Introducing Gorsenia Lingerie – Review of “Evita” in 65I

Have you ever heard about Gorsenia? Polish lingerie scene is a world of its own and even though I have been privileged enough to try some of the most well-fitting gorgeous designs from many Polish brands, there are still some I am sure I have not heard of and definitely haven’t tried personally (if you are working for a Polish brand I have not yet featured on 2COP, please feel free to email me and introduce yourself!). Gorsenia is one of the brands that have not yet received a ton of exposure in the lingerie blogosphere which is why I thought it would be important to feature them as soon as I got the chance.

Well, that chance occurred a small while back when I went to the Lumingerie storage to say hello to old friends. As per usual, I test-ran a few new styles and also, wanted to try some of the strappy styles that I knew Gorsenia was offering for us full-busted gals. I had tried a few of their half-cup balconettes before and really liked the styles and construction, which is why it was no surprise I ended up falling in love with their non-padded bras as well. Finally Mervi dug out an older Gorsenia style for me to try and as they only had a few left-over sizes left, she gifted me the Evita set without even asking for a review. I was super happy but still thought to myself: well, I might as well report something about the fit, as there are not that many Gorsenia reviews out there. Here’s how I liked the sultry Marlies Dekkers-inspired Evita-set.

The Design: The Evita set and especially the bra takes a lot of inspiration from the original Marlies Dekkers two-strap style that was quite popular a few years ago. When Dekkers claimed bankruptcy (and has recently started to heal and rise again) other brands were swift to take on the challenge of creating something similar to fill the gap in the market. The trend was also highly influenced by the 50 Shades of Grey phenomenon which raged in the market for a couple of years and has since left a permanent mark in the strappy bondage-style lingerie styles, that are still very popular. I am still personally a big fan of the strappy styling and think that its a whimsical take on the lingerie-as-outerwear trend that makes a simple outfit instantly less boring.

The two straps above the cups are paired with simple mesh and satin fabrics which make the bra perfect for everyday-wear. the place where the strap meets the cup and also the centre gore are adorned with cute little embellishments which give the bra a more sophisticated look to it. The shape of the bra is very rounded and very similar to Cleo non-padded balconette bras which are infamous for their orb-like look. The bottom half of the cups is lined with a light satin-y fabric but the upper panel remains totally sheer to keep the bra sexy and sultry.

Can you notice that Mr. 2COP takes my pics these days? Thus the cheesy smile ❤ 

The Fit: Well now onto the most interesting part! First of all, Gorsenia is one of those brands who are unfortunately quite inconsistent with their sizing and depending on the style, I can be anything from 65-70 I-K with them. This is why I would try to search for a specific bra review online to find out what the sizing is like with each individual style. The bands run usually similar to eg Curvy Kate so a little on the looser side, especially for a Polish brand. I usually take a 70-band with almost every single Polish brand except for Samanta, but Gorsenia bands are quite stretchy, meaning you should go down a band size from your usual Polish band size. Their bands start usually at 65 which is a bit of a bummer for the more petite girls out there. The 65 ie 30 band fits me really well though and I love how snug and comfy it is at the same time, even though it only features two hooks and eyes.

The bra cups on the other hand run quite large with Evita. So large indeed, that I went down two whole cup sizes and there was no bulging whatsoever. This bra is size 65I which translates roughly to UK 30G but definitely feels more like a Curvy Kate 30H or perhaps a 32GG with another British brand. However, the Gorsenia padded half-cup balconettes do NOT run this big, so I would probably stick with your regular size with them or perhaps size down just one cup size. The cups are rather average when it comes to depth and width which is why I would again recommend to try this bra if you are a fan of Cleo. The fit is especially good for us full-on-top ladies as the bra has quite a bit of room in the upper cup section and also, the straps lay nicely if you have more breast tissue for them to sit on.

