(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. Read more 682 more words
(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)
Sometimes online reviews are really critical to choosing the right size, as in the case of Masquerade Alice where I had to size down in the cup to a 28DD/30D. However, sometimes you are reminded that many of them are written by people who do not know how bras are supposed to fit, particularly if the reviews don't come from Bratabase or a bra blogger. There wasn't too much info here on ...Bratabase for the Parfait Adriana Bralette, so I let myself be (mis)guided by the Amazon reviews and ordered a size up as everyone complained this ran small.
Actually, it doesn't run small at all. It is totally true to size. My normal size is 28E, my sister size in Parfait is 30DD, so I went up one cup size (I did not go up a band size since I am already ordering my sister size) to 30E. It fits, but I can tell that the cup is designed for someone fuller, as they are quite tall and roomier at the upper portion of the cup than I need. The V portion of the neckline is very high and doesn't look very balanced on me, but I tried sizing down to 32D and it still looks quite tall on me, so I think this is intentional.
The band is firm and true to size for Parfait, but because it has 4 rows of hooks and a very wide bottom elastic band (3 cm), it feels firmer and more secure than a standard bra band. I am happy with this band size as it is supportive and comfortable, which I rarely find in a bralette. Almost all bralettes are way too loose for me in the band to provide any kind of support. The wings are super tall on this style, 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.
I think my best size in this bralette would be my normal sister size of 30DD, but I've reordered this in a 32D and in a 30D since I could find those sizes cheaply. The 32 band is definitely riding up a bit, but it feels comfortable, and still provides support since it's so wide. The 32D cups are still a bit tall on me, so that's why I decided to try sizing down to 30D to see if the cups will be a bit shorter, while still having the snug band I prefer. 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! Read more 688 more words
I ordered a second Icy Blue because I found it cheaper on eBay than the original one, which I got from Amazon. While the first one fit well, this second one is a little shallower and shorter in the cups, so it fits even better. It is somewhere between the other Icy Blue and the Peach, which is the smallest 28E Charlotte that I own.
I have also been curious to compare 28E Charlotte against the 30DD, since I usually order 30DD in Parfait as my sister size, and it's been fitting me quite well. I ordered the Icy Blue Charlotte in both sizes, and I ...also ordered a Purple Wine Charlotte in 30DD. I can confirm that the cups are exactly the same in both sizes, with no grading in the proportions, and the only difference is the band. While both fit and are comfortable, I find that I prefer the snug fit on the 28E band since it holds the cups better against my body, but I had originally hoped that the 28E would be designed for a narrower frame than the 30DD, and it is definitely no different in proportions.
Aesthetically, Icy Blue is one of the prettiest colorways for the solid Charlottes.
I have had 7 colors in my possession so far: - Wild Pink and Purple Wine have much darker colored matte cups and lighter colored satin - Red, Icy Blue, and Dusty Rose have slightly darker colored matte cups and slightly lighter colored satin - Peach and Black have almost the same colored matte cups and satin
I really don't like the amount of contrast in the Wild Pink and Purple Wine bras, as I feel that it makes the bra look cheap. My background is in apparel design and merchandising, and we would frequently reject fabrics and trims that did not match closely enough because they look like a mistake. In the other colorways, I think the two-toned effect looks more intentional and not like they simply had trouble dyeing the fabric. Icy Blue is a beautiful cool blue, but is not so pastel as to be considered baby blue. I think it works really well with the black trim, so I am pleased to have gotten this for my collection.
Regarding the quality, I have once again noticed that my various Charlottes tend to have a lot of loose threads hanging off of them when I first receive them. Second, I've started to notice that the front of the cup where the upper cup connects to the bottom panel shows a lot of puckering where the seam crosses over the black trim. Since the outer matte chiffon layer is sewn separately from the foam cups it is an aesthetic issue and not a serious construction flaw that would show under clothing, but this still bothers me. Every single Charlotte I have is like this. So, while I consider this a well-made bra in terms of design and materials, the sewing could be improved. This second Icy Blue has better sewing than the first one.
