Bubblegum

Because my 32G - Freya » Flourish Padded Longline Bra (1543) is a bit small, I ordered Crush in a 34G, planning on taking in the band. Well, the 34G was too large overall. Re-ordered it in 32G and while this fits better, I'll still have to take in the band.

So yeah, the band runs really large. Even larger than your average Freya I would say, because normally in longlines I don't mind a 32 band. Also, for some inexplicable reason there's only 2 rows of hooks?? Lame, because this decreases the options of tightening (or loosening) the band and I'm pretty sure most customers ... won't like it. So Freya - móre rows of hooks please, not less!

Cups: For a Freya padded halfcup, these run a bit large as well. My 32G Flourish is noticeably smaller. Cup shape is still wide and shallow (too wide & shallow for me) as usual in this style. Maybe a bit more projection than previous Freya halfcups. Cups are somewhat tall as well - there is some minor gaping on my smaller breast, which doesn't happen to me often as I have tall roots.

Straps: are firm and I like how the print continues on them. Straps do require more shortening than I'm used to. For example in Panache Jasmine and Envy, I keep my straps at almost the longest setting. Maybe because of the loose band and large-ish cups, the straps need more adjustment.

Somehow despite not fitting 'properly', this bra still manages to be comfortable. And what originally attracted me - Crush's design - does NOT disappoint in real life! Vibrant print, bright colours, well made and the materials are soft.

Matching shorts are slightly big in size Large (43 inch hips).
The border at the leg holes has the annoying tendency to flips outwards, showing the white lining. Think I would prefer the briefs over the short.


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Updated on Feb 26, 2016 Flag this

This bra is gorgeous!
The vibrant teal (?) embroidery really pops - more so than in the promo pics.
Even if it's more of a 'grown up' bra (compared to many UK brand bras with pinks and frills), it doesn't feel mature or matronly to me at all. Probably because of the sheerness of the upper part of the cups?

The tag says 65K, at Brastop they converted this to UK 30H.
Unfortunately this bra is too small and doesn't work for me. I don't fill out the bottom (not enough projection) and the top cuts in, giving a pointy appearance (upside down-7 shape to the max!!). Not sure about Nessa's size charts but I would consider this a UK 30G.

Will sadly have to resell it - bye pretty teal lacey darling!

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Updated on Jul 31, 2015 Flag this

My favorite Curvy Kate I think!

Tried a bunch of C'Kates when I was a bit smaller / a couple years ago - but despite their cute designs, fit-wise I've somehow never found them to work too well for me in general.

(mostly I'd struggle with inadequate projection, too wide-set straps and / or cups that cut into my upper fullness)

Ellace, however, is a different story.
I reach for this bra quite often and it's held up so well over time! I've had it for about 2+ years (somehow forgot to review it) and after each handwash it feels almost good as new.

I like the added elastic on the ... underband, I like the stretchy lace, and I'm a big fan of this teal colorway!

I'm bordering on 32GG but this 32G contains me pretty well. It seems true that Curvy Kate has started to make firmer bands (read: more true to size) as they used to be quite stretchy and I'd lean towards 30, but this 32 band feels great.

The underband elastic does seem to help in that regard!
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Updated on Jun 20, 2021 Flag this

Soo something I normally always forget / am too lazy for: reviewing and measuring a bra that fits horribly and will definitely be returned!

I was familiar with this Juliette Lace non padded style (I own 2 in a sister cut / previous incarnation?). So since Figleaves recently closed down, and the Juliettes I own work pretty well, I thought I'd snatch this in the sale.

Bought it off ASOS (US) which can be a bit of a gamble conversion-wise. This time they did do the normal conversion of US 32I = UK 32G. So I did receive the size I was expecting.

Sadly this is WAY too small (see pics) and will be returned. There's too little projection, the stretch lace cuts in like crazy, it gives an east-west look and just nowhere near my size. Fits like a wide-set 32F / FF I would guesstimate?

Weird, because the 2 Juliette-like bras that I own are 34FF and 32G - and they don't fit perfectly, but definitely better than this !!

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Updated on Jun 08, 2021 Flag this

Nice design, gold and black. There's a floral pattern in the golden stripes.
Upper part of the cups is black, overlayed with lace.

Light foam cups, band is short but also quite stretchy. Would have preferred a wider and firmer band. Very thin straps (1cm) that can also be detached and worn as a cross back. Removable cookies in the cups.

Nessa size 65I, sold via Brastop as a UK 30G. Seems sort of true to size, as it's too small for me (at 30GG).

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Updated on Nov 16, 2015 Flag this

Very very wrong for my shape.
I really liked the sheerness & black/white 'chessboard' pattern but the fit does not work on me at ALL.

Too east/west, too closed off, too shallow in the bottom and too deep; all at the same time. Elf shoe alarm!!
This won't work with my boobs in whatever size.
Probably would work better for ladies with wide-set breasts, more bottom fullness, quite projected? Sort of similar fitting to Freya unpadded balcony plunges (which also don't work on me).

- Tight band (tighter than my other Flirtelles)
+ Nice low gore

Anyway I'm most definitely returning this.

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Updated on Sep 29, 2015 Flag this

A year ago when I was first entering 30G+ territory, I was obsessed with the bright tropical print of this Freya Flourish. So I bought the longline, briefs, thongs and the balcony bra (good discounted deal on brastop). First I had the balcony in 30G, but that turned out to be too small pretty quickly. Did love the bra so decided to re-order in a size up.

When the 30GG arrived I was in for a surprise: it looked like a LOT of bra compared to the 30G!
(As I didn't know back then but found out the hard way https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />, Freya tweaks their ... balcony designs after a certain cup size, mostly 30GG. Meant to hold up larger boobs. They are sturdier but look and feel pretty different!)

