Guest Post: Review of Panache “Portofino” Swimsuit in 30GG by Comics Girls Need Bras

*This is a guest post written by the lovely Wen from Comics Girls Need Bras. The swimsuit was kindly provided by Panache, but as my big butt prevented it from going past my hips, I decided to gift it to a fellow blogger I admired. Even though Panache was generous to provide us with this swimsuit, all opinions are our own! Many thanks to Wen for the review, she was a darling to jump in and help a damsel in distress.*

As a full-busted woman I’ve struggled for a very longtime trying to find a decent swimsuit that I could wear in any occasion either at the school swimming pool or on the beach. Usually the more simple option is a black or blue wireless swimsuit. The issue with these products is that they contain your breast tissue in a very unnatural way. This could be as uncomfortable as painful because the Lycra flattens your breasts. Even if everything stays in place, the result is rarely elegant because these pieces are basically created for a smaller bust. So when Mette asked me if I would like to review the Panache Portofino swimsuit, I was more than interested! I’ve tried some Panache Sport products and I knew that they usually do a great job hiding the wires of these kind of products to give a smooth look while they still perfectly do the job! However I had never tried any underwired swimsuit and happily, this experience hasn’t been disappointing!

The Design: To be honest when I saw the Panache Portofino swimsuit for the first time on Panache stock pictures I didn’t find it very attractive. It was a simple blue and white swimsuit that I wouldn’t have bought by myself. Then I received the parcel, and the feeling when I put it on was completely different…

First of all, it fits ! This is always a victory when you receive a garment by mail and it fits you well. Second, I LOVE my body in this swimsuit! The design makes me think of the show “The love boat”. It looks perfect for cruise holidays! In my opinion this range has something chic, old-fashioned and I really like its nautical inspiration.

You may have noticed that it seems to be 2 sets of straps: the inner pair is for the invisible “bra” which is hidden inside the bodysuit. That means that the actual straps are not fully adjustable and I have to say that I usually have troubles with half-adjustable straps. In this case, they are quite short and I don’t have to shorten them so much (on these pictures I had forgotten to shorten one of them and I didn’t realise it before I saw the pictures on my laptop). So, the inner bra is basically made like a non padded balconette bra with a good coverage and three-part cup construction.

The ruching in the front seems to make the belly area look more structured. Indeed, the draped fabric paired with the white edge accents at the top of the swimsuit makes it more elegant and flattering. The back also adds a nice finish to this piece with its deep keyhole and its lovely branded gold plate and I was happy to see that the metal finished on the straps are gold too. The plastic closure is easy to use and the « band » feels true to size. I was afraid that it was not “young”enough but finally I’m really happy with the design of this piece. It makes me feel like a really elegant pin-up.

The fit : Mette sent me the Portofino in a 30GG and I would say that it fits me pretty well. However I’d like to try a 30G for comparison. The wires are really wide and sit very low under my inframammary fold. Also the inner cups are a bit too big for my breasts : I had the same impression with Panache Sport bras but as this doesn’t show from the outside, I am not 100% sure if a 30G would fit or not. It is not something I can feel when I wear the swimsuit. It doesn’t bother me, I just notice it when I put it on. So I believe that the bust part of this swimsuit is on the larger side.

One positive thing about the wires placement is that the central gore is very very narrow. This is very good for my close set-breasts and overall, this swimsuit still manages to give me a great support and a natural, yet round shape to my bust. The body is perfect for my usual UK size 10 and it covers everything the right way. The bottom part while providing a great coverage has a nice cut which makes my legs and butt look just fine. I was very surprised to be honest, since I usually think that one-piece swimwears make my legs look shorter and flatten my butt in a weird way.

The only thing that bothers me is that it is not easy to put on. Every time I am afraid to damage it when it passes through my thighs and butt, so the first time I was afraid that it was too small. Fortunately, when I finally put it on properly, the fit is amazing and I don’t have so much to complain about.

