After Eden D-cup & up: Carlissa & Cendrine in 70E

Finding your perfect size and shape match with bras is a pretty tough job – sometimes people think it’s just a matter of trying on a few styles and then finding the perfect bra that suits your particular tastes and shape the best. In reality, it can take years to find the styles and brands you like and even then, your tastes may change. Eeva is a friend of mine who I bravangelized this year and we found out that her best size is something between a 70E and 65F. She has never thought of being a busty gal, but alas, you don’t need to have a notably large bosom to be above D-cup!

When I first fitted Eeva, we noticed that padded plunge-balconettes were defintely a great match for her. Now, the task was to find a brand that would make something in her size, that would still be to her taste and has a good selection of padded plunge-balconettes for her to try. Enter: After Eden D-cup and Up (previously known as Signature by After Eden). *After Eden generously gifted these sets to Eeva, all opinions are our own*

The Carlissa set in 70E and a size Medium thong.

The After & Eden D+ range bras are something probably many gals who enter the full-bust world want: they are cute and sexy, very similar to core sized bras in stores like Aerie and Victoria’s Secret but come in a better size range. These particular bras go up to F-cup, but in general many D-cup & Up bras go up to an EU G-cup. The size range is geared more towards the busty plus-size gals, as the band sizes go up 42 (EU 95) and 44 (EU 100), but there are still options for the slender customers as well.

Even though these styles in particular don’t include the 30-bands, Eeva is well off with the 32 band and the many hooks and eyes ensure that the bra can be properly tightened up, if the band gets loose over time. This is definitely one of the strengths of the range – the bra bands accommodate a lot of size fluctuation which is not something I can say about most bras. The shoulder straps are also pretty versatile and can be adjusted almost fully.

The Cendrine set in 70E and a matching thong in size Medium.

When I asked Eeva about her breast shape, she would describe it as more full-on-top (FOT) – this means her breast have more full breast tissue above the nipple than below it. In my experience After Eden D-cup & Up bras are especially well-fitting for FOT gals, as they are pretty open at the top. The underwire of the bra hits Eeva at the right spot and I would say the wires are a medium lenght and and quite low near the armpit area.

For the price tag (25 € for the bra in sale just now!), these bras last in wear and tear for quite a while and the detailing (rose gold hardware!) is cute and looks like good quality to me. The materials are soft and pretty comparable to anything you would find in a high street store – not luxury but also not cheap either. The panties are also well-designed regarding rise and materials which makes them equally easy to wear as the bras.

If you would like to snag these sets for a very good price, head over to the After Eden webstore now. The Carlissa and Cendrine sets are sold for 25 € for the bras and 9€ for the thongs. 

Lingerie Review: Katherine Hamilton Intimates “Louise” in 32GG

Many of you might remember me introducing you to Bosom Galore a couple of years back – Katy, the owner of the brand, has been super blogger-friendly from the get-go and thus the brand name spread through the lingerie blogosphere rapidly. Quite soon after the launch Katy decided to re-brand Bosom Galore and named it Katherine Hamilton Intimates, a brand with a stronger look and even more luxurious vibe to it. The relaunch of the brand took a while – but we all know that anything that’s good is worth the wait. A couple of months back Katy sent me a set from her new collection and I was delighted to see the brand had definitely grown into something bigger and better – the unsure teenager had become a strong independent woman. *Disclosure: This set was sent to me for review purposes by Katherine Hamilton Intimates. All opinions are my own!*

The Design: The first moment I saw Louise, I was sold. Who doesn’t like strappy designs? Well, I do! The idea behind the black strappy is not something particularly new, but I like how Louise does it is its own sophisticated simple way – there is only one strap going over the upper boobage and the magic of the bra is really the amazing shape and comfiness it provides.

The cups are constructed of three parts and they form a subtle plunge shape, even though the actual gore of the bra is on a balconette level. The centre gore doesn’t have any bows or ruffles on it which is why I don’t even mind it peeking from my shirt necklines. The cups are lightly padded but it is a cut-and-sew bra still, it provides a much better fit than most moulded padded bras. The shape with the Louise bra is also round and uplifted, which reminds me a bit of Ewa Michalak PL bras.

