This is another silky, satiny fabric, much like the Iona, which I also love. Delicate (flat & non-irritating) embroidery covers the cups, which have just a touch of stretch: enough to help the bra move with you & be comfy, but retain its great support.
Also, the straps, while being wideset, are just a tad more inward than the Iona or Arabella, totally eliminating that irritating cutting into the side of your underarm tissue that can happen with other balconettes. Toward the very end of the day, I can feel a little pressure from the end of the wires, which otherwise are nice & broadly shaped & - what I love most about Freya - not too high on the sides.
This bra is the Freya Deco (4234), just with a print fabric. It is also incredibly difficult to fit correctly. I can't quite put my finger on it except to say that the cups are a strange shelf-like shape, and the band runs quite large -- at least one full band size if not more. This bra is marked 28D (!) but if it had no tags and one had to judge from the measurements alone, I would guess it to be a 30B or C.
Since it is so cute, I think I am going to try another size, and then hopefully will be able to give a more extensive review. I guess I have to decide whether budget and sanity will allow it. Purchased from Breakout Bras, late Spring 2010.
Thanks for posting these dimensions. They're... quite curious. I have Lydia and Deco on order in 28D and DD. I have my fingers crossed.
Hey, let me know how they work out for you! I am starting to feel like I am the only one who can't get this bra right -- it has so many glowing reviews online and I can't figure it out! I'll be very curious to see what you come up with.
I don't see anything strange about the measurements. They seem to be in line with the size of it. This one is 3 cup sizes smaller than my deco, and the cups have 3" in difference between them, so that sounds correct. Also the band size of 23.5" would fit a ribcage between 26-28". Did you make sure to adjust yourself properly in the cups? The Deco style, as well as this one require you to bring all your breast tissue up for a good fit. Freya tends to run half a size big when it comes to the band anyhow. I sometimes close mine on the middle eyes.
The band stretches to 32", which means it actually fits a ribcage of 29-31", maybe even 32". Also, the cup measurements (width, depth, and wire length) are significantly smaller than my 30D Cleo Jo, which fits me perfectly, yet the fit of the Freya is way off. On a band of this size, these cup measurements (width of 4", depth less than 6") are equivalent to a B or maybe C cup.
If you read all my reviews of the Deco/Lydia style, you'll see that I eventually came to the conclusion that the straps were the problem for me -- the 28E would have fit beautifully, but the straps were just too far apart.
You have to remember though that t-shirt styles are meant to stretch a little with you. Not so much from a seamed, lace bra, like your Cleo (Cleo bras are more generous in the cup too). Seamed bras hold a little more volume. Also 30C and 28D hold the same cup volume. So a cup volume/depth of nearly 6" would be in line with what a 28D breast perimiter would measure, which is 6". This band does run a tiny bit big. I'm not sure how you were able to get yours to stretch so large though. My 28 will only stretch to 27". Perhaps there is a slight variant between the Deco and and Lydia other than just the print. I know what you mean about the straps though. I have sloped shoulders so I tend to pull the Deco's in, but it doesn't cause that much gapping for me.
One of my favourite bras, it didn't strech out much, it fits my bigger breast very well (my breasts differ in size), but it is a bit too loose in a cup for a smaller breast. Soft, comfortable, it used to poke in my chest a little bit in the beginning, but it is comfortable now. The only thing I don't like much is the looks of this bra - it gives much coverage as per a balconette (half-cup), looking on my breasts almost like a full-cup, straps ar also too wide.
I love love love this bra. The cups fit beautifully and provide a fantastic, uplifted shape while still plunging to present great cleavage. The moulded cups are smooth under clothing, and its versatility lends itself to being worn underneath pretty much anything. I feel absolutely secure when wearing it, with no slipping, sliding, poking or other bra-related weirdness. Definitely a winner all around; I have no complaints.
