Bra Review: Miss Mandalay Paris

OK, I'm about to start a long weekend of sewing (unless I'm so bamboozled by the weather that I spend it drinking on patios instead), but to mix it up a bit, I thought I'd provide a bra review of a new lingerie set that a) I've bought before (though long ago) and b) which I just repurchased - with some success.

The set in question is the Miss Mandalay Paris:

Miss Mandalay Paris

In case you think that bra looks exactly like the Miss Mandalay Paige, you'd be correct. It appears that this brand currently makes a very small complement of lingerie sets - fewer than it used to - as its swimwear line has really stolen the show.

No mind. They still make the Paris, my fave. When last I bought it it was in a cerise with leopard details. Oh, I did love that bra. Alas, it was always a small fit (one is urged to size up in band and cup when buying MM bras) and it hasn't been worn in a long while. I recently sold it. That's when I was reminded of my love for its simple sexiness.

In truth, I would have preferred to buy it in a majestic purple (not generally my thing but it's so jewel-y) or in the cobalt colourway. Alas, those bras (on sale) did not come in my size. In fact, the only place I can find the bras, at this point, is on the Miss Mandalay website (unlike the swimwear which is easier to source online).

First Up: How it Looks

It's a great looking bra. The shape is awesome. It provides lift and support. It's round, though it's unlined and with seams. The wires aren't wide (haven't measured this for Bratabase yet, but I sense that they're 5.7 inches wide cuz they fit me perfectly). They enclose everything and they provide perfect side-height for me - I like side height because I hate feeling like any breast tissue can escape! The materials are very nice - not Empreinte nice but much luxer than Cleo. I do feel that the quality is a smidge less high than that of my original set (when it comes to the ribbon detail at the top of the cup). It's not hugely notable but, given that I bought this set originally for 60 bucks and now, 3 years later, this one cost me $150, I do question any drop in quality.

The pink is highly saturated. If you do not like pink (or girliness in general) do not buy this set in this colour. I did so as an experiment, mostly to determine whether they've retained their original sizing and shape. On that topic, I've been looking for alternatives to Cleo and Empreinte (my go-tos) because many narrow-breasted, projected ladies have had their fill of Cleo and really don't want to invest in Empreinte. I'm seeking out a middle ground for us all. I agree that $150.00 is not cheap but, if the quality and design warrant it, then I hope you'll agree it's a reasonable mid point between the Cleo sets that one can purchase for $50-$75 bucks and the Empreinte ones that'll run you $350.

Had I not got my first set for $60 - admittedly a steal and 3 years ago - I think I'd have been a bit less grumpy to have spent 150 bucks this time. Having said that, I would buy on sale in a second, recognizing that there aren't that many of these bras produced and when the sales hit, you must pounce (ask me how I know).

This set is really sexy though entirely unembellished. It's FUN. It's youthful (though not priced for the young). It's chic.

But How Does it Fit?

Like I said, last time I bought this I found it snug and my breasts were a different size and shape back then. This time, on doing my research, I read many accounts that one should size up in band and cup by at least one size in each. Point being: This bra fits very small for size. I considered my former bra (which I felt, even when it fit, could have been half a size larger) and opted to go up 2 cups sizes and one band size. When I've done this in the past, it's always been an unmitigated disaster, but it seemed consistent with my reading and personal experience.

It was entirely the right decision. This bra fits beautifully. It's snug (but not tight) in the band. Because it is a closed upper cup (that ribbon is a challenge for those with upper fullness), if I'd gone any smaller, it would have pushed on breast tissue and caused a ridge. The gore tacks really well (and it's narrow). It's incredibly comfortable (something I cannot say for the last one, which was always too snug).

You can see the seaming under some tops but you know I don't care about that. It does bring the breasts up and forward but not to the extent that Cleo does. It produces a more subtle shape.

I'll totally buy this again - when I find a colourway that really appeals (they've recently cycled through a bunch of colours I do wish I'd purchased when they were available in my size - so who knows when they'll come back round to bright orange or cobalt). This set would be dynamite in an animal print (though it usually comes in a solid). The size range is from 28E to 38GG. BTW, if you're a person with a 25-26 inch band size, this is the company for you because the bands are super tight so a 28 would work.

