When Panache announced they would start producing bralettes, most big-busted wom

http://miskidwie.pl/en/cleo-by-panache-lyzy-30f/

Updated on Aug 24, 2018 Flag this

MiskiDwie

6201 reputation

586 bras

Well, this is my last of the four reviews, and I waited this long because I wanted to write about my first experience with taking in a band! I finally worked up the courage to take this bra apart (somewhat), because it wasn't doing me any good sitting on my floor and not being worn. First of all, thank you to RubensNotRaphael for selling me this Lily. Lily is basically my holy grail bra, and as we all know, it has been discontinued for several years now and is becoming increasingly difficult to find. (I may be hoarding two Lilys in 28FF that are too ... big for me ATM, but should I ever gain boob weight, it will be perfect lol.)

I decided to take in the band from the hook and eye attachments, because I didn't want any bulky seams where some other folks prefer to just fold the band over itself, and I would also prefer that the straps are closer together in the back rather than further apart, which I feared would happen with some other methods. So, you can imagine my hesitation at taking in a bra band for the first time since I would be permanently, irreversibly chopping off a length of the band. My first step was to try and guess how much I should take off. I measured 0.5" inward from each attachment point of the hook and eye tape on either side of the band and marked with tailor's chalk. Then I ripped out the original seams so that I could fully remove the hooks and eyes. I chopped off approximately 0.5" of the band, but left 0.25" outside of the chalk mark, which is the part that would go back inside the hook and eye tape. Then I just folded the band over itself a tiny bit in the middle (horizontally) so that the top and bottom edges of the band would fit back inside the hook and eye tape and used a zigzag stitch to secure. I did this for both sides and gave it a try on - it was much better already, but still a bit too big. So I repeated the process, taking approximately another 0.5" off each side. This time, the band is nice and snug on the first or second set of hooks! Hooray, my experiment was a success!!

Now, the band measures 23.25"/59cm flat, and 26.5"/69.5cm stretched (a big emphasis here is that the band is really stretchy, so I can definitely pull it farther, but that would distort the wires and not be accurate to how much it stretches when I wear it)(PS. I measured in actual inches and cm's individually, I did not do a conversion, so the measurements may not be exactly the same). My stitching is NOT neat, but it does the trick! I am so happy with how it has turned out, and this makes me want to attack all my ill-fitting bras with the seam ripper lmao
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Aqua colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jun 22, 2018 Flag this

This one is really quite awesome! It has a stretchier band then Marcie in the same size. Could be the color of Marcie (I have it in Tangerine which seems snug) Hettie gives a me a nice rounded shape but not as lifted as Marcie. Could be due to the stretch lace on top too?!? Also I held them up to each other the wires seem to be identical except the cup space in Hettie is slightly more. I really think it’s super comfortable I seem to have problems with bras staying put at my IMF. It’s painful when they slide because the wires dig into my ribs, This has not given me any pain and has stayed put. I’m curious if I tried another size if it would be better or worse? But for now I’m holding onto this unless I find a better match! My adventure continues but I’m glad I have a keeper.

Updated on Jun 19, 2018 Flag this

The Ellis has a beautiful floral design and embroidered upper panel. Traditional three part construction balconette bra. I have heard that cleo bras have narrow wires. For me they were on the wider side as I prefer the wires on Polish bras. The cups are great for projected breasts. Bra is smooth under thin fabrics. The bra almost gives a more conical shape; it's not very rounded. If you prefer a less rounded shape this is a good fit.

Since I received this bra used it has stretched out a bit and it fits best on the middle set of hooks.

In addition to the underwire being too wide for ... my preference I would prefer it have three hook and eye closers instead of two. The band is nice and supportive but I think it would have better support for anyone above a UK G cup with three hooks. The gore is also too high for me. I'd prefer it be 3". As someone with full on top breasts I prefer stretch lace for the upper panel, and also prefer a full cup style over a Balconette style. I do get a bit of overflow, but not enough to justify going up a cup.

