Lingerie Review: Tutti Rouge “Sukki” in 32GG

Hi lovely readers! Yes it’s me, I’m alive. No, I haven’t stopped blogging. And I won’t! From this on however, I will be blogging when I actually feel like it, not just because I have to. I have been having a bit of existential crises with a lot of things, the blog included, and have resorted to a decision that things need to happen on my terms from now on. I cannot promise any particular publishing dates to brands anymore as there are far too many things happening in my life right now. But brands are like friends – you know the good ones stick around even when times get rough.

Today I am reviewing the lovely Sukki set from the ever-so-sweet Tutti Rouge. They were gracious to gift me a set a few months ago and I have now tested it many times and have a conclusion for you, finally… Let’s jump onto the review!

The Design: The Sukki style is a namesake to a burlesque diva and a pinup model Sukki Singapora. She is a stunner and her style is very fierce, reminiscing of the likes of Bettie Page – thus the styling of my photos as well! The strappy design originates to the classic Marlies Dekkers bras but yet is not a blunt copy, the straps and the whole style is done “the Tutti way”. However, I do feel this is a sexier style compared to Tutti Rouge’s previous designs and am happy to see them offering something sultry and even racy alongside the cutesy ruffly things.

The style of the bra is a padded balconette with a three-piece cut-and-sew construction. This is amazing, as most molded bras don’t fit me very well. The decorative straps are optional: you can wear the bra without them but I sure as hell don’t – they are gorgeous! My only gripe with the decorative straps is that they are a tiny bit loose on me and even though they are meant to be fastened to the inner circle of the strap “ring”, I wear the hooks on the outer circle to keep them as tight as I can. Otherwise unfortunately, they will detach on themselves.

The pattern of the overlay “mesh” is lovely and simple and I like the styling of the bra general. The balconette shape is very open at the top, so this bra will definitely suit girls with more breast tissue on the top part of their breasts.

The Fit: I am quite impressed with the fit part of this bra! Tutti Rouge has been a bit of a hit and miss for me in the past but I think that they are finally getting it all together and the sizes have been more standard compared to the bigger UK brands such as Panache and Curvy Kate. I am wearing a 32GG in Sukki and it’s a pretty much perfect fit for me. As you can see, the bra is gaping just a tiny bit on my smaller boob but this is expected, as it’s a padded bra and thus does not conform to my shape like an unpadded bra would. But as you know, you always buy a bra with your bigger boob in mind 😉

The bra band is nice and wide and I like that it is a bit on the snugger side of 32, as I am still between sizes 30 and 32. With Tutti Rouge in general, I usually go for 32 these days. The Jessica is on the looser side for me in that band but I do prefer some breathing room as I swell up a bit during the day usually (thanks, IBS!). The cups are pretty deep for a UK brand bra, which is impressive and I don’t get any obvious collapsing at the bottom of the cup. The wire also meets my breast root nicely and is not as wide as with some of the TR bras I have tried in the past (mainly some versions of the Betty and Rosie). The straps are fully adjustable and are adjusted at the front, which I think is a cute little touch as the adjustable hearts are more visible this way.

Comfort: The Sukki bra is a very comfortable bra for a padded one – as you know, I prefer my bras without any padding, but when I do wear padded bras (mainly when I do burlesque) I like them to be softly padded, with good construction and a great shape. This one ticks all the boxes and it has all its fit aspects on point – no need to compromise on style either!

The bottoms are quite comfy as well – I might go as far as to tell you, they are one of my favourite panties when it comes to low-rise ones. The rise is comfy and flattering on my body and there is plenty of room for a bigger butt at the back. I wear a size Medium in these and I would say I could even go down for a Small. To be honest, I may be between sizes as per usual! However, I am pretty content with the Medium and they are so comfy I can even work out in them. Great plus for me, as I work out 5 times a week these days!

If you would like to give these a try, the Sukki set is sold on the Tutti Rouge website for £39.50 for the bra and brazilian panty for a £15.50. This set also comes with a high-waisted brief option so if you are about that vintage life, knock yourself out! The sizes for the bra are 28-38 D-HH, so plenty to choose from there.

