I grabbed this on a whim when loading up for the fitting room at Nordstrom Rack today, hoping it would fit but doubtful as it was a cup-size bigger than what I normally wear. I had no experience with Cleo, though, so I thought I'd give it a try. Much to my surprise, it fit my bigger breast and didn't have too much wrinkling on the other. I had to get it, of course, being unable to resist a bra that fits and costs less than 30 dollars.
I'm not sure if it actually runs a bit small, as I checked my measurements when I got home and my ...breast perimeter is up an inch, overbust up a half inch, so I may have edged into G territory. The lift is good, and the shape is nice - natural, but perky looking. Not pointy at all, but not over-the-top round. I especially like how narrow the gore is all the way down, so it doesn't shove my boobs apart at all. The fabric is not the most comfortable, unfortunately, being a little skritchy, but I'm hoping once I break it in it will be fine. The worst part is how much the high gore digs in, but I'm unused to gores this tall and have this problem a little bit with every bra. The design and colors are super adorable; I especially love the button in the center of the bow on the gore. Overall, I would definitely recommend it. It's the first higher coverage bra I've found that doesn't cut in to my shallow breast shape, and it provides a lot of lift even though the cups are below the band.
On some further consideration of the fit, I think that perhaps as the band is a little tight, the stretched cups are distorting the fit. The band does seem to run quite firm, so I think you want to look at how much the cups distort when the band is on and perhaps consider sister sizing to a band size bigger (although I think an extender would be better.) I have a feeling once the band relaxes a little and the cups return to the front where they're supposed to be, they will be too big.
Update 1 month later: I've gotten this broken in now, so I know a little better about what are fit issues and what are style issues. I think I could have sized down to an FF (perhaps risking a little quadboob, but only after extreme swoop and scoop) just because the cups are so very open on top. If I REAAALLY squeegee all my fat in, I actually fill them perfectly, but only for about 10 seconds. It is hard to say if this is because I'm not so full on top as this bra is shaped for, or if it's size, but I do feel like I'd get a slightly higher/rounded shape if the cups were a size smaller. The band has slightly relaxed at this point, but the cups haven't changed shape when on as I was expecting. What I was identifying as distortion still happens - the wire is very narrow until about the halfway point between bottom of breast and armpit, at which point it looks as though it is pulled sideways further onto my side than it should be. It technically sticks out past my breast there, but I do prefer that just to keep things contained and I don't think it affects fit in this bra as I don't get any wrinkling.
I really like this bra - the straps are not the most comfortable and sadly the fabric is still not soft like I'd like, but overall it's one of my favorites.
I've noticed you haven't added any Panache brand bras, including Cleo or Harlequin/Masquerade, to your profile. It's possible that you may be a G cup in their brands but it could also be the way the current AW12 line was made, like the Marcie here. I've found it quite inconsistent and had to play with many sizes. Another possibility which is difficult to guess based on your profile stating only one bra fits you right now (ahh, sorry to hear that but continue the search!) is that once you find a few that fit after maybe approximately 6-12 months of wearing the right fit the tissue that has been misplaced all along will migrate back to where it needs to be and this may result in a cup size bigger. This happened to me with a lot of FF's. I wondered why I started seeing bits of quadboob after that long and had to buy mostly G's. But remigration is definitely a good thing. Sorry, maybe rambling at this point. Would like to know your thoughts. :)
Yeah, I actually haven't been able to try many Panache unfortunately, though I'd like to! They don't seem to go on sale as cheaply as other brands do though, so so far they haven't been an option. Now, no bras fit me :( I'm having miserable luck - largely from a shape that is not full on top, but can't wear full on bottom styles because my breast tissue extends shallowly all the way up to my collarbone. Things seem to either cut in or gape, unfortunately. I did have some tissue remigration already within a month or so of getting into the new sizes (which was happy because my boobs no longer look so sad haha) but it is totally a possibility that there is more to migrate. I've only been in the right size since August-ish, and as you noted, none of my bras actually fit correctly so remigration is probably not going as quickly as it should be.
I've been struggling with weight gain this winter, too, as I have S.A.D. and of course that wreaks havoc on the girls sizing-wise.
Thanks for your rambling though, because I should followup on this bra review now that I've had some time to break the Marcie in! I'll add more about the fit now in the original review :)
Ah, really good to know that your search is still in progress. (After you find a few good bras your process will be more about adorning them, sometimes with good sales in the process instead of merely fit as top priority!).
I haven't tried the Marcie (yet) but I found Cleo's Meg TTS, Zia ran 1-cup small (I sized up a cup), Natasha TTS (still awaiting the proper exchange), and Lucy in Navy TTS with all the other Lucy's I own.
For being a 2 part seamed bra, the seams show surprisingly little through shirts, making it a great candidate for a t-shirt bra. (It is lightly padded to prevent show-through, another plus!) The side profile has an awesome lifted rounded shape, and the front profile is front and center with no east/west action at all.
The band is looser than I like...while it does work, I'm sure I'd be moving onto the tighter hooks fairly quickly. The straps are set too wide for my narrow shoulders (a common problem for me), but a strap accessory in the back fixes this issue.