I've also found that the interior foam cups are prone to creasing, which can distort the fit and make the cups look less than smooth. The cups can be steamed from the cotton side when it is turned inside out, and the foam stretched to smooth out wrinkles. Let them cool in this position before storing, though I feel that storing with the cups turned inside out is better for this style and will keep the foam shape better. Read more 490 more words
I bought this because i wanted something with a little padding to wear under t-shirts. The cup was too small and the gore didn't tack. The worst problem was that even though the top line of the cups sat nicely on my breasts, the seam underneath rubbed away the skin in a spot about 1/4" long. Like, not just uncomfortable but actually blistered. It took a couple of weeks to heal. This bra went into the trash.
I've concluded that 28E is a very good fit for me now in Charlotte, and I have fallen in love with the style after initially hating it. However, since I normally buy 30DD in other Parfait bras where 28 bands aren't available, I was curious to see how 30DD and 28E compare. I ordered the Icy Blue Charlotte in both sizes, and I also ordered a Purple Wine Charlotte in 30DD. I can confirm that the cups are exactly the same in both sizes, with no grading in the proportions, and the only difference is the band. While both fit and are comfortable, I ...find that I prefer the snug fit on the 28E band since it holds the cups better against my body, but I had originally hoped that the 28E would be designed for a narrower frame than the 30DD, and it is definitely no different in proportions.
I would go with the band that is more comfortable for you, since Parfait bands are quite firm. I prefer my true band size, but I know others will prefer sister sizing up.
Aesthetically, Icy Blue is one of the prettiest colorways for the solid Charlottes.
I have had 7 colors in my possession so far: - Wild Pink and Purple Wine have much darker colored matte cups and lighter colored satin - Red, Icy Blue, and Dusty Rose have slightly darker colored matte cups and slightly lighter colored satin - Peach and Black have almost the same colored matte cups and satin
I really don't like the amount of contrast in the Wild Pink and Purple Wine bras, as I feel that it makes the bra look cheap. My background is in apparel design and merchandising, and we would frequently reject fabrics and trims that did not match closely enough because they look like a mistake. In the other colorways, I think the two-toned effect looks more intentional and not like they simply had trouble dyeing the fabric. Icy Blue is a beautiful cool blue, but is not so pastel as to be considered baby blue. I think it works really well with the black trim, so I am pleased to have gotten this for my collection.
Regarding the quality, I have once again noticed that my various Charlottes tend to have a lot of loose threads hanging off of them when I first receive them. Second, I've started to notice that the front of the cup where the upper cup connects to the bottom panel shows a lot of puckering where the seam crosses over the black trim. Since the outer matte chiffon layer is sewn separately from the foam cups it is an aesthetic issue and not a serious construction flaw that would show under clothing, but this still bothers me. Every single Charlotte I have is like this. So, while I consider this a well-made bra in terms of design and materials, the sewing could be improved.
I've also found that the interior foam cups are prone to creasing, which can distort the fit and make the cups look less than smooth. The cups can be steamed from the cotton side when it is turned inside out, and the foam stretched to smooth out wrinkles. Let them cool in this position before storing, though I feel that storing with the cups turned inside out is better for this style and will keep the foam shape better. Read more 468 more words
I've concluded that 28E is a very good fit for me now in Charlotte, and I have fallen in love with the style after initially hating it. However, since I normally buy 30DD in other Parfait bras where 28 bands aren't available, I was curious to see how 30DD and 28E compare. I ordered the Icy Blue Charlotte in both sizes, and I also ordered a Purple Wine Charlotte in 30DD. I can confirm that the cups are exactly the same in both sizes, with no grading in the proportions, and the only difference is the band. While both fit and are comfortable, I ...find that I prefer the snug fit on the 28E band since it holds the cups better against my body, but I had originally hoped that the 28E would be designed for a narrower frame than the 30DD, and it is definitely no different in proportions.
I would go with the band that is more comfortable for you, since Parfait bands are quite firm. I prefer my true band size, but I know others will prefer sister sizing up.
Purple Wine is a very deep, rich royal purple. It is very similar to the ancient shade known as Tyrian purple, but a bit deeper and less red. This is one of the Charlotte colorways where the cup color has a lot of contrast: - Wild Pink and Purple Wine have much darker colored matte cups and lighter colored satin - Red, Icy Blue, and Dusty Rose have slightly darker colored matte cups and slightly lighter colored satin - Peach and Black have almost the same colored matte cups and satin
I really don't like the amount of contrast in the Wild Pink and Purple Wine bras, as I feel that it makes the bra look cheap. My background is in apparel design and merchandising, and we would frequently reject fabrics and trims that did not match closely enough because they look like a mistake. In the other colorways, I think the two-toned effect looks more intentional and not like they simply had trouble dyeing the fabric. However, the Purple Wine is a unique colorway in my collection, and I haven't seen a bra quite this color before as it is a shade not commonly used in clothing.
