This is my first vertical seamed bra and I'm not quite sure about it. The top of the cup seems tight and unforgiving and wants to dig in. I think this bra might suit someone with more bottom fullness to help fill out the vertical seam and avoid the top edge. I will report back once I've worn this for a day to determine whether I will keep or list this bra.
So I've worn this for a day and it feels comfortable. I don't think I am quite filling out the apex of these cups, which makes me think this bra requires a fuller bottomed breast. I was wrong in thinking the top was digging in because it is not an issue today.
I'm curious to see this bra in person and might check it out if it's at Nordstrom... But based on the vertical seam bras I used to wear when I was smaller, when you get this effect it's usually because you have too MUCH lower projection and the cup cannot accommodate it, so it kind of scrunches down as your boob climbs up to where there is more depth. This could also explain why the cup edge is cutting in, your whole breast is sitting higher in the cup than the designer intended so the cup edge cuts across a fuller part of your breast.
That's an interesting point. I think that there is enough depth for me because it measures at 9" which is usually perfect for me. I also made it sound like I was quad-boobing in this bra, but I'm not today. I usually scoop and swoop so that my nipples are higher, but today I'm seeing what happens when I let them rest more naturally. I'm going to wear this today to see how my breasts settle into this bra.
Scooping & swooping is important though, not just to bring your nipples up, but to be sure you have all of your breast tissue in the cup and supported by wires that are sitting where they need to be. From these pics, I would say it looks about a half cup too small.
I think these pictures aren't very good. I'll take new ones today once I get home. I'm wearing this right now and I'm not minding the fit. The wrinkling in the vertical seam I was talking about in my review seems to have flattened out with washing. Once I take it off and see the marks I'll know if I got everything inside the wires. And I dont really have a lot of extra skin to scoop and swoop anyway. I usually do the "lean, scoop, and wiggle" when I put on a bra and then reach in and smooth forward and upwards. Does that make sense? I feel like if I went up a cup it would be too big. Vertical seamed bras are a mystery to me and I do appreciate any input!
With vertical seamed bras it's often not the depth at the normal measured point (wire tip to wire tip level) that is a problem. It's the depth in the lower half of the cup. Vertical seamed cups are usually pretty shallow down there.
This bra is innocuously sexy, elegantly fun. When you put it on, you'll feel like a young vixen. I love the contrast of the cornflower blue lace and the leopard print, and the small details like the keyhole gore and cut-out band are a unique offering in the full-bust market. The quality is similar to other Freya plunges I've tried, and the lace reminded me of the Panache Andorra's lace. I would say the band is a true 30; it didn't feel like it would break my (flared) ribs like the Cleo 30 bands, nor did it feel overly stretchy like a classic 30 Deco. My two main ...problems with fit were that the wires were still not narrow enough for me (although it fits more closely than any of my other bras), and that the elastic on the top cuts into my larger side, causing noticeable quad-boob. Under clothes, this bra gives a naturally sloped, slightly separated appearance (certainly more separation than I get with my Cleos); on me, there was no significant pointy-ness or east-west separation. I have narrow, short roots; projected, pendulous tissue; and even fullness with about 1.5 finger's width between my breasts. I think this bra would suit someone similarly shaped who is just more FoB or prefers their boobs to look more separated than I do mine. Overall, a very lovely bra - I wish Freya made more colorways like this one! Read more 130 more words
This is a good fit, but I find that the band cuts in a bit tight. It isn't too tight in the sense that it is difficult to clasp, but over time it feels like it digs in, especially where my rib flares are.
I read the reviews before purchasing the bra and they suggested size down in band (like most Freyas) and go up a cup from there. So, instead of getting a 30E in Freya (regular 32DDish), I purchased a 30F and I'm glad I followed the suggestions. I've come to the conclusion that the cup may run small due to the "push up" padding in the bottom of the cup. With that said, this is probably my best fitting Freya at this point.
Pros: It is a more mainstream style bra - as in - it has actual padding or push up pads that are not removable and it's ...a round moulded bra. This gives a pleasant round and uplifting profile. I do like the "push up". I really like the half cup style, as it has the shorter underwires. The underwires do not poke my sternum and they're pretty comfortable. The wires are pretty much the perfect length to hold everything in on the sides and the wider band definitely helps. I feel as though I'll need to do less swooping and scooping throughout the day to keep the girls in place.Cups are the perfect heighth for my tall roots. They are open just the right amount and don't cut in at the top.