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.
the fabric is really really soft!!! and it gives a wonderfull look! : )
My bras: Alana Bra by Bravissimo - 28FF Tango Balconette Bra by Panache - 28FF Arabella Bra by Freya - 28FF Pollyanna Bra by Freya - 30F I had the chance to try Pollyanna in a shop, and I need to say that the back is really thight! usually, I wear 28FF, even in Freya, but this time, it was really tight! So I tried 30F, and it was fantactic! So, maybe have a look at the kind of bra and size you have usually, and take the back a little larger!
This is a great bra!! It lifts you sky high and gives amazing cleavage. The shape is wonderful and it's pretty comfortable. It fits well, but not as well as it could because the band is a little big for me. Because of this, I would definitely go down a band size/up a cup size the next time. The cups fit nicely, though I could use maybe a little more coverage.
It keeps my boobs in place even when bending over. However, since it lifts me so high and pushes me in too, I notice a little more jiggling when I walk. Also, the top of the cups are noticeable under most shirts, even though it's supposed to be seamless. Still, these are just minor issues that might be fixed if I got a 30E. Overall, I would definitely recommend this bra!
White with pink bows at straps base and central gore; cute but not gorgeous, and very covering - I would say it's a full-cup plunge. I first ordered the 34E, but the cup was a bit tight and I had a feeling it would stretch out so I went for the 32FF, and that was the choice to make. It was tight and the band was cutting at first, but after a couple of months wearing it once every 4 days and washing it by hand, it stretched a bit and is now comfortable on the loosest hook. One of the cut is slightly big (hello asymmetrical breasts), except on PMS days!
This bra fits weirdly. Like, as lingerie it's really pretty. The dark pink and dark blue is a great combination of colors and the gore double-bow is really cute. However, under clothing it somehow separates the breasts to the sides, resulting in a very flat profile look. Especially dumpy-looking under a Tshirt. I've never had another Freya bra, so I don't know if this look is limited to the style or if the whole line is actually this way.
This bra was purchased in late 2007 or early 2008 and this review is as of December, 2009. The bra is handwashed and worn at least once a week, usually twice.
I bought this bra on sale. It was ugly and it only fit me on the tightest strap, but it was so cheap that I figured if I wore it two months I would have gotten my money's worth out of it. This bra defied my expectations, and continues to provide good support two years later. The elastic has not given even the slightest; I still wear it comfortably on the tightest hook.
The fabric ...is rather sheer and so it has gotten one or two small holes in it, about the size of pinheads, but the holes don't rip or get any larger.
In November of 2009 I took it in to a tailor for repair. The stitching was coming out on one side of one cup around the underwire. The underwire itself was not loose (there was no upward movement toward the armpit)--this was just the stitching in the padding, which keeps the underwire from slipping from side to side. It took him a few seconds to make the repair and it is as good as new.
I would happily buy several bras like this for much more than what I paid for them, if I could find them. Read more 127 more words
The Freya Emily nursing bra is easily one of the cutest nursing bras available. It gives a retro, slightly conical (but not pointy) shape which may bother some people. The seams, surprisingly, do not irritate. This bra has NO lining and is made of very low stretch simplex, so it feels very firm, which takes getting used to. It is not great for shallow or "pendulous" breasts, because you really have to fill out the cup or you'll have wrinkling (as I do, but I wear it anyway!). My other complaint is that it really should be cotton lined, since it is a nursing bra.
I had a review on my other Deco entry, but basically, it's comfortable and discreet under clothing. The pomegranate color is fantastically hot pink, and I love it.
Update: I bought this bra in August, and three months later, the band is too loose to wear on the loosest hook. I need to make it tighter in order for it to be comfortable. Three months seems too short for this kind of wear, especially since I treat them nicely. Also, the peach bra fits fine; only the hot pink bra has stretched. I bought them both within a week or two of each other, and maybe wear the peach more often, due to its blending capabilities.
Factors: I wash them only once a month, but in a lingerie wash from Nordstroms I am more between a 30 and a 28 band, and the Deco bands run large.
I edited to add that, no, they didn't stretch the same. The peach bra is still tight, only the hot pink has stretched.
Come to think of it, the peach bra fit more tightly from the onset.
Do both bras state the exact percentage % material content? Maybe each color fabric has slightly different amounts of stretch.
