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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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

Fits buuuut... seems to minimize a lot. The center seam makes this weird pointed shape. Makes a flat and pointed east west shape.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Sep 09, 2019 Flag this

After sizing out of the 30D, and then sizing out & having some fitting issues with the 30DD, I decided to buy the 30DDD to see if I could get the same great fit I remembered having in my 30D. This was a masterclass in how bras change in sizes, because it feels like putting a vice on my chest. There's a ton of extra flesh coming out the top of the sides, which is really something because the wire is stabbing my underarm; it seems like there shouldn't be room. Here's the difference in the sizing, though: http://bra.pe/COKp/

pink colorway

Updated on Aug 10, 2019 Flag this

When I sized out of the 30D Ciao Bella, I purchased the 30DD. Inexplicably, it didn't work as well as the 30D, but it was...fine. I did not understand about wire width, or really about depth. Comparing the 30D to the 30DD is enlightening.

Updated on Aug 10, 2019 Flag this

This was one of my earliest ABTF, and served me well. Highly recommended for the people it fits.

Updated on Aug 10, 2019 Flag this

Cups are too pointy for my shape (orange in a glass), so it sits on top and rumples. Doesn't really gather me all into one place.

Fairy Tale (navy bra w/ pale pink lace over) colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 06, 2019 Flag this

I have shallow conical breasts that was measured at a 28DD. This bra fits my shape pretty well! However, there is some slight gapping at the top (more on my smaller side). I am going to order a 30C to compare and see if I need to go down a size. The band is pretty stretchy and slightly too big for me (27" ribcage). This is such a cute bra and the color I got (Blue Sapphire) is beautiful. I am definitely keeping at least one of the bras (30C or 30D), even if there is some slight gapping. It is also very comfortable and doesn't cut in anywhere.

Update: 30C was too small - apex was too low for my nipples. Keeping the slightly gapping 30D!

Blue Sapphire colorway

Updated on Mar 03, 2018 Flag this

I have shallow conical breasts that was measured at a 28DD. I first got this bra in a 30D, and it gapped slightly at the top (especially for my smaller side). It wasn't too noticeable though because of the lace, but figured I should order a smaller cup size to see if it fit better. The 30C is too small for me. It was too short especially - the apex was too low for my nipple. Still such a pretty color and keeping the 30D!

Blue Sapphire colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 03, 2018 Flag this

This bra is so comfortable and so adorable. The fabric feels so soft. I love it!

aqua/purple colorway colorway

Updated on Jan 17, 2018 Flag this