I‘ve delayed writing this review. It’s something that I should have done sooner but needed to be in right mood to write, but also needed some answers first.
Background:
Attollo first came on my radar when I was watching a YouTube channel that I subscribe to. The lady I follow had been vlogging at a garden party at Buckingham Palace that she had been invited to. She ran into Alice, one of the two founders/owners of Attollo. I looked at the site immediately after hearing it was D+ but was not in a position to get anything and I thought that it was molded cups which I had assumed ... would be too shallow for me. I later saw Big Cup Little Cup review it and realized that the cups were not lined or molded. But again, not in my budget. Still also concerned about the cups being shallow. I passed it up again. I did go to the page earlier this year, for whatever reason, spotted the sample sale. I thought, this is a good chance try at a lower price, and I immediately booked a FaceTime session to discuss sizing. We decided that none of the remaining sizes would work.
My initial appointment was with Alice and we determined I should try the 30G because I am wearing some 30FFs and guidelines suggest sizing up a cup. This suggestion was also in line with the website’s calculator. That being said, I do fit some 30Fs so it was possible that I would need a 30FF instead. Given that I do take some 30FFs, Alice’s suggested starter size, and the website’s size suggestion, I decided to go with the 30G in Emelie in navy, only it was out of stock until early May. That was ok, as it was time for me to save up money to get a set. As it happens, one of my friends and her family were visiting England in the first few weeks of May, and her mum and step dad were staying in a hostel near Covent Garden, which is where one of the pop up shops was being held. I asked my friend if she was able to make it and get me the set before coming home, and she did! We met up a week after she got back from the trip and I PayPaled her the money once we knew what it cost in Canadian with the exchange rate.
The bra details:
I opened the package and spotted a second pair of underwear...a light blue pair. I was nervous because I had only asked for a navy pair and was worried that I would have extra to pay, but upon emailing them to let them know I got, how it fit, and to set up a follow up FaceTime fitting, Alice told me that they added the light blue pair as a surprise gift (!). I was surprised for sure, because it was hiding under the navy pair that I was expecting. Sadly, when I finally got all 5 hooks done up, the straps adjusted, and tissue properly swooped and scooped, the cups were too large. *sniff* As I said above, I knew in the back of my mind that I might actually need the 30FF.
The lace is soft, and a beautiful shade of navy, and as it is a longline, the bottom of it is lined with a stretchy stain band with a floral print in it. It’s navy, but it’s got a grey appearance in some lighting. The flowers are light blue which matches the lace of the surprise knickers, and the Lily bra (which is sold out). The Polly bikinis both have the matching stretch satin. The top of lace is scalloped to add a nice peekaboo aesthetic if it’s popping out of shirts or dresses. The hardware on straps is gold so it’s looks fancy. As I said before, it has 5 hooks being that it is a longline, and while I have developed a strategy to do them up, it’s not the easiest way to get them done up and it’s still a bit slower compared a bra. The straps are quite long. This is because the straps are convertible...you can wear crossed over the front or in the back, in addition to the standard connection. I did find a bit of trouble with getting the detachable hooks in and out on the one side, but less trouble with the other side. The other problem was that the detachable hook bit bit made it more difficult to adjust the straps...it felt like it was something to do with the metal hooks. It felt like the straps wanted to drag in the loop. I’m not exactly sure what the actual problem is caused by. That said, it’s easier to adjust with the bra off completely. And, assuming that you are not going to be adjusting it all the time, it’s probably fine. But yeah, it’s just not a smooth adjustment. The straps are also a bit closer set than usual, which you can see in some of the pictures, and still pretty thin and delicate.
It’s slightly difficult to judge the other fit issues and aesthetics because it’s not the best size for me, but I’ll go over some details. The cups, considering the size, are 5.5” wide. UK 30G cups can be 6” wide, so 5.5” is nice, however it is a little bit too wide for me. I feel like the gore is pretty narrow, however it’s tall. I personally didn’t have any trouble with the gore height despite my shape while I was trying it on, but it’s definitely high. The sides do come up quite high too, and with the try on, seemed borderline ok. Wires were close to 12” and I have 10” or less usually. I’m not sure if it’s the style dictating the need it all to be longer and taller. I don’t know the grading to know what the wires are like in smaller and larger sizes. The cups on the 30G and equivalent sister sizes uses a 3 part cup and below that is 2 part cups. Due to the shape and height of my belly, the satin band is not totally smooth around. It’s mostly aesthetic though, and nothing to do with the bra itself, just my observation of it and my anatomy and physiology.
I set up a follow up fitting with Fleurette (the other founder/owner) and we discussed the size and fit, and then we just chatted about my city, things about Canada, what her area was like, that we’re both trying our hands at gardening for the first time, and about bras and fits. I tried on a bunch of my bras so she was able to gage fit...she was once a fitter for Bravissimo, so we had lots to talk about. Overall, we chatted for an hour and a half! Seriously, that was so awesome! She followed up with the instructions on how to return, and I mailed it out on Wednesday, so it’s expected in a few weeks. Then they will ship the 30FF out which they were holding for me for the FaceTime fitting.
To be honest, I’m still a little nervous about the smaller size. Will it be too shallow now that it’s a 2 part cup? How much smaller/shorter is it going to be all over? Given the cup depth measurement vs my other bras and perimeter measurements, will the 30FF fit or will I need a smaller size still? I guess it’s all a bit of paranoia. I’m just so nervous because I saved up a lot of money and it is such a gorgeous bra that I really really really want it to work. And Alice and Fleurette have been nothing short of amazing. I just really want it to work and own a spectacularly gorgeous set.
(I’ll update with the 30FF when I get it.)
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Navy with floral satin band colorway
This bra is not owned any more
Updated on Jun 08, 2019 Flag this
That is seriously cute. I love the floral on the band. I'm worried about trying it because of how long those wires are. 12 inches on this size? Oof. I need like 9 or 10 max. I look forward to your second review though and if the next size down fits you I might reconsider trying them some day. their customer service sounds amazing.