My shape: even-to-slightly FOB, mid-height front-facing teardrop-profile (ski jump with no "jump") with tall shallow roots, low apex, lots of immediate projection underneath but moderate overall projection, wide roots with lots of side fullness and shallow tails that wrap all the way to the shoulder blade, extremely close-set center tissue (possibly a trace of natural symmastia), and very firm self-supporting tissue that when pushed out of shape will push right back.

I purchased this bra (and my 32FF - Masquerade » Florence (6151) ) about 6 months ago and tried it on for photos, but hadn't gotten around to reviewing it because it REEKED of cigarette smoke ... right through my clothes. I've had it sitting on a shelf airing out since then, and I think it's finally safe for my allergies and I am so happy because it is just too lovely and it's been taunting me for so many weeks! The combination of dark navy blue and orange embroidery is a little strange, but not unattractive. It has a single red-and-white striped ribbon bow (odd choice with the orange, I'll agree to that) at the center gore with a little gold heart pendant.

This is one of the Cleo/Panache Masquerade 2-panel half cup models. I adore my 30F - Masquerade » Maia (5221) , and this fits pretty similarly: same shape and support, although the neckline is a bit higher and there isn't quite so much Cakes-on-a-Plate, but a girl doesn't need that every single day.

The cups are comfortably lined and give a rounded profile. There's some gapping on top right now, but I suspect it's a combination of the point of my hormonal cycle today and the stretchy band, because it's better on the tightest hook, and in the photos it was not noticeable at all. Plus, the straps are pretty far apart and join the cups quite high up, right at the point of my armpit, so every motion exaggerates the buckling along the top edge - if I slouch, I can fudge enough room for all four fingers in the cup! There appears to be a slight range of apex, instead of just one real point, which should accommodate more ladies with higher apexes than mine, and obviously the bra can handle a bit more upper fullness than I have.

The band is a little flimsy, sadly, but so are the Maia's and all the other clones'. I wish they came with 3 hooks. I have a vague notion of either shortening the band or adding more elastic inside at the back of the band to give it some more life, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. It's comfortable and doesn't seem to be moving on the loosest hook, although it feels a bit firmer and more supportive on the second (snug 72.4/BTT 67.3 cm today). I do like my bands a bit snug, though.

The wires are nice and wide, and with the tall wings and high cup sides, they keep my root tails in check. They are a pronounced U shape, though, which means that the outside curve doesn't follow my IMF there (a much flatter curve shaped like the Nike swoosh, as mentioned above) so there's some slightly empty cup there. The wires are on the firm side but not terribly so, and not too flexy or flimsy.

I think there must be a magic spot on my sternum where some gores can hit that don't bother me, but 2mm up or down and it's agony all day. I have extremely close tissue, and there really aren't any gores I simply forget about, except for the Victoria Secret plunges I used to wear, but this one is right in the sweet spot and I like it.

The straps are thin, and too far apart, like I mentioned. Since the corner of the cup where they're attached is rounded to blend with the other scallops on the edge, I think I can cheat them in a bit without it throwing the whole fit off, and hopefully get them out of my armpits.
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Updated on Mar 19, 2018 Flag this

lovely, but the embroidery stands out under clothes.

Updated on Oct 06, 2014 Flag this

I'm quite happy with this bra overall. It's not the absolute smoothest fabric and gets a bit itchy on dry skin - but it's a nice shape, the band and straps fit very well, and I quite like its colors.

This bra fits me best on the moderate to larger swing of my cycle.

Updated on Apr 18, 2014 Flag this

This is the oldest bra in my drawer. I own it for more than two years now and changed from the widest to the middle hook. The comfort and the shape of this bra are really good, otherwise I would not keep it that long. The band is softer than all other Cleos I tried but it still keeps in place. The cut is good for my FOB breasts but it is not so good for low cut tops since its not a halfcup.
The orange pattern always annoys me, under my tops it looks like a really bad skin irritation and not like a bra pattern, so this is mostly my pullover bra. Anyhow I guess if my size stays as it is I am going to wear this bra till its death.
When I heard that Cleo discontiued this Cut I bought this cut in two more designs (Jessie, Jolie) because I really like it and want to have it in my drawer for a while.

This bra's measurements have been altered

Altered band,

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Updated on Mar 13, 2016 Flag this

Very cute, has a nice push-up effect. Like many bras with a more padded lining, the cups seem a little bit small, so I'd recommend sizing up if you are between sizes. The coral orange is very nice and bright against the navy in person.

Updated on Jan 22, 2016 Flag this

Surprisingly close fit for a Cleo (never gotten Cleo's to work for me before. My situation in a nutshell: close-set, immediate projection, narrow root, soft tissue). Good fit for my left breast, but the larger right one spills in toward the middle and creates quad-boob (well, tri-boob, I guess, since it's only on one side). It would work if the cup came up higher in the middle--more balconette, less plunge--or the gore was thinner, maybe, as I'm getting spillage over the corner of the gore into the middle.

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Updated on Oct 10, 2015 Flag this

Really lovely bra in appearance. I'd say the color is navy blue mixed with dark purple. Sadly the cups are much too large. I need to size down at least one, if not two, cup sizes. It's also worth noting that the embroidery shows through clothing, which gives a weird lumpy appearance.

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Updated on May 16, 2015 Flag this

My current breast type: conical, medium-wide root, tallish root, soft, full on bottom.

This bra is really comfortable, gives a rounds shape but is not particular smooth-looking under tight or clingy tops.

Updated on Aug 06, 2014 Flag this

This is nearly perfect. I love the color, a deep dark purple/blue, and the shape it gives. The cups are close enough together for me and wires narrow enough, at least for my larger side. Also the straps aren't too far apart. It might be a hair too small on my larger side, if I throw my shoulders back there is a little quadboobage, but not enough to go up. Also open enough on top for me. Only thing I can complain about is that the wires don't go up as far on the outside.

Updated on Jul 24, 2014 Flag this

aesthetically this bra is gorgeous- the color is a bit more purple then pictures show, and with the orange embroidery and scallop lace it comes across very regal and almost princess Jasmine-esque to me. the fits is close, but still no cigar.

i can comfortably fasten this 34 on the last hook; i would probably want to go for a 32FF instead to get the band snug enough. the cup width however, feels good, so im not sure if going to 32FF would make them too wide. This is so far one of the only half cups ive tried that ISN'T super wide! more narrow half cups please! ... class="smiley" src="https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />

i imagine a 32FF would also have wider set straps, and as with all of the half cups ive so far tried, the straps are already too wide. its not problem if i'm standing still with my shoulders back, but i cant actually wear it like this because the minute i get moving the straps get caught near my underarms, thus pushing the cup forward a bunch and making awful gapes at the top of the cups. on the plus side, the straps are fully adjustable.

the cups on this have one vertical seam, and are molded. i like the rounded shape i get, and there's no cutting on on my tall shallow shape, or folding the the bottom of the cup, yay! i imagine with wash and wear the cups would soften, but as it stands they are a bit stiff and that may be why i get some gaping at the top of the cups near the underarms. The under wire ends a half inch before the channel, so that half inch is empty space. in my try on, i didnt notice any poking or stabbing

the gore on this tacks, but isn't hard or uncomfortable. it seems like it *just* has enough room to lay flat, and many there Cleo's do that too, so im beginning to wonder if im close set? i dont think im going to try this in a 32FF unless its very cheap, as i just cant deal with having straps set so wide!
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Updated on Jun 05, 2014 Flag this