Moda Lingerie Preview: Best of Lepel, Charnos & Lepel London

Hiya everyone! My trip to Paris is drawing close and I would still like to preview a few collections before we move on to AW17. Today I am bringing you some of my favourites from Lepel, which is an all time favourite for small- and full-busted gals on a student budget.

LEPEL

Soooo, I’m trying this pic collage thing out, don’t judge me! I just thought it may be a more compact way of showing my favourites. If you want to see the designs in more detail, I think you just need to click on the individual pic on the collage.

This year’s Lepel core collection wasn’t one of their biggest, but they revamped a couple of their basic styles with new colour combinations and introduced two new styles, Poppy (obviously the one with the Poppy print) and Maisy (the lacy one with a raspberry tone). Interestingly, the Poppy looks very similar to something we already know – the Tutti Rouge first edition Betty, which was exactly in the same print as this one, with a slightly different colour scheme. I am not saying this is a copy, but I do think this is not a very original design from Lepel, which is a bit disappointing. However, I do like the print still and it will be a nice option for young gals on a budget who want to have the same look as with the TR Betty, but can’t find it in the Poppy print anymore.

The Maisy on the other hand is a rather beautiful little number and reminds me a lot of the Charnos collection. The Lepel team told us that the collections are and will be more linked to each other from now on and this is clearly visible when looking at the whole collection range.

The styles that got revised yet again were the Lilly (in the sparrow print) and Fiore, which have been winners in the market for a long time. I am pretty excited for the Fiore bodysuit myself and will be happy to tell you that it will go up to G-cup! All of the styles pictured above will be available in a size range of 30-38 B-G, with some of them including A-cups in band sizes 32-36. I think this is pretty impressive for a such an affordable brand and do keep in mind that their cups run a bit on the larger side usually! The Lepel team is continuing their trend of two-toned Fiore, which I love, and I am excited to see what they have come up for autumn – teal and purple, perhaps?

LEPEL SWIM

“Sailor” and Aloha, sizes 30-38 B-G

“Flower Power” bikini and swimsuit, “Tropics” swimsuit and bikini & “Deckchair” bikini

When Lepel core collection seems to shrink a bit year by year, Lepel Swim is alive, growing and well. They must be doing something right as their swimwear collection is and has always been one of the biggest and the prettiest I have seen on the market during the past four years! There is something for almost every taste – pretty florals, sporty mesh and net materials, stripy pinup styles.

My personal favourites from the collection were the stripy Sailor (which comes in a swimsuit, moulded triagle bikini going up to G-cup and a regular wired balconette bikini) and the rather classic yet a bit exotic Tropics, which is the black style with colourful tropical flowers on it. The best part of Lepel Swim collection is that it too is very size-inclusive and offers multiple bikini top and bottom options within one style. As you can see, the Tropics comes in a padded bikini and a swimsuit, both going up to G-cup.

Regarding sizes, the Lepel Swim collection has been generous towards us full-busted gals – most of their styles come in UK cup sizes and up to G-cup, with the exception of three styles going up to H-cup this time! This is fantastic news and a good start for the brand to start adding more sizes to their collection. H-cups will be available eg in the Flower Power print seen above and made in a non-padded halter-style wired bikini top.

LEPEL LONDON

“Charlie” black bodysuit and wired bra set; “Bea” triangle bra set; “Sophia” bodysuits in blue, red and ivory; “Caitlyn” triangle bra set; “Tamara” in Ivory

Lepel London was such a tease, as always, as they only carry cup sizes with some of their styles and when the products are cup-sized, they only go up to UK D- or F-cup. Every season I wait for a size expansion and it never really comes! Maybe this time? If it happens, I will be the first to report you!

The one style that I still love is the Tamara, which goes up to F-cup but this season, the clear winner of the show was the Charlie, pictured at the very top. This combo of a bodysuit and bra set (only going up to D-cup though…) is absolutely breath-taking and I love the corset lacing detail at the back. It’s such a beautiful shape so I hope you small-busted girls will snatch it up and I can live vigorously through you…

The bodysuits in general are aesthetically the strength of the Lepel London collection as they look pretty luxe but are still quite affordable. The one weakness this collection may have is the size range though – and I am not even talking about cup sizes. Most of Lepel London pieces are made in UK sizes 6-14 which is US 2-10, and in my opinion, they are ruling out many plus size customers with this decision. I would increase the sizing up to 18, which is only two sizes bigger, and I think it would still make a huge difference.

CHARNOS

Bailey Bridal set (32-38 B-G); Sienna in Ivory/Gold (30-38 B-J); Suzette in Rose (30-38 B-J),Olivia in Black (30-38 B-E); Violet in Ivory (32-40 C-J)

Nothing super new on the Charnos front; the Charnos collection seems to be mainly about recolouring their old favourites such as Rosy, Violet and Suzette and the colour scheme stays rather muted and light. The Violet is once again one of my favourites, as it is the perfect everyday bra for girls who need G+ sizes and bigger bands. I also really like the new bridal set as it seems like a more rounded option than Charnos’ previous strapless styles. The one stand-out selling point of this range is the size range – there is only two styles that don’t go up to J-cup, which is phenomenal taking into consideration that Charnos started with only a couple of G+ styles a few seasons ago.

All in all, I really like the SS17 Lepel collection family, though I wish they would concentrate more on unifying the size ranges across all of their collections. The bodysuits seem to be on trend now so I am really looking forward to seeing their new collections and whether there will be more in bigger cup sizes available in the future.

Hope you enjoyed this preview and are excited see what’s up with the Paris show in just two weeks! I will try to post stuff straight from the show so do follow me on Facebook and Instagram at @2cakesonaplate to see the gems of the show!

The Ultimate Lingerie Tradeshow Guide – What to Know about Visiting Tradeshows?

