Lace and Haze

Tag: European

  • Introducing Overture Lingerie

    Introducing Overture Lingerie

    Whenever there is a new lingerie brand I get very excited. Now imagine that excitement when I find out that new brand is a small band/fuller bust specialist based in the UK. Overture lingerie is a boutique London based brand that has just launched.

    They specialise in band sizes 26-34 and cup sizes F-HH. While that may not seem like a very large size range, for a small brand it is a huge investment to create 30 sizes. They have launched with two colour ways, with a brief and thong as well as a robe. Overture is definitely a luxury brand but the attention to detail in design is well worth the price tag.

    I was gifted the thong in a size 16 and the bra in a 32HH in the Espresso range. I’m definitely more of a size 16/18 so the thong is a bit on the small side but definitely wearable. One thing you should know about this brand is that it is manufactured in Poland. If you are well versed in the bra world you’ll know what that means straight away.

    For those that don’t know, Polish bras are known for their narrow wires and deep cups giving a much more lifted silhouette. It is the opposite of a minimising effect and its great if you are looking for a rounded shape.

    Comparison of wire shape between Overture and Panache. Overture wire finishes at the same point but follows the natural shape of the breast root more.

    So lets be honest, this brand is all about the bra, the knicker and robe make a nice outfit but the bra is the star of the show. It’s made from Bespoke Swiss embroidery and has non stretch silk straps. It’s finished with rose gold hardware that is very subtle.

    Here I’m wearing the initial bra in a 32HH.

    It has an Illusion cup, a 3 part invisible tulle base layer overlayed with two part cup of the abstract Swiss embroidery. It also has a sling made of the same illusion tulle to help with forward projection. This bra has used a balconette wire but has a 1cm illusion drop so it looks more plunging than it actually is. The lower embroidery gives the wearer the option to wear more open necklines with only the invisible tulle on display.

    Full disclosure, I was sent a bigger bra after wearing the first bra a few times. I found I needed more space mostly in the height of the cup and the 34HH which has been modified into a 32J gives me better results. Unfortunately I still had the same issue with this bra so we decided to try the other colour way in the modified 34HH=32J. Something I didn’t realise while looking on the website is that the tulle between the different styles is different. The tulle on the black bra is much softer. It great for those who find tulle can be a bit scratchy or irritating. Unfortunately if you are a bigger cup size like me it doesn’t offer the support that is needed and can easily be stretch and warped out of shape.

    32J in the affogato range

    Something I would change is the overlocking of the tulle cup. It faces outwards but because of where my tissue sits in the bra it shows on the espresso range. The reason its not this way is so its smooth against the skin. So no irritation from the stitching. One other thing I’d change is the straps or more specifically the length/adjustability. I find the neckline appears quite long without the amount of tension that is need from the straps so it can appear to gape.

    One aspect that I really love about this bra is how light it is. It’s something very unexpected for a fuller bust bra, as some can resemble scaffolding. When I first unboxed it I thought there was no way something so delicate could hold up my boobs. It really does achieve the mission the brand set out to do, a bra you can forget you are wearing all day yet luxurious enough to wear out again all night.

    The thong is simple but comfortable

    I’ve worn both styles of bras a number of times and there really is a large difference between colour ways. The bigger the cup I’d definitely go for the lighter colours, if a smaller cup size the espresso will work well. I’m actually very surprised how much I’ve worn the lighter colour bra. Those colours are not normally my first choice but it has been so nice to wear and I’ve ended up preferring the embroidery.

  • Adina Reay Fran review.

    Adina Reay Fran review.

    It’s been slowly coming around for awhile, but there are now options for luxury lingerie for the fuller bust customer. Adina reay is one of these brands that focusing on the luxury fuller bust market and currently serves the dd_G 28-38 customers. It doesn’t cover the entire fullerbust range as that would be huge, but it’s a very good start.

    I ordered the Fran set in red. The bra in a 28FF initially and the suspender briefs in a small. When it arrived it was clear that the 28FF was far too small so I exchange it for a 28G. The process to exchange is fairly simple. You just email Adina Reay and they send through the document for the courier pick up. You do have to call the courier company to arrange the pick up, for me this was really hard. I struggle with calling people, it gives me huge anxiety I literally put it off for a month because it gave me so much stress. It would have been great if their was an online option.

