The Medina is beautiful and luxurious-looking (pictures don’t do it justice), and it is made of a lovely silky fabric that feels very pleasant against the skin. I really wanted it to work, but sadly it was a bit too shallow for me in 28E. Since it is so open on top, I didn’t get quadboob, I was just spilling out of either the top or the sides, depending on whether or not I swooped and scooped. That doesn’t mean it is a shallow bra – I’d say it has about average projection. It probably would have worked in a size up, but unfortunately the 28Fs were sold ...out by the time I returned this one. Too bad, because other than the projection issue, the cups seemed like a good shape for me; I liked that the apex is higher than on some of the Masquerade halfcups I’ve tried.
The band is initially on the firm side for a 28 band, but judging from my experience with other Masquerade bras, it would probably stretch over time. The wires are exactly the same width as other non-plunge Masquerade bras in 28E (fairly narrow). I think it might work for those who find a good fit in the Curvy Kate Ritzy, at least in the smaller cup volumes, as I experienced similar fit issues in these two bras. Read more 117 more words
Before buying, I read that the Orla runs small in the cup, which I found to be true: the 28F fits more like a 28E. I wear both sizes, but apart from the Orla my 28Fs are all padded bras, whereas I tend to be a more solid 28E in unlined (Masquerade Persia, Cleo Bonnie, Curvy Kate), perhaps because unlined cups tend to be more projected. Just something to consider when deciding whether or not to size up in the cup. Masquerade bras commonly run snug in the band, but the Orla is one of the tightest I’ve tried, and it stretches less than the ones with more ...satiny material. As for shape, it has an adequate amount of projection, but I could wish for a tiny bit more center fullness, although it’s still perfectly wearable.
This bra is constructed rather oddly, with one layer made of mesh edged with plum colored fabric at the lip and seams, and the outer, decorative layer just sort of loosely attached to that. Because it is not attached at more than a couple of points, the top of the outer layer bunches and flops over in such a way that shows under clothing. It’s a pity because otherwise it gives a nice rounded and somewhat minimized shape. Surprisingly given the fact that it is semi-sheer, the two layers are thick enough that nipples are not visible. I have the plum colorway and I love the contrast of the plum colored design against the skin showing through the mesh. I think it’s a gorgeous bra, but then I love the Masquerade aesthetic in general. Read more 161 more words
I really like this bra! This is one of my better-fitting bras, but a tad too fancy for frequent wear with my sort of tops. I might be able to fit a cup size up as well. I measure ~27" under and 33.5" around the boobs, which puts me somewhere around 28E/F. I have full, even and very close-set breasts. This bra has a slightly odd shape but I don't mind it. The band is nice and tight on me and I feel happy and supported. The teal color is gorgeous and I think my photo accurately represents it.
Very pretty bra with embroidered mesh covering the cup. It has one vertical seam in the cup. Band is firm like other Masquerade bras that I've tried. Sadly too big for me.
had this bra for about 2 weeks now and kept forgetting to enter it in and return it, oops! ordered 2 sizes on amazon to see if either would work since both were cheap and returnable, and neither did. i think i will have to up and admit defeat on orla https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> as pretty as it is, it seems like it will never work for me.
first things first: DAMN. this band is tight! it *just* goes to 32, and i needed a full extender to even get it on. even with the extender, it was very snug, and the gore dug in ...painfully. this is probably partly due to the height, and party to the tightness. i would suggest ordering a band size up from whatever you wear, at least one.
its hard to gauge everything else because of how poorly the band fit, because using the extender skewed the straps so far. even in the right band size, the straps on orla are *very* wide. the cups gapes a little on me here, but im guessing more so because of the band having to be made so much longer by the extender. the cups are 6 inches wide in this size, which is a bit too wide for me. appearance wise, the plum color is gorgeous. Read more 114 more words
I really like this bra, in particular, I've struggled finding straps that didn't dig into my armpits, and this has straps that are closer to the center and very satiny. All the fabric is soft, even the lace, which is good because my skin is sensitive.
I find that the cups are narrow, projected, and a little more full-on-bottom. The band runs pretty tight, and the cups a little loose, I usually run in between a 34 and a 36, and this is snug in a 36. Usually with a 36 band, a F is a little small and an FF is little large, but the F fits maybe a tiny bit loose.
I also have this bra in a 34FF, which I got first, wore once and realized it was too snug for daily use, but otherwise I liked it enough I wear it with an extender and bought the 36F.
This bra is totally gorgeous and the construction feels amazing. Unfortunately just a little too small in the cups for me (especially when I swoop n scoop) but just enough to still get away with wearing it. It gives a dramatic orb shape though so probably best not to wear this at work!
