[Disclosure: Panache generously provided this set for review. I was not compensated for this post, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.]
One of my hands-down favorite sets from Panache’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection was new style Georgia. The set stood out for a few reasons: first, it was not blue or blue + black, which were the default fashion colors of the season; secondly, it was a brand new shape available up to a K cup, and finally, instead of predictable black lace, the color scheme is a smoky pink trimmed with charcoal lace, giving it an unusual softness. It felt like a lovely transitional style between the darker, rich tones of Winter and the delicate pastels of Spring, so I’m delighted to kick off the new year with a review.
APPEARANCE
Georgia is a three-part non-padded balconette style bra. This seam pattern is one of my favorites: the outer bottom panel runs all the way from the underwire to connect to the strap, and the overall shape helps to draw breast tissue in from the sides of the body and provide vertical lift. The cups are constructed of pink mesh with minimal stretch, overlaid with charcoal gray mesh and lace, again with minimal stretch. The top edge of the cup is folded, so there’s no seamed or elasticated edge to dig into softer breast tissue. The straps are fully adjustable, and the band fastens with three rows and three columns of hooks and eyes. The center gore is trimmed with matching lace and a small pink organza bow.
The coordinating knickers are a low-rise short style, with a folded-edge legline and an elasticated waistband. The front features the same pink mesh with charcoal lace overlay, while the rear is simple gray mesh, seamed up the center back.
FIT
I requested my current most common sizes, 32GG and 14/L (all UK sizes). I usually find Panache styles a little generous, but to my surprise, I got a much better fit by sizing up one cup size to a 32H. Many Panache styles feature open, or at least forgiving, upper cups with the use of either stretch mesh or stretch lace, but because Georgia uses materials with very little stretch and features a more closed, rounded shape, there isn’t as much wiggle room as there are in styles like Jasmine or Envy. The 32H is a much better fit for me—the upper edge of the cup lies smoothly without digging in, and the gore tacks securely against my sternum. The band fastens comfortably on the loosest set of hooks, although it feels much more forgiving than some of my other Panache styles, almost a little loose. I’ll note here that Erica at A Sophisticated Pair found that her usual size fit her well in both band and cup, so your mileage may vary.
The shorts feel true to size compared to my other Panache knickers. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I actually prefer a more traditional brief with an elasticated legline, as styles that have a more open legline (like shorts) tend to wiggle around on me. These are also much lower-rise than some of my other knickers, so that’s something to keep in mind, depending on your personal preference.
COMFORT
Georgia is kind of a wonder bra for me: the band is deep, which disperses the weight of the breasts across a greater surface area and which in turn prevents the band from digging in too painfully. I get phenomenal lift and a lovely rounded shape, and despite having a fairly tall center gore, I never feel like I’m wearing “a lot of bra”. The bra feels light and easy to wear, and I can put it on in the morning and almost forget I’m wearing it.
I have in the past had issues with lower-rise knickers (I don’t like the way they roll under my belly, and because I’m tall I sometimes feel like they’re falling off my body), and I do wish the rise were an inch or two higher on these. Other than that, the full set is comfortable for all day wear, even on an active day.
OVERALL
I’m delighted that Georgia is sticking around for future seasons: SS16’s version looks like a pastel dream, and I’ll be interested to see if the style returns for AW16. This is a really lovely set that’s equally pretty as it comfortable to wear. Well done, Panache!
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Bra and Short: Georgia by Panache (c/o), 30-38 D-K and XS-XXL. Panache is a UK brand, so the cup size progression is D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ, K. Georgia is available at A Sophisticated Pair, Breakout Bras, and Bare Necessities.
Photos: Studio Rezin