Moda Lingerie Preview: Panache, Cleo & Sculptresse SS17

Panache SS17 is the last collection I will go through before I move on to the AW17 season! This is a huge collection so please keep reading 😉

PANACHE

Clara in Royal Blue (D-J cups), Thea in White Floral (D-K), Floris in Black Floral (D-K), Clara in Pink/Dove (D-J), Jasmine in White Abstract, Blue Blossom and Petal print (D-K)

Sandie in Cashmere (D-K), Elise in Powder Blue (D-G), Cari in Champagne (D-H) and Petra in Capuccino (D-H)

The Panache core collection was once again vast and rather true to Panache’s regular British style – lots of floral prints such as the Thea and Floris. These will no doubt appeal to the most loyal Panache fans who love their quirky colour combos and ditsy florals. I myself prefer a more watercolour-like look and was super satisfied to see the core style Jasmine in lovely pastel-y shades and bigger more blurred floral prints. The Abstract print is super fresh and I like the colour combination – it will suit Easter perfectly! The Clara is an old favourite of mine and I am again very pleased with the colour combination, besides, anything looks great in a shinier fabric with a lace on top of it! The really exciting part is that Clara now comes with a high-waisted knickers, which is a perfect luxurious addition to the line.

There weren’t that many completely new styles in the Panache core collection but the Petra and Sandie are both delightful additions to the collection. The Sandie is a much prettier set in flesh, so if you have a chance to try it in a store, please do so! The embroidery is absolutely beautiful and the colour will be perfect for many pale-skinned beauties in the summertime. If you have a deeper skin tone though, the Petra might be your cup of tea. It is a lightly-padded and well-constructed little beauty and would make a great staple for someone who is struggling to find full-bust sizes in a deep-enough skin tone. It’s still not very dark, but a good start for a British full-bust brand.

PANACHE BLACK

Etta in Navy (D-G), Aria in Navy/Nude (D-H), Ruby in Black (D-H), Quinn in Unpadded Balconette (D-K) and Strapless (D-G)

The Panache Black collection featured mostly core colours such as white, navy, black and beige, which has been the MO of the range since the very beginning. The focus is on the cuts and luxurious materials, which brings the price point up just a bit. The new styles – the Ruby and Quinn – were some of my personal favourites from the collection. I love the cut-outs where the cups meet the straps with Ruby and the bridal collection is stunning with its satins and golden hardware. I am however a bit disappointed that the strapless Quinn bra only goes up to G – but perhaps they’ll bring it up to H next season? A girl can hope! (hint hint, team Panache)

PANACHE SPORT

The Panache sports bra is again introduced in two prints and up to J-cup. My favourite from the two is the more abstract print with a salmon highlights at the neckline. This print would be amazing on matching sports tights! The cyber print is a bit odd and quirky but I can definitely see some people fancying it. The non-wired sports bras go up to H-cup and match the wired ones with their colour themes.

CLEO BY PANACHE

Hettie in Blue/Teal (D-J), Marcie in Navy (D-J), Mimi in Spot Print (D-H) and Minnie in Navy Multi Print (D-J)

Breeze in Floral Print (D-H), Skye in Violet Mix (D-J), Koko Spirit in Fuchsia (D-H), Kayla in White Multi Print (D-J)  and Piper in Acid Coral (D-J)

Cleo is again a pleasant sight: lovely prints and bright young colours. Again, navy is one of the core colours with this collection and I love the fact that there’s not a lot of black. Navy is a basic colour that compliments so many, which is why I prefer it over black, beige and white. Pink and coral were also very much on trend, and neons are making a subtle comeback this upcoming spring. The Piper in Acid Coral was absolutely stunning and perhaps, I will be able to try it this time as last season it was completely sold out!

There weren’t many new styles in the Cleo collection, apart from the padded plunge style Koko Spirit, which is a new version of the regular Koko style, transformed to be a bit more trendy and fashion-y. My personal favourite from the collection is the Minnie though – instead of the older polka dot prints, the Minnie is now available in a lovely more abstract multi print.  Another obvious favourite is the Breeze longline which manages to be a total stunner each season.

SCULPTRESSE

Flirtini in Floral Multi (D-H),  Candi in Cobalt (D-HH), Gina in Raspberry ( D-HH), Chi Chi in Palm Print (D-HH) and Sasha Multiway in Soft Pink (D-H)

Sculptresse, the plus size collection is yet again small yet sweet. Fortunately, there a couple of new styles that were introduced for this season: Gina and Sasha. The Gina is a regular non-padded balconette and the Sasha is supposed to be the ultimate basic bra: nude for Caucasian skin tones, made of light-weight spacer foam material and has a J-hook at the back to form a racerback if needed. The colours are bright and in line with the rest of the Panache collection – corals, blues and pinks to brighten up your spring.

