I bought this bra 2 sister sizes up, and I was able to snag this for a ridiculously cheap price, with the intention of altering down the band to size. The cups are pretty similar to the measurements of my 28E, which fits perfectly. Therefore, in this style, it should be fine to sister size as the cup dimensions are not graded with the band.
I was able to alter the band down to the equivalent of a 28E (to a 60 cm band) by tucking the excess band into the cradle and sewing it down, removing about 4 cm per side. After this adjustment, it fits basically identically to the 28E, so the alteration has worked out well!
I wasn't really impressed with the Freya Fancies Bralette, which I've tried twice now, but I decided to give the Chemise a try since I was able to pick up a matching set from Breakout Bras for a great price. I was surprised to discover that though the measurements and construction are similar, the Chemise ended up feeling much more comfortable than the Bralette although I ordered the same size.
The cups of my Chemise are a bit deeper vertically than the Bralette equivalent, so I didn't feel that they were quite as constrictive and minimizing. Because the cups fit better, the straps place less pressure on ...the armhole elastic and this feels much more comfortable than the intolerable elastic on the Bralettes. The band seam is a bit looser on this Chemise than the Bralettes, but in the Chemise construction, it doesn't feel like an issue because the style isn't meant to be very snug under the bust. Therefore, I am quite pleased with the fit of this Chemise!
The upper portion is constructed exactly the same as the Bralette, but instead of the wide lace trim, there are two diagonal lace inserts on either side, and the skirt portion is simple mesh with a slight A line cut. I am 5'1" and the length of the chemise does feel a bit long for my tastes, as it is about 2-3" longer than my other chemises from brands like Victoria's Secret, but I'm sure a taller person wouldn't notice it. Overall, the materials are soft (except the thick armhole elastic), and comfortable for sleep. The only trim is a small polka dotted ribbon bow at the center gore.
This is a surprisingly nice choice for a sleep chemise given the troubles with the Fancies Bralette. I think this style is worth a try as the cups seem to be deeper, and you should be OK to order your normal chemise size. Read more 219 more words
I had been interested in the Fancies Bralette but had read reviews with mixed comments on the fit, so I hadn't felt confident enough to try it until Breakout Bras had this in their final sale section. Normally I hate pullover styles as I find them so uncomfortable to put on, but I decided this would work for a sleep bralette. I had no idea Freya had a size chart with recommendations on sizing, so I just went ahead and ordered my normal bralette/top size of XS and hoped it would fit.
However, I think I ended up with an odd one. My bralette measures almost ...2" bigger in the band than other XS on this site, and is almost the same band measurement as the size S. The cup measurements on mine do match the other XS, so I don't think this was mislabeled. The band on this style is really quite loose, so it is not really supportive. I have no idea why Freya, a full figure brand, would design a bralette like this. The only functional portion of the band is the narrow elastic seamed in between the cups and the lace band trim. Note that the lace trim at the bottom of the band is just that, a trim. It is very soft and provides no support.
The cups are also designed strangely, as they don't have enough depth for this size, nor do they have enough shaping as there is only a small amount of gathering at the bottom of the cup and no seams. Therefore, the cups smash my breast tissue down into pancakes. In order to alleviate this, I had to loosen the straps almost to their fullest, which is odd for me since I usually have to tighten straps completely given my petite height. This gives the bust area a little extra room vertically since the horizontal give is limited.
The main issue for this bralette for me in terms of comfort is the thick elastic binding that goes around the armhole and directly connects to the strap in the front. This elastic is just too thick, and any tension from the front strap causes this elastic to dig into the the underarm area. This is the #1 reason I don't like wearing this bralette, because otherwise, despite its fit issues, it is quite comfortable.
The unsupportive cups and band wouldn't be an issue if you just wanted to use this bra for sleeping, which was my original intention. However, the main problem is the aforementioned armhole elastic that I simply cannot tolerate. Given that the band is too large for me in XS, I'm really not sure if I would try a size S (as the Freya size chart recommends for 28E) again in this bra. I've also read that the different colors fit a little differently.
It is indeed a super soft and comfortable bralette if you can find your size, perfect for sleep or lounging around at home. The double layer mesh cups and lace are totally different from the stiff lace used in the Fancies Plunge Bra and are silky and soft.
