This review is for the Masquerade Rhea size 30DD in the colour Antique.

Bra description:

(copied from my original review of the 28F version) A luxurious-looking bra out of matt satin and intricate detailed lace in a beautiful but difficult to describe colour. None of the images I've seen online does it justice. It's a kind of delicate greyish pinkish sandish slightly-darker-than-nude hue -- a light rose or mauve taupe comes to mind. Anyway, even though it's definitely not nude, it's an excellent and definitely more romantic alternative for a neutral-coloured bra, which is exactly what I was looking for. The centre gore is adorned with a bow and a ... tiny sparkly pendant. As said, the lace is intricate and expensive-looking. It's not entirely flat so it might show slightly under tight, thin, clingy clothes. The zigzag stitched seams are much less noticeable in real life than online images suggest although, again, they might show under tight, clingy clothes. The cups are only thinly padded, but the material feels quite sturdy, almost stiff. They are lined with soft and comfortable cotton. Straps are only partly adjustable. The non-adjustable part is completely non-stetchy and covered with the same satin the cups are made of, which feels quite comfortable. The wings are made out of two layers of a perfectly matching stretch satin. There is no boning in the wings.

Bra fit:

(copied from my original review of the 30E version) I must say, I am impressed. First of all, it kind of sort of fits!!! Secondly, this bra gives me the kind of shape I was expecting from Ewa Michalak's CHP, but that one didn't work for me AT ALL. The cup shaping keeps the breasts close to the chest, pushing them upwards for an uplifted, separated, and rounded 'Regency'-type cleavage. Compared to my Ewa Michalak CH there is slightly less projection, but the difference isn't as great as in the 28 band versions and it's actually really a very nice look. I do like the shape a lot: it's simply a bit more subtle than the shape I get in my CH and a bit more wearable for that reason as well. I know others consider this a look for 'special occasions', but I'm also happy with for a more everyday appearance. The cup height is quite perfect on me and there's only the slightest of gapping when I move my arms and shoulders, but as far as I know this is almost unavoidable with padded/molded cups, especially on smaller chests. The slight irregularity at the bottom of the front most cup seam that bothered me in the 28 band versions I tried is much less in this 30 band version, although it isn't entirely gone: for some reason there is a bit of diagonal pull in the cups that makes this part pucker. I'm very tempted to slip in a thin piece of boning to straighten it out as it's just such a shame in such an otherwise beautiful bra.

The wires are quite fine for me in this size, better than in the 28F. Unlike the Curvy Kate Tease Me I tried several weeks ago I do not notice the wires in this Rhea at all: no poking or pinching anywhere. The centre gore lies nice and flat and exerts zero pressure on my sternum. My breasts fill out the bottom of the cups reasonably well and the cups do not slip down like they did in the Tease Me and the CHP I tried.

The strap placement is wide but not too wide in this size. Again, it's decidedly better than in the 28F. The slight gapping of the cups when I move my arms is probably at least partly due to the wide strap placement, but then again, as far as I know this type of gapping happens in almost all padded/moulded cups, especially on smaller chests. The fact the straps are only partly adjustable is a bigger problem: as I have a very short upper torso I have to tighten them almost all the way to prevent them slipping off my shoulders.The material of the non adjustable part feels sturdy and comfortable. The zigzag stitching isn't the most aesthetically pleasing, but it doesn't bother as much as I thought it would.

The 30 band is suprisingly fine on my 69cm/27" ribcage, even though stretched it measures about 4cm more than what I've come to consider ideal. The brand isn't very stretchy to begin with and it doesn't ride up at all at the loosest hook. Still, if I wish I can still fasten it a bit tighter: I've noticed that switching between the hooks affects the fit of the cups somewhat -- moreso than what I've noticed in other bras -- which makes this 30 band much more flexible size-wise than the 28 versions I tried earlier. The band is shaped slightly funny in that it seems the wings to curve up rather than down. This makes it feel as if the band rides up in the back, even though it really doesn't. Simply takes some getting used to, I suppose. My only issue with the band is the lack of side seam boning and/or the lack of a powernet lining in the wings: tightness is less og an issue than in the 28 versions, but -- I think at least partly due to the fact that the satin the wings are made off is so much stretchier than the edging elastic -- the band wrinkles and most strain is put on the elastic edges. Side seam boning and a sturdier powernet lining would allow a more even distribution of the band tension along the entire height of the wings (not just along the elastic edges) and would almost certainly result in more comfort.

