Figleaves Lulu Tout Fleur Rose 34G & Briefs

As I mentioned in my last Figleaves Carmen review, I love the styles that are coming out of Figleaves' house brands lately. This set is made under the label Lulu Tout which are "French-inspired styles up to a H cup". Fleur Rose is exactly the kind of romantic, unique and affordable design that I gravitate towards. Sadly, it didn't quite work for me for reasons I'll outline below.

Available in 30-38 DD-H at $40 (Briefs: $27)

Looks:
I am an absolute sucker for florals and navy blue. I love the sheer layer that is wrapped in a soft peachy fabric embroidered with navy roses. The quality of the details is really quite lovely on Fleur Rose, especially for the price. The hardware is a pretty copper color, and there's a sweet keyhole detail in the gore. All of these factors should result in a bra I'd love and cherish but (spoilers) it fell flat in the fit.

So pretty in theory...

Fit:
This bra is a very similar to fit to Carmen. The band runs true to size and it's small in the cup with narrow wires. I did not attempt to size up though, because the shape is wholly incompatible with my breasts. It is very shallow and in particular has very little immediate projection along with a single vertical seam. This funnels my breast tissue up to the apex where it creates a very unattractive triangular shape. (Similar to my experience with Pour Moi? Treasure, actually).

Sad-shallow-triangle shape

I actually think that I may have been able to fudge the fit on this one though if--if!--that beautiful rose top-layer had been attached. This is a common complaint with Figleaves' bras (one that was also an issue for me with Carmen). With the way my breasts settle into the cups it makes the design lift away for a very awkward effect. I think if you are shallower this might work, but it's a luck of the draw how that fabric lies against the skin, sadly.

Those roses are making a run for it

Comfort:
Despite my fit issues, I actually found this bra to be fairly comfortable. The fabric is soft and the sheer mesh is fairly forgiving. While the narrow/short aspect of the wires do poke me a bit, it was something I was considering overlooking for the appeal of the design.

 

Briefs: 

The briefs are lovely. I don't have any detailed images of them unfortunately, but the embroidery is identical to the bra's. I haven't been shy about how much I love the look of this set, and the briefs have a nice rise and the sheerness of the fabric is very delicate. I bought them in a size 14 UK per usual, and they fit true to size. 

Since discovering the ubiquity of Figleaves' designs featuring that maddening unattached upper-layer, I've been shy about ordering from them since. I do think that I will venture into exploring more of their styles though, since the true problem was the shape of the bra being incompatible with my breasts. Stay tuned!

Curvy Kate Scantilly Pounce Set (Bra, Waspie, Briefs) 34G

Wow, I'm sooo excited about this set! When Curvy Kate announced their new Scantilly line, I was incredibly pumped for some sexy lingerie options for full-busts. Despite Curvy Kate being an absolute mainstay D+ brand, I have actually never tried their bras! Their usual designs are bright, cheery, and youthful, all things I support but not my typical style. Yet Scantilly...Oh, Scantilly.

Bras 30-38 DD-HH ($80), Waspie/Briefs S-XL ($55/$45)

I was lured into splurging on my first Scantilly set during Figleaves' Black Friday Sale. With such a variety of delightful and sexy sets for me to buy how did I decide which one to try first? (Believe me, I mean 'sets' quite deliberately. There's no way I'm splitting up the family). I chose Pounce to start. Folks, I am not what you'd call an animal print person. Yet the design is dark and subdued and the leopard spots small and condensed. The print combined with the design overall has a kind of classic retro decadence to it, shown in the styling of the promotional images. The leopard print seems to be a cheeky little wink, as if to say "I'm a classy lady...but not that classy" which I love.

Anyway, to answer the question, I bought it because of the waspie (I love waspies!).

Looks:
I don't usually buy higher-end lingerie, and it's a real treat to open up a package where what you're getting is so clearly a tier above the usual insofar as construction and materials. I love details in my lingerie, and this one has many sweet ones such as small satin bows, mesh ruffles and rose-gold details. The leopard-print fabric is silky and has a certain luster that is quite beautiful.