FYI because of the use of lace on this bra, my measurements are as follows: - Lace at the band is considered decorative as it does not provide support - Lace at the upper cup is considered part of the cup as it provides coverage
Cup height: includes lace, as upper lace is part of the cup and not a ruffle Gore height: does not include lace, as the gore should be counted from the band up Wing height: does not include lace, as the band support comes from the mesh portion Read more 516 more words
My first Freya Fancies Bralette in XS was a disappointment. The band was massive, the cups were too small, and the elastic that runs under the armhole was tight and pulled uncomfortably. However, for various reasons, I tried it again in a different color. This one is slightly better, in that the band is a bit smaller than the original, but still measures pretty close in all other aspects.
The main issue for this bralette for me in terms of comfort is the thick elastic binding that goes around the armhole and directly connects to the strap in the front. This elastic is just too ...thick, and any tension from the front strap causes this elastic to dig into the the underarm area. This is the #1 reason I don't like wearing this bralette, because otherwise, despite its fit issues, it is quite comfortable.
The band on this style is really quite loose, so it is not really supportive. I have no idea why Freya, a full figure brand, would design a bralette like this. The only functional portion of the band is the narrow elastic seamed in between the cups and the lace band trim. Note that the lace trim at the bottom of the band is just that, a trim. It is very soft and provides no support.
The cups are also designed strangely, as they don't have enough depth for this size, nor do they have enough shaping as there is only a small amount of gathering at the bottom of the cup and no seams. Therefore, the cups smash my breast tissue down into pancakes. In order to alleviate this, I had to loosen the straps almost to their fullest, which is odd for me since I usually have to tighten straps completely given my petite height. This gives the bust area a little extra room vertically since the horizontal give is limited.
The unsupportive cups and band wouldn't be an issue if you just wanted to use this bra for sleeping, which was my original intention. However, the main problem is the aforementioned armhole elastic that I simply cannot tolerate. Given that the band is too large for me in XS, I'm really not sure if I would try a size S (as the Freya size chart recommends for 28E) again in this bra. I've also read that the different colors fit a little differently.
It is indeed a super soft and comfortable bralette if you can find your size, perfect for sleep or lounging around at home. The double layer mesh cups and lace are totally different from the stiff lace used in the Fancies Plunge Bra and are silky and soft.
FYI because of the use of lace on this bra, my measurements are as follows: - Lace at the band is considered decorative as it does not provide support - Lace at the upper cup is considered part of the cup as it provides coverage
Cup height: includes lace, as upper lace is part of the cup and not a ruffle Gore height: does not include lace, as the gore should be counted from the band up Wing height: does not include lace, as the band support comes from the mesh portion Read more 438 more words
This review is for the old Patsy fit, with the old lowercase Freya label.
I purchased the 28E Patsy in Ballet Pink and loved the fit, but as the style is discontinued, I've had to scrounge for sister sizes as I tried to collect other colors. I figured I could just alter down the band of this 32D, so I ordered this size in both the Patsy and the Summer Haze Half Cup. However, I didn't know that Patsy's fit had been updated, and that the fashion colors I purchased, Fuchsia and Peacock, are both the old fit which is more open on the top and have ...a slightly different shape. As a result, while the cup measurements are pretty close to the Black 30DD that fits, this one doesn't end up fitting me the same way even if I tighten the band.
Compared to the Black 30DD in the new fit, the cups measure the same between the two bras (slight variation in cup width), but the upper edge measurement is slightly different, with the Peacock being +.5 cm more open at the upper edge. This doesn't seem like much difference, but considering that the band is much looser, it doesn't sit close to the body in the same way.
I originally intended on altering down the band, but I had forgotten that Freya's padded styles tend to have pretty firm wires, and I am not sure if they will just dig into my ribcage instead of flexing. Unfortunately, padded cups are more difficult to alter than unlined cups, and I am not confident that I can make the upper edge more closed off without slicing and restitching.
We will see if I can make this bra work or not.
Note that one minor difference in this bra compared to my other Patsys is that the straps are a bit narrower. I'm not sure if it's unique to this colorway or if it is because this is the only one in a D cup and the others are all DD+. Read more 234 more words
This review is for the old Patsy fit, with the old lowercase Freya label.
