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: Tutti Rouge “Jessica” in 32GG

When Tutti Rouge first came out with their Jessica set, I was super excited to get my paws on the style – who could resist something as versatile as a non-padded bra with removable cookies?! It took a bit of time from me to finally lay my hands on this product, but as I finally did, I was so happy but not for the reasons I was suspecting. Here are my thoughts on this probably world’s first non-padded bra with not one but two different sizes of boosters!

From top to bottom: Jessica with Tutti Super Booster, Tutti Booster and without boosters 

The Design: The Jessica comes in three different colourways at the moment – the black and cream option which I am wearing in the pics but also in ivory (excellent option for brides!) and orange-y red. I like each and every colourway but for autumn, the black one is very classic and appropriate. The look of the Jessica is quite sexy yet playful: it features a lovely stretchy lace overlay, some ribbon over the wires and a tiny rose at the centre gore. Tutti Rouge is famous for their smallest adorable details that they put in every single of their styles. The shape of the bra is a balconette plunge in my opinion and I love how low-coverage it is as this feature in particular makes it so practical for me personally. The cups are constructed of three pieces with one vertical and one horizontal seam and the upper panel of the cups is quite stretchy to accommodate my some fuller breast tissue at the top of one’s breasts.

The thing that did not work for me with this bra were the Tutti Boosters. They come in two sizes, one with a pocket to insert the other one if needed/wanted. I don’t want a lot of cleavage most of the time, but when I do, I would have thought that this style would be a good option. However, it seems we are not very compatible with the bra in that department – the Boosters seemed to just widen my boobs and make them look pointy which is not something I find particularly attractive! I think this might be a compatibility issue as I have seen some other bloggers rocking their boosted Jessica bra. When I wear this bra, it is always without the boosters and that way, it is almost perfect in every way!

The Fit: I shall be reviewing the Jessica bra without further notes on the boosters, as with them the bra did not fit nor look that good on me. As a regular non-padded bra it is a whole another story though! I have been wearing this bra constantly for so many reasons: it is lightweight, flexible if I feel bloated, the wires sit on me at the right spot and both the cups and the band are spot on. It also goes under even my trickiest necklines, eg the Pinup Girl Clothing “Birdie” dress.

I went with the 32GG with the bra as Tutti Rouge bands tend to run a bit on the snugger side (I would say they are rather comparable to Cleo) and I like my bands comfortable because of my skin issues. This was the right choice – I can comfortably wear the band in the loosest set of hooks and it still feels supportive enough.

Overall the bra is not the sturdiest I have tried but then again, not all bras are meant to be. Sometimes we just want the best comfort and only a subtle lift to our bustline and especially when I was working with kids, this bra was a holy grail status product for me. The one thing I have to say is that the cups run on the generous side a bit when worn without the boosters, as TR has clearly added some space to the bra for them. This suits me fine and I can’t see the bra gaping but it does effect the “pull” the bra gives to your bust.

Comfort: This bra is a winner for its comfortable materials, flexible wires and a lightweight feel. I would say it’s especially practical for those who fluctuate in size during their cycle or suffer from bloating like I do (go to hell, IBS..). The straps are fully adjustable, meaning the bra will suit more tall and petite girls as well – however, the straps are placed a tiny bit too widely for my liking, even though I haven’t had to pull them up too much during wear.

The panties were a bit of a disappointment – it is truly sad as for the most part, I have always enjoyed Tutti Rouge regular briefs and shorts! As I saw them first I was thrilled as they were so pretty and in size Medium, they should have definitely fitted me. And they kinda did, but they are just so non-stretchy that I can’t really wear them without discomfort, especially while sitting down. I don’t know what has happened with the panties in the recent TR collection – the elastics are not elastic enough and the mesh part is just way to rigid. I would say that if you are more flat-bottomed than I am, you could possibly wear these even just for bedroom, but for my booty, they were a no-no.