Comfort: I think that I am going to wear this piece very often this summer! I love bikinis of course,but wearing a one-piece swimsuit has always given me a sensation of freedom! Let me explain: wearing a properly fitting swimsuit, you can do whatever you want, run, dance, sleep, swim, and while every sensitive part of your body is covered, you are free to move your four limbs! That’s how I feel wearing the Portofino. This piece follows the curves of my body and allows me to move without having to adjust it every now and then.

I think the worst thing I’ve experienced with a swimsuit/bodysuit is when the torso part is too short and makes it uncomfortable because your butt systematically tries to eat it. I didn’t experienced that with the Portofino. The inner bra and lining are made from a very soft mesh and although the crotch is slightly too wide for my body, the legs elastics are quite stretchy and I don’t feel any discomfort.

In a nutshell, I am very satisfied with this piece and I think the whole Portofino range can work, aesthetically-wise, for gals of a different ages, since it is very elegant and pretty! If I could put my hands on the bandeau swim top in my size I’ll be glad to give it a try ! The details of this range are freaking amazing ! If you would like to give the Portofino a try, you can find it on Figleaves for $78 and the size range for the product is 30-38 D-K.

xoxo,

Wen

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

Lepel Swim “Minnie” Range – Swimwear for a True Pin-Up Diva

First of all, I have to start this post with a little (or actually a massive) disclosure. I have been struggling with my body image for years and even after recovering from anorexia, I am still nervous about people’s views on my body. It took me an INCREDIBLE amount of courage to post pictures of myself with my tummy and everything on show and this is why I ask you to kindly keep your opinions to yourself if you don’t like what you see. I think all of you have heard the phrase “If you don’t have anything nice to say, keep it to yourself” 😉 Thank you in advance of taking my mental health into consideration!

Now, onto the actual post! When I first saw the Minnie swimwear range at the Moda exhibition at the Lepel stand last August, I wanted to run away with every piece of it and never look back. Literally, I screamed of excitement and everyone at the stand must have thought that this girl is pretty nuts. You know this happens to everyone – you just see something so YOU and you can’t help but make a little happy-dance to celebrate it. Fast forward to this spring and I was talking to Lepel about this and that and BOOM – they decided to gift me the whole Minnie range for me to review at the blog. Imagine my delight – it was obviously a happy-dance time again! Here are my thoughts on the whole range… (Btw, if anyone wonders, I made the hair flower piece myself.)

The Minnie One-Piece Swimsuit

I don’t go swimming an awful lot as I find myself pretty bad at it – I just never really learned the best techniques and opted for running, dancing and gym as my choice of sports instead. But when I do visit a public swimming pool for actual working out purposes, I do prefer a one-piece to give me the best support and the minimal risk of falling out of my swimwear when being a bit more active. Also, I hate the kind of sporty swimsuits that give zero support to my breasts and usually look really outdated as well. In one sentence: I like my swimsuits supportive AND pretty. This is exactly why I love Minnie: it features sturdy underwires, great cut, padded cups and an option to wear it as a halter neck or a strapless version. Not to mention how cute the whole ensemble is!

As I have worn Lepel quite a bit during the last year or so, I knew my best bet for the size would be 32G. This was spot-on as per usual and I was very happy with how big the cups were – almost a bit too big for me! I would say the real UK size of the swimsuit would be closer to a 32GG-H so this is definitely good news for people who thought they could not fit into the Lepel size range. The cups have a pretty vintage-like shape to them so if you like super rounded cups, this might not be for you! I however LOVED the styling and the fit so the piece was absolutely perfect. The band (there is a separate one!) and lower part of the swimsuit felt like a regular 32 and as someone between 30 and 32 bands at the moment, I could have had it a bit sturdier but the swimsuit does its job nevertheless.

The Minnie Bikini Top and Skirted Pant

Y’all, this bottom is the BOMB. I am not a huge bikini person as I have a bit of a tummy and it’s the part I am a bit insecure of. However, I really did forget all that when wearing this combo: it’s so perfect at hiding my cookie pouch line that I praise hallelujah for it each time I put it on. Also, how freaking cute is it?? I mean, skirted. red. bikini bottom. Enough said, to me at least! I felt like a true mermaid when floating around in it at the pool and it’s also the comfiest little number I have worn for swimming. The rise is perfect, the colour is perfect and the styling is PER-FECT. As you might have guessed by now, this one was definitely my top favourite of all the bottoms included in the range.

