My shape: slightly wide, slightly tall roots with splayed shape, evenly full top and bottom, slightly center-full. close-set at the top. I need a fair amount of projection at the wire. My best fitting sizes are 34G/36FF in Panache.

I sister-sized up because I am thick in the middle and didn't want the top to hug me too tightly there. I can wear this on the middle hook without it riding up but it feels more secure on the tightest. I won't be wearing this top a lot so the band stretching out is not a big concern for me. The cups fit great and the ... straps Stay.On.My.Shoulders. That hardly ever happens. The body of the top fits nicely too. The outer fabric is stretched over the bra and stands away from the gore. I think I will stitch this down. At the regular retail of 85 USD for this top one shouldn't have to do that but I got a good deal so I'm willing to try.

The bra is made of a double layer of tulle fabric. It's attached to the outer fabric along the top at the sides but not in the front or the very back. The bottom of the band is not attached. The wires tend to flip up and I've even had the gore twist when putting this on, so getting into can be a little bit of a challenge. Taking it off has not been a problem but I'll have to test it when wet. The fabric overlay is your typical soft and stretchy swimsuit fabric, not particularly thick but not flimsy either. The front is not lined. It has princess seams so it's fitted to the waist and has sufficient room at the hip. It rides up a little but my hips are a size larger than my bust so ymmv.

The bra construction is supposedly based on the Daily Dream. That being the case, I'm not sure why cups aren't padded, at least lightly. I'll be giving this the shower test to see if headlights show through. I suspect they will. I have some thin pads from something or other that hopefully will work without showing. Again, you shouldn't have to worry about headlights in an $85 top!

All in all I'm happy with this. Given that I've had little success with Curvy Kate bras I'm surprised and pleased that the bra fit so well. I've never had a bra-sized swim top before. It's so much more comfortable than my wireless padded cup tops. Nothing is perfect for everyone, but this comes very close for me and with a few tweaks can be nearly perfect.
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aqua print colorway

Updated on May 28, 2017 Flag this

What's good?: Damn near everything. Gives great shape, soft, and pretty. Reviewers on Brastop recommended ordering a cup down from true size and that seems right, as I'd be swimming if I bought a 38FF.

What's bad?: Not much. I haven't wore it for a full day yet. For now it's on the stiff side, but after years of loose, move all around bands, I'd prefer it stiff and the underwires not bending all over.

Updated: Apparently this fits like shit. And here I thought I was out of the bra matrix! The cups are too shallow for me, so it seems as if I should lower the band and up the cup. To what, I don't know, perhaps a 36G-H.

Beige colorway

Updated on Dec 28, 2014 Flag this

It (basically) fits!! Previously, the only Curvy Kate I tried that was closed on top enough and had enough immediate projection was the Portia, but that gave me a droopy shape. The Bardot babydoll gives a natural yet well-supported profile and is almost perfect for my narrow, projected, FOB shape. There's a tiny bit of extra space at the bottom and at the top lace, and the gore is a little too wide, but the overall fit was a very pleasant surprise. It reminds me in a good way of the Cleo Phoebe/Lucy.

The appearance is definitely adult — sheer black almost all over, decorated with elaborate purple lace. ... The silky opaque hem is a nice touch.

I measured the skirt to be 56.5cm/22.2in from the bottom of the gore.

Note: Unlike the Cleo Marcie babydoll, which can be put on just like a bra because the back of the skirt is divided, the Bardot has to be pulled over the head and shoulders. It is therefore not possible to measure the band by itself; the stretched band measurement was taken while I was wearing the babydoll.
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Updated on Jun 06, 2015 Flag this

So cute and when I scooped it almost seemed passable for fitting. Unfortunately the cup is way too big.

Updated on Apr 17, 2021 Flag this

The straps are a little wide on my frame but nothing too bad, the cups do slightly wrinkle at the top but not enough to convince me to go down a cup size

Blue/Red colorway

Updated on Feb 04, 2021 Flag this

This is a pretty but substantial bra. It is too big for me in the band and the top of the cup. The wire wore through the fabric on one side and pokes through. It shows through clothes. The straps don't stay short and they fall off my shoulders. The pants have detachable suspenders which look pretty but if you wear stockings it pulls the pants down!

Updated on Oct 14, 2016 Flag this

I would purchase this in a smaller band and larger cup size if I bought again (I'm usually 36GG), as even though the centre of the bra sticks to my sternum much better than most bras I've worn, the cups are too small for my breasts. But at 15 pounds, versus much more locally in Canada!
The bra also pushes my breasts quite forward - the lower material forming the sling is quite strong!! It makes them look a lot perkier than they actually are!

There is a bit of a line where the lower part of the cup ends and the upper lace starts, where the flesh bulges ... a bit, but this isn't noticeable under thicker clothing (but has been noticeable under a tank top AND thin sweater).

I haven't worn this more than half a dozen times, but I have noticed that the embroidery is looking a touch worn on the top of the cup. This is despite hand washing! And now after some more wear, there are some threads coming out at the bottom of the outside of the cup, like the threads from construction were not all captured in the cradle seam allowance.
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Violet/Topaz colorway

Updated on Dec 31, 2015 Flag this

I really like this bra! It gives a great shape- more uplifted than round, but it looked really nice! The bra felt very supportive. Material was very soft and comfortable, straps were on the thick side, but that wasn't a negative for me. The band was snug but definitely on the looser side; if you're a smaller 38 or like tight fitting bras I would size down. The gore comes up a little high on me, but it wasn't visible under my clothes. The seams were a little visible, but with layers it's not noticeable. It doesn't poke or itch.

Edit: I bent the underwire a bit for a better fit, and now it's perfect! If you're having trouble with it feeling low or just not sitting correctly, try this tutorial to get a better fit: http://brasihate.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-to-do-with-those-pesky-wide.html

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 13, 2015 Flag this

This bra is comfortable. Lightly lined but not "shaped" so it keeps your modesty but doesn't smash your boobs into a pre-determined shape. If I could wish away two things , I would get rid of the WHITE trim on the top of the cups, which shows through white shirts (which is the point of nude/skin colored bras, to NOT show through) and put boning in the wings to keep the band from rolling so much.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 25, 2014 Flag this

Decent fit! I would have gone one band size smaller and maybe one cup size larger. Wire fits to perfection under my boobs and cup holds them in very well on the sides, but the top of the bra is a bit on the snug side. I like the straps as they sit farther outside from my worn in groove.

The only thing I didn't like was the fabric - very scratchy and uncomfortable.

Updated on Feb 28, 2014 Flag this

Band is very stretchy, already need the centre hooks after a few weeks. Very sheer/see thru if that bothers you. Ribbon is a bit loose along top (longer than unstretched cup). Comfy and well-fitting.

Updated on Feb 13, 2014 Flag this

band seemed too tight, fabric itchy, and the wires poked. The cups seemed strangely shaped, a little quad even though the cups didn't seem to small. The worst though was the too wide straps, the roses at the base dug into my armpits, just overall uncomfortable.

Updated on Nov 30, 2013 Flag this

I tried this bra because it was on sale and it was one that was suggested to me. I like the bra, but it is not the best fit for me. The wire doesn't come up enough on the sides and I think if it did it might cut into my breasts. It's pretty comfortable but not quite the right shape. The band is sturdy.

Updated on Nov 03, 2013 Flag this

I love how it looks, but my boobs fall off from the front very easily, unfortunately. Otherwise I love it, even though the size is too small for me.

Updated on Oct 02, 2013 Flag this