The cups are a bit too small, creating a slightly quad-look. The lace at the top of the cups lays flat on me, but this is actually because the cup is too small and I'm spilling out. (In a correctly sized Juna the lace trim should stick up a bit when not under a shirt.)
I returned this bra as a 30GG/28H offers a better fit for me.
This one is really quite awesome! It has a stretchier band then Marcie in the same size. Could be the color of Marcie (I have it in Tangerine which seems snug) Hettie gives a me a nice rounded shape but not as lifted as Marcie. Could be due to the stretch lace on top too?!? Also I held them up to each other the wires seem to be identical except the cup space in Hettie is slightly more. I really think it’s super comfortable I seem to have problems with bras staying put at my IMF. It’s painful when they slide because the wires dig into my ribs, This has not given me any pain and has stayed put. I’m curious if I tried another size if it would be better or worse? But for now I’m holding onto this unless I find a better match! My adventure continues but I’m glad I have a keeper.
I was excited for a true plunge, pieced-cup Cleo since trying on the popular "Tango II" (3251). Although I liked the fit I just wasn't into the available colors enough.
After wearing a full day I can say the comfort level is great, it's a medium-high level supportive bra. Yet, I'm sad to say the shape here is very disappointing! Pointy and more Pointy! ..just like my pieced Freyas. Now with cleavage-quad-boob! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> The design is what really reeled me in. Sunshine Yellow with firey Red & Orange floral embroidery. Even wearing it for the first time in the middle of Winter ...I smile because it's so *cheerful*. The allover mesh material seems appropriate for hot weather since it came out SS10. It almost seems a lesser quality because, although the band is really nice and smaller than usual for a 30, I estimate it will wear out really quick. I hope the bra holds up in shape before the embroidery gives out! Kind of weird and I'm unsure if it's visible in the photos but the double-layer mesh design makes all this puckering/wrinkling on the top layer of the solid-mesh yellow of the lower portion of the cup. Strange, but it does NOT affect the fit, which is really nice and TTS, at least for Panache--can't compare to any pieced Cleo's as I've yet to try one on. Again, the design was just too pretty to pass up. For a "sale"** price bra I think the value was worth it. Overall, the set cost me less than a regular price Freya would at full price.
**A style exclusive to Bravissimo and there were plenty of available sizes when I purchased it on sale for a "mere" £14 (£22 for the Set w/Panty plus worldwide shipping equates to $50 US)
Purchased from Bravissimo, received mid-February 2011.
From Bravissimo.com: "Pop a ray of sunshine into your lingerie drawer with this zesty plunging style. Embroidered with pansies and finished with candy striped bows, this is undoubtedly a bra that brings plenty of feel good factor!" Read more 241 more words
I purchased this 30G in the color Vintage. It’s a beautiful dusty mauve color. But woooo this does not fit lol. Original review in size 30GG found here: http://bra.pe/X5mw/
The cup consists of a three part cup. Two lower parts with one upper part. Because the cup on this is clearly too small it is way too open in front for me. The cup is a lace fabric over a mauve mesh. The center gore has a tiny mauve bow and it is wire free. The center gore on this size is noticeably lower than the 30GG. The back band is a wide elastic band that has ...a pink/silver metallic stripe. The inside of the elastic band does not contain the silver pink/stripe as seen on the outside. The side wings are a mauve stretch mesh that is more stretchy than the bottom of the band or the elastic above. But I do not get the strange roll squish as I do with the size 30GG. There is a a 2x3 closure. The straps are a satin finish and has a J-hook in the back to convert it to a racer-back. This 30G has thinner elastic straps compared to the 30GG. All hardware is mauve.
If you are in between sizes, you might find it a challenge to make this work as there is a clear difference between the construction of a G and a GG bralette. I still stand by my first review of the 30GG. Great purchase on sale, would not pay full price. Read more 149 more words
Band is quite tight....I can fasten it, but when wearing the bra all day I prefer to use an extender to extend by one hook.
The cups are just a tiny bit too big for me, but I fear going to an FF would give me the quad look. If I do a larger "scoop" than normal I am able to fill the cups, so I guess it probably actually fits fine. I had to put a small ankle sock in the cup of my slightly smaller side to even out the asymmetry, but after doing that it fits nicely.
The center gore doesn't quite touch my sternum (it ...sits out enough that I can slide my pinky finger in), but even so it still gives a very good amount of support. If I push the gore in so it is touching my sternum, I found that it actually makes the cups fit just about perfect. (I'm wondering if the center gore could be bent slightly in, much the same way as some people bend wires away from their body.)
The straps are set pretty far apart, on the edges of the cups. As I have narrow rounded shoulders this design isn't ideal for me... I haven't had a strap slip yet, however I definitely feel potential for slippage. For a full day's wear I use my normal "strap holder" accessory in the back, which makes it work fine.
Profile view is very nice, with a great lift and rounded shape. View from the front is not wide at all. The seams can tend to show through certain shirts, but are invisible with others. I found several t-shirts in my closet that would work fine with it, so it is definitely a candidate for a t-shirt bra, at least for certain shirts. Also worth mentioning is that the colored stitching at the top of the cup is fairly flat, I didn't have any problems with it showing through the shirts I tried it with.
