Swimwear Review: Lilly & Lime “Stripe” Balconette Bikini in 32GG

Today I would like to introduce you to a new full-bust swimwear line, Lilly & Lime. Lilly & Lime hails from Australia where bikinis are teeny weeny and complexions tanned – but what if you don’t fit into that Aussie stereotype? It’s not a secret that curvy and busty women exist all around the globe and when it comes to a whole continent, Australian lingerie industry still offers very few full-bust bras and swimwear. This is why Lilly & Lime was founded in the first place – to offer cup sized swimwear up to HH-cup for Aussie ladies and women all around the world. Here’s a review of their Stripe balconette in 32GG and full briefs in AU 10.

The Design: Lilly & Lime create timeless classics that suit many tastes and can be mixed and matched together. Their pieces feature bold colours in classic prints such as floralS and stripes which create a great basic swim wardrobe for any D+ gal who enjoys going to the beach. I opted for the Stripe style as I think it’s a nice print and colour that can easily be combined with other swim separates as well. The colour is a very bright mid-blue which is an all-time swim colour favourite for us Finns!

L&L offer three basic swim top options which are the full-cup, underwired halter and the balconette. I have always been a fan of balconettes which made it easy for me to make my pick – there was also the chance of removing the balconette straps, which made my choice even more obvious. Nobody likes a tan line! The shape of the top is very rounded and the cups sport a three-piece cup construction. For such a new brand I am super impressed with the shape the bikini top provides and I am not the only one who has noticed this – there has been a plethora of Lilly & Lime reviews online recently and all have been saying the same thing! (Points for great blog marketing, L&L!)

The Fit: With new brands I have recently been vary about opting for my band size as I am right between bands at the moment. However, I do prefer my swim tops a bit looser to avoid back bulges which is why I went for size 32GG with Lilly & Lime as well and I think this was the right choice. I would say that the 32 band is pretty much on par with most British brands such as Panache, so I would suggest going for your regular Panache size. If there was an option of a 31 band, I would have wanted to try that as the 32 seems a tiny bit loose for me. I would probably not be comfy in a 30 band though, so this is definitely a better option for me.

The cups are exactly the right size for me and deep enough to fit me pretty much spot on. However, if I could change one thing, that would be the coverage: I prefer something a bit more sexy and even though I know it’s not what every full-busted girl wants, it’s something I prefer with my bikini tops. Being quite full-coverage though, the bikini remains super secure and thus very appropriate for some real swimming action. The underwires are great with this brand it seems as they are not nearly as wide as with most British full-bust brands. I would say they are a happy medium between Polish and British underwires, which suits me just perfectly.

Comfort: I don’t really have anything bad to say about these bikinis, do I! I put them through a proper test during my holiday in Split and wore them as underwear for a day when we went hiking in a national park and sat through some long hours in a sweaty car. I had no issues with either of the garments chafing or rubbing me in a nasty way and my only gripe is really with the panties being a tiny bit snug and low for their size.

I went for the panty size AU 10 which is pretty much the same size as UK 10 and US 6. The bottoms were smaller than I thought they would be but then again, I wear both UK 10 and 12 so it’s always a gamble which one is better for me. However, other bloggers had found the bottoms to be running on the small side as well. The fold-over style full briefs were not very high-waisted on me, but I did like the rise when folding the waist band up. If I would have folded it down, these would have looked a bit indecent on me, hehe! Perhaps another bottom style with a proper high waist next time, L&L?

All in all the Lily & Lime Stripe bikini set is something I would whole-heartedly recommend, especially if you like a more full-coverage bikini with a classic look. The sizes with the tops are 28-38 D-HH (yay for 28 bands!) and AU 8-18 for bottoms. The Stripe balconette top retails for 80 AUD and the fold-over bottoms for 30 AUD. If you buy a set it takes the total of your order above 100 AUD and gives you free shipping 😉

Lingerie Review: Rochella “Tattoo Butterfly” in 32GG

I recently wrote about a new DD+ brand Rochella which is a British middle-market brand with a good cause and a unique, more mature yet quirky aesthetics. I remember back in the day Miss Underpinnings used to talk about the lack of full-bust brands catering for the 30-something customer and I personally feel Rochella is the answer to that plea. The designs are suitable for any age but I think they do have more grown-up styles than eg Cleo and Curvy Kate, yet the styles are not “old” but a bit whimsical to maintain a fresh look. When interviewing the founder of the brand, Karen, she asked if I wanted to review one of her sets and of course I said yes! Today I am bringing you one of the first (if not the very first?) Rochella blog reviews out there, with their beautiful “Tattoo Butterfly” set.

The Design: I was instantly drawn to the Tattoo Butterfly set as it was something rather unique to me: I had never had a bra with butterflies on it and even though the idea sounded a bit juvenile to me, there is nothing too young and cute about this bra. The design is, in one word, STUNNING. I have actually always loved butterflies, I hate bugs in general, but I find butterflies to be the miracles of nature and each time I see one, it makes me so happy. Even though butterflies are usually depicted as super colourful with the shades of orange and yellow, I really enjoyed the teal and black combination of the set which makes it so much more sophisticated. Also the completely sheer upper panel of the bra is amazing, something not many brands have been brave enough to do.

The shape of the bra is something between the new Curvy Kate balconettes and perhaps a slight bit of Freya G+ balconettes. There is a tiny bit of point to the apex but there is still much more room at the top of the cup than eg with Freya. For a new brand, the shape is very good right from the start with enough uplift to avoid the downwards-7 effect, which can sometimes occur with three-part cup construction + the balconette style. The style is a true balconette but not a completely full-coverage one – this bra is very suitable for everyday wear and goes under most tops and dresses beautifully. I wear it regularly with my Pinup Girl Clothing peasant tops and the butterflies on the cup edge peek beautifully from the low neckline of the top.

