Man, I think I have an irrational love for these Cleo balconnet-style bras. They're all so colorful with cute patterns. As soon as I saw a Zia Balconnet online I knew I had to have one. While the last Cleo balconnet I got was a Meg Balconnet in 28GG, I'm glad I did my research and got this in a 30 band. The Zia is known to be tight. I opted for 30FF because 30G was not available and, crap, it was on sale. I figured if the cups were ridiculous, I'd just return it.
And no kidding, when I first got it, ...I took one look at it and was like "Did I order a 28FF by accident?? SHITTTT D:" The band looked TINY. Nevertheless, I gave it a whirl. You can't judge everything on appearances because I had no problems fastening it. Finally, I get to use the outer hooks! No using the middle or first hooks right away with this baby.
But does it work with my boobs? Well, it makes them a little pointy, not like with the Meg, which gives a more rounded shape. But like the Meg, the bra attempts to place my stubbornly splayed breasts in a more front and center position. So, pointy breasts aside, it looks pretty decent under a t-shirt. The gore also doesn't come up so high, like in some unpadded models (Wacoal, I'm looking at you!). What I also like about this model (and other Cleos I have) is that it doesn't gouge out my armpits. It seems like the underwires on a lot of bras, especially once you get into the G range, decide to make themselves at home in my armpits. Or the straps get too wide set for my narrow shoulders. It is the curse of the slightly petite :'(
The fabric is stiff: stiff enough that the cups hold their shape and are not flimsy but not so stiff that they would be nasty and scratchy. The straps are rather thin at a half an inch. The lace top portions are soft enough.
There are some minor fitting issues that I feel have more to do with the shape of my breasts than anything else. The top part of the cups cut in a little bit. Were I more full on top, that fabric cutting in would really be an issue. It could be that 30G would have been a better option. I'm not giving up on this bra yet! But I probably won't be able to wear it when I'm close to my period.
Overall, I give this bra a thumbs up, despite the pointy boob action. Read more 338 more words
Let me tell you about the Karen. Wouldn't you know it, I'm wearing it right now! So, anyway. This is a bra that I searched high and low on the internet for in my "default" size (30G). At one point I found it on Nordstrom's website on sale, but then I didn't act quick enough and it slipped through my grasp. Imagine my delight, when I found the Karen at my local Nordstrom Rack on clearance for $22.
But! I compromised with a 32FF. So I feel like I should put a giant disclaimer on this review, because while it technically fits, it is on the tightest ...hook. Like, if I had my way, I would much rather have a 30 band. However, given the nature of the cups, I wonder if a 30G would have ended up stabbing me in the armpits. But I digress.
Let me start by saying I've tried a couple of other molded "plunge" models and this one may be by far the most comfortable. For example, take the FreyaDeco -- while I love that bra, it goes slightly farther up in the armpits than the Karen. The Deco also smushes your boobs closer together and up, while the Karen seems to just lift them up but not necessarily smushed together. Not that there's anything wrong with that! It just means, given the cut of the bra, you can wear something that is more of a V-neck with the Deco than you can with the Karen. The Karen is good for necklines that are open or wide but that don't dip down too low. In general, I love the rounded, uplifted shape that the Karen gives my profile. It might look like I'm getting some quadboob action, but that's only if I contort enough while taking photos (but I'm working on that lol).
Of course, I love the star pattern. This is why I sought it out! The material is soft and but no means scratchy. To me, the band is firm for a 32, given that I prefer 30 bands. I do wish that the straps seemed a little less flimsy. I mean, maybe I'm used to .75 inch straps now, instead of the half inch straps here. Another thing is, if I had my way, I would design this model with three sets of hooks, instead of the two that this model (and every other Cleo model I've tried) has. Why the resistance to the three sets of hooks? :'(
Okay, I'm done waxing poetic about the Karen. I say if you have boobs like mine, get your hands on a Karen and try it out for yourself https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Read more 347 more words
I love this bra, as it's comfortable and was the first unpadded bra that looked good on me. I used to wear it in a 30C and have now bought two in 30D (coral and turquoise). It's a great bra for wide root shallow breasts, although the thinner part of the cup usually wrinkles a bit. These wrinkles disappeared after I had worn my 30C George several times, and they don't show under shirts.
