Bra fitting help » Cleo Pixie (and similar models) vs Cleo Marcie and Lily shapes
Cleo » Pixie Balconnet Bra (7481) » 30E 30:6
Issue resolved
Possible alterations, avoiding certain Cleo models in the future.
Original problem
I got this bra today and was disappointed that there seems to be a shape incompatibility. When the straps are loose or at my preferred tightness, there is wrinkling at the bottom of the cup as shown (pic 6 vs pic 5).. I tightened the straps a lot, and got a much better fit, shown in the rest of the photos. The straps aren't painful like this, just uncomfortable, and the band surprisingly wasn't riding up. There was still gapping at the tops of the cups though, more so on my right side. My breasts aren't very uneven, and I actually rarely have this problem.. I thought it was sitting at an okay place, but when I took it off the wire marks were way below my IMF. I did try this bra with an extender after these photos, as the band is pretty tight, and found that it didn't really help.
I believe I've seen the Pixie compared to Minnie or Melissa which are said to be good for full on top or projected shapes. The same thing is said about the Marcie, which I find is a great fit for me.
So I think I'm not getting enough projection in this bra, and I don't have enough top fullness for it. What does this say about my shape and the shape of the bra? Why does the Marcie work for me, but not this bra? I'm still learning about my shape, so anything helps!
Cleos that work for me: Lily 30E, Marcie 30F in pink/30E in turquoise.
Cleos that didn't: Melissa in 30F - it had very similar problems as this Pixie.
They all measure pretty similarly.. Cup measurements of these that I took:
Melissa 30F: 9.3 depth, 5.5 width
Pink Marcie 30F: 9.1 depth, 5.3 width
Turquoise Marcie 30E: 9 depth, 5.25 width
Lily 30E: 8.7 depth, 5.3 widthI'm in love with this bra. I wore it around a bit, and it makes me rounder and more lifted than any of my other Cleos ... but the gaping lace. Ugh. The material is so much more comfortable too.. Which other Cleo bras should I try? I don't think another size in this Pixie would work. I've been thinking of a 30E Melissa, 30E Millie, and maybe a Bella lately but now I'm not sure.
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Suggestions (3)
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3
helpful
I'm not an expert on shape, so... I agree with your assessment.
IMHO, the print fabric section of the cup in the "Marcie clones" is less forgiving (more rigid?) than the (mesh) Marcie itself. Obviously, they also vary a lot at the top lace. FWIW, the Pixie is the second (after Millie) most tall and open I've seen.
If you can live with what looks like some "orange in a glass" at the bottom of the cup, I'd recommend taking in the lace till it fits. I sort of gathered it in at the gore in my Pixie, which worked well for me.
Minnie might work for you as it's pretty projected and less open at the top. I'd avoid Millie as it's very open and floppy laced on top, but if you want to try it, sister size up in the band!
Edited to add: I've never seen the Melissa, I'd say Izzy is most similar to the Pixie; Nyla, Zia (another tight band!) and Blake are more closed on top and projection friendly
Updated on July 6, 2016 Flag this
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This helps - thanks! A lot of reviews said Pixie was just like Marcie, some said more open on top. It's always hard to tell what will work. Luckily I can always just resell it :) Definitely want to try Zia and Blake.
I did have the Cleo Maddie a long time ago, which is known for lace that doesn't lay flat. I'd just tuck the excess under the gore and it would usually stay put. I never thought to try the same with an unlined bra. I'll do that for a few days and then decide if I want to take it in.
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Well, if the band is too tight it could be making the cups shallower than normal (because it stretches the wires wider), but if you tried it with an extender and didn't notice any change it probably doesn't stretch them enough to do such a thing.
The only thing that comes to my mind to avoid placing the bra too low is to be very careful when you put it on to scoop all of your breast tissue in the cups and to make sure the wires are sitting right on your IMF (leaning forward during this process helps too).
I had this happen to me with various bras, usually when they are too tight, because they try to escape lower where the ribcage is a bit smaller, but the scooping method+extender (if the band is really tight) usually fixed that.
Other than that, I think that if the bra is comfortable to you and gives you a nice shape and the only problem is the gaping on the top of the cups, then follow acee's advice and take the extra lace in! It's not visible at all and it will solve the problem
Updated on July 6, 2016 Flag this
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1
helpful
I found the Bella and Ellis I think to be quite similar shaped to the Lilly parrots
Updated on July 6, 2016 Flag this
I took the lace in too in one of my mom's bras, but towards the sides (where the lacy part meets the "more solid" part of the cup) because the size was perfect but the shape was more suited to someone with more fullness on top and she has slightly deflated breasts. It's very easy to do and there's no risk of ruining the bra :D now it fits wonderfully!