Even though the knickers were not a hit with my body, I really did enjoy the bra and think it’s worth the £38 price tag. If you want something cute and low-cut with stretchy materials, this bra is for you! The size range is pretty admirable too: the bra comes in 28-38 D-HH and the panties in XS-XXL.

Lingerie: Avocado “Chloe Folie NF” in 70H

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beach-side Basics – Review of Bolero Beachwear Halter Retro Dress

I have to say starting work at a new company and a completely new branch of childcare (special needs kids) has had me facing a problem with work attire – I need to have something quite easy-going that can be washed with no problem, even several times a week. So you can imagine that stretchy jersey dresses have been a great option for me, especially as I work right next to a beach where we play with the kids on a daily-basis! When Bolero Beachwear came out with their halter dress a few months ago, I immediately knew this was the perfect work dress for the hottest days of summer, but also great for hanging around at a summer cabin and going for a girls night out on Fridays. Lucky me, the lovely Patricia who is the CEO of Bolero, decided to send me a dress to try for a blog review! Here are my thoughts on this Marilyn-esque little number… (Psst! Thank you miss T for taking the pics, I really appreciate it and love you forever <3)

It’s pretty obvious that the Halter Retro dress got its inspiration from Da Queen, that is Marilyn Monroe. You know the iconic flashing scene with the white dress? I think you do! Instead of going for the classic white only, Patricia has come up with a few different colours and prints that the Halter Retro dress can be made in and obviously, as a big fan of classic styles and colours, I decided to go for my favourite colour, red.  The dress is made from a very stretchy and quite thin material, so it is perfect for the more active summer days when you don’t want to stress about being restricted by your clothes.

I received my dress in size Medium, but Bolero Beachwear is overall on the generous side of sizing, so I could have probably gone down to Small, which I wear with my Erica and Carmen dresses comfortably. The bodice is lined to make it more sturdy and the cuts of the top accommodate a large bust very well. The neckline of the dress is quite open but I still find it work appropriate in laid-back work environments, especially if you throw on a cardi like I did in the pics (this one is from Collectif). Bolero also make lovely little shrugs in basic colours so make sure to add some to your cart! As the dress must be worn with a strapless (mine is the Curvy Kate Luxe in 30H), there is not much cleavage and I quite like it that way. The top part of the dress covers my bra completely which is a huge upside when talking about a halter dress for big busts.

One of the biggest selling points for Bolero Beachwear is the wearability and easiness of the clothes – they are easy to travel with, don’t require ironing and can be washed several times without losing colour. I simply cannot wear a lot of “Dry-clean only” clothes at work, as when I wash them in the machine, they don’t really like it that much. Also I can get pooped, pissed or puked on at work (yes, we work with babies too!) so I need to have something that I can clean with ease immediately. This is the reason I love Bolero for: there is no hassle if I drop something on my dress or a child gets messy – my Bolero dresses simply don’t get ruined (unless it’s foundation or something equally tricky that stains all clothes!).

In addition to being easy, I have found some great wardrobe staples from Bolero – my Erica and Carmen dresses get a lot of wear as they can be dressed up and down and worn through the year with some tights and cardis to make them more versatile in cold weather. This is why I usually choose the most classic colours and prints when it comes to basic dresses such as the Halter dress – so that they could be easily adapted to my pinup style and will look good after years and years of use.

I am all for team Wear-Whatever-the-Fuck-You-Want (as my dear friend Jessica put it), but if you are wondering who this dress would be for, I would say it suits very well someone who is either an hourglass shape or top heavy, as the top part of the dress is clearly designed for a fuller bust but also for a wider back. I found myself pulling the back up a few times when wearing the dress, as the Medium might be a tad too large for me. If you have a wide back and a big boobs though, this is the dress for you! I usually find every other dress too snug for me in that area, which is why I was amazed how roomy the dress is for a quarter-back built girl like me, haha.