For a while now I have been thinking of putting up my own guide for visiting tradeshows – mainly as a blogger but if you are interested in visiting one as a guest too, there might be some interesting points in this post for you. Or, perhaps you just want an insight to what it is like to be a lingerie blogger visiting tradeshows! In my post I will be telling you about the two tradeshows I have visited so far, Moda in Birmigham and SIL in Paris – and telling you the tips and tricks of visiting your favourite brands and making connections with them. Let’s get on with it then! *Disclosure: this post was inspired by an old post created for the Bosom Bloggers (an online bra blogger group I am still part of) site, which has since gone down and is no longer available on the internet. However, these are merely my opinions and views on the tradeshow experience and thus this post is by no means a copy of the original Bosom Bloggers’ tradeshow post*

Tip # 1: Meet other bloggers, if possible – I started visiting lingerie tradeshows, mostly Moda in Birmingham NEC centre, in February 2014. I was living in UK as an exchange student and thought I had the perfect opportunity to go and see my fave brands exhibiting and after all, it was only a few hours in a train or even a bus from Liverpool to Brum. The first time I visited I was completely alone, a little bit hesitant and intimidated by the big brands but luckily, got to meet a couple of other bloggers as well, Becky and Cheryl from Invest in Your Chest. I had always admired these girls and was ecstatic to meet them in flesh finally! They also gave me the confidence boost to talk to brands without hesitation and they acted as a safety blanket when I talked to other industry professionals (such as editors of Lingerie Insight!) and just browsed the show.

After that one time I was hooked and wanted to come back for another round of beautiful lingerie, and yet again, I was looking for a partner in crime – but also a place to stay at. To be honest, I am usually poor as fuck and I cannot afford any fancy hotels which usually leads me to booking a cheap hostel or asking a friend for a couch. This is how I met the lovely Anna from Bras and Body Image! We belonged to the same bra blogger Facebook group and I noticed that she was studying in Birmingham University – so it suddenly occurred to me that if I was cheeky enough, I could probably ask if she would accommodate me for a couple of night. Well, the lovely person that Anna is, she agreed to the deal and since then we have seen each other every six months over fabulous lingerie, huge cocktails and delicious pub food. Anna is a true friend and who knew we would like all the same things: pinup dresses, Disney (we went to Disneyland together last January!), Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, food and wine.

Bitches slaying it in Paris! We cute. 

Tip # 2: If you are a blogger, register for a press pass (in time!) – This is vitally important if you want to have the advantages of sitting in the front row of the runway, taking pics at the show and using the press lounge. The rules and advantages that come with the press pass differ from show to show, but it is very common that you won’t be able to take photographs without the press pass. If you have a blog, you are automatically entitled to register as press, you just need to have an active website for it and a reason to visit the show (eg previewing the collections and taking pics for blog posts). The press pass is free of charge, but if you don’t have a publication nor a lingerie business, you will have to register as a visitor which costs a bit. However, if you are a true lingerie/fashion enthusiast, it is not a big amount to pay and it truly is a great experience.

As said, registering as press has its own advantages – sometimes it’s the way people treat you with the pass (champagne and strawberries!), but there is also usually a free press lounge to use during your visit. What the press lounge includes is a whole different matter though as that differs from show to show; personally, I prefer the Moda press lounge as it is more quiet but also filled with tiny snacks, Cadbury’s chocolate and free wine. There is nothing like a pre-show nibble and a taste of cheap wine! At the SIL show however, there were only a few mini croissants and orange juice, which were still a nice extra when looking for a quick snack. There were also fancy computers ready to be used if you wanted to blog on-site – but personally I wouldn’t suggest that if you want to see the whole show in less than three days.

The way people treat you as press depends entirely on the brand though – some see press as some sort of royals who need extra attention, some treat them as parasites who try to spread their designs for bigger brands to steal (which is absolutely not true, stop being paranoid!). Every now and then (usually the French brands) deny us from photographing the collections but the worst is the chilly behaviour towards bloggers – so to save you from too much regret, don’t even bother to try and get an appointment with those brands. They simply don’t deserve your time.

Tip # 3: Make a plan and set up appointments with the biggest brands – It’s super important to know which brands you want to see and which you may want to see if you have extra time. At the beginning of the show there will be people handing out floor plans and brand guides, which are handy when you are trying to figure out an order to go by and see the brands you like. However, I would suggest browsing through the tradeshow website long before the show and trying to make a list of interesting brands before you actually enter the exhibition halls. This way you can save time and even make appointments in time for the show.

Email the biggest brands at least (eg Panache, Lepel and Gossard) and try to set up a meeting so you will be sure to talk to the brand reps about the collections. Many brands are super busy and with a big collection you will need time from half an hour to a full hour to review the whole collection and take pics of the models. Try to plan the meetings at a convenient time too, so not too early in the morning (if your train is late) or too close to the runway shows, so you can make it to them as well. Sitting at the front row of the runway is seriously rad even in a small show, so I strongly suggest you won’t miss that experience!

Tip # 4: Dress to impress, be polite and show real interest – Giving a good first impression is always important. I know in the first Bosom Bloggers blog post about tradeshows the writer says not to worry about your outfit as the exhibitors are far more interested in impressing the buyer, but I need to disagree here. Your outfit is something that catches the eye and also the exhibitors’ attention, so I wouldn’t overlook that. Two pinup girls browsing around the show is a far more interesting sight than two casual press members dressed in jeans and t-shirts! However, don’t gamble on your comfort too much – the tradeshow days are long and sweaty so don’t wear anything too thick or long-sleeved even in the winter as the exhibition halls get pretty warm throughout the day. Also, invest in comfy yet nice-looking shoes that will go with any outfit. You will be walking, A LOT.

In addition to looking sharp, I need to address something that may be obvious to some: shake people’s hands firmly, make eye contact and smile. Don’t spare your kind words on the collections! I don’t mean you need to be all brown-nosed and suck up to people, but if you really like something, say it out loud. It makes a good impression and will make people remember you as a nice blogger, not someone who is stuck up and just wants free stuff. However, if someone tells you to straight up write about their brand, you are definitely allowed to suggest a product review so that both of  you win. You don’t owe free blog coverage to anyone!