 

PANACHE SWIM

Portofino in Petrol (D-K) and Anya Voyage in Navy (D-G)

Florentine Swimsuit and Bikini (D-G), Nina in Geo Print (D-G) and Britt Stripe in Red/White (D-H)

In the new Panache swim collection there were quite a few new styles, mostly in core colours and floral prints. Unfortunately, there weren’t that many styles that would please me per se, but I did find a couple which I really liked. My absolute favourite was the Florentine strapless swimsuit, which is a lovely vintage-y ensemble. The 50’s and 60’s vibe is still there, which is something I have enjoyed about the Panache Swim collections in the past as well. The Anya Voyage for example is the perfect 60’s Bond girl bikini, in my opinion!

CLEO SWIM

Gigi in Blue/Black (D-G), Avril in Palm Print (D-H), Lucille Tankini in Navy/White (D-H) and Isla in Tropical Orange (D-G)

The Cleo Swim collection was full of colour, palm prints and trendy shapes. I love the piping trend on the new Gigi style and am so disappointed it doesn’t come in my size! If I could wish something from the Panache design team, it would be more bigger cup sizes in especially in the Cleo Swim collection.

Tankinis haven’t been that much on trend recently, but there is one lovely option the collection and that is the Lucille. The colouring is quite classic but the shape is great for younger customers as well.

How did you like the new Panache spring collection? Let me know in the comments below! xx

SIL Tradeshow: Preview of Curvy Kate AW16 Collection

The whole full bust world loves Curvy Kate: it’s one of those brands that seems to cater to so many different tastes and breast shapes, and they also carry a tremendously big size range from D all the way up to K-cup (all styles below are up to K unless otherwise specified). As one of the biggest full-bust brands in the market, we made sure to visit the CK stand at the Salon International de la Lingerie. If you are intrigued to know what’s up with their AW16 collection, keep reading! (From tomorrow, I will be on a vacation for a week so I won’t be posting for a little while. So sorry for that!)

Princess in Blueberry, Ellace in Crimson, Dreamcatcher in Magenta, Atomic in Plum (up to J), Florence in Bowder Blue (up to J)

REVAMPED CLASSICS

The styles above are good old favourites that have been revised with new colour combinations – these styles include both the classic Curvy Kate non-padded balconettes as well as non-padded plunges such as the Atomic. I actually love Atomic: it reminds me a lot of the atomic prints that were popular in the 50’s. The plum shade is not a favourite for me unfortunately, but I do like the SS16 orange/pink version of it a lot! Another favourite from this lot is the new CK basic Ellace; it’s a balconette bra with lovely thin cup material and soft stretch lace to ensure the best fit for many different breast shapes.

Wild Cat in Leopard, Daydreamer in Floral Print & Daily Dream in Blueberry Mix

WHIMSICAL PRINTS

Curvy Kate loves their cutesy and wild prints and it’s no different this season! Both the Daily Dream and the Daydreamer are older styles with new young prints – to be honest, something a bit too juvenile for me personally. But I do see the potential with these prints as they would both be excellent choices for pre-teen and teen girls who want cute age-appropriate D+ bras. The Wild Cat on the other hand is a great everyday option for any fun and flirty gal out there – the print is very ‘Curvy Kate’ and the colour combo absolutely appropriate for autumn season.

Ellace in Latte, Smoothie Deluxe in Rose (up to J) & Smoothie Spirit in Latte (up to J)

NEW BASICS

I love how Curvy Kate has made their Smoothie bra range blossom: it reminds me a bit of Freya’s Deco range but still, the CK Smoothie styles seem to differ a bit more from each other, instead of just being different colourways. The Smoothie Deluxe is a nice more luxe, grown-up version of the original Smoothie; there is no leopard print but a beautiful soft lace on the bra band and completely smooth print-less cups that cater for a classic taste. The new Smoothie Spirit on the other hand is a new beige bra targeted for the younger CK customers who want less coverage and a cute everyday bra. Both of the styles feature a J-hook on straps to convert the bra to a racerback.

Vixen in Black/Almond (up to J), Belle in Blush/Black, Cabaret in Black/Blush (up to J) & Kitty in Merlot (up to J)

THE BOUDOIR PRINCESS

From the more sexy “Showgirl” (an old term but I still use it!) offering from Curvy Kate, I would say my personal favourites are the Belle and Kitty. Kitty is an older style that has been revamped with the Merlot colourway, which to me is absolutely gorgeous. I love that we see some more shades of burgundy this autumn as it is a bit neglected shade among all the Xmas reds and plums. This particular shade would go perfectly with ginger hair, which makes me even more eager to get my hands on it. The Belle is a completely new style with cute “tuxedo bows” at the centre gore and a beautiful colour combination of grey and blush pink, which makes this sexy style a tad more romantic.

