I purchased this in the color Azure. It is a beautiful vibrant electric blue. The lace on this bralette is pretty soft and doesn’t seem to bother me much, but I am aware it is near my armpits. More on that when I get to fit. The cup consists of a three part cup. Two lower parts with one upper part. The cup is a lace fabric over a blue mesh. The center gore has a tiny blue bow and it is wire free. The back band is a wide elastic band that has a pink/silver metallic stripe. The inside of the elastic band does not contain the ...silver stripe as seen on the outside. The side wings are a blue stretch mesh that is way more stretchy than the bottom of the band or the elastic above. So if you have some squish like me, you’re gonna see it, as it is shown in my pic. There is a a 2x3 closure. The straps are a satin finish and has a J-hook in the back to convert it to a racer-back. All hardware is blue.
For the fit I do feel the cup runs a little tall and wide where the cup meets strap. I do have another one on the way in one cup down. I am aware the lace is there even though it’s not necessarily itchy. It gives me a more natural pointy shape, not my favorite, I feel covered, but not exactly supported. This may come down to a size issue. The bralette gets the job done for the most part. Now the back band and the noticeable roll I get between the upper and elastic and the lower band elastic does not make me want to wear this out of the house. I also feel the band is on the stretchier side for a 30. I purchased at a discount off of Amazon. This is another bralette, worth the sale price, but I wouldn’t pay full price for this.
Edit to add: Added info for our petite friends. I just noticed on the strap/J-hook section. If you are short and need to adjust these straps even shorter, you won’t be able to utilize the J-hook. It would be pushed up way to high and too close, or even past, your neck to be functional. Read more 281 more words
I love this color! I feel like the elastic band would roll up on me a lot.
WildWolff This one actually seems to stay put if I tighten it. But I think I’m going to return this. The cups. While feeling good in the center, just feel so wide near my armpits. I kind of feel like I can get the same effect using an old bra I’ve taken the wires out of. I do love the color tho.
That's how I feel about a lot of the unwired bras I've tried. I assume it needs to be a certain size to provide support without a wire. The Parfait and Panache unwired bras I've tried are like that, so wide and tall and uncomfortable. Bravissimo Zara is kind of tall and wide but the fabric is soft so it doesn't bother me and I actually wear it out of the house. I've been loving Kindred Bravely/Davy Piper, but I don't know what options they have with hooks. They just started adjustable strap options though!
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. Read more 206 more words
Whoever voted this down needs to rethink their happy trigger-clicker-finger. Took a bit to finally want to wear this bra for the first time. In that time it was worth stating "Review forthcoming..." as a temporary marker. So, you're welcome for being honest.
As a preface, when I first tried the Asher, I tried a 28FF which was too small in the band since I've recently become a 30 band. The 28FF was REALLY small so I saw 30GG on sale and thought "It's just 2 cup sizes larger than 30FF which i normally wear" and while technically correct, this bra is much too big in the cups https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" />
QUALITY: As always from Panache, the quality is really good. None of the seams feel like they're going to unravel, the fabric is really sturdy, the overall structure is really solid.
FIT: The band is really ...comfortable! I do feel like it could slide down because the cups don't fit properly and so I imagine the tension in the band isn't 100% correct for a correct fit, but I'm not keeping it so I'm not concerned. The cups are too big, my boobs fall to the bottom and fill it out nicely, but leave room for another small boob on top in the empty fabric. The cups are also comfortable, despite being much too large. The wires feel stiff when I hold and feel the bra, and when I compare it to my Cleo Marcie in 30FF, the wires feel a lot stiffer than the Marcie.
DESIGN: I'm not gonna lie, this bra is quite pretty. The blue is really nice with the geometric patterns in the top lace panel. There's lace loops decoration on the edges of the straps and lower edge of the band, much like other Cleo bras, but these loops are much smaller than usual. It looks nice on the straps but might be annoying for the skin on the lower edge of the band. Next to the wire channels on the outside of the bra there's a stripe of fabric just a millimeter wide, but it's shiny and adds just a touch of detail that I really appreciate. It's subtle and I don't know how visible it is when you're wearing the bra but it looks great when it's laying next to me on my desk. The only thing I don't really like is the bow. It's wide and square and makes the bra feel wide and square. I personally prefer the small lacy bows that usually come on Cleo bras, if I end up getting this bra in my size I definitely will be replacing it.