Regarding the quality, I have once again noticed that my various Charlottes tend to have a lot of loose threads hanging off of them when I first receive them. Second, I've started to notice that the front of the cup where the upper cup connects to the bottom panel shows a lot of puckering where the seam crosses over the black trim. Since the outer matte chiffon layer is sewn separately from the foam cups it is an aesthetic issue and not a serious construction flaw that would show under clothing, but this still bothers me. Every single Charlotte I have is like this. So, while I consider this a well-made bra in terms of design and materials, the sewing could be improved.
I've also found that the interior foam cups are prone to creasing, which can distort the fit and make the cups look less than smooth. The cups can be steamed from the cotton side when it is turned inside out, and the foam stretched to smooth out wrinkles. Let them cool in this position before storing, though I feel that storing with the cups turned inside out is better for this style and will keep the foam shape better. Read more 483 more words
Icy Blue is my fourth Charlotte in 28E, and I am very happy that this one, unlike the recent fail with the Red colorway, fits as expected, and is exactly the same as the Wild Pink I already own. When I first got the Wild Pink Charlotte in 28E, I felt it was still a little too big on me, but I think my body has changed slightly, and now it no longer feels slightly too big, though my smaller side still has a little bit of gapping, which is totally normal. Now, I really like the fit of Charlotte in 28E, and just wish that ...the outer cup height were a little shorter and less wide, since I still feel a little discomfort under my arms.
I have also been curious to compare 28E Charlotte against the 30DD, since I usually order 30DD in Parfait as my sister size, and it's been fitting me quite well. I ordered the Icy Blue Charlotte in both sizes, and I also ordered a Purple Wine Charlotte in 30DD. I can confirm that the cups are exactly the same in both sizes, with no grading in the proportions, and the only difference is the band. While both fit and are comfortable, I find that I prefer the snug fit on the 28E band since it holds the cups better against my body, but I had originally hoped that the 28E would be designed for a narrower frame than the 30DD, and it is definitely no different in proportions.
Aesthetically, Icy Blue is one of the prettiest colorways for the solid Charlottes.
I have had 7 colors in my possession so far: - Wild Pink and Purple Wine have much darker colored matte cups and lighter colored satin - Red, Icy Blue, and Dusty Rose have slightly darker colored matte cups and slightly lighter colored satin - Peach and Black have almost the same colored matte cups and satin
I really don't like the amount of contrast in the Wild Pink and Purple Wine bras, as I feel that it makes the bra look cheap. My background is in apparel design and merchandising, and we would frequently reject fabrics and trims that did not match closely enough because they look like a mistake. In the other colorways, I think the two-toned effect looks more intentional and not like they simply had trouble dyeing the fabric. Icy Blue is a beautiful cool blue, but is not so pastel as to be considered baby blue. I think it works really well with the black trim, so I am pleased to have gotten this for my collection.
Regarding the quality, I have once again noticed that my various Charlottes tend to have a lot of loose threads hanging off of them when I first receive them. Second, I've started to notice that the front of the cup where the upper cup connects to the bottom panel shows a lot of puckering where the seam crosses over the black trim. Since the outer matte chiffon layer is sewn separately from the foam cups it is an aesthetic issue and not a serious construction flaw that would show under clothing, but this still bothers me. Every single Charlotte I have is like this. So, while I consider this a well-made bra in terms of design and materials, the sewing could be improved.
I've also found that the interior foam cups are prone to creasing, which can distort the fit and make the cups look less than smooth. The cups can be steamed from the cotton side when it is turned inside out, and the foam stretched to smooth out wrinkles. Let them cool in this position before storing, though I feel that storing with the cups turned inside out is better for this style and will keep the foam shape better. Read more 540 more words
I ordered this from the same closeout eBay seller where I ordered my 28E Red Charlotte Padded Plunge that measured at least a size too big (ordered 28E, measured between 28F and 28FF). This bra has the same problem. I ordered a 30E to try because the 30DD I got originally felt a size too small, and I read that this bra runs small. However, the bra I received measures at least a 30F, potentially 30FF (the measurements listed for both sizes here are pretty similar and I'm not sure which set is more correct). Therefore, it is far too big.
