The raw data on my bratabase measurements show that I should wear between a 24:7 and 24:8, and the UK bra size calculator recommended by reddit puts me at a 26E/26:6. I got this bra in a 30D because I heard they run tight/it was on sale/I was having trouble adjusting to the idea of 26E(UK)/26DDD(US), let alone 24F(UK)/24G(US). It fits well on the middle hooks.

This is the comfiest bra I've ever worn (this is not a high bar -- I've apparently been wearing at least a cup size too small for years). It doesn't do much other than holding my boobs in place as I walk around (no push-up, thin padding, no shaping, no compression, etc.) The colors of the Baja Blue are beautiful. Cups and straps both a little too far apart for a petite person like myself.

Those with sensitive skin should look into the materials used on the inside of the cup. I had a bit of a reaction the first time I put it on. It abated.

Updated on Apr 01, 2017 Flag this

Background first:
I have wide set, shallow, slightly splayed boobs; tall roots but soft and deflated, so my braless shape is full on bottom. The left side is about half a size larger than the right, but it's also more deflated and concave on top when unsupported.

I was happy to finally have a chance to try the Ciao Bella Balconette, which I've had my eye on for months. This bra is awfully pretty -- I love the lacy look, and it gives me those nice mounded hills above the bra line. The wires are just right, the cup volume is right, and the top of ... the cup fits smoothly. The band is firm but comfortable, maybe just a little more rigid than ideal for me. When I lifted my right arm, the underwire on that side flexed away from my body in an unusual way -- I'm not sure what that means, and I don't think it would be a problem, but it did surprise me.

I loved this bra until I started trying on shirts. Through t-shirts, the shape is weird on me, kind of like having breasts made of polygons instead of hemispheres. The lace shows through t-shirts, of course, and the seam right over the nipple is especially noticeable. Arrgh! I wanted to love this bra! It does feel good, and it does fit; maybe I will look again someday in an actual store, in case the funny outline was just my particular specimen.
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Updated on Jul 10, 2016 Flag this

Going off the shallow breasts guide from r/abrathatfits, I decided to try b.tempt'd's ciao bella balconette. (I should be wearing a 28DD or 28E, according to my measurements, but am easing myself into the proper size by trying a few 30 band sizes first. I had been wearing 34B, so this was a shock!)

Most of the month, this fits pretty well. The straps are a little too wide-set for my narrow shoulders, but that happens with most bras. Strangely, the straps are almost TOO short, which I'm hoping won't mean they'll stretch way out like most of my old bras. The lace is pretty and doesn't show beneath dresses and thick tops, but is definitely visible beneath tees.

For about a week around my cycle, though, it is too small. (Oh PMS--some people have emotional symptoms, I just have bloating and weird boobs.) Since it's a balconette, it's not immediately apparent that spring is busting out all over, but it clearly looks and fits differently then.

Updated on May 14, 2014 Flag this

(Borrows from my 30C entry cause my thoughts are essentially the same) I tried this one in 30C and 30D in store. The fit was so off, and this bra is so highly measured I didn't take measurements of my own. The cups are way too projected and closed on top. It might be the weirdest fit I've had so far. I'm mostly reviewing this to keep notes that I've tried it, but I won't be coming back to it.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 29, 2023 Flag this

The wires come up into the gore a bit more than I like, but they're not uncomfortable. Cup material is soft but stays shaped. This bra feels less stretchy than most @Wacoal or @B.tempt'd I've tried or owned. Watch out for the straps if you have narrow shoulders or a smaller frame. The straps are wide-set and since they are partly made of an inelastic ribbon material, they do not have as much give as regular bra straps. If I tighten them to my usual preferred tightness, they will fall off my shoulders if I lean due to the stiffness. If I make them extra tight, the lack of give feels restrictive when moving. When the straps fall down, they bind my shoulders because they don't stretch much. Comes in interesting colors. Attractive, mostly comfortable, and affordable bra but hard to pull off if straps falling down is an issue.

Rosin colorway

Updated on Jan 24, 2022 Flag this

I ordered this color multiple times but did not keep this particular bra.

Surf the Web colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 23, 2020 Flag this

What a surprise! I had always passed on the Ciao Bella based on the appearance of the photos online and the fact that I have been looking for unlined bras lately rather than lined ones. I decided to give this a shot since Nordstrom had the Vanilla Ice colorway on sale. I figured it wouldn't work out and I would return it, but I am actually quite pleased with this bra. Despite some issues, it is surprisingly comfortable, and I expect this will be a great bra for daily wear when the weather gets a little colder.

