Finding your usual bra size is only the starting point when trying a new brand.
Every lingerie brand develops bras using its own patterns, fabrics, wires and construction methods. As a result, the same labelled size can feel slightly different between brands.
Panache is particularly popular among women with fuller busts. The brand offers everyday bras and sports bras across an extensive size range.
However, women trying Panache for the first time sometimes notice that the fit feels firmer than expected. This is particularly noticeable through the underband when comparing Panache with some Australian and fuller-bust brands.
Our Panache Fit Guide explains what you should know before choosing your size.
We will look at Panache bra sizing, band and cup fit, UK-to-Australian size conversion and sister sizing. We will also explain how Panache compares with brands including Elomi, Freya, Fantasie, Triumph and Berlei.
Importantly, not every Panache bra fits exactly the same.
Fabric, cup shape, wire construction and bra style can all influence fit. Your breast shape can also affect how an individual Panache style feels.
Use this guide as a starting point rather than a replacement for checking the actual fit.
If you are unsure of your current bra size, begin with our Determine Your Size guide before comparing brands.
Panache bras are designed with supportive construction, particularly for fuller busts.
One of the first things women may notice is the secure underband.
Compared with some brands, Panache can feel firmer around the body when new. This does not necessarily mean the bra is too small.
A new bra should generally feel secure because the elastic will gradually relax with normal wear.
However, firm should never mean painful.
You should still be able to breathe comfortably. The band should not painfully dig into your ribs or create excessive pressure.
Panache also uses structured cups across many of its designs. These can provide excellent lift, shaping and breast containment when the cup shape suits your body.
The result is a fit that often feels secure and supportive rather than loose or overly stretchy.
This question does not have a simple yes or no answer.
Panache does not universally “run small”. However, its bands can feel firmer than those from several other brands.
That distinction is important.
Women moving from brands with stretchier or more generous bands may immediately notice the difference.
For example, if you usually wear brands such as Triumph, Berlei or Elomi, your usual band size may feel noticeably firmer in Panache.
If the cups fit well but the band feels excessively tight, trying a larger band may help.
Remember to adjust the cup size when sister sizing.
For example, someone wearing an Australian 16E may try an 18DD rather than simply moving to 18E.
We explain why in the sister sizing section below.
It is equally important not to assume everyone needs a larger Panache band.
If your usual size feels secure and comfortable, there is no reason to change it.
Women already wearing Panache comfortably should generally start with their established Panache size when trying another style.
Women familiar with similarly structured UK fuller-bust brands may also find their usual size a sensible starting point.
Individual bra styles can still vary.
The underband provides the foundation for your bra.
This is particularly important for fuller busts because the band should provide much of the bra’s stability.
A Panache band should sit firmly around your torso.
It should remain level from front to back and should not ride upwards between your shoulder blades.
When your band fits correctly, it should:
feel firm and secure
remain level around your body
stay in position when you raise your arms
allow comfortable breathing
provide support without relying on tight straps
A new bra should usually be fitted comfortably on its loosest hook.
This gives you tighter settings to use as the elastic gradually stretches with wear.
Your band may be too tight if it causes painful pressure or makes comfortable breathing difficult.
However, check the cups before changing the band.
Cups that are too small can make the entire bra feel tighter because breast tissue pushes against the bra.
One simple check is to try the bra backwards with the cups hanging down.
This isolates the band from the cups.
If the band suddenly feels comfortable, cup size or shape may be contributing to the problem.
Our Band Problems guide explores common underband fitting issues in greater detail.
A loose band may:
ride upwards at the back
move when you raise your arms
require excessive strap tightening
provide insufficient support
allow the front of the bra to shift
If this happens, you may need a smaller band.
Visit our Six-Point Bra Fit Check for a complete assessment of your bra fit.
Correct cup fit is just as important as band size.
Your breasts should sit completely inside the cups without spilling or significant empty space.
A well-fitting cup should comfortably contain your breast tissue.
The cup edge should sit smoothly without cutting into your breast.
With an underwired Panache bra, the wire should surround your breast tissue rather than sit on it.
The centre front should also sit correctly according to the bra’s design.
Look for:
breast tissue spilling over the neckline
bulging at the sides
breast tissue underneath the wire
the centre front being pushed away from your body
wires sitting on breast tissue
Do not assume these problems mean the band is too small.
Sometimes increasing the cup size solves the tight feeling.
Look for:
significant wrinkling
loose fabric
unsupported space within the cup
breast tissue settling at the bottom
cups extending too far around your body
However, empty space does not always mean you need a smaller cup.
The cup shape may simply be incompatible with your breast shape.
Our Cup Problems guide can help you identify the difference.
