I have never really loved Cleo's Unlined bras and never really got the obsession that surrounds them. I am happy to say that has changed. I absolutely love the Cleo Hettie. I am very pleased that I gave unlined Cleo's another chance. I also recently got another model of Cleo as well that I love. The only issue is that the bands are very stretchy on the newer Cleos, all the old Cleo's I always thought felt too tight even in a 32 band, despite measuring close to TTS. The Hettie's band in 32DD is actually longer than a 34D Lily. I have a full review on my blog along with a bit of a comparison to Lily.

I'm a 30E/F fit focused bra blogger. I review bras and also discuss finding a b

https://mythoughtsonbras.blogspot.com/2017/04/my-thoughts-on-cleo-hettie-and-...

Updated on Apr 17, 2017 Flag this

amandafire

2567 reputation

196 bras

Bra photos can be deceiving...it looks like it fits but does it? I address some of the issues of upsizing in my blog post - why oh why only 2 hooks and such thin straps and a band that won't stretch anywhere near 38"? Ugh.

Looks can be deceiving with bra photos. This one for instance, looks like it fits...

https://fabulouslyfullfigure.com/2017/02/14/cleo-hettie/

Black/Pink colorway

Updated on Feb 14, 2017 Flag this

When I ordered the Hettie, I had to decide between a 32DD and a 30E. Both fit well in the cups, but the 30E felt a little too tight to be comfortable, so - knowing that Cleo bands usually stay tight for long - I went with the 32DD.
After a just few weeks of occasional wear (and washing) the band has loosened up considerably. The bra slips around on the loosest set of hooks, rides up my back and feels unstable. So, I'm already on the middle hooks now and probably need to switch to the tightest hooks soon.

I'm planning to take in the band so this isn't ... a dealbreaker for me. However, be aware that Hettie might loosen up sooner than other unpadded Cleos. If you're between sizes, consider buying the smaller size and using an extender during the first few wears.

The fabric used for the band is different from, e.g., the Cleo Marcie's. It's not sturdy power mesh, but a softer fabric that has more stretch to it. It snaps back after wash, but stretches out after a couple hours of wear again.
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black/pink (new) colorway

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Updated on Feb 09, 2017 Flag this

MY SHAPE: projected, even top/bottom, center full, tall roots, narrow roots.

THE TAKEAWAY: A compromise between the Cleo Marcie Balconnet Bra (6831) and the Panache Jasmine Balconnet Bra (6951)... or, Marcie on bottom, Jasmine on top, with a lovely soft lining on the inside of the bottom half of the cup as a bonus. Good projection, handles my center-fullness well. Band is TTS, stretching to ~30". Fits like a typical Cleo G cup, but a bit more forgiving than usual because of the stretch lace. If you liked the Marcie but found it too closed on top, this might be the perfect fit for ... you.

DETAILS: There's really nothing about this bra that doesn't fit. But for my extremely nitpicky preferences, it doesn't make the cut. Both Marcie and Hettie lack the active side support sling of the Jasmine (which is good, for my center-full tissue), but they're also both two-part balconnets, with just a single vertical seam on the bottom half of the cup, and that flattens me out on the sides, creating a distinctly odd top-down view. (Which, yes, nobody but me is ever going to see. So I'll dither over this bra for a few days.)

Still. Projected? Yes. Center fullness? It's handling it. Typically high gore and hard tack, but I've never minded that about Cleo/Panache. And I like the shape it gives me better than the shape the Jasmine does... it's just a question of whether I like it enough better to buy a new bra in this shape!

Also, while it feels a little bit small right now, I've currently got a case of Period Boobs, so I expect this is actually a really good fit.
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Black/Pink colorway

Updated on Nov 07, 2016 Flag this

Despite the band measurement reading loose it feels firm and doesn't easily want to stretch that big. It doesn't really feel loose.

