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Given my recent successes with Freya's padded longline styles, I had very high hopes for Floral Bonanza, as it looked like the closed-top 3HC fit that has been working well for me. I had expected this to fit closely to the Summer Haze Longline, which I love, but unfortunately there are some key differences that were not immediately apparent from the photos. Unlike the Summer Haze and the new Patsy fits, this is a 3HC that is more open on the top, similar to the old Patsy fit, but the cup is a little bit smaller and taller.
Unfortunately, this means that while the bra appears to ... fit me at first, after my tissue settles into the cups, there is obvious gapping at the top. At first I thought there was some issue with the fit of the band, but now I think it is mostly due to the cup shape. If the upper edge of the band were firmer, it would help keep things in place after scooping, but ultimately the cup shape would still be too open and tall for me. Therefore, this would be good for someone who did well with the old Patsy fit, or finds that new Patsy/Summer Haze are too closed on top. This is better suited for FOT shapes.
Compared to the Summer Haze Longline, the band construction and measurements are pretty similar, but Floral Bonanza has an additional decorative elastic edge along the bottom of the band (I included this in the wing height measurement but not the gore measurement). The elastic has a bit of a checkerboard pattern and isn't particularly tight, so I don't think it affects the fit much. The main difference in how the two bands feel is due to the fabric of the main band portion. The Summer Haze band was made of mesh lined with non-stretch tricot, and it was very comfortable on me and didn't feel constrictive at all. The main portion of this band is made from the same thin, silky printed fabric that covers the cups, but I think it is a bit more rigid than the mesh used on Summer Haze. I found this band to be borderline uncomfortable as it applied more pressure, though the band measurement was just fine, and it wasn't hooked too tight. Thus, this is not a great fabrication for people sensitive to chest compression. As with Freya's other longlines, there are only 2 sets of 6 hooks, limiting the adjustability of the band fit.
The overall bra is made from the same silky printed fabric in a black and white flowers and leaves design, and accented with larger blossoms in a soft tonal print of chartreuse, pink, and lilac. I think this is quite a nice design, and makes the style more flexible as it can be worn as a solid black garment. There are no visible seam accents, and the upper cup edge and the lower edge of the band are decorated with the same black checkerboard elastic. Straps are medium-width textured elastic with picot edges and are fully adjustable with no fabric trim. The center gore has a two-tone black and chartreuse ribbon bow, and a small round textured charm.
Overall, the appearance of this bra is very nice, and I wish it had worked out! It is a great option for someone who is comfortable with a firmer feel around the ribcage, and needs a bit more upper fullness in their 3HC shapes.
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Update 10/30/20: I had actually returned this and repurchased it. With my current measurements between 28E/28F, it now fits with no issues. Many bras that used to be too open at the top when I was a smaller 28E now fit with no issues.
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Updated on Oct 30, 2020 Flag this