There's an extra layer of fuzzy fabric sewn onto half of the strap lengthwise, from the middle and down to where it meets the cup. It's there for comfort and I like that attention to detail. It wouldn't make the bra more comfortable to me though as I have the straps on max length, but I'd imagine it's nice for someone with a short torso.
TLDR, Asher isn't as bad as I thought! But I have yet to try it in my actual size. Read more 379 more words
30GG is technically 3 cups bigger than 28FF, because cup goes up with band size too. That's why, for example, if band is too tight in 28FF but cup is alright, you should try 30F rather than 30FF :) and so on.
So, in this case probably your usual size 30FF would be a good fit. But I am not a professional, just figuring things out there ;) The bra indeed is beautiful, I love softies :D
Cleo Minnie is my best fitting Cleo in a 28F. Since it is discontinued I contacted Panache and asked what a good replacement would be. They told me the Asher. For me the Asher is not a good replacement. Unstretched the band is the same length as my stretched out Minnie. Even though the Minnie still fits me in the 1st hooks the Asher is too loose in the 1st hooks and too tight in the middle hooks. Either way I hook it the band slides down and presses on my rib cage. Not sure if I need a smaller cup or it's just wrong for me. The Asher reminds me too much of Marcie which it replaced. I didn't do well in Marcie and am having the same experience with Asher.
pierniczki you are correct! it is 3 cup sizes bigger than 28FF. But I coulnd't try this in 28G because the band was too tight. So I tried a 30 band which is comfortable, but the cups were too big :) it is a pretty bra!
meggiecat yeah, Asher is its own thing. It can't really be compared to the Marcie in my opinion, it's somehow still very different.
This was one of the 8 bras I tried in my first Amazon Prime Wardrobe Box! (Sadly, 8/8 did NOT fit) Out of all 8 bras that I tried, this one fit the best. It wasn't a good enough fit for me to keep the bra, mostly because my larger, left breast had some quadding going on, and the band is a bit too stretchy for my tastes. Plus, I got a weird, upside down 7 (I think that's what it's called?) shape that I really don't like. I didn't try it on with a shirt over it, so maybe it wouldn't even be noticeable, but *I* know it's ...weirdly shaped! (I think I've been spoiled by Polish bras. That, or my breasts are primadonnas who demand only bras all the way from Ewa Michalak in Poland and will settle for nothing less, hahaha.) The search continues! Anyone have any tips on what I should try next, preferable that's available through Amazon Prime Wardrobe? (I do wanna say, it's a bit annoying that Amazon requires UPS only to return these. They sent them to me in a box that's too big for the UPS Drop Off box, of course, and you HAVE to mail it back in the original box. So stupid! So now I gotta figure out how the heck I'm going to send it back without having to drive all over looking for a UPS Store. First world probs, I know. I'm still grumpy about it.) Read more 136 more words
I just got a Wardrobe package, also 8 bras, and it was a big plastic bag.
There are lots of UPS stores. Go on their website and use their locator. You can filter for UPS stores only. I have two within 15 minutes, one is inside a Giant supermarket.
You can also drop it off at any Staples Shipping Center inside the store near the front. They’ll give you a receipt for it.
finallygotboobs Did any of your picks work out? I'm really excited about the Wardrobe, since there are NO STORES near me that sell anything near my bra size. (I believe that's a common problem for a lot of people, unfortunately.) Also, I did find out there's a store called Pak Mail that will take UPS packages, and that's really close to my house. Hooray! So my grumpiness has gone away, hahah. I already have another Prime Wardrobe cart ready, with 8 more bras to try, when they receive my return. Here's hoping for better results!
Thanks for your measurements! I'm excited Amazon's Prime Wardrobe may help dramatically increase the measurements in our database. That would be so helpful!! Squeal :-)
I know! That's part of why I decided to try all these bras, even though I figured they wouldn't work for me. I was doing the "great bra try-on" and my husband was like, "Is this your bra math homework?" as I was scribbling down all the measurements, hahaha.
mandapandarawks they all fit reasonably well but I’m not wowed by any of them. I have enough bras but if any had been super comfy in a color I like I’d keep it. I ordered because I was curious about the bras and curious about Wardrobe.
The upside down 7 can be caused by a top small bra, just FYI.
*too
Too bad none of the bras worked out this time, mandapandarawks . I would be annoyed at the UPS return requirement, too.
Right, so. I previously got 30G - Cleo » Lily Balconnet Bra (7351) and it didn't really fit. I do find it to fit better these days as I've lost a lot of volume, but in my opinion, it still fits small.
