone." Read more 497 more words
Ok I was just looking at purchasing this bra in this size, so this was helpful! Questions: 1) Did you get any bottoms? If so, how do they fit? 2) what are the shipping charges like? (I'm in the U.S.) 3) Which size fits you best in the Cleo Lily, for comparison's sake?
I just ordered from their sale as well, great pricing! I have had this bra (peony color) before in a 32E and tried on a 32F and can offer some fit advice.
The earlier seasons of Claudette (called Love Claudette at the time) were known for having bands that were just slightly loose at first but they stretched out very quickly. I went through all three hooks and had to do an alteration on mine after about 3.5 months of moderate wear. The dessous bras that they are selling on the encore site are definitely from earlier seasons, so I sized down in the band to compensate for the stretching. I am not sure if this issue exists in other models or in current colorways.
The general fit is sort of a petite version of a full cup. The cut is definitely full cup, but a but lower rise/ less coverage than a Fantasie or Panache full cup. The armpits are not too high and the straps are more center pull, which is very nice for petites or those with narrow or sloped shoulders. The depth of the cup was moderate, with the depth spread across the cup and centered on the apex. Best fit would be for even to slightly FOB, without focused center depth. If you need more center depth, or have pendulous breasts, both of which apply to me, than you may want to also size up in the cup. I don't think this bra would work for FOT breasts because the top piece of the cup would likely cut in.
I am in the US, bought 2 bras and was charged $5.99 for shipping. There is also a promo code (LAUNCHPROMO) that subtracts $5 per item on top of the sales price for many but not all (was not working for Dentelle) of the items.
I have never tried the underwear.
I wasn't able to get the underwear in anything close to my size (still bummed about that), so can't help there.
My best fit in the Cleo Lily would be a 32F, if the wires were not just a smidge too wide (I have a rib that disagrees with anything sitting on it). 32E is my go-to for that bra, though slightly too small. I prefer the larger band than my usual 30 for comfort.
Sizing up in the cup for me would prove disastrous in this particular model (likely too wide), but I'm very curious about the newer seasons now. I honestly wish that the wings came up higher, but I'm not petite.
black_cardigan -- what's the problem with their underwear sizing, if it isn't too rude of me to ask? I ask because I am 30FF/32F, but my hips are 38.5 and I was wondering about whether their smalls to larges would correspond more closely with US or UK sizing. Sorry if this is somewhat off topic.
They were out of Medium and Large in the Turquoise I was looking at when I ordered. I'm about 40-41 at the hips, so I figured there was no way a small would work. I have no idea which sizing schema they would be closer to because I haven't tried any.
Wrong size, wrong shape and it cuts in... Would like to try in 28FF though. I also remeasured this bra and found the wires to be really really flexibel. Like, more flexibel than tummy tissue.
Amazing colour! I was not expecting it to be mesh (see through), but regardless, it's a pretty sweet bra.
I love that it has 3 hooks. Love the details. The cups give a nice shape, I feel supported. The bra was definitely itchy at first, but I can wear it all day without an issue after a couple washes.
I measure 30.5-31 ribcage, and 37 bust. I ordered a 30FF.
The cups dig in a bit (spillage, but not popping out). The center gore is sitting properly, but as this is the wrong size, the wires are too low in the front and under the arms.
Claudette's smallest band (until the Spring 2013 collection comes out) is 30FF, so I bought this even though I actually wear 28G in most brands. The band fits big, as I expected, but the cups are also small. Fits more like a 30F. I ended up buying another of the same bra in 30G, and the cup feels good.
I really like the triangular shape of the cups. The straps attach farther up my shoulders than with a more balconette-shaped bra, so it doesn't rub uncomfortably in my armpit.
The quality of the bra seems great and I like the triple hook-and-eye. And the color is AMAZING! It is highlighter day-glow neon green. Love it so much!
Too flat on the bottom of the cup. Considerable spillage on the top, to the point of falling out if I lean over. It's just plain the wrong shape - no size adjustment would fix this bra for me. Stays in place pretty well for a 30 band.
This bra does not fit at all but it is somehow comfortable? The band seems to fit but the gore doesn't tack. The underwires are very flexable and the the straps are kind of wide, so maybe that's the reason. It's good for wearing around the house during the summer but because of the fit issues I would not wear it out and about. The bright pink continues to bleed so it has to be washed separately from my other bras.
This bra runs a cup size smaller than the label. It's still a touch too shallow for me so I get a little orange in the glass effect and some bubbling. I also need a slightly more open cup. wish it worked for me; someone with short roots probably wouldn't have this same issue. Love the cotton, it's very soft. And it's sort of a unique bra in the full bust world.
This is my favorite bra for a v-neck. I wear these all summers long; they're nice and lightweight and thin, but still supportive. They have somewhat of a minimizing effect which makes a nice roundness under clothes. I love the narrow/deep cups of the early Claudette Dessous. I am going to buy more of them today, I think! This green is so vivid and luscious. I love the secret sexy under a black top-- if a strap shows, oh, well-- looks like a plain black bra-- but nope! Electric green! There was a coating on the fabric of this colorway at first that came off during the first handwash or two, and that was kinda gross at the time. Also, the fabric was pretty scratchy at first, but it softened up nicely.
Just an FYI that the undies run a size smaller than Freya or Curvy Kate.
My favorite things about this bra is the fabric, very soft, and the straps, very comfortable. I knew the bra was going to be shallow but I thought if went up a cup size I might get a nice minimized shape. The wide wires don't bother me on this bra. And it looks like it might work when I first put it on but I get pretty significant quadding after wearing it just a little while.... Easily noticeable under a shirt. I'm still interested in trying the next cup up just in case. I like the esthetics of the bra that much. I love the band too. Snug, wide, and not biting
This bra's band def runs loose and stretches quickly, so size down. This bra is a really nice overall fit, but due to my loose breast tissue I get a bulge mid-cup where the fabric switches from two layers to one. I love the low under arm wires, they are great for short ladies!
This is more of a lounge around the house bra for me. Very comfy but just ok in the support department. I would say the band is true to size and that the cups run small.
The fishnet style is different than any other style of bra I own which is why I bought it. I really like the aqua colourway with contrasting black trim. The trim is a firmer elastic that is felt-lined. Overall, the fit gave me a natural shape--not pointy and not overly round. The cup volume is a bit small for me. 30G would have been a better fit. That being said, I intend on wearing this to compliment certain outfits and it is by no means a daily workhorse bra.
This bra is a bit small. I'll have to sister size to a 30G to address the obvious quadding. Apart from that, the colours are AMAZING. I'm keeping it despite the misfit.
Pros: Very comfortable, gentle fabric, thick straps for comfort, cute design Cons: Not projected enough, too low under the arm, too wide set, pointy cup shape
That looks so good on you! I'm jealous! :) Claudette definitely did not love me like that.