Cons: As with all my Freyas, still not enough immediate projection for me. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> HOWEVER, this bra is totally doable to wear as an everyday bra. It is just sliiiiiiiiiiiiightly too shallow for me. The band feels firm (for Freya bands) and it's comfortable. In my opinion, this band may run slightly more firm that your regular Freya brand, so if you're on the line, get your regular band size (black colorway). The cups are wanting a tiny bit more center fullness than what I have, but with a lot of swooping and scooping, I fill the center a little bit better. I think that if the center wires were a little bit further apart, like 1/4 inch, I wouldn't have a problem. I'm hoping for some tissue migration to fill some of that out. Either way, it wouldn't be noticeable under clothing. The straps are a little too wide for me, but nothing I can't live with.
Overall, this is a decent bra. I may buy more if they go on sale again. Read more 288 more words
A year ago when I was first entering 30G+ territory, I was obsessed with the bright tropical print of this Freya Flourish. So I bought the longline, briefs, thongs and the balcony bra (good discounted deal on brastop). First I had the balcony in 30G, but that turned out to be too small pretty quickly. Did love the bra so decided to re-order in a size up.
When the 30GG arrived I was in for a surprise: it looked like a LOT of bra compared to the 30G! (As I didn't know back then but found out the hard way https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />, Freya tweaks their ...balcony designs after a certain cup size, mostly 30GG. Meant to hold up larger boobs. They are sturdier but look and feel pretty different!)
Industrial width reinforced straps, a wider band (3 hooks instead of 2) but my biggest issue was the double lining in the cups.. While the 30G was a very 'airy' bra, this one felt more rigid and constricting. Also the reinforced cups made it look more pointy and the black lace part of the cups didn't have any give or stretch, unlike the see through lace on the 30G. Although the 30GG was deeper, the firm closed off lace part made me quad practically as much as in the 30G!
(Don't worry, since then I've also realized - and accepted - that Freya balconies are not my friend; being FoT their designs are just too 'closed' for me. It's either a larger size with the 'Freya pucker' in too deep and pointy cups, or quadding and gore not tacking in a smaller size).
Anyway, back to Flourish: With all those issues, why did I keep her? Very relevant question; truth is a year ago I knew less than I know now; and I really wanted to make it work, because the Flourish longline wasn't working on me for daily wear (different story, band flipping up, see other review). This balcony I did wear quite regularly, but only under thicker clothes to camouflage the pointiness and quad. The sturdier band and straps actually do feel nice, the bra is not uncomfortable to wear and I still love the print! So more of a winter bra: nice to wear something tropical under all those layers when it's cold https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_razz.gif" alt=":p" />
But over the last 6 months other bras (e.g. Jasmine, much better for my shape) forced Flourish out of my bra roulation. This summer, clearing out my closets I inspected Flourish' double lining on the lacey part and decided I could easily cut it away. So that's what I did and it looks much better now, imo. Fit issues are sill there but I'll hold on to her for a bit longer. We'll see!
Interesting hack! Would you be willing to post pics of the finished product? I'd love to modify some of my older, poorly shaped balconies - make-do bras that I no longer wear.
Re: changes in construction from sub-G to G+ cups: *mind blown* when I was a 32FF the Freya balconettes shaped me beautifully, but now I'm +/-28J/30HH+ my FoT boobs also point & quad. I never made the connection that it was the cut - not me!
Pics are there already? Should be visible! :) First picture is with the thick black lining, next picture is after cutting it out, making the lace see through. Try to convince myself it also made the quadding less obvious ;)
Yeah please don't think it's you: it's Freya! Here in Holland they're the best known / most advertised full bust brand but I've found out Freya plunge / balconettes are generally NOT ok for me. Padded half cups are better but they only go up to G :( In larger cups I think they might work better for FoB breasts?