How do you like the upcoming Curvy Kate collection? Which ones are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below! xx

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

SIL Tradeshow: Panache Favourites for AW16

I love Panache – they have been such a corner stone when building my bradrobe for these past five years and I have affectionate feelings for their Cleo non-padded balconettes (one of them which I reviewed a few days back, check it out here!). The Panache stand is also one of the highlights of my tradeshow visits as it is a huge collection which needs a lot attention. Usually, I tend to post each Panache sub-label as its own post but this time, I decided to share my very favourites from each range. If you are interested to see the whole collection, please head over to Bra and Body Image as she has it all covered! However, let’s jump into my favourites, as I would love to share some true gems with you.

PANACHE (main brand)

Top to bottom: Jasmine in Orchid + Rose Prints (up to K-cup), Elise in Praline (up to G), Ava in Pearl Grey (up to H), Thea in Black Floral (up to K), Clara in Heather + Slate/Teal (up to J)

Panache main line is quite well-known for its habbit of pushing out new prints and colourways of its original styles – with a few completely new additions, of course. I haven’t been too keen on the Jasmine prints since the very first navy/ floral print but now I think Panache has come up with something a bit more feminine and soft than the past animal and geometric prints – I am still a sucker for romance and for that taste, the new Jasmine prints cater very well for. My absolute favourite has to be the Orchid print as I love photo-realistic florals and the dark colourway of it which go perfectly well together for the AW16 season.You can also see the two fashion colours for this AW season with these prints – blue is still continuing to win the colour trend game and burgundy is now making its way to the full bust world along with other brownish red shades.

One of the new styles that kinda stole my heart was the Ava. I have been falling in love with grey lingerie over the past six months or so and I am so happy to see it as an option alongside of black and navy. Grey suits fair skin tones so well and looks lovely with ginger hair (hehe, biased much) and I am quite convinced the Ava’s non-padded plunge shape would be perfect as my bradrobe staple. The styling of it is nothing overtly vavavoom but I like its basic prettiness that speaks to the “Sunday-in-bed” side of me. Unsurprisingly I loved the Heather colourway of the Clara as well, as it’s such a gorgeous hue of grey-ish blue and with the pairing of yellow-ish cream the set is like straight out of Marie Antoinette’s wardrobe.

CLEO BY PANACHE

Top to bottom: The Breeze Longline in Geo Floral (up to H-cup), Hettie in Black/Pink (up to J), Kali in Black/Pink (up to J), Skye in Magenta/Lime (up to J), Marcie in Tangerine (up to J), Piper in Cobalt (up to J) and Della in Floral Print (up to J)

Cleo is the queen of bright and clashing colours and we were not disappointed this time either. I do feel that Cleo could almost go a bit more crazy with its design – I would love to see some more innovative prints which Cleo is so well-known for! The best designs within the Cleo range in my opinion are its boldest ones – the new floral printed Della (go and buy this bra now, it’s amazing!) and the new Piper longline. I adore the electric cobalt blue shade of the Piper and it combines perfectly an amazing fit and gorgeous looks while still remaining young and fresh. If I would have to pick just one set from the whole Panache AW16 offering, Piper would most definitely be it!

With Cleo collection, instead of teal and burgundy the Cleo collection features delicious magenta and brighter blue tones. As a pop of colour, we can see some tangerine and lime contrasts which are super appropriate for the early autumn season. How cute is that pumpkin shade Marcie? Again, the Breeze longline remains a favourite to me personally as it is still such a cute style with a great graphic autumn floral print.

PANACHE BLACK, SPORT & SCULPTRESSE

Top to bottom: Panache Black “Ardour” ja “Etta” (both up G-cup), Panache Non-Wired Sports Bra in Blue Marl (up to H), Sports Bra in Neon Pixel Print (up to J) & Sculptresse “Chi Chi” in Lace Print (up to HH)

The Panache Black, previous Masquerade range, is a rather small sub-label for Panache but for me, it’s one of their most interesting ranges. The size range is a bit smaller as well, which is a shame as these styles are truly stunning – for example, the new Etta design features a striking see-through stripe detail which I am a big fan of. Another favourite from the Black AW16 range is the basic Ardour style – it’s a grey t-shirt bra that would be an amazing option to some people who usually buy beige or black bras for their everyday bradrobe.

My favourite from the different options for the infamous Panache Sports bra was the Blue Marl as it something totally different than Panache has done before. The inspiration for this non-wired version of the classic sports bra came from the British Olympic team colours – what would be more appropriate for a British full-bust brand that makes an award-winning sports bra? What caught my eye from the Sculptresse collection was one of its original styles Chi Chi in this new Lace Print which reminds me of Snow White. This style will also be available in a dark brown Cappucino shade which will be an excellent nude shade for some women of colour!

