You better lotion up, ladies (and gents), because this bra believes that "Beauty is pain." The embroidery, while cute, snags on everything. Including air. The straps have adorable bows on them, which is fantastic ... for highlighting exactly where my Tail of Spence is. This is probably due to the fact that Curvy Kate has their bra straps set wider apart than I prefer; however, it was pointed out to me that most of their bras are designed for holding up way more weight than I have. Unfortunately, the eye catching embroidery and dainty bows barely make up for the odd material. It's reminiscent of a ...cheap Halloween costume, and the cup edges by the wings might as well be plastic. This means I get to decide between having the straps at a useless length or feeling like the world's slowest tattoo artist is working on my chest..
Super cute, though.
Update: After wearing it around the house last night, I have to say I really like the fit. The stiff material held everything in place and the once I finally got everything adjusted properly it became less uncomfortable. Still wouldn't recommend wearing this during anything more active than doing laundry. Read more 95 more words
I tried that one and felt that it was a bit cheap looking too. I'm not sure what the issue was but it's definitely cuter in pics! The cups are really wideset. Overall, sort of an odd bras.
I also felt that the Lovestruck (and the Roxie) were made using industrial materials. I find that while Curvy Kate makes fine bras in what they refer to as their "core size range" (32DD - 36GG), they are not always considerate of people who are smaller or larger.
I wish that their smaller sized bras were less heavy duty. Most women who are in the 28D - 30E range don't need such heavy duty materials (thick straps, heavy underwires) for a bra that gives them lift and support.
This bra feels really nice to wear, but the cup shape is wrong for me. I'm center full, and the side support styles are seeming to be a terrible matchup for me. The side support band squishes my sides flat and gives me a more pointy shape than I prefer. It would probably be a great fit for even fullness, but I think the volume at the center would be too much for outer fullness.
I normally wear closer to a 28DD but have trouble finding bras that have enough projection at the wire. Curvy Kate's selection in 28 bands is limited. Since their 30 bands allegedly are quite firm, I decided to give 30D a shot. About the bra itself: The bra is an unpadded plunge style with one vertical and one horizontal seam per cup. The wings are made out of the same mesh. Along the cup edge is a an elastic picot trim. It is barely visible but a nice touch in my opinion. The bra closes with three rows of two hooks each. I really like the aesthetics of this bra, ...but unfortunately it does not quite fit me. The main problem are the cups. My breasts are FOB and quite projected but only at the bottom which makes it challenging to find bras. In this particular one, I do not fill out the tops of the cups completely and the fabric moves over my skin when I walk. Because the fabric is mesh, this leads to nipple chafing. The bottom of the cup seems also a little bit too shallow as witnessed by some cup wrinkling. The band is definitely firm in itself but also a bit loose on me. This would not be an issue if the cups fit better. In combination though the bra has a tendency to move down my chest in the front. The straps are also on the short side for my low boobs and almost too wide set for me. Read more 147 more words
I will edit later after some wears, but from immediate try on I found that this bra is actually too close set for me (I'm relatively wide set - 2-3 fingers apart), and a little too projected for me (I am on the shallower side). The cups are a little too small, although that could be a shape mismatch too, as when I scoop and swoop I find that there just isn't enough room for my boobs. This doesn't show as quadding, as the cups do not have enough stretch to even cover the boob (thanks to another review for that sentence!).
The band is snug; I am ...usually a 28DD and although I know it should be snug on first wear, and it is black which will affect the size, I couldn't even imagine going a band smaller on this. (Not that it comes in a smaller band, I believe 30D is the smallest size, but still).
If you're somewhat close set & average projection, I think this bra would work great for you. Do consider maybe sister sizing up a band, and possibly even a cup too. Read more 81 more words
I'm not extremely sure, but I think I have immediate projection and am full on bottom.
There's a tiny bit of quad boobing on my larger side, but also a bit of wrinkling around the inner cup near the gore, which is a bit perplexing. I think it's probably the closest overall fit I've found so far though.
That being said, I have dense breast tissue and don't really need the support, generally speaking, a bra gives, bras for me are more for nipple coverage which this one doesn't really do well.
This is my second white Curvy Kate Princess in 30D. Both bras fit and measure pretty consistently, but this bra is slightly deeper in the cups than the first one I bought.
So far, it seems that the white ones are a bit more consistent in fit than the black, based on my experience.