The Fit: This is always the most interesting part of reviewing a new brand for you. When looking at the Rochella size chart, you can see that there are no 30 bands in sight, meaning I resulted in opting for my second most worn size, 32GG. I thought it might be a close shot as I am now leaning more towards 32 bands these days – however, British brands are infamous for being looser in the band than their Polish sisters. This was the case with Rochella as well; the 32 band was a size too big for me, but luckily it had four (!) sets of hooks and eyes to tighten it a bit. I am usually wearing it in the tightest or second tightest set of hooks, which is unfortunate as it shortens the lifespan of the bra a bit for me. The fit of the band is definitely on par with the likes of Curvy Kate and Freya, so if you are between band sizes, do size down.

The cups are a bit deeper than your usual British full-bust bra which is a huge upside for me personally – I find most British bras too shallow for my full bust and the Tattoo Butterfly fits me beautifully without any wrinkling at the bottom of the cups. Compared to its Polish counterparts the bra is not super forward-projecting but not as wide and splayed as eg Curvy Kate either. Also the wires are quite average in my opinion, the perfect medium between Polish and most British bras. The straps of the bra are quite long so take that into consideration if you are on the petite side! However, they are also fully-adjustable so there’s a lot of leeway to make them fit you the way you want.

Comfort: Overall the Rochella Tattoo Butterfly set is very comfortable – the materials feel high-quality (though I would be careful with the see-through mesh, it’s super thin and delicate!) and soft to touch. The outer layer is made of stretch satin and the lining out of polyester; I personally prefer cotton lining with my bras but I do feel this is another great option as I don’t feel it’s the kind of scratchy cheap polyester. The lining is a pretty lavender shade to show the support to gynaecology cancer survivors and sufferers – this makes sense as some of the profits go to a gynaecology cancer charity, which is awesome when we are talking about such a new brand.

The only thing that takes a bit away from the comfort factor of this set is that the straps are placed a bit too far apart for me and the cup edge comes up high enough in the armpit to chafe me while being more active. This has not prevented me from wearing this bra A LOT though, so I would say all in all the Rochella sets are not just pretty to look at, they are also quite comfy and very well-fitting. Also the panties get an A+ from me: I went for the size UK 10-12 and they fit me beautifully, I would even say they are one of my most flattering bottoms I own. The back of the briefs is made of super stretchy mesh so these are very butt-friendly and sexy at the same time.

The price point of Rochella is a bit higher than with most UK full-bust brands but that is kind of what the founder of the brand went for – better quality and a big size range (32-42 D-J) are key features with Rochella and I personally feel that £59 for a bra and £30 for the bottoms is a fair price for the pieces. Heck, the hardware on the front part of the straps is 18 ct gold! If you would like to give Rochella lingerie a try, I would suggest taking a look at their web shop, which you find here. They are also adding 30 bands this upcoming autumn so stay tuned for that if you are outside their size range at the moment! I am personally looking forward to trying something from the AW16 collection in 30H, which will be a sligthly better fit for me size-wise. xx

Designer Interview: Meet Rochella Lingerie!

I recently heard about a new D+ lingerie brand when I visited Paris a few months back. I was staying over at Astrid from Les Gros Bonnets and she told me there was a new British brand exhibiting at Salon de la Lingerie – of course, she had left the stand right before I found it on Monday and sadly, we were unable to chat about the collection. Luckily, I got a hold of Karen, the founder of Rochella Lingerie, via email and we started talking about setting up an interview for my readers. Today, I am presenting you this new middle-market full-bust brand which also supports a good cause by donating a percentage of their profits to gynaecology cancer charities.

Some pieces from Rochella SS16 collection

2COP: This is your first collection with Rochella. How did you become a lingerie designer and decided to take the plunge to start your own brand?

K: I originally did a fashion and textile course as my passion was always to be a designer and I loved the way that textures completely changed things. I literally ‘fell’ into lingerie as my friend who cut the head of designs hair at a global company, slipped and almost fell into the road whilst we were out on a weekend. She was telling the story, to the Head of Design at the next haircut, and the designer asked me to come along for an interview. I was taken on as junior lingerie designer, designing ranges for Marks and Spencers. This is where I really learned everything the about the product.

Over the years I moved jobs and climbed the ladder from junior designer into Head of Design and technical for global brands.

I had huge success with an online retailer creating all their own brand D+ lingerie,  and that success sparked off the idea for me to do my own. Im no skinny minx these days. Im a plus size with a large bust. I just wanted to create something supportive and pretty, without thinking my underwear looks really ugly .. so Rochella began.

 2COP: Where do you draw inspiration for your designs and who do you design for? What is the Rochella woman like?

K: I draw inspiration form many places, a lot is flora, I just adore roses and vintage florals, Im also a bit obsessed with animalesque prints. They have just become a staple basic now.  I love colour too, I just think it brings joy into your life and makes you feel good on the inside , even on the dull rainy days.

The Rochella woman is fun, a little quirky, bohemian almost , with a love for beautiful cloths and trims. She enjoys quality. Shes a magpie drawn to sparkle and shine. She can be anyone from 20 – 90 , there is no age anymore in society we are all living longer and just because we are getting older doesn’t mean  to say that all of a sudden lingerie should be restricted to Bridget Jones beige big pants!  

Rochella AW16

2COP: Your designs seem to be sporting a more luxurious feel to them. What does luxury mean to you when it comes to lingerie?