Comfort: Despite of the inconsistent sizing, I think Gorsenia is worth trying for the comfort factor only and of course, the stunning styling. The materials are very lightweight, maybe not the best quality, but still nice on even a more sensitive skin. For the price (39 € for the bra and 19€ for the panties) it is a great everyday set which goes under regular t-shirts and jeans like a dream and also looks gorgeous. I have really no complaints when it comes to the comfort aspect of this set: the wiring is spot-on, the straps placed well and they are also fully-adjustable.

The bottoms are high-waisted but not as much as I would like – on the other hand, Mervi told me that on her, they are super high because she has shorter torso than me. So each to their own and not everything fits the same way, even when it’s something as simple as panties. The Gorsenia bottoms run quite small and I am wearing a Medium with these – so these are pretty much in line with every other Polish brand! I would have loved to have seen a bit of strappy styling on the bottoms as well but I am sure some gals prefer them like this: pretty but yet simple enough to not show through tighter jeans or pencil skirts.

If you are interested in Gorsenia, do check out the Lumingerie online store for some of their most gorgeous styles. They do have some Evita sets left as well, so take a look if they still carry your size (the sizes are 65-90 D-L)! Delivery is FREE to all EU-countries! Have you ever tried Gorsenia bras? If so, how have you found their fit? Let me know in the comments below! xx

Moda Lingerie & Swimwear Show: Introducing Moontide & Piha Swimwear

When it comes to swimwear, I tend to be extremely picky – I hate triangle bikinis, can’t stand tacky 90’s patterns and a tankini is a definite no-no. I like my swimwear cute, comfy and retro-inspired which makes my hunt for the perfect swimwear a bit tricky. Not to mention my size – someone in the 30-32 G-H range ought not be too fussy, but what can you do! However, now and then I come across brands with exactly my kind of aesthetics and one of those brands were Moontide and their sub-label Piha at the Moda tradeshow. One thing that made the brand instantly more appealing to me was that the Moontide range actually goes up to G-cup with some styles. Let’s dive into this swimwear giant a bit more…

Tulip, Poppy & Bauhinia in their fantastic tropical floral prints (all from their SS14/15 collection)

Moontide was founded 35 years ago in Auckland, New Zealand and is now one of the leading fashion-forward swimwear-only brands in the world. When going through the Moontide website, it’s easy to see that in addition to fabulous fashion styles the brand is extremely confident about their fit. The passion towards well-fitting swim pieces is pretty obvious which makes me a new fan of the brand. The fuller-busted customers have been thought of too; there is a separate logo for the so called “cup fitting” pieces, which simply states “CF”. These pieces are either sized in bra sizes (with some styles going to up F/G) or offer a separate full-bust fit (this feature is mainly used with the one-piece swimsuits). Even though this kind of sizing cannot cover each and every bust size, it’s a good way to acknowledge that there is indeed a demand for more boob room among us gals with fuller busts. To be honest, I would be quite intrigued to see how well the full-bust version of the swimsuit would hold up my ~GG boobies!

When it comes to styling, I find the Moontide to be an instant winner – I mean, who can resist a good floral or juicy summer brights? Well I certainly can’t. My favourite of the new collection pieces (pictured above) would definitely be the yellow one with the black and white rose print as it’s such a lovely vintage-inspired style. These pics are however only my favourites, so if floral and super bright colours are not your thing there is also lots of black and white monochrome, stripes and abstract prints on offer. I have previously worked as a gardener and a florist which should explain my love for all sorts of floral prints 😉

Even though I have pictured above only Moontide swimsuits, they do offer also a wide array of other cuts to choose from. To be honest, I have never seen such a variety of different styles when it comes to a single design of swimwear! Most Moontide swim pieces come in an array of tops, bottoms and even a couple of different onepiece styles so everyone can make their pick and be happy with it. As a lover of onepieces I would love to try their “Twist”-style swimsuits with the fuller bust fit as the whole design seems very flattering allover.

