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: Parfait “Darlene” in 32G

Even though Parfait by Affinitas collection is not the biggest on the full bust market, Parfait has nonetheless acquired a steady staple status as being the most promising American full-bust brand, going up to K-cup with their cult favourite bra Charlotte. I have been lucky enough to have met with the brand’s reps several times during these years of lingerie blogging and they have always been super supportive of my blog. This winter, even during my non-inspired phase and not-that-frequent blogging, Parfait has still wanted to keep me in the loop with their new styles. Today I am bringing you some more snow-queen-off-duty realness (which seems to be this winter’s theme here over at 2COP!) and introduce you to the new beautiful Parfait set, called Darlene. *Diclosure: This set was kindly sent to me by Parfait. All opinions are my own.*

The Design: Darlene is a rather unique sort of bra to me personally as its shape is something between a full-cup and a balconette, but it is also nor seamed nor moulded but something in between – does anyone actually have a name for such a cut?! There is one seam going across the bottom half of the cups but it only reaches the apex of the cups giving the otherwise moulded fabric a bit more uplift. Completely moulded non-padded bras have a reputation of not being very uplifting and thus attractive shape-wise (at least I like my boobs lifted, huh?).

The shape of the Darlene is still rather subdued so it’s not “up your chin” type of boobs, but a more natural look, almost a bit minimized if you ask me. The one thing that I would change about the bra is that the cups don’t necessarily bring my boobs closer together, which is something I would prefer. However, the balconette neckline is quite nice under wide necklines such as my Pinup Couture peasant tops. The bra is very appropriate for work as it does not offer much cleavage, which suits me well as I work with kids and need to look “appropriate”.

The look of the bra is quite subtle and elegant, and I like that is not your average t-shirt bra even though it works pretty well for that purpose. The lace lies flat under most tops and there are no extra ruffles to show through – yet the ensemble is still pretty and not too boring.

The Fit: I have a pretty “wild” history with the Parfait sizing – starting from 30G a couple of years back, trying 30HH at some point and now settling into 32G/GG. My Darlene is a 32G as most Parfait bras are not made in 32GG which would probably be my best size with them. The Parfait bands are said to be on the snugger side and this holds true with most of their styles – however, Darlene seems to run rather more true-to-size as opposed to eg Elissa which was the latest Parfait I tried last spring. I enjoy the Darlene’s band quite a bit – it is supportive with three hooks and eyes yet it is still rather comfy.

The cups are true-to-size as well – which unfortunately mean that they are just a tiny bit too small for me, mainly on my bigger boob. You can see the edge of the cup cutting into my full upper breast tissue, but I have forgiven the bra for this as it is a great shape under certain tops I already mentioned above. The cups are actually otherwise very flexible and thus if you are more full-on-bottom, you might enjoy this bra even in a smaller cup size.

Comfort: Even the look of the bra oozes: “I’m so comfortable! Wear me to everywhere!” The materials of Darlene are lightweight which is always a plus for me – I don’t need any more bulk to my bust and the Darlene works perfectly when I need a bit of minimizing to my bust line. As said, the bra cups are quite stretchy which will be a good thing for ladies who fluctuate in breast size during their cycle or have a bit of asymmetry.

The cups of the bra are a bit too shallow and wide for me, but the too-wide underwires are not a problem per se. I take more issue with the strap placement, which is sadly a bit too wide for me and leads up to some minor chafing in the armpit. If you are more broad-shouldered and wide overall, this may not be an issue for you. I wish Parfait would take into consideration the strap placement when going back to their designing table, as otherwise, this bra is very comfortable indeed!

The bottoms are a bit of a pass to me, as they are not exactly my taste to begin with. I always give a low-cut brief a chance – after all, I do have some really nice low-cut panties as well – but this time the sizing was a bit off for me and the Small felt just a bit too snug. I would say the Darlene panties feel a bit smaller than eg the “Charlotte” briefs. They are cute everyday knickers for someone who likes a super basic low-cut brief, but I prefer my panties a bit higher to feel comfortable and covered.