Tip # 5: Load your camera batteries in time and have spare SD cards – This is something that Anna forgets at times, haha! But seriously, you need to have a full battery and a BIIIIG SD card for your camera as there will be pics galore even after just one day. On average, I take around 700 pics at the show in one single day, which is a lot. The catwalk show alone takes a huge slot in my SD card as I take multiple pics of each “outfit” and want to make sure the models look nice in the pics. Also be aware of you camera settings; the lighting in the tradeshow halls may not be the best and you may want to use manual settings because of that. I just learned to use mine, so I hope to take better pics next time!

Take too many pics rather than too few – you will regret not photographing that one set when you get back home! Also remember to take selfies and pics of other fun stuff so you will have some memories from the show other than just pretty undies.

Tip # 6: Take notes – This is my vice – I never remember to take a notebook and then I forget important stuff I should have written in my blog posts. This is something I will correct this time and I will be sure to take a notebook and pen with me to save all the important little details for you, my dear readers! Anna always takes notes and thus she comes up with more detailed Moda posts than mine when I concentrate purely on “ooh isn’t this pretty” sorts of things, haha! What is most important is to write down any new changes with the styles or new innovations the brands has come up with, so your readers will know what to expect from the upcoming season.

Tip # 7: Hand business cards out like a mad man – First of all, get yourself a big pile of business cards that represent you and your blog the best. I still have business cards from autumn 2014 but they are pretty and do the job well. This is first and foremost a way for people to remember you – so design a card of your own with a pic/logo that can instantly be attached to you. I personally have a pinup-y pic of me with a subtle bra peek somewhere in there, but not a full-on lingerie pic as that would be too much for my taste at least. I hand them out to everyone new I meet at the tradeshow and sometimes to old friends as well, just as a reminder. They have been pretty effective so far – just remember to put your blog address and contact details on it so you can be found easily! Also, don’t forget to take part in all the post-show shenanigans, as those are great places to spread the word too in an atmosphere that is not too official (plus, MORE FREE WINE).

Tip # 8: Remember to email some of the brands after the show – So you have seen the show, enjoyed the champagne and strawberries, and you camera SD is full of great pics of your favourite ensembles. Don’t leave it that way and just post about the collections randomly. I would suggest emailing some of your favourite brands and thanking them for seeing you and showing you through the collection. They will appreciate it and thus be in touch with you when the time comes – perhaps they remember you raving about a certain set and will send it your way. Who knows! Keeping in touch with the brands is a crucial part of being a blogger and after they have put a face on your blog, it is so much easier to keep the conversation going.

Have you been to a lingerie tradeshow before? How did you like it? If not, are you planning to attend one sometime in the future? The next shows are happening on July 31st- August 2nd at CurveNY (New York), August 15th- 17th at CurveNV (Las Vegas) and August 7th-9th at Moda UK (Birmingham). If you are intrigued, please take the plunge and browse the show – you won’t regret it!

SIL Tradeshow: Panache Favourites for AW16

I love Panache – they have been such a corner stone when building my bradrobe for these past five years and I have affectionate feelings for their Cleo non-padded balconettes (one of them which I reviewed a few days back, check it out here!). The Panache stand is also one of the highlights of my tradeshow visits as it is a huge collection which needs a lot attention. Usually, I tend to post each Panache sub-label as its own post but this time, I decided to share my very favourites from each range. If you are interested to see the whole collection, please head over to Bra and Body Image as she has it all covered! However, let’s jump into my favourites, as I would love to share some true gems with you.

PANACHE (main brand)

Top to bottom: Jasmine in Orchid + Rose Prints (up to K-cup), Elise in Praline (up to G), Ava in Pearl Grey (up to H), Thea in Black Floral (up to K), Clara in Heather + Slate/Teal (up to J)

Panache main line is quite well-known for its habbit of pushing out new prints and colourways of its original styles – with a few completely new additions, of course. I haven’t been too keen on the Jasmine prints since the very first navy/ floral print but now I think Panache has come up with something a bit more feminine and soft than the past animal and geometric prints – I am still a sucker for romance and for that taste, the new Jasmine prints cater very well for. My absolute favourite has to be the Orchid print as I love photo-realistic florals and the dark colourway of it which go perfectly well together for the AW16 season.You can also see the two fashion colours for this AW season with these prints – blue is still continuing to win the colour trend game and burgundy is now making its way to the full bust world along with other brownish red shades.

One of the new styles that kinda stole my heart was the Ava. I have been falling in love with grey lingerie over the past six months or so and I am so happy to see it as an option alongside of black and navy. Grey suits fair skin tones so well and looks lovely with ginger hair (hehe, biased much) and I am quite convinced the Ava’s non-padded plunge shape would be perfect as my bradrobe staple. The styling of it is nothing overtly vavavoom but I like its basic prettiness that speaks to the “Sunday-in-bed” side of me. Unsurprisingly I loved the Heather colourway of the Clara as well, as it’s such a gorgeous hue of grey-ish blue and with the pairing of yellow-ish cream the set is like straight out of Marie Antoinette’s wardrobe.

CLEO BY PANACHE

Top to bottom: The Breeze Longline in Geo Floral (up to H-cup), Hettie in Black/Pink (up to J), Kali in Black/Pink (up to J), Skye in Magenta/Lime (up to J), Marcie in Tangerine (up to J), Piper in Cobalt (up to J) and Della in Floral Print (up to J)

Cleo is the queen of bright and clashing colours and we were not disappointed this time either. I do feel that Cleo could almost go a bit more crazy with its design – I would love to see some more innovative prints which Cleo is so well-known for! The best designs within the Cleo range in my opinion are its boldest ones – the new floral printed Della (go and buy this bra now, it’s amazing!) and the new Piper longline. I adore the electric cobalt blue shade of the Piper and it combines perfectly an amazing fit and gorgeous looks while still remaining young and fresh. If I would have to pick just one set from the whole Panache AW16 offering, Piper would most definitely be it!

