I purchased the Freya Sansa Underwire Bralette simply because it looked pretty in the pictures on HerRoom. Unfortunately there was very little info available on this bra, so I had no idea what I was getting into. While this is a very pretty bra in person, there are several reasons it is not for me.
I didn't realize it at the time, but this style is a hybrid pull-over and hooked back construction. The stretch lace portion of the torso goes all the way around, so in order to put on the bra, you must pull it over your head. I didn't realize this at the time when ordering, but I absolutely despise this construction. I find this to be extremely difficult to put on at my size, and I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be if your cup size was significantly bigger than your band size, because you would still have to pull the bra all the way over your breasts to get it on. In addition, the actual hook back is not as tight as it would be in a normal bra, which you can see from the measurements on the flat. Once I have the bra hooked, it still doesn't feel as secure as a normal 28DD. Getting it on is such a hassle that even if this bra fit me perfectly, I don't think I would bother with it.
However, this bra doesn't fit me perfectly in the cups either. This style shares the same construction and block as the Freya Fearne Plunge Balcony Bra, but for some reason these cups run much larger. The cups seem to run a half size larger than the 28DD Fearne I own, and there's absolutely no way I could make these cups work. The loose band doesn't help the fit on me either! This particular bra seems to fit close to a 30D+ in Freya sizes, since the band seems to run bigger than a 28 Freya band, and the cup seems to run bigger than a 30D but not quite a 30DD. I also purchased the Plunge Balcony Bra version, and can confirm that the block is the same as Fearne. The Bralette's cups run deeper and taller than the Plunge Bra version.
The fabric is the same lightweight nonstretch tricot as Fearne, which is smooth, soft, and very comfortable to wear. The print itself is pretty in person and much nicer than most UK brands' prints IMO. The lace used for the upper cup and bodice of the bra is actually super soft and silky, totally different from all the other Freya laces I have encountered. The straps are trimmed with the same print fabric, and just like on Fearne, the fabric goes too far back on the strap. In order to adjust the strap on me, I have to adjust over the fabric, which isn't that easy. On petite people, the length of the lace may also be too long. I am 5'1" with a normal torso proportion, and the lace comes down past the bottom of my ribs, coming close to my belly button. I feel that it hits me in an odd place on the body. Sadly, this gorgeous bra is all around not for me. It may work for you if you have a longer torso, don't mind pulling the bra over your head, fit in the Fearne, and are kind of between sizes in Freya.
Updated on Sep 25, 2019
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