If you would fancy to treat yourself a bit for Xmas, you can find the Darlene set at Bare Necessities for 33,70 € for the bra (sizes 30-40 D-G) and briefs for 14,29 € (sizes S-XXL).

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

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

Lingerie Review: Gossard Harmony in 32G + the Teddy

Hi everyone! Sorry about being less active this month here on the blog – I gotta confess that I haven’t been feeling my best and the job hunting + uni work has been fierce. I am kinda depressed that I still haven’t been able to find a summer job and it’s nearly May – meaning I have no idea how I’m going to pay my June’s rent. I have been in so many interviews but the problem seems to be that I am over-educated for the jobs I’m applying for, and then again, have no diploma to take on a job that would require a higher degree of education (it’s my fourth year in uni and I still have two more to go…). On the positive note, my beach vacation is drawing closer and closer which is a lovely thought in the midst of extreme anxiety.

However we are not here to talk about my anxiety today! I have a lovely new set of bra, panties and a teddy to show you from Gossard and I am guessing you can’t wait to read another review! So here we go… *This set was gifted to me by Gossard. All opinions are my own.*

The Design: Gossard “Harmony” is one their new spring launches that oozes the fresh air of spring with a delicate almost toilé-like print. The colours are very subtle yet quite interesting – you can’t really see all the beautiful shades of grey, blue and purple from the pictures, but trust me, the colours are far more pretty in flesh! I also find the colour combo very interesting as it is not something we usually see from Gossard this time of the year. I really like the way they are mixing it up a bit and trying out some unusual lighter spring colours for this SS16 season. The styling is otherwise very simple and there is only some slight folding and stitching on the cup edges.

The shape of the Harmony plunge bra is very similar to other Gossard plunge styles this spring meaning there is quite a bit of bra to it (if you know what I mean?) and shape is quite uplifted and round, yet natural. To me, it feels again like a bit too much fabric, but what can I say, I do wear one of the largest sizes they offer. Compared to eg the Desire bra I tried a few months ago, this one feels a bit lighter though in construction can be worn without adding too much bulk under regular clothing.

The Fit: I went with my regular Gossard size 32G and size Small bottoms and wasn’t disappointed this time either. The size is definitely right for me, but to be honest the fit of the Gossard plunges is not the best for me anymore. I am not sure if it’s my shape that has changed but I do still have some older Gossard bras in my bradrobe and they fit me quite nicely, which brings me to the conclusion that there must have been some changes to the patterns as well. I think the new patterns would perhaps be better on someone with less fullness at the centre and also at the top, as I feel like the bra is cutting a bit into my upper breast tissue even though being the right size for me. As you can see, there is also slight gaping where the strap meets the cup which indicates that the bra is just the wrong shape for my boobs. Pity, but will be a great fit for someone with perhaps more fullness towards the armpit area and the lower half of their breasts.

It’s a bit hard to see where the wire goes in the pics with the busy print and all, but I assure you that wire-wise this bra is a much better fit for me than Desire. The wires hit me at the right spot and the cups are overall quite a nice depth for my boobs. There is only tiny bit of space left on the bottom part of the left cup (note that my left boobs is fuller meaning it requires more depth) meaning it is not quite deep enough but definitely not as shallow to deem it a bad fit. The band is the right size for me though I have come to the conclusion that Gossard must me making their bands a bit bigger nowadays, meaning it does not run a full band size small anymore. I would say this one is right between 30 and 32 bands.

Comfort: Great materials, simplistic styling and fully adjustable bra straps makes this set a winner for many gals out there looking for the perfect spring-appropriate everyday set. The material choices are very sleek and soft to the skin, meaning this is a set that can be worn for several hours without any discomfort. The straps are again placed a bit too far-apart for my body and liking, but for someone with a bit broader shoulders, it wouldn’t be an issue.However, the straps are also made of simple elastics that are sturdy enough to hold well no matter what.

