A very pretty bikini top, though not really comfortable due to being wide on my small frame. It's very similar to the Cleo Juna (6461) , so if you're a fan you might want to check this one out.
Please read my full review for more info!

http://petiteplentiful.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-cleo-pippa-padded-bikini-t...

Updated on Jul 27, 2013 Flag this

PetitePlentiful

1004 reputation

115 bras

My fit needs: projected, immediately projected, slightly narrow, fob with tall roots (functionally even), very close set, very center full.
This bra is way too shallow, small, and slightly wide, I can see my boobs settle at the middle of the cup instead of the bottom. The straps are also too wide set. But I really love the color and the fact that it's a halter, so maybe I will diy a projected yellow halter bikini so I can fulfill my Rikku fantasy

Updated on May 26, 2021 Flag this

Excellent swim top, just a bit too big in the cups for me.

Updated on Feb 06, 2021 Flag this

Very nice quality, like you’d expect from Cleo. Even has a regular band inside the swim top with 2x3 hooks. Unfortunately it isn’t a good fit for me.

Updated on Feb 06, 2021 Flag this

This bathing suit is super cute! It's my new favorite! I adore the little orange accents with the nautical navy and white. The fabric is both stretchy and supportive.
The wires are little wide and the cups are a bit separated, but honestly this is better than I expect from most bathing suits. The band is slightly loose so I am unsure how it will be in water. A 28F might have been best for me, but this will probably be fine.

Updated on Jun 28, 2020 Flag this

Firstly, the pattern and colors are super adorable! Way cuter than I expected. The fabric itself is stretchy but surprisingly supportive. I certainly need a bigger cup and/or band size. I want things to be slightly tight to stay secure in the water and not stretch out too quickly, but the band seemed too tight. The cup was way too small and I had serious quad boob haha.
The wires are wide for me. The gore is also a bit too wide and digs into breast tissue. The straps are a little too wide-set for me as well. All of these are pretty common issues for me though.
This bathing suit top seems like it would be super comfy in the right size!

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jun 28, 2020 Flag this

Another lovely swim top from Cleo for my collection. I have been having a lot of success with Cleo Swim tops in 28E, and have especially liked the padded styles compared to completely unpadded styles like Lucille. I bought this one on final sale from Breakout Bras, and I am happy it fits.

This is a very firm and TTS 28 band, but since it’s on the narrow side, it feels a little less comfortable than a bra band. If you are between sizes, you may prefer to size up because the wires are quite firm, and you can feel them if the band is very snug.

The cups are ... a 2HC construction and have quite a bit of projection, especially at the wire. The cup height is a bit taller than your standard open half cup. The shape of the cups suits me well, and it really fits my larger side. The taller cups mean that my smaller side gaps a little when moving. I think that these cups give really nice shape, but they don’t give me as much cleavage because of the cup height being more full coverage on me. The only thing I don’t like about the cup shape is that the vertical seam is quite prominent, kind of like I see on my B. Tempt’d Ciao Bella. The foam in the cups is quite firm and appears to be the same type used in the Cleo Matilda line. This foam really holds its shape and gives a defined look, which also accentuates the visible vertical seam. The shape of these cups remind me of a deeper/narrower and more projected version of the Ciao Bella, so it’s not surprising that this worked out for me. The wires are not particularly long especially given the increased cup height, so it’s comfortable under the arms.

The fabric of this bra is matte with a shiny chevron texture. The only thing I don’t like about this bra is that the color is a deep tangelo with a reddish undertone, which isn’t really flattering on my skin. The color and styling also don’t really go with my personal style, but I think this would look really nice on very pale skin, tan skin, or dark skin. My olive undertones look kind of greyish and dead next to this hue.

In terms of styling, this is a pretty simple style, with plain straps, dyed to match plastic hardware, and a floppy bow at the center gore, which I think helps it from looking too much like a bra (in comparison, my Hattie balconette top definitely looks quite bra-like as it has no additional trims). I bought the matching ruffle bottoms, which seem pretty much identical to my Hattie ruffle bottoms. Size XS is my normal bottom size and fits me, although it runs a half size large.
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Orange Print colorway

Updated on Apr 15, 2020 Flag this

After my success with the Cleo Hattie Bandeau Top, I decided to pick up another similar looking style from the same eBay seller. Once again, I was able to snag a complete set (ruffle bottoms in XS) and two different top styles to try (Bandeau and Padded Plunge). Even though this is a size smaller than my ideal size right now, it also worked out!