Ellis (and Cleo in general) is good for people who find Polish wires too narrow, but British wires too wide, wants a smooth look under clothes, has wider shoulders, is full all over/full on bottom, likes a Balconette style, and prefer a less rounded shape.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 15, 2018 Flag this

I really had high hopes for this bra, considering I have had good luck with the cleo Maddie, and this was supposed to be an updated version. The cups are really small on this and much more enclosed than the Maddie. I'm not sure if a cup size up would fix this problem or if it's just the wrong cut for me. It did not feel similar to the Maddie, other than they are both molded balconet bras, but they are cut very differently to me.

Updated on Jul 17, 2017 Flag this

I like it! I definitely think this fits similarly to Marcie. The cups feel good, no wrinkles or quadboob. Open enough on top not to interfere with my tall-ish roots and upper fullness. It looks a bit small in the side pictures but I think that's because I need to awkwardly push my arm back to get that shot. The gore is low and narrow enough not to sit on my close-set boobs, but not so low that I spill out of the middle. Wires are also a good width; they're not creeping into my armpits where I don't need them.

The band feels loose to me, which makes ... sense, since it's a used 30C, and I need a 28D/28DD in Cleo. It's fine on the tightest hook, and if I need to, I can always alter it. Based on how the cups fit, I think a 28D Minnie would be perfect, so I'll be looking for the red version in that size.*

Love the cute polka dot pattern -- it has a bit of a pin-uppy feel, without being too over the top. Overall, my first impression is that this one is a keeper.

Edit: After several hours of wear, the back rides up, causing the sides to dig in. I will definitely be altering the band.

*Edit: Acquired 28D Minnie. Band is perfect but cups are more closed on top?! whyyyyyyy ._.

*Edit: altered band. cups now visibly too small.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 15, 2017 Flag this

A british 3 part half cup?! Sign me in! I used to look over Mimi but when it showed up for A/W 2016 dressing up in roses, I had to jump in! And boy, what a jump!

Full review here: http://www.myfashioninsiderblog.com/2016/10/lingerie-cleo-by-panache-mimi-autumn.html

If you've been following my Lingerie & Bra Fitting posts, it's probably n

http://www.myfashioninsiderblog.com/2016/10/lingerie-cleo-by-panache-mimi-aut...

rose print colorway

Updated on Oct 05, 2016 Flag this

Brallerina

1707 reputation

61 bras

Shape: round, projected, even, close set, on the narrow end of average root width.

Yay! This is the bra that fits! As I mentioned in my 30E - Cleo » Marcie Balconnet Bra (6831) review, the fit was excellent everywhere except the band, which was just crazy stretchy. I ordered a sister size down, to the 28F, and this fits like an absolute dream. Wearing this makes me feel embarrassed that I stuck with my terribly ill-fitting 32DD - Cleo » Marcie Balconnet Bra (6831) for so long. I legitimately thought Marcies were out of reach for me, that it was too open ... on top, the gore was too wide, etc, but it's only because I was wearing the wrong size!

The 28F perfectly encapsulates my breast tissue with no quadding or gapping of the top lace, even on my smaller side. The gore, which ends up sitting at a slant in the 32DD, is firmly tacked and comfortably narrow for my close-set breasts. The band is nice and firm. Overall, I get a lovely uplifted round shape and I totally dig the pastel blue & neon coral accents. I don't own anything like it.

The only con I can think of, and this is totally unrelated to the bra, is that the matching panties are both a smidge too tight in a UK 10 (38" hips, I comfortably wear 10s in Panache briefs, but I think they run smaller in Cleo) and I simply cannot get over the frilly lace edging. Go look it up. I feel like a fluffy cupcake princess / pastel mermaid. This would DEFINITELY be a pro for others, but it's a tiny bit too fanciful for me. The fiance says I should just roll with it https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
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Bluebell colorway

Updated on Sep 05, 2016 Flag this

Shape: round, projected, even to FoB, close set, on the narrow end of average root width.