This bra is really perfect for rather shallow boobs with wide roots. It's comfortable, looks nice and gives a good, round shape. Unfortunately for me, the cups are a bit shallower than the Juna's or Ellie's cups (they are similar to the Darcy's), and so it doesn't fit me a 100 per cent right. The top of the cup cuts a tiny bit into my breast tissue. I'd say the bra is a really small 30D - the cups of my 30C Cleo Brooke are a bit deeper. All the measurements I took are for a used Rita, e.g. the band might have stretched out (I bought this bra used, so I wouldn't know).
I think this bra looks absolutely gorgeous. I find it's more of a half-cup than a balcony. I bought it after reading a review from the wonderful Georgina at Fuller Figure Fuller Bust: http://fullerfigurefullerbust.com/tag/panache-cleo-ellie-36h-simply-yours/ I am a bit unhappy about the pink lace band on the top of the cup because it sems to wrinkle on me and I think I will have to think of how to alter it slightly so it lays flat on my breasts and doesn't show under tighter tops. It gives fabulous uplift and support. I wish it had a 3-hook band and although I have not had it for long, I think the band's material is a bit flimsy and will stretch easily. At the moment I need to use an extender because it's rather tight but I would ot want to go up to a 38 band.
This is the first bra that I really loved the look of AND it fit me better than most, but honestly it's not the best. I think it's because it pushes my boobs up too high, so they take on more of a spherical shape. It feels a little tight between the outside underwire and the shoulder strap.
However, the gore nestles perfectly between my boobs and I'm a sucker for the blue ribbon/red button detail.
Haven't worn it enough to know if it will stretch out.
I had read this style ran small in the cups, so I went a cup size up. Well, it didn't run small for me. Too bad, because it's made out of a very comfy, soft fabric.
I can't really speak as to whether the shape works on me but the cups do seem fairly wide and shallow.
The cup of this bra fits absolutely perfectly. Lately I have been getting cutting in or gaping on the top of all soft cup bras. I love the cleo bras, but it's always one or the other (cutting in or gaping space). This bra has an amazing smooth line, I love it.
However, the band of this bra looks horrible when I wear it. The band has two hooks, which already can cause backfat problems. The band seems to made of basic elastic and cheap fabric, so my skin moulds around the two bands of elastic, and it creates the most unappealing backfat that shows up through everything. I ...have tried using an extender, but I lose support, and I have tried the tightest hook, and the problem doesn't change. I really don't like band fabric that has a lot of give. I find the fabric gives more than the elastic, and it doesn't hold my skin nice and flat. (Sorry if that's too much gross backfat information.) I prefer bands that don't give or stretch much- masquerade anise for example.
So for those reasons, I have a great fitting bra in the cup, but I never wear it because I have better options that don't leave me with bra lines under my clothes. Read more 104 more words
After having worn this bra in a 34DD, going down a bandsize and up a couple cups has been a godsend. (Truth be told, I think I might even be able to go up up more cupsize but it's certainly not dramatic enough to be a dealbreaker. I only get the merest shadow of quad-boob, and only with my larger breast.)
The shape I get with the Lucy is superior to ANY other bra I have EVER worn. It's perky, perfectly rounded, foward-projecting, nicely defined. Basically anything I could ever ask for in a bra. The balconette style makes for perfect coverage - I'm ...not a big fan of plunges, so I like the height of the center gore but the generally level cut across the top of the cups. My only complaint with this bra is very minor - even though the band fits, I find that the lower edge of the center gore curves inward, leaving me a small pink line across my chest. However, this may just be an issue with my bra specifically, and certainly not a problem with the Cleo line as a whole.