The bottoms that come with the set are one of the most comfy I have tried this spring and thus they are on regular use even when I’m not wearing the matching bra. I like how “basic” they are – just regular short-style bottoms that go well under almost anything. The size is perfect for me with these, so I would say they run true-to-size compared to other Gossard knickers.

The Teddy: I received the Harmony teddy to go along with my lingerie set but unfortunately, with my curvy hourglass figure it was not the best match. I received the UK size 12 to make sure it fitted me in a relaxed way but again, my boobs, butt and long torso were a bit too much for it – it wasn’t too small but the waist hit me at an awkward spot. I would say the loungewear runs a bit smaller than eg their bottom sizes so do size up for a more comfortable fit. However, the biggest problem with me + the teddy seemed to be my super long torso, which made it too short for me to wear without the bottom part riding up my crack (hehe). With heavy heart, I gifted the teddy to my bestie Jo and she was happy to give it a test run. Turned out, it was quite lovely for her body shape regardless of the fact that she would have probably been better off with a size 10.

The thing with the teddy is that you have to loosen up the straps quite a lot to get a more comfy fit with it – at first, it was too short for Jo as well! When we noticed the straps needed to be loosened a lot, it fitted so much better and now it’s totally wearable. Take into account though that Jo’s torso is much shorter than mine and she is also a couple of cm’s shorter than me (I’m 5’6). After getting the fit right, Jo has been super happy with the teddy and has been wearing it on a regular basis as it is such a comfortable piece to lounge around in. The materials are the same as with the lingerie set; super soft satin that is light to wear even in the hot summer months.

If you are interested in getting a second opinion on the set, here’s a review of it on Comics Girls Need Bras! The set and the teddy is sold on Gossard online store for £34 for the bra (30-38 A-G), £16 for the shorts (XS-XL) and £39 for the teddy (UK 8-16). How do you like the Harmony set? Are you gravitating towards lighter colours now that it’s spring? Let me know in the comments below! xx

Lingerie Review: Gossard Superboost Lace in 32G

Let’s face it – I am not a huge fan of t-shirt bras. They are usually too bulky for me, creating extra volume that I just don’t need. When Gossard suggested that I would give their Superboost Lace t-shirt bra a try, you can imagine I was a bit hesitant – would it be a super push-up bra that I would never use after reviewing it? I decided to give the set a go because it is such a classic in Gossard’s continuity selection and I actually really liked the new salmon red colour of the ensemble. Here’s how I liked one of my first t-shirt bras in so many months!

Design: As opposed to what I thought it would be, the Superboost Lace t-shirt bra is actually made of a rather thin moulded foam and it is great for anyone who feels that eg. the Freya Deco feels a bit too thick for everyday wear (or has too much cleavage, on the other hand). My mum, for example, loves spacer foam for its breathability and seamless finish, and the material of the Superboost Lace t-shirt bra comes very close to it. It is not quite as thin as spacer foam but definitely not thick or bulky in anyway.

Otherwise the Superboost Lace is something quite pretty for an everyday bra. It has some nice lace adornments on the bra band – however, take this into consideration if your skin is very sensitive and can’t take lace. The lace on Superboost is quite soft though so I personally did not have any gripes with it. The shape of the bra is quite natural so no boobs up to your chin or anything dramatic like that. There is subtle cleavage on show (depending on your breast tissue distribution/placement of course) but nothing epic that would not be suitable for jobs that have a fairly casual dress code. The gore is quite low meaning this bra can easily be worn with low-cut tops and open necklines.

Fit: I opted for my regular Gossard size of 32G and it certainly runs true to size for this particular brand – that is snug in the band and large in the cup compared to other British brands. The cups are quite a bit too wide and shallow for me, hence the empty space at the bottom of the cups. I am a bit surprised about this as usually Gossard bras fit me pretty much perfectly but apparently moulded cup bras and I are not meant to be. I know they have their place in so many peoples hearts but my boobs seem to just state “Nope. We are so not getting along with this.”

