I wish that I had known that it was see through, however, this was not an issue with me. Wear breast petals underneath if you aren't comfortable with showing on a cold day. Wash before wear to get the starch off and the lace will be soft and supple. It was a perfect fit for me!

Black and nude colorway

Updated on Feb 13, 2023 Flag this

The first encouraging bra of my journey to find a bra that fits!
For reference my boobs are a 34DD/E, short, shallow, even vertical fullness and outer horizontal fullness, slightly conical and I'm pretty sure I have splayed roots. Short, shallow and wide seems to be best for me so far.

Onto the bra - the Minx balconette is a very pretty bra, although I can't say that I felt particularly sexy in it. I ordered it from John Lewis in the UK, in the colour gleam. The colour is to die for, a beautiful bronze-toned nude and I especially liked the little beads on the bow in the centre ... of the gore (If brands are going to insist on giving us bows they may as well make them extra nice - am I right?!). It has a 3-hook fastening and adjustable straps with rose gold hardware and the lace of the cups is brought up the bottom portion of the straps slightly. The unlined stretch lace cups have a small amount of illusion mesh at the tops which gives them an extra little something. Overall a very pretty appearance.

Quality: The quality was excellent. Lovely construction and great attention to detail. I did notice a few little loose threads, but nothing overly concerning.

Pros:
- Attention to detail is off the scale - The band and straps are both made from incredibly comfortable materials, with the band being akin to "seamless" style underwear fabric and the straps being constructed from a microfibre/modal soft touch feel fabric, that is buttery smooth and velvety. The mesh-edged, stretch lace cups are also barely noticeable when wearing, yet somehow provide a gorgeous, naturally rounded shape. It's abundantly clear that Scarlett Blue have considered the wearer's comfort in the construction of this bra.

- The STRETCH in this bra is unreal. The cups are fantastic, yes, but the real star of the show is the band! It appears worryingly small on first glance at only 28" but stretches out to an astonishing 37". The result is a band that moves with you and somehow sucks everything in for a smooth finish, without cutting off your circulation.

- It's short & shallow - my fellow shorties, if this is your style I really recommend giving it a go. I felt supported without being stabbed in the armpit and I also didn't get any gaping at the top of the cup once I'd scooped and swooped everything into position; it's pretty much a dream fit if you fall into this camp with me. I also found that the cups sat at about the right height on me too, which is a bit of a miracle (I'm only 5'3").


Neutral:
- The aesthetics - while I really do appreciate the effort Scarlett Blue has put into this bra, the aesthetics just didn't do it for me. It is very pretty and I'm sure for the right person it would be perfect; that person just isn't me. If I'm going to the expense of spending around £50 on a bra, I want to feel like the sexiest woman alive and I just didn't.


Cons:
- The elastic on the cups - the stretch lace is fantastic, however, the minx has a piece of elastic on the underarm side/outer edge of the cups, leading into the strap. After all of the care that had gone into the comfort of the rest of the bra, this elastic felt decidedly scratchy. It doesn't have the same soft-touch edge as the strap elastic and as a result, I could tell that it would chafe over the course of the day. This is ultimately why I'm going to be returning this bra.

- Strap width - As comfortable as they are, the straps are quite wide on this bra. If you're smaller framed, I think you'll find it difficult to get them in a comfortable position. Combined with the slightly scratchy edge on the elastic, this posed enough of an issue for me to return this bra, so I feel it relevant to mention here.

- The stretch - I know, I said this was a pro, but I do see that this could also be a major con for you if you're "a small 34" so to speak. I am a true 34 back and I genuinely felt as though this bra wouldn't be all that supportive for long. If you fluctuate in size over the month or you're between back sizes, I highly recommend going for the SMALLER back size. I won't be keeping this bra, so I can't comment on longevity, but it is one that I would expect to lose its elasticity fairly quickly.

- The bow - I'm a bow hater. I will never understand why every brand feels the need to put a satin bow in the middle of the gore on bras (or on the front of the matching bottoms but that's another topic). This bow is very pretty as bows go, with it's very delicate look and clear beads, but it's never going to convince me to embrace the bow, sorry!

Overall, the Minx unlined balconette is a great bra for anyone with short, shallow and wide boobs, who wants something pretty and comfortable. The quality is great, but a few key issues I found mean that I've decided to return this and try something else. I'd absolutely recommend to anyone unsure to give it a go!
Read more
790 more words

Gleam colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Nov 30, 2022 Flag this

Comfortable. Fits well. I just wish this came in a non lace style as I'm not keen on lace for every day wear.