K: My brand is premium, Its not that costly so its only available for the top 10%, but its above high street pricing. I look at many brands and they all sell for similar price points, all in similar fabrics.. To me its all just cloned! Almost robotic. I wanted to give the most beautiful fabrics and embroideries, to give the ooh aah factor, to make you feel good. The silky satin I use is just like liquid chocolate, soft sensual to touch and the trims are all gold plated. I think we deserve something special as we all work very hard. Luxury is a feeling, its not about money.

2COP: How did you decide on the size range for Rochella? Was it obvious to go for the full bust market? Also, do you have any plans or dreams to expand the size range, e.g. into smaller band sizes? (For readers, Rochella now makes sizes 32-42 D-J)

K: Globally we are all getting bigger and our frame has totally changed over the years, we are more rounded. I’ve been a designer for 30 years and I also design for new start ups. I get asked all the time to design for this area as there is little on the market. I  consciously looked at clothing sizes and based my size range on this , but I will be bringing in 30 back sizes for AW16.

2COP: You donate a percentage of your sales to gynaecology cancer organizations and are a survivor yourself. How did your experience with cancer affect you as a designer? Did it eg affect your material choices or your decision to start your own brand in the first place?

K: Cancer to everyone is  a huge shock and life changer. I had a very bad experience  with my treatment. I had vulval cancer. Thankfully things have improved and treatment is better, but no one knows these cancers exist, they get no press , yet they are nearly as rife as breast cancer. I didn’t start my own brand because of it, but I line my garments in a lavender colour, so that whoever buys them knows that even when they are putting on the bra that a percentage of profits is going to a good cause.

2COP: What is the best part of desining lingerie? What about the worst?

I’m currently just getting my thoughts together for SS17 and I love getting all the embroideries and prints created. Of course this is always the best thing for a creative person.  The worst thing.. there isn’t one, I sleep and breathe it!

Rochella AW16

2COP: How do you feel your brand differs from other British full-bust brands?

K: Britain is stuck in a price battle war of all brands on fuller bust. I could have designed something similar, but whats the point,  I’d just be competing with everyone else. Retailers don’t buy after certain price points. There is nothing on the market like mine currently. At the moment it goes from brand to luxury with very little in-between. I’m having a lot more success outside of the UK in sales.

The UK has become a bit of a throw away society, we wear things a few times and then bin it. This is not good for the environment. We need to produce items that people care about. If you look after a bra well, it becomes a favourite.

2COP: What is in store for Rochella in the future? Have you got any specific dreams regarding your brand?

K: My dream of course is to become a global brand and I would then support cancer charities all over the world. Having had cancer myself, you have to pay the ferryman. Im lucky to be here enjoying life. Many have only a few hours left. If I can change this by just making a few bras , then I have succeeded in my mission.

Thank you Karen for introducing your brand to me and my readers! If you are interested to see how Rochella bras fit, I have a review coming up soon so stay tuned for that 😉

Happy New Year with Playful Promises – Review of “Juliet” in 32G

Hi everyone and happy Three Kings’ Day! Christmas is finally over and I am finishing off my holidays as well – the uni is starting again on 11th so still a few more days to go. The reason I haven’t blogged for two weeks is because, obviously holiganza happened but also because I have been organizing things for my incoming exchange students. I am taking care of 11 students this spring term and it has already been a hassle so excuse me for lacking the time to engage with you! I am happy to say though that I am back and will start off the year with something super lovely – that is the Playful Promises full bust collection.

When Anna from Playful Promises contacted me this late autumn and told me about her upcoming DD-G collection, I was so excited – PP is a brand I have been loving and drooling over for a couple of years now and as they were out of reach for me because of the size range, they left my heart broken in million pieces. Imagine my joy when they announced the size expansion! Anna was kind to offer me a set from this new collection and as I had been lusting over the strappy lingerie trend for a while, I decided to go for the sexy and edgy Juliet. Here’s how I like the complete set!

Design: I had such a hard time picking a set from this fantastic collection as Playful Promises really nails it with every single design they do. And I am not kidding – you know when most brands come up with a couple of gems a season but this brand is something else. Each set is a carefully crafted piece of seduction that speaks to me personally on so many levels. When I saw the Portia on eg Becky from Becky’s Boudoir I went instantly nuts and was sad I couldn’t catch them all – but you mustn’t be greedy ya know 😉

I have loved the strappy Dom lingerie trend when it first came in fashion and even though some people are predicting it to finally see its end, I am really loving these sorts of designs still. I was happy to see Playful Promises translate the style to a full-bust collection and I think they hit jackpot with Juliet – the clean styling and black colour of set emphasize the carefully placed straps that adorn the bodice and upper bust area. The bra comes with a separate harness that goes over the bra and can be tossed if it does not suit your ensemble of the day. I personally haven’t found many dresses that would compliment this bra that much but I have a red little number on the way that just might be it.

The bra cups are constructed of three pieces with two vertical seams – which is actually pretty unusual for a G-cup bra. Most brands refuse to use this pattern as it is not seen as the most supportive one – which I beg to disagree on. I really like how PP uses this sorts of style to create half-cup like look but unfortunately, there is still some work that needs to be done on the shape. I personally feel it flattens and widens my bust a bit which is something that Anna and her design team could still look into. I prefer a very rounded look to my bust and this is why I would love to see this style tweaked just a bit.

Fit: With new full-bust collections it is always a bit of a hassle to find your perfect size and fit. As PP does not go above G yet, I decided to sister size down from 30GG (which I still sometimes wear in addition to 30H) to 32G. I was aware that PP might come a bit small in the band like most vintage inspired / reproduction lingerie brands which is why I was quite certain the band wouldn’t come up too loose. And I was right – the band is very tight and the 32 only stretches up to approximately 31″ which is my exact underbust measurement (I should probably cut down on my back weights at the gym, sigh…) at the moment. If you are between band sizes, I would definitely suggest sizing up. The band is a rather rigid sort of power mesh which is why I don’t see it stretching out too easily either.

