I’ve got a new dress – and it’s got my name on it! Review of Bolero Beachwear “Mette” Dress

Hi everyone! Remember dear old me? I’m still alive, haha!

I don’t really even know where to start with this review. It’s been a long overdue, but here I am finally. It’s a special one for me also, as this particular product has been named over myself – which is really humbling. So how did Mette dress came to be? It was a lovingly created style in my honour, made by the ever-so-lovely Patricia at Bolero Beachwear. She has been kind enough to believe in me, even over my loooong blog hiatus and last year, she hinted me that a dress with my name on was coming together. She wanted to make it perfect, so the release date got pushed back a bit – the first intention was to release the dress and send it to me before our wedding day and honeymoon, but we all know how much Patricia puts her love and devotion to the clothes she makes. So I received it a bit later on.

Patricia was so kind to include two Mette dresses in my parcel and I was so excited – two lovely dresses that were nothing like each other except for the same pattern! The first one – a light stretchy polka-dotted summer day version you can see in these pictures. I promise to post some pictures of the black more fancier version in the future, but let’s give the stage to the more summery version now.

*This product was gifted to me by Bolero Beachwear. All opions are my own. The Photography is by Jaakko Alatalo / Haaska Rock’n’roll Photo.*

As you can see, the Mette dress is a bit different to what we have seen from Bolero before. The dress is A-lined and has a lovely empire waist, which reminds me of my Jane Austen fan girl years (haha, I guess I am still in that phase though…). It’s clever combination of a more modern style beachy summer dress with my signature pinup look. It’s a fun and young style – great if you want something that’s gonna feel relaxed and yet look polished! Wait until you see the more festive version, as this dress can definitely do both day and night.

The polka dots on this dress are a bit smaller than on my Erica dress, which is a nice change, even though I do like my original Erica! Patricia is the queen of wild prints – she loves colours and lively patterns, which make her designs pop. However, Bolero dresses do offer some more subdued alternatives as well, and I happen to be one to dig more timeless prints, such as polkadots and plaid. I would love to see the Mette dress in a dark blue or a burgundy tartan-style plaid, maybe in the thicker Bolero ponte fabric. Hmm… isn’t that an idea? 😉

The fit of the dress is once again excellent and it is surely made with busty gals in mind. I am wearing a size Small, as Bolero dresses run quite generous and stretchy (which is great especially if you fluctuate in size!) and feel that my 32GG-H bust fits into it really well. I stopped buying empire waist dresses years ago, as the waist seam would always climb on top of my boobs, instead of curving under them. There is no fear of this issue with the Mette dress – there is plenty of room for the girls and I love that the dress is form-fitting just under the bust area but starts to very quickly widen down to an A-line hem.

The Mette dress is a bit shorter than my other Bolero dresses and thus it is great for summer and with the festive version, lovely for a night out. It has been a loooong time since I last wore a mini skirt, but this one is not too short to feel uncomfortable in but yet short enough to be a tad sexier than your average knee-lenght dress.

As per usual, Bolero dresses are easy to take care of and this version especially takes so little room in the suitcase, that it’s perfect for any summer vacation. I am hoping to get a lot wear out of it next summer! Summer in Finland is soooo short and unfortunately I got this dress in the autumn, which means I didn’t have time to enjoy it during the worst heat waves. But bring on the heat this summer, I’ll be ready!

The best thing about the Mette dress, as other Bolero dresses as well, is how comfortable it feels. It’s the sort of clothing you don’t have to constantly adjust or suck your stomach in, when the waistband digs into you. You can just forget about wearing clothes all together – which is really the ideal for me, even though it may sound strange. The older I get, the more comfy I want to be, so restrictive clothes are something I only wear on a special occasion. For everyday, there is nothing like a breezy strechy dress, that you don’t really have to think about except for the fact how good you feel and look in it.

You can find the Bolero “Mette” dress here for the price of $140. All of the Bolero styles are made ethically in the USA, so even more something to love ❤

PS. No worries, there will still be lingerie reviews here on the blog! I just graduated as a master of Education, so have more time for hobbies now on. The blog won’t probably be as busy as in its hayday, but I will still pop a review here or there when I have time to write and photograph goodies for you!