This time around, I went with the navy/pink colorway, which is basically adorable. I really enjoy that it has accenting embroidery, unlike other colorways which have just one color and an accenting bow. The embroidery itself is flat enough that I can wear it with all but the thinnest fabrics - it basically begins to show through around the same point that the seams themselves show. Overall, this is probably one of my favourite bras. Read more 164 more words
I've had this Ellie bra for a while. It was one of my favorite bras when I bought it, and still one of my favorites, but I think that it is slightly bigger than the current Junas. The unstretched band itself is a bit longer than by newest Juna in strawberry, and I have owned it for a while, so the band now stretches up to 30". Because of this, I have to wear it on the shortest hook. And in terms of hooks, one thing I DO wish about the Juna style is that they would make FF and G cups three hooks, instead of two.
Otherwise, the ...fit is pretty typical of the Juna style. Comfortable lightly padded cups, and the bra itself scoops pretty low, so it's easy to wear under low cut shirts. It doesn't create a ton of cleavage, but enough to make your boobies look pretty.
I may try finding a new Ellie in my same size (28G). I was pretty rough on my bras when I first owned this, so I think that's partially why it has degraded a bit with wear and tear (and being worn REALLY regularly during summer months). Read more 90 more words
I've been wanting to try Cleo bras for a long time and when I spotted this very reasonably priced Meg bra in the ebay, I bought it right away. I've heard that Cleo bras are not like Panache regulars, but that their shape is quite different. That's true. I've never had a bra that gives a similar shape. It gives a great lift, very much like Ewa Michalaks, but the shape is vastly different in profile. I'd describe it as "comic-girl retro". I have old Superman-comics where the Wonder Woman has exactly the same kind of boob profile. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Very fetching, and ...I like the image. If you're wondering what the profile shape looks like, well, it's pronouncedly round with a distinctive upward curve on top of the breast - this bra will suit bottom-heavy breasts great! As the cup volume is precisely right for me, it fits me despite my strongly top-full boob shape. There's some wrinkling in the top-end of the cup with my smaller boob, but the bigger fills the cup completely.
Pros: - Very pretty print, great colour combination - Soft material and the overall impression is light - Excellent support - Individualistic, feminine shape - Low underarm wires, despite it being a Panache bra
The cups in this bra are definitely too deep for me. I have shallow breasts and I probably should have purchased the 28d, although I'm still not quite sure it would suit my shape. The top lace portion wrinkled and there were slight wrinkles around the cup. I tried doing the scoop method and everything I could to try to fill it, but it just wouldn't fill. It's mainly in the top portion that I am lacking in. It's my first 28 band, so I guess I have to expect some failure while searching for the right bra! Everything else seemed to fit fine and it's a gorgeous bra. It is just too bad because I purchased it from the UK (I am from the US) and would rather not have to pay to return. So, if you are at all hesitant about sizing and you have shallow breasts, go for the smaller size!
i think i should have gotten a 30HH instead because the band is quite strechy (well strechier then the zia for example, probably a bit looser as well). i like this bra but i wish it had three hooks instead of just two, i dont feel as secure as i would like to feel (this might be because of the too loose band though). cups seem true to size to me.
Update 04.02.2013 the band is just way too big, i get shoulder pain after wearing it for a while. im probably gonna buy a new one in 30HH though.
I have just compared the marcie to the the cleo zia bra in 32H and i think the band of the marcie is just a tiny bit longer, but way stretchier!
I wanted to love this bra, but I would just say it is ok. Based on some reviews I sized up a cup and got a 38HH. I think the cups fit well. No cutting in or wrinkling. But, I think my boobs are a little too soft for this bra. The seams sort of pushed into my tissue, so the shape wasn't a smooth, round line. It was very hard to take a picture of this, so I guess it's not too noticeable.