Lingerie Review: Ewa Michalak PL Lśniąca Scarlet

Happy March! How are you guys? Feeling spring-y already I have been centered around art, wedding-stuff (I found a dress, yay!) and some unfortunate drama in a project I was working on so it’s good to take some time to sit down and spend some time with the ol’ blog. Also, the blog giveaways are coming so don’t fret! 2COP is a hefty toddler now and just turned four, which is something we need to celebrate 😉 However, today we are bathing in some scarlet goodness, which is the Ewa Michalak PL Lśniąca Scarlet. This set was generously provided me by Ewa Michalak, but all opinions are my own!

The Design: The PL Lśniąca Scarlet is a classic PL-style from Ewa, which means it’s a padded plunge. The design features seams though, which gives the bra its signature well-constructed feel and improves the fit for a padded bra. As someone who doesn’t enjoy padded bras as much, I wasn’t even surprised that I still liked this particular bra – it’s the absolute royal of the padded bra family and I wear it each time I want to feel uplifted and oomphed to the max. The cups feature removable cookies, which is great if you want something extra, have a-symmetry or change a bit in size during your cycle.

The style of the bra is not the most ornate I have seen in the Ewa Michalak collection, but it still manages to appear striking with its colour and satin-y materials. This bra can easily be worn under t-shirts (with a darker colour, of course) but it’s still appropriate for boudoir as well. What’s not to like!

The Fit: The PL bra is not unfamiliar to me and thus I pretty much knew it would fit me in my regular size of 70GG. I don’t find EM sizing to be that different from British D+ brands, maybe just a bit tighter in the band, so I usually go for my looser band size 70 (UK 32). Picking a size is pretty easy for me personally, as the EM team usually does it for me when I provide them with my usual size. Ewa Michalak bras are infamous for varying in fit and size, which is why it pretty much depends on the style whether I go for 70G or 70GG, or even H. This one runs very true-to-size though, which always makes the shopping experience a bit easier.

I have literally no bad things to say about the fit of the PL Lśniąca Scarlet: everything just seems to fall into place perfectly. The cups encase my breast tissue well when I insert just one of the pads into my right cup (my left boob is bigger). The cups are just deep enough for my breast tissue to sit in them without the cup foam collapsing at the bottom (very usual with most padded bras if there’s not enough depth at the bottom of the cup) and luckily the wires are not too narrow for me with this particular EM style! I am so happy, as this trait with Ewa bras has always been a bit of a hit-or-miss with me.

Comfort: In addition to being well-fitting, Ewa bras are usually a pleasure to wear all-day, as the materials are well-thought out. The PL bras are always lined with cotton to feel comfortable against the sensitive boob skin (I am sure most women relate to boob itch, don’t you?!), which is something I wish every lingerie brand did with their bras. It also makes the bra much more comfortable during the summer months, as sweat does not play well with artificial fibers, in my personal experience. The straps are pretty well placed with this style, I would say and they are fully-adjustable, which is great for tall and petite girls alike.

The Lśniąca Scarlet “high-waisted” panties are not the highest I have seen, but still proper cute and sexy. The lace on the back could a bit stretchier in my opinion and if you have a more rounded butt than me, I would suggest sizing up. For reference, I have 40″ hips and these were a size 38/10. These are perhaps not your everyday panties but are sure to make some hearts flutter, if that is what you wish for!

The Lśniąca Scarlet can be bought at the EM online store, which you find here. It’s made-to-order which means it can take 2-3 weeks to make and after that the product will be shipped to you. If you can’t find your size in the drop-down menu, the EM team will be happy to make a custom size, however those are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. The price for a custom sized bra is 20 PLN higher than the regular price of the bra. The bra (in regular sizes 30-44 A-JJ) costs 189 PLN and the high-waisted briefs (36-48, UK 8-20) cost 69 PLN.

Dreaming of a Lost Summer – Review of Tutti Rouge “Betty” in Brighton Rocks Print

Hi darlings! Has the autumn been kind to you? Mine has been hectic to say the least and I am quite frankly exhausted. I have been studying, working, learning how to eat again, fighting for my paycheck, seeing friends and dancing on a stage a few times. Guess what I’m really trying to do here is to tell you why I have been so absent for these past couple of months! I have one more month left of my uni training program at the kids’ mental rehab courses and I have a couple of shows behind me, but I have also completed my first month of eating five times a day with glowing results. I am starting to feel normal about my eating habits and body again, which is a true blessing.