The band of the Superboost t-shirt bra is quite narrow compared to a regular Gossard 32G band, meaning it only features two hooks and eyes. I personally prefer three for extra support but some women actually like narrower bands and bra straps, even just for the looks. The bra straps are quite widely placed meaning not the best for my shoulders but they are fully-adjustable meaning it is a great bra for women with shorter torsos.

Comfort: This set is quite comfy when it comes to materials – they are definitely soft to touch even though I personally prefer cotton as cup lining. However, the whole set feels super soft to touch and even the lace feels silky and stretchy which makes it quite nice for even more sensitive skin types. As the straps of this bra are quite widely placed, I did have some trouble with the cup edges cutting into my armpits – luckily though the materials are smooth enough to make it up for the extra height near the armpits.

I also got to try the matching Brazilian brief in size Small and the silky soft feeling extends to the bottoms as well. To my taste, brazilian briefs are always a bit too skimpy – I prefer the good old high-waisted bottoms or hipsters as they feel more comfy under my dresses than any thong or brazilian I have ever tried. The back side of the bottoms is very stretchy though which is why it is great for those who fear the dreaded VPL.

If you would like to get the Superboost Lace t-shirt bra (£25) and brazilians (£14) as a nice everyday set, they can be purchased at the Gossard online store. The bra is available in sizes 30-38 A-G and the knickers in size XS to XL.

What is your favourite t-shirt bra? Have you tried the Superboost Lace and how do you like it? Let me know your opinion in the comments! I would be happy discover more great t-shirt options even just for my mum’s sake 😉 xx

Moda Lingerie & Show: Signature by After Eden SS15 Collection

When a new full-bust brand pops up on the market, I always get super excited – especially if the company has years of knowledge making comfy bras in core sizes. When I first saw Signature – After Eden’s sub label for fuller figures and busts – I was so excited and wanted to browse their stand at Moda thoroughly. Their stand is usually one of the nicest to visit anyway – last year it was bubbly, this year cheese which I am a great fan of (well who isn’t?). As we were having a taste of the snacks, we got to meet the brand’s head of marketing Paul, who runs the company’s marketing department from Netherlands, where After Eden was originally founded.

I thought showing you the new Signature Spring/Summer collection would be so appropriate because *drum roll* we are having some of their pieces reviewed here at 2COP soon! I am also introducing a new guest blogger of mine, miss E. But I won’t tell you any more just yet! However, let’s get into previewing the collection first!

 
From top to bottom: Sevilla, Anna & Granada

This ss16 collection is Signature’s third collection and thus, it is interesting to see how the fit of these garments actually is, as making sizes A-D is completely different from making sizes D-F. Yes, indeed, the collection only goes up to UK F-cup so far, but as we have seen with other brands such as Playful Promises, full bust sizes are extremely time consuming to create and also, a great risk for companies that are not used to making them. This is why most companies start small and then continue to expand their size range when the demand is big enough. However, this requires the products to get sold on their full price which can sometimes be really difficult in this financial situation we are in.

Oh well, let’s not talk about the grim details anymore! Where Signature still lacks in cup sizes, the bands sizes are quite generous for such a new brand. Most of their styles are intended for the fuller figure customer as well and the band sizes go up to 42-44 in even with F-cups Their classic style Anna, which comes in both padded and non-padded version, starts at 30 band which is a nice start to include smaller band sizes in the collection.

 
Top to bottom: Malaga, Barcelona & Balboa

The new summer collection consists of two colour schemes: daring pink and blue harmony – very appropriate considering those truly are the trend colours of the season in addition to bright oranges. The summer collection is a bit more girly and age appropriate compared to this autumn season but that means the collection is very approachable for girls who are perhaps plus size/ full-busted and want something pretty and comfy to wear on their everyday. I am happy that out new guest blogger is 18 yo which makes her the perfect reviewer for Signature (however, she will be wearing a 32F so not a plus size but a small band/big cup combo)!

