I'm a bit new to bra specifics, but I hope this review will be helpful. I bought this used, so the band was already stretched out a bit as well as the upper lace (which may be why the upper lace isn't lying flush). The band is quite tight. Stretched to the max, it the band goes to 32 inches, but resting on my table it's at 26 inches, which is a bit comical (though, I don't know, maybe that's normal?). I suggest sizing up in the band. For the cups, the bottoms fit fine, but the cup wrinkles on my left smaller boob, and it shows ...quite badly through shirts. People have recommended the Envy as a projected bra, but it seems I need an even more projected one. I'll probably end up folding in and sewing the cups a bit in as it's not returnable. Otherwise, it seems to be of good quality, and it looks very cute, especially in pink. Perhaps if I got a 34DD the bra would fit better (I was expecting the band to fit a 32in chest, sadly. I'll probably buy non-elastic band extenders also.) Read more 85 more words
Band/Straps: * The band was comfortable enough on the middle hook. It's probably a little bit big for me and I could go down a size. * The fabric was soft, but I didn't find the lace on the bottom very comfortable. * The straps were uncomfortable and were too wide.
Cups: * The fit was off; the cup was way too big with a lot of gaps on top on the smaller boob, but were fine on the larger boob. I didn't have that problem with the Panache Jasmine Balconnet Bra (6951).
Gore/Underwire: * The wires seemed to properly wrap around my boob, and didn't dig into my armpit. * The center gore was way too tall, and it immediately dug into my sternum when I put it on. The wires were stiff and unforgiving.
The bra is mostly comfortable, but ultimately I returned it.
Good things: + I usually don't like lace, but the material was soft and stretchy and didn't bother my skin.
Bad things: - The cups fit fine on top and under the armpits, but the center gore was too high, and the underwire cut into my sternum. In a sister size (30FF) the problem was slightly better, but still pressed in too much/too high and left marks. - The cup seems to fit fine (no gapping, no stretching). However, the nipples don't stay below the non-lace area. I can't tell if it's a cup size problem or a shape problem. I tried the same bra in a sister size (30FF) and the nipple problem remained. - The straps are too wide, and I think over time would press into my armpit fat and become uncomfortable.
I love the look I get in this bra. Initially, the gore painfully dug in, so I gently bent it out a bit and now everything fits comfortably and lays correctly. The band is snug, but comfortable. It really stays put.
The red and black version of this bra is so beautiful. It is the sexiest set I own and super comfortable. The wires and band are firm, but don't dig. Great for average and immediate projection.
Shape: firm tissue; projected; ridiculous amounts of immediate projection; full on bottom; even-to-centre full; close set; splayed, narrow and short roots.
Overall fit:
This is the first bra I have bought in my new size that fits acceptably and is comfortable to wear all day. Due to a complicated shape combination, I have struggled massively with finding the right styles in bras readily available in the UK, so I am aiming for progress not perfection. Bear that in mind as you read!
Gore is one of the narrowest I've seen without crossing over in a non customised bra. Average to narrow wires of average height. Full cup style means ...straps don't feel like they're falling off your shoulders. No gapping on the stretch lace, which is normally an issue for me as a FoB person.
There are some fit issues that for me are acceptable (as for my shape I know that really I need to invest effort and money into finally buying Polish brands but need some UK options that are just OKAY for convenience) but may bother others a lot:
Wire is too wide for me by a fair bit, but less so than most I’ve tried so far. It is not uncomfortable at all despite this, not sure how.
The depth is too shallow for me as a very immediately projected person, so I do get some downward wire migration a few minutes after scooping and swooping, but certainly not as bad as other bras I've tried. Once everything redistributes in the cup throughout the day it sorts itself out.
Gore is higher than I prefer but does not cause me any pain throughout the day, nor does it rub or itch- this is a miracle for me as a close-set, short-rooted person who normally needs low gores.
What I like:
I think the shape this bra gives me is great. Front and centre placement, slightly rounded but not too flattened that you lose the shape that tells you 'this is a projected boob' (looking at you moulded t-shirt bras). If you've tried the Envy and it gives you the torpedo effect which you don't like, I'd try this out.
The design of this bra is stunning. It is extremely well made for a bra that I would consider mid-priced (I'm in the UK and picked this up for £32).
I have extremely sensitive skin and eczema and for me, the material (even the lace) is not scratchy or irritating.
The colour (labelled as black) is interesting- the silkier part is a purpleish blue-toned black, and the lace is true black. This gives dimension and allows the design to really shine, which is not often achieved with black bras.
What I don't like:
Panache are known for firm bands. I've tried this (Clara) and the Envy so far- this is far firmer. Combined with the low wing height and band being on the thinner side, if you have a lot of soft tissue or loose skin around the back and shoulders and prefer that to be held in with solid construction, I would say this bra is not for you. Even on me, a person with average levels of loose skin/'back fat' (which is a normal thing people), wearing on the loosest hook there is some level of spillage above the band.