The cups are pretty much true to size and fit the same way as with most British full-bust brands – quite wide and shallow that is. This does not personally suit my breast shape that well and I would love for PP to experiment with just a smidge deeper cups to achieve a better fit for so many girls like me. However, I know that there really are wide and shallow girls out there as well and this could be a great fit for them. I am just being greedy and wanting this brand to fit me amazingly so I can buy all the pretties, haha!

The wires are not super wide like some British underwires so I definitely don’t have a problem with them going too far in my armpits. The cups are also pretty low-cut meaning the wires are not chafing me anywhere. The centre gore of the bra floats a bit off my sternum but not horribly so and if the cups were just a teeny bit deeper, I am sure this would be fixed (though I am not too fussy about floating gores, I actually hate when they tack me too hard and pinch me in the sternum!)

Comfort: As I did mention before, the band is very tight on me which is why it’s perhaps not the most comfy on me yet. This is because I have not gotten much wear out of the bra for not getting my creative juices flowing and pairing it with enough outfits. I am sure however that after a few more wears the band will loosen up and feel more comfortable. In fact, it is better for the band to be a bit too snug at first, so it will still be supportive after you “break it in”. The materials are lovely on this set and I love how good quality they feel on – the metal parts are sturdy and the garters of the girdle are “real” garters which actually hold up your stockings.

The straps of the bra are quite wide and placed well so they won’t fall off my shoulders easily; they are also half-adjustable but still quite a good length so I could see this working on someone a bit taller or shorter than me (I am 5’6 for reference).The underwires of the bra are very flexible meaning they move nicely with my body while being active throughout the day.

The co-ordinates to this set are equally lovely as the bra itself – I love that the set comes with a high-waisted panty which is my preferred style of knickers but also with a lovely vintage-style girdle. Both of them have little peep-holes at the back which is a great design detail and suit the set well. I got both the panties and the girdle in a UK size 12 but I can see that there is a slight size difference between them – the girdle comes up a bit snugger than the knickers and I easily could have sized down to 10 with the panties. I think this might be because the girdle is a smoothing garment as well and needs to suck your tummy in a bit to create a desired silhouette. All in all, I love both of the co-ordinates and they are perfect for everyday wear for being simple in design and creating a clean line under pencil dresses and other sleek clothes.

If you would like to get some extravagant full-bust lingerie for yourself, do check out the Playful Promises full-bust collection on their online store. The prices are a bit higher than your average full-bust bras and everyday panties but then again – this is not your average lingerie. The Juliet harness bra (comes in sizes 28-36 DD-G) sets you back at £65, the high-waisted knickers (UK sizes 8-16) at £25 and the girdle (sizes 8-16) at £38.

How do you like the new Playful Promises full-bust collection? Do you think boudoir brands are in need in the full bust market? Let me know in the comments! xx

The Perfect Christmas Babe – Review of Scantilly “Peek-a-Boo” in 30H

When I first got to know Scantilly at Moda Exhibition, I fell head over heals in love with the whole range. It was something completely new that no full bust brand had ever done before – something sexy yet still sophisticated that came in both small back sizes and big cups. Erotic lingerie has been huge after the whole 50 Shades phenomenon burst into the scene but there were definitely audiences that weren’t reached for too many years. First core sizes, then plus, but the fuller bust brands never really took the plunge and so many women were left hanging and disappointed.

Today, I am finally reviewing the Scantilly “Peek-a-Boo” set which is available in both red and black. Lumingerie, who are longtime 2COP supporters and a local lingerie e-commerce shop, were kind enough to gift me a set for review so here’s how I liked my first Scantilly underthings!

Design: I love how this set makes me feel! I went for the red Peek-a-Boo set as I love how appropriate it is for this particular season. What a perfect stocking stuffer! The construction is quite different from any Curvy Kate bra I have ever tried (Scantilly is a CK sub-label, if you didn’t know) as the cups are made of FOUR parts, with two vertical and one horizontal seam. The three lower cup parts create a great rounded look to the bust but also lift my girls a great deal.

The style of the bra is a very traditional balconette, meaning the centre gore of the bra is quite high. The gore itself features a lovely key hole detail which actually sits very nicely on my sternum – which is not something that key hole gores usually do! I am not sure if this has something to do with my particular rib cage and bust shape but I am really digging the sexy detailing. The cups are very much see-through which is an absolute upside for me but could be a turn-off to some who want to stay more modest – this however, is not what the set is going for obviously, so no gripes there!

Fit: Curvy Kate is one of those brands that usually fit me pretty consistently so I was quite sure that a 30H would be my perfect size with Scantilly as well. As Lumingerie storage locates in my home town I was lucky enough to get trying these beauties in a couple of different sizes before opting for the right one. I did try a cup size up, so a 30HH, but the other cup wrinkled a bit more with that one, so I decided to choose my regular 30H. There was not a big difference between the two sizes but I did notice that the bigger cups were instantly a lot wider and thus did not fit me properly. I would suggest going for your CK size, with Peek-a-Boo at least (the All Wrapped Up bra was a bit smaller and I fitted well in a 30HH).

What I have always loved about Curvy Kate is their extremely comfy bands. They are amazing at making just the right size bands for me; as most of you know, I am between 30 and 32 at the moment (I think I measure around 30,5-31″ under my bust) and the Peek-a-Boo 30-band stretches pretty much up to 31″ which is great for comfort. The band features three hooks and eyes which makes it all the more supportive and sturdy. This time I was very pleased with the wire-width as well – usually CK is a bit too wide for me but this time the wire width is quite average so pretty much perfect for me. The cups run true-to-size and are on the shallower side but not horribly so – I only get a bit of empty space at the bottom of the cups.