The Fit: I am always a bit skeptical when it comes to padded bras, for the reasons mentioned above; the padding usually tries to mold my breast tissue to the shape of the bra, not the other way around as it should be. With KH Intimates the road has been long and Katy has wanted to make everything on-point as her price tag is a bit higher than with some of the biggest full-bust brands. It’s definitely a luxury brand, so mishaps are a no-no.

The wait was long, but now it seems KH Intimates has got it right – the sizing seems pretty much on par with other UK brands with the exception that the Louise band seems to be running on the snugger side. I went for my second most used size 32GG and it is the perfect size for me. The cups run true-to-size and there is much more depth than with most other – especially new – British brands. The underwire reaches under my armpit so it’s a bit too wide for me, but this doesn’t cause me any discomfort. The centre gore tacks my sternum and the cups are deep enough at the bottom which prevent the cups from denting and collapsing under my breast tissue.

Comfort: When I first put the Louise on, the band was on the tighter side for 32 and reminded me more of a 30-band. However, it has since stretched out a bit and I can now comfortably wear the bra on the loosest set of hooks. I have even had this on for a whole night of dancing and partying and never once did I regret that choice! The materials are sleek on the outside but the lining inside the bra is 100% cotton as with the previous Bosom Galore bras – this is fantastic for us girls with skin conditions!  The straps are bit on the slippery side so I would perhaps think about the material choice on them, but otherwise the bra is pretty much spot-on when it comes to comfort.

I surprised myself with opting for the thong this time – as you know, I never ever wear thongs! However, the bra is a bit sexier so I figured it would be nice to have something skimpy as co-ordinates. I went for the size 12 and it fits me really well and I actually think it’s quite flattering too. You can never have too many strappy panties, I think!

The Louise set is available on the KH Intimates website – the bra retails for £78 and the thong costs £34. The size range is especially kind to those with a smaller band size – the band sizes start at UK 26! The whole size range with Louise bra is 26-36 D-HH and the panties UK 6-16. What do you think of KH Intimates and the Louise set? xx

Lingerie Review: Tutti Rouge “Jessica” in 32GG

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lingerie Review: Parfait “Elissa” Longline in 32G

Spring and summer are time for romance and weddings – shoutout to a fellow lingerie blogger Becky who married her boo a couple of weeks back! As I have probably never worn white lingerie since primary school and never really introduced you to bridal options in DD+ here on 2COP, maybe it was time I reviewed something plain white for your curvy bride-to-bes. When Parfait asked if I wanted to try something from their SS16 collection, I decided to give their Elissa range a try. Here’s how I liked the set…

The Design: On the Parfait website the Elissa longline is named as an unlined wired bralette; to me, bralette indicates a wireless bra which is why I’d rather call the piece a longline bra. This particular longline features six rows of hooks and eyes and four bones on the band; two at the front and two on the sides. This keeps the longline from flipping up and moving around and also gives the piece a bit of structure. The cups are constructed of three parts, one vertical and one horizontal seam. The shape of the bra is quite natural, so a bit pointy and goes very well under my vintage dresses.

The style of the bra is very pretty even though I am not a big fan of white lingerie. I chose this set so I could break my own boundaries and I do actually like it a lot – there is nothing too juvenile or basic about this set, it is sophisticated enough for bridal wear but also smooth enough to be worn on regular everyday basis. The lace on the band and the upper part of the cups is very beautiful and a tiny bit stretchy to maintain a pretty good fit.

The Fit: As most Parfait bras only go up to G-cup, I decided to opt for size 32G with Elissa and see how it goes. Usually 32G has been a pretty good success with Parfait and I was right again – the cups are a teeny tiny bit too small as my boobies are bulging just a bit over the cup edges. However, I would say this bra suits more full-on-bottom breast anyway, so maybe we were just not meant to be. You can also see a bit of wrinkling on the bottom part of the cups which I have no clear idea of where they came from. Maybe it’s a shape incompatibility issue? If you have ideas, please let me know in the comments! If I had the chance, I would have loved to try a 32GG with this bra to see if it would solve some of the fit problems.