Matilda Bandeau and Hattie Bandeau are similar looking from the front, but the main difference between the two styles is that the cups are made from different types of foam. The Hattie has a very soft and flexible matte white foam ... lining, but Matilda has a stiffer shiny white foam lining. This means that the Matilda cups are stiffer and more structured. In the bandeau style it's not a big deal, but I can feel a little bit of emptiness at the top of the cup just due to the shape, as it is quite projected and then the top closes back in. I prefer the soft foam and the slightly larger cups/wires of the Hattie in 28E, but I feel that this style in a 28E would have been too deep, so it's a good thing I ended up with this size.

The fabric of my set is matte yellow with a honeycomb-like pattern. It's simple, but still feels fun. I got the bottoms called "Frill Pants" in size XS, my normal size, after having tried a S and finding it way too big. They look really big compared to my other bikinis, but they fit fine. I think this fabric doesn't stretch as much as the American bikinis I am used to. Even though they are considered ruffled, the ruffle itself is actually just at the top of the leg opening, so it isn't too much. Overall, I am very pleased with this set!

Please see my separate review for the Matilda Padded Plunge Top.

I ended up liking this style enough that I purchased the same set in both Cobalt and Yellow. Note that compared to my Cobalt Matilda, this particular one runs a bit narrower and shorter in the cups, but the cup depth is the same, and the band is a bit tighter. These minor differences are not really noticeable in the fit since the cup is structured and band is supposed to be very firm, so the fit is essentially the same. The Yellow set was purchased through Breakout Bras via Amazon.
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Yellow colorway

Updated on Apr 11, 2020 Flag this

After my success with the Cleo Hattie Bandeau Top, I decided to pick up another similar looking style from the same eBay seller. Once again, I was able to snag a complete set (ruffle bottoms in XS) and two different top styles to try (Bandeau and Padded Plunge). Even though this is a size smaller than my ideal size right now, it also worked out!

Matilda Bandeau and Hattie Bandeau are similar looking from the front, but the main difference between the two styles is that the cups are made from different types of foam. The Hattie has a very soft and flexible matte white foam ... lining, but Matilda has a stiffer shiny pink foam lining. This means that the Matilda cups are stiffer and more structured. In the bandeau style it's not a big deal, but I can feel a little bit of emptiness at the top of the cup just due to the shape, as it is quite projected and then the top closes back in. I prefer the soft foam and the slightly larger cups/wires of the Hattie in 28E, but I feel that this style in a 28E would have been too deep, so it's a good thing I ended up with this size.

The fabric of my set is matte blue with a geometric pattern of diamonds and waves. It's simple, but still feels fun. I got the bottoms called "Frill Pants" in size XS, my normal size, after having tried a S and finding it way too big. They look really big compared to my other bikinis, but they fit fine. I think this fabric doesn't stretch as much as the American bikinis I am used to. Even though they are considered ruffled, the ruffle itself is actually just at the top of the leg opening, so it isn't too much. Overall, I am very pleased with this set!

Please see my separate review for the Matilda Padded Plunge Top.

I ended up liking this style enough that I purchased the same set in both Cobalt and Yellow. Note that the Yellow Matilda runs a bit narrower and shorter in the cups, but the cup depth is the same; the band is a bit smaller on the yellow one. These minor differences are not really noticeable in the fit since the cup is structured and band is supposed to be very firm, so the fit is essentially the same.
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Cobalt colorway

Updated on Apr 11, 2020 Flag this

This Cleo Hattie Balconnet Bikini Top is actually the same cut as the Cleo Lucille Balconette Bikini Top, which I already own in a 28DD. I didn’t know this when I ordered it, but this one looks much better on me than Lucille, which is a size too small. While it looks very cute on due to the cute ditsy floral print, it does have its issues.

