I have to admit that I am not the target audience for Charlotte. My reason for trying this bra is solely curiosity, coupled with a discounted price on Nordstrom. I hate padded bras, Charlotte is quite projected in shape and I am shallow, and someone on Nordstrom described this bra as "a Halloween costume for a character from Pirates of the Caribbean." I hoped this was unnecessarily harsh judgment from a disgruntled customer, but she was spot on. This bra is totally not for me.

Yes, I can totally see why this might remind someone of a campy lady pirate. The bra is extremely ... structured, and the cups are made from a very firm foam covered in heavy satin. Potentially sweaty satin, depending on the climate--I doubt you'd want to actually wear this in the Caribbean. There's something a little Frederick's of Hollywood in the design, a little too cabaret for my tastes. There are seams galore, anathema for anyone who is looking for a smooth look, although the two front stripes on each cup are actually just topped on ribbon detailing. The exterior also has a decorative side sling panel, and I have a hard time imagining this sitting smoothly under any item of clothing lighter than a sweater. The padding feels about 1/4" thick, and because it is so stiff, there's no ignoring it. You are committing to a padded bra when putting on Charlotte. This bra is a comfort-seeker's worst nightmare, but it'll give you a fabulously structured shape if you can put up with the ruthless foam cups.

Unfortunately, because of the materials and construction, this bra is not forgiving in any sense, least of all the fit of the cups. I found the cups to be too deep and projected for my shallow shape. While the top of the cup laid smooth, thanks to the nicely-angled upper panel, I could feel the emptiness at the fullest portion of the cups. Charlotte won't work for shallow shapes, tall roots, or FOT, and I am unsure about FOB. I feel the ideal shape for this bra is someone who is projected and evenly round with short roots. The underwire shape is a deep angled U, rather narrow on the bottom, but thanks to the angling is more open on top than a standard U.

Now, I do have to say that the construction of this bra is excellent. The seams actually end up giving a pretty rounded appearance given the stiffness of the foam. You won't see harsh lines like in Cleo Juna. The proportions of the bra look good, the straps are wide and fully adjustable, and the band is amazing. My favorite part of this bra is the band. With a powermesh-lined cradle, extra-firm mesh wings, and firm elastic, the band was lightweight, comfortable, and supportive. I wish more brands would take a cue from this construction and make more supportive bands (I'm looking at you, Natori!)

Overall, while Charlotte is definitely not for me, I can see why it has so many fans. It's a polarizing style as it's not for everyone, but if you're looking for a solidly-constructed, supportive, padded bra to wear in cooler climates, give it a try!
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Black colorway

Updated on Sep 20, 2019 Flag this

I bought the Floral Shimmer colorway in three different sizes - 28FF, 28G, and 28GG. Measurements are added for all three; here they are for comparison:
https://www.bratabase.com/bra/dnb67/ 28G
https://www.bratabase.com/bra/dnb6f/ 28GG

This is my first time ever trying Parfait. Charlotte is very well liked, and I can see why. The padding and exterior material are quite soft, and the floral pattern is beautiful.

I think this 28FF fits the best and will probably be keeping it. It says out of my armpits and does not gape. It does seem to run large as other reviews have said - I would normally wear 30FF/G in Panache at this point. I'm wearing it with an extender while I break it in.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 15, 2019 Flag this

About this Bra

Purchasing:
* Paid $38.79 on Amazon with free Prime shipping & returns (not Amazon Wardrobe)
* Available in solid black and beige plus several fun colors (all with black accents).

Band:
* One layer of stretch mesh.
* Elastic at top of band.
* Wing support: flexible boning
* Continuous band - wires lower than wings.
* Back close with 3 columns of hooks.

Straps:
* smooth elastic
* stiff (stand up on their own)
* full adjust
* leotard back

Cups:
* 2-seam (3-piece) half cup
* unpadded, stiff underwire
* All pieces constructed of a one-way stretch opaque knit. In the top & center panels, the stretch runs horizontally. In the inner & outer panels, ... the stretch runs vertically.
* External (outside the cup) side sling made of opaque, non-stretch satin.
* Molded cups.

Fit

About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* wide-set (3 fingers width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* short root height, average vertical placement
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
* front (anterior) rib flares

Band:
* length: good
* wings: too short
* axillary skin spillage

Gore: Comfortable, tacks, good spacing, height fine.