How did you like the new Panache AW16 collection? Are you feeling the colours and prints? Let me know in the comments! xx

Lingerie Fit for a Burlesque Star: Louise Ferdinand “Uma” in 32G

I have been admiring Louise Ferdinand lingerie  from a far since a couple of years back. I first became familiar with them through a Fuller Figure Fuller Bust review and was smitten with the vintage styling and the craftsmanship put into the designs. Also what really struck me was the way they used and still use models of all sizes and ethnicities – not many lingerie brands are that inclusive, even in 2016.

Only a couple of weeks back Sandra, the wonder woman behind the brand, contacted me and asked if I wanted to review a sample from them and of course, I couldn’t say no. This brand is still something very unique to the full-bust market – it’s all about innovative styles and nods to the past, with a styling that would woo even the pickiest burlesque queens. Let’s see what Sandra surprised me with!

The Design: I had literally no idea what was coming to me in the mail so when I opened the parcel I was pleasently surprised with the Uma set, which I had already been eyeing at – however, there is probably nothing I don’t like in Louise Ferdinand’s current selection, so I think I would have been happy with probably any of her designs.  The Uma is a rather classic shape for LF meaning it’s a vintage-style plunge balconette, with a rather pointy shape. The bustline is not what a modern western woman usually wants – smooth, super uplifted and round – but I really enjoy this shape, especially under my 40’s style dresses.

The styling itself is so stunning and I am impressed with the combination of girly lace and bow and the black sturdy mesh that gives the bra a more edgier look. I also like that the bow at the centre gore is not red like the trimming at cup edge but a contrasting purple colour. The coverage this bra gives is pretty much perfect for me but I am wondering if it’s because this is a cup size too small for me. In any case, I have worn it a lot with my more low-cut dresses and it works really well with them.

Fit: As I mentioned above, the 32G was about a cup size too small for me so this is definitely not my best size with Louise Ferdinand. I would love to try a 30H someday with this brand as it seems to be running along the lines of other British DD+ brands and thus, I feel that my regular size would have been better for me. Also, the band is a tiny bit loose on me, which is understandable as I measure 31″ under my bust.  I am a bit of a tricky size right now when it comes to bands so I can never know whether to go for 30 or 32, especially if it’s a brand that I am not yet familiar with. The band is quite wide though so it is supportive in the 32 as well, but I prefer to wear it in the tightest set of hooks.

The underwires of this bra are also quite regular for a British brand, so a wee bit too wide for me. However, I did not experience any discomfort with them and they do not bother me at all. The cups are an average depth but designed more for a full-on-bottom shape breasts – my boobs are full-on-top so I am pretty sure that is one of the reasons I’m bulging a bit at the top. The cup edge trimming is quite rigid so I would definitely even recommend sizing up in the cup if you have a bit more breast tissue on the top half of your boobs.

Comfort: I really liked how this set manages to feel quite nice against my skin even when being a quite rigid mesh material. The materials feel like good quality and don’t rub my skin anywhere, not even around the usually-very-itchy armpit area. Also the band and the wires feel really flexible, meaning I can move around in the bra without any discomfort. My only real gripe with the bra are the straps – unfortunately they are too widely placed and stretchy for my body and tend to slip off my shoulders now and then. They are fully-adjustable however, so even when being petite or tall, you can make them work length-wise.

I also got the Uma briefs in size Medium, which is probably around 12 in UK sizes – I found that this runs pretty true-to-size as my butt has grown an inch again (!!! those squats though…) and I am becoming more of a true 12 on the bottom half of my body (which is so annoying cause my waist is still a size 10). The bottoms are quite low but not as much as with eg Cleo – which is good, because Cleo bottoms and I don’t really mesh well together! The briefs is styled with the same cute lace as the bra and cover my bum nicely – I am not a huge fan of the brazilian trend that’s going strong at the moment! Overall the set is a comfy and surprisingly practical little number, but also manages to be sexy enough to wear in the boudoir. Love it!

If you would like to get your hands on some Louise Ferdinand set yourself, do check out their online store here. The Uma set comes in a whopping size range of 28-38 A-J + bottom sizes S-XL, and set you back at £60 for the bra and £34 for the briefs.

Have you tried Louise Ferdinand lingerie yet? Do you like the vintage styling on a modern bra? Let me know in the comments! xx

SIL Tradeshow -Parfait AW16 Collection Preview

Parfait is one of those brands that are really famous for one bra – that is the Charlotte. Most of us have bought it at some point of our lives and love the bra as a great bradrobe staple. It is a wonderful ensemble with a unique design and great shape, but I also feel that the rest of the Parfait collection seems to stay in the darkness and not many of my regular online shopping platforms offer some of the other lovely Parfait styles. I hope this AW16 season will be a different story as it is one of the strongest collections Parfait has come out with. Even while being small, the AW16 range offers a variety of lovely lace pieces but also practical basics. Let’s dive into it!

Charlotte in Bronze, Casey in Ruby Wine & Estelle in Merlot

This new AW16 was definitely a great step towards more inclusive DD+ lingerie industry and thus a season for “nude” lingerie for women of colour. As compared to this spring season we are already seeing lots more variety with the “nude” colour palette and Parfait is a great example of it – they didn’t come up with just one, but three styles that will be a great match for dark chocolate toned skin.