    The knickers are so comfortable to wear! The mesh is super soft against the skin even with all the vertical detail panels. I’m surprised how well they held up stockings. I wore this set for 6hrs walking around and sitting and they stayed in place no worries. If you are on the smaller side of your size measurements it may not be the same. I’m on the upper end of small so it worked for me. My one major concern if you would wear these knickers with the suspenders all the time is how well the fabric would hold up to the constant pull of the stockings. The fabric warped a little when I wore them for 6 hrs, I’m not sure how much more they would warp if worn regularly.

    The bra feels beautiful on but it doesn’t feel super secure. It’s made from the same really soft mesh which feels beautiful against the skin. I’d heard that this style ran big that’s why I initially ordered the 28FF. I can confirm it does run big in the band but only because of the materials used in construction. So I’ve had this set for awhile and I’m finally reviewing it. The main reason for the delay is because at first I didn’t like this set on me. But slowly I’ve noticed I’ve been reaching for this set to wear. It’s perfect for those lazy days when you want comfort, nothing to delicate or fussy and more support than a bralette. It’s definitely not one of the most supportive bras I own but it’s definitely one of the most comfortable.

    My only regret with this purchase is that I didn’t get a 3 piece set. I like the suspender knickers but I find I wear them only as normal knickers without the stockings. They always seem like a good idea but never actually end up being used as much. This set doesn’t actually come with a matching suspender which explains why I went with the suspender knickers all those months ago.

    All in all I’d say I like this set but I don’t love it. The bra band isn’t firm enough for my liking and doesn’t give as much support as I would like. The suspender knickers are ok. I’d much prefer a separate suspender and normal knickers, preferably seamless. I think its a good brand but next time I think ill try a product that perhaps has more structure and support to it and hopefully a 3 piece set.

  • 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

  • Avocado lingerie reviews

    Avocado lingerie reviews

    You read that title right, multiple reviews in one little blog post! As you may know, Avocado is a favourite brand of mine when I’m looking for supportive but still beautiful fuller bust bras. I’ve purchased from them a few times in the past but these two sets were gifted to me by the brand.

    I was sent the Misia HCQ bra and briefs and the Silk Gardenia HCQ bra and briefs. Both bras are a 60G and briefs are both medium.

    Visually I liked these bras when they arrived, but when I tried them on I loved them, especially the Gardenia bra. I thought at first that it may seem like too much coverage. Combined with the beige/gold tone I thought it might look a bit too old for me. Goes to show that Anna from Avocado knows what will suit me better then I know myself! The golden tones work perfectly with my skin to work as a perfect beige everyday bra. It’s the fanciest everyday bra but I’m calling it an everyday bra because I want to wear it all the time! It fits me perfectly, the embroidery is beautiful, it’s supportive and it gives a great shape. It’s also super comfortable. What more could you want from a bra?

    The matching briefs are a bit big for me. They wouldn’t be my first choice of style of bottoms but they are functional and comfortable but if I dare say it, slightly daggy. What makes them not so perfect for me is the amount of beige coverage.

    The second set fits very differently even though they are the exact same size. The briefs sit a bit lower and definitely feel small on me. The bra is a bit bigger in the cups as well. The reason for this I believe is the difference in materials used. With the first set the embroidery is very full and very ridged. This set is made of a very fine mesh and delicate lace so it has more give in it. It also doesn’t quite have the same construction as the first bra. What I mean by that is in the gold bra the embroidery goes all the way up to the shoulders providing extra lift. The taupe bra does have this feature but the materials don’t have the same strength or rigidity. This is why it feels less supportive even though technically they are the same type of cup.

    The shape of avocado bras really work for me. The wires are quite narrow and they work well for my close set breasts. There is enough depth in the bottom of the cups, something that can be a struggle to find with other brands.

    So if I measure myself and go by Avocados size chart technically I should be ordering a 65F. I’m in between bra band sizes and the advice is to size up. I go for a 60G as I find the bands can run slightly larger. This is not something I would recommend doing unless you like your bra band quite firm.

    These sets from avocado will set you back around $150-$180 AUD each. I know that may sound like a lot, but cost per wear they are my cheapest bras. They are specifically a fuller bust brand and they offer over 50 sizes which is a huge achievement for a brand of this size.