Pros: Gorgeous stretch satin fabric! Great shape! Very comfortable and very sexy! Band fits true to size.
Cons: 32FF too small, 32G slightly too big... I wear it with cookies and it's fine. Cups could be somehow closer together? Perhaps it's that the part where the cups are deepest is too far spaced.
It looks like it's not filled at the bottom and the wires are too wide... On the photo cups look like they were too big and the band too low. Are you able to pull it up? How does it affect the cups? When the width of wires is the issue, experimenting with size, especially band width, may help.
At the time of that review, a 30 band would have fit better. When pulled up, the cups were actually too small. But the entire bra was sliding down, since my breasts are high on my chest and the band was loose enough for it to move. A 30GG would have been better then, and a 28HH would be optimal now... but the bra only goes up to a G cup.
This is a difficult bra for me size-wise. I find the band comes up small and has little stretch, which is good for me as I really need a 26, although the lack of stretch means it gets a bit uncomfortable by the end of the day. Hopefully this will make it less likely to stretch out quickly.
The cups are slightly too small in a 28F, but slightly too large in a 28FF. I went for the smaller size because I prefer to have a little cleavage rather than gaping when I lean over. The shape is slightly pointy due to stiff seams, but the bra is softening ...up as I wash it. It still won't be good for tight tops as the lace is quite thick and show through thin fabrics.
The straps are only partly adjustable and I wish this wasn't the case as I'm wearing them as short as they go and really need them to be a bit shorter. They are made of a lovely satin fabric, but this contributes to them sliding off my shoulders!
The comfort and looks of this bra make up for the fit issues. Apart from the band stiffness at the end of a long day, it's extremely comfortable. The wires don't poke anywhere and it didn't require any breaking in. The lace detail and pretty charm in the centre make the bra look really expensive and beautiful. I have the Antique version which was exclusive to Bravissimo and it can be easily matched with a pair of nude knickers. Read more 149 more words
This bra originally came in hot pink. The next season, it came in a gorgeous dark purple, which was the only thing that changed about it. My older one is ~8mos old by now, and the elastic on the older one is only half an inch more stretched than the newer one (whose measurements are featured here).
This bra creates a fantastic shape under my clothes; my husband adores it. I love it so much, I forgave my hatred of pink because I just had to have this bra.
My shape is low set, short and narrow rooted, and soft.
I like half cups and this one came in a 28 band, which I've been trying some of lately since my ribcage/breast size shrunk recently. I got the raspberry colour because that was the only option, though I'm not actually a huge fan of pink. Now that I have it though, I actually kind of like the colour on.
This bra reminds me of 28FF - Cleo » Juna Balconnet Bra (6461) but perhaps not as soft feeling on the outside because of the lace on the cups.... It is a three part lightly padded half ...cup with a lace overlapy and a lace trim along the top of the cup. When I measured, I didn't include the lace in the cup height. Although the bra itself fits, and even bubbles with a fresh scoop and swoop, the lace floats just a teeensy bit when I move around. There is a similar lace trim along the straps which is pretty. However, the straps themselves are a bit thin for my liking. The band is fairly firm, without too much extra stretch. There's a little pleated looking bow on the gore. Three sets of clasps with 2 hooks each. The left cup under the underwire curls up, even when I'm not wearing it, but I don't notice it when it's on. I'm not sure if this is from them storing it or what, but it's a minor irritation aesthetically.
The cups are a bit wide for me, and so the wires don't sit up nicely in my IMF, but run about a cm under it all the way around to the sides. The shape is a tiny bit flattening but still rounded. The wings are too low for me too, so when my arms are down, I see some side boob/fat that looks like it's not being completely contained. It's not that this cup is super shallow, because I think it's typical for a 28FF depth, but I think it may not have a ton of depth right at the underwire?
Overall this bra is decent. I'll probably keep it and wear it, even though it's not a perfect fit. Read more 261 more words
In my quest to try as many Masquerade bras as possible, I decided to give Delphi a try recently. Initially I stayed away from this bra because the reviews indicate that the fit is not super consistent and can be a bit tricky. Sadly, this didn't work out for me.
Based on the 2HC construction and measurements, I thought this would fit like a balconette version of Alice. Though some reviews indicated that the cup runs large, others said it is true to size, so instead of sizing down like I did in Alice to a 30D, I kept my normal sister size of 30DD for ...this bra. However, while the band works and feels decently TTS for a Masquerade 30 band, I had all sorts of problems with the cup, mostly due to the shape being a mismatch.
