Panache Sports Bra

I was shopping at a new store in my area called Bargain Hunt and found a Panache sports bra. If you aren't familiar with the store, they are most similar to Close Out style stores like Big Lot's, Ollies, and DFWH.  Bargain Hunt gets a wide variety of brands, I've seen Panache, Cleo, Curvy Kate, Levi's, Victoria's Secret, and more.  How it works is most the merchandise has a tag with a price along with a date, based on the date on the tag you get an additional percentage off (I'm not affiliated with Bargain Hunt in any way, just bargain shopper).  Anyway, one of the few Panache sports bras was in my size 32DD.  Since I have yet to try any sports bras from a full bust brand I decided to try it on.  I do apologize for the horrible dressing room lighting.  I was mostly taking pics for fit assessment and decided to make a quick blog post too.

Panache Underwire Sports Bra 32DD

While I didn't have a measuring tape handy, the 32 band fit quite nicely on the loosest hooks.  I took a look at Bratabase and it seems the bands measure fairly TTS the average stretched measurement for a 32 band is 31.8.  Although I don't think this takes into account different colors of the bra and I did try it on in black and black fabric sometimes has a bit less stretch than other colors.

The wires seem to be fairly narrow and the cups are also decently projected, and the gore tacks nicely.  Overall the Panache sports bra seems to be very comfortable and a nice fit.  There is also plenty of room in the cups for someone who is a bit more FOT.  The extra space at the upper cup portion is part of why I did not purchase the bra though.  I would ideally like to try it on in a 32D just to compare.  Realistically the 32DD would most likely be fine for most activities, but I am curious if I could get a bit extra support from a cup size down.

As you can see the tag says $20, that's a bargain in itself.  Based on the date on the tag I think it would have been an additional 40% off so about $12 is what I would have paid.  I'm probably insane for passing on it, but I'm not sure how much use I would get out of a sports bra.  Most of workouts are hiking and my boyfriend and I tend to decide on hiking spontaneously when we are already out of the house, so I would most likely not have the bra on and I don't know that I really need a sports bra for hiking.  The upside would be I wouldn't fee bad about sweating in "pretty" bras.

I did find the Panache sports bra to be very comfortable in the short time I tried it on.  I also think it provide adequate support up to medium impact workouts.  While it was a good fit I would still like to see if I find a cup size down to provide a bit extra support.  I'm also just not sure how often I would really utilize the bra, and I'm trying be less impulsive (especially with bras) with my money.  If I thought I would get a lot of use from it, I would have went ahead and purchased it in the size, especially now after looking at Bratabase measurements for cup depth (32D average 7.7, 32DD average 8.2) most bras I wear have cup depth around 8.5in.

Also, a funny story.  I recently did a factory reset on my phone because it was acting up.  Apparently my camera noise in back on now.  My boyfriend was outside the fitting room and there was apparently a couple in the fitting room next to me.  He heard one of them say something about someone taking pictures, and it seemed to be making them a bit nervous.  I found this pretty amusing when he told me so I figured I would share.

This pic serves no purpose other than my amusement by a sports bra with jeans and boots. Ironically I typically hike in jeans and boots so if I bought it this would be what it was worn with (but under a shirt).

I've had a lot of success with Cleo by Panache as well.

Cleo Mimi and Comparison to Polish Half Cups, Comexim 3HC and Ewa CHP

Having read that Cleo has revamped the Mimi  with the new prints first the floral print (a nice venture away from only leopard print) and now the polka dot print, I was very interested in trying out Mimi.
The Mimi is a 3 part half cup and I had heard the fit is similar to the fit of Polish halfcups and I really wanted to give it a try.  Cleo generously gifted me the Mimi to review (I also received Hettie, which I've also reviewed), I was very excited to receive the Mimi and curious how it would stack up to the Polish halfcups.

Before I get on with the comparison, the Mimi I received is an adorable blue with white polka dots and bright coral accents.  It is modern but has a bit of retro appeal to it at the same time.  I need to get the matching undies for this soon, it's too cute to not have the matching set.  

When I received the Mimi, it was right before leaving to work out of town, so I didn't have time to do measurements but I did put it on and it seemed to very comfy so I wore it that day.  When I put it on it did seem quite comparable to a Polish 3HC fit.  Now the band does seem to feel a bit on the looser side, but I did go with a 32DD instead of a 30E because past history with Cleo bands I knew a 30 was often too small for my 30.5in underbust.  After measuring I know I'm not imagining the looser feeling.  The band does easily stretch to 33in with no wire distortion and can make to 34in,  unstretched it is about 29in.  Definitely consider sizing down if you are between band sizes, and check the measurements on newer Cleo styles, I've read several reviews of the bands running larger recently.