One of my favourite sets from the collection is nothing basic or too girly though, and that is the amazing Malaga. Malaga takes on the contrasting trim trend which was mainly brought to the full bust market by Parfait. I love how the contrasting trimmings are combined to a lovely feminine lace and a delicious cotton candy shade. Also, I am big fan and collector of suspenders, even though I actually rarely wear them.

If you are interested to see the autumn collection for yourself and grab a few goodies, you can do so on the Signature website. The price range is around 40-50 € for the bras and 15-20 € for a pair of knickers so not bad at all! You can find the online store here.

Lingerie Review: Gossard “Watercolour Roses” in 30DD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday with Samanta – Hana A111 Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lingerie Review: Gossard “Super Smooth” in 30DD

I know my lasses, I have been gone for too long. But! I have been doing some good and productive stuff as I have have got myself trained as a bra fitter (!) so my last couple of weeks has been fitting people and learning about the brand I work for. This means I will be getting even more people into well-fitting bras in the future – how cool is that, right? 😉

However, today is not about my new job (maybe I’ll tell you more about it in the future!) but about someone we already know – a little lady called “Super Smooth”. Super Smooth* was formerly introduced on 2COP a few months ago when the first black version of it lauched on the Gossard online store and my lovely bff Jo modelled and reviewed it on the blog. Today, I am bringing this inseparable combo to you again, hence a better-fitting bra size of 30DD. Also, the Super Smooth has finally been introduced in some fab prints and today we are bringing you the cute and sassy leopard print. *Disclosure: This set was provided by Gossard for review purposes, all opinions are our own.

Design: When we talk about the very basic lingerie we have in our bradrobes, what would you consider a must? When I think about my very best bras and panties, it’s always about comfort, practicality and good looks combined into one perfect set. As a Finn, I know our lust for the boring beige and black underwear but what if, just for once, we tried to spice it up a bit? Even though the black Super Smooth was an instant hit with Jo and meshed well with her wardrobe, the sassy leopard print is a good option under your everyday clothes – and why not under a see-through top on a night out? The leopard print is done in a subtle way in a toned-down colour combo of beige, black and army green which might sound like an odd pairing to some but seems to work well in such a wild (see what I did there?) print.

Even with the wilder print, there is always the sleekness and practicality of the t-shirt bra finish – as the name promises, the bra and the panty give a seamless look with just a little more oomph with the push up padding in the cups. The cleavage is phenomenal as always and it’s achieved with a completely wireless structure of built-in “support panels”.

Fit: If you are interested in a our previous description of the fit, I suggest you look into our first post of this particular bra, HERE (click!). What has changed though is the bra size Jo is wearing this time – the black Super Smooth was in a size 32D whereas this one is worn in a size 30DD. Last time, Jo could easily close the bra in the tightest hooks with the 32 being obviously too big on her, but the 30 band seems to work well for her small underbust area. The materials are rather stretchy meaning she could probably go down to 28 if it existed but the bra fits well nevertheless.

The 30DD is a sister size to a 32D which means the cup volume is the same with both bras. As Jo’s cup size hasn’t changed much during the past few months, it seems the sister size is working well regarding the cup size as well. Jo usually wears a size 28F with most UK brands so I would suggest once again to go for your regular Gossard size; one cup down and a band size up from your regular UK size. Jo is wearing a size XS short with the bra and it fits her really well too without any bulging or gaping anywhere.

Comfort: When it comes to comfort, it would seem to be a key ingredient in making the perfect everyday set – especially when designing a wireless. Even though wireless bras usually tend to feel pretty flimsy on a fuller bust, Gossard has managed to make this bra feel sturdy and comfy on. The in-built support panels almost feel like underwires without the possible poking and make the bra approachable for us D+ ladies as well. Here’s hoping Gossard would upgrade the size range up to G!