Once again, I highly recommend ordering Parfait bras only if they are returnable, since there can be a lot of inconsistency.
The outside fabric is soft and the pattern, called 'Floral Shimmer', was very pretty. Even without a shirt on is was hard to tell that the cup size was too big, there was no gaping unless I purposely tried to make it gap. I found the cups to be very comfortable but the wire was poking me in the armpit. I had some sizing issues with this bra so that could have been the reason for the uncomfortable wire.
(This review is for the older version, with the rainbow Parfait label. See my review on the Black Casey for the newer version with the purple Parfait label.)
I've been really into Parfait bras lately, having had good luck with the cut & sew foam styles (Charlotte, Charlotte Balconette, Destiny), but Casey is my first molded foam cup from the brand. Based on reviews it seemed this might run large/tall, but I decided to start with my normal sister size of 30DD as I checked the measurements and they seemed pretty similar to my Masquerade Alice in 30D.
However, the advice was true. While the band is ...firm and the wires are a good fit, Casey's cups are much taller than Alice, and a bit deeper, so the cups are too tall for me and I'm unable to fill them out at the top. Furthermore, the cups are molded with a weirdly pointed, projected shape, and this really hits me at the wrong spot of the body and looks really odd. After trying this in a size down in 30D, I've realized that the cup shape is due to a shape mismatch, as Casey is designed for FOT shapes that round out the cups better. Note that the two different generations of the bra fit differently, and I consider the newer version of Casey to fit me in this size as the cups are a bit smaller, while this one definitely doesn't fit.
I think this bra is designed for tall, projected shapes who find standard molded cup bras to be too shallow, but don't like the super tall cups of Freya Deco or Freya Idol. Upper fullness is necessary to get a rounded look instead of pointy cups. The deep plunge gives a really nice shape if you have upper inner fullness.
I've been impressed by Parfait's quality lately, because I have been enjoying the quality of the materials and the fact that they are truly designed as a full-figure brand. No flimsy bands or narrow straps to be found here! Like all Parfait bands I've tried, the band on Casey is very firm and supportive despite being standard powermesh. The cups and cradle are made from the same shiny knit fabric you often see in this style of bra, and I like the topped on lace at the outer cup. It reminds me of the appearance of some older Victoria's Secret styles, though the quality and construction is vastly different from VS. Straps are medium width plain satin, and are fully adjustable, tapering into the leotard back. A satin bow at the gore is the only decoration. European Nude is a deep tan nude that is darker than many nudes out on the market. It reminds me of a slightly lighter version of the hosiery color frequently sold as "Suntan."
The wires of this bra are quite short yet firm, so I find them to feel supportive and not uncomfortable. The shorter length of the wires means that this bra is less likely to chafe petite frames in the underam area like Charlotte is known to do. Usually I can't stand short wires because they feel like the cups aren't secure, but it's not the case in this bra. Casey, like many other Parfait bras, also has a piece of vertical boning where the cradle attaches to the wings, adding to the stability factor.
Despite its simplicity, I think Casey is a very nice looking bra and a great everyday option. Read more 486 more words
(This review is for the newer version, with the purple Parfait label. See my review on the European Nude Casey for the older version with the rainbow Parfait label.)
I've been really into Parfait bras lately, having had good luck with the cut & sew foam styles (Charlotte, Charlotte Balconette, Destiny), but Casey is my first molded foam cup from the brand.
I have tried both the older and newer versions of this bra, and the newer version is a bit shallower with narrower wires. The wires are almost too narrow for me, but still fit OK in this size. The slightly shallower cup depth means that ...this bra generally fits, though on my smaller side you can tell that the upper cup is rather empty, which I tend to get in taller foam cup bras (like Charlotte). Casey's cups are molded with a weirdly pointed, projected shape, though I think this also looks marginally better on the newer version of this bra than the older version, since the overall cup is smaller. It fits, but it's not a great fit. After trying this in a size down in 30D, I've realized that the cup shape is due to a shape mismatch, as Casey is designed for FOT shapes that round out the cups better.
I think this bra is designed for tall, projected shapes who find standard molded cup bras to be too shallow, but don't like the super tall cups of Freya Deco or Freya Idol. Upper fullness is necessary to get a rounded look instead of pointy cups. The deep plunge gives a really nice shape if you have upper inner fullness.
