I was worried that this bra would cut into my tall roots and look bad, but it surprisingly does not. On close inspection, I guess there is a very minor bulge, but I consider it to be virtually nonexistent.
From other pictures I've seen, it looked like the underwires were sitting way below the IMF fold due to being very shallow in the bottom of the cup. However, this is just excess fabric on the bottom that makes it appear that way.
The band is very firm. I feel very confident in wearing this as a bandeau by taking off the removable straps. I feel it fits similarly to other Cleo 28Es, though I will also be soon receiving a 30E, so I will be able to compare them.
The bra has one vertical seam in each cup, towards the center, on the outside and inside. The outside seam is covered by the overlapping fabric where the chevrons complete.
That's my current concern - where the bra lands on the IMF and if I'm being supported properly. Where I feel the underwire feels so low under my IMF that I worry. I've also ordered two cups up because it felt a bit shallow.
How did the 30E fit?
dee8 The 30E fit about the same, just with a looser band. They had the same cup depth, so there must have been some kind of grading issue. It's been a while since I've tried the Lucille on, but mine fit my IMF. It is kind of shallow though, so I hope that it works out for you!
Perfect for shallow breasts. If you had luck with the Cleo Juna, Pippa, Maddie, and their related cuts, don't hesitate to try this one out. The band runs small and firm, so consider sizing up in the band if you're in between band sizes or prefer a looser fit.
If you ever want to sell this, please let me know!! I have fauned over it for months and haven't found one of the Jecca tops cheap enough for me to purchase on eBay yet!!
A very pretty bikini top, though not really comfortable due to being wide on my small frame. It's very similar to the Cleo Juna (6461) , so if you're a fan you might want to check this one out. Please read my full review for more info!
Firstly, the pattern and colors are super adorable! Way cuter than I expected. The fabric itself is stretchy but surprisingly supportive. I certainly need a bigger cup and/or band size. I want things to be slightly tight to stay secure in the water and not stretch out too quickly, but the band seemed too tight. The cup was way too small and I had serious quad boob haha. The wires are wide for me. The gore is also a bit too wide and digs into breast tissue. The straps are a little too wide-set for me as well. All of these are pretty common issues for me though. This bathing suit top seems like it would be super comfy in the right size!
Another lovely swim top from Cleo for my collection. I have been having a lot of success with Cleo Swim tops in 28E, and have especially liked the padded styles compared to completely unpadded styles like Lucille. I bought this one on final sale from Breakout Bras, and I am happy it fits.
This is a very firm and TTS 28 band, but since it’s on the narrow side, it feels a little less comfortable than a bra band. If you are between sizes, you may prefer to size up because the wires are quite firm, and you can feel them if the band is very snug.
The cups are ...a 2HC construction and have quite a bit of projection, especially at the wire. The cup height is a bit taller than your standard open half cup. The shape of the cups suits me well, and it really fits my larger side. The taller cups mean that my smaller side gaps a little when moving. I think that these cups give really nice shape, but they don’t give me as much cleavage because of the cup height being more full coverage on me. The only thing I don’t like about the cup shape is that the vertical seam is quite prominent, kind of like I see on my B. Tempt’d Ciao Bella. The foam in the cups is quite firm and appears to be the same type used in the Cleo Matilda line. This foam really holds its shape and gives a defined look, which also accentuates the visible vertical seam. The shape of these cups remind me of a deeper/narrower and more projected version of the Ciao Bella, so it’s not surprising that this worked out for me. The wires are not particularly long especially given the increased cup height, so it’s comfortable under the arms.
The fabric of this bra is matte with a shiny chevron texture. The only thing I don’t like about this bra is that the color is a deep tangelo with a reddish undertone, which isn’t really flattering on my skin. The color and styling also don’t really go with my personal style, but I think this would look really nice on very pale skin, tan skin, or dark skin. My olive undertones look kind of greyish and dead next to this hue.
In terms of styling, this is a pretty simple style, with plain straps, dyed to match plastic hardware, and a floppy bow at the center gore, which I think helps it from looking too much like a bra (in comparison, my Hattie balconette top definitely looks quite bra-like as it has no additional trims). I bought the matching ruffle bottoms, which seem pretty much identical to my Hattie ruffle bottoms. Size XS is my normal bottom size and fits me, although it runs a half size large. Read more 366 more words
This Cleo Hattie Balconnet Bikini Top is actually the same cut as the Cleo Lucille Balconette Bikini Top, which I already own in a 28DD. I didn’t know this when I ordered it, but this one looks much better on me than Lucille, which is a size too small. While it looks very cute on due to the cute ditsy floral print, it does have its issues.