Piha (which, funny enough, means ‘yard’ in Finnish) is a sub-label of the more mature Moontide brand. Even though Moontide’s designs could probably appeal to any age group depending on one’s personal style, Piha is clearly directed to a younger audience with a love for clashing colours and pop-art kind-of prints. The size range of Piha is much smaller, only accommodating up to D, but I am really hoping and wishing for a bigger size range in the future – these pieces would definitely rival the likes of Cleo and Freya in the full-bust swimwear market! However, I do understand the limits of making cup sized swimwear/lingerie as you do always need to make a profit. Just hoping Piha could someday make a profit of us bigger-busted gals as well 😉

If you are interested in the brands more, I suggest you visit their websites for more info. Also, the brands are sold world-wide so if you are still in a need of proper swimsuit for the upcoming summer, do check out the likes of Asos, House of Fraser and Simply Beach to find your favourite style. The Moontide and Piha websites have both a very impressive list of stockists and online retailers stocking their designs so you can pick one according to your own location!

How do you like the Moontide and Piha designs? Do you think Piha should extend their size range eg. up to G as well? Let me know in the comments!

Introducing Samanta Lingerie

As many of you know the year 2014 was a year of Polish lingerie for me. When I first started the year and promised myself I would look more into our Slavic neighbour in East, I was prepared for a secretive world of lingerie elite brands but as I discovered later, the research was way worth it. I was not sure if the Polish brands could top up the likes of Panache and Curvy Kate I had adored for a while but was so happy to find a whole different world of lingerie aesthetics and fit solutions. The British and the Polish brands are so different, I can’t really compare the two to each other but I was happy to have the option of narrower wires and deeper cups with lovely European detailing. Today I am bringing you the one Polish brand I have been talking to for so many months now and we have finally put together a decent info post for you, topped up with a review that will be published tomorrow.

When I first contacted Samanta on Facebook I was instantly greeted warmly by the lovely Natalia, the lingerie stylist of the brand. We talked through the different cuts and the aesthetics of Samanta and also what I liked as a customer. I really felt like she knew what she was talking about and that there was a huge amount of passion behind this brand. Fast forward to today and I have finally my first Samanta set with me and I can see the fruit of passion in flesh.

Boshenit, Aurora & Earth from the SS15 collection inspired by stones

Samanta is a family business and Natalia’s sister designs the bras to the very last perfect detail. To me, Samanta is one of the most detailed extravagant brands that cater to women who seek that special look and pure beauty when it comes to their undergarments. The sets are named after a certain theme, this SS15 it’s stones, last season they draw inspiration of the galaxy of stars. This is what Natalia has to say about the materials and quality of their lingerie:

“Our products are made from the highest quality materials from the best producers in Europe: France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Spain, which have an Oeke-tex certificate, which means that they are pleasant for the skin. This ensures standard quality products which aren’t harmful for us.”

All of the products, both the bras and bottoms, are made in different cuts to ensure a perfect fit. The cuts are named by a letter and a number which forms an array of cup depths, constructions and bra shapes from which the customer can opt the ones best for her.

