Lingerie Review: Avocado “RV Lorca” in 70H + GIVEAWAY WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Avocado is one of those brands that if you like the kind of classic European style lingerie with great materials and high quality, you are destined to find THE bra from their collection. Their e-shop is also full of different bra shapes that can be matched to pretty much any breast shape out there, no matter if your boobs are more full on top or bottom. Today I am introducing you to a fairly new style, RV as in Round Versatile, developed in the massive revision of all the Avocado patterns that took place about a year or so ago. I got my hands on a prototype of the model back then, but as it wasn’t the final product, we decided not to review it on the blog. Now, I am happy to tell you all the details, so keep reading! *This bra was generously provided by Avocado, all opinions are my own!*

The Design: The RV is supposed to be the style replacing the old A-shape, which was quite rounded, yet a bit flattening (which was something I actually liked about it!). This style on the other hand is meant to give more forward projection, which is something most full-bust ladies can appreciate. The straps are attached to the top part of the three-part constructed cups and the shape of the bra is a true balconette. In my opinion, this style really challenges the good old Panache “Jasmine” which is a cult favourite among bra bloggers and full-bust customers alike. If you are looking for the same projected yet rounded shape in a more luxe wrapping, I would definitely recommend Lorca in RV!

The Lorca style is absolutely beautiful and even though we are not in Xmas season yet (though it’s definitely autumn in Finland already) this is a piece I could see succeeding especially well later in the autumn as a festive piece under the LBD. It’s lightweight and looks gorgeous under tight-fitting dresses but also works as a wow-piece to wear in the boudoir. The delicate stretch lace with the hues of bluish grey finish off the set beautifully and make the set fit far better than it would have with more rigid embroidery.

The Fit: I know it’s a big promise to say this bra fits similarly to Jasmine, but it is the truth. Except for sizing, as that is again quite unique to Avocado and I would always suggest consulting their size chart to find out your perfect fit with them. I am wearing my regular Avocado size 70H in the pics and again, it was a good choice for me. I do have to say though that the band with Lorca seems more like a 65 band so it runs almost a size smaller than my other Avocado bands (or perhaps half a size). Do size up if you are between band sizes!

The cups are absolutely perfect for me size and depth-wise. They contain all my breast tissue but are also a tiny bit too wide and the underwire ends up too far in my armpit with the RV-shape. I have noticed a slight difference with Avocado’s wire width since the revision, and to be honest, I would personally prefer the older wires as they were the perfect fit for me. However, you can’t always have it all. The cups would probably fit both FOB and FOT breasts as the top part is made completely out of stretch lace, which accommodates a plethora of breast shapes and even a-symmetry.

Comfort: As the bra band is a tiny bit too tight for me, I am not sure whether it is quite fair to even review the bra’s comfort level. I would love to say it is absolutely heaven on me but you know how it is with too-tight bands – they try to strangle you and with a bra this beautiful you stay in that abusive relationship and keep wearing the set for pretty’s sake. As a result, you get a stabby centre gore and nasty red marks on your body (which are btw not always painful but in this case, you bet they are). However, the materials are heavenly and I really appreciate the stretch lace which always adds up to the comfort level of a bra. Just remember to go up a band size with this and you will fine, as it is a well-designed bra with fully adjustable straps and all.

The Lorca bra came with a classic brief in size Medium which was a bit too large on me even though I was recommended a Medium or even a Large in Avocado back in the day when I asked them about the fit of their panties. However, I have come to the conclusion that Small is a far better option for me with their bottoms as these sag a tiny bit at the front when I wear them. Other than that, the Lorca classic briefs are a very flattering style with the perfect rise for me personally (not as low as Cleo yet not that unflattering mid cookie pouch style). They are also made of the same comfortable high quality materials as the bra and contour perfectly to my curvy backside without any muffin top or cutting into my butt.

The Lorca set can be bought at the Avocado online shop, here. The bra comes in sizes 60-95 C-K and retails for 64,12 €. The classic briefs come in XS-XXL and set you back with 22,12 €. Avocado ships internationally so even if you are not Polish, you will have no problem getting your hands on their beautiful lingerie!

Now for the fun part! I have yet to announce the Curvy giveaway winners, so here they are. *drum roll*

The Australian winner of a set of their choice is… Kath!

The international winner of a set of their choice is… Victoria T.!

Congrats for both of you! The winners have been emailed and you have exactly one week to get back to me to claim your prize. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the giveaway and may the odds be ever in your favour, so maybe next time 😉 To conclude this post, I would like to ask a small favour from everyone who have read this far: would you mind liking THIS picture on Facebook and thus voting me as the next Miss Midnight Sun Pinup? This is my first pinup pageant and I am super nervous yet excited. If you would be so kind to cast me a vote, I would be more than grateful ❤ TIA!

Lingerie Review: Panache “Fontaine” from My Curves and Me

When I plan reviews with brands for my blog, I usually get to pick something I personally like from their selection, meaning I mostly go for something rather extravagant and pretty. Nothing too practical that is! You may not believe me but I actually don’t own that many everyday-practical bras that actually suit my purposes and body type. What I really need though is non-padded plunge bras, in every single colour and style. When My Curves and Me – a discount site for Panache and Panache sub-labels’ past-season lingerie – asked me if I would like to try something from their online store, I was happy to oblige and decided to get something I would actually be wearing a lot. This time I would steer clear from the super padded balconette bras. I decided to opt for the SS15 Panache “Fontaine” which is a modern version of the old Tango plunge shape. Let’s see how I liked this feisty little number!