The underwires definitely cut into my armpit area. It was very pokey and uncomfortable. They were too high, but also aren't cushioned at all. The ...band also seemed a little scratchy, but that might soften up with time.
The bra's fabric is very smooth and lovely. I would prefer more color or embellishment, but this is a simple, classy bra. I think my soft, heavy boobs need something more substantial though. I need a stiffer fabric that holds me up better. I did get a pretty decent shape in the Lucy, but I would prefer something with a little more lift. The Lucy definitely was a pretty good fit, but it's just not for me. Read more 89 more words
Update: Jan 28, 2013 Quality: 5/5 Comfort: 5/5 Appearance: 5/5 (cup does not wrinkle 1/4 of the month https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> )
No need for band extender now, Lizzie fits well in the band.
I vary between 30 and 28 Cleo bras because they often have very stretchy bands. I found a 28H Lizzie and thought "Hey, I'll order it because it could be like a tighter 30GG and I am often in between 30G and GG, maybe it will work out well." So this 28H has a bit bigger cup than I would normally take ...and there is pretty obvious wrinkling in the top cup portion. One thing to note is the top portion is not translucent like in stock photos online. Instead it is lined the same as the rest of the bra. I really like this consistency although some women really want the sexy sheer they see advertised. Also, the 28 band was much tighter than expected and it is near impossible to use the first hook without an extender!! Good thing I have a hot pink one to match the flowers! https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> However, elsewhere overall it fits pretty well especially since it gives me a very nice rounded shape like my other Cleo soft cups.
I was pleased to order since I heard from other Bratabase users Lizzie is based on the same shape as my beloved Sasha & Alexa (http://bra.pe/R2w/) bras from the current season.
Since I just received it and the wrinkling doesn't show under a t-shirt I am highly considering keeping it.
Measured unstretched immediately before wearing. Purchased mid-June '12 from Bare Necessities. Read more 178 more words
What everyone says about this bra giving a very rounded shape is true. The profile is unbelievably hemispherical. I can't figure out how they achieved a half cup look with an unlined, unpadded, sheer, seamed balconette bra.
What I love about the Cleo Marcie: (1) Perfectly rounded shape (2) Gorgeous, true red color (3) Sheer fabric--very pretty lace and mesh (4) This 30F Cleo Marcie fits as smoothly as my 30F Fantasie Serene (unlined, unpadded, seamed) and 30F Fantasie Rebecca (padded, seamless) bras. The Marcie's lightweight, sheer cups, however, are obviously tighter and therefore sexier than the Fantasies' cups. The look fits with the vibe the Cleo line is going for. The ...Cleo Marcie fits as well as the 28G Bravissimo Tanzania Stripe (unpadded halfcup) bra I got the same day last week. ( I had realized my 28F Bravissimo Tanzania Stripe bras don't fit that well anymore, if they ever did.)
Why I'm returning the Cleo Marcie: (1) The underwires are too low on the sides. Breast tissue escapes and bulges above the bra, underneath my arms. This will make this bra not good for underneath sleeveless tops. All my bras, but especially the sheer ones, need to work under sleeveless tops so I can wear them during the summer. (2) The straps are too wide-set and dig into my shoulder/arm area. (3) The material is a bit scratchy.
If I didn't get the side bulges, I'd keep the bra and deal with the straps digging in and the scratchiness. I think the latter would be solved with a few hand washings. The band feels a bit too tight, but of course I could use an extender for a while. Read more 164 more words
I got this bra from another Bratabase member. It is very pretty yellow bra with no padding.
It doesn´t fit perfectly. The wires are wide enough for me and they are very comfortable but the band is too big and the cups are slightly too small. There is very small quadboob effect. The fit is decent though, if I use the tightest hooks.
