[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
21 Comments on Review: Claudette Fishnet in Rouge Noir
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[…] I read Sweetnothings review of the Rouge Noir set and the new version is a bit different, when it comes to […]
Amanda
November 3, 2015 at 10:31 am (7 years ago)I’ve been eyeing this baby (literally spent hours just last night looking up reviews and different colorways), so I’m glad to see your review! I’ve read you can get away with, and it fits best, buying it one cup smaller than your usual. Would you agree, or recommend to stick with your usual? I’m guessing the smaller cup helps to ‘lock’ the girls in more, as you said, which is why it’s recommended.
Also, have you tried the Bardot plunge Claudette has? Stretch lace makes me weak in the knees.
Sweets
November 3, 2015 at 10:41 am (7 years ago)I think there definitely is some flexibility in the cup, because the fabric is so forgiving. I’m not quiiiite ready to size down yet, because I’m worried the wires would get a little narrow for me, but I’m wondering, if I keep up my running, if in another few months I might not give it a shot. So glad the review was helpful! I haven’t tried the Bardot yet! It’s definitely on my list of styles I want to try– so far I’ve just tried different seasons of Dessous and the original version of Fishnet.
Amanda
November 3, 2015 at 11:21 am (7 years ago)Wellll…..not to encourage more bra shopping, but both the Fishnet and Bardot are on Zulily right now. ;D
Julia Lambert
November 3, 2015 at 10:05 am (7 years ago)I want thiiiiisssss. That’s all. This one one I’d snatch up the minute I find it in my size.
Sweets
November 3, 2015 at 11:26 am (7 years ago)Yeah, this is weird– where are all the FF cups?
Bok
November 3, 2015 at 10:19 am (7 years ago)Hey Sweets
this looks amazing on you. So pleased you love it!
see you soon
Bok xxx
Sweets
November 3, 2015 at 11:27 am (7 years ago)Thank you so much, Bok– it’s a beautiful set!
Erica of A Sophisticated Pair
November 3, 2015 at 11:52 am (7 years ago)Another lovely photo shoot and review! It’s funny, but this bra has come up like three times in the last week in email/comments/customers all talking about how much they like it. I really love the look, and I think the lift is nice too. I just wonder about Claudette because I heard about quality/inconsistency issues from a few other retailers. Plus, their discount site is a problem since a lot of the line is fashion-driven anyway. Your review does give me something to think about though!
Jeanna
November 3, 2015 at 9:28 pm (7 years ago)I don’t see the discount site as a problem (personally) since what they’re selling is all *really* old (and honestly, those are the pieces more likely to have fit issues).
Scarlett
November 3, 2015 at 11:16 pm (7 years ago)This is my second season carrying Claudette, and I haven’t encountered any issues with sizing being inconsistent or off, so that may be a thing of the past (fingers crossed!) I was a bit disconcerted by Encore as well, but ultimately, it provides a budget-friendly introduction to the brand, although, as Jeanna noted, the older styles are more likely to suffer from inconsistencies.
Erica of A Sophisticated Pair
November 4, 2015 at 1:23 pm (7 years ago)Thanks Scarlett and Jeanna! It’s possible that the retailers were referring to the initial releases as it has been quite some time since the brand was discussed. I saw them at Curves and fell in love with the aesthetic, so I always like to watch their new seasons. Good to hear about Encore too. We stocked a brand around the time we opened which was doing a lot of discount selling on other sites, and it created issues with people “shopping” us for size and ordering elsewhere. That’s what I was hesitant about with Encore, but it sounds like the issue is not as prevalent here. I think it’s definitely time to contact them and get more information on current selection.
Antonia
November 3, 2015 at 4:58 pm (7 years ago)I loooove this color. I’m hesitant to buy it since based on the Paramours I’ve tried, I don’t think the shape is going to be right for me. (Paramour ended up being loose in the band and a little big across the top of the cup, but that doesn’t stop me from wearing them because they’re so, so pretty.) I love how this looks on you, though!
Jeanna
November 3, 2015 at 9:29 pm (7 years ago)Hi! I have (and love) both the Paramour and Fishnet, and though the shape is similar I find the band on Fishnet to be much more in line with what I’m used to in Dessous (I wear 34 bands), and the fabric hugs my chest – I wear a 34G and don’t experience gapping towards the top of the (quite tall) cup. Hope this helps!