So when that one didn't fit, I decided to get it in 30GG (not knowing I will lose the volume, heh). Now, this one has its issues as well, which just reinforces my opinion that I'm somewhere between a 30G and 30GG--and possibly even between a 30 and 32 band, but I still do fine with the 30s, so eh.
I find that in 30GG, the ...shape I get is more pointy and not as round as in 30G. This seems to be the case with a lot of bras I have in 2 sizes--the small one will give me a rounder shape than the larger one. I don't know why.
So starting with the cups--lots of gaping, especially on my smaller side. Like it's half empty. The top panel is just sitting loose and barely even touching my breast at all. I definitely think this is more of a even to FOT bra. Larger side, it fits fairly well but (to repeat myself) you do not stand still in a bra. So I find when I move my arms around, it will cut in. When I sort of hunch over, it will gap viciously. Overall, an interesting case.
The band is nice and tight, it's a little wider than the 30G but still has 2 hooks which, eh.
The straps--on my smaller side they adjust long enough. On my larger side, not nearly. The straps are a lot wider than 30G (yay), but for petite women I do think the straps would be hard to adjust because half of them is padded (for extra comfort? I like it.) That's okay tho, as I generally wouldn't recommend it to petite women because in 30GG the wires are the exact same as in 30G, only a lot longer. The gore overlaps a teensy tiny bit which I like a lot. It tacks beautifully, as usual.
So overall, I don't know what to think about the fit of this bra. On one hand, I kinda like it as it reeeeeeally brings my breasts front and center (very easy to see in the photos), the gaping is not visible under a shirt that much. On the other hand, I find it odd that the fit depends a lot on what I'm doing with my arms, lol. The real issue with this bra (and the 30G, and any other Panache bra I got) is that they are just plain uncomfortable. Scratchy fabrics, stiff wires, scratchy elastics... the bras just feel like torture devices and I can't quite tell why. Maybe I've been spoiled by the nice, soft materials EM uses, but the difference is stark Read more 366 more words
Sorry this one isn't ideal. Your perfect bra is still out there somewhere. 🍀💙
Sorry you have not found your perfect fit for this one yet. The aqua is reported to be the smallest fit of the Lily prints and colours so perhaps the 30GG in that would work if you like the colour and can find the size. Swan is said to fit big.
Ah, might not be worth cause I'm over everything about this bra. This was just for bra science since it was fairly cheap.
I totally agree with you about Panache and Cleos, I consider myself usually pretty tolerant of materials others complain about but these are too much for me lol.
I think with the Lily you, like so many other people, will probably always have a bit of a problem with the upper cup since the upper half of your chest has a nice gradual slope whereas the Lily curves up and inwards quite a lot. It seems to be one of those bras that is an especially unforgiving fit in that one area of the cup--the little ribbon detail highlights the smallest difference between the cup's curve and slope and that of the wearer's upper breast.
wendybien I think you're completely right, this bra has one of those constructions that sadly don't work with the wearer, there is no adjustment whatsoever, either you're a good shape for it, or you are not.
This bra does not ideal for someone with center fullness. It leaves an empty space by the armpit and causes quad boob in the middle. It isn't super wide at the band, but it does chafe under the arm.
I declare Lily a perfect fit for my projected, even top/bottom but centre-full boobs. Wires circle my breast tissue almost perfectly all around.
The band runs only slightly looser than the Marcie family of cuts (it's brand new but closing it on the second hooks feels better), and in my regular Cleo size, everything fits perfectly except the gore does not tack. Going up a cup size (keeping the band the same) resolved this, and now everything sits where it's supposed to be. And the colour scheme - the navy colour with the red, green and blue parrots, the pink/orange straps and mesh detail on the cups, and the lemon yellow bow, topping it all off: it's adorable. I love this bra!
Fits ribcage 27 B. perimeter 11.3 Stretched Band 30.3 Band Length 23.3 Stretch ratio 1.3 Cup width 5.7 Cup depth 12.0 Depth ratio 2.1 Wire length 12.0 Cup height 8.0 Cup separation 0.8 Gore height 3.6 Wing height 4.0 Strap width 0.8 Strap length 14 Hooks 2
Marcie this is not, nor Kayla... but could might compare with Kira for similarity in cut.
Decent allowance for moderate all over fullness. No issues for functional full on bottom space demands. A bit closed in on top as the band has no give, although the very edge in trimmed in a ...very thin stretch lace. Effect is very minimal. Zoe is acceptable for even types, or those with taller roots. Not so sure about full on top, as I am not & already have some issues in this area with this style.