I just noticed the other bra strap is twisted in these pics! Please, forgive me and try to ignore it 😀

Design: The reason I chose the Fontaine in Coral, was that I wear a lot of plunging necklines and prefer not to show my bra gore around, if possible. Also, most of my dresses are already a bit tight across my chest, which makes unpadded bras much easier and more comfortable to wear on a regular basis. I also like the light-weight feeling of unpadded bras and like the way a seamed bra makes my boobs look – uplifted and perky.

The Panache “Fontaine” is made with a three-part cup construction like many non-padded balconette bras – however, its gore is a lot lower than with a balconette and the seam placement is designed in such a way, that the uplift of this bra is perhaps not the best Panache has to offer. It is a great bra when you are looking for a rather natural (ie a bit pointy) and subtle shape and don’t want your boobs right up to your chin. The cups are double lined with the stiff and supportive cup material and keep your breasts pretty much in place, even when being active (not something you can say for all unlined bras!).

The Fit: To be totally honest, I haven’t worn or bought a Panache bra in quite a long time. The last time I wore one was about year and a half ago and it was the infamous Marcie in 30G. Nothing that fits me anymore so I sold my darling yellow friend to a fellow big-boobed lady. This time, I was pretty sure my Panache size would be 30H but I was still a bit hesitant as I had no experience with Panache plunge bras at all. As I read Becky’s review over at Becky’s Boudoir, I knew 30H would probably work so I decided to go for my gut instinct.

I was so glad I did since this is definitely the right size for me, at least with this particular bra! The band is a very snug one for 30 but stretches out to a comfy length after a couple of wears. I originally thought the whole ensemble felt very stiff to touch but when I have it on, it is quite comfortable! The cups are a right size for me as well, so I would say this bra runs pretty true to size despite the snug bra band. The underwires of Fontaine are quite a bit too wide for me as you can see in the pictures but luckily I have not had any chafing regardless. The cup depth is pretty average so suits me just perfectly! The shape of the bra is perhaps not the best for me as I am quite full all over but someone with more full-on-bottom boobs may find this better for her shape.

Comfort: Despite of being made from a rather stiff material, Fontaine turns out to be a very comfortable set after all. What gets special mention with this set are definitely the straps – they are fully-adjustable, just the right width and placed more inwards so they won’t fall off my shoulders all the time. I also like the way they are slightly padded for extra comfort and stability. Even though the underwires are not the best width for me, they are not too tall so no uncomfortable pinching in my armpits nor any chafing from the bra cup edge.

To complete the set, I got a couple of pairs of size 12 Fontaine briefs with the bra. I decided to go for size 12 instead of my usual UK 10 after reading Becky’s review – the panties do come up a bit on the smaller side and are not massively stretchy. However, I would not call them too rigid either even though that was my first impression when looking at the knickers. The cut is quite low so if you prefer higher waistlines, these might not be your cup of cocoa. The styling is very cute though and I am especially in love with the the big bows that adorn both the centre gore of the bra and the top edge of the briefs. Absolutely adorable!

Unfortunately, the coral Fontaine is currently sold out on My Curves and Me, but if you are interested in seeing what other goodies they might have from past Panache collections, take a look here. You are sure to grab a bargain! The Fontaine is also available in a new Rose colour, that was recently reviewed on the Sweet Nothings blog.

Moda Lingerie & Swim Show: Tutti Rouge SS16 “Tutti Rocks” Collection

Tutti Frutti, oh Rudy! Tutti Rouge is such a fun brand to see at Moda – they always cater for the young pinup ladies such as myself as their lingerie is always a piece of cutesy pop art with a hint of romance. This time, we were not disappointed either and were so happy to see Tutti Rouge tackling the unique prints and bright colours again this season. For those of you who don’t know, Tutti Rouge also goes up to J-cup and is sold at a great price point which makes it all the more exciting for us fuller busted ladies at budget! Let’s see what they have in store for spring 2016…

The new print that came along this season was the lovely Betty in “Brighton Rocks” which pays homage to the great British summertime. Who doesn’t love seashore and summer holidays?! I am always in awe of new Tutti-exclusive prints and when I just thought the Sailor Jerry -inspired print couldn’t be topped, this Brighton babe might have just done that. To be honest, I see myself as a Tutti collector – I want all their exclusive prints as part of my lingerie art gallery! This cute print comes in the shape of Betty, a padded balconette shape that has been around since the very launch of Tutti Rouge.

The Jessica has been released now and it is the world’s first non-padded bra with detachable cookies inside the cups. I am particularly excited for this bra and it’s versatility, as it is something that serves both as a non-padded and a padded bra – which ever pleases you at the moment. I am a big fan of unpadded bras as I have plenty of padding of my own, but I do like to get some cleavage at times, especially when hopping at the pubs during the weekend. The cookies come in two size “Tutti Boosters” and “Tutti Super Boosters” from which you can opt the right amount of oomph for your specific needs.

