This review is for Rhea in 32DD and the antique colourway. I got it inexpensively from the outlet section of a large lingerie onlineshop. I knew I had to order it for sience (bra science!), although I was quite sure it would not work for my shape (tall, medium width roots, even fulness, medium projection, self-supporting, usually a 30E). Rhea surprised me in several ways.
- First of all, the band: I had expected that I'd needed to take it in, but this 32 band works just fine on my 27"/29" ribcage. I can't speak for every colourway, but this Rhea in antique definitely runs tighter! - The cups also fit ...me quite well, with some minor gaping at the center but that's totally tolerable.
- Rhea's look, feel and fit is quite similar to the Masquerade Georgiana (5471), a bra that many people with wide root shallow boobs (and other shapes as well) love and cherish. The band and straps are nearly identical, however, Georgiana is stretchier in the band. - The cups are similar at first sight (lightly padded halfcup cut with two vertical seams), and both bras are less than 3/4 coverage, but there is a subtle difference: Georgiana's cup edges are sloping down slightly towards the center gore, making the bra higher at the sides and lower at the gore - a typical 'balconette' shape. Rhea's cups, in contrary, have the same height all over, the rims are perfectly horizontal and give the bra a 'bandeau' kind of look. - Therefore, Rhea's cups have slightly more volume overall. The bra requires some more upper and/or center fulness than Georgiana. - Cup width is similar in both, I'd consider this a typical Cleo/Panache wire width. - Also, Rhea's cups are definitely sturdier than Georgiana's and feel stiff in comparison.
I wouldn't recommend Rhea to people with wide root shallow boobs unless they have a) a certain amount of projection or fulness at the center or b) a FoT shape. The cups will gape on people that are FoB or don't have enough center fulness.
- Appearance: Rhea works for me as a skintone-ish coloured bra and doesn't show through light, loose-fitting clothing. The shape is slightly minimized in profile, but it does create some 'cakes on a plate' kind of cleavage. I noticed that the bra has boxy appearance to it, because the seams are quite stiff and prominent, and the horizontal lace trim also shows through tight shirts. It probably works best under tops with boat neck necklines. Read more 304 more words
This is my second Masquerade Antoinette corset. I bought it new with tags in the nearest size likely to fit, 32DD. The band is quite comparable to my 30E in red (which is used and the band has stretched). I fasten it on the tightest hooks and it's ok. The cups seem to run normal for this size, they fit without a quad boob effect which I have in the 30E in red. I was very surprised, when measuring, to discover that the cups are actually deeper in the red version. I think that the difference relies on the cup width – the wires are narrower in teal/black which makes them deeper. It's also possible that the cup edge is more open in this version.
The bra fits alright, however I have noticed a few things. The seams of the underwire are itchy, and I don't quite fill up the cup. I am on the last set of hooks, so if I were to order again, I would go up to a 34D.
The cups of this bra have a good amount of immediate projection for my conical shape. The cups run true to size. I'm in between a D and DD this bra is slightly too big on the top, which is typical for me. This bra is in the nude colorway and it's very pretty. It's got intricate embroidery that has a shine to it. The straps are a little odd...they are made of polyester and they're double layered - they get wider toward the top. I have no problem with this, but because of this, you can only adjust the straps less than half the length of the ...entire strap. This might be a problem for someone with a small torso. The band also runs small. I will probably need to use a band extender. Even though I can hook it, the material has little to no stretch to it. A bigger band and smaller cup size would have been a good choice for me. Also, the cups have a very nice lining. For someone with bigger breasts, this would probably give a good cakes on a plate look. Read more 82 more words
The Georgiana - a classical halfcup shape with two vertical seams. This bra is perfect for wide root shallow boobs. The padding is thin - not like foam padding/lining - and doesn't add to your natural shape. The cups are sturdy and hold their shape even when the cup is empty. I noticed the material was quite stiff when the bra was new and the cup rim would show through clothing. They did soften up soon with wash and wear. The cups are quite shallow and open on top. The wires are wide and touch in the middle.
The wearing comfort of the Georgiana is amazing - it's one of the most comfy bras I own. The shape is also nice - slightly uplifted and rounded.
The band on the apple/raspberry colorway is quite stretchy, even for a 32 band (no problem as I am going to alter it to a 30E anyways).
I noticed that the band is firmer on the burnt orange one - it fits like a true 32 in my opinion. (It's too wide for me anyways, because I usually need 30 bands, but it's much less stretchy than the apple/raspberry colorway.)
/update: altered the band to a 30, so the bra is a 30E now and it fits me so well, I'm happy!
This is a beautiful bra, I absolutely love the smooth shape it gives under clothing without adding too much padding.
When I first bought it the band was quite tight and I went up to a 32DD from my Freya/Fantasie bra size of 30E. Three months later, the band now feels loose. I wonder if I should have stayed in my ordinary size and used an extender as I am now wearing it on the tightest hooks and I feel I could use a slightly larger cup? At any rate, it is a beautiful bra and quite comfortable. I just don't think it will last that long due ...to the rapid 'stretching out' of the band.
Although I love this bra, it is definitely not a perfect fit, nor is it the most supportive bra I own. I would say it would work for women on the smaller end of the 'large cup' spectrum such as myself, but not for women with larger, heavier breasts. I also don't think it is a bra that will last for a long time. Read more 74 more words
This is an odd one. I have very broad, square shoulders, but the straps are clearly too far apart for me. Although the cups are gapping a little bit at the top, I think this is because the straps are pulling the sides inward and it would be fine if they were lifting straight up.
I think I also need to go down a band size, as it fastens easily on the smallest hook and I can still fit my whole fist underneath, so it could be that the straps would be fine in the correct band size. As it is, I think I'm going to have a ...go at altering it so the straps sit where they should.
The fabric is quite soft and comfortable, the lace is a nice quality (though I admit lace in general isn't really my thing), and the straps are firm and would be supportive if placed correctly.
Edit - as suspected, moving the strap in about 1 1/4 inches on each side did the trick. It's still a tiny bit big (I think I might be between a 30DD and 30E on this one) but it helps a lot and should be wearable now. Read more 91 more words
