Bra Review: Tutti Rouge Betty

When Tutti Rouge's first collection, Liliana, landed for sale back in the spring, the lingerie community was alight with anticipation to try out the hottest new bra brand on the block.  The reason behind the excitement was simple: images of gorgeous lingerie in pretty shades and wearable styles which were shared through Tutti Rouge's social channels showed a glimmer of hope that sexy and desirable designs that look like 'regular' size lingerie were indeed attainable from 28 bands and cups DD to J.  I was as silly-interested as the next full bust blogger and couldn't wait to ride the Rougette train!

When I was asked if I'd like to try the next bra installment, Betty, I was thrilled and not before long a cute 'n' diddy black box arrived at my door.  At first I was sent a 28GG which I didn't have luck getting fastened.  As a rule I only wear 28GG if the bands are stretchy, like Freya Deco for example, with 28H or 30GG my usual sizes, although admittedly I'm preferring 30GG of late, so it wasn't too surprising that 30GG Betty fit best.  With this is mind, I would say Betty does run slightly small in the band but not immensely so. 

Betty comes in DD-HH cup sizes and is such a unique design.  Styled in a half cup shape, Betty boasts lightly padded cups fabricated in a silky satin with a softly coloured poppy print.  Intricate lace trims the cups and all the way around the circumference of the band lending a modern but still feminine look.

The little details make Tutti Rouge's bras so cute; the metal strap adjuster is a heart shape as opposed to a regular rectangle and Tutti Rouge branding is embossed into either end of the back closure. 

Betty's band has just enough give in the elastic, and with the deep wings and three hook wide closure means a really good, firm structure.  The front of the straps are fashioned in a slightly stretchy satin so it looks like taut fabric but allows just a touch of movement for comfort although it does mean the straps are semi adjustable on the reverse side.  Overall I find Betty really comfy to wear.  

At first I was convinced the shape wouldn't suit me but it fits me extremely well.  The wires aren't too wide and finish where I want them to, the cups aren't too highly cut so I've got no rubbing at my underarm, and my boobs are nicely cupped so I feel secure and well supported.  The only nipping I feel is to the outer edge of the wires but then all my bras nip there, and I just need to bend the wire a little to force a bit of curve around my ribcage and then I'm fine.  Lately I've been so finicky with my lingerie, the fact I've been enjoying wearing Betty all day long proves to me that I've found a bra I'm going to be happy in for a long time.

The shorty knickers (size small) feature the same poppy print satin to the front panels, with even more frilly lace trimming, and the back is just as adorable, with it's cheeky see through mesh and peep hole beneath the elasticated waist.  I do prefer to wear my shorties deeper cut with more generosity in the hips but these are still a cute pair of low rise briefs.

Betty... endorsed by Lucy!

Have you been able to try out Tutti Rouge's growing range yet?  Or do you have your eyes on a particular collection yet to come?


Becky x

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DD+ Bra Review - Bravissimo 'Dixie' Plunge Bra

When I couldn't make Bravissimo's Boob School launch last month I was really disappointed, but I was soon cheered up with the news that I could still review a piece from the new Spring collection.

The only Bravissimo own brand bra I'd been able to try on before now was the Paradiso Plume on my recent trip to their Newcastle store, and I hadn't had a very good experience with it despite falling madly in love with it's appearance.  I wasn't sure whether the size or the balcony shape made my fit such a failure and I wondered if that was an example of how Bravissimo bras would always be like.  Being offered a style of my choice gave me the perfect opportunity to try something possibly more suited to my own bust shape, and it proved the right step forward.

Figuring that some balcony styles are a case of hit or miss, depending on where the gore finishes, I decided to opt for a plunge.  It wasn't long before I was told I had the new 'Dixie' collection in the post for me, which I requested in my normal 28H.

I hadn't realised that a hot pink bra had been missing from my lingerie drawer for a few years, and it was a refreshing sight to see how deep in pretty colour Dixie's fuschia shade was.  It's a very simple style; a scalloped self coloured lace trims the cups and little white bows spotted with pink are positioned  at the centre gore and to the fore straps.  The unpadded triple section cups are smooth and silky feeling both sides of the fabric which lends to it's comfortable sensation.

The band has a good firm tension; it's perfectly supportive and fastens with rows of triple hooks and eyes.  The straps are fully adjustable and elastic, possibly more stretchy than I feel they need be, but not particularly a problem.

The cups totally encase my boobs with absolutely no bulging or falling out, and I have a good cleavage without the cups being push-up.  There are no signs of fabric wrinkling, creasing or unfilled areas, in fact the cups are perfectly smooth and mirror my own shape.

I am really, really pleased with Dixie and totally impressed with the fit.  I'm amazed at how comfy it's been wearing Dixie for long days without any need to adjust or move wiring.  I feel Dixie is like a second skin, and dare I say it, leading ahead in my list of favourite bras.  :-)

The briefs, which I was sent in a size 12, were exactly how I like them, not too low and with good bum coverage.  The same lace and bow detailing trims the briefs, with the back of them and the front side panels being an easy to wear mesh, so they're super comfy.

Dixie is a really cute set to own - perfect if you're a pink lover, have close set boobs and suit a plunging style and want to update your lingerie with something a little more youthful and girly.

Becky x

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Review - Curvy Kate: Fit For A Princess?