MODEL
A111	This bra design is dedicated to women with larger breasts. Optically reduces the bust, exposes it and slightly raises it up. It maintains and naturally rounds the bust. Deep cups cover 80% of the bust, ensuring maximum subtlety and comfort.
A122	This bra is designed for women with larger breasts. It collects the bust to the cleavage. Lifts it giving it strong support and comfort. Hidden supports inside the bra offer additional support.The cups cover 80% of the bust.
A222	The bra is designed for women with larger breasts. It doesn’t enlarge the bust, but lifts and gathers it, providing it with strong support. The cups cover 80% of the bust. The bra is made of lace or embroidery, lined on the inside by an extra net which has the same values for usability as in the A122 model.
A142	The design of this “balconette” type bra with a shallow cup is meant for women with firm breasts. Lifts and raises the bust to gently promote cleavage while giving it stable support. Hidden supports inside the bra offer additional support. It sensually exposes the bust.
A211	This bra design is dedicated to women with larger and/or less firm breasts. It lifts and naturally rounds the bust, without making it appear larger. Deep cups cover 80% of the bust ensuring maximum subtlety and comfort.
A225	The design of the “semi-soft” type bra (bottom of the cup stiffened, reinforced by foam with cotton from the side of the body), is dedicated to women with less firm breasts. Rounds and supports large breasts very well, collects and naturally lifts the bust up, while providing maximum comfort.
A242	This “balconette” type bra is additionally reinforced with a net layer on the inside cups. It is dedicated for women with firm breasts. It raises and collects the bust to gently promote cleavage, giving it stable support at the same time. It sensuallyexposes the bust.
A330	The design of the push – up type bra is dedicated to women with smaller and less firm breasts. Lifts and collects breasts to promote cleavage while it enlarges and rounds the bust. Provides impressive level of comfort while wearing.
A331	The design of the stiffened push – up type bra is for women with smaller and less firm breasts. Displays and enlarges the bust. Also has the asset of extreme comfort when wearing.
A333	The design of the stiffened push – up type bra is directed to women with larger breasts. Raises, rounds and collects the bust promoting cleavage and providing strong support. Cups cover 80 % of the breasts. The cups are mounted on a 3/4 high gore, which encourages the display of cleavage. Ensuring maximum comfort while wearing. This model is especially designed for women with softer, less firm breast. It’s perfect women who have just completed breastfeeding.
A335	Push-up bra design. This design is meant for women with smaller as well as widely spaced breasts. Lifts and collects the bust to promote cleavage, creating a “round apple” effect. A shallow cup promotes appropriate exposure of the bust making it ideal for very deep cleavage.
A341	Balconette type push-up bra design. Designed for women with smaller and medium-sized breasts, which are widely spaced and less firm. Lifts the bust and helps to expose it sensually and supportively.
A345	This bra design is stiff with a deeper cup, designed for women with a larger and/or less firm breasts. Gently enlarges, lifts and rounds the bust, while strongly supporting it. Collects bust to gently promote cleavage.
A351	Contour type bra design. The sides of this bra are finished off with silicone. It greatly lifts and exposes the bust. Ideal for dresses with bare shoulders and back.Detachable shoulder straps .
A470	Contour bra construction without push-up padding, designed for women with fuller breasts. The bra gathers, fills out, and naturally enhances the bust. The cup is smooth, seamless and stiff, placed high on the gore. The sides smoothly adjoin to the body. Detachable shoulder straps, where the width depends on the cup size. Designed for fitted outfit, thanks to the smooth finishing it stays hidden beneath clothes.
A472	Contour, push-up, décolleté bra construction. It lifts, strongly enhances and enlarges the bust. Smooth and stiff cups are placed high on the gore. The sides of the bra are seamless, finished with silicone. Ideal for dresses with exposed shoulders and back. Detachable shoulder straps. Designed for fitted outfit, thanks to the smooth finishing it stays hidden beneath clothes.
A475	Contour type push-up bra design. Lifts, enlarges and naturally exposes the breasts. The cup is smooth and rigid, mounted on the gore. The sides of the cup cling smoothly to the body. Detachable straps and their width is adjusted to the size of the cup. The bra is ideal for women with widely spaced breasts. Designed for close-fitting outfits, thanks to a seamless finish that does not stand out under clothing.
A476	Design of the multi-functional, front-fastened contour type bra. Allows for a variety of strap pin-ups and the back can be change to a silicone one. 6 combinations depending on your needs. Naturally enlarges and rounds the bust. Ideal for deep cleavage and an exposed back.