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I've tried the Curvy Kate Princess Balcony Bra now four times, in sizes 28DD and 30D when I was a 28DD size, and now in 30D and 30DD at a 28E/30DD size. I couldn't figure out before why this bra never fit me in the past, but now I realize that the cups run ...one size deep, while the band can run a little snug. In the 30D size, it fits me very similarly to a 28E or 30DD Cleo Marcie, giving a nice and lifted rounded shape, but with shorter wings and shorter wires at the outer cup. The 30DD is far too big for me. Thus, if Marcie works for you, I would recommend this bra but going one size down, and potentially sizing up in band if you are between two band sizes.
Like Marcie, the cups are made from very soft mesh with polka dots, although the dots on the CK bra are flocked instead of embroidered. The lining of the cup is lightweight soft tricot that feels similar to mesh but is a bit more supportive. The upper cup shape is slightly more projected and closed off than Marcie, and the floral lace upper edge is rather thick and much less forgiving than Marcie's embroidered mesh upper cups. Due to the more projected, slightly shelf-like shape of the upper cup, the CK Princess requires a little more upper fullness than Marcie. When worn unlined, this is most apparent on me as the difference between the two fits, as Marcie sits on me perfectly.
The band on this style measures pretty TTS, but since it is so narrow, the powermesh wings don't feel quite as firm as I'd like. The elastic at the cradle is also a bit thinner and less sturdy than on Marcie. The wires, though short on the sides, are quite firm. I found originally that in the 28DD, the wires dug painfully into my ribcage, but it's possible that the band on that bra ran exceptionally small, as the band on the 30D and 30DD measured about 1"/2.5 cm different. Since the wires don't have much flexibility, I'd recommend going with the larger band size if you are between sizes.
The only concern I have about this bra is that the upper cup trim is quite ornate and thick, and it may be visible under clothing. The upper cup lace is a daisy chain lace design with a ribbon insert, which also doesn't always lay perfectly flat. The same lace extends to the front of the strap, while the rest of the strap is plain satin scalloped elastic. Simple skinny ribbon bows decorate the gore and strap attachments. I really didn't like the appearance of the bra in the Flamingo Pink, but I think it looks quite nice in both basic Black and White. Despite its shortfalls, it makes a lovely lightweight summer bra, and I found this looks nice alone or with foam lining pads. Read more 454 more words
Me: Average projection. Fuller on bottom. Slightly wider left breast (I suspect this breast is also 1-2 ml taller than my other breast). Usually wear 28DD or 30D.
One of my recommended bras. I bought 30D (my measured size) and 30DD (the recommended bra from Bratabase) because they were on sale (both under $10 each!). 30D gave me slight quad boob but wasn't really noticeable under shirts. Also, the bra lining didn't show under shirts.
30DD removed most of the quad boob but the lining of the bra on the right cup can be seem through shirts. I see wrinkles in the pictures, so there'e a bit of empty space ...on my right breast. My right breast is slightly more narrow, which is why the right cup reveals the lining under shirts. I might end up selling the 30DD.
For both bras, the headlights show a bit in thin shirts when it's cold. They're not too itchy and they don't dig in my sides. If my breasts were exactly the same shape, the 30D bra would be a 10 out of 10 for me. I guess I like both bras for different reasons. Read more 82 more words
After reordering 4 of these in Black, 30D, I have found 2 that fit consistently, and 2 that were totally off-spec and janky. This is the bra with the pink tag, which fits similarly to the White and Black bras I'm keeping, but the band measures a little longer, the cups a little narrower and shorter, and the shape of the band is less naturally contoured than the other two bras.
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I've tried the Curvy Kate Princess Balcony Bra now four times, in sizes 28DD and 30D when I was a 28DD size, and now in 30D and 30DD at a 28E/30DD size. I couldn't figure out ...before why this bra never fit me in the past, but now I realize that the cups run one size deep, while the band can run a little snug. In the 30D size, it fits me very similarly to a 28E or 30DD Cleo Marcie, giving a nice and lifted rounded shape, but with shorter wings and shorter wires at the outer cup. The 30DD is far too big for me. Thus, if Marcie works for you, I would recommend this bra but going one size down, and potentially sizing up in band if you are between two band sizes.
