Review - Leia Lingerie Store, York & Freya

I finally went down to check out Leia Lingerie's only store in the North, right in the heart of York.  Having reviewed bras sent to me courtesy of Leia head office, I was really keen to look into the Leia experience from the consumer point of view.  After all, buying online is all very well but how does it compare to proper instore interaction where you look for professional advice, was a question I wanted to know.  Knowing here in the UK we have a serious lacking of good, reliable bra fitters in our high street shops, I was hopeful Leia would stand apart from the retailing competition.

Me going to Leia, York

Walking into the small but perfectly formed store was like stepping into a perfectly organised ladies room.  The walls boasted lit viewing displays of bras whilst on racks hung the prettiest of bras in various sizes.  There was much to take in with the eye; the shop was modern with good lighting, clean and presentable.  The atmosphere felt cheerful and yet calm.

It was easy to approach the ladies and I spoke to Angela who immediately offered me her time for a fitting session.  I was taken to a good sized fitting room where Angela asked me if I would like her to leave the room while I undress my top half and I expressed I was happy with her staying with me.  With a swift measure of my chest and no hint of the foisty Plus Four technique, my 28 back was confirmed.  As I was originally wearing a 28GG bra Angela nipped out and brought back a bra in a 28GG and 28H to compare the fit between the two.  I was encouraged to 'lift and scoop' myself into the cups throughout the fitting session which was sound advice, whilst Angela adjusted the back straps for me.  Preferring the fit and the way the centre gore sat between my boobs on the latter size, Angela drew to the conclusion that the H encased me much better.

Asking if there were any particular brands I like to wear and any colour preferences, Angela selected a small range of Freya bras with 28 backs, bringing some GGs just in case.

The first bra, which was actually the bra Angela fitted me in, was the newly released Freya Gem.  Having only seen Gem in the catalogue, at which point I'd decided I liked the design, I'd also assumed the form of the fabric and the design.  How mistaken I was, as when Angela brought the bra in, I said "ooh which is that one?", thinking it was a totally new bra I didn't know about.  I loved Gem instantly! The fabric is so beautiful and light; what is actually intricate lace I thought was a print.  I'd also previously believed there was a light pink colour beneath the cups but I was wrong again.  The only pink on black Gem is the three little bows.

I would liken the style and fit of Gem very closely to Jolie, one of Freya's best selling lines.  It's extremely similar in the construction of the cups, centre gore and wings.  This likeness isn't a bad thing.  It was really comfy and I felt the difference between the GG and H as the H was much closer to my chest at the centre gore.  I had slight unfilled area in one cup which is only due to my boob.  My larger side was much happier in the roomier cup.  (I did try the Gem in the blue colourway too but I totally forgot to take a photo, so sorry!)

Wearing the 28H Gem

I tried a black Freya Jolie for fit next.  I do have the Jolie myself in white and in a 28GG.  I always thought it fit really well, that was until I tried it in the 28H!  The difference again was noticeable when I put it on.  The extra room for my larger side was appreciated and it just felt perfect.  The base design is almost identical to the Gem but the fabric, although thin and unpadded again, is made from a different lace.  It's also not sheer in the way Gem is, so the ideal lace bra if you prefer the more opaque look.

Wearing the 28H Jolie

 Eyeing up the lovely bras hanging, waiting to be tried on, I realised there would not be much point trying the GGs out.  Oh how gutted I am, butterfly print Martha :-(

There was also tattoo floral print Ada but it must have been a GG and not in stock in the H as I didn't get to try that one on.  Oh, and biscotti colour Carys, which, well, I didn't like enough to try on...

But, I did try on the brand, spanking new to AW12 Ivy in the very festively vibrant design of fern like leaves and spots which resemble berries in hot 'firecracker' red and teal green.  I love colour and Ivy really does deliver in that respect.  It felt very much like summer's Ellie, the same slinky fabric and the way the lace panel edges the tops of the cups.  Ivy in 28H felt a lot better than the 30GG Ellie I tried, so at least I know it's not that the shape and style didn't suit me.  Ivy felt and looked fabulous so I'd recommend you try her out!