I do tend to spill out more when active, as this is a more generous cut in loose, nonstretch mesh layers. The mesh layers are more airy when temperature and humidity are low, but rather stifling & prone to hold sweat in higher temps. Read more 90 more words
The Great Amazon Prime Wardrobe Try-On, Pt 2! My shape: FOB, narrow roots/shoulders, soft tissue, 32G (though I'm thinking maybe more 30G since a lot of these 32 bands are too stretchy for me!) Fit: I just do not have luck with Cleo bras. I tried this in a 32G my last prime Wardrobe order, and it fit too loose in the band. So I sister-sized down to a 30GG, and the band is ok, but the wires are REALLY WIDE. Seems weird that there is such a difference in wire width for such a close size. Appearance: Cute black bra! I like the looks of all of the Cleos I have tried. They have good color schemes and laces. Overall: I think I'm finished with trying to make Cleo bras work for me. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
Did this feel wider than the Wacoal Retro Chic? Retro has a slightly wider wire. I wore a Freya that was super wide, but the wire measurement was more narrow that several bras. Maybe the band was pulled tighter. Weird.
WAY wider. The Retro Chic didn't feel that wide to me at all. I did only wear the bras for, at the longest, ten minutes, since it was more of a try-on thing. So maybe that's why?
The Great Amazon Prime Wardrobe Try-On, Pt 2! My shape: FOB, narrow roots/shoulders, soft tissue, 32G (though I'm thinking maybe more 30G since a lot of these 32 bands are too stretchy for me!)
Fit: The band is firm but not uncomfortable so. The straps are just a touch too wideset, though there is a soft padding on the underside of them that makes them pretty comfortable. The top of the cup is a slightly stretchy, cobalt blue lace that has a thin piece of elastic along the edge; on my smaller breast, I have gaping, but it fits my larger breast. Man, asymmetry can be such a pain!
Appearance: These colors! I feel like I'm wearing a mermaid bra. I really love the cobalt blue with the teal green.
My shape: full-on-bottom, full in the center, close set, average width roots, short roots.
The band is true to size and I can comfortably fasten it to the first hook. The wires are average width and they feel shorter than Cleo Lily Balconnet Bra (7351) . The wires usually pokes my underarm in Cleo bras, but it is not as bad for Hettie. The gore is a little bit lower than Lily too. The cups seem to be true to size, The bottom part of the cup is non-stretch, while the top is made of stretch lace, with a ...layer of black mesh for GG cups and bigger. I like this second layer under the stretch lace, it makes it more solid. I believe it also prevents in-cup quading. My left breast is definetly a GG, while the right might be a H. I believe 30GG is the right size for me, it fits my short roots better as the wires ar not as long. The straps are wide-set, but not as much as Cleo Marcie or Lily. They are not fully ajustable because of a light padding at the shoulders. The straps are made of a nice fabric that has a nice texture. Wearing this bra, my breast have a more 'natural' shape not as rounded as wearing the Lily bra. I wound not say that it's pointy either. In my opinion, this bra is very comfortable as the fabric is softer than Marcie, and the wires shorter than Lily.
I purchased this in the nude colorway. It had been a while (a few years) since I had tried this bra in a 32G and a 30H, both of which I returned and didn't document why. I decided to try it in my usual Cleo size of 30GG in hopes it would work. Nope. This bra is just too wide and shallow for me. Nothing like the Cleo balconette style bras that I have (Meg, Natasha, Maya, Marcie, Alexa, Bella, etc.). Those seem to have much narrower wires and allow for more projection. This bra fits, it just gives me a very ...flattened shape from the side and front profiles. Like someone is pushing down on my boobs from the front. I guess this is called "orange in the glass"? Any way, I don't like the profile. I get this profile from most of the other Panache styles that I have tried (Tango, Andorra Plunge, Olivia). Too bad, because I think it would be a perfect t-shirt bra.
Also of note, this had a tighter size 30 band than other Cleo styles I have tried. Read more 88 more words
This was my very first unpadded bra, and I'm extremely glad it was.
Being a busty, tiny girl I figured I'd never be able to wear an unpadded bra, but I was wrong. Guess we all learn a lot of things once we figure out our right size and try some things! This bra was really comfortable compared to all other padded bras I've ever worn and almost made me never want to go back.
I'm a personal fan of thick straps for support because my shoulders often ache after a day of wearing a bra or running. This bra has very thick straps conpared to other bras I've ...had in the past, but it's also a durable and cute design on them. There is a soft/fuzzy layer on the bottom of the straps to prevent any chafing and add extra comfort.