The first one of the styles featured above is the good old Charlotte. This style already comes in a dusty rose colour which is great match for my skin for example, but now Parfait has created another lovely basic colour for their signature bra style. Also another classic, Casey (sizes 30-40 D-G), comes in a warm, almost red-ish dark brown colour with the lovely smooth surface to go under the thinnest of t-shirts. If you are looking for a more sexy style though, I would go for the Estelle which is my personal favourite from this whole collection – it’s a lacy, almost Marie Antoinette-like version of the Charlotte and I really like its more feminine look as compared to Charlotte’s fashion forward and edgy design.

Estelle in Black, Aline in Black and Nude

Estelle and Aline are the two new styles for Parfait that come out around July/August in 2016. With the Estelle being a total queen of the collection, the Aline is a new more basic style that comes in both Black and Nude and a classic pinstripe pattern. The design is bandless, which means there is no band fabric at the lower part of the centre gore and the wires make a U-shape on one’s ribcage. I am not a fan of basic t-shirt bras but I know there is a market for them – my mom for example would really enjoy the nude version of Aline.

Destiny in Nightshadow Blue, Marianne in Cobalt Blue

Blue is still going strong as an alternative for black and purple. I am also very much fancying the grey-ish blue tones that seem to also be making their way into basic colours this SS16 season. The new colour of the Destiny bra set would be beautiful on any redhead like myself – it also sports some luxurious satin and lace, which makes the set look far more expensive than it actually is. Both of the sets above come in 30-40 D-G. I am really hoping that at some point Parfait will expand their size range with some of their other styles in addition to Charlotte – I think that would make a lot of ladies super happy!

How do you feel about the new Parfait autumn collection? Do you like the dark brown options? Let me know in the comments below! xx

Moda Lingerie & Swimwear Show: Panache + Cleo by Panache SS16 Collection

One of the highlights of Moda Exhibition is always the Panache stand. It is a huge and busy one which is why it is the only one I usually book in advance so we can have a proper chat with the marketing people. It was lovely to see Jenny, the head of marketing, once again and she was happy show us the collection and talk through it. Today I am delving into the two biggest ranges in the whole Panache family – Panache core line and Cleo by Panache.

PANACHE

From top to bottom: Andorra, Jasmine in Blue Floral, Black Animal & Mosaic print, Cari (up to H), NEW Thea (up to K), Olivia, Georgia & Floris, Clara

Panache core line is usually targeted for the 30-something customer, fuller busted and for everyday wear. It is a collection that holds something for everyone though and even I, the queen of extravagance, have found several pieces from this particular line over the years. Again, I will crown the Clara as a winner of this season (well, that was not a surprise..) but I did find some other favourites as well, that I truly liked.

The key trends in the Panache collection seemed to be tapestry/mosaic prints and dainty romantic florals. I did like both of these trends, even though the mosaic prints took their time to sink into my brain – after all they are something that I haven’t seen before and thus, they appear quite interesting and unique to me. The colours included both pastels and brights with the shades of blue, pink and peach the most prominent.

So what’s new with the styles then? The Cari is something I introduced to you last season and it is now back with a new colourway of basic beige – something my mom would be crazy about. I am interested to see if this style will replace the cult status of Fantasie “Rebecca”, as the shape and styling seem a bit more hip and young to me with Cari. I am not a fan of the Rebecca, but this is certainly something I could try as my first spacer bra.

The other two styles that were new to us were the Nouveau and Thea. Sadly, I did not take any pics of the Nouveau (if you want to see a pic, head over to Bras and Body Image) but it is a revised version of the old and trusted Tango style. The leaves of the embroidery are much more modern and the fit is improved so if you don’t fit the Tango, give this one a try. The Thea on the other half is something I really enjoyed for its lovely photo-realistic print – the peach tones seem fresh to me and the pansy print is always something that melts my heart.

CLEO BY PANACHE

Top to bottom: Mimi, NEW Coco Muse (up to H), NEW Harley (up to J), Marcie, Kali, Kali Babydoll, NEW Della (up to J), NEW Skye (up to J), Breeze Longline, NEW Kayla (up to J)

As much as I love Panache core line, the Cleo range is something I wait to see even more eagerly. The wait was not for nothing – there were so many new styles designed for the SS16 that I could hardly keep up with all the goodies! My absolute favourites were definitely the new China porcelain inspired Harley and the Barbie-reminding leopard print Della. Even though most people would consider pink + animal print more than a tad tacky I loved how cartoon-y the whole ensemble looked – this is something that is a must have for any super girly pinup out there! Also the fresh strawberry shade of Harley won over my heart and I love how graphic the black looks against the romantic floral print.