Related to this, I am affronted by Panache's insistence on two hook bands for smaller sizes in basically every style. I wish it was 3. I like to feel held in.
The outer wire channels are way longer than than the wires and I wish the wires reached to the top of this. It would then be perfect. However that is probably just specific to me and anyone else who has the helpful combination of those lovely 'Nike tick' splayed roots that need less U-shaped wires to accommodate for gradually increasing narrowness from left to right of the boob, and are also generally very narrow. Read more 543 more words
Shape: firm tissue; projected; tons of immediate projection; full on bottom; even-to-centre full; close set; splayed, short and narrow roots.
This bra is a complete shape mismatch for me.
If I feel at the back of the band, the clasp is not sitting flush to my back where my spine is and I can basically put my finger under that gap without even touching the bra at all. Basically, the middle of the band floats at the back whilst simultaneously making lumps and bumps of back/shoulder fat. When trying on backwards and upside down, again, it's better but not... right? Gore feels like it's pushing outwards and away from my body at the top. Issue of gore slightly sitting on left breast. Loose lace at the top and plenty of wrinkling at bottom as there is not enough immediate projection for me. Outer seam and the outer wire channel too high so roll down at the top as they are literally in my armpit. Won't stay under IMF. Cups too high for my short roots - digging into armpits.
Couldn’t make the cups work - they just won’t sit right (no gaping but there’s very slight looseness on the cups which looks weird. And my right nipple kept slipping to the lace part which I didn’t like). Uncomfortable material anyway. Won’t be trying this in other sizes.
When I got this out of the box I was like, ‘this looks so grandma-like’ - bought the beige one and it wasn't grandma-vintage, just grandma. It fit! But I returned because I still don’t like the design and don’t love balconettes.
Purchasing: * $67 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe) * Available in black, white, nude, and some fun colors.
Band: * One layer of stretch mesh. * Elastic at top of band. * Wing support: soft seaming * Continuous band - wires lower than wings. * Back close with 3 columns of hooks.
Straps: * barely ridged elastic * stiff (stand up on their own) * full adjust * leotard back
Cups: * 3-seam (4-piece) half cup * Called a full cup (by Panache) and a balconette (by Bratabase), but I call this a half cup. Straps sit at the outside of the cup, not over the apex, so not a full cup. ... Center edge of cup is diagonal, not horizontal, so not a balconette. * unpadded, stiff underwire * Top of cup is unlined, stretch lace. * Rest of cup is unlined, non-stretch mesh. * Soft cups (no molding or padding).
Fit
About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts * average projection * wide-set (3 fingers 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
Band: * length: rides up * wings: too short, boobs escape * no axillary skin spillage
Gore: Comfortable, tacks, good spacing, height fine.
Cups: * Gives breasts an oval shape. * Wires wide enough (SO RARE). * Top of cup smooth. * Bottom of cup wrinkles.
Straps: * too far apart, slip * adjust short enough
Comfort & Fit Summary * Band too big. * Didn't try other sizes. Not sure why. Per the measurements table, the 30FF would have a smaller band with the same cup width and depth. Read more 214 more words
Purchasing: * $55 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe) * Available in solid and beige plus several fun prints.
Band: * One layer of stretch mesh. * Elastic at top of band. * Wing support: soft seaming * Continuous band - wires lower than wings. * Back close with 3 columns of hooks.
Straps: * smooth elastic * stiff (stand up on their own) * full adjust * leotard back
Cups: * 3-seam (4-piece) half cup * Called a balconette but the cup edge is diagonal, not horizontal, so a half cup, not a balconette. * unpadded, stiff underwire * Top of cup is unlined, stretch lace. * Rest of cup is unlined, non-stretch mesh. * Soft cups ...(no molding or padding).
Fit
About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts * average projection * wide-set (3 fingers 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
Band: * length: stays in place with wear * wings: too short, boobs escape * no axillary skin spillage
Gore: Comfortable, tacks, good spacing, height fine.
Cup: * Gives breasts an horizontal oval shape. * Wires wide enough (SO RARE). * Top of cup smooth. * Bottom of cup wrinkles (not enough projection at the wire). * Cuts into tail of Spence.
Straps: * WAY too far apart, slip (practically in my armpits) * adjust short enough
Assessment and Plan: * Not enough immediate projection. Cuts uncomfortably into tail of Spence. Consider shape mis-match vs reverse letterphobia (to small band & too big cups). * Already tried 34E (reviewed separately). Spoiler: band too big, cups now too big, still cuts into tail of Spence. * Shape mis-match. Try other styles. Read more 221 more words
I bought this size based on @brathatfits recommendation, even though I don't think I'm that big. Oddly enough I fill out the apex on both sides with little wrinkoing. It is incredible for keeping the girls up, but the wires are too wide which makes it uncomfortable as it jabs into my side.