This bra is so soft and cushiony that I wish it had fit me. The band runs big and is extremely stretchy. When I tightened the band the cup was slightly too narrow. I would buy this if I came across it in a smaller band size because the material feels absolutely amazing against my skin. I could probably fall asleep in it and not notice. The detailing on the cups also shows through thin, form fitting shirts. Otherwise it is a very beautiful bra. I would recommend sister sizing down for this bra.
I like the Rhea and Andorra plunge. Nothing else so far has worked for me. And I have a Rhea that is now 1 size too big for me. :)
I want to try Andorra too! do you have Plunge or full cup?
I have a plunge. I thought she was sending me a full-cup. And then I got it in the mail and it was a plunge. I was so happy because I was expecting another Panache bra that didn't fit me or maybe would, because I never tried an Andorra before. :D
Panache tango bras are awful on my except for the first bra I ever got was a 30DD tango classic or something. I remember it kind of fit but it was too small and then it got smaller.
:) good to know thank you!
I would try a 28F and a 28E in the Andorra plunge. Just because I fluctuate so much.
This bra is pretty close to perfect. The fabric is so smooth and comfortable, the cups are moulded and lined but not padded, and the look of the bra is timeless. I ordered it in a 32 G and should have got the 32 FF due to lack of breast fullness, but it is still surprisingly wearable because of the shape of the cups. They are high on the sides with a nice plunge, but seem to conform to breast shape well rather than being too stiff. With that is mind I would maybe recommend it if you find yourself dealing with slightly different cups sizes throughout the month as this seems like it would accommodate that easily. The band runs big, at least on the bra I got, and I would recommend sizing down.
This bra doesn't work well for FOB. It's very open on top and shallow in the bottom. However the bra material is super comfy! I would recommend it for someone with a different shape
Like many other reviews, I can't get over how soft this bra is! All of the materials are soft to the touch and this bra is extremely comfortable. It also looks quite different from the other bras I own and I would own this bra in every color if my size wasn't so hard to find. The cups are wide and shallow, which I need.
The only problems I have with this bra is that straps are a touch far apart, although I have no problems with straps slipping or being pokey. This bra gives a pretty pointy, vintage corset-like shape which can look odd under clothing. I don't quite fill out the apex of the cup because the pointy shape isn't the same shape as me, but otherwise the bra fits well and I would absolutely buy it again.
I'm in love with this bra. My boob shape works well in plunges and this style is perfect for it. I got a 30FF, but in hindsight, a cup size up would be more suitable. The band is pretty loose on me. I've read that Masquerade bands are "tighter", but I'd argue that it is dependent on the bra and the band material moreso than on the brand as a whole. This band has quite a bit of stretch to it and it has to do with the stretch satin material used.
The shape is round and forward. Unlike in my 28GG - Masquerade » Amira (6556), there is no east-west pulling in this style. The lace is pretty and doesn't itch my sensitive skin. I wish for more bras in this style!
This bra looks fantastic on you. Are you saying you'd prefer a cup size up because your boobs are touching so much in the 30FF? The profile shape is much rounder on you than it was when I tried this bra. I'm guessing the profile isn't what you'd like to be different.
Ahh thanks! I really do love this bra and would wear it on a date because it's a lot sexier than a beige Deco and also less bulky :P The reason I'd want a bigger cup has more to do with center coverage. It being a deep and open plunge, when I bend forward, all my bits come falling out and indecency ensues.
Gemmy, I understand now. Falling out of a bra is inconvenient. You didn't mention this happening in your Freya Deco reviews, in any of the sizes you tried. Does the Deco manage to prevent falling out when you bend foward?
Yes, you're absolutely right. Falling out if a Deco is never a concern for me because the gore is definitely higher on even the smallest cup volume I tried, a 28G. But the cut of the Alice is more appropriate for more open neckline, and not just plunge necklines.
I had never thought the Freya Deco would be able to contain tissue at the center gore when the Masquerade Alice could not. Very interesting data point, especially because this comparison isn't readily quantifiable. Thanks!
learningaboutbras You're welcome! I always appreciate being able to see and learning how different breast shapes look in the same bra. Learning about other shapes ultimately helps in understanding one's own :)
A friend with similar boobs would be: wide-set, average projection, mostly even but a little full on bottom.
I measure as a 34FF/32G. I was a little skeptical about buying a 34G, as well as about the depth (it measures about 10.8" which I thought was a lot). However, this bra fits me really well!
The shape is more like a demi or half-cup. There is an average amount of projection (I feel). The wires do not poke, and they don't come too far back. They're the perfect length. While the bra itself is designed to be open, there is a little bit of cleavage, but there is still ...a smooth line from breast to bra, and there's no quadboob after I scoop+swoop. My breasts are comfortably enclosed on each side.
