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

A technical fit in all aspects except I can't with this gore. There's a measure of irony in regards to me never understanding the desire to rip off an uncomfortable bra when I wore ill-fitting Wal-Mart crap, and yet a properly sized one forced my hand. Probably shopping for extenders this weekend.

EDIT 2020/2/18: I have no clue what happened but we’re A-OK now. Maybe I broke it in or maybe I’m just smaller in the ribcage today. Either way, with the gore issue out of the way, the only thing left is slight wrinkling in my smaller side, and that I can deal with painlessly. A good thing too, because the extenders I got from Target have hooks further apart than Hettie’s hooks, and I didn’t want to risk an extender tearing her up.

Blue/Teal colorway

Updated on Feb 18, 2020 Flag this

Can’t tell much because the band was way too tight. When I first looked at it I thought they sent a 32F by mistake, but no 36F it is. Cups might be a touch small but next size up probably too big. Straps are skinny and rub on sides of my arms. Just not a good match for me I guess.

Black/Grey colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 17, 2020 Flag this

The Hettie feels nice and light; the cups have a soft, thin, and smooth lining and this same fabric comprises the band material. The cups and wings are covered with a fine mesh-like material with tiny holes in it. The lace at the tops of the cups seems flimsy and a little cheap to me - I'd need to be careful adjusting it to avoid putting my finger through it. Straps are ribbed and stretchy. I think they would be better if they were a little wider, say 3/4 inch instead of 1/2 inch, but I like wider straps in general. I have to adjust them almost to ... their full length and they feel too tight.

The bra has quite good center projection and fairly good immediate projection at the wire, although for me the wire is still about 1/8 inch under my IMF. I don't think this would be a deal-breaker if the cups fit well otherwise, but it might get a little uncomfortable after several hours of wear. I can't fill out the cups at the top or at the center, so they are clearly too large. However, the wire fits well on the sides and encloses my breast tissue comfortably; it feels very secure but doesn't poke into my armpit, so I think the wire length is probably right.

I like the shape that the Hettie gives me, but some may feel that it's too pointy. With the flimsy lace at the tops of the cups, I think there will be some jiggle. As for the gore, I have very close-set breasts so just about any gore bothers me. It's not actually sitting on breast tissue, but poking into it slightly. If this bra was available as a plunge, the shorter gore would be preferable.

As for the color, I'm not a fan of white bras unless they are very lacy and decorative, and the Hettie in the white colorway is rather plain.-looking But this was the only color available in my size at herroom and I wanted to try it for size. The 32E I tried in purple was too small in the cups, and this 32FF is too big...so hopefully the 32F that I'm trying next will be the charm!
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White colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 16, 2020 Flag this

This is a cheerful-looking bra. The purple is very bright, and the cups are very round. I'm still in the process of figuring out my correct size, so unfortunately it doesn't fit me. The cups are about two sizes too small, but their shape appears to be a good match for my FOB, projected breasts with narrow roots. The band and straps are moderately stretchy, but wires are firm.

Purple colorway

Updated on Jan 23, 2020 Flag this

I like this bra and it fits pretty well. I feel kind of jiggly in it, however, especially on my larger side. I think it would be loose on my smaller side if I sized up, though. And like other Cleos I've tried, the gore digs in a bit and the fabric feels a bit rougher than my Ewa and Comexims.

Updated on Jan 02, 2020 Flag this

This is my best fitting (cough cough only) bra at the moment. I had to overlap the center wires, they were too wide for what I think are my center full breasts. They cut into breast tissue and hurt. The gore is still too tall and bugs me periodically throughout the day. The wires are a tad bit wide but dont cause discomfort, and it seems to have enough projection, or at least more than anything else I've tried. I like the shape ok, I'd prefer more front and center but it's fine. I've recently reassessed and done more reading and realize one of the reasons I'm having so much trouble finding good bras is I thought I was shallow and wide set but now I think I might be more projected and center full with maybe roots on the narrow side of average. So I'm starting from scratch!

32:7 32F

Center full and projected??

Cleo

Hettie Balconnet Bra (9011)

2 suggestions

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Nov 07, 2019 Flag this

This bra is beautiful but the wires are too short/narrow and dig into my underarms. They barely make it to the edge of my breast tissue. The lace on the upper cup is stretchier than the fabric itself so it creates a quad boob effect. I may try a larger size to see if that alleviates the problem with the wires and quadboob.

Updated on Sep 28, 2019 Flag this

The straps are, sadly, too short for me.

Black/grey colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 08, 2019 Flag this

Sadly the straps are a tiny bit too short for me.

Black/grey colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 08, 2019 Flag this