Bluebella MORE Review: “Calypso” in 32G

Hi lingerie folks! Hope the spring has been treating you well. We are now less than two months away from the wedding and we are also moving on Easter, so needless to say I have been a busy woman. Everything seems to be happening at once, but I think I’m probably not alone – it’s just the way life works itself out. I haven’t forgot about you though! I have exciting reviews coming up, both clothing- and lingerie-wise, so do hang in there!

Today I am reviewing something from a very exciting new collection from Bluebella MORE range. The MORE by Bluebella is a collection for us fashion-forward full-busted ladies and it now starts with 30 bands as well! The range is still only up G-cup though, so I needed to cheat with  the sizing this time as well – don’t judge me! However, let’s keep buying and wearing MORE, and maybe in the future we’ll get those H-cups 😉 *Disclosure: This set was provided me free of charge by Bluebella. All opinions are my own!*

The Design: Picking something from the Bluebella MORE ss18 collection was a hard task – there were so many things I was intrigued by, I really wanted to have it all. This is rare these days, as I am a picky lingerie consumer and hardly find myself getting so excited over a whole collection.

I usually pick something non-padded as it is more wearable to me, but having tried some non-padded MORE lingerie already, I went for the padded half-cup shaped Calypso. Take note: this was never supposed to be even remotely everyday-wearable to me, but something more to wear in the boudoir or maybe on stage. Thus I was not too fussed about the fit or shape of this bra.

I like how low cut the bra is, as most bras in my size range tend to go higher up my chest. I like having options so thumbs up for the low-coverage, definitely! The one thing that really drew me in with this set was the harness-brief though and the beautiful thick lace decorations of the set. The adornments really make a statement and the aesthetics are both strong yet romantic at the same time. Also, I am always a sucker for the combo of cream and black.

Fit: As the MORE range goes up G-cup, I had little choice with the size of the bra – either I was going to compromise on the band being too loose or the cup being too small. I absolutely HATE too loose bands, so I decided that for a boudoir bra it wouldn’t hurt to wear it in a slightly too small cup size. BUT… As you can see, the cups are not slightly too small 😀 In theory the cups should be only a cup size too small for me, but as this bra runs both small and shallow in the cup, it seems like I would need two cup sizes more to have all my breast tissue lie nicely in the cups. Overall, I would advice to go up a cup size in this bra, if you can. The band is on the snug side, so if you find yourself between sizes, do go up a band as well.

Frankly me and the bra weren’t a great match shape-wise either as I need narrower wires and deeper cups. It’s really the same issue as with most Curvy Kate padded balconettes. However, this does not stop me from wearing such styles from time to time – it’s not meant to be the most practical bra so let’s not expect a perfect fit from it either. Also, the fact that it doesn’t suit me does not mean it won’t suit anyone. I can think of a number of people this would be pretty much perfect on (I am looking at you, Miss R!). Also the shape of the bra is quite nice – it’s not square-y like some half-cups in D+ sizes and I think in a better size the construction of the bra would be highlighted much better.

Comfort: As the bra is a wrong size for me, I haven’t worn it out much so it’s a bit hard to say whether it’s super comfy or not. Only time would tell that and I cannot really wear a bra two cup sizes too small several hours in public – anyone my size would know the experience is awkward and uncomfortable. Based on the feel of the garment and the materials I would say the bra is a rather comfy one – the elastic parts are sturdy and wide, the band has three hooks and eyes, and both the inner and the outer materials are nice to touch.

When it comes to the bottoms of the set, I tried a couple of sizes but unfortunately neither of them fitted me at all. I got a size 12 and 14, but for my body type (hourglass with a bit of tummy), this panty did not feel comfortable or flattering on. I reeeeally wanted it to work and was conflicted to whether review the panties at all, but I think you should be always aware of what you are buying so there won’t be any disappointments. What didn’t work for me were the strappy parts of the panties – they are not elastic at all and thus won’t conform to my body the way I would have liked them to.

I have seen bloggers wearing the panty successfully (here some pics on the lovely Charlie of Big Cup Lil Cup) but they have a slimmer body than mine with a flat tummy. I know some people don’t mind if their pants create more curves but at this point, I am not that comfortable with extra tummy rolls which the straps create by digging into my skin. This was not corrected by a bigger size as the size 14 was otherwise too big for me (the crotch area bunched up significantly) but the straps still dug in. What I think I’m going to do is to sew a loop on some other black knickers, so I can wear the beautiful harness with another panty (luckily the harness is detachable!).

Thank you for reading the review and let me know what you think of the new Bluebella MORE offering, which can be found here! The Calypso bra (UK 30-38 DD-G) costs an affordable £38 and the harness panty (UK 8-18) sets you back at £24.

Happy Easter everyone!

 

Introducing the New Ewa Michalak SF Semi-Soft Cut

Happy new year 2017! A year of better bra blogging for me, I hope. Every now and then full-bust brands claim to have come up with “a new revolutionary” shape or a cut, that they are trying to sell as a cure for every bra problem in the world. This is not one of those times, as Ewa Michalak comes up with a new shape every now and then in all quietness. They make no fuzz about it, yet many gals wearing a D+ cup size swear by her bras. I can see why – EM bras are known by their incredible shape and narrow wires that are not rivaled by many. Today I would like to tell you about the new SF shape they came out with just recently.

