Arabella Plunge Balcony Bra (5721)

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Arabella Plunge Balcony Bra (5721)

Up to G cups, Check 5731 for GG+ More...
This bra is discontinued.

Official website

I have one of these

Size range

	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
28			28DD 28:5 10 bras	28E 28:6 16 bras	28F 28:7 8 bras	28FF 28:8 15 bras	28G 28:9 9 bras
30		30D 30:4 3 bras	30DD 30:5 3 bras	30E 30:6 7 bras	30F 30:7 9 bras	30FF 30:8 11 bras	30G 30:9 14 bras
32	32C 32:3 0 bras	32D 32:4 2 bras	32DD 32:5 4 bras	32E 32:6 9 bras	32F 32:7 6 bras	32FF 32:8 12 bras	32G 32:9 12 bras
34	34C 34:3 0 bras	34D 34:4 0 bras	34DD 34:5 1 bra	34E 34:6 4 bras	34F 34:7 13 bras	34FF 34:8 3 bras	34G 34:9 10 bras
36	36C 36:3 0 bras	36D 36:4 0 bras	36DD 36:5 0 bras	36E 36:6 1 bra	36F 36:7 3 bras	36FF 36:8 4 bras	36G 36:9 1 bra
38			38DD 38:5 3 bras	38E 38:6 0 bras	38F 38:7 2 bras	38FF 38:8 4 bras	38G 38:9 4 bras

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5
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32F

Fits

This is the prettiest thing I've ever seen (although I am usually not a fan of pink). The only optical downside are the straps which are rather wide. As usual I cut off the bows as soon as I was done with the pictures.

The wires are rather narrow, narrower than I've ever worn them but no problem for me. The band runs about 2 cm loose (0.8 in) - which means I am starting on the middle hook, I might shorten in a few months. I might have bought it in 30FF but the boutique I visited did not have that in store. There is a tiny bit of space at the top of the cup but not enough to go down a cup size. I do also get a strap gap - with my short-rooted breasts that's almost unavoidable. The straps are not only wide but also thick which contrary to intuition doesn't make them feel comfortable but weird.

Overall it gives good support, especially if you consider the very thin material.

Updated on Jun 14, 2016 Flag this
Quality
Good

Comfort
Good

Bra appearance
Excellent!

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4
like
28DD

Fits

Wow. This is a review I'm almost scared to write. This bra in this size fits me perfectly. I already own two of these bras. They are both about 10 months old. I'm still using the loosest hooks. I keep telling myself it's too good to be true... so often it is.

It's time to admit it: this bra really is perfect! No complaints on fit at all. I can wear these bras under my clingyest knits and they don't show. No binding, no pinching; I can wear these bras all day long and not think twice. The best above all: The set is so sexy! Hubby loves ... them too!

Some may complain about the cups being pointy but this is not the case for me. Just simple perfection.

I'm always searching for more colours. Hear me Freya? Keep putting them out or other bras based off of this like the Lyla because I will always buy them!

Update: These bras are now officially a year old and I'm just moving to the middle hooks. I'm just so geeked! When I used to try to make do with bigger band sizes they would always stretch out and be useless in only 10-25 wears. I actually am getting my money's worth now! Woohoo!

For info: I've grown a cup and this size no longer fits. I am definitely getting a 28E in this bra; I can't live without my precious Arabella.
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Updated on Sep 23, 2012 Flag this
Quality
Excellent!

Comfort
Excellent!

Bra appearance
Excellent!

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4
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28F

Didn't fit

Both the band and cups fit true to size. The cups are a little on the tall side, but that makes up for it being a plunge style. The embroidery is too thick for most shirts. Another thick sweater, Winter bra for me.

**This is sized with American sizing. It was bought as a G, but comparable to a 28DDDD cup as listed on Figleaves.com

*Update 8/02/11*
Since this is exactly the same as the Pollyanna, it also has the same fit (and fit issues). It does not fit. At least not the way I want it to. I can't wear lace styles, especially any from Freya because they're ... cheaply made and none of them are lined (I'm talking a thin tricot lining, not foam or padding). No matter how I adjust it and how tight I wear it, the band is too tight yet rides up in back. Also the cups wrinkle and sag, but also cut into my breast tissue which makes the cup look too small. You can't see this in the photos because I wasn't wearing it that long. It's painful and I can't wear it with anything anyways, unless it's a shelf bra camisole (or anything super fitted with 2 layers, those types of shirts help to smooth and lift better than this bra!). But I'm still in pain even then. It's not worth it.

