Cleo is such a fun brand, and a rare treat for the younger, full bust bra wearer.  In a market that’s dominated by more mature large cup lingerie, purse friendly brands such as Cleo by Panache offer trend leading designs for the fashion conscious.

Cleo lingerie tends to be vibrant and colourful (my SS15 favourite was Cleo’s multi-colour Maya), but this season the stand out collection to me is decidedly less kaleidoscopic.  Step forward an ultra classy Hettie: a dark, alluring polka dot beauty up to an H cup.

Hettie is styled upon Cleo’s most loved shapes; a balcony bra featuring stretch lace paneling and three quarter cups.

In a magnetising midnight blue base colour, black polka dot punch out mesh is overlaid for a subdued, two-tone look.  A deep panel of black stretch lace trims the cups following a modern scalloped pattern, and features a discreet band of elastic just beneath the lace edge, providing another dimension to the overall well fitting style.

The semi adjustable straps are ribbed with a soft band under the front of the strap for added comfort, and the opaque micro fibre wings are smooth and plain, finishing on a double hook and eye closure.

Hettie’s double thick fabric is very forgiving (unlike the rigid Maya) thanks to its soft handle mesh, and this is the first attribute I really like about this bra.  It’s comfortable, and feels like it fits to you rather than you conforming to the fit of the bra.  I do like rigid styles but find the softer touch so much more wearable, and the rounded shape is less severe too.

The polka dot pattern works well with the colour scheme as it has a demure pin up look without being too stylised, which can sometimes be over cutesy.

Despite my love of this bra, I can’t help but feel bugged by the black mesh lace.  Compare every stock image with mine and it doesn’t appear the same.  I can only judge my own bra here which is double thick mesh that reduces the striking sheer pattern.  I don’t know if this is an attribute of the larger sized cups for extra strength.  Whatever the reason, it makes me quite sad because it’s the gorgeousness of the panel pattern that most appeals to me about Hettie.

Reflecting on my personal fit, I don’t always get along with Cleo balconettes but I find Hettie a pleasurable wear.  I often come up against disagreeable centre gore placements, and Hattie could easily have been one of those love-hate relationships.  Thankfully, because of Hettie’s soft nature, the fit is light and fluid while still offering a decently firm fit.

**Panache gifted me the Cleo Hettie balcony bra, 30H, £26**

Have you ever tried Cleo?  How do you get along with Cleo’s fit?  Do you like on trend designs or do you prefer a classic or more luxurious look?  Share your thoughts below!