To be honest, I don’t really have anything bad to say about this dress – it is comfy, looks great and has pockets! What more can a girl hope for?! I think it pretty much tells it all that I didn’t have time to photograph this dress before yesterday, as I wore it through the whole summer (it was probably my most worn dress for three months) and it was in the wash all the freaking time (oops, so sorry, Pat…)! The Halter Retro dress costs $120 which is a bit up there, but personally I feel it is worth the splurge. These garments are made locally in USA and thus cost a lot more to make than your average China dress. They are also made with love to achieve the highest quality and fit a fuller bust like a dream. What’s not to like! If you want to shop Bolero, take a look at their online store, here.

Bespoke Corsetry: Review of Vollers Made-to-Measure Corset

There is nothing like getting a lingerie item made to your own specific measurements: it feels like the ultimate luxury, having something so close to your body fit like a dream. So you can imagine my delight when the legendary Vollers Corset Company contacted me and asked if I wanted to review a corset from their selection. Of course I did! Knowing I wouldn’t fit into the measurements of their regular overbust corsets, we immediately decided to have a corset made to my measurements specifically. I was over the moon! After a couple of weeks of making my corset and sending it to me in a lovely luxurious wrapping, I finally placed my paws on this beautiful garment. As corsets take time to test, I have owned this piece for a few months now but I hope I can be a bit more thorough with my review because of that.

The Design: I wished for something similar to the Eye Candy corset as it was a classic sweetheart neckline with a Jessica Rabbit-ish look to it! I had seen a couple of other bloggers wearing similar styles and had fallen head over heels in love with it. I also really wanted an overbust corset, as that was something quite impossible for me when buying corsets off-the-rack – so it was kind of a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity. I would say that the Eye Candy style is more of a quarter-bust style as it does NOT cover even half of my bust. I know my bust is quite big to be contained in an overbust corset, but it is also a matter of breast shape; my bust has a lot of fullness on the top part of it (ie above the areola) which means there will be naturally more overflow with these sort of corset styles.

I had no idea what colour my corset would be, but I wished for something golden, as I thought is was a great colour for both spring and autumn and would fit perfectly under a little black or red dress during the Christmas party season. The Vollers team decided to make my wish come true and paired the gold with a classic black. The laces are black to be as modest as possible and the golden grommets are carefully hidden with an extra fabric trim at the front. The curve of the corset is quite impressive which is always a huge upside when it comes to corsets – however, if you want something extra curvy and decide to go for bespoke Vollers corset, I would advice you to give the design team a bit smaller waist measurement than you actually have. This will ensure you can tight-lace and even waist train in your corset and won’t have to change your corset size too soon.

The lower part of the corset is not my favourite style though – the rounded “hem” makes my belly look more rounded than it is and does not flatter my body type the best way. I would have probably needed something a bit more straight/horizontal line to fit my body – now the hem of the corset curves upwards at the sides which is not ideal on my body, as I would love some compression and definition especially on my upper hip/lower belly area.

The Fit: The corset I received features 16 steel bones, ten panels , a waist tape and five busk closures to close it at the front. As I knew better with this corset, it being my second, I knew that I had to close it at the front starting from the middle busk closures and then working my way up/down from there. This corset was a lot easier to close and open compared to the True Corset which I reviewed here – I think that might have had something to do with the Vollers corset being an inch or so bigger at the waist, which made it easier to loosen it up before trying to put it on. As this corset is made to my very own measurements, I could choose the size between regular corsets sizes 24 and 26, which made the waist size absolutely perfect for me. I only wear corsets for special occasions, so I won’t be closing the back anytime soon, but as this is the right size for me, I can still tighten the corset the way it won’t show any skin under the modesty panel.

My biggest gripe with this corset, as with the previous one from True Corset as well, is that  it is undoubtedly too short for me. I have an extremely long torso that would need a suuuuper longline-style corset, which the Vollers corset unfortunately is not. This is a preference thing though – some like their corsets short and sweet, whereas I like mine to go seamlessly across my whole upper body. I feel like the shortness of the corset is pushing my middle body fat towards my lower belly and thus creating more bulk there, which is not the most desirable affect, especially with wiggle-style dresses. Also, it gives me less boob coverage when being so short, as I can’t hike the corset up more and risking my lower body having even less coverage.

