I would say this bra runs true to size in the band and cups.
(The band stretches to 34", but it feels plenty firm to me.)

I bought a 32FF, which has fully adjustable straps, and one layer of stretch lace at the top of the cups (larger sizes have half-adjustable straps and two layers of lace).

I'm narrow, projected, and mostly even, and this bra works fairly well for me.
I have quite soft tissue, and I get some in-cup quad in this bra (I do with the Lily as well).

Some of the materials used do seem rather fragile. The lace is very soft and somewhat delicate, and I worry about it, and the thin fabric overlaying the cups, damaging easily.

Comparing it to another bra with stretch lace, this bra does seem to give a slightly rounder shape than the Panache Jasmine.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Oct 20, 2015 Flag this

I am happy I finally got to try this Cleo Hettie Balconnet Bra https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> I had the oppertunty to get this one in a 28FF for a very fair price, so even though I had a feeling it would be an imperfect fit on me due to the Gore, So many people refer to this bra in my size range that I wanted to know how it fit me for reference and help assessing shape/fullness because my breast shape has changed with weight loss.

I got this bra in pink, I prefer a softer more dekicare pink personally, this brighter darker pink seems ... a bit more Youthful than my taste but that's okay. At a glance the construction of this bra reminds me of one of my prior Victoria Secret very sexy Balconett bras. That previous VS balconett was always top large in the band, but the cups were more ideal for me when I had more overall volume and upperfullness.
Now that I have lost weight I have lost both size and volume all over and the upper part of my breast has softer and less firm tissue. (Depending what time of the month it is or weight changes, the area fluctuates some and may deflate or firm up a bit) I had a feeling this bra would have a bit too much upperfullness for me currently, which seemed to kind of ring true. I did somewhat like the stretch lace that made up the top quadrant of the cups. My nipples are spaced kind of far apart on my breasts, so I always have at least some centerfullness. I was very very center/innerfull before I lost weight, and possibly even as far as FOB FOT. The gore would gave been too tall and not close set enough for me before, but otherwise previously this bra would have been good before. Currently the gore is not the most ideal but I can tolerate it, but gore's can still push my projected soft tissue in weird directions in some instances. The slightly stretchy lace connects near the gore. Which is good because that's often where bras don't have enough rooms but I also feel like I need more support right there too than that material allows. I also think that this cup would jabe been preferable to me slightly shorter and closer to a half cup, which I show in one of my pictures. The cup width is decent, the wires pretty much narrow enough (I Am assymetrical and still trying to find my most ideal cup width between 5 and 6inches for both breasts. The band is firm enough but I may have worn it on the middle or tightest Hooks (it's a pre owned bra though so likely has stretched a little with wash and wear)

This is a great bra for many. The fit was imperfect, mostly with the gore but also with other subtle parts. Size wise is a close fit, I think the 28FF is good for me in the padded Cleos but I think 28F is best for similar unlined bras of this brand. (My 28E is still too small) This bra feels better quality than my past VS balconett bra that it reminded me of, but I will admit I liked the "look" of the black lacy VS balconett better. I don't always adore the youthful bright colors that Cleo bras can sport. This bra may not be close enough to wear but I don't regret buying it for diagnostic purposes. In may end up trading it on here in the near future.
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Updated on May 29, 2022 Flag this

For whatever reason the gore tacks on one wire but not the other. I guess the separation is too much for me. I'm pretty close set. I do think the cups are too big for me as well. And as the other Cleo and Panache bras I've tried, the band is really tight and the wire is really stiff, making it uncomfortable on my ribs. Too bad because I like the way it looks.

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Updated on May 18, 2022 Flag this

I've been told that I'm short and shallow 28E. However fitters either bring me the smallest thing they can find with a giant band, that inevitably dangles around my ribs with cups that barely cover the middle half of each breast & wires comically perch at least 2" from the imf, or, they dredge up a dusty ole thing in the smallest band + FF/G/GG in stock which tends to be closer to width and depth needs, but absurdly tall.

Which brings us in a sort of desperation, to this bra. Brazenly advised as being a wonder of even fullness & FOT friendly.

I've tried reasoning with 'Skeletor' ... (lovingly christened for being the exact same shades of purple & blue as the main villain from He-Man), and ultimately this thing feels like it's only going to work for people who are:
super narrow, somewhat conical, only slightly projected (coming from polish perspective) with most of their projection pretty much on the inner cup to around the nipple, have the smallest shoulders on earth, moderately FOB & definite lack of upper tissue. If this sounds like you- hurry hurry, scoop this beauty up. She doesn't have all day to languish on the rack.

