Beauty
The ornate Thalia is my fourth Empreinte. I love the baroque scroll pattern and the bold edging of embroidered lace. It almost reminds me of Battenburg lace, but I'm no seamstress, so any lace or fabric nerds out there: please enlighten me. The color is a rich turquoise that is vibrant even in my usual grey, northern light conditions.
Comfort & Fit
Fabric. Mesh and very sturdy lace. Normally, mesh is my least favorite fabric because, although beautiful for its sheer and feather-light qualities, I often find it rough and abrasive. (Hello, Elomi Betty) But this is a very fine, soft mesh that is non-irritating. (And at this price, it should be.)
Cups. Three-part seamed cups that are very deep. As with the fabulous Grace, Empreinte's idea of 'low-necked', i.e. balconette, is what I would consider a full cup. I cannot even imagine how the full cup version would fit on me; the cups would reach my eyebrows.
There is plenty of room in the lower cup and the upper cup is flexible enough to accommodate my full-on-top shape. I'm getting a very soft tack, due to the height of the gore, which is not ideal for me.
Shape. Lifted, rounded, a little wider than my other Empreintes, but not actually wide. This profile pic makes it appear that the shape is oddly upward tilting, but that must be an awkward angle; the picture above gives a more accurate idea of the shape.
Wires. The profile pic does show the wire structure really well, though. And this is the only Empreinte I've tried that has UK style wires, i.e. the Nike swoop shape. Although I strongly prefer the upright 'U' shape of European style wires, this is a moderate version and so does not cause me any irritation. Also, the wires are thinner and less rigid than UK bras and that is always a comfort win for me. There are the usual side stays, which are also thin and soft, as is standard for the brand. I don't even find it necessary to remove them as I do on all other brands.
Band. Very stable. With 4 hooks! Not something you often see in a European bra. And even less often in a band that is not too tall. That is pretty magical right there. My preference is for 3 hooks, but this is a comfy band of very fine, soft mesh.
Straps. Empreinte always does straps beautifully. Different styles, but the constants are: wide-ish, flat, soft and supportive. And pretty. They are always embellished in some way. Because I prefer open necklines - they break up that visual wall 'o boob effect, which I think is more flattering - I often have a bra strap peek out at some point during the day. When that happens, these are pretty and easily pass for a camisole.
Compromises
Gore. If you hate high gores, this is not the brand for you. Definitely don't bother with the full cups; stick with the 'low-necks'. While I would prefer the gore to be a good inch lower, it does contribute to a 'locked & loaded' feel that is very supportive.
Price. Empreinte is a luxury brand. It is well-made and will wear like iron, for years. Going on 4+ years now and none of mine show any wear at all. That comes at a $100+ price tag. If you are naturally thrifty, that requires some mental math to justify: e.g. a $20 bra that will last a year, mayyyybe two, vs a $100 bra that will last between 5 years and a decade. Over time, buying a couple of Empreinte would actually prove cheaper than buying half a dozen cheap bras. Ebay & Amazon are your friends here. If you find one for $65 or less, consider it a bargain.
Sizing
The cups run generous, especially in Thalia, which, I believe, is Empreinte's deepest, fullest cup. My other styles are in 40F and 40G (French sizing). My usual Euro size is 40H, so that gives you an idea.
I bought Thalia in 42F because 1) mesh virtually always fits more snugly than other fabrics, and 2) I have gotten a bit, er, more fluffy since I bought my last Empreinte. I was a bit concerned, as sister-sizing is not as straightforward in the brand, but I got a perfect fit. I probably would have been fine with my usual 40G, too.
When Do I Wear It?
To work, when I want a bit more coverage, or am likely to have a strap showing. The seams lie very flat and the lace texture is fairly discreet under knits. Thalia also is a great choice for PMS swelling or tenderness as you get a very secure fit with zero bounce, yet one that can accommodate some size change. This bra is also an excellent choice if you'll be walking several blocks as part of your commute. If you experience tenderness, you'll know that a bra that is comfy for sitting at your desk may not be the best choice for a brisk 1/2 mile walk on the way to that desk.
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