I purchased the 28E Patsy in Ballet Pink and loved the fit, but as the style is discontinued, I've had to scrounge for sister sizes as I tried to collect other colors. I was able to get my hands on a 30DD in Black, which is also the same updated fit, and it fit me well. So, when I found the same size in Fuchsia, I ordered it and expected it to fit the same. What I didn't know is that this colorway is the old Patsy, which has a slightly different ...cup shape. As a result, while the measurements are really similar to my Black 30DD, it doesn't fit the same way.
The old Patsy fit is slightly deeper in the cup (+.5 cm), but the upper cup is not as closed off as the new fit, so it doesn't sit close to the body the way new Patsy does on me as I am not very FOT. The upper cup edge measures 21 cm in the new style and 22.5 cm in the old style when comparing the same size, 30DD.
Since I am a 28 band and Freya bands typically run big, with the more open cups, the 30 band in this particular bra ends up being problematic for me. It is not tight enough even though it measures the same as the Black, since the unstretched band is pretty close to my ribcage measurement. I might get better results by tightening the band, however the wires are quite firm and I am worried they will just dig into my ribcage instead of flexing. Unfortunately, padded cups are more difficult to alter than unlined cups, and I am not confident that I can make the upper edge more closed off without slicing and restitching.
We will see if I can make this bra work or not. Read more 219 more words
This review is for the updated Patsy fit, with the current Freya label.
I purchased the 28E Patsy in Ballet Pink and loved the fit, but as the style is discontinued, I've had to scrounge for sister sizes as I tried to collect other colors. I was able to get my hands on a 30DD in Black, which is also the same updated fit. While Freya bands typically run large, this actually worked out fine for me, and is probably the only 30 Freya band that I have been able to wear so far. It fits almost identically to my 28E except the band is obviously ...a bit larger.
The 3HC cups of the new Patsy and Summer Haze are more closed off than the typical open 3HC padded half cup. This cut works the best for me, as the shape eliminates gapping at the top, which I experience with tall, open cups since I am not particularly FOT, while giving a very nice rounded shape similar to what one would get from a molded foam T-shirt bra. The wires are a nice and even curve instead of the wonky J curve or Nike swoosh shape that many Freyas have. The cups are very similar to Fantasie Sofia or Fauve Aurelia in shape, but are more closed off and rounded at the top. The angle of the cup is also cut at a slight plunge angle, which allows it to sit closer to the inner part of the breast where I am quite empty. The Fantasie and Fauve half cups are mostly constructed with straight cups. Despite the slightly closed top, this can certainly accommodate tall roots or more upper fullness, as there is plenty of room in the upper cup on me, and it works well when I tried it on with inserts. The only criticism about the fit is that the cups are a bit tall for my frame, leading to some gapping when I move, though I don't get this issue in similar bras that are cut with lower cups.
Note that the old Patsy fit looks the same and measures similarly, but the upper cup shape is different. The upper cup edge measures 21 cm in the new style and 22.5 cm in the old style when comparing the same size, 30DD.
The wires on me are perfect on this bra, so I don't experience any discomfort like I did on Fearne, where the cup fit well but the wires were narrow and intolerable. Based on my experience so far with Freya Half Cups, the wires are all firm instead of the flexible ones used on their Unlined Plunges, so any mismatch in wire shape or size can be very painful. The bra band is printed powermesh and moderately firm.
The appearance of the bra is nice, but a bit plain. It's definitely cute and girly without being overly young. It's the perfect kind of styling for an everyday bra. Patsy also uses the same lightweight mesh fabric on the cups as Summer Haze, which is a firm structured mesh rather than the standard stretchy mesh (like used on Cleo Marcie and Lucy), meant to be cool and breezy for summer. Indeed, the combination of this fabric and the lightweight foam lining in the cups makes this lined bra feel so much cooler than wearing a stuffy foam T-shirt bra in the summer heat. Black is a black base with mocha polka dots throughout, and I like this color combination, which extends to the lace and bows. The upper edge has a bit of simple lace decoration and isn't visible or lumpy under clothing. Though the bra is seamed, it isn't nearly as noticeable under clothing as many other bras of similar construction. Straps are plain wide elastic, but are covered with the same printed mesh fabric, so the print extends throughout. The bows are sweet and delicate. The center gore bow is really pretty as it is double layered with thick and thin ribbon, and topped off with a tiny flower. Yay for no weird charms!
