This is my second experience with the Skarlett Blue Minx, one of their supposed topsellers. I hated the original Minx I tried in my original size of 28DD and found it to run super small, acting like a chest binder instead of a bra. However, I spotted this at Nordstrom Rack in person and loved the appearance of this colorway, Meringue/Brick, which is soft pink with burgundy crossdye lace and details. Due to COVID restrictions, their fitting rooms were closed and this item was final sale since it was on clearance, so I took a chance even though I suspected that the cups were a ... bit too wide as it is one size up from my normal sister size of 30DD. It turns out that my suspicions were true and the fit is a bit off for me, but with some adjustments, it is still wearable, so all is not lost.
The biggest surprise for me is that the 30DDD (30:6) is so much larger than the 28DD (28:5), since it is one band size larger and 2 cups larger in volume. However, I found that the band is 7 cm/2 3/4" longer in the 30DDD, which is kind of insane. The 28DD was so tight on me that hooking the band distorted the wires completely, but keep in mind that this was my actual size at the time, and my ribcage is close to 26". I have gone up one cup size since then, but my band measurement hasn't changed at all. Going up one band size in this bra somehow feels like a 2 band size increase. I have found massive inconsistencies with Skarlett Blue's bands before, since I have ordered 30DD styles that could barely hook closed, and 30DD styles that feel like 32s. Thus, quality and consistency is a big problem with this brand, and I think overall they struggle with proper grading between sizes.
The other weird thing about this bra is that it is designed to be wide and flat in the cups. I'm not sure why this is supposedly a bestseller, because reviewing the photos on the brand's official website from "real customers" on social media, it doesn't look good on anyone in that it doesn't do anything--it doesn't lift, shape, or provide support. The cup measurement isn't actually that wide, but the proportions are super wide because the wires are a rather flat shape with a very flat bottom. I think this would end up fitting better if the wires are bent to be more curved, thus reducing the cup width and giving it more projection. The cup construction is not even a true 2HC or vertical seam bra. Rather, it is one piece of double layered mesh with a long vertical dart at the center of the cup extends up about 3/4 of the way up the cup. I also own the Skarlett Blue Condesa, which is at least a full seamed 2HC. It seems this brand doesn't know much about how to create shape through seaming, since their assortment skews towards molded cup bras and these cups with very little construction.
Because of this weird cup construction, you can effectively think of the Minx as an underwired bralette, suited for bedroom wear rather than functional wear. The cups create no shape whatsoever, and since they do not have adequate depth built into the cup shape, they do a great job of minimizing. I said in my original review of the 28DD that this felt like a chest binder, and I still think that it does, though this bra is technically one cup size large on me and therefore doesn't smush everything together, thankfully. I found after trying both sizes that this bra runs about half a cup size small, so while 30DDD/E would normally be pretty huge on me, this is only slightly large on me, and I am unsure if 30DD would be a good fit or if it would be too shallow and small. Still, to make this bra wearable, I plan to bend the wires for better shape and wear it with foam liners to give it some shape.
Given my past experiences with this style and with this brand, you might be wondering why I blindly bought this bra in the first place, knowing it was unreturnable and unlikely to fit? Well, the reason is that it is really pretty, and I just wanted to have it! The main thing that this bra has going for it is a pretty appearance. The Minx comes in a lot of colorways, but I think the crossdye ones are the nicest. The materials of this bra are also soft, good quality, and feel excellent for summer wear. The entire cup is made from double layer mesh, and the outer cup and cradle are topped with floral lace, leaving the upper edge of the cup as smooth mesh. The crossdye lace looks like an embroidered outline of the lace pattern, and the resulting appearance is really beautiful. The wings are made from soft and silky microfiber with a cool feeling, and the band is constructed with fully enclosed elastic for a smooth feel. Hardware throughout is rose gold and looks good quality. Straps are narrow plain elastic, with no texture, so they are not suitable for heavier breasts, though it's clear that the cup construction is not suitable for heavier breasts anyway. The center gore has a delicate long thin ribbon bow with little crystal beads at the end. So much nicer than the similar decoration on Masquerade's Antoinette, which tries to do the same thing but has big clunky beads!
Skarlett Blue does a good job creating lovely bras with an expanded size range compared to many US department store brands, specifically with more options for small band, medium cup wearers, but unfortunately their bras suffer from inconsistencies in sizing and a poor understanding of fit and construction. If you find bras in their range that work for you, they have many attractive options. Unfortunately, for those who already fit well in UK and Polish brands, there is nothing impressive about the brand that would make you want to switch. I don't mind giving this bra another try since I think I can make it wearable, but I don't have much interest in Skarlett Blue as a brand anymore unless I find a style on deep discount and I can try it risk-free.
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Meringue / Brick colorway
Updated on Jun 27, 2020 Flag this