Wearing the 28H Ivy

After much deliberation I decided to go with Gem!  As much as I liked Ivy too I knew I had to follow my heart as Gem did something for me the minute I laid eyes on her.  I wouldn't normally go for a thong, usually a brief or short, but Gem brazilian thong is a beauty; honestly, the back is so detailed and intricate I couldn't not take her home too.  So I got the matching thong in a medium, which is basically a 12.

I just want to thank the ladies in the York Leia store for being so brilliant and on the ball, especially my very friendly and efficient fitter, Angela.  If you've not gone for a fitting yet or even had a nosey around the store, I fully recommend their service!

What do you think of Gem?  Would you have gone with another style?

Becky x

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Bra Review - Freya Patsy

Thanks to Lingerie Heaven, this week I received Freya's new AW12 Patsy balcony bra in the black and gold colourway.  Last season saw the first Patsy when it was released in the lime green and as much as I was really attracted to the design I didn't get around to trying the bra out.  So I'm extremely thankful and excited to have this opportunity to see Patsy for real!

Front of Patsy

Back of Patsy

I tried Patsy on literally the moment after it arrived.  Before even putting the bra on I could tell it was a beauty; a polka dot pretty fit for a 50s pin up.  Although wholly mesh fabricated, it's not totally sheer, and really rather a demure, classy yet modern design.  If you're soft for vintage inspired looks Patsy will  be right up your street.  The gold spots and detailing works well against the black base.  I love the centre bows!

I know I've been lacking in the video production department, to be honest I'm not the most verbally eloquent of people and find it much easier speaking by the written word, but I was so keen to share my thoughts on this one and felt the best way of conveying such would be by recording it.  Hopefully you'll get what I'm trying to address and see that I'm just a mad bra obsessive with some helpful bits of info.  Let me know what you think of the vid!

Anyway, I was sent the 28GG which is pretty much my 'usual' bra size if ever I had just one.  I was pleased to find that the band fitted perfectly, it felt firm but not too tight.  The cups felt comfortable.  If Patsy made an H cup I may have tried it to see if it gave me slightly more room as especially on one side there was a slight bulging.  It didn't come to anything during the day's wear though so I'm not hugely concerned about it.   Often I find under wires dig in under my arms but I didn't particularly experience any discomfort during the day wearing the bra.  I would rather the centre gore fitted either a bit higher but preferably lower like a plunge as my boobs don't allow much space for the middle of a bra.  A major downer which limits what styles I can wear.

Now, the straps on this one are possibly their downfall.  I do prefer, on the whole, straps that are fully adjustable and stretchy all around but these are the first straps I've seen with so much stretch.  They are super stretchy and I can pull them away from my shoulders a mile off, and that's with the adjustment already made.  I didn't want to adjust the straps too much for fear of subjecting my shoulders to angry red marks, or worse, snapping the straps!  So with the adjusters almost to the tops of my shoulders, I felt the support was fairly okay but still allowed an immense amount of bounce.  Not very good for the ample bosom.

The second issue, admittedly not as crucial to the bra's support design but still possibly bothersome, is that the shape isn't exactly rounded but gives a fairly pointed silhouette.  I much prefer a round curvature of my bust line as opposed to triangles, but I guess considering the retro look of Patsy, it shouldn't be surprising that the pointy effect is also very 50s!

I'm not planning on running a half marathon (unless you include whipping round the shopping centre before the parking meter runs out, in which case I should probably opt for the Freya Active), and I can most likely live with a less than round boob shape.  If it's all about aesthetics - and this bra most certainly is a cute little minx - and good band support, then Patsy with her golden glints is sure to pick you up this Autumn.

Freya Patsy is available to buy right now in the plunge and half cup at Lingerie Heaven for only £26.50.

I would love to know what you think of Patsy and her fit.  Have you tried it yourself or been tempted by other gorgeous Autumn bras?

