This bra is very very shallow. It's also very tight. It's nice for major cleavage and if you're looking for a wireless bra, but for me it gets uncomfortable after a short while.

Nude colorway

Updated on Mar 06, 2022 Flag this

This bra has low swoosh shaped wires and a stretchy band. While the cup volume is correct for me, the seam at the top of the cup cuts into my tissue, creating an unflattering shape. Freya plunges do this to me as well.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Jan 30, 2022 Flag this

This is a true 28 band unlike other Freya bras that run loose. It runs 1-2 cup sizes small. The gore is a bit wider than I would like, but it might work in a larger cup size. The fabric next to the gore is straining because of my center fullness. The lace on the upper cup is stretchy. The earl grey color is very pretty.

Earl Grey colorway

Updated on Jan 19, 2022 Flag this

High set, side full, average spaced shallow tissue at inner breast that easily becomes close set, self supporting/no ptosis, wide short roots, bit top heavy but wouldn't call my shape tall just because it goes right up from the nips to collarbones.

Extreme ambivalence. Nice color faux crochet stretch lace. Fabric rather light and flimsy, feels like it will tear easily, but it's airy and stretches a bit so there's a some breathing room. Basically the weirdest minimizer, with slight duck bill at the center of cup (pushes boobs flat anywhere they are curved, especially on top).

Outer cup cuts in, wires at gore flip inward and ... dig, but not as badly as in the curvy kate top spot (30D). Get hives easily where the upper cup quads, the apex bags up, another mediocre fit but not as bad as most I've tried. Makes my breasts look like potatoes, the partly rotten ones at the bottom of the spud bag in the fridge that get forgotten for several months at a go.

It likes to unhook itself, often find it on only 1 hook and not the both of them. Sigh. Ima keep it :/
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Pacific blue colorway

This bra's measurements have been altered

upper band from gore to strap removed since it cuts in

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Nov 25, 2021 Flag this

I think I might be the wrong shape for this bra, or the soft cup style is not right for me. Large amount of gaping at the top of the cups because my shape is full on the bottom. Gore is a bit uncomfortable as it's taller than I'm used to. It keeps everything in place at least, no escapees down the bottom.

wild colorway

Updated on Sep 17, 2021 Flag this

I love narrow Polish bras, but I thought I could get more options if I could find them without a Polish brands. This looks very nice, but it didn't work and get quad.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 07, 2021 Flag this

My info: calculated UK 28E (27" snug underbust, 32.5"/34.5"/33" bust), FOB, projected, close set, tall roots

Other than the wires being a little too wide (a problem I always have) and the gore being too wide (also a problem I always have), this fits my shape pretty dang well. I would suggest this for others that are also FOB and projected. The gore is surprisingly comfortable for being so tall. The nipple coverage is decent; you don't really see nips or the lace under clothing, but you do see the diagonal seam.

However, I honestly just find this to not be very pretty at all. I'm not sure what it is -- the fairly full coverage nature of the cups? The particular pattern of the lace? -- but it just seems quite "matronly" to me, which is very much so not what I want at my age.

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 07, 2021 Flag this

Very pretty and well made, cups are a shape mismatch.

Updated on Nov 27, 2020 Flag this

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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Black colorway

Updated on Oct 30, 2020 Flag this

Might fit in a size larger, or the straps might be too short. Super pretty! I love the strap details, and an attractive bra in a chocolate brown colour is a rarity.

Updated on Oct 24, 2020 Flag this

I think this would fit in a larger cup size as long as the wires didn't become super wide.

Updated on Oct 24, 2020 Flag this

I love Freya Urban Echo Padded Plunge, and this style set me off on exploring Freya's various padded styles to see if I could find another style that shares the same cut. So far, In Bloom has been the only one I've found. I was originally drawn to this style because I wanted the padded version, but I also decided to pick up the unlined as well, in both sizes 28E (my normal Freya size) and 30E (one size up as I've gained some upper fullness). This review is for the unlined version in 28E, which fits.