The blues are still strong with Cleo as well but as with Panache, the peach and pink tones are taking over the collections this upcoming spring season. Also the new red shade of Kali is perfect for Valentines – I would def consider getting the baydoll as a boudoir piece for a romantic date night. Such a cheesy choice with all the hearts and pink but who cares! The Marcie comes out in new bluebell shade which seems to divide opinions but I am really digging the new colourway – what can I say, I love bluebells. Also the Breeze looks super fresh to me, despite the fact that floral longlines have been on trend for a while now. Maybe it’s the crisp white colourway? Anyhow, Cleo was on point this new collection and I can’t choose what to put on my wishlist for next spring!

What do YOU think of the new Panache collections? Next time I will be previewing the Swim collections from both Panache and Cleo and spoiler – they are absolutely lovely! Until next time xx

The Best of the Best – Moda AW15 Lingerie Roundup

As we are already approaching Moda which is no more than a month away, I decided to put together a roundup post for you of my absolute favourite styles for this upcoming season, introduced last February at Moda. Me and luckily Jo as well are visiting Moda in August again and I want to share some of my faves before the new Moda posts start rolling again! I know I haven’t been as active with my new collection introductions lately but please forgive me, it has been a very busy spring with my new job and bachelor degree research (I am now finishing it up, it’s about body image & eating disorders). However, here are some brands and new AW15 styles that really impressed me a few months ago – I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Ambra Lingerie

Ambra is an Italian lingerie brand which still remains as a luxury-focused family business in the town of Alba (interestingly the home town of Nutella as well!). The silky garments are designed and produced by hand in Italy which makes Ambra an ethically-aware lingerie manufacturer and a supporter of local employment. Even though local production always takes the prices up a notch, I do believe the production process itself is something that needs to be considered when talking about real product value. Also, the Ambra lingerie is made mostly out of silk and high-end Italian lace which makes the garments look and feel gorgeous to the wearer. The size range is still rather small but they have introduced F-cups only recently and the way is up if the demand is there! I fell in love with the delicate style above, rocking a bold combo of gold and dark purple which is a rather unusual combination for next AW season.

Millesia

Millesia is a French brand founded in the 90’s and has since aimed to create feminine yet strong styles to please women’s luxury needs in the A-D category. Even though the brand is new to me personally, I was struck by its personality and strong sense of aesthetics. The new collection was a seducing combination of fine details, lace and bondage vibes which makes it look interesting even though we have seen the 50 shades style in lingerie for a couple of years now. The set above was one of the more clean-cut yet powerful styles of Millesia for next season and I sure would love to see it produced in bigger sizes as well.

Freya

The old Frey Frey and I were not the best of friends when I entered the full-bust world a few years back. Everyone else was raving about their fit but it turned out that my FOT boobs were not too happy in most of their bras so I left it to that and turned to the likes of Curvy Kate instead. However, recently the Freya designs have improved to the level that I am super intrigued to give them a go again, even just for the looks sake. This lovely little number is called Minx and it is available in various bra styles with a size range of D-G with plunge balconette and padded half-cup styles and GG-K in the balconette style. The pic above features the first-mentioned and I am in love with the key-hole detail at the gore!

Evollove

Evollove is a fairly new D-G brand with young-ish target market and reasonable prices. I have had the chance to try Evollove bras at the Mimi & You boutique I visited last time I was London and even though the brand goes “only” up to G, they are a great option for someone looking for fun everyday bras at budget. The style above is one of their amazing longlines which are a plenty compared to other British brands in the same size category. In addition to creating sassy youthful styles for women in their 20’s, it is also a great brand to look for age appropriate bras for young girls in their early teens – this brand knows how to do a good cute floral which is something that appeals to almost any tween + their moms 😉

Gossard

Oh mighty Gossard, you seem to seduce me every time and this time was no different. The good news is, they are also bringing back more up-to-G styles again! I am so smitten as last season of Gossard was a bit of disappointment for me size-wise. This time I will have a few lovely styles to choose from, including the Desire range pictured above. Longlines up to G? I’ll take it! Also, there seems to be a fair amount of high-waisted options and suspender belts on offer, which makes a true pinup gal like myself jump for joy. What seems to be the highlight of this upcoming season will however be the classic Gossard “Gypsy”-style, brought back from the 80’s to today and renewed. No doubt I will be trying that bad boy out!

Scantilly

As Curvy Kate’s new sub-label Scantilly has been splattered across the internet already, I settle with bringing you my favourite style from the collection: the Pounce. Even though the whole small collection was completely on-point and amazing, something in this leopard lover speaks to me with such volumes. Maybe it’s the suspender belt? I don’t know but heaven’s Lord this collection is something needed in the full-bust scene! It embraces the 50 shades trend so well with a sophisticated touch that I am only left swoon and hoping to get to try these beauties asap. The sizes go up to HH so small-ish compared to other CK styles but we can definitely expect bigger cups in the future!

