With the cost of living crisis hitting hard across the world, it definitely feels like those of us with a bigger bust are being hit with a big boob tax. Not only are these essential items taxed, bras for the fuller bust market are more expensive and are harder to access than those of our smaller bust counterparts. Understandably so, the knowledge and expertise to make bras with this particular engineering are an undervalued skill and hard to find.
To help out both your boobs and your wallet, I’ve teamed up with Curvy Kate to bring you the only 5 bras you need to see you through the summer. You can even get an extra 10% off if you use the code LACEHAZE10
The strapless bra- £42
A necessary bra for any summer wardrobe, the hard to find/get right strapless. The Hey Girls superplunge strapless multiway bra is the most comfortable one I’ve ever tried, and even better, it goes up to a J cup! It’s more of a longline style which makes sense given it is a super plunge cup, and needs a decent sized band to hold up the boobs. It’s has detachable straps so you can wear with or without depending on your needs, has an internal sling for added projection, and it has a wide elastic to help with the flipping that can happen that’s backed in a soft foam for extra comfort.
The sports bra – £46
After years of development Curvy Kate have come out with their first sports bra. The Everymove has 4 columns and 4 rows of hook and eyes and also comes with a J hook to convert into a racer back for even more support. The hook and eyes have padding underneath to prevent rubbing and the cradle is made from a lovely soft foam so even though the band is tight nothing feels like it’s cutting in. Now, while I don’t do any heavy impact workouts personally (I’m more of the coffee, walk and chat type of person), my friends who do HIT work outs and long runs swear by this bra. Better yet, this sports bra goes uk to a K cup. Bounce be gone!
The convertible bra £33
My go to bra last summer to work under tricky tops and low back bodysuits. And you can bet I’ll be wearing it on repeat again this summer. It’s a super low plunge that goes up to a J cup. It can be worn multiple ways such as halter neck, racer back and backless. It has an additional extender as well which I’ve used a lot! It’s a foam cup and its very flexible and light and its one I’m not afraid to put in the washing machine in a bag on a gentle cycle 🤫
The everyday bra – £42
My new favourite bra, the Smoothie Spacer Moulded T-shirt Plunge Bra.
A necessary evil, the beige T-shirt bra. While I’ll normally do anything to avoid them, this spacer technology is not often seen above an F cup and the comfort level is astounding. I wore the Smoothie Spacer the other day and literally forgot I was wearing anything at all. When you’ve got big boobs you know how rare that is, a truly magical experience. The wing edge is bonded so there is no stitching to irritate the skin and this bra also has a J hook so it can be worn as a racer back as well. It has a little silver feather charm at the gore and that is a perfect analogy for this bra, it is literally as light as a feather.
The one to show off – £42
To make up for all the beige, the one essential you need for summer and beyond is the Storm Longline Bra. It perfectly layers underneath a sheer mesh top or brave it alone. I’m wearing mine with black trousers and a blazer but if it eventually heats up I’ll be styling this with double denim. Don’t be fooled by its tough exterior, it’s made from super soft wet look material and my favourite part of the longline is stretch with no boning. This means no uncomfortable poking and prodding when you sit down.
I could keep recommending bras till the cows come home but it is recommended that you have 5-6 bras in rotation so these are the 5 I recommend this summer. The 6th will be another spacer bra because I am seriously obsessed.
Remember you can get 10% off your entire purchase with the code LACEHAZE , if you buy any let me know how much you love them!
If Curvy Kate doesn’t ship to your country, don’t forget to check Brastop and use my discount code LACEANDHAZE10 to get 10% off your order!
All products have been purchased myself and all opinions are my own. This post does contain some affiliate links.
Let’s talk about period pants! If you have periods or know someone who does or will at some point, this one is for you.
So I’m obsessed with period pants, they are my product of choice to stop blood running down my legs once a month. Some other options incase you are unaware are pads, tampons, liners, re usable pads and moon cups.
Modibodi sensual high waist bikini, Modibodi classic bikini, Modibodi Sensual high waist bikini and finally the Thinx hip hugger thong.
So why are they my product of choice?