The first and foremost question we need to ask with this piece is however, does it support my boobs? Well, in short, it really does. If you scroll down to the last picture of this review, you can see me wearing the corset under my Collectif Dolores dress without a bra on. The corset gives me a very Marie Antoinette like shape – kind of like a shelf-boob – but there is no discomfort with the bust flopping around or moving painfully inside my dress. The cups are big enough to hold all the volume of my lower breasts and there are no unsightly bulges to make people guess I have crammed myself into a too-small OTR corset. It doesn’t flatten me out either but makes my waist and bust ratio look deliciously curvy.

These pics have been taken a few months apart – this means there may be some slight changes to my body and how the corset looks on it.

Comfort: This one is always a bit tricky for me when it comes to reviewing corsets – some people claim good corsets are never uncomfortable and you will be able to breathe pretty normally with one on. To be honest, this is not the case with me. Even with a bespoke corset, I have hard time wearing it for several hours as it constricts my breathing, movement and eating habits. Disclaimer: don’t eat a normal warm meal when wearing a corset! It will instantly make you feel sick and you will need to take your corset off, especially if you are a beginner. As someone who lost her corset virginity only a few months ago, I cannot say for sure if the comfiness aspect will improve over months of wear, but I am pretty sure me and corsets are not meant to be full-time lovers. I also think this is a lot due to my ribcage shape which is very protruding and thus fights the shape of the corset. However, bones are flexible and will get used to corseting over time.

The materials of my Vollers corset are definitely premium quality and feel good against a bare skin – I know you are supposed to wear a liner or a cami of some kind to prevent your corset from greasing and getting sweaty, but I don’t wear them for a full day ever, so I am not too concerned about that. With my Vollers corset, I can clearly see that the quality is overall supreme, and it is lovingly stitched to the very last detail to make its wearer feel extra special.

Overall, my experience with the Vollers bespoke service was excellent, even though I forgot to mention a few details that would have helped them to create an even better fitting garment for my body type per se. If you are looking to have something made just for you, make sure to tell them each detail that they would need to take into consideration when it comes to your corset. Bespoke corsets cost always a bit more than their OTR equivalents, so make sure that the makers have all the information they need – this will ensure that at the end, you will have a perfect luxury product for your special occasions.

If you are looking to invest in a reasonably priced, well-made made-to-measure or off-the-rack corset, I would be happy to recommend Vollers for both purposes and budgets. You can find their look book here and  get an idea what would suit your body the best way. To have a corset especially made for you, you can contact Vollers by email. However, they do offer most of their corsets in sizes 18″-38″ which is a very impressive size range on its own. Have you ever considered buying a bespoke corset? After this review, would you be tempted to? Let me know in the comments! xx

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lingerie Review: Ewa Bien B132 “Fantasi” in 65E

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guest Post: Review of Panache “Portofino” Swimsuit in 30GG by Comics Girls Need Bras

*This is a guest post written by the lovely Wen from Comics Girls Need Bras. The swimsuit was kindly provided by Panache, but as my big butt prevented it from going past my hips, I decided to gift it to a fellow blogger I admired. Even though Panache was generous to provide us with this swimsuit, all opinions are our own! Many thanks to Wen for the review, she was a darling to jump in and help a damsel in distress.*

As a full-busted woman I’ve struggled for a very longtime trying to find a decent swimsuit that I could wear in any occasion either at the school swimming pool or on the beach. Usually the more simple option is a black or blue wireless swimsuit. The issue with these products is that they contain your breast tissue in a very unnatural way. This could be as uncomfortable as painful because the Lycra flattens your breasts. Even if everything stays in place, the result is rarely elegant because these pieces are basically created for a smaller bust. So when Mette asked me if I would like to review the Panache Portofino swimsuit, I was more than interested! I’ve tried some Panache Sport products and I knew that they usually do a great job hiding the wires of these kind of products to give a smooth look while they still perfectly do the job! However I had never tried any underwired swimsuit and happily, this experience hasn’t been disappointing!

