Since AW2015 - Unpadded balcony bra with stretch lace in the upper part of the cup.
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This bra is discontinued.
The gore floats and I get a bit of quad boob. Sizing up may alleviate this, but the straps already cut in at the arm/chest/where the pectoral muscle goes up into my arm, and I worry that would be even worse at a larger size.
This bra is not owned any more
Updated on Nov 02, 2019 Flag this
Ellace is a bra I wish I could wear, because I love this style so much. I actually love Ellace more than the similar Florence, which fits me near perfectly. However, this is a lesson in how upper cup construction can make or break the fit of a bra even if the rest of the fit is spot on.
I discovered Florence first, and was surprised that it fit me exactly how I wanted Lucy and Marcie to fit me. No adjustment needed to get the cups to lay perfectly, no issues between the larger and smaller side, and no gapping top panel to deal with. ... I saw that Ellace and Florence share the same cut, and the only notable difference is that Ellace has a stretch lace upper cup while Florence has an embroidered mesh upper. How much difference could this make? I was dismayed to find that no matter what, I couldn't get the upper cups to stay in place on me although the mesh portion of the cup fit perfectly.
The reason for this is that I am pretty shallow, especially on top, so I need an upper cup that will stretch to my body and lay flat. The upper cup constructions that don't work are fully rigid (Cleo Minnie), and the kind of stretch lace that has an elastic top edge (Ellace). This is because the elastic top edge is smaller than the rest of the lace panel, and pulling the entire lace panel to lay flat would cause the elastic to overstretch. Thus, the elastic edge actually restricts the amount of flexibility I have with this portion of the cup. The elastic naturally will find a spot on the body where it wants to sit, and because I am not full enough in that area, it leaves a baggy portion of lace that can't be filled. I could definitely seam this portion of the cup in and create a lowered demi cup, but the lace is a bit thick on this particular bra, and I don't want to have to alter a bra that was at full price (I'd do this if I could find the bra for $20!).
Now, let's talk about the perfect fit on the rest of the bra. The band on Ellace is a standout one, because unlike Lucy, it is fully banded, and the elastic on Ellace is twice as wide as the elastic on Florence. Thus, the band feels super secure, but the brand is able to use a shorter wing height than normal, resulting in a lightweight yet comfortable feel. The band on this bra is seriously one of the best I've ever found. I wish I could have this band on every bra. Curvy Kate knows how to build a sturdy bra, and I am always impressed by the solid engineering aspects of their bra design, if often underwhelmed by the aesthetic aspects.
The fit of the cups also doesn't disappoint. The underwires are very similar to Marcie, being wide and shallow, but I feel that the shape is slightly more curved than Marcie. I tend to have issues with brand new Marcies until I make some underwire adjustments, and Marcie also tends to cross spontaneously at the gore. Florence and Ellace don't do that, and I think it's because the ends of the underwires are a bit more perpendicular than Marcie's, which are more open and splayed. The cups are the same lightweight double layer mesh as Marcie and Lucy, so they are super comfortable yet supportive. The cups are a little on the shallow side, but they can accommodate more fullness on top as none of the tops are super closed off. I think the proportions of this bra are great for both shallow and wide shapes as well as more projected shapes.
Detail-wise, Ellace is gorgeous, and has Florence beat. I love the contrasting color of the wide elastic, which is both functional and decorative. The black and pink colorway is one of my favorites, and I like that the trim is simple pink satin bows, with no charms or embroidery. I also like the lace used to construct the upper cup, although it doesn't work for me. Styling of the Black/Pink Ellace reminds me of a fancier version of the Agent Provocateur Joseline collection (AW 2012), a collection I loved for its retro 60s feel.
This is probably my favorite bra, but sadly the upper cup just won't sit flat on me and shifts around too much, creating a visible lump under clothing. Ellace is going back for now, but I'll keep searching for a discounted one I can alter.
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Black/Champagne colorway
Updated on Sep 20, 2019 Flag this
This bra is beautiful and so comfortable! I’m very projected, even to FoB with tall roots but they behave as short ones because they are very shallow where they start.
I have about a cup size difference between my breasts so in this size I have a few fit problems. I also have narrow roots and although this bra is on the narrower side, it should be narrower for me. The underwires needed to be longer, there is fabric on the sides of the cup without wire. The gore doesn’t lay flat on my larger side. I quadboob a bit on top of the cup in the transition between fabric and lace. The 30E should work better for my big one but it would be to big on my smaller side and would wrinkle on top of the cup where the lace is.
I keep wearing it because it’s comfortable and pretty, but not my perfect fit.
Latte colorway
Updated on Aug 26, 2019 Flag this
Beautiful, comfy bra....if you manage to get the band-size right! I'm usually a 36, but on this bra I needed to get out the extender. The fabric feels very delicate - I love the lace! I'm definitely going to see if I can find a better band size for me.