Well for me, I find them the easiest to use, the most comfortable and slightly more eco friendly then Traditional period products such as tampons and pads. For me when I was working in retail I found them particularly useful. Every time I needed to change my tampon I’d get stuck with a customer and end up bleeding through. Not fun. But when I discovered period pants it was a huge relief knowing I wouldn’t have to go through that trauma every time I had my period at work.
I think they are a great option for teenagers who are just starting to get their periods, I know tampons can seems quite daunting and pads just feel so bulky and foreign. They are becoming more widely available, you’ll even see them on your supermarket shelves these days. 2 years ago you would have never dreamed of it. So as they are rising in popularity, more products and coming into the market. Hopefully this little guide can help you decide which ones you’d like to try.
Today I’ve got 4 brands to show you and share my thoughts on.
First up is the first pair I ever tried. These ones are from a brand called love Luna period brief and I came across them at my local Woolworths. I’d been wanting to try period briefs after failed attempts with the moon cup and wanting to move away from disposables. They are realitivly cheap, $10-$15 AUD depending if they are on special or not. They come in 3 styles, low, mid and full brief and they hold up to 20mls or the equivalent or 3-4 tampons worth. They come in Australian size 8 to 22 and just in one colour, black.
Modibodi is a stand out brand in this area. I was put off trying them for awhile because of the higher price point and having to buy them online at the time. It was the best decision I made when I finally purchased them, these are the pants that convinced me that period pants were the way to go.
So they have an absolutely massive range. They have ones for sweat, maternity, pee and of course period. Their size range is from Australian size 6-26 or xxs -6xl. They have Bikini style briefs, full briefs, boy shorts, thongs, seam free and my favourite type, the sensual. They also have different level of absorbsbcey from light to heavy/ overnight. Also they have a lot of colours so if you want to add a little brightness and fun to your period pants wardrobe. There are so many options but my favourites have been the sensual high waisted brief in the overnight absorbency and the classic brief with moderate absorbency. The briefs are so comfortable, they are made from bamboo and spandex. The gussets liner (the absorbent parts) are made from merino, spandex and polyester. They also have a vegan range for anyone looking for that but I haven’t tried that style myself. The over night styles hold up to 20mls or 3-4 tampons worth of blood and the prices range from $25-$35 AUD per pair but they do do bundle packs at a discount.
So Thinx is an America brand and it’s the most expensive on this list. Price ranges from $35-$70 AUD. They have a lot of different products from thongs to shorts and absorbency from 4.5 mls up to 36mls. Size range is xxs-3xl. Thinx used to exclusively sell direct to consumer but in the last few years the have expanded and now sell their products globally through stockists. It’s now sold in some David Jones stores in Australia and is available on ASOS which is wear I got mine. In the uk it looks like they are available in most boots.
Their products are certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®️ and vegan as well, so good for the conscious shopper.
So Tom organics started of as a sanitary brand selling pads and tampons. They are the ones I’ve used as long as I can remember and I still use their tampons to this day. They have just launched a menstrual cup and now the period brief. They only have one style and it comes only in black. Size range is from xxs-3xl or the equivalent of Australian 6-20. They are only $15 but they only hold 2 tampons worth of blood so better suited on lighter days or combined wear with tampons as backup. The body of the product is made with organic cotton and elastane, the absorbency layer with 85% regular cotton and 15% polyester and then an additional leak proof layer. They also came in plastic free packing so that’s a win in my book.
But how are they to wear?
Not exactly flattering or comfortable, this is the size Large.
So it’s pretty much you get what you pay for. The Tom organic period pants I really wanted to love but I just don’t. I find the seam on the legs really firm and cuts in massively. I’m wearing a size large in them but I think I’d like to try the XL just to see if it would make much difference. They also feel quite bulky. I love the fact that the body of the pants is made from organic cotton but I just can’t get past how uncomfortable and awkward I found them.
Luna period pants holding up reasonably well after a few years.
Love Luna is ok but they still have that bulky feel to them. These ones are from when I was slimmer so they are a size 10-12. I’d need the next size up now. I do find I leak through these ones. Perhaps they have updated the product since I purchased these ones as the website does state they have a leak proof layer. I think both the Luna and Tom products are a good entry level product if you wanted to try period pants for the first time without investing a lot of money. Also great that they are both stocked in supermarkets in Australia, great when your period strikes and need an emergency pair.