UPDATE: The Ariana has become one of my favorite bras. I can wear it all day and never have to "adjust" things. I have slightly bent the wires in the gore area in towards my sternum, and this has helped with the non-touching gore. Very comfortable and a great shape. Really like this bra!!!! Read more 277 more words
Cute bra with a (mostly) good fit. Cups fit nicely, although I do have just a wisp of overspill at the top on my larger side. Underwires are not un-comfortable. I did notice that one of the underwires in the center gore area, the top inch of it doesn't quite touch my sternum. This only happens on my larger side, the wire on the other side touches fine.
Profile view is nice and fairly rounded, definitely not pointy! I wish it was a bit more lifted, but it's not bad. View from the front is a *tiny bit* wider than I like, but not enough to be a deal-breaker. ...Bra does allow a little bit of bounce from time to time, not terrible, but it just does not keep you concrete still.
Straps are too far apart (which is an on-going problem for me), but the Lucy straps sit EXTREMELY far on the sides of the cups. Using a strap accessory in the back stops strap slippage, although the straps do slightly cut into the fronts of my armpits a bit (again, something that isn't extremely un-common).
Though the bra does fit, I have decided to return it as it's not exactly what I'm looking for at this point. I would definitely consider picking one up in the future, though.
(Just for reference, this review is for the Yellow color of the bra. It's very bright and cheerful!) Read more 127 more words
Any bras you have found without the strap into arm cutting? I am on a mission to find some!
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply! I have found a few bras that don't cut into the front of my arm. Cleo Leila, Cleo Juna(and all the other prints with the same cut) are my favorites right now, and Curvy Kate Smoothie fits well around my arms, too. The straps are still too wide on all of them so I have to use my strap accessory in the back, but these bras don't cut into the front of my arms. Of course these are all padded/lined, so I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for or not. (I kind of gave up on unlined as they just don't seem to give the same amount of support as the padded/lined bras do.) Anyway, sorry I can't help more, but good luck in your search! ;)
The new Marcie, according to Panache. I found this to be a pretty typical Cleo bra in terms of fabric feel. Stiff, not soft, and firm. Very firm wires. Relatively high center gore. I really liked the fact that Cleo went with a more sophisticated look with the fabric here. It is smooth without lumps and bumps. The top fabric is pretty, but still understated. I MUCH prefer it to the Marcie's all over dots and bow top lace. It is very sheer, so no nipple camouflage if that is a consideration for you. Onto fit. I found it to offer a rounded shape. Definitely was open on ...top and left me with too much gaping when I was fully deflated and more FOB shaped, and with some minor gaping when I was not quite as deflated and more even shaped (I fluctuate since I’m in the very last stages of nursing). The center gore ends up overlapping itself with my center full and close set shape. I filled out the bottom completely, so may try again in a smaller cup size, but may find it to be incompatible for my current shape and needs. Band was true to Cleo firm/tight-ness. Absolutely does mimic the Marcie from what I remember Marcie being like when I tried it in the past. Read more 112 more words
note: I ordered this before my size change. This is why I didn't originally get the 30GG.
I fell in love with the colour of this bra (and the Cerise as well, but I couldn't find that one anywhere near my size) the second I saw it. Unfortunately, I do think a 30GG would have fit sliiiightly better, but that is impossible to find. On top of that, I have some issues with it that make me think it's maybe not worth even looking for a 30GG.
I think Blake fits a lot different than my two other Cleo bras in the same size. There are some positives and negatives to that.
One, ...the cups feel slightly narrower, and the wires extremely U shaped compared to the others. They are three part cups made of non stretchy tulle and covered with slightly sheer material (I really don't know what this material is called. Mesh, maybe? Not sure.) Unfortunately the cups seem to be a slightly wrong shape for me and by that I mean the wires make it so I can't quite fill out the bottom of the cup unless I try really hard. Like, I have to pull on the cups to make the wires fall into my imf (won't happen by just adjusting the wires and such). I have empty space along the wire. Regardless, the cups do have great lift, but I wouldn't say the shape is the typical Cleo shape I see in the photos (even on most of other women's photos). The shape is slightly more natural. Being a huge fan of the natural shape (with that slight peak at the apex) I quite like this. The cups are finished with a black non-stretchy strip, and this always cuts into my soft tissue but for some reason I am not experiencing this with Blake as I do with other bras. Make of that what you will. I do get some in-cup quadding however, both sides.
The band is slightly stretchier than my other 30G Cleo bras as well. Not in a bad way, though, it's still tight enough for me. Only 2 hooks https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
The strap situation with this one is BAD for me. They adjust long enough but they're so thin they might as well have just put a piece of string up there.
The wires on Blake are sturdy! They wouldn't budge while I was doing my stretched band measurement, and kept their shape the whole time. No distortion whatsoever. The gore is narrow, it tacks beautifully, nothing much to say about it.
Overall, I do like this bra and I think it looks amazing. I just feel like it's not quite right for me (and wouldn't be even in 30GG).
Should I give up on Cleo? I gave up on Panache in general, but for some reason keep clinging onto their Cleo bras because they are so fun. Maybe they are just not for me. The 2 hooks and thin straps in 30G (and from some investigating, there are 2 hooks in 30GG as well) baffle me. Read more 400 more words
BTW some might remember my first 30G Blake got stolen, but I managed to find a replacement for it because I really wanted to try this bra!
