I had high hopes that Freya Sassy would turn out to be a dupe of my favorite Freya Padded Plunge cut, the Urban Echo, but unfortunately this isn't the case. It is actually a lot more similar to the Fancies Padded Half Cup, which didn't fit me well. This style suffers from an overly loose band, wide cups, and uncomfortably firm wires. If it weren't for these issues, I would like this bra, since it's quite simple but looks nice, and the cup shape is otherwise a pretty good fit on me.
I'm not sure why the band is so loose on this style, because it ...is made from firm stretch knit, but the band is definitely cut longer than a 28 should be. The elastic used on the band also seems to be rather narrow, and this isn't really a full band style, so the cradle doesn't feel as stable as I would like. I wish Freya could just make consistent bands, since one of the big reasons I frequently purchase from the brand is that they are one of the few manufacturers who makes 28E in many styles now that a lot of assortments have been cut back.
The cups are a 4 piece construction, very similar to the Fancies Padded Half Cup, and made from soft foam lining. Measurements between this style in 28E and the 30DD Fancies are quite similar, though the Fancies is slightly wider and deeper in the cup. Unfortunately, both styles are cut a bit too wide for me, because the wires just wrap around too far along my ribcage. I really think these styles are not scaled correctly for a 28 band wearer and even for a true 30, they are a bit too wide in proportion. This bra would be a lot better if the cups were made a bit narrower while maintaining the same depth.
Some of the Freya bras I've encountered have flexible wires, and some have unapologetically firm ones. This falls into the latter camp, as the wires are hard and uncomfortable on me. I had to pass on the Fearne Padded Half Cup in 28E even though the rest of the fit was quite good due to the uncomfortable wires, and this isn't quite as bad, but they are still pretty painful. Wide cups and hard wires along the ribcage are not a good combination! Other than that, the cup shape seems to work well for me and gives a nice rounded shape.
The outer layer of the bra is black mesh on a beige base. The design looks very similar to Comexim Beauty, but with a plain mesh upper cup section rather than the lace cup edging on Beauty. The bottom cup is a simple floral lace that goes well with anything, while the cradle is plain mesh. Straps are plain smooth black satin, with tiny black and pink bows at the strap attachment and gore. The gore also has a small teardrop metal charm which doesn't quite go with the design, but isn't overly obnoxious.
It's not a bad bra, but for the above issues, this doesn't work for me. It also wouldn't fit anyone who is a 28E because of the large band and wide proportions. If the Freya Fancies Padded Half Cup fits you well in a 30 band, give this a try! Read more 466 more words
I liked the appearance of this bra, and since I've never tried anything from Freya's Idol series, I figured this was worth a shot However, the main issue is that this bra is so molded into a round, full-coverage shape that the entire top of the bra was totally empty on me. Like Deco, these tall, full coverage cups are just not suitable at all for my shape.
The band if this bra is double lined mesh and knit jersey, and feels nice and firm. There is a standard leotard back and plain, medium width satin straps. However, since this isn't really a full band ...bra, it doesn't feel very secure on me. There is basically no elastic along the cradle, which I prefer for additional stability. The bra actually rolls inward, and the upper portion of the gore tacks, but the bottom is slightly floating. This is most likely because the cups are too big for me, so the cradle is not stabilized at all.
The shape of the cups is entirely unsuitable for my shape, which is rather short with tall roots, and average to slightly shallow on top. I've never seen a bra with such a rounded shape, like a tennis ball cut in half. It's rounded, tall, and very closed off at the top. There's several inches of empty space at the top of the cup on me, though the wires fit me just fine. The wires are firm and rounded, with very little give.
I think the cup size definitely runs a cup large, and is also very deep and projected for its size range. This might be good for narrow, projected shapes with tall roots and lots of upper fullness. The cups are made from quite firm foam that will not stretch to fit your shape. You must fit this bra perfectly for it to work on you.
The fabric of this bra is matte dark heather charcoal grey, trimmed with floral pink lace at the cradle, and adorned with a small pink ribbon and silver ball charm at the gore. The bra has a sweet and sporty appearance, which I quite like. It is reminiscent of some Victoria's Secret bras, but I think the quality is much sturdier. This could be a good bra for someone, but it is far from a forgiving fit. This is a great everyday bra option if Freya Idol is a good fit for you. Read more 314 more words
I ordered this simply because it was listed as a spacer bra, and I've been curious about spacer bras for so long. I tried another one in the past that didn't seem like spacer foam, just normal foam, and this one also feels a bit unexpected. However, the main issue is that this bra is so molded into a round, full-coverage shape that the entire top of the bra was totally empty on me. Apparently this is based on the Freya Idol series, as it is exactly the same shape and measurements as the Freya Chi, which is labeled as part of the Idol family.
The ...band of this bra was also a little big, not quite snug, but acceptable. It seems to be the same firm stretch knit as the Freya Deco Soft Cup, but as this isn't really a full band bra, it doesn't feel very secure on me. There is basically no elastic along the cradle, which I prefer for additional stability. It is a standard band with a leotard back, and the straps are medium width with a J hook. However, the cups of this bra are really weird. I've never seen a bra with such a rounded shape, like a tennis ball cut in half. It's rounded, tall, and very closed off at the top. There's several inches of empty space at the top of the cup on me, though the wires fit me just fine. The wires are firm and rounded, with very little give.
i think the cup size definitely runs a cup large, and is also very deep and projected for its size range. This might be good for narrow, projected shapes with tall roots and lots of upper fullness. The alleged "spacer" foam is actually a very thin and rigid foam (it is definitely lighter and thinner than the standard foam on the Freya Idol), so I can't comment on its spacer abilities, but it will not stretch to fit your shape. You must fit this bra perfectly for it to work on you.