Also, if you're thinking I might be in the wrong band size, maybe one that's too small...my ribcage is only 25" (bust 35").
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Updated on Aug 02, 2011 Flag this
Quality
Okay

Comfort
Meh

Bra appearance
Okay

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- I do think you're in the wrong band size! If your underbust is 25", you should look for 26 bands. These are hard to find, I know. But 28 is definitely too big, especially in a model like this that is very stretchy in the band.
- 1
  
  No. I'm not. First of all, if you read my profile then you'd understand the problems I have with 28 bands. Secondly, that is just another one of those "general rule of thumb" statements that do not apply to all women. I am one of them. I have Fybromyalgia so I cannot wear skin tight cut off your circulation bras. If I close a size 28 band on the smallest eyes I get heartburn, I can't inhale very much and I have pain in my ribcage (due to the illness though), back, neck and shoulders. If I wear a 32 it's sliding around, but the only pain I have is in my shoulders from the straps pressing down. I'll take that over complete pain, thanks! Also that size gives a better shape because I have wider boobs for my small frame. Not stiff/fake or perky, narrow boobs. The cup proportion as far as width goes on a size 32DD fits me better than that of a 30DDD and 28DDDD, but I do have to take in the center gore. I can't imagine the problems and pain I would have in a size 26! I only have 14% body fat...so there is not as much flesh on my ribcage as a lot of others have. I do not need the size I measure at. That is a myth as far as I'm concerned. And as little back fat that I have, wearing a size 28 on the smallest eyes causes a ton of back fat on me (and I notice it with a lot of the people on this site who are wearing too small of a band size). I'm not into that look.
  
  Thanks for your suggestion though. But it doesn't apply to my shape.
- Hi, HLAleo. I am sorry if you were offended by my comment, that was not my intention. I didn't read your profile, and I usually don't read them when commenting on a review.
  
  I also have fibromyalgia, to the extent that I was housebound for several years. I know exactly what you mean by the pain in the ribs and chest and difficulty breathing. I am having the breathing trouble today, in fact, and I'm not wearing a bra at the moment. I found bra bands to be very painful, and I spent years wearing them too loose to avoid that pain. They really hurt me! Even now I am very sensitive to some bras: for me now it is more about the texture of the fabric though. A fabric that is remotely scratchy is agony to me! I am sure you understand.
  
  What I know now is that I was wearing cups too small, and those too-small cups put extra strain on the band, and caused the bands to dig in. I wore bras like a 38D. Now that I wear a 32H/34G (ish) bras I am amazed by how comfortable they are.
  
  Last year a bra fitter at Nordstrom tried to send me home with a bra that was right in the band but too small in the cup. We argued about it and she insisted it would loosen up and become more comfortable, but it was AGONIZING. The band and the wires cut into me so hard. I took it back. I have the same bra in a larger cup now and it's quite comfy.
  
  As for back fat: I too get this problem. It's really a matter of the model of bra. A bra with a wider band and a true leotard back minimizes back fat. Also a good-fitting band sits below the shoulder blades, minimizing the fatty pooch. BUt some bras just have a crappy band for back fat. I know some people who say they always get back fat with Fantasie bras, for example. The center gore issue is also a matter of the bra model: I personally can't wear a bra with a wide center gore, because my chest is narrow.
  
  You are right about body fat affecting compression. A person with a 30 inch rib cage who has some squish can typically wear a smaller size than a person who doesn't have much body fat, just because fat compresses and ribs don't.
  
  I hope you know that comments about bra fit aren't personal attacks. I wasn't picking on you. We are all on this site to help one another, after all. I was responding directly to your comment about people thinking you were in a too-big band. I do think that a 28 band is just too large for a 25" rib cage, but I also understand that there are extenuating circumstances and that you may be more comfortable in a looser bra right now. I personally experienced breast damage from my time wearing too loose bands, and I hope that you can avoid that fate. I also wish you the very best of health. I have had FMS for more than a decade and the good news is that things *can* get better.
- I wasn't offended by any means. I'm just sick of hearing lately that what you measure is what you should wear...give or take an inch. A lot of women promoting this fit advice act like it's almost the only rule to go by (I know you weren't saying that, but I just don't think a 26 would fit me since 28's are already snug), and it's not going to work with everyone. I know it doesn't work for myself.
  