Aside from the band being a bit big and having to close it on a smallest set of hooks, the bra fits quite well in every other aspect.  The wires are narrow, the wings are low, and the cups are quite projected. The cups actually appear more projected just from looking at the bras lying down.  This could be partially from the Mimi have a bit stiffer cup construction so the cups hold their shape a bit more, depth measurement though seems to be comparable to the other 3HC's.  All bras seem to measure around 8.5in of depth with slight variations between some of my Comexim's.  Sizes used for comparison are Comexim 70G or 65H, and Ewa Michalak 70DD, the Mimi is a 32DD. As for wire width, the Comexim 3HC about 5.25 (most are 5.25, with a couple being 5.5in, perhaps more wear), the CHP is around 5.1in, and the Mimi is about 5.25in.

I've also noticed that the foam the Mimi's cups are made from is a bit stiffer and less flexible than Comexim and Ewa Michalak (although I'm using a quite old CHP for comparison).  This doesn't affect the fit of the bra or how comfortable it is, the bra is actually quite comfy.  The foam does seem to feel a bit thicker as well, which could be good for those concerned about nipple coverage.  I also think this could be a great beginner "ABTF" bra as the thicker foam gives it a bit more structure like a molded cup, but with the better conformity to shape like a lined bra.  It also gives great cleavage (something those new to "ABTF" tend to have trouble dealing with losing).

Cleo Mimi: Cup Height 5.25in

Wellfitting/Comexim Meow 3HC: Cup Height 5.6in (around average 3HC cup height)

Ewa Michalak CHP Magnolia: Cup Height 5in

The cups are fairly low coverage as you can see in the above photo, not quite as low as a Ewa Michalak CHP, but lower than some Comexim 3HC's.  I only have one CHP and the cup height is about 5in, and it fits pretty much the same as any CHP I have tried including in terms of height.  I usually find the CHP to be a bit too low coverage for me.  Comexim 3HC's tend to vary in height a bit (perhaps some have unknowingly received a reduced cup) but they range in height from 5.25-5.7in  with most being around 5.5in.  The Mimi is kind of an in between of EM and Comexim at 5.25in.  Needless to say this cup height provides cakes on plate style cleavage, so if you are seeking fuller coverage this is not the bra you want.

I only have a couple minor issues with Mimi neither of which is a deal breaker for me (they are issues that sometimes could be, but not in this case).  The gore is a bit wide at least for the height of the gore, it's only very slightly too wide.  If the gore were a bit shorter the width would be fine, but at the 2.5in height it could be a bit narrower.  I have Comexim's at the same gore height (altered gore standard Comexim gore is about 3in), with both standard and overlapping wires, either way is
narrower than the Mimi.  Ewa Michalak CHP also comes in narrower and it is a bit lower as well. The wires are also a bit firmer so I do get a better tack than I do from Comexim, but it isn't painful as some other Cleos have been, and I think they are a bit softer than Ewa.

Cleo Mimi: Gore Height 2.5in,Width .7in

Comexim Irish Coffee: Gore height 2.5, Width .5 (reduced gore, but standard width)

Wellfitting/Comexim Meow: Gore Height 2.6in, Width.4in (reduced gore and overlapping wires)

Ewa Michalak CHP: Gore Height 2.4in, Width .55in

My only other issue is that the straps are only half adjustable, being high set I usually don't do well with half adjustable straps since most my fully adjustable bras I have the straps about halfway up.  However the Mimi seems to work just fine for me even with half adjustable straps, I do have them tightened all the way, but they aren't slipping at all.  This is also impressive since the band is slightly too large for me (doesn't ride up on tightest hooks though).  The straps are also quite thin at .4in, but they are firm and not super stretchy, I think the fact that they aren't stretchy is how I am able to get away with them being half adjustable.

Overall I am very pleased with the Cleo Mimi and am happy to have a more easily available 3 part half cup option.  I love Comexim 3HC's,  but waiting a month or more for them to arrive and hoping all my alterations are done can be a bit frustrating.  If Cleo continues to make more designs and some continuity colors for the Mimi, I would be very happy.  Although I wouldn't complain if they made some small changes to the gore :).

For some reason the Cleo Mimi in Spot Print is a bit hard to track down at the moment.  I have found it on Amazon, if anyone sees it anywhere else let me know.  It is part of the SS17 season, so perhaps it will become more available with some time.

Ewa Michalak, Giving the SM Another Chance

I had previously tried a couple of SM's and didn't have the best results, one being a size to large and the other having been used and having a 75 band altered down to a 65.  This time I got the bras in 65F and 70E and either new or barely worn.  I got the SM Rozowa in 70E and the SM Summertime is 65F.  These two are probably the best fitting SM's I have tried, though not without some issues.

Rozowa is nearly a perfect nude for me with it's pale pink tone (much like my Curvy Kate Florence) and cut like the Czarna Miglelka. The Summertime is a bit dark for me still very pretty, but to utilize as a nude it would be better on a darker skin tone (perhaps why it's called Summertime, although Summertime or not, it won't be a nude for me).

The design on Summertime is beautiful with the embroidered flowers and it's similar to Cukiereczek, but with more neutral toned embroidery.  Under most shirts the embroidery shouldn't be visible, but under clingy thin shirts it may be a bit noticeable.  I think on my skintone I prefer the Cukiereczek a bit more, but both are beautiful.

