What IS Curvy?

"You're not curvy, you're fat!"

"You're too skinny to be curvy!"

Curves.  We love them.  We hate them.  Gok Wan really loves them.  And often, we get curves all wrong.  The thing about curves is that they're not size specific, yet time and time again the term is misused and abused to mock the bigger figure and defeminise the thin.  And while we debate the true meaning, we miss the real point that curves or not, we are what we've got.

Growing up, it was a regular reality that I was bullied for this, that and the other.  I was often picked on for my slim frame; my skinny legs, undeveloped chest and titchy waist, and 'anorexic' was a common name for me.  Fast forward a few years and I have the figure I thought would never come to fruition.  I'm not exactly skinny anymore but these days I have boobs, hips and a bum; a shapely hour glass figure I would call curvy.  But I'm not the only type of curvy.  Think Boux Avenue's plus size hotty, Robyn Lawley who is a size 16.  Kelly Brook is another curvy kitten wearing a size 8-10.  Both are curvy yet classified differently.  A size 16 is typically vilified where a size 10 isn't.  What's going on?

Robyn Lawley for Boux Avenue

There's an article in the Daily Mail Online about the proliferation of the plus size market.  It opens with a discussion about celebrities who have been labeled as curvy, and when asked about the idea that model Daisy Lowe is curvy, from some, there's laughter.  Again, when voluptuous Kim Kardashian is the next questionable curvy figure,  "no one thinks she is anything other than miniscule".  Why is it laughable that these two women couldn't possibly be curvy?  When did size decide whether a figure has curves?

Kim Kardashian

Today another blogger friend has been dealing with body bullying on her own blog.  Despite her blog being there to help all women, size unbiased, she has been hit with a vicious barrage of vile hate speak, criticizing her feminine figure and larger bust.  People like this think it is okay to tread on others when seen as inferior.  This coming from a size 6 woman who thinks anyone a size 8-10 would look like 'a whale in her social circles'.

No size is superior.  Our bodies, whatever the number, are ours to be proud of and we all have the right to express our happiness in our own skin.  It means not to poke fun at what may be the opposite that you are.  It means to make all women feel good about themselves, even if we're not as meaty or skinny as we desire.  It doesn't mean that being bigger you have the authority to officially label someone else's body, as it isn't acceptable for a thin person to make someone feel like crap.

This viral image created an onslaught of complaints,
proving it isn't about 'skinny or fat'.

Curves aren't exclusive of the larger woman, and not all larger women can lay claim to being curvy, as any other body shape and size can and can't.  But what's most important - if we could even forget the term curvy exists - is we're all women, practically non of us are 100% body confident and we should support each other, not pigeon hole and point.

Becky x

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Swimwear Special!

We're in the middle of summer and if you've not yet noticed, it's holiday time!  Whether you're going away overseas for your annual break or enjoying a stay-cation, chances are you'll be hitting a beach or pool for the ultimate in relaxation.  If your trusty bathing suit is looking a little worse for wear it's high time to invest in new swimwear that not only looks fashionable but flattering for your curves.

Shopping for bigger boobs is never a simple task, and buying adequately fitting bikini tops and costumes that cater for a fuller bust is no exception.  However, there's much more choice on the fuller cup market these days and I wanted to take a look at the beach offerings from some of our favourite brands.

Freya has long been a favourite for fashion forward lingerie but did you know they do fabulously sexy swimwear too?  Knowing that their bras are consistently well fitting, I just had to try one of their bikinis!

This month Freya released the hotly anticipated cute Kansas collection.  With it's retro bluebell blue and white gingham and delightful frills, Kansas exudes vintage glamour, channeling the sophisticated 50s style whilst looking fresh and modern.  Freya sent me a Halter Bikini Top in a 28GG,  Rio Bikini Brief and Classic Brief, both in Small.

Freya Kansas Halter Top and Rio Brief

Freya Kansas Classic Brief

Me wearing Freya Kansas

How cute are the frills?!

