"The dainty Charlotte - Frankenbra or manufacturing error?" (a covid-induced review of a misfit bra)

The Parfait Charlotte bra is a very well-known, I'd almost say *infamous* style in the full-bust community.
It is currently way past it's heyday, but can still be found in most full-bust online bra stores. Around 2012-2013 however, Charlotte was one hell of a staple style - see the extensive list of bra-bloggers featuring it, at the bottom of this blog review: https://www.sweetnothingsnyc.com/2013/11/18/review-g-style-from-parfait-charlotte-bra-and-high-waist-brief/.

(side note: don't you miss bra bloggers? There used to be so many. Sigh.)

Since I really loved the pin-uppy appearance; I had tried two previous colorways of Charlotte (32H - Parfait By Affinitas » Charlotte Padded Bra (6901) 32GG - Parfait By Affinitas » Charlotte Padded Bra (6901) ) but sadly, had to admit that those didn't really work for me. The construction was really 'industrial' with super thick padding, little projection and verrry wide-set straps. The lack of projection made me size up to unmanageable amounts of bra, with excess material everywhere. If they hadn't been so darn uncomfortable, I honestly could have used them as a sports bra (or body armor, for that matter).

Some blog posts (https://www.bigcuplittlecup.net/big-little-cup-review-parfait-affinitas-charlotte-floral-shimmer-30gg-30d/ https://comicsgirlsneedbras.com/2016/06/03/parfait-charlotte-floral-shimmer-review-comparison/) mentioned some time later on, that the new 'Floral Shimmer' version (2016) was a much different fit, and aesthetically I really liked its monochromatic design! But I was still skeptical about the fit, considering the lack of wear any of my OG Charlottes ever got.

So, for the longest time, it was just on my passive wish list, maybe ending up in an eBay / BraStop basket at some point, but I never really committed to buy - and was definitely never planning on paying anything close to full price.

Fast forward to recently, when I encountered a 32G Floral Shimmer on eBay, for cheap enough that I was willing to take the chance.
However, I did notice that one thing seemed off: the ad said it had 2 hooks, in size 32G?
The way I remembered Charlotte, she had 3 or even 4 hooks, with a very thick back band overall.

After emailing the seller, they said they checked, and unexpectedly to me (I had ungraciously been counting on an error on their behalf); confirmed that this bra actually had 2 hooks?? This confused me to no end, but also made me curious... Gotta love an experiment. So yes, I bit the bullet and purchased it - and lo and behold, it's such a strange version of Charlotte!?

It did come with tags, that do say Parfait (with the logo and everything), so I don't think it's a fake / copy / rip-off.
The fabric and cup construction is exactly as pictured in reviews / other ads.

The fit, as described by BigCupLittleCup / ComicsGirlsNeedBras, is definitely different from the original Charlotte: deeper, with the apex in a different place, more similar to a Comexim plunge construction almost?

But look at those thin and flimsy shoulder straps! (they're only 1,6 cm., even thinner than the 'standard' 1,8 cm. of regular full-bust bras!)
That 2x3 hook-and-eye closure!
That meshy, stretchy band, instead of industrial harness-like strength!

It's really strange.
Like they stuck the band and straps from a 32C onto a 32G?
As you can see on both bloggers for this exact bra in 30GG (a sister size to 32G), there should have been much wider straps, more hooks, the works!

The good news: it does fit pretty well! The projection is good for a molded bra, and while the strap placement is still too wide for me, it is much more manageable than the armpit-eater Charlotte of some years back. And while I certainly would have preferred 3x3 hooks in the back, it's not unwearable. The gore is too high for my closeness, yes, but since there is no real tack, it also doesn't poke uncomfortably.

All in all, I think I like it enough to hang onto this version of Charlotte (whereas her super-strength sisters have been long-since discarded/donated): let's just call her unique and dainty!

I'm very curious if this version is around more, and whether it has been a fitting sample experiment, a factory error, or some other malformation?

Updated on Dec 29, 2021 Flag this

• 1

  Oh I just referenced Sweet Nothings blog yesterday!! It helped me figure my size in a style, LOL.

  Interesting about this bra...you know what I think it is? I think sometimes they manufacture them differently, or they're just trying a few modifications (or something) , and then they end up on the Bay of E.

  I just remember BraIHate blog (another legend!!! Very influential) discussing a frankenbra Curvy Kate find on eBay - so I don't think your bra is a knock-off, just probably a different version Parfait made? (like for a particular store, or something, idk)
  Great find!!

• 1

  BraOdyssey I have definitely experienced inconsistencies in the manufacturing of this bra. A couple years ago, I had two Parfait Charlottes in 30FF, one in pink and one in bronze -- the same model as far as I could tell, but the pink one had a shorter, smaller cup and the bronze one had a really tall cup and was too big. Very mystifying to me!

---

add a comment

Use @ to mention users, brands, models and more

You need to sign in to comment