Even though Gossard bras are usually very comfortable overall, there seems to be one thing that bothers me and Jo a bit – and that is the straps. Unfortunately, even with the bigger sizes, Gossard is using rather slim half-adjustable straps with most of their designs which leads up to a flimsy feeling and sometimes even to annoying slipping off the shoulders. For me, the length of the straps has never been a problem but to Jo, they were just way too long to feel sturdy and to support the 10% of the weight of her bust. This can be fixed easily with basic sewing skills but it could also be taken care of during the design process. So Gossard, here’s the thing – we LOVE you. Just improve the straps a bit, okay?

All in all the set is very comfy and great-looking in its new print for the spring season and we would both recommend this to any A-E gal out there who want the support without the wires. You can snatch up this bradrobe staple from the Gossard online store for a reduced price of £35 for the bra and £14 for the short. How do you like this set? Would you be willing to try the E+ sizes if Gossard made them in the future? I would love to know, so do leave me a comment! xx

Suomeksi: Heippa ihmiset! Tämä tyttö on ollut töissä ja kouluttautumassa alusvaatemyyjäksi, joten siitä onkin jo jonkin aikaa, kun olen ollut viimeksi ruudun ääressä rustailemassa teille. Tällä kertaa meillä on uudestaan arvosteltavana Gossardin “Super Smooth”, jota Jossu testailikin jo muutama kuukausi sitten debyyttivärissään, mustassa. Rintsikoista muodostui heti yhdet Jossun lemppareista, ja olimmekin molemmat iloisia, kun Gossard halusi lähettää hänelle testiin saman liivin uudessa kausikuosissaan, eli ihanaisessa leopardiprintissä.

Vaikka musta onkin meidän suomalaisten pyhä väri, josta emme vain osaa luopua, on mukavaa, kun omista lemppareista ilmestyy välillä myös niin kutsuttuja “fashion”-versioita. Tämä tuo omaan vaatekaappiin vähän vaihtelevuutta ja perusrintsikkamalliin hieman eloa. Villistä printistään huolimatta Super Smooth on tehty hillityllä eleganssilla; väreiksi ovat valikoituneet beige, musta ja armeijan vihreä, jotka tasapainottavat räväkkää leopardiprinttiä. Malliltaan liivi on topattu t-paitaliivi ilman kaaritukia, joka kuitenkin tuo sisäänrakennettujen tukipaneelien ansiosta rinnat kauniisti eteenpäin ja esille.

Kooksi valitsimme tällä kertaa Jossulle 30DD, joka vastaa kupiltaan hänen aikaisempaa 32D. Tässä koossa ympärys on kuitenkin napakampi ja näin istuu Jossulle paremmin kuin hänen aikaisempi musta versionsa. Gossardin liivit ovatkin usein ympärykseltään napakampia kuin muiden brittimerkkien, ja näin ollen normaalisti 28-ympärystä käyttävä Jossu voi huoletta käyttää myös 30-ympärystä heidän malleissaan. Lisäksi kuppi on Gossardilla suurehko, joten siitä voi ottaa koon pienemmän kuin normaalisti.

Vaikka Super Smooth on mukavuudeltaan samaa luokkaa kuin muutkin Gossardin liivit, on sen ongelmana myös merkin perisynti: liian kapeat ja pitkät olkaimet. Tässä olisi siis ehdottomasti parannuksen paikka merkille! Minulla Gossardin olkaimet ovat toimineet melko hyvin, mutta pienempikokoisen ihmisen tulee varautua vain puoleksisäädettäviin olkaimiin, jotka ovat lähtökohtaisesti melko venyvät ja paukkuvat.

Jos oma perussetti Gossardilta houkuttaa, voit klikata englanninkielisen tekstin linkkejä ja löydät nopsasti Super Smoothin tuotesivulle. Setti on tällä hetkellä alessa, joten nyt kannattaa ehdottomasti katsoa, josko omaa kokoa olisi jäljellä! Valitettavasti kokoja mallista löytyy vain E:hen asti, mutta laitetaan sormet ristiin – jospa saataisiin malli joskus G-kupissakin 😉