Bra size is only part of fitting.
Two women wearing exactly the same size can have very different breast shapes.
One may have more fullness above the nipple. Another may carry more tissue below.
Breasts can also differ in projection, width and spacing.
These differences affect how individual Panache styles fit.
A bra that fits one woman beautifully may create gaping or cutting-in on another woman wearing the same size.
This does not necessarily mean either woman has the wrong size.
The bra shape may simply suit one breast shape better.
Explore our Breast Shape Hub, including Breast Fullness, Breast Projection and Breast Spacing, to understand how shape influences bra fit.
Panache is a UK lingerie brand, so its sizing follows UK conventions.
Australian band sizes use a different numbering system.
For example, a UK band size 34 generally corresponds with an Australian size 12.
A typical starting conversion is:
| UK Band | Australian Band |
|---|---|
| 28 | 6 |
| 30 | 8 |
| 32 | 10 |
| 34 | 12 |
| 36 | 14 |
| 38 | 16 |
| 40 | 18 |
| 42 | 20 |
| 44 | 22 |
| 46 | 24 |
Cup conversion requires additional care.
UK sizing commonly progresses through cup sizes including DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH and J.
Australian brands do not always use exactly the same cup progression.
Therefore, avoid assuming that the same cup letter means exactly the same thing across every brand.
Use the size conversion provided for the specific bra whenever possible.
Our Bra Size Conversion information can help when moving between Australian, UK and other international sizing systems.
Sister sizing is particularly useful when adjusting a Panache band.
Sister sizes have approximately similar cup volume but use different band and cup combinations.
If you increase the band, you generally move down a cup.
If you decrease the band, you generally move up a cup.
Imagine you normally wear an Australian 16E in a brand with a more generous band.
You try a Panache bra in the equivalent size.
The cups appear correct, but the band feels uncomfortably firm.
Instead of simply moving from 16E to 18E, consider the sister size 18DD.
The larger band provides more room around your torso while the cup adjustment helps maintain similar breast volume.
Moving from 16E to 18E changes both band circumference and cup volume.
That may make the cups larger than intended.
Sister sizing helps you change one aspect of the fit while keeping cup volume relatively similar.
Visit our Bra Sister Size Chart for a more detailed explanation.
Panache and Elomi are both well-known fuller-bust brands, but their fit can feel different.
Elomi bands can feel more generous or stretchy in some styles.
A woman comfortable in Elomi may therefore find the equivalent Panache band firmer.
Do not automatically change size.
Start with your usual converted size and assess the complete fit.
If the Panache cups fit correctly but the band is excessively tight, consider sister sizing into the next band.
Cup shape also differs significantly between individual Panache and Elomi styles.
Women moving from Triumph to Panache should pay particular attention to both sizing systems and band feel.
Triumph uses Australian sizing across many products sold locally, while Panache originates from the UK system.
Panache can also feel firmer around the body.
For example, someone comfortable in a Triumph 16E may find a Panache 18DD more comfortable if the equivalent 16 band feels excessively firm.
Treat this as a starting point rather than a universal sizing rule.
Always assess the cups, wires and band together.
Berlei is familiar to many Australian women.
Moving from Berlei into Panache can therefore involve both a different brand fit and UK-based sizing.
Panache bands may feel firmer than some Berlei styles.
If you are new to Panache, start with your correctly converted size.
Then check the band independently.
If it feels excessively tight while the cups fit correctly, consider moving to the appropriate sister size.
Freya and Panache both have strong fuller-bust ranges and use UK sizing conventions.
Many women can use their usual UK size as a sensible starting point when moving between these brands.
However, that does not mean every Panache and Freya bra fits identically.
Cup shape, wire width, fabric and band stretch can vary significantly between individual styles.
Your breast shape also influences the result.
Avoid changing size simply because you change brands unless the fit tells you to.
Fantasie is another UK fuller-bust brand.
If you already wear Fantasie comfortably, your established UK size can be a useful starting point with Panache.
Again, individual bras can fit differently.
Some Fantasie styles may feel more generous or use a different cup shape.
Always assess the actual bra rather than relying entirely on the label.
Panache is particularly well known for sports bras.
Sports bras need to control breast movement while still allowing you to breathe and exercise comfortably.
As a result, they can feel firmer and more structured than everyday bras.
The band should feel secure and remain level during exercise.
It should not slide around your torso or ride upwards.
However, you should still be able to take comfortable deep breaths.
If the band feels extremely restrictive, check both the band and cups.
Your breasts should remain securely contained within the cups.
There should be no significant spilling at the neckline, sides or underneath.
For underwired Panache sports bras, check that the wires surround your breast tissue.
Never assess a sports bra solely while standing still.