The longline band of this bra is quite tight for a 32. I would say it stretches up to exactly 32″ so if you measure 32″ or 33″ I would suggest sizing up to 34. I can just about do this up but not on my own so that is definitely something to consider when opting for your size! The underwires are quite wide for me so if you are more wide-rooted this may be the bridal bra for you! However, I am not too bothered by the wires as they don’t rub me or chafe my armpits at all.

Comfort: My history with longlines is not the most smooth one – the ones that have been here from the start remember that infamous Fauve “Bronte” review where I complained about the bones on the bodice that rubbed and stabbed me all over my torso and armpits. Not a pleasant experience! Since then I have been hesitant to try longlines. I needn’t have worried this time though – the Elissa is a pretty comfy little number even with the four bones on the band. Sure, it will never be a comfortable as a bra without extra wiring but the bones don’t poke me all around like with Bronte. The materials are also quite soft and the lace does not cause any itching even when being so close to bare skin on the bottom half of the band. The straps are fully-adjustable so they suit many body types with ease.

I got the bikini brief bottoms with the set in size Small and I would say Parfait really knows how to make comfy panties. These run quite true-to-size but they have some give at the back because of the stretch lace. If I could suggest something to Parfait, I would ask them to make a deep suspender belt to match this set or perhaps a high-waisted panty with garters.

All in all I think this would be a fantastic set for any full-busted bride out there, if you don’t need a strapless bra under your dress. Longlines are usually a pretty good choice under a party dress anyway, as many women like the smoothing ability they have – I am looking at you ladies who are neurotic about back fat! If you would like to get yourself an Elissa set of your own it comes in sizes 30-40 D-G and S-2XL and you can find it on Kohl’s and Classic Shapewear . The longline bra retails for $54 and the bikini briefs for $25. What kind of lingerie did you wear/ are you planning to wear on your wedding day? Let me know in the comments! xx

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lingerie Review: Signature “Ginger” in 32F

It has been a couple of months since we reviewed After Eden’s Signature range here at 2COP and I am happy to say that it was not the last time for us! Signature is a very promising new full-bust/full figure targeted brand which has only been going on for a couple of seasons now. Today we are reviewing a longline bra set from their AW15 collection, before completely diving into the SS16 season – also, take note about the style of this set as it might be the perfect ensemble for the upcoming Valentine’s Day!

Design: Ginger is a lovely young yet sexy style that comes in a very classic combination of black and red and a smooth moulded cup style. What I think is one of the biggest assets of Signature lingerie, is the cute and approachable styling that lures in the younger girls, who might not fit into the chain stores’ and Victoria’s Secret lingerie as they stop at DD. This effect would be even greater if the brand started making smaller band sizes, so hint hint, Signature! 😉

I picked this set up for Miss E completely out of blue – she had no idea what I had chosen for her but when I came to her doorstep around Christmas time, she was very pleased with my pick. The longline is still something that has been quite neglected by some DD+ brands (even though the AW16 will totally change the game!) and I am happy to see such a new brand making them for us fuller busted ladies. The cups are very rounded and smooth so Ginger could easily be worn under regular t-shirts without showing through. The band features four hooks and eyes so it’s not the widest longline ever but still enough to give the bra its distinctive look.

Fit: Even though Miss E’s best size with Signature would be closer to 65H (that is 30FF in UK sizes) we are both quite happy with the 70G (= UK 32F), especially when worn on the second tightest hooks. The band does not ride up but could be a bit sturdier to stay supportive for a few more months. The cups are just the right size for Miss E so there’s no spillage or gaping in sight! After seeing already three bras on my girl, I would say Signature runs on the generous side of true-to-size – Miss E is usually something between 30FF and 30G and all of her Signature bras have been just the right size (cup-wise) for her in the sister size of 30FF, that is 32F.

The wires are perfect for Miss E with the Ginger bra and she is also very happy to report that this time, the wires do not come too high up for her and there is no chafing near the armpit area whatsoever. As all different brands producing lingerie seem to sport a different underwire shape and size, I would say Signature’s wire seems to be the perfect medium between the very narrow Polish and the quite wide British ones. The depth of the cup is a bit too shallow for Miss E which you can see by looking at the root of the bra cups. There is a bit of empty space there but E gave me no complaints about it as the bra is so comfortable in general.