I've been impressed by Parfait's quality lately, because I have been enjoying the quality of the materials and the fact that they are truly designed as a full-figure brand. However, the new Casey has skinny straps, which is a disappointment. Like all Parfait bands I've tried, the band on Casey is very firm and supportive despite being standard powermesh. The cups and cradle are made from matte knit tricot, and it seems to be a different fabric than used on the older version of this bra. I like the topped on lace at the outer cup, and the lace design seems to be consistent between both versions. It reminds me of the appearance of some older Victoria's Secret styles, though the quality and construction is vastly different from VS. A satin bow at the gore is the only decoration.
The wires of this bra are somewhat shorter than average, yet quite firm, so I find them to feel supportive and not uncomfortable. The shorter length of the wires means that this bra is less likely to chafe petite frames in the underam area like Charlotte is known to do. Usually I can't stand short wires because they feel like the cups aren't secure, but it's not the case in this bra. Casey, like many other Parfait bras, also has a piece of vertical boning where the cradle attaches to the wings, adding to the stability factor.
Despite its simplicity, I think Casey is a very nice looking bra, and I think it makes a great everyday option. This size is pretty good for me in this new version, but I have better-fitting foam bras already, so I won't be keeping this. Read more 460 more words
I don't know what happened here. This is a gorgeous bra, and the Red/Black is a lovely deep ruby style that wouldn't be out of place at a cabaret, but the measurements on this bra are totally off. What a disappointment!
I have not seen any indication that the Red/Black should be part of the new fit that the Floral Shimmer seems to be, but the tags on this bra are the new style (new tags are purple, old tags are rainbow), and I remember that the Black Charlotte in 30D that I ordered last fall from Nordstrom was also tall in the cups and too tall/projected ...for me to fill. However, the measurements for this bra are very close to the 28F, with the cup height of 28FF, so I really don't know if this is a new fit or a manufacturing error.
Because of the weird measurements on this bra, it fits like a large 28F or small 28FF, and therefore it is too projected and tall for me. The cup width and wires are fine, as is the band. But the cups are absolutely gigantic on me, so this won't work out.
Strangely, I now have 3 Charlottes in 28E (Wild Pink, Peach, and Red), and they all measure and fit differently. Wild Pink and Peach both have the older tags and fit similarly but one is slightly bigger than the other. Red is obviously gigantic. I have also tried size 30D from two different eras (Dusty Rose is older, Black is current), and they also both fit differently. I am interested in collecting more Charlottes, but I am rather wary of the wide variance in consistency between these bras, which I haven't experienced from any of the other bras in this line before. Read more 195 more words
Charlotte in Peach just made her way to my mailbox, and she's lovely! After revisiting the fit of my Charlotte in Wild Pink, I decided to try more of this fit in 28E. I ordered Red and Peach, and interestingly all three bras measure and fit differently. However, Peach is the star of the bunch, as she fit me perfectly!
The original Wild Pink I had was good in the cups, but a bit too tall, so the upper cup was a little empty, and the sides of the cups are too high under my arms. Cup height on the 3 bras is as follows: - ...Peach: 13.5 cm - Wild Pink: 14.5 cm - Red: 16 cm (???)
This kind of grading is usually only seen in different cup sizes, so it's really bizarre that there is so much variance. Peach and Wild Pink are both of the older generation with the multicolor "Parfait" tag instead of new purple tag, so the rest of the cup fits similarly, but Peach is about .5 cm smaller in cup width and depth than the Wild Pink. This means that all the issues I had with Wild Pink being close, but a little large, are solved in the Peach!
The Peach colorway is a lovely color, though it is a bit yellower than what I would typically consider peach. The color is very vintage-looking and makes for a great nude option on lighter skintones. Though Charlotte is a thick, heavier style that isn't suited for the current hot weather, I am looking forward to wearing it when the weather gets cooler, and the seams can be hidden under heavier tops.
Due to the unpredictability in sizing for this style, however, I would avoid blindly ordering this bra if it cannot be returned. Read more 193 more words
Lately I have been intrigued by all things Charlotte, since I revisited the fit of my Wild Pink Charlotte Padded Bra in 28E and found it to be better than I remember. I was never interested in the stock photos of the Charlotte Balconette version, but I saw some real photos of this bra in Peach and really liked the vintage look.