Signature

Signature was first introduced on 2COP about a year ago when I encountered the brand at August 2014 Moda. The brand is a sub-label to After Eden which is already a rather well-known brand across Europe, including Finland where it is sold as a house-hold name in big department stores. As After Eden only goes up to DD, the brand has given birth to a new baby in both bigger band and cup sizes. The band sizes start at 32 and end at 44 which is a fair size range for such a new brand. Also, the cups are rumoured to run large which makes it a winner instantly! My fave from the collection was the snake-print “Grace” which comes in a lovely fashion-forward colour combo or petrol blue and black.

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All in all the AW15 season looks promising! I still have a couple of brands I want to go more in-depth with so if you wondered about the absence of Curvy Kate and Lepel in my post, stay tuned as they are being previewed very soon 😉 Have a lovely upcoming week everyone and do let me know which style appealed to you the most from this roundup!

Moda Lingerie & Swimwear Show: Panache AW15 Collection

When I visit Moda, there is one brand I always need to book in advance because hell no I’m going to miss it – that brand being the giant lingerie power house Panache. Panache is very close to my heart as its Marcie bra was one of those sets that supported me through my late teens and still works its magic in my bradrobe, sadly being a bit small at the moment though. I was super excited to see what these bad boys would have in store for autumn 2015 season so we rushed off with Anna to our appointment quite eagerly. Sadly our rep was sick at the time but we got to chat to Panache’s intern Craig (hi Craig!!!) who was happy to guide us through the collection.

Floris & Jasmine in Abstract, Floral & Snake prints

When it comes to their main line Panache does not go over board with their prints and I think it’s cool that way – the target market is a little more mature than with their Cleo line so clean cuts and sophisticated details is the thing. The Jasmine and Floris are the exception to this rule though and I always look forward to seeing especially Jasmine in its new colourways. This time was no different and I definitely wasn’t disappointed! Jasmine comes out in three new prints this upcoming season and they are all clearly designed for different characters; there is the mysterious and bold snake print, the feminine and sultry floral (and not just any floral – I mean, VIOLETS!) and the playful and young abstract water colour print. All so different and at the same time, they speak to different sides of me as well.

The Floris is made in a Space-kind-of abstract print this time, and seems to be going along with the same colour theme as most of the Panache collection – blue with some berry tones to spice it up. Personally I haven’t tried the Floris yet but Jasmine is my old favourite which I can recommend basically to anyone with asymmetry or just a need for a regular supportive everyday bra. The construction is pretty much the same with all Panache balconettes but Jasmine sports a lovely stretch lace that seems to go well together with most breast shapes.

Clara, Hepburn, Olivia, Idina & Tango in their sea-themed colourways

Then onto the trend I am always fan of – mermaids! I am a red haired gal myself and basically I see myself as a new incarnation of Ariel so how could I resist all the petrol and royal blue lingerie? I could not. My absolute favourite was the new Clara which is now released in this amazing Navy/Jade colourway. Isn’t it perfect? I got way too excited about it at the Panache stand, I mean, embarrassingly excited. When Clara was first released a couple of season ago I fell in love with the Gold/Black colourway but I think the Jade version takes it up to another level with a very fresh yet autumn-appropriate touch. Another favourite of mine was the gorgeous Idina which has actually never caught my eye before this season. The Teal colourway however is absolutely stunning and would make a great fashion-forward everyday piece in anyone’s bradrobe.

Olivia and Hepburn are a bit less-known older Panache styles in new colourways with generous size range of 30-38 D-K. So something for you GG+ gals as well! I personally liked more of the young look of Olivia as the cups are not as full-coverage as with Hepburn. However, I do adore the colourway Hepburn and also the new Tango come in – cobalt blue is definitely one of the most flattering shades of blue on my skin. The styles though are a bit too mature for me so I would love to see some other style (perhaps Jasmine?) come in the same shade as well.

Georgia, Clara, Cari, Andorra, Brooke, Fontaine & Rhapsody in deep berry tones

It’s funny how clearly you can divide the AW15 Panache collection into two separate colour schemes: the mermaid and the berry shades. I am actually a fan of both so no complaints here! I especially liked how the Clara was made in both; the gorgeous Jade but also the beautiful Claret colourway. The use of lace overlay colours was also pretty interesting to me: rarely have I seen brands using charcoal grey instead of black which is a definite plus for me. I am all about sexy black but dang it gets boring sometimes!

Georgia, Brooke and Cari are all new styles with first two going up to K-cup and Cari going up to G. I am actually quite sad about the Cari size range as it’s such a pretty t-shirt bra in a fabulous colour. Red can be quite a predictable colour for autumn/winster season but I think Panache has managed to make it a bit more sophisticated and unique with a tad deeper tones, resembling cranberry. I am suspecting the Brooke to be a hit as it’s rather similar cut to Jasmine, which has already acquired a cult reputation among Panache lovers. My personal favourite (in addition to Clara, of course) would be the Fontaine though (going up to H-cup) with its French aesthetic and deep plunge shape.