Comfort: Out of the three sets Miss E owns from Signature, this might be her most comfortable one yet! The materials of the set are very sleek and soft against the skin and the straps are placed in a nice spot where they won’t rub her armpit area and cause irritation. As you can see, the strap placement is much more centered than with the Grace and Sophia bras she tried earlier. That’s definitely a HUGE improvement! This time the straps are only half-adjustable so if you are more on the petite side, I would advice to skip this bra unfortunately – Miss E is quite tall so she had no problem but someone under 5’5 might find them too long for her height. The longline band features additional boning under the armpits to keep the band from flipping, but the boning is flexible enough not to poke E on the sides.

The Ginger set comes with two different co-ordinate options which are a regular shorts-style knickers and a thong. We went for the same size as last time, that is Medium, but thought about trying a Small next time, as especially the thong seems to be a bit big for Miss E. Bottoms-wise, I think Signature runs on the snugger side of true-to-size, yet not a full size smaller. The bottoms are the same smooth material as the bra so very wearable for everyday, whether it be under dresses or the tightest of jeans.

You can find Ginger on Signature’s online store, here (and it’s on sale, yay!). Signature ships only to Netherlands at the moment but if you are interested in stockists near to you, feel free to contact them via email or on social media!

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 😉

Lingerie Review: Maison Lejaby “Féline” in 32G

You might remember me raving about Maison Lejaby a couple of months ago (click for my latest post on ML!) – when I last visited London I had the pleasure of trying on a few pieces at Mimi & You Lingerie boutique and I fell in love with their designs. During the same visit I did travel up to Birmingham where I had the chance to chat with Maison Lejaby’s UK & Ireland coordinator who introduced me even more to this lovely brand. Fast forward to today, I am now reviewing my first Maison Lejaby set here at 2COP. Maison Lejaby was so kind to send both me and Jo a set from their Elixir and Premium collections and today, I am reviewing the lovely Féline bra set from Maison Lejaby Elixir collection. Enjoy!

Design: To be honest, I was very nervous about Lejaby picking something for both of us and sending them to review as a complete mystery. I am a bit picky when it comes to my lingerie – there are some things I absolutely dislike so I was so anxious about getting something as a surprise. On the other hand, I do love surprises which made me very intrigued about the contents of my parcel. When it finally arrived in the post office and I ripped the packaging off I was so happy to be facing a set of sophisticated animal print in an unusual grey colour. Also the texture was lovely and unique – there were some bigger leopard spots at the top part of the cups which seem to raise ever-so-sligthly from the otherwise sleek fabric.

The construction of the bra is a very traditional plunge-balconette with a three-part cup and medium coverage. Féline gives me a decent amount of uplift and a very natural shape – this is a bra that I would recommend to anyone who wants something subtle under their clothes. It gives a rather rounded yet natural look and works well with most of my outfits.

The Fit: I asked for a size 32FF as this was the one that fitted me the best in another styles from Lejaby. However, as the parcel arrived I realized I had been sent a 32G instead of an FF so I was a bit nervous about the fit. These things happen sometimes when I get sent samples – someone accidentally sends me a wrong size and sometimes they fit, sometimes they don’t. In this case, the mistake was a blessing in disguise – the 32G fitted me super well! I do notice some slight gaping on my smaller boob but as we all know so well, the bra size should be opted by the size of one’s bigger boob. The unpadded style of the bra ensures though that the gaping in in no-way notable under shirts and dresses which makes it also a practical little number to wear for everyday. The 32G compares roughly to a regular, even large-ish British 32GG so this brand and particular bra run about a cup size or a cup size and a half bigger than usual!