Delphi is a 2HC foam cup construction, and the outside of the cup is black mesh lined with opulent champagne couchwork embroidery of scrolls and flowers. The upper cup is straight, but the embroidered overlay has a scalloped edge. There's nothing to indicate from the measurements that the fit would be unusual, however the problem is that the wires on this bra are very firm. Thus the cups end up being extremely narrow and projected, and for that reason the wires cut into my side tissue and feel too short at the sides, while the cups gap horribly. Delphi is also cut with severe fullness right at the seam as well as a very vertically projected shape, so the lack of tissue here creates a visible pointy appearance. You need a lot of projected tissue to fill out these cups properly, and due to the narrow wires and open top, it is also designed for very FOT shapes. Note that the open top is relative to the wires, as it is definitely not an open half cup. The cup has a very projected center point that closes off again, but this is mostly concentrated at the center of the cup. As with most Masquerade foam cup bras, it is cut to be center-full.
The very open top compared to the wire width also makes the strap placement seem too wide on me, though they don't slip off. They just feel like the placement is a little bit off. The straps are made from tapered black satin, and only the back portion is adjustable. It is a firm and nice quality strap, but the comfort level may vary compared to a full elastic strap. Other than this, the rest of the construction and fit is pretty standard for Masquerade bras, as it has a satin band on this style that fits similarly to their other styles. The only decoration is a two-toned center gore bow.
This is a beautiful bra, but it requires a very specific shape to work. This is designed for narrow, extremely projected, center-full shapes. Depending on your size you may want to size down in the cup, but ultimately you need to be the right shape for Delphi as the fit is not very universal. Read more 424 more words
Argh, projected, narrow, and FoT - the very opposite of what I need!
Yeah, it was a bummer, one of the very few bras I've had to return to an eBay seller because there was no hope of it fitting despite the great price! My favorite Masquerade bra is the Angie, which is a nice 3HC that's suitable for more shallow shapes. Have you tried it? There's still a few sellers on eBay who carry it!
I picked up the Masquerade Medina a little while ago on eBay from a UK seller, but due to unforseen delays, it finally arrived in my mailbox today. I was initially interested in this style because of the rose print, and because Masquerade padded bras have been excellent quality and a pretty decent fit for blind buys. Upon looking at the 3HC styling and comparing the measurements I expected this to fit like the Angie, which suits me well, but Medina is slightly different, resulting in a less than ideal fit on me.
Medina is made from rose printed Masquerade satin throughout, and has a lovely dove grey base ...that extends into the straps and elastic. Like most Masquerade styles, the majority of the strap is fabric with decorative trim, and only the back of the strap is adjustable. The straps and upper cup have a dusty rose ball-type trim, and the only other adornment is a simple bow at the gore. As with many of their other bras, the band is quite narrow, and there is a gentle leotard back.
Medina seems like it would be a “normal” 3HC rounded shape, but there is something a bit odd about the proportions. The vertical projection of the cup feels a bit shallower and less bowl-shaped than Angie, and when viewed from above, the fullness of the cup is concentrated at the center gore, like on the Athena. Masquerade tends to do this with some of their padded bras, but this shaping really doesn’t suit my body as I don’t have inner fullness. Because of the odd shape of the cup, while the volume fits, the top is too open at the wrong part of my body, so it gaps slightly on my larger side at the center gore, and gaps all around on my smaller side. I also need to wear this bra on the tightest hook in order to get all my tissue to stay scooped inside the cups, which is always an issue with wide and shallow cups since it’s so easy for tissue to escape. If there were more immediate projection at the wire, a more rounded shape, and a more closed off top, it would be great!
I’m confused as to why this bra is cut differently than Angie, because the basic construction is the same. Both have the same 3HC cup construction, full band cradle, and similar band proportions. Medina’s wires are touching at the center gore while Angie’s is not, and Medina’s wings are just slightly narrower and made from single layer satin rather than powermesh lined, so it feels less secure. It seems like Masquerade should have just created one cut for both bras since you would not know without trying on that these similar looking bras actually fit quite differently.
I’m bummed that this didn’t work out because I liked the Angie fit a lot and had hoped to find something else similar. This bra is for someone with more upper and center fullness than I have. On me, the seams look quite lumpy and visible under clothing, but I think they would work better on someone who fills out the bra fully. Read more 419 more words
Actually this bra should be returned because of the snail speed delivery, but today I just received it without any expectation. So then I am going to introduce it below.
It's a 30G, usually I don't wear this size (I ordered a 30FF but the awful saler just made a mistake). Although it doesn't fit, it looks not bad on me.