Wearing Thinx lightest absorbency option the thong and the heaviest, the overnight brief both in size medium.
I really like the Thinx products and I’m glad I do, I’d be pissed if I spent $100 on two period pants and they were crap. They are super comfortable to wear, I haven’t leaked through and the fabric is nice and smooth so it doesn’t stand out too much under clothing. After washing the overnight pair, the absorbency layer felt slightly out of place but with a few adjustments it was back to normal. One main difference with this brand is that the gusset and absorbency layer is like a ribbed texture in the pairs I tried and not completely flat like the others. I thought this was a really cool detail as I think it helps the blood absorb faster.
Top images size 12 classic bikini medium absorption, bottom images size 14 sensual bikini medium absorption.
Period pants from Modibodi are by far my favourite. They are just so comfortable to wear, they don’t cut in anywhere and I love the broad range of products. I have worn and washed them more times than I can count and they still look good. The one slight issue I have with them is that sometimes I can leak through at the seams at the gusset, like the absorbency layer and leakproof layer aren’t sewn into the gusset seams completely. Like the layers are floating there. This only happens when my period is very heavy and have only noticed it a few times at night. It doesn’t leak anywhere but can stain the outer fabric of the undies.
So how do you take care of you period pants?
The best way to wash you period pants is to rinse them after use then put them in the washing machine. Don’t use bleach or softener and don’t tumble dry! I usually just rinse mine when I have a shower that way it’s easy and quick. Now, unfortunately period pants don’t last forever. You will need to replace after a few months/years depending on how often you use them and how many you have. While they are still better than using disposable sanitary items, they are not perfect.
As someone who has suffered through really painful periods I have found period pants a life saver. Sometimes cramps are just too bad to be inserting anything.
Have you tried period pants, and if so what are your thoughts?
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.
Attollo is a relatively new brand coming out of London. It was created because the founders themselves couldn’t find bras in their size that they wanted to wear. I know the feeling…
Their aim is to give the fuller bust customer beautiful, uplifting affordable lingerie that you actually want to wear. So do I think they have achieved this? In short, yes but ill give you all the details below.
I was gifted the Gigi High waisted knickers in a size 8-10 and the Emelie Longline bra in a 28GG. The set retails for £63 or $110 AUD which may not sound very affordable but for a fuller bust bra made in Europe, it really is priced well. They have bra sizes 28-36 DD-HH and knickers XS-XL.
It’s important to note that Attollo does not use standard sizing. Generally you need to go up a cup size from your normal uk size. The best thing about Attollo is that they have one of the most comprehensive, easy to understand fit guides I’ve ever come across. They have their own fit calculator, they have even included different breast shapes you can combine that with your measurements to make sure you are getting the best size. If that wasn’t enough, if you aren’t lucky enough to go into London for your personal fit session it’s possible to make a FaceTime appointment and you can get fitted from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a measuring tape.
I did a FaceTime session with one of the founders of the company to determine my size. Working out a time to do it was the most difficult part about it. The time difference between London and Sydney is 11hrs so 9am London time and 7pm Sydney time seems to work the best. After discussing what sizes I wear in other brands we came to the conclusion that a 28GG would be the best fit. I rember thinking that it sounds huge! I was slightly sceptical of how well it would fit but I put my trust that they knew best. The package arrived in a week which is amazing. Usually anything sent from overseas, even if it’s express, takes more than a week.
I was super excited to try on this set, its so hard to find a good longline bra in the fuller bust size range. When first trying it on I was amazed by the quality and how cohesive it was. Sometimes with new brands, the design can be great but perhaps they haven’t found their longtime suppliers some elements can seem off. This isn’t the case with Attollo, it looks and feels like its one of the big, established companies.
