Libra-Rian

It's been a while since I've tried the Dessous (and I don't think I ever did try on the proper size the first few times). It's a really good, basic every day bra with just enough visual interest due to the unusual color choice and sexy sheerness. I got the magenta/lime color way, and wasn't sure if I would like it or not - I definitely do. It's unusual, but still pretty. Plus, damn do I love a sheer bra. Both visually and comfort-wise, beats molded cups any day.

I like most of the changes they've made over the past few seasons. The top sheer portion of the cup ... used to cup up much higher as it met the strap, and it seems they've decided to bring it in at a lower angle. I like the tweaks in fit and shape for the cups, except for one minor thing - what else? the strap separation is a bit wide. Not so much that it will chafe my armpits or fall off my shoulders, but not *perfect* either. Claudette seems to have been straying from their narrow-cup, narrow body template, which is... not ideal for me. Well have to see how this pans out in the next few seasons.

All told, I'm really happy to have this bra in rotation. It looks great, it fits fine, and I barely notice I'm wearing it. That's all I ask in a bra anyway.
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Updated on Mar 12, 2015 Flag this

Let's be honest. This bra was a filler. Sometimes when an old bra wears out, you just need to get something to throw on. It's pretty comfortable, there are no obvious issues, it technically fits.

Pros: stretchy band, no major issues, basic black bra.
Cons: too stretchy? Not great lift (doesn't feel particularly supportive around the center gore area. Probably because it's so short. VS describes this as a Demi but it would definitely qualify as a plunge in the full-bust market) Top edge of the cup, which used to lay flat, has started curling outward and shows under my clothes - this is an issue I often find with VS bras over time, and I think it has something to do with how the layers stretch over time.

Also, one wire has shifted in the channel so the end doesn't reach all the up to the end in the gore, which doesn't help the situation. I suppose it was not manufactured for longevity.

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Updated on Mar 07, 2015 Flag this

This bra is faaaaaancy. My favorite parts of it are: the little teardrop-pearl charm in the center of the gore, the pattern of the lace, the very forgiving stretchy spandex strip along the top of the cup, and the very round shape the cups give. There is some major engineering happening with this bra, bordering on miraculous uplift. I literally have no complaints about the looks of this bra.
The main cons of this bra are comfort-based. First, I'm using the entire length of the straps but I feel like I could use just a little more - I've ever actually had a problem with ... straps being too short but these ones could use just another inch or so. (Perhaps it's because I'm in the 32E and my normal size would probably be 32F? The stretch along the top of the cup helps me be able to fudge the sizing.) Another thing with the length of the straps is that the ring that connects the front half of the strap to the adjustable back portion rests DIRECTLY on my collarbone, which gets a little irritating. Someone who wears their straps differently will obviously not have this issue, I just thought it was a little strange.
The band is also rather snug and unforgiving - I'm generally between sizes so it's less of an issue, but a true 32 might find it too small. The other issue with this bra is the center gore. I've NEVER had an issue with gores before in the past, since my boobs are fairly wide set and I don't have a protruding sternum or anything. Yet after a day wearing this bra, I find that the top of the gore has irritated my skin a bit. It probably has to do with the insane lifting and smooshing that this bra does, combined with the fact that the gore is pretty tall in general. Alas, with great power comes great responsibility.
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Updated on Feb 27, 2015 Flag this

Meh. I'm a bit disappointed by this bra. In theory, it's great: a nice nude bra with some fancy lace detailing, a go-to basic that also has a little of it's own pizzazz. In reality, "European nude" it is not - unless you count cadavers. It's definitely more "greige" than beige, some kind of no man's land between nude, taupe, and grey. Not a pretty color at all. I could have easily overlooked the color if it had a good fit, and I ought to mention the fabric is undoubtedly superb (seriously, whatever they're putting in the lycra over at Parfait, it's ... magical). But ugh, the fit.

Here's the thing: It's got this separate piece of fabric inside (I guess the kids are calling it a "sling") but I can't fathom this thing working in ANYONE's favor. Maybe if your boobs are already set close together and if they are kind of perky on their own, maybe. But it was the most bizarre looking lumps I have ever seen. Why not just make the whole inner section in the support fabric? As it is, there's a bulge where the sling drops off and my boobs succumb to gravity again. All that, plus the top edge of the fabric cuts in, and the shape is down-ward pointing (probably because they only put the non-stretch fabric in that stupid sling, and the rest of the bra is sadly stretchy. Who's idea was that?)

So, no, this bra didn't work on several different levels. I'm disappointed, because I really like my Charlotte and I was hoping Parfait had something good to offer in the non-padded department. Somebody get those silly slings out of the bras.
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Updated on Jul 25, 2013 Flag this

This bra is okay... better in theory than practice, in my opinion (And it's no Paramour, sniff.)

Pros: Engaging design with the bright colors and contrast black edging, both in the elastic and in a velvet trim around the cup's edges. Fairly comfortable, a typically good Claudette fit for me.