Salon International de la Lingerie: AW18 Trend Report

I have made a true industry comeback: I visited the Salon International de la Lingerie (SIL) just recently and I am here to bring you all the news regarding AW18 season! First before we start previewing the collections, I am here with a trend report on the colours, prints and materials for next season. Enjoy the autumnly ride!

Green

 

You asked for it – now prepare yourself! AW18 season is the season of green. Mostly bottle green, but you do see some shades of mossy and lime green as well. If you are a full-busted gal, look no further than Cleo by Panache to find something in this colour to add to your collection.

Gold

 

This is something that I am personally very excited about! Gold, especially paired to either black or white is a striking hue that will make the autumn season ever-so-luxurious. Metallics in general are in fashion and you can find some silvery and gun-metal coloured pieces as well. To acquire the most beautiful golden-hued full-bust bras, turn to the luxury brand Harlow & Fox

Bralette

 

 

As Lingerie Insight stated in its previous number, 2017 was the year of the bralette. But the season for this fun and comfy piece of underwear is far from over! Now bralettes have been transformed to fit all sorts of body types and needs (see the blue bralette from Parfait) so everyone can enjoy the trend in 2018.

Bodysuits

 

To accompany the bralette trend, 2018 is bringing us an array of bodysuits, both in wired and non-wired options. There is something for everyone: D+ consumers, triangle bra lovers, lingerie-as-outerwear darers and luxury enthusiasts.

Velvet

 

Even though lace and embroidery still dominate the European lingerie markets, we can see some unusual materials in AW18. Some trendsetters have long used velvet to make a statement but this season it will hit the lingerie market big time. What has mostly been used in luxury robes now translates to bralette sets, body suits and small details on eg. see-through bra cups (see Maison Lejaby).

Geometrical & Cage Patterns

 

I first fell in love with “cage” designs when I saw the first Bettie Page by Playful Promises collection a few seasons back. Now the trend is taking on the industry and putting its naughty vibe on everything. This brings us to smaller geometrical prints that adorn many see-through sets and bodysuits this upcoming season. How refreshing after all the winter florals that return every AW season!

How do you like the AW18 trends? Interested to see any particular collection in the upcoming weeks? Let me know in the comments below! xx (…or even just leave me a comment to let me know you’re there, okay?)

Easy-Going Pinup Perfection: Bolero Beachwear “Lola” Dress Review

*Disclosure: This item was provided to me by Bolero Beachwear free of charge. Opinions are my own!*

I don’t know if I have told you this before – I may have not, to be honest – but I study and work two jobs at the same time, which makes doing my makeup hair and putting an immaculate true-vintage outfit together sometimes impossible. On days when I have to rush from one work place to another, I rather put my hair up neatly, do some basic mascara and a lippie and put on a stretchy comfortable dress that can take the rush.

A few months ago, my pal Patricia from Bolero Beachwear sent me a couple of dresses to brighten up my autumn days and I was happy to discover once again that her designs are an absolute must to my wardrobe. The first dress that I have actually worn a lot during these months is called Lola and she is a lovely autumnal version of my beloved Bolero halter retro dress.

Lola features a classic circle skirt (not full though, if you are a vintage-enthusiast, you know what I mean) attached to a fitted bodice and some 3/4 length sleeves. It can be dressed up or down and here I have styled it with a smart casual twist.

Pics by Perttu Luomala Photography

The Lola dress features a Ponte di Roma material which is quite warm and thick to combat those winter winds. The winter in Finland has been rather mild this year (and ever-so-dark, thus the difficulties to take blog pictures…) so I have basically lived through it just wearing my usual dresses and fleece stockings (Pretty Polly makes some great ones, click here!). The Lola dress also has 3/4 length sleeves, which is always a plus when it comes to winter-appropriate dresses.

When it comes to sizing, Bolero Beachwear dresses are rather generous and great for size fluctuation or bloating. I don’t really go on a scale but sometimes use a measuring tape and my waist size fluctuates around 28-29 inches and has done so during the past few years. These dresses don’t have rigid waistbands that start to dig in after a lovely restaurant meal and they can easily just be slipped over your head while dressing. I am wearing a size Small in the emerald green Lola, which fits me well, even a bit generous.

The proportions of the dress are pretty much spot on for me: the waist is not too short for my torso, there is plenty of room at the bust to accommodate my 32GG’s and the dress hits me right at the knee, which is a very flattering length (and appropriate one for a vintage gal like myself) for someone like me with a 5’6 frame. The quality is again topnotch: there are deep pockets to carry everything from your phone to your credit card and the top part of the dress is fully lined.