Like Marcie, the cups are made from very soft mesh with polka dots, although the dots on the CK bra are flocked instead of embroidered. The lining of the cup is lightweight soft tricot that feels similar to mesh but is a bit more supportive. The upper cup shape is slightly more projected and closed off than Marcie, and the floral lace upper edge is rather thick and much less forgiving than Marcie's embroidered mesh upper cups. Due to the more projected, slightly shelf-like shape of the upper cup, the CK Princess requires a little more upper fullness than Marcie. When worn unlined, this is most apparent on me as the difference between the two fits, as Marcie sits on me perfectly.
The band on this style measures pretty TTS, but since it is so narrow, the powermesh wings don't feel quite as firm as I'd like. The elastic at the cradle is also a bit thinner and less sturdy than on Marcie. The wires, though short on the sides, are quite firm. I found originally that in the 28DD, the wires dug painfully into my ribcage, but it's possible that the band on that bra ran exceptionally small, as the band on the 30D and 30DD measured about 1"/2.5 cm different. Since the wires don't have much flexibility, I'd recommend going with the larger band size if you are between sizes.
The only concern I have about this bra is that the upper cup trim is quite ornate and thick, and it may be visible under clothing. The upper cup lace is a daisy chain lace design with a ribbon insert, which also doesn't always lay perfectly flat. The same lace extends to the front of the strap, while the rest of the strap is plain satin scalloped elastic. Simple skinny ribbon bows decorate the gore and strap attachments. I really didn't like the appearance of the bra in the Flamingo Pink, but I think it looks quite nice in both basic Black and White. Despite its shortfalls, it makes a lovely lightweight summer bra, and I found this looks nice alone or with foam lining pads. Read more 472 more words
After reordering 4 of these in Black, 30D, I have found 2 that fit consistently, and 2 that were totally off-spec and janky. This is the bra with the white tag, which fits and measures most closely to my White 30D, and is the one I will be keeping.
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I've tried the Curvy Kate Princess Balcony Bra now four times, in sizes 28DD and 30D when I was a 28DD size, and now in 30D and 30DD at a 28E/30DD size. I couldn't figure out before why this bra never fit me in the past, but now I realize that the cups run one size deep, while ...the band can run a little snug. In the 30D size, it fits me very similarly to a 28E or 30DD Cleo Marcie, giving a nice and lifted rounded shape, but with shorter wings and shorter wires at the outer cup. The 30DD is far too big for me. Thus, if Marcie works for you, I would recommend this bra but going one size down, and potentially sizing up in band if you are between two band sizes.
Like Marcie, the cups are made from very soft mesh with polka dots, although the dots on the CK bra are flocked instead of embroidered. The lining of the cup is lightweight soft tricot that feels similar to mesh but is a bit more supportive. The upper cup shape is slightly more projected and closed off than Marcie, and the floral lace upper edge is rather thick and much less forgiving than Marcie's embroidered mesh upper cups. Due to the more projected, slightly shelf-like shape of the upper cup, the CK Princess requires a little more upper fullness than Marcie. When worn unlined, this is most apparent on me as the difference between the two fits, as Marcie sits on me perfectly.
The band on this style measures pretty TTS, but since it is so narrow, the powermesh wings don't feel quite as firm as I'd like. The elastic at the cradle is also a bit thinner and less sturdy than on Marcie. The wires, though short on the sides, are quite firm. I found originally that in the 28DD, the wires dug painfully into my ribcage, but it's possible that the band on that bra ran exceptionally small, as the band on the 30D and 30DD measured about 1"/2.5 cm different. Since the wires don't have much flexibility, I'd recommend going with the larger band size if you are between sizes.
The only concern I have about this bra is that the upper cup trim is quite ornate and thick, and it may be visible under clothing. The upper cup lace is a daisy chain lace design with a ribbon insert, which also doesn't always lay perfectly flat. The same lace extends to the front of the strap, while the rest of the strap is plain satin scalloped elastic. Simple skinny ribbon bows decorate the gore and strap attachments. I really didn't like the appearance of the bra in the Flamingo Pink, but I think it looks quite nice in both basic Black and White. Despite its shortfalls, it makes a lovely lightweight summer bra, and I found this looks nice alone or with foam lining pads. Read more 450 more words
Curvy Kate Princess is weirdly inconsistent. I love the White 30D I ordered, but I wanted a Black one as well. The first Black 30D was way too deep in the upper cup and didn't fit like the White did.
I ordered another Black in 30D from a different seller on Amazon, hoping that the first one just came from a bad batch. This one is better, but still has the same problem of the upper cup being too loose, though the ribbon trim is normal on this one and isn't weirdly long in the cup Furthermore, the band on this one measures about the same, but the cups just don't feel very secure. The bra moves around when I move.