Comfort: As I said before, I think Curvy Kate and thus Scantilly as well, make the best bra bands for me personally. I have a pretty prominent rib cage meaning very rigid bands can cause me both skin irritation and too much pressure on my bones. The band is wide and stretchy yet sturdy enough to feel good quality and nothing that will stretch out too easily. The bra straps are fully adjustable but quite short for a change, so I am not sure if very tall and long-torsoed women would find the bra comfy (anyone have any experience on this?). The straps are also placed quite widely on the shoulders which is actually my only gripe with this bra. I am not particularly petite regarding my shoulders but still, I have some chafing around the armpit area as the straps touch it while moving my arms.

The Peek-a-Boo set comes with two bottom options: the open-back brief and the regular one. I loved the idea of the naughtier panty option (forgive me, Santa!) so I did request for it in size Small for the co-ordinates. The Scantilly knickers come in double sizes, meaning the Small is a UK size 8-10 which sounds a bit skimpier to me than they actually are. I would say the Small is about exactly size 10, meaning I would have perhaps preffered something between Small and Medium. The knickers fit me well though and I am very happy with how surprisingly comfy they are, regardless of the open back that made me a bit hesitant at first. Do give these babes a try if you can – they are so unique and the style is very flattering in flesh!

If you would like to try the Scantilly “Peek-a-Boo”, head over to Lumingerie as they are now shipping FOR FREE to EU countries in addition to Finland! The Peek-a-Boo bra sets you back at 66€ and the open-back panties at 33€ which is a bit higher than usual Curvy Kate sets but still very reasonable for the unique styling and lovely quality materials. I must say this set is absolute lust-list material and many ladies would be happy to receive it as an Xmas gift 😉 (Hint hint, ladies & fellas!)

Suomeksi: Moikka moi! Enpä ole pitkään aikaan kirjoittanut suomeksi, mutta nyt häätynee, kun on kyseessä niin spesiaali tuotearvostelu – varsinkin kun tämä setti on niin helposti saatavilla ihan täältä kotosuomesta! Ai niin, ja hauskaa itsenäisyyspäivää kaikille 😉 Nyt onkin jo se aika, kun moni leidi ja herrasmies miettii siellä kotosohvalla, että mitä sitä shoppailisi sille rakkaimmalle ja tässä olisikin hyvä vaihtoehto pukinkonttiin: kauniita alusvaatteita joulunpunaisissa sävyissä!

Kyseessä on tällä kertaa yllänäkyvä Scantillyn “Peek-a-Boo”-setti, jonka Lumingerie ystävällisesti lahjoitti minulle arvostelua varten. Settiä on saatavana sekä perusmustana kuin tänä herkullisena punaisena, joka valikoitua tällä kertaa omaksi suosikikseni. Setin sain brittikoossa 30H eli 65H ja alushousut valkkasin koossa S. 

65H on minulle melko tyypillinen koko britti-merkkien kanssa, joten olin tyytyväinen kokoluokitukseen myös Scantillyn kohdalla. Scantillyhän on siis Curvy Katen tuhmempi pikkusisko, joten oletin myös istuuvuden olevan samaa luokkaa. Yllätyksekseni eroja kuitenkin löytyi – Scantillyssa kupit antavat mielestäni pyöreämmän muodon rinnalle ja kaarituet ovat hiukan kapeammat kuin Curvy Katen liiveissä. Molemmat ominaisuudet miellyttivät itseäni kovasti ja itselleni liivit istuivat todella hyvin. Sanotaanko kuitenkin se, että istuvuuteen näyttäisi vaikuttavan huomattavasti rinnan kiinteys ja rintakudoksen jakautuminen – kiinteät ja “yläosasta” täyteläiset rinnat ovat tämän mallin kanssa ehdottomasti yhteensopivimmat!

Jos jotain miinuspuolia pitäisi setistä etsiä, olisi sellainen todennäköisesti ainakin joillekin vartaloille ko. rintsikoiden olkainten sijainti ja pituus. Olkaimet ovat aika lyhyet, joten jos olet erityisen pitkä, voivat ne olla sinulle liian kireät jopa täysin löysytettynä. Pienemmille tyttösille ongelmana voi puolestaan olla olkainten kaukainen etäisyys toisistaan: liian leveälle asetetut olkaimet voivat hiertää kainalon seutua ja aiheuttaa näin lievää ihoärsytystä.

Kaiken kaikkiaan Peek-a-Boo vaikuttaa minusta laadultaan, istuvuudeltaan ja mukavuudeltaan kuitenkin oikein ihanalta setiltä. Vaikkei istuvuus olisi juuri sinun rintojesi kanssa se paras, on setti joka tapauksessa loistava vaihtoehto vaikkapa vain omaksi tai puolison piristykseksi 😉 Jos haluat napata setin jo ennen joulua, kannattaa se tilata nyt, ennen kuin joulupukki on vienyt kaikki koot muille naisille! Rintsikat kustantavat 66€ ja alushousut 33€, mikä on mielestäni ihan kohtuullinen hinta näin laadukkaista ja uniikeista alusvaatteista. Lumingeriella on ilmaiset postikulut, vaihdot ja palautukset, mikä tekee tilaamisesta todella helppoa meille suomalaisille. Tuotteet tulevat myös parissa päivässä, joten kokoakin kerkeää vaikka vaihtaa ennen aattoiltaa!

Getting to Know Signature by After Eden – Review of “Sophia” and “Grace” in 32F

A couple of weeks back I wrote about the new After Eden sister-label which is created for fuller busted and also fuller figured girls. As I mentioned in my latest post about the brand, even though the range is targeted for girls with bigger band sizes as well, the brand does make their bands in 32 and even 30 in some styles. When the head of marketing for Signature and After Eden, Paul, contacted me and asked if I would like to try some of their lingerie, I jumped at the chance even though I knew I wouldn’t be in their size range exactly.