Holy heck, Cleo, what's with the stretchy bands lately? This is the second new colorway with a ridiculously stretchy 30 band I've had to send back (the first was a Cleo Marcie in Bluebell). It's SO stretchy you guys. I could fasten this on the tightest (!!) hook right from the get go. All the fit pictures are of the band on the tightest hook - it's a mess otherwise. On the loosest hook, there is so much gapping and wrinkling in the cup, the gore pops up off my sternum if ... I move in any direction that isn't chest forward, and the band is creeping up my back. If I move to the tightest hook, it greatly reduces the gapping and wrinkling in the cups, but it's not perfect (note the pronounced wrinkling at the bottom of the cups). The pros are that the shape is nice and rounded, the fabric is soft and comfy, and this colorway is just the best - turquoise and black look excellent together.

I'm returning and grabbing a 28F to see if that fixes the fit issues, otherwise, too bad.
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Turquoise colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 31, 2016 Flag this

This bra is absolutely a new favorite! I contacted Amazon about the sizing weirdness, and they confirmed that it was mis-tagged. Luckily, 28FF is the perfect size for me after some growth so it worked out beautifully. Kayla should fit those who fit well in Lily, but it's a bit more open on top and center projected. The band runs quite large, so be aware of that. I miss the old tight Cleo bands!

Full review on the blog! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />

Sorry for the relative silence lately guys! I’ve just started classes at a new U

http://thepetitecollegiate.com/2016/08/29/cleo-kayla-review/

Updated on Aug 29, 2016 Flag this

PetiteCollegiate

3149 reputation

112 bras

I had heard Breeze ran small in the band and somewhat large in the cups. So I was looking for a sister size, from my regular 30GG/H to a 32G or 34FF.

First tried this bra in a sale, when the only sister size left was a 36F. Not a big surprise that that didn't work out (36F - Cleo » Breeze (9025)) but I as I really loved the design and rounded profile, I wanted to try a smaller backsize.

In this 34FF, the fit is definitely much better than in 36F - although a 32G(G?) probably would've worked as well. I'm now wearing it on the ... second row of hooks. So for my shape (tall roots, upper fullness) Breeze doesn't seem to run large in the cups. And maybe one size small-ish in the band?

About the band, this is actually longer than in other longline bras I've tried (Freya Flourish & Crush, Fauve Bronte). This means (for me) that the band also doesn't flip up as much, which is great. And the length means a nice smoothed silhouette under clothes, without bulges.

Cup wise I could maybe get away with a bigger size, but there's no real quadding. Some minor discomfort where the sides are kind of poking into my armpits (which seems to be caused by the side boning? Luckily much less of a problem than in the 36F).

Edit: forgot about the straps; they are not my favorite. Pretty narrow, kind of wide set and more rigid than I prefer.

Guess Breeze still won't be an everyday bra for me, but I really love the design and it gives some good special occasion cleavage!
Matching shorts are a nice fit in a size 14, for my larger 42 inch hips / butt.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 13, 2016 Flag this

I just love this set! It's sooo pretty! the pictures don't give this bra justice! the colour is so gorgeous! And the ruffles on the panty! stunning!!
The bra is great and comfortable, but I think I will try a marcie in a size down, as the wires are too wide and I think it would bring my boobs a tad more centred in a 28F. The top is acually not completely flat, but you don't see this under clothing!

I did get this stunning set through an exchange from another user and I love it! Thank you so much!!

This is the burgundy colourway.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 11, 2016 Flag this

This bra had been on my increasingly diminishing list of must-tries for months. My dream bra is a padded-to-molded balconette with minimal detailing or seams to show through shirts and ideally with narrowish (but not tall) wires. What few measurements were available on Bratabase seemed to confirm that this would be the case with Mimi. My pendulous, high-set boobs consistently strike out with Cleo's unlined bras (ugh, just awful, even the magical Lily that so many rave about). I got a pretty good fit with Neve, only the wires were wide too and the gore too low.

