Bow bustier - bustier discontinued by Coquette - review by Breas

The Bow Bustier by Coquette is so very feminine and pretty. It’s available in sizes S-1X/2X. The bustier is also available in both pink and black. I purchased the size large in black.

The bustier arrived on a padded hanger, covered in a plastic bag to protect the item. The plastic bag did not have any text or photos on it. You could use the bag when storing the bustier but I prefer to just hang it on the hanger it came with. There was a cardboard tag attached to the bustier that had a photo of a model wearing the piece, and stated the company name. Also attached with the cardboard tag were two zip lock style bags. One of the bags held the 2 detachable, adjustable shoulder straps and the other bag held the 4 garter straps.

The bustier is 82% nylon and 18% spandex (exclusive of trim). The bustier material is extremely stretchy (except the cups). There is also a thick elastic band that runs horizontally on the inside centre area of the bustier which makes it extra stretchy. The elastic band runs around the entire bustier, and is approximately 1 ¼ inches thick.



I’ve taken measurements of the bustier done up on the last row of eye closures (loosest fit). The measurements are of the bustier lying flat, unstretched. If you need additional measurements, please feel free to send me a message and I can get them for you.

Bustier
Length of bustier (armpit to bottom of bustier-lace included) 16 ¾ inches
Length of back of bustier (down centre, lace included)- 14 inches
Bottom of Bustier width: 16 ¼ inches
Chest (armpit to armpit): 15 inches
Cup length: 5 ¼ inches
Cup width: 7 inches

Detachable, Adjustable Straps
Shoulder straps length: 9-17 inches
Shoulder strap width: just under ½ inch
Garter straps length: 6-9 ½ inches
Garter straps width: ½ inch

There are 2 rows of ruffle along the top of the cups, and also 2 rows of ruffle along with the bottom of the bustier. The ruffles along the top of the cups are mesh. The top ruffle is ¾ inch in length, and the bottom ruffle is 1 ½ inches in length. Along the bottom of the bustier, the top ruffle is lace, and the bottom is mesh. The top ruffle is 1 ¾ inches in length, and the bottom is 2 inches.



There are 3 large bows on the bustier, and they are all approximately the same size. All 3 of the bows are attached to broach clips so they can be removed if you don’t like them, or want to change the look. The bustier material also has a bow print on it. It’s not extremely noticeable though because they are black printed bows on black material.





The shoulder straps and garter straps are both adjustable and detachable. I like wearing corsets/bustiers out in public, so I rarely ever get use out of the garters. I always wear shoulder straps though just to keep my chest from weighing the piece down. This of course is just my personal preference. You can detach/attach whichever you choose!



There are 11 plastic boning pieces in the bustier; 5 down the front, 1 on each side, and 4 in the back. All of the boning pieces have velvet covers on them, except the two on the sides (1 on each side of the bustier). The cups are also the same velvet material.

The bustier does up with hook and eye closures down the centre back of the bustier. There are 2 rows of 18 eye closures, with a ¾ inch gap between the two rows.

The cups are padded so there is no need to wear a bra with the bustier. The cups also have underwire in them.

I found the material to be pretty comfortable overall. The only minor issue I had with the material being bothersome was underneath my armpits. There is a bit of lace that runs along the top of the bustier and beneath the arms. The lace isn’t terribly irritating, but I did notice it rubbing against my skin after a while of wearing the bustier. I wouldn’t let this deter you from purchasing this bustier, but it is just something that you should be aware of.

The care tag states that the bustier should be hand washed and hung to dry. I suggest storing the bustier out of pets reach because as you can see in the photos, the velvet tends to attract hair.

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As for my experience, it was rather good. Usually I order a size XL, but decided to order the large because often times the XL leaves me with a bit too much room in the chest area. I wear a C38 and the chest area fit me well. I had the bustier done up on the loosest row of eye closures. I had to get my partner to do the bustier up on me, and he pulled it a bit tight and the material ripped a bit on the back. I’ll have to sew this up and hopefully it doesn’t happen again. You can see this in the photo I’ve posted below.

I love the fact that the bows are detachable. I put one on my braid, though it’s sort of big to wear in my hair (or at least for my preference). The plastic boning in the bustier doesn’t really do any shaping for me. Below you can see the bustier on me.



I've decided to give the bustier a 4 out of 5. The only reason the bustier loses a star is because the material underneath the armpits can be a bit irritating after awhile of wearing it. Other then that, it's a great bustier!