Fit:
Scantilly sets are clearly designed for the boudoir, so I'll be judging the fit based on slightly different criteria than usual. This isn't the kind of bra you'd 'chase the bus in', so I won't be treating it like those workhorse bras I wear daily. That said I do have pretty high standards for fit along with low expectations for molded/padded bras like this one. They usually make me feel like I have something bulky on my breasts, and they never fit quite right for the amount of projection I have. I was pleasantly surprised by Pounce. I think the way they designed the cup was quite smart, with a gently sloping upper-cup and vertical seams which push the breast tissue upwards, creating alluring cakes-on-a-plate cleavage.

Lookit them cakes!

It is definitely shallow, but I find that works to its advantage in giving that extra boost since it is so open on top. I was also impressed by how well the wires stayed close to my inframammary fold, a difficult feat even for much more projected bras. However the gore does not tack and I do have some quad-boob and breast tissue escaping the sides which all indicates too-small a cup. The band is also fairly stretchy, and I think if I were to get a "perfect" fit I would size up in the cup and down in the band (so going from 34G to 32H). I went back and forth for a while on whether to exchange the bra for a different size. I ultimately decided against it because I love the va-va-voom cleavage I get here which is often only possible for me in a small cup due to my wide-set breasts. While my breasts do settle into the cups a bit after the intial scoop and swoop, I'm impressed by how lifted they remain even after plenty of movement.

I have added the bra's measurements on bratabase if you are looking for more detail.

 

 

The waspie is lovely but is too large for me (I was wearing it on the tightest hooks), and kept sliding down. Your mileage may vary--I often forget how small my waist is compared to the rest of me, and I will be exchanging for a size medium. The boning doesn't do a ton of shaping at this size and I look forward to seeing how a medium cinches in my waist.

The briefs (size large) seem true to size yet often feel like they're sliding off my butt in a disconcerting way. I'm not sure if they're too small or if the fabric is too slippery or something, but the rise is a bit strange from front to back. I am not planning to return it for larger since I don't really want more coverage, but in the future I might elect to get a thong.

Comfort:
The luxury of this set is apparent in the fabric choices. The leopard print is particularly silky and decadent, and the mesh is much softer than other mesh lingerie I've worn. The bra is fairly comfortable, though I find the cup wings to be a bit high and wide into my armpits which causes some rubbing. This might also be related to the strap placement being too wide, though I usually don't have that issue since I have broad shoulders. Another point of discomfort is that the bottom of the gore (not sure how else to put that), where the band is in the front tends to cut in slightly to my stomach. Most of these issues I imagine are caused by the size being too small. They are not by any means unbearable, but worth mentioning.

 

The waspie does have those bow embellishments where they meet the stockings, which is darling, but makes them rather difficult to attach. I tend to struggle with garters on a good day, though, so keep that in mind.

In conclusion, I had high hopes for Scantilly Pounce and it exceeded my expectations as a beautiful, high-end boudoir set for full-busts. The entire set's design is very smart and works with a full-figured body and breast shape rather than against it. It will take some restraint to not buy up more of the line immediately, and this is definitely not the last you'll see of the brand on the blog.

Thanks for reading!

Figleaves Boudoir: Carmen 34G Bra & Thong

Hey folks! It has been a while. I'm excited to have a couple of bras by Figleaves' house brands up on deck for review. Their Figleaves Boudoir collection caught my eye as the designs are quite sexy and fashion-forward at an affordable price point for large busts (some styles are not full bust but others go up to a G-cup in a 30-38 band).

Available in B-G cups up to (I think) a 36 band

The first style I'm reviewing is Carmen. When I first saw it my reaction was plainly: FINALLY A CAGE BRA! Sure, cage bras/harnesses and the like are probably 'so 2015' now but I will never tire of them. Plus Carmen now comes in a purple and floral colorway, as well as being expanded to other configurations such as a babydoll and bodysuit.
 