Robin
November 3, 2015 at 5:37 pm (7 years ago)Hey Sweets! A couple of comments made I have to agree with – straps this season on fishnet, do seem long so we will address this on future production. I saw this yesterday when fitting someone myself. We will also have FF’s back in stock in the next season. Sorry guys about that! All you FF cup wearers didn’t seem to stock up in past seasons, and this year you have all come out of the wood works asking for more FF’s!!
Also – A comment for Erica at Sophisticated Pair. I just want to share with you that our Encore site – sells close out merchandise, that accounts in the USA haven’t purchased at even discounted wholesale in over a year or more. The most recent collection we currently sell on Encore is from AW13! Its not exactly merchandise that stores or websites keep re-stocking because they are fashion colors and stores don’t want to maintain fashion colors longer then a season. Its a real challenge for Claudette to move through the inventory we buy in a single season, so Encore allows us to sell previous years merchandise at great prices, with really no competition of retail stores as no one is currently carrying these items at full price anymore. I get there’s competition for the spending dollars, but Claudette customers are collectors! They want whats new first and fast, and they also look at past seasons, and when they cant find a color any longer in retail stores, eventually – they will be able to get it on Encore. However again, we are talking months (and at this time were looking a colors launched 24 month ago or more!)
Last we have evolved the fit, no doubt there’s lots to read about that. As a new brand it took several seasons to perfect Dessous, and the early seasons that went a bit through trial and error are on Encore at deep discounted pricing – and sold very well 3 years ago in stores. You will typically find “up a cup, down in the band” is a very real issue with early seasons (NEON, SUCRE & MAUVE AMERICAN TAN) merchandise. Again, there are still people wanting these items, and we are very available to answer sizing questions when we get them for customers shopping Encore!
I hope this gives you some insight to our Encore site – and gives you some confidence of what you purchase from us! Feel free to reach out to me personally!
Erica of A Sophisticated Pair
November 4, 2015 at 1:27 pm (7 years ago)Robin, thank you so much for addressing my comment! It has indeed been a while since the discussion of quality/fit issues popped up, so I trust you when you say those were more characteristic of the first collections. I saw your products at Curves one year and fell into a deep love with them, especially the Dessous. There’s something so fun and eye-catching about what you make, and it’s one of the reasons I keep watching season after season. I mentioned it above, but the only reason Encore worried me was because we did stock a brand which was involved in a lot of discount selling online. We would get customers who shopped us for size but never purchased; however, the items from this brand were closer to current season. I did not realize they were well over a year old before they even made it to the website. That does seem to minimize the aforementioned issue. If you have any reps, I’d love to hear from one. — sophisticatedpair[at]gmail
Shannon
November 3, 2015 at 8:49 pm (7 years ago)I jumped on this one immediately when I saw it at Bluestockings & Dear Scarlett – I’ve loved the silhouette for ages and have been waiting to find it in a color/size combo that worked for me. However, I’m disappointed with the finishing at the point on the band where the foldover elastic is replaced with wide plush-blacked elastic: it’s slightly roughly finished, with a little fraying, and the layers of fabric + elastic are so thick that those points rub pretty badly on my ribcage. Did you experience this at all, or did I get a fluke?
Jeanna
November 3, 2015 at 9:31 pm (7 years ago)Shannon, I think that you may unfortunately have got a fluke – I checked my other bras after I saw that review and none of them look that way. I’m so sorry!
Shannon
November 3, 2015 at 10:30 pm (7 years ago)Thanks, Jeanna! It’s a shame that there’s inconsistency in the finishing, but I’m glad that the Fishnet is working out for other folks, because it’s really such a striking shape and color. I think this shape isn’t quite right for me for other reasons, too, but it hasn’t stopped me from loving the other things I’ve got from Claudette!
Scarlett
November 3, 2015 at 11:05 pm (7 years ago)Ah, this looks so amazing on you, Sweets! I’m crazy for Rouge Noir, too, and really liked the knickers. High-waist styles can be a bit tricky to fit, but I think Claudette nailed the cut and material on this one. Sadly, I’m one of the FF cups who was abandoned this season, and I couldn’t pull off a sister size. I hope this colorway sees a reprise!
Wen
November 11, 2015 at 12:06 am (7 years ago)The color is amazing… I think it’s very close to my favourite color… It would be so nice if claudette had a larger size range!