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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Swimwear Review: Curvy Kate “Siren” Swimsuit in 32GG

Hi everyone and greetings from Split, Croatia! After a few bumps on our road (our Helsinki-Oulu flight was cancelled so we stayed a night at the Helsinki airport) we finally got back home and I have to say, even though it was one of the most awesome trips I’ve ever been to, it is always lovely to be home. Without further a do, I will introduce you to a beauty I had with me on the shores of Split – the amazing Curvy Kate “Siren” one-piece swimsuit. This little number was kindly sent to me by the Curvy Kate team, but all opinions are my own!

The Design: How amazing does the coral shade look against the turquoise ocean?! Bloody damn amazing, if you ask me! I have been lusting after this particular swimsuit since I first saw it at Moda a while back. The scallop cut details remind me of Ariel the little mermaid and also give the suit its playful and pinup-y look. There is also a waistband at the middle which gives the swimsuit a more structured look and nips you in at the waist. The coral colour would look amazing on someone a bit more tanned than me (I know, I am white as a chicken throughout the year!) but I think it suits us paler girls as well and looks especially good with ginger hair like mine – and CK’s own model Lottie!

The shape of the Siren is based on the Curvy Kate “Luxe” strapless bra (which I’m still yet to review though I do own one!) which has been a big hit among many full-busted gals out there. I first did not like the whole thing: but apparently, I had bought the wrong size of 30GG with the Luxe (I bought it in a hope of less coverage – bad decision!) which meant the too small cups were pushing the bra down and thus it felt a bit comfortable on me. Now, I sized up to 32GG with the Siren – first of all because I like my swimsuits a bit looser in the bodice and back – and the bigger cups fitted me much better and gave me a lovely rounded shape. There is also some leeway to make this suit fit your body the best way possible with some detachable straps and laces on the hips to adjust the rise of the leg. At the back there is a regular (though a bit wider) bikini clasp to close the band.

The Fit: As I said, the 32GG was definitely the right choice for me with this one-piece. I consulted Chantelle at the Curvy Kate HQ whether I should go for 30H or 32GG and she recommended that I would size up in the band with this one, as it ran a bit tighter than your usual CK bra. This holds quite true and also, we need to remember that most brands do make their swim tops a bit tighter in the band to remain supportive when getting wet ie stretching out. The whole bodice was very comfortable on my body in the 32-band so I would say it suits someone in the UK 10-14 range the best (I am wear mostly 12 these days).

When it comes to cups, the Siren runs very true-to-size for Curvy Kate. So I would suggest taking your regular UK bra size unless you prefer your swim top bands a little bit more comfy like I do. The wires are actually quite narrow for CK which is a pleasant surprise and the cups also quite a lot deeper to contain all my full breast tissue. I love how stretchy the whole bodice is and also the way the sides can be adjusted by pulling the laces a bit – I personally prefer a a more ‘vintage’ look with a lower leg but especially if you have curves on your hips, the sides would look fabulous with a higher leg as well.

Comfort: I cannot praise this swimsuit enough for its comfiness! When thinking about swimming in it – cause I did swim even though the Adriatic was a bit cold at first – I cannot really think of anything that would have bothered me, at all. The Siren stayed on like a dream even without straps and did not move an inch on my body. I am used to lifting and adjusting my other strapless swimsuits so it was kind of a miracle that I did not have to pull the upper part of the suit up at all. Here’s where I have to stress that the right size makes all the difference with strapless bras and swimsuits – if you skimp on the size, it is no doubt going to end up feeling a bit uncomfortable and you have to make adjustments during your swim and especially when getting out of the water.

Some gals are a bit afraid of swimsuits with wires as they feel it makes the suit look a bit “old” and “granny-ish” but also feel uncomfortable. With the Siren swimsuit the wires are hidden inside the suit so they won’t appear on the outside but will give you phenomenal lift without anyone knowing there’s hardware in your suit! The wires are also the perfect length and width for me personally (I have a pretty average breast root) so I had no trouble with them poking or rubbing my armpits in anyway.

If you are looking for a cute pinup-appropriate swimsuit for a full-busted curvy figure, I would definitely recommend the Curvy Kate Siren. It is truly one of the best swimsuits I own and I am sure to wear it multiple times this summer! If you would like to give the Siren a try, it comes in sizes 28-38 D-J and retails for around £50 on SimplyBe, HerRoom, Figleaves & Brastop.

SS16 Swimwear Roundup – aka My Personal Wishlist!

I am going on a summer vacation for the first time in 14 years. Yap, like a real beach kinda holiday, which is really weird for me as I usually travel to city destinations in the winter time and actually really enjoy. However, a few months ago I kinda blurted out to my mother-in-law that I reaaaaallly needed a proper beach resort holiday and there we were, booking a holiday after a few minutes of conversation. We decided on a lovely city/beach resort of Split, which is located in Croatia, as we really wanted to go somewhere where we could enjoy culture, good food and just relaxing in a nice warm climate.

So, it has been a while since I have actually needed a swimsuit – regardless I do have a few of them, but ya know, why not look for a special one for this occasion. As we browsed through the collections at Moda last August, I did see quite many intriguing little DD+ ensembles, so I would love to share my favourites with you in a form of a wishlist/roundup – who knows, one of these might actually be the one for my holiday in May!

Curvy Kate “Siren” One-Piece

I believe I haven’t really gone through the CK SS16 collection at all, so here’s a lovely sneak peek of what’s coming next from this all-time favourite! The Siren swimsuit is a padded one-piece with detachable straps and adjustable sides at the bottom part of the suit. It features an amazing bright colour and scallop-like detailing which makes it perfect for real-life mermaids like myself! This style is up to J-cup.

