Janearmena

SIZE DOWN IN CUP. Floral Shimmer. Overall very pleased! Thanks to PetiteCollegiate for her review, or I never would have found this rare ABTF! I have never tried this brand before, so I cannot comment on differences from other colorways, but I will say this one is much like Comexim (actually a better fit than I get in Comexim Basic, I'd say neck and neck with my AP, and for a fraction of the cost!).

Cups- Borderline quad on my larger side, minimal gaping on my smaller side, so I'd say cups are perfect. Narrowish. They are not TTS (Cups in this are the same size ... as my AP 32FF and Panache Clara 32F). This has a good amount of bottom projection. Appearance under shirts is green-purple shape, which is my ideal. It's like I'm holding my boobs in the ideal supported shape. I get a weensy bit of buckling of top line of cup close to the gore, which I think is related to the straps being a weensy bit too far apart for me, but it doesn't do this as much as the other bras I currently have and it does not bother me/show.
Band- on the tighter end of 32 but not horribly so. I am currently wearing with an extender on the first hook and it's lovely. I anticipate being able to nix the extender after several wears. Has a plastic vertical strip encased in fabric on the side where fabric transitions from satin to mesh under the arms (don't know what this is called, but it prevents wrinkly band under the arms and increases stability. win!)
Straps- are thankfully closer together than they were in the 32F, which was the #1 issue for me, and are not rubbing or irritating at all. I probably move them in a few cm closer together than they are designed to sit, which causes the weensy cup buckling near the gore; to be perfect for me, they could be moved in 1cm. It's a very sturdy design. I feel like I could wear this on my 24h shift and still be supported. But it's comfortable and a U-back. Win! Strap width is 0.5in. Straps are cushioned and not holding a lot of weight.
Gore- narrow. Yay.
Wires- channels are 1.5cm longer than the wires under the arms and at gore. They are low/medium flexibility. Not soft, not hard.

Note, if you order from BareNecessities, their size in this brand is one size up. To get this UK32E, I had to order "32F."
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Floral Shimmer colorway

Updated on Mar 13, 2016 Flag this

The holy grail bra, I have finally found it! Cakes on a plate + basketball roundness + enough immediate projection. SO COMFORTABLE. I wore it new out of the package 2 different days this week and forgot about it, it was that great. It's also GORGEOUS. The lace is smooth under tops. I put it on and said, "My boobies look pretty!" And my bf definitely agreed, haha. This definitely has more bottom projection than plunges. The open cup allows my tall but medium-shallowness roots to do what they wish. No gaping that i get with Comexim/AP plunges. No quadding. I take it off at the end of the day and the underwire marks mirror my IMF perfectly. I am going to handwash and wear it a few more times before I order more Comexim 3hc's pronto! Thanks to Ayouthfulporpoise for your awesome blog review. #boobtwin.

Updated on Sep 17, 2016 Flag this

EDIT: this bra does not have enough projection for me. When I hike the underwires up into my inframammary fold and tighten the band to force it to stay there, I get spillage all round the sides. It is probably a cup size too small for me, but I can tell it's also just the wrong shape, based on the fact that cups are already in my armpits in this size. I would recommend this to someone with moderate projection.

The fabric of the cup (not the wires) comes up too high for me in the underarm area. The straps themselves are not too wide, which I appreciate. ... Still, I wear this bra in my rotation because even though it's a size too small, it's very well made. It fits comfortably enough and gives me a lovely shape that is smooth under Tees (lace does not show). Excellent lift for heavy breasts. The 30 band is perfect for my 29" ribcage: I waver between the first and second hook after owning it for 6 months, wearing twice/week. Quality is HIGH, materials are comfortable but sturdy, and I particularly enjoy the copper-colored metal fastenings they chose. At certain times of the month, my smaller breast leaves a bit of gapping, but it isn't noticeable, and it fares much better than my Deco, for example. The padding here is not so stiff. If I could get this in the next cup size up with narrower wires, I would.
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Updated on Oct 13, 2015 Flag this

My experience with "convertible" bras has always been that in their efforts to work well in multiple styles, they work great in none. This bra is another testament to that rule. While the colourway is fun and sporty, giving the bra a cool appearance, and the band fits great (29" ribcage, I found it TTS compared to Panache & Cleo), I had fit issues and RETURNED.

This bra was not meant for my breast shape. It is too east-west for me and did not support me in the middle, making it uncomfortable and poorly resistant to my bounce (I'd be better off with my old ratty cotton nylon sports ... bras that I've had for 6 years). I do not recommend this bra for someone with close set or projected breasts. It also digs into the top of my breast a little(not a huge deal, but confirms for me that this is a shape mismatch, not a problem of cup being too big). Meanwhile, the straps are too long on their tightest setting. The sides of the cups come up too high for me, digging into my underarm area, making this bra uncomfortable even for loungewear, and negating the possibility of shortening the straps. I also have an odd fit issue with the bottom of the cup.

