I picked up Hettie last summer when I didn't have a very clear understanding of different Cleo shapes or fits by breast shape, so I was surprised to find at the time that it fit me so weirdly. At 28DD, Hettie was just too big all around--big in the band to the point of riding up, and big in the cups, which I could only fill out at the bottom while the top cup laid baggily across my chest. I have tried to revisit this fit several times since I now measure 28E, but still find that it doesn't work for me.
I also picked a 30D ... Kayla back out of my drawer, and found that both Hettie and Kayla still gave me the same fit issues even though I am a cup size larger. After discovering that they are sister cuts, it all makes sense! Both styles are designed for projected FOT shapes and have the ability to accommodate tall roots thanks to the stretch upper cups. Other shapes will find it difficult to fill out the top of the cup, and lack of upper fullness will either show totally baggy wrinkly lace or lace that doesn't quite lay flat when you move. This particular Hettie compared to my Kayla is slightly shallower in the cup and slightly narrower as well, so I am closer to fitting this bra now, but the upper cup lace just won't stay in place on me. The band on this specific bra is also really huge, and is probably one of the longest Cleo bands that I have ever come across. It's easily a normal 32 band masquerading as a 30!
The fabrication of Hettie is totally different from Kayla, and is rather unique compared to other Cleo bras in my collection. The outer cup is made from stretch mesh with an open dot pattern, reminiscent of athletic mesh, lined with rigid tricot. The lace at the upper cup is exactly the same quality as Kayla but a different pattern. The band is a solid stretch knit, though it's on the thin side. Straps are simply ribbed for stability, and the only adornment is a center gore bow. Overall, the fabric on Hettie is really soft and feels like this could be a comfortable, lightweight bra if it fit.
I'm glad that I tried this bra on again, and thanks to my new Commando Takeouts, it was easy to diagnose that this wouldn't fit me even if I had the correct size! I'll be passing on the 28E and any other related Hettie cuts unless I magically develop a huge boost in upper fullness.
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Bright Cerise colorway
Updated on Apr 11, 2020 Flag this