Even before the pandemic, people flocked to bralettes for their simplicity, comfort, and ability to combine aesthetically interesting designs with a breezy coolness.  Once working from home became de rigeur, a bralette made for a natural choice to provide support without underwires. Fuller-busted people could only admire the trend from a distance, but manufacturers continued to refine and produce new wireless designs for a more diverse range of sizes. The Cleo by Panache Lyzy bralette instantly spoke to me since it harnesses the allure of traditional lace styles popular among smaller-chested people with a custom bra size fit. With Lyzy, I would rock the trend without resorting to full-coverage or stodgy stereotypical wireless designs. But would this bralette live up to my expectations?

Size: UK 34H/ US 34K

My ribcage measures 33”, and the 34 band is snug, albeit not uncomfortably so, on the loosest set of hooks. The band runs firm, but I previously experienced similar phenomenon in other Cleo styles. People between band sizes definitely need to size up, and if you are looking at the bralette mostly for lounge wear, consider bumping up a size for the comfort of a looser band.

The H cup size fits well without gaping, pulling, or overflow. I may have been able to wear a UK 34GG as I am between those sizes presently; however, I prefer the H cup. When I retain water, the cup doesn’t press uncomfortably into the sensitive tissue and cause pain. Furthermore, each breasts receives individualized support and encapsulation with the larger cup. In the GG cup, I worry the cups would mash the breasts and even cause overflow at the center. Since I lost weight, my tissue is less firm and more susceptible to elastic biting into the skin.

Fit of Lyzy

Lyzy features a three section triangle shape cup with a two-ply mesh fabric. Wireless cups utilize an angled seam toward the center as well as a vertical seam for lift. A deeper V-shaped neck keeps the chest more open and offers less coverage. Center-pull straps strike a balance between restricted stretch and too much elastic for a comfortable fit that does not slip off the shoulders.

Fuller side cups extend further back and higher under the arm for better containment. Shorter people (or those with short torsos) may find the sides rub in the underarms. The elasticized fabric at the top edge does allow movement, and I do not find it uncomfortable even when I spend prolonged periods extending my arms in front of me . . . ya know, like when I write these blogs.

The star here, however, is the ultra-wide band at the bottom which feels amazing against the skin and anchors the bra to your ribs. The sturdy wings taper to two hook-and-eye closures in the back. For normal bras, I always prefer at least three hook-and-eye closures, but for a bralette I wear almost exclusively while sitting at my desk, I do not require the added support of a thicker back.

However, there is a catch. As part of my research for my own edification as well as to gain additional perspective when I write posts, I read reviews by other consumers. Lyzy is quite the polarizing style! In addition to the usual low rankings due to size discrepancies, the primary focus of ire is the side profile. Lyzy does not create the same rounded shape as the Cleo underwire bras do.

In fairness, the profile is definitely pointy; however, when you wear a top, the silhouette is significantly less so and reads more natural. Unless you are exceptionally lucky, your boobs are probably not high and rounded naturally. I know mine sure aren’t! As I have gotten older, I care less about what other people think about me and, by extension, my boobs. My 25 year old self would be appalled by the visible seams and anything which didn’t make my boobs look like two perfect floating spheres hovering high on my chest and defying gravity. 37 year old me? She gives a lot less fucks.

That said, to prove my point about the shape, I did take pictures in a plain black crew neck tee shirt so you can see exactly how it looks. Imagine the changes you would see with layers, prints, or different necklines.

Materials & Price

Most Cleo bras are between $55 and $65, and Lyzy falls at $57 with the same quality and attention to detail as the underwire styles. The cups feature an exterior flat lace and interior soft mesh in a lighter beige color, and the elastic underband provides quality both in materials and comfort.

The Lyzy is also a cup-size based bralette, meaning you are not trying to squeeze into something with sizes likes “Medium” or “Large,” although I do love my Shapeez. (Note: Panache calls this a “non wire triangle bra,” but let’s be honest here, it’s a bralette.) Panache curtailed Lyzy to fit your ribs and the projection of your cups. That automatically increases the retail price on account of the added effort to draft and scale a pattern across so many sizes.

Aesthetics

My mother insisted black was a tone not a color, so technically my favorite “color” is green. If we relax my mom’s strict definition, then black is hands down my favorite. Naturally, I love Lyzy because not only is it black, but it’s also relatively basic yet still pretty. Part of my motivation for experimenting more with wireless bras is because I wanted a happy medium between an underwire design and a sports bra. I want to get dressed in the morning and wear something which reminds of me of life pre-pandemic. I love how Lyzy balances the beautifulness of an everyday bra with the comfort of a bralette.

Moreover, if you’re the daring type, Lyzy is a perfect candidate for wearing lingerie as outerwear. Imagine it with a black blazer, high waist jeans, and kick ass boots. The cup fabric is thick enough to conceal nipples, and I would liken the coverage to a bikini top (if not more so).

Overall, I’m a big fan of Lyzy and have been enjoying wearing this style for several weeks. There are some fashion variations on sale as low as $30 if you want to try it without committing to the full price, but if you are fuller-busted and want to experiment with a bralette, give Lyzy a chance.