Updated on Aug 24, 2019 Flag this
I bought this size because it was on sale, and the band fits great but it's too small in the cup. Also the stretch lace at the top balloons out, giving me a six-boob effect. I almost want to keep it until I can find something better, but just wearing it for 2 minutes makes me crazy. I can tolerate a cup size or two bigger but not smaller apparently. Trying it on again it's not as disappointing as the first time but not great. Will be returning it unfortunately. It's not painful or itchy but I'm on a mission to find ABTF ;P
latte colorway
This bra is not owned any more
Updated on Aug 08, 2019 Flag this
Technically, this bra doesn't fit well. I have some internal quading and the band needs to be on the tightest hook. If I lean over I feel like I'm spilling out.
But it gives me the best silouhette I've ever have in a bra! Great lift and center pushage.
Latte colorway
This bra is not owned any more
Updated on Jul 19, 2019 Flag this
ABOUT THIS BRA
This is an unpadded, seamed, half cup, underwire bra with upper stretch lace.
Purchasing:
* $44.61 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* Available in black, beige, hot pink, teal, and navy.
Band:
* One layer of stretch mesh.
* Extra wide bottom elastic (1.8cm or 11/16").
* Wing support: seaming.
* Continuous band - wires lower than wings.
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.
Straps:
* smooth elastic with outer ridges
* soft (don’t stand up on their own)
* full adjust
* leotard back
Cups:
* 2-seam (3-piece) half cup
* unpadded, average strength underwire
* Inner top edge of cup is edged with elastic. Outer cup edge is non-stretch seaming.
* Top panel is ... stretch lace (unlined).
* All other panels are constructed of non-stretch mesh over a non-stretch, semi-opaque knit.
* Soft cups (no padding or molding).
ABOUT ME: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* average-set (one finger width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* short root height, average vertical placement
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
* front (anterior) rib flares
FIT DETAILS
Band:
* length: stays in place with wear BUT top is loose (so outer end of wire is unsupported)
* wings: height good
Gore: Tacks. Height & width fine.
Straps:
* Very wide set. Slip. The strap-cup junction is nearly in my armpit.
* Adjust short enough.
Cups:
* Wires enclose tissue nicely AT FIRST, but tissue migrates backwards almost immediately because end of wire is loose.
* Smooth line at top of cup on larger breast. (Small wrinkles on smaller breast – acceptable.)
* Bottom of cup filled (not too shallow).
* Too deep: apex of cup empty and too high.
* Give a wide, oval shape.
* Outer edge of cup cuts into Tail of Spence.
Assessment & Plan:
* Stop trying half-cup styles. The straps are too wide-set for my petite frame -- slip and cut into tail of Spence.
* Would recommend this style for FoT breasts that are on the shallow side of average projection (not shallow and not super projected).
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Black/Champagne colorway
This bra is not owned any more
Updated on Jul 16, 2019 Flag this
Things I like:
- Even though its not molded it doesn't show a lot under tight clothes (some stitches still show however)
- It is VERY projected
Things I didn't like:
- Its tight! If I were it for more than 6 hours i get indents in my skin pretty much in every place the bra sits
- It is very painful where it sits on my ribs (between my boob and my arm pit)
- Its ugly
The bottom fabric folds up under the underwire
Updated on Jul 09, 2019 Flag this
I don't know why I love this bra so much. It just fascinates me with its suuuuper lightweight mesh, and its lace that goes on forever, and its little jaunty, curvy, turned-up "nose" it makes. But I can't keep it. It is just soo bouncy there is nowhere I could wear it but for my own pleasure in my own house. The side appearance isn't as good, either - very projected with a blunt, rounded shape - like a blimp. And it's not very good at hiding your nipples, much to my daughter's horror when I tried it on. (;
But I do love the light feeling. When you pick it up, it's like a piece of fairy lace. I'm thinking if I tried a smaller cup, it would giver better coverage and support. Maybe. But I also heard - maybe here on bratabase? - that they are going to be putting out a version with non-stretch lace? Maybe I could try again in the fall.
Black colorway
Updated on Jun 27, 2019 Flag this
This bra seemed to have the right amount of depth for me. However, like most cups it was too tall. I found the wires to be wide. They did encompass all of my breast tissue, but it didn't feel like the bra brought them forward. I got side boob spillage with this bra on the larger side. Not sure how to take that considering that the top was gaping. The cups were too separate for my breasts and the gore was too high. I wish they made shorter bras! I have tall roots but they have effectively nothing there as I've very bottom heavy. Overall not a great fit, also the straps (as usual) were too wide set and dug into my armpits quite a lot.
Updated on Jun 14, 2019 Flag this