I received two styles called SF Trapez and SF Czerwona Pantera, the latter hasn’t been released yet though, but I thought you would like to get a complete idea of the new style. When you think of a semi-soft cut, made popular by Polish bra brands, you automatically think of a style with padding at the bottom and a sheer or a lacy top that accommodates your upper breast tissue. However, the Ewa Michalak semi-soft, shortened to SF, is a style which is actually not padded AT ALL, just reinforced at the bottom to gain a sturdier feel to the bra.

I was a bit worried when I thought that I was going to get yet another bra with padding, but I actually think this is a brilliant way of making sturdier bras without adding bulk. The bottom part of the cups is double-lined with strong poly-blend material which is rather stiff and thus holds its form better than some flimsier materials. The cut is rather similar to the soft full-bust style BM, but offers just a tiny bit more support in my opinion. The shape is very rounded and uplifted, which is something I always enjoy about Ewa Michalak bras.

As the SF style is pretty much based on the BM, the sizing works similarly with it as well. I received both of the styles, SF Trapez and SF Czerwona Pantera in 70G, which seems to be a pretty good size for me with both of them. I would say though that even them both being a same cut, they are not exactly the same when it comes to fit. I prefer the red and black SF Czerwona Pantera as it feels a tiny bit larger in the cup and band than the Trapez. As you may notice in the pics above, the Pantera (which is how I will refer to the black and red bra from now on) covers my tissue a bit more from the sides and thus contains my boobs better.

As said, the band of the Pantera is also a bit stretchier so I like it better than the Trapez one. However, the Trapez isn’t bad at all, just needs a longer breaking-in period. Both of the bras feature a stretch lace on the top panel of the bra, which is great for a variety of breast shapes. The depth aspect of the bras is just about right to me and thus you cannot see any dents at the bottom of the cup, nor gaping at the top. As the Pantera covers my armpit area better than Trapez, I would go as far as saying it has become one of my top three bras of the year!

The materials of both of the sets are a bit more “basic” than my other EM bras – instead of luxurious embroideries and sheer mesh, these bras are made of something stronger and everyday-appropriate. They are pretty and even sexy, but there’s no extra hassle to make them feel too precious and delicate to wear under your everyday wardrobe. The straps are fully-adjustable which contributes to the practicality aspect of these bras. The bands have three hooks and eyes, and four rows of them, which is great in regards of durability.

The panties that come with these bras are as uncomplicated and sweet as the bras. Both of the styles feature the same stretch lace that is featured on the top panel of the bras, and the materials are nice and light-weight as they should be with comfy panties. These were both a size UK 12/ Polish 38 and they fit my 40″ bum very well. Even the thong is super comfy, as the rise hits me at the perfect spot and the materials are stretchy enough to hug my curves. I also really like how wide the thong is at the hips, it is such a flattering cut.

Out of all the EM styles, I would say the SF is my new favourite. I love wearing it regularly and it is one of their styles which does not try to stab me in the breast tissue. If you would like to try the SF, you can find eg the SF Trapez here at the EM online store. The Trapez is almost sold-out at the moment, but I would suggest taking a look at their new SF Roma (189 zl) which is a beautiful colourful style with a full size range of 30-44 E-JJ.

Lingerie Review: Panache “Clara” in 32GG

My most recent review was of a Cleo basic “Marcie” which is something that Panache has been carrying for years now. Another newer model from the Panache core range has struck to me as well during the past few season, that is the Clara. I fell head over heels in love with the style when it first launched but it seemed that every time we were talking about reviews with Panache, it was sadly sold out in my size completely. This tells something about the popularity of the style among stockists and consumers alike – it is a fantastic basic full-cup style bra with a pretty icing on top of it. This season I was lucky enough to receive my first Clara sample in time, so today I bring you this beautiful festive style in the shade Heather.

The Design: The Clara is based on the older Panache classic Jasmine, which is another cult favourite among full-busted ladies like myself. The Clara has the same three piece cup construction as the Jasmine, but I think the side sling of the cups extends a bit further up towards the strap with the Clara style. This is part of the aesthetic differences of the two bras but I would believe it also gives the Clara its extra lift to the cups. The shape of the bra is very rounded and forward-projecting, which is something that I would always expect of a Panache or Cleo bra.

The style of the Clara is much more luxurious than Jasmine which is something I really like. True, you can never go wrong with a cute print and sleek materials but if you don’t mind a bit of lace showing through or just happen to wear thicker materials with your shirts, this is the bra that can bring your everyday to a whole next level. Personally I have always loved each and every colourway of the Clara (especially the emerald one!) but this Heather shade is something rather refreshing alongside of deep jewel tones – it is more delicate than its sisters and thus goes under lighter coloured tops as well. The materials of the bra are rather thin and stretchy, meaning it accommodates perfectly to my breast shape instead of trying to mold it to something its not.

