Hello Ladies,
Cleo has become my go-to brand this year—easily usurping Freya and Panache’s Superbra line from the throne, and as a result, I have been avariciously snatching up new styles to add to my collection. When I first saw the fall version of the Lily, I was not impressed with the aesthetic, but then I saw the gorgeous new spring colorways which channel the modern simplicity of the Claudette Dessous and knew I needed to try one now.
Sizing & Fit: My standard Cleo size is a 30H which is what I have here. The band feels comfortably firm on the loosest set of hooks, and the cups do not have any overflow or puckering. However, when I move my shoulders, I experience minor gaping on the smaller breast because the firmer fabric does contour with movement. Since the issue is camouflaged by clothing, it was not serious enough to dampen my affection for the bra.
Initially, my skepticism for Lily originated by how reminiscent the design was of the earleir Meg bra. I never seemed to achieve a proper fit with Meg, which gave me reservations about potential problems here. Nevertheless, I love the fit of the Lily although Marcie still reigns supreme for me. The underwires in the center are narrow, but they are a slightly wider on the side than Marcie. While the width does not create any pain or discomfort, I miss the perfection of Marcie and do have a little extra space on the side of the Lily. Furthermore, the cups are deep, especially toward the center, which caters well to my closer set breasts, and as always, the side profile is uplifted and rounded. Cleo bras offer some of the best forward projection on the market, and I find it hard to stray from the brand. Overall, I would liken Lily to being a cross between the Zia and the Meg in terms of fit and design.
Materials: Lily features an all over fabric cup composed of significantly softer materials than Panache used in the past (both for Cleo and Superbra). The break-in period was easy because the bra never had that firm, unforgiving “new bra” feel. Per usual, there are fully-adjustable shoulder straps and two hook-and-eye closures in the back. Long-time readers will note how I feel about only two hook-and-eye closures on a bra for bigger busts (hint: I hate it); however, given the fit and profile, I am willing to deal with the design quibble. Moreover, even though I like the Lily as is, I would love for Cleo to offer a style with a stretch lace top cup instead of stiff mesh or fabric. Stretch lace tends to contour so well to most breast types that I feel it could expose the brand to a greater audience.
Design: As I mentioned, I was not initially wowed by the design of the Lily. The parrot print did not translate well to photos, but I was so in love with the designs for spring that I was willing to order the bra for testing purposes. In the end, I am glad I did because the bra is so much fun in person. Bird prints have been experiencing a moment in the lingerie world, and I like how this one is kind of simplistic and small. It almost reminds me of a cute twist on polka dots. Not to mention, the navy backdrop and contrasting coral accents keep the bra interesting, and I love the lime green bow at the center.
As a side note, Cleo is a very fun brand to me, and I often like their choice of prints and colors. That said, they need to offer more basics, especially because some seasons either don’t work stylistically or color-wise for everyone. For example, the next Marcie will be a bright yellow. It’s gorgeous. With my pale skin though, I am not convinced it will complement me, leaving me to buy a bra I do not love or potentially go months until the fall color is released. Having another basic unpadded style would go a long way toward expanding Cleo’s customer base!
The Brief: I ordered my usual size UK 14 (Large) which fit beautifully. Cleo’s briefs are surprisingly flattering for me although I do wish they did not use a band of elastic at the top. No matter how firm the tissue is there, I always seem to get a small indent. Consequently, I also purchased a pair of Natori Sheer Mesh Bliss briefs in the same color as the center bow for wearing too. On the front of the Lily brief, the parrot print is translucent while the navy back is totally sheer. I think the panties are sexy, but there is nothing unique or eye-catching either, especially for the price. At most, the retail should be $15, not $27.
For more information on the bra, check out the video review:
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