What I love most about Bolero is the passion and care Patricia puts into the designs: all of her clothes are easy to wear, care and to travel with and she is one of the ethical producers or modern-day clothing staples. All of her designs are made in the USA, which is always a definite upside for a person who is concerned about unethical consumerism in today’s world. These clothes last and the materials can be washed time and time again without them wearing out easily.

If you are interested in the Bolero Beachwear offering, take a look at their webshop here.  The Lola dress costs $150 and will definitely be a staple in any pinup girl’s wardrobe. My Bolero dresses always gain compliments when I take them out and I love that I can look stylish and feel comfortable at the same time!

If you want to see more Bolero, stay tuned! Another more summer-y review coming soon 😉

2COP’s X-Mas Picks – Five Curve-Friendly Pinup-Style Party Dresses for Christmas

Y’all, it’s December already! How in the earth did the year pass along again? Well, anyhow, what is for sure that now that many of you have recovered from Thanksgiving meals, it’s time to slip into those lovely glittery frocks again and rock those curves you’ve got. I wanted to put up a list of my own personal favourites that look curve-friendly enough to flatter your boobs and butts and look sophisticated at the same time. So here’s my list of pinup-style curve-appropriate Christmas dresses for different types of occasions!

For a night out with friends…

Most of us probably agree that it is not the same dress you wear to all your Christmas parties (cause let’s face it, of course you’re gonna be attending many 😉 ). This quirky number by Voodoo Vixen is the perfect option for a night out with your girlfriends: it’s fun, it’s bright red and looks still laid-back enough for a night at a pub or a bar. The Connie dress (£49) is also a practical choice for later wear – it can be dressed up or down whether you want it to be more festive or everyday-appropriate. Pair it with glittery pumps and some red lipgloss and you have the ultimate girls-night-out outfit!

For a Family Dinner…

We have a little tradition with my family to get together on Christmas Eve, eat amazing food together and unwrap the gifts while eating chocolate and watching children’s movies. It might be a no-brainer to some but my parents are divorced and I always admire their ability to still get together for a Christmas meal even though they sometimes want to chop each other’s heads off. Even though the evening usually proceeds to pajamas and no makeup, me and my sister usually start off the day with some nice dresses. I picked this lovely “Ophelia” dress (£34,99) by Lindy Bop as my choice for the Xmas mealtime as it’s practical cotton material but still manages to look festive. I actually own the dress in another shade of red and it’s great for anyone with a fuller bust! I would pair it with some chunky cream-toned wool tights and a matching hair scarf tied to a lovely bow.

For a party with the co-workers…

This dress is like straight out of Mad Men! The office Christmas party requires something sexy but not too sexy – it’s important to show that you have power and feel confident about yourself but if you get too ranchy, it might tell your boss you’re not being professional. I would go for something a with figure-enhancing shape like this “Ava” dress ($114) by Pinup Couture. The colour is excellent if you don’t want to be too flashy with red. The shape of the dress flatters your curves but doesn’t reveal too much while being knee-length and sporting little sleeves to cover up your shoulders. I would pair Ava with some silvery or black pumps and a statement cuff.

For a date night out…

You know those times when you head out to with your boo for drinks, just for fun? Well, as it’s Christmas, you might as well spice up you date attire a bit. I would go for something formfitting and sexy, such as this “Penny” dress (£55) by Collectif. I am actually planning on getting this for myself as my boyfriend is crazy about wiggle dresses and well, I do want it myself as well. (Thank Georgina for that!) I would pair this gorgeous piece with some hair flowers and Minna Parikka “Cornelia” shoes. (Check them out, they’re lovely!)

For a dinner with your In-Laws…

There’s two types of In-Laws – the ones that drive you crazy and the ones you love almost like your own family. Mine belong luckily to the latter category so basically anything I wear is an object of adoration especially for my Mother-In-Law. I would still wear something quite formal and pretty for a dinner out in the town as I want to give them the best impression of me. However, if your In-Laws are a bit “Meh” I would avoid anything too flashy that might raise eyebrows. This Dovima “Gatlin Gal” dress (£145) is classic and bold at the same time and flatters a curvy hourglass figure without being too revealing. I would pair with some red pleather high-heels, like this.

