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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Lissome Lingerie & Panache Bra Review

I'm always super interested to hear from new brands and lingerie retailers, especially those who pay particular attention to the needs of larger boobs.  I first came across Lissome Lingerie on Twitter during a networking hour some time ago and at the beginning of February Lissome got in touch with me.  As the online boutique only opened earlier this year I was keen to learn more about them.

When I first visit a lingerie website I head straight to the bra size page to check if my often ignored size is offered, so it was especially interesting to see Lissome being so inclusive and readily available for most women, both small and large busted.  With sizes from an A cup to a K and 28 backs starting from a D, you'll be pushed to find a size they can't offer or find for you.  

As I follow Lissome's social accounts, what became clear to me is their enthusiasm, not just to stock plenty fantastic brands and sell to women of all shapes and sizes but the aim to please and satisfy their customers.  There's a real sense of being well looked after which is a personal attribute a lot of online retailers forget about.

I was offered the chance to sample a piece from their range so I was delighted to receive a beautiful package in the post from business owner, Sarah Stephens.  Within the box en-robed with a chiffon ribbon bow I found the classical Panache Tango bra and brief set, carefully wrapped up in tissue paper.  The  bra is the balcony style which I previously struggled to fit properly with so I was keen to try it on for size.

The black Tango set is in a 28H and the briefs, size 12.

Anyone who is not familiar with the Tango collection will be surprised by how well supporting it is.  The unpadded cups are a sheer mesh embroidered with a leaf detail but don't be deceived by it's delicate and feminine appearance.  The deep band that runs beneath the three section cups offer some seriously substantial support.

What I personally like about the Tango balcony is the depth of the central gore which is high enough to properly envelope my close set boobs.  The deep band with it's three hook wide fastener adds to the reliability and sturdy nature of the band.

The briefs are fashioned in the same embroidered mesh to the front with a stretchy fabric for optimal comfort to the reverse.  There's also a little cut out detail at the back to add interest.  I personally prefer cotton or full stretch knickers to taut fabric, but they do have good bum coverage!

I'll be honest, the Tango collection isn't exactly as attractive as other styles, but it is a wearable basic.  In my opinion the Panache Tango is a classic lingerie drawer essential for a reason; it works!



What other bras would you say are your essentials?

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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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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Panache Tango - The Enigma Solved!

Last month I wrote about my recent misfortune getting Panache's best selling bra, the Tango, to fit me.  I'd tried a few different sizes and styles in the Tango and the Tango Classic, yet not managed to settle on the right size.  (Read about it here.)  I thought Tango had beaten me, but the friendly folk over at Panache came to my aid to help me finally get to the bottom of the sizing saga.

Having tried a variety of 28GG, 28H, 30GG and 30Hs in the different Tango ranges, I figured there could be one extra size to try, or rather two sizes, in two different styles.  It sounds complicated, but I can assure you I've solved it and you CAN wear the Tango like me!

Tango Plunge Bra 

Tango in the original leaf embroidery pattern is a very rigid mesh like fabric with no give in the cups.  No 28 back which I tried was happy.  The 28GG was too tight and small, the 28H wouldn't fasten but was good in the cups.  Heeding this I decided to go for the 30GG.  It's a perfect fit!!  

Wearing 30GG

Perfect fit of the 30G

You wouldn't believe how ecstatic I was when I realised it fastened and fit perfectly in the cups.  This is groundbreaking stuff for me.  I've been wanting this bra for absolutely ages and I can breathe a sigh of relief in telling you that if you usually go for 28 backs, then a 30 just may be the answer for you.  Remember to go down in the cup if you increase the back.

Tango Classic Plunge Bra

Now the Tango Classic is in essence the same bra as the leaf designed Tango but its fabric is more substantial with a glossy sheen and picot edging to the cups.  It doesn't have the almost sheer material with leaf stitching so is a smoother bra to wear under clothing.  The fabric isn't what I'd call stretchy but is very much more pliable and fluid in texture, which basically means there's a whole lot more give in how it's going to fit.

I'd previously tried 30 backs in this bra solely based on my experience with the leaf Tango in 28, so this time I thought I'd bite the bullet and go with the 28.  As this is going down to the smaller back I increased to an H cup.  The fit?  Spot on, again!

Wearing the Tango Classic 28H

Perfect fit of the Tango Classic 28H

I'm amazed that this size fit despite me thinking it should do because I'd been so dubious of the 28s full stop but I'm pleased I went with my gut.  The 28H in the Classic is my perfect fit.

So, if you're wanting to find your best size for the Tango, it's simple.  Go with your regular size for the Classic, and for the leaf Tango, increase your normal back to the next size and go down in the cup.

I'm so thankful for Panache helping me solve my Tango dilemma and now I've figured the differences out, I hope this helps you find your perfect size too (because I know how badly you've wanted it to fit too).  Happy Tangoing!

Becky x

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Plunge Bras For The Larger Bust

Plunge bras are not just for smaller busts wanting that 'hello boys' effect.  Despite larger cup bras not being the easiest to buy, there is a variety of styles out there which means you're not limited to balconettes.

As my boobs continued to develop through my twenties I ended up believing that the only style I could wear was a balconette; a design that many larger cupped bras are produced in because of their flattering silhouette and supportiveness.  Since being properly fitted I've come to know that wearing a plunge is indeed still possible for me.  In fact, as I've found out that my boobs are naturally close set, balconettes don't suit me so well and plunging bras are perfect for a bust like mine.

I love proving that big bras don't have to be frumpy and some of my current favourites are simply cute and look pretty as heck!

Check out these plunge pretties -

Ada Tattoo Plunge Bra
Freya coming soon

Wild at Heart Plunge Bra
Bravissimo

HP Koktajl
Ewa Michalak

Lucine Plunge Bra
Bravissimo

Dorothy Plunge Bra
Boux Avenue

I'm frankly quite gutted that the Dorothy bra from Boux Avenue only goes up to a G cup when some of their other lines are an H (and while I'm here the lack of 28 backs is also frustrating).  It would be nice to see them extend the more trendy looking ranges to give more choice to those of us who need a larger cup and appreciate cute designs.   I would so buy this bra if it came in a GG or H!

Becky x

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