Sadly, I struck out again with this bra. I ordered a ... 32G because it was on sale even though my usual size is a 30G or 30GG depending on brand. 30G can run a little small in Cleo's molded options like Maddie (which is a total fail for me). This bra's measurements gave me the impression it would be rather shallow, so I would have thought my ideal size to be a 30GG. I'm not sure how accurate the measurements here are and will be adding mine soon. Since Cleo bands run tight for me, I figured 32G would be a fair option.

Keeping those size gymnastics in mind, this bra isn't right for me. While the wires are narrower than, say, a Freya half-cup, they are far too tall. Even though they don't really poke my armpits, they are very U-shaped. The cups are deep, not shallow like I thought. Fit wise, it seems like a cross between Cleo Juna Balconnet Bra (6461) and Cleo Maddie Moulded T-shirt Bra (7201) . It is more open on top than Maddie, but more molded than Juna, yet has the same U-shaped wires as Juna. Also like Juna, this bra only has partially adjustable straps, which is probably the only reason why it's not reaching my armpits: I can't fully get it into my IMF; at least not comfortably.

The main, glaring issue with this bra and why I will not be keeping it is that the cups are super tall. There is no place to measure cup height for Bratabase, but laying a soft tape measure from the top center edge of the cup along the curve of the cup to the base of the underwire channel (not including the band), this bra has 7" tall cups. At 5'1" with high-set and short roots, yet again I find myself wishing that I could order the "petite" version of this bra with a reduced cup height. Because of the tallness, I am literally getting a wall of bra that is empty at the top. My larger side does a little better. I am getting the most emptiness nearer to the gore. The cup is jutting out more there. This is also where my tissue wants to slide the more I wear it and move around. I am not sure if this is because it is probably 1/2 a cup size too big. A cup down might quad on the larger side. Because of this severe gaping, although the gore is quite tall, it doesn't support my breasts towards the center.

The gore: it is much taller than other balconettes I've tried, more like I would expect a true half-cup to have. I have a little space between my boobs so high gores don't really bother me, but the thickness of the underwires and channels in the center irritates my chest. It tacks hard at the top and floats at the bottom of the gore. I find it uncomfortable and would have had to bend it out if I'd kept it. I always get a little floating at the bottom due to a dip in my rib area, but never had a bra so uncomfortable at the top of the gore.

Band: I have to wear the 32G on the tightest hooks, so for this bra I would say the band runs TTS if not a little long. More like a Freya 32 than what I would have thought a Cleo 32 would be like.

Size: If I were to give his bra another chance, it would have to be in a 30G. But the cups being so tall and the partially adjustable straps pretty much rule it out, anyway. Now that I think about it, with all Cleo bras, lined and unlined, I am between a 30G and 30GG and the cups are always too tall. I may have to scratch this brand off of my list even though the styles are pretty cute.

Shape: As for the shape this bra gives, it is pretty true to the type of shape I think Cleo unlined bras give when they fit: more or less uplifted and central due to the narrower wires. There appears to be adequate immediate projection at the bottom of the cup, but not a whole lot. More than, say, 30G - Curvy Kate » Starlet Moulded Bra (CK2501) , and maybe a smidge more than 30G - Cleo » Maddie Moulded Balconnet T-shirt Bra (7091) , but less than a Cleo unlined.

Appearance: I cringed when I ordered it, but truth be told, I don't hate the leopard print. I like the minimal detail of the tiny scalloped edge and no other frilly bits. The material is soft and supple. The underwires are thick and hard, true to Cleo's usual, which I don't really like that much, but wouldn't be a deal breaker if they weren't the wrong shape/height/length.

Unless someone wants to gift me a Comexim this month, I will be waiting until next season's offerings come out to make any bra purchases. My to-try list is dwindling to next to nothing while my fail list grows. I'm so tired paying too much for bras that don't fit. My post office probably refers to me as the one who returns everything, and they wouldn't be wrong.