So these were my picks for the Holiday Season! What would you wear for a Christmas party and what did you think my wishlist? Let me know in comments! xx

Shopping For My Hourglass Figure – Let’s Talk About Size Charts

I am so sorry for neglecting you loves for a few days now – my grandpa just passed away and I wanted to take a moment to just grieve and also give myself a little me-time. However, now I am back and want to keep posting more regularly. Today, I wanted to tackle the topic of women’s sizing these days and talk a little bit about what we mean when we say that something is true-to-size.

I know sizing can be a difficult topic to discuss – it always raises an battle of wills and opinions as we all think differently about sizes and also have different emotional bonds to our dress size. When you used to fit into say, size 8 and then need a 12 with some random piece of clothing, it will stir maybe some swear words or even tears. I used wear a size 6 but have now gone up to 10, even after I slimmed down a couple of inches on my waist. I have battled the fear of sizes above 8 since I got ill with anorexia even though each brand fits differently and your dress size doesn’t actually MEAN anything special.

I was never very small when I was child – just a regular sized kid with a fuller bust that made me feel fat at a very young age. I developed breasts at age eleven and I got teased for it quite a bit as I was not supposed to be curvy when others still looked like children. At age 16 I started to develop disordered eating habits and thoughts regarding my body – just because I felt so isolated from other teenage girls. I was not flat, I was not sporty and I definitely wasn’t slim in my opinion. However, I was never above UK size 10-12 so my weight wasn’t a problem at any point – but still, it was a big issue for me. I never got my boobs to fit into anything that was less than a size 10 and I was frustrated as I felt so big compared to others.

In the above picture I am not at my smallest but at a point where I started to recover from anorexia and was breaking up from my ex at the same time. I was gaining weight and shimmed myself into my old size 8 Oasis dress which dramatically ripped from its back seam at that very occasion (my sister’s matriculation party). I was devastated as I felt that I couldn’t live up to that size 8 standard anymore. Damn Oasis! Damn my old dress which had been a bit loose about a year ago.

I took a look at Oasis size chart today and currently their size 8 is meant for a 25,6″ waist and a size 10 for a 27,6″. With British sizing, dress sizes usually escalate the way that each dress size accommodates a two inch larger waist than the previous one. However, most brands have very different size charts to each other and I find a lot of people using the terms “true-to-size” and variations of it while describing brand sizing. To me, this seams odd since every blogger and consumer seems to have a different opinion on what “true-to-size” means.

True-to-size compared to what? With bras, there is a more solid ground to compare the sizing – some well-established brands can be compared to as they usually fit very similarly. By well-established I mean eg Eveden brands and Panache. Also there are less brands in the business which makes the comparison easier. However, with regular clothing the sizes vary so much that it’s actually pretty hard to come up with some kind of standard fit to compare brands to. I have found that many brands’ size 10 fit about 28″ waist but I have also seen a few bloggers call those brands to run big. As dress size is a rather sensitive topic, I feel a bit “meh” about this kind of categorizing as it gives you the impression that some brands and their size charts are more or less right or wrong.

Besides being inconsistent from brand to brand, sizing can also be inconsistent inside a certain brand. I am wearing a Dorothy Perkins size 8 in the picture above though their size chart would put me somewhere near size 12. After trying a few styles in-store, I realized they fitted very inconsistently and I would definitely not dare to order from them online because the sizing is so hit-and-miss.

Pic by the lovely Tania (see the squished boob – not attractive!)

I also find the different body part measurements a bit tricky. For instance, some brands might both measure 28″ at waist with size 10 but then measure 34″ or 36″ at bust. This is why talking about something being “true-to-size” doesn’t make sense – which one of the measurements fits true-to-size; bust, waist or hips, all or none? Also some brands come up with measurements that seem super unfair to me – but this is just my subjective view on the matter. Let’s take some very common measurements for UK size 10: 34-28-38. Does this seem realistic to you? My answer would be yes, to some body types. When I see 36″ instead of 34″ I jump with joy as the 34″ bust measurement is a far cry from my 39-40″ bust and with 36″ I might be able squeeze myself into a dress that is still a bit too snug.

