Janearmena

Parrot colourway. Comparison of Cleo Lily Aqua 30G, Magenta 30FF, Parrot 32FF. Ask me anything.

This one does not quite fit right, which was to be expected (I do well in the 30 band). Someone wrote that the straps on 32FF were closer together than 30G, so I thought I'd try it. I found them to be the same, maybe a little wider apart in the 32FF actually. (Possible colourway difference, IDK.) Straps in this and the 30G are a couple mm wider apiece than the 30FF, which is nice, more supportive. Cups are wider than 30G Aqua, despite the uber tight aqua band stretching the cups wider than ... they are supposed to be.

I am getting some orange-in-a-glass effect here, with wrinkling all along sides of cup; it's shallower than my 30FF or 30G. Also, I finally understand what people mean by in-cup quadboob since I have it in this (soft tissue bubbles up above the horizontal seam). Since I never had in-cup quadboob in 30FF or 30G, those with this issue might want to try sizing down in the band, if that's a possibility. I don't know the physics of that as far as which has more cup volume where, etc. Just speaking from experience.

The biggest difference I find between this and the 30G and 30FF is that the 32 band is giant on me. (It's probably not that much bigger, but even small changes in band size can make a huge difference in support for us large cup ladies.) I knew it was going to be larger, but not too-loose-on-the-tightest-hooks-straight-out-of-the-box larger. While the 30FF and 30G bands are a little uncomfortably tight on the loosest hooks after washing, this 32 band is too loose on the tightest set of hooks. I thought I could get away with it (was cheap on Amazon), but turns out I can't. Returning!

My final note is a style point. The bow on this parrot colourway (an earlier rendition, I believe) is cheap-looking. My magenta and aqua have cute, delicate satin bows that match the cup detailing. The bow on this one is larger, roughly hewn, is a random-feeling shade of light green that doesn't quite match the light green of the parrots, and just looks stuck on as an afterthought. See pics on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cleo-Lily-Balconnet-Underwire-7351/dp/B00KDOQOQ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432674871&sr=8-1&keywords=cleo+lily
I'd say they made the right choice with the switch in later styles: more sophisticated, more pretty-feeling. As for the parrot print, it's okay. Colors are cute for summer, and not overly-loud, but I wouldn't know they were parrots unless you told me. They don't have faces or anything. Most of them are on their sides, so they almost look dead? It's a little weird, and I'm a little disappointed TBH, since I've been lusting after this one for a while. I don't get this print or the swan print: not for me. I do think the swan print is great for punk girls, since it looks like a pirate flag. I think I'll just order another of the colors I have TBH.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on May 26, 2015 Flag this

Band runs a bit loose and I know it stretches a good bit because I have an old beige one that did so. I like a loose 30/tight 32 and this fits the bill. I love the embroidery on the straps - it helps the strap adjustment stay put and reinforces the strength. I have minimal quadding but am overall happy. Hopefully it still fits in 2 months. smh. So far very comfortable. Ordered through sophisticatedpair and could not be more pleased with my experience.

This bra's measurements have been altered

Reduced cups, straps moved in, lowered gore

Updated on Oct 17, 2017 Flag this

Had to size down in the cup because otherwise I got the potato sack effect. Because it's sort of stretchy on the top cup, it fits without digging in anywhere. It is not as stretchy as the panache stretch lace, which I feel provides virtually no structure. This is a more happy medium. Band is not a tight 30," it's a true 30," so I can tolerate it and it gives good support. This gives me great support that is still comfortable. It helped with my chronic neck pain and reflux. I also have better posture. I don't get seam show-through under any of my T-shirts. I'm buying another one!