(Edit: last sentence by 'they' I mean the upscaled GG+ plunge/balconies, perhaps working better for FoB)
This bra isn't perfect but I really wanted it to fit. I only recently started exploring to try to find my real size, beyond the 42C's that I've been cramming myself into. The band fits very comfortably, feels secure and stays in place well. The cups are nice and light, the way I like in an unlined bra. It gives good lift and projection for me, and the under wire feels like a good width and height. The purple color is very pretty. The shape is fairly natural but the seam makes a ridge that shows through knit tops. The upper lace section of the cup gaps and wrinkles at the top, where my wide FOB boobs don't quite fill it out. Also, the edge of the wing digs into the front of my underarm so that it rubs and chafes. If I lengthen the straps it helps with the chafing problem but makes the gapping problem worse, as well as making the overall shape become too pointy.
I got this lovely bra specimen from the amazing CurvyCandy - thank you so much!
Firstly - if you'd told my 32DD-wearing-self a year ago I'd be wearing a 28G bra today, I'd have laughed you all the way to China. Secondly - what a pretty bra! Love the glacier color and the buttons and the preppy little stripes and the fact that it's not PINK like every other bra I've had lately. Thirdly - holy boobs, batman! Umm, I definitely have some boobs in this bra.
Wires - I measured 5.75" wide. *update* now, with tissue migration, they are too wide. ...But the molded cup masks that. Once I get pics up I'll probably do a fit request just because I definitely feel I am on the right track with the 28G Decos. Are there Decos that aren't *quite* so... round... on top?
Band - Good so far. Hooked nicely on the loosest hooks, could do the middle hooks. 28 bands, FTW.
Cups - so.molded. Seriously. Boob armor. They stand up on their own. I measured 9.25" depth - less than what I expected it to be. I don't quad at all, but there is a tiny bit of space between the top of my boob and the bra cup. If I reach forward, there's enough space to hide my cell phone, loose change, and take my lunch to work. They also tend to gap at the corner of the cups where the straps attach - similar to my Charlotte that tried to saw my armpits off, only less uncomfortable. But they give me such a pretty, lifted, rounded shape that it's kinda forgivable. I see what you did there, Freya. You made a bra that asks for beach ball boobs, but made it in such a way that it hides boobs that aren't beach ball shaped. Read more 218 more words
This bra gets a lot of shade but it's one of the first I ever bought (that fit) 15 years ago. Back then, all of the Freya bras were really well made and the bands were firm for size. The only Freya bra that hasn't changed in construction (and that's still manufactured) appears to be the Rio. It's also "classic Freya" when it comes to quality.
No question, this bra gives a pointish shape. It's not super pointy but it moves in a firmly pointy direction. It's also very sturdy - the fit is full for a balconette. It's not delicate. It reminds me of the kinds of bras .../ shapes that the supermodels wore in the 80s and 90s (albeit in "regular person" sizing). If you can't get with the retro look, and some people don't like the waffley fabric OR the shape, then it's really not the bra for you.
It provides excellent support. It gives great lower cup projection and is good for even to top fullness because the upper lace has a bit of give. It's best for centre-projected shapes that are close-set. The only thing about this bra that I don't like is the wideness of the straps. They're really just too wide, and the pewter metallic hardware that attaches the front cup to the front strap really calls attention to this. Nonetheless, it's great under a slim fitting sweater. Read more 125 more words
8/1/15 Update: This bra no longer fits. This bra is too big in the cup after weight loss. Adding current pics to reflect this.
5/19/12 Original Review: This is one of my better fitting bras at the moment. I find that as the day goes on the band stretches out. I end up having to wear this bra on the tightest fitting hooks and it still rides up a little. The fabric is soft and I love the color and pattern. The straps are made of softer, more comfortable elastic. The straps are stretcher than my nude colored Freya Deco bra so I tend to have more bounce when I walk fast. I also find that this particular bra has cups that are a little bigger than my nude Deco in a size 28G, but that works in my favor because I really need a size 28GG in Freya Deco.
*Ok there's some 'golden oldies' in my bra collection - bras I was truly obsessed with, have hunted down like crazy and even if I don't wear them often, they are doomed to be mine.. Forever! XD*
Second of them is this Flourish longline: for me this was an instant 'OMG-must-have'. Really really love the bright tropical print https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":D" /> Stalked it untill it was on a discount. When I bought this (over a year ago?) it fit a bit better, I've gained some boobage since then. So now it's technically too small, but I still love it.