I am so looking forward to this upcoming season and Panache will definitely be on my wishlist of brands to try when their new styles hit the stores. What do you gals think of the new collection? Any favourites? Let me know in the comments! xx

Retro-Style Lingerie: Review of Parfait “Charlotte” in 30HH

Many of you must have become familiar with a very well known Parfait style called Charlotte (click for my previous review in 30G!). Basically, Charlotte is a Parfait best-seller going up to K-cup and this way, it has become a favourite for so many women who crave for sexy options for a fuller bust. I myself have owned Charlotte in its pink colourway but this autumn the Parfait team has come up with a great new colourway of Purple Wine. I was so smitten with the purple shade and as I had grown out of my pink version, I knew I had to have my hands on the purple Charlotte. Luckily, my friends at Large Cup Lingerie were so kind to send me a whole new set of Charlotte so here’s the updated review of Parfait’s G+ Charlotte.

Design: As you may know by my last review of Charlotte, I absolutely adore the design as it is very retro pinup-like and always comes in delicious colourways. I liked how the Charlotte has now seen a few deeper shades as the previous ones have been quite pink and cutesy. The purple hue is very lively and rich and reminds me of berries. I also like the black trimmings – they make the style a bit more whimsical and classic at the same time and give the design its signature look.

The cups of the 30HH Charlotte cover a lot more than my 30G but that is quite expected as many brands don’t really know how to make supportive bras with a little less fabric or just believe than bigger busted gals need a bit heavier bras. The shape of the bra is still good and it leaves a fair amount of my chest bare so I think the looks of the bra work well in bigger sizes as well. There is not much cleavage in sight but it’s always good to own even some bras that cater for more modest look under clothing.

Fit: As the my previous version of Charlotte in 30G fitted me true-to-size and also otherwise very well, I was a bit baffled when I heard the G+ sizes were a different story. The cups ran small, the cups and straps were wider and cups came up high in the armpit. I wanted to know if this was something I could get on with and found indeed the bra to be a different fit with in 30G and 30HH.

I don’t find the fit differences such a huge problem but as there are significant differences, I suggest you read my review thoroughly. First of all, the cups do run about a cup size and half small so I would say you need to size up either a cup size or two if you are bigger than a G-cup. My 30G was on the smaller side of G but still not as “off” as the cup volume in the bigger sizes. My usual size is now between 30GG and 30H so a 30HH was a pretty good guess I’d say. Also I had tried the red version of the bra in a 30J before and it fitted me well (!) BUT the sizes has been revised a bit since last spring and they now come up a tiny bit roomier. The bands are snug but I would still go for your regular band size as the 30 band fits my 30″ underbust very nicely.

The cups encase my breast tissue well and the whole bra feels very supportive on – it’s one of the most sturdiest bras I have at the moment. If you do have a large bust and need something that will keep your girls in place, this is the bra for you. The straps are very wide in my opinion which is also a pro if you want something super supportive. The bra band is also rather wide and so are the cups/wires. I would say Parfait could still do some revising on the fit as the cups tend to come quite high up in my armpit but as it goes, I can deal with that issue pretty well. Also the fit is quite good for my full-on-top boobs though there is some folding at the bottom of the cups as they seem to be a bit too shallow for me. However, the top part of the cups is not cutting in and the bra gives me a nice shape so I don’t mind the wrinkling too much.

Comfort: As the bra is a bit heavy and sturdy it is probably not your best choice for a summer day in hottest heat but when you want to feel secure and strapped down and eg need to run for a bus, this bra is a great option. I sometimes find myself opting for the lightest bras I own and in the end of the day, the narrow bands and straps just feel painful and too flimsy, especially if you are wearing the bra for several hours. I would say that Charlotte does have a lot of bra going on, but it can be a saviour of the day when you have been running around all day and your boobs still haven’t bounced and hit you in the face.

The panties of this set are again comfortable AF and look super flattering too. I have even worn my Charlotte panties for dance class and other sports and they always seem to do the job superbly. So if you get the bra, make sure to get the bottoms as well! Charlotte set also includes a pair of lovely high-waisted knickers so if you want to add up some extra retro vibe, make sure to check them out too. The panties run true-to-size in my opinion so I went for my regular size Small.

The bra goes up to 40K (!) and costs only £30 so it’s not gonna break the bank either. I would also like to dearly recommend Large Cup Lingerie as they have a fantastic customer service and they offer a FREE international delivery! The ladies at LCL put their heart into their work and it really shows while interacting with them. If you don’t find your size on the online store, just pop them an email and they will do their best to order your size asap.

Have anyone of you tried Parfait Charlotte in the G+ sizes? How did you like it and is there something you would improve? Leave me a comment below as I would love to know 🙂 xx