With a little light in the horizon, I would like to bring some light to your lives as well and introduce you to a treat I was recently sent by Tutti Rouge. As you may know, I haven’t had that much luck with the most recent bras I have tried from them but now that it has been a rather long time, I figured it was time for  a second trial lap. Long story short: I fell in love again! If you wanna know the full details, here is a review of the new TR “Betty”.

First of all: apologies for the differences in lighting and colours in these pics. It is getting dark again here in Finland and it is so hard for an amateur to edit the pics from scratch when they are super dark and yellow-y to begin with!

The Design: I was happy to see that the Tutti Team had included the Betty bra in my parcel, as it was the first Tutti Rouge bra I’ve ever tried when they decided to believe me and send me some of my first blog samples. It is always fascinating to see how a core part of a brand’s collection changes over time, as there may be some style and fit tweaks that can change the whole game. The last time I tried Betty was a couple of years back at a Moda when they brought out the turquoise colourway of the original poppy print. That time the Betty bra was still trying to find its best fit and the 32H I still own did not and does not fit that well – it chafed my armpits and added bulk to my figure.

The case is completely different with the Brighton Rocks Betty bra – the shape it gives is very rounded, yet there is just enough coverage for my liking and subtle uplift to make you feel natural about your boobs (ya know, not that boobs-up-your-chin effect, hehe). The construction of the bra has changed from the original three piece pattern to a two-piece construction, with one vertical seam going across the cups in the middle. The padding of the bra is quite thin so this is ACTUALLY, REALLY a padded bra I can wear without the feeling I am suffocating me and everyone else with my boobs. I wear this bra with everything: under my work button-ups, my PUG peasant tops and my Dolores doll dresses. Anything that requires a low-cut balconette bra, and this bra is my biggest ally.

When it comes to the print, you need to scroll down to the panties pic to see it properly. And low and behold, it is a lovely print, isn’t it? I think the best asset of Tutti Rouge has always been their attention to detail and once again, they have nailed it. The small beach chairs and popsicles, maps and envelopes – it is the perfect bra for a wanderlust gal like myself. The print was inspired by the British seashore, the city of Brighton to be exact, and it still reminds me of my dream to go back to UK to explore the beachside towns one day. The print is accompanied by the small details TR is famous for; small cutesy ruffles, bows and the signature heart-shaped strap adjusters.

The Fit: I wasn’t too hopeful about TR bras fitting me this time either but boy was I wrong, and I am more than happy to admit it. It felt like finding home when I put this bra on and since then, it has stayed on with constant washing as it is now one of my most comfortable, practical bras I own. But more about that later!

The sizing seems to be now pretty on par with other UK mainstream brands such as Curvy Kate and Panache and thus I seem to be between band sizes 30 and 32. I decided to go for a 32GG with both of the bras I received, as I think it’s always safer to go with the bigger size and then tighten it with the hooks and eyes, if it is not snug enough. This saves me the hassle of exchanging my size and paying for shipping costs, so I am happy with my choice. With the Betty, I don’t think I could have gone down to 30 band though, just for comfort reasons and I can still wear the band in the loosest set of hooks comfortably. I have also recently noticed that too tight bands can be a stress factor to my skin which is why I now go more for the 32 band rather than 30.

The cups run similar to other British brands as well and I am perfectly content with my GG-cups. The only minor thing that affects the fit is that the bra is lightly padded meaning that it can’t really conform to my shape per se and thus it does not allow any leeway on my bigger boob. However, this is probably some of the best fits I can get in a similarly shaped padded bra, so I am more than happy with the fit overall. The wires are also a pretty good fit for me – if I were super strict about finding the perfect bra, I would say they are a tad too wide but as I think more of the comfort factor of bras, I would say they needn’t be changed to make this bra better. I think there is also a bit more space and depth in the cups than any previous TR bras I’ve tried, which is an instant upside for me personally.