A word of caution about the undies. They too run very small for size. I bought a large, which certainly fits, but I loathe the feeling of grippy elastic and the mesh fabric has reasonably little, 2-way stretch so next time I would get the XL. Furthermore, you get one option - a standard issue low-rise brief. My last set had a thong option (my preference) but it seems not to be on offer any longer. Alas, I cannot say that this brand caters to the largest portion of the market as one is effectively sized out at a 36G (which requires a Miss M 38GG). But it's not every brand's job to suit every woman. It's too bad though, because I think this bra would be easily scalable, given the firmness of the materials and the design, to at least a 40 band and HH cups.

Today's questions: Have you tried Miss Mandalay for bras or swimwear? Have you tried the Paris? If yes, what are your thoughts? Furthermore, do you feel this would be a good option for you (if you haven't tried it), provide you fall into the size range? What I mean is, does this seem like good value to you? Curious to know if this hits a sweet spot (not too expensive but good quality overall) or if you think that $150 for a set is as crazy-ass as spending $350? (UK peeps - as always, you luck out - MM is way cheaper for you to buy in your currency, in your country of origin.)

In Which I Tell You That I Went For a Bra Fitting

Peeps, I've got an interesting story for you today. We can even call it Valentine's-themed though, in truth, that's just an accident.

For starters, I received the Miss Mandalay Amelie and, no question, it's GORGEOUS. It's beautifully-made, it's sexy, it's old-school. But it is not firm. I'd go so far as to say, if you've got dense breasts (at any size) and you're moving into middle-age (when breasts often increase in weight, if not size), then it may not be the style for you. 

 

Look, I've only got my own tits to go by, so by all means, buy it and tell me I'm wrong! The thing is that the material used has a lot of give. In some instances, even stretch. So if you're breasts need some big lift (by the combination of band support, firm cups and straps), it's potentially not optimal. By contrast, the Miss Mandalay Paris is super-firm and supportive - and also gorgeous (though by no means as luxe as the Amelie). You can find them both here.

The Amelie fits small in the cup - but generously in the bottoms. I considered whether to reorder a larger size, so appealing is the design, but I couldn't tell if I'd need to go up one size or two. To be honest, I don't have the stomach for anymore online bra purchase returns in the near future. So I sent the set back. (Let me say it again, LCL is an excellent vendor which I totally recommend.)

Given this experience - and many others of late - I won't lie. I was perplexed. I was confused. I was unhappy. WTF is going on with my boobs, people?? Or my sense of sizing? Am I no longer the queen of bra fit?

There was only one way to find out. I went out and got re-fitted at a bra boutique. 

 

I'm not going to get into details about which boutique because I have a number of issues with it on the basis of officious corporate policies. (Plus the prices are outrageous.) But I have never doubted this store's commitment to excellent fitting and the skill with which the fitters approach their role.

It was a fascinating - if outrageously expensive - experience.

Some things I learned:

• I am decidedly in a 30 band at this point. 32s are too loose.

• Cup sizing is very different from brand to brand. I mean, of course I know this, but I was very surprised to find myself in a smaller size (than my presumed standard) in every bra I tried on in store - despite my challenges with online shopping skewing to the "too small" end, at least as often as "too large".

• None of the bras I tried in store was a Freya. Apparently, perhaps one reason why I've been experiencing numerous bra woes on the online front is because, so the fitter told me, Freya (the brand I order online most frequently) has gone pretty low with the materials and manufacturing over the last 3 seasons. I can corroborate that every bra I've bought in the brand - for the last year - has been narrow in the cup and the wires are short (compared with those in the same size from previous years). The fabric is also cheaper-seeming. Look back over my lingerie posts. You'll see a record of this.

• I will not be buying Freya online again anytime soon. Not unless I've tried on the bra at a store first.

• You know that lingerie blogger question du jour: Are my breasts full on the top or full on the bottom? I have vacillated in my opinion about the distribution of my own breast tissue many a time. According to today's fitter - and she does see more real-life, unclothed boobs in a day than I do in a year - my breasts are neither. The density falls squarely over the mid line, says she. Which is probably why I refer to my breast profile as "deep" far more often than I refer to it in any other way.