Looks:
Carmen does truly satisfy that 'cage bra' itch I've been dying to scratch. It has one 'cup' of mesh black fabric with another layer on top that creates the vague illusion of a half-cup. The two meet in a very creative and interesting-looking strap design which tickles me pink after wearing a variety of uber-thick straps from other full-bust bras. I find the fabric itself to be fairly comfortable and, as you can see, it is fully sheer. The outer layer of mesh fabric is not attached. This was a bit vexing for me, as it would easily get disheveled and fold down, ruining that clean line. 

Fit:
I will start by saying that Carmen runs small in the cup. The wires run quite narrow as well, (for me, as I have average to wide roots), which did pinch a bit on the sides. Other complaints are that the straps are very long for me which is not a problem I usually run into. I had to tighten them quite a bit, but annoyingly they slide down very easily after regular wear. Despite these complaints, I still love this bra and didn't find the size incompatibility to ruin the shape which is fairly uplifted and not overly pointed (perhaps a natural-to-round shape is the best way to put it).

I did run into an issue that surprised me. Usually when I scoop-n-swoop, I pull on the bra where the strap meets the cup to put my opposite hand in to scoop. My other bras are elastic enough that doing this has become second-nature. But when I did it to Carmen, maybe the fabric was too rigid or the straps not stretchy enough--Not sure!--the mesh fabric tore a bit where it meets the cup. You can see the little hole on the right. I was pretty bummed that it got damaged, and frustrated it would fall apart so easily. This happened the day that I got it, so it was not a normal wear-and-tear situation. So be warned, the mesh is not particularly stretchy and behave accordingly.

Comfort:
I find Carmen to be a very comfy bra, despite the fit issues described. The only complaint I have is with the narrow wires. I've worn it both in sexier situations as well as under my regular clothing and I was surprised how much I liked it. However, I don't really wear Carmen out and about as a daily bra. Part of me wants to preserve it for more fun stuff, part of me feels like it's not quite the right shape and size so it's not ideal. Sometimes, I guess because of its transparency, I feel a bit too exposed even under my regular clothing. The straps and style are very fun though and I have worn it with a low-cut black dress for going out to expose the sheer details.

Please pay no heed to the giant bruises on my ass.

Briefs: 
 I wish the thong (Size 14 UK, per usual) worked for me. Strappy ones don't tend to work great though, as they cut in quite badly into my hips. I love the back detail in particular, but the actual design felt like it came up SO high on body. I'm rather short-waisted and I just didn't feel like I had enough waist to accomodate the design. Great for someone else, but not for me.


Another Figleaves set is to come! Thanks for reading!

Review: Wacoal Women's Embrace Lace Chemise - Size Large - Cappuccino/Mocha

This is a bit of a change of pace! When I got really heavily into the bra-world, the general array of lingerie I had been unaware of also began to pique my interest. It's refreshing to be able to buy "misses" sized frilly things, when my quest for bras is slightly limited by my size. 

Also unique after shopping in 'limited' DD+ sizing for a while in search of bras, is that the Embrace Lace Chemise has a wide array of colors available! I opted for this Cappuccino/Mocha combo which is gorgeous and understated. But if you're more inclined towards something punchier, there might be a colorway you'll like...

 The Embrace Lace line also includes several styles of bras (which seem to stop at DDD cups, 32-40 band sizes) as well as briefs in a couple styles and a garter belt. I bought the chemise on Amazon and other products can be seen there as well. I bought mine full-price at $60. I'm not a huge spender, but occasionally will put some gift money towards something 'frivolous'. I have seen it for cheaper on amazon as well as occasionally on Zulily.