The cups are wide and shallow, just like the Change bras I have. It's still wearable because I don't have clear root lines on the side. The main problem is the cup height, I can feel the empty space when I scoop and swoop. The push-up effect is excellent, ...despite the wrong size (or maybe also the wrong shape), I can still get a slight cleavage during some body movements.
Here are some additional measurements:
Cup depth at apex: 22.8 cm (smaller than the standard cup depth: 24.6 cm) Cup separation at bottom: 5.6 cm
And Summary: Very nice bra if it fits properly, suitable for shallow FoB or even shapes with wide and tall roots. Although it is relativ separated at bottom, it is not a good choice for splayed boobs because of the very low center gore. Read more 86 more words
I just made a calculation for the average measurements of 30F and 30G, and guess the cup depth of 30FF will be about 23.3 cm. Maybe it's a little bit shallow because for a good fit I usually need a cup depth for around 24 cm.
I was keen on trying a new brand as I tend to focus on Mimi Holliday and Freya so was glad to pick up this bra through Bratabase. Lovely looking bra, nice feel to the fabric of the cups, band, and straps, but I share the previous owner's pain with the gore. The wires seem stiff and my bony ribs do not accommodate well. I have now successfully replaced the wires in a different, painful bra with too wide and stiff cups and think that the Harem is another candidate. Looking forward to the challenge.
Later add.
I should have remembered about replacing the stiff wires with softer ones and would have saved myself lots of time! Instead, I removed the Harem's cups and sewed them onto a Mimi Holliday bra that was too small in the cups. Many hours later of removing stitches and hand-sewing, has turned the Mimi Holliday into a lovely Frankenstein bra.
My shape: self-supporting teardrop with tall shallow roots, wide full side roots, center-height, forward-facing, very close-set, with very firm tissue that pushes back when there's not enough immediate projection
I got this from a reddit user last week. It's a beautiful turquoise color with embroidered lace overlay and an eyelash finish instead of a separate lace trim around the top edge of the cup. As a two-part half-cup style, it fits a little differently than the 3-part ones that are more common, but it seems to suit me pretty well! I get the ever-elusive Cakes-on-a-Plate look from this when I first swoop and scoop, and I think in the ...right size it would be magic.
I love the way these cups fit, even though they're a size too small. The apex is spot on, the immediate projection is almost perfect (if not actually perfect - the wire doesn't creep out of my IMF!), they are a great height for low-cut tops, and they are super open on top. FOT ladies, if you can get your hands on this one, do it! I do quad a little when I first swoop-and-scoop, and I have a bit of tissue on my Super Side Boob that tries to escape because I need a 30FF, but it's ok. I think I could still pull it off on my less-full days.
The wires are great, and they are almost even the right shape curve for me! There is a little room in the channel to slide them around, which helps with the fact that the wings are just a hair shorter than I'd ideally prefer, and also with the gore which is already mostly unnoticeable (and that's saying something). They are a little firm, but not painfully so for this size range.
The straps are beautifully covered on the front half in the same eyelash lace as the cups. They are only half-adjustable, but that is fine for me. They are set rather far out on the cups, but I was surprised that it didn't really bother me - Freya's tendency to put them in my armpits drives me crazy, but not so with these. Instead, it just leaves the neckline very open.
I wish I wish I wish the band were not too big. I started with it on the tightest of the 3 sets of hooks, and I can still tell when it starts to shift. If it were wider, and had say 3 hooks in each column instead of 2, it might be doable, but as it is, I'll have to take it in or get a 28. It's not especially stretchy and pretty firm, though, which I like.
I am going to get me another Maia, even if I have to scour the whole internet to find it! Read more 353 more words
This is not a bra for my splayed FoB boobs, but I am experimenting on it. When I tried it on, it occurred to me that if I changed where the strap attached to the cup, moving it in a bit, it would not only make the straps narrower, it would tighten the top of the cup. So I moved the straps in an inch on each side, and now there is no gapping on top. I am still trying to figure out what to do about the sides, since they are now even wider, but since my sewing machine went on strike after I moved the straps, I have some time to develop a plan. The cups are still too shallow at the outer bottom, but for some reason they don't seem to push the bra down out of my IMF, instead pushing my boobs in towards the middle. Since I am pretty splayed, I still don't fall out, but I'm sure someone with closer placement at the bottom would escape out the middle.
We seem to be very similar in size and shape (I think), and I've been eyeing this bra on Amazon for a while now! I'm not sure if I should buy 28D or 28DD, though... Was there a particular reason you sized up in this one?