I am ordering two more to see, but based on my experience with the 28DD Black a few months ago, perhaps this color just runs deeper than the White, and it might not be for me.
Oh Curvy Kate . . . why are these Princess bras plagued with so much inconsistency? This is my 5th order of the CK Princess and the third in this size. While the White I recently ordered in 30D fit me well, this Black colorway is not right. Thus, be cautious when ordering this style, and try to order another one to compare if you are having fit issues that aren't due to incorrect sizing.
In this case, I am chalking it all up to manufacturing issues. First, the straps on this bra are weirdly short when compared to the others in the range. ...I have them mostly extended in order to get to the same strap length as on my White bra.
Second, the cup shape and measurements are inconsistent. I remember when I got the 28DD last year that I felt it measured extremely deep in the cup, and now I think this bra is suffering from the same problem. While the actual center cup measurement is similar, the upper cup on this bra is cut too full. The upper cut sits flush against my skin on the White, but it doesn't on the Black. Furthermore, the ribbon trim is too loose on this bra. Overall, it just looks sloppy, though it does look better with foam inserts.
I am reordering this from a different seller on Amazon and hoping I get one from a normal batch! Read more 138 more words
I didn't know what to expect from the Curvy Kate Tease Balcony, but I was worried it might turn out to be stiff, uncomfortable, and a bit cheap-looking based on images online. However, I was pleased to discover that this is actually quite a nice bra! The main problem is that I had to order it in a 30D as my normal size of 30DD wasn't available, and the 30D is far too small. I plan to try it sometime in my normal size of 30DD.
The Tease Balcony is an open-top 3HC that gives amazing Marie Antoinette-type cleavage. Since I am not very ...projected, sometimes bras that give this type of cleavage will give a minimized appearance from the side, but I think this bra would avoid that issue as the cups are pretty structured. The 3 part cups are made from a rather thick and firm foam. However, because the wires are very firm on this bra and a size too small, I had the orange in a glass effect, which meant my tissue didn't fill out the cups properly as intended. This made the separate panels of the cups sit a little oddly, but I think in my normal size this wouldn't be a concern. However, if you are very shallow and the cups are too large for you, I think the seams will be visible as they are rather rigid and do stick out.
Due to the wrong size, I can't comment on other aspects of the fit other than that I think it would fit me well in my correct size. The wires are a bit tall and have a U shaped curve. As mentioned above, they are rather firm, so this may be an issue for some. The powermesh band seems pretty TTS, and Curvy Kate 30 bands usually fit me fine, though the too-small cups would make the band feel tighter on me than it really should be.
I actually really liked the styling of this bra and thought it was cute in person. A little over the top, but not cheap or scratchy as I feared. The cups are overlaid with geometric mesh with a diamond pattern, and there are two verical seams in the front. The upper portion of the cup has a very wide insert lace trim with contrast ribbon. The lace and ribbon are soft and feel nice, though this level of detail might be visible under clothing. It is slightly textured but not nearly as textured as the lace trim on the Princess series. I especially love the little bows on this bra, which are two tone with wider and skinnier ribbons to create a stacked effect. Straps are typical Curvy Kate picot edged satin elastic. Cranberry/Champagne is a nice colorway that doesn't look cheap or chintzy to me.
I enjoyed this bra and would definitely try it again in my normal size, as it is a little difficult for me to tell right now what breast shapes it would suit when in the incorrect size. Read more 416 more words
I've tried the Curvy Kate Princess Balcony Bra now four times, in sizes 28DD and 30D when I was a 28DD size, and now in 30D and 30DD at a 28E/30DD size. I couldn't figure out before why this bra never fit me in the past, but now I realize that the cups run one size deep, while the band can run a little snug. In the 30D size, it fits me very similarly to a 28E or 30DD Cleo Marcie, giving a nice and lifted rounded shape, but with shorter wings and shorter wires at the outer cup. The 30DD is far too big ...for me. Thus, if Marcie works for you, I would recommend this bra but going one size down, and potentially sizing up in band if you are between two band sizes.
Like Marcie, the cups are made from very soft mesh with polka dots, although the dots on the CK bra are flocked instead of embroidered. The lining of the cup is lightweight soft tricot that feels similar to mesh but is a bit more supportive. The upper cup shape is slightly more projected and closed off than Marcie, and the floral lace upper edge is rather thick and much less forgiving than Marcie's embroidered mesh upper cups. Due to the more projected, slightly shelf-like shape of the upper cup, the CK Princess requires a little more upper fullness than Marcie. When worn unlined, this is most apparent on me as the difference between the two fits, as Marcie sits on me perfectly.
