I've been very curious about this brand since it showed up on a Chinese bra forum. I took their online fit quiz which requires a few measurements - snug underbust, tight underbust, standing bust, 45 degrees leaning bust, 90 degrees leaning bust, and horizontal diameter of each breast. It feels very professional like what's done on here and ABraThatFits, instead of the usually inaccurate overbust and underbust measurements required by most calculators. I got 65F as a result, but they also recommended me to try 65E and G.

After that, you get to select your breast shape. The graphics are quite confusing, I felt like my breasts look similar ... to a few of the shapes. But later I realised it's 6 different projection levels, based on the descriptions of "area of base" and "how much your breasts stick out". Although they group root height and width as the same thing, I find the concept of projection easier to understand that they see a breast as a cone - large base area + low cone height = shallow, while small base area + high cone height = projected. I seem to be type 4 with narrow and tall roots and projected breasts, if 1 is the most shallow and 6 is the most projected. As I click onto the graphic, a few cuts are recommended to me, including 101, 131 and 163.

Then I went to their online store and looked at their bras. Their size range is mostly 65(30) - 80(36) D-I, which is around C-FF D-G (UK) in my opinion. Not all sizes are available for all models though, a few of them starts at F while some starts at G. Although the biggest cup is FF/G (UK), which is not super large, they're already doing quite well for Asian ladies whose bust size distribution is smaller than their Western counterparts.

Now back to the cuts. They basically have a new fabric / color / style every once in a while, and you can pick your cut, like how you can request Comexim to make Ginger as a 3HC, plunge or 2HC, for example. There are 8 cuts in 4 collections - basic (lightly lined): 101, 121, 131, 151; sleep bras: 661 and 662; low gore: 162 and 163; and unlined: 122 and 152. On each cut they specify which projection level it suits, number of hooks and height of the gore (low, medium-low, medium etc). Some cuts however doesn't come in 162 and 163 (low gores). You can't request a regular bra done as a sleep bra. The unlined cuts starts at G cup. My breasts are so close set that I need a low gore, so I picked 163 which is for projected breasts, while 162 is also with a low gore, but for shallow breasts.

I was very surprised that it wasn't on Bratabase at all, so I was skeptical about their quality at first. But then I really need a lightly lined white bra without any print to wear under work clothes. There was one that suits my needs in the 163 cut, so I took a shot. Although the stretched band is 30 inches, it felt snug on my 27-inch underbust, maybe because the 3 hooks prevent it from riding up my back. The cups however are too small. I was spilling out and getting small quad boobs. I think it's because of my center and top fullness that cause most calculators underestimate my size, even the ABTF one. I get 28E as a result but find myself sizing up to 28F to accommodate my fullness that is "not measured", or for the projection. In Comexim I have to size up more than others. Those who wear 28F usually take 60H/65G, but I find that 60H is too small / shallow for me.

Anyways, back to this bra. It has cookie pockets but doesn't come with cookies, you have to order them separately. I don't like wearing cookies though, so it was fine. One thing is very special - the wire channel is covered in lining on the inside of the bra. You can't see them from the inside. I imagine this should add more comfort for ladies who have sensitive skin that is irritated by bra wires. The appearance is very simple yet pretty. Nice lace details. Like most Asian bras I have tried, is brings all tissue forward, centre and up, but without giving a pointy cone look. I really think Asian bras are the Eastern version of Polish bras, although the size range is much smaller.

Customer service was also awesome. I used the Taobao (Chinese version of Amazon, also how I bought the bra) app to contact them, where I sent them fit pictures. They're open about them, as long as you don't show your face. They also assured that the pictures are confidential. They asked me about S&S, and concluded that the cups are too small. I'm exchanging for 65G and the customer service rep was helpful about the procedures.