The long line bra has 5 rows of hook and eyes which is the perfect length for a longline that is an everyday bra. The bra is mostly made up of a stretch lace with a medium stretch mesh on the inside. There are two vertical seams on each cup, yes they leave a mark at the end of a full day wearing the bra but I haven’t found them itchy or noticeable. One of my favourite design elements is the satin band, It is so comfortable!!!! I think this is my favourite bra now because the band is perfectly firm on my ribs, without digging in or rolling up. The straps on this bra are the thinnest I’ve seen on a fuller bust bra and while this may have been a concern for me at first, because the band actually fits me, I don’t have a lot of weight on the straps to begin with. At first I thought this bra was made for really tall people, the straps are fully adjustable but the longest I’ve ever seen. I soon realised they are that long because you can wear them crossed over. Ive seen people wearing them crossed over the front but I’ve only tried them crossed at the back.
The high waisted Gigi underwear looks amazing on and it is one of my favourite styles. The only problem for me is that there is a seam in the centre of the gusset. I don’t find it too noticeable but if I’m wearing these knickers all day I will start to feel it by the end. Just something to consider if you are particularly sensitive. Apart from that I love the style and that they are the perfect hight to wear with my jeans. The lace at the back means they work seamlessly under clothing.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what Attollo will release next. I’m very impressed with their bra fit, so much so that the longline is the bra I’m wearing most often. I find its perfect for wearing under my sheer tops, the lace gives it texture without having the solid black mass like a t-shirt bra would. I definitely need more Attollo bras in my life.
If you are like me you’re surprised that Christmas is just around the corner. Whether you are buying something for your best friend, your lover or even your secret santa these are the items that will go down a treat.
Accessible
Not everyone is made of money but these lingerie related items will leave a lasting impression.
A lingerie advent calendar is the perfect gift if you are looking for something a little bit fun. Open them all at once or enjoy the experience of opening one every night and trying out the fun things inside. It is a one size fits all scenario but it comes in a core size calendar and a curve. If lingerie isn’t your thing (what are you doing here???) there is also a toy calendar for the more adventurous.
If the person you are buying for is anything like myself , they love lingerie and anything to do with it. What better gift than the gift of knowledge in the form of a book all about lingerie!
For the person who has everything. Even if they already have an eye mask, they’ll thank you for getting them this one. It’s made from 100% silk and the inside padding is also silk. Trust me when I say that this is an everyday (night) luxury that everyone needs.
A sheer robe is the perfect present to give, sizing is realitively easy and it’s something that you wouldn’t normally buy yourself. It’s not a need but definitely a want. Make sure you text from the ready to shop section.
Nothing beats a 3 piece set. With a combination of silk and lace, it’s truly a luxurious treat.
Gift cards
I’m going to say this once, it’s ok to buy someone a gift card. Whatever the amount it doesn’t matter just make sure it’s a company that they will like. A few of my personal favourites are babylikestopony, porteavie, Playful Promises and Trashy Diva lingerie.
Luxury
For the person who has everything but could always do with something a little extra.
You may miss Christmas with this made to order robe but I’m sure the recipient won’t mind when this turns up a week or two late. Silk and viscose velvet, lined in a heavy silk, your special someone will feel like royalty is this sumptuous robe.
They may be adjustable now but they still only come in small medium and large. It’s one of the most iconic styles in lingerie history and if your giftee is a bordelle or luxury lingerie fan, this is sure to delight on Christmas night.
Go big or go home with this robe fit for a princess. Made in Milan by in house artisans, each piece is made for the individual. Allow two weeks for these masterpieces to make their way under the Christmas tree.
Nervous about buying someone lingerie? Follow these tips to make sure everyone will be happy Christmas morning.
1. Check their size by looking at some of their most worn and loved bras.
2. What is their style? If they wear all black probably stick to that colour…
3. Check the returns policy of the brand/store/website before purchasing.
4. If you are still unsure about the sizing a good thing to do is book an appointment with a lingerie boutique they like and make a day of it together.
I know you’ve heard me talk about my Wishlist constantly and how many brands and sets I’ve wanted to try. Fifi Chachnil has been more of a dream, an unrealistic one at that. When I think of lingerie, of French, feminine lingerie, I think of Fifi. If I could only visit one boutique in the world, I would chose to visit Fifi. Not that I’ve been. I’ve been scouring eBay looking for something, anything in my size, just so I could try the quality and style without having to invest so much. With no such luck over the course of 2 years I finally decided to bite the bullet and order form the website.