I just bought this in Charcoal from an online store and think it fits a bit funny.. I am going to see if I can find a larger cup size in a local boutique to compare. (Until then it's not in my profile just yet).
I'm finding the band to be just right for me in a 30. The cup however is more demi than my other Freya lace/mesh Phoebe which is super form-fitting allover in FF. But that bra is balcony so it covers more of the top wobble.
The point of wearing a bra on the loosest hook is so that in the beginning, the band doesn't stretch out too fast. You're "allowed" to fasten it to a tighter hook as the bra gets older.
Jillsas, this is true. My statement was a reflection of how quickly it stretched out: I was able to wear the peach bra on the loosest hook for months longer.
This is a great underwear essential. I tried both 28F and 28FF as I went down a cup size in the standard 'Deco' bra, but the 28FF in the strapless was a better fit. It's totally smooth under clothing and a very useful bra as it's multiway!
The band feels too tight, so I will be wearing this with an extender. The gore doesn't tack, but it doesn't hurt. The underwire digs into my torso after I wear it for a bit. It's uncomfortable, but I think it's still the best strapless bra I've tried, and I need a strapless bra.
Never thought a Freya bra would become my everyday go-to bra, now that all of my favourite bras are too big in the cup. I always fit bras to my right, larger breast, so there's wrinkling on my left side.
It's not my size so the band is fits only when fastened the tightest , but apart from that: - the color is a nice red and the design is interesting - the straps are simple and cute - there are no scratchy bits of fabric - gives my bust a rounded shape
The band on this bra felt large on me even when the cups weren't involved, and I used the tightest hooks. But, I am not a true 28 band. I'm closer to a 26 band, and I know this played a role. I'd recommend for someone with a larger underbust measurement than mine at around 25 inches with my loose measurement being around 27 inches. The cups offer a fair amount of room at the top of the cup and on the side near the armpit. This was not a great match for me in this size.
The cup volume and shape is good (finally!), but the wires and wings are very short, I need like at least an additional inch on the outer ends of those wires for them to come up high enough to hold everything in. Was worried about the narrow band but it's actually very comfortable. The fabric is very light but it's not too stretchy, so it still feels supportive. BUT the straps are WAY too far apart for me, they are fully just on my shoulder blades and that's a dealbreaker for me even if the wires were long enough. Too bad, I like how it looks and it's very comfortable otherwise. I will be returning this one.
I do not think that the lateral wires are too short. You may want to try a super swoop and scoop to find that the cups are actually too small once you have that side tissue in. The straps look pretty good too. It is hard to develop the boob eye!
Thank you for your response! The swoop and scoop when I bend forward makes me think the cup size is okay but as soon as I move, the side tissue just comes right out, it starts quite high under my arm, which probably doesn't show so well in the pics, but there's like several square inches of boob outside of the wire. The wires on my other bras come up much higher on the sides and feel much more secure, maybe that's just a preference. The width seems okayish I think, but it just feels too short. It is definitely hard to develop the boob eye lol! I'm very confused about the straps, where are they supposed to be? I feel like they're just about ready to slip off my shoulders because they're so far apart, but I also have scoliosis and have a hard time with things slipping off anyway so maybe it's just that? I'm just not sure where straps are actually supposed to sit on the back. If they are actually supposed to be so far apart that they're on the outside edge of the shoulder blades then I guess I could get used to that, I haven't worn bras in like a decade, and never a properly sized one, so maybe that's why it seems weird. On further trying on and more careful inspection, the diagonal seam and the top of the lace cuts across my larger boob in a very subtle quad-boob sort of way, but that's if I want to be very nitpicky about it. I'll try wearing it all day to see if I feel differently about it, but I'm still thinking I'm going to return it.
I can't edit my above comment, so here's a part 2, I looked at the measurements compared to my other bras and the wings on this one are actually apparently about the same height, so now I'm even more confused as to why the outer upper corners of my boobs (for lack of a better description) don't seem to stay in the cups, and they do in the others even though they're too big (unless I'm at the absolute biggest I get, hormonally). Is that a balconette thing? Or a cup width thing? Man, every time I think I understand a bra...