I actually got this one first based on Bratabase reviews and then sized down after. The 28D fits perfect on me!
Ah, gotcha! The photos are if the 28DD though, right?
Yeah I haven't retaken photos and measured the 28D yet, but I gave the DD to a friend who's slightly bigger and the D is perfect!
river_wilde I just responded to your comment on my other cleo bra as well, but I've uploaded the new measurements and pics for all of my currently owned bras including this one in the 28D http://bra.pe/XWCq/
Meh. I ordered this bra on a whim from eBay because it was $10, it was my size, and I needed some cheap bras to convert to nursing bras.
The satin feels really nice, and the materials/workmanship seem great, but the shape is totally wrong for me. The edges of the cups want to curl out and form a lip. I am too center full for this bra; not in the sense that I'm falling out in the middle, but looking down it's clear that this was made for someone with a bust of a different shape, the cups are almost east-west. It's workable, but I have a lot of other really great bras, so this one will probably just get stuffed to the back of a drawer and die of old age.
I love Masquerade's retro 1940's aesthetic - a little burlesque, a little nostalgic, all woman. The matte patterned satin of Shanghai nails that aesthetic, it is right off a cheongsam (the high-neck fitted tunic) with its embroidered rose vines. It is also orange, not pumpkin but persimmon; again nailing it design-wise. How many sophisticated orange bras are there?? The gore is really, really low. This is a true plunge cut. The cups are deep enough for me at the wire and not exceptionally tall like other plunges but I think this fits closer to a 32F. The band is firm. The straps are embroidered, so not completely adjustable. Its a beauty, but I can't wear plunges.
There is a little quad boob, but it isn't as bad as it looks in the pictures! My main problem is that the wires at the front seem to twist a bit. I think because my breasts are so close together. It still sits flat, but the bow becomes crooked (this often happens for me) and I feel like I can make either one side or the other of my beasts sit properly in the bra. It is reasonably comfy and gives a nice round shape under clothes but I am worried that if I keep this bra it is one which I will be adjusting and fiddling with ...throughout the day, rather than one I can just put on and then forget all about (what I am always searching for, but don't often find haha!!!) I feel like maybe my breasts are too soft for this style too. I feel like it is a style designed to give a more oomph type cleavage, but my breasts are soft and that doesn't happen (or not in this). I feel like I will be fiddling with this bra to hitch up the straps to get my cleavage more up, and also having to try and smooth my breasts into the bra to stop them falling out. So, I guess I shouldn't keep it. The back is a really good fit though. Nice and firm, and the wires seem a good width for me. I think the straps are a bit wide though. They don't fall off my shoulders though, but I think that I am wearing the straps pulled in more than intended, which may also be affecting the fit of the cups. The straps sit at the very outside of the cups, creating a real square shape (sorry, I don't know how to explain this properly), but for me if I let the straps sit where they seem intended to sit, they would be falling off my shoulders. If I pull them in to sit on my shoulders they stay in place, but they no longer go straight up in a straight line, but instead curve in, and I think this affects the comfort and maybe the fit and shape too. Read more 263 more words
It actually looks much too small in the cups from these pics.
+1 to that. This is at least 1-2 cup sizes too small.
I thought the same thing, and then saw the above comments agree. I have this bra in 28E (haven't got around to adding it yet, maybe I'll do that now.) I'm fairly shallow and it's just shallow enough for me. On your pictures it definitely looks like ere isn't enough projection in this bra. Hopefully, that just because the cup is too small and you can try a bigger size.
Thanks for the comments. I am going to return the bra ;)
This is a really pretty bra that looks quite expensive. It fits me more like a full coverage than a Balconnet . It is 7 3/4 inch tall and my max is 7" and shorter than 7" is even better. I have short roots. So I don't totally fill the upper portion of the cup. It lays smooth though and the looseness doesn't show under a t shirt. Shape is round with a very good lift. This bra has amazing center projection and even though the gore is too tall for my touching boobs, it manages to tack pretty well. The cups don't do quite as ...well for my immediate projection. The straps are not as wide as most balconnets and I think that might account some for the excellent center projection. I think these cups are very generous for a 28GG.
This is a really really short band for a 28. I needed 1 1/2 extension to fasten it. The band is stretchy satin and I've never had one with this fabric to know how it will stretch with time. The lower portion is lined with a skin toned fabric that matches my skin tones quite well. I am pale.