Cup:
* Gives breasts pleasantly round shape.
* Wires too narrow.
* Top of cup: quad boob.

Straps:
* not too far apart
* adjust short enough

Assessment and Plan:
* Also tried in 32E & 34DD. (Fabric and piping just so pretty that I really wanted this to work.)
* Cups too shallow. Try different styles.
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Wine (purple with black accents) colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 08, 2019 Flag this

This is a molded cup, underwire bra. The band extends below the cup more than most (trying to hint at the look of a longline bra, but not nearly that low). This was very flattering (holds in loose bits of skin & flab without looking dowdy) and comfy.

I really, really wanted this bra to fit because it is super cute and sexy, but it didn't. It is gorgeous in the purple. (Also tried the sister size of 34D which fixed many issues but made one much worse. Reviewed separately.)

Fit:
* Strap separation was too wide. No amount of adjustment would ... keep them from slipping because of they laid on the highest point of my shoulder. I seriously considered keeping this bra and using a X-back style strap connector, but that seemed silly.
* Band length was a bit short (the 34 band was a better fit).
* Wing height was borderline short. (Tiny underarm spillage.)
* Cup gapped at center edge.
* Gore: good
* Wire length: GOOD (This is a toughy for me. I need long wires for wide-set breast tissue but am petite so many long wires poke into the armpit.)
* Cup width: Wider than most, so not bad (This is good since most cups aren't wide enough.)

About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* wide-set (3 fingers width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* short roots
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 04, 2019 Flag this

This is a molded cup, underwire bra. The band extends below the cup more than most (trying to hint at the look of a longline bra, but not nearly that low). This was very flattering (holds in loose bits of skin & flab without looking dowdy) and comfy.

I really, really wanted this bra to fit because it is super cute and sexy, but it didn't. It is gorgeous in the purple. (Also tried the sister size of 32DD which didn't fully correct the wide straps and caused new issues. Reviewed separately.)

Fit:
* Strap separation was WAY too wide. No amount ... of adjustment would keep them from slipping because they laid over the AC joint (the outer tip of the shoulder). I seriously considered keeping this bra and using a X-back style strap connector (because this bra is so beautiful and made me look drop dead gorgeous), but is too impractical for my lifestyle.
* Band length: good
* Wing height was borderline short. (Tiny underarm spillage.)
* Cup fit: excellent
* Gore: good
* Wire length: good to slightly high (This is a toughy for me. I need long wires for wide-set breast tissue but am petite so many long wires poke into the armpit.)
* Cup width: Wider than most, but still ever so slightly narrow. Wire rested on the last bits of axillary breast tissue. (Tried on during the largest portion of my cycle. Probably would enclose all breast tissue the rest of the month.)

In the end, sadly returned.

About me: petite with wide horizontal oval, slightly conical breasts
* average projection
* wide-set (3 fingers width of space between breasts)
* very wide roots (extend past the mid-axillary line)
* short roots
* even horizontal fullness (just barely outer full)
* mix of firm & soft tissue (front molds to shape of bra, sides push wimpy wires away)
* conical shape (but will squish to round)
* full on top (2/4 shape, not even or very full) - BUT functionally even to FOB due to short roots and soft tissue
* petite (5'3") so have narrow frame
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jul 04, 2019 Flag this

This is one of my favorite bras! Happy medium of super comfortable, lovely shape under clothes, supportive, and cute. Cups aren't too tall so I don't have gapping issues with my soft FOB breasts. The band is almost too big, but I wear it on the tightest hook and it's just about perfect.

I did try the sister size, 32GG, but for some reason only has two hooks, which I hate. It also has deeper, taller cups and gaps like crazy. (It's the Floral Shimmer colorway, which apparently has more projected cups- I need shallow cups).

Update: I got two additional 34G Charlottes- the Wild Pink ... (bubblegum color) and Dusty Pink (pale pink). Wild Pink fits the same way as the blue one, with 3 hooks and shallow uplifting cups.