When the beautiful “Sophia” and “Grace” sets arrived at my door, I was so exacted I ripped the packaging open and was faced with two gorgeous bras accompanied with both briefs and thongs for both of them. I instantly tried on the bras with both fear and excitement – would they fit even though being a couple of cup sizes too small to begin with? I had indeed heard that Signature would run big so I was hopeful. Unfortunately, the bras came about two cup sizes too small for me, so I would have needed a 32G with them. Then something struck me – I had just bravangelized one very sweet and gorgeous young girl who would be perfect for both the brand and the size. Let me introduce to you: Miss E and Signature!

When it comes to Miss E’s regular bra size, she is usually something in the 30FF-G bra range and wears a 30G in Parfait “Charlotte”, for example. She is a very sporty young girl so she’s quite fit and small around her underbust area, meaning 30″ band is the best option for her in most bras. As Signature bras start usually at 32 (excluding their continuity style Anna which starts from 30) I was a bit hesitant if the bras would come up too big for her small frame, but luckily they fitted quite nicely. The Signature 32 bands seem to be quite snug, especially with the black flock print “Sophia” (49,99€), as it can be converted into a strapless. This particular bra also features some silicone strips going around the band, to keep the bra up when worn strapless.

The gorgeous snake-print “Grace” (44,99€) was a bit on the looser side compared to Sophia, so Miss E is wearing the bra in the second tightest set of hooks and eyes. Speaking of hooks and eyes, there is four sets of them on each bra which is absolutely amazing! The bands are pretty wide and thus supportive and they feature three hooks and eyes in each row. The metal parts of the Signature sets are done in such a beautiful way – they are gold in colour and look very expensive and luxurious taking into consideration how affordable these sets actually are.

The cup sizing is pretty similar to any other mainstream brands, if not a tiny bit more generous than eg with Freya or Curvy Kate. Signature uses EU-sizing as they are a Dutch brand, meaning the UK size 32F translates into 70G in their own size chart. As we know Miss E’s regular size is 30FF-G, the 32F is a sister size to 30FF, making me think these the cups are a bit bigger than a 30FF would normally be. This is great for E, as she is between FF and G in the first place.

As I tried these bras on myself, I noticed the cups are especially closed at top with Sophia – this happens quite often with strapless bras but it’s also a brand spesific thing; for example, Freya is great for full-on-bottom boobs, Cleo is great for full-on-top breasts. I would say E’s breasts are pretty full allover, meaning the fit of Signature is quite good for her (actually, most bras fit well with evenly-full breasts). There is no bulging or gaping and both of the bras fit smoothly.

When it comes to wiring, the underwires of Signature seem to be in line with most British brands – they are rather wide but not as much as with eg. Tutti Rouge. I would compare their wires to most Curvy Kate bras – great for people who need average to slightly wider wires. The Sophia and Grace are a bit different to each other in this sense as well – the Sophia is a bit wider when it comes to wires and also has a bit more widely-placed straps. E mentioned the straps right away went she put on the bra – they were chafing her armpits a bit. However, the bra is great for its strapless feature and is something that will probably be a good choice under a spagetti strap top which is something E wears from time to time. The straps are fully-adjustable with both bras which is always an asset for taller or more petite girls.

The centre gores are a bit wider as well with Signature, so if you are close-set, you might want to consider this. E seems to be pretty average-set with her breasts so there seems to be no issue with the gores and they are tacking her sternum pretty well. The Grace bra is a bit lower with its gore area and seems to be sporting a nice practical plunge balconette shape that is great for everyday, especially combined to the smooth t-shirt finish.

The materials and styling used with the Sophia and Grace sets feels and looks absolutely luxurious. The Grace set is finished with beautiful stretch lace that makes the panties so much more comfortable to wear – both the thong and the shorts leave a seamless finish and match the bra nicely. The bottoms are a bit higher than what E is used to but she seems pretty happy with them anyway – the rise is actually quite flattering and is something most women would find comfortable.

The Sophia is made of quite thick power mesh sorts of material which is adorned with a velvet-y like flock print. The basic black looks so amazing with the print and contrasting textures and is suitable under most clothing as the print is not too prominent, unless you are wearing something super thin.

All in all, we are both very impressed with Signature and I can safely say that it is a good option for young girls out there who are looking for their first full-bust bras. Signature is sold on their own website but unfortunately, they only ship to Netherlands at the moment. However, if you live somewhere else and want to give this brand a try, do let the brand know about it! I am sure they would be eager to hear enthusiasm from their international fans and let you know about any retailers near you 😉

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.

Moda Lingerie & Swim Show: Tutti Rouge SS16 “Tutti Rocks” Collection

Tutti Frutti, oh Rudy! Tutti Rouge is such a fun brand to see at Moda – they always cater for the young pinup ladies such as myself as their lingerie is always a piece of cutesy pop art with a hint of romance. This time, we were not disappointed either and were so happy to see Tutti Rouge tackling the unique prints and bright colours again this season. For those of you who don’t know, Tutti Rouge also goes up to J-cup and is sold at a great price point which makes it all the more exciting for us fuller busted ladies at budget! Let’s see what they have in store for spring 2016…

The new print that came along this season was the lovely Betty in “Brighton Rocks” which pays homage to the great British summertime. Who doesn’t love seashore and summer holidays?! I am always in awe of new Tutti-exclusive prints and when I just thought the Sailor Jerry -inspired print couldn’t be topped, this Brighton babe might have just done that. To be honest, I see myself as a Tutti collector – I want all their exclusive prints as part of my lingerie art gallery! This cute print comes in the shape of Betty, a padded balconette shape that has been around since the very launch of Tutti Rouge.