With Cleo collection, instead of teal and burgundy the Cleo collection features delicious magenta and brighter blue tones. As a pop of colour, we can see some tangerine and lime contrasts which are super appropriate for the early autumn season. How cute is that pumpkin shade Marcie? Again, the Breeze longline remains a favourite to me personally as it is still such a cute style with a great graphic autumn floral print.

PANACHE BLACK, SPORT & SCULPTRESSE

Top to bottom: Panache Black “Ardour” ja “Etta” (both up G-cup), Panache Non-Wired Sports Bra in Blue Marl (up to H), Sports Bra in Neon Pixel Print (up to J) & Sculptresse “Chi Chi” in Lace Print (up to HH)

The Panache Black, previous Masquerade range, is a rather small sub-label for Panache but for me, it’s one of their most interesting ranges. The size range is a bit smaller as well, which is a shame as these styles are truly stunning – for example, the new Etta design features a striking see-through stripe detail which I am a big fan of. Another favourite from the Black AW16 range is the basic Ardour style – it’s a grey t-shirt bra that would be an amazing option to some people who usually buy beige or black bras for their everyday bradrobe.

My favourite from the different options for the infamous Panache Sports bra was the Blue Marl as it something totally different than Panache has done before. The inspiration for this non-wired version of the classic sports bra came from the British Olympic team colours – what would be more appropriate for a British full-bust brand that makes an award-winning sports bra? What caught my eye from the Sculptresse collection was one of its original styles Chi Chi in this new Lace Print which reminds me of Snow White. This style will also be available in a dark brown Cappucino shade which will be an excellent nude shade for some women of colour!

How did you like the new Panache AW16 collection? Are you feeling the colours and prints? Let me know in the comments! xx

SIL Tradeshow: Gossard AW16 Collection

When I entered the full bust blogging world, one of my goals was to become more familiar with Gossard and perhaps, even work with them in the future. I adored their styles and wanted to dip my toes into the waters of this cult lingerie brand, as it was something even my mom’s generation knew well. Fast forward to today and I am now closely working with Gossard and regard them as one of my top 3 favourite brands to wear. I was so excited to see what they had come up with for autumn 2016 – and again, I was certainly not disappointed! Let’s dive into the collection.

Lacy basics, top to bottom: Superboost Lace Bralette in Purple (up to E-cup), Superboost Lace in Blue (up to G) & Gypsy Plunge in Teal (up to G)

What I really love about Gossard is that they come up with new prints and innovations each season regardless of being an old and trusted lingerie company and having such a strong status in the lingerie industry – this brand is not sticking only with its basic core styles but experimenting constantly with new styles to improve their offering. This season, Gossard comes out with a new updated version of the Gypsy in a plunge style which goes up to G-cup – a dream come true to plunge fans! I am also enjoying the bright teal colour which is a beautiful jewel tone trend colour for this AW16 season.

Painted florals, top to bottom: China Blue Teddy + Bra Set & Japanese Rose (both up to G)

The China Blue and Japanese Rose were probably my two favourite ranges from the autumn collection. True, they are both padded t-shirt bras which are not actually the most practical bras for myself (I don’t like adding extra bulk to my bust) but the prints are so gorgeous I don’t even mind the padding that much. Both of these collection features bra and panty sets but also beautiful lounge and sleepwear such as teddies, cami sets, slips and kimonos. I am so glad these collection have such a vast array of products, so even if you cannot fit into the Gossard G-cups, you have the chance to slip into a beautiful floral printed kimono.

Revamped classics, top to bottom: Glossies in Blue + Very Berry, Glamour Lace Sweetheart Plunge Bra in Red/Nude (all up to G)

The Glamour Lace in Red/Blush comes both in the Gossard innovation, the wireless plunge bra, but also a sweetheart plunge that now goes up to G-cup. This style used to go up to E-cup only but Gossard has been gracious enough to extend some of their size ranges and it makes this 32G Gossard girl very happy. I probably won’t be opting for this style per se as it is a padded bra that is kind of too basic for my taste but I can definitely see some 18-20 yo girls enjoying this as an option that is sexy and young but has a nice size range of A-G.

Gossard V.I.P.ranges, top to bottom: Ornate Embroidery in Eclipse (up to E) & Olympia bra set (up to G), bralette (up to E) and body (UK 8-16)

This season will bring two new VIP ranges to the Gossard collection – these designs are more exquisite and feature beautiful laces and more luxe materials which also bring the price point up a notch. Personally, this is usually my favourite kind of Gossard lingerie and I love how the ranges feature gorgeous co-ordinates such as waspies , suspenders and bodies. This time the colour theme seems to be teal and dark blue which I am glad about as I personally prefer blue hues to the basic sexy black. Unfortunately, my favourite piece from this range, the Olympia bralette, only goes up to E-sup. However, I am sure my guest blogger Jo would be thrilled to try it and I can live vigorously through her 😉

What are your faves from this collection? Are you inspired by the oriental floral prints? Let me know in the comments below! xx

SIL Tradeshow: Lepel, Charnos & Lepel London AW16 Collections

When I am visiting tradeshows, there are always a few must-see brands that me and Anna are set our minds to visit first. Tradeshows can be intimidatingly big and thus you need to make a game plan about what your priority brands are and to mention a few, our list consists of the big full-bust names such as Panache, Gossard, Tutti Rouge, Curvy Kate and Lepel. Lepel is one of my favourite stands to see not only because of the gorgeous lingerie but also the warm welcome we get each time. This time we were greeted by the lovely Peter who showed us through all of the LF Intimates collections – Lepel, Charnos and the new-comer Lepel London.