I was warned that the straps were wider than most bras. This is actually good for my frame. Being taller and having more broad shoulders, I find that the straps are perfectly distanced. They don't dig in like some of my other bras that have narrower straps (this is not to say that the other bras are unsupportive. I just have a little fat pad on my shoulders I guess).
The band is small for a 34, which I don't think is necessarily a bad thing. It feels supportive and sturdy. It's not going anywhere. It'll have a longer wearable lifetime.
I love that it only has 2 hooks. Can't stand 3-hooked bras when they're so hard for me to undo.
The design is BOOTIFUHL. I love bras that have lots of colors and designs. The lace is a nice touch, although it sticks out a little bit. It can be hard to smooth down. That's a minor thing.
Definitely one of my favorites. I absolutely love it.
Lots and lots of cleavage. The gore doesn't quite tack on me, but the bra is still comfortable and gives me a nice rounded shape under clothing. I really like the straps -- they're narrow, but the satin is very soft and thick, so it feels almost padded. I have this bra in both black and white, and the black is nice but the white satin is spectacular -- it's a very bridal-looking bra.
This is my favourite bra, I love it so much I own it in both colours (and would buy more if they existed!!) The Navy (sapphire) is great basic to wear under most clothes but the two tones/ different fabric makes it look like anything but a boring blue bra. The Berry is a rich magenta and lovely for days you want something that looks fancy but you don't want to go all out.
To begin the cups do run small so I had to size up (30DD from my normal 30D), but once I did this bra is wonderful! It is comfortable in every aspect (no wires ...digging in or wibbly straps) The band has a reasonable amount of stretch but it fits well for a 30 when it's on. The cups manage to simultaneously give just the right amount of coverage and lift, give me a great shape that looks good under clothes (bonus the seams do not show through making it a perfect Tshirt bra) and an unexpected amount of cleavage for a non pushup-bra. The straps are perfectly placed as I have small shoulders and find other straps constantly slipping off. As previously mentioned, the two toned/ different fabric give the bra a beautiful look without the hassle of lace and ribbons. PERFECT! I would wear it everyday (and some weeks I do https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":D" /> ) Read more 127 more words
I have a wide root and shallow boobs. I do need flat cups but not extraordinary wide wires. I almost don't have any volume on top.
The graphite coloured one runs about one cup size larger then the mineral blue one. While I tried a mineral blue one in 30D which fitted properly I had to size down for the graphite one. The band appears to be true to size. Since it is quite low the center gore sometimes hurts me.
One of my first purchases in the adventures of buying a well-fitting bra, and I clearly had no idea of my shape or requirements.
I bought this one because I wanted a plunge (to accommodate close-set breasts) and the reviews indicated this one worked for wide-rooted, shallow breasts. Which I thought I was.
At first I ordered the 32E because I'd read that masquerade bands ran very firm*, but the band was too loose and the cups seemed at least two sizes large, so I exchanged for a 30E. Should've ordered the 30F.
The top edge of the cup is quite loose or open, so even though this ...is clearly a cup size too small for me, I don't get any cutting in, so the bra is still perfectly wearable.
Cups definitely run a full size large in this bra, as my size is 30FF in pretty much every other bra I own.
*More correctly, they don't have a lot of give in them, and so don't really stretch out. If you normally wear stretchy bands, you might want to size up in masquerade; otherwise, my advice would be to stick with your normal band size. Read more 87 more words
The bra is absolutely gorgeous, however, I've found that the centre gore does dig in slightly. The cups were slightly too big on me (although for some reason it fit my smaller breast but was too big for my larger one) It's a fab bra, and I got it at a great price
The straps (which are only half-adjustable) come out in my armpits, which, with my broad shoulders, is a *very* rare thing. The wires are also a smidge too wide, leaving the cups empty at the sides and bottom-outer corner. I'm normally a 30G, but I'm glad I sized up as I have narrow and projected boobs. As it is now this bra is the wrong shape for me: there's both flattening/quadding and wrinkling at the top of the cups; a 30G would have been far too small. Ideally the Orla should have more immediate depth at the gore and along the wires, if it were to fit me ...better. The gore is also too high - my boobs get closer-set higher up, so the wires are pushed together at the top. The band feels very sturdy and firm - good for those inbetween sizes (go for the larger one if you want to breathe). I'm using a one-row extender while I break the bra in. Bending the wires (which I do to almost all of my bras anyway) made it more comfortable to wear. As for the look, it really is a gorgeous bra. The vanilla colour is perfect, much more flattering on my skintone than pure white bras. I want to call it 'Earl Grey custard' as it has the exact same colour as custard mixed with tea (which is delicious, by the by). The embroidery is darling, the whole bra looks very luxorious, and I feel super fancy wearing it. Read more 144 more words
I like the Rhea and Andorra plunge. Nothing else so far has worked for me. And I have a Rhea that is now 1 size too big for me. :)