Imabratinfluence

In my size range, the Nuance Plunge has the following alterations:
- straps moved in 2cm (roughly an inch)
- lowered gore
- reduced cup height

I also requested:
- straps moved in further (Anna offered to bring them in a total of 3.5 cm-- paid customization)
- cookie pockets (free customization).

And this size includes a 3x3 hook and eye closure.

FIT: On her website, Anna suggests that if you have a UK size you're comfortable with, keep your letter and go up one band. I have typically worn 28GG and 30G over the last several months. It's possible I could go down a band and up one cup further ... since I seem to be growing, currently, and it's something I will be considering and keeping an eye on. Currently, this and my EM S Kamea in 30GG (on Kamea's 3rd hooks) are my best fits.

MATERIAL: I raved about the softness of the Caramel Latte colorway, and rightfully so! The inside of this bra is also luxuriously soft. The outside of the Caramel Latte had lace that was smooth, silky soft, and had a very stretchy quality to it. Caramel Latte's lace also didn't really extend past the edges of the bra where it would touch skin. The lace doesn't come into the inside of either of these bras.

In contrast, Coffee Flower's lace extends beyond the edges of the bra both above and below to give this bra a frilly, feminine look. It's lovely, but might be a bit much for those with skin sensitivities or sensory issues. Coffe Flower's lace isn't as soft, and doesn't have Latte's stretchiness-- it may itch or tickle a little for some people, but it feels sturdier. I'm not as afraid that I'll snag and destroy the lace on this bra!

CUPS: I said it before, I'll say it again. The Nuance cut seems to be pretty forgiving of boobs that are slightly too big/swollen for it. My slight quadding (PMS, what can ya do?) doesn't show at all in shirts.

I have a ridiculously thin, pale pink shirt that I like to test my bras with. Due to the dark color of the bra and the slight bumps of the decorative gold stitching, this bra did not pass The Pink Shirt Test. I also tried a normal weight tee shirt with it, and while the color didn't show through, the bumps of the decorative gold flower stitching were visible from an arm's length away, but only if the observer was looking for it. My SO is my guinea pig, and did not notice the slight bumps until I pointed them out. It mostly disappeared under my work shirt today, and I had no problems with a somewhat heavier unisex "nerdy tee".

STRAPS: I have been really happy with the Nuance Plunge standard of having straps moved in 2cm. This bra has them moved in 3.5cm. And I've gotta say, it seems to make a huge difference for me in terms of fit, comfort, stability, and support. It feels like serious boob sorcery. It's odd not to feel like I might lose my straps if I move the wrong way, or sling on a purse over my bra strap. If you plan on having other customizations already, I recommend trying having the straps brought in further if you have narrow shoulders. WORLDS OF DIFFERENCE!

GORE: On my Caramel Latte in 30G, the gore soft tacked. On this bra, it fully tacks. And somehow I feel like I have more room near the gore? How?! Whatever sorcery this is, I'm cool with it. My boobs are pretty happy!

BAND: Feels pretty firm. The inside is lined with the same super smooth, silky, ridiculously soft stuff as my Caramel Latte. If you miss the texture of Victoria's Secret bras, an AP might be just the thing to give you your fix. I will note again, though, that right below the bottom and top of the band on this one you might find some itchiness to the lace on this colorway.

WIRES: Not only are the wires narrow, but they stay that way. After certain experiences with UK bras, I feel especially pleased with bras that don't have premature wire distortion issues. And I haven't yet measured this bra, so I can't say for sure what the difference is, but my swoop & scoop job stayed better in this bra than it does in anything aside from my 65K Comexim Queen of Hearts. The wires seem to stay right up in my IMF (worked a full shift in this bra, which seems to be my way of christening new bras).

Also, I've always thought it was total BS when movies or photos showed girls who still fully filled out their cups when lying down, because my boobs always seemed to deflate and ooze away. I laid down in this bra to see if the wires hurt when I lie down (common problem for me). Not only did the wires not hurt, but my boobs STAYED IN! I still filled out my bra! WHAT BLACK MAGIC IS THIS?!

