A Sophisticated Notion

Product Review: Marcie Update

Product Review: Marcie Update

Hello Ladies,

Several months ago, I reviewed the Cleo by Panache Marcie bra in size 30HH, and after obsessing over the beautiful color, I decided to retry the style in size 30H to determine if my fit issues could be corrected with a size change.  Since this is more of an “update” than a review, I am going to focus mostly on the change in fit from the 30HH to the 30H.

Currently modelling the 30HH back in October 2012
Currently modelling the 30HH back in October 2012

Band:  In my original review, I mentioned the 30 band felt a bit loose, but several blogosphere denizens disagreed and said the band was snug in their size.  As a result, I opted to forgo the 28 band and stick with my usual 30.  Sure enough, the band on my 30H feels considerably firmer and more secure.

Marcie_1

Underwire:  Understandably, the underwires on the H cup are lower than the HH, and I love how they press firmly against the ribs without feeling too tight or stiff.  In fact, they are wide enough to contain and encapsulate tissue on the side without uncomfortably pulling the bra into the side of my arm.  Nothing digs or chafes with this size, and I have to admit it really feels great against the skin.

Marcie_2

Cups:  The H cup fits significantly better just about everywhere.  I’m not sure how a smaller cup size corrected this issue, but I now fill out the bottom of the cup better and do not weigh down the cups so as to create a shadow above the underwire.  The shape is rounded, lifted, and forward, and the deeper cups work well with my body.  My breasts do not feel splayed to the side because of too shallow a cup near the center, and the gaping at the top has lessened.  However, the Marcie still does not quite work for me.  While minimized in the H cup, the gaping is still present because the less flexible material stays rounded and my bust . . . does not.  I do have quite a bit of tissue at the top of the bust, but it forms a sloping shape.  As a result, where the Marcie expects more fullness, I have none.  Meanwhile, I’m settling into the horizontal seam section of the cup and creating a curious double bump where the shape of the bra and the shape of my breasts seem at odds.

Marcie_3

Revised Thoughts:  I like the Marcie a lot more in the 30H, and I feel the style has potential even if it is not perfect for me.  At the same time I snagged this one, I also ordered a Zia which I’ll be reviewing later, and I have a Lucy on order.  Overall, I’m feeling more excited by Cleo now that I know I should order my Freya size instead of my regular Panache size.

Marcie_4

Erica

Comments

24 responses to “Product Review: Marcie Update”
  1. Naira Avatar
    Naira

    I absolutely love what this bra does for you, apart from the minor (in my opinion) imperfection of the top fit. I ordered one a few days ago in my Freya size, and feel a bit more confident that I got it right after seeing your new review. Can’t wait to be able to try it on in person.

    Reply
    1. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      The shape is definitely phenomenal, and I’m sure I could alter the top cup a little to have a better fit. However, as I mentioned in the review, I snagged a Zia at the same time as this one. The Zia fits perfectly! I am wearing it today, and I can’t tell you how much I love this bra. So, when I compare the Marice to it, I tend to favor finding something similar to the Zia instead of settling on Marcie. 🙂

      Reply
      1. Naira Avatar
        Naira

        Looking forward to the Zia review! I only saw it on a model on the website I buy from, and it just so does not suit her shape that I didn’t really like the style because of it. I find that many of these styles look mediocre on small breasts and truly blossom on a full busted model.

        Reply
        1. Erica Avatar
          Erica

          I think a poor fit on the Zia can definitely taint how appealing it can be to a consumer, especially because the shape is rather unique. I have reviews for the Panache swimwear, the Zia, and the Curvy Kate Daily Boost in the pipeline already and am trying to decide on an order.

          Reply
      2. nadiya Avatar
        nadiya

        i bought marcie in blue 30HH, it is a little small for my bigger brest and I have a little gaping on the smaller one, but i had not experience any issue you’ve mentioned. (I would prefer even more fabric on top). do you think for Zia I should go for 30J?

        Reply
        1. Erica Avatar
          Erica

          Nadiya, if the Marcie is small on the larger breast, I would consider going for the 30J in the Zia as the cup darts back in toward the chest more than with the Marcie. I should post another Marcie update post because after a change in my breast shape/size, this style became my new favorite. Very comfortable, and the forward projection can’t be beat.

          Reply
  2. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    I have the same problem with the upper lace section on the Cleo Marcie and Lucy, and sizing down further creates a strange “in-cup quadraboob” where the upper lace joins the cup. You might like to try the Bravissimo Alana — same overall construction, similar rounded profile (for me, in 28G) but a much tighter upper section. It’s fast becoming a favorite!

