I purchased the Masquerade Delphi in the black/ivory colourway on sale from Figleaves. The bra is very attractive and appears to be very well-constructed. I would like to note that each cup has two seams in this size. The fit of the cup was very good, as was the uplift it provided. However, I experienced the following issues with the bra:

- The straps are too wide for my shoulders. I understand that balconette bras have wide-set straps but I do not have particularly narrow shoulders. I worry that the straps are not placed appropriately to suit many women.

- In combination with the wide-set straps, the cups are high ... under my armpits causing the area between the strap and the underwire to rub uncomfortably against me. I have experienced this issue with several bras and I think that if the straps were not so wide-set, there wouldn't be much discomfort. Please note that I do not find the underwires to be uncomfortable.

- The centre gore does not lay flat. Similarly to the Curvy Kate Tease Me I reviewed, the gore is pushed out a little as there is not enough space for it on my chest. On some bras (Masquerade Persia, Panache Confetti), the wires at the centre gore feel very rigid which means that they will sit on my chest but on breast tissue (which is very uncomfortable). The wires on the Delphi do not feel so tough at the centre gore and so they do not cause discomfort despite not fitting me well. I like that the gore is a bit lower than on some other balconette bras.

- I found the band to be uncomfortable. I measure almost exactly 28 inches around my ribcage but I would have been much more comfortable in a 30 band. This may be due to the materials used in this bra and the lack of stretch, or it may just be a matter of personal comfort.

Although I would like to keep it, I will be returning this bra. I believe that balconette bras are a style that will very rarely work with me. Masquerade make lovely lingerie to a high standard and I look forward to trying more of their designs in the future.
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Updated on Apr 21, 2013 Flag this

I have been quite hesitant to try Panache brand bras. I am not really sure why. I guess because all the pictures are of skinny women, I have never thought of them as a brand for larger ladies. It was only after finding bratabase and reading reviews, recommendations on here that I decided to try a Panache product and the Delphi is my first.

First off the bra is very attractive. I have the black with gold accents with matching brief. My husband says it is very regal looking. The materials seem to be of very good quality. The bra feels ... quite sturdy, no loose threads, uneven seams etc.

I really like the padded straps but I am a huge fan of thick straps so someone who likes thinner straps may not like this feature. I was hesitant to try this bra due to the fact the straps are not fully adjustable but this is not an issue at all as it offers much more room in the straps than I thought it would.

I found the cups to be a little larger than previous brands (Elomi and Curvy Kate) and smaller than Fantasie's cups in an H. The band is very firm and tight which I like. It is not uncomfortable but I did have some back-fat spilling over the band. I may have been better off with a 36 in this bra, however as I am still losing weight I am sure the band will fit me better with time. I viewed the two hooks as a potential problem but even with just two hooks the support this bra gives is amazing.

The bra gives me a very rounded profile and my breasts sit in their natural position, unlike Curvy Kate which seems to squish them towards the center. My breasts are actually minimized under clothes with this bra. The bottoms of my breasts fit the cup perfectly, so Panache's wider wires seem to suit me well. It is extremely comfortable to wear. The seam does tend to show under my scrubs/t-shirts but not nearly like the Curvy Kate tease me does.

My test of a bra is a 12 hour shift in it. I wore the Delphi last night and was seriously surprised by its comfort and durability. No back-ache at all! While the material of the bra is thick it did not feel too heavy at all. In fact I forgot I had it on. I went my entire 12 hours without having to adjust it once! The bra did not stretch out at all! My only issue is that it is so pretty, I am not sure I could ever use it as an everyday/work bra.

Overall this bra gives my full on top, extremely saggy, wide spaced and wide at the root breasts a beautiful rounded shape, better than any other bra I have tried so far. It seems to be of good quality and was extremely comfortable. Overall this is the best fitting bra I have tried so far.


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Updated on Apr 21, 2013 Flag this

I bought this bra because I'd read it gave that amazing "shelf-like", "Marie Antoinette" cleavage and I wanted something more cleavagey than my soft cup bras.

