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

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: Gossard “Graceful” in 30DD

Back with a another review! I hope you excuse me for my long unintented hiatus – work and life happened. However, today I am coming for you with another Gossard review in collaboration with my lovely bff and guest blogger Jo! As unfortunately this ss15 collection of Gossard does not include that many ranges up G, we decided to take the chance of reviewing some smaller and average sizes although my blog is still obviously most about full-bust brands and products. However, I do see the need to represent the kind of smaller and average sizes A-DD on my blog as well, as I know many of my friends for example are in that size range and do follow my blog. This is where Gossard comes in: it’s a great brand to look for all of these size ranges though they don’t exactly profile themselves as full-bust or small-bust brand. Today we are reviewing the lovely “Graceful” set from Gossard, here modeled by Jo in 30DD and XS. *Disclosure: This set was sent to Jo for review purposes. All opinions are our own. Also, the Finnish translations will be on hold for some time now as I am super busy this month and still want to keep my posts regular! Sorry Finnish peeps, I will get back to you later!*

Design: When I showed Jo the Gossard catalog the Graceful was the first one that really pleased her eye. To be honest, it was the one that caught my eye as well – who could resist the pretty painting-like rose print and the longline construction? Unfortunately, Grace goes up to E cup only so it was something out of my reach. Don’t get depressed though even if you are a E-G lady – Gossard will be coming up with a brand new and steaming hot longline up to G this upcoming autumn. I am determined to get my hands on it so we’ll see how that works!

The Grace is a longline bra that can be converted to a strapless with detachable straps. It features a three-part cup construction and keyhole cutout detail on the centre gore which by the way does not work for everybody (= very soft breast tissue)! However, even as strapless the bra holds its shape and gives a slightly pointed vintage look but still a rather natural one to wear under any type of strapless dress or a top. If you wear a size A-E and aren’t wearing the fairest of dresses to your summer party, Grace could be an excellent choice under your party ensemble!

Fit: When it comes to strapless bras, the fit can be quite tricky to get right. This is why I was quite impressed with Grace – it gives Jo an uplifted look and a sturdy support to actually hold the breasts up without the band or the cups shifting down her torso. I remember when I wore a strapless to my matriculation party and finally shoved it in my handbag as it was so uncomfortable in a 34C which I used to wear back then. The Gossard “Grace” is a lovely option to those cheap H&M straplesses that in the end are no use at all – £34 price tag makes it an affordable choice but still a supporting one as the back sizes go down to sturdy 30s (see what I did there…). As the Gossard bands come up quite tight Jo can easily wear her Grace in the loosest hook even though she usually fits a 28 band. Sizing up in the band is definitely necessary, especially if you are between sizes!

The cups of the Graceful run a bit bigger than most British bras but with this particular style, the cups are also quite closed at top to keep the cups from tipping over when worn strapless. This causes Jo’s other boob to bulge over a tiny bit nevertheless not disturbingly so – the 30DD is still very much wearable. Jo’s breasts are quite full-on-bottom so if you have a lot of breast tissue on the top half of your boobs, I would not recommend this bra for you. However, it is a good bra for anyone drastically full-on-bottom and rather shallow as well.

 
Comfort: As the Graceful is made in a longline style with a rather wide back band (at least for Gossard as their bands are usually pretty narrow) the bra holds up the breasts effectively even worn as a strapless. This makes it a much more supportive choice which definitely holds up even after a few hours of wear. However, when the bra is worn with the straps, some problems arise: the straps are again very flimsy and long! To be honest, they are so long for Jo’s torso that she has thought about taking them in a bit. Keep this in mind if you are very short-torsoed and would like to wear the bra with the straps! If you are looking for a good strapless though, this does not matter and you can wear the bra comfortably without thinking about the falling straps.

The thong was sent to Jo in size Xs and fits her like a dream. I have always been a fan of Gossard thongs as they are made in such a way that even thong-haters like myself can wear them rather comfortably – the back part of the thong is made of a wider mesh strap that lays flat over the bum and looks seamless under tight-fitting jeans. Jo however is a great wearer of thongs so she usually doesn’t complain about these aspects anyway! The look of the thong is very flattering on her as per usual and it completes the set beautifully.

If you would fancy a Graceful set of your own, you can snatch it up on the Gossard online store for £34 for the bra and £14 for the thong. The range features a regular short as well and strapless cup-sized slip if you are more interested in pretty supportive loungewear. How do you feel about the Graceful set? Are you as excited as me about the new longline up to G (I will put up a pic of it later on here on the blog!)? Let me know in the comments! xx