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?

Plus Size Bra Review: Panache Tango II

[caption id="attachment_376" align="aligncenter" width="255"] Photo from Barenecessities.com[/caption]

The Panache Tango II bra is available from sizes 28E-44FF for $54.00 in fashion and continuity colors

*This bra was gifted to me by Panache North America in a size 40J for review.

Pictures:

[caption id="attachment_380" align="alignnone" width="300"] On the loosest hooks[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_381" align="alignnone" width="300"] On the tightest set of hooks[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_377" align="alignnone" width="300"] On the tightest set of hooks, I still have quite a bit of space in the band[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_382" align="alignnone" width="300"] T-shirt views are important :-)[/caption]

Features: Half adjustable, semi-padded straps, 3 hooks and eyes in a J cup, 3 part balcony cup, light lining, embroidery on cups, bow on central gore, wider wings.

Fit: Overall, the 40J is too big. As I've noted in a few posts here and there, I'm realizing that I realistically need to start exploring 38 bands as 40's are too big and I'm not getting the support that I need. You can see in the one picture that I hooked the bra immediately on the tightest set of hooks and I think I could stand to have the bra tighter.  While my Andorra 40Js are actually a little small in the cup and small in the band, the Tango seems to fit a little more "stretchy" - comparable in band to Curvy Kate Emily and Angel. Also, as I'm learning and getting to know my breasts, I am more full on the bottom than on the top. This combined with really tall wires in the center means that there was quite a bit of space left in the top of the cups of the Tango. The wires on the sides did not come up very high (I know that some women have said that the wires come up very high under the arm, but I found the wire height to be similar to my Curvy Kate bras, but higher than my Elomi bras) and were quite comfortable on the sides. In terms of the cup, I had a hard time getting my breasts to settle into the cup and I couldn't get the wires to sit directly under the root of my breasts. Again, this is because I need a tighter band that holds the wires in place.

Support and Shape: The bra is comfortable and gives pretty good lift. Because it's the wrong size, I'm curious to see what kind of lift I would get in perhaps a 38J/JJ. The shape is a little more pointy than I prefer, but that is fairly typical of non padded bras. My biggest complaint about the shape is that this bra isn't really a balconnet - at least not for me - which might have something to do with it being too big. However, in my experience with Panache bras (Andorra, Ariza, Tango Luxe, and now the Tango), the wires come up really high in the center of their balcony bras. On me, the wires actually came up so high that there wasn't even breast tissue around the wires - it was literally so high that it was past the natural crease of my breasts. When I sat down with the bra on, the tops of the wires were visible through my t-shirt because they were so high.

Other Thoughts: I think, if able to get the right size, this would definitely be a go-to bra for me. I love the comfort of the wires of Panache bras and I can usually overlook the wire in general. I would say that this bra is more full coverage than balcony. It provides a lovely shape and has the lift that the Superbra line is known for :-)

I've contacted Courtney at Panache to see if I can send this back for another size or a different style, so hopefully I will be able to update my review once I get my hands on a smaller size.

Overall grade: B (for now)