I do love the color of this one, but if the fit doesn't make you happy, there is no reason to continue to try them, right? (Keeping in mind I say this all while I keep trying Comexim even though I know they don't work for me, so my advice isn't really credible, heehee. So.....take my advice since I'm not using it? ;-)
Lmao, speaking of Comexim, I actually got the Bridget in 30HH and holy crap, it fits even worse than the 32GG, if that's even possible. Mainly because it fits the same as 32GG when in theory a band size down and a cup size up should fit considering the 32GG was too loose in the band, and too small in the cup. BUT NOPE. Fits almost exactly the same. What a disappointment. 65L - Comexim » Bridget Half Cup (554)
Bummer! The cup depth is slightly larger on the 30HH, so could the cup fit issue be due to the new growth? :-/ Otherwise yep, they look the same on for sure!
I have no other explanation. That's the downside of waiting for a bra to come... I'm sure a month ago it would have fit.
I have no other explanation. That's the downside of waiting for a bra to come... I'm sure a month ago it would have fit.
I am living that pain right now. No bra fits. Several (really a lot) on the way, while half most likely will be too small in the cup when they arrive, and I desperately need the few that should fit now (and two weeks ago at this point. :' -(
I'm sorry :( Sucks. Hopefully some fit of the new ones.
Indeed. Now if they would just arrive already! Waiting is torture.......
I like the fit of this bra however in the 30FF the band seemed more comfortable. I’m not sure if it’s due to the color or size? 30FF is Black and 30G is tangerine. They both fit pretty good except in the 30FF I had a slight in bra quadding where the lace is at but the band was much more comfy. In the 30G it seems like a better fit but the band is not as stretchy. I’m not sure the center gore tacks at the top portion on either sizes but is perfectly fine on the bottom. And it doesn’t poke or bother me in any way whatsoever. I’m not sure if I should try another size or color or just break wait for this to loosen up with day to day wear?!?
I love this colour. Since you said that it is a snugger band, does adding an extender help with the gore tacking?
I’m going to try that. I originally thought of trying the 28G in black I would of never got a 28G on in the tangerine so I will see if the extender helps!
I'm actually wondering if you could go up a size still? The gore isn't tacking and you have some side-boob excaping. If the extender doesn't solve the tacking issue, maybe you could try a 30GG?
So I did use the extender and yes most definitely helps but I’m starting to think I may still need to size up.
I added a few more pictures with the extender. I will add measurements of this bra shortly.
My shape: Projected, narrow, shorter roots, even/functionally full on bottom, soft tissue. Cleo Lily fits me best.
I'd say this bra fits pretty true to size. It wants a little more inner/upper fullness than I have, but I don't have loads of empty space in the cups, either.
Because of the softer/less rigid fabrics used on the Skye, it gives me a slightly more natural/less round shape, but really only slightly. I certainly wouldn't call it pointy.
I'll be returning it (don't like the colorway), and I'm not sure I'm going to revisit it. I don't feel as secure as I'd like because of the less rigid materials used.
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. Read more 176 more words
Great review! I love your comparisons between this and the Marcie and Jasmine, and your comments on how it works for specific shape features like center fullness. And it looks lovely! The black and "pink" (would you call it a deep red? burgundy? violet? it really is pink and I'm colorblind?) really looks great against your skin tone.
chirality I'm blushing, thank you! :) I nicked the format from 100percentawesome because it's so darned helpful, I find it really easy to focus on a bra and give the lowdown. I've only recently really nailed down my shape, but the more bras I try on the more my need for projection and room at the gore for my center-full tissue becomes clear (I'm so even in terms of top and bottom that I was bewildered to try from a different angle and find that I'm SUPER center-full, lol).
The LABEL calls it pink, so I put that down, but the effect of being under black lace makes the bra look very burgundy. It's probably 5% my lighting, but I think the Amazon photos look very similar in terms of color:
I know you've got a few nitpicky fit issues, but I have to say that this looks great on you! I know "Marcie basketballs" are a thing but you've got a super round shape in this - top down, it might be flattening you out on the sides, but it's honestly not visible at all in the photos :)
100percentawesome It's definitely growing on me, sort of the opposite of what the fit of the 70H - Gaia » Annika Soft (553) did... which is such a bummer, since I ordered that one on eBay, and it's going to be a bigger pain to return! Haha.
I wish Cleos fit me like this. So round!
wild_muses i will admit you folks are making a good case for keeping it!
This is a very smartly designed bra. There's foam padding in the wings and under the front wires for comfort. The little Cleo slogan is inscribed in the wires in pink. There's silicone on the band to keep in in place. However, there are a couple things to note for the sizing/shape: -The band is small. Perhaps not a full size, but about an inch. If you're between sizes, go up. -made for very, very tall roots. my short rooted boob can't even get into the bottom of the cup, and the top of the cup goes above the crease of my armpit/above the neckline of most shirts. It's very broad, tall, and flat, and it flattens my profile significantly. For that reason, I'm returning, but if you have tall roots and not much projection, I highly recommend it for you.