Looks:
 I'm in love with the details and design of this chemise. The zig-zag shapes of fabric on the top 'bodice' part are extremely flattering and I love that it creates some interest around the natural curve of my waist. The lace is gorgeous and tiny and detailed, and the fabric is very soft and appropriately luxurious feeling. It's just a very nicely constructed piece of clothing that seems to hug my body quite nicely. There is, obviously, no support for my breasts or any shaping whatsoever.

Fit:
 I bought the size large, which fits pretty well. It is, however, quite short! It just barely covers my butt. Not a huge issue for me, as I largely use this as a non-functional piece.

Comfort:
I have, in fact, worn this in a semi-functional manner. I used it under a dress when I went out one evening. It worked alright, it did ride up a bit and truthfully it is too expensive and fancy looking for me to use on a regular basis in this way. (For people who buy serious luxury lingerie, I'm sure that sounds a bit silly! I'm pretty frugal overall though, despite my bra-buying addiction). I think if you buy this, you shouldn't expect a whole lot of utility. It is pretty damn sexy though!

 In conclusion, this is super pretty and I love it. But I don't really use it a ton, unless sexytimes or I want to make myself feel luxurious eating ben and jerrys on my bed. If you're looking for a chemise/slip/sexy-wear, it's hard to beat the sales price and the ease of ordering from Amazon!

Thanks for reading,

Pour Moi? Treasure Unlined Bra & Briefs 34G

  

While I could honestly outfit myself soley in Panache and buy myself a bunch of the same bras for the sake of functionality, I love going and finding other brands to try than the same safe choices. 

I was recommended Pour Moi? in their unlined styles. In retrospect, there are bras in their line that would fit better than Treasure Unlined Bra. (Keep in mind, there are two different Treasure bra models, a padded one and this unlined version. Along with a bevvy of slips/briefs/sexy negligee under the same name). It is hard to resist, though, as it is a gorgeous bra and has an amazing attention to detail. 

I had a sour experience getting this bra to me, sadly. I ordered from Asos on sale, and actually got the bra for ~$20! I was thrilled, but annoyingly they sent me the wrong size after they sold out. I loved the briefs so much though that I caved and bought it full price (around $40) on figleaves.

Looks:
This bra and brief set is absolutely gorgeous. Considering it is not strictly a luxury brand, I am obsessed with the attention to the detail. The pink satin is soft and and the lace is laid out in a delicate and sexy way. This is definitely a boudoir set, which I would love to have. Along with the lace peeking out from under the bra and out the top of the briefs, there are tiny bows and even tinier little key-charms attached to them.

Fit:
Sadly, the love affair with Treasure (bra) ends at the looks. The shape is incredibly shallow, as you can see in the wrinkling at the bottom of the cups. The gore does not tack perfectly, and it just splays my breasts out as shallow-shape-incompatible bras tend to do.

That said. I would have kept it just for sexy occasions. In fact, I kept the briefs! (More on those below) Yet this was the real issue:

 This is just a truly terrible shape for my breasts. Cup size and width seemed fairy true to size, just not for boobs as projected as mine.

Look at that peek-a-boo detail!!! AHHHH

Briefs:
I am skipping comfort, as honestly you can get the idea from the shape that the fabric is comfy but the fit issues cannot be ignored. The BRIEFS however, I have actually kept!  I feel like these are incredibly flattering to me, someone who prefers low-rise and string undies for a more sexy look. The lace and key details on the front are so darling, and the back has such a unusual and intriguing construction. Now to find a bra that matches it....

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Thanks for reading! :)

Asos Wolf & Whistle Swimwear Review: Miami Palm Print Longline and Underwired Plunge Bikini Top Leaf Print 34G

Hi!
So apparently I'm doing my blog's name justice with so few posts lately...Though my absence from the blog has mainly been due to work and life stuff rather than pure laziness. I've had a bunch of photos just sitting on my computer and I'm happy to finally put them to use in some reviews.