The band is very stretchy, and it's far too 'open' on top. My soft tissue jiggles about a bit and though the band itself is supportive and firm, if stretchy, my full-on-top soft breast tissue doesn't feel enclosed at all. I wish it did, as it's a beautiful bra. Very well finished, elegant and just the right amount of padding, not too much or too little. I don't think it's particularly suited to wearing under clothing as the lace detailing at the top of the cups is quite obvious under close-fitting tops/dresses etc. A low-cut, fairly open top/dress would work better.
It is with both a heavy heart and a dose of frustration that I say: I think I'm giving up on Ardour.
I first tried Masquerade's 28D, but the cups were too small. Then I tried Panache Black's version in 28DD, but the cups were too large. Then I tried Masquerade's 28DD, and it was damn near perfect -- but the lace detail on the straps was extremely uneven. So I ordered the (apparently) last remaining Masquerade Ardour in 28DD on the internet... and the cups were a touch larger/taller (still smaller than Panache Black's version, however), causing some gapping. Not a ton, but enough to make it not ...worth $80 to me. Especially given how easily the top of the cups play peekaboo with most of my necklines.
I wanted to love it. I was determined that this was -my- bra. You know, the ONE. But I think the fact of the matter is that it is just a bit too shallow on bottom and open/tall on top for me.
It's gorgeous and it's comfortable, and it is very high quality. It's sexy, and the mulberry color is rich and wonderful (and surprisingly not too visible through lighter clothing). But I think I'll be sending this beauty back out into the world to find an owner better suited for it.
Live on and be glorious, Ardour. Read more 115 more words
I have a feeling that the Panache Black Ardour in 28D could be fitting for you.
Merana *Sigh* ...Unfortunately, I think you may be right. Lol. I've been looking around for one with free shipping and returns, but so far I'm not having any luck.
I keep my fingers crossed that you find one! Well, at least it looks like we might be close in what can fit us, if a cup size apart. That deserves further research:)
Merana I agree! Perhaps we will find that in many bras we are similar, if only a cup size apart. I will keep you posted on future bra successes and failures. :)
We are (almost) bra size twins! I'm supposed to be a 28D, but my ribcage measurement is 26.5, so I would probably fit in a 26DD. May I know if you will be listing the bras that don't work for you in bratabase?
addictedtoyou Yay boob twins! I am actually returning them to Amazon for a refund, because I can't handle even a small financial loss at the moment (this bra in particular was super expensive). BUT I may list my 28D orange animal print Cleo Maddie and my 28D Cleo Zia soon, because they can't be returned (and they didn't cost me nearly as much).
I really want this bra to fit but it just doesn't work with my breast shape - my boobs start at my collarbone, I think they are average on the top, firm and bottom heavy with lots of projection. The cups are too open at the top and I don't fill the bottom of the cup even though I have a lot of projection. Sizing up doesn't work.
I find similar styles in other brands don't work for me either e.g. Curvy Kate Thrill me & Tease Me. I tried going up by 2 cup sizes. Unfortunately these styles don't work with my breast shape https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":-(" />
Just.. Omg. I can't believe I finally have a Lula Mae in my hands. It's been discontinued for eons now, and when it was in production, I recall it was $90+! The cups on this bra run a little large, and it's on the shallow side. The band is nice and firm. This isn't a perfect fit on me, the wires are not the right shape for my roots, but who cares! I love it! The photos show that the lace is a bit uneven on this bra, but actually its just one of the stitches on the lace wasn't holding it ...in the correct spot. I have since then fixed it. The band is on the firm side and works well for anyone needing a 26 band. My only real complaint is that the straps are placed really far apart, and at a angle to chop off armpits. This is the only aspect that makes the bra unwearable, and I will probably go about fixing it shall I decide to actually wear this bra. Unfortunately I have too many bras already, and this one doesn't give the best shape under clothes. Read more 94 more words
The coral pink is a very pretty color, much more "pink" in person than it appears online. I was also surprised to discover that is has no padding. I have never tried a half cup without padding before. This bra fits in my usual size 30GG, however, it lacks enough projection for my inner fullness. I have a little bit of a flat, pushed-down look from the side. The Masquerade Rosetti and Masquerade Angie, both of which I purchased at the same time as this bra, have enough projection for me in size 30GG.
A very well-made bra, with comfortable band and wires. Just not as much projection as the Angie or Rosetti.
It looks like it's not filled at the bottom and the wires are too wide... On the photo cups look like they were too big and the band too low. Are you able to pull it up? How does it affect the cups?
When the width of wires is the issue, experimenting with size, especially band width, may help.