Ewa Michalak Reviewed - Half Cup Nina

Ewa Michalak Explained

Having heard of Polish lingerie brand Ewa Michalak on the blogging circuit for a little while I was really keen to try them out and judge for myself just how they compare to the bigger names in the game.  At first I wasn't too sure how someone not Poland based went about buying from them, because when you initially visit their website the language is set as default Polish.  However located at the top of the main page is an option to switch to English by clicking on the UK flag.

Once you're looking at the site in a language comfortable to you, the next task is to look for bras.  Something that is pretty refreshing and definitely unique to the Ewa Michalak brand is the immense range of sizes; all bras in the shop are available from cups A right up to L, from 24 to 46 backs (with some being tailor made specially for you), so fabulous news for everyone who doesn't like choice restriction based on your size.

Ewa Michalak website

You'll notice from the easy to navigate side menu that sizes are gauged as european, but UK conversions are placed along side the Ewa Michalak sizes so there's no need to worry about translating.  It is worth bearing in mind though that Ewa sizes aren't exactly like for like, as I found out for myself.  Often the bands are found to run small, and sometimes the cups.

Before you order anything you are recommended to fit yourself according to the sizing calculator found under the Sizing Help tab.  You are required to enter three figures in cm: your underbust tightly measured, your underbust loosely measured and then your overbust measurement, where you measure round the fullest part of your bust standing in a bent over position.

Ewa Michalak website - Sizing Calculator

Personally I think the calculator is very hit or miss.  The measurements I entered for myself gave me a very way out bra size result of 75DD or 34DD in UK conversion, which I just had to disregard.  It concerned me that it gave me a back of 34, when I fit a 28 or 30 back in the UK, translated as giving me a +4 fit which we all know is not the way to fit these days.  Which is why I say you should note the inconsistency with UK sizes and take this into account when finding your own size.  Judging by my usual 28GG-H I decided to go with 30GG which is a 65GG with Ewa Michalak.

Following three trials with some of Ewa Michalak's best selling bras I've come to realise that fitting myself for the brand isn't quite so simple.  This is the first of three reviews so you can see how I faired with them.

Ewa Michalak Reviewed

Having been asked which bras I would like to review, I first opted for the HP Nina, which is a gorgeous half cup.  As I mentioned earlier, I went with the 65GG (UK 30GG).

The Look and Fit


HP Nina is an ever so lightly padded black bra with silky smooth cups offset with three section dark floral ribbon trim and edged with pretty lace.  The ribbon also trims the side wings and continues up half way of the front of the straps making this part less stretchy to the back half section.  I find that the design of the ribbon in this way actually benefits the wear of the bra, making it more supportive and less bouncy.  The hook and eye fastener is 3 hooks wide with four levels of adjustment to play with.

I love the look of balconette bras but don't get on well with them, so when I saw the HP Nina looked very similarly styled but with a lower centre gore I thought I would give it a go.  It's fits perfectly for my shape and sits in the right place without nipping between my boobs.  I've not really worn a half cup before so now I know it's a good option for me.

When I first put on the HP Nina I was aware how snug the band felt; definitely a little closer than I'd usually wear.  It didn't feel overbearing so I decided to keep it on.  The cups felt a little on the small side but didn't dig in.  I wore it quiet happily throughout the day although I increasingly became aware that the cups were feeling too small.  I could feel the underwire prominently at the side of my boobs, which indicated to me that I needed more room.  When I bent over (sorting laundry for the washing machine) my boobs would raise up and try to leave the cups, creating a quadra-boob effect.

The Result

I love the look of this bra because it's quite sexy and modern looking.  You don't often see bras in this kind of design for the larger bust which is a treat.  The half cup design really does suit me being a close set boobed girl so this has opened up more options of style to me.

The downside really is the tightness of the band, and even more so, the smallness of the cups.  I feel if I increased the cup size to the H (making it a 30H) then I would have more room and it will probably reduce the tight feeling too.  So in this respect, regarding the sizing of Ewa Michalak bras, I would suggest going up in the back and up in the cup than your usual size.

Keep an eye out for more Ewa Michalak reviews to come.

Becky x

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Lingerie Love and Fanciful Photos

Young of age lingerie company, Fraulein Annie, caught my eye only recently, despite being conceived two years ago.  This week the glamorous lingerie brand released some stunning images of their Spring Summer 2013 collection to give us a teasing sneak peek.  The photos are beautiful, a style I've been cooing all over for a little while now.  Floral, feminine, romantic and dreamy; if these images are anything to go by, Fraulein Annie's A-G cup lingerie is something special.