My top priority has been these swimsuits. Now that I'm properly fit for bra-sized swimwear, I don't think I can ever go back to my 'large' halter bikini top with my my boobs so poorly supported. Asos is a wonderful resource for cute DD+ swimwear, with plenty of fashionable cuts and styles. I do love the regular bra companies (panache/cleo, freya, etc) for their swimsuits, but I think Asos is ahead of the curve in creating suits that are super trendy. Such a selection! (Up to cup size G, at least). Unfortunately, it comes with some pitfalls of variable sizing and cup-construction foibles.

Though, keep in mind these were pretty relatively cheap! They do free shipping and returns, so you really aren't risking much by trying them.

Miami Print Longline: $36/South Beach Mix and Match Tie Bikini Bottom $18

Underwire Plunge Bikini Top Leaf Print $29/Hipster Bikini Bottom $22

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Miami Print Longline with South Beach Mix and Match Tie Bikini Bottom

Looks:
Well I have to say, after trying on this longline swimsuit, I am HELL BENT on getting one! The pattern is very contemporary and a bit neon. Didn't love the colors a ton, but it is very flattering. I was honestly surprised at how much I loved the construction...But sadly is has some serious fit issues.

Fit: 
These are molded cups, which I have come to expect very little of. The cups gaped a great deal, leaving me feeling like my breasts just pooled into the bottom without much support beyond the structure of the cups themselves. It hardly tacked at all. I would say the cups are just too big in this style, but I think it's a combination of that and the shape being far too shallow and open at the top. I could hardly pull the wires into my inframammary fold, and it was just a matter of trying to plop my boobs into molded cups that were wholly incompatible.

It's even worse than I could capture on camera, sadly.

Comfort:
Due to the fit issues, this obviously don't rank high on comfort just for how it's rejecting my chest's shape. However, I would say the fabric and the band size seemed on the mark and comfortable. Unfortunately I do not have images of the back, but it actually tapers to a plastic closure rather than the typical longline construction where the back is equally as wide as the front.

Briefs: 
These briefs are suuuper standard. Nothing to write home about. I bought them in a size 12 US, and the coverage is what you would expect (a bit of butt cheek but the amount that I'm comfortable baring).  I did elect not to buy the briefs that they came with because while I love that strappy style, I knew it would cut riiight into the least flattering place on my hips.


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Underwired Plunge Bikini Top - Leaf Print

Looks:
Arghhh THIS is what I mean by cool, contemporary prints! I was particularly smitten by this banana leaf print which you can find everywhere these days.

Case in point

 So I was THRILLED to find this print in a bikini all the way up to a G-cup! The colors are super vibrant and jazzy. While I was somewhat apprehensive about a halter, I do love the thin, double-strap construction. But despite this, the fit was once again a barrier to me buying it outright.

Fit: 
The cup size on this bikini is much better than the previous, but still has some issues. I think it was definitely a bit on the small side, which you can see by a tiny bit of quad-boobing. I will say, that beyond the egregious incompatibility of the first bikini, I'm okay with a little bit of size fudging in my swimsuits. They're not purely functional, and I only pull them out a few times a year. That's only taking into account that the size issues aren't unflattering, though.

Because of the small cup and the horizontal seam construction (rather than what I prefer, which is a bit of size support to bring my projected breasts forward more), led my boobs to be a bit squashed. Despite it being a plunge, the gore didn't tack and I feel my breasts being slung more east-west towards my armpits rather than perky and up. It's possible that the halter top style pulled my boobs apart rather than a much more preferable ill-fitting-but-sexy cleavage effect with normal straps.

You can see some wrinkling at the bottom of the cup also, so it's quite possible it is way better suited for shallow shapes as well.

Briefs: 
 Similar to the black ones I tried on, these are pretty standard and also a size 12. Fit true to size, and I could easily imagine swimming in them. Sigh, I still love that print...

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I may try out more Asos swimwear in the future, but I actually really have my eye set on the new Cleo longline (I told you, longline swimsuits are my jam now!)... Perhaps in the future I'll have that up for review as well. Thanks for reading!