Initially anticipated this style to fit exactly as the Cleo Sasha: http://bra.pe/MqA/ because the style is exactly the same from the printed mesh balcony construction down to the bow and lace detail. The one major difference is sizing! I first ordered 30GG expecting it to be perfect but it is actually made too big. In comparison, I wore the Sasha about a day before Alexa arrived so I know the cups are made larger. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> So, I also ordered this 30G.
Although there is a bit of a material issue in the ...cup, the 30G fits slightly better. Overall, the 30-band fits well, the material is excellent, comfortable, and most importantly there is no gaping or wrinkling. The only funny thing is how the 3-part seam is sewn together. It's not exactly "wrinkling" but there is an obvious pucker from the seam. I hope this will dissipate with a few washings. The center gore almost sits flat on my sternum but floats about .5cm away and I am forced to allow it because I really want to like this bra. Again, although I'm pretty disappointed there is a big fit difference between what could have been identical fitting season-to-season styles I am aware this is somewhat commonly occurring. Sure, disappointing for a non-UK customer who has to wait weeks for delivery let alone CANNOT try this style on in ANY mortar store. The 30G is the best fitting size between these two.
Stay tuned for photos for comparison.
Measured unstretched before wearing. Purchased late-March from Figleaves. Read more 161 more words
Purchased 30G + 30GG for comparison. My first few Panache/Cleo bras were in 30G but most felt too small in the cup in different ways based on the styles (see my reviews for Cleo-Alex unlined-cup plunge, Cleo-Jude moulded-cup plunge, Masquerade-Maia balconette). It's mostly difficult to find any stores in my area which actually choose to carry above a G-cup even though Panache makes them in some styles.
I took a chance ordering because the design is just so beautiful: the entire construction in purple feather-print is mesh but not see through like most soft cup wired bras.
This balconette style "fit" in both sizes however it became an ...issue of comfort in deciding which size to keep. The 30GG seems to envelope my breasts better especially when I lean over and it feels more supportive as there's just a touch more fabric in every area. As so, the straps are thicker and more on par as the width of a typical FF-G cup Freya at about 1.8cm. Gives me a pretty good shape which is more rounded than any Freya I've ever tried.
My only complaint is the gore stitching is much too itchy on the inside and so it needs a solution before I wear it again.
Measured unstretched before wearing. Purchased & Returned early-October from Figleaves. Read more 107 more words
Whoever voted this down needs to rethink their happy trigger-clicker-finger. Took a bit to finally want to wear this bra for the first time. In that time it was worth stating "Review forthcoming..." as a temporary marker. So, you're welcome for being honest.
I knew I needed to "break it in" and get used to this style as my first quality-moulded.
Initial wearing all-day it felt great and at day's end I realized the left strap had worn or rubbed down some skin on my back shoulder blade which took a couple days to heal. Right side underarm the end of the under-wire really poked quite a bit. This style isn't really made for my shape. It would be better on someone who finds side wires stop too short under their arms. Gave it a rest for a couple days off but then tried it again.
Not perfect but cute colorful options given my size.
Feb 7, 2012 - I am happy to report that I personally fitted a friend into 3 of my bras, that went unworn by me for well over a year each! They have now found a happy home. :) She fit:
** She reports the Freya to be her best overall fit. Although the other bras tried out were Freya's Leona 30FF Balcony, Cleo's Alex 30G Plunge, they did not work for her.
Gorgeous violet tartan print. Only gripe about the cups: the molded cup is a bit smaller/lower than my other Panache/Masquerade/Harlequin/Cleo molded bras and so there's ever so slight double-boob effect on my bigger breast. (I've sized for the larger and tightened the straps for the smaller breast). My boobs are very soft so my conclusion is this style isn't built for them but instead a firmer bust. The lace trimming atop the cups doesn't hide the tiny bit of spillage. If I could go one size up from this G to GG or even an H I would. :-/
Purchased & Returned early-March 2011 from Barenecessities. Just couldn't justify it.
I know it's hard to tell because you wear a different size than I do, but I'm trying to decide between the 28DD and 28E cup size in this bra. I currently have a Marie Jo Avero bra in 30D and it fits me well, but I want to try a 28" band. Based on how this bra fits you, can you suggest whether I should consider the DD or an E?
*Remember to EXHALE when you take the underbust measurement, they don't state it there but I think it can help differentiate between two band size possibilities, should you be between two like you say you think you might be!
Please tell me what size you get and I will happily make a suggestion afterward. :)
Wow! Thanks so much for offering to help. If I exhale completely, my underbust measurement is 26" My bust measurement is 33 measured loosely.
Based on this, I get 30C (3" difference) and 28DD(E) (5" difference) and for grins and giggles, 26G (7" difference) - my understanding once you go down to a 26 band size you're pretty much out of luck with a lot of manufacturers.
So if that is correct, the 30D that fits me well should be too large in the cups, but it is not. (My bust measures 32.5 while wearing that bra)
I hope this is helpful - I'm really curious what you think.