The inner semi-molded layer folds over at the bottom of the cup, and this continues around the sides of the band. It is uncomfortable. I think it's because I don't fill the outer bottom area of the cup, and this bra wants boobs that are more shallow or FOB. If you prefer a wider gore (i.e. don't have close-set breasts) and aren't worried about straps being too long, you might like this bra. The fold mostly disappears when I convert to racerback, but I find the racerback extremely uncomfortable, as it causes the sides of the cup to dig in even further, and puts too much pressure on my shoulders, even with straps loosened.

This bra was a big fat fail for me. I'm hesitant to try the underwire version because of this bad experience, and because TONS of women on amazon reviews report the underwire poking through within the first few months of use with that one. I tried Wacoal Contour which also has underwire at Dillards in 32G US and it was WAY better than this. Although I wish they made it in 30H, I may get it.
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Black with neon colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on May 16, 2015 Flag this

This is great. Similar to the Panache sport, but in my opinion, this is more well-made than the Panache, so if you are within the size range for this one (the 32 goes one cup larger than this to 32G US size), I'd give this a go first. There is very firm cushion at the end of the underwires to prevent poking through. This works well for my shallow/short roots, whereas Panache left a lot of open space at the top of the cup. More than that, the Panache bended away at the top where the underwire was. It was sort of an odd boxy shape there (compare ... the white http://www.barenecessities.com/panache-ultimate-maximum-control-sports-bra-5021_product.htm?pf_id=Panache5021 to the beige http://www.barenecessities.com/wacoal-maximum-control-contour-sports-bra-853209_product.htm?pf_id=Wacoal853209). The gore does not tack (it is not meant to - this is an "encapsulation" style sports bra), but it definitively separates my breasts. My only quibble is that I am starting with the straps maximally tightened. I'm going to try it as-is for now but may take it to a tailor and shorten them an inch so that I can use the adjustable portion on the back when it stretches (I use my sports bras for like 8 years! haha). I got this bra for a steal of $23.80 at Dillard's last week. My girls are nice and perky and round in this. There is almost no bounce, but I don't feel strangled or squished. I much prefer this standard style rather than cross-back, because it puts less strain on my neck. The Panache was made as a convertible back, and I feel as I always do that when companies try to make convertible bras: they end up not quite right in either style. The straps do not dig in at my armpits.
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Black colorway

Updated on Jun 11, 2016 Flag this

CUPS RUN VERY LARGE - FITS 32F! Available at Dick's. This fits me in 32D; as you can see from my other reviews that I normally wear 30F/FF/32F. I also tried on the 32DD and the cups were definitely too big. The straps, despite being adjustable, are a bit too long. I may take it to a tailor and have them shortened. The straps have gel cushion in them. What? Yes. Amazing. As it is now, it is supportive enough for elliptical, stationary bike, hiking. If I go running (which is what I use it for most often), I wear a Lucy support tank over it. If I get the straps shortened, it should be fine solo for running. I bought it in a seafoam green color which is super cute.

Updated on Aug 11, 2016 Flag this

Positives: Nude color matches my fair skintone well. Details are feminine and different, not overly-embellished. As for everything else...I guess I would recommend this bra for a woman with widely spaced full-on-bottom breasts who wears band sizes larger than 30.

This bra just came, and immediately after trying it on I was disappointed to eliminate Fantasie from my radar. The band is way too large - creeping up my back on the tightest hook (and 30 is the smallest band they make). With a 29" ribcage, I am a 30FF in Panache & Freya, and I would need to go down TWO band sizes to make this Eclipse ... bra fit properly.

Not only that, but also the entire bra is too stretchy. Even if the band fit, I could tell that it wouldn't continue to fit for long. A tight band is important in a balcony bra because the straps are positioned widely, leading to less central support. Fantasie made a mistake by not tightening the band or changing materials from what they use on their famous plunge-style Rebecca: this band is not tight enough to provide the central support needed for a balcony style bra.

The other drawback is the shape of the bra in general: it's very down-and-out to the sides, which is exacerbated by its excessively long straps (so-made to accommodate the racerback option they included) and high sides of cups that dig into my armpits, pushing the bra down. I understand that a balcony bra is a more widely-spaced setup, but again, the material is too stretchy for a balcony bra! The cups provide little support. They included metal clips on the back for a racerback option (never a good sign for a moulded/spacer bra, in my opinion, which should be carefully designed to fit one way only). The cups also cut across my breast tissue too high going across the front - like Fantasie couldn't commit to the slightly more scandalous balcony style they were going for because they were afraid of losing part of their older market. I have all-over fullness, so I would not recommend this bra for a full-on-top or all-over fullness gal.
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Nude colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 17, 2015 Flag this

This review is for the Sophisticate balconette cut 32FF. Summary: the best-fitting bra I have ever owned.

This is equivalent to a 30 band in UK sizes. I used Sophisticatedpair sizing advice. From the descriptions of the soph balc cut, it sounds like it would be the same as customizing straps moved in, reduced cups, and reduced gore. Not positive on that - I don't think anyone but Anna of AP truly knows. There are probably more subtle adjustments throughout the size range (#hooks, strap width, strap distance apart, etc). I would recommend this bra to those with even or bottom fullness; those who need narrow wires; those who ... are tired of straps/underarm chafing; and those who don't mind waiting a month or more to receive it. On Anna Pardal: they are a young small business. There were multiple delays with my item, yadda yadda yadda, I was partially refunded and given a discount for future use. The quality of the product is spectacular, so that has helped as well, and if it fares well over time, I will order from them again.