As Maison Lejaby only makes 30-bands in a few styles, I was sent a bra with a 32 band instead. For a French brand, Maison Lejaby seems to be running very British when it comes to their bands – that is, very true-to-size. With my 30″ underbust measurement the band is in all honesty a bit loose but doesn’t ride up in the back even when worn in the loosest set of hooks. However, this may not be your sturdiest bras anyway – the materials are very stretchy meaning the whole ensemble is super comfy yet not the kind of to run a marathon with. In my opinion the band would be best for someone with a 32″ rib cage so on me, it is not the best size. However, I have worn this bra over the last couple of months each and every week so you can imagine how comfy it really is!

The underwires of Féline are a rather standard ones for a French brand – not as wide as with British bras but not as narrow as Polish. This works for me very well as my boobs are a very average width and don’t require super wide or narrow underwires.

Comfort: As mentioned before, the Féline is VERY comfortable and a stretchy little sucker. The band, the cups, the wiring and the straps are all made with comfort in mind – this makes the bra to adjust to your body and feel comfy when moving around. Even though this takes a bit away from the sturdyness of the bra it does give you a sense of not wearing one in the first place – which is something I aim for when I am at home chilling and still want to feel supported.

When it comes to the underwires, the Féline does a great job by staying low under the armpits to avoid any unpleasant chafing against your arms or pinching in the flesh under them. The wires are also just flexible enough to keep you comfy even riding a motorcycle, which some of you know to be my ultimate test for my bras (by the way, thank heavens for the mc season starting just now, I missed you Honda-babe <3). The straps can be quite stretchy as well but nothing near eg the Comexim “Irish Coffee” (click for the review!) I own. The straps are also rather long so if you are even slightly more on the petite side, this could cause you some problems. I have adjusted mine to the tightest they can go and this is the right length of straps for me with Féline.

I was also sent the Brazilian brief in size 2 to match my Féline bra. My bf is probably the biggest fan of Brazilians so he was happy and to be honest, for a Brazilian this panty is a rather comfortable little number. The size 2 is a french size which translates roughly to a UK size 10-12 (not sure though, enlighten me if I got it wrong!). The back of the Brazilian leaves a seamless finish so if you are a great jeans-wearer, this could be just the knicker style for you.

When it comes to getting your hands on Maison Lejaby, I would say your local brick and mortar boutiques and department stores are the best to look into. I tried to look for Féline online and found this one place where you can get your hands on it for a reduced price even. The online store is a french one called Les Dessous Chics but it translates mostly to English as well and sells Féline bra for a rather great price of 53,83€. Even though Maison Lejaby is a bit more in the luxury category both for quality and price, the course of the pound is horrendous to anyone who doesn’t live in UK. This actually takes the Maison Lejaby pretty close to its British rivals when it comes to € price and sometimes even a more affordable choice compared to other full-bust mid-priced bras.

How do you feel about Maison Lejaby? Have you tried them and if so, how do you find the quality and fit? I would love to know a second opinion to mine so let me know in the comments! xx

Mini Bra Review: Avocado “Mirabelle” in 70H

When it comes to Avocado, I actually rarely know what their team has in store for me. The first time I got a parcel from them, it was like a blind date: no idea who you are going to meet and if you are even going to like him. The surprise has always been a good one though and this time when Paulina sent me an email that a girl named Mirabelle was on her way to me, I was already at ease. How bad could it be? And it could not, I must tell you. I have already done a couple review’s on Avocado’s A-cut so this will be a mini review instead of a full one. Let’s see what post man Pat delivered me the other day…

The Design: The Avocado A-cut is what I call a plunge balconette – a style that dips in at the gore a bit but doesn’t go all the way down to be a true plunge. The cups are made of three parts which is a rather conventional bra cut and a favourite of many women with full-bust as it offers a decent shape (when done well) and good support. I have had the chance to try this style with Avocado’s Jewel and Caprice styles so click for the links if you want to learn more! The shape is overall a very good one for a three-piece cup construction as it is lifted and supported with the right proportions. The shape is quite natural so nothing too pointy nor super round!

