(This review is for the original Adriana bralette. This style has been re-released and is allegedly truer to size, though I did not have any problems with this bra not being true to size)
This is my second Adriana Lace Bralette in the older version, which many reviewers have complained runs small. I have not found in my experience that it runs small at all, and I find that it fits true to size in the band and a little big in the cup, due to the high cut V neckline. I started with the 30E after reading reviews that it runs small, found the cups ... a little too big, so I grabbed a 32D to see how it would be.
Since the band is quite firm, the 32 band wasn't impossibly big on me as it normally would be, but it definitely rides up a bit in the back. It is comfortable and still provides support, so I don't mind it too much (I've actually ordered a second color in this size). The cup is one size smaller than the original one I tried, but I didn't find that they were much shorter or cut lower. The cups are still quite tall, so while the volume is good, I find it a bit too full coverage for my tastes, and have ordered a 30D to see if sizing down one cup size and going to my original preferred band size will help.
Still, the fit is great, and this is a super comfortable yet supportive bralette. The band on the 32D size has only 3 rows of hooks and is a bit narrower than the original 30E I tried, but it still feels pretty firm. Almost all bralettes are way too loose for me in the band to provide any kind of support, so this is a great find. The wings are tall on this style but not doesn't feel quite like a longline as the 30E did, and there is a long piece of flexible plastic boning which adds extra stability. The band is made from double layered mesh and floral lace.
The construction of the cups has more shaping than a standard core sized bralette, so you can tell it's designed as a full figured garment. The 2 piece cup is seamed vertically in the middle for depth, but there's also a separate horizontal piece sewn at the bottom of the cups that acts like a bit of a cradle. I believe this piece allows the cup to have more projection and yet still be seamed smoothly into the band without resorting to shirring. The construction of the cups is much simpler than the Panache Andorra Wireless Bra, but the fit is rather similar. The inside of the cups is made from silky knit fabric and is quite comfortable, as there are no scratchy seams to be found.
The downsides to this bra are the tall cups, which are basically designed to be full coverage, but can show under clothing. The stretchy floral lace is soft and nice quality, but Parfait decided to enclose 4 layers of fabric together in the vertical seam going down the cup, so this seam is definitely visible under clothing. The upper part of the strap is wide lace and tapers to normal elastic, but the adjustable portion is quite short. I had to shorten the straps down completely. Despite these shortfalls, I am surprised by how comfortable and supportive this bralette is, and if I add foam liners for shape, I would definitely wear this out of the house. I think this would be fantastic for plane rides where comfort is paramount.
After trying two band sizes, my best size is definitely a 30 band, but I am not sure yet if a 30D will be too small in the cups or if it will have the coverage I prefer. A 30D or 30DD would be my best bet in this style. Overall, this bralette is what I wanted the Cosabella Never Say Never Curvy Sweetie Soft Bra to be, but at half the price, and with a secure hooked band, and what I wanted the Panache Andorra Wireless Bra to be, though the one I tried wasn't in my size.
If you typically have trouble finding small band, medium or large cup bralettes, I highly recommend giving this a try! I haven't tried the new style and probably won't until there are some more fashion colors, but I am pleased to see that the new style comes in 28 bands, and I would just start by ordering my normal size of 28E in that version.
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Sky Blue colorway
Updated on Jun 30, 2020 Flag this