It... doesn't quite work that way for me. I think I have "short" boobs/not much breast tissue on my upper chest. It doesn't really give me that sort of cleavage. It does, however, give an awesomely rounded shape, and it's a very pretty bra. The wide straps are incredibly comfortable without being aesthetically unpleasant (unlike those reducing bras and whatnot that try to convince us a D-cup is huge and needs huge straps). The band is also pretty sturdy and seems that it'll take a long while to stretch.

Updated on Apr 18, 2013 Flag this

Absolutely beautiful and gives amazing lift. However, I fear that the 34GG is too small for me as I donit fill the bottom of the cups and the gore doesn't tack. The sides are very high though and rub into my armpit, I don't think I could wear a larger cup.

The band is spot on but has very little stretch in in. I probably could not wear it for long without an extender.

The detailing shows under clothes, unfortunately.

Updated on Mar 08, 2013 Flag this

This is an amazing bra! The fit and comfort are much better than the Curvy Kate Tease Me and Thrill Me bras https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> The shape is wonderful. Round and uplifted! The 30H is a little too small, but wearable. (I usually wear a 30HH) I would buy a 30HH if the size was made. The only fit issue I have is that the gore doesn't lat flat on my chest. I have extremely close boobs i.e. there is absolutely no space in between them. The only gores that sit flat are low plunge gores. However, this gore is narrower than bras ... of similar shape https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Also, I prefer bras with 3 hooks and this has 2. it is a stiff, tight band though, so it doesn't ride up as much as the 30GG deco does.

If you love a round, uplifted shape, buy this bra if you can find it at a reasonable price! I am now lusting for the Delphi basque https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
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Updated on Feb 12, 2013 Flag this

This bra is comfy but fits so strangely..

It gives me a really pointy shape. Unfortunately, while it's gorgeous, the detailing at the top of the cup doesn't quite work for me. It doesn't lie flat against my breast tissue even though the cup does (if that makes sense..).

it's also flat on the side of my breasts which is actually great, but combined with pointy middle bit really doesn't work.

Band runs true and tight, not very stretchy at all. I also LOVE the straps. They're the main reason I tried this.

Updated on Dec 01, 2012 Flag this

I loved this bra when I first got it. The band was tight and the straps are very soft and comfortable. But for me the wires didn't seem wide enough. It also gave me an unpleasant pointy shape in most shirts. The bra is so beautiful, I wish it would have worked for me. The straps are also wide-set and would fall down all the time on me. If the wires went further into the armpit, it would be a great bra for me. I like this brand and style but the shape of the bra was unflattering.

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Updated on Oct 19, 2012 Flag this

demdem

353 reputation

31 bras

Of all the Panache bras I have tried this would have to be the most disappointing. Usually their bras work well for me and I loved the look of the Delphi, sadly it wasn't to be. This bra seems to be all wrong for my shape. I have gapping at the top of the cups but am spilling out the sides around the underarm. The base of the cup is fairly shallow compared to the upper part of the cup so maybe this would work better for someone who is fuller in the top of the bust (I am the reverse). Such a shame because it's a really beautiful bra. Just as a side note the band doesn't seem to have as much give as most of their other styles and the straps are only half adjustable. Neither were issues for me but worth keeping in mind if you're considering this style.

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Updated on Sep 09, 2012 Flag this

I love this bra but unfortunately it is to big for me. The bra is lovely and comfortable. The straps are padded halfway up and very comfortable. The band is on the tighter side. The only negative is that the fabric of the band came away from them elastic the first time I tried it, however, it was an easy fix and is no longer a problem.

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Updated on Sep 05, 2012 Flag this

This is such a beautiful bra. The molded cups are covered in embroidered mesh with a magenta lace edging sown on top. It looks very luxurious but definitely show under clothing. The front part of the straps are satin that gets wider on top of the shoulders. they only adjust half way. There are only two hooks and three rows.

This bra has great uplift and a really nice rounded forward projection. I would say the under some outfits the uplift is almost too much.

I got it in 32G first and the cups were huge. I think perhaps the band is a little looser than my 32FF Masquerade Coco which I find a perfect fit. I could perhaps have done with a 30G.

I have to wear it on the second hook right away, otherwise I get gaping in the cups because if I tighten the straps any further it will ride up in the back. I have them tightened half way.

I've got the matching knickers which are beautiful as well.

Updated on Aug 29, 2012 Flag this