This Kali Babydoll is one of those frivolous purchases that one doesn't exactly need, but is fun to have on hand. It's been a really long time since I purchased an underwire nightie-type piece (I consider the Masquerade Alice Slip I recently got to be functional, since it can be worn under clothing). I kind of forgot how odd it feels to have underwires in a garment that you will not be wearing outside the house. Kali is an OK fit, but due to the underwires, it's not the most comfortable thing in my collection. It's definitely cute though, so I can see myself prancing around in it, but not exactly lounging in it for comfort.

I have actually never tried the Kali bra in 30DD, so I can't compare it directly against one in my collection. However, I have a 30D, which fit me when I was 30D, and I have tried on a 28E before. Based on comparing the measurements of my Kali Babydoll to the 30DD Kali bras here on Bratabase, the main conclusion I can draw is that the band is far looser on the babydoll than it is on the bra. The band on the 28E bra I tried was 57 cm, and the band on the 30D bra I own is 58 cm. It seems that it's pretty common for Kali bands to run extremely tight. This babydoll is constructed as a bra top with a curved open panel seamed on to the bra band, hence it should fit exactly like a bra and can be measured exactly like a bra. This measured 62 cm, which I think contributes to most of the difference I feel in fit.

I have written in my Marcie and Lucy reviews that the cups fit me kind of funny if the bra band is not snug. In Marcie, the wires tend to take some adjusting to sit in place properly. In Lucy, the cups need some adjusting since it is not a full band style. Since Kali is very similar to Lucy, in not being a full band style, I get the simultaneous issue of wires needing a lot of adjustment and cups needing a lot of adjustment because the band is not snug. Once I get it on, the fit is pretty good. There is some wrinkling in the upper cup where the embroidered panel is a little too projected and too closed off for me, but it's not too bad. I just tried on the 30D Kali bra again and it's definitely too small in the cups, so I wouldn't be able to size down. The Lucy 28E is a better fit for me, but I remember having the same issue with wrinkling in the upper cup of Lucy 30DD. I can't be entirely sure, but I suspect that the proportions of 28E in Cleo fits are just more suited for my shape than the sister size of 30DD.

I think Kali and Lucy in my correct size are just designed for a more FOT shape than I have, and they work if I have a snug band, but in a looser band, the shape mismatch is more visible.

Other than this, it's a very cute style. I have the purple colorway, and it is a deep, rich eggplant shade. The only downside to the color is that it's so dark that it's hard to see the heart embroidery that makes Kali such a charming style. The babydoll is constructed exactly like the bra, with a double layer mesh and tricot bottom cup, scattered heart embroidery on the bottom cup, and a single layer mesh embroidered upper cup with a more concentrated heart pattern. The wires are slightly wide and C curved, the same as Marcie and Lucy. Straps are medium width matte elastic with a picot edge, and the center gore is decorated with a two tone grosgrain ribbon bow. The band is firm powermesh with a leotard back, and the hardware is contrast hot pink, same as the contrast used on the bow.

I didn't realize that this was going to be constructed as an open back babydoll, but really the body is just one panel of fabric that attaches to the band and is open at the back. It has curved hems and a flyaway back, sort of like an apron. I assumed it would have a closed back, but this construction is definitely easier to put on, so I don't mind.

It's a really cute style, but I am a little surprised that the band fits TTS for a standard 30 band and isn't as snug as the normal Kali band. I think 28E would be a better size for me in this style as that is my normal Cleo size, but it's still nice to have in my collection!

Purple colorway

Updated on Jun 19, 2020 Flag this

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