I think this is a fabulous bra for everyday wear, and is a bra you can really live in. Overall, I love this bra because it gives me a great shape without a molded cup, and is supremely comfortable on me. This ticks all the boxes for what I am looking for in a padded (not foam cup) bra--the natural, easy shaping and lightweight feel of an unlined bra, with the rounded shape and additional modesty provided by a foam bra. What a shame that Patsy has been discontinued! Now that I've collected every color, I've found that the ones that work for me are the new fit, as the old fit is too open at the top and gap. Read more 716 more words
This review is for the updated Patsy fit, with the current Freya label.
I don't think I've ever shelled out over $50 for a bra that may or may not be returnable, but that's exactly the chance I took on Patsy, since I had had this style on my wishlist for a while, and I had such good luck with the Summer Haze Padded Half Cup and felt they were very likely to be twins. Thankfully, the blind buy worked out, and now I have a beautiful Ballet Pink Patsy in my possession, and she fits wonderfully!
The measurements on my Patsy are just slightly bigger in the cup ...than my Summer Haze, but as it is .5 cm, it is not very noticeable. I would say both bras fit me quite identically, which means that the wires are comfortable, the cups are a good shape and volume, with none of the minimizing effect that I got from Rhea in the same size. Summer Haze and Patsy have what I typically think of as a 3HC, which is a rounded cup shape with 2 vertical seams, no upper panel, and a slightly closed off top.
This cut works the best for me, as the shape eliminates gapping at the top, which I experience with tall, open cups since I am not particularly FOT, while giving a very nice rounded shape similar to what one would get from a molded foam T-shirt bra. The wires are a nice and even curve instead of the wonky J curve or Nike swoosh shape that many Freyas have. The cups are very similar to Fantasie Sofia or Fauve Aurelia in shape, but are more closed off and rounded at the top. The angle of the cup is also cut at a slight plunge angle, which allows it to sit closer to the inner part of the breast where I am quite empty. The Fantasie and Fauve half cups are mostly constructed with straight cups. Despite the slightly closed top, this can certainly accommodate tall roots or more upper fullness, as there is plenty of room in the upper cup on me, and it works well when I tried it on with inserts. The only criticism about the fit is that the cups are a bit tall for my frame, leading to some gapping when I move, though I don't get this issue in similar bras that are cut with lower cups.
The wires on me are perfect on this bra, so I don't experience any discomfort like I did on Fearne, where the cup fit well but the wires were narrow and intolerable. Based on my experience so far with Freya Half Cups, the wires are all firm instead of the flexible ones used on their Unlined Plunges, so any mismatch in wire shape or size can be very painful. The bra band is printed powermesh and moderately firm. Freya's bands typically run large and this 28 is comfortable but not snug on me, though I might have to alter it down in time.
The appearance of the bra is nice, but a bit plain. It's definitely cute and girly without being overly young. It's the perfect kind of styling for an everyday bra. Patsy also uses the same lightweight mesh fabric on the cups as Summer Haze, which is a firm structured mesh rather than the standard stretchy mesh (like used on Cleo Marcie and Lucy), meant to be cool and breezy for summer. Indeed, the combination of this fabric and the lightweight foam lining in the cups makes this lined bra feel so much cooler than wearing a stuffy foam T-shirt bra in the summer heat. Ballet Pink is a soft pink with mocha polka dots throughout, and I like this color combination, which extends to the lace and bows. The upper edge has a bit of simple lace decoration and isn't visible or lumpy under clothing. Though the bra is seamed, it isn't nearly as noticeable under clothing as many other bras of similar construction. Straps are plain wide elastic, but are covered with the same printed mesh fabric, so the print extends throughout. The bows are sweet and delicate. The center gore bow is really pretty as it is double layered with thick and thin ribbon, and topped off with a tiny flower. Yay for no weird charms!