White colorway

Updated on Aug 09, 2017 Flag this

This bra was one of my ebay purchases in a quest to find my correct size (turns out this shape is an "almost" for me). Appearances-concerned, this bra is lovely. Pretty, no-show details and a "just right" amount of cleavage for all my necklines make this a far better than average T-shirt bra. My BF finds the black quite fetching. I would recommend this bra for someone with a true 31-32" underbust, as the band and straps on these bras stretch out. My main beef with this bra is that there isn't enough forward projection for my breast shape. When I have the straps adjusted tight enough ... to put the underwire right under my breast root, I have an issue with the strap edge and side of cup digging into my front-of-armpit tissue, which becomes uncomfortable hours into wearing it. Instead, I loosen the straps so that the underwire does not sit right under my breast root (leaves a bit of empty space at the bottom of cups - not too bad, but not ideal, and it creates some tummy rolls I'd rather not have). Notably, the strap width increases in a G cup and up in this bra (it is roughly 0.6") - this is the same strap width as the Comexim bra I have, but in the black color of this bra on my pale skin, the strap width seems vast! (I also own the next cup size down in this bra, and those straps are not as wide.) I also get slight quad-boobing when I consciously stand up straight, but it's non-existent otherwise. They don't make a larger cup size in this bra, and even if they did, I don't think it would be right for me. I need more forward projection and narrower wires (these wires come about half-way back on my torso - not uncomfortable, but I didn't need the space there, I needed it in the apex of the breast and by the gore). Overall, this bra is not bad - . I wear it 1-2x/week, and it's comfortable.
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Updated on Apr 22, 2015 Flag this

Not flattering - cone shape. Magenta colorway just looked "off" as well. Returned

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 09, 2015 Flag this

HAS BEEN UPDATED
Pros: pretty shape, decent lift, classic elegance afforded by the grey/black leopard print with black lace and black satin-y straps. Nice materials that don't stretch excessively over time. Straps are 1/2", which is nice for my small frame (in the FF at least, can't speak to other cup sizes). The stretch lace on the top half of the cup perfectly accommodates my asymmetrical breasts (yay!).

Cons: Straps are too wide for me (what else is new?). I get [GOT] some seriously uncomfortable chafing from the cups in the underarms [for the first few months] which makes [made] me want to take it off. In a molded cup ... like my Panache Idina moulded, this front-of-armpit digging isn't a big deal because the fabric squishes and is comfortable enough for all-day wear. However, the Jasmine has no stretch/squishiness to make it more comfortable in that area. I am disappointed by this bra, as it has been a big hit for so many. [UPDATE: irritation appears to have been due to arriving heavily starched - this chafing is now gone after several, I will emphasize again SEVERAL, washings. In retrospect, I wonder if soaking this puppy for a good long while in the sink would have helped. Don't know if that would tamper with its longevity.]

This bra has a bit too much jiggle action for me - the stretch lace on this bra is the only thing that comfortably accommodates my PMS breast swelling every 1/5 weeks, but really it's less stable than I'd like for everyday wear (I don't particularly enjoy feeling my breasts jiggle around with every step when I walk, or having others see that). Most of the time it's not that big of a deal. I am glad I purchased.
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Updated on May 04, 2015 Flag this

My god this bra is COMFORTABLE. Even in a cup too small for me, this comfort is unbeatable, and the wires still stay in my IMF.

This review has been updated to compare Envy to Jasmine after a few months of wear: I bought the Jasmine in a larger cup size, and I find the stretch lace too stretchy for me. Jasmine is great during my PMS times: because of its compliance, it is a real life-saver then, but otherwise it is too much bounce for me when I walk. The Envy's stretch lace is stronger, which I appreciate during all other times of the month, as it gives ... me a rounder, more lifted shape (keep in mind that it's also a cup size smaller. I imagine that in the same cup size as my Jasmine, while the lace is still stronger, the shape would be a bit too down-and-out for me). The Jasmine was initially irritating to my skin, and though it has softened over time, it is not designed to be as comfortable as the Envy, particularly the straps. Asophisticatedpair's blog talks about Panache bras frequently arriving "heavily starched," and I have to agree that Jasmine did. My only quibble with the Envy is that the stretch lace has garnered a few little pulls over the past couple months, such that it tufts out, but to be fair this cannot be seen through a shirt and the bra is basically a cup size too small, being worn multiple times per week.

