Shape: round, projected, even to FoB, close set, on the narrow end of average root width.
So, typically I fit splendidly in a UK 30E, but it's clear from other reviews that the cups run a size big in this bra. I kept my band size, sized down in the cups, and here we are with a 30DD. I haven't tried any of the other colorways, but once I heard that the Floral Shimmer ran much more narrow and projected it seemed prudent to give it a shot. And it's a great fit!
Pros: Compared to the much wider wires of the Panache bras I typically wear, these are ...nicely narrow and run about even with my tail of spence. The gore is higher than I would expect for a plunge cut, but it is more comfortable than my other high gore balconnets - I wonder if this is due to how projected the cups are? The projection is more accommodating to my center fullness, which usually leaves the gore resting uncomfortably on breast tissue. Not in this! The overall shape/side profile is VERY up, at-attention, and forward. Under shirts, it legitimately looks like I grew a full cup size or two thanks to the deep, projected cups. This could be a pro or con depending on whether you prefer a minimized look. Lastly, it's super comfy! The shiny fabric and interior cup foam is lovely and soft and it's basically invisible under (darker) t-shirts. Thumbs up.
Cons: This looks like a swimsuit. I'm not kidding! The thick molded cups coupled with the shiny print fabric give off a serious swimsuit vibe, especially paired with the matching bottoms (as a side note, I have 38" hips / 27" waist and the size small high waist briefs fit perfectly). Not a huge issue for me, just something to be aware of if you care about it. Also, if you have *any* asymmetry, the cups will not be forgiving. The bra fit perfectly to my larger breast, but I get a touch of gapping on my smaller side. It's not extreme, but again, something to be aware of especially if you have pronounced asymmetry. Cookies would probably help.
Overall, I'm very pleased. This is such a different fit to what I'm used to in my typical Panaches and Cleos, and I think I might have to hunt down more narrow, projected bras. I'm hooked. Read more 292 more words
Great review! It looks beautiful. I keep wanting to try this bra. I wish the floral shimmer had a separate listing here so I could filter the measurements since all the reviews suggest it's a very different Charlotte! Are you able to add a cup height measurement? I also appreciate the comments on the fabric as I've been wondering what it feels like in person.
letstalkaboutbras Cup averages about 5.5" tall. The exterior fabric is very soft, silky, and shiny. The cup interior is composed of a medium weight foam with exposed stitching where the cup is sewn together, so while soft and reasonably comfortable, if you're highly sensitive to seams inside the cup you *might* be bothered.
100percentawesome Thanks for that extra info! I meant to say earlier that I appreciate how you commented on the fabric in your original review - it's something I always look out for. :)
I made a little comparison of Charlotte in 30E in Red and Charlotte in 30DD in new Floral Shimmer. Floral Shimmer has definitely bigger and deeper cups which are also close on top. For full review look at my blog.
I was really excited to receive this bra. I really like Parfait by Affinitas/Affinitas. The aesthetic is very attractive to me. It makes me upset that they seem to only offer the Charlotte in a size 28 band. The Bess Balconet is definitely the girliest bra that I own. That cute ruffle detailing? Definitely showed through my ribbed knit tank that usually does a decent job covering seams. This bra has an intense shape, I THINK it's more of a half cup style than your typical balconet. There's not much projection at the wires but by'jo if there isn't ample amounts of projection at the apex. It's definitely ...very cone-y looking on me. While it technically fits, I think a cup size down would look less cone like on me as I would get a more rounded Antoinette like cleavage. At least to the extent that possible given how wide the Gore is and how center full I am. The bra essentially follows the naturally shape of my breast. It's still a bit too shallow below the apex of the bra for me. The straps are wide set, it almost seems like a given at this point in my journey. They're nice and smooth though. I find I am almost always wishing the straps were more narrow. They don't fall off of my broad shoulders. The cups might be considered narrow for the size (30DD), but I found they were neither too wide or narrow for me. They're also pretty small for the size more like a 30D. I would even say a 30C if the bra wasn't meant to just come above the nipples. It is of course not as low coverage on me as it would be for most women in the 30D/DD range. I could not feel the seams at all inside the cup and the inside cup foam was lined in a very soft cotton. Although I did sort of wish it was the same satiny fashion fabric. I really like this seamed foam cup design. It's firm, rounded and shapely like a moulded cup bra except that it's way more forgiving. There's even a bit of stretch. It's nice and open on top, so probably not so great for women with no top or center fullness. Women with touching breasts or a lot of inner fullness will not be comfortable in this bra. The wires are really comfortable but firm enough not to warp easily. They come up as high as the cup and seem to be somewhat cushioned. There is a set of side bones on each side. They kept the bra nice and stable and were again, comfortable but firm enough not to warp. I experienced ZERO digging in my ten hour shift. The band on this bra is just awesome. It's definitely a 30 band. But whatever elastic they used on it is FANTASTIC. It is SO firm, plush and super comfortable. The bra did not move around or ride up. I really like the construction of this bra. Hopefully I can figure out what that elastic is. Overall, I wish I could try it in a 30D. I'm sure I'll find myself reaching for it time and time again.