The band on this style measures pretty TTS, but since it is so narrow, the powermesh wings don't feel quite as firm as I'd like. The elastic at the cradle is also a bit thinner and less sturdy than on Marcie. The wires, though short on the sides, are quite firm. I found originally that in the 28DD, the wires dug painfully into my ribcage, but it's possible that the band on that bra ran exceptionally small, as the band on the 30D and 30DD measured about 1"/2.5 cm different. Since the wires don't have much flexibility, I'd recommend going with the larger band size if you are between sizes.
The only concern I have about this bra is that the upper cup trim is quite ornate and thick, and it may be visible under clothing. The upper cup lace is a daisy chain lace design with a ribbon insert, which also doesn't always lay perfectly flat. The same lace extends to the front of the strap, while the rest of the strap is plain satin scalloped elastic. Simple skinny ribbon bows decorate the gore and strap attachments. I really didn't like the appearance of the bra in the Flamingo Pink, but I think it looks quite nice in both basic Black and White. Despite its shortfalls, it makes a lovely lightweight summer bra, and I found this looks nice alone or with foam lining pads. Read more 401 more words
The Princess Balcony is one of the most popular Curvy Kate styles, and since I've had good luck with three-piece cut & sew unlined bras, I had high hopes for this one, Unfortunately, I tried two different sizes, and I don't think this is the right fit for me.
Bratabase most consistently recommends 28DD for me, but I found that the 28DD band was far too small, thus it pulled the wires right into my ribcage and into the sternum. The Princess Balcony has very firm wires, so they didn't give when strained, and caused me a lot of pain. It is really important in this ...style to find the right band size for you, because the wires won't flex if the band is too small for you!
However, I do appreciate that Curvy Kate uses a really firm elastic on these bands, giving them a solid degree of support. The wide straps and U shaped leotard back also contribute to this feeling of strong support. Straps feel really secure and stay nicely in place.
I didn't really care for the styling of this bra in person, although I liked the idea of the design. The flocked polka dots made me worry that they would attract clothing fibers from different colors and look dirty. The floral embroidery at the top of the cup is cute, but I didn't feel that it looks expensive and elegant, especially since this bra costs more than similar styles from Freya or Panache. The ribbon detail, embroidery, and polka dots did not feel cohesive to me as part of the design, and I felt they would be better off on separate styles. They also are all quite textured and look like they would be visible under clothing. This particular bra in the Flamingo colorway is a bright, gaudy hot coral.
The main problem for me with this bra is the fit of the cups. While the measurements of this bra aren't too different from other similar cuts from other brands, the cup depth is deeper, so it's designed for someone with more projection. I fill out the majority of the cup, but the top portion under the lace edge is pretty empty on me. You need more upper fullness to fill out the bra as intended. However, the upper edge is a narrow 1/8" elastic, and I think this would be flexible enough to suit tall roots without being too closed off. The cups are also lightweight, comfortable powermesh that give great shaping and support. Much softer than Panache Tango brand new!
My opinion of the bra is that this is an excellently engineered design, and if it works for your shape, it would be a great functional piece. Aesthetically, I am not a fan of the design elements. Read more 368 more words
The Curvy Kate Lifestyle is a bra I've had my eye on for a long time, but due to its high price, it took a while before I went ahead and ordered it. I originally started with my standard size of 30D, but I quickly found that this is far too small.
This style has a very short and shallow underwire, and I really prefer a long underwire to contain all my wide tissue, so I knew I definitely had to size up. The 30D could not contain all of my tissue on the sides, and the upper cup cut into my shallow roots badly. It ...was a major case of orange-in-a-glass. Thus, I'd recommend sizing up at least one size and potentially more. In size 30DD, I found this to be a very nice fit. Actually, in my opinion, this bra is almost identical to the Claudette Dessous, but in a much softer fabric and with a more minimalist aesthetic.
The Lifestyle Plunge has a 3 piece cut and sew cup, but these cups are made from single layer mesh, which I find to be rather unusual since most cups this thin are double lined. Other reviewers have said this isn't substantial enough for larger cup sizes, so that may be something to bear in mind. In my size, I don't think this will be an issue, and I find the cups to be exceptionally lightweight and comfortable. It would be amazing for sweaty summer days or travel to warm areas where you'd like your bra to dry quickly after washing. The mesh used for the cups is fairly rigid and decently soft, and I have no issues with the seams being scratchy as they are nicely finished.
