Tess is basically the unlined bra version of the Parfait Dalis Bralette, which I quite enjoy. I ended up picking up Tess in the same Bare color as the Dalis Bralette I already have. Both are made from a cottony-looking modal blend fabric that is soft and comfortable, and both are decorated with lace details, although the lace is different between the two styles.
In terms of fit, Tess actually works pretty well on me. It is a 4 piece side support cut that is a little bit similar to Ava, but overall the bra measures a little bigger than Ava. Therefore, it fits well ... on my larger side, but the cup is a little empty on my smaller side. I plan to wear this with foam inserts though for shaping, so this isn't a big deal. Note that the side support panel is actually just a 4th piece of fabric and is not a true side support, since it does not have any additional reinforcement to push tissue forward.
The fabric for this bra is knit jersey with 5% spandex, so the cups have a bit of natural stretch. I think this would look best if the cups run a little tight, because the seaming is quite thick, and will definitely show under clothing. I get a much smoother appearance wearing this bra with the foam inserts than wearing it without, though the seams are at least slightly visible either way. Overall, cup shape seems to be balanced and rounded, and would be best for even shapes. The upper cup lace is stretch, and is finished with a strip of clear stretch elastic, so it should not cut into tall roots and can accommodate some upper fullness.
My only concern with fit and comfort is around the wires. While the wire shape is much more of a gentle C curve than other Parfait styles, the wires are quite long, and for some reason when I pull the band snug, the wires tend to roll inward, so the upper portion of the gore digs in a bit, while the bottom floats a little. The outer edge of the cup feels fine though, and the wires aren't too narrow. I'll see if I can bend the wires away at the gore a bit for comfort.
The band is soft, comfortable, and well-made with the same outer jersey modal fabric and an inner lining of mesh for additional stability. There's a small strip of plastic boning for stability as well, which I always like, but some people find uncomfortable. This is a full cradle style, though the elastic running through the top and bottom aren't particularly wide or firm, so it will probably not be particularly snug. Straps are a bit disappointing as they are simple narrow satin elastic. While they are fully adjustable, I don't feel the narrow width is appropriate for full figure bras, and plain texture means they can easily slip. This and the visible seams are probably the only design elements I think were not well-thought out. The only trim is a small bow at the center gore.
I think this is a great style with all the comfort of an cotton bra, but beware of the visible seams. If possible, I would size down in the cup as long as the wires still fit, as a snug fit in the cups will result in a better appearance. It seems to run just a little big in the cups, almost a half size.
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Updated on Jul 30, 2020 Flag this
