[Claudette generously provided this set for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
I’ve wanted this set pretty much since FOREVER. Full-bust lingerie can skew really frilly or lacy or ornate or whimsical (all of which are great!), but Fishnet is COOL. One of the first things I did when my bra size started changing over the last two years was start buying up Claudette styles to try, and when I saw this colorway at Curve and lost my mind over it, the kind folks at Claudette very kindly sent me one of my own to review.
APPEARANCE
Fishnet is a three-part bra with a vertical seam in the bottom of the cups, a seam that cuts horizontally and slightly up across the cup, and an unusually tall, narrow upper cup that connects to the partially-adjustable straps. The cups, band, and high-waist knickers are constructed of a stretchy fishnet material, and the front panel of the knickers and bottom of the cups are lined with mesh for stability. The center gore of the bra and the elastic waistband of the knickers are trimmed with a flat tuxedo bow, and the knickers have four detachable adjustable suspender straps. Earlier versions of Fishnet featured velvet trim; the current styles feature softer, more comfortable elastic trim. Every single component of this set is a gorgeous oxblood color, or, in Claudette speak, Rouge Noir (Bok, Claudette’s designer, is the best at naming colors).
FIT
Right now I technically wear a 32GG in UK sizes, so I sister-size in Claudette and take a 34G. Understandably, the band comes up little loose on me, but not unwearably so. The underwires are neither noticeably narrow nor wide, but they ARE short at the sides– you can even see a little in the top photo where the top of the cup doesn’t quite contain all my breast tissue at the sides (although some of this is because I was changing outfits quickly during the shoot and hadn’t quite gotten the cup situated properly). The cup depth and volume feel good for me, but because of the unusual cup shape (more center-pull straps with a tall, narrow, stretchy upper cup), the cups aren’t going to, um, lock everything in place like some more aggressive bras might.
Like some other Claudette bras I’ve tried (including Paramour), Fishnet offers a gentler approach to lift, shape, and support than some other full-bust bras. The lift isn’t as dramatic and there’s a little less heft and projection than some of my UK or Polish bras. Some of this is because, again, the band is loose for me, which means it doesn’t anchor the bra as firmly against my ribcage and it doesn’t fully spring the underwire, but there are two other factors at play: the straps and the top cup. That unlined section at the top of the cup offers a lot more stretch than my other bras, particularly since the straps aren’t connected to the more stabilized lower cup. Speaking of the straps, they’re pretty long y’all. I’m 5’10”, and I wear mine shortened as far as they’ll go, and I wouldn’t mind being able to shorten them a little more. If too-long straps are a perennial problem for you, you might want to have them shortened, or consider investigating a solution like the Strap Saver.
Claudette knickers generally come up small for me, and I sometimes wear an XL instead of my usual L. I purchased the first-ever version of Fishnet in Black, and I definitely needed the XL, as that version has a velvet waistband with very little stretch. For Rouge Noir, however, Bok suggested the high-waist pin-up knicker would fit a little more generously, and I should try a size L, my usual size. She was right! The waistband doesn’t dig, and the knickers fit comfortably over my hips and rear. I love that the front dips a little below my belly button; this is a really comfortable cut for my shape. If I’m not wearing stockings sometimes the seat does ride up just a little in the back, but with stockings everything stays in place beautifully.
COMFORT
Fishnet is soft, light, flexible, and extremely comfortable– no itchy laces, no digging elastic. It offers a more “relaxed” shape for me (as opposed to some of my bras which are more “lift ‘em high, lock ‘em front and center”). The fishnet material and the elastic trims have more give than some of the laminated fabrics and stiff meshes used by other full-bust brands, so if those materials are requirements for you, Fishnet may not be the ideal set. I really appreciate the softness and the lower-profile look on days when I’m feeling sensitive or looking for a low-key, more streamlined silhouette. While the color and suspenders really look great for Fall, this set is so light and breathable it will be great to wear in warmer months too.
OVERALL
This set is great and I love it and one day if I ever get down to a G-cup and can buy my proper size it will be perfect and that’s all I have to say about that, except maybe I’ll have to shorten the straps, the end.
* * * * *
Bra and suspender brief: Fishnet in Rouge Noir by Claudette (c/o). $79 and $40, sizes 28 D-G, 30-34 A-G, 36-38 B-G. Claudette uses UK sizing conventions, so the cup size progression goes A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G. Fishnet Rouge Noir is available at Dear Scarlett, Bluestockings Boutique, and ASOS.
Stockings: Kiss Me Deadly (sold out). Similar: Stockingirl (here and here), Cervin, Eleganti (here and here).
Photos: Studio Rezin