Shell, Sounds like you're def 28 band if not smaller. Since I'm not familiar with Marie Jo I'm going to base my advice on your measurements and my experience with this bra. My shape made it hard to consider this style (even though I am totally in love with the style). If monetarily possible (since you're btw sizes) I'd say order both sizes and plan on returning the ill-fit one. If not feasible take a look at how it fits a mannequin on HerRoom (http://www.herroom.com/Panache-5891-Cleo-Sadie-Bra.shtml) They have a measuring system which is SO helpful! Unfortunately, they don't carry everything.. if only! ;) Look at the 4th image from above the center-line. There is about 2" of balcony cup there, but only about 1.5" is actual cup, the other .5" is just lace. If you feel you can fit in there I would say go with DD. If you're concerned, go with E. Have you tried on any Freya/Fantasie? I am FF in those brands but G in Panache/Cleo/Harlequin/Masquerade brands. Hope this helps and Good luck!!! :)
This bra did not fit but I kind of figured it wouldn't. I got it bundled with some other bras and got it for a good price and it is a model I wanted to try, so I purchased it anyways. It looks like a basic moulded plunge with a little black bow, but unfortunately this bra will not be replacing my old stretched out black moulded plunge bra.
This is a Black 30G Cleo by Panache Koko Moulded Plunge with a J hook, and it seems like an alright basic plunge bra. It kind of reminds me of the fit of my Freya Deco, I believe they ...are both moulded plunge bras with similar cup height and similar strap separation that kind of felt similar on my shoulders and back. It feels very similar on my body as far as fit and comfort, except the center gore area feels softer and a little more comfortable on the Cleo koko. The Cleo band is firm enough that a 30 is fine for me even though I usually wear a 28. The cup height is a little too tall for me and uncomfortable. The straps are thinner than I like and seem maybe a little too far apart but I cant really make the J hook improve the strap situation. If the cups were not as tall and wide and an appropriate size the strap separation may feel okay though. The cups are too big and there is empty space at the top outer edge, and arent totally filled at the bottom. One breast is smaller than the other the cup almost fits the larger breast but there is a lot more room on the smaller side. The wires are a little too long/wide on my larger breast and definitely too wide on my smaller breast. Actually as I am wearing it the cup size itself isnt too bad on the larger breast, the cups would fit me better with more narrow wires and maybe a little more depth. There isnt an annoying hard gore, but the cups still feel a bit too far apart and the bra kind of squishes my breasts and makes them go a bit far apart instead of close together. I cant comfortably wear this bra because of the discomfort at my tail of Spence due to the cup height. Moulded plunge bras arent ideal for me either. This does not have additional push up padding. Its a simple bra, I just need bras that have wires that are more narrow with shorter cup heights, like some of the Polish bras. I wear about a 28FF currently after I lost a little weight. I am very short and petite, and my breasts are narrow functionally FOB with a lot of inner fullness when supported. I have softer tissue on top that was more full when I weighed a little more. I am still trying to figure out my root heights but they are different on each breast. My breasts are fairly close set when supported. I wanted to try some Cleo bras but want to try to Ewa Michalak bras. I plan to list all my Ill fitting bras on here to sell/trade/give away because having tbe right bra can make a huge difference
I am taking the bra off now and have marks near my tail of Spence from the cup height. Ouch. Read more 461 more words
I tried this bra on in a store and it was so shallow I couldn't get the underwire anywhere near where it should be. Cleo bras are so pretty and colorful and I've tried so many and none of them fit me right. From your photos it looks like it should be several inches higher so the wire is up under the breast tissue, but if you tried to bring it any higher the cup would be at your neck! Maybe it's best for tall people? Seems like odd construction.
note: I ordered this before my size change. This is why I didn't originally get the 30GG.
I really like this bra, but I don't think it fits. What I'm afraid of is that in 30GG the wires would be a little too wide for me. However, if I can still find it I *might* give it a try. However, my boobs really feel like they're at the point where neither of these sizes will fit just right.
The cups on this one are very sturdy, I like that. They're three part cups with a horizontal and a vertical seam. They provide very good lift and for me (weirdly) a ...pretty nice, rounded shape as well. I say weirdly, because despite Cleo bras being a success for many, they are not a success for me. I still shudder to think of bullet boob Marcie. But I quite like the side view in this bra. I get some side spillage on my larger side and obviously, the lack of stretch in the cups makes it so I get some slight in-cup quadding. Nothing too bad, though, and I think under a thicker shirt it wouldn't show. On my smaller side I get both in cup quadding, and then I can't quite fill out the top part of the cup. Along the wire I get some wrinkling, probably because the cups are just plain too small. I will say though, I think this bra has the perfect projection at the wire for me. Feels really good to have cups that are so wonderfully deep in all the right places. This is mainly why I'm considering getting this in 30GG.
The wires on this one are quite narrow, but I don't know why, it's as if my roots have expanded horizontally, these wires just don't feel so well. Again, perhaps it has to do with the cups just being small and my boobs feeling squished, but I feel as if the wires are just about sitting on my breast tissue and overall it's very uncomfortable feeling. The gore is narrow and tacks perfectly as usual.
The band is nice and snug, not too tight but it doesn't budge when I move and I like that a lot. It only has two hooks https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />.
I wish the straps on this were thicker https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> Thin straps + big boobs is a bad combination. There is some serious weight there, please bra companies, take note. It needs to be distributed better. The straps feel like they're long enough but after 5 minutes they start cutting in cause they're getting pulled on.