The upper cup has a bit of decorative elastic, but actually the hem has very little stretch. Since I found this to to cut into my tissue in the smaller size, I'd imagine that it might not work for taller roots or FOT. Other than that, the only notable callout on the fit is that it gives a less lifted shape than bras with double layer mesh, like the Cleo Marcie. This is a much more natural and relaxed shape in comparison.
I found the band to be nice and TTS. It is a standard stretch mesh band with full elastic on the top and bottom, although I would've preferred wider elastic for the bottom. It does feel nice and firm so I don't see any issues with it stretching out. The straps are also wide elastic and fully adjustable.
The only thing I dislike about this bra is the hardware, which is all made of dyed-to-match plastic. It would've been more elevated with gold or rose gold hardware, in my opinion. I also don't like the motif of two interlocked circles, which is used as the center charm and the shoulder strap hardware. I know others like this detail and find it to be a modern and minimalist design, so maybe it's just personal taste. I would've preferred no decorative hardware and something more traditional, like the bows on Dessous.
Overall, I think if you like lightweight mesh bras and like the Dessous, you may have good luck with this one. Unlike the Dessous, all 4 bras I ordered measured relatively similarly and had no quality variations between the colors, making this a better choice IMO. Just watch out for sizing and size up at least a cup! Read more 486 more words
The Curvy Kate Lifestyle is a bra I've had my eye on for a long time, but due to its high price, it took a while before I went ahead and ordered it. I originally started with my standard size of 30D, but I quickly found that this is far too small.
This style has a very short and shallow underwire, and I really prefer a long underwire to contain all my wide tissue, so I knew I definitely had to size up. The 30D could not contain all of my tissue on the sides, and the upper cup cut into my shallow roots badly. It ...was a major case of orange-in-a-glass. Thus, I'd recommend sizing up at least one size and potentially more. In size 30DD, I found this to be a very nice fit. Actually, in my opinion, this bra is almost identical to the Claudette Dessous, but in a much softer fabric and with a more minimalist aesthetic.
The Lifestyle Plunge has a 3 piece cut and sew cup, but these cups are made from single layer mesh, which I find to be rather unusual since most cups this thin are double lined. Other reviewers have said this isn't substantial enough for larger cup sizes, so that may be something to bear in mind. In my size, I don't think this will be an issue, and I find the cups to be exceptionally lightweight and comfortable. It would be amazing for sweaty summer days or travel to warm areas where you'd like your bra to dry quickly after washing. The mesh used for the cups is fairly rigid and decently soft, and I have no issues with the seams being scratchy as they are nicely finished.
The upper cup has a bit of decorative elastic, but actually the hem has very little stretch. Since I found this to to cut into my tissue in the smaller size, I'd imagine that it might not work for taller roots or FOT. Other than that, the only notable callout on the fit is that it gives a less lifted shape than bras with double layer mesh, like the Cleo Marcie. This is a much more natural and relaxed shape in comparison.
I found the band to be nice and TTS. It is a standard stretch mesh band with full elastic on the top and bottom, although I would've preferred wider elastic for the bottom. It does feel nice and firm so I don't see any issues with it stretching out. The straps are also wide elastic and fully adjustable.
The only thing I dislike about this bra is the hardware, which is all made of dyed-to-match plastic. It would've been more elevated with gold or rose gold hardware, in my opinion. I also don't like the motif of two interlocked circles, which is used as the center charm and the shoulder strap hardware. I know others like this detail and find it to be a modern and minimalist design, so maybe it's just personal taste. I would've preferred no decorative hardware and something more traditional, like the bows on Dessous.
Overall, I think if you like lightweight mesh bras and like the Dessous, you may have good luck with this one. Unlike the Dessous, all 4 bras I ordered measured relatively similarly and had no quality variations between the colors, making this a better choice IMO. Just watch out for sizing and size up at least a cup! Read more 486 more words
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. Read more 690 more words
I had almost given up on Curvy Kate bras after trying two sizes of the most recommended style, the Princess Balcony Bra, and being disappointed by the fit (digging wires! overly projected cups!) and quality (inconsistent measurements! cheap looking details!). However, I decided to give Florence a try after reading about it here on Bratabase, and I am so thrilled that I did. So far, Florence is my best fitting unlined balcony bra yet!
