Plus Size Bra Review: Panache 'Sienna'

I've been lusting after the Panache Sienna bra since the first time that I laid eyes on it. I mean, c'mon....It's gorgeous....

The Panache Sienna is available in sizes 30-38 D-K in Black/Lagoon for Fall (and some purple still hanging out around there). I got this for about $34.00 on FigLeaves.com. Matching short/thong available in sizes XS-XXXL. A UK size 20 = US 16.

As soon as I saw that I could get this for - what I call - a decent price, I set out to order it. There's really *not* a lot of reviews of the Sienna in the blogosphere, so I wasn't quite sure about sizing. I'm in between a J/JJ in my 40's of my Panache bras, so the first time I ordered the Sienna, I ordered it in a 38K (since I am sizing down in band). Here's how that turned out:

[caption id="attachment_402" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 38K[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_403" align="aligncenter" width="279"] 38K[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_404" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 38K[/caption]

If you can see in the second photo, the wires come up unbearably high on the sides. I called FigLeaves to see if they could tell me if this was something that was due to the wire shape of the Sienna, or if I should try the next cup size down. We ended up deciding that I would return the 38K for the 38JJ. I fell in love with the bra, and it gives a lovely shape. The 38K was a pretty good fit, overall, but I was hopeful about the 38JJ. I also ordered the matching briefs in a UK 20.

So, here's the 38JJ:

[caption id="attachment_406" align="aligncenter" width="560"] 38JJ[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_407" align="aligncenter" width="560"] 38JJ[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_408" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 38JJ[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_409" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 38JJ[/caption]

What you can see in the photos is that, in all reality, sizing down in the cup didn't change anything about the wire height on the side - however, it did put the wire placement forward about a half an inch on my side, under the arm.

Features: half adjustable, semi-padded straps, 3 hooks and eyes in JJ and K cups, 3 part balcony cup, fully lined cups, non-stretch upper lace cup, pretty bow on central gore, stretch lace mesh wings, higher wing height.



 

Fit: I'll be assessing the fit in the 38JJ. The cups fit perfectly; no gaping, no double boob, the central gore lies flat, and I feel as though all of my tissue - even on the sides - is able to be pulled into the cups. I think it's important to keep in mind that the lace upper part of the cup is not stretch. Therefore, I think if you have any more than maybe a half cup size differences in your breasts, this might not work for you. The 38 band is everything I hoped it would be! Snug and comfortable, and keeps the wires of the bra firmly against my body which prevents the sliding and rashes associated with a band that is too big. If you can see, I fit into the bottom of the cups of the 38JJ better than the 38K.

Support and Shape: The shape that I get in the Sienna is what I consider ideal for a non-padded bra. My breasts are lifted and rounded by the expert seaming of the Sienna bra. The wires are not very flexible, which means that the support is constant and unwavering. The center gore is nice and low (a VERY welcome change in comparison to the Tango II wires), but it seems as though the Sienna overcompensates for a low central gore with very tall wires on the sides.

Other thoughts: I love this bra. The minute that I put it on, I feel sexy and confident. And then I relax my shoulders and I am stabbed by the underwires under my arms. It's possible that the wires will relax and I will get used to them being higher....honestly, the bra is too pretty to return and the fit really *is* great other than the unfortunate wire height. The materials are great for this bra! And the color is to die for.

The Panty Experience: I ordered the matching panties in a UK 20 (my first ever matching set!!), and was so sad to see that they did not fit. Realistically, I should not have been surprised. A UK 20 = US 16; I typically wear an 18/20 in cotton panties. The panties came up pretty low on me, and I had a bit of a muffin and rather indecent exposure in the front. However, I will say that the panties are as equally gorgeous as the bra is. The panties are lined in the front, but the back is sheer lace mesh. I'm keeping these as well, as I continue to lose weight and these panties are going to be so awesome when they fit.

Overall Grade: B- .....the bra is sexy, but is wire stabbing worth it?

The Current State of Wear

So often you hear that you should get about 6-9 months of wear out of your bra before the elastic goes bad and you stop getting support. Increase time for smaller busts and potentially shorten that time for larger busts. Obviously other factors such as the quality of the bra, how you wash it, and how often you wear the bra will certainly impact the life of your bra.

Over the last two days, I have found myself needing to step into the second row of hooks on both of my Elomi Abi and my Curvy Kate Emily bras. I honestly went through almost an ENTIRE day of work, tugging on the band of my Abi (it kept riding up) and noticing that I was getting rubbed raw under my breasts from the band sliding around BEFORE I ADJUSTED IT. What? WHY did I wait so long? As soon as I hooked tighter, the bra instantly felt better. The same goes for my Emily, today. I started the day wearing my Elomi Hermione and switched to my Emily because I changed outfits (yay going out for dinner and not wearing a t-shirt). Fortunately, it only took me about a half hour to realize that I needed to go tighter on the band of my Emily....

Then I started thinking.... how long have I had both of these bras? Am I going to get a good lifespan out of them if I am already heading into the middle ground???

The Current State of Wear:

• Curvy Kate Emily - First worn on August 8th; Almost two months before hooking tighter  **Projected life span: 6 months


• Elomi Abi - First worn on August 28th; Not even one month before hooking tighter **Projected life span: 3 months

Unfortunately this means that I am probably going to have to invest in another Abi after the new year, because I really do love the bra.

Factors that Affect Wear:

• I wear my Abi every. other. day. Because it is the most comfortable for my long days of work.


• The Abi was probably too big in a 40 to begin with


• My beige CK Emily gets more wear than any of my other "fancy" lace bras - even moreso than my Andorras


• I've always felt as though the band in the beige Emily was pretty stretchy


• I hand wash a batch of bras per week; I only wear each bra that I have maybe 2-3 times before it goes into the "must wash pile"


• I have a heavy bust

So....when do you know that you need to hook in and go tighter? The following signs apply to a bra that you know was the right size when you first purchased it

Signs that your band is getting too stretchy:

• The band used to sit level but now starts to ride up as the day goes on


• You're not getting the same support and uplift that you did when you first got the bra


• You get chafed, or are uncomfortable because the wires are sliding around under your breasts and you didn't have this problem before


• Your shoulders are hurting because the band is not supporting the weight of your breasts well enough and the weight is being transferred to your straps

On average, you should try to have at least 3-5 bras that you rotate throughout the week. I have four (Briony, Abi, Emily and Hermione) that I rotate throughout the week, and I save my Andorras for specific outfits, or when I know I want that extra boost.

**How many bras do you have? What's the projected lifespan of your bras?? Please respond in the comments and be sure to take part in the poll!**

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