The Jessica will include some high-waisted bottoms which will be added to the collection later on, however, they won’t be available right from the launch as there were some problems with the initial production. However, the collection will include a lovely suspender belt as well which will be a nice option if you want a bit more coverage over your tummy! The Black version of Jessica is out now and the caramel/ivory colourway will be launched in spring 2016.

When it comes to Liliana, it has now been clad in a lovely pumpkin shade, which is very much on trend for SS16 season. I am super glad that our voices have been heard and now, we can enjoy a plethora of unusual colours in the lingerie world – yellows, greens and oranges are finally on trend! As I have mentioned before, orange/pink is my fave colour combo of all time and I am excited to see it made in the form of the best-seller Liliana.

The Fifi has also been reinvented and brought back in a lovely cool pink tone and I love the whole “Barbie” feel of it – so many polka dots, ruffles and lace! The shape of the bra reminds me of the Cleo balconettes which many of us love to death, which is why I could see it as a potential best-seller. The first time this bra launched it had some problems with the bands fitting way too small but I am hopeful that this has been rectified since.

The pumpkin theme goes on and we get to see another Tutti regular in it – the delicious Kitty. I have always loved the look of this shape but unfortunately it does not fit my boobies the way I would like it to fit. The cups are just too shallow and wide and thus, our romance had to end a few months ago. However, if you are on the wider and shallower side, do try this one out as it looks so gorgeous on!

The Nichole has so far fitted me the best with all my Tutti bras I have tried. This season it is made in two basic colours Black and Beige, but also in a wild animal print that absolutely screams my name. The Nichole gives me a fantastic rounded shape which is why it could be, that I am getting back to this bra when the spring arrives – besides, I do have to get on the animal print bandwagon sooner or later!

How do you like this new Tutti Rouge SS16 collection? Also, are you feeling the pinks and oranges as well? Let me know in the comments!

Lingerie Review: Gossard “Watercolour Roses” in 30DD

I love working with Gossard as they have been so kind to 2COP from the very beginning and as Jo came along, I have loved how we could showcase the differences of Gossard’s two size ranges. Gossard also comes up with such a variety of lovely styles and prints that I can hardly keep up! This Watercolour Roses print was one of those pure diamonds Gossard came up with for the AW15 season and I was surprised to see how some other brands followed along with this pastel-y romantic autumn trend. As this particular styles goes only up to E-cup, it was Jo’s turn to take the place on the stage. *This set was kindly gifted to Jo by Gossard. All opinions are our own.*

Design: As I showed Jo the Gossard catalog to see what she liked, this was one of the first styles that caught her eye – “it’s so pretty!” And it truly is. The print is consists of what it’s called – watercolour roses – and its paint-like flowers are a mixture of both cool and warm tones which creates a lovely winter-garden-like impression. The printed satin is accompanied with a lovely quality embroidery which adorns the cup edges and and the bra band.

The shape of the bra is a true plunge with a three-part cup construction that gives the bust line a lot of uplift and pushes the boobs together just enough to create an alluring cleavage. The shape is rather rounded yet natural and the amount of coverage is just right for open/plunging necklines.

Fit: I asked for a 30DD for Jo as it is her best-fitting Gossard size so far. Even though the Gypsy bra (click for the review!) was a bit roomy on her allover, the Watercolour Roses felt like a pretty regular Gossard bra with a snug band and large-ish cups. However, it seems that Jo is a bit between with cup sizes right now as sometimes, her left boob tries to escape the cup a tiny bit and thus, we would very much like to put her in a 30DD 1/2 if we could! For the push-up effect though, this is a much better size than a 30E which would undoubtedly be left gaping.

The band is very narrow with Watercolour Roses so if you feel like one hook and eye won’t support you properly, this is probably not the bra for you. The fit is however very good on Jo, who usually wears a 28 band. However, with Gossard she seems to be between band sizes too and if we could put her in a half a size smaller band, the fit would be just a tiny bit better for her. As we know, tighter bands last for a longer period of time and will prevent you from tossing the bra too early for loss of support! The wires however are great on Jo and as with yours truly, they hit just the right spot at the root of the breast. The cup shape and depth are also perfect for Jo’s full-on-bottom boobs so I would definitely recommend this bra for you FOB ladies out there!

Comfort: When it comes to the materials and fit, Gossard always makes some of the most comfortable lingerie on the market. The cups are always lined with something soft and non-itchy and the wires are flexible enough to move with your body all-day-long – even after several hours, the bras are totally wearable and not pressing your ribcage like mad. What does not work with Jo’s body though, are the infamous Gossard straps – they are once again a bit too long but luckily, not as stretchy as with the Gypsy.

The bottoms Jo chose for her set were the thong as she rarely wears anything else – a complete opposite to me, that is! The fit of the XS looks prefect on her and the back part is made of stretchy mesh that makes up for the more rigid satin-y front panel. The construction of the thong is quite simple and frill-free which makes it a perfect option for everyday-wear under tighter clothes such as skinny jeans.

If you would like to get yourself a very own set of Watercolour Roses, do take a look at the Gossard online store. The plunge bra retails for a £34 and the thong for £14, so a reasonable price for such a lovely and comfy set of lingerie.

What do you think of the fall trend of pastel florals? Do you feel it’s more appropriate for spring or do you like the winter garden look? Let me know in the comments!