Bonus review note: This is the first bra I ordered from Amazon that didn't arrive damaged in the mail. They padded the cups out with paper. Maybe my complaints are having an effect?
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Dec 01, 2015 Flag this

letstalkaboutbras

1949 reputation

146 bras

What a strangely shaped little bra. The band is definitely tight for a 30 - for once it's a 30 band I ordered based on reviews saying it runs tight and I don't regret it - it most definitely runs very tight. I personally like having tight bands, and I do feel this is material that will stretch fairly easily. The other Cleos I've tried - Juna and Jude - were not this tight in the band, I needed 28 bands in those.

PROS: Coral color is pretty and the little bow detail on the gore is cute. Material is very soft, cups are ... molded but not overly stiff. Straps are fully adjustable.

CONS: The shape... is so weird... something about the top of the cups doesn't agree with me. It gaps on both sides but it's like they are too tall rather than too big. I feel like this bra is asking for fullness on top that I just don't have, and I'd do better with shorter cups. I could not have gone down a cup size though. If I really scoop & swoop I fill out the top briefly, but my boobs settle back down into the cups and the gapping returns. Also, there's a small bit of empty space down the inside edges of the cups, where it's like the bra material floats away from my breast. I believe I've stumbled upon a bra that has cups set too close together for my boobs. The wires are hella wide, and it's insanely shallow. Like, I had an inch of wrinkling in the bottoms of these cups.

I'd highly recommend this as THE t-shirt bra to try for those with wide roots, a shallow shape, even or FOT, and close set boobs. I can see why it's called the anti-Deco.
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Coral colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 03, 2015 Flag this

lcl0706

6302 reputation

165 bras

http://catchingarrows.blogspot.com/2015/06/beige-cleo-marcie.html

Beige colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jun 29, 2015 Flag this

Evadne

1548 reputation

94 bras

Love Love this bra, enough depth for my central fullness, shallower on the outside with lovely firm fabric, and the perfect height for my root so no big gap / crease between the strap and the cup. Wires enclose perfectly -gore could be narrower if the wires overlapped which would improve the bra for me (like my old Marcie) but the rest of this bra is so good that its not a huge issue.
Such a pretty bra, the navy and pink is just such a great colourway and with the little charm, this bra just seems made for me.

Updated on Feb 18, 2015 Flag this

My measurements for reference: snug 32, BTT 30.5, standing 38.5, leaning 41, lying 39. Pendulous, projected, narrowish shortish root, FOB/even (I think). I have a lot of outside fullness.

Well, this is a very cute little bra. I like the parrot print, which is actually much more subdued than my crazy neon Lucy or yellow Marcie. It's a very lightweight mesh construction, but damn, it does the job. Why can't every bra just lift like this? All my Cleos do provide a great profile, but this one is the best so far.

The band is comfortably snug on the loosest hooks, not like my Marcie which still ... practically cuts me in half after six months wear. The wires are pretty much the perfect width. The gore tacks. The straps are nicely placed and fully adjustable. I fill the cups nicely, although I have to swoop and scoop more enthusiastically on my smaller side.

There is virtually no wrinkling in the bottom of the cups. The most amazing thing, though (to me), is that they don't ride down at all throughout the day. I guess I finally got the magic combination of wire width and projection. I think this is why I find this bra much more comfortable than either Lucy or Marcie, because the wires don't move around and cause chafing. They don't seem to be any more padded or anything. The band under the cups doesn't even curl up. That might just be a first for me.

Alas, it is not perfect. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> Thanks to the combination of Cleo construction and my soft tissue, I still get the in-cup quad boob going on. I wish Cleo would figure this out and fix it. People with squishy boobs deserve better!