When it comes to the bikini top, the sizing is a bit different from the swimsuit in one thing you definitely need to consider when buying: the band is TIGHT. I mean, I would say the 32 fits more like a very snug 30, meaning it’s not the easiest to close if you are more of a true 32-band gal. However, if you do buy a size too snug, I would suggest rinsing the band before putting it on – this will give the band more stretch and will make it easier to close the clasps. Again, the cups are very generous and the bikini top can be worn both halterneck or strapless. Both ways work for me fine and even as a strapless the suit and the bikini top stay put without readjusting them every 5 minutes 🙂

The Folded Bikini Bottom and the Bikini Brief

If the skirted pant is not your thing – a little too cutesy or young – there are other options as well that you can consider when opting for Minnie. I received the folded bikini pant and the bikini brief and even though they haven’t been as popular with me, I can see a whole lot of girls and women choosing to go with their more laid-back, subtle look. The folded pant is very low-cut so take that into consideration if you are opting between the two! The bikini brief is not cut as low and features a matching red bow instead of the red fold edge. Both are real cute and match the top equally well but still, the skirted bottom wins my heart over 10-0. All of my bottoms were a UK size 10 and fitted my 39″ hips very well.

What do you think of the range darlings? Are you as smitten with it as me? Also, do you prefer a one-piece or a bikini? Let me know in the comments! If you wish to get yourself your very own Minnie bikini set or a swimsuit, you can now buy them online at Lepel’s online shop. If your size isn’t listed there, I am sure other online stores will be stocking them soon enough as well. To mention one stockist, Very.co.uk already has the range sold on their site! The one-piece (UK size 30-38 B-G) sets you back at £40, the bikini top (UK sizes 30-38 B-G) at 30£ and the bottoms ( UK sizes 8-18) £14-18 depending on the style you go for. Not too bad, huh? 😉

Review of Cleo Swim “Betty” swimsuit in 32G

It’s Sunday again and I feel like time is flying when one is having a good time! However my boyfriend has situated himself on the couch to watch motocross races so I may as well take this little time to review something for you. I am going to start today’s review with a little story. When I was choosing for the swimsuit from Panache a few weeks ago it was a massive mess and I was a bad, bad blogger. I first opted for the size 30GG which is my usual size and when choosing a style to go with the size I wanted to try the sweet Betty swimsuit in hot pink shade. However, I changed my mind swiftly and asked instead a sister size 32G. Well, after changing my size preference I noticed that also the lovely Carmen was indeed available in this size and I reaaaaally wanted to try it so I emailed Panache to ask if they could send the Carmen in 32G instead. In the end, the lovely folks at Panache sent me BOTH Betty and Carmen (a link to my review) which means two reviews for you guys! I am so grateful and was super-eager to try how these two very different styles would suit me.

The Design: Betty is a more cute Cleo style and it really stood out to me when I browsed through the new Cleo Swim collection. I love pink (duh, just look at my hair) so I thought it would be a nice shade for me and my fair skin tone. The shade of pink is indeed flattering and the white dots keep the style simple and classy. Otherwise the colour-combo is almost too cutesy but looks nice when you are feeling a bit playful. The suit also goes nicely along with the Cleo’s pink version of the new Kaftan. To add up the girliness of this suit, Cleo has added some ruffles to the neckline and the bottom part of the suit as well. I really like the ruffles but I still prefer the more clean-cut look of Carmen – it’s definitely more grown-up and beach-suitable. 

The Betty features non-padded plunge cups which is something people might prefer to achieve a better fit. However, as I guessed when opting for the suit the balconette shape of Carmen is still my go-to choice. The shape the cups give me is quite rounded which I love about Cleo styles in general and they feature only one seam that runs diagonally across the cup. Even though the upper part is very plunging it still features a center gore that’s quite high and sturdy.