The Fit: I went for the same size as with the Marcie, that is 32GG. I find it is much more comfier to go with the 32 bands these days as I own so many bras, I don’t really wear out the bands that much anymore. I like them to be comfy from the very first moment I put them on to avoid the long breaking-in period – I know, I’m a bad lingerie blogger! If you don’t buy tens of bras every year, I would suggest though to go for the firmer bands if you are between sizes, especially with Panache and Cleo, as their bands will loosen up even after a couple of wears.

The 32GG Clara runs similar to the Marcie, meaning pretty true-to-size in the band and generous in the cup. If you are between cup sizes I would suggest sizing down. I think I could have definitely been happy with 32G with either of the styles. The wires are pretty good on me, maybe just a tad wider, but they still feel quite a lot better than with Marcie. I can’t really put my finger on it, but the shape of the wires feels slightly more U-like, but perhaps I’m just imagining.

Overall, I am starting to think the Clara does suit me better than the Marcie, at least in my current size. I like how the bra hugs every curve of my body but I wish it would be just a little bit… less covering? If I could take just an inch off the height of the cup, this just might the perfect bra.

Comfort: The Clara is one of my most comfortable bras at the moment – it seemed they all came at the same time, Tutti Rouge Betty and Jessica and then this beauty (and I haven’t even told you about my latest Ewa Michalak bras). I am in lingerie heaven at the moment! Then if I could only get a pair of high-waisted panties with each bra, I would probably be in Nirvana 😉

The best features of Clara are its soft materials and sturdy feel. The three hooks and eyes at the back, the tacking gore and sturdy wide fully-adjustable shoulder straps. Sturdiness is the key to comfort when it comes to full-bust bras, but the bra also needs to feel lightweight to pass as an everyday garment. What a task for a single bra! But the Clara just manages to do it. The panties are rather comfy too, for low cut ones that is. You know how I feel about my granny panties… I think the gorgeous lace detailing and satin overlay would look even more amazing on a bigger surface – just saying! The materials are however on point with the panties as well and I have no trouble getting my booty in these (UK) size 12 pretties.

If you would like to try the Clara (30-38 D-J, 8-20), you can find it at Bravissimo for £32 for the bra and £15 for the classic brief. Not a bad deal for such a stunner set!

Lingerie Review: Cleo by Panache “Marcie” in 32GG

Who remembers my endless love for Marcie? This bra has a distinct cult reputation in the world of lingerie blogging and full bust industry. It was launched a few years ago and still goes strong in the Cleo collection, changing its colour every season. For a couple of years Panache was asked to deliver their customers a Marcie in basic colours; black and nude. Again, nude is not the same for everyone but this time, the shade was so perfect for me personally I really wanted to try it – and who knows, maybe we will get a chocolate coloured Marcie sometime soon! Here are my thoughts on this old favourite in my most recent size, 32GG. *This set was generously provided by Panache. All opinions are my own!*

The Design: I have always been a big fan of Marcie – it’s a cutesy style that is perfect for everyday wear with its flat embroidery and thin materials. The scalloped upper cups look adorable and give me a mermaid-y vibe, which is always a good thing I reckon. It’s very girly so not everyone’s cup of rum but I don’t mind the bows and dots now and then, as I am quite a versatile person when it comes to my bradrobe (obviously, haha!). The shade of beige is absolutely spot on for me, that is very pale, and I just wish Panache would make some more dark-coloured options for people with tanned, brown or black skin tones. To me though, it is the closest I can probably ever get to a skin-coloured bra!

Marcie’s cups are constructed of three pieces each, with one vertical and one horizontal seam forming a very classic balconette shape. The shape that is creates is super forward-projecting and rounded: something most lingerie bloggers have come to love from the very launch of Marcie.

The Fit: So what has changed since I last wore Marcie? Well, I think my size has changed since a bit; my body has probably a bit less fluff and a bit more muscle and my boobs have got a cup size bigger. I am now wearing a size 32GG whereas two summers back I wore a 30G, which was probably a cup size too small to begin with. To say the least, the 32GG feels quite a bit different, mostly because even two cup sizes can change the fit specs of a bra. Mostly the difference seems to be the wires which are a tad wider than what they would need to be for me. There is also a bit more empty space at the top of the cups which makes me wonder whether I should have tried 32G as well.

The cups are as deep as with the 30G which is definitely a good thing. I would say that they even so deep that you may be able to go down a cup size with this style, especially if you are in the upper end of the size range! The 32 band still fits me fairly well, even though I still think I could wear a 31 band with Panache if it existed. The Cleo bands are a bit tighter than with the Panache main line, which is why I feel the 32 band is still a better choice than the 30.

Comfort: I still love Marcie even though I think there may be some slight fit issues with the bigger cup sizes, such as the too wide underwires (that is for me, I know there is always someone who these would fit perfectly!). My only real gripe with this bra is the placement of the straps; as you can see, I have pulled them up on my shoulders so that they sit diagonally on my body, which is not the best thing regarding comfort. However, I am surprised how little this feature affects me and how well the straps stay up regardless. Nothing about this bra rubs me or pokes me so even though the fit itself is not perfect, I love how comfy and lightweight it feels during a full day at work.