Comfort: The level of comfiness with the new Betty is similar to its very original counterpart – everything seems to be spot on with the bra. The bra feels super lightweight even with the padding, and the the inner cups are lined with a divinely thin layer of the softest cotton you can imagine. A heaven for my eczema torn boobies! It also feels like this bra truly breathes and thus I avoid the dreaded boob sweat that is especially very present in summer time. The lace on the edge of the cups is not itchy at all and I can really give this bra an A+ for the comfort factor. The straps are quite thin which can be a downside for some but I personally like the look and feel of them.

The panties unfortunately did not work for me and it makes me super sad. I used to LOVE the short-style knickers that came with the Poppy print Bettys and I am kind of surprised why they haven’t been kept in the range. The new Betty shorts are super cute to say the least but unfortunately the choice of materials is not the best with these – the mesh and the waistband elastic are so rigid, it is almost impossible to sit down and feel comfy. If you do want to get a matching set though, I would recommend going up even two sizes from your regular UK size, as these are a Medium and fit me very tightly. I can put them on but I must say there is no stretch in the back for “junk in the trunk”.

Overall, I would say to probably skip the panties for now BUT do get the bra if you feel like you need a cute practical everyday bra but also something to go under your freetime low-cut tops. The bra is FABULOUS and retails only for £20 on sale at Very.co.uk. The Brighton Rocks print is pretty much sold out everywhere but Tutti Rouge just launched their burlesque performer print of the same Betty style and I hope to be all over it very soon as well, so snatch it up before it sells out this time. The bra goes up to H-cup so the size range is pretty generous as well!

Party-time Basics: Review of Curvy Kate “Luxe” Strapless in 30H

Are you by chance having a celebration this summer? I know it’s already July but I am sure there are still plenty of summer weddings and other festivities left for this summer season! In fact, I have a little celebration of my own tomorrow – I graduated as a Bachelor of Education with a masters in Educational Psychology and now I am throwing a BBQ for it! I am super excited and I got way better grades than I thought I would get. The Finnish uni grades go from 1 to 5, with 5 being best and I got 4 from my major and also from all my minors (gender studies, health science & fine arts) – so I am more than pleased as I just wanted to get through it all without losing my sanity. Well, enough of rambling, I am sure you are here for something else!

As we full-busted gals attend parties, especially in the summer, we may want to wear that cute strapless dress like any gal; but that my dearies, requires a strapless bra as you know. When I was a 30FF I actually still found it quite easy to find supportive strapless bras but after I crossed the dreaded G-cup barrier, there weren’t many options anymore. When Curvy Kate came out with their Luxe strapless, I was sure to get my hands on it as it promised great support in the biggest cup sizes as well. I got my first Luxe a year ago but unfortunately picked a wrong size for vanity reasons – yes that happens to us bra bloggers as well. This is why I was so pleased when Curvy, an Australian bra retailer, offered to send me the Luxe set alongside my Tease camisole. Here’s how I liked this convenient little friend…

The Design: Let’s face it – no beige strapless bra is ever going to be particularly pretty. It’s just the simple truth and there is no way around it. I think Curvy Kate did a pretty good job with the Luxe though; it’s not hideous and even though it is pretty plain (as a basic bra should be), there are some nice touches to it like the pinstripe pattern of the bra band and the fabric-coated buttons at the centre gore. The hue is not the best for me as I am much more “pink” thank the creamy butter-y shade of the Luxe “Biscotti” shade. But who am I to complain – I am pretty sure there are no D+ strapless bras for women of colour, so I am lucky to even get close to my own skin tone with this bra! I haven’t tried it with any white shirts or dresses so I cannot say whether it would show through but it’s not the most discreet of bras anyway.

The shape of the Luxe is absolutely amazing and I love how rounded CK managed to make it. Most D+ straplesses give a kind of deflated conical look which is less than ideal, meaning CK definitely set their product apart from other full-bust offerings in the market. The cups are made with a three part cup construction with two vertical seams, which unfortunately show through a bit if you are wearing eg a thinner jersey fabric over it. However, if I could choose between this and the Freya Deco, the Luxe would win 6-0 as it gives a better shape, fits me quite well and is comfortable to wear even for several hours.