The Jessica has been released now and it is the world’s first non-padded bra with detachable cookies inside the cups. I am particularly excited for this bra and it’s versatility, as it is something that serves both as a non-padded and a padded bra – which ever pleases you at the moment. I am a big fan of unpadded bras as I have plenty of padding of my own, but I do like to get some cleavage at times, especially when hopping at the pubs during the weekend. The cookies come in two size “Tutti Boosters” and “Tutti Super Boosters” from which you can opt the right amount of oomph for your specific needs.

The Jessica will include some high-waisted bottoms which will be added to the collection later on, however, they won’t be available right from the launch as there were some problems with the initial production. However, the collection will include a lovely suspender belt as well which will be a nice option if you want a bit more coverage over your tummy! The Black version of Jessica is out now and the caramel/ivory colourway will be launched in spring 2016.

When it comes to Liliana, it has now been clad in a lovely pumpkin shade, which is very much on trend for SS16 season. I am super glad that our voices have been heard and now, we can enjoy a plethora of unusual colours in the lingerie world – yellows, greens and oranges are finally on trend! As I have mentioned before, orange/pink is my fave colour combo of all time and I am excited to see it made in the form of the best-seller Liliana.

The Fifi has also been reinvented and brought back in a lovely cool pink tone and I love the whole “Barbie” feel of it – so many polka dots, ruffles and lace! The shape of the bra reminds me of the Cleo balconettes which many of us love to death, which is why I could see it as a potential best-seller. The first time this bra launched it had some problems with the bands fitting way too small but I am hopeful that this has been rectified since.

The pumpkin theme goes on and we get to see another Tutti regular in it – the delicious Kitty. I have always loved the look of this shape but unfortunately it does not fit my boobies the way I would like it to fit. The cups are just too shallow and wide and thus, our romance had to end a few months ago. However, if you are on the wider and shallower side, do try this one out as it looks so gorgeous on!

The Nichole has so far fitted me the best with all my Tutti bras I have tried. This season it is made in two basic colours Black and Beige, but also in a wild animal print that absolutely screams my name. The Nichole gives me a fantastic rounded shape which is why it could be, that I am getting back to this bra when the spring arrives – besides, I do have to get on the animal print bandwagon sooner or later!

How do you like this new Tutti Rouge SS16 collection? Also, are you feeling the pinks and oranges as well? Let me know in the comments!

My First Bosom Galore Review! – “Amelia” in 30H

Let’s be fair – I absolutely love it when new full-bust brands burst into the scene and when I heard about Bosom Galore the first time, I was super excited to get interviewing the founder Katy about this new luxury brand designed for gals with small backs and big boobs. Also, I was intrigued to be looking at a new mid-market brand who had promised to use UK-only manufacturers and luxurious silks and laces to create a more luxurious feel to the garments. As we had seen the rise of All Undone just recently catering the same superb quality with a similar price tag, I was looking forward to see what Bosom Galore had in mind regarding their own aesthetics. Would it be something romantic or fashion-forward?

After seeing the first designs of Amelia and Classique styles and especially the first reviews from other bloggers, I was pleased to see them going for the young adult target market, meaning women in their late twenties and early thirties (or at least this is how I interpreted the brand image). However, the Bosom Galore styles are also very timeless and classic with a little bit of romantic and sultry vibes to spice them up, which I personally really like. Today, I am finally reviewing my first pieces from this lovely brand so if you are interested in the fit specifics of Amelia and Bosom Galore in general, hang in there! *Disclosure: This set was sent to me free of charge, however all opinions are my own as always!*

Design: The Amelia was definitely the set that got me to fall in love with Bosom Galore in the first place – it was very light rose pink with some delicate white lace over it which made it appeal to my more romantic side. I have always loved the combination of very fair pink and ginger hair, so I also thought it would suit my hair and skin colour really well. Also the plunge shape intrigued me – I am always looking for a good plunge that would go under my deepest and most open necklines.

The shape of Amelia is very rounded for a plunge bra – there is no clear point on sight even though the construction is pretty much the same three-part cup construction as eg with the Bravissimo “Satine”. However, Bosom Galore has managed to create a very rounded shape, not even using a moulded cup, which is actually pretty impressive. The gore of the bra is very low as with any regular plunge bra but it is so cleverly made, even a fuller bust can sport a good wide neckline without showing the bra peeking under the neckline. So very practical!

Fit: Well now we get to the fun part! As Bosom Galore is a very new brand with only a couple of bra styles out at the moment, it is vital for us bloggers to let you all on the other side of the screens to know, what the sizing and fit with this particular brand are like. When discussing the sizes throughout the design and manufacturing process, we came to the conclusion that a 30H would be the best size for me, as it is my regular British size at the moment, especially with plunge bras that tend to cut my upper breast tissue anyway. At first I was a bit hesitant as I had seen the reviews from other bloggers about the Classique bra which seemed to be very tight in the band and small-ish in the cups. However, Katy reassured me that the Amelia would be much truer-to-size so I took her word for it and stick with my usual 30H.

I was so glad I did as the 30H fitted me very well! As I guessed, I did need an H as opposed to GG as plunges usually fit me snugly over my upper breast tissue. This was no exception and to be honest, I would have liked to try even a cup size up to compare how it would have fitted! As my left boob is a bit bigger than the right one, I did have some spillage on the other side and needed to adjust the bra a bit now and then. This however, is more due to the cup shape than the bra being a bad fit in general. Also, I did have some empty space in the bottom of the cup which tells me the cups are still a tad shallow for me. However, I can still wear the Amelia for several hours and feel secure enough in it to wear it on a regular basis! The BG online store states that the Amelia shape is best for women with wide-set breasts and I would agree – any excess breast tissue on top and at front will have a very high risk of spilling over!