Jog on the spot.
Perform several star jumps.
Twist your body.
Reach overhead.
Bend forward.
Take several deep breaths.
Your breasts should feel securely supported without uncomfortable restriction.
Visit How Should a Sports Bra Fit? and our Sports Bra Movement Test for a complete sports bra fitting process.
It is important not to treat every Panache sports bra as though it has identical construction.
The Panache Endurance Underwired Sports Bra uses structured underwired support and a non-padded design.
Women new to Panache should pay particular attention to the firm band and complete cup containment.
The Panache Power Underwired Sports Bra provides a different cup feel and construction from Endurance.
Do not assume that loving your size in one style guarantees an identical fit in another.
Use your established Panache size as a starting point and perform a fresh fit check.
The Panache Freedom Sports Bra provides wirefree support.
Removing underwire changes how the bra feels and supports your breasts.
Cup positioning and compression may therefore feel different from Panache’s underwired sports styles.
The Panache Boundless is another wirefree option.
Again, assess the individual design rather than choosing purely by brand size.
This is particularly important if you are moving between underwired and wirefree sports bras.
Explore our Sports Bra Styles section to understand how different constructions influence fit and support.
Panache everyday bras also come in many shapes.
Balcony, plunge, moulded and full-cup bras can fit differently even when their size labels match.
A plunge bra may have a lower centre front.
A balcony bra can provide a different neckline and cup shape.
Stretch lace can adapt differently to breast tissue than a rigid moulded cup.
This is why finding your “Panache size” does not guarantee every Panache style will suit your breast shape.
Think of your usual Panache size as your starting size, not an unbreakable rule.
Our Bra Style Guide explains how different bra constructions interact with breast shape and clothing.
Understanding what a fit problem means can prevent unnecessary size changes.
First check the cups.
If the cups are too small, they can make the entire bra feel tighter.
If the cups fit correctly and the band remains excessively firm, try the appropriate sister size.
You may need a larger cup.
However, the cup shape may also be too closed for your breast shape.
Use our Cup Problems guide to investigate further.
Check whether your breasts are fully contained within the cups.
Cups that are too small can push the centre front away.
Breast spacing and the bra’s centre-front construction can also influence fit.
Our Bra Underwire Problems and Breast Spacing guides can help.
Do not simply loosen or tighten the straps without checking everything else.
The underband should provide the main foundation.
If the band is too loose, you may compensate by tightening the straps excessively.
Visit Bra Strap Problems for more troubleshooting advice.
When your Panache bra arrives, put it on carefully and position your breast tissue correctly.
Our How to Put On a Bra Correctly guide explains the process.
Then perform your fit check.
Check:
the underband
the cups
the centre front
the underwires
the straps
movement and comfort
Our Six-Point Bra Fit Check takes you through every stage.
Do not judge a new bra simply because it feels different from your old one.
An old bra may have stretched considerably.
This can make a correctly fitted new band feel surprisingly firm.
Our What a New Bra Should Feel Like guide explains what to expect.
Start with your current, correctly fitted bra size.
Convert it into the appropriate Panache UK size where necessary.
If you already wear Panache successfully, begin with your established size.
If you are moving from a brand such as Triumph, Berlei or Elomi, be prepared for the Panache band to potentially feel firmer.
Do not automatically size up.
Try the bra and assess the complete fit.
If the cups fit correctly but the band is genuinely too firm, use sister sizing rather than increasing the band alone.
Most importantly, remember that size is only part of the equation.
Your breast shape, bra style and personal comfort all influence fit.
Panache bra sizing becomes much easier once you understand how the brand fits and how to assess the bra on your own body.
Panache is known for structured support and an extensive fuller-bust range. Its underbands can feel firmer than some brands, particularly when the bra is new.
That does not mean every woman should size up.
Your usual correctly fitted size remains the best starting point.
If the band feels excessively tight but the cups fit well, sister sizing can help. Women moving from more generous-fitting brands may particularly benefit from understanding this option.
Remember that individual Panache styles can also fit differently.
An underwired sports bra, wirefree sports bra, plunge bra and balcony bra use very different constructions. Your breast shape can influence each fit differently.
Use this Panache Fit Guide as your starting point, then let the individual bra tell you what needs adjusting.
If you are unsure of your current size, begin with Determine Your Size.
Next, use our Six-Point Bra Fit Check to assess the band, cups, centre front, wires, straps and overall comfort.
You can also explore our Bra Sister Size Chart, Breast Shape Hub, Bra Fit Troubleshooter and Sports Bra Hub for more specialised help.
The number and letter on the label are useful guides.
The most important test is how your Panache bra actually fits, supports and feels on you.
Amy x
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