I think you are talking your way into a bra with more volume with a shorter band. Given your measurements, this Freya is too big in the band which allows breast tissue to escape quite handily. This bra in a 28E (DD) with a shortened band should do the trick though you may need to tack down the upper lace at the gore with a few stitches. As you have confirmed with measuring your bras, the side wire is not too tall. You need more room in the cup to allow for your breast tissue and a tighter band to keep it in place - forward and not oozing out the sides.
In regards to bra straps, when you look at your strap from the front, the strap is sitting in the middles of your collar bone where it should be. Should blade musculature may be altering your view of the strap placement in the back, but from the front you are looking good.
Good to know about the straps, I think I can get used to the feeling of it in that case. The 28 band feels tight on the loosest hook, not uncomfortably so but I wouldn't be able to close it if it was shorter. I wore it for several hours yesterday to see how it would feel, and it was actually comfortable and everything stayed in place, didn't need to keep adjusting the straps, the band didn't slide around or ride up. But as far as the cups go, oozing out the sides is the perfect description lol. What was in the cup stayed in the cup, but not everything could fit in the cup, so it sounds like you're right and I would need to size up. This have been very helpful, thank you so much for your input!
This bra I found second hand for a very low price. I remember that it was widely considered a good offering from Freya and I can confirm it is! Materials feel like good quality, the lace is soft and not itchy. The construction feels sturdy and supportive enough for larger sizes. The lace on the upper cup is stretchy. The cups are medium height and width for the size range which is good for me. I have tall and wide root for my size and also outer fullness. The side support style is just the perfect shape for me. This bra is best for even, full on top and ...center heavy shape that also have side fullness and need overall deep cups with medium wide and tall wires.
Why did it not work for me: First, I need a 34 band in this style, which is my usual size, so band runs true to size as it is a bit big on me.
I also find the cups a tad big and there is wrinkling on the apex, it does barely show in pictures because the stretch lace will form and smooth out the shape. 1 cup size smaller would also fit as I don't use the extra space the stretch lace allows.
These size issues are minor and the bra is totally wearable on inner hooks and with straps adjusted if it weren't for the absolutely painful gore! I cannot stand to wear it longer than 1 hour because the gore presses into my sternum so much. I was shocked because the band is really not too tight and I couldn't figure out why this bra would feel so constricting. After trials of other bras that don't do this, I think I figured it out, because it happens mostly with stretch lace bras. These bras do allow for a lot of center and upper fullness which I don't have, so the lace just lies flat. The gore which is also too high for my close set breasts presses with full force to my sternum as there is too much pressure in that area from "empty space" in bra that isn't used. I will try more bras and test this theory. I did not come up with a better explanation. It happens with stretch lace and non padded bras but never with padded ones and less with low plunge bras or shallow bras. Read more 292 more words
I tried this bra a while ago - in the wrong size & never pursued finding a better fit. Recently I received one in my correct size as part of a Grab Bag Special. I was surprised at how much I liked it. As you noted, the lace is soft & it provides a round shape.
Unlike you, I found the band TIGHT. My stretched 28-band measures ~68 cm. I need to wear it with an extender. I believe there are 8 bras measured in my size & they all measure tight.
The lace cup is not as forgiving on my fuller-on-top tissues, causing some quad-boob on my larger side.
My ToS is NOT irritated, so that's a plus 😁!
I tried the Offbeat Plunge (which I see you have too). I didn't like that one. I should have known, as it's based on the Freya Fancies. I have a Freya Fancies, but it's not a favorite.
If you get a new Offbeat Side Support in 34-band, I'd have an extender on hand.
Oh! Regarding the gore discomfort - you could consider bending the wires out a bit. There is space in the wire channels. I moved my wires back (towards the axilla) & considered sewing the channel off at the gore. If that makes sense. I've washed my bra a few times and after mild manipulation, the gore isn't bothersome to me.
Maybe it's because I measure 33 inch underbust that I don't find the band tight? I should probably wear a 34 band in most bras. I like the plunge more because it doesn't hurt me as much as the side support at the gore. But it's a weaker construction overall. I also dislike the one -hook back closure.