  It is nice to see someone else with FMS though. My mom has it, I've measured her before, technically she should be in a 32B (we're obviously very different shapes, lol!) but she's wears a 36A because of the pain. I know Ewa Michalak does 26 but I've also heard they run smaller than normal. According to their calculator I should be in their 65E's (I'm guessing that's 30DDD on their site?) but to not be able to try it on in person and not be able to return if it doesn't fit and they're expensive...I'd rather just stick with a bigger band. Right now my two most comfortable bras are the Body By Victoria - I have an ivory full coverage and a turquoise demi. The fabrics on them are the softest I've ever felt and the wings are very tall. They've been taken in 4 or 6" in the band so they fit pretty snug without riding up. The elastic is also coverage by the fabric which helps a great deal. But they don't provide that much lift, they're almost minimizing for me. Still, I thank you for your advice, and no worries there are no harsh feelings. =)
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3
like
28E

Used to fit

Lovely sexy bra great for a projected, narrow shape. Runs huge in the band so size down if you're able. This makes me think that I'll have luck with other unlined Freya plunges.

I love the fiery Freya Arabella. It's both sexy and comfy. Yay for Freya, making

https://thepetitecollegiate.wordpress.com/2015/07/18/freya-arabella-a-hot-num...

Updated on Jul 18, 2015 Flag this

PetiteCollegiate

3149 reputation

112 bras
Quality
Don't know

Comfort
Don't know

Bra appearance
Don't know

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- Show all comments (10)
- It looks good!
  I'm surprised it has enough projection in that size.
- I bent the wires narrower to add projection, but it wasn't terrible to start out with. It would be pretty much perfect with a smaller band
- That's the best trick ever.
- 1
  
  Yay I'm so glad it worked out pretty good on you!
- 1
  
  Love Arabella! It looks like a great fit :)
- 2
  
  Minus the band of course. Freya needs to get their act together on those stretchy bands. :(
- 1
  
  I have one in black in the same size, but looks completely different on, sits lower and with less coverage. Curious to compare the bands, whether the black is any tighter. Need to add it to BTB with some pics soon. Love the 3piece cup Freyas.
- 1
  
  Queequeg0925 I think the stretchy bands may be intentional on their part for "comfort", but I'd definitely like to see them go.
  erispe I think it's so weird how the same bra can look so drastically different on different people and in different years. I've heard that black generally is tighter because the dye makes it shrink, but that may not be true.
- Here are the pics of mine in the same size, diff colour: http://bra.pe/XP4c/
  The band feels tight enough, so it is quite possible that the black is tighter than the red.
  Well, our shapes are different, and the bras can't really drastically change our original shapes, I guess. Also being at the lower or upper threshold of a certain size can affect the fit. There are some brands I cannot wear if between sizes, the smaller being too small with quadding, while the bigger having too wide wires and cups too separate.
- I can't see your pictures, but the measurements are fairly different. They could be different seasons maybe? Or maybe mine is stretched out? I tend to be sort of in between 28E and 28F. But yeah, unlined especially is going to be dependent on natural shape (which is why I'll never be perfectly round in it).
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3
like
30FF

Used to fit

Size:
My 'real' size is 32E/F and that's what I've tried at first. I have two other Arabella bras in 32E and they are actually almost good, the cups embrace breasts fully, the band is ok, though a slightest bit on the loose side. The only problem is that I have wide root breasts and I prefer wider wires, while this model (and many other Freya models, as far as I can tell) have definitely narrow underwires, shaped like capital letter U. Arabella is so beautiful that I wore 32E anyway and it wasn't tragic, but after several hours I could feel the discomfort from the wires and ... I was afraid I would get dark marks on my skin. Finally I got a possibility of buying an Arabella bra in Cassis (dark violet) shade and in sizes 30FF. When I read the measures of the bra I noticed they actually look more like my measures and I decided to give it a try. It turned out it was a good decision. The cups aren't as perfectly fitting as in 32E, but still good enough and they don't give such slightly tubular shape as the 32E gave me. The band is tight, but ok. And finally the underwires are good! I must confess also I bought a 28FF at the same time, as I was afraid that 30FF may be too big in cups. Well, that 28FF is again too narrow in wires, the cup size itself seems to be fitting, but the band is too tight. I can wear it with an extender, but the wires poke, so I don't.