Conclusion:

Now that I've tried this bra in a 30 band as well, I have a strong suspicion that both the flattened shape and the puckering in the bottom of the cups I noticed in the otherwise fitting 28 band versions are the result of diagonal tension in the cup caused by a 'too tight' band. Don't ask me why -- I'm almost thinking it is actually a design or construction flaw that has to do with fabric grain or something. It is also slightly funny, because the 28 band certainly doesn't FEEL too tight on my 69 ribcage (it feels tight, but not TOO tight) and the wires don't really seem as distorted as I've seen them in other bras with much looser bands (Bravissimo Mademoiselle ... ?).

Surprisingly, a band size up seem to work just fine. The band is not very stretchy to begin with and I haven't notice this 30 riding up on me at all. At 27" I'm obviously just in between band sizes so maybe that's why it works for me, but for what it's worth, if you experience a flattened shape and/or pucker in the bottom of the cup, try going up a band size. I myself definitely got a better shape that way.

The Masquerade Rhea is a mysterious bra. I've now tried it on in four different sizes and for some odd reason they all seem to fit. My breast size and density fluctuates (due to breastfeeding), but even though there may be as much a three cups sizes difference between my 'smallest' and my 'biggest' shape, these changes are not very clearly reflected in my actual measurements. Believe me, I quadruple checked! True, these four bras may not all fit the same at the same moment, but for Bratabase recommendation purposes I cannot say of any one of them that it doesn't fit under the current measurements at all.

The Masquerade Rhea truly is an Almost Perfect Bra for me. I don't think the shape it gives is as glorious as what Ewa Michalak achieves -- although in some ways this shape does suit me better and I think this model certainly FITS me better than some of the Ewa Michalak styles -- and I do have some issues with the fit and construction, but really, despite its minor imperfections it is an amazing piece! Anyway, I'm now sorely tempted to get it in all colours available plus, of course the matching knickers https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
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Updated on Jan 02, 2013 Flag this

Extremely beautiful bra. I however have nothing new to say: one should likely get their own band size, not size up or down, and do the same in the cups if not really full on top, and make sure to note that it's likely to fit properly only with breasts that are full on top. It may still work however if you don't have noticeable assymetry, as the bra works for my bigger breast and gaps noticeably on the smaller one only, despite being full on bottom.

Updated on Dec 30, 2012 Flag this

The Masquerade Rhea is such a gorgeous bra! I had seen it come up on my Bratabase recommendations for a while, but hadn't felt like trying to hunt down this discontinued line until recently. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate my correct size of 28E anywhere, so I decided to go with the sister size of 30DD. However, this is one instance in which the sister size caused some issues.

First, I've found Masquerade bands to be woefully inconsistent. Actually, the sizing overall is super inconsistent (I've ordered Athena in 28E, Antoinette in 28F, Alice in 30D, and Rhea in 30DD based on reviewing ... measurements). My Antoinette 28F band fit perfectly, Athena 28E band was way too small and needs an extender, so the 30 bands should run small, right? Not the case for this one. While it stays in place, it is really not snug enough to apply the correct tension to hold the cups in the proper position. Open top balcony bras like this need firm band tension on me to hold the tissue up in the cups, and when the band is too loose, the top of the cup gaps. So, looks like I am going to have to go ahead and alter the band at some point.