DOWNSIDES: Slight quadding which could be due to needing a slightly different size, PMS swelling, or a slight shape mismatch. Also, that it took me so long to find a fit this good!
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Coffee Flower colorway

Updated on Dec 31, 2015 Flag this

In my size range, the Doyenne Half-Cup has the following alterations:
- straps moved in 2cm (roughly an inch)
- lowered gore



I also requested:
- straps moved in further (Anna offered to bring them in a total of 3.5 cm)
- wire overlap (the gore overlaps, reducing the overall width of it)
- cookie pockets

I'm not entirely sure that the cup height was reduced at all, as for half-cups these still seem quite tall. However, I can see that the wires do overlap, and the straps do feel closer set and more comfortable. I'll update soon with a strap comparison between the Doyenne and my Coffee Flower Nuance Plunge ... in the same size.

All 3 of the other Anna Pardals I've owned in this size had 3x3 hook and eye closures; this bra has a 2x3 closure, sadly. It doesn't compromise support as much as I thought it might.

FIT: Anna Pardal's sizing guide suggests I should choose 30GG, generally, since my usual UK sizes have been 28GG and 30G. However, I've suspected that I might do better in an AP 30H. I'm currently at my smallest, and the fit is workable. The cups are tall enough that I really don't think I want to size up to a 30H, and would love them just 1/4" shorter for aesthetic reasons.

I have tried Sabine in the Sophisticate Balconette cut, and had noticeable quadding even at the smallest point in my cycle, and could barely close the bra. With the Doyenne, I do better and I suspect it's because the half-cup is more open on top. That said, this bra felt a bit tight in the band, so I tried it upside down and backward (cups out of the way). The tightness went away. Upon fitting the cups on and clasping the bra, I do find the band a bit tight, so I've been wearing it with one extra set of hooks via an extender. I do get quadding near the gore, but not toward the sides of the bra when I press the floating gore to my sternum.

To be fair, my boobs seem to be a case of unusually short roots.

MATERIAL: I adored the feel of Anna Pardal's Caramel Latte fabric, and have found the Coffee Flower pretty comfortable as well. Sabine feels very soft to my hand, but a little itchy to my breasts. Bear in mind this could be in part due to the tightness of the cups. Where Caramel Latte pilled almost right away, Sabine feels like she'll be much sturdier, on par with my Coffee Flower.

Also, I took a couple of photos while holding the bra up to the light-- Sabine is MUCH lighter and more airy than the other APs I've had! You can actually see through the lace in places, which indicates to me that this may be a more reasonable padded option for the coming summer!

CUPS: I've raved about how forgiving the Nuance Plunge is when it's a little too small for your boobs. I think because of the ribbon detailing, Sabine in any cut is more closed off. Due to this, I'd say if you're unsure of your cup size with AP, either stick with a more open fabric (anything that doesn't have a ribbon across the top) or if you must have Sabine, get her in the Doyenne half-cup cut.

That said, I do find that my breasts feel more secure in this bra than I'm used to-- I'm pleasantly surprised by the "locked and loaded" feeling I get in this bra!

Were it not for the black details, color-wise this bra would vanish under even my Kleenex-weight pink shirt! The seams do show a bit, but they do disappear under my work shirts, which are just barely heavier than the top I use for the Pink Shirt Test.

Also, the SHAPE. I didn't realize how much I loved, needed, wanted this shape. Yes, the half-cup is a bit minimizing in terms of projection, but I do feel that having a little bit of roundness out to my sides helps balance my hips.

STRAPS: As I said of my Coffee Flower, the straps are moved in 3.5 cm, and it makes a huge difference in fit and comfort if you've got very narrow or sloped shoulders. I haven't felt even the hint of a need to tug at my straps while wearing this bra. I have a hunch it may also contribute to the "locked and loaded" feeling I'm getting. I'd also like to note that after quickly laying Sabine's straps over Coffee Flower's, Sabine's straps are not as wide. If you miss the spaghetti-like straps VS offers, these may be a nice compromise between those and the typical full-bust straps.