SM Rozowa

SM Summertime

The SM does offer a good amount of support and lift, it also has the narrow wires Ewa is known for.  As usual the straps are a bit wide set but not really an issue.  I do think the cups are a bit on the taller side. With the Rozowa and designs like it, if you are very FOT you may want to size up as it is a bit more closed off.

Now my only issue with the SM is for some reason I get some smashing in the lower section of the cup near the vertical seam.  It is a bit more noticeable on the Rozowa, and until I was looking at the pictures I hadn't realized it is happening in the Summertime as well. It seems to square off my breasts a bit, and it is noticeable under a shirt (at least the cheap thin shirts I wear all the time).  It seems to only happen on my left breast, I only have minimal size difference between my breasts though so perhaps there is a slight shape change between them causing this.

Notices the flattening squared of shape I'm getting on the left breast.

Again the same flattened sqaured shape.

 Other than that the bras fit  fairly well. I'm guessing that the SM might be a smidge too shallow for me in these sizes, but when I size up I'm swimming in them at least in the upper section of the cup.  In a cup volume up the top section gapes I think from a combo of there being an apex mismatch and the cup in general being a bit too tall.  Perhaps if I gave the SM some time the cup would give a bit and mesh better with my shape/projection.  However, I'm not really a fan of having squarish boobs, if I wore looser shirts this would probably be an issue I could overlook (me and my abundance of cheap knit shirts).  I guess I need the projection of the 70F with the cup height of the 70E.

Again if you look closely you will see a bit of smooshing it seems to be occurring at the vertical seam.

Overall the SM in these sizes are mostly good fits, but I have a few quibbles with them, and while I love how they look, the fit just isn't working for me.  If it wasn't for the awkward smooshing I would love the bras.  I know the SM works wonders for quite a few people providing amazing lift that a lot of unlined bras don't and for most a round shape as well.

I have since tried the BM and it may be a better match for me.  I will get a review up soon.

My Thoughts on Impimi Adell

Impimi is a Polish brand and like Comexim I have heard that Impimi is able to make customizations to their bras.  I contacted Impimi about possibly getting a bra to review.  First they sent me  65G and 65H which should be equivalent to 30E and 30F (I also wear 65H or 70G in Comexim and both being Polish figured one of those should work, and 30E/F is my UK size).

So I received the 65G and 65H, as soon as I opened the package I could tell there was no way either would work for me.  Just looking at these bras it looked like both my boobs would fit in one cup especially on the 65H.  I did try them on just to be sure, but as I expected they are much too big for me.  I emailed Impimi back and told them the issue I was having some fit issues with the 2 bras and sent over some photos.  We decided that they would send me 65D and 65DD (UK 30D and 30DD).  

The smaller bras arrived and they looked like a much better possibility.  I tried both on, but could barely tell a difference in fit/ sizing between the two bras.  I did pass one of the Impimis on to another blogger (Dreams and Underthings), in hopes of getting some more information out there about Impimi.  I chose to keep the 65D as it seemed to be just slightly better than the 65DD at least I think. They were literally so close in size, if it wasn't for the tags I wouldn't have known which one I had on.  

The bras Impimi sent were the Adell, they had initially said they were going to send me the Nichol, but I received the Adell not sure why, but no problem I just wanted to give an Impimi a try and wasn't concerned about the model.

The Adell is a 4 part cup consisting of 2 vertical seams and a single horizontal seam.  The lower cup section consists of a thin foam and the upper is non stretch lace (there is a thin strip at the cup edge with a bit of stretch).  I received the red and black version so the cups are red with the band and lace being black with some red accents.  The bra is quite stunning.

So the Adell overall isn't an awful fit the cups seem decently projected and about 8.9in deep and probably average immediate depth.  The wires are narrow at 5.25in, but they aren't the typical "U" shape (The Musings of Renzilla refers to them as being more of a Nike swoosh).  Now on the larger sizes I received they do seem to be more "U" shaped.

I do seem to get  a bit of a pointy shape from the Adell this may be from the different fabric types and since the lace is not stretch.  The lace is a bit closed off as well.

My main issue with the Adell is the gore.  The gore is probably the tallest gore of any bra I've ever had on my body at 3.4 in.  In addition to being very tall it is also quite wide it's .7in.  I wore this bra around the house for a little bit, before leaving and deciding I wasn't wearing the bra all day.  Upon removing it I had wire marks on my inner tissue.  When I put it on I had to do a very small reverse scoop since the gore is so tall, but I've done this with other bras and never had issues after my breasts settled in and no marks.  The wires are also very firm so the gore stabs me and causes rather severe pain.

The straps are a bit wideset, but I think if it weren't for other issues I may be able to tolerate them.

As far as customization's with Impimi goes, I have not personally tried to order anything customized.  I did ask about alterations and got this response. 

 "Hi, Impimi does alterations. We can make bras for asymmetric breasts, when one breast is bigger than the other (in ex.: one or more sizes up)Its depends of customer needs. We can make everything."  Sounds like they should be pretty flexible with alterations.  I think I might like this bra and it would be wearable if I could get it with a lowered and narrowed gore.