The Dusty Pink only has two hooks and the cups are deep and projected, totally different fit. I would probably fit better in a 34FF in this version. This is so frustrating! I wish Parfait would make it more clear when they are changing the fit/number of hooks for a particular bra.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jun 23, 2019 Flag this

I own this bra in 2 different colors: this pink one and a bronze one. I am completely and utterly positive that they are the exact same size and that the only difference is the color. Interestingly, though, this pink bra has 3 hooks, while the bronze has 2; the bronze comes up much higher in the cups, while the pink is almost like a balconette; and the pink fits MUCH smaller than the bronze. The pink 30FF gives my ~28FF boobs quad boob when I thoroughly scoop and swoop, and I only fill about 3/4 of the cup of the bronze one — I gap heavily on ... top. The bronze cuts into my armpits, as does the pink, but the bronze seems to come up much higher so it’s worse.

Well, beyond the extremely weird sizing discrepancy between two bras in the same size, here goes my review of the pink one. It’s a 30 band, but it’s plenty tight on the loosest hook, and I have about a 26.5” snug underbust. It’s not very comfortable because I find the seams a little scratchy and it straight up refuses to sit in my IMF. I can move it up to sit in my IMF, but it’ll just keep slipping down and it’s also super uncomfortable that way. I think the shape is too shallow for me. Because the cups are a little small, the gore doesn’t sit flat, though I don’t have comfort issues there. The straps are wide-set for my frame but not as much so as other bras I have — they don’t slip down much.
I’d recommend this bra for someone on the shallow end of the spectrum, and I’d be sure to buy/order it from somewhere with free returns; I’m not sure if this sizing discrepancy continues across sizes or across different colors than the two bras I have, but it’s worth being cautious.
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Pink colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 28, 2019 Flag this

This is by far the best looking bra I’ve owned – the pictures do no justice at all to the ice blue color! It has a singular black bow on the gore, but isn’t overly lacy or covered in charms/bows, which is a look and style I really appreciate. It’s very silky and smooth, and the cups are made of a very thin foam layer – it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing any padding, but no nipplege will show through it. The straps are THICK, even thick enough that I can wear them over my bad shoulder and tighten them without pain, which is a first for me ... with uncrossed straps. The band feels perfect: I can breathe and move, but it stays in place and is supportive. The band is also mesh, so it stretches easily and gives your back a way to breathe so you won’t get sweaty. The cups are simultaneously my favorite thing about this bra and the reason it doesn’t fit: they are the perfect size, lined in softness on the inside, stunning in appearance, and have the most wonderful and comfortable elastic line running along the top of the cups, perfectly smooth to my skin. However, the sides of the cup where the fabric drapes down from the straps come up way, WAY too high on me. In order to wear this bra, I have to lift my shoulders up pretty high, because of my arms are down in a natural position they force the underwire down, sliding the bra down my body or bending the cup at weird angles.

What I’d love to know is if I can save this bra, or if it’s just not a good fit for me. I absolutely love it, and would really hate to have to give it up. Would a sister size change anything? Has anyone else had trouble with Parfait’s wires and cup being too high? Is this something that is possible to fix as an alteration?

Also, I’d LOVE recommendations of things that would fit similar and have that nice little elastic on top of the cups with a lowered cup and wire height. This bra is for sure my new holy grail in terms of shape and overall feel, and would be perfect if the cup and wire were just a little lower. What sort of shape do I have if this fits super well (except those tall wires)?
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Updated on Dec 04, 2018 Flag this

It doesn't seem to be able to accommodate my projection and the gore won't sit flat. Feels like it's floating on my ribcage.

Pretty bra, nicely made, though. The 32E had side support wires (they were flexible), whereas the 32dd did not. 32dd was a newer model though; perhaps that's why?

32:6 32E

Gore doesn't tack anywhere. Projection issue?

Parfait By Affinitas

Charlotte Padded Bra (6901)

3 suggestions

pink colorway

Updated on Jan 08, 2018 Flag this

I feel like if my boobs were positioned on my body differently, this bra would actually fit. The band is nice and snug and I actually very much appreciate the wide band; I feel like it smooths out some rolls on my back. The cup is too wide on the sides, though, and the underwire does end up digging into my sides (I feel like I get red marks/bruising in this area from ALL my bras, and this is no exception). I also am too full in the center and end up getting a little quad-boob when I scoop and swoop my boobs into place. As a result the gore also floats a bit on me. Super cute and sexy bra, but not great for a normal wear. (Sexy wear, sure, but I don't want to wear this otherwise).

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Oct 21, 2017 Flag this