GORE: So far, my Coffee Flower Nuance is the reigning champ for gore tacking, and even with Sabine's overlapping gore CF still holds that title. Near the gore is also the only area where I get a hint of quadding. Since I'm at the smallest point in my cycle right now, I'm a little concerned that this bra may only be wearable 1-2 weeks out of each 2 month boob-cycle. The gore on Sabine does float a bit, probably due to its height, my close-set breasts, and the wire softness (which is what makes such a high gore wearable for me).

BAND: It feels quite firm. The overlapping gore likely takes some of the length out of the band, which may contribute to how tight it feels. It's also possible that since the hooks are 2x3, the band is narrower than is ideal for me, personally.
The inside is lined with the same super smooth, silky, ridiculously soft stuff as my Caramel Latte and Coffee Flower. However, at the top and bottom of the band, those with sensitive skin may find the it a bit itchy since the lace does extend past the edge of the band (but isn't sewn into the inside of the bra).

WIRES: They are a bit wide for me, but not problematic. In fact, go take a look at lcl0706 's Comexim Sonia 3HC review here:
https://thephotogsbrog.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/bra-review-comexim-sonia-half-cup-60j/
and notice the photo where she indicates the difference between her root and the wire. That is almost exactly how the width of this bra is for me. I've given this bra my usual break-in of working a couple of full shifts in it, and continue to actually feel like my boobs are more secure than I'm used to. Good lord, do I feel strapped in!

DOWNSIDE(S): I think 30GG may have either been a touch too small in the cups to begin with, or I am slowly outgrowing it. The cup height seems a little excessive to me. I'd love a wider band, and after wearing for a bit, my larger left side shows about 1/2" of bruising along the bottom middle of the wire line, in a stippling pattern. I suspect this might be due to the cups not being quite deep enough or the band being a bit too narrow (not distributing the weight as much), although I would love some other thoughts on why this might happen!

UPSIDE(S): Love, love the look of this bra. The overlapping gore is much more helpful than I even anticipated. I'm surprised at how secure the Doyenne HC feels, and if speaking purely of aesthetics, the daintiness of this bra is really lovely.
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Sabine colorway

Updated on Mar 14, 2016 Flag this

CUP HEIGHT:
*Strap to Apex to Wire: 8.5"
*Strap to Bottom of Wing: 7.25"

This bra fits me very comfortably. The only issue I have with it is a little gapping and puckering on top, which seems to be easily mitigated by taking in a tiny bit of the mesh fabric along the line where it meets the satin. Then the cups appear to be an exceptional fit.

I also didn't think it was giving my full-on-bottom breasts very much lift. Then I put a t-shirt on and noticed how much higher my breasts were sitting than usual. After a full shift as a barista (lots of bending, reaching, constant walking) and a 2.5 mile walk in 90 degree heat, this bra is still comfortable. There's no chafing, digging, poking, squishing, or other maiming of my boobs going on.

Ruby colorway

Updated on Aug 18, 2015 Flag this

In my size range, the Nuance Plunge has the following alterations:
- straps moved in 2cm (roughly an inch)
- lowered gore
- reduced cup height

I also requested cookie pockets.

And this size includes a 3x3 hook and eye closure.

FIT: I wish I'd realized that I should go up one cup in Anna Pardal bras-- ladies, order one band size up and keep your cup letter/order your larger band size with the letter from your smaller band. And also wish that I'd realized I was going to grow somewhere between a half and full cup size by the time I got these bras. I think next time ... I will go for a 30GG, or even 30H.

MATERIAL: The material is so, SO soft. I just can't get over how soft it is-- not just to my fingertips, but against my breasts, ribs, and back. It doesn't just feel luxurious, it feels ridiculously comfortable. These beautiful bras will probably become my go-to, especially for long, stressful days at work.

