Lace and Haze

Month: July 2019

  • Katherine Hamilton Abrielle review.

    Katherine Hamilton Abrielle review.

    This set has been gifted to be by Katherine Hamilton. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

    I really love it when brands do a 28 band. I love it even more when they actually make lingerie I want to wear. Usually its hard to find that perfect combo of fashion/comfort/fit in one brand but Katherine Hamilton is giving all us D+ gals what we have been wishing for for years.

    I was gifted the Abrielle set in the navy (also comes in black) in a size 28H and the high waisted briefs in a size 12. This set retails for 206 GBP or roughly $370 AUD.

    So these are not my usual sizes. I’d say I’m a solid 28GG and a Solid size 10. I was advised to size up in this bra as it came up a tad small. Ive tried Katherine Hamilton before and I know the briefs I had back then came up small so I went ahead and ordered the next size up. I’m not sure if this is true for all the products but I would generally say if in between sizes, size up.

    I absolutely fell in love with this set when I first saw it pop up on my instagram feed. It reminds me of I.D sarrieri but for Fuller bust people and I think it would be a lot more durable (Just guessing I’ve never tried I.D sarrieri as I’m sized out). I think the idea of the embroidery being so detailed and petit really appealed to me as a fuller bust customer as usually they are not terms I would describe fuller bust lingerie with.

    We know this set is obviously beautiful so I’ll tell you a bit about this set that isn’t as easy to spot. The top layer of the cup comprises of French embroidery on a sheer mesh. This is what lays on top of the structural cup to give it the tattoo effect. The structural cup Is a 3 piece full cup with the additional side sling for forward projection. The top layer is mostly just floating very precisely on top of the structural cup and is held in place with some very well concealed stitches. You have the support of a full cup bra but with the look of a Demi bra. The straps are fully adjustable and the back as 3 rows and 3 columns of hook and eyes in this size. The straps are wide enough that they don’t dig in but not so wide as to feel bulky.

    This is seriously one of the most comfortable bras I have ever tried, I feel like it was made for me. It feels firm and supportive without feeling it like its digging in anywhere. I think this is because of the specialist wires Katherine hamiltion has developed specifically to combat the issues that usually arise when wearing a bra as a full busted person. Out of all the bras I’ve tried in my life, I feel like this one has the best combination of fit, comfort and fashion. Its like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

    The briefs at first I thought weren’t going to fit me. I have particularly wide thigh bones so it was a bit of a stuggle getting them on. I was so afraid I was going to rip them! I slowly wiggled my way into them and when they were on they fitted perfectly! They were slightly big on the waist but I definitely couldn’t size down in them, I would 100% rip the size 10 if I tried to get them on. I’ll take slightly big waist band over ripped knickers any day.

    This is definitely one of my all time favourite sets, the only thing its missing is a matching suspender belt! I have seen a sneak peak of the upcoming collection and I’m happy to report that there is some absolutely drop dead gorgeous lingerie sets heading our way and I did spot a suspender for one of the sets. I’m saying goodbye to my money already as I NEED everything from the next collection.

    Why wait for the next collection? Shop this set from Katherine Hamilton now, available in sizes 26-36 D-HH.

    Elly x

  • When lingerie fights back.

    When lingerie fights back.

    I’ve noticed a trend lately seeping into my lingerie drawers, my lingerie is making me laugh. It’s making me smirk. A strange reaction to lingerie to be sure. Most of the time it ignites feelings of confidence, of lust or of security. But now I’m feeling amused by it. The reason? The lingerie industry seems to be giving the big ol finger to the Man and I couldn’t be happier.

    Wether it be erotic prints, cheeky embroidery or a playful design, it seems the lingerie industry is fighting back against the oppressive censorship that the industry receives in the best way they know how. Perhaps I’m just seeing what I want to see, but its seems to me that lingerie has shaken off its traditional and rigid past and has developed a sense of humour. Of course you could take the higher brow option and choose to see this trend as inspired directly by art. I do feel the timing of such collections lends me to believe its more a social commentary of our present that references the past.

    Take Studio Pias s/s 19 collection named Bourdin for the first example. Inspired by Bourdins photography which is commonly recognised as sensual and provocative, this collection references his photography with enticing embroideries. There is not one, not two but 3 ranges featuring a creeping hand or pinching fingers that have been delightfully placed in the most intriguing areas. The success of these collection has been so great as to possibly bring forward another colour of the same concept for the next collection. Who doesn’t love a sly nipple pinch from their bra?

    The Studio Pia Mira set.

    And then similar to that again is Bordelles New Moa collection developed in collaboration with artist Etta Shon. The collection has been touted as the new nude. Naked without being naked, celebrating the female form without getting banned on instagram or tumblr or facebook. This collaboration has been inspired by the work of artist Egon Schiele, an early pioneer of expressionism. The choice of inspiration draws interesting parallels between censorship of the artist over 100 years ago and censorship today. Bordelles choice to reference this artist work is a clever play on artistic censorship. Nudity and art is often heavily censored but when it’s cleverly displayed on items that are widely seen as something for male consumption and pleasure it’s deemed acceptable. Commentry on society? I think so.

    Image source @atelierbordelle instagram

    Playful promises line Bettie Page also has a vintage take on the trend and has been directly inspired by vintage lingerie and fashion of the same nature. Taken directly from a photo of Bettie wearing lingerie, it has been delightfully reproduced for the modern consumer.