Right now I'm adoring grown up, womanly lingerie, and even more so, beautiful lingerie combined with the great outdoors; gorgeous floral blooms, hazy sunlight, soft natural colours.  I just love images with this make up and I've been collecting photos and creating a mood board for a photo shoot like this for myself for some time.  Fraulein Annie's recent pictures have hit the nail on the head for me.

This was a photo I took of all the inspiring pieces I wanted to create my floral dream shoot with.  I did this a year ago and only now starting to work with it, adding more and more to the collection as I've gone.  My recent angel photo shoot was the start of the same concept, so I'm hoping very soon to create more and complete my pretty picture.

Currently listening to - All Angels - Into Paradise album.  A beautifully fitting collection of music for today's blog theme (and my favourite group).  :-)

Becky x

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Review - Leia Lingerie and Freya Ellie

Lingerie retailers are ten a penny but there's not many that stand out from the crowd.  Now in the midst of the UK's recession it takes a lot more to attract customers and keep them coming back.  Expert advice and excellent fitting is one way to stay ahead of the game and selling a good range of lingerie by well respected brands and at prices to suit all pockets will always get shoppers interested.  As I've recently discovered, Leia Lingerie is a lingerie store that ticks all the right boxes.

When I came across Leia online I was pretty impressed.  The website was visually clean and enticing and I found it really easy to navigate to where I wanted to be.  When I saw the wide range of bra sizes including backs from a 28 and cups up to a K cup, I knew I was in a good place.

www.Leialingerie.com

I hadn't realised that Leia is actually a high street name too, so if you're daunted by the idea of buying bras online, which can be a tricky thing to buy, you do have the option to pop by your local branch and try the bras out (and benefit from Leia's expert fitting service!)  The stores are dotted around the UK including a branch in York which is fab news for anyone living in the North of England like I do!  I will be calling into the store next time I'm in the area.

Leia sent me a gorgeous Freya Ellie set in the post which I was delighted to receive.  It's one of Freya's new season ranges that recently made it into Glamour magazine, and if it's good for Glamour it speaks volumes for Freya's trendy bras for bigger boobed girls.

Freya's official promo image

Glamour Mag Snippet (Ellie on the left)

The design and colourway is both vibrant and fresh.  The zingy lime green lace trim and bows make this bra stand out with pink accents against the white base colour.  The floral pattern looks like a mix of tropical flowers such as hibiscus while the tiny flowers remind me of elderflowers (which has inspired my thinking of making yummy elderflower cordial which is in season right now!)

Having a funny experience with Freya's 28 backs being on the tight side, I decided to go with a 30H.  Sadly it didn't fit so well but Leia were very friendly and accommodating and sent me a replacement 30GG.  I got the knickers in a size medium short which to me are a 12, fit well and super comfy.

Me wearing the Ellie Balcony Bra and Short

I'm glad I opted to go up in the back to a 30 because it's a really good fit and I know the 28 would have been very tight.  I wore it for a day and decided to try hooking onto the middle hook because I didn't want the back to feel loose.  I know this means losing one of the adjustments over time but it's not too bad.  It's comfortable and supportive so I'm happy!

The GG cups fit really well.  I was concerned at first about some puckering to the cups but after a good shuffle of the boobage I fit into the cups perfectly.  There's no gaping or empty spaces, and no bulging over the cups at all which I'm really pleased with.  I've found with my Panache bras I need a 28 with an H cup but it's looking like for Freya I'm best in a 30GG (apart from my 28H Freya Jolie for some reason.)

The vibrant Ellie

I was expecting Ellie to feel the same as Loretta from a few seasons ago but it feels different, not so silky but still a smooth fabric.  What do I love about it is its wider hook and eye fastener like my Jolie, with a 3 hook set.  It makes it feel reassuringly supportive which is essential with big boobies.

I've enjoyed wearing Ellie so far; it's comfortable and doesn't dig in anywhere and it's a fun design, allowing a cheeky zesty flash to peek out of low summer tops.

The only disadvantage would be more to do with me than the bra, as the centre gore shifts a little up onto one of my boobs but that's only because I suit plunge styles better.  (Close set boobs often don't agree with balconettes.)  Having said that, Ellie is one of the best balconettes I own.

I really, really want Freya to change some of their bras ever so slightly to fit more like a plunge.  The only true plunge bra that Freya does is the Deco (and its Ashlee and Taylor offspring) but the smallest back of a 30 doesn't fit me so great and I would actually require a 28 (just my luck!).  If Ellie was cut a little lower on the bust the fit would be spot on.