Florence fits 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. Visually, Florence looks like a Lucy dupe, but the fit is closer to Marcie. I am so happy to find this style, but not so happy that it is discontinued and only available in a handful of colors.
Like Marcie/Lucy, Florence is a 3 piece cup made from soft, double layer mesh, making it comfortable, lightweight, and supportive. The upper cup is embroidered mesh with no elastic edge, which is awesome as it can stretch to sit flat against very shallow roots, or flex to accommodate more upper volume. 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 doesn'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 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.
The styling is very similar to Lucy, so close that I thought this was a Lucy dupe at first. However, Lucy has small flowers embroidered directly on the cup, and Florence has a solid cup. Both styles have very similar floral embroidery on the upper cup, but Florence has a small floral button at the center gore while Lucy is trimmed with a simple bow. Florence also has two little bows tacked at the straps. Both styles have the same scalloped wide straps, similar wings, and the same leotard back construction. The main structural difference is that Florence has a full band, with elastic running through the cradle and under the cups, while Lucy has no elastic under the cups. This is a very important construction detail, as I couldn't figure out why Lucy didn't feel secure on me and I kept shifting around in the cups. I really need a full band to keep all my tissue in place.
The only criticism I have for Florence is some inconsistency in fit. So far, I've purchased 3 Florences. The Blush one fits me perfectly with no adjustments needed. The first Black one ended up measuring taller in the embroidered portion of the cup, so no matter what, it kept wrinkling at the top. The second Black one measured better, but the fit of the upper cup is not as spot on as the Blush. Given the spec disaster I had with the Curvy Kate Princess Balcony Bra, I feel a little worried about inconsistencies, as I haven't had this level of measurement variation in Cleo. Still, I am happy to have found Florence, and will be hunting down as many as possible before they disappear for good.
See my separate review on Ellace for why this related cut doesn't work for me https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> Read more 544 more words
I had almost given up on Curvy Kate bras after trying two sizes of the most recommended style, the Princess Balcony Bra, and being disappointed by the fit (digging wires! overly projected cups!) and quality (inconsistent measurements! cheap looking details!). However, I decided to give Florence a try after reading about it here on Bratabase, and I am so thrilled that I did. So far, Florence is my best fitting unlined balcony bra yet!
Florence fits 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. Visually, Florence looks like a Lucy dupe, but the fit is closer to Marcie. I am so happy to find this style, but not so happy that it is discontinued and only available in a handful of colors.
Like Marcie/Lucy, Florence is a 3 piece cup made from soft, double layer mesh, making it comfortable, lightweight, and supportive. The upper cup is embroidered mesh with no elastic edge, which is awesome as it can stretch to sit flat against very shallow roots, or flex to accommodate more upper volume. 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 doesn'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 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.
The styling is very similar to Lucy, so close that I thought this was a Lucy dupe at first. However, Lucy has small flowers embroidered directly on the cup, and Florence has a solid cup. Both styles have very similar floral embroidery on the upper cup, but Florence has a small floral button at the center gore while Lucy is trimmed with a simple bow. Florence also has two little bows tacked at the straps. Both styles have the same scalloped wide straps, similar wings, and the same leotard back construction. The main structural difference is that Florence has a full band, with elastic running through the cradle and under the cups, while Lucy has no elastic under the cups. This is a very important construction detail, as I couldn't figure out why Lucy didn't feel secure on me and I kept shifting around in the cups. I really need a full band to keep all my tissue in place.
The only criticism I have for Florence is some inconsistency in fit. So far, I've purchased 3 Florences. The Blush one fits me perfectly with no adjustments needed. The first Black one ended up measuring taller in the embroidered portion of the cup, so no matter what, it kept wrinkling at the top. The second Black one measured better, but the fit of the upper cup is not as spot on as the Blush. Given the spec disaster I had with the Curvy Kate Princess Balcony Bra, I feel a little worried about inconsistencies, as I haven't had this level of measurement variation in Cleo. Still, I am happy to have found Florence, and will be hunting down as many as possible before they disappear for good.
See my separate review on Ellace for why this related cut doesn't work for me https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> Read more 544 more words
I tried that one and felt that it was a bit cheap looking too. I'm not sure what the issue was but it's definitely cuter in pics! The cups are really wideset. Overall, sort of an odd bras.