No digging over 10 hours--wonderful!! Thanks for your detailed review :-)
Love this color, and how helpful I find your reviews, hate that this definitely wouldn’t be a good bra for me!
Thanks everyone! It is really pretty yogurt , I'm glad I don't really care about the detailing showing through clothes. It's certainly a bra for showing off! ;-) I was totally amazed too Love4Pollinators , I just hope that their newer designs are just a comfy. Thank you AMabcD , I try to review for everyone and not just boobie-twins of mine. But, hey, this is an older design so their newer bras still have a chance of working for you. ^.^
EDIT: I altered the band myself so it can stretch to 26 inches, and now it fits me PERFECTLY. No more gaping, and I finally have nice cleavage without quadraboob. If you experience gaping in the cups, I highly recommend altering- especially if you are a sub-30 band.
EDIT #2: Now that I've tried the Freya Deco bra, Casey's rival, I'd have to say that I VASTLY prefer the Casey. Although they share similarities such as both being padded plunge bras that run large, the shape of the cups are different. Even though the depth of the Deco is too small for me, my breasts still won't conform to ...the top part of the cups because I don't have a lot of upper fullness and the material is very frigid; the top of the cups are somewhat straight and don't curl towards the body. Meanwhile, Casey's cups are a bit more elastic and forgiving albeit still being frigid, just to a lesser degree than the Deco. I also find that the top of the cups on the Casey bra curls toward the breast. If I had to decide between the two, I'd have to choose the Casey. If they made Casey in a 28 band or even a 26 band, I'd be a very happy girl.
I special ordered this from Large Cup Lingerie (which by the way, is absolutely fantastic for special orders). Based on other reviews, I sized a cup down because it apparently ran big, which I'm glad I did. I have a 26 inch back and I found this stretched to a true 30, which is way too large for me. Note that my measured bra size is 26FF. I have narrow, bottom heavy breasts and I experienced several fit issues with this. First of all, this thing gapes on me; it is definitely not a good shape for my breast shape. Secondly, like I said, the band runs way too large. I do have to say that this bra is VERY comfortable and despite the gaping, I still get cleavage. The blue color is very pretty. This is a great bra for those who own standard American bras like Victoria's Secret but have recently discovered their 'new' bra size. The lace on the sides of the cup are reminiscent of VS' Angel push up bra, which used to be one of my favourites. I hope Parfait comes out with a lavender Casey... I dislike nude bras but lavender is an alternative for those who like pastel, girly colors but want a bra that does not show under white clothing. Read more 321 more words
Charlotte has turned out to be one of my favorite bras in my current size, and I've collected many colors, but Dusty Rose is quite possibly my favorite colorway! Unfortunately, I only own this in a 30D, which has always been too small for me. Luckily, I found this bra in near-brand new condition from needboobwisdom, who happened to not get on with the shape.
I am pleased to find that this bra fits exactly as expected. While I prefer the 28E in this style for a more snug band, Parfait makes very firm bands in general, so the 30DD works quite well ...and doesn't feel too large. The cups on this bra measure as expected, with no notable discrepancies although I have experienced some bras running a little larger or smaller in the cup than the others. Note that this is for the older version with the rainbow Parfait label, which fits me quite well.