The pants are cute as ever but as a vintage gal myself, I really wish they would start making them in a higher waisted version as well. These are super low cut so not the most comfortable choice for me personally. I know however that some gals adore the cut of these and I used to love it too, but ya know, tastes change. They are still nice cute everyday panties and I never say no to ruffles!

If you are interested in the beige Marcie set, you can find at Bravissimo (£27 + £14) and Bare Necessities which both ship internationally. The bra comes in sizes 28-38 B-J and the bottoms in XXS-XXL.

Dreaming of a Lost Summer – Review of Tutti Rouge “Betty” in Brighton Rocks Print

Hi darlings! Has the autumn been kind to you? Mine has been hectic to say the least and I am quite frankly exhausted. I have been studying, working, learning how to eat again, fighting for my paycheck, seeing friends and dancing on a stage a few times. Guess what I’m really trying to do here is to tell you why I have been so absent for these past couple of months! I have one more month left of my uni training program at the kids’ mental rehab courses and I have a couple of shows behind me, but I have also completed my first month of eating five times a day with glowing results. I am starting to feel normal about my eating habits and body again, which is a true blessing.

With a little light in the horizon, I would like to bring some light to your lives as well and introduce you to a treat I was recently sent by Tutti Rouge. As you may know, I haven’t had that much luck with the most recent bras I have tried from them but now that it has been a rather long time, I figured it was time for  a second trial lap. Long story short: I fell in love again! If you wanna know the full details, here is a review of the new TR “Betty”.

First of all: apologies for the differences in lighting and colours in these pics. It is getting dark again here in Finland and it is so hard for an amateur to edit the pics from scratch when they are super dark and yellow-y to begin with!

The Design: I was happy to see that the Tutti Team had included the Betty bra in my parcel, as it was the first Tutti Rouge bra I’ve ever tried when they decided to believe me and send me some of my first blog samples. It is always fascinating to see how a core part of a brand’s collection changes over time, as there may be some style and fit tweaks that can change the whole game. The last time I tried Betty was a couple of years back at a Moda when they brought out the turquoise colourway of the original poppy print. That time the Betty bra was still trying to find its best fit and the 32H I still own did not and does not fit that well – it chafed my armpits and added bulk to my figure.

The case is completely different with the Brighton Rocks Betty bra – the shape it gives is very rounded, yet there is just enough coverage for my liking and subtle uplift to make you feel natural about your boobs (ya know, not that boobs-up-your-chin effect, hehe). The construction of the bra has changed from the original three piece pattern to a two-piece construction, with one vertical seam going across the cups in the middle. The padding of the bra is quite thin so this is ACTUALLY, REALLY a padded bra I can wear without the feeling I am suffocating me and everyone else with my boobs. I wear this bra with everything: under my work button-ups, my PUG peasant tops and my Dolores doll dresses. Anything that requires a low-cut balconette bra, and this bra is my biggest ally.

When it comes to the print, you need to scroll down to the panties pic to see it properly. And low and behold, it is a lovely print, isn’t it? I think the best asset of Tutti Rouge has always been their attention to detail and once again, they have nailed it. The small beach chairs and popsicles, maps and envelopes – it is the perfect bra for a wanderlust gal like myself. The print was inspired by the British seashore, the city of Brighton to be exact, and it still reminds me of my dream to go back to UK to explore the beachside towns one day. The print is accompanied by the small details TR is famous for; small cutesy ruffles, bows and the signature heart-shaped strap adjusters.

The Fit: I wasn’t too hopeful about TR bras fitting me this time either but boy was I wrong, and I am more than happy to admit it. It felt like finding home when I put this bra on and since then, it has stayed on with constant washing as it is now one of my most comfortable, practical bras I own. But more about that later!

The sizing seems to be now pretty on par with other UK mainstream brands such as Curvy Kate and Panache and thus I seem to be between band sizes 30 and 32. I decided to go for a 32GG with both of the bras I received, as I think it’s always safer to go with the bigger size and then tighten it with the hooks and eyes, if it is not snug enough. This saves me the hassle of exchanging my size and paying for shipping costs, so I am happy with my choice. With the Betty, I don’t think I could have gone down to 30 band though, just for comfort reasons and I can still wear the band in the loosest set of hooks comfortably. I have also recently noticed that too tight bands can be a stress factor to my skin which is why I now go more for the 32 band rather than 30.

The cups run similar to other British brands as well and I am perfectly content with my GG-cups. The only minor thing that affects the fit is that the bra is lightly padded meaning that it can’t really conform to my shape per se and thus it does not allow any leeway on my bigger boob. However, this is probably some of the best fits I can get in a similarly shaped padded bra, so I am more than happy with the fit overall. The wires are also a pretty good fit for me – if I were super strict about finding the perfect bra, I would say they are a tad too wide but as I think more of the comfort factor of bras, I would say they needn’t be changed to make this bra better. I think there is also a bit more space and depth in the cups than any previous TR bras I’ve tried, which is an instant upside for me personally.

