Review: ‘Eclipse’ by Panache Black

Sometimes bra shopping can get a bit expensive and so outlet sites, like Panache’s My Curves & Me, are really useful for grabbing styles you’ve had your eye on at discount prices. I did a guest post for the My Curves & Me Blog last year and was pleased to be offered a review set too, so had a rummage around the site to see what I might wear. It seems like a complete waste to offer to review underwear that I can instantly tell won’t suit me, or that I know I’ll never wear, so my review choices might seem a bit boring and every day. However, every blogger has a different style and I hope that my choices and reviews will help some of you make your own selections with regard to fit.

I picked the Eclipse balconnet bra, which is based on the Tango in the Panache standard range – a bra which I have in a plunge version and love, so I thought it would be good to try this lovely teal twist on a classic. The Eclipse briefs are a smaller cut than I would usually go for, but I like a matching set and asked for those too so that I could report back. I went for the sizing that most often fits me in Panache at the moment – 32F and 16 – and was pleased when it arrived in a Panache branded box and tissue paper. I’m not sure if that’s standard for My Curves & Me, or if it’s because it was a set for review.

The non-stretch sheer mesh panels are double thickness on the bottom of the bra cups and the centre of the briefs, with the top of the cups and sides of the briefs unlined and, therefore, more sheer. The black trim means the bra would coordinate well with plain black briefs and the pleated grosgrain ribbon covering the straps is a nice touch, making them attractive whilst retaining stretch. They are also fully adjustable which is good news for anyone short! The back of the bra and briefs is made from a soft silky stretch fabric, and the bow trimmings are black velvet with a diamante detailing. The elastic and underwiring has a soft covering on the inside, so it feels nice next to your skin.

The bra was a good comfortable fit for me. The underwires sit flat against my rib cage and the back band isn’t too firm so I don’t have the dreaded back fat bulges that I get with some bras that otherwise fit well. There are a few wrinkles in the cups in the photo, but that’s mostly due to the fact that my breasts are uneven sizes and the weight sits slightly higher than on some (including, I assume, the fit model). Although the cups aren’t perfectly smooth, this didn’t show through my clothing and so was not an issue. The straps were a bit tricky to adjust due to the ribbon, but once done they are very comfortable. The briefs are not my usual favourite high waisted style, so you don’t get a photo of them hugging my squishy bits, and I could possibly have done with sizing up to make sure they don’t dig in at all. However, they are very comfortable and look gorgeous with the bra. If you want to try it for yourself, the Eclipse set set is still available – in teal and white – from My Curves & Me.

DISCLOSURE: I was sent an Eclipse balconnet bra and briefs free to review by My Curves & Me.