Compared to my 28DD Lucille and my 28E Hattie Bandeau, the band on this top is even tighter. I can feel the wires more obviously than in the Lucille since this is a size larger, but thankfully they are not exactly painful, ...just noticeable. It might become an issue after extended wear, but I’m assuming that the band will also stretch out a bit after extended wear. Cleo Swim bands all have a plastic hook in the back, so the band length cannot be adjusted.
The cup size and volume is great for me (and the 28DD is ridiculously small in the cups now), but I have an issue with the horizontal upper cup. Many of Cleo’s balconnet styles give me the same problem, where the upper edge of the upper cup lays flat against my breast, but the bottom of the upper cup at the horizontal seam is bunchy, particularly as it gets close to the gore. The seam is also a bit higher than the natural fullest part of my breast, so these styles are cut for a shape that has more upper and inner fullness. I suspect that another contributing factor is my splayed roots, which cause me to have the least tissue at the upper center breast area. However, this is minor and obviously the cup size is correct, so I plan to hide the wrinkles by sewing some subtle gathers in the upper cup to make this look intentional.
I am pleased that on me, this top is very cute and doesn’t look too obviously like a bra. Sometimes bra swim tops can look a bit matronly, but this still looks youthful and fun due to the print and the size of the bra. Glad this worked out better for me than the Matilda Plunge, which just looks like it’s trying too hard to be a push up bra. I like the lifted and natural shape this top gives me, and I’m glad to finally have a bra top bikini in my collection! Read more 294 more words
After my success with the Cleo Hattie Bandeau Top, I decided to pick up another similar looking style from the same eBay seller. Once again, I was able to snag a complete set (ruffle bottoms in XS) and two different top styles to try (Bandeau and Padded Plunge). I ordered this in my current normal size, 28E.
The Matilda styles are made from a stiffer shiny pink foam lining, making the cups stiffer and more structured. In the bandeau style it's not a big deal, but I can feel a little bit of emptiness at the top of the cup just due to the shape, as ...it is quite projected and then the top closes back in. In this Padded Plunge, I found that the foam creates a very sharp, pointy diagonal seam between the upper cup and the lower cup. Even though the cup depth fits me, I feel that the shape of the cups doesn't suit me. Once again it is very projected and closes back in, so the fullness is not at the right part of the cup for my shape.
The fabric of my set is matte blue with a geometric pattern of diamonds and waves. It's simple, but still feels fun. I got the bottoms called "Frill Pants" in size XS, my normal size, after having tried a S and finding it way too big. They look really big compared to my other bikinis, but they fit fine. I think this fabric doesn't stretch as much as the American bikinis I am used to. Even though they are considered ruffled, the ruffle itself is actually just at the top of the leg opening, so it isn't too much.
Please see my separate review for the Matilda Padded Bandeau Top. Read more 196 more words
I picked up a few random bra-sized bikini tops at the end of last season, but I didn't have the best of luck finding something I really liked. I got really lucky recently and found this style through one of my regular eBay sellers, and he was selling two different versions of the Hattie in a complete set! I ended up purchasing both, but I received this one first. I am so happy with it!
This is one of my first bandeau bikini tops, and it fits so much better than the traditional unstructured tube top. When I first got it, I looked at the ...cups and instantly worried it was going to be disastrously big. However, this is an optical illusion, since the front of the bikini hides the underwire cups, so the cups are not as large as they appear. It fits me perfectly! The 28 band is perfectly snug and stays in place even without the straps.
The cups are actual about the same size and depth as the B. Tempt'd by Wacoal Ciao Bella in 30DD, but the wires are longer and the cup height is taller. The wire shape is taller than most Cleo wires, which are typically a bit short and shallow. I am very pleased with the fit of this bikini top and ordered a few more styles to try. If you are able to still find this, I'd highly recommend giving it a try.
In terms of bottoms, I tried the side-tie bottom in S, but my normal size is XS. S is definitely a size too big, though the side-tie version can be adjusted. I'd order your normal bra size for the top and your normal size in the bottom. Read more 190 more words
Nice lift with no padding. I have shallow breasts, wide short roots. Fits small in the band, especially because its not stretchy at all. Similar fit to Cleo Lexi, but for the sane size, its a bit bigger in the cups and smaller in the band.