I ordered this in my normal size of ... 30D to start. The band fits true to size for the brand, about the same as Betsey Johnson and Natori. The band is made from micromesh-lined open mesh, with decently firm elastic that goes under the cradle, giving it a much more secure fit than I am used to from American department store brands. The unstretched band measures TTS for 30D, and while it isn't as snug as the UK 30D bras I am used to, feels secure yet comfortable.

Now, one major reason the styling of the bra never appealed to me is that I thought it was one piece molded foam, which I absolutely hate. Instead, it is constructed as a normal bra with cups made from a seamed flexible foam lining. The construction of the bra is the same as Cleo Mimi, but has a lace overlay over the entire front panel. Since it is really just a normal balconnette with a bandeau-like appearance, it ends up looking more like a normal balconnette on me.

I was originally worried that the cup seams would be really visible, since I hated the ones on Cleo Juna, and several users' fit photos showed a pointy seam, but these are actually quite subdued on me. This is thanks to the flexible foam cups, which really do mold nicely to your shape. As long as you are full enough to fill out the cups completely, the seams won't be visible. The lace texture is also pretty subtle under clothing, and is no more noticeable than my normal unlined lace bras (currently the Auden unlined lace balconnette).

My only fit criticism is that the shape of the cups is very immediately projected, and the fullest part of the cup is rather low on me and doesn't look as nicely rounded as I would like. I've also noticed this in fit photos of almost everyone else, so the fullest point of this bra is kind of unbalanced. However, the top of the cup is more closed, so it almost gives me a little bit of quadding. The shape is a little bit orange-in-a-glass on me, and I could do with a shallower bottom cup but more room at the top of the cup. However, since the foam is very flexible, this shape mismatch is pretty subtle, and I could easily get away with this fit, especially under clothing.

After trying the 30DD and comparing measurements, I have concluded that these cups are just too small for me, which explains the fit issues and shape mismatch. This is pretty odd since the only other B.tempt'd bra that fits me is a 30C, and so far none of the 30Ds I've tried have fit (I've tried 3 styles and 5 bras). I really have no idea how the overall sizing for this brand runs, but I do feel that the cups run small on this particular style.

However, there are two things I really don't love about the bra. First, the adjustable portion of the strap is very short (most of it is a decorative twinned strap), and I have the straps fully shortened. I am 5'1" with a normal torso proportion, and I don't think this would work for someone who actually has a shorter torso. However, I saw another user who is also 5'1" write that the straps were too short, so I wonder if the style has been updated, or if there are just some inconsistencies in strap length. The second is that the lace, while decently soft, snags easily. In handling the bra for this review, it snagged on my gold bracelet and on a rough patch of skin on my finger. Hopefully this doesn't become an issue with regular wear, as I am planning to add this bra into my everyday rotation for cooler weather.

I have noticed that after trying five of these bras in the same size that some have a nicer shape than others. This color is the best fitting of all of the ones that I've tried, and it fits like 30DD but slightly scaled down. It does not give me a weird cup shape like some of the others do, however 30DD is a better fit. Also, some of the bras have squeaky underwires, and I'm not sure if this comes from the wire coating, the foam, or the interior of the wire channel. This one is super squeaky, and the 30DD was squeaky as well!
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Pastel Lilac Lurex colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Oct 05, 2019 Flag this

What a surprise! I had always passed on the Ciao Bella based on the appearance of the photos online and the fact that I have been looking for unlined bras lately rather than lined ones. I decided to give this a shot since Nordstrom had the Vanilla Ice colorway on sale. I figured it wouldn't work out and I would return it, but I am actually quite pleased with this bra. Despite some issues, it is surprisingly comfortable, and I expect this will be a great bra for daily wear when the weather gets a little colder.

I ordered this in my normal size of ... 30D to start. The band fits true to size for the brand, about the same as Betsey Johnson and Natori. The band is made from micromesh-lined open mesh, with decently firm elastic that goes under the cradle, giving it a much more secure fit than I am used to from American department store brands. The unstretched band measures TTS for 30D, and while it isn't as snug as the UK 30D bras I am used to, feels secure yet comfortable.

Now, one major reason the styling of the bra never appealed to me is that I thought it was one piece molded foam, which I absolutely hate. Instead, it is constructed as a normal bra with cups made from a seamed flexible foam lining. The construction of the bra is the same as Cleo Mimi, but has a lace overlay over the entire front panel. Since it is really just a normal balconnette with a bandeau-like appearance, it ends up looking more like a normal balconnette on me.

