Cleo Marcie gives me a super uplifted round shape. The bottom of the cups is a bit more shallow than for example on a Cleo Alexa. However the top of the cups is very roomy which is good for my full-on-top boobs. The cups do run quite generous since I need more like a 30K / 32JJ these days, the 32J still fits.
I get some kind of in-cup-quadraboob which as far as I know is an issue that is quite common for this bra. In my case the slight in-cup-quadraboob is not visible under a t-shirt therefore I just ignore it.
The band is quite firm but I ... guess it tends to stretch out quite fast. The band fits well on the loosest hook but when I wear it a second time (before washing) I need to move to the middle hook.

What I didn't like:
The shoulder straps are too seperated and tend to cut into my arms. (However I have this problem with almost every bra) The edge of the straps feels razor-sharp when cutting in. (why it only gets a "meh" for comfort)
The bra could be so much more supportive if the band was wider & it would have a 3 hook fastening! Dear Cleo, please consider adding 3 -hook fastening on your GG+ cups!
So I really like the looks of this bra & the shape it gives me, but It won't become an everyday bra since I prefer wider bands + 3 hook fastening on my everyday bras.
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Updated on May 02, 2013 Flag this

I love this bra. Took a bit of a risk ordering it from an eBay seller who doesn't take stuff back, but needn't have worried - it's a perfect fit and feels just right in every way. I didn't even get typical "George-wrinkles" with the Marcie (wrinkles in the thinner material in the upper part of the cups that a lot of people with wide root shallow boobs get in Cleo Georges and similar styles).
I had read that the band runs very tight but I didn't find this to be true compared to other unpadded Cleos - so far I've only tried it on, though, so I can't say if the band would feel uncomfortable if I wore the bra for a longer time.
(All this refers to the original, red Marcie.)

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 21, 2013 Flag this

I was very excited about Marcie when I first found out about this style, and I managed to snag one for a great price in a lovely lime green to try. While I usually don't go for colors, this particular style reminds me of an Agent Provacateur style from many years ago that I was seriously lusting after but couldn't justify (Brittnie from Sp/Su '14).

I really like the appearance of this bra, from the styling to the materials. I'm pretty meh on the polka dots, but I think the embroidery at the top is pretty, and the overall style and cut appeals to me too. ... The fabric is soft mesh and feels pretty much the same as Lucy. However, there's something about the fit that is just off for me.

I purchased this online from an Amazon seller that I have purchased from before, and it seemed to come in mint condition. So, my assumption is that my issues with the bra are due to the cut and not due to the particular bra I received. While Marcie 30D fits just fine in terms of overall measurements, I am disappointed that it just looks kind of odd on me. Something is not quite right here.

First, the wires on me feel very splayed, causing the cups to feel stretched horizontally. I like a wide wire, but these were shaped like a wok rather than a bowl. Since I could (and should) easily go down to a 28 band here, it is not from distortion caused by overstretching the band. I managed to correct for this slightly by bending in the wires a bit (and measurements are taken before bending), but they are still not shaped as I'd like. Also, the wires cross spontaneously at the gore sometimes, though the gore spacing measures exactly the same as other bras that I have, and none of them do this.

Second, this bra raised an issue I never thought I would encounter in a bra: my nipples appear to be in the wrong place! They appear to be pointing too low in the cup, but I am sure it's not my body doing this on its own. I put on a couple of other bras and compared, and sure enough, only Marcie manages to make them appear substantially lower. My theory is that the wide wire of this bra is acting like a shelf, forcing the tissue at the bottom of the cup to fold over itself rather than to lift from the bottom. Imagine putting your breasts on your flattened palms and lifting up-- that's the effect Marcie has on me. Since this bra is sheer and a light color, I can't help but notice this every time I put it on.

I am disappointed that while Marcie fits me, it doesn't flatter me, since it's a popular style and not too hard to find. She's fine worn under clothing, since none of the fit problems are visible, so I'll be keeping her in my collection, but I'm not enthralled enough to seek out a 28DD for a better fit.
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Light Lime colorway

Updated on Aug 19, 2019 Flag this

I followed the advice from cupandahalf half and tried sizing down a cup. I also sized down a band and fastened it with an extender, as I seem to fall pretty consistently between a 34 and 36 band. I think cupandahalf is right - this is a better fit! There is much less loose material in the tops of the cups while still tacking at the gore. The shape has a smaller, tidier profile - I have gone from a kidney bean to a cannellini. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> The smaller cups still seem wide enough, and the wire so far ... only threatens to poke under the arms. I'll have to wear it a little longer to see if it actually makes good on it.

So this bra gave me a unique problem I have never contemplated before: my gore tacks, but my shirts do not. :/ Both the tank top and the shirt I tied on are stretched out away from my chest at the collar! This gives me some pause, as I am not keen to replace my wardrobe along with my bras.

I find this bra very cute, but a little scratchy. I think a few washes would help with that. It delivers more uplift than most other bras have managed and a nice rounded shape. I like the polka dots, but I wish they had some more colors to choose from in my size.