I'm not sure if it's because I went down a cup size, but the straps are set closer on my Envy, and the wings are lower as well, which is loads better for me. I am definitely engaging the stretch lace, but no quadboob going on, and it gives me one of the best shapes I have ever seen on myself; it's natural yet lifted. Even my boyfriend noticed that it looked lovely on me because it fit so well (and it's nude, so the fact that he noticed it at all says something). Also, this bra is so comfortable that I don't want to take it off right when I come in the door (and I am the kind of person who puts my pajamas on when I come home). I can't even feel that I'm wearing it (amazing!). Both of these bras like to be washed every 3-4 wears.
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Updated on May 26, 2015 Flag this

Much better than the 65HH (see review, cups were way too large, band much too small, despite a 29" underbust). Gore does not tack at the top (1cm gap) because there is not enough center projection. This may be a cup size too small for me, but on the other hand, I have a bit of gapping by the straps, so I am considering ordering same size with custom straps moved in. My only trepidation is possible quad-boobing that could occur. It is unclear whether the gapping by the straps is due to orange-in-glass effect or straps too far apart. Straps ARE about 1/2 inch too far apart ... for me and also carry too much weight because of the non-tacking gore, but neither issue is a real deterrent. I am in love with the low underarms and narrow underwires, both which are perfect for me and a big relief for my irritated front-of-armpit skin Re: Freya Deco. For that alone, I am thrilled with this bra. Does not show even under stretchy/thin shirts for me. The shape is a lovely hybrid of green-purple: it's up-front and perky without being in-your-face.

The shape is a hearty improvement on my Panache Envy and Jasmine, which were too down-and-out and caused gapes between buttons on my button-down blouses. The Comexim Basic does not do that. I think if I could go back and do it again, I may have ordered from the U.S. vendor Wellfitting to save time (because I ordered a different size and then had to exchange, the process of acquiring this took~6 weeks), but the total cost of ordering direct vs. U.S. was probably the same.

Also an interesting side-note: the straps on this size had lace detailing all along their front, while the 65HH had plain straps. You can still adjust the straps over the detailing. I think the detailing actually provides a little extra stability (because they stitched it on), which I find nice, as the undetailed straps were overly stretchy, which also felt a little cheap. Also interesting, the detailing on mine is lace, NOT the looped thread pictured on the photo that someone uploaded for this size (I guess Comexim just uses what they have in stock).
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Beige colorway

Updated on Apr 19, 2015 Flag this

This was my first Comexim order, and unfortunately it doesn't fit right. The bra is great other than the size, though, so I am exchanging! I love the cup materials - they get the girls up and shapely, but also somehow let them show their natural shape a bit. It's hard to describe - the cup is molded but not rigid - it takes the shape of its contents (for instance, I stuffed a sock under each breast to see how it would fit if I went down a cup size, and I could very clearly see the sock outlines). It's lined with cotton (yay comfy!), does not ... show through thin shirts on me, and straps (while too stretchy and perhaps a touch too wide for my liking) do not dig in at all. There is EXCELLENT armpit clearance (angels sang, I swear).

Back to the size problems: It's too big in the cups. I was estimating using others' reviews, based on the fact that I wear a 30F Panache Envy (stretch lace is an unpredictable metric), 30FF molded Panache (mediocre fit), 30G Deco (I hate the deco, though), and have a 29" ribcage. The band on this is also tighter than I expected (can't breathe normally); it fit better with 2 hooks on an extender. Thus, I am re-ordering in 70G because I need a bit more breathing room in the cage and less cups. Here's hoping!
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beige colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 12, 2015 Flag this

Just arrived - Aqua, 1 cup size up from my Magenta - seems like Lily is pretty forgiving size-wise since I can fit both of these. Many say Aqua runs small in cup or band: seems to me like band is tighter than my 30FF, cups are definitely bigger (which is what I wanted, obviously). will update. Barely wrinkles a smidgen at the top on my smaller breast, but eliminates the little wrinkles I was getting where the cups meet the underwire. Guess I need to face my new size!

Aqua colorway

Updated on May 21, 2015 Flag this