(I'll refer to the Charlotte Padded Bras as the Plunge and the Charlotte Balconette Bra as the Balconette)
I wasn't sure whether or not to heed the warnings that this runs a bit small, so I stuck with my normal sister size of 30DD. In hindsight, ...I think the 30E will be a better fit, so I am trying to get my hands on the larger size to compare. Regardless, the 30DD is a pretty good fit all around--the band is firm, and the cups do enclose my breasts entirely while giving me a nice rounded shape. I can just tell that the wires are a little bit small, the cup depth is a little bit shallow, and the height is a little bit short. In the past, when I was used to seeing myself in much smaller bras (30C/D range), I would've thought the fit was absolutely perfect!
Charlotte Balconette is constructed as an underwired bandeau, similar to the B. Tempt'd Ciao Bella, or the Masquerade Antoinette. However, those bras are made from soft, flexible foam, and Charlotte's cups are much more structured as they are made from the same firm foam as the normal Charlotte Plunge. This gives the cups a much rounded, structured appearance even when it's not worn, almost like a molded foam cup. The upper edge is slightly closed off, but it is much shorter on the Balconette than on the Plunge. The cup width and wires are very similar between the two bras, but this is much shallower and has a shorter cup height. So if the bottom cup of the Plunge fits you but the cups are too tall, give this a try. If the Plunge fits you throughout, you may want to start by sizing up.
The construction of the cups on both bras is very similar, as they are both 3 piece cups with a 2 piece bottom. Fullness on this bra is pretty evenly balanced. The outer cups and cradle are made from satin, the upper edge is matte chiffon, and black seams run up the entire vertical length of the cup for a corset-like appearance. I did not notice the seams much under clothing. The straps on this bra are thankfully not particularly wide-set, and the picot-edged satin straps are attached to the outer third of the cup right above the outermost black seam detail by a large black bow. I really like this detail and I think it contributes to the bra's overall vintage look. The band is firm powermesh, and fits TTS. Unfortunately the straps are not detachable, because I think this could make a great strapless bra! Instead, the fully-adjustable straps taper to a standard leotard back, and there are no additional trims.
This is a super gorgeous bra and looks much better in person than it does in pictures. I also have a Red Charlotte Plunge in my possession and think this style would look great in Red as well. I am happy with the 30DD but would like to try sizing up to the 30E to see if I can get a better fit, but I may just end up keeping this one as it's always good to have some bras that are a little larger and a little smaller in your collection for size fluctuations. Read more 522 more words
Tamara is a lovely surprise. I decided to try this randomly as I haven't tried a good half cup in years. I was skeptical that it would fit, but surprisingly the cups work quite well, despite the lace at the top not sitting flat. I ordered my normal sister size of 30DD in this bra as 28E is not available. This usually works out fine for me, since Parfait is known for firm bands, and 30 bands tend to fit me well in this brand.
Tamara is a true 2 piece half cup with firm foam and satin creating the structured portion of the cup, ...and a wide lace upper. The foam and satin are the same firm quality used on Charlotte and other Parfait bras, so I found this to be very supportive and it gave a lot of lift. The half cup just covers the nipple area on me, and it gives me an amazing rounded, pushed-up effect, far superior to any other bras I've tried. The only caveat to the fit is that because I am not FOT, the upper cup is quite empty on me, so the lace ends up bunching weirdly. This can be remedied by tucking the lace down a bit into the cups, but I plan to tack them in place to fit. If you are fuller on top and rounded, you will appreciate the lace upper cup as it is a rather closed-off shape and helps contain the upper tissue.
The wires on this bra are standard Parfait wires, a little U shaped, but comfortable on me. I have heard this bra runs shallow, but I decided to stick with my normal size instead of sizing up. I think the shallow cups are the point here, as that's how they create the very lifted appearance. Sizing down to try and get a better fit in the upper cup would have made the bottom of the cup and the wires way too small, and I suspect that sizing up would create a slightly flattened appearance. So, I would stick with your normal size in this bra and know it will be shallow, unless your breasts are quite tall vertically and evenly full.
The appearance of the bra is quite lovely, and I think it looks much more expensive than it is (suggested retail $42). I could easily see this being part of a high-end collection as it is designed for boudoir wear rather than everyday purposes, though it is actually supportive enough for functional wear! You breast shape will determine whether or not you feel contained enough to wear this as a normal bra. The only thing to watch out for is that the thickness of the foam cups makes it visible where the cup ends. Depending on your clothing choice though, it may not be an issue.