@cupandahalf, thank you for your good advice!
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"Nude" colorway

Updated on Jun 10, 2019 Flag this

I wanted so desperately to fit into this bra! I have tried all sizes that might fit me but this bra just isn't for me. It's well made and beautiful but is not going to fit on my body comfortably.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Dec 29, 2018 Flag this

Okay, third of four reviews, here we go! For some reason, a couple weeks ago, I suddenly got a hankering to get my hands on a Bluebell Marcie. It's the SS16 colourway, so already a couple years out of production, but I got really, really lucky and found it on Amazon.ca in a 30E. Currently my Marcie in Burgundy is fitting big in the cups, and it's a 28F, so I was unsure of whether I wanted to try a cup size down or not, but the Bluebell was literally only available in 30E, so that forced my hand, and I'm glad it did! Also, there was literally ... only one left in this size, and I added it to my wishlist when it was around $71 CAD (which is the same price as the other mainstay colourways) and I kept checking on it several times a day, and for some odd reason the price started dropping a couple bucks a day. I finally pulled the trigger when it got down to $54 CAD, which for us Canadians is a steal for new (UK) bras! I wish I could see if the price would've dropped any more, but I didn't want to take the chance of it getting sold out.

In my research of this bra, I tried to see through measurements and reviews on this site whether there was a correlation between certain colours having larger or smaller cup depths than other colours, but unfortunately there weren't very many Bluebells added in the first place, so I had to just take a chance. (Side note: I try to always include the name of the colourway when I'm adding my bras; do you? It pops up under the user's name in the measurements table for one particular size, when you want to see all of the measurements added for that particular bra. Side side note: In a perfect world I would love to be able to filter data by colourway for bras like Marcie which have many different colourways. Have I said colourway enough? Anyway, back to the review.)

Oh my, the appearance! I'm sure you all know why I got a hankering for this one. The beautiful pastel periwinkle colour plus the neon orange trimmings = perfection. It gives a nice round, projected appearance as always. It fits snugly (for now) on the tightest hook, and when the time comes I'm going to take a chance and take in the band to extend the life of it. (Second side note: I have a pile of bras which I need to take in the bands of, and I've read countless tutorials on how to do it with almost as many different methods, but I'm still too scared to actually do it.) This one does run just a hair smaller in the cups than my burgundy, which is perfect for me right now, and I'm sure it will accommodate me when I'm slightly bigger boobed as well.

Overall, I'm again very happy with this purchase. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
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Bluebell colorway

Updated on Jun 03, 2018 Flag this

This Cleo classic has become a go to bra for me as it achieves a round and smooth look totally without padding or moulding.
I like to wear it with both revealing and more covered up tops.

At first the Cleo Marcie Balconnet Bra (6831) is always a bit on the snugger side. After breaking in it deals surprisingly well with light upward size fluctuations.

This beautiful red colourway comes with a little leo print bow between the cups and white hardware.

Scarlet colorway

Updated on Jan 06, 2018 Flag this

As a self-confessed fan of the Cleo Marcie Balconnet Bra (6831) I had to try this nude version. I'm always on the lookout for non padded options to wear with lightweight and light coloured summer tops https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />

Sadly the shade is too pink and too cold for my yellow skin undertone. Otherwise the bra fitted as expected.

Nude colorway

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Updated on Jan 06, 2018 Flag this

My shape: Projected, narrow, shorter roots, even/functionally full on bottom, soft tissue. Cleo Lily fits me best.

Oof this Navy colorway has a tight band. I was able to stretch it to 30", but it's definitely a tight fit for me. Cups are true to size.

I've tried Marcie's in the past, and I always had an issue with the straps not being long enough. I wanted to revisit the Marcie since I really like the Navy colorway, and I was hoping they'd made the straps longer in newer colorways.
Unfortunately, the straps are still too short. I have them ... as long as they will go, and they're still painfully short. Why, Cleo?? I don't have this problem with any other Cleo's (that I can remember). It's so frustrating. Please keep in mind that I am low set, and often have to adjust the straps as long as they will go. But still, I don't usually have the problem of straps being too short. I guess Marcie and I aren't meant to be. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />

The other issue I have with this bra is the back rings where the straps attach squeak. Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but still annoying.
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Navy colorway

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Updated on Jun 03, 2017 Flag this

First, this bra is very cute, quite comfortable, but the shape is not the best for me.

I feel like a have good support from the brand and straps, but that the cups of this bra lacks «construction». For instance if the straps are not tight, my breast do not stay in place (see pictures). My breast are just hanging in the cups and jiggle whenever I move, even if I do not consider my breast to be very soft or pendulous. The cups give a very round and lifted shape. Maybe too liflted? Its like there is support from the bottom but not the sides of the ... top of the cups.
This bra is true to size, both in the band and cup. The straps are too wide for me, but there is no chafing under my arm.
The wires are a little bit wide, which is exactly what I need.
The top of the cup is very open, and unfortunately not strechy, there is a gap on my smaller breast. I tought I was full on top but I am not sure anymore...

Overall I am a little disapointed at this bra. I will keep it becuse it is comfortable and pretty, but this one does not end my quest of perfection!
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 28, 2016 Flag this