The style of Mirabelle is absolutely adorable and sophisticated at the same time; I am completely in love with the Charcoal background and the hot pink accents (perfect to combine to my new Barry M lipstick!). Black and pink are a very traditional pairing but I loved that Avocado mixed it up a bit and went for charcoal instead – this gives the set a modern fresh touch to it. The cups are almost sheer with the exception of double lining at the bottom of the cup. The cups remain quite see-through even with the lining so be prepared for that! The overall aesthetics of the bra is very young and speaking to the “middle-market” woman who is tired of too cutesy prints but still wants something pretty in her bradrobe.

Fit & Comfort: I have noticed that the Avocado A-cut isn’t probably my best match from the brand’s selection of cuts – the K-shape is still my absolute favourite and I am actually waiting to get a chance to try their H-cut which is a more true balconette and might fit my boobs a bit better than this plunge balconette hybrid. Plunge shapes, even subtle ones, tend to cut into my upper fullness which is not obvious from the pictures but can occur during a day of wear. The cut is very flattering through clothes though and it minimizes the bust nicely (a feature I need now and then to get my clothes fit a bit better!). I am also contemplating on choosing a bigger size with the A-cut next time, to see if it’s just the shape that’s not the best for me or if the fit has something to do with too-small cups. We’ll see!

As usual, the A-cut is a sturdy little number and I love how comfortable it is after a little bit of breaking in. The 70 band feels snug as ever and the three hooks and eyes keep me supported for a long time and multiple wears. The wires are spot-on as well – great length and width for me to feel comfy all day long.

If you would fancy getting yourself the Mirabelle, do check out the Avocado online store. The bra retails for 72,52€ but if you are a returning Avocado customer, you get automatically 10% off. The shipping rates are pretty good to US as well – only 12€! What do you think? Would you have room for Mirabelle in your bradrobe? Let me know in the comments! xx

Suomeksi: Sain pari viikkoa sitten Avocadolta sähköpostin, jossa ilmoitettiin uuden paketin olevan jo matkalla minulle. Usein pääsen valitsemaan itse haluamani setin tehdessäni yhteistyötä brändien kanssa mutta Avocadon linja on aina ollut lähettää bloggaajille yllätyksiä – sinänsä hauskaa vaihtelua! Ikinä en kuitenkaan ole joutunut paketin sisältöön pettymään, päin vastoin. Brändi tarjoaakin ihania malleja moneen makuun – on pitsiä, perus nude-värisiä liivejä, kirjailuja ja upeita väriyhdistelmiä. 

Tällä kertaa sain testiin Avocadon Mirabelle-liivin, minulle jo tutussa A-mallissa. A-malli on hieman keskeltä alaspäin sukeltava liviimalli, joka on kuitenkin oikein sopiva jokapäiväiseen käyttöön ja tukee hyvin myös isompia rintoja. Kupit muodostuvat kolmesta palasesta yhden vaaka- ja pystysauman avulla, joka muodostaa hyvin perinteisen kolmipalaisen liivimallin. Kuppien muoto on melko luonnollinen: ei hirvittävän terävä muttei myöskään perinteiseen puolalaiseen tapaan yltiö-pyöreä!

Mirabelle on nyt aivan uusi versio A-mallista ja ainakin meikätyttöön tämä tyyli iskee ihan kympillä – pohjan hiilenharmaa sävy sopii loistavasti yhteen kauniin kirkkaan pinkin kanssa ja kirjailutkin ovat ihanan hienostuneita. Varmasti suosittu tyyli esim. niiden naisten parissa, joille perinteisen englantilaiset printit ja värit ovat vähän liikaa mutta haluavat kuitenkin jotain nuorekasta ja sievää alusvaatteiltaan. Kokotaulukkoa kannattaa kuitenkin vilkaista ennen ostopäätöstä – Avocadolla kun on ihan omanlaisensa käytössä! 

Mikäli oma Mirabelle kiinnostaa, voi sellaisen tilata Avocadon omasta nettikaupasta. Liivi kustantaa 72,52€ ja postikulut Suomeen ovat kymmenisen euroa. Vaikka hinta voi ensin kirpaista, voin sanoa, että Avocadon liivit on tehty todella laadukkaista materiaaleista ja ne todella kestävät hyvin käyttöä – ensimmäiset Avocadoni ovat viime keväältä ja edelleen tukevat löysimmissä hakasissa!