Lepel “Hawaii” Bikini

I love Lepel’s swim range – they seem to make so many lovely swim styles each season that I cannot really keep up with them! I had real difficulties picking just one favourite from their collection but ended up with this Hawaii-style which is a cute colourful Tiki-sorts of print with tiny little Hawaiian pinups on it! The shape is very trendy as well – as you can see, it is the same sweetheart neckline that is featured on the Curvy Kate style above. This range goes up to G-cup and as we know that Lepel runs quite large in the cup, I could really give this one a try!

Moontide “Victory” Freedom Twist Suit

Moontide has come out with another strong collection and this time, it’s about clashing colours and graphic prints. I really liked this photorealistic print of the Victory range and even though this particular style does not come in cup sizes, I have heard that this “Twist”-style one-piece is a very full-bust appropriate even in regular dress sizes.

Panache “Britt Stripe” Bikini

The Britt is a Panache classic that has been tweaked a few times and this time comes in a sailor-like navy and white stripe print. I personally became a huge fan of the high-waisted briefs that come with the range and luckily, can also fit into the top as it goes up to H-cup in this halter-neck style. Most Cleo bikini tops stop at G-cup which is a pity to me, but I could easily imagine enjoying this bit more classic style as opposed Cleo’s clashing colours and bold prints. Glam pinup style designs for the win!

Pour Moi “Pineapple” Bikini

All my nearest and dearest know that I have a slight obsession with pineapple prints – which is quite funny cause I reeeeaaally dislike the taste and texture of real pineapple! This cute-ass bikini is by Pour Moi and I am absolutely in love with every aspect of it – it’s navy and pink combo, pineapple printed and comes with adorable ruffly high-waisted bottoms! What’s not to like?? Pour Moi goes up to G-cup so I might want to try their 32G at some point.

Here’s my top 5 of SS16 swimwear – how did you like it? Are you going on a beach holiday someday soon? Let me know in the comments below! xx

Beach-Ready with Gossard – The Sienna Swimsuit Review

How has everyone’s summer been so far? The Finnish one has been rubbish and to be honest, testing a swimsuit out in here has been almost impossible as public swimming pools are pretty much closed and the river is still +12 C which is cold af. Anyhow, I was so happy to get my hands on more swimwear options and the Gossard “Sienna” is an absolute babe, hot weather or not. Here is review of the beauty with the gorgeous Gossard Hot Tropic kimono. *Disclosure: These products were gifted to me by Gossard. All opinions are my own.*

When the wonderful Laura at Gossard asked if I wanted to try out their classic Sienna range, I was pretty happy as the range is everything a true 50’s gal can hope for: sleek lines, gorgeous cleavage and hourglass-hugging cuts. Even though black is not necessarily my colour, I did like it with the sexy silhouette of the onepiece as the colour toned down its vavavoom effect a bit. As I slipped into the suit I knew there was plenty of “look at me!” action going on already with my boobs + the deep v-neckline at the front. In addition to flattering my bust-line, I loved how the suit creates almost an illusion of an hourglass shape. I am already a curvy girl but the swimsuit took the curviness to a whole another level!

When it comes to sizing, I would stick with your regular Gossard size, unless you are super curvy at your hips. I am not a regular hourglass by definition meaning my hips are not very full but my backside has quite a lot of curve to it. This way, I was blessed enough to get the suit on without any trouble even though my butt-to-waist difference is 11″. However, if you are more of a regular type of hourglass with a very curvy front view, I would suggest going up a band size to get a better fit. I am wearing a size 32G in the pictures and it fits me flawlessly.

When it comes to practicalities the suit clips at the back like a bikini to ensure a proper support to ones bust. As the sizes go up to G this is definitely a plus and makes the swimsuit more wearable when actually swimming. The band bit of the suit is pretty darn tight compared my other Gossard 32 bands but it sure does what it’s meant to do! However, if you are between sizes with Gossard, I would recommend going up a band size with this – especially if you are not a big swimmer in the first place. The 32 bands digs a bit into my skin when worn dry but when wet, it feels already a lot more comfortable (I have noticed this is very common with cup sized full-bust swimwear as brand want to ensure max support while swimming with big boobs).

The cup part of the swimsuit might not be what someone would call the most practical option for actual swimming business but I do like a sexier option to my swim wardrobe as well. The suit can be worn with straps or no straps but I did find it fairly sturdy either way. The cups are made of extremely sturdy and thick materials which makes them fool-proof for any nipple showing someone could be worried about. On the other hand, the sturdy construction of the cup part takes a bit away from the comfort factor of the whole ensemble but that can be expected when heavy lifting takes place 😉

The kimono Gossard sent me to accompany my one-piece is a lovely touch to the feminine look the suit rocks so effortlessly. I am a huge fan of florals and the white base + the colourful print balance out the sex appeal of the swimsuit by creating a more soft overall look. It also reminds me a bit of Spain and tropical islands which would do me a whole lot of good after these pesky months of cold up here in the north! (I mean just look at my skin, Finnish weather has completely ruined it).

All in all, I truly am in love with Sienna and she will be my girl each time I wanna feel a bit btter about myself or when I feel like showing off my curves. One needs to have some options ya know 😉 If you would like to give this babe a try, do visit the Gossard online store as they still have plenty of stock left. The suit comes in sizes 30-38 A-G and sets you back at £60. Also, if you feel a bit hesitant about the one-piece, do check out the bikini options as well! There are some lovely high-waisted bottoms up for grabs. The Hot Tropic kimono comes in sizes S/M and M/L and it is now on sale for £37.

How do you like one-piece swimsuits? Or do you prefer bikinis? Let me know what have been your favourites so far this summer! xx