Aesthetic: Feminine and sophisticated. I love the grey. I was quite surprised when I pulled it out of the box because the background color is truly pink-peach, not ivory. That aside, still quite beautiful, just not quite as complementary to my pale skin as it might have been. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" /> I love the AP designs: while Comexim and Cleo can be fun, their neon colors, excess frills, or strange patterns seem to disregard the fact that you will be wearing this under clothing that fits you and usually have to go to work(!). Lol. AP is gorgeous, considerate of the typical lifestyle, and makes me feel like a sexy young woman. Yay!

Wires: The miracle has occurred. The wires are flush with my breast tissue all the way around! They live oh-so happily in my inframammary fold. When I take it off, the lines are right there. YES! The gore tacks, there's no wrinkling in the bottom of the cups or space down there, and they are just the right width to encompass all my side tissue without going further back than they need to. And no strap chafing!

Band: perfect. Comfortably tight on the loosest set of hooks. Speaking of which, there are 3. I didn't ask, they're just there. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Note: this is true in my size, but I don't know about other sizes. I've never had 3 hooks in a non-sports bra before; I didn't know how much I wanted them until now! They're closely spaced, so it doesn't increase the band height all that much, but provides noticeable extra stability. They made use of this stability by making the straps only 0.5inch each. I'm still deciding if it's wide enough, but I think it is, and it will be nice for those shirts that show straps to not be noticeable on my smallish frame. They don't feel like they carry much weight right now.

Cups: on a scale of natural to half-basketball (0-10), I would call this an 8, which I would say is ideal. They are perky, central, and cleavagey, but don't attempt to make my boobs so round that they compress them (huzzah). I have never tried reduced cups or reduced gore, so there is more exposed in the center than I'm used to, but I don't feel unstable and my boobs don't touch. This cut drastically improved the fit compared to my unaltered Comexim. My right breast is almost a cup size larger than left, and if I aggressively swoop and scoop, there is quadboob on the right. I could consider 32G with the complimentary "cookie pocket" to use on my smaller side and possibly straps moved in (they're great in this size, but increasing cup size usually makes them further apart, which I don't want). This is pretty perfect as-is, and I hate the idea of having to stuff something in my bra (my boobs are big enough as is). I'll see if the gore continues to tack after several wears and then decide if I need to go up.

Fabrics: Inside the cups is soft cotton. The outer fabric is stretch satin (beautiful sheen, moves well without wrinkling on the cup), and the cup trim is a grey, non-stretch satin ribbon. I am a big fan of the ribbon because its firmness reinforces the shape of the cups right at the edge, where they take the most pressure from my center-full breasts. In some women, this may cause quadboob, but on me it does not. It helps prevent gaping and falling toward the middle. None of their other designs have this ribbon set-up (an old model, Fifi, used to), so I may hold out for their next season and see. I do have my eyes on the Florence, though, because it also has this stretch satin, so the seams don't show. I could ask for a ribbon along the Florence edge custom, but I feel like it's an insult to a designer. Thoughts?
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Updated on Oct 13, 2015 Flag this

I asked for straps moved in 2cm, narrowed gore, reduced cups, and cookie pockets. I don't know that I got the narrowed gore because the wires don't overlap, but the rest is definitely noticeabely altered. The band is tight for its size, as usual for Anna Pardal; it will stretch.

This didn't fit me when I initially got it (cups were too big), but it didn't sell and now my boobs have grown into it! Biggest. Silver. Lining. EVER! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />

Florence colorway

This bra's measurements have been altered

Updated on Mar 14, 2017 Flag this

I would recommend this bra for someone who has a long torso and likes a minimizing effect with wide wires and low-medium projection. Probably best for even fullness (I am even-to-FOB). Accommodates tall roots. The gore is the kicker: I do not know anyone who could tolerate the 4 inch tall gore that they have made in this size.
I recently tried a different Chantelle demi (C chic sexy demi) in 32F, but the cups were just a bit too small, so I thought I'd give this 32G a go. Now I know why Chantelle doesn't make most of its bras in 32G: they have no idea how to ... grade them.

Gore: 4 inches tall. 4 inches! Digs in at the top.
Cups: single layer of mesh. Single vertical seam. Minimized shape. Some loose fabric at the top, but fits well elsewhere. The sides of the cups are digging into my armpits.
Wires: wide. Bra does not lay flat on a table when hooked on the tightest hook (dead giveaway of poor grading).
Straps: not fully adjustable. In fact, the adjustable portion does not even reach the top of my shoulder. I never complain about too-long straps, so this is odd. The cups are already digging into my armpits with long straps anyway, so no sense shortening them. They have done a split strap in the front for sexy effect.
Band: accurately sized.
Fabric: soft. Cute and unique mesh print continues along the band. I ordered the purple (barenecessities sale) and it is accurate to online pictures.
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Updated on May 14, 2016 Flag this