Except for that, I do love this bra. I think it is my best fit so far. So of course they're discontinuing it. Story of my life. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />




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Parrot Print colorway

Updated on Dec 02, 2014 Flag this

The band on this bra runs tight and doesn't appear that it will stretch quickly....currently waiting for the extenders I ordered. I can wear it this way but the cups are distorting because the band is too tight for me and the underwires dig so bad they leave bruises.

Cup shape is very open on the top, I can't get it to dig in no matter what position I try. Probably the cutest bra in my drawer at the moment. It's a true red, not orangey. Mine did need some stretching on the diagonal seam as it cut in slightly but it did ... not show under shirts and was very minor. The gore is quite narrow. Overall it fits very well. I slip some comfy cups/no peek pads in and no worries about nipple show through. Seams definately show in most of my summer shirts which I don't particularly care for...but it's pretty enough that I wear it anyway. Quality wise...there were some loose threads but nothing that looks like it's going to fall apart. It gives a very rounded, uplifted, up front shape and is more supportive than Lucy....I can jog in this one with minimal jiggle.

Edited: The extenders arrived and what a difference! The underwires no longer bruise my ribs and the cups fit perfectly with no wrinkling. I needed two positions looser than the loosest hook at first and now just one. This bra is getting a lot of wear! I don't think I would go up a band size personally, just because it will last longer this way. I think this is one bra I will actually end up buying in more colors...especially the aqua that's supposed to be coming up!!
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Updated on Dec 05, 2012 Flag this

Updated on April 30, 2012

6 months after purchase I am wearing on the final hook. After an inventory of favorite/most worn bras I realized this bra is far too loose and should have been purchased in 28H. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />

Updated on Mar 16, 2012

I have been happily wearing this bra since I bought it and the itchy part was really the bow gore and it still occurs but after several wears/washings it has subsided. Just have to make sure it's not sitting on my skin and it's good to go. One of my absolute favorite sets.

Reviewed on Nov 03, 2011

Purchased 30G + 30GG for ... comparison. My first few Panache/Cleo bras were in 30G but most felt too small in the cup in different ways based on the styles (see my reviews for Cleo-Alex unlined-cup plunge, Cleo-Jude moulded-cup plunge, Masquerade-Maia balconette). It's mostly difficult to find any stores in my area which actually choose to carry above a G-cup even though Panache makes them in some styles.

I took a chance ordering because the design is just so beautiful: the entire construction in purple feather-print is mesh but not see through like most soft cup wired bras.

This balconette style "fit" in both sizes however it became an issue of comfort in deciding which size to keep. The 30GG seems to envelope my breasts better especially when I lean over and it feels more supportive as there's just a touch more fabric in every area. As so, the straps are thicker and more on par as the width of a typical FF-G cup Freya at about 1.8cm. Gives me a pretty good shape which is more rounded than any Freya I've ever tried.

My only complaint is the gore stitching is much too itchy on the inside and so it needs a solution before I wear it again.

Measured unstretched before wearing.
Purchased early-October from Figleaves.
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Updated on Apr 30, 2012 Flag this

BustsOfGotham

1334 reputation

182 bras

Up front apology, I did not measure this bra because I needed to get it back in the mail to be returned. This bra was ALL wrong for me. I am seriously disappointed too because I was sooo looking forward to getting this.

Anyway, the band fit well, I have a 27" ribcage measure and the 20" band seemed just fine. The cups were a different story though. WOW - small would be an understatement. I wear a 30F in Anita and 28FF in Freya and the F in this bra is probably 2 cups sizes to small in this bra. Without even ... trying this on I knew it was not going to work.

I spoke to a representative who said that this bra runs true to size but I am not sure I agree with that assessment. I sent this back and reordered a larger size so, keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

Appearance of the product, I have some reservations, the fabric is not laminated and the top layer of fabric moves freely over the bottom layers which always causes concern about wrinkling. Also the quality of the material does not seem as good as the Freya bras I own. But this is is a cute bra nonetheless.

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Updated on Jul 20, 2011 Flag this