Comfort and shape:
This one had wires wide enough for me and I can say that it's amazingly comfortable. Suitable for all day wear and in summer the mesh fabric is a real blessing. It gives me a lot of support, natural shape and moderate lift, while 32E gave me more protruding shape.

Appearance:
It looks amazing! I think it's the most beautiful bra design I have ever seen. Arabella just looks good on its own and amazing against the skin. Personally I like Cassis and Oyster colour versions the most and that's what I own, but I wouldn't mind having more colours. I think it's a real shame that Freya doesn't make them any more, as Lyla is nice, but not as strikingly pretty.
The bra I own was second-hand and the label was quite washed out, but the condition of the bra is excellent, so I hope it will stay this way for a longer while. I bought a matching shorts and suspender belt, brand new ones and they are exactly the same shade, so I think the colour doesn't fade.

Extra info:
My mum is a fan of Arabellas, too. She's over 60 so I'd say this bra is also suitable for mature women. Despite its delicate look it's very supportive.
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Updated on Jul 29, 2012 Flag this
Quality
Excellent!

Comfort
Excellent!

Bra appearance
Excellent!

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2
like
28FF

Used to fit

A pleasant surprise from Freya, whom I haven't had a lot of luck with up to this point. But this bra is so gorgeous I couldn't help myself! Very nicely narrow and projected, very stretchy band as per usual Freya. Nevermind my twisted strap in the blog pictures! If anyone knows where I can acquire a nude color 28FF, I'd be eternally grateful.

So I've been a little obsessed with the aesthetics of this bra ever since I disc

https://thephotogsbrog.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/bra-review-freya-arabella-28ff/

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Sep 30, 2015 Flag this

lcl0706

6302 reputation

165 bras
Quality
Good

Comfort
Good

Bra appearance
Excellent!

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2
like
30DD

Hasn't set fit

I love Arabella. Cup is okay but the band it's too big. It's new so now it's not too bad but for couple months I must have 28E https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />

Navy with lime and green colorway

Updated on Jun 22, 2015 Flag this
Quality
Excellent!

Comfort
Okay

Bra appearance
Excellent!

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2
like
28F

Didn't fit

Runs large in band and cup--fits like a tight 30F, or a really loose 28FF. Decently narrow wires. Scratchy band and mesh.

Unpadded Freya plunges (Arabella, Totally Tartan Plunge) want very centered, projected-in-the-middle, kind of full-on-top breasts, and they don't look right if your nipples can't line up with the pointy part in the cups.

Not good for projected-on-bottom, shallow-on-top breasts. The lace was obvious through loose t-shirts because it was so oversized on top.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Nov 09, 2013 Flag this
Quality
Okay

Comfort
Poor

Bra appearance
Meh

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2
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30G

Didn't fit

I got this bra in red and it is very striking. The embroidery is high quality and the bra is made of good materials - nothing itches or chafes. The cups on Arabella are ever so slightly larger than standard, which causes the underwire to dig in very lightly into my sternum, while other Freya bras in the same size fit well and do not have this problem. Aside from this, I think this bra fits very well and is absolutely beautiful.

Updated on Jul 09, 2011 Flag this
Quality
Excellent!

Comfort
Good

Bra appearance
Excellent!

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1
like
32DD

Fits

Im really surprised as usually Freya doesnt work on me. This bra is trully red, and looks quite sexy - would be great for a 'hot night'. The wires are narrow, the cups are deep and creates this rounded but pointy from the side look. Bra overall fits well - there is no digging into my boobs, straps are not too wide however the band could be tighter as Im closing it on the tightest hooks.
Im not really sure about this bra, as it fits well but at the same time i have so many bras and this one is like okay only and also I have already one other red - cleo lucy, so need to decide which one Im going to keep with me https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />

Red colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 26, 2016 Flag this
Quality
Excellent!

Comfort
Good

Bra appearance
Good

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