The cup shape and depth for me is actually almost perfect. The 3HC construction suits me well. It reminds me of the fit of my Cleo Maddie, though those cups are molded. The main problem with Maddie though, and this bra in 30DD, is that the cups are proportioned to be wide, with shallow wires. It's really a bit too wide for my frame, so that's another reason that I would do better in the 28E. The wires are a good shape and size for me, though the outer corner of the wires flares out a bit too much for me under the arms. The wide proportions make the wide-set straps noticeable for me, although they aren't terribly uncomfortable.

One other thing that was a little odd is that I found the gore to be a little uncomfortable and required a bit more work to settle in. I had the same issue with Cleo Marcie 30D at first, and this is a bit strange since I almost never have issue with gores or gore tacking. I can wear any gore width, though narrow gores tend to give me more trouble! I think this is more related to the loose band though, potentially causing the wires at the gore to slide around a bit and sit on tissue without being really secure, and the narrow width means that it is less stable and has more room to move around on my body.

Those issues aside, I do think that Rhea in 28E would be a great fit on me. The bra's styling is so pretty, and the Antique Brown colorway I got is one of the loveliest neutrals I have encountered. The cups are made from smooth satin and the seams at the front of the cups is nice and subtle, giving a smooth appearance. However, the upper cup is trimmed with textured lace that would certainly show under tight clothing. The lace is also used to trim the cradle, where I think it looks very nice. Straps are simple satin, and they taper into a leotard back. Cups are lined with soft cotton and the seams are cleanly finished on the interior. There is a very small and tasteful rhinestone heart charm at the center gore which I think is nicer than the other gore decorations of my other Masquerade bras.

I'd love to hunt down a brand new 28E in this style!
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Antique Brown colorway

Updated on Mar 26, 2020 Flag this

Realized I never left anything for this.
It initially fit ok, but I have quickly lost a lot of upper tissue.
The cups are narrow and centered, at least on mine. Band is 30" but very snug feeling.
Cups have a decent amount of projection.
I feel like this bra could work with multiple shapes, though it is perfect for FoT.
If you are FoB or even, perhaps consider sizing down. Most of the cups' depth is in the upper portion. Reminds me somewhat of an EM CH.
Will review my 30D in full shortly.

Black colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 04, 2016 Flag this

I ordered this bra after I couldn't decide on the fit of the 28DD - ideally I'd have liked to try the 28E, but wasnt able to find one for a good price. Predictably enough, this bra is just as beautiful as the other: silky fabric on the cups and delicate lace at the top. I'm not a fan of brown clothing generally but this is a pretty pink-brown colour, and I love the little jewel at the gore.

This size fits me quite well in the cup, better in that respect than the 28DD. In the smaller size I felt that the cup gave a somewhat flattened shape ... and it seemed to be too shallow at the bottom, sitting a little bit too low on my ribcage. This bra is quite a bit deeper and the shape from the side is more rounded. I was pleased to find that the wires aren't much wider at all in this size, as I was a bit worried they'd suddenly get ginormous. I don't get quite as much cleavage above the top of the cups as I do in the smaller size, but overall I prefer the shape.

The main problem I had in this size was the band being a bit too big. To get a nice shape in the Rhea I find the band needs to be fairly firm to prevent gapping, and to make sure that all your breast tissue is lifted upwards to create cleavage (all the more so because the band doesn't have much stretchiness). With this size that meant wearing it on the tightest hook straight away, whereas a band size down I could wear it on the loosest hook. It was also quite noticeable that the straps are set more widely in this bra than on the 28 band, wearable but still wider than I prefer (and strap width isn't something I usually have a problem with). So while both this and the 28DD sort of fit, I think I'd get my best fit in a 28E, if I can ever find it in that size for less than a squillion dollars.
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Updated on Dec 27, 2014 Flag this

very nice shape, unfortunately the color mulberry runs very big, an 28DD would fit perfect

Updated on Feb 06, 2013 Flag this

This bra goes too high in the cup, I need bras which are more half-cup like and don't go so high.

Updated on May 31, 2011 Flag this

Didn't write a review

Added on May 15, 2016

Didn't write a review

Champagne colorway

Added on Mar 04, 2017

Didn't write a review

Black colorway

Added on Jun 11, 2017