The Fit: I was a bit worried about the plunge neckline since it doesn’t tend to work on my body and boobs that well. The cups were quite deep all over which made it more easy to adjust my breast into the cups and there was no overspill whatsoever. In fact, the cups were almost too deep for me and did leave some wrinkling at the apex when poorly-adjusted. When adjusting and taking the suit for swim I didn’t notice any problems anymore so I guess you should always take a swimsuit for a test-run before judging. 

Betty runs about the same way Carmen did which meant the 32G was slightly too big for me in the body part of it. I could fasten the band to the tightest set of hooks so I could have definitely tried my normal 30GG. I am used to Cleo bands running pretty tightly so I would say both of the swimsuits I tried were more true-to-size in the band. To me, this is a good thing since customers can now buy their regular size without worrying about it being too tight. 

Comfort: First of all, I didn’t expect how tricky it is actually to get a wired swimsuit on – it definitely needs some more time and effort than a regular one. The wires tend to stab me a bit in the stomach when putting on the suit but I figured out the best way to put it on painlessly; just roll the upper part of the suit either inwards or outwards before putting it on. This way the wires behave more nicely and don’t stab you too much. Otherwise the swimsuit is quite comfortable and also the halterneck straps are not as thin and flimsy as with the Carmen swimsuit. I think this style is very well suited for gals with bigger breasts than mine since it gives more support than Carmen and is deeper in the cups.

The center gore of Betty is quite sturdy and comes quite high for a plunge neckline which may be an issue for some women. I first thought it was a bit too sturdy on my sternum but when I actually went swimming, it felt fine and I couldn’t even notice it. The body part of the suit was also very comfortable and I definitely could have gotten away with an even smaller size. 

All in all I really like the Betty but my heart still belongs to Carmen, as it’s more my own personal style and keeps me looking fresh with its colour scheme. However I would still recommend Betty more if you have a fuller shape than mine and want more sturdier support when swimming. 

This style is available in a great size range of 30-38 D-H and you can find it eg at Brastop for £46. How did you like the Betty compared to Carmen? Which one is your favourite? Let me know in the comments! xx

Disclosure: This swimsuit was generously gifted by Panache for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Review of Cleo by Panache “Carmen” swimsuit in 32G

As all ya British people know, the summer is almost here in UK and that means packing our swimsuits and heading to the seaside. Not that the climate is too warm here yet but there have been some pretty excitingly sunny days to at least dream about a cool swim and a day at the beach. America is a whole another story, I have literally seen people’s lakeside pictures from their spring break and I almost can’t take it – way too exciting for someone whose homeland is still in a winter-y state. However, when Panache contacted me and asked me to review one of their new Cleo Swim styles I was totally up for it as I had been longing for a proper swimsuit for months. When grilling myself on the beach I prefer bikinis but for swimming pool use I feel like onepiece is a more appropriate choice.

After weighing my options (and changing my mind for a few times as I am the queen of hesitation) I really wanted to try the amazing new Carmen swimsuit in 32G. This swimsuit goes up to G-cup and Cleo styles usually run a bit tight in the band which is why I felt that I needed to sistersize this time. Panache also sent me one of their new creations with the swimsuit – a lovely yellow kaftan in size M. The parcel also included a plastic little bag for the swimsuit and a beach bag to along with the whole “outfit”. Here are my thoughts about the Carmen swimsuit and the kaftan…

The design: Extremely attractive! I mean whoa this thing is a total beauty for a onepiece swimsuit. I was skyping with my boyfriend in the middle of shooting the pictures and he literally told me he couldn’t have ever believed how hot a swimsuit could be. ALSO, I got hit on by a random dude at the swimming pool today when wearing this so apparently this swimsuit appeals to both men and women. The print is absolutely lovely and the colour extremely flattering. I love the pineapples which makes the onepiece look a little retro. Also the cut is very 50’s-60’s looking which I absolutely love. It’s very flattering and covers everything that needs to be covered.