Compared to my 28DD Lucille and my 28E Hattie Bandeau, the band on this top is even tighter. I can feel the wires more obviously than in the Lucille since this is a size larger, but thankfully they are not exactly painful, ... just noticeable. It might become an issue after extended wear, but I’m assuming that the band will also stretch out a bit after extended wear. Cleo Swim bands all have a plastic hook in the back, so the band length cannot be adjusted.

The cup size and volume is great for me (and the 28DD is ridiculously small in the cups now), but I have an issue with the horizontal upper cup. Many of Cleo’s balconnet styles give me the same problem, where the upper edge of the upper cup lays flat against my breast, but the bottom of the upper cup at the horizontal seam is bunchy, particularly as it gets close to the gore. The seam is also a bit higher than the natural fullest part of my breast, so these styles are cut for a shape that has more upper and inner fullness. I suspect that another contributing factor is my splayed roots, which cause me to have the least tissue at the upper center breast area. However, this is minor and obviously the cup size is correct, so I plan to hide the wrinkles by sewing some subtle gathers in the upper cup to make this look intentional.

I am pleased that on me, this top is very cute and doesn’t look too obviously like a bra. Sometimes bra swim tops can look a bit matronly, but this still looks youthful and fun due to the print and the size of the bra. Glad this worked out better for me than the Matilda Plunge, which just looks like it’s trying too hard to be a push up bra. I like the lifted and natural shape this top gives me, and I’m glad to finally have a bra top bikini in my collection!
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Floral Print colorway

Updated on Mar 30, 2020 Flag this

After my success with the Cleo Hattie Bandeau Top, I decided to pick up another similar looking style from the same eBay seller. Once again, I was able to snag a complete set (ruffle bottoms in XS) and two different top styles to try (Bandeau and Padded Plunge). I ordered this in my current normal size, 28E.

The Matilda styles are made from a stiffer shiny pink foam lining, making the cups stiffer and more structured. In the bandeau style it's not a big deal, but I can feel a little bit of emptiness at the top of the cup just due to the shape, as ... it is quite projected and then the top closes back in. In this Padded Plunge, I found that the foam creates a very sharp, pointy diagonal seam between the upper cup and the lower cup. Even though the cup depth fits me, I feel that the shape of the cups doesn't suit me. Once again it is very projected and closes back in, so the fullness is not at the right part of the cup for my shape.

The fabric of my set is matte blue with a geometric pattern of diamonds and waves. It's simple, but still feels fun. I got the bottoms called "Frill Pants" in size XS, my normal size, after having tried a S and finding it way too big. They look really big compared to my other bikinis, but they fit fine. I think this fabric doesn't stretch as much as the American bikinis I am used to. Even though they are considered ruffled, the ruffle itself is actually just at the top of the leg opening, so it isn't too much.

Please see my separate review for the Matilda Padded Bandeau Top.
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Cobalt colorway

Updated on Mar 26, 2020 Flag this

I picked up a few random bra-sized bikini tops at the end of last season, but I didn't have the best of luck finding something I really liked. I got really lucky recently and found this style through one of my regular eBay sellers, and he was selling two different versions of the Hattie in a complete set! I ended up purchasing both, but I received this one first. I am so happy with it!

This is one of my first bandeau bikini tops, and it fits so much better than the traditional unstructured tube top. When I first got it, I looked at the ... cups and instantly worried it was going to be disastrously big. However, this is an optical illusion, since the front of the bikini hides the underwire cups, so the cups are not as large as they appear. It fits me perfectly! The 28 band is perfectly snug and stays in place even without the straps.

The cups are actual about the same size and depth as the B. Tempt'd by Wacoal Ciao Bella in 30DD, but the wires are longer and the cup height is taller. The wire shape is taller than most Cleo wires, which are typically a bit short and shallow. I am very pleased with the fit of this bikini top and ordered a few more styles to try. If you are able to still find this, I'd highly recommend giving it a try.

In terms of bottoms, I tried the side-tie bottom in S, but my normal size is XS. S is definitely a size too big, though the side-tie version can be adjusted. I'd order your normal bra size for the top and your normal size in the bottom.
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Floral Print colorway

Updated on Mar 23, 2020 Flag this

After a couple hours, does press really hard into the center of my chest (the gore). Is a bit too painful to wear for long periods of time.

