Disclosure: This bra was received as a review sample. All opinions are my own and based entirely on my experience.
Following up on last week’s Deja Day review, this week I bring to you another bra review from the Playful Promises brand umbrella—and this one is an actual Playful Promises item. Make sure you stick around until the end of this post to get an exclusive 10% off coupon for the Playful Promises website!
This is the hot pink “Madeleine” bondage bra in size UK 30G. As you can see from the manufacturer photo, it features adjustable cage straps in the front and an additional strap that wraps around the ribcage.
Madeleine is a three-part cup, but it’s a little different than what I’m used to. There is no side-sling on the interior or exterior; rather, the bottom half is two parts with a seam up the center, with a sheer mesh third part along the top edge.
It has your standard three columns of hooks and eyes and fully adjustable straps. The cage straps are thinner and adjustable, and the ribcage strap is fully adjustable on one side. The band is partially two layers (satin and powermesh) and partially just powermesh, with side boning.
I’m really impressed by the quality of the materials. Even though the satin is polyester and elastane, it feels like real silk. It has that slightly sticky feeling that you get with some silk and is not overly shiny.
I find that Madeleine runs true to size in both cup and band. The cups are fairly deep and narrow—not as deep and narrow as Polish brands, but better than the shallower and wider fit that I’m used to with other British stalwarts such as Freya, Panache, and Bravissimo. So I get a very good fit!
The details are also really nice. There’s gold hardware and I especially like the way it looks where the cage straps meet the shoulder straps. However, the ribcage strap ends up giving me rib muffin-tops, so I prefer to wear it adjacent to the band. This gives it a longline look without the annoying band roll-up I always get from actual longline bras.
The bra (well, the top half) is too sheer for photos of it straight-on, but I snapped some shots in a low-cut dress and also in a white camisole so you can see clearly how it fits.
First up, this is a Trashy Diva “1940s Dress.” Its front and back are the same construction, but the back has two hooks and eyes so you can wear it open lower, or spin it around and wear it cut super-low in front, which is what I did here:
And here’s how it looks with the front worn in front. You can see that there isn’t much visible bra, so you could actually wear this as a regular bra under garments that don’t have a deep plunge:
With the camisole, you can see just how round and uplifted the shape is. I’m really impressed that a three-part cup with no side-sling creates such a beautiful shape! Plus, as with Deja Day, there’s no visible side-bra in the underarms.
Unfortunately, the pink Madeleine is sold out in nearly all sizes, but Playful Promises does have plenty of other strappy options. I will definitely purchase from them going forward. However, I do have to note the unfortunate size change to their upcoming autumn/winter season, which starts at 32 bands instead of 30 bands, even in styles that previously came in 30. So I may not be able to buy anything beyond the currently available offerings (*sob sob*).
If you’d like to try the brand yourself, Playful Promises has offered an exclusive discount to Hourglassy readers, applicable to all the house brands on PlayfulPromises.com until the end of 2021! Enter code HOURGLASSY10 to get 10% off at checkout (limit one use per customer).
This bra looks gorgeous. I love the high-waisted panties. Are you going to get the matching panties? Surprisingly lifted, rounded shape for what looks like a boudoir bra. I, too, am surprised at the shape achieved without a side sling. If you could add links to the product page where we can buy the product(s), that would be great.
I rarely buy matching underwear! I prefer the comfort of sporty panties (Dear Kate is my favorite brand, which I’ve reviewed here: https://hourglassy.com/2016/02/off-the-rack-reviewing-dear-kate-underpants/). The bra is actually linked throughout the article above. It may be a little hard to see, but all the links are purple (vs. the black of the normal text).
I do understand what you mean about preferring comfy panties. I’ve been throwing out all my pretty but uncomfortable panties. I feel guilty for wasting the money, but I value comfort more now. I read the Dear Kate undies review. They’re a bit too low-rise for my slim hips, but they look perfectly comfortable AND flattering on you.
You’re right the product is linked throughout your review! I feel silly now. I clicked through and found the matching panties. They are THONG back [sob]. Thongs are incredibly uncomfortable to me, and the Madeleine bra’s center gore is too high for me! 🙁 [This is not a First World Problem. This is a Bra World Problem, and it’s serious!]