The 30 band is supposed to be a truer-to-size fit with Amelia than Classique, which is great and seems to be correct based on my experience. My underbust measurement is about 30″ right now and the 30″ fitted me comfortably – a bit snugger than Curvy Kate or Freya, so just comfy and a bit sturdy enough for me. The wires are rather regular for a British brand so I would say a bit wide for me but still not going down to my back! 

Comfort: Especially on the comfort front, Bosom Galore has done incredibly well in my opinion. The materials for example get full ten points! As someone suffering from a serious skin condition I could really appreciate the cotton lining inside the bra cups. To be honest, my skin has been itching like crazy recently so artificial materials are no good for me at the moment (last nigh I scratched myself so much I got bruises in addition to bleeding wounds – ouch!). Also the silk blend on top layer of the cups feels lovely to touch and the lace is one of the stretchiest and softest I have seen. So you truly get some great quality for your money! If you are worried about the wide wires, I would still like to assure you that they don’t come high up at all in the armpits – this means even if you are more on the narrow or petite side yourself, they won’t start rubbing your underarm area.

When talking about the panties I first need to mention the sizing – these suckers do run a bit small so I would advice everyone to size up with both Classique and Amelia bottoms. I am usually wearing a UK size 10 (US 6) when it comes to bottoms but with this particular brand I am wearing a size 12 briefs comfortably. To be frank, the 12 is very near to perfect and the fit is great for my muscular butt – the stretch lace accommodates even a curvier figure and leaves no lumps or bumps seen under your jeans/pencil skirts. I would actually be pretty keen on seeing a high-waisted version of these as well – it would be perfect for me under my tighter pencil dresses! The materials and the cut of the brief is very flattering and comfy so I would definitely vouch for getting the panties to match your bra – in one word, they feel amazing.

All in all I am very impressed with the fine details and the quality of my first Bosom Galore set and am looking forward to see how it translates to their other styles as well. For example, the strappy new style Louise is something I am definitely drooling over and would love assess the fit of it s it is one of the rare cage bras that come in my size!

If you are interested in getting your own Amelia set from Bosom Galore, the bra comes in sizes 26E-34H (£82) and the brief in sizes 6-16 (£38). Note the 26-bands as they are very welcomed addition to any full bust brand out there! At present, I think Bosom Galore is the only brand making them as a non-custom option so extra points for them because of that 😉 When it comes to the price, taking into account their ethical way of making the garments and the quality they are offering, Bosom Galore prices their lingerie very reasonably. The prices can be a shock to someone but if you are interested about the pricing of luxury lingerie, I would suggest you take a look at this The Lingerie Addict article – it explains why these sorts of garments cannot be priced too modestly!

What do you think of the Amelia or Bosom Galore in general? Also, would you be willing to pay more for a more local and ethical way of manufacturing lingerie plus a better quality materials? Let me know in the comments, I would love to know what my readers think of this matter! 🙂

Lingerie News 7/14 by 2COP

 

There has been some pretty interesting things going on in the lingerie world lately which is why I decided to put together a monthly “News” feature that would gather all the important happenings together. Hopefully this will keep you posted on things such as new D+ brands, sizing and fit corrections that brands make and events to come in the near future. Enjoy!


New lingerie brands in the scene

I have found a couple of brands you might be interested in which is why I wanted to share them here. I think many of you have heard of Bosom Galore by now but the stunning brand has now created another new style to be introduced next spring and also decided which styles they are launching first. Their first styles will include my personal favourite style Amelia which is a gorgeous pale pink plunge with a beautiful lace overlay (pictured above, image courtesy of Bosom Galore). Can’t wait to try the set on when it is launched! The launch will take place this autumn and if everything goes as planned, it will take place in September.

Another brand called Juliana London has mysteriously burst onto the scene and I say mysteriously cause to be honest, we know nothing about it except it’s targeted to women with small backs and big busts. I will be meeting the owner of the brand in London sometime soon so after that I will hopefully have new info. Juliana London is a luxury brand so if you have any wishes for their size range, materials, designs or pricing, let me know and I will discuss it with the founder!

 
Freya changes their sizing markings

Freya has made the decision to change how their sizes appear on the size tags. This might seem a lot smaller change to most of you but as I work for the lingerie retail I know it’s a massive one for online retailers. The sizes are changed into EU sizing meaning the chart will go as follow: D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L… etc. This means they will be differently displayed on websites and online stores and instead of picking your UK size, you need to convert it to your EU size, eg. GG -> J. Some of the online stores may not be changing this so be careful how the sizes are displayed on web. If there are no double sizes (FF,GG,HH..) they use the EU sizing instead of UK.

A Finnish lingerie online store goes international!

I have worked with a Finnish lingerie online retailer Lumingerie for quite a while now and have some awesome news for those looking for the best selection of British and Polish brands on the scene. Lumingerie has finally decided to go international and has started to prepare for translating their website and making it easier for international customers to approach them. The English version of the website and online store does not have a launch date yet, but as soon as I have more info, I will let you know!

The Moda Birmingham Exhibition is held again next month!

I decided not to take part in Moda this season but what happened? I accidentally booked flight tickets and now I am planning my trip to London and Birmingham. This will mean you will get to see the new ss15 collections fresh from the catwalk and I will report you with the latest trends and best picks! I am especially excited to see what my favourite brands Tutti Rouge, Panache and Gossard have to offer but will visit as many stands as I can during the Sunday. I will also be meeting another lingerie bloggers so you might see them costarring the blog soon 😉