The Fit: I went for my regular Curvy Kate size 30H with the Luxe this time and it’s definitely a right choice. I tell you: DO NOT compromise on fit if you are debating whether to get the bigger size that fits better or the smaller size that fits okay but looks nicer as it gives less coverage. IT WILL NOT WORK. I can’t stress this enough: The bigger cup size made all the difference to me as the smaller cups were pushed by my boobs downwards and I ended up tucking and adjusting the 30GG multiple times a day. Not a fun job to do on a night out! The 30H fits me very well and even though the band is a bit tighter than with your usual CK bra, I like it that way as I hate having a strapless falling down my body.

When it comes to wires and cup depth, I feel the Luxe is a bit different from what I am used to from CK: the wires actually hit me at the perfect spot, right at my breast root. Even though the cups are a bit deeper too, you can see some shallowness at the bottom of them, as the cup foam is collapsing a tiny bit. I am not bothered by this though and I am happy how much there is actually space for my boobs at the top of the cups – they are really nice on an evenly full shape but also suit full-on-top breast quite well!

Comfort: I had pretty darn high expectations for this bra when it released as so many bloggers and CK itself claimed it to be a life-changing miracle-worker – so when I bought my first Luxe in 30GG, you may have guessed it, I was a bit disappointed. I am so glad that I got to try the 30H now though as it has changed my opinion on the bra entirely – it truly is one of the best strapless bras I have tried in my life. The materials are very soft and feel nice on even during the hotter months of summer. The wires reach me just at my breast root, meaning they don’t poke me in the armpit causing irritation. The band is quite wide with four hooks and eyes, so it is definitely supportive enough for my H-cup boobies. My only gripe with the bra is that there is little piece of extra boning on the band that can get a bit poke-y during the day, but I am guessing it’s there so the wider band wouldn’t flip up or roll around.

I also received the Luxe thong in size 10 with the bra and I can report that it is a very comfy option for someone looking for a regular beige thong to wear under eg white trousers. I never ever wear a thong anymore so it’s not something I will reach for often, but it is a good thing to have in your lingerie wardrobe when the occasion comes. The materials of the thong are very sleek and stretchy so the size 10 was spot on for me. The rise is pretty regular but on the lower side so if you like a more hipster style with higher rise, you may want to skip this.

If you are getting married this summer, or attending summer party in a strapless dress, I would very much recommend the Luxe to any D+ bride / guest out there. The size range of the bra is a whopping 28-38 D-J which is incredible in my opinion! If you would like to get your very own Luxe, it retails for 94,99 AUD at Curvy and comes in both Black and Biscotti. You also have a chance of winning a set of your choice from Curvy, so take a look at the giveaway instructions here. Have you tried the Luxe yet? Which strapless bra do you like the best? Let me know in the comments! xx

Lingerie Review: Gossard “Entice” in 32G

The spring is upon us and so are the amazing spring collections that I have been lusting over for over half a year now. It was in August 2015 when I first laid my eyes on the Gossard ss16 collection and again, couldn’t wait to lay my paws on all the pretties. A couple of months ago Gossard dropped its first spring styles with a few gorgeous styles up to G-cup, including the lovely photo-print floral number, Entice which I am reviewing today. *This set was generously gifted by Gossard. All opinions are my own.*

The Design: With a first look, the Gossard “Entice” looks actually a bit like a non-padded bra – its upper mesh part with a beige underlay tricks us to think it’s completely see-through on the upper part of the cup. However, the cups are fully padded and moulded, so this is only an illusion. Personally, I have come to prefer unpadded cups with my current bra size of 30H as my boobs are quite literally BIG. This is something I wish Gossard would take more into account with their designs: there is a time and place for super enhanced look but also for practical non-padded bras.

For a moulded plunge bra it is a gorgeous one though – I love the print and the styling with the black upper half of the bra and if you like the added boost of the padding, this might just be your go-to-bra. The shape is quite rounded and uplifted and the finish is rather smooth under most of my clothes.

The Fit: I went for my regular Gossard size with the bra which is 32G – size-wise Gossard seems to pretty damn consistent which is what I really love about the brand. The only exception so far has been the Gypsy which runs both large in the cup and the band. Even though the size is right for me again with the Entice, this time I unfortunately bumped into some fit-incompatibilities; it seems my upper fullness is not really coping well with this bra and there is some slight bulging with my bigger boob. I would say the Entice is a better option for someone with more lower fullness and also someone who needs wider shallower cups than me. As you can see, there is a bit of empty space at the bottom of the cup which means there is not enough depth for my breasts to sit nicely in the cups.