I received this bra as part of the Grab Bag Special from BOB. I have tried this bra in the remote past in a smaller cup & a larger band that didn't work. I never tried to make it work.
I have soft breast tissue, fuller on top, and, I believe, more center-full breasts. This bra has stretch lace cups but does cut into my larger side resulting in a quad-boob effect. The quad-boob is improved with the use of a bra extender. The band is snug/tight & feels better with the use of an extender.
I'm happy to find a bra that fits my smaller side so ...well! And, it's remarkably comfortable. No poking, pinching, or irritation. It's supportive and provides a rounded shape under clothes. I've always liked the colorways of this bra. The lace will show through on thin, light fabrics, but is fine under the cotton/spandex tank top I'm wearing.
I've been wearing it under a tank top while knitting & intermittently manually stretching the top cup on my larger side. I have no idea if this will help with the quad-boob effect or not, but it's making me feel better. 😂 I’m making Knitted Knockers & considering stuffing the larger cup with 2 knockers after I wash the bra & see if that will help stretch the cup a bit.
If anyone has other ideas, I'd love to have them. Read more 127 more words
Hey, I think you and I are shaped similarly and size. My #1 best overall fit has been Gossard Glossies the lace cup. At the time I was a 28F but am now a 28FF - G cup, depending on fit. I have very soft tissue, so I KNOW your struggles. Have you tried Gossard?
@AllexM, thank you!
I’ve tried Gossard Superboost Lace in the wrong size & another Gossard style (not the Glossies) - again, in the wrong size. I was turned off by having to pay a return shipping fee for an *exchange* that I didn't bother trying to fix.
I have recently admired the Glossies. Perhaps I should give Gossard another shot. I'll just have to make sure to check exchange/return policies.
Do you find it fits TTS? Thanks, again.
I'm assuming you mean True to Size (TTS?) If so, I would say yes. I was a 28F and it fit as such. I love the fit for 2 reasons 1. The band wasn't a tight 28, but fit perfectly snug without digging in at all and 2. The cups had zero lines. One thing I hate about traditional bras is tjey have a vertical seam going down the breast tissue and it is so uncomfortable. The Gossard Glossies (plunge) perfectly housed my tissue, gave me a nice rounded shape, and is seriously so comfortable to wear. My only warning is be very gentle with washing it. The material is really thin and mine is tearing because, like a idiot, I threw it in the wash without a lingerie bag. Not recommended.
Oh! Another one I surprisingly liked was the panache ana plunge...but size up in the cup (i sized up one or two cups). The band is VERY tight on the 28 (28G in that style is what I wear)
Have you done the bra calculator thing to be sure of your measurements?
Yes, I've done the ABTFs calculator. I have the Panache Ana in 28F (too small in the cups, but the band is fine. I barely tried it on) & 30E - don't ask me why I ordered that size & kept it 😂. I'm guessing 28FF or 28G would work better.
My favorite bra is the Comexim 3hc 60HH or 28G from BOB, then the Cleo Blossom 28FF - but I have it 28G, too. Panache Jasmine 28FF isn't bad either.
I tried gifting 3-4 of my 28F bras away recently but the person decided they weren't sure of their size yet. I have *SO* many bras - many, newish/new with tags hanging in my closet. I need to sell or gift them, then I can consider Ana in 28FF/G 😉
Thank you AlexM - I'll take a look at the Gossard Glossies. I've heard that it's fragile. I always handwash, but sometimes I get a little carried away with swooping & scooping - I almost put a hole through the lace of my Jasmine the other day!
I have to laugh cuz I did the exact same thing with Panache Ana before figuring out 28G. The 28F does mostly fit, but I had some spillage in the front which is why I went to 28G. I have a literal box of bras that don't fit - all just tried on and was too expensive to return. All ranging from 30E to 28F. Probably 30 or more bras. I know exactly how you feel!!
Thanks for posting these dimensions. They're... quite curious. I have Lydia and Deco on order in 28D and DD. I have my fingers crossed.