Industrial width reinforced straps, a wider band (3 hooks instead of 2) but my biggest issue was the double lining in the cups.. While the 30G was a very 'airy' bra, this one felt more rigid and constricting. Also the reinforced cups made it look more pointy and the black lace part of the cups didn't have any give or stretch, unlike the see through lace on the 30G. Although the 30GG was deeper, the firm closed off lace part made me quad practically as much as in the 30G!

(Don't worry, since then I've also realized - and accepted - that Freya balconies are not my friend; being FoT their designs are just too 'closed' for me. It's either a larger size with the 'Freya pucker' in too deep and pointy cups, or quadding and gore not tacking in a smaller size).

Anyway, back to Flourish: With all those issues, why did I keep her?
Very relevant question; truth is a year ago I knew less than I know now; and I really wanted to make it work, because the Flourish longline wasn't working on me for daily wear (different story, band flipping up, see other review). This balcony I did wear quite regularly, but only under thicker clothes to camouflage the pointiness and quad. The sturdier band and straps actually do feel nice, the bra is not uncomfortable to wear and I still love the print! So more of a winter bra: nice to wear something tropical under all those layers when it's cold https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" />

But over the last 6 months other bras (e.g. Jasmine, much better for my shape) forced Flourish out of my bra roulation. This summer, clearing out my closets I inspected Flourish' double lining on the lacey part and decided I could easily cut it away. So that's what I did and it looks much better now, imo. Fit issues are sill there but I'll hold on to her for a bit longer. We'll see!




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Tropical colorway

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Updated on Aug 12, 2015 Flag this

Beautiful thistle flower pattern, grey-blue outlined print on a nice light blue undertone. Cup edges and bottom have a pretty lacey border. Nice detailing like a little 'knot' on the centre gore. Materials feel of high quality, soft and well put together. Inner cups are lined with a cottony fabric, very comfy.

I like how this bra's design is really feminine but in a little more edgy / original way than your standard pinks, hearts and florals (though admittedly I also love 'kitsch' bras - but there's a time and a place for everything https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" /> ).

On me this bra unfortunately doesn't work though: ... mainly because the cups are too tall. For reference, My height is 1.68 m (around 5.5) and my boobs are not low on my chest (not sure if they're high set either, I guess 'medium'?). In any case, I often have issues with underwires + cup edges ending too high under my armpits and I really dislike that feeling. Sad, because apart from the tall cups this bra is pretty great!

Rest of the fit is quite decent: tacking gore, band is nice and snug, no overspill. Maybe slightly shallow in the bottom for my projection. Fits like a UK 30GG / 30H I would say. As for who this bra would fit, I'm mostly FOT but I guess this bra would also work for even fullness. FoB I'm not sure.

Anyway I'm listing this bra: it's brand new with tags.
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Updated on Jul 27, 2015 Flag this

*Ok there's some 'golden oldies' in my bra collection - bras I was truly obsessed with, have owned/tried in multiple sizes and even if I don't wear them often, they are doomed to be mine.. Forever! XD*

One of them is Rosie - I love her print SO much!
I know florals are not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm pretty much addicted to all things flowery https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
The rose print is slightly 'abstract' and the colors are really bright and vibrant.

This is a bra I've owned in various sizes - 32F and then 32FF (when my boobs were smaller and I hadn't realized how ... much better 30 bands feel to wear). Ended up with this 30GG, which I feel runs true to size.

As much as I love the look of this bra, the fit is not ideal. Creates a bit of an east/west look?
This bra gives my boobs a more natural appearance, rather than very uplifted - certainly has its purposes / occasions but I find myself not wearing it very often.

Also - one of my main bra annoyances - the straps chafe my armpits. Honestly I can hardly find bras that DON'T do that, even if my shoulders are not small at all for my size https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> Maybe my armpit tolerance is just too low..? I really feel for actual small shouldered ladies, they must truly suffer!

Anyway; even if she's not my perfect bra, Rosie will always have a place in my closet and my heart https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
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Updated on Jul 31, 2015 Flag this

Really love the 'pin-up' aesthetic of this bra, but sadly it's not a good match for me.

Fit issues:
Bottom cups are way too shallow for me, causing me to size up to avoid quadding.
This also adds to the tallness of the cups (but a smaller size cuts in).
But my real deal-breaker is the amount of coverage in the armpit / tail of spence area!

I'm apparently someone with unreasonable tenderness there, who often experiences (even generally well-fitting) bras to 'chafe' my armpit area... (while I see other people wearing bras with much more 'armpit material' without trouble - so yeah I don't know, call me sensitive). But as Charlotte ... has SO.MUCH.MATERIAL near the armpit, I can't comfortably deal with it. Especially as it's thick/foamy as well.

As I really wanted this bra to work, I've actually attempted bra surgery and undid the sewing at the wing / where the strap meets the cup; toward the under-armpit.
This sewing intervention is relatively doable, as the satiny fabric can be re-attached over the alteration, so the sewing underneath is pretty much invisible. So you can easily cut part of the material away and re-sew it in a more comfortable, lower-coverage position.

But you know, life happens, being too busy and with a too-large pile of sewing projects..
I never got around to finishing my alteration. Now I've moved countries and either this Charlotte is somewhere in storage or I donated it, can't remember.

I'm still low-key contemplating the Shimmer Floral though, which is supposed to have much better projection!
So I could size down for sure, like 32G, which could hopefully also (partly) counter the too-much-armpit-material effect?
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Updated on Dec 29, 2021 Flag this