After analysing the size chart for weeks I decided to order the Parisienne bra in a 80E and the high waisted brief in a 38. It took me awhile to work out French sizes, never having ordered anything online and only having tried on brands in person like Chantal Thomass. I would also like to point out this is one of the few times I have paid full price for lingerie. I try to be savvy with my shopping as I spend way too much. I make use of any sign up discounts or promo codes available. I rarely wait till things are marked down as if I want something, I’m not very good at waiting. I would never buy say a Hedi Klum set full price, but when it comes to independent designers I feel more comfortable paying the full price as I know the money is going directly to the people involved and back into the business. Why am I telling you this? Well when I pay full price for luxury lingerie I expect more and that is reflected in my review.
I’m big on presentation and packaging and this initial first contact with my new lingerie really affects my overall opinion on the products. My Fifi arrived in the cutest packaging ever!!! It’s like a mini shopping bag/box. The items were wrapped individually in tissues paper and padded out to protect them during shipping. Unwrapping it was my dream come true, it was the best unboxing experience I’ve had so far. The items themselves were so light and delicate it really was like I was unwrapping a precious jewel.
I was initially scared to try the items on. I wanted them so badly to fit and suit me. I tried them on after a few days and I absolutely loved them and I still do. The knickers felt slightly tight when pulling them up over my thigh bones but when they rested on my waist, it felt like they were on the bigger side. That might be something to think about if you have a large waist to hip ratio. Luckily this style comes with a few different types of briefs so you can pick the style that will best suit you. The briefs are unlined except for the gusset which is lined in silk. I feel like the underwear should be fully lined to help maintain the strength of the silk as I’ve said before they do feel extremely delicate and I wouldn’t wear them under anything to form fitting for fear of damaging them.
The bra band is the biggest 32 band I’ve ever worn. If you wear a 28 or 30 like I normally do, I would suggest getting a custom size as I’m not sure I trust anyone to alter the bra when it feels so delicate. It’s wearable when the band is bigger but the cups have some wrinkles as they are not pulled taut. The back of the bra is made up of a soft mesh, not silk like I was expecting. Usually at this price point you would see the band being made out of the same material as the main parts of the bra so I was slightly surprised by this. If the underwear also had silk front and mesh back I would find it appropriate to carry that design through all the garments but having one and not the other is slightly confusing. The mesh used is very soft and feels great against the skin but it isn’t power mesh so the support is minimal. The straps on the other hand are perfectly wide for this retro style and nice and plush. Considering I don’t have much support from the band, the straps feel very comfortable all day and never dig in. The wires feel a bit more flexible than I’m used to, but again they don’t dig into my armpits even though this bra isn’t a perfect fit.
It is very much a full cup bra yet this set feels very far from granny even when its paired with the high waisted knickers. The set evokes a sense of femininity and a carefree spirit. It is both young and old, practical and impractical. The full cup bra and high waisted knickers seem like a style for an older, practical woman. yet the lightness of the silk and the vibrancy of colours leans towards a younger less practical one. In my opinion, it could be a set for anyone, it blends the lines between markets.
The colour of this set is something I was slightly surprised by. The advertised colour as of a softer pink and calmer blue. In actual fact it is the most vibrant pastel pink and a turquoise blue. I do not mind the colour, but it does look very different from what I thought I was getting. If you are quite particular about colour I would suggest getting in contact via the website to confirm, as I viewed this set on many different devices before purchasing and all of the computer screens did not match the colour I received.