Dusty Rose is a beautiful matte cool rose that functions as a nude on lighter skintones. It is a very flattering color on me, and I hope to find more colors like this in other styles as they are more attractive than flesh-tone nudes while still appearing invisible under clothing.
I am very happy to have this gorgeous colorway of Charlotte in my collection in my size, and will definitely be adding it to my rotation this winter! Read more 132 more words
Parfait's unlined bras have been very hit or miss for me. Some of the early ones I tried in 30D (Sandrine, Irene) were oddly shaped and had very strange U shaped wires, as well as dubious material quality. However, I recently really enjoyed Ava, which is a side-support style that fits better than some of my Fantasies. I gave this one a try, but once again this was a huge fail. Marion has the same U shaped wire problem, but the biggest issue is that it is designed for very FOT, round shapes with a lot of upper projection. While the bottom of ...this cup fits, the upper cup is laughably empty. This seems really strange because my 30DD Ava fits just fine, the 30DD Tess is fine, and 30DD Casey Lace is just a little big in the cup, but mostly because it is too wide. I'm not sure why there is so much inconsistency in Parfait's unlined bras, but this is a disappointment.
Marion is a rather tall balconette style with a tall gore. Parfait's wires tend to be on the narrow side, so while the wires here actually measure normally, the shape is a U that is flatter on the bottom and quite vertical on the sides. Thankfully, these wires have enough flexibility to stretch when worn, so it feels OK on. However, the cup shape is all wrong for me. This is a 3 piece cup with a 2 piece bottom panel and a very steep, perpendicular upper panel. The fullest part of the cup is quite high, and because of the width of the upper panel, it is very projected. Someone with a short and shallow breast shape like me would only fill out the bottom of the cup while the entire upper cup is laughably empty. The one positive thing is that the cups are constructed with full lining inside the cups, so that none of the seams are exposed. While the outside lace is quite soft, this would be good for people who have a hard time with seams or find lace to be scratchy. The upper edge is finished with a strip of clear stabilizing elastic that has some stretch, and the tall cups should be fine for tall roots without cutting in.
The band is made from firm stretch knit and has a piece of plastic boning on the side for stability. This style didn't feel as firm in the band as most of my other 30DD Parfait bras, but I think this is probably because the cups are too big, since it measures the same. The straps on this style are very interesting, as the front portion of the strap is wide, tapered, and made from padded foam. However, the downside to this is that the adjustable portion at the back is quite short, and I'm not sure why they switched to skinny elastic in the back. The cups are made from decent-quality mesh-based floral lace with a satiny sheen, and overall all the materials are soft and good quality. The center gore has a stacked horizontal ribbon with a faceted crystal stitched on. There is a keyhole detail at the center cradle between the tall gore and the bottom of the cradle, which is lace.
Overall this bra is thoughtfully constructed and shows several design details specifically for full figure comfort. However, the unique cup shape means that this is suitable for narrower breasts that are very FOT, round, and have a lot of upper projection. Round and wide shapes might have trouble with the narrow wires, and the cup shape and depth is not suitable for average, shallow, or non-FOT shapes at all. Read more 528 more words
I've tried this bra in a few sizes 30DD, 30E, 32DD. With the 30E and the 32DD I got a lot of gaping near the center, I think a molded plunge may not be my best style, but I like having a plunge bra. After trying the sizes I thought would be best I went ahead and got a 30DD, I still can get some gaping if I don't have the straps fairly tight, but also can get some quadding. The quadding under most shirts isn't really noticeable and without a shirt, I feel I get the intended look of the bra. I like the look the Jeanie and the Casey (I ordered a Casey in a 30DD as well), but think they may not be the best style for an ideal fit for me. I think the underwires on the Casey fit me a bit better though I prefer the smoothness of the Jeanie cups.
Since nobody has added this bra to Bratabase yet, I figured I would at least share my thoughts of it when I tried it on. No measurements, sorry! I didn't want to actually purchase the bra unless it fit, and I didn't have a measuring tape with me in the store.