I think there has been a slight shift in Gossard’s fit when it comes to padded plunge bras as I have noticed that their bras have become more wide and shallow when it comes to cups – I am not sure if it’s just my body that has changed but I certainly encounter more fit issues with Gossard these days. I LOVE their designs to death but I would be really grateful if they could make some more non-padded options up to G-cup. So hint hint, team Gossard 😉

Comfort: As always, I do like how comfortable this set is – the materials are soft and sleek and the mesh featured in the co-ordinates is so thin yet high quality, I feel like I am not wearing anything at all. It’s a bit funny since the bra is so heavy-duty and super padded whereas the panties are like made of fairy dust. I went for size Small with the co-ordinates and it was the right choice. I do feel the Entice panties run a bit more generous than Gossard panties in general but I think it’s partly due to the stretchy mesh at the back of the bottoms. The suspender belt felt true-to-size though so keep that in mind! To me, the suspender belt could have been a bit deeper/wider, as I have such a long torso. However, if you are a more petite gal, I think this would work wonderfully!

When it comes to the bra, the materials are equally lovely as with the co-ordinates and the bra feels sturdy in regular use. The bra band only features two hooks and eyes but I feel the power mesh the band is made of is so strong it does feel very secure even while being a bit narrow for my taste. The bra straps are made with a satin-y finish which is not the best choice for my shoulders as most bra straps fall off my shoulders now and then anyway. The straps are a bit wider though than with most Gossard bras which is a plus if you don’t like your bra straps to feel too wishy-washy.

Even though me and Entice weren’t a match made in heaven fit-wise, I wouldn’t say it’s a bad bra – it just didn’t mesh well with my personal breast shape and preferences. For example, it’s a much better fit for Wen from Comic Girls Need Bras (check out her review!). Overall, it’s a gorgeous style and as most Gossard sets, I do love to wear it on special occasions. Also, you are a burlesque performer, this is a brand and set to try if you are looking for some D+ stage wear! If you are interested to try the Entice, you can find it at the Gossard online store. The bra (30-38 A-G) will set you back at £34 whereas the briefs (XS-XL) cost £14 and the suspender belt £24. That’s pretty damn affordable for such a stunner!

Lingerie Review: Gossard Superboost Lace in 32G

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lingerie Review: Parfait “Leslie” in 32G

For a long time, I have been eyeing Parfait and been asking myself the question – should I just cheat and buy something in a 32G? As some of you may know I have been having a love/hate relationship with their Charlotte bra – I am a size 30HH with their G+ version of the bra and to be honest, it is just way too much of a bra for me. Sadly none of their other styles go above G-cup, hence my hesitation. When Parfait contacted me and asked if I would like to try something from them, I jumped at the chance and asked to try their lovely Leslie bandeau balconette in 32G. As my usually size ranges between 30-32 GG-H, it was a long shot but one worth taking – here’s how I liked this spicy little beauty!

The Design: I have recently got more into animal prints which is why I decided to give the leopard print Leslie a go – also, I am a huge fan of blue as it suits my own colouring so well. The Leslie is very similar to Charlotte in styling as it comes in both the classic contour bra and the balconette one and it also features the signature black trimming we all have come to love. As a print lover this version of the classic Charlotte shape intrigued me and I decided to challenge the bandeau bra and see how it would work for my breast size and shape. I was very happy with the results and as you can see, the bra gives me a lovely vintage-sorts of looking Brigitte Bardot kinda cleavage.

The Leslie bandeau balconette is not a moulded cup bra as it might seem but the cups construct of three parts with one vertical and one horizontal seam. This gives the bra its distinct shape and gives phenomenal uplift even with padding. The Leslie is indeed quite heavily padded, meaning it’s a great option if you want that extra oomph (I wear this bra mostly under my Collectif “Dolores Doll” dress).

Fit: As I knew, the 32G wouldn’t probably be my best option, but this time it came pretty close. As I have a-symmetry, my other boob is spilling over the cup just a bit but my other one seems perfectly fine – which is why I can easily wear this bra especially if I want some vavavoom with my dresses. The 32 band is surprisingly firm and passes almost as a 30. If you are between sizes with bands like me, I would suggest sizing up! The cups seem very true to size, meaning in a perfect world I would be wearing a 32GG.

