(Note: All opinions in this post are Leah’s own. This post does contain affiliate links that may result in commissions paid to Hourglassy.)

Last week I showed you my wedding gown choices, which turned out to be a little problematic in the undergarments area. Surprisingly, though, I found a solution rather quickly.

The dress I finally selected was a bit too low in the back for a traditional strapless bra, but also didn’t work with the Masquerade Hestia basque I’d already purchased. Then I remembered the low-backed bustier I had seen at CurvExpo in February 2012. Lucky thing I wrote about it on Hourglassy, because I was able to look at my old post and find the manufacturer, Le Mystere. I then discovered that the bra is called the Soiree Bustier.

Le Mystere goes up to a G cup, but it’s not the British G cup I’m used to. The brand uses European sizing, so with no double letters, a Le Mystere G is equal to a British F. With my usual 28G, that means the smallest band I could do would be a 32G. Since I don’t know of any other low-backed strapless bustiers above a D cup, this seemed like my only option. Knowing how well tailored a wedding gown should be, though, I figured it would work well enough.

However, more than “well enough,” this thing is a miracle! First off, the 32G fit like a 28. Seriously. It was a real struggle to hook it all up, and it felt like it was not going to move at all. After intentionally wearing it to a big dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant, I actually decided that it was too tight. With it going so low in the front, it was really uncomfortable on a full stomach and felt like all the boning was digging into me.

Since I anticipate eating a lot at my wedding (the food’s gonna be awesome), this simply wouldn’t do, so I exchanged the 32G for a 34F. It feels so wrong to be ordering a 34, but this thing certainly does not fit like one. I measured the new 34 and it’s only 27 inches long under the bust, and stretches to a mere 31. I don’t really understand Le Mystere’s logic here, but I’ll take it! (In fact, I wonder if all their bras run this ridiculously tight?)

As for the 34, it’s a little looser than I usually go for. I’m starting it on the middle hooks instead of the loosest. And after some vigorous activity, it does feel like it’s shifted just a bit. But it still stays up enough that I don’t feel the need to yank it up all day and the support is shockingly phenomenal.

The rest of this review will be in the form of a photo essay. First up is the backside of this contraption:

The Soiree has boning on the sides and in four spots under the bust, helping stabilize it and stay in place. Four rows of hooks. It comes with a pair of removable straps that you can wear in a variety of ways, but I haven’t tried them yet. (When the strapless version works so well, who needs ‘em?) The band fabric is your usual stretchy and shiny “bra” fabric lined with strong mesh. There’s a thin and light strip of silicon along the top seam, but none on the bottom. Cups are molded and a bit thick, but not real stiff and with no contoured padding.
The Soiree has boning on the sides and in four spots under the bust, helping stabilize it and stay in place. Four rows of hooks. It comes with a pair of removable straps that you can wear in a variety of ways, but I haven’t tried them yet. (When the strapless version works so well, who needs ’em?) The band fabric is your usual stretchy and shiny “bra” fabric lined with strong mesh. There’s a thin and light strip of silicon along the top seam, but none on the bottom. Cups are molded and a bit thick, but not real stiff and with no contoured padding.
I don’t normally include photos of myself in bras, but there’s so little skin here that I’m making an exception. I just don’t think you can get the full impression without a photo. The 32 stopped a little higher on my torso than the 34, which ends at exactly my natural waist, and even looks like it’s digging in just a tiny bit. Since I have a very long torso, I guess I wouldn’t recommend this garment to petite or short-waisted ladies. You can also see that the cups (as usual) are a little shallow at the base for me. But the wires are surprisingly good on my narrow roots, so it’s no big deal.
I don’t normally include photos of myself in bras, but there’s so little skin here that I’m making an exception. I just don’t think you can get the full impression without a photo. The 32 stopped a little higher on my torso than the 34, which ends at exactly my natural waist, and even looks like it’s digging in just a tiny bit. Since I have a very long torso, I guess I wouldn’t recommend this garment to petite or short-waisted ladies. You can also see that the cups (as usual) are a little shallow at the base for me. But the wires are surprisingly good on my narrow roots, so it’s no big deal.
Here, you can see that the cups are not super tall on the sides, thank goodness. I have no worries about it peeking out of my dress, but it also encompasses all the breast tissue. Perfect!
Here, you can see that the cups are not super tall on the sides, thank goodness. I have no worries about it peeking out of my dress, but it also encompasses all the breast tissue. Perfect!
Here is an image of the back. The pink line is where the top of my normal bra band sits. The blue line is where the Deco strapless sits after a full day of wear and never yanking it up. (Imagine that both these lines are curved a little to follow the body’s contours, not straight across.)
Here is an image of the back. The pink line is where the top of my normal bra band sits. The blue line is where the Deco strapless sits after a full day of wear and never yanking it up. (Imagine that both these lines are curved a little to follow the body’s contours, not straight across.)
Now this is the not so perfect, yet not at all surprising, part. The gore is laughable. It doesn’t even come close to tacking. Here you can see that it’s nearly an inch and a half away from my chest. But I wouldn’t really expect anything better since the band is so low. There’s just no way to pull the gore in place. This was the same on the 32 band as well, so I know it’s not a typical case of too-loose band. And despite the wonky gore, my boobs still felt contained and very well supported.
Now this is the not so perfect, yet not at all surprising, part. The gore is laughable. It doesn’t even come close to tacking. Here you can see that it’s nearly an inch and a half away from my chest. But I wouldn’t really expect anything better since the band is so low. There’s just no way to pull the gore in place. This was the same on the 32 band as well, so I know it’s not a typical case of too-loose band. And despite the wonky gore, my boobs still felt contained and very well supported.
Finally, we have the bustier underneath a thin camisole. As you can see, the shape is quite uplifted and very round. You can’t even tell I’m wearing anything other than a normal bra!
Finally, we have the bustier underneath a thin camisole. As you can see, the shape is quite uplifted and very round. You can’t even tell I’m wearing anything other than a normal bra!
Here’s a shot from a three-quarter angle so you can see the profile a little better. My fiancé said this bra produces a “good shadow,” and I have to agree.
Here’s a shot from a three-quarter angle so you can see the profile a little better. My fiance said this bra produces a “good shadow” and I have to agree. Also, please take a moment to appreciate my seasonal manicure of snowy white with a gold accent finger. (My bra addiction is rivaled only by my polish addiction.)

Overall, I’m really pleased with this bra. It may end up being my go-to strapless from now on. Since the fabric is sturdy and has all that boning, there are no little seams to bite into my skin like the Deco. Though of course I’ll still have to keep the Deco around as well, since it has a much deeper plunge and still provides superb cleavage.

Most of all, this bustier opens up my wardrobe to lots of “back interest” potential. Backless is still out (and will remain so forever), but no longer will I have to avoid low backs and funky cutouts. My next trip to Forever21 should be super fun!

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