I know 28 band would be better, but I wonder which cup it should be then. If I go see others´ Lucy bras Bratabase says that 28F would be too big in the cups for me! How can it be, if 30E is slightly too small?? I ...tried to judge based on measured cup depths, how they vary between 28 band and 30 band. I do not get it... Anyway, cups are the right shape in this bra for me. I will keep it for it is so pretty, and try to live with these few issues https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
EDIT. I altered the band so that it doesn´t stretch so much, and now it´s good. I also think after wearing the bra that the cups are just fine https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />
EDIT2. I realise now that the cups are not the right shape for me, after all. They cut in and produce slight quadboob but if they were bigger, I think there would be gaping where my nipples are.
EDIT3. Boobs gone bigger (!!), cups now definitely too small. Read more 138 more words
Bratabase isn't always right with its suggestions. I recently bought the yellow Lucy in 28F. If I got more time, in some days maybe, I will submit some pictures :) My mum got it in 30E, which cuts into my breasts slightly... Also, depending on my cycle, I sometimes fit into the 28FF and the again in the 28F. It's all not that easy.
Great it fits you now!
28 F Lucy is more generous in the cups than the 30E. If the 30E is a little small in the cups and a little big in the band, then a 28F would be better. Like it is for me. :)
^ That sounds odd! Do you know if it is so for all the colour variations? Anyway, I won´t be trying Lucy again, I think the shape is not good for me.
I will be measuring mine and putting the colors in my reviews. Right now I am doing the 2 30E Lucy bras. There is definitely a difference.
All my Cleos are 30FF. I usually take a 28G in other brands, but have always found Cleos to run extra tight in the band. Yet while the 30FF’s that I already own fit close to perfectly, Darcy is too big in the band and too small in the cup.
Aside from the fit issue, the print and color are just darling. The red, white, and blue heart-shaped leaf print is a wonderfully modern combination of nautical and girly. And miracle of miracles, the pattern continues onto the wings.
The seams are flawless—they don’t show at all under tops. I also quite like the straps: They have a horizontal stripe texture that holds them in place nicely and adds just a touch of extra visual interest. Besides the off sizing, my only other complaint is that the red lace along the cup edges sticks out from my chest, but even that isn’t noticeable under clothes.
Cleo Natasha does run tight in the band. So maybe you want to size up in this. Also the cup size does run more “true to size” compared to past Cleo styles like the Alexa, Chloe or Meg which did run a bit big in the cup. It gives the very uplifted & round “Cleo-shape”.
The colours are more bright than on the pictures. Actually I did not like the print of this bra. I first thought it would be hideous but when I got it I changed my mind about it. It’s quite cute.
Too bad it was always a bit small on me (as some here call it: a “BrasIhate-fit”) And now it’s just too small. Also I really think I might could even size up 1 band size because the band is really tight.
4/5 hearts (usual Cleo quality – good shape – good uplift, I can’t say something negative about it)
I'd been eyeing this bra for ages on ebay. When it popped up on sale on bravissimo, I went for it. The pattern is nice and the fabric is lightweight, not itchy. It feels like it would be good in hot weather.
It doesn't fit me. I think part of it is that the straps are too wide set for my shoulders. When I pull them in, it makes the front of the cups gape out awkwardly. When I pull the straps out to the side (where they're falling off my shoulders) the gape mostly disappears. There's empty fabric at the sides and along the front of the ...cup. There's no wire poking me anywhere. The underwire does rest on the edge of my larger breast but it's not uncomfortable, at least not in the few minutes I've worn the bra.
Pulling the bra in various directions makes the shape of the cup show more clearly. It seems like a nice, rounded shape that would probably be complimentary on someone with the right fit. I wish it fit me because it really is lovely, but there are too many fit issues to make it worth keeping/altering. Read more 87 more words
Bratabase isn't always right with its suggestions.
I recently bought the yellow Lucy in 28F. If I got more time, in some days maybe, I will submit some pictures :) My mum got it in 30E, which cuts into my breasts slightly... Also, depending on my cycle, I sometimes fit into the 28FF and the again in the 28F. It's all not that easy.
Great it fits you now!