I do love my Fifi set and I think I would purchase from them again but I do not think I’m willing to pay full price again when some design details are not quite up to my standards. I hope my husband never reads this because this set cost $465 AUD. That’s about $150 more than I would pay if I was to purchase a two piece set again. It’s not great value per wear but I do have something beautiful to admire every morning as its in my pride of place in the top drawer of lingerie. For now…
September last year, I was looking at trying a different fuller bust brand. Just as I had made up my mind, a post from dontlook_lingerie appeared in my feed. I read her review on the Sophia set in white and it had me sold, KH intimates was the new fuller bust brand I needed to try! So it’s been well over 6 months since I made my initial purchase and you might be wondering why it’s taken so long to review. I have a lot of thoughts on this set and some issues…
After thoroughly consulting the size chart I ordered the bra in a 28F and the suspender in a Small and brief in size 10. The set arrived wrapped in tissue and in a beautiful box that’s perfect for storing your lingerie in. It’s these little details that set brands apart especially in the luxury market.
Its all in the details.
When it arrived I was impressed with the quality and presentation. When I tried on the bra I’d realised I’d ordered a size too small. I’m always in-between sizes so buying from a new brand can be risky. I decided to wear it a few times to see if it would give a little in the cups. Unfortunately it did not, so I put the set back in the box until I could save up the money to buy the bra in the 28FF. Finally that day came in January when there was a promotion, so I jumped at the chance. I ordered the 28FF and I was excited for it to arrive so I could finally get some wear out of the full set. A few days after I got the email saying it was shipped out, I received another email. This time it was a personal one from Katy saying that since my last order they had relabelled the sizing as they had feedback from customers saying that the bras were coming up small in the band and cup. So instead of the size range starting at a 26 band it now started from a 24. My original bra was now considered to be a 26F and the one I would be receiving would be the old size 30FF now labelled as a 28FF. If you are confused, don’t worry so was I. After I received my second bra, it fit quite well in the cups but was slightly too big in the band, but only by a bit. I sent that back in exchange for the newly sized 26FF or the old 28FF! I do agree that the sizing came up a smidge on the small side in cup and band, but I think changing sizes has added more confusion to buying bras online. A note in the size guide on the specific product would have helped as the fitting guide on the website gives a very broad option of sizes you could possibly be.
So after all that I’m still not sure if it fits perfectly. I think it’s down to how different it feels on compared to other bras I own in both a good and bad way. The upside of having tried 3 sizes in the same bra is that I can compare the difference of the sizes and how the style varies when you get above an F cup. Both the bras I have from KH intimates are considered to be a 26 band. My new bra at most would be a non-existent 27 band. It is too small to be labelled as a 28 but not small enough to be a 26. If it was a 26 it would not fit around me. My first bra feels like a true 28.
Top 26F, Bottom 26FF
The reason the bands feel so different even if they are technically the same band size, is because between the F and FF cups, the bra changes slightly to hold the extra weight. The hook and eye closures go from 2 to 3 and the band height increases to accommodate this. The elastics increase from 1.3cm to 1.5cm, bra straps from 1.3cm to 1.6cm. The gore is also almost a centimetre higher as well and this is the part that has given me a slight issue. Because the new bra is more ridged, it has taken a few wears to break in to be truly comfortable to wear all day.
My 2 year old niece approves of the ‘pretty flower’ lace used in this design.
I’m not going to go say much about the construction as it is very good and high quality as you would expect from this price bracket. The one thing that is important to mention is the cups have little to no stretch. So if you are used to buying bras that do, it might be hard finding your true size. For most of the month I can wear the 26FF happily. When it gets to that time right before my period and my boobs swell up like the rest of me it’s not happening. I need a 26G for those days! The only reason is flesh has nowhere to go but up and this causes a bulge over the top of the cup which is hard to do in a full cup bra!
The suspender and brief are comfortable and fit true to size. I was tempted to order the size 8 brief but I’m glad it didn’t as it uses the same lace as the bra and has little to no stretch. The back of the brief is made of beautiful soft mesh, so perfect if you are blessed in the booty department as the only stretch that is in the knickers is in the back.
So would I buy from this brand again? To be honest I’m not sure at this stage. The issue with sizing has put me off slightly as there is no way I could wear a 26 band and to have mine labeled as that irrates me. I know it’s unimportant but I feel like it’s vanity sizing. Apart from that KH intimates provides good luxury lingerie basics for petites and the smaller fuller bust customer. I like that they offer multiple choice of bottoms and a suspender which is surprisingly hard to find with bras that offer more support. The customer service was fantastic and they made the process for return very easy. I do think this brand is still finding their feet in the market and I’ll be watching closely to see what they bring out next. If I did purchase anything again soon it would defiantly be the high waist brief. Or maybe the full set in red? If I do purchase from them again I will be emailing customer service to triple check the sizing first!