I'm really pleased I found Leia Lingerie because I now have a reliable lingerie shop that not only sells my favourite brands but is personable, helpful and accessible, whether I want to make a swift online purchase or fancy an enjoyable browse in my nearest store.  Oh and if you're a magpie for bargains like me, the outlet department is the must have destination!  Happy bra buying.  :-)

Becky x

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Queen's Jubilee Celebrations in Lingerie

There's no mistaking it, 2012 is an exciting year for the UK where festivities are already underway for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this weekend and with the Olympic torch already being relayed through the country ahead of the London 2012 games this summer.  This year is definitely the time to feel proudly patriotic, and whilst we decorate our homes and streets with bunting and flags, companies are also joining in the British spirit, including some of our most loved UK lingerie brands.

Marks and Spencer hit the road, quite literally, this month with a lingerie range to commemorate the Queen's Coronation back in 1953.  The sumptuous collection is inspired by 50s lingerie and includes more current styled pieces.

Limited Collection Vintage Satin Bra
Marks and Spencer

The vintage looking satin bra and french knickers is a stunning heritage set but sadly the bra is only for A-C cups.  There is something for the bigger boobed woman who wears a DD-GG cup and doesn't want to miss out on the Jubilee fun, and that comes in the form of a more modern designed animal print plunge bra.

Limited Collection Jubilee Animal Print Bra
Marks and Spencer

Luxury British label, Lucile, are launching a very patriotic box set of a trio of knickers.  The knickers are adorable as the box they come in, but I'm yet to establish when they will be on sale.  Hopefully very soon!

Jubilee Knicker Box,
Lucile

Huge bra brand, Gossard, have created a Jubilee offering too: their best selling Superboost style in a Union Jack (or flag as it should correctly be!) print.  It's cute, patriotic and available in up to a G cup.  You can now buy it from Figleaves.

Union Jack Superboost Bra,
Gossard

And for the pin up queen in you, What Katie Did has created a limited edition Union Flag Corset.  It's such a stunning piece in vibrant union colours and despite the initial wait for your corset to be made for you, it will be so worth the wait!

Union Flag Corset,
What Katie Did

Have you seen anything particularly lingerie commemorative for the Jubilee celebrations?

If you're a lingerie designer or retailer who has made something British and patriotic for this year, I'd love to hear from you!

Becky x

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Shoot - Summer Ethereal

Over the past week we've been treated to some gloriously tropical weather.  With temperatures soaring high in the mid twenties celcius, it's been an early Summer tease and I've been enthusiastically enjoying the sun and it's heat.  After the very cold spell we'd been braving earlier, it seemed an appropriate time to seize the opportunity of a photoshoot.  With Sean J Connolly geared up and raring to go, out we drove into the beating sun.

I'd been planning this shoot for quite a while, in many respects for well over a year.  I had all these ideas, clothing and accessories set aside ready but on the day the ideas developed and we ended up creating some beautiful imagery beyond my initial imagination.  That's the exciting part when you collide creatives together!

We drove to a beauty spot which we'd found by chance only days before; a shrubby overgrown area which was bursting with freshly bloomed blossom.  It was such a pretty unadulterated area secluded away from the busy road just yards away and it smelled divine.

We went through the motions of me wearing a few different corsets with various bits and pieces and ended up with a really striking image of me amongst the floral bushes.  I'm wearing a brilliant white underbust corset with a delicate pair of nipple pasties.  They are adorable little things in pastel hues, intricately adorned with trimmings and bows.  They are designed by a very talented pasty designer at Intimate Jewellery Designs.  I've found their pasties and tassels to be amongst the best for the expert craftsmanship.

Following Sean's wizardly touch, the image just looked even better!

Another look which turned out particularly well was the angel inspired theme.  I'd brought my giant feathery angel wings and, when paired with a simple little white dress, and a blossom halo made on the spot by Sean (he's clever like that), we produced some wowser pictures that I just adore!

We ventured onto another destination, an ancient wood in the depths of Yorkshire that required us to walk down (and back up!) the most astonishing amount of steps I've ever seen!  But it was worth it.  :-)  Beneath the tree canopy wild garlic flowers carpeted the wood floor to such a vast expanse.  The sunlight snuck through the leaves, spying in at every given opportunity, and there was an immense serene ambiance.  It felt perfectly magical, as if the most natural experience was to stumble upon an angel befallen from the heavens.

I love it when ideas and inspiration just implode and result in amazing pictures you'd be hard pressed to repeat.  :-)

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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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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