Becky x

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Ewa Michalak Reviewed - Half Cup Nina

Ewa Michalak Explained

Having heard of Polish lingerie brand Ewa Michalak on the blogging circuit for a little while I was really keen to try them out and judge for myself just how they compare to the bigger names in the game.  At first I wasn't too sure how someone not Poland based went about buying from them, because when you initially visit their website the language is set as default Polish.  However located at the top of the main page is an option to switch to English by clicking on the UK flag.

Once you're looking at the site in a language comfortable to you, the next task is to look for bras.  Something that is pretty refreshing and definitely unique to the Ewa Michalak brand is the immense range of sizes; all bras in the shop are available from cups A right up to L, from 24 to 46 backs (with some being tailor made specially for you), so fabulous news for everyone who doesn't like choice restriction based on your size.

Ewa Michalak website

You'll notice from the easy to navigate side menu that sizes are gauged as european, but UK conversions are placed along side the Ewa Michalak sizes so there's no need to worry about translating.  It is worth bearing in mind though that Ewa sizes aren't exactly like for like, as I found out for myself.  Often the bands are found to run small, and sometimes the cups.

Before you order anything you are recommended to fit yourself according to the sizing calculator found under the Sizing Help tab.  You are required to enter three figures in cm: your underbust tightly measured, your underbust loosely measured and then your overbust measurement, where you measure round the fullest part of your bust standing in a bent over position.

Ewa Michalak website - Sizing Calculator

Personally I think the calculator is very hit or miss.  The measurements I entered for myself gave me a very way out bra size result of 75DD or 34DD in UK conversion, which I just had to disregard.  It concerned me that it gave me a back of 34, when I fit a 28 or 30 back in the UK, translated as giving me a +4 fit which we all know is not the way to fit these days.  Which is why I say you should note the inconsistency with UK sizes and take this into account when finding your own size.  Judging by my usual 28GG-H I decided to go with 30GG which is a 65GG with Ewa Michalak.

Following three trials with some of Ewa Michalak's best selling bras I've come to realise that fitting myself for the brand isn't quite so simple.  This is the first of three reviews so you can see how I faired with them.

Ewa Michalak Reviewed

Having been asked which bras I would like to review, I first opted for the HP Nina, which is a gorgeous half cup.  As I mentioned earlier, I went with the 65GG (UK 30GG).

The Look and Fit


HP Nina is an ever so lightly padded black bra with silky smooth cups offset with three section dark floral ribbon trim and edged with pretty lace.  The ribbon also trims the side wings and continues up half way of the front of the straps making this part less stretchy to the back half section.  I find that the design of the ribbon in this way actually benefits the wear of the bra, making it more supportive and less bouncy.  The hook and eye fastener is 3 hooks wide with four levels of adjustment to play with.

I love the look of balconette bras but don't get on well with them, so when I saw the HP Nina looked very similarly styled but with a lower centre gore I thought I would give it a go.  It's fits perfectly for my shape and sits in the right place without nipping between my boobs.  I've not really worn a half cup before so now I know it's a good option for me.

When I first put on the HP Nina I was aware how snug the band felt; definitely a little closer than I'd usually wear.  It didn't feel overbearing so I decided to keep it on.  The cups felt a little on the small side but didn't dig in.  I wore it quiet happily throughout the day although I increasingly became aware that the cups were feeling too small.  I could feel the underwire prominently at the side of my boobs, which indicated to me that I needed more room.  When I bent over (sorting laundry for the washing machine) my boobs would raise up and try to leave the cups, creating a quadra-boob effect.

The Result

I love the look of this bra because it's quite sexy and modern looking.  You don't often see bras in this kind of design for the larger bust which is a treat.  The half cup design really does suit me being a close set boobed girl so this has opened up more options of style to me.

The downside really is the tightness of the band, and even more so, the smallness of the cups.  I feel if I increased the cup size to the H (making it a 30H) then I would have more room and it will probably reduce the tight feeling too.  So in this respect, regarding the sizing of Ewa Michalak bras, I would suggest going up in the back and up in the cup than your usual size.

Keep an eye out for more Ewa Michalak reviews to come.

Becky x

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