Updated on Sep 25, 2022 Flag this

Very nice bra - I wish they had this in a lightly lined bra or even better in a push-up!

Antique colorway

Updated on Sep 22, 2022 Flag this

Pros:
-Underwire is the perfect shape for me (I’m center full, average roots).
-Pretty, sexy
-Fast break in period
-Space for projection
-Extremely comfortable (forget you’re wearing it kind of bra)
-Inner lining is a tulle

Cons:
-Doesn’t come in anything other than lace, which I can see through some shirts
-Not all of the color ways are available in the larger sizes
-Cute matching underwear, but only available in a thong cut

Side note:
-The salesperson hat recommended this bra mentioned that Skarlett Blue is a sister company to Natori, and that if a client fits one, she recommends the other. I have struggled with how robust the underwires are in Wacoal bras, and comparatively speaking, the wires in both Skarlett Blue and Natori are a lot gentler.
-I use my Nippies (I have the ones without adhesive) with this bra when it’s cold.

Updated on Feb 14, 2022 Flag this

Beautiful and soooooo soft (flocked casings, soft fabric), but it's showing some snags and loose threads after very little wear. The loose threads seem to be isolated to the seam allowance, so it might not be a long-term problem.

Lavendula/Limeade colorway

Updated on Feb 10, 2022 Flag this

I'm very wide set and shallow - was looking for a push-up bra to give me a little lift (since I also have tuberous breasts). I didn't get any lift and my breast tissue did not seem like it was centered on my chest - I still had a 3 finger gap between each breast.

Black colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 03, 2021 Flag this

I'm not going to keep this one even though it fits pretty well. I don't love the shape it gives my breasts, and I don't love how lumpy the lace looks under t-shirts. If you like lacy, unlined bras this one's super pretty - and for what it's worth the bow on the front could easily be removed with a seam ripper if bows aren't your thing.

Gleam colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jun 24, 2020 Flag this

Best fit I've encountered as of yet! Comfy, understated, and neither gappy nor pinchy.

Cashmere colorway

Updated on Jun 14, 2020 Flag this

I've tried 6 different styles and sizes from Skarlett Blue ranging from 28DD to 30D and 30DD, but unfortunately there seems to be a lot of inconsistencies in the sizing of this brand. While some styles have been far too tight, this style, the Honey Multi-Way, and the Entice Balconette all run too big. They measure as 32 bands-- that is, the unstretched measurement is consistent with a 30 band, but due to the stretchiness of the band, they fit as a 32. As a result, none of these ended up working for me.

This looked like a nice simple molded cup bra, but I had ... issues with both the cups and the wings. The cups seemed to have a strange shape and were a little too closed off at the top, so while they were big enough, they cut into my roots. The wings are made from extremely flimsy lace and made the large band feel even looser.

Sadly, if you're looking for a true 30 band, this is not for you. I would not recommend sizing down in this bra either since the flimsy band does not seem like it would hold up over time.
Read more
93 more words

Black colorway

Updated on May 30, 2020 Flag this

I've tried 6 different styles and sizes from Skarlett Blue ranging from 28DD to 30D and 30DD, but unfortunately there seems to be a lot of inconsistencies in the sizing of this brand. While some styles have been far too tight, this style, the Beloved T-Shirt Bra, and the Entice Balconette all run too big. They measure as 32 bands-- that is, the unstretched measurement is consistent with a 30 band, but due to the stretchiness of the band, they fit as a 32. As a result, none of these ended up working for me.

The Honey had the added dubious distinction that this was one ... of the first bras I've tried where the gore doesn't feel like it tacks. This is very rare for me as I almost never have problems with the gore, since I have a relatively average breast shape and spacing. If it were not for the weird gore and the grossly oversized band, I would've enjoyed this bra. The cups had a nice shape, and the lace U back was very attractive. Sadly, if you're looking for a true 30 band, this is not for you. This would fit a 32D quite well, so if you can size down in the band to your sister size, it's a beautiful everyday bra.
Read more
115 more words

Cashmere colorway

Updated on May 30, 2020 Flag this

The Condesa Balconette was the first style I tried from Skarlett Blue, and I enjoyed it so much that I've tried a number of different styles from this brand. Sadly, this is the only one that worked out for me, and since my cup size increase, it is now too small.