    Image source playfulpromises.com

    This trend has also been found in swimwear, the most notable designer being Adriana Degreas and also her collaboration with Cult Gia. Her designs have made the news world over for their unusual design and risqué nature such as the hand bikini and the martini tulle bikini leaving little to the imagination. As naked as you can get on a beach without being naked.

    Image source @cultgaia @adrianadegreas_usa

    Of course none of this is new ground. Old school la perla black label was using erotic prints before many of these brands had even started. Their prints were the most scandalous but also less obvious and again had inspiration from Shunga and many other erotic art forms.

    Image source mylingerieaddiction.blogspot.com

    The newest brand on the block the end lingerie has the most unique take on this trend and is very much their brand identity. You may have seen a nipple bra but how about a nipple ring bralette? And it doesn’t just stop at the bralette, you can get underwear with similar hardware in interesting positioning . It’s all about being good but being naughty. Who said being eco conscious was boring?

    Image source @theendlingerie

    The most mainstream version of this trend would be the love hearts placed over the nipples on sheer bralettes. This has been seen everywhere from for love and lemons, ASOS, kisskill, urban outfitters and Fenty. Not to be forgotten the nipple/boob t-shirt craze that has literally been used by every big brand and their dog.

    Image source kisskill.com.au

    The most literal nod to the fuck you censorship trend has to be Scantilys censorship set. They have literally put the censorship bar in for you, saving you all the trouble of editing out your nipples for all the delicate souls on the internet.

    Image source @dearscantily

    Silent arrow have gone a slightly more direct with their message with their F.U. and F.U. Too ranges. Leave subtly at the door with these ranges and get straight to the point. Give a big F.U. To traditional lingerie, body shaming, censorship and expectations. Or whatever or whoever you want to really.

    Image courtesy of @allthings.lace.and.leather

    Last but not least there is underthyskin lingerie who as a brand has a very modern take on the trend and again is very much part of their brand identity. Light as a feather lingerie with literal messages embroidered on. If storytelling lingerie isn’t your thing there is also a selection of pinching nipple hands embroidery inspired by the school of Fontainebleau.

    Whether this trend is social commentary of our time or a reflection on art, I’m happy to see humour (as sarcastic or literal as it may be) as a trend. Because florals for spring? Ground breaking….

  • Lovehoney lingerie

    Lovehoney lingerie

    I don’t usually review cheaper lingerie. Maybe that’s me being a snob. I just don’t buy cheaper lingerie anymore. But when lovehoney approached me last year I was curious. Curious about the brand and about the quality. I will review them like I would any of my luxury purchases in the way of price vs what you get.

    So these products were sent to me free of charge but all opinions are my own as always.

    So Lovehoney is a brand I wouldn’t normally purchase from. Yes that’s me being a snob as well as I’m probably in a different place in my lingerie journey. It’s e-commerce site is functional and does the job, but it doesn’t have the cohesiveness and cleanness that I’ve come to expect. I totally understand why this is, it’s not a luxury brand so presentation isn’t as important.

    The packaging it comes in is just a plastic slip, again I expected this as it’s in a very accessible price range. As far as size ranges go it’s a pretty standard Small, Medium and large. They also have some plus size lingerie and that is available in 1x to 4x. The price range starts from around $10 up to $110 for a more detailed style.

    One thing to note is that they have e-commerce sites for Australia, America and Europe. The shipping within Australia is so fast! It’s the quickest I’ve ever come across so that really impressed me. I received the Parisienne set in wine size medium and the midnight soirée suspender body which is one size fits all scenario.

    I wasn’t sure at all how these sizes would work on me. The Parisienne set I thought the bra back would be huge but the cups workable and I thought the suspender knickers would fall down almost instantly I attached stockings. I was super surprised to find out that suspender knickers stayed up perfectly well with actual stockings, no need for stay ups.

    The bra is far too small in the cup and big in the back. I’d definitely say that the bra isn’t fuller cup friendly but it’s workable as a bedroom only piece as it was intended. All of lovehoney products are for bedroom use, I think all the lingerie is crotchless except for a few of the guest brands. This isn’t to say you can only wear it in the bedroom but for me I’d have to layer both the top and bottoms as not to expose myself during the day. The products are mostly made up of stretch lace which is super comfortable to wear as well as easier to fit to a range of body shapes and sizes.

    The all in one suspender body I love and everyone else must as well as it’s now sold out. It’s pretty much fully adjustable and the cups actually fit me!!!! I’m guessing that if you are an A or B cup in the smaller size range that this style won’t work all that well for you.

    I found this range to be the most visually interesting out of all the options. It’s actually pretty comfortable to wear as well. This style I have worn out and about and it’s held up quite well. I don’t think it would hold up to regular everyday wear but it performed well as an occasion piece. One thing that was irritating was the neck piece, particularly around the closure. The stitching was quite messy and therefore rough and it did cause a bit of discomfort throughout the day. It is detachable I discovered at the end of the day so next I might just wear the collar attached for photos.

    Every strap is adjustable.

    Overall I’m impressed with the quality at the price point. There sizing went as well as expected, it’s definitely for the core size customers. I do quite enjoy having separate lingerie for the bedroom I think they cater for it very well. Sturdy enough to wear all day but not overly expensive so as to not mind when it’s ripped off at night.