Sunday with Samanta: A345 Morganit in 65J

Hiya everyone! Are you having a fabulous Sunday? I hope so! However, if you have cleaned up the house and done your chores, I would suggest even more to take a nice break and read my September “Sunday with Samanta” post with a good cup of tea. Ready? Here we go!

Design: When I first saw Morganit, I knew I had to have it. Who doesn’t love pink underwear after all? I was smitten to see Samanta make such a vibrant colour and a gorgeous embroidery (once again) and as I asked to review the Morganit as my next SWS set, Marzena gladly agreed with a lovely suggestion of making one of their A345 shapes in my size. I obviously jumped for the chance – who wouldn’t want their bra especially made for them? The A345 usually stops at H-cup which is two cup sizes smaller than what I wear so Marzena asked their seamstress to make me one so I could try the style. To be clear, all of the Samanta styles can be made especially for you in bigger cup sizes as well, but the price will accordingly be double the normal. However, if you are a rather hard-to-find size and need something specific, I would happily recommend Samanta as your go-to-brand.

The A345 shape is meant for a larger and less firm bust as most of the other Samanta styles available in big cup sizes. The purpose of the almost half-cup-like balconette shape is to collect the bust to the front and enhance it to appear more rounded and also, kind-of in-your-face with the formed cleavage. The effect is pretty clear and great with eg my Collectif “Dolores Doll” dress which requires all-over low-cut bra. The shape of the A345 is very rounded so something a lot of you girls would enjoy!

Fit: I was so excited to get trying the A345 cut as it is something that is rarely made in bigger cup sizes – half cups and especially ones that give a good “two cakes on a a plate” cleavage are usually doomed as the small-cup bra even though it CAN work in bigger sizes as well. I love the pushed-up look of the bra and was excited to see a brand make it with deep cups and good, sturdy construction. The Samanta A345 is something that is widely copied in the lingerie world and especially other Polish brands have blatantly stolen the design as it has turned out to be a rather popular one.

I went for my regular Samanta size of 65J and as it is a deep style, the other cup remains a tiny bit empty as my right boob is smaller than my left one. This does not bother me though and I wear the bra with a removable padding in the other cup. Marzena mentioned to me that some of their bras with this shape come with the push-up pads to correct a-symmetry and give some extra oomph, but somehow my bra did not include the pads (which is totally understandable as it was especially made for me and not a ready-to-wear item). The shape of the bra is ideal for my full-on-top boobs and there is a lot of space at the top of the cups to accommodate fuller breast tissue.

The band is nice and snug so I would say this compares to a rather regular UK 30 band, maybe a tad tighter. The wires are an average width which suits my breast root very well and I happy to say nothing pokes me or irritates me with this bra. The bra straps are quite widely-set with this particular style and are obviously a consequence of the low-cut bra cups – less coverage means widely placed straps and I am not sure if there is even a way around it. The straps are also detachable so the bra could easily be worn as a multiway or even a strapless in an emergency situation 😉

Comfort: This bra is a great everyday bra but also suits many festive occasions when you need something low or perhaps a racerback bra. The bra is very comfy with its silky-soft materials and padded straps – these little touches really matter and set Samanta apart as a company who really thinks about their most sensitive customers. My only gripe with the bra is that apparently, my shoulders are quite narrow and the straps are not at the best spot for me. The edge of the bra cups tend to chafe me a bit when the straps are placed this widely but so far, I haven’t had a horribly bad problems with them – maybe it’s the super soft materials? Also the straps are half-adjustable so keep that in mind as well, if you happen to be on the petite side.

I also got to try the B300 regular briefs and they are very comfy. If I am being brutally honest, I am on my periods now and I am very picky about my panties that time of the month- However, I can safely say, these suckers are very comfy and great for everyday wear. Also, what better way to cheer you up on your period than a gorgeous pink set of underwear? As a set, this beauty is worth the price!

Speaking of the price, as always, you will get a nice 20% off your A345 Morganit with the code “Mette“. The bra will set you back at 37,04 € with the discount so not bad at all for such a comfy looker! The B300 briefs are sold for 23€ but there is also the option of the brazilian brief and the boxers, if the regular panties are not your thing. Do also let me know what do you think of the bra – is it something you would like to try and what is your opinion on the half-cup style in bigger cup sizes? xx

Lingerie Review: Kris Line “Manuela” in 65H

Over the time, the two Kris Line reviews and my introduction post to the brand have been some of the most popular posts I have ever written. It is quite clear why, too – Kris Line is one of those Polish brands that are widely accessible through the likes of Brastop and Zulily with very reasonable pricing, which makes it a good first choice for testing Polish lingerie. For me, Kris Line has always held a special place in my heart – their wires are not narrow enough to poke me in my breast tissue and the designs are breathtakingly beautiful. Today, I am reviewing something that will be a continuity range for Kris Line starting from last summer and continuing at least to the next summer season. Let me introduce you to the beautiful Manuela! *This set was kindly gifted to me by Kris Line. All opinions are my own.*

Design: I chose the non-padded balconette Manuela but in true Kris Line style, this design comes in several bra and bottom options. I also received the complementing briefs to match my bra. Why I decided to opt for the non-padded bra with this style was because of the realization of the fact that this is the most popular bra style in my bradrobe and thus, it is the most practical everyday style for me. The bra cups are constructed of three pieces, one seam going diagonally and one going vertically, to form a very traditional and natural bust line. The bottom half of the cups is double-lined but the top part remains completely sheer.