The band here is the only one I have tried from Skarlett Blue that I would say is TTS for a 30. It is 1.2" smaller unstretched than all the other 30 band styles I tried (except the Fresh Convertible Stretch Cotton, which was problematically off-spec). This is actually why I liked the bra so ... much in the first place. The band is made from stretch mesh and has an enclosed elastic on the upper and lower edges. The cups are single layer sheer lace in a lighter color, and have contrast embroidery that matches the band and trim. This is a single vertical seamed cup construction, and it gave me a nice shape when I was a smaller 30D. Unlike many vertical seamed cups, this one is a bit more closed at the top, which made it fit me perfectly at the time. Now, it is too small and cuts into my roots. The wires also sit a bit funny at the gore since it is no longer the right size for me, but I think this fit fine when I got it.

Overall, it's a very nice looking novelty style that could actually be worn on a regular basis. It provides a decent amount of support given the construction and the sheer cups, and the embroidery is surprisingly not scratchy.

==============

28E Revised Comments: Due to an increase in cup size measurement, now the cups are too shallow for me. When the band is worn on the tightest hook, the cups squish all my tissue and flatten me out. This is the same problem I had with the Minx Balconette and Entice Balconette, so it's probably safe to say that Skarlett Blue unlined balconnets are too shallow and don't work for me.
Read more
245 more words

True Orchid colorway

Updated on Feb 01, 2020 Flag this

I've tried 6 different styles and sizes from Skarlett Blue ranging from 28DD to 30D and 30DD, but unfortunately there seems to be a lot of inconsistencies in the sizing of this brand. The main problem with this bra is the band size, which is just plain incorrect. The unstretched band measures smaller than the 28DD Minx Unlined Balconnette I tried, and it measures over three inches smaller than the three other styles I tried in a 30 band. Furthermore, while the band fabric was stretchy, the stitching along the elastic was way too tight and restricted the stretch of the bra. I did ... not take a stretched band measurement because I was afraid of breaking the stitches, but I was just barely able to get this on and hooked!

Because of the tight band, the underwires dug into my ribcage painfully, though otherwise the shape of the cups was quite good. The cups were very thin and flimsy, but they looked pretty good on. I believe this was an intentional design detail and not an indicator of quality. Sadly, the band is truly a quality issue. I ordered two of these, thinking the first one must be a flaw, but sadly found both bras had the same stitch tension issue in the band.
Read more
113 more words

Black colorway

Updated on Jan 17, 2020 Flag this

I've tried 6 different styles and sizes from Skarlett Blue ranging from 28DD to 30D and 30DD, but unfortunately there seems to be a lot of inconsistencies in the sizing of this brand. The main problem with this bra is the band size, which is just plain incorrect. The unstretched band measures smaller than the 28DD Minx Unlined Balconnette I tried, and it measures over three inches smaller than the three other styles I tried in a 30 band. Furthermore, while the band fabric was stretchy, the stitching along the elastic was way too tight and restricted the stretch of the bra. I did ... not take a stretched band measurement because I was afraid of breaking the stitches, but I was just barely able to get this on and hooked!

Because of the tight band, the underwires dug into my ribcage painfully, though otherwise the shape of the cups was quite good. The cups were very thin and flimsy, but they looked pretty good on. I believe this was an intentional design detail and not an indicator of quality. Sadly, the band is truly a quality issue. I ordered two of these, thinking the first one must be a flaw, but sadly found both bras had the same stitch tension issue in the band.
Read more
113 more words

Black colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 17, 2020 Flag this

I recently had a good experience with an unwired bralette and was interested in trying more. I saw this one on the Nordstrom Rack website and decided to try it. However, this was wrong on so many levels.

The main problem with this bralette is that the sizing is totally off. Skarlett Blue caught my attention initially because they make 28 bands and 30 bands, and I've tried them both. The 28 band measured around 21.5" and the 30 bands measured around 23-24.5" unstretched, so I find that their band sizing is pretty true to size. However, this XS band measures 26.2", which would ... put it at a 32 band size, however I managed to stretch it easily all the way to 37"!!! No idea how this is supposed to correspond to an XS if the brand's range starts at a 28 band. Needless to say, the band was huge on me and provided no support, despite being made from a very wide piece of elastic. I'd say this band is more accurately a M, but definitely nowhere close to XS, where the stretched measurement should be around 30" or less.

The second problem is that the straps on this bra are not adjustable. I've never seen a bra that didn't have adjustable straps. I am beyond baffled by this design detail. Since the straps weren't adjustable, there was no way for this to fit me as I always have to adjust my straps. Not sure how this will work for anyone except someone whose measurements fit this bra exactly since your torso can't be longer or shorter than what the straps dictate.

The third oddity about this bra is that the cups have no shaping whatsoever, and they are just a double layer of stretchy jersey fabric that don't have much lifting or shaping qualities. Thus, the bra can't provide any shaping at all. The effect is similar to a training bralette designed for young girls. Again, baffling. I would estimate that this size XS would fit a large 32 band, A-C cups, or a smaller 34 band, AA-B cups.