However for myself, it's undergone numerous surgeries to get us through the introductory period, many times I've taken out the sewn basting, reapplied to manage the weird wrinkling, tried to bend the wire, replace the wire, & even added padding to the underwire. This is not a style that affords much immediate depth, but there is probably about a half inch in there then the pattern goes completely flat which spells doom for anyone who needs a lil room.
There's not getting around all the things I need that Hettie can't give. like at least 2" immediate depth on the outside of cup at the wire, that could might be a start. It's not quite a side control style but my trauma from those, reminds me that this has a very similar feel. "Sorry girl you can't tell these street toughened side titty not nothing, they will tear your life up, Hettie. It's not personal, just sneak off before they see ya".

1000% not my jam whereas the odd Della has made up for cleo's many sins & appeased my boob's wrath
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purple colorway

This bra's measurements have been altered

Altered band, Altered straps, replaced underwire with #40 underwire

Updated on Jan 20, 2022 Flag this

28FF/G
My fit needs: projected, immediately projected, slightly narrow, fob with tall roots (functionally even), very close set, very center full.

This bra has a lot of projection and is narrow. I gape like 1cm at the top lace and near the center as a 28FF but it gets very minor when I'm a 28G. Really interesting as I'm very center full. But I am also slightly fob. I think I could size down to a 28FF although I would be worried that my nipples would be on the top lace. The straps are a little too wide set so maybe I will move them in 1-2 cm to fix both issues.

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Updated on Jul 05, 2021 Flag this

Not sure why everyone keeps insisting this bra is great for immediate projection, unless we have very different definitions of the concept! The gore and straps were too wide for me and I had lots of wrinkling and straining at the bottom of the cup. It's one of the most shallow-at-bottom bras I've ever tried! In fact, it forced my breasts up so high my nipples were practically staring at the ceiling! I'm seriously baffled by all the recs for it for people who are FOB and need massive amounts of immediate projection.

I could see it offering a really nice, forward-facing shape for someone who's not quite so ... FOB/immediately projected, but it didn't work for me at all.

I also purchased the matching briefs in 16/XL. They fit similar to a US 16/XL, maybe on the 14/16 side. I am on the 16/18 side of 16, and they fit me comfortably but gave me a muffin top. I think the problem was with the cut, but a 2XL might have fit better if a bit more covering across my butt.
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Black colorway

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Updated on Feb 02, 2021 Flag this

Cups were to splayed. Gave my breast a pointy shape which I didn’t like. Gave me quad boob even with the straps adjusted as loose as they could go.

Updated on Jul 04, 2020 Flag this

My first Cleo Hettie ❤️ It somewhat fit when I bought it, but I've gotten bigger and a 28F won't cut it anymore.

The fit has always been great, the stretch lace is amazing and while I do get quadboob when on my biggest in my cycle, I still don't fall out of the bra. The band and wires have always been comfortable.

I like the color of this one, it's my first Hettie so the color has grown on me over time. I'm becoming increasingly fond of light pastel-y bras and shirts so the colors are a little dark for my personal preference now, but it's ... by no means a deciding factor. I love how the lacy stuff that covers the pink makes the bra look nearly maroon or burgundy, and I looove the little holes that let the pink shine through.

For being a 28F it's absolutely true to size, and surprisingly sturdy considering how much boobage it needs to contain 😂

The bow at the gore could definitely be more colorful and/or bigger, but design wise I really have no complaints. I love how the strap adjusting things and the hooks are all hot like the inside of the bra.
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Purple/black colorway

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Updated on Jun 19, 2019 Flag this

It was too shallow for me so it caused side spillage/minor quadding. The gore was also way too wide for me, and so sat on breast tissue. Wish the cup had been just a smidge shorter. And I found the band to be extremely stretchy. I had to wear it on the last hook, and the straps started to dig into my shoulders a bit. Overall not the best fit. I think the cups were too small for my breasts as well.

Updated on Jun 17, 2019 Flag this

This bra would be very good for full on bottom shapes. It has lots of projection, but is very closed on top. I wasn't a fan of the torpedo shape it gave me. Or of the underwires that insistently poked my armpits. I hear if it fits well it gives a rounder shape. The materials were nice, though, with mesh on the bottom of the cups and lace on top.

Black colorway

Updated on Jun 07, 2019 Flag this