I've been wanting this bra since I saw it in the fall of 2016, so 1 1/2 years. Botanical prints are my favorites, especially tropical ones, and although Panache is too tall for me, I decided I would give it another whirl, this time in a more likely to fit size than the 38J - Panache » Thea Balconnet Bra (9261) I tried previously. I liked the print so much I even ordered a matched set, on sale for only $60 total, which is pretty good for Panache in the US. The bra was probably over $60 full price here.
Thea fits me ...a lot like Jasmine, which is to say, a little too tall, with the fullest part of the bra about an inch above the nipple. The depth at the wire is not great compared to my Elomis- the bottom of the bra kind of comes up to the apex at a steep angle, whereas my Elomis are much more curved. The Panache thus gives a more pointy profile, and since the apex is above my own bust point, I get rocket boob, my trademark look in all Jasmine-like bras (Hettie, Blake, Thea, Jasmine). It's pointy and points upward.
I think this this bra would fit full on top, average to tall rooted women really well. The stretch lace, the top room, would balance out the pointier bottom portion.
The band is quite stretchy, the cups are roomy, so much so that someone who measures 42K (UK) might fit this bra if they really are full on top and have taller roots. The straps are pretty wideset.
All the fabrics are super soft. No scratchy yucky Panache fabric here- everything is silky. The band and strap elastics are really nice and plush.
I'm going to see what I can do to add new wires, shorten the gore, and take in the lace to make the shape a little rounder. I was trying it on and my husband was like, oh I love that print (he loves all things tropical), but it's so pointy! If I can make the profile a bit rounder with my sewing skills, it will be perfect.
Thank you! I did alter it (overlapped the wires, smaller wires, lowered the gore, took in the top) and it fits pretty well now and has a less pointy profile! It’s my husband’s favorite bra I own. He loves all things tropical.
Lucky guy in that you can alter his favorite printed bra to fit!! :-) :-)
Has J-hooks. That's pretty cool for the narrow shoulder havers. High roots and narrow shoulders, get a buddy to help you adjust the straps because otherwise, it's gonna be a lot of taking it off and putting it back on. I can't praise this material enough. I'm trying SO HARD to find the right size in this bra. You'll see when I finish uploading all the data from all the sizes I ordered. Oh boy. It's so soft. The stretch fabric on the top of the cups is so cute. The double bagged band is insanely comfortable. But the wires are so damn high (on the edge and at the gore) & too wide for me. I have short/high roots. This is a shape mismatch. The cups also aren't deep enough for the amount of projection I have, but I want it to work so badly. I just wish the frame worked for me. Edit: Turns out none of the sizes in this model work for me. Bummer.
I think this bra might be a good fit for me scaled down. As it is I fill the bottom but not the top. I might rebuy when I lose weight as it was very soft and comfortable, although not really my style.
Its nice to finally have a bra my size that is actually supportive and reliable!! As a woman with very large, very heavy breasts, this bra absolutely has the support that I need. I'm short with huge boob that are very heavy and pendulous (they feel as though they weigh 20 lbs each). It's amazing that a delicate lacy bra with thin straps can hold my girls up so well and that their weight was no longer on my shoulders. A bra like that is hard to come by when your size starts going farther into the alphabet. The only mild complaint I have is that the underwire does seem to dig, either in the armpits or ribcage.... but other than that, this is my new "go-to" bra, I LOVE it!!!
Purchased in Dec 2016, this Jasmine in the blue floral colorway was the best of the 7 Panache bras I have had over the years. The band was tts and I got a nice round and uplifted shape with the least amount of quadding of all of these bras. Unfortunately, the short strap problem I had with the other 6 Panache bras was still there although it was borderline acceptable with this Jasmine. The wires were just right for me so no complaints there. My lack of success with the Jasmine was the last straw for me with Panache and I have since focused on Bravissimo.
June 2020, This particular Jasmine ...is the one bra I most regret parting ways with. I let my initial reaction to the comfort and especially fit, convince me that this bra would never work for me but, for some reason, I am only now realizing that many bras need a break in period in order for them to reach their potential. Thankfully, I have my many Bravissimo's that are very good at fit and comfort. Read more 70 more words
I am surprised I said the wires were just about right in my original review. Perhaps I didn't initially notice the wires because I was trying to be positive but the lasting impression I have is these wires were so annoying and painful. Panache wire completely fill the wire channel whereas my Bravissimo's always have at least 1/2 inch of empty space at the wire ends. If Panache ever reduces their wire length, I will try them again.
Purchased in May 2016, the Envy was part of a 2 piece order of Panache bras. I had previously tried a Tango II and 3 Melody's but for various reasons were never bras that fit. Unfortunately, the Envy was for me the worst of the bunch. Fit wise, it gave similar results to the Hepburn that was the other bra in my order. The band was tts and the cups gave decent support but with quadding and a lack of strap length. The hot pink was too bright pink for my liking and I felt this colorway was more suited for someone who was 20-30 years younger.
Purchased in May 2016, this Hepburn was part of am order that included an Envy, both in a 38K. I was really wanting to find a Panache that fits but both of these and the 4 others I had previously purchased just didn't fit. The Hepburn was a beautiful coral colorway and the design was very pretty. The band was supportive and aside from my usual quadding, gave me a round and uplifted shape. The straps however did not extend long enough for my torso and there were days where I would jokingly wonder to myself if my boobs would one day wind up close to my chin. I wore this Hepburn maybe 5 times but eventually gave up on it. I really did love that coral colorway though.
I always loved to wear my Arizas when I was a 40J/38JJ, they felt very supportive and I liked the shape and design of this series. It's a pity, it's discontinued, but I think most women will find the wires too poky under the armpit. The wires are very long, but that was something I liked about the bra.
This bra is beautiful. That being said, the cups are much too full and the center gore is too high for my preference. The wires poke my arm pits badly, and the 38 band does not fit tight enough, even on the smallest setting.
Editing: I tried to wear it just a little bit more. The whole front of the band rode down my rib cage and dug into my skin. The straps continued to dig more and more into my shoulders to an unbearable extent. I can't even wear deodorant due to the arm pit poking, it gets all over the bra. AND, the mesh on this is so scratchy and uncomfortable. T
This is such a gorgeous print on you!!!