The colour and styling of Manuela are absolutely breathtaking and I first fell in love with the sky blue hue and the detailed embroidery of the set. I am fan of blue lingerie in general as it suits my skin tone, eyes and hair colour pretty bang-on, but I am also a sucker for trends and this autumn, it is all about the blues. I was very happy how the styling turned out in flesh as well and the shade of the set, which is truly stunning.

Fit: As I had tried Kris Line soft cups before and found them to run a bit on the bigger side, I decided to size down to 65H this time. Kris Line sizing is quite unique but if you want to learn more about it, I would highly recommend taking a look at my previous post on the brand. According to the size chart I would be a 70H which is the size I went for last time and it fitted me pretty well in both the Deco-shape and their soft cup style. However, I have found the bands become a bit loose after a good amount of wears and decided I would go for 65 this time, just to give my bras a little more time to live. Also, I lost some weight after I first acquired my Kris Line bras about a year ago and I think I have gone about half a cup size down after that. This is why I chose to go down with my cup size as well this time, resulting in 65H as my best size with their soft cup style.

The 65 band feels nice and snug but not restrictive in any way, which is sometimes the result when gambling with your band size. However, I did not notice a significant difference to the 70 band so if you are between band sizes, I would suggest taking the smaller one, even just for longevity. The cups encase my breast tissue nicely and again, the wires are perfect for me as always with Kris Line. The straps are only half adjustable but that has not been a problem for me with this bra, however, I am 5″6 so definitely not petite. If you quite petite though, I would consider getting yourself some Strap Savers or skipping this style all together. Overall, the fit of the bra on me is spot-on and I have no gripes with it whatsoever!

Comfort: I love how comfy Kris Line bras are! If I would have to pick two of the most comfortable brands I wear on day-to-day basis, those would definitely be Kris Line and Gossard. Of course, no brand makes everything perfect to the last detail but these two brands keep rotating in my everyday bradrobe from day to day. I guess it’s a lot due to wiring and comfy bands – if you are pretty average breast root -wise like me, I think you would love Kris Line as well! They are a happy medium between the usual wide British wires and very narrow Polish wires. If Ewa Michalak is not your thang, definitely try KL instead!

When it comes to the panties, I would recommend taking your regular Polish size which is a medium for me. I usually wear a Small with most British brands so especially, if you are between sizes, do size up. I must say the Small is absolutely tiny with KL panties and still, the Medium is smaller than eg my Freya briefs in Small.

If you would like to try some Kris Line for yourself, I would highly recommend checking out Zulily for American customers and Brastop for.. well, basically everyone else 😀 The prices are usually very reasonable on these sites and you are sure to score a bargain!

How do you like Manuela? Also, how do you like the blue colour trend for this autumn? Let me know in the comments below! xx

Gossard Celebrates the Re-Launch of Gypsy! – Our Review on the Collection

A fun little story – when we were on a plane to Helsinki before our flight to London we sat next to a previous lingerie shop owner. She was super interested about our blog so we brought up some brands Jo and I had worked with and when we mentioned Gossard, the lady went nuts and told all about how she had stocked them in a small town shop in the 80’s. That was the same reaction I got from my mom when I told I was collaborating with Gossard – she gushed about it like it was the biggest deal on earth (and it kinda still is to me!) and told how she used to have a co-worker in the 80-90’s who wore nothing but Gossard and was the most proud of it. I finally got it – this brand was a heck of a big deal in the 80’s and I was so proud to represent them as they were one of my favourite brands too, still making fabulous on-trend lingerie for sizes A-G.

Today, we are celebrating the relaunch of one of the most iconic Gossard sets and that is the Gypsy – the set that “made men faint”, as the 80’s Gossard commercial lead to believe. Obviously, I did not live in the 80’s but born over a decade after so it is impossible to compare the new revamped Gypsy to its original counterpart. However, we will do our best to review the new Gypsy to its very last detail – so here we go! 
Design: For a lingerie set designed in the 80’s the Gypsy seems like a fairly classic option for everyday use. As Jo put it – it is so comfy you wanna wear it everyday but still rather sexy so you kinda wanna keep it as a special occasion set. That is, the Gypsy is a perfect medium between the impractical boudoir bra (without the impracticality) and something you put on everyday when you go to work. The style is available in both non-padded full-cup style and a semi-padded demi-cup bra. Obviously, the full-cup goes up to G as it is crafted more for lthe fuller bust and the demi-cup goes up to E – now you can imagine it was a no-brainer who went with which style! The set is completed with a pair of knickers of your choice – I went with the delicious high-rise panties for my uber-vintage look whereas Jo wanted to stick with her everyday style that is the thong.

The Gypsy has definitely been revamped in some way but still has its original feel to it – just without the 80’s vibe. The colours have changed a bit too as instead of the creamy white colour this relaunch brings us a more versatile Caramel shade which is ideal for a pale skin tone like mine. The shape of the full-cup is pretty much the same but just a tiny bit more uplifted and rounded as 80’s full-cups tended to have a bit more toned-down yet pointy shape to them. The lace has a lovely little sheen to it which gives the set its glamorous feel and little something extra to the classic style.

