Brastop Review: Curvy Kate Portia & Discount Code!

I love bargain hunting but it can be difficult finding what's considered specialist bra sizes anywhere, let alone be able to buy them cheap.  We don't always have the cash to pay full retail price but when you want to update your lingerie, what's a girl to do?

If you're a bargain hunting busty girl like me you may be familiar with Brastop - the online destination for big bra bargains!  

What's really great about Brastop is that there's always so much choice in a wide range of sizes (including 28 backs!) and the prices are incredibly low.  The reason the prices are lower than elsewhere is probably because the styles are predominantly last season but that's not necessarily a bad thing.  When you're looking for a specific collection that's no longer produced or simply looking for an affordable new bra set, you really can't fault them.  But, if you just want the current looks, you can get them here too.

Check out Brastop's huge D+ range and get an exclusive 10% off!  Simply use code: 'Becky10' when requested at the checkout.  

Offer expires 2nd Aug 2013.

Brastop are pretty unashamedly cheeky and proud of their assets, so much so they offer their beautiful customers the chance to be Brastop models with their Model of the Month competition.  I bet when Freya Pibworth entered last January's competition she never thought she'd end up in a video flaunting her best bits!

This is Brastop's nod to 'Russell Howard's Good News' title sequence only with a bra and pants clad paper model instead of Russell.  I think Freya has much more fun in this video...


Brastop kindly sent me the beautiful Curvy Kate Portia in the latest season's colour, Seafoam.  The dreamy aqua green is a stunning shade for summer and the raspberry pink ribbon trim just gives it a juicy edge.  Such a gorgeous colour combo.

I wanted to try a Curvy Kate because I've not yet fully checked out the brand.  There's usually speculation about sizing and knowing just what to order, so it was helpful to review the latest design.  I ordered a 28H in the bra and size 12 bottom.  
Portia is a light weight, unpadded balcony bra with a soft handle mesh fabric embroidered with a fancy diamond pattern.  The lower two sections of the cups are double layered with the upper section a sheer panel trimmed with laced ribbon and broderie anglais.  

The set fits really well and is super comfy.  The knickers are a short and, although lower than I usually would wear, they are fantastic on the butt!  I am really quite happy wearing them.

The band is a firm fit and spot on for size.  The cups fitted beautifully with all fabric laying flat and with no gaping but I was disappointed by the strap separation.  The bra seems widely set with the straps hanging on the edge of my shoulders, which isn't desirable.
I'd tried seafoam Portia earlier in the year but didn't get to sample the 28H, instead a 30GG.  I remember actually liking the fit and feel of the 30GG but wanted to compare with the 28H, thinking the latter would be the better fit, but I'm not so sure.  It appears the cups and straps here are broader on my body, possibly an effect of the band stretching.  The bra also seems unsupporting with a flattening effect rather than lifting, like the weight of my bust is pulling the bra down (although it doesn't feel like that.)  

I've commented about the strap separation of Curvy Kates before, and I'm not convinced designs have changed to remedy the problem.  

Is it possible to find a Curvy Kate that sits further onto your shoulders?  What do you think?

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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Early Summer Sales - My Picks

We're still only in June and yet the summer sales have already started.  My inbox has become flooded with retailers online sale notices and there's some amazing deals to be had in the large cup lingerie stakes.  Lots have caught my eye so here's some of my favourite must haves!

Over at Leia Lingerie there's the sophisticated Fantasie Shannon for only £15!

Also from Leia there's this season's funky Freya Roxanne for a mere £15.50.

On Figleaves there's paintbox delight Cleo Ellie down to £17.50.

You can get the polka dot pretty Bestform Carlton from Brastop for £14.95.

Also from Brastop, the beautiful Kris Line Cesaria is available in limited sizes for £16.95.

And exclusive to Bravissimo is the gorgeous Flirty Frill bra, now £18.

So what are you waiting for?  Get filling those virtual baskets before they all go!

Becky x

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