The entire bra is constructed from the same satin that is used on the outer cups and cradle of Charlotte, and is very similar to the satin used on Masquerade bras. The upper cup is single layer floral lace with an eyelash edge, and there is no additional elastic on the edge. The center gore has a glitzy crystal disco ball-like charm with ribbon tassel. The straps are doubled satin in the front and textured wide elastic on the back, and the adjustable portion is quite short. I have the straps shortened all the way. The band is firm powermesh and as mentioned previously, fits TTS. It tapers into a leotard back, and I appreciate that this bra was constructed with wide wings as most full-figure bras are, since it gives additional support to the half cups.
Overall, this is a lovely bra and well worth a try. I think it can work for almost anyone, but those who are shallower or less full on top may need to MacGuyver the lace portion a bit. Read more 561 more words
I've been pretty critical of Parfait bras in the past, and none of the options I've tried so far have fit me that well. However, I came across the Parfait Destiny Contour Bra on Amazon recently and decided to try it blindly. Surprisingly, it fits quite well, and I really like it!
Lately I have been really drawn to "pretty" bras, and while I've been collecting lots of frilly, feminine unlined bras from Fantasie, I've also been trying to collect more "luxe" bras mostly from Masquerade. Destiny fits perfectly into the aesthetic of the latter, as it utilizes satin, lace, and lace up trim quite effectively. ... I could easily mistake this for a Masquerade bra or something from a luxury line. The cups are a 3 piece balconette construction made from cut and sew foam. The main portion of the cup is lined in soft floral lace, and the sides have an exterior satin sling similar to the one on Charlotte, but it is a bit wider. The cradle is also made from satin and features a center gore with a lace up ribbon detail like the one on the Lepel Fiore's wing panel. Wings are made from plain powermesh and taper into a leotard back, and the straps are made from medium width picot-edged elastic.
While I initially disliked Charlotte for the stiffness of its materials (particularly in the current solid black version), the materials on Destiny are a little bit softer, and feel better quality to me. Charlotte has very firm foam cups, but Destiny's cups seem a little bit softer. I'm not sure how much of it is the difference in material quality and how much of it is the difference in cut, though the cup construction looks very similar from the interior. Charlotte gives me a slightly pointy shape, and the upper cup is a bit too closed off for me, so it cuts into my tall roots while leaving some empty room immediately below, though it isn't too big of an issue in 28E. Destiny gives me a really nice rounded shape with none of the same issues as Charlotte. The only downside is that in order to fit my larger side well, cups tend to gap on my smaller side, and this is much more noticeable on certain unlined bras and on certain structured foam bras (like on my Comexim 60Hs). However, this is easily fixed with a foam pad insert for asymmetry.
The band on this bra is exactly what I expect from Parfait, as they tend to make firm bands that are TTS. I found the band to be comfortable and of the same quality as Charlotte's. The wires on this bra are also not the same gentle curved shape as in most of my bras that fit, but they somehow work in this bra. Strangely, the Parfait unlined bras I tried (Sandrine, Irene) were absolutely horrible fits for me in the wires.
I would recommend this bra for even shapes that want a more rounded appearance than what Charlotte gives, or if Charlotte is a bit too closed off or projected for you. A lovely find!
Update: I have purchased two colorways, Cassis and Nightshadow Blue. The fit is consistent between both bras, but the Nightshadow Blue has a slightly wider band and slightly wider straps. Read more 462 more words
I've been pretty critical of Parfait bras in the past, and none of the options I've tried so far have fit me that well. However, I came across the Parfait Destiny Contour Bra on Amazon recently and decided to try it blindly. Surprisingly, it fits quite well, and I really like it!
Lately I have been really drawn to "pretty" bras, and while I've been collecting lots of frilly, feminine unlined bras from Fantasie, I've also been trying to collect more "luxe" bras mostly from Masquerade. Destiny fits perfectly into the aesthetic of the latter, as it utilizes satin, lace, and lace up trim quite effectively. ... I could easily mistake this for a Masquerade bra or something from a luxury line. The cups are a 3 piece balconette construction made from cut and sew foam. The main portion of the cup is lined in soft floral lace, and the sides have an exterior satin sling similar to the one on Charlotte, but it is a bit wider. The cradle is also made from satin and features a center gore with a lace up ribbon detail like the one on the Lepel Fiore's wing panel. Wings are made from plain powermesh and taper into a leotard back, and the straps are made from medium width picot-edged elastic.