I was originally worried that the cup seams would be really visible, since I hated the ones on Cleo Juna, and several users' fit photos showed a pointy seam, but these are actually quite subdued on me. This is thanks to the flexible foam cups, which really do mold nicely to your shape. As long as you are full enough to fill out the cups completely, the seams won't be visible. The lace texture is also pretty subtle under clothing, and is no more noticeable than my normal unlined lace bras (currently the Auden unlined lace balconnette).

My only fit criticism is that the shape of the cups is very immediately projected, and the fullest part of the cup is rather low on me and doesn't look as nicely rounded as I would like. I've also noticed this in fit photos of almost everyone else, so the fullest point of this bra is kind of unbalanced. However, the top of the cup is more closed, so it almost gives me a little bit of quadding. The shape is a little bit orange-in-a-glass on me, and I could do with a shallower bottom cup but more room at the top of the cup. However, since the foam is very flexible, this shape mismatch is pretty subtle, and I could easily get away with this fit, especially under clothing.

After trying the 30DD and comparing measurements, I have concluded that these cups are just too small for me, which explains the fit issues and shape mismatch. This is pretty odd since the only other B.tempt'd bra that fits me is a 30C, and so far none of the 30Ds I've tried have fit (I've tried 3 styles and 5 bras). I really have no idea how the overall sizing for this brand runs, but I do feel that the cups run small on this particular style.

However, there are two things I really don't love about the bra. First, the adjustable portion of the strap is very short (most of it is a decorative twinned strap), and I have the straps fully shortened. I am 5'1" with a normal torso proportion, and I don't think this would work for someone who actually has a shorter torso. However, I saw another user who is also 5'1" write that the straps were too short, so I wonder if the style has been updated, or if there are just some inconsistencies in strap length. The second is that the lace, while decently soft, snags easily. In handling the bra for this review, it snagged on my gold bracelet and on a rough patch of skin on my finger. Hopefully this doesn't become an issue with regular wear, as I am planning to add this bra into my everyday rotation for cooler weather.

I have noticed that after trying five of these bras in the same size that some have a nicer shape than others. This color is a passable fit as the cup isn't as short and pointy (some colors are totally unwearable on me), but overall 30DD is the best fit.
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Flint Stone Lurex colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Oct 05, 2019 Flag this

What a surprise! I had always passed on the Ciao Bella based on the appearance of the photos online and the fact that I have been looking for unlined bras lately rather than lined ones. I decided to give this a shot since Nordstrom had the Vanilla Ice colorway on sale. I figured it wouldn't work out and I would return it, but I am actually quite pleased with this bra. Despite some issues, it is surprisingly comfortable, and I expect this will be a great bra for daily wear when the weather gets a little colder.

I ordered this in my normal size of ... 30D to start. The band fits true to size for the brand, about the same as Betsey Johnson and Natori. The band is made from micromesh-lined open mesh, with decently firm elastic that goes under the cradle, giving it a much more secure fit than I am used to from American department store brands. The unstretched band measures TTS for 30D, and while it isn't as snug as the UK 30D bras I am used to, feels secure yet comfortable.

Now, one major reason the styling of the bra never appealed to me is that I thought it was one piece molded foam, which I absolutely hate. Instead, it is constructed as a normal bra with cups made from a seamed flexible foam lining. The construction of the bra is the same as Cleo Mimi, but has a lace overlay over the entire front panel. Since it is really just a normal balconnette with a bandeau-like appearance, it ends up looking more like a normal balconnette on me.

I was originally worried that the cup seams would be really visible, since I hated the ones on Cleo Juna, and several users' fit photos showed a pointy seam, but these are actually quite subdued on me. This is thanks to the flexible foam cups, which really do mold nicely to your shape. As long as you are full enough to fill out the cups completely, the seams won't be visible. The lace texture is also pretty subtle under clothing, and is no more noticeable than my normal unlined lace bras (currently the Auden unlined lace balconnette).

My only fit criticism is that the shape of the cups is very immediately projected, and the fullest part of the cup is rather low on me and doesn't look as nicely rounded as I would like. I've also noticed this in fit photos of almost everyone else, so the fullest point of this bra is kind of unbalanced. However, the top of the cup is more closed, so it almost gives me a little bit of quadding. The shape is a little bit orange-in-a-glass on me, and I could do with a shallower bottom cup but more room at the top of the cup. However, since the foam is very flexible, this shape mismatch is pretty subtle, and I could easily get away with this fit, especially under clothing.

After trying the 30DD and comparing measurements, I have concluded that these cups are just too small for me, which explains the fit issues and shape mismatch. This is pretty odd since the only other B.tempt'd bra that fits me is a 30C, and so far none of the 30Ds I've tried have fit (I've tried 3 styles and 5 bras). I really have no idea how the overall sizing for this brand runs, but I do feel that the cups run small on this particular style.