About the fit: ideally I would get this ...in 30GG/H - but it only goes up to G. So I had to get a 32 and unsurprisingly, the band is a bit large. Guess I would consider this bra true to size. As with all Freya padded halfcups, this is a wider and shallower style. Wires are a tad wide but since the cup is so snug / overfilled, it seems like the wires still encase my breast tissue. My main issue however is how the band flips up. Same as with my 32G - Fauve » Bronte Padded Longline Bra (0331) . Aesthetically I adore longlines, but for long days of wear they don't work great on me https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
Looks wise, I'm somewhat disappointed with the back band: it is completely unembellished, boring black mesh - what a shame on such a gorgeous bra! They could've at least added a panel of the floral fabric? Also the cut of the back + set of the straps are kind of strange, and not very flattering for back/shoulder chub. On a more recent clone, Freya Pansy Padded Longline Bra (1683) , they've committed the same crime - shame on you Freya! Pansy is still sort of hovering on my wishlist though https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
Because of the issues I had with this longline, I also got the balcony bra (review to come). Read more 235 more words
Ugh, what a horrible shape this gives me. Very east/west. Not enough lift. I think I am too narrow and projected for this bra. Seems like it may be more suited for shallow, wider shapes. Also, although it is beige, it isn't a good t-shirt bra, the seams show through. So, for me, a failure on all fronts.
I have every colorway that they make in this version of the Deco because I find the fit to be superior than any of the other Decos (and I have almost every other version of the Deco that Freya makes). I love the closed-in top. The cup seems to be sturdier and hugs me better than the other versions. The lift is the same. I have even fullness, narrow roots and soft tissue. At times, with all Decos, even this one, I tend to fall toward the center and need to readjust periodically during the day.
The ivory version would be perfect, but alas the black spots and black trim show through thin and/or light-colored fabric. Obviously the red and purple versions can only be worn with darker tops. As such, I am still looking for the "perfect" t-shirt bra.
This is my first properly fitting bra, and the only one that fits besides Comexim. I have owned this bra for 2 years in both colors. Despite my underbust measuring 24.5 inches snugly and this being a 28, it stays up just fine. The reason for this is the firmness of the band; after 2 years it is quite difficult to stretch it to 27 inches. I failed to measure it when new, but it feels pretty much the same to me. The cups, gore, and straps are all too wide(set) causing me to feel just a bit constricted and not as free/mobile as I would ...prefer, but I do not mind as they are all to a minor degree. The majority of the time I do not notice any of the issues. What I really enjoy is the seamlessness of it and its invisibility under clothing. Manages to have barely any to no gaping on my smaller side.
It's strapless and seamless so that is why I will still repurchase it after finding Comexim.
So I don't have any pictures of myself in this bra because I returned it before coming to this site. But to describe the fit: I had major gapping at the top of the cups and the band was uncomfortably tight on the loosest hook. I filled every inch of the bra but the top. The cups came up right under my armpits and chafed when I moved my arms. When I looked at how all of it fit, I noticed this strange bulge on the top elastic of the band, just past the cups. The way it looked made me think that my rib cage wasn't big enough to fit the top elastic and yet was too large to comfortably fit the bottom elastic. I tried this bra again in a 30E and a 32DD, neither was comfortable and both had the same strange top elastic situation. I really wanted to like this bra but it just didn't fit.
So after my last ill fated trip into the world of Freya Deco, I should have known better. This bra was just so cute and normal looking that I couldn't resist trying it out. It's tiny on me! I would say this one definitely runs small in the cup and large in the band. The cups are majorly shallow and the gore is fairly wide even though the cups are close together. This bra is also a little too tall in the cups for me. Overall this is just tons of no for me. If you're a shallow 30DD this might work for you, but I do think it's quite small.
bought this used along with a few other bras of the same size and sister cut. this one was bought used by the person i purchased from, but they never wore it. it seems pretty much new to me! no signs of wear, band is good, no snags or anything like that. its slightly different in fit that the other bras it's related to (totally tartan and erin), but not so much that it doesnt fit well.
