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

This bra is gorgeous, obviously. The band seems a bit stretchy, but I do have to wear an extender with it for now, which is unusual for me with Freyas. I expect it will loosen up with a few wears. Wires are definitely too wide, reaching near the back of my armpit on one side, but as I'm fairly small there it doesn't rub my arm so creates no discomfort. I had to bend the center gore on it, because it's a bit too wide at the top, but with that minor adjustment it's not longer sitting on breast tissue and therefore not a problem. My main gripe ... with this bra is the shape it gives me - I've got a tiny bit of east/west going on (probably only noticeable to someone looking straight down my chest, which hopefully no one will be doing!). I think this is due to the wider gore and the complete and total lack of side support. If I don't swoop and scoop perfectly in this bra my nipples end up a little crazy too, with one pointing out and one pointing down, but as long as I'm careful it's not an issue. It also has a bit of a pointy profile, which is not my favorite shape, but it doesn't look like a bullet bra or anything. In certain positions it also looks like I'm being a bit flattened, so I fear it may not have quite enough projection for me. For a bra with so much detailing, it's firstly unobtrusive under shirts. As long it's it's dark colored and not paper thin, I think it will work.

All of this aside, it is a beautiful and comfortable bra, and I'll definitely be keeping it and testing out what clothes it works best with.
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Updated on Apr 04, 2015 Flag this

Top edge of the cup is firm and inflexible, causing it to be risky for FOT or even shapes. As a result, I had quadding in this. It's so pretty, though, that I don't want to give up on it, and am going to try a few sizes larger to try to make it work!

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Sep 23, 2014 Flag this

Initial impressions are that if my breasts were both the same size, I'd call this a good fit. There's some looseness in the lace -- a pucker along the diagonal seam running between strap and gore -- which I think is simply due to my being shallow up top. It's nothing too noticeable. The wires are perfect, I feel supported and get a lovely uplifted profile.

The gore can be a bit stabby if I don't get the bra sitting at precisely the right height, but the biggest problem I have with this bra is that the straps cut into my armpits. Hopefully a few washes will soften ... it a little.

I was worried about asymmetry with a totally sheer bra (I'd estimate I have about a cup size difference), but other than slightly more wrinkling in the lace on the smaller side it's really not as noticeable as I thought. Although I have noticed the mesh can be a little itchy on the nipple on my smaller breast, due to slight movement within the cup during the day; so if you have extreme asymmetry and sensitive skin this might not be a great choice.

Edited to add: after a few washes and wears, most of my problems with this bra have vanished. The gore is no longer stabby, the wires are nicely broken in to my shape, and the mesh doesn't irritate my nipples any more. The straps also don't saw at my arms quite so badly any more -- but they do still chafe, and by the end of the day it's uncomfortable. I've not marked the straps as being too wide-set because it's not a deal-breaker on this bra, but it does still suffer from the combination of wide-set straps and tall cups (particularly at the wing) that results in Freya bras not being armhole friendly on me.
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Black colorway

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Updated on Aug 14, 2014 Flag this

This is a beautiful bra, and the fit is nice. For me, it fits a bit like the Cleo Lucy in 30 G, i.e. the band fits well, the cups too, but on my smaller side the cup is a bit too big. However, this can be adjusted with the straps and gives a little room for bigger chest days (PMS). I also like that you can see the breasts through the material since it also shows where the bra is really sitting (i.e. directly in the fold or too low etc.). . I guess there are breasts on which this bra looks better. Mine are very soft (pregnancies etc.) and you can sometimes see some wrinkles, but it still looks good. And my husband likes it, too... https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Also, it is comfortable and not just for the bedroom, and it gives a nice shape, somehow forward and up (I didn't find it pointy like other reviewers). However, I had to bend the wires around the sternum as they were uncomfortable.

Updated on Nov 06, 2013 Flag this

Arabella is a very sexy bra. It gives great support for being made out of sheer fabric. I have this in size 30FF which is my normal size in most Freya and Cleo unpadded bras. While I put this bra down as a "good fit", I have to say that the cups run a bit big. While its knockoff Lyla fits around my boobs tighter, Arabella is wrinkly. So I can't seem to quite fill the cups... But on my big days, the week before my period, it fits really well. This is one of my go to-bras during PMS.

Updated on Mar 06, 2013 Flag this

Note that this style has a stretchy band.

Updated on Sep 10, 2011 Flag this

Good fit, pretty, and very supportive.

Updated on Sep 10, 2011 Flag this

Didn't write a review

Added on Dec 31, 2013

Didn't write a review

This bra is not owned any more

Added on Aug 21, 2014