I hadn't tried a Curvy Kate bra for a while, with the last design I bought being the Criss-cross, which didn't work out for me.  I've always had my eye on the brand though because there's always something new to catch your eye, whether a fresh new collection or just another yummy range of colours.

I've long wanted to give another style a go so when I saw recently that Brastop was having a January sale I decided it would be the perfect time to try Curvy Kate out again.  With quite a few collections and colour ways to choose from it took me a while to decide which bra to go for.  The only bit that had me stumped was the sizing which I'd heard was a case of trial and error.  I loved the look of Princess thanks to it's girly velvet polka dot design but having heard funny stories about the cups I decided to jump right in and order a 28HH, a cup larger than I usually wear.  This is a past season colour in wine which is just a gorgeous, deep fruity shade.

I was so excited for the delivery of my bra and thankfully it didn't take long at all: only a matter of a few days!  When I opened up the parcel I knew Princess was a beauty.  It's light and unpadded with delicate detailing and sheer mesh panels.  I couldn't wait to try it on.

The fit is both good and better than expected in certain areas, but also truly disappointing.  The 28 band was a perfect fit, tight but not silly tight.  The back fastener was a 3 way hook and eye with a deep band so really well designed for support.  I adjusted the straps to a comfortable length and didn't find the half adjustable straps a problem; the length was plenty sufficient for me.  Once my fit was sorted I was able to figure out what the bra both looked and felt like and this was where it all went to pot for me.

Curvy Kate Princess in 28HH

The first negative I recognised immediately was the breadth of the straps; they were way too far apart, so much so they were slipping right off my shoulders.  This in turn meant the cups cut too deep around my underarm allowing me no room for movement.  It was really uncomfortable.  It seemed this bra wasn't designed with slight frames or sloping shoulders in mind.

The too far apart straps and cutting in

The cups were also not agreeable.  My left boob is the bigger of the two and felt perfectly okay within the cup, but my other side was swamped with visible unfilled fabric beneath my boob and to the side.
Considering this, I would be tempted to try the 28H although I'd worry the back would be made too tight, or be inadequate for my larger boob.

The under filled right cup

I'm so gutted that Princess wasn't 'fit for a princess' in my case.  I have heard it's a tricky style to fit, so I guess I may have to live with the fact that this Curvy Kate wasn't made for me.

Have you have similar experiences with Curvy Kate and Princess in particular?  Is there a better, fail safe style from Curvy Kate?

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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Bra Review - Boux Avenue 'Brodie'

Boux Avenue are a relatively new lingerie brand to the UK market having just celebrated their first birthday.  We have very few high street lingerie retailers who sell only their own brand, and with the loss of many La Senza stores a new chain has been much needed.  Having not purchased from Boux Avenue before I've been intrigued to find out just what makes them so different.

I received a beautiful package from Boux Avenue a week ago which contained a bra and brief set called 'Brodie'.  I reviewed it first by video.  If you've not yet checked it out and fancy seeing how it looks on, please do!

The parcel itself was a branded cardboard box and contained within that one, a lovely glossy box embossed with Boux Avenue branding in corporate colours of hot pink, black and white.

I opened the box to find a stunning wrapped package of pink lace effect tissue paper with a sticker seal.  It was like a russian doll but with a gorgeous lingerie set at the end instead of a tiny russian doll baby!

Opening the tissue paper (carefully so as not to tear the exquisite paper!) I found the bra and brief enveloped between scented faux rose petals.  The packaging was luxurious and smelled divine; a treat to the eyes and nose.

I chose the Brodie from the DD+ range because it looked pretty and different to what I usually see.  The Pillar Box shade of red looked stunning and the colour is true to how you see it on the website.  It's a balconette style with three section unpadded mesh cups embroidered with a modern floral and swirly pattern.  A little gold metal trinket and bow trims the centre gore which lends to a luxury feel.

The straps are wide and fully adjustable, which I particularly like, with double hook and eye fastening.  All the rings and trims are gold and match well with the red fabric.

The brief is a full mesh coverage with a front mesh and embroidery panel in the same design as the bra. It also features the same metal trinket and bow too, so just as cute.

Boux Avenue only start from a 30" back so instead of my usual 28" back I was fitted for a 30".  I went down a cup size to compensate to a G as opposed to my usual GG.  I do however feel I would have preferred the 30GG because the centre gore did not sit flush against my chest but otherwise it was pretty comfortable to wear.  Sometimes under wires can dig in under the armpit but I didn't experience it with this one which was a relief.

I'm usually quite sensitive to itchy fabrics and I expected this material, feeling fairly rigid, to bug me but I had no problems.  The cups felt adequately encapsulating and despite the lack of padding did feel surprisingly supportive.

I wasn't too fussy about the shape it gave me though.  It didn't look very flattering looking down at myself but I thought that was just my odd perspective but it did become noticeable to me throughout the day when I'd see my reflection in shop windows.  My other half's opinion was in agreement that my silhouette did look odd and the shape had a pointy look about it.  So I wasn't too impressed with the look this bra gave me under clothing.

Looking at it as it is the bra is pretty and attractive and I do like what it looks like straight on in the mirror.  I would like to compare its appearance with the 30GG.  The briefs were cute, maybe a little lower on the tummy than I usually like to wear my knickers but they make a sexy little duo worn together with the bra.

I am eager to explore the rest of the DD+ range that Boux Avenue have to offer us bigger boobed girls so watch this space for more from this promising and gorgeous brand.

Becky x

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