This has been a very long review, much longer than I expected. I'm very excited about the replacement and will definitely update about it. However, Taobao doesn't have an English version, so you can't really use it if you don't know Chinese. Most sellers doesn't ship overseas either, except to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. But if any of you is interested, let me know and I'll see what I can do for you! This has been a detailed review because it seems no one on Bratabase knows about this brand. I would love to hear your thoughts! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />

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White colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 02, 2017 Flag this

After a whole lot of mess including customs delay and taxes, I've finally got a replacement of this bra in a bigger cup size! For more details of the brand, please visit my previous review of the same bra in 65F.

This bra really brings things front, centre and up with cups tilting inwards and upwards. While it is desirable for many, it is a little too much for me - the bottom of the cup slants upwards at an angle to steep, there was not enough room near the wire and I feel like it was sliding down sometimes because I'm not sure if I was filling out ... the bottom of the cups. Sometimes though it feels like it's sliding up, but the wire mark is at my IMF. It also brings things too centre for me that I have a cleavage which seem like I'm wearing too small cups, but the size is actually good. I'm already SUPER close set and centre-full, so more pushing in is unneeded.

The wires are the right width for me based on the marks on my side IMF. The cup width measurement is larger than what's usually ideal for me, but on the side it is still at the perfect spot probably because the gore is also narrow - the cups are closer together, which doesn't make the wider wides go past my side IMF. The tiny gore really brings a lot of comfort to my close set breasts, although wire marks are still seen on the inside of my breast tissue. I have to mention how the wires are also lined again - it makes it really comfortable.

The wide band also evens out the pressure and provides less squish, but I also do fine with 2-hook bands. But then it also makes the wings higher and sometimes it shows under tank tops. The straps are a little thick and firm, which adds to the support. The bra has cookie pockets, but you have to order extra for the cookies, which I didn't do.

Overall the appearance is excellent and perfect for work since it's plain white with cute lace. I just wish it has more room near the wire, everything else is awesome!
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White colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 28, 2017 Flag this

Candy La Vie is a Chinese brand specializing in "big cups". It's size range is 65-90C-K which roughly translate to UK 28-38 B-GG with bands and cups that run small, although availability varies with model. I have paid about USD29 for this bra and 2 bucks for shipping.

I have been eyeing this bra for a while because it is not common to see unlined bras in Asian brands. Most styles are foam-lined, seamed plunges. I hesitated between 65H and 65I as I had quad boobs and a floating gore in a 65G strapless bra from the same brand. My UK size is 28FF and this bra is too ... big / deep on my smaller side. I'm hoping I could fill out that extra space when I'm closer to my period.

This bra is unlined, with 3-part plunge cups and only vertical seams. This is why I chose this style and not other unlined plunges with horizontal seams that looked like the top section would cut into my tall roots and top fullness. I LOVE the extra layer of opaque lace in the middle section which conceals the nipples. I wish all unlined bras had that. The cups are narrow and projected, like Polish bras. They are also pretty open on top.

The wires are softer than the average UK bra. The gore is low with average width. I'm going to overlap the gore so the cups are closer for my super close-set boobs. These make the bra so comfortable.

The band is made of mesh that is much less sturdy than UK or Polish brands. So I expect this bra to stretch out more quickly, but with the price I think this is fair.

The straps are 2 thin elastics (I'm not sure how to measure them). They are really pretty but might be uncomfortable and unsupportive. Again, not expecting a lot with this price.

Overall I'm pleased with this bra (despite the cup being a little bit for my small side). A pretty and comfy bra that might not be the most supportive but great value for the price.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Sep 22, 2020 Flag this

Update on my strapless bra search! This is a 65G from Candy La Vie, a Chinese brand specializing on big cups. I have paid USD35 for this bra and a few extra bucks for shipping. I first tried this brand in 2017 - please see my old review here: http://bra.pe/XWpG/ for detailed information. Their band ran TTS, while cups ran 1 size smaller (their G fit like UK E). They have 65-90 bands, with C-K cups (varies with model) on 65 bands. The largest cup available decreases when band size increases, until C-G on 90 bands. So that translates to UK 30B-GG, 32B-G, 34B-FF... until 40B-E. ... In Asia that's a pretty large size range especially for the price.