Comfort: The level of comfiness with the new Betty is similar to its very original counterpart – everything seems to be spot on with the bra. The bra feels super lightweight even with the padding, and the the inner cups are lined with a divinely thin layer of the softest cotton you can imagine. A heaven for my eczema torn boobies! It also feels like this bra truly breathes and thus I avoid the dreaded boob sweat that is especially very present in summer time. The lace on the edge of the cups is not itchy at all and I can really give this bra an A+ for the comfort factor. The straps are quite thin which can be a downside for some but I personally like the look and feel of them.

The panties unfortunately did not work for me and it makes me super sad. I used to LOVE the short-style knickers that came with the Poppy print Bettys and I am kind of surprised why they haven’t been kept in the range. The new Betty shorts are super cute to say the least but unfortunately the choice of materials is not the best with these – the mesh and the waistband elastic are so rigid, it is almost impossible to sit down and feel comfy. If you do want to get a matching set though, I would recommend going up even two sizes from your regular UK size, as these are a Medium and fit me very tightly. I can put them on but I must say there is no stretch in the back for “junk in the trunk”.

Overall, I would say to probably skip the panties for now BUT do get the bra if you feel like you need a cute practical everyday bra but also something to go under your freetime low-cut tops. The bra is FABULOUS and retails only for £20 on sale at Very.co.uk. The Brighton Rocks print is pretty much sold out everywhere but Tutti Rouge just launched their burlesque performer print of the same Betty style and I hope to be all over it very soon as well, so snatch it up before it sells out this time. The bra goes up to H-cup so the size range is pretty generous as well!

Lingerie: Avocado “Chloe Folie NF” in 70H

Even though autumn and winter are upon us, it is never a wrong time for basic coloured lingerie, something that most people call “nude” (which is a bit problematic as nude does not mean the same thing to everyone). Some work places require a white button-up as basic work attire, which is why you can never have too many skin-toned bras. When I first saw Avocado‘s Chloe Folie, I thought that this is a truly versatile yet pretty “nude bra” – it could probably work on multiple skin tones, from a fair skin like mine to deeper ashy tones. Avocado sent me this style in their NF style, which is a revised version of their old H-cut, where the straps attach to the bottom part of the cup. Here’s how I liked this delicate beauty…

The Design:  I loved the colour combination of this set right from the start – it was a great pairing of greige (greyish beige) and deep magenta. The lace is delicate and who does not like the little tassels at the front? As a lingerie blogger, you start to get tired of the old bows, which is why the tassels were a nice surprising touch to the design. Regardless of the centre gore adornments and the lace, the style of Chloe Folie is quite simple and thus work appropriate. The lace is very thin, meaning you can wear it under regular shirts without it showing through too much. However, it is not a seamless t-shirt bra so you won’t get a “braless” look with it, if that is what you require from your everyday work bras!

The shape is rather similar to the old H-cut, but it seems to be a bit less covering and pointy and thus for me at least, a lot more practical. There is also quite a bit of uplift, but the one thing I don’t like that much is how the balconette shape splays my breasts to the sides a bit. I like my boobs “at the front” as they make me appear bigger than I am anyways. Keeping them as compact as possible makes me feel more comfortable and look the size I actually am rather than looking wide and frumpy. The one definite upside of the bra is that Avocado seems to be working with much stretchier materials these days and even though the the upper panel of the cup is not exactly stretch lace, the cups seem quite stretchy overall.

The Fit: As I knew from my past experience with the Avocado NF-style, it would probably fit me nicely this time as well. I was right – my size still seems to be 70H with the NF style, but with the Chloe Folie, I would be wary of not picking a too tight band size. If you are between band sizes, definitely size up! This style is not as tight as the Lorca I reviewed recently, but it is still on the snugger side compared to my older Avocado bras.

The cups are still the perfect size for me, even on the roomier end of the H-cup which is excellent if you need deep cups. What kind of baffles me is the cup width-depth ratio; usually deep cups mean narrower wires whereas this Avocado style seems to be both quite deep AND wide. The underwires are a tad too wide for me personally, but I don’t find them pinching me in the armpit whatsoever.

When it comes to shape compatibility, my full-on-top breasts are definitely friends with Chloe Folie: the RV shape seems quite open at the top with this particular style and thus leaves me more room for my upper breast tissue, that sometimes can argue with a cup pattern like this. In general, I’d think this bra would suit many breast shapes if you are not bothered by the wideness of the cups.

I know they look like a different colour but they are not! The lighting is playing its tricks on me – the real colour is more of a mixture of both of the pics shown above.

Comfort: I like this set a lot but there is one fundamental problem with it and I actually mentioned it before already: the band is a bit too small for me unfortunately. Not as much to make me want to size up a whole size, but maybe half a band size too snug. I can close the bra no problem, but the rigid band does not conform to my body very easily, which is why I haven’t worn the bra a lot during long days at work. Otherwise there are no comfort issues with the bra really: the tacking centre gore loosens quite quickly after a few wears and I especially like the width of the straps which are too widely placed for me personally, but still manage to feel good without any chafing.