The wires are a tad to wide for me as per usual with Parfait but somehow, they are far better than with the 30HH I wear my purple Charlotte in. The cups are fairly deep as well so no orange-in-the-glass effect luckily! They are also quite closed at top which makes me wonder if I would have been fine with a 32G if they were more open. However, this makes the bra perfect for any full-on-bottom ladies out there. The centre gore floats just a bit from my sternum but as I have noticed, I prefer it that way because of my atopic eczema – super tacking gores give me a horrible itch!

Comfort: For my luck, the straps of the Leslie are not quite as widely placed as with Charlotte. I really like this feature as my armpits get chafed really easily if the underwires are too high at the sides and straps are placed right at the edge of my elbows. The straps and the bra band are both wide meaning the bra is truly created to take a lot of weight and support you throughout the day. The materials are not horribly rigid meaning I can wear the bra for hours without discomfort. The cups are lined with black cotton which feels nice against the sensitive skin of my boobs.

I also received the Leslie high-waisted briefs in size Small which is still my preferred size with Parfait. I wanted to give their high-waisted options a chance again and was not disappointed – these panties are fantastic! I must admit they are not the most seamless option under tight dresses or jeans but still look gorgeous as they are and I love how high they actually come – right up to my belly button! The back side of the knickers is completely sheer which makes them a bit more sexy than your regular high-waisted panties and thus, I love them all the more.

If you would like to give Leslie a try, do check out Amazon as they have the best size range for the bra. What do you think of Leslie? Do you like the animal print more than the basic two-toned Charlotte? Let me know in the comments! xx

Comparison of Ewa Michalak BM- and S-cuts: BM Landrynek + S Neonek

Hello peeps! I just got back from Finland, and boy does it feels good to be back home again! Even though I am currently on a sick leave for a sprained ankle and a flu (yap, UK was a bit rough on me) I am happy to get back to blogging. Somehow August kind of divides the year for me in a nice way and I feel like everything is fresh and new from the new minors I am starting at uni and a new makeup collection I just acquired on my trip. Also, I am happy to start this autumn season with some gorgeous bright neons from a favourite of many full-busted gals – Ewa Michalak. The EM team was so kind to send me a couple of their most recent shapes BM and S to try out and I was happy to get trying some new styles from them.

To get the styles straight, let me start with a introduction to the shapes. Ewa Michalak carries several different shapes in their collection, marked with a letter or a combination of letters attached to the name of the design. The styles I have reviewed before were the SM (a non-padded balconette for medium-large bust) and the PL (a padded plunge bra for all sizes, including detachable cookies inside the cups). As both of those shapes were a really nice fit on me, I was intrigued to see how the BM and S would do.

The S is a padded version of the SM cut, meaning a balconette designed for larger busts. However, the EM style guide mentions that the S-shape is also suitable for extra large busts meaning it does have a bit wider size range to it. The BM-cut on the other hand seems very similar to the S-cut as it is a non-padded balconette bra but as the EM site does not have a proper description on it, I am assuming it is designed for extra large busts as well, with the raised gore to bring more security and support. This way, the construction and the target market of the S and BM cuts are very similar, the only difference seems to be the padding which makes the S seem a bit bulkier to me personally.

When it comes to styling, I am huge fan of EM as they always come up with unique colour combinations and prints. This time, the focus on the Landrynek and Neonek are on the colours themselves, with some contrasting straps and trims which makes such everyday styles a bit more fun and hip. I can’t really pick which one of the combos I like more – the Neonek’s pink/banana yellow or Landrynek’s Neon Peach/Turquoise – they both are equally gorgeous. Also, both styles feature fully-adjustable straps and three hooks and eyes with the back band, which ensures the support of both styles.

Even though both of the bras are in line with each other in many ways, team EM suggested that I would try the BM in 70G and the S in 70GG as I mentioned I usually required a bigger size with padded bras. However, I am still a bit unsure if this was the right choice – it seems both of the styles run a bit bigger than for example the PL (which fits me well in 70H) and the SM (fits me in 70GG). This might be because the styles are designed with larger busts in mind meaning the sizes come a tad bigger in the first place. The BM fits me perfectly in size 70G but I think the S in 70GG is a bit on the larger side for me, so it would have been interesting to see how the 70G would have fitted in the S-cut as well. As my left boob a bit bigger than my right one, I have placed both of the cookies into the other cup, to balance out my a-symmetry and still, it seems the cups are gaping just a tiny bit. However, the bra is still totally wearable and great for those days when you want a bit of extra oomph.