Both the Padded Plunge and the Unlined Plunge Balcony ... are 3 piece cup styles, and both are very similar in measurements, but the unlined is a touch deeper in the cup than the lined. Freya has a couple of unlined plunge styles, and this is the same cut as Jasmine Meadow, where the upper cup is mesh, rather than the ones that have the same fabric throughout the entire cup. I think this is also the same cut as Fearne, though I don't have this in an equivalent size to say definitively (I only own it in 28DD). Wires on my bra are nicely curved, and none of the weird swoosh shape you sometimes get in these plunge styles, but I suspect that's always a possibility.

This style with the mesh upper cup seems to be a little shallower and less projected than the ones that have the same fabric throughout. However, Freya's unlined plunges all seem to be cut with a very round breast shape in mind, so if you have less upper inner fullness, it will be pretty apparent in these styles. In the mesh upper cup styles, this is less noticeable under clothing since the mesh is very soft and thin. I also like that the mesh upper cup is finished off with stretch lace, so it doesn't cut into tall roots like some of Freya's other plunge styles do. The bottom cup is single layer fabric and unlined, so it is very soft and lightweight. I love how soft these bras are, unlike some of their lace options!

Styling on this bra is simple but fun. It is identical to the Padded Plunge version. The print is a reddish-pink and soft coral ditsy design that looks like tiny flowers, with little white geometric shapes that look reminiscent of birds, on a solid black background. It is a bit busy but not overly garish. The fabric is the same lightweight silky material used on most of Freya's printed bras. In order to keep the bra from getting too loud, all trims are solid black, including the elastic on the upper cup. Small black bows adorn the strap attachments, and the center gore has a reddish-pink and black folded ribbon with a very small textured silver bead. This style has a plain black powermesh band, so the print doesn't run throughout, and medium-width scalloped black elastic straps. Both the wings and straps are on the narrow side, but this is a minor complaint.

One odd thing about this bra is that the band in this 28E is barely smaller than the 30DD Padded Plunge version I bought (only 1.5 cm shorter). The Jasmine Meadow Unlined in 28E also has a rather large band. Therefore, I'd say that the band on these styles runs a little larger than normal. You may need to size down if you are on the small end of your band size. However, the band here works for me, it is just not as snug as 28s usually are, and not nearly as snug as Freya's newest styles in a 28, as they seem to have corrected for the large band issue.

If you like Fearne or Jasmine Meadow unlined styles, give this a try if you can find it!
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Posie colorway

Updated on Sep 28, 2020 Flag this

Viva is a newer side support style from Freya. I've only tried the Starlight Hero Side Support and the Rose Tapestry Side Support, but didn't end up keeping either of them. I bought Viva about a month ago and at the time was very pleased with the fit. However, since then I've experienced even more cup size increase with more upper fullness, so this is definitely a bit small for me now, and I've reordered 28F. This review will be commenting on the fit from when I received the bra and it was the correct size, not at my current size.

Freya's side support styles ... are very similar to the Fantasie ones, but they are available in a 28 band. I've noticed that newer Freya styles are much more TTS in the band, as many older Freya 28s basically fit like 30s. This is a true 28E, so I am very pleased with the band. It is made from firm printed powermesh and has a gentle leotard back. The wings are rather short, but I didn't find the band to be uncomfortable at all.

The cups are made from lightweight silky printed fabric, basically the same fabric that Freya uses on most of their printed bras, and basically the same fabric on Fantasie's printed bras as well. This lightweight fabric gives pretty good shaping and support while remaining lightweight. The cups of this bra are unlined, but they still give me a great rounded shape. The side support panel is lined with nonstretch tricot, but I didn't have any issues with it cutting into tissue and creating a horrible vertical line like these panels sometimes do. Most of the upper cup is made from mesh elastic with shadow stripes. Side support styles are typically pretty closed off at the top, and this is no exception, but the fact that it is mostly elastic helps it stretch better. Thus, this will accommodate tall roots better than most side support styles out there.

I have noticed that Freya's side support styles tend to run a little small in the cup, however, as that was part of the reason why I didn't keep any of the other styles I tried on previously. When I got this, it was the right size, but I did feel that it was a little small in the cup. Now that I am almost a cup size bigger, it's visibly too small, because the proportions are not quite right, and the upper cup cuts in terribly. If you are on the larger end of your size, I'd recommend ordering a size up in this silhouette.