The bra was very pretty, would make a nice bridal bra, and I believe that's the intent of the Elissa collection. One of the jewels on the bow at the gore fell off when I put the bra on, but I don't know if that's a measure of Parfait's quality or the sad state of the Kohl's clearance ...rack where I found the bra.
The band is very snug; I was able to use the loosest hooks to fasten it, though I think if I were to wear it for an extended period I'd want the middle hooks. It has the silicone stuff on the band that helps keep the bra from falling down, which limited the stretch. (For reference, my ribcage measures 26.5" snug and I'm pretty happy in Freya 28s.)
Cups were sadly too small, too shallow, and too closed on top for my 28F boobs. The cups were tall, but not tall enough to keep from interfering with my tall roots. I had a ring of quadboob around the top edge of the cup outlining exactly where my root ends (which was quite educational, actually, but not how I'd want my boobs to look for an entire day). The wires felt like they were barely staying in my IMF, I'm sure if I had it on longer it would have slid down. I took one look at myself in the mirror after swoop and scoop, laughed, and then took it off.
I'm not sure what shape this bra would work for - it seemed like it has similarities to many of the other strapless bras on the market. Closed on top and shallow are a combination that doesn't work for many people. Read more 225 more words
Overall I really like this bra. It's super cute, I think the cut is very flattering and it gives a very slightly retro shape (which I like). It's also pretty comfortable; it has a full band (another plus for me), the cup width is just about perfect, and the gore doesn't poke at all.
This is a 3-part padded cup and the top section is very horizontal and kind of juts inward making the cup a bit closed on top. The cups are pretty short which is part of what makes it so cute, but with the slightly closed on top shape it gives me a bit of quadboob ...sometimes. The straps are a bit wide set but very soft and don't bother me in the armpit area at all. So far I haven't had any issues with them falling off but I've only worn it a couple times and not while being particularly active.
I usually wear a 30D but sized up to a 30DD and I'm glad I did, it runs at least a full cup small. I would even consider getting a second in a 30E. I would say that the band is fairly true to size, maybe a bit shy of a true 30; very comfortable for my ~28" UB. Read more 104 more words
Oops! So... I thought that the 30DD would fit better in the cups since the 30E was too big...
Unfortunately, the wires are not wide enough for me in this size and the cups seem to be too tall. (Similar problems I have with the Freya Deco) But the good part about this bra is that there is an elastic sewn on the edge of it to prevent little gaping that Deco has.
The bra is very cute, a little lumpy under clothes and people say it is "retro". I'm not exactly sure since I guess I haven't lived that long yet https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_razz.gif" ...alt=":P" /> Personally, I would not consider it a plunge because the gore is so high. Ah!
I like all the detailing that went into this bra, such as the bow and the black stripes on the cup and the center. The padding is about 1/8th of an inch, so it is a good amount, but I wouldn't consider it "push up".
I also have reason to believe they updated the sizing on the Charlotte, because the two I got (30E and 30DD) stretch to 31 inches, while most of the older measurements show that the 30 band is around 27-28 inches.
Overall I really like this bra, but I think I will try my luck with the balconette version they have. Read more 123 more words
I like this bra since the band is very tight fitting. I measure ~28.5 inches under the bust and it fits tight around my ribcage, set on the outermost hooks. I am not very polstered there, and this bra is one of the few where the underwires do not hurt (e.g. Wacoal bras do). The cups are nicely shaped and provide a good underbust lift, and work well for a breast fuller at the bottom and less full on top, and accomodate fuller/less full boobage with hormonal changes. After weeks of wearing almost every day. Fabric for bra and straps is nice.
Pros: Low Price, good cup for breasts with most fullness on bottom, nice lift. Nude version works well under white T-Shirts. Cons: Cups are still a bit wide on top.
This bra seems a bit too large in the cups even though it is labeled as a 30DD; maybe a 30E.
Regardless, it is worth noting that this bra is CONVERTIBLE, with the standard removable straps.
The cups are EXTREMELY wide. And I think it does have a strange shape to it; perhaps more suited for FoT breasts.