• My breasts are also close together (in the scheme of close set vs wide set). Add mid-breast depth to close set and you have a shape that challenges wires to lie flat at the breastbone. This has only just occurred to me though I've had difficulty with gore placement forever. In the past, I've blamed it on shallow fit. But it's more specific than that. "Shallow fitting" bras are often shallow at the midline, but still too wide at the sides. Hmmm...

So, what did I try on? Mainly Empreinte. Why? Well, Loves, when you go to the bra store on Feb. 14 (just a fluke, I swear!), your choices are limited. The only remaining options are mega-expensive ones. Which when you're already dealing with an expensive boutique is, frankly, scary. Furthermore, while this is a brand I have wanted to try for many years, I wasn't willing to pay for it before now, so I knew well enough not to bother. (What good could have come of that??) I have tried to order it from Europe on a couple of occasions, at a discounted rate, but they're serious when they say that trade agreements prevent the online boutiques from shipping it to customers out of the EU. If you want this shit, you've gotta pay.

I bought 3 bras and a pair of undies* and it cost me $615.00.

I'll let that sink in for a minute.

Yeah, I spent a plane ticket's worth of money on 3 bras and a pair of undies. Amongst them, these**:

Inadequate photos from here and the one below is from Figleaves UK

The two bras above are the same - the Empreinte Lola

 

 

This one is the Empreinte Kaela (couldn't find an even vaguely decent shot of the undies). What is it with this brand and the bad photo options?? This material is awesome...

On the plus side, these offerings do make my tits look like something out of a French film or a pin up calendar from 1958. They fit SPECTACULARLY. OMG, I was really starting to wonder about whether my perfect-fit bra days were behind me. Of course, it would be lovely if Freya could go back to the old ways and make affordable bras that look this good on me. In the meanwhile, who really needs a college fund?

 

*You may wonder why I didn't get the undies to go with 2 of the bras. One is black (and the undies cost $175.00). The other is "basic beige". I have undies galore that can act as reasonable matches for each these. Though it's not my preferred way, I couldn't justify spending another 200 bucks, before tax, on 1/4 yard of fabric.

 

** I will discuss the fit of these - and the qualities of the textiles - in more detail in another post.

I've Got Mail

The thing I love most about online shopping - and I do love many things about it - is getting a package delivered to my door. Or two, as the case may be, today.

I got home to find two lingerie sets waiting on my porch.

To remind you, they are the Freya Nina (purchased from Figleaves) and the Miss Mandalay Paris Moulin (purchased from Large Cup Lingerie). And they both fit perfectly.

Ah, a good day is one where you buy a bra, sight unseen, in a totally unknown brand and it fits like a fucking dream.

At any rate, here are my reviews, to assist you perhaps, in deciding whether these would work for you.

Miss Mandalay Paris Moulin in red with animal print trim. I got the ruched brief undies to match. Many have written that this bra fits small but I'm here to tell you that I disagree. I fins it entirely true to size. I got the 32 band but I wish it were tighter. I'm seriously considering going down a back size (and up a corollary cup size to maintain the same volume) the next time I order a bra, in any brand. I'm entirely underwhelmed by the tightness of new-bra bands lately. I feel as if, 5 times after I wear them, they're too loose. Note: I haven't worn the Paris Moulin 5 times (obvs), and currently the loosest hook is snug, but I sense the band material isn't the strongest. Also, keep in mind if you're thinking of buying, the band doesn't fit particularly loosely on the Miss Mandalay. I just like a very tight fit.

A propos of this, it's an elegant and structured bra but I don't find it outrageously sexy and it's def not the most supportive bra I've ever put on. Don't get me wrong. It's entirely supportive enough for the vast majority of people. But I don't like even the slightest hint of movement. As the bra fits perfectly in the cups, materials (which is to say, pretty ones) and construction are the reasons for that movement. In truth, regardless of your size, if your breasts are heavy this may not be the best bra for you. On the other hand, I'm dissecting this thing to extremes, so don't take it all too seriously. My breasts are dense. I'm 41. It fits me perfectly.