Updated on Jan 27, 2020 Flag this

I picked up Lucille on deep discount during HerRoom's summer clearance sale. This is my first swim top from Cleo, so I went with my normal size of 28DD. While this print wasn't one I would choose normally, happily the fit worked out!

The fit seems to run pretty true to size for Cleo balconnets, although I am not sure exactly which block this is based on. The band is definitely true to size, and the cups fit me snugly, although this may be because the cup height is not very tall. I found the style to be lifting and supportive on me, and I ... definitely liked this fit much better than the Freya plunge styles I also picked up. These all have the same plastic snap back, which I found to be difficult to put on, however once they are on, they feel secure.

I like the fit of this top, but I am not a fan of the geo print or the little button details. For swim, I like simpler styles with no additional ornamentation, contrast binding, etc. I'll definitely look out for this style in the future and see if I can get it in a solid color or a print that suits me better.
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Geo Stripe colorway

Updated on Sep 15, 2019 Flag this

Nice lift with no padding. I have shallow breasts, wide short roots. Fits small in the band, especially because its not stretchy at all. Similar fit to Cleo Lexi, but for the sane size, its a bit bigger in the cups and smaller in the band.

Updated on Aug 26, 2019 Flag this

This top is cute, however, there is not enough center fullness for me in this size. The gore tacks, but the rigid cup edge cuts into my soft tissue and pushes my breasts over the top. Major, major quadding.

Projection seems great, and it gives a nice, round shape.

I normally wear a 32G in other panache bras, so surprised this was so small on me. Will try this in another size.

Me: short & narrow roots, center full, close set, pendulous, petite, short waisted, low set, fairly even fullness, narrow shoulders, soft.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 11, 2019 Flag this

This is a padded bikini that have edge and foam thick as Mimi. I have a model Mimi similar to this on same size, by comparison, this cups have deeper and lower than Mimi. Perhaps because this have tight band or/and soft wire, the cup will be pulled to back and the boobs will be flat and cut in so it seems like the top is closed. In fact Mimi doesn't extend the wire to my back, but this did it. If I go to 1 bigger band, I will can compare correctly. If you need a closer fit to Mimi, you may need a sister size.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jun 01, 2019 Flag this

Great fitting bikini top. Everything stays in place, even during swimming, canoeing, etc. It shows some skin, not too much though. The open back is awesome for tanning.The halter neck puts a little too much stress on my neck, so it gets painful after a few hours of wear. Personally I'm not a huge fan of the pink/orange detail on the top of the cups and the straps, I also removed the bow in the center. The blue, however, is a really nice color. Alltogether it has a very simple look.
If you are thinking about purchasing this bikini, I would recommend going with your usual size, as it runs true to size. I have frequently worn it over the last 6 months and the band has not stretched significantly.

Updated on Mar 28, 2019 Flag this

Very firm band and tall cups. I would definitely size up in the band and down in the cups if I was going to try it again. I probably would have preferred 32D when I was in this size range.

I needed to have this set when I first saw the print. My idea was to buy the longline and the high waisted bottom for more coverage at the pool. Sadly, neither piece was comfortable on me. Since it wasn't the right size, I found myself constantly fiddling with the straps and cups to make it look right. I even tried putting an EM cookie in the smaller side to fill it out better.

Despite going by the recommended measurements for the bottom, XS was also way too tight, and I probably needed more like a medium. Turns out the high-waisted look isn't flattering on my short torso at all, anyway, so I'd go for the regular bikini next time. I ended up wearing an old blue bikini bottom with it most of the time.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 22, 2018 Flag this

This unpadded balconnet bikini with Cleos classic 3 part cups fit my FoB wide set breasts well just as expected.
Nevertheless as I ordered this bikini top along with the 30F - Freya Swim » Pip Sweetheart Padded Bikini Top (3749) I decided to return this one.

Firstly because I generally prefer a ful band bra and secondly because I found the relatively straight neckline not so flattering on me.

Pink/Blue colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 07, 2018 Flag this