LEPEL

Hues of pink and blue, top to bottom: Fiore (up to G-cup) in Fuchsia/Brilliant Blue, Roxy in Blue Multiprint (up to G-cup with the longline and F-cup with the plunge) & Victoria in Deep Purple/Brilliant Blue (up to F-cup with the plunge and G-cup with the balconette)

I was so excited to see Lepel doing more pink this season – I know it’s a rather cliched lingerie colour but to be honest, I haven’t really seen it done over the past few seasons and there is a Barbie inside of me screaming for some pink! With the Lepel collection the bright jewel-tone pink or Fucshia was combined to another jewel, that is the Brilliant Blue. I became an instant fan of this colour combo, almost as much as with the pink-orange trend combo for this SS16 season. The blue is a vibrant shade that brings out the fuchsia in a lovely way and I love how playful it looks in a floral print. I know florals are “in” almost every season but I think this AW16 season brings them to another level – my personal favourite from the Lepel collection was the Roxy, which I can’t wait to try in the longline version pictured above!

Cute basics, top to bottom: Daisy in Black/Fuchsia (up to G), Lyla Push-up in Black (up to E) & Lilly in Leopard print (up to G)

Lepel seems to be doing quite a lot of plunge bras this season which is something I always personally vouch for – I wear a lot of low necklines which require a plunge bra, and preferable a non-padded one. Their basic Lyla range (which will be reviewed on 2COP next week!) gains a new member from a plunge push-up bra that will accompany the range of t-shirt balconettes. This style will only go up to E-cup but is a great addition to their basic collection. The new plunge Lyla will be available in basic colours of beige, white and black. Also the Lilly gets a revamp with another exciting young print – an orange/pink leopard print. This is one of my favourite prints with this range so far as I’m starting to warm up to animal prints for the first time in my life.

CHARNOS

Sultry berry-tones, top to bottom: Violet in Raspberry & Sienna in Deep Purple (both up to J-cup)

The Charnos collection goes this time more luxe with some beautiful European-style lace and sultry colours such as purple, fuchsia and gold. I love how they have differentiated the range from Lepel with a more grown-up aesthetics but still not in a boring way. The Charnos range has improved looks-wise tremendously in my opinion and there are definitely some styles that I am really looking forward to trying on myself! I am also super happy that they cater up to J-cup and offer some stretch-lace options such as the Violet (pictured above) which are crucial to women with A-symmetry.

Luxurious materials, top to bottom: Bailey in Ivory (up to G), Bridgette Full-Cup (up to J) and chemise in Black/Gold & Suzette in Black (up to J)

My personal favourites from the whole Charnos collection were the new bridal colour of Bailey and the Black/Gold Bridgette range. I am so happy to see Charnos making a bridal version of their new Bailey bra as I really love the plunge shape and and the gorgeous styling with the little tassel on the front. This style will also be available in a strapless style and is an affordable option for any bride out there. I am sure that I would consider this style as my very own choice for the big day, if it fits me well 😉 The Bridgette on the other hand is a lovely non-padded full-cup which is accompanied by the chic chemise that sports the same luxurious lace and gold underlay as the bra set. I am sure this colourway will be a hit for Christmas and make it to my personal wishlist as well!

LEPEL LONDON

Top to bottom (all up to D-cup unless otherwise specified): Paloma in Pink, Sophia body & bralette in Black (UK 6-14), Tamara Velvet (up to F), Tamara (up to F), Chelsea Geo body & bralette set in Black and Sky Blue/Blush (UK 6-14)

From all of the three collections, I was most excited to see the Lepel London range grow. This is a collection designed specifically for Asos and their target market is young fashion-forward women who want cute and edgy lingerie at affordable prices. The average price of a bra for Lepel London is about £20 so definitely something a student could invest in! This season the brand is branching out to F-cups with their Tamara and Tamara Velvet styles, which is a big improvement to last season. I am still waiting for my G-cups impatiently but I am sure they will become reality someday soon. In meantime, I am determined to get my hands on that Sophia body, as it does have my name on it 😉

How do you like the LF-Intimates offering for AW16 season? Any favourites? Let me know in the comments below! I would also love to hear would you wear Lepel London if it came in your size! Our opinions matter as it tells the brands that these designs are coveted in bigger cup sizes as well.

SIL Tradeshow -Parfait AW16 Collection Preview

Parfait is one of those brands that are really famous for one bra – that is the Charlotte. Most of us have bought it at some point of our lives and love the bra as a great bradrobe staple. It is a wonderful ensemble with a unique design and great shape, but I also feel that the rest of the Parfait collection seems to stay in the darkness and not many of my regular online shopping platforms offer some of the other lovely Parfait styles. I hope this AW16 season will be a different story as it is one of the strongest collections Parfait has come out with. Even while being small, the AW16 range offers a variety of lovely lace pieces but also practical basics. Let’s dive into it!

Charlotte in Bronze, Casey in Ruby Wine & Estelle in Merlot

This new AW16 was definitely a great step towards more inclusive DD+ lingerie industry and thus a season for “nude” lingerie for women of colour. As compared to this spring season we are already seeing lots more variety with the “nude” colour palette and Parfait is a great example of it – they didn’t come up with just one, but three styles that will be a great match for dark chocolate toned skin.

The first one of the styles featured above is the good old Charlotte. This style already comes in a dusty rose colour which is great match for my skin for example, but now Parfait has created another lovely basic colour for their signature bra style. Also another classic, Casey (sizes 30-40 D-G), comes in a warm, almost red-ish dark brown colour with the lovely smooth surface to go under the thinnest of t-shirts. If you are looking for a more sexy style though, I would go for the Estelle which is my personal favourite from this whole collection – it’s a lacy, almost Marie Antoinette-like version of the Charlotte and I really like its more feminine look as compared to Charlotte’s fashion forward and edgy design.