The cup doesn't have a lot of space in the bottom, it's shallow, probably for being a plunge type bra. The size I tried on was at least a cup too small, creating the quad boob effect, but I believe the cup is intended to create a lot of cleavage, at the top and between the breasts. It has a good support, but due to the cleavage, bounce will most likely happen.
I have shallow, even breasts with slightly tall roots.
This bra would better suit someone with short roots, or perhaps even average-height roots. The band is a little tighter than a traditional 28" band because it is swimwear (and will be looser in the water) and because there is only one clasp.
The bra was too tight for me and cut into my tall roots.
First impression of this bikini: The print is really beautiful. I was surprised by how bright the neon orange trim and clasp are, but I think it looks good. I think the colors are just bright enough for a summer-y feel without feeling super neon.
The fit: Luckily for me, the band runs tight and firm. Since the two halves of the clasp overlay when you put it on, I only included one side of the clasp in the band measurements. I'd say the cups are rather open on top since I have tall roots and am FOT. This bikini also definitely has more center than outer fullness. There ...is some gapping near the gore, but it's not noticeable. If I had any more outer fullness near the straps, I'd be quadding there. The width and projection of the cups are around average.
The side boning is very soft and flexible. I didn't even realize it was there. The straps are very thick, but they're not wide-set so it's not a problem.
Some additional random measurements I took, in case anyone is curious: Elastic width: 0.8 in Distance from bottom of underwire to elastic: ~1 in Read more 83 more words
Bought this top for cheap, thinking 'why not.' Wasn't a huge fan of the pattern but I admit it's cuter in person. It's unfortunately too small for me, the band being a true-to-size 28 and 28E not being my most ideal size anyway. It might fit a bit small in the cup, but I'm not sure. It will be best to see the measurements and decide that for yourself.
Betty needed major work in order to be wearable. I can't stand wide, low gores, and that combined with Panache Super Duper Extra Strength Wires was a bad combination. The construction of the gore made it tricky to alter, but I managed it. I had to pick apart the seams at the top of the gore and along one of the wire channels, cut off some of the fabric of the gore itself, and then sew everything back up.
Now the usual stuff. Band is on the tight end of TTS and doesn't stretch much in the water. Halter straps are nice and long. Cups stretch so they ...would work for pretty much any breast fullness profile. FOB ladies could size down in the cups for a smoother shape if you want one, though I didn't do this and it still fits ok. Wires are really wide, though altering the gore helped this situation a little.
One weird thing I noticed is that I got lots of sand stuck in the bikini bottoms. Not between the layers of fabric, but stuck in the fibers of the outer fabric itself. It was a pain to try to get it out and there's still a bit left. Read more 97 more words
I'm too full on top/narrow on the sides for this too work. Would work well on someone very FOB and needing wide wires. Good for shallow breasts though.
Cute!! This swim top seems well designed with thoughtful features like removable / convertible straps and the cups are somewhat molded/ padded which I like. The center gore is wrapped in contrast blue fabric (matches the straps) and a white plastic heart is threaded through the fabric. The fabric has a chevron pattern over the seamed cups, which draws the eye upward - nice touch.
The good: The band is nice and snug: love! The ok: The cups are a touch wider than my shape, but that's ok The bad: I get a little quad-boob on one side. This is acceptable for me because I'm still losing weight and my boobs are adjusting from coming off B/C. I imagine the cups will stretch out a bit over time and swimming - and I know a cup size up would be too big.
Overall I look forward to enjoying swimming in this set. I got the swim briefs in XS and I'd say they run a touch big if that's helpful to anyone.
The band is nice and snug (26-28 inch ribcage). The material is at least as thick as the padded cups of the Juna, and there is a vertical seam bisecting each cup. The colors are vibrant and I love the shape of the bandeau. The enclosure is a plastic clasp that "snaps" into place easily. The style of the straps are classic multi-way, with 4 loops in the usual places on the bandeau.
Aesthetics aside, the cups are shaped for short (maybe average?) breasts, so I'm immediately slammed with orange-in-a-glass because of my low-set, tall (and therefore shallow) shape. I quad and can't fill the apex of the cup. I had such high hopes from reading "tall cups" in reviews, but they were probably from women with higher roots since I found it way too closed on top. From my various fitting issues, I can tell that this top will not stay on me very long in the water, so it's not a keeper for me.
That's my current concern - where the bra lands on the IMF and if I'm being supported properly. Where I feel the underwire feels so low under my IMF that I worry. I've also ordered two cups up because it felt a bit shallow.
How did the 30E fit?