In practice, I do tend to lean on the BM Landrynek more, just for the non-padded style of it. As I am a very busty gal, padded bras are not always the most practical option with most of my dresses, but the Landrynek does just the same job of uplifting and rounding as the S Neonek. Comfort-wise however, they are very similar with their super-soft materials and great supportive bands. As a rule of thumb, EM bras run very “Polish” in the brand so I would suggest sizing up for comfort. The wires are also typical for Polish brands, meaning they are rather narrow. However, I do feel like the BM and S cuts feel a lot better on me wire-wise, which could be due to tad wider wires than EM usually uses, or just the bigger cups that come with these shapes.

All in all, Ewa Michalak has once again impressed me a great deal. Also, if you would like to buy the matching panties for these sets, they are finally available! I have not tried them, at least yet, but usually EM panties are worth the money as they are extremely comfy and utterly cute! The BM Landrynek retails for 169 zlotys and the S Neonek 179 zl which translates to roughly 40-43 euros which is a very good price point for such excellent construction and fit. Do snatch these up before the sizes are gone as the AW styles start rolling very soon!

What do you think of the BM Landrynek and S Neonek? Which shapes are you favourites when it comes to EM bras? Let me know in the comments! xx

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! 🙂

Moda Lingerie & Swimwear Show: Tutti Rouge “Kiss & Tell” Collection for AW15

As you peeps know, Tutti Rouge is still one of my favourite British lingerie brands to date. They are all so new still – only a few seasons old – but they always manage to surprise me with their amazing colours and cute little details. This season was no different; I was introduced to a lovely collection with emerald green beauties and the crown jewels Betty and Jessica. Let’s see what these cutie-pies have on offer for AW15 season!

Betty, Liliana & Fifi – all in magnificent red hues!

This season Tutti was clad in rich berry tones and hues of emerald green. I was again very delighted to see the new Tutti-exclusive print Bloom that adorned the beloved Betty shape. Betty was actually the first Tutti bra I tried a couple of years ago and was instantly smitten with its fit and cute details. Tutti Rouge does prints brilliantly and I always fall in love with their quirky aesthetics. Last time it was the Sailor Jerry inspired “Tallulah Tattoo” and now the Betty is a new winner with its drawing-like rose print. The red had been brought alive in the form of two classics as well: the unpadded Fifi and best-seller Liliana.

Beatrice and Nichole in breezy ocean-deep tones.

Now is the time when all ya green-loving lingerie addicts say “Hallelujah!” Lingerie Brands have finally heard your prayers and there will be PLENTY of green lingerie up for grabs in autumn. I myself am not a big fan of regular green but the petrol and emerald shades this upcoming season have definitely won me over – so gimme all the mermaid-y bras, pretty please! The Nichole will be seen in cobalt blue and emerald this season, leaving you with two equally bold colours to choose from. Also the trimming on the emerald Nichole is pink, which makes it a double winner for me!

Jessica – look at all that beauty! Me wants.

It’s true I would have been completely satisfied with the collection already but when Katie, TR’s  marketing manager, pulled out this magnificent piece, my eyes almost fell out of their holes. Seriously – how pretty is this set? Not that it’s only pretty but it’s also something completely new when it comes to full-bust bra construction – an unpadded bra with removable cleavage-enhancing pads! What do you say to that gals? 😉 I am very eager to get this baby on me and see how it works in the bigger cup sizes, me being a 30-32 GG-H with TR at the moment. The bra goes up to HH-cup which to me is incredible as well! Let’s hope we see someone trying this as soon as it gets out next autumn.

I am again very pleased with the new Tutti Rouge collection and am still eagerly waiting for their SS15 to start hitting the stores – I also believe there is a Tallulah Tattoo soon on its way to me 😉 What do you gals think of this new collection? Which one was your favourite? Let me know in the comments! xx