appearance wise, i'm not crazy in love with this bra but i dont hate it either. the main pattern is a blue and white sort of Hawaiian-y abstract ...floral print. theres a small light brown velvet bow at the gore and strap connections, which coordinate with the light brown trim/straps that have little blue and white flower shapes on their fabric. its not a very pretty pattern, but its not like its neon animal print or something i truly hate. and really, i was getting these more so could have bras that fit in my rotation, so its sort of advantageous that its not the prettiest pattern. now i wont feel too bad wearing it out https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" /> the fabric is comfortable and sort of slippery smooth on the outside.
fit wise, this is pretty close for me. the band (like the other 32G sister cuts i bought) is just a bit too snug to be truly comfortable, so im using an extender to get one more set of hooks for a more comfortable feel. i have marked it as fitting, because the 34FF in these cuts is far too loose on the tightest hook, so it seems like going 32G with an extender while they break in is my best bet. the cups are a bit too shallow judging by the creasing im getting in the bottom, but its not uncomfortable so im not considering it a big issue. the cups dont cut in on me, and the right side gapes slightly because its a bit less full on top. the Erin has no gaping, and neither does the TT. i think, because this bra is slightly wider and deeper, ive got a little more space than i need. its just a hair though, so really not worth getting rid of it!
the straps are wider set on this like most half cups, but i dont find issues with them moving or sliding down. compared to the Erin and TT though, they are just a bit too wide and are edging on getting stuck into my armpits. i imagine they will break in and stop that after a while, but its worth noting. i think this comes from the cups being slightly wider than the TT and Erin.
the band material/design i have beef with- its very thin and stretchy which makes for lots of back fat for a soft fleshy person like me. freya bands are always like this on me, even in a band size too large. its that darn design where the band is made of two strips of elastic along the top and bottom with a stretchy fabric in the middle. i wish the entire band were made with material that was thicker and sturdier, so i could have a band that is the right snugness but not have all that squish happening!
the gore width, even though it measures the same as bras that are too wide, isnt a huge problem here. i think it all comes down to the shape and flexibility of the gore- these cuts have a sort of \ / shape at the top of the gore, where it isnt straight across, and that is good for me. my boobs are close set and want to shove straight-across-gores side to side to try and fit, thus shoving the cups around too and making them gape. but with the \ / shape, the gore can bend at the center, and the sides of the gore just fold and sit with the curve of my breast. when i look down, the gore looks like a V shape, if that makes sense. ideally that means i need a narrower gore, but for now this is comfortable and works so im going with it.
the wires are wider than other bras that fit me well, but aside from the straps being a bit too wide set, i dont notice fit issues. its hard for me to tell where my breast tissue ends, so i cant really tell if its too wide for me! i know it isnt too narrow, because i dont feel like its pinching or cutting in. Read more 671 more words
I knew this bra would be too small for me, but I just couldn't resist! It's so cute and I love the plunge style. The wires are nice and narrow and the gore is low enough to be comfortable. I would recommend this bra for anyone who has been struggling with how big cups sizes look and feel in comparison to your old bras. The band on this was firm. I'm definitely going to try and find one of these in my real size!
I got this mainly because I see people who say they need to size up for molded cups from their size in unlined cups, and my train of logic was "then I should maybe size down for unlined cups." Well, every time I size down in cup I get quadboob, and this bra was no different. The cups were too small.
The wires on this were not at all uncomfortable, which is quite the puzzle since the wires on the 28DD poked me all over and they're basically the same. Nearly identical width, same gore height, almost the same wing height. But this one didn't press uncomfortably against my ...sternum nor against my side, despite being too narrow.
The main problem with this bra was the cups. I got quadboob, and oddly enough, the cups acted like they were too closed on top and wrinkled at the top as well. I guess it wasn't open on top enough to accommodate larger sizes.
The band was the same as the 28DD, a bit too long. The straps were fine.
The bra is still good for shallow, FOT breasts, and in this size range, probably wide roots too. Read more 88 more words
I'm curious to see this bra in person and might check it out if it's at Nordstrom... But based on the vertical seam bras I used to wear when I was smaller, when you get this effect it's usually because you have too MUCH lower projection and the cup cannot accommodate it, so it kind of scrunches down as your boob climbs up to where there is more depth. This could also explain why the cup edge is cutting in, your whole breast is sitting higher in the cup than the designer intended so the cup edge cuts across a fuller part of your breast.