Cons: Something about the velvet edging is a little stiff, it's a bit of a nitpick but I can feel it, particularly along the armpit edges. But more importantly, I don't find that this bra is as lifting or structured as I like - most likely because it is made of entirely material that has some give, a fine fishnet with underlaying mesh for stability - not technically stretch, but not truly stiff either. That, plus the limited seaming (one horizontal seam across the cup) don't make for very powerful architecture when we're talking lift or shaping. So basically, it's just my natural boob shape, encapsulated. Fine for some circumstances, but not my favorite look overall.

Updated on Mar 06, 2015 Flag this

The fit of this bra is weird in a way I've never experienced. In general, it seems like it's a cup-size too big, but the way it's manifesting that is strange. There's the obvious part where the cups are too wide (typical for Freya and I), and gapping along the top edge of the cup... but it's concentrated specifically in the very middle of the bra, towards the gore. Normally when I get gapping with molded cups, it seems to be a general, evenly distributed way. This one fits very well towards the outer portion of the cup (nor are the straps too separate, gasp!) but seems very ... too-big in the central area. But aside from that, the gore tacks, everything is hunky-dory. I'd be VERY curious to try this bra in a cup size down to see how this changes things. Otherwise, the cups are a bit thick and stiff and have completely unnecessary built-in cookies. I'm a full-cup girl, I don't need bigger boobs. Just lift.

Appearance wise, it's a basic beige Deco. Something about the shape I'm not a huge fan of, because it makes me look wide? Specifically, the portion of the cups that meets the gore bows outward, whereas I prefer this part of the cup to lay basically flat. Once again, it could be an issue of a too-large cup, where because I'm not filling out the front of the cup (effectively pushing the whole conglomeration forward) it's bowing out at the sides instead.

That said, it's a good bra. Decos are pretty reliable, and if you like them you really can't go wrong. I'll re-list this one in hopes for a smaller size or different model.
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Updated on Mar 12, 2015 Flag this

I'm 50-50 on this bra. It baaaaasically fits, but there are some tweaky things about it that make it undesirable. Let's break it down:

Pros: Soft, padded straps! AND the back clasp is also covered in a thin, soft padding, and the hook portion is long enough that the hooks don't ever touch my skin, if I wore it on the loosest hooks. It's kind of surprising how little things like that make a bra more pleasant to wear, as if it were some kind of super-genius technology. It's not. It's just soft fabric and padding. I've always found VS to be a bit ahead of the curve on ... things like this, despite their other flaws. Looks-wise, it's an inoffensive black lace bra. I really, really like the back clasps that attach the straps to the bra, allowing for standard or cross-back fit. They aren't just regular little hooks (risky business) but in fact have little pop-n-lock plastic clasps that seem pretty fool-proof. And since I'm one of those people whose pecs/armpits seem to always be irritated by the outer edge of the cups/straps, wearing a bra racer- or cross-back spares me this sort of chafing. So, kudos for the option and the mechanism, VS. Otherwise, pretty much every other part of the look/fit scores a "fine". It's fine.

Cons: I think it's time to face facts with this one. By and large, I don't. like. molded. cup. bras. First of all, I think it'd be much sexier if it weren't opaque lining beneath this fancy lace. More importantly, I just feel like they're so up in my business, trying too hard to change my shape, and more often than not they give me fit issues for it. In this case, since there's a discrepancy between my shape/size and the bra's molded cup, the gore doesn't tack properly. Since the band on this bra (and VS bras in general) is very stretchy, I could probably solve it by going down a band size and up a cup, but OH WAIT. THERE IS NO SMALLER BAND. OR BIGGER CUP. Sorry for the CAPSY, but what the ever-loving-eff Victoria's Secret? I am usually not the biggest-boobed lady in the room, and I'm already at the maximum cup size AND smallest band size?

This is madness. (This is Sparta?) Have we tried to petition VS to expand into the full-bust market yet? Because I'm sooooo tired of trying to half-ass a fit into a bra that would otherwise be fine.
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Updated on Mar 06, 2015 Flag this

Meh. Some people swear by Decos, but I don't really care for molded-cup bras. It's a nice basic nude, and it does a nice job of hoisting my boobs up and keeping them there, but it's not all that comfortable to be wearing padded armor. My made fit issue is the width, as it basically is with every Freya I've ever tried. Not only are the cups too wide (I think I'm between sizes here and could probably go down to an F without sacrificing fit elsewhere) BUT the straps are so wide-set. Thirtieth verse, same as the first, bras are too wide ... for my narrow shoulders and frame. If you were to cut me in half (please don't) I would have more of a round cross-section than a rectangular one i.e. my chest is as deep as it is wide, thus I have this problem with most bras (except Claudette! I will sing their praise in every damn review I will ever do!) So anyway, needless to say I chopped off the straps, shaved the foam on the outer edge of the cups down about 3/4 inch and sewed it back up in a frankenbra fix and it functions much better.
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Updated on Jul 25, 2013 Flag this