EDIT: After breaking this bra in, it's my favorite. The cup is shallow, but it's the only bra I own that doesn't have a gore so high that it gouges my in the cleavage, so I'll live with the shallowness. I do wish it came in a 30HH (I'm trying to wear it on the loosest hooks for as long as possible, but I would really prefer it to be tighter).
EDIT EDIT: I bent the underwire as per Bras I Hate, and the fit at the bottom of the cup is now just about perfect -it almost eliminated the shallowness problem.
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I've tweaked this review a few times.
I have ...three problems with my bras -
-in my size, the underwire width often stretches the cups to be more shallow than is necessary, forcing the wire to sit an inch below the crease of my breast
-the gores are all too high and typically too wide
-the bras that don't have high gores almost always only have two hooks, which I don't think are sufficient to support GG+ cups.
The band is quite firm for a Freya, and the underwires are VERY wide - wider than I need, but I a size down would be too shallow to consider.
I had hoped this bra would solve all of my issues; it didn't. But it pretty, it looks nice under a T, and it's fairly comfortable - much more so than the Jasmine I've been wearing. Read more 131 more words
This bra is a little scratchy (which I suspect will diminish with washing). More troubling for me, it just wasn't the right shape. It was much too wide under the arms. This would be great for someone with a wider chest or wider-set breasts.
I have this bra in red/neon trim and also black/dark gold trim. It's a firm fit, looks great, good straps that don't dig. The briefs that match are beautiful too and I have the babydoll in large size which whilst not really comfortable to sleep in, looks pretty smokin'. I like the vintage-inspired design and the cut makes a good shape under clothes. The feeling of wearing this bra is good support, I wear this as an everyday bra now.
Well I was sad when I received this bra and put it on. I had just sent a 32GG in the same exact style for this 32H. The H gaps at the straps, but the middle and front cups are filled if not slightly quadding. The wires are also too wide reaching the back of my arm pits. The cups are too tall so I guess I have short roots because I wasn't sure. I still love the overall look and comfort of this bra, but I will sadly return it. I encourage anyone with the right dimensions to buy this bra. I got it off Amazon for a little over $30 for both the 32GG and 32H. Any suggestions on bras I'll take. Also do you think parfait by affinitas Charlotte will work?
I really liked this bra too! I had the same problem though, quadding in the 34E and gapping at the top in the 34F. The lace was also doing a weird little roll at the top, almost like it was already stretched out. My hope was that...maybe it WAS stretched out, and I'm waiting for a replacement to try it again. Also in more sister sizes, since the band is stretchy I'm hoping I can go down to 32 (which is normally tight for me.) I have tried the Parfait Charlotte and it is one of my favorites so far. I'm FOB/soft and this for some reason contains without puddling/gapping. I think it's the firm yet slightly top edge - seems different than others I've tried. You can see pics on my page.
I also tried it when I was confused on sizing it felt great but was way too small. The freya band felt comfortable/slightly loose but that is probably because I measure 31" I'd say it runs true to size.v I am even/fot. Im just concerned of what will happen when I get the 32H in parfait. I have a good amount of projection and am semi-soft. Because of my high set roots I try to make sure I pull the underwires up, but this results in the gapping and quadding 😩. I think you and I need shorter cups. And I need narrower wires. *sigh* some bras just can't be worn with certain breasts, I have tried 2x with this same style, so on to the next one.
I got this after trying the 30H. I sized up knowing a) the bra is not really suited to my shape, and b) I am not a 32H -- the band is too big (though in fairness the 30 was a little tight). So let's break this down.
For reference, these days I'm calling myself full on bottom, fairly narrow root, fairly close-set, LOTS of projection. The best fit I've found so far is the Cleo Marcie.
Pros--reasons I went with this bra knowing it wasn't a great fit:
-The shape is somewhat minimizing and uplifting on me, which means it's great for wearing under dresses without quite enough room in ...the bust--it minimizes and lifts enough for empire waists to fit under my breasts when normally they sit on the tissue somewhat. -I wanted a nice nude bra -It's quite comfortable. -Fabric is lovely and it looks pretty good. Gore is fairly low on me and the tops are very open, which makes it great for anything low-cut
Cons:
-Cups are way too wide for me -- unsurprising since I'm pretty narrow AND sized up. -Cups are also quite shallow. There's about an inch of empty space in the bottom. The shape reminds me of how the Panache Harmony was on me, though it's much more comfortable than the Harmony, which my projected breasts distorted like crazy. -Straps are quite wide-set. -The corollary to the low-cut pro is that I get a lot of bounce in the top of the cup because of all the exposed tissue.
