Spring D+ Bra Hot List

It's always an exciting time for a lover of lingerie to see the new season collections.  This Spring is no exception, with some pretty and fresh designs already making their way into the shops.  Colours are vibrant, marine inspired with hints of retro throw back in the form of polka dots and tartans.  This season is all about being girly and embracing the pin up in you.

Here's some of the hottest bras I've got my eye on.

Cleo 'Marcie' in Aquamarine D-J

Freya 'Totally Tartan' B-K

Panache 'Jasmine' in Floral Print D-K

Bravissimo 'Pretty As A Pin Up' DD-K

Boux Avenue 'Jenny' in Gingham - A-DD

Ewa Michalak 'S Fresh' E-GG

Which new collection have you got your eye on this month?

Becky x

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Bra Review - Cleo Melissa

We may still be in Winter (yak!) but thankfully March is around the corner and if you look closely you'll see glimmers of spring suggestion; buds are awakening on the old season's tired trees and shoots are sprouting from beneath fading smatterings of snow.  It's so exciting to see the world blooming into life and colour once again.

You don't have to wait so long for a burst of colour though because this month Cleo released their beautiful Melissa collection.  An invigorating azure sea blue is trimmed with pillar box red mesh panelling in a pattern that looks akin to fluffy clouds, while a contemporary fruity berry print electrifies the cups and front banding.  Melissa is a set that will blow away any cobwebs!

Cleo Melissa in 28H

Cleo Melissa's 'clouds'

Cleo Melissa brief in size 12

Melissa's fabric is strong and sturdy with a slinky touch.  The comfortable fully adjustable straps are ribbed (like Cleo Marcie) which follow round to double layered wings and two way hook and eye fastening.  The band continues right round underneath the cups for extra bust support.

I was sent the Melissa set in a 28H and found it to be extremely supportive; the band is the right firmness and the cups keep my boobs separated and well encased.  Unlike my experience with Cleo Meg, the 28H Melissa balcony was a pretty good fit.  The only fit faux pas I found was a slight puckering in the mesh along the top of the cups at the point where the mesh meets the cup fabric and the upper point of the mesh was a tiny bit tight on my left boob.

The briefs are a size 12 and in a bikini style.  They're quite low fitting which isn't to my particular preference.  The back of the briefs which covers your bum is stretchy however the front is the same woven fabric as the bra cups which I found a little restrictive.  They are very cute knickers though and feature the same mesh and bow detailing.

I think Melissa is a really striking design and definitely a breath of fresh air that reminds me what there is to look forward to about spring and summer.  The fit is perky and looks fab - you should really give this one a go!

Becky x

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Bra Review - Bravissimo Paradiso Plume

Earlier this week saw the introduction of some gorgeous new bras for the early spring season at Bravissimo.  New on the block, own brand bra Paradiso Plume had me smitten the moment I saw it online.  I was tempted to place an order from the website but I decided I couldn't wait and made the trek up to Newcastle today; Eldon Garden bound to Bravissimo.

If you've not yet seen Paradiso Plume, get ready for a juicy feast for the eyes!  It's tropical jambalaya is a vibrant and intoxicating explosion of feathers in heady blooms of fuchsia and peacock blues.  This beauty looked stunning on the Bravissimo model and the lofty half cup balcony shape sold it to me.  Sadly - and I'm truly dispirited to say this - it didn't work for me in the slightest, teensiest bit.  Gutted.

I'm pretty!  Oh so pretty!

I tried on the 28H which is my most worn size.  The band fastened up fine and felt snug.  Beyond that, I just don't think this style was made for me.  Firstly, the cups were not sufficient in size; the central gore sat away from my chest bone, in fact, the whole front of the bra seemed to sit away from me.  I also had bulging over the top of my left (larger) side.  I felt as if I needed at least a HH.

Looks kinda okay... except the wide straps and cups!

See the bulging on the left cup?

The bra shape was just far too broad for me; the straps were not only ridiculously far off my shoulders but they were disappearing into my armpits!  If I increased anything this fit would be made even worse, if it could be worse.

The straps are disappearing into my armpits

I look like I'm wearing a backpack on my shoulders!

 I'm quite relieved I did come to try this bra on as opposed to ordering it on a whim as it's not a great design at all.  Now, my boobs are close set and bottom heavy, I'm thinking this bra may better suit wide set and full up top boobs.  If this is you, Paradiso Plume could look fantastic on you.  I'm just miffed it's a no-go for me.

What do you think of the style and pattern of the Paradiso Plume?  Do you think it would suit you better?  I would love to hear how you got on if you've tried it too.

Becky x

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Large Cup Bra Review - Freya Ivy

Wow, first post of the new year!  Let me take this opportunity to thank you for supporting my blog and I hope you'll stick around for 2013.  The blog changed direction slightly and picked up it's pace pretty quickly last year, so I'm keen to progress and develop further, bringing you, my friends, some cool offers and incentives.  :-)

Even though it's January now and everyone's slowly opening up shop again, I'm hanging on to Christmas by it's last glittery thread.  My beautiful tree is still here standing proudly in front of me with my very retro paper chains still very much in place (bar the odd naughty one that keeps unfastening a loop and falling down.)  It'll all have to be packed away for another 11 months come the weekend, so it'll be very sad... and completely refreshing!  The house will suddenly look bare but so much more spacious!

If you're like me, reluctant to say goodbye to Christmas yet, or you just dread the grey and slow month that is January, Freya's Ivy collection is probably worth checking out.  Boasting colour and lace in firecracker red, glowing berries against a contrasting blue and green base of ferns, Ivy is the most festive nod to the season.

At first I wasn't sure if I liked Ivy, I couldn't decide if it was too brash, too full on.  But then I realised how clever it is and how well the colours work and actually brighten your mood.  Ivy isn't a Christmas bra but delivers the same feeling of the season - vibrancy and awe.

Ivy is the same construction and fabrication of Spring/Summer's Ellie.  I loved Ellie but ended up struggling with the size which was a 30GG.  I decided to try Ivy in a 28H, as I recently found fit success with 28H Freya Gem, and it's the best size.

I really like the fit; the balcony cups feel extremely supportive and encasing, and the three set hook and eye fastening was a good decision.  The straps are like a woven criss-cross pattern than the more conventional diamond pattern, and I prefer it to the latter.  I would like to see the straps a little narrower, as I can't help but feel humungously wide straps spoil an otherwise young and modern bra.  A couple of mms less in width would be interesting.

I got a matching thong with the bra in a size S which is about a 10.  It's easy to wear in a very light fabric and the red lace runs all the way around the waist band.

Does the colour of Ivy work for you?  Do you think it's too bright and in-your-face, or is it a welcome spirit lifter at this time of the year?

Becky x

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