The Fit: Now to the most interesting part as it always quite exciting to see how an “old” style works after revising it a bit. As I have not tried the original Gypsy, I cannot compare the sizing at all but I hope this bit still helps you to figure out your best size in the new version! I was sent my regular size of 32 G + size Small bottoms and Jo went with her regular 30DD + size XSmall bottoms.

To sum it all up, the Gypsy range runs overall a bit big which is why you can see my other cup wrinkling at the top. Jo and I noted the same thing with our Gypsy sets – the cups run a full size larger than any other Gossard bra we own and by the way, that is one large pool of Gossard bras. Also the bands were a tad looser than normal so I would say if you are between band sizes with Gossard bras, size down in this particular style. My 32 was a fairly good fit though so I wouldn’t change that necessarily, just the cup size is notably too big for me. The 30DD was on the other hand too big in the band for Jo and only a tad big in the cups, which was btw easily fixed with tightening the straps with some help from the Strap Saver (click link for the review!). Both the demi-cup and the full-cup bras included a layer of the softest stretch lace you can imagine – great for a-symmetrical boobs and comfort in general!

The wires of Gypsy felt particularly narrow for me compared to my other Gossard bras and you can see in the pictures how nicely the underwire curves right next to my armpit without going too far in it. Gossard wires are always absolutely perfect on me but I can see some girls with narrower breast root enjoying this style quite a bit – it definitely rivals any Polish brand with its wire-width! The straps are quite long with Gypsy so if you are petite like Jo, do give the Strap Saver a go as it can shorten any too-long straps to make the fit of the bra a lot better.

Comfort: Can everyone just praise Hallelujah as Gossard did it again?! As I mentioned in the beginning of the review, the Gypsy is exactly that lingerie set you want to take everywhere with you – to work, to a nightclub, to a summer holiday, you name it. It is such a lightweight set you barely notice it when being active but then again, it also looks good and you can feel confident it it without anything else on. Especially for me the high-waisted knickers sealed the deal with my love affair to this set – they are perfect under light-coloured pencil skirts and dresses and also feel so soft against my hyper-sensitive skin. Also the thong option is lovely and wide at the back with a seamless finish to avoid any bulges or VPL.

What could be improved with this set is the straps though – they are bit too long even for me who never really struggles with too-long straps. This is a common feature with Gossard bras but still something that could be addressed in the future. Otherwise though, everything was so spot-on with both of our sets comfort-wise and we cannot recommend them enough as great basics to any girls lingerie drawer.

Gypsy has launched TODAY and is now ready to be purchased on the Gossard online store! The non-padded full-cup bra retails for an affordable £30 and the padded demi-cup for £32. The bottoms come in sizes XS-XL and feature a regular brief (£16), the thong (£14) and the deep short (£22). Give this babe a try and you won’t be disappointed!

What do you think of the Gypsy? Have you tried the original version and how do you feel it compares to the new? Let me know in the comments, we are dying to know! xx

Sunday with Samanta: A225 “Hemaris” in 65J

Hello everyone and hope you are having a fabulous Sunday! Mine has been pretty good and I am now happily in bed ready to blog for you about my next Samanta venture – the Hemaris in A225. Hemaris is one of the Samanta best-sellers and belongs to the affordable “Young”-collection, which is – as the name suggests – targeted for young trendy women on budget. The Young -collection features more basic styles with simplistic yet hip lace and embroidery combined to an array of bright colours and fun prints. I received the Hemaris in the A225 cut which is specifically crafted for larger breasts and thus goes up to K-cup.

Design: When I first found out the lovely Marzena from Samanta had thought of Hemaris for me to try next, I wasn’t super excited about the set – however, the leopard print lace and the orange-y red turned out to be a fun combo for everyday wear and I did like the style when I saw it in flesh! The colour is a little warmer than your average red which makes it appropriate for this late summer we are now experiencing and also, looks nice on most skin tones, I think.

The A225 cut is a semi-soft style which is something Polish bra companies are famous for – and which really suits so many breast shapes especially if you are on the softer side! However, me and Marzena discussed some of the fit issues I encountered with the semi-soft construction, and we can both safely say this is not the best bra shape for me.The A225 Hemaris constructs of three cup pieces with a stretch lace on top to accommodate any a-symmetry and the style is overall a bit wider and deeper than most Samanta styles I have tried so far.

Fit: I got the Hemaris in my usual Samanta size which is 65J (translates roughly to UK 30GG). Usually Samanta has been very consistent with their sizing, but it seems that the semi-soft styles run a bit larger than their soft and padded bras which is why I could have easily done well in a 65I with the A225 shape. There is also something to my bust that does not co-operate with semi-soft styles at all (finally, a shape that does NOT work for me, haha!) – and when we discussed this with Marzena she instantly told me it is probably the density of my breasts. The A225 style is specifically designed for larger but also softer breasts and as mine are still very firm, the breast tissue does not conform to the semi-soft shape and fill it completely at the apex.