A479	Contour type, mega push-up bra design. Ideal for women with a smaller bust.Greatly enlarges and rounds the breasts, sensually exposing them.
A922	Thise bra design has additional strength. Designed for women with larger and/or less firm breasts. Patented straps add to increased comfort and stability. Deep cups cover 90% of the bust and the additional strength of the cup ensures stable support.  This bra gathers and rounds the bust, naturally exposing it.
A925	This bra design is for women with larger and/or less firm breasts. Patented straps guarantee comfort and stability. Deep cups cover 90% of the bust and foam in the lower part of the cup provides additional strengh and ensures stable support. This bra gathers and rounds the bust, naturally exposing it.
B0309	Classic briefs. Height below the navel. Discreetly covers hips and buttocks. Gives a beautiful shape. Perfect for women who appreciate a classic style and comfort.
B0501	Maxi briefs – very high up to the navel. Fully covers hips and buttocks. The sides and a wider crotch provide more privacy. Ideal for women who want to discreetly model their figure.
B300	Classic briefs. Height below the navel. Discreetly hides the sides and buttocks. Give a beautiful shape. Perfect for women who appreciate a classic style and comfort.
B400	Midi briefs – high below the navel. Cover the sides and buttocks almost completely. Perfect for women who appreciate comfort and a classic style.
B500	Maxi briefs – very high up to the navel. Fully cover the sides and buttocks. The sides and a wider crotch provide more privacy. Ideal for women who want to discreetly model their figure.
B700	Control briefs – high waist reaching above the navel. Fully covering the sides and bottocks. The sides and a wider crotch provide greater comfort. Front reinforced, for a slimming effect. Ideal for women who want to discreetly model their figure.
C100	Mini thongs – very low on the abdomen line. Fully expose the sides and buttocks.
C200	Hip hugging thongs- low on the hips. Discreetly obscure sides and fully expose the buttocks. Perfect for women wearing low-waist pants.
C300	Classic thongs below the navel. Discreet and fully expose the buttocks. Perfect for women who appreciate a classic style and comfort.
D100	Boy shorts on the abdomen line. Cover sides and discreetly exhibit the lower part of the buttocks. Perfect for women wearing low-waist pants.
D200	Hip boyshorts, covers sides and discreetly exhibits the lower part of the buttocks.Perfect for women wearing low-waist pants.
D300	Classic boyshorts, below the navel. Covers and discreetly exposes the lower part of the buttocks. Ideal for women who appreciate a classic style.
F60	Garter belt, reaching from the hips to the waist. Back fastened with hook and eye clasps. Front and sides high, reinforced with a net to perfectly model the figure.
G251	Linen corset with a balconette type cup. Back fastened with hook and eye clasps, bottom garter clasps. Corset greatly lifts and exposes the bust. Ideal for wedding dresses, emphasizes the shape of the body. It has detachable shoulder straps .
M200	Thong, often called “Brazilian”, held on the hips.Covers about half of the buttocks and expose feminine shape. Ideal for low waist pants and clothing that clings firmly to the body.
M300	Thong, often called “Brazilian,” of a classic height below the navel. Hides and exposes half of a woman’s buttocks. Ideal for clothing that clings firmly to the body.

This table was sent to me by Natalia which shows the differences between the cuts. I have not edited it so this is the brand’s view on their styles. I myself have tried their A925 which is an almost full-coverage balconette bra for large breasts. The style is specifically designed for less firm breasts but I can assure you that it will work for various breast types. These descriptions above are merely guidelines to find the perfect fit but many of the styles work for multiple breast shapes despite of being designed for something particular.

The different models can be confusing so if you want to see them in action, I would suggest you take a look at Miss Underpinnings’ guide to all the different cuts. However, if you set your eyes on something the list above is also very useful to determine whether a certain style would be a good choice for you. Also, all the styles come in different size ranges which will limit the option you have in the first place. The whole size range of the brand goes from 60-95 (UK 28-42) A-M (UK A-J) which is amazing for a family business! The sizing is pretty regular EU sizing so my 30H translates straight to 65K.

If you want to know more about the sizing and fit, I will share my first Samanta review tomorrow so stay tuned for that! Samanta ships to everywhere in EU but if you are based eg. in the USA, I would suggest you try to contact them directly for more details. For promotions and new collections, do check out their Facebook page too!

How do you like Samanta? Have you ever ordered from them and how do you feel about their products? Let me know in the comments!