I think this is a fabulous bra for everyday wear, and is a bra you can really live in. Overall, I love this bra because it gives me a great shape without a molded cup, and is supremely comfortable on me. This ticks all the boxes for what I am looking for in a padded (not foam cup) bra--the natural, easy shaping and lightweight feel of an unlined bra, with the rounded shape and additional modesty provided by a foam bra. What a shame that Patsy has been discontinued! I'd happily buy this in every color. Meanwhile, I'll be checking out all other Freya bras that look to be the same Padded Half Cup cut, with fingers crossed that I find some more dupes! Read more 767 more words
I bought this bra 2 sister sizes up because it is pretty difficult to find in this color, and I was able to snag this for a pretty reasonable price. I intend to alter down the band as it is obviously too big. However, the cups are pretty similar to the measurements of my 28E, which fits perfectly. Therefore, in this style, it should be fine to sister size as the cup dimensions are not graded with the band.
Will update with any additional feedback on fit once I have completed the band alteration.
I would never call myself a longline girl, but my recent experiences with some Freya longlines have started to change my mind. Since I am slim and petite, I don't need the smoothing abilities of a wide band to create a smoother line, and the length of the band usually ends up uncomfortably close to my waist and puts pressure on my ribcage, causing me to panic for breath. However, I've found that some longlines can create an elegant look that looks cleaner under dresses than a standard bra, plus some of them can double as bra tops for going out. So, with this in ...mind, I have found myself the owner of a small longline collection.
I love the Summer Haze Padded Half Cup, as it's the best-fitting soft padded half cup silhouette that works for me. It is a 3HC construction with a slightly closed top. The Summer Haze Longline is simply its longline equivalent, and I own both in 28E. There's not much difference between the two, though mine varies slightly in measurements, which I think is just due to manufacturing inconsistency and not design. If you already like this fit, then go ahead and order the same size as the Padded Half Cup. If you are new to this fit, one of the awesome things about it is that the cup has a really rounded shape and is more closed off at the top than many standard Padded Half Cup styles, such as the Fantasie/Fauve ones, or the original Freya Patsy before the fit was redesigned. It's great for people who are not particularly FOT, but it's not so closed off as to cut into tall roots.
Compared to my other Freya padded longline, the Fancies Longline, this has a different cup shape. The Fancies Longline has a 4 piece cup where the top piece is horizontal. The 4 piece cup is a bit deeper than the 3HC and also has slightly wider wires, so on the body the cup is effectively wider. However, the band construction and measurements are very similar, though the materials are different. The Summer Haze has a very firm feeling band because the cradle and side panel are backed with tricot and are nonstretch (the Fancies Longline doesn't have this nonstretch side panel, and the wings are double layer mesh and lace). Only the back portion of the wing is stretch and is made from firm powermesh. This means that this really feels like it stays in place, but I didn't find it uncomfortably tight at all. Unlike the Freya Wilder Bustier, which has boning in the center front panel, the normal longlines do not have any boning.
The outside of the bra is a shibori-printed dot mesh that extends throughout the entire bra, including the wings. The cups are lined with soft padding and are not molded foam. The upper edge of the cup is trimmed with simple black lace, and the straps are plain wide black elastic. The only trim is a small bow at the center gore, thankfully, with no weird charms. The look of this bra is clean and simple, with no accented seams or contrast details other than the black lace and elastic. This is a fantastic longline if you are hesitant about longline styles. The only flaw I find is that Freya's longlines only have two rows of hooks, and they really would be better off with at least 3, ideally 4 rows to allow for better band fit. 2 rows of hooks really limits the ribcage measurements that can wear this style, unfortunately. Read more 511 more words
I wore this bra almost every day during pregnancy. It's very soft and supportive. The band is a little loose though. I would say the band is a 30-32. Overall, this is a very high quality nursing bra.
When I decided to try the Freya Wilder Bustier, I was still of the mindset that longlines weren't for me, and I didn't expect it to work out. However, several other reviewers had very positive things to say about the fit, so I decided to give it a try. I'm glad that I did, because this is an awesome strapless bra! I ended up purchasing it in this size twice as well as sizing down to a 28DD just to see, but this particular bra fits the best.
This bra is best described as a longline strapless bra with molded, unpadded cups. The fit is ...actually very similar to the Fauve Rosa Strapless that I also picked up recently, though obviously the band is much taller in this style as it is a longline. Both bras have a similar band construction with very wide elastic at the upper edge, although the Freya has only one wide strip of silicone at the top edge and none at the bottom. The first 28E I purchased felt a little too big in the band, so I decided to reorder. This one is slightly smaller and fits better, though I would say this runs large in the band as Freya bras tend to do. I could easily go much smaller in the band, and might think about altering it down in the future.