Plunging necklines suit a closer bust like mine very well, but they're great for anyone wanting sexy uplift and cleavage.  I notice that my bikini top looks more like a half plunge, possibly with it being a larger cup.  My 28GG at first felt a good fit, the back for sure was spot on and comfortable.  I was actually surprised the 28 did fit, as I expected it to be tight like some 28 back Freya bras can be for me.   As I wore the top I felt I could possibly have done with an H cup.  The top wanted to open up and push apart (I realised at one point one nipple was trying to escape!), as if it couldn't contain my boobs so I wasn't greatly supported.  An H cup could rectify the fact the cups weren't cut as high as I'd prefer.

A good plunge but the fabric's pulling down with my boobs

The briefs were on the small size as I'd usually go for a medium, but they did still fit and look good.  The frilly Rio brief is adorable; perfect for a flirty, sexy look on the beach.  They're a really flattering cut too, which sits low on the hip.  For slightly more coverage the Classic brief comes up a little higher on the tummy, but both bottoms are comfortable on the bum!

Seaspray is a brand I've only recently been acquainted with and I've been taken by their feminine swim range.  Sizes are broadly accessible with cup choices in some suits up to an F.

My favourite piece is definitely the turquoise Polka Dots Skirted Suit, another 50s retro classic with a sleek modern look.  It's a brilliantly versatile cross over swimsuit with an adjustable ruching skirt.

My size 12 suit is a really comfy fit and the fabric is so silky and easy to wear.  The cups are generic sizing so wasn't a proper fit in the boob department.  Unfortunately I had to move the bust line up a little to make sure I was covered.  So, it's not the best suit if you've got bigger boobs but I do think it's fab for a beautifully cut suit that accentuates and loves curves!

The Skirted Suit... as a swim suit...

The Skirted Suit... as a beach dress!

Do you have a favourite style of bikini or swimsuit that you find particularly flattering for a curvy figure?  What are your thoughts on this year's trends and the revival of retro cuts?

I'll be reviewing some more bikinis and swimsuits, so watch this space!

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I Love Corsets!

I started my Becky's Boudoir blog because of my modelling and the desire to share my work and inspirations.  One of my favourite styles is boudoir, the whole deliciously feminine ethos with beautiful settings, accessories and lingerie.  What I love to wear most is corsets and I hadn't realised how little I'd spoken of my soft spot for these divine pieces of industrial strength sexiness.  So here's a post dedicated to the wonderful corset.

I've accumulated quite a collection of corsets, all varying in colour, fashion and purpose.  One of my most cherished corsets is actually one I've not had the chance of wearing for a shoot yet, so hopefully that day isn't too far in the distant future.

So, my favourite is a stunning raw silk yellow corset by Diva Corsets.  They make fashion corsets - not what you'd call 'proper' corsets, by which I mean ones that recall the corset's first purpose, to nip a figure in at the waist by 'waist training' - but corsets beautifully crafted all the same.  I don't believe they are steel boned (mine isn't) but they are far weightier than cheaper corsets you can pick up online and you can tell Diva corsets are far superior than these imitations.  The form of my corset is really well made.

The colour is stunning, like a marigold yellow verging on gold.  The fabric has a gorgeous shimmery sheen, with the nature of the raw silk fibres adding a textured dimension.  It fastens with 14 hook and eyes, which isn't my preferred method (a busk fits and looks much better) but does the job effectively.

To the reverse is the lacing with a ribbon through eyelets.  I am considering changing the ribbon to a stronger cord and lacing it up so it meets in the centre, more like how you'd properly wear a corset.

So this is what it looks like when I wear it.  (Forgive me for my grotty hair and make up, I'm afraid to say this is me on a normal day, lol.)  You can see that despite it not being of a steel bone structure, it still gives a fabulous hour glass shape.  (Well, I'm already hour glass figured but this would give ANYONE a curvy figure!)

I bought this in a size small, and to be honest it is pretty titchy.  I probably would have been better off with a medium because the lacing at the back was pretty much to the max.  It will look a lot better laced up with some better cord.  Having said that, it still makes my boobs look really good, and for a GG bust to be fitted into a small corset, I'm pretty amazed at that statistic!

What I love about corsets in general is that they are so flattering for the female form, especially if you buy a good one.  They skim the tummy and show off your cleavage amazingly, and I pretty much enjoy feeling the femme fatale.

Becky x

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