I am all for making clothes for every body type – pears, apples, hourglasses, and lollipops etc. but there is far too little choices for people who actually don’t fit the 34-28-38 frame. I myself am about 39-28-38 which means I have very hard time finding clothing that would look and feel good, not to mention getting the zipper past my upper torso. So many brands are favouring girls with a pear shaped or straight body type and it saddens me cause I can never live up to that standard.

This was it for this time but I would love to extend the conversation to the comment box – how do you feel about today’s sizing standards and where do you usually find clothes to suit your body type? xx

Full-Bust Friendly Clothing – Collectif “Phyllis” Dress Review

 When it comes to bust-friendly clothing I always struggle to find something that fits both my bodytype and budget, and I tell you, we’re not even talking about style and fashion aspects yet. I am very picky about what I wear – it has to fit nicely over my bust and waist and the waist must be at the right height to look the most flattering. Recently, I have been leaning towards a more vintage-kinda style as it usually tends to flatter my figure – and the most important thing, I feel smashing in those old-Hollywood style dresses.

When I was UK last time, ie. August, I popped into a Collectif store in London Holborn area. I was exhausted with blisters on my feet for walking miles in the London heat, wearing nothing more breathable than my dark leather Doc Martens. I was probably the funniest thing those sales assistants had seen in weeks as I stumbled through the Collectif door with my Docs in my hand, barefooted and carrying a suitcase. Not the kind of graceful pinup goddess they must have shopping in their store all the time, huh? Well, I couldn’t give a flying fuck about my appearance at that point so I just tossed my luggage at the till and started browsing their very convenient flash sale.

To my happiness, I was lucky enough to get my hands on of their Phyllis dresses, even though I first had the classic Dolores Doll in mind. The Phyllis was a lovely cream colour with a rose-shade applique adorning the shoulder and with the £17,50 price tag, I just couldn’t resist it.

I snatched up the Ivory Phyllis in size 10/ Small and since then, it has definitely become one of my wardrobe staples. It’s such a classic shape – a 1940’s style a-line dress with a swift-like top part and classic colourways to choose from. As the summer has now come to its end, I decided to buy another Phyllis to accommodate my autumn wardrobe. This one shown in the pics is the Navy colourway and I think it’s actually a great option for those who don’t look that good in black (including almost everyone actually). The navy blue flatters my fair skin and doesn’t wipe the colour off my face like black does and still manages to look elegant and appropriate for both day and night.

I would say the size UK 10 fits me pretty spot on, even though I wouldn’t wear that size with every single Collectif dress. I tried several other pieces of clothing while visiting their shop but found some of the materials and cuts making the dresses too small for me in size 10. To be honest, I’m trying to lose a bit of weight at the moment (which seems to be impossible as I was just hit by a terrible flu) as I want drop down to the size 8-10 territory again and not slip any further. But as it goes, the Phyllis is a rather stretchy fabric and can accommodate some size fluctuation, in my opinion. The top part is nice and stretchy but wouldn’t allow a bigger bust than mine, as it doesn’t fit perfectly even now with my 30GG’s. The neckline requires a rather low-cut bra (def not this Lepel “Iris” which I wear in the pics) so I have been wearing it mostly with t-shirt plunges such as my Kris Line “Marilou Deco” or my unpadded balconette Gossard “Phoebe”.

The waist sits perfectly on my 30″ waist, even though the size chart points me towards the size 12. I would say that this is because of the fabric and I do prefer a rather tight fit on my waist. Also, I don’t want to buy too baggy dresses as they don’t flatter my figure, especially if my weight shifts downwards. The bottom part of the dress looks super nice and rather flowy, but not too much as it doesn’t lift up in a windy weather. The length of the hem is flattering too – I love that it hits me just below the knee. This means it will maintain the vintage look but doesn’t look too long on me – I do not want to make my legs look shorter!

I am so sorry I didn’t get to take any better pics, I still have my camera stand attaching-thingy missing so hopefully I will find it at some point. Also, it appears to be that my bf is horrible at taking pics so what can I say, NO CAN DO. Hope you enjoyed this review though and I hope to be reviewing more stuff from Collectif in the future. If you have any comments or tips about Collectif’s sizes or fit, do drop a comment below! I am planning to order some other dress styles in the future and would love the advice. Also, if you fancy a Phyllis dress of your own, it’s on sale online in the Collectif store here. There are a fair amount of sizes left in colours Navy, Ivory and Black so you have a very good chance still to get this dress for the best price!