Hello Ladies,
As I mentioned in my update of the Marcie review, I struggled to find a good fit with Cleo bras in the past largely due to poor sizing choices. When I first ordered the Marcie and Meg bras, the Zia captured my heart, but my sales rep discouraged me from trying this style. Eventually, however, I rolled the dice, and I cannot emphasize enough how wonderfully the gamble paid off for my lingerie closet.
Sizing: My Freya/Fantasie size is consistently a 28HH or 30H depending on how stretchy the band feels while in Panache/Curvy Kate, I need a 30HH to 30J. Consequently, when I ordered Cleo bras, I opted for the 30HH or even 32H both of which yielded copious fit issues. With the Zia, I snagged a 30H—the perfect size! The band feels firm and comfortable, and I do not have any issues with the cup. Previously, I often had gaping or wrinkling at the top of the cup, but with the Zia, the mesh sits flat and smooth.
Fit: One of my favorite fit elements for the Zia is the narrow underwire both at the center gore and on the side which feels more characteristic of Freya (if not a smidge narrower). Deeper cups and narrow underwires work best for my close-set breasts, and the root boosting seams underneath the apex of the breast provide amazing lift and shaping. The silhouette is less pointy than Freya and instead features a forward, rounded profile. Furthermore, the bottom of the cup has plenty of space for my slightly bottom-heavy tissue so as to avoid any issues with extra space above the underwire. Not to mention, the underwires themselves do not sit as high in the front or side nor do they pull the fabric of the cup uncomfortably into the sensitive tissue underneath the arm. As I mentioned, the band is firm, and even with the two hook-and-eye closures, I feel contained and anchored by the wings.
Materials: The lower cup is made from a soft but sturdy fabric which contributes to the incredible lift while the upper cup is a somewhat stiffer mesh with rose embroidery. Compared to the Marcie, the top of the Zia darts inward which could be problematic for women who skew strongly toward fuller on top breasts. Fully-adjustable straps, as always, are a nice feature, and even though I prefer three hook-and-eye closures, the two on the Zia coupled with the sturdy non-mesh wings provide excellent support and comfort.
Design: We all know I’m a big fan of dark colored bras, and the black, pink, gray, and white palette works perfectly with the bolder print. Expertly modernizing traditionalist prints like polka dots and roses, the Zia conjures a graphic, bold, and quirky vision which resonates with my personality. Furthermore, I love how this balcony bra has more of a sweetheart neckline across the top—a fresh choice among the barrage of v-shaped or straight across necklines.
Other Comments: The Zia will be better for women who have close set, forward facing breasts that are somewhere between top and bottom heavy. Too far to either side of the spectrum will create problems with the inflexible mesh top cup. On a completely unrelated note, the Zia has some serious hold! I have tried sports bras in the past that did not eliminate bounce as much as this style does. Long days in the store are a breeze with the Zia because I always feel confident and secure. For more information, check out the video below:
Overall Grade: A+++++++++
Other Opinions: Hourglassy, Curvy Wordy
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