These cons are shape-compatibility issues combined with the fact that I was forced to size up to 32H, since there's no 30HH. (strap-width and cup-width in particular). If you are full on bottom, narrow, and projected this is probably not the best bra for you. It is, however, the most comfortable shape-incompatible bra I've worn, and it looks really nice under clothes. Read more 204 more words
This bra is way, way too wide and shallow. The scaling on this bra is seriously screwed up. I have another Freya halfcup that is two cupsizes smaller and has more projection than this does. Such a shame, as its really, really pretty, and Freya is insanely comfortable in general. Unless you are extremely shallow, I unfortunately would not reccomend the Patsy in the extended cup range https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
I wore this bra almost daily for eight months - this was my go-to bra. Finally, when the band loosened too much, I altered the centre gore, which made it tighter and also created more uplift and slightly more room in the cups, making for a better fit.
Pre-alteration: The bra was comfortable, created a nice round shape, and had natural lift. Because it's unpadded, it doesn't add any unnecessary bulk. The band is firm and on the tighter side for a 32, but it worked well for me as I was able to start on the farthest hooks. The underwires didn't dig anywhere and the straps ...were wider, soft, and comfortable. The bra pressed in ever so slightly at the top (i.e quadrabooob), but sizing up would have made the cups far too big for me, so 32H it was.
Post-alteration: Taking in the centre core when the band had stretched out made the bra even better! The band is very tight now (I'm actually using an extender to add one column of hooks for the moment), but very supportive. Taking in the gore turned the cups so that my breasts are more uplifted than before, there is more room in the cups (no quadraboob!), and the gore now lies flat against my sternum.
This is a nice one! I'd say if you like the Freya Antoinette, you should give this one a try.
The cups are a tiny bit big on me since I get a bit of gaping in the cup near the center gore. It fits fine in every other way, so I don't find this much of a problem. I kind of think a smaller cup size would have caused some quadraboob, but I may track one down just to compare.
I like the shape this bra gives me. It isn't ultra rounded like the Ewa Michalak bras I love. Instead it is more of a natural shape. Still, ...I'd say it is pretty flattering. I also like the mesh fabric on the inside of the cups. It is so soft!
Lastly, I found the band to be a little big for me. I have to clasp the hooks on the tightest set from the beginning.
Overall, a very natural every day type bra.
-ETA- This is a perfect period bra for me! I never really noticed my boobs grow that much around that time of the month, but this time it is very easy to notice. This bra is so comfortable and those slight wrinkles have disappeared. The stretchy lace is perfect for this! Read more 102 more words
If the bra fits you on your period but is a little loose the rest of the month, you could have two measurements and set that it fits for one and not the other ;)
I tried remeasuring at the time and for some odd reason the actual measurements were the same. Is that normal?
Yes, I am not all that surprised, boobs are very misterious :P, they could swell in a direction that's not captured by the current measurement (top part) so they do swell but bratabase never knows :(
The band size runs a little large - the band is noticeably stretchier than other new bras properly sized on me, so I'm wearing it on the second hook a day after receiving it. That's a little worrying, but since I'm between sizes and my weight is fluctuating, I might not be wearing this bra for too long. My breasts are close, so my cleavage extends slightly from my sternum. Therefore, the centre gore doesn't lie entirely flat against my sternum, either, but it's close enough. The straps are nice and wide, with no seams. For someone recently sizing up from other Arabellas - the larger cups aren't ...fully made of sheer mesh like the smaller models, which is kind of sad for those who like that. My breasts are more fleshy in the top than this bra is intended for - the top embroidered edge folds back to accommodate this. However, there's no noticeable quad-boob effect, so it's a pretty good fit. The mesh doesn't feel scratchy, and the embroidery is pretty - even for people who don't like pink. It also has three cute little bows (also pink). It looks good, but I would have preferred it to be entirely sheer, like the smaller Arabellas. Read more 98 more words
I bought this bra in UK size 32H on a second hand website. The band is one size too small for me so I have a quadboobs effect & a "doesn't lie flat" center gore when I wear it. These are diminished when I use a bra extender with this bra. I shoukd buy a 34H! The quality of the bra is good comparing to its retailing price (36€ where I live) & the comfort is good despite its wrong size & the bra extender. The lace on the panel is soft to the skin & doesn't scratch. The only downside to this bra are the design of the straps. They are difficult to adjust because designers decorated them with a textured fabrics so the plastic thing used to adjust them doesn't slide easily.