Have you tried KH intimates? If so let me know your thoughts!
Have you been searching for the perfect fitting bra? The answer is probably yes even if you don’t think you have. Most people seem to find bras uncomfortable, and I can understand why. Wires digging in, straps too short, band too big so you don’t actually have any support and the dreaded quad boob! These are just a few common issues with a poorly fitting bra. Well there is a way to solve those issues and that is to get fitted correctly. Even after getting fitted correctly it can feel impossible to find a bra that fits well, that’s comfortable and is beautiful all within your chosen department store or boutique. That is where B.Prive comes to the rescue!
I was lucky enough to be invited to a private viewing of the debut collection for B.Prive. The brains behind this ambitious project, Margot, invited me over so I could find out more about this innovative brand.
So what is B.Prive? It’s a lingerie company making beautiful bras in a factory setting that are then custom altered to your fit requirements here in Australia. It was founded because Margot believed there was a gap in the market. It’s easy to find pretty bras, you can find comfortable bras and sometimes you can find bras in your size. Rarely are all three of these needs met in the one bra. At this stage they are running a pop up fitting office in Sydney where you are able to be measured and try on a fitting sample once you have placed your order on the B.Prive website. This is where they can adjust the strap placement, wire width and so on. No adjustments can be made to the moulded cup itself. Right now this is limited to Sydney area but there are plans to have pop ups open in other major cities in Australia, and eventually overseas. I tend to think of this process as a modern version to the spirella corsetiere.
The cups are lined with papaya satin, one of the luxe details of B.Prive bras.
For a new company they have quite an impressive starting size range which you can see here. I’ve tried on the sample bras and I can tell you that in the short time I was wearing them, they felt amazing, fitted well and looked pretty darn good. Available on the website now for pre-order is the basis of their core collection. The long-line Corsetti in dusty pink or black, Demi Bra in black or pink lace and the spotted tulle demi bra in black or golden taupe. All of these bra styles have coordinating bottoms that won’t break the bank. They range from $25 for the mesh styles and $35 for the lace. The bras themselves range from $79 up to $149. I would place this in the ‘Reacher’ market. As in it’s a little bit of a stretch compared to the bulk of the RTW lingerie market but it’s not anywhere near the luxury or custom-made end. It finds a nice middle ground and uses the best of RTW (immediate gratification) and Couture Lingerie (made to fit you and luxury materials).
Only the best materials are used like this spotted tulle mesh.
If you hate bra shopping then B.Prive is for you. Once you have had your measurements taken they are saved to your profile at B.Prive for use of only you and your future bra purchases. They plan to have a high rotation of fashion styles so it’s as easy as adding the items to your shopping cart, paying and picking up from your mail box in less than a week’s time. One of the downsides to this company is that they are only making moulded cup bras. It personal preference really, but I don’t love to wear a moulded cup all the time. The main reason for that is moulded cups are the hardest fit to get right. Hopefully with the custom fit this may change my mind about them!
To help with fluctuating size during the month and uneven breast tissue, each bra comes with a set of micro bead pads that you can insert into the bra. They come in 3 different sizes depending if you are wanting them to boost your cleavage or just giving a helping hand to your smaller boob.
If you are looking for an alternative to RTW lingerie, I urge you to go check out B.Prive. They even offer a one month refund if you find the custom fit bra uncomfortable. So what do you have to lose? They even have a launch discount code available to use on bras. This only lasts while products are on pre-order. I myself am off to order a new bra so hopefully I will have a review out for you later in the year.
Avocado is a brand I’m fairly new to. I’d only really started to hear about them earlier this year. Part of my late discovery may be due to the fact that I was placing myself very firmly in the core sizes camp and hadn’t started looking at other companies catering for different sizes. I made my first purchase from this company in August and it’s taken me this long to finally write a post about it! Better late than never…..