The Design: To be honest when I saw the Panache Portofino swimsuit for the first time on Panache stock pictures I didn’t find it very attractive. It was a simple blue and white swimsuit that I wouldn’t have bought by myself. Then I received the parcel, and the feeling when I put it on was completely different…

First of all, it fits ! This is always a victory when you receive a garment by mail and it fits you well. Second, I LOVE my body in this swimsuit! The design makes me think of the show “The love boat”. It looks perfect for cruise holidays! In my opinion this range has something chic, old-fashioned and I really like its nautical inspiration.

You may have noticed that it seems to be 2 sets of straps: the inner pair is for the invisible “bra” which is hidden inside the bodysuit. That means that the actual straps are not fully adjustable and I have to say that I usually have troubles with half-adjustable straps. In this case, they are quite short and I don’t have to shorten them so much (on these pictures I had forgotten to shorten one of them and I didn’t realise it before I saw the pictures on my laptop). So, the inner bra is basically made like a non padded balconette bra with a good coverage and three-part cup construction.

The ruching in the front seems to make the belly area look more structured. Indeed, the draped fabric paired with the white edge accents at the top of the swimsuit makes it more elegant and flattering. The back also adds a nice finish to this piece with its deep keyhole and its lovely branded gold plate and I was happy to see that the metal finished on the straps are gold too. The plastic closure is easy to use and the « band » feels true to size. I was afraid that it was not “young”enough but finally I’m really happy with the design of this piece. It makes me feel like a really elegant pin-up.

The fit : Mette sent me the Portofino in a 30GG and I would say that it fits me pretty well. However I’d like to try a 30G for comparison. The wires are really wide and sit very low under my inframammary fold. Also the inner cups are a bit too big for my breasts : I had the same impression with Panache Sport bras but as this doesn’t show from the outside, I am not 100% sure if a 30G would fit or not. It is not something I can feel when I wear the swimsuit. It doesn’t bother me, I just notice it when I put it on. So I believe that the bust part of this swimsuit is on the larger side.

One positive thing about the wires placement is that the central gore is very very narrow. This is very good for my close set-breasts and overall, this swimsuit still manages to give me a great support and a natural, yet round shape to my bust. The body is perfect for my usual UK size 10 and it covers everything the right way. The bottom part while providing a great coverage has a nice cut which makes my legs and butt look just fine. I was very surprised to be honest, since I usually think that one-piece swimwears make my legs look shorter and flatten my butt in a weird way.

The only thing that bothers me is that it is not easy to put on. Every time I am afraid to damage it when it passes through my thighs and butt, so the first time I was afraid that it was too small. Fortunately, when I finally put it on properly, the fit is amazing and I don’t have so much to complain about.

Comfort: I think that I am going to wear this piece very often this summer! I love bikinis of course,but wearing a one-piece swimsuit has always given me a sensation of freedom! Let me explain: wearing a properly fitting swimsuit, you can do whatever you want, run, dance, sleep, swim, and while every sensitive part of your body is covered, you are free to move your four limbs! That’s how I feel wearing the Portofino. This piece follows the curves of my body and allows me to move without having to adjust it every now and then.

I think the worst thing I’ve experienced with a swimsuit/bodysuit is when the torso part is too short and makes it uncomfortable because your butt systematically tries to eat it. I didn’t experienced that with the Portofino. The inner bra and lining are made from a very soft mesh and although the crotch is slightly too wide for my body, the legs elastics are quite stretchy and I don’t feel any discomfort.

In a nutshell, I am very satisfied with this piece and I think the whole Portofino range can work, aesthetically-wise, for gals of a different ages, since it is very elegant and pretty! If I could put my hands on the bandeau swim top in my size I’ll be glad to give it a try ! The details of this range are freaking amazing ! If you would like to give the Portofino a try, you can find it on Figleaves for $78 and the size range for the product is 30-38 D-K.

xoxo,

Wen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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