The bottoms on the other hand are fantastic! I love that Avocado has brought the option of high-waisted panties into their selection and they have nailed it right away. I have to say though that the Medium is a bit too large for me, so if you are between two sizes, I would advice to size down with these. The rise of the panty is divine: it reaches my belly button and covers my butt well. A covering comfortable style yet still very attractive in my opinion!

If you would like to test the Chloe Folie set, you can find on the Avocado online store for 66,92€ for the bra (60-95 C-L, Avocado sizes) and 33,96€ for the full brief (XS-XXL). If these are not the shapes and styles you prefer personally, you can find the Chloe Folie in other Avocado styles as well. What do you think of the Chloe Folie? Have you tried the new Avocado styles recently? Let me know in the comments! xx

Late Summer Offerings from Signature by After Eden – Review of “Bilbao” & “Alicante” in 70G

Hi everyone! How are things on that side of the screen? I am all good just been extremely busy taking part in my first pinup pageant (which went decently, I was the 1st runner up!) and settling back to work. I must say, working with special needs kids can drain the life out of you at times. This is why I have been battling a lot with how to use my time between a full-time job, starting my uni work for this year, seeing friends and keeping up with my hobbies as well. Now everything is getting back to routine so I have more energy to blog again. Hope that makes you as happy as it makes me!

Today I will be bringing you a couple of lovely styles from the SS16 collection of Signature by After Eden, Bilbao and Alicante. The SS16 collection at Signature included two colour schemes, pink and blue which were kind of two different collections altogether. I wanted to introduce you to a set from both of these collections, so here goes! *These sets were generously provided by Signature. All opinions are our own.*

The Design: As per usual, Miss E will be assisting me with the review so be so kind to welcome her back to the blog! I picked out two sets that felt appropriate for her age and preferences (young, laid-back & fun!) and decided to go for Bilbao (the blue plunge bra) and Alicante (the pink strapless balconette). These styles are incredibly appropriate for summer – the first one being a great option under low cut tops and the other under strapless and spaghetti strap tops. The colours are light yet not too cutesy and pastel-y – the shades of pink and blue remain vibrant and look gorgeous against a tanned skin. These t-shirt bras are adorned with a moderate amount of lace and thus are perfect for everyday wear.

The profile of both of the bras is very rounded and looks a bit similar to most American bras, to be honest – American women are known to love rounded padded t-shirt bras which is why I am wondering whether Signature will be expanding their sales to other parts of the world in the future. These bras are also very appropriate for young girls in general – they are not overtly sexy or super-padded but have a lightly padded moulded cups that give you modesty and a nice shape under most of your clothes. The bra is also constructed to be supportive for a fuller bust as it includes both a wider band and sturdy fully-adjustable straps to give you a better overall fit.

The Fit: I asked for the samples in Miss E’s regular Signature bra size 70G (32F in UK sizes) but exchanged the bottom size from Medium to Small as she preferred a snugger fit. The Signature bras run a tiny bit large in the cup, which is why the bra cups are gaping a bit on E’s smaller boob. However, I would always advice to choose your bra size according to your bigger boob which is why I wouldn’t have gone smaller in the cup with these bras anyway. However, if there were an option of 65H, I would definitely give that one a try as Miss E is more of a 30 band than a 32. Signature makes very few 65/30 bands at the moment as they are targeting their full-figured customers more, which is a bit of shame on our behalf. Wearing the band on the second tightest set of hooks works pretty well for E though, so we are not complaining that much.

I would say Miss E is a full-allover shaped gal, which is why she would perhaps need a tad more space in the bottom part of the bra cups; this makes me think Signature would probably suit better someone who has more full-on-top boobs. However, the denting on the bottom of the cups (the so-called orange-in-a-glass phenomenon when your boobs can’t sit at the bottom of your cups as there is not enough space) is not super bad and in my opinion, isn’t even a crucial thing to note when talking about a fit of a bra. What does matter more, in my opinion, is how the wires sit on your body – as you can see, both of the bras tack Miss E’s sternum at the front and encase all her breast tissue, which is important when trying to avoid migrated breast tissue. With the Alicante the wires are significantly taller though, which is discussed more in the comfort section of this review.

Comfort: As with the very first review we ever did on Signature, there is significant difference in comfort level when it comes to these bras. Signature still has a challenge in front of them: how to make their balconette bras more comfortable and yet still supportive. The problem with Alicante is simple – the straps are placed way too widely on the shoulders and the underwires come too high up at the sides, which makes a non-working combination that rubs the heck out of your armpits. Personally, I think the strap placement could be fixed pretty easily, so maybe that could be something to consider in the design team. However, as a strapless, the Alicante works well and does its job without sliding down and rolling around.