I love how this swimsuit features padded balconette cups with two-part cup construction which gives me extra security with no nipples showing through and my girls supported the best way when swimming. There is a bra band built in the swimsuit which adds a bit more security and holds the breasts up better than a regular swimsuit. The cups give me a pretty rounded look, just what I expect from Cleo. I also like how good the proportions are on my body – the swimsuit is not vertically too short or show too much of my butt or chest. However the cups of the swimsuit are not too high either so they keep the look very young and a bit sexy as well.

The fit: As I sized up in the band for comfort reasons I felt like the I could have tried the 30GG after all (if it existed). However the fit was overall really nice and I would say true-to-size. I now usually wear a 30GG when it comes to bras but with a swimsuit I am happy compromise the snugness of a band to make it look less tight and overall more flattering. I am also not the shortest person I know which means I always want to make sure everything fits me length-wise as well (for reference I’m almost 5″6). 32G was definitely a good fit length-wise but when stretching out a bit while getting wet the suit could have been slight tighter on my body. However this didn’t bother me and when doing any sort of sports I wanna feel comfy and not too restricted.

The cups were a good fit, not too small or big but just the right size. The wires were exactly the right width for me which I always appreciate. Because this is a strapless balconette style with optional halterneck straps attached to it I find it really attractive but was dubious about how it would hold itself up when swimming. This was not a problem though and I felt pretty secure in the suit without the fear of my boobs falling out of the cups. However the feeling of not having “proper” thick straps made me still yank up the suit now and then but this was more due to a psychological reason – I couldn’t believe I was wearing an actually working strapless swimsuit. However I would advice Panache to add some kind of silicone strings to the inside of the cups, just for extra security (but on the other hand, I have no idea how it would work together with chloride water – maybe the silicone would wear off easily?)

Comfort: Love it! So comfy when just chilling (tested in my room while skyping with my bf) and amazing when swimming. The materials feel very soft and the fabric is stretchy enough to allow any movement. The wires don’t dig into my armpits thanks to the perfect width and length. What I would hate would be wires going too high up in my armpits which would affect my comfort while swimming; however, this swimsuit is so perfectly planned to be functional, comfortable and pretty at the same time so I don’t really have any complaints. It also doesn’t dig into my butt or hips which creates a smooth look on my body. Gotta love it! The detachable straps of the suit are very thin which could cause a bit of strain on your neck but as it’s created for D-G busts it’s not meant to carry a huge amount of weight. Also the support comes from the built-in band which is always the most crucial part of a bra or a swimsuit.

The Kaftan: So adorable. And comfy! I love the soft fabric the kaftan is made from and how you can make it accommodate your figure by tightening the waist with the strings. The colour is so cute for the summer and I like how it matches with the Carmen swimsuit. Definitely will be wearing this A LOT in the summer since it’s so easy to throw on even when going shopping or having a drink at a terrace. For me it’s a prefect length too so quite short but I can see so many girls wearing this style with leggings as well.

The size M is a bit too large for me since I usually wear a size XS-S but as I said I can definitely make it work by tightening the waist. It’s also super-flattering for someone who has a big bust – definitely not ” the expecting mum look” here at all! Actually, I am so thrilled about this kaftan I can’t stop imagining myself in my city’s docks, eating ice cream and wearing my matching yellow RayBans. Oh summer, why can’t you be here already!

Overall I think Cleo Swim has put together a really amazing new collection and I’m really impressed by the look and fit of the Carmen swimsuit. This is exactly what I want all the full-bust brands to do and I am so grateful that I had the chance to try this new style out. The best and prettiest swimsuit I’ve ever tried! What do you think about the Carmen? Let me know in the comments!

The Carmen swimsuit is available in sizes 28-38 D-G. The Kaftan is available in sizes S-L and also in a lovely pink shade. Do check out the other Cleo Swim styles as well because, hello, there’s also a LONGLINE bikini available!

Disclosure: This swimsuit was gifted by Panache for review purposes. All opinions are my own.