    Reply
    1. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      Thanks for the tip, Anna! It was very difficult to photograph what I was attempting to describe but “in-cup quadboob” sounds perfect. 😀 I have a Lucy on order, so I’m hoping I don’t experience the same problem. The Zia fits well, so I’m guessing it could go either way!

      Reply
  3. Lita Avatar
    Lita

    I have this same sort of fit problem with my Panache Harmony. I often just wear it anyway, but it slides down my chest after a while. The fit is better after that, but I’d rather it stay aligned with my boobs. I also tried on the purple Lucy and light blue full cup Andorra at Nordstrom with about the same results. Am I correct in guessing that it’s due to wide wires and shallow cups? Or is it something else?

    Reply
    1. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      Lita, it most likely is the shallower cup at the bottom which is creating the problem. The wire width could also be contributing, but if the shape of the cup is too shallow in certain areas for your breast tissue, the fit can become poor quickly. Have you tried the Cleo line yet? What about Freya?

      Reply
      1. Lita Avatar
        Lita

        I haven’t really tried Cleo yet. Freyas have been problematic for me so far. Biggest problem with them is not being able to get into the cups properly at all. Some of them also create a crease that isn’t near the underwire, but more like halfway between the ribcage and the most projected point. To be fair, I haven’t tried any of their bras in a 32GG/30H yet! Currently my best bra is the Panache Jasmine in 32GG. The fit is comfy and looks good, although when I take it off at the end of the day the wire width seems about an inch farther on my sides than it should be. I also feel like if it weren’t for the stretch lace at the top, lefty would be in trouble! I have some 32G Decos, which have become obviously small (my boobs started buckling them at the bottom) but with the stretchy band are still comfortable on my chubbier days. I’ve been worried to try another bra as I’m uncertain if I should stay on the 32GGs, or move up to H.

        Reply
        1. Erica Avatar
          Erica

          If you like the Jasmine, you may end up liking the Zia (or similar styles) from Cleo. I found the Zia to be somewhat similar in shape although I am starting to prefer the Zia slightly. The Jasmine does sit a little further back on my sides than where the breast tissue ends, but that doesn’t bother so long as it’s not too wide. The Zia actually has perfect wire width for me. It’s on par with (maybe even slightly narrower) than Freya. When your size changes, it’s always tough to take the plunge, but maybe it’s time to order the same bra in a few sizes? If the 32GG Jasmine fits, I’d recommend trying a 30H in Freya. Their new Gem is a great style, especially because the fabric is a little sturdier than the standard ones. I’m wearing it today and feel incredibly supported!

          Reply
  4. Mika Avatar
    Mika

    I have that double bump too! I though it was due to my breast being very soft. I tried both 30HH and 30J, and the bump is more significant in the smaller size. I would say that that was really the only difference of the two cups I could feel (my breast are quite compressible, so it’s not always obvious when something is too small. I chose J. I am full on top, but my breast tissue would have to be compressed alot towards the chest in order to fill out the lace part of the Marcie – I just think Cleo has made a lot of room there.

    I also get the bump at the seams a bit with my Zias, but less. I don’t seem to get the bump in Freyas, but overall Cleos fit better with my bra shape, but I still have mostly Freyas. I think it may just be a different way of making seams between the two companies.

    Reply
    1. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      Mika, my breast tissue is fairly soft as well, so that may be part of the issue with the double-bump. For me, the HH to H was a marked difference, but I know for some women, it’s not so much. I’m really warming to the Cleo line and am looking forward to trying other styles in the future.

      Reply
  5. Vyvyan Avatar
    Vyvyan

    I’ve heard a lot of people have problems with these, you look great in it though!

    Reply
    1. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      Thanks! I do think the fit on this one is a little tougher than some of the other Cleo styles. 🙁

      Reply
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  9. Tasha Avatar
    Tasha

    Do you think if you tried a 32gg instead of 30h it would fit differently by holding your breasts differently? I have very similar breasts to you and want this gorgeous bra!

    Reply
    1. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      Hi Tasha! I am actually wearing the 30H right now. 🙂 I experienced a change in breast shape, and this bra fits perfectly now. Personally, I would not have sized up to the 32 as the band on the 30 feels great. If my band get to stretchy or big, I fight with them all day to stay put. It’s really uncomfortable, so I’d rather go with my regular band size. FWIW, I think this bra is definitely worth trying, but you may want to go with the lower of whatever cup size you usually wear!

      Reply
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