While I initially disliked Charlotte for the stiffness of its materials (particularly in the current solid black version), the materials on Destiny are a little bit softer, and feel better quality to me. Charlotte has very firm foam cups, but Destiny's cups seem a little bit softer. I'm not sure how much of it is the difference in material quality and how much of it is the difference in cut, though the cup construction looks very similar from the interior. Charlotte gives me a slightly pointy shape, and the upper cup is a bit too closed off for me, so it cuts into my tall roots while leaving some empty room immediately below, though it isn't too big of an issue in 28E. Destiny gives me a really nice rounded shape with none of the same issues as Charlotte. The only downside is that in order to fit my larger side well, cups tend to gap on my smaller side, and this is much more noticeable on certain unlined bras and on certain structured foam bras (like on my Comexim 60Hs). However, this is easily fixed with a foam pad insert for asymmetry.
The band on this bra is exactly what I expect from Parfait, as they tend to make firm bands that are TTS. I found the band to be comfortable and of the same quality as Charlotte's. The wires on this bra are also not the same gentle curved shape as in most of my bras that fit, but they somehow work in this bra. Strangely, the Parfait unlined bras I tried (Sandrine, Irene) were absolutely horrible fits for me in the wires.
I would recommend this bra for even shapes that want a more rounded appearance than what Charlotte gives, or if Charlotte is a bit too closed off or projected for you. A lovely find!
Update: I also purchased this in the other colorway, Nightshadow Blue. The fit is consistent between both bras, but the Nightshadow Blue has a slightly wider band and slightly wider straps. Read more 463 more words
Gorgeous! A bit stiff. I am very projected and full on bottom. The 30E was too big in the cup and the 30dd was not available. I tried the 28E but it is too tight in the band. The cup sits sort of flat at the top sometimes but the upper part of the cup is not filled in all the way.
I first tried Charlotte 5 months ago in 30D when I was a true 28DD and shallower on top, and I remember hating the bra with a passion. However, since the 28E Charlotte frequently comes up in my Bratabase recommendations now that I am a fuller 28E, I decided to grab one on deep discount from Breakout Bras after checking that the measurements seemed to be reasonable.
My original review of Charlotte was quite harsh, and from what I remember, the bra was heavy, stiff, and fully covered in thick satin. It was a newer generation that I purchased from Nordstrom. However, the bra I ordered ...this time is the Wild Pink colorway from SS '14, and my understanding is that the bra's measurements have changed between the older ones and the new ones. The cups on this bra are mostly made from lightweight matte crepe, with an outer sling and cradle made from thick, heavy satin. The band is still powermesh and fits very snugly. The fabric of this bra feels much more comfortable than I remember, and it looks nice under clothing.
The band is nice and snug, and while the 30 band worked for me before, I prefer the 28. My challenge with this bra is that the outer cup height is taller in this style than in my other similar padded bras with similar measurements (like the Comexim Magic Plunge), and the fullest part of the cup is slightly higher. This means that the bra has more fullness on the outer upper cup than most of my other bras, which I have some trouble filling. In practice, this means the bra feels about half a cup large although the measurements would make it seem true to size.
My larger side is a full 28E, while my smaller side is a full 28DD. In most bras, the difference between both sides is manageable, but in this style it's really obvious. I marked this bra as fitting since it fits my larger side well, but when I move, I can see gapping at the upper cup of the smaller side. The seam is also pointier and more noticeable on the smaller side since there isn't enough tissue to fill it out. However, the bra was final sale, and I think it would be good to have a slightly larger bra for those times where hormones cause me to need a larger size than normal, so I don't have any regrets about keeping it. It gives me a really nice rounded shape under clothing, although anything too thin or tight may cause the seams to show.
I do have to dock points for both quality and comfort though, since the padding is much stiffer than what I'd consider comfortable, and the taller cup height near the arms can cause some chafing, especially combined with the wide-set straps that are too wide for my frame. In terms of quality, I think the fabric used could be much softer, the color matching between the cup fabric and cradle fabric could be better, and my bra came with a lot of random loose threads. Read more 427 more words