I'm not a massive fan of the two hooks, as I prefer three with three rows, but it doesnt make much of a noticable difference.
The band is quite stretchy on this bra, a lot more stretchy than I'm used to. If you like a stiff band, this isn't a good choice haha. It's not that big of a deal, but some may have to start on the second hook or size down in band.
With this bra, I get a bit of wrinkles on the top of the cup, nearing the center. I would say this is a more FoT bra than anything, as i wouldn't describe myself particularly shallow.
The gore tacks perfectly and is low enough to my liking.
Also, don't spray this with perfume. I made that mistake when I was in a rush and it seemed to take the color out of the straps and band in some spots. Read more 184 more words
First truly fitting bra I've ever had, and an unexpected cup size up from my last Cleo (Neve). Wires are the perfect width, band is snug but not too tight, gore tacks, straps are the perfect width apart. And, honestly, it's a gorgeous bra.
I have to get used to the gore being so high, because while it's more comfortable and secure for me, neither the Neve nor the Deco have a very high gore. I went bowling last night in this bra and only after two games did it budge at all. Wonderful. Gives me a gorgeous lifted, rounded shape. I want to be buried in this bra.
Straps are sueded on the inside to prevent slippage. I find this makes the straps significantly more comfortable to wear. Scalloped lace around band and straps is soft, not itchy.
Band is a good tightness on the middle set of hooks, the first set is just a bit too loose for me. Volume wise, the cups are just about right, though my larger side has just the tiniest bit of overspill when I take a deep breath.
The wires are too wide on the side, and the cups are too wide and tall on the sides for me. The cups are so tall on the sides that they are close to sitting in my armpits, and in fact the cup does go into my armpit (and cuts in) when I reach my arm forward. The cups are overall ...too wide and shallow for my shape, splaying my boobs out to the side in an awkward fashion. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
This 30GG seems to be the best I can do in the Maddie (though the 28H is very similar), but the fit and shape just doesn't work for me. It's really unfortunate, as it is a very cute bra, and if it was compatible with my shape it would be great for under t-shirts. Read more 79 more words
I have this bra in a 30G as well. I noticed that my 30G was getting a little tight depending on the time of month or how I was carrying my weight on any given day. So I found a 30GG for a good price and picked it up to try out the differences.
While the GG fits better on days when I am carrying more weight in my chest, there does seem to be a little extra room in the cups along horizontal seem under the embroidery. It's not enough to render the bra useless, but it is there.
It also seems like the GG has significantly more fabric overall than the G. Maybe it's just one size vs the other on my shorter frame.
Overall, I like having this around as a second option on days when I'm feeling a little heavy in the boobs. Plus it's pretty and gives a nice round, lifted shape. Maybe I just need a G and a 1/2 though.
For being a 2 part seamed bra, the seams don't show very much through shirts. It's probably not the best for solid color t-shirts due to the seams, but it looks great under t-shirts that have a design on them. (FYI, it is lightly padded to prevent show-through.) The side profile has an awesome lifted rounded shape, and the front profile is front and center with no east/west action at all.
The band works well for me on the loosest hooks, not too tight, not too loose. The cups fit well, and while the lace doesn't lay flat, when you put a shirt on it flattens down and does ...not show. I do think this bra runs a bit small in the cups. My normal Panache size is a 30G, but the 30G Juna gave me the quad look. This 30GG fits nicely, so if you are considering this bra you may want to size up one cup size.
Though the straps are set extremely wide (coming off the cups at the very very edge), I haven't yet had any strap slippage. Unfortunately the straps do cut into my armpit a little bit, right at the point where the strap meets the cup.
Decided to return this particular bra as I found a better deal on a Cleo "Sadie", which is the same cut, just a different fabric. Read more 117 more words
I really want to love the Cleo Hettie. It's super cute in black, band is comfortably firm but not painful, it gives me a great shape. I sometimes struggle to get enough depth at the wire, but there's enough here. I don't quite fill out the lace at the top if I'm slouched, but if I sit up straight it lays perfectly. The only problem is that the straps are too wide and chafe my armpits. I can't tell yet if it's something that will fade with wear or become increasingly unbearable, but I hope it's the former.
It's a decent fit, but not my style at all! I am just not an animal print fan.
Bratabase doesn't list any related models or sister cuts for this one. It kind of looks like the Cleo Lily, but it fits me better than any Lily ever did.
This is a very useful review. Thanks!