This is one of the most poorly-designed garments I've come across, although the fabric and workmanship are OK. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone unless you try it on in person and it happens to fit you exactly, and you are looking for this kind of light natural support with no shaping. It is made from soft and stretchy microfiber, and I would imagine it could be a very comfortable bra, but only if it fits!
Read more
333 more words

Black colorway

Updated on Oct 29, 2019 Flag this

I recently had a good experience with an unwired bralette and was interested in trying more. I saw this one on the Nordstrom Rack website and decided to try it. However, this was wrong on so many levels.

The main problem with this bralette is that the sizing is totally off. Skarlett Blue caught my attention initially because they make 28 bands and 30 bands, and I've tried them both. The 28 band measured around 21.5" and the 30 bands measured around 23-24.5" unstretched, so I find that their band sizing is pretty true to size. However, this XS band measures 26.2", which would ... put it at a 32 band size, however I managed to stretch it easily all the way to 37"!!! No idea how this is supposed to correspond to an XS if the brand's range starts at a 28 band. Needless to say, the band was huge on me and provided no support, despite being made from a very wide piece of elastic. I'd say this band is more accurately a M, but definitely nowhere close to XS, where the stretched measurement should be around 30" or less.

The second problem is that the straps on this bra are not adjustable. I've never seen a bra that didn't have adjustable straps. I am beyond baffled by this design detail. Since the straps weren't adjustable, there was no way for this to fit me as I always have to adjust my straps. Not sure how this will work for anyone except someone whose measurements fit this bra exactly since your torso can't be longer or shorter than what the straps dictate.

The third oddity about this bra is that the cups have no shaping whatsoever, and they are just a double layer of stretchy jersey fabric that don't have much lifting or shaping qualities. Thus, the bra can't provide any shaping at all. The effect is similar to a training bralette designed for young girls. Again, baffling. I would estimate that this size XS would fit a large 32 band, A-C cups, or a smaller 34 band, AA-B cups.

This is one of the most poorly-designed garments I've come across, although the fabric and workmanship are OK. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone unless you try it on in person and it happens to fit you exactly, and you are looking for this kind of light natural support with no shaping. It is made from soft and stretchy microfiber, and I would imagine it could be a very comfortable bra, but only if it fits!
Read more
333 more words

Cashmere colorway

Updated on Oct 29, 2019 Flag this

For reference, I have wide-set shallow boobs. The bra fits alright. Not perfect, but alright.

The cups encase my boobs in the armpit area without cutting into skin. Not a huge fan of it being a push up, but as push ups go, it's not too overzealous with the padding. There is a little quadboobing, just because the cup shape isn't exactly the same is my natural boob shape.

The straps are a little wider set than I like.

Black colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Sep 25, 2019 Flag this

This is another Skarlett Blue style that didn't work out for me. Generally I fit into 30D in this brand, but the bands are a little stretchy and I felt I could size down. Unfortunately, this is not the right style to size down in, as the band runs quite small.

I could get the band hooked, but I could tell immediately that it was distorting the wires. Since these wires are flexible, they didn't dig into my body, but distorted and splayed quite badly. The cups are made from flimsy mesh and once the wires were distorted, they flattened right out. Basically, this ... bra was like a chest binder on me. Extremely uncomfortable and unflattering. However, given the cup construction, I don't think sister sizing to a 30D would make this a good style for me.

The term balconette implies that this bra should give some degree of lift and support, but I find that the cup construction here is not capable of giving the required level of lift. The mesh feels like the type you might find in a stretch mesh panty or in sleepwear, not the powermesh you might be familiar with from a supportive bra. Like most of Skarlett Blue's designs, the cups don't have much shaping, relying on a center front half seam in the cup to create the cup shape. Because of this, I think this bra would only work on true B cups and below who don't expect much shaping or lift from their bra, and would be happy to wear something comfortable and unpadded. You would also want to sister size up one band size as wearing a tight band here will also constrict the cups.
Read more
185 more words

Cashmere colorway

Updated on Sep 01, 2019 Flag this

This bra is too wide for me. The mesh lining is very soft though, and the lace shows far less under clothing than I expected. I'd recommend it for people who are wider than I am & live in a warm climate.

blush colorway

Updated on Aug 10, 2019 Flag this

Slightly wide cups. Very pretty and lacy. Surprisingly good support, but not great. Cups are flimsy but still molded.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 01, 2019 Flag this