However, there are two things I really don't love about the bra. First, the adjustable portion of the strap is very short (most of it is a decorative twinned strap), and I have the straps fully shortened. I am 5'1" with a normal torso proportion, and I don't think this would work for someone who actually has a shorter torso. However, I saw another user who is also 5'1" write that the straps were too short, so I wonder if the style has been updated, or if there are just some inconsistencies in strap length. The second is that the lace, while decently soft, snags easily. In handling the bra for this review, it snagged on my gold bracelet and on a rough patch of skin on my finger. Hopefully this doesn't become an issue with regular wear, as I am planning to add this bra into my everyday rotation for cooler weather.

I have noticed that after trying five of these bras in the same size that some have a nicer shape than others. This color is a passable fit as the cup isn't as short and pointy (some colors are totally unwearable on me), but overall 30DD is the best fit.
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702 more words

Vanilla Ice colorway

Updated on Oct 05, 2019 Flag this

What a surprise! I had always passed on the Ciao Bella based on the appearance of the photos online and the fact that I have been looking for unlined bras lately rather than lined ones. I decided to give this a shot since Nordstrom had the Vanilla Ice colorway on sale. I figured it wouldn't work out and I would return it, but I am actually quite pleased with this bra. Despite some issues, it is surprisingly comfortable, and I expect this will be a great bra for daily wear when the weather gets a little colder.

I ordered this in my normal size of ... 30D to start. The band fits true to size for the brand, about the same as Betsey Johnson and Natori. The band is made from micromesh-lined open mesh, with decently firm elastic that goes under the cradle, giving it a much more secure fit than I am used to from American department store brands. The unstretched band measures TTS for 30D, and while it isn't as snug as the UK 30D bras I am used to, feels secure yet comfortable.

Now, one major reason the styling of the bra never appealed to me is that I thought it was one piece molded foam, which I absolutely hate. Instead, it is constructed as a normal bra with cups made from a seamed flexible foam lining. The construction of the bra is the same as Cleo Mimi, but has a lace overlay over the entire front panel. Since it is really just a normal balconnette with a bandeau-like appearance, it ends up looking more like a normal balconnette on me.

I was originally worried that the cup seams would be really visible, since I hated the ones on Cleo Juna, and several users' fit photos showed a pointy seam, but these are actually quite subdued on me. This is thanks to the flexible foam cups, which really do mold nicely to your shape. As long as you are full enough to fill out the cups completely, the seams won't be visible. The lace texture is also pretty subtle under clothing, and is no more noticeable than my normal unlined lace bras (currently the Auden unlined lace balconnette).

My only fit criticism is that the shape of the cups is very immediately projected, and the fullest part of the cup is rather low on me and doesn't look as nicely rounded as I would like. I've also noticed this in fit photos of almost everyone else, so the fullest point of this bra is kind of unbalanced. However, the top of the cup is more closed, so it almost gives me a little bit of quadding. The shape is a little bit orange-in-a-glass on me, and I could do with a shallower bottom cup but more room at the top of the cup. However, since the foam is very flexible, this shape mismatch is pretty subtle, and I could easily get away with this fit, especially under clothing.

After trying the 30DD and comparing measurements, I have concluded that these cups are just too small for me, which explains the fit issues and shape mismatch. This is pretty odd since the only other B.tempt'd bra that fits me is a 30C, and so far none of the 30Ds I've tried have fit (I've tried 3 styles and 5 bras). I really have no idea how the overall sizing for this brand runs, but I do feel that the cups run small on this particular style.

However, there are two things I really don't love about the bra. First, the adjustable portion of the strap is very short (most of it is a decorative twinned strap), and I have the straps fully shortened. I am 5'1" with a normal torso proportion, and I don't think this would work for someone who actually has a shorter torso. However, I saw another user who is also 5'1" write that the straps were too short, so I wonder if the style has been updated, or if there are just some inconsistencies in strap length. The second is that the lace, while decently soft, snags easily. In handling the bra for this review, it snagged on my gold bracelet and on a rough patch of skin on my finger. Hopefully this doesn't become an issue with regular wear, as I am planning to add this bra into my everyday rotation for cooler weather.

I have noticed that after trying five of these bras in the same size that some have a nicer shape than others. This color, Surf the Web, seems to have the smallest cup shape and looks the most off when worn, meaning that the cup looks too pointed and short in the wrong place. I ordered this same color and size twice and saw the same issue in both bras. Some other colors have a better shape and almost work for me, but overall 30DD is the best fit.
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Surf the Web colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Oct 05, 2019 Flag this