The band is a double layer of black fabric that is kind of reminiscent of swimwear, but thinner. Change uses similar materials in their underwear but Change's are silkier. The bottom section of the cups consists of two layers, black stretch mesh/lace overlaid a non-stretchy cobalt base. The top section of the cups consists of a layer of stretch mesh overlaid with stretch lace. Elasticated top edge. The straps are partially adjustable with padding in the front half. Cobalt with black hardware. The only decoration is a hot pink bow on the top of center gore (easily removable).

This bra would be a great bra to wear under black clothing if not for the cobalt straps.

Very much a continuation of the Sasha/Alexa/Meg/Lily/Erin line. The stretch lace top section is a brilliant move. The shape is more reminiscent of Sasha/Alexa as it isn't as uplifted as Meg, Lily or Erin.

Updated on May 02, 2016 Flag this

This is a very pretty bra. Props to MamaPagan for sending it to me to try! I really like the color combination of royal blue with a black dot stretch lace overlay.
This bra didn't fit me quite right. A couple of years ago I would have been happy with it, but now that i have been spoiled by polish bras I am awfully picky, haha. The bra is about one cup size too big, so it is a little loose at the top. It also doesn't have quite enough projection for me, and it wrinkles at the bottom. The gore is a bit taller than I like, and eventhough it isn't wide, I am so close set that my breasts try to force the wires closer together. I could try it in a 30hh, but it did not provide as much lift as I like, so I think that this is just a shape mismatch for me. Eventhough it wasn't perfect for me, I'm sure someone else will livd this beauty.

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 Flag this

Some of the best projection I've found, but the straps are set too wide and rub my armpit fat way too much to be able to wear all day. Also, the gore is too tall and too wide for my close-set, firm tissue. I wore this bra for all of 2 minutes and had a big red spot at the gore. Otherwise, the fit is great (might size up the band for comfort), but just not for me.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 04, 2018 Flag this

Love the look of the Cleo balconnet bras. Although the lace is a little loose on this bra, it does not affect the structure and support of this bra.

Updated on Aug 16, 2017 Flag this

This bra fits just like 38J - Panache » Thea Balconnet Bra (9261). It's slightly softer and has narrower straps but, in general, the fit is the same: average width wires, firm uplift, high apex, firm lace for no in cup quadding.

Much nicer feel but similar fit to Jasmine as well.

I now have enough experience with this type of Panache bra to know why I'm having a fit issue that gives me rocket boobs (torpedo, but pointing up). The bra's apex is too high for my short rooted full on top breasts. I get lots of lift but my ... nipples are way lower than the apex, so everything is squared off because the top of my breast tissue is forced into the apex.

Besides that, it's a beautiful bra. The elastic top and the bra are double lined. The inside of the bra is very soft. The band is likewise double- bagged and feels firm like a true 38 although it does stretch to 40. I doubt it would wear out quickly because it's a fine mesh. It almost feels like swimsuit material. Although there are only two hooks the band was supportive.

The only uncomfortable part was the straps which are narrower than most in this size. They were also a bit too wide, cutting into my armpit fat.

All in all a lovely bra for someone with slightly wider, taller breast roots. A cheaper Thea, but not cheaper made. Great bra for the price if you are the right shape or don't mind a little pointy action.
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Blue/aqua colorway

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Updated on Feb 08, 2017 Flag this

This is the black and pink/red colourway in 30F. I have narrow, short rooted, projected shape with softness. I've been waiting to find this on sale so I could try it. Cup depth is just about right for me, and cup width is a tad wide. Wires, like all cleo's I've tried, come out in a swoosh on the sides also instead of more straight up in a U shape. The material is fairly soft, and the shape is fairly rounded and quite uplifted. Looks nice under a shift. More rounded than panache jasmine and a similar shape/fit to cleo Minnie.
Edit to add: the gore is a bit stabby at the top, so I plan on gently tiltling it out. Stretch lace on the top is a bit stretchier than cleo minnie and cleo Marcie, and nicely accomodating. Cups are pink inside, with a black mesh overlay. This bra accomodates projection and depth at the wire quite well.

Black and pink colorway

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Updated on Jan 27, 2017 Flag this