CUPS: These bras are surprisingly forgiving of being a bit too big, and after trying a slightly thin and clingy work shirt on with it, I can say with confidence that neither the lace nor my quadding show through. These bras sort of make my quadding less likely to stand out; something to do with the way they're cut, I think. Also, despite the quadding, my breasts are actually contained even when jumping, wiggling, shimmying, etc.

Also, about reduced cup height: SAVING GRACE for short roots or boobs with tall shallow roots. Whatever it is I've got going on. This is a rare find, because I actually don't have gapping near the straps. YAY!!

STRAPS: For the first time, I don't have to angle my straps in to get them thoroughly seated on my shoulders. They're narrowly set, and I have another that I'm waiting on with the straps moved in even further (3.5 cm).

GORE: The gore is bizzarely comfortable, given that I usually can't handle a gore of 2"+. It's narrow, and even about an inch from its top is only about 1.2" across. So far it doesn't seem like the gore end of the wires sits on breast tissue at all, either-- HUGE relief.

BAND: The band feels firm without being pinchy, tight, or in any way painful.

WIRES: The wires sit right up in my IMF, although they do still depart from my IMF by about .5" at the far point, under my armpits. And that is in no way uncomfortable; the wires don't sit on my ribcage, which is a godsend.

After brief testing, unlike most bras I've tried so far, I can lay down without this one stabbing me in the sternum.

I can't say enough about the quality and comfort of these bras.

DOWNSIDE(S): The only downside I've noticed aside from my ordering cups a bit too small: there is some minor pilling on the lace. The lace is still definitely intact, so I think it may be a bit like how some fabrics shed when new. And also the long wait time, but kinda worth it.
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Caramel Latte colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Nov 05, 2015 Flag this

The cups are wide and shallow, as is often said of molded cup bras. I expected that going in. I also expected the band to stretch out quickly, which is why I bought a 28 band, not a 30. It quickly became large and stretchy, which is great since my looser underbust measurements are around 29 inches.

What I did NOT expect is there's an odd itchy quality to the back of the band on this bra, and the first couple times I wore it the hooks somehow managed to scrape and scoop out a bit of my back. There's still a bruise there. The itching is still a problem several wears and a couple washes later, but the hooks haven't tried to spoon me to death again.

In the future, I'd break in Decos by doing what I read someone else doing with some bra bands: wash it to get the starches/chemicals out, dry it, and clasp it around a pillow for a day or two. I'd rather not offer any more flesh sacrifices.

Nude colorway

Updated on Sep 16, 2015 Flag this

The cups do beautiful things for my breasts, and because of that I would LOVE to keep this bra. However, it might get sent back because its wide strap placement doesn't play nice with my narrow shoulders. For me, that caused puckering in the tops of the cups and digging in the armpits-- and it wasn't the underwire, it was the sides of the cups that were digging.

Also, as seems to be the tendency for Cleo, you might want to order up a band from your normal size. For instance, my snug underbust is 29", my tight underbust is 27.5", and I still could have done with either a 32 band or an extender in this bra.

Cobalt colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 19, 2015 Flag this

Wearing a bra that is soft and comfy is such a good feeling, especially when endometriosis is kicking my butt. It's one less pain.

Updated on Oct 24, 2015 Flag this

Ordered Alterations:
- straps moved in
- cookie pockets

AESTHETICS:

The stock photo shows a sort of silvery vertical ripple pattern. It does not exist on this bra. It's a very solid, plain-ish black. Others may be pleasantly surprised by that, but I was a bit disappointed. The straps have a cute solid black detailing to them. The only part of this bra that isn't black is the faux silver-and-pearl charm that is stitched onto the bow at the center gore.

FIT:

This bra wasn't available in a 65K, or any higher cups in a 65+ band, and I really wanted to try their half-cups. I think this ... would have worked for me in a 65L or even 65M, or maybe a 70K/70L. I do think their half cup might be a better shape for me if I can get the right size.