Estelle in Black, Aline in Black and Nude

Estelle and Aline are the two new styles for Parfait that come out around July/August in 2016. With the Estelle being a total queen of the collection, the Aline is a new more basic style that comes in both Black and Nude and a classic pinstripe pattern. The design is bandless, which means there is no band fabric at the lower part of the centre gore and the wires make a U-shape on one’s ribcage. I am not a fan of basic t-shirt bras but I know there is a market for them – my mom for example would really enjoy the nude version of Aline.

Destiny in Nightshadow Blue, Marianne in Cobalt Blue

Blue is still going strong as an alternative for black and purple. I am also very much fancying the grey-ish blue tones that seem to also be making their way into basic colours this SS16 season. The new colour of the Destiny bra set would be beautiful on any redhead like myself – it also sports some luxurious satin and lace, which makes the set look far more expensive than it actually is. Both of the sets above come in 30-40 D-G. I am really hoping that at some point Parfait will expand their size range with some of their other styles in addition to Charlotte – I think that would make a lot of ladies super happy!

How do you feel about the new Parfait autumn collection? Do you like the dark brown options? Let me know in the comments below! xx

Moda Lingerie & Swim Show: Gossard SS16 Collection

As I have worked with Gossard from the very first time I visited Moda, I have always been keen to see their stuff at the stand – their team is absolutely fantastic and even though Gossard is one of the busiest brands at the show, they always manage to make time for us bloggers as well. This time we were greeted by the lovely rep of the brand right when we arrived at the stand and she was happy to talk us through the collection. Here are the new beauties that are up for grabs next spring – enjoy!

Reds, pinks and oranges… We are in for a treat next spring! Top to bottom: Super Boost Lace, Glossies, Gypsy Basque, Amour & Animal Instinct (All up to E, except for the Glossies which goes up to G-cup!)

We have already talked about the yummy pinks and oranges for next spring but as each and every collection does these colour trends in their own unique way, I was thrilled to see Gossard hopping on the juicy bandwagon. I am especially smitten for the Glossies’ orange hue, even though the shape and look of the range is not really my thing per se. The orange goes on in a more sophisticated way to the new VIP range beauty, Amour, which reflects the trend of pinks and orange-y tones together. This time however, the orange is more of a tomato red, deep shade which makes the combo all the more spicy.

When it comes to Gossard news this season, the brand has included a separate Gossard Everyday Collection in their selection, to feature well-known Gossard shapes in more simplistic everyday styles and a accordingly-planned price range. The Everyday range has been designed with a perhaps younger customer in mind, to offer cute and sexy styles for those who need something quick and easy to make their basic bradrobe complete.

The new meaning of BB – Black & Beige! Top to bottom: Super Boost Lace Bralette, Super Smooth Glamour Lace & Luscious

Even though we love bright colours here at 2COP, there is nothing like a good beige or a black bra that suits every style and occasion. This is why I was thrilled to see some lovely basic-coloured options for this upcoming spring season. The biggest new-comer seems to be the  Super Smooth Glamour Lace which is a new take on the Gossard basic style, Super Smooth. As the style launched a few seasons ago, I was thrilled to see what it had in store for the future and here we can see the fruits of the Gossard design team’s ongoing brainstorming: the new Glamour Lace range consists of the regular Super Smooth wireless bra in addition to a nifty multiway and sweetheart plunge options. This is definitely the party girl in the Super Smooth family and takes the design up a notch, to make the range a bit more nighttime appropriate.

The other two glamorous yet basic options for next spring are the Super Boost Lace Bralette (up to E) and beige satin-y little number called Luscious (up to G). I was particularly excited about the Super Boost Lace Bralette as I love how it hooks at the front and looks cozy yet luxurious at the same time. The design is very sexy too and I really wished this would have come in bigger sizes as well. However, the Luscious ain’t a bad option either and I am happy to see Gossard make lovely plunge options for us fuller-busted gals as well – something they do with a great success!

  
Frosty Florals, top to bottom: VIP Lustful, Dotty & Lacey, Entice, Harmony bra set & Harmony Cami + French Knickers

I looove florals and even though they are nothing new to spring collections, I love how they are done in a more winter garden kinda way this time. The combination of pale icy blue and vibrant purple seems like a very unique one for the SS16 season and the ombre effect these colours create on the Lustful set totally steals my heart and crushes it by only going to up to the infamous E-cup. However, I shall not be left grieving for a long time as Gossard has created a couple of lust-worthy florals for us full-busted gals as well – I am absolutely smitten with both Entice and Harmony which both would be fit for a Disney princess (as I see it myself, Entice for Anna and Harmony for Elsa, haha!).

When it comes to shapes, the whole Gossard collection is full of their fabulous plunge bras this time and I am happy to see them around more up to G-cup. What does bother me though is again the lack of G-cup options in a variety of shapes and styles – for example, I would have loved a good nonpadded balconette which seems not to be on Gossard’s radar this upcoming season. However, if you are on a lookout for amazing prints and killer cleavage, Gossard is your girl!

The new collection will be launched as soon as November and each month after that will bring us a new drop of G-goodies. What would you pick if you could have something regardless of size? Let me know in the comments! xx

Moda Lingerie Show: Cleo, Sculptresse & Sport by Panache AW15 Collections

When Panache is a great staple for anyone entering the full-bust world, there are plenty of different choices inside the brand for different tastes and sizes. Today I am going to talk about the Panache sub-labels Cleo, Sport and Sculptresse which all have a very distinct look to them. Let’s start with Cleo which is probably one of your favourite brands as well – this sub-label caters to young Panache customers with quirky prints and cute colours. The sizes with Cleo go up to J-cup and some styles start now from B-cup

CLEO BY PANACHE     

Breeze (C-H cups), Mimi (C-H cups), Kali (D-J cups), Kali Babydoll (D-J cups), Marcie in Burgundy & Nude (B-J cups), Minnie (B-J cups) and Lottie (D-J cups).