Overall, I like Lily. A lot. The print is gorgeous. There's only one in 30GG left, I might get it but we shall see. I'll decide today. On a different note, this bra is discontinued, is there a replacement for it? Read more 371 more words
It is a lovely print, sorry it wasn't a great fit. I wonder if the 30GG would have wider straps? 0.6" is quite narrow indeed!
I just don't understand the narrow straps! They're extremely uncomfortable especially when they're so tense because I have to loosen them all the way (and could do with a little more, but this is passable).
I might try the 30GG, we will see. I'm quite ready to give up on Cleo bras.
That is understandable. I wasn't fond of Cleo, though I only tried 2 and one of them was too small so not a lot of experience to go by.... :-/
Skip it and go with a nice Polish brand instead. :-D
Cleo is supposed to be marketed to young women. Maybe young women hate thick straps? That’s all I can think of.
Or Cleo/Panache think younger women are too naive to realize they are less supportive?
Young women only wear spaghetti straps I guess!
Implying I'm old :P
You’re younger than me. 😃
I am older than you brasaremean so to me you would be young. :-D
Sovavosi that could be! All the pretty replacement straps they sell on Amazon are really narrow. Such a bummer as a lot of them are really cute!!
Lol yeah I think so maybe. Tho I think even a 15 year old with 28HH would prefer thicker straps.
For comfort, yes, but if fashion is their focus then sadly no. You see that a lot here in the US....Of course that goes hand in hand with so many thinking they are a 34/36C/D/DD instead of 30/32G/GG/+ so......
I love my Cleo thin straps and I’m 44, but my volume is also slightly smaller than yours. I’m still undecided about the 30FF. It says sold out along with the 28G Red Lucy, but I’m not sure if it’s really sold out or if they forgot to put it back on the site after they had held them for me for a week. I’m not convinced that it will fit and I’m not sure if I want to deal with the return policy and restocking fees or chance it by selling it here. I feel like I would be fine with the 30FF in my aqua Lily but that the swans is a larger fit.
I do really love the shape of the Lily though, so if it’s really still there, I’m still a bit curious.
I think that it looks brilliant on you but I can see how you’d want to try them both.
Definitely feel very 'constricted' in it. But yes so far Lily has the best shape for me of all the Cleo (and Panache tbh) bras.
brasaremean As you told me before, don't wear it if it's like that... yesterday the bottom of my Crazy felt tight and my boobs still feel "off" today. :|
Don't do it!
I won't :(
I never thought about the thin straps before I had bras with wider ones. Once I had wider ones, the narrow ones felt weird to me. If you are able to get the intended support from the band though, I'm sure the straps wouldn't be as much of a concern. My bands on the otherhand often lack that needed support so I do rely more on my straps for lift than I should, even when I have them loosened for comfort.
I actually just used to wear strapless because straps always bothered me. But I was a teeny 28DD back then. I don't think I could get away with strapless now lol.
Strapless? I don't even know what those are anymore......
I'm posting this for the hilarity of it. Had I bought this bra (and my upcoming Lily) in 30GG, they probably would have *fit*. If they both came sooner, they also would have fit. Unfortunately I ordered it a while ago and before I had this sudden growth spurt, and then it took a while for it to get here and so this is what I got.
That being said, I don't think the issues I have with this bra would be fixed with a different size.
For me, this bra does not allow for upper fullness. I don't care what anyone says, I don't even *have* a lot of upper fullness ...but look how closed the cups are on top. I'm not sure what kind of breasts I'm supposed to have for a Cleo bra to be honest. The shape I get is just... weird. Looking at this is like looking at Marcie when I tried it (and I so regret not saving those photos because those were tons more funny).
Anyhow. Three part cups with upper part being non-stretch lace. Invisible in the photos, but the different tension in the lace where there is and isn't embroidery cuts in in the shape of hearts, cause very soft tissue. This is the same thing I had with Fantasie Alex. The wires are alright. They're not Curvy Kate wide, but they're not Ewa narrow either. Somewhere in between and I liked the wires. The cups are actually quite deep, and they should technically fit. I genuinely don't understand the bad fit. I guess maybe I'm on my high tide days already? I'm gonna give this bra a whirl past period and update the review. On my smaller side there's some major wrinkling at the wire going on. Actually I felt like my asymmetry was very pronounced in this bra.
The band is tight. Even with my measurements technically being a 30 right now, I'm just not used to bands that tight so this is where my issue was, not that the band was tight for a 30. The band is not suffocating me or making me feel uncomfortable, though. Just feels tight. It stretches out beyond 71cm but I didn't want to enter that in the database as the wires get slightly distorted. I initially thought this is why the bra fits so bad, but after putting an extender nothing changed.
The gore is... very wide. I measured it at close to 3 cm and this is the first bra I had that has a gore that wide. It didn't bother me, the gore tacks, but I felt like there was soooooome wire on breast tissue going on. A gore scoop and swoop fixed it but it's a thing to note. If I were to wear this bra, I would alter the gore.
The straps don't adjust long enough, the story of my life.