At first glance this looks just like the Fauve Emmanuelle. But upon closer comparison, they are very different. About the only things that are the same are the Black Lace over a Nude molded bra, rounded cup shape, tall wires and wide-set straps.
*The cups on the Fauve Emmanuelle are very open on top, have good projection at the wire, with the apex set right in the center. The cups of the Panache Idina are closed on top, have very little projection at the wire (high angle from the wire to the apex), with a very high apex (2" from the cup edge. *The lace on ...the Emmanuelle is mostly smooth, but has little nubbies (which under a tight T-shirt look like tiny moles or zits!). The lace on the Idina is smooth with no nubbies to distort the appearance. *The straps of both bras are wide-set (a pet-peeve of mine). Although the straps themselves on the Emmanuelle are much wider and more supportive. Both are fully adjustable...just barely enough! *The gores are comparable. Except...the gore on the Idina is too tall on me and tries to fold over itself #1: to try to fit between my close-set shape, #2: to make more room on my fuller side. *The bands on both bras feel true to size; the main difference between them being the Emmanuelle has lace overlaying the mesh band, and the Idina has double layer mesh. *A nice addition on the Idina - it has a thin foam padding under the eyes portion of the hooks. Very comfortable! *Rose gold hardware on the Idina. A nice accent. Read more 168 more words
This Blush colorway is a really pretty romantic pink. Lovely lace! Previously, I had tried this in the Gray, both in a 32E and a 30F, which neither were good fits. This one "kinda" fits, but not enough to keep it. I am short-waisted, but low-set and/or settled: the straps on this extended just barely enough, (but at least it would have plenty of room to adjust as it stretched). The band is a little on the loose side, (I could start this on the 2nd hook). I filled the cups well with a fresh Swoop & Scoop, but as things settled, the bottom of the cups ...(and band too) collapsed and were not getting enough support through the cups or the straps. (Side support was good though, because of the side mesh in the cups). I could prevent the bottom from collapsing by tightening the straps, but that was too uncomfortable. The apex of the cups was wide and high, so this design seems much more suited to self-supporting breasts. However, the top of the cups are quite closed in, so better for FoB or even. The best thing about this bra? It didn't gape! At all!!! On the right person this bra would look really nice, but it just didn't provide enough lift for me. Read more 111 more words
Almost a year ago I had tried this one in the next cup size down, but I didn't keep it. Since then I've change size (which might be a certain amount of migration). Anyway, the problem I had back then is the same I'm having now. By all accounts it fits, except when I roll my shoulders forward. Then I get the gaping, in a buckling-at-the-strap sort of way. Somehow, it seems that if the manufacturer would simply attach the straps closer to the apex of the cups it would immediately fix that problem. (It's the same problem I have with most bras, and I don't ...understand why they put the straps so close to the armpits. But it does make me wonder if the gaping issue I have would be a problem at all if I were not 'low-set'.) The shape is an interesting mix of both natural and rounded. Kind of a modified pointy-round, and definitely projected kind of shape. Keeps the girls very front and center. The cups are fairly stiff and don't have very much 'give'; not as stiff as the Freya Deco, but not nearly as conforming as the stretch cups of the Wacoal Lace Affair. The gore is a tad wide on me, both at the top and at the bottom, but it's not unbearable once I get it on properly. The band is firm and true to size. For some reason, the hook & eyes are scratchy on my back, and I can't figure out why.
Update: I modified the straps by adding a color-matched, non-stretch binding along the straps, 2" just above the cups. I then positioned the binding into a triangle shape, attaching the other ends to the cups, in line over the center of the apex. This gave 2 results - #1: it reduced the stretch in the front straps; #2: the straps now spread the support of the weight from the apex, rather than only at the armpits. Tada! It solved my gaping problem when I roll my shoulders forward! Read more 237 more words
Powder Blue colorway
This bra's measurements have been altered
Modified straps at point of attachment to cups. Created a non-stretch "triangle" above the cups. Straps now pull from the apex of cups.
Definitely bought too large a band size. I took in 3" overall and it's still a little loose! The cups do not fit well either, but I think this is due to the band being improperly sized. Cute pattern but the bra makes my boobs look a little torpedo-y.
[EDIT - 1 YEAR LATER] This bra is not very comfortable for all-day wear, the lace edging of the shoulder straps is sharp and digs in where they connect to the cups. Torpedo boobs are a big issue.
All I need to say is...if you have a 1950's theme outfit that you really want to complete the look, this is the bra you need!!!
But other than that, the wires flex quite a bit and stretch much more than I thought they would. Unstretched they measure 5.5", but stretched are more like 6.5".