Prints have always been Cleo’s strength and they didn’t disappoint me this season either. The shades were a bit darker than with spring season (obviously) but I did like the way they were used and combined to brighter colours, like with the new Lottie balconette. The Aztec print was quite different, and got big thumbs up especially from my fellow blogger Anna from Bras and Body Image. When it comes to prints though I like a more subtle look, so the cutesy Navy/Yellow Minnie was definitely a winner for me! I also really liked the splash of yellow which seems to be my ultimate favourite colour at the moment (ok who am I kidding, it’s my fave colour EVERY spring).

Even though subtle and playful prints are more my things, I found myself falling in love particularly with the Breeze longline which comes in a colour-clashing floral print. A piece someone like Rihanna would quite possibly wear! Also, I am a sucker for longlines, so what can you do. I am always up for one in my size! The Marcies and Kalis were again absolutely adorable and I love how Cleo keeps making the Kali in such bright neons season after season. The tangerine orange is a great shade but I do have to admit that the babydoll is soooo cute I could not choose either one over another – have to have them both in my drawers!

PANACHE SPORT  

Panache Sport Non-Wired in Grey and Wired in Coral and Pink

Well now is time for the one of the biggest announcements I will make on blog this spring! The Panache Sport Wired will go up to J-cup starting from next autumn! I am so proud of Panache for taking the feedback and making this happen as it has been highly requested by their customers. However, the only band sizes with J-cups will be 32 and 34, so they are starting slowly but surely with the bigger cups. The 28 and 30 backs will still be going up to H which is a shame but the 36 band will go up HH. I so hope this will make some of your lives a lot easier and that Panache will start adding biggers sizes to their smallest band sizes as well, when the demand gets higher and the bigger cups start to sell! The new shades of coral and pink are super cute and and will add a dash of colour to your autumn workouts.

SCULPTRESSE BY PANACHE
Chi Chi (D-HH cups), Charisse (D-J cups), Bunny (D-H cups), Flirtini (D-H cups + 34) & Kitty (D-HH cups)

When it comes to the Panache Sculptresse line I’m always a bit jealous. I mean, I can’t have all those pretty bras because dang they don’t come in my size. The Sculptresse line has so far been a range from 36 bands and up but luckily Panache has decided to add some 34 bands as well (still not helpful to me but ya can’t have it all!) with the Flirtini and Kitty styles, pictured above. I so hope that these band sizes will do good as well and Sculptresse will make some more 34 backs in the future!

When it comes to styling, I am a sucker for this flirty and girly range that is kind of sister label to Cleo more than the regular Panache range. Sculptresse range plays with the same vivid colours and interesting prints but to be honest, I like it’s out-of-box perspective even more than Cleo’s. This might be due to the mermaid vibes this collection sports alongside the regular Panache range – the teals, petrols, stars and scallops are my thing and will win my heart over anytime. If I needed to pick a favourite, the Charisse would be a lovely number to see in my size as well. All of the news styles, Bunny, Charisse and Kitty were nice additions to the original collection though and any of them would have a place in my bradrobe!

How did you like the new Panache sub-label collections – any favourites? I would love to know! Also, if you have any particular questions about sizes or anything else, do let me know in the comments. Note that these styles were not all Panache will be offering next season, as there will be some basic styles on offer as well 😉

Moda SS15 Lingerie & Swimwear Preview: Panache & Panache Swim

I think one of the most awaited previews had definitely been the Panache collection for SS15. As the collection is huge, including all the sub-labels Cleo, Cleo Swim, Panache Swim, Panache Sport, Panache Black (previously known as Masquerade) and Sculptresse. This time, I will be previewing Panache and Panache Swim collections so if you are interested in the other lines as well, stay tuned this week!

Panache or Panache Superbra as it was previously called, offers a range of classics for grown-up women with a larger bust. I am more of a Cleo girl myself but Panache has always something sexy to offer when I’m not feeling super girly and don’t want to look like a colour explosion. This season there were a lot of old styles revised to fit into the SS15 season, but also a couple of new styles which blended in well with the rest of the collection as being sophisticated and mature.

      
Top to bottom: Idina, Clara, Andorra, Fern, Jasmine Floral, Jasmine Dogtooth, Envy, Hepburn & Rhapsody

Panache is great for those wanting more coverage as they offer a lot of options for everyday and occasion wear when it comes to their classic balconette style, such as Tango, Dahlia or Jasmine. The first style pictured above is their classic Idina moulded t-shirt bra that comes with a beautiful lace overlay, very appropriate for so many occasions. The style is quite covering but still manages to look sexy. The Idina comes in this classic beige/black colourway but alsoin a seasonal colourway of pink/lilac. Sadly, I do not have a pic of this beauty but I would say it’s a rather fashionable younger version of the Idina.

The Clara is another sexy yet covering style to spice up your lingerie wardrobe. This beauty comes in a range of colours for SS15, including Charcoal/Black (pictured above), Sherbet and Nude. This range of colours offers everyone a chance to pick something they like – I myself love the sexy Charcoal but also really dig the sweet pink-ish Sherbet shade. The style is quite mature but always manages to stay sexy and sultry. If sexy is not your thing, the same shape can be found with Panache “Andorra”, a full-cup with a cheery lemon shade for SS15 and a pretty lace adorning the bra.

The Fern and Jasmine are favourites among so many women and suits a range of breast shapes. I own a pair of full-on-top breasts meaning Jasmine has been a true life-saviour, especially with some a-symmetry that is easily accommodated by the stretch lace on the top part of the cups. This season there are two lovely colourways/prints available of Jasmine and I am so tempted to try them both. However, as the Dogtooth feels a little older to me as a 20-something young woman, I would probably go for the lovely new pink floral print. The Fern features a floral print too, as it has done along the past seasons but this time the print feels very young and fresh with its purple tones and small dots mixed with some roses.