So after much deliberation between styles and sizes I decided on the Amber set. The bra I purchased in the HTC style is a 65F and the undies in the hipster shorts in a size small. It took me awhile to figure out what sizes I needed, as Avocado has its own method of sizing. This was also my first experience with a Polish bra company so I had no sphere of reference for the different cups and narrowness of wires. To get your size in Avocado you are told to measure your underbust tightly in centimetres. My measurement that I took was 68 cm. You are then told to deduct 5 from that number and then round to the nearest number as they are in increments of 5. So mine was 63 so I decided to round-up to 65 rather than down to 60. The next part is to find your cup size by wearing your best fitting bra and measuring loosely on your overbust. I measured in-between like I always do so I went for the bigger cup. It’s best to look at the size chart for yourself to work out what cups size you will take.
I eagerly opened the package when it arrived and the first thing I noticed was the smell. I don’t know what it is but I want to buy more lingerie from them so I can smell that beautiful scent again. It seriously blew me away! After that it then took me a few days to actually try on the lingerie. I convinced myself that it wouldn’t fit me, it looked so big in the cups! I didn’t want to try it to confirm the fact that after all my measuring I still had gotten it so wrong. I finally got over my bout of body dysmorphia and tried the set on. The fit is pretty much perfect and I was kicking myself for being so stupid and not putting this golden goodness on my body sooner. The colour is a warm gold which works really well with my skin tone. It works as a nude colour for me which isn’t actually what I was aiming for. I was going for a little more bling a little less beige. The colour aside, this style works really well under most clothes because of the half cup style and the combination of the smooth stain and embroidered fabric.
Where the beautiful strap detail just ends…
The cup is a standard 3 part cut and sew style. It feels very supportive on and it kind of just enhances my natural shape rather than changing it too much. The two main panels on each cup are lined with a fine mesh but there is no extra sling like I was expecting. The back of the band is mostly made up of a very soft and stretchy mesh. The frame of the bra is more of the embroided tulle on its own without any support fabric so it has the illusion of floating embroidery on the skin. The bra has 2 rows and 3 columns of hook and eyes and the straps adjust by 9 cms from the shortest to longest length. One thing that annoys me about this set is how the detail on the strap abruptly stops. I know it’s so you can adjust the straps but it just seems messy and avoidable. Another little detail is the centre front of the bra. It’s a very minor part of the bra, and it may not be on all of them, but once you see it you can’t unsee it. There is more mesh on one side of the bra than at the bottom of the gore. It’s a very minor detail and doesn’t affect the wearability of the bra at all, it’s just me being OCD.
Do you notice the variance at the gore?
I found this bra needed a few days to break it in. When I first started wearing it, I could feel it on. Not in an uncomfortable way, but you couldn’t forget that you were wearing it like an old favourite. Now it has been worn in enough I must say I think I should have ordered a 60G. The band fitted perfectly at first but now I wear it on the tightest hooks and I haven’t worn it more than 10 times. It really is crucial to measure yourself correctly!!!! Just before I started writing this I took my measurements again. I measured 65 cm tightly which puts me in firmly in the 60 band camp. If you measure in between band sizes, for this style I would go for the smaller one as it has stretched out fairly quickly. The bra is still very wearable and is still one of my better fitting ones, but next time hopefully I will have my size down pat. The wires are a good height, they don’t dig into my armpits but they aren’t as narrow as I was expecting. It always takes a few trial and errors to find your right size with a brand you haven’t tried before. It’s worth it though I would say as this is in my top 10 bra purchases this year. I’m not going to tell you out of how many because my friends and family reading this may have a heart attack.
The undies are a good fit but I was hoping they would sit a tad higher. In the campaign they seem to sit higher than what they do on me. They are very comfortable to wear and I love the design. It almost looks like you are wearing a thong but it’s just the illusion of the opaque material surrounded by the mesh. Overall a very cool design and a good fit, but next time I will be ordering the retro style undies so they sit above my hips.
The brief that looks like a thong.
This set worked out to be roughly $140 AUD. It definitely more than I would pay normally trying a brand for the first time, but in this case it was worth it. I’m trying to decide what style to get next, there is just too many good ones to choose from!
Lace and Haze 