As you can see in the pictures, this style is also quite wide for me allover and thus is not the ideal look and fit I prefer. Even though I am not super narrow at my breast root, I do prefer bras that minimize the look of my boobs and makes them fit into tighter dresses when needed. However, I can imagine this bra shape being ideal for women who have lost some of their fullness and density and want to feel fuller and uplifted again! For example, if you have just breast-fed and are changing back to regular bras, this could be a great option for the fuller-busted lady.

Comfort: As fit and comfort usually go hand in hand, this was not the best of Samanta bras I have tried comfort-wise either. The materials were incredibly soft and well thought-out, but the construction with its wider cups and also, wider-placed straps did not suit me very well. I just recently found out that apparently, I am quite narrow at my shoulders and widely-placed straps are not the most comfortable for me and unfortunately, it seems that this particular bra is not very good match with my body shape. This is something many British and American women struggle as well when it comes to Polish bras – it seems Polish girls are a bit more broad-shouldered and want less coverage which leads for the bras to have wider strap-placement with Polish bras in general. I have given feedback about this particular matter to eg Avocado who are tackling the the issue at the very moment.

Usually though, Samanta bras have been nice and comfortable for me, so this time, is no doubt just one style that simply does not go well with my proportions and body type. However, if you are a bit wider than me all over (breast root- and shoulder-wise) you could find the A225 quite good for you needs. Also the size I take usually faces some problems as the small band and big cups are not the easiest combination to accommodate in every single bra style. However, for materials and overall feeling, Samanta always earns an A+ as they really make an effort to use the best quality laces and also the softest cotton lining in the bra cups. The M300 brazilian briefs are also a dream to wear as the stretch lace really accommodates your own body shape and leaves no bulges or seams on sight.

If you interested to try out the Hemaris, it is now on sale for a very good price of 32,30 e for the A225 bra and 13,70 e for the Brazilian brief. Do snatch them before they are completely gone!

What do you think of Hemaris in A225? Have any of you tried any semi-soft bras and how do you like the shape in general? Let me know in the comments!

Sunday with Samanta: A122 Spinel in 65J + Discount Code!

Ah, I know I am late. The Sunday last week passed already but again, this month will feature two Sunday with Samanta posts as I am not someone who skips a post completely 😉 Also, I will apologize for my absence next week as I am visiting UK + Moda again and won’t be home before the 12th. However, from then on there will be Moda-posts-galore and you’ll see some lovely collections from all of our fave brands! (If you have any particular brand you would like me to go and see, do let me know in the comments below!) However, today I am bound to bed with a sprained ankle and will be telling you all about my latest Samanta trial. This time, it is the non-padded balconette style A122 in “Spinel” – a lovely sophisticated French-style beauty who’ll steal your heart, no doubt.

The Design: The A122 is an unpadded balconette bra which is designed especially for women with big breasts and is supposed to offer a beautiful rounded “two cakes on a plate” -cleavage with a little less coverage and an uplifting three-part cup construction. This shape is widely used by British manufacturers as well, but the shape of the Polish balconette is a bit different from what we are used to with the likes of Panache and Curvy Kate. The vertical seam of the A122 cup goes on very straight across the cup whereas many British brands favour a more diagonal seam which gives the bra its somewhat pointed natural shape. I am more a fan of the Polish version though, as it rounds up the bust while still catering a rather natural look to it.

The A122 is something perhaps a Cleo-fan would enjoy – it is a quite simple style yet works brilliantly with all the uplifting and shaping a bigger bust requires. The look of the Spinel however, is something for the more “middle-market” audience meaning the styling is a bit more grown-up and sophisticated. As a 22-year-old gal some might think I would be all for polka-dots and bows but I do prefer a more glamourous look to my bradrobe. This is why I love the grey and peach colour combo of Spinel and lace is AGAIN absolutely stunning – something Samanta does so well each time.

The Fit: The A122 Spinel fits me very well and is the same as my other Samanta bras – I am once again convinced that Samanta is one of the most consistent brands out there which makes it easier for gals like me to order their bras online. It is true that some of the models are a bit deeper, which could affect your bra size with Samanta, but until now all of my 65J’s have been great size-wise. The band is rather narrow yet sturdy with the A122 and is made of stretchy elastic material instead of the usual power-mesh. The 65 band is a rough equivalent to a British 30, yet a bit snugger than with the likes of Freya and Curvy Kate. The cups are again, the perfect size and depth to me which makes this bra a great fit overall.

If you have any trouble with the usual height and width of balconette bra gores, this could be a great style for you to try! The gore is very slim and sits rather low at my sternum, meaning there is no stress on my ribcage even with very “harsh” tacking. The wires are again just the right length and width for me so no poking or too wide cups, which always makes me happy. For reference, I am pretty average-set and not particularly wide nor narrow at my breast root.

Comfort: The A122 is a lovely choice for those who want the same Samanta-quality for their summer but something a bit more light-weight than their padded bras. I personally REFUSE to wear padded bras at summer just for comfort reasons – everyone raise a hand who know that boob-sweat is a thing?? Cause it certainly is when you have big tatas, there is no denying it. Also, non-padded bras are great under tighter tops and dresses that have zero extra room for boobies and extra padding is not an option.