When it comes to colours, it seems like Panache has definitely fell for pastels this season. I am not a huge fan of pastels, as they remind me of my childhood and the golden 90’s, but overall, the prints and the shades look pretty fresh to me. I love yellow-y tones of Tango and Andorra, but I also like the pink and peachy shades of Olivia and Rhapsody (pictured last). White is not my thing at all, but I can guess it will be a hit with the rather new Envy style that has already become a best-seller in such a short period of time.

    
Top to bottom: Britt, Veronica, Eadie & Savannah

I loooooved this season’s Panache Swim as it was full of retro lovelies and some pretty awesome tropical flowers. The absolute gem of the collection was the lovely Britt, including a range of different tops and bottom and a swimsuit to create your very own perfect vintage poolside style. My favourite was the gorgeous swimsuit but as I already have two Cleo onepieces, I will probably opt for the bikini when this range hits the stores. The halter bikini top looks super cute but even though the high-waisted bottoms are fabulous, the fold pant is a very flattering style for us with a little less wait-definition.

Other retro-ish pieces were the Veronica swimsuit and the Eadie collection. These two had a more 70’s kind-of look to them which I can see suiting many styles and shapes. The Veronica also comes with a balconette bikini option which looks cute and also covering-enough for someone who doesn’t want to have it all on show. The Eadie is a more grown-up nautical collection featuring a lovely lacy overlay that looks really cool and sophisticated in person. The collection features a simple balconette bikini, a bandeau, a swim skirt and also a chic kaftan dress. This line is part of the Panache “Made in Sheffield” range that is manufactured in Sheffield, a great pro for those looking for locally produced lingerie and swimwear.

Another “Made in Sheffield” line is the floral print Savannah, including a balconette bikini, a swimsuit and a lovely sarong. The look is quite mature yet fun and trendy so I definitely love this collection and its unique photo print. The swimsuit features massive flowers on the sides of the suit, to create a more slimmer look and a simplistic yet bold feel to the piece. The bikini is on the younger side of the range as it features smaller floral photo print and a more high-street fashion look to it.

So these were my favourites of the collection! Did you see something you like? Anything you look forward to? Leave me a comment below, I would love to hear your thoughts! 🙂 xx

Moda Exhibition – Preview of Lepel AW14 collection

There were so many brands that I really liked at Curve but the jewels of the whole show are the ones that surprise me somehow – either with their new style, size range or improved fit. When I visited the Lepel stand I was just blown away by how this brand has renewed itself bringing new lovely colours and bold new aesthetics to the collection, which of course included some their best-sellers as well. I had the loveliest chat with the people of Lepel and they were incredibly nice about me wanting to have a good look at the collection. I felt very comfortable and welcomed when browsing around the stand which is always a good sign about a brand – you can instantly see how people working for the brand love what they do and really want to spread the love to bloggers, buyers and consumers alike. 

 

Matilda in Lipstick Red and Iris in Purple Passion

I see Lepel as a very feminine glamorous brand which has always suited many tastes by being classic yet sexy in its own way. This season I was glad to see them taking a step towards more fashion-conscious direction which is a great twist to their otherwise sultry look. I was delighted to see some of the hottest shades of autumn amongst the best-seller lines and also some new styles they had come up with for the new season. One of my favourites was definitely the lovely Matilda which is a gorgeous young style for girls like me who want a bit of in-your-face red mixed with bold almost geometric lace and a neutral undertone. Another style that got me ooh-ing was their continuity line Iris which had been transformed into a sexy magenta shade, lovely trend colour of the season. I would love to see this style going up to G-cups, so there’s a hint for you Lepel!

I know right, we are seeing A LOT of purples, pinks and reds this season, but what can you do? They certainly look hot! The sets above are from the Lepel’s bestselling Fiore-line which features many cup-constructions and colours in each collection. I have heard blogger friends calling the line one of their favourites and also as one of “the most comfortable bra they have ever tried on”. It has worked well for so many women and as I used to be a regular customer of our local lingerie boutique (sorry girls, I will visit you when I get back from here, pinky-promise!) I often heard the owners speaking fondly of the Fiore as one of their best-sellers as well. Can’t really argue the evidence, huh?

AW14 adaptions in Fuchsia and Bluebell are a really nice addition to the Fiore line and I was especially stunned by the bold shade of Fuchsia which is one of my all-time favourite colours, like, since forever (yap, since pre-school me and fuchsia were inseparable). It was stunning on a semi-bronzed skin as you can see but I could see this colour working for paler skin tones as well, as it’s a such a great shade of pink. What is also great about this bra set is the size range; no matter which style you choce – balconette, plunge or full-cup – they all go up to G-cup! Besides that Lepel runs a bit large in cup and quite tight on the band so even GG’s are practically included in the size range (I know this of experience). 

 

The thing I love about AW14 collection is how they always manage to invent black again making it even sexier – or on the other hand sweeter – collection after collection. I loved the LBB’s (aka little black bras) of Lepel AW14 collection since black was seen in so many different styles and shapes. Alexandra (pictured above) was such a girly and yet sexy twist of a classic black bra and boy, the new style Lara was a jackpot. I can’t express how gutted I am for not having picture of it – don’t know what struck me cause obviously I was not in my right mind when photographing the collection (too much lingerie makes me go crazy, apparently). Anyways, you guys. That set is AMAZING. I know I’m a horrible teaser but I just have to do with describing it – a deep plunge bra with subtle white flower embroidery and touch of mesh and pink. And the set includes a suspender belt – BANG! I can’t even believe how much I lust for this set even though I almost never wear black. That’s how pretty it is.

Lepel collection is already a great success to me and I can’t wait to get trying the new designs when they are released. Lepel has managed to put together a very versatile yet cohesive collection of basics, little sexy numbers and something in between for girls and women alike looking for styles suitable for both everyday and night. I would love to see them continuing to make styles like this in the future as well and maybe someday branching to bigger cupsizes to delight women with G+ bust as well.

What was your favourite from the Lepel AW14 collection? Let me know in the comments!