I am not sure if it is just this particular bra, but it may be worth noting to keep the band size you wear and maybe go down a cup size if you try out this bra. Maybe it's just a shape mismatch for me though, idk
VERY cute but not a good fit for me. I tried this bra in a few sizes, and unfortunately my weight was also fluctuating, so it's hard to tell if the issues were size or shape. It doesn't seem like the projection is immediate enough for me, and the cup might be too tall. The construction feels very sturdy. The wires are firm. The materials are not soft but they aren't really scratchy either. The straps are slightly wider, which I appreciate. Unfortunately, they are too wide-set for my narrow frame.
This was the first Dalis I ordered, but I decided to return it as the bottom band elastic kept creasing on me. I ordered a second one that did not have this issue, so hopefully it was a one-off.
(Due to the construction, the cup is extremely difficult to measure. Note that cup measurements are just an approximation, you will get different results if you measure the cups differently.)
After I tried the Parfait Adriana, I became interested in trying more bralettes from Parfait. Dalis is another great bralette from their current collection and is sold in bra sizing. However, note that this is really meant to be a comfort bralette, so the expectation is that this is great for wearing around the house, but wouldn't provide the kind of shaping, support, and coverage you might want for wearing outside of the house. With that in mind, let's talk about Dalis!
Dalis is made from a supersoft modal blend, which is pretty different from the nylon, mesh, and lace you typically find in the bralette ...world. The entire bra except the lace trim on the cups and straps is made from the same fabric, which is silky and comfortable against the skin. The construction is a little reminiscent of Adriana, but Parfait has made a few changes here. The band is a wide piece of elastic encased in a channel. Note that the first Dalis I ordered had a problem with the elastic immediately creasing within the casing, while the second one I ordered did not. I have no idea how or why this happened as they seem to be made exactly the same way. The band is firm yet comfortable, and feels TTS. In this size, there are three hooks, which you never see in a bralette in this size range.
The cups are set onto a curved piece above the band, acting as a cradle. The cups have a long bottom dart to the center of the cup, and the cups are rather small, with lace creating the center gore portion. The main thing is that the cups fit differently from Adriana, and seem to run a size small. 30DD feels too small for me, and I think that 30E would be better. This was the opposite of my experience with Adriana, where I ended up sizing down in the cup because the V neckline was cut too high. So, unless you are pretty shallow, I would keep your normal band size and go up one cup size. I also found that the seam of the cup didn't quite sit at the right place on my body, but this is a minor issue as I plan to just wear this at home anyway.
There is a lot of lace trim on the bra, so if you are into a clean, minimal aesthetic, this might be too much lace for you. However, the lace is soft, comfortable, and helps add detail to an otherwise simple bralette. The lace extends onto both sides of the straps as well as along the upper edge of the band in the back. There are no other trims.
This is a super comfortable bralette that actually provides support for small band sizes. While I can't speak to if this will provide enough support for larger breasts, it's a great option for small band people who can't fit into standard alphanumeric options designed for 32+ bands.
(Due to the construction, the cup is extremely difficult to measure. Note that cup measurements are just an approximation, you will get different results if you measure the cups differently.) Read more 441 more words
Tess is basically the unlined bra version of the Parfait Dalis Bralette, which I quite enjoy. I ended up picking up Tess in the same Bare color as the Dalis Bralette I already have. Both are made from a cottony-looking modal blend fabric that is soft and comfortable, and both are decorated with lace details, although the lace is different between the two styles.
In terms of fit, Tess actually works pretty well on me. It is a 4 piece side support cut that is a little bit similar to Ava, but overall the bra measures a little bigger than Ava. Therefore, it fits well ...on my larger side, but the cup is a little empty on my smaller side. I plan to wear this with foam inserts though for shaping, so this isn't a big deal. Note that the side support panel is actually just a 4th piece of fabric and is not a true side support, since it does not have any additional reinforcement to push tissue forward.
The fabric for this bra is knit jersey with 5% spandex, so the cups have a bit of natural stretch. I think this would look best if the cups run a little tight, because the seaming is quite thick, and will definitely show under clothing. I get a much smoother appearance wearing this bra with the foam inserts than wearing it without, though the seams are at least slightly visible either way. Overall, cup shape seems to be balanced and rounded, and would be best for even shapes. The upper cup lace is stretch, and is finished with a strip of clear stretch elastic, so it should not cut into tall roots and can accommodate some upper fullness.