If I could give Samanta some feedback on this particular model, it would be regarding the straps – they are a tad too wide-set for me, meaning they sometimes fall off my shoulders and rub against the edge of my armpit. I think this will get better over time as I haven’t washed the bra more than twice now (there’s a huge review pile to test out each month, so most of my samples only get a couple of washes before being reviewed). However, in any case I would love to see Samanta revising their strap-placement a bit as I know there are a lot ladies who suffer from too widely placed straps immensely.

I also got to test the M300 brazilian briefs which are made of very same mesh/embroidery and sleek polyamide blend as the bra band. The seamless back of the brief is great under tighter jeans and also, quite sexy with its very wetlook-like appearance. The size Medium fits my 39″ hips very well but the rise with the M300 is pretty low, so ya be warned. However, I do like this style completing the set and I am always open to falling in love with new panty styles if they forgive me my ever-growing butt 😉

If you would like to give Spinel a proper spin (hehe), do use the code Mette at the check out to get 20% off your A122 Spinel bra. The bra retails for (full price) 56,30€ and the briefs for 26,30€ on the Samanta online store so not bad at all, especially with the discount! If you live in USA, please contact Samanta via email to place your order. Also, do ask for different shipping methods if you are hesitant about the shipping costs! Have a lovely Sunday everyone and let me know in the comments how you liked the review and Spinel, I would love to hear from you 😉

Sunday with Samanta – Hana A111 Review

As we discussed the Sunday with Samanta series with Marzena, the head designer of Samanta, she gave me a list of suggestions she wanted me to try which included some of their oldies but goodies, including the bestseller “Hana” in A111-cut. To be completely honest I wasn’t super excited about the design but Marzena asked me to give it a chance so I decided to do so. I was glad I did – Hana is a great everyday basic which comes in soft tones of grey, deep red, beige, white and black which all feature the same guipure lace that makes the bra a bit more interesting to the eye. Here are my thoughts on the cut and style…*This set was gifted to me by Samanta. All opinions are my own!*

Design: Even though I was not immediately impressed with Hana as it seemed a bit too mature to me, I decided I would give the unusual combination of rose pink and grey a go as it seemed like a nice option to add to one’s summer bradrobe. The grey is light enough to go under most shirts and even though the lace is a bit bulky it is still a subtle looking bra with a simplistic styling. Even though I am not a huge fan of simplistic florals, I did like the light rose pink daisies quite a bit.

The A111 cut is something I was intrigued to try as I had seen how it worked on Sweet Nothing’s and wished it would be a bit better fit for yours truly. I was pleasently surprised by the shape and cut of the A111 and now it is a firm part of my bra collection where it serves as a great everyday option. The cups feature three parts each, including a narrow side support panel to bring the bust slightly more forward from the sides. The cups give me a natural yet rounded look under shirts and they even look a bit optically minimizing just as the cut description promises. The materials are very light-weight making the bra perfect for hotter climates!

The Fit: The A111 cut fitted me surprisingly well considering how often these sorts of shapes start looking a bit droopy aka not uplifted enough. The A111 Hana offers me just the right amount of uplift for everyday use and I like how rounded it makes my boobs look. The sizing seems to be in line with my other styles from Samanta – I am wearing a perfectly fitting 65J in the pictures. I would say the depth of the cups is spot-on for me with A111, as the bottom part of the cups doesn’t fold at all and my breast tissues fills the cups completely.

I would say the A111 cut is a very good fit for gals like me with more full-on-top boobs as there is plenty of room on the top part of the cups, allowing the breast tissue to take its place without any bulging at all. This is a great feature as so many bras these days are targeted more for the full-on-bottom gals which is of course fair as they are the majority. However, it is nice to find a bra that fits well without any extra room at the apex and no cutting at the top! The band seems like a regular 65 or 30 band and it seems to stretch up to approximately 30,5″ (maybe 31″). The gore seems to float a bit away from my sternum but I prefer it this way as extremely tacking gores can be a bit painful on me.

Comfort: The A111 Hana has got a lot of wear ever since I received it as it is such a comfortable set when it comes to every aspect of it – the materials, seams, cuts and wires are so thought-through they pass the test with full points! I have sometimes had trouble with Samanta straps coming too far apart and the edge of the cup chafing my armpit but this style has none of those problems in sight. This however is no wonder; Hana is one of the oldest Samanta styles produced and has been perfected to the very last detail when it comes to fit and comfort. As you may have noticed, full-bust bras require years of work to get perfect and even then, there is always someone who dislikes the fit.

The straps of Hana are half-adjustable which is always something that needs to be taken into consideration when thinking about the comfort aspect of the bra. I had no trouble with the straps at all though and they are adjusted half-way, meaning shorter and taller gals than me can easily still wear the bra with comfort.

I was also sent B300 classic briefs as co-ordinates which I really liked as a matching bottom to the bra. Even though I am a big fan of the Samanta boxer cut when it comes to bottoms, these were equally comfortable but a bit more revealing as they almost resemble a brazilian cut brief. The B300 briefs are also a bit more low-cut than the boxers so if you like eg Cleo bottoms, these are definitely for you!

If you would like to get a Hana A111 of your own, the style is now on sale for 39,30€ for the bra and 18,30€ for the B300 briefs on the Samanta online store (US customers can order via email). As the style is already discounted, this month’s Sunday with Samanta will not have a separate discount code. Nevertheless, the style is very much worth the price and fairly affordable for such a great staple!