Hello Ladies,
Cleo by Panache is known for their fun, fashion-forward, and wallet-friendly designs for the D-J woman, and each season, I’m impressed with the cornucopia of new styles launching. However, after striking out with both the Lucy and the Marcie, I had guarded hopes for the Meg!
Sizing & Fit: With most Panache styles, I wear a 30HH, and unlike the Marcie whose band was stretchy, I found the Meg to be a firm, comfortable fit in the 30. However, the cup size was . . . awkward. Despite filling out the cup (on my larger side especially), I experienced issues with the top portion of the cup failing to contour to my breast shape. Sizing down may have alleviated this problem, but I did not like how the seam across the middle cut into my tissue. In the picture below, a visible indent can be seen between the bottom and top of my breast where the seam digs.
Mirroring my feeling for the Marcie, I do not think the Meg is not designed for my shape. Between wrinkling in the wrong places and squishing in others, the bra creates an unflattering silhouette and an uncomfortable fit. Additionally, the wires extend too far on my sides and pull the fabric of the cup painfully into my arm.
Materials & Design: Fit issues aside, my initial love for the Meg arose because, on the model, the bra appeared to have a unique balcony silhouette with moderate coverage and almost sweetheart neckline. The rounded profile from the side was perfect, and I thought the seaming looked discreet enough to wear under tee shirts. However, I do not have a completely rounded side profile. Perhaps the fit problems are responsible, but the bottom section of the cup rounds upwards beautifully but then veers sharply to form a flat plane. Ordinarily, I am not picky about the side silhouette, but I outright hate this one because it creates a strange horizontal shelf.
Part of my (copious) issues may be the result of the fabric choice. Comparable if not identical to the fabric used on the Panache Jasmine, the material of the Meg feels scratchy and stiff. Nevertheless, the Jasmine substituted a stretch lace for the top cup and added a fourth section—specifically a side panel—instead of relying on the standard 3-section design. The rigidity and reduced number of sections could be culpable for why I have contour and fit issues. On the positive side, however, the bird print and color palette of navy, gray, and blue is even prettier in person than in the photos. The red accents are fun and stylish, and as a bonus, they match the color of the Marcie making the two sets interchangeable. You can easily mix bottoms for added fun. Furthermore, the Meg uses two hook-and-eye closures for a thinner band, and the fully-adjustable straps allow for customizing the fit.
Other Comments: Before ordering the Meg, I read positive reviews from Hourglassy, Windie Gardie, and Invest in Your Chest—all of whom are in a similar size cluster. I think this bra works well on women in the G cup and under size range, but I’m wondering if it was designed to scale well. Even a review on Bratabase by a woman wearing a 34G seems to indicate a few of the fit issues I experienced, and I’m not alone. I had two customers (a 34J and a 34HH) order the Meg and not purchase it because of the same problems. Other women have tried the bras on since then, and I have yet to witness the bra flattering anyone the way it does in the D-FF sizes. Keep this in mind if you’re considering this style as I would not write it off entirely, but GG+ cup sizes, beware!
For more information, check out the video review:
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