The Bilbao on the other hand works well in all circumstances and stays comfortable during the day without the strap placement issue. Besides that, both of the bras are crafted lovingly from the softest materials, made with amazing supportive bands (with four sets of hooks and eyes I might add!) and easily adjusting straps. They work well for both plus size and more petite gals, as well as tall and short girls who benefit from the fully-adjustable straps. The panties are comfy and gorgeous as well and are great for everyday wear; even though they are not completely seamless, they are a nice basic pattern that gives them a flattering shape and a sturdy feel.

Both of these sets are ON SALE right now, so if you live in Netherlands, you can snatch the Alicante set up for a mere 31€ and the Bilbao set for 33,50€. If you live somewhere else, 4AllWomenLingerie ships worldwide and offers a wide selection of Signature! The sizes go from 70D to 100G, S-XXXL. How do you feel about molded t-shirt bras such as Alicante and Bilbao? Do you prefer non-padded bras like me? Let me know in the comments below! xx

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: Ewa Bien B132 “Fantasi” in 65E

In the full-bust industry you rarely bump into anything truly different – the last time that happened to me was when Playful Promises launched their D+ collection last winter. When Ewa Bien sent me their new SS16 catalog I was super excited for one style in particular – the Fantasi. Even though I could not wear any of their bras as I am just outside the size range, I knew I needed to see this beauty on someone – so I practically told Jo this is a set she needed to review, no discussion of it. Luckily, she agreed with me that this was something super unique and the whole thing was settled! Here’s how we liked the B132 Fantasi in Black… *Diclosure: This bra was generously provided by Ewa Bien. All opinions are our own!*

The Design: The B132 Fantasi is a soft non-padded balconette bra which is made out of a thin embroided fabric with a touch of heavy black strapping and piping. This cage-style bra shows under almost any top or a dress, so it is definitely not for the faint-hearted! The cups are also completely see-through which may be a downside for some – but then again, if you minded see-through cups, you probably wouldn’t be opting for this set anyways!

The cups of the soft balconette are constructed of two parts that connect with one vertical seam. This is very common structure in smaller sizes when it comes to balconette constructions but can also be made in bigger cups, like with this Avocado bra I recently reviewed. This style of balconette gives two cakes on a plate -style cleavage and leaves room for fuller breast tissue at the top. This style is a bit too open at the top for Jo, but it still looks fantastic, especially as a boudoir piece.

The Fit: We first requested the Fantasi in 65F just like with the other Ewa Bien bras we have reviewed so far. However, this one ran a whole cup size large, so we ended up swapping it for 65E which is a rough equivalent to 30DD in UK sizes. This is a size Jo wears with Gossard, so it’s safe to say you need to size down in the cups with this particular style. The shape of the cups is very open at the top too, which is not ideal for Jo’s full-on-bottom breasts and still leaves the cups gaping a bit. This bra is meant for more “night-out”  purposes, so this was not a huge issue, but if you are more FOB and looking for an everyday bra, you might want to skip the B132 shape altogether.

The bra band of the B132 Fantasi on the other hand was a bit firmer than with the previous Ewa Bien styles Jo tried. This was a positive surprise, as Jo is very petite and usually would require a 28-band instead of 30. However, it is still a bit loose on her and if there were an option of 28/60 band, she would definitely want to go for that. The wires of the B132 were quite perfect for Jo though, which makes this bra a better fit for her that it otherwise would be. There is also just the right amount of space at the bottom of the cups, so I would say this bra is perfect for those with a narrow-to-average breast root and breasts that are evenly full allover.

Comfort: As the B132 Fantasi is a completely see-through style with a thin yet sturdy cup material, it is an ideal bra for the hottest of summer months. The elastics that form the caging on the decolletage are very stretchy and move around easily with the body and the metal parts are high quality, so no itchiness there at all either. The straps are fully adjustable, which is always an upside especially if you have a longer or shorter than average torso length. As said before, the wires are also just the right length for Jo, which is always a big factor when it comes to your bra’s comfort level.

The bottoms are very innovative with a strappy kind of styling and a higher rise that reaches the middle of what we call the “cookie pouch”. I would have personally preferred them a bit higher if I was wearing them, but Jo really enjoyed them this way as well. All of the Ewa Bien panties we both have tried have come up quite small so that is something I would consider hard when opting for you panty size – especially with a style like this, which may create some bulges on the hips if you are wearing a too-small size. Jo is wearing a size Small in the pics and she usually goes for XS with most brands, so go at least a size up with the bottoms, if not two (especially with more rigid materials, such as rigid mesh). Overall the set is a comfortable and beautiful ensemble, which may not be your most practical for work etc, but suits perfectly your date nights, girls-nights-out and boudoir occasions.

The Fantasi set can be bought on Ewa Bien online store and the bra (sizes 65-80 B-G) will set you back at 199 pzl, the strappy bottoms (S-XL) retail for 105 pzl. In total it makes about 70€ which is a reasonable price for such a gorgeous set! What do you think of risque styles like this – see-through cups and all? Let me know in the comments! xx

New Styles at Avocado! – Review of “Chamade” S194HC in 70H

I know, you might be thinking “What, I have not heard of Avocado in a long while – what are they up to now?!” Exactly – this brand has apparently been hiding under the rock for a while or so it would seem. In reality, Avocado is buzzing with new styles and website revisions, so the truth is they have been working their butts off and there literally has been no time for blog reviews and such. I contacted Avocado recently on Instagram as I noticed they had been working on some new styles and for my happy surprise, Anna contacted me by email soon explaining what’s up with her brand and how things are proceeding. She also offered to send me some of their new shapes and designs, which I was of course super happy about. Today I shall start with my favourite of these three new styles, that is the Chamade in the new HC cut.