The brand used to be like Comexim, offering different cuts on the same fabric, but since then they have revised their strategy. They now have 3 different kinds of breast shapes - disc, hemisphere and papaya - representing different root area VS projection levels. Each bra has information on what shape(s) it fits on each size. While other shape characteristics like vertical fullness or root width are overlooked, this is already a big improvement from most Asian brands knowing only generic (often meaningless) shapes like round, pointy and teardrop. One downside is that they suggest judging shape while standing, which is not very accurate in my opinion. Their customer service representative think I have a disc (shallow) shape because I have tall roots that show easily from a the side. But they didn't consider my narrow roots which makes my root area small overall and more projected, especially when I lean forward. This is not very relevant in this bra that I’m reviewing though, because it is claimed that this strapless bra work with all breast shapes. This is also the only wired strapless bra that is available from this brand at the moment.

This bra has individual wired and moulded cups in beige with white lace overlay. The lace actually look cheaper than Qmomo (another similar type of strapless bra I reviewed recently - http://bra.pe/MIGq/). I prefer unlined bras but moulded foam cups in strapless bras are inevitable. As you can see from the pictures, there is a little thickness at the bottom of the cups but thin on top. According to the company, the foam is 5mm thick. I usually hate padding but this one is minimal so it’s acceptable. I love how the straps come in a little cute white mesh bag since they always get lost in my drawer. And I really appreciate how there is no plastic strip along the band to prevent slipping. These things irritate me so much. I think a good strapless bra with a tight enough band doesn't need plastic strips to stay up, unless you are doing cartwheels or something. There are 2 bonings on each side of the band, which has 3x3 hooks.

The band runs tight, being a 65(30) but only stretches to 28”. I’m not sure if, after revising their strategy, the entire brand has bands that run tight (common in Asia) or it’s just because this one is a strapless. I guess I will have to try a normal model to find out.

The cup width is comparable to my narrower 28F’s. It is quite narrow at the top but on the side the curvature is too much that it was too wide on me. I hope this makes sense.

The cup depth seems to be on the average or shallow side. With this the bra it sort of gives a minimising shape. I feel like the wires are sitting too low no matter how much I try to pull the bra up. But when I take off the bra, the wire marks are very close to my IMF. Also the cups slant “up and in” in a sharp angle. I feel like my nipples are being pushed towards each other. The gore doesn’t tack on me, but I wonder if it is due to being close-set, which I can fix if I overlap the gores. I’m seeing some gapping, especially on my smaller side, when I pull the lace away and look. But when I push the gore down, I get quad boobs. I tried to explain to the customer rep that the cups are too shallow, but they advised me to size down in the cups to alleviate the sliding down.

Another issue is the elastic edge of the lace cutting into my tall roots. The customer rep said the lace is scaled according to the band size so going up a cup to 65H won’t solve this issue. Maybe I can remove the elastic.

I think the cups are quite tall too. They are rubbing my armpits.

I’m still debating whether to return this bra or not, or maybe exchange for a 65H? But then I think the wires will definitely be too wide. And return shipping is going to cost a lot with tax. This bra doesn’t fit perfectly, but the only obvious fit issue is the lace cutting in. I have had more horrible, even painful fit from UK strapless bras. This is actually the most comfortable strapless bra I’ve ever had. I kind of want to settle on this one just because I won’t be able to find something better elsewhere. Would love to hear what you think!
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White colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 24, 2020 Flag this

It's a nice soft cotton everyday bra with decent structure and support. It's not too expensive either but I'm not sure if you can get this easily outside of China. I measure at 65F but tend to fluctuate a lot so this is for when my weight dips. Right now it gives me a bit of quadboobing but is otherwise fine. Since it's kinda cheap and cotton, I imagine the band will stretch out pretty quick. I might actually be a 28/60 band so at the moment I can wear this on the tightest hook but Candy la Vie doesn't carry 60 bands, so here we are.

yellow colorway

Updated on Aug 13, 2021 Flag this