MATERIAL:

The material isn't bad, but nowhere near as luxe as my AP's. The material inside the cups is soft cotton, but the material of the band feels much like the way I described my Cleo Lily in Swan Print-- like the plasticky-feeling nylon tea bags Tazo uses. For me, that's uncomfortable against my skin, and I'm the sort to blister if that's against my skin all day. I do think it feels quite sturdy, and would stand up well to wear. The charm feels like it may be made out of the same stuff as rings you get from the quarter machine-- it's cute, though.

CUPS:

As previously stated, the inside of the cups are lined with soft cotton. They're lightly padded with foam, and there is a single vertical seam. I'm not sure if the bottom of the cups felt too shallow because they *are* shallow at the bottom, or if it's because the cups are too small. The height was great, though, even with my short roots (I think they're short? They act short). They are a bit wide on me, but that may not be an issue since Comexim wires seem more about support than murder, which is a nice counter to my experience with certain UK wires. *coughcoughPanachecough*

STRAPS:

The placement on these isn't as comfortable as on my Anna Pardal Nuance Plunges, and I think for me it would chafe the front of my underarms after a while, but it definitely doesn't murder them the way my CK Tease does. I do find that the cute detailing on the straps makes it very difficult to adjust them, although I think they tried to combat that with the second layer of wider, solid material under the ruched top layer.

GORE:

I adore the way Comexim set up the gore. It's .7" at the top, and for the top 1.25" it's no wider than an inch. At the very bottom of the gore, it's about 2" wide. EVERY gore is too wide/high for me, with the apparent exceptions of Comexim and Anna Pardal. Also, their wires are sort of more like Freya wires, so they aren't super painful even if they were to dig. However, I think I would need them to overlap to tack properly; the gore soft tacks, with the top not quite touching my sternum. I blame my boobs, for loving to cuddle.

BAND:

I'd hazard a guess that this would fit like a 28G or 26GG. The band feels like it isn't likely to stretch out much, or quickly. It can stretch further than 27", but the cups begin to distort. As stated before, the band is an odd, almost plasticky nylon-feeling stuff. Not my fave. It may have more give after a wash or two, as I think there's a ton of starch or whatever in it.

WIRES:

Nope, not quite in my IMF. They're wide enough and then some, but the cup is a bit shallow, or just too small. Either way, the wires don't snuggle up to my IMF the way they should.

DOWNSIDES:

- Straps are tough to adjust.
- It's too small.
- Oddly uncomfortable (for me) material for the full length of the band.
- Dammit it's too small.

I'll be listing this!
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Nov 12, 2015 Flag this

This is the first unlined bra I've had that doesn't have lace-gape near the straps!

The cups feel a little wide and shallow, and smoosh the apices of my breasts a bit, but the cups also give me a nice, round shape. This is definitely *not* a cleavage bra for me; it does give a bit of a minimizing effect. But it also lifts and supports my breasts nicely.

The wires follow my IMF right at the gore, but most of the wire is set wider, and doesn't quite accommodate my immediate projection.

All told, however, it's the best fit I've had so far and I am in love with stretch lace!

Updated on Nov 28, 2015 Flag this

Since the swan print was about all I could find near my size with free shipping, I gave it a shot. I'd read somewhere that the swan print runs large and to size down in the cups, so I ordered a 30FF instead of 30G.

This bra lives up to its reputation for being projected. It doesn't make the apices of my breasts feel as smooshed as most bras. However, it still felt like the cups ended abruptly with just slightly too little space. The vertical and horizontal cup seams met right on top of my nipples, which was immediately very uncomfortable. This bra also expected a ton more upper fullness than I have.

The mesh on this one also feels plasticky, like nylon tea bags if you're familiar with them (Tazo uses them). For me, that was uncomfortable against my skin.

Swan Print colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Sep 13, 2015 Flag this