To be honest, nothing about this bra seems like it should be made in a cup over E-F. The straps are so thin even if they could adjust long enough they would cut in bad--the weight of breasts would just be too much for it. The double hookset is just not what someone like me needs (or wants). I often underestimate the extra stability from that third hook, but it is quite obvious I need it (as anyone with a fuller bust does). It makes me appreciate Curvy Kate cause for all their faults at least all their bras at my size range (and smaller even) have three hooks and wide straps.
The fun part: the colour is FANTASTIC. I am absolutely in love with it. I got this colourway cause it was the only one available, but I think even if that wasn't the case I would have gone for this one. The heart embroidery on the lace is fun and cute. Maybe some day I would call it juvenile, but I quite like it today, lol.
Overall, Cleo by Panache --> not for me. That's 0/2. I do have Lily still coming in, and we'll make a final verdict. But things aren't looking so good right now.
edit: I know the tone of this review sounds a bit frustrated but I'm really not. Read more 586 more words
That’s always fun, the weird smooshing and cutting into the top slope. Sorry 😐
That's alright! Like I said, I didn't expect it to fit at this point lol :) Still good to know if someone's looking for info that this bra is no good for tall roots even if you are FoB (I know that Kali is meant for FoB shape, but everyone but the FoB-est of FoBs have *some* upper fullness.) Can't see it in the photos but the same cutting in was happening on my smaller side as well.
I think you’re FOB & this is just too small and any larger & the wires would be too wide.
CK’s unlined bras haven’t had wide wires in prob 3 years now. Ever since Bardot came out & they revamped their fits. But they’re also all going to fit even more closed off than the Kali/Lucy.
That is very interesting as both the Ellace and the Dottie I got have had wide wires (15+ cm). Older colourways, maybe (but I doubt as old as three years)? Who knows.
I am FoB (more so FoB to evenish, depending on the cycle, lol), but I also have freakishly tall roots--they go all the way up to my collarbone) that will often make bras meant for FoB cut in (no matter the size). In the beginning of my bra journey I tried all the bras (that came in my size) from the subreddit's list for FoB and almost all of them had that same issue.
It is a gorgeous color, but ugh on that fit. Wide gores are the number one reason I don't wear UK brands any longer. (That and being sized out, but I wasn't when I stopped wearing them. ) I could handle the wider wires if the gores weren't an inch wide!?! After the addition of stretch lace on top of the cups, I too would have a difficult time going back to no stretch. I'm still trying Ewa's SM again though because I want a sexy bra!!
I find the single Ewa SM I have is the bra that fits me best right now for some reason! Lol
Pretty colour, too bad on the fit though :( it does make me curious on how it fits others in general though, because of the close off shape. I guess I'll be browsing through that section on bratabase.
If I were to ever try an SM it would be either the koralik (even though I know the fit issues on that one. I really like coral) or the Yennefer
There isn't much choice with SMs at the moment... hopefully we see some soon.
I am really curious what "the band is quite tight" actually means. I don't want to order a 65JJ because of that and it's 31" long. 😔
There are a couple of 60s and 65s added to Ewa Michalak Sm Wanilia (686) and as I recall it says there the band is quite tight as well in red letters.
Except that large cup bras have longer bands, so maybe they will negate each other?
I wish I knew! I also wish Kaska would just straight out tell us about that. I find Ewa bands to stretch out fast--for all the talk about them being tight they break in very easily.
Frazzleberry I ordered Koralik for a 3rd time in 60L, along with the sheer black SM (as well as SF PinUp in 60L and BM Flamenco in 60KK) on Black Friday. They shipped today, so hopefully we'll see how they fare in a few weeks.
I love the look of the SM style, and I am hoping that the runs tight is to our benefit Sovavosi.
I would love to see some more colorful sheer ones, but that's not in the foreseeable future last I checked. Just imagine a sheer electric blue SM....or neon purple!! :-D
Just bring back Sm Malinowy so I can order it in the correct size :D
MamaPagan awesome! I'll be looking forward to those reviews ;) hopefully the 3rd time is the charm
@brasaremean that would be great. The Malinowy is such a fun colourway
Indeed!
Interesting what you are saying about the fact that this is a fob style but that your roots are tall and the combination is weird with the fit. I’m still curious about the the 28G Lucy or 30FF Kali. I’m full on bottom with taller but shallow roots.
Calluna- I just received a 28G Lucy (and Andorra) so I will post measurements and pics soon. I think we have similar shapes, so it might be helpful.
I've noticed you haven't added any Panache brand bras, including Cleo or Harlequin/Masquerade, to your profile. It's possible that you may be a G cup in their brands but it could also be the way the current AW12 line was made, like the Marcie here. I've found it quite inconsistent and had to play with many sizes. Another possibility which is difficult to guess based on your profile stating only one bra fits you right now (ahh, sorry to hear that but continue the search!) is that once you find a few that fit after maybe approximately 6-12 months of wearing the right fit the tissue that has been misplaced all along will migrate back to where it needs to be and this may result in a cup size bigger. This happened to me with a lot of FF's. I wondered why I started seeing bits of quadboob after that long and had to buy mostly G's. But remigration is definitely a good thing. Sorry, maybe rambling at this point. Would like to know your thoughts. :)