The thing that makes this more of a bustier are the additional strips of boning at the side as well as under the cups. There are a total of 6 strips of boning for stability, which helps the front of the band stay in place and avoid rolling. I had no issues with the comfort of the boning in this size, though in the 28DD, which is a bit too small, I felt very aware of the presence of the bones. Hence, I would say that if you are in your correct size, the boning should not cause any discomfort.
The molded cups in this style are almost identical to the Fauve Rosa Strapless, though they are a bit wider and deeper. I think the main issue for some people on this bra will be the width of the cups, as they are almost a little too wide for me. If I wear this with the straps, the tall, wide cups tend to dig in a bit in the underarm area and cause chafing, but when worn strapless, this is not an issue. The cup shape is somewhat deeper and more projected than standard US department store brands, so it should be suitable for those who usually have trouble with molded cups. The upper cup shape is a bit closed off, so it could be an issue for tall roots or people with a lot of upper fullness. Still, it should suit many shapes except those who are very narrow, very conical, or very shallow. It gives a nice, rounded shape that looks great under clothing.
This size has 4 rows of hooks in the back, and the band is a bit taller in the 28E than in the 28DD. The entire bra is covered in black cheetah lace overlaid over nude tricot for stability. There are no seam details on the outside of the bra except black edging at the upper cup. The center gore has a small bow and circular rose gold charm. Straps are convertible and removable, with two tabs on each front and back. My only complaint about the quality is that the straps tend to slip and fall off easily except when the bra is worn, since the tab loops are too loose at the back. Your straps may get lost in a drawer, so it's probably better to remove and store them separately.
I used to really dislike longlines because of the pressure they put on my ribcage, causing me to feel like I am being suffocated, but I am starting to warm up to them. This one is actually pretty easy to put on by yourself, and I like that the hooks can be done unevenly if you need a slightly different shape. When it comes to a strapless bra, a supportive band is really paramount, so I prefer styles like this that have wide bands that will stay in place. If you're looking for a good strapless, give this a try, even if Freya's molded cups don't usually work for you. Truly a hidden gem! Read more 656 more words
I was very happy with the Freya Wilder Bustier in 28E, but I wanted to see how it would fit in a size down, since the cups of the 28E run wide and a bit tall. However, the 28DD is a lot smaller. While I can't point to any specific fit issues, the cups are obviously too small for me all around. Despite the band on this bra measuring identically to the 28E that I decided to keep, the band on this bra is a bit uncomfortable since I can feel all the boning. This is due to the cups being too small.
Cup depth ...seemed to grade down a lot in this size (2 cm smaller per cup than 28E), so if you are between sizes, I'd go for the larger size/your normal size. Because of the slightly closed cups, I think that sizing down would look very awkward in this bra and would not give a more pushed-up appearance/more cleavage like you might get in other bras when sizing down.
Note that the band is a bit narrower (vertically shorter) in the 28DD vs the 28E, though both sizes have 4 hooks. Read more 89 more words
Somehow, this bra feels too tight and too large at the same time. The band is really stretchy and I can stretch it out very far; however, the underwires also dig into my sides under my arms. Then, there is a big gap along the top of the cups, so that they only look about 2/3rds of the way full. The gore isn't very accommodating for my center-full boobs and tilts out towards the top of the gore. It's a shame because the bra is so cute!
I think the cups may be set further apart than what works for me. My boobs fit in the center, but there is gapping towards the side of the top of the cup right before the bra strap, and there seems to be excess room in the entire top half of the cup. The cups are also pretty wide, and when I lift my arms, there is excessive wrinkling on the sides.
This is the original 28E Freya Wilder Bustier I purchased. While the fit is great, I felt that the band was a little too loose, so I reordered. I decided to keep the other one as the band is a bit smaller.
It's a really nice bra, I just wish I could find it in a size 34H. Its one of those bras that I want that can be reliable. Something you put on with difficult shirt.
Fits pretty well. Is quite comfrotable. Has an annoying metal triangle decoration on the gore which I removed. Like wearing a light sports bra but not as tight.
Nice bra. The band seems long enough, but the bra may not to have enough immediate projection for me. Good for tall roots. Interestingly, height black band measures longer than the beige band, and the gore height is slightly lower.