The Design: The new HC  cut stands for half-cup meaning this is a bra that covers about 50% of your bust – some brands call it a demi-cup bra. The Avocado’s HC at least in my size gives more of a 60% coverage in my opinion but this could be due to the fact that a true half-cup wouldn’t have enough fabric to contain a larger breast. The size range with this style goes up to K-cup (consult the Avocado size chart to find out your size with them!), meaning it is meant to suit us fuller busted ladies and thus be very supportive. I think it’s a great thing that Avocado has managed to create a half-cup style in bigger sizes in the first place as there are many brands who simply refuse to make this style past a G-cup. The cups are constructed of two pieces with one vertical seam that gives the cup its rounded and uplifted shape, which is a favourite to many full-busted women.

The Chamade as a design is very pretty and it oozes a Marie Antoinette -like rococo glamour. The colours are very subdued yet not boring – something anyone would love in their summer bradrobe to go under lighter coloured tops. I also like that Avocado does not always play with the most basic adornments such as frills and bows but tries to make their designs with more clean-cut solutions like the tiny silver pendant on the centre gore of Chamade. The neckline of the HC Chamade is very open and it goes amazingly well with so many of my dresses and tops (eg Pinup Girl Clothing Peasant Tops!) which would normally show some bra on the outer corners of the neckline.

The Fit: We decided to go for my regular Avocado size 70H as the newer styles ran deeper and more full-on-top friendly. As you may remember, I used to love the Avocado A-cut but it was meant for more FOB breasts and thus created a bit of bulge on the top part of my breasts at the times. These newer designs feature some stretchier materials and more space on the top part of the cups, which I am super happy about. The 70H ended up being just the right size for me and there is no bulging whatsoever – to be honest, there is actually a slight bit of gaping where the strap meets the cup but that is mainly due to how wide the cups are for me. My fullness is mainly at the top part of my breasts and I have an average-width breast root, meaning the cups are a tiny bit too wide for me and have some empty space on the sides.

Even though the wires are on the wider, this is actually my favourite of the lot that Anna sent me – the shape is perfect and there is overall enough space in the cups to contain my breast tissue fully. The centre gore is quite high so if you have close-set breasts, this may not be the style for you. Who would it suit the best then, you ask? Well, I would say someone with a wide breast root and overall full breasts. Also A-symmetrical boobies would enjoy this style – it has a fair amount of stretch to it at the top of the cups, meaning it can manage some size fluctuations and fit both breasts even with a slight size difference. The band of the HC Chamade is the loosest of the three bras I tried, but it also the most comfortable on me which is why I like it. I would say it is still on the snugger side of 70 so If you are between sizes, I would size up (for reference, I wear 70GG with Ewa Michalak and 65J with Samanta).

Comfort: As said above, I chose this set as my favourite since it ticks all my comfort boxes – the materials are spot-on, no itchy cheap ruffles, the wires don’t poke me and the gore tacks but doesn’t stab me in the sternum. The Chamade is a pleasure to wear anytime, even at home when you are lounging around. It is also one of the most practical bras I own, because of the fact that is non-padded and low-cut. The only “flaw” with the bra I bumped into is my usual nemesis – the straps. They are quite widely placed, which however DOES not cause any irritation on my armpits this time; I think this is due to the cup shape being so low. I would like most lingerie brands to consider their strap placement though, as it is so hard to find bras with straps that would sit on my shoulders without me pulling them in like crazy.

When it comes to the panties, I can report that they are equally as comfortable as the bra and I love how well they are made – such a pleasure to wear! For the record, I am super picky about my knickers so sometimes, I just find the bottoms that come with a bra too tiny (as in skimpy) for me and I toss them in the back of my drawer. However, all of my Avocado bottoms have been high quality and very flattering, which makes them some of my favourite panties to wear. These particular panties are in the Avocado classic brief cut, which is exactly what it claims to be – great basic underwear which is still very pretty. I got the size Medium with them which was a right choice with these ones. However, I would say with the panties you may want to consult Anna about any style you are looking to buy as all of the designs run a bit differently. I even have a pair of Small Avocado panties that are quite loose for me!

If you would like to give the Chamade a try, you can find the bra (66,92€) here and the classic briefs (27,72€) here. They come in a great size range of 60-95 C-K, XS-XXL, which is impressive for a smaller luxury brand! Also, the set is available in multiple bra and panty styles, so if the HC is not a great fit for you, you can find another shape that will fit your perfectly. What do you think of the new Avocado HC-cut? Would you be willing to splurge on a well-fitting half-cup bra? Let me know in the comments below! xx