So far, Freya Fancies Balcony #AA1012 has the most central cup volume I've found with a narrow gore & cup separation. Plus each cup apex points straight forward instead of east west. Excellent lift due to wide band (at least in 32H) and non-stretch 4-part cup. After 2 weeks, I went from loosest hook to middle for the same fit. After 1-year, depending on menstrual cycle, I use the middle or smallest hook. However, the 4-part cup is too pointy for my taste. After wearing and washing, the pointy-ness does reduce. And, though I am projected, it makes me too projected where clothing fits tight across bust. I cannot go down a cup size since I completely fill a 32H.
My shape: full on bottom, soft tissue, narrow shoulders/roots. Special thanks to MamaPagan for sending me this bra (and many others!) to try on! I really love the print on this bra. It's a cute plaid design in tans, beiges, and light blues. The lace part at the tops of the cups kinda of doesn't match, but I don't know if any lace really does match plaid print! I can't really comment on the fit, since it's a few cup sizes too large for me.
I am adding this bra for data/informational purposes only. This Bra is not owned by me at the time of addition to the database.
Phoebe was a Toffee Gingham Checked/Plaid pattern. Standard balcony unpadded bra.
The band measures 25” to a max of 33” with 3 hooks and 3 rows of eyes, and the straps are wide set.
Cup Depth as measured by: 1 Hovering the cup between the knees, then placing the tape measure into the cups without any resistance. This measurement is: 13”
2 Placing the cup over the knee and stretching it similar to what a breast would, to the maximum resistance. This measurement is: 15”
I feel these two figures give you a general idea of the minimum and maximum depth that the cup can accommodate, just like the flat and stretched band measurements do with bands.
This bra is far, far too closed off on top for me. It's also probably too small of a cup volume, as the gore is nowhere near tacking (it both floats and tilts, though I'm close set which exacerbates the issue). Wires are really wide, though soft and not uncomfortable to wear. The embroidery in the top cup section is very pretty, and quite delicate looking. The fabric is soft, though a bit plasticky feeling (like a laminate).
Patsy and I are not made for each other. I'm full on bottom and need a lot of projection. Patsy requires a lot more going on up top than I can provide. The cups gape horribly while the bottom is shallow and I keep pushing down the wire. Also, it seems wide with a wide gore. I prefer to bring everything close together but that's not going to happen for me with Patsy.
I bought this bra for fun, not for everyday wear, and I haven't worn it alot. Now that I've unearthed it I may try to wear it more. It is slightly big on me. I am a nursing mom, but my baby is 17 months, so I don't nurse much anymore. It was definitely a little small while pregnant/early postpartum, but wearable then as well. The straps are pretty far apart, and I have broadish shoulders. It is a pretty bra though, and I'm glad I have it.It does have the extra lining for support, so it's not as sheer as the smaller cup sizes. I also have the briefs, and those are nice as well.
I wasn't pleased with the look of this bra at first - the two shades of pink seemed a bit 'old-ladyish'. Then when I tried it on, it looked a bit pointy and the shoulder straps seemed unattractively thick. But I've grown to like it more with time. The material of the band is very smooth and I find the bra comfortable to wear. The colour doesn't show up beneath clothes on my pale skin. All seamed bras are meant to have the seams join over the wearer's nipples, but that usually doesn't work for me - in this bra they line up. I get minor quadding on my larger side, but it isn't really noticeable. I would prefer a 30HH, but this bra wasn't made in that size.
EDIT: I find Patsy to be more shallow than Kiyoko (i.e. the bottom of the cups have less depth). Some of that may be because I have the Patsy in an H rather than a GG.
I seem to float somewhere among 30HH/32GG/32H. I think I need a 30 in a looser band/32 in a firm band (such as Jasmine). And this band is not firm - I can fasten it on the tightest hooks on the 2nd try on. In this size, though, it fits more like a full coverage bra than a half cup.
But there are a lot of positives - I like the shape under clothing and the lower underwires on the sides, as well as the low, narrow gore - something I struggle with in most Panache/Cleo bras. The cups are a little shallow, but comfortable EDIT: I think this has more to do with larger cups wrapping further around the ribcage in smaller band sizes and stretching the cups out to be more shallow. The gore is nice and low.
I really liked this bra too! I had the same problem though, quadding in the 34E and gapping at the top in the 34F. The lace was also doing a weird little roll at the top, almost like it was already stretched out. My hope was that...maybe it WAS stretched out, and I'm waiting for a replacement to try it again. Also in more sister sizes, since the band is stretchy I'm hoping I can go down to 32 (which is normally tight for me.)
I have tried the Parfait Charlotte and it is one of my favorites so far. I'm FOB/soft and this for some reason contains without puddling/gapping. I think it's the firm yet slightly top edge - seems different than others I've tried. You can see pics on my page.