My only concern with fit and comfort is around the wires. While the wire shape is much more of a gentle C curve than other Parfait styles, the wires are quite long, and for some reason when I pull the band snug, the wires tend to roll inward, so the upper portion of the gore digs in a bit, while the bottom floats a little. The outer edge of the cup feels fine though, and the wires aren't too narrow. I'll see if I can bend the wires away at the gore a bit for comfort.
The band is soft, comfortable, and well-made with the same outer jersey modal fabric and an inner lining of mesh for additional stability. There's a small strip of plastic boning for stability as well, which I always like, but some people find uncomfortable. This is a full cradle style, though the elastic running through the top and bottom aren't particularly wide or firm, so it will probably not be particularly snug. Straps are a bit disappointing as they are simple narrow satin elastic. While they are fully adjustable, I don't feel the narrow width is appropriate for full figure bras, and plain texture means they can easily slip. This and the visible seams are probably the only design elements I think were not well-thought out. The only trim is a small bow at the center gore.
I think this is a great style with all the comfort of an cotton bra, but beware of the visible seams. If possible, I would size down in the cup as long as the wires still fit, as a snug fit in the cups will result in a better appearance. It seems to run just a little big in the cups, almost a half size. Read more 495 more words
I really liked the Parfait Ava Unlined Bra in 30DD, so I wanted to try another unlined bra in this size as the 30Ds I tried in the past did not work. Originally I really wanted the Casey Molded Bra in the Rose Print, but the style just didn't suit me, so when I saw this bra in my size in the Casey Lace Unlined version, I picked it up immediately. However, unfortunately this doesn't fit the same as Ava, and is a bit too big on me.
The Casey Molded was too tall for me and designed for FOT shapes, so it didn't work. It ...turns out that Casey Lace Unlined is also designed for the same shape. Compared to Ava, Casey's cups are almost a whole size larger, as well as significantly wider. I would say that this in effect fits like a 30E instead of 30DD. The cups are too wide, a little too deep, and a little too tall for me all around. However, the saving grace is that it works well with foam inserts, so I can still wear this effectively as a t-shirt bra with foam lining, just not unlined like I can with the Ava.
The fabric is also a bit different from Ava, as the body fabric is made from silky printed stretch jersey and lined with nonstretch tricot. The upper cup is stretch lace lined with tricot backing, and the upper edge has a strip of clear stabilizing elastic. This is a 3 piece cup with side sling, and it's interesting that the bottom panel is one piece instead of two. Overall the cups do have a bit of stretch, which can be nice if you tend to have a bit of size fluctuation. However, as they don't fit me snugly, I can't comment on if the stretch cups are less supportive than the nonstretch cups that Ava has.
The same printed stretch jersey fabric is used throughout the bra, including on the band. The wings are also backed with mesh and have a slight leotard cut. Since the cups are too big for me, the band doesn't feel as snug as Parfait's 30DD bands typically feel on me, but it's hard to tell how much is due to the firmness of the fabric and how much is due to the fit of the cups. I wish I could have found this in a 30D as I think this runs a full cup size large based on comparisons to Ava, though note that as the wires are fairly rigid, you should be careful sizing down to make sure the wires don't get too narrow. The trims are simple, with plain black satin straps and a plain ribbon bow at the center gore. I love the rose print though, as it has a really retro 90s feel.
I think this is meant to be a simple, everyday bra based on its lack of frills and the soft, comfortable fabric. The stretch cups would probably be best for firm, full breasts that don't need a lot of cup support and have enough upper fullness to fill out the cup shape. The stretch fabric makes it a good choice for size fluctuations. Read more 444 more words
Great review! It looks beautiful. I keep wanting to try this bra. I wish the floral shimmer had a separate listing here so I could filter the measurements since all the reviews suggest it's a very different Charlotte! Are you able to add a cup height measurement? I also appreciate the comments on the fabric as I've been wondering what it feels like in person.