The styling of this bra is super cute. I bought the Black colorway, which has fun geometric pink, blue, and coral flowers on a polka-dotted black base. The print is whimsical without looking too young. Trims are super simple, with medium width plain straps, and two tone skinny pink and hot coral bows at the center gore and strap attachments. Best of all, no metal center gore charm! Crossing my fingers that sizing up works for me as I'd like to keep Viva in my collection.
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Black colorway

Updated on Sep 11, 2020 Flag this

This is my second Urban Echo in 28E, I had originally ordered this as the unlined version but Amazon sent me the padded again by mistake. I decided to keep it since I like this bra a lot and can't find this cut in any other style. See my review on the original!

Mist colorway

Updated on Sep 11, 2020 Flag this

Me: Average projection. Fuller on bottom. Slightly wider left breast (I suspect this breast is also 1-2 ml taller than my other breast). Maybe tall roots? Usually wear 28DD or 30D.

28DDD was one of my recommended bras from Bratabase. It's a pretty bra but it's a shape mismatch for me. There are wrinkles in the cup that I can't fill for both sides. Maybe I should've stuck to 28DD since that's my usual fit? Although, I suspect I may get quad boob if I wore 28DD on my right breast. This bra is not for me.

Denim colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 07, 2020 Flag this

Freya has a couple of slightly different padded 3HC styles, but I took a chance on Forest Song because it looked most similar to the new Patsy and Summer Haze fits, which are slightly closed on top rather than totally open. Thankfully, Forest Song turned out to be a very similar cut, though there are some slight differences. It fits me quite well and sits comfortably on my body with minimal gapping.

Compared to new Patsy, Forest Song is slightly narrower in the cup, the same depth, and slightly taller. Compared to Summer Haze, Forest Song is slightly wider in the cup, slightly deeper, and slightly ... taller. All 3 styles have similar shaping where the panels are gradually closer together at the top, compared to an open cup style like Freya Rhea or Fantasie/Fauve padded 3HCs. It fits me very similarly to Patsy and Summer Haze, giving me a nice rounded shape, and I don't notice much difference between the fits. The main difference is that the foam seems to be slightly thicker in this style, so it holds the cup shape better and gives a smoother appearance, though it is still lightweight foam batting and not a molded foam cup.

The fabric used for this bra is the same silky printed fabric used on many of Freya's other multicolored print bras, so it is not mesh like Patsy and Summer Haze. The fabric is good quality, but combined with the thicker foam padding, it feels like a thicker synthetic fabric than it actually is, even though I'm pretty sure it's the same lightweight fabric used on styles like Crush, Jewel Garden, Lime Light, Fearne, Jasmine Meadow, etc. It behaves almost like a very heavy satin. The band is made from printed powermesh and feels nice and firm. It measures a little smaller than some of my other 28E Freya bands, so it actually feels snug and secure! The back is a simple gentle leotard back and has wide black picot straps, with topped on fabric detail at the front.

The only negative about this bra is unfortunately the busy print. The name "Forest Song" is misleading--it is better described as "Graffiti Floral Explosion." The print is very confusing and I find that it lacks direction, because there's so much going on. There is a black-based abstract photorealistic base print of blue and magenta, layered with black and white handdrawn flowers, layered with magenta, white, and hot pink abstract floral outlines, layered with white handdrawn flowers, and topped off with dusty turquoise flat filled blossoms. The whole thing is incredibly busy and the different art styles don't go well together. I think this is a poor choice of print for this style, and I believe the same cut is available in other prints (Jewel Garden, Pop Art, Crush, Lime Light, Strawberry Fields), but it isn't easy to get your hands on many of these discontinued styles anymore. Adding to the confusion is a hot pink and turquoise stacked ribbon bow and a small textured metal cube as the center gore decoration. I really like the fit of this bra, but I really wish it were a different pattern!
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Black colorway

Updated on Jul 30, 2020 Flag this

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!
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Ballet Pink colorway

Updated on Jul 24, 2020 Flag this

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.
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Black colorway

Updated on Jul 24, 2020 Flag this

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!
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Mono colorway

Updated on Jul 18, 2020 Flag this

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.

Mono colorway

Updated on Jul 17, 2020 Flag this