OK, let's talk fabric. It's not as sleek or soft as every reviewer has led me to believe it would be, given how everyone goes on about those elements. Every Freya bra I've ever bought has been as sleek or sleeker and as soft or softer. Not that the Miss Mandalay comes up inadequate in those ways.

The colour is great. It's a very cherry red. One might say cerise, which is the shade of red, bordering on pink, I love.

On balance, I'm very happy with it and I'm particularly pleased that I got it on sale. True, I would likely not purchase it again. (There are better bras out there for less money.) But I do recommend the brand.

Now, let's talk for a second about the vendor. I can barely stomach the name of the boutique but I have to say that the service was excellent. The set arrived in 5 days (2 of those were a weekend). It was nicely presented with a card. The shipping was free. Did I mention that?!? The shipping is always free to any place in the world. I found the set priced for less than I've ever seen it listed on sale anywhere else before. The selection on the site is very good; the site itself is lovely and well organized. One pays via Pay Pal (and prob other methods, but that's how I paid) so I won't see the purchase on my credit card in 2 weeks. This retailer will be getting my business again - but I think I'm going to have to find some nice way to suggest that they revisit the name.

Freya Nina: I got this balconette in its only colour way (Rosewater) with the boy short undies. As per usual, the delivery via Figleaves took a fairly long (but not unreasonable amount of) time - 9 days. I have noticed that, while it ships as quickly as other UK retailers, the product takes longer to arrive at my door. BTW, you can get this set - in a wide range of size options - at Large Cup Lingerie for less than I paid on Figleaves. And I also paid for shipping on Figleaves, which you wouldn't have to do...

OK, onto the deets. I freakin' love this bra. Fits perfectly. Has that standard-Freya level of support that is belied by its gorgeousness. It's pinker than the photo shows it to be. It's a full on baby pink, animal print (yeah, it's bizarre). So don't imagine it's beige-ish. There's none of that. Oh, and he of "men don't like patterned fabric in lingerie" prefers it to the mono-toned Miss Mandalay. So, whatevs. The shape it gives is superior. That's why, though it all seems to get a bit same-y same-y after a while, Freya is in no danger of being supplanted by any other brand, IMO. That shit really works and it looks great at the same time.

I know that many reviewers are down on Freya these days for failing to offer adequately small band sizes (28s are hard to come by and 26s are non-existent). They refer to the endless replay, as they see it, of the same 5 styles. Maybe it's because this is the first brand I discovered that actually made a bra that fit well and looked awesome. (I do feel that Freya facilitated a changed sense of self and refined my identity.) Maybe it's because I'm not in a cusp size, either in band or cup so - when a particular style doesn't fit in my regular cup or back size - I can size up or down in each (not that I have had to do that more than once or twice). Obviously, we all have the brands that really work for us. I see many extol the virtues of Curvy Kate, Ewa Michalak, Panache, Cleo etc. Call me the cheerleader for Freya, at least so far.

And seriously, Freya, if you're reading this - please comp me something already :-)

Just Try to Make Me Go to Rehab...

Yeah, I have a problem, and I'm not looking for help. To wit, my latest lingerie purchase:

Miss Mandalay Paris Moulin - I got the undies too...

Some deets:

• This set is usually rather expensive and I've never been able to find it in TO to try it on, which is why I don't own it in one of many colour ways.

• Depending on who you ask, it either fits a bit snug or totally true to size. I had to get it in my regular size cuz all the others were either def too big or def to small. We'll see if it works.
  

• I've rarely seen this style on sale in any colour. I don't usually wear red but I do love the animal print accents. I'm branching out cuz I do think this red is a good shade for my colouring (aka pallor).
  

• I got the whole set for 60 bucks - including shipping which is free everywhere! on this site. First time ordering there (could it have a more unappealing name?!), but they're having some awesome sales right now. If you want this or this, it might be a prudent time to buy... Sale prices seem cheaper here than sale prices on Figleaves and there's no delivery fee. Note: When the sales are good, no one can beat the Bra Stop prices, IMO, but this is a good alternative.

Whatcha think? (Not about my habit - about the bra.) (Oh, and just so you know, I haven't bought a lot of bras in the last year - till recently.) (OK, even if I bought no bras till the end of time I'd have an adequate stock of them, but whatever.) (Don't you know it's important to keep your options open?)