The front of the cups is a sheer geometric-textured nylon overlay, and the bra uses hardware of two overlapping ovals, similar to the Curvy Kate Lifestyle's details. This could be a good bra for someone, but it is far from a forgiving fit. This is a great option if Freya Idol is a good fit for you. Read more 304 more words
Very cute and comfy! Emerald color is lovely. Lace is quite soft and stretchy, which helps with comfy-ness but makes it not seem as "fancy" if that matters. I am very projected and full on the bottom with a short root. This bra fit great except the wires were just way too wide for me and there was not quite enough immediate projection at the bottom. Still one of my better non-Polish fits. Stretchy Freya band so I had to sister size down a band as usual.
At the beginning of my bra journey, I tried a Freya Deco Plunge in 28DD, but was shocked by the extremely firm band and the tall cups. However, lately I've been on the hunt for a good wireless bra, and I had high hopes for the Deco Soft Cup, which I heard can work even if the Deco Plunge doesn't fit your shape. I went with my normal size of 28E, but I think this was a mistake, as the cups ended up too tall on me.
The band, like on the Deco Plunge, is super firm. It is made from very firm stretch knit ...like many of Comexim's bands. It's tight, but supportive and not uncomfortable. Straps are medium width and taper to a leotard back. The entire bra is made from the same smooth stretch fabric and the only trims are tiny bows at the strap attachment. The cups are much wider than the Deco Plunge, but unfortunately they are also cut quite tall, although they don't rub and chafe in the underarm area. The width, bottom of the cup, and projection work for me, but the upper cup is pretty empty (it is filled when I scoop, but after moving, it ends up gapping). It is also very empty at the center, where the bra is supposed to give you cleavage, because I am quite shallow in that area. For this reason, I think if you don't have a lot of upper or center tissue, you should try sizing down in the cup instead of going with your normal size.
One thing I really like about this bra is that it gives a really nice shape, providing much more shaping than most wireless bras do. This is partially due to the more projected shape as well as the stiffer foam used to make the cups. This is not a bra you will wear primarily for comfort, but when you want to appear like you're wearing a normal t-shirt bra but just don't want to deal with the underwire. I've tried quite a few wireless bras so far, and I think this is one of the best quality bras and the most functional. I'll be trying it again in 28DD to see if sizing down can make it work. Read more 286 more words
Freya Lime Light was one of those bras I thought was going to be terribly ugly based on the photos online, but in person, I really like it. The unusual color combination of pale dove grey, white, and chartreuse tones work surprisingly harmoniously together, and despite the soft aster print, ends up reading rather like a nude under clothing. I got this for a steal on Amazon and am happy to add it to my collection despite the fact that it technically doesn't fit.
So far, I have tried a few unlined Freya plunges in the same lightweight printed tricot fabric, and there seems to be a ...number of different cuts: - Shallowest: Jasmine Garden, and possibly Fearne (I don't own the 28E to compare) - Average: Crush, Lime Light, and possibly Sansa (I don't own the 28E to compare) - Deepest: Jewel Garden
The main difference in all of these cuts is the width and angle of the upper panel. Crush and Lime Light share almost all of the same measurements, but half of the upper cup of Crush is made from embroidered mesh, so it fits me differently than Lime Light, which has an all-fabric upper cup and a wide strip of decorative elastic at the edge. I can fill out the cups of Crush ok on my larger side, but I have a bit more emptiness at the top of the cup in Lime Light. I am pretty sure that is all due to the nature of the upper cup. The upper cup is also just a little bit too long for me horizontally, so I may tack it a bit at the gore. Happily, despite the upper cup not being ideal, it fits well with my foam cup liners, which is how I plan to wear it!
The wires of my bra display the characteristic annoying quality of Freya's inconsistent wires, which can range from a standard C shape curve to a J curve, and all the way to a Nike swoosh. This one is basically a J curve, so it's not ideal for me, but it works. Ideally you'd be able to try more than one of these out in person and pick the one with the best wire shape for you, though they can be easily reshaped.
Overall, I like the construction of this bra a lot. The entire cup is made from the same silky fabric with no scratchy seam in sight. The upper cup is projected but not too shelf-like, like I found Jewel Garden to be. The wide top edge elastic is set with the right amount of tension and provides the upper edge with just the right amount of give. I think this would be suitable for round, slightly FOT to FOT shapes, and can accommodate tall roots. It gives a lovely smooth, rounded shape under clothing, which is one thing I really love about this cut. The band is firm printed powermesh and fits TTS.
Styling-wise, the unusual color combination plays the starring role, and I am happy to report there are no weird trims to be found. Overall the appearance of the bra is both sporty and feminine, and I find that all the pieces fit together well. The upper edge elastic has two shadow stripes and a picot edge, and has a slightly sporty feel. The strap elastic is solid dove grey with a picot edge and matte texture. As usual, the front of the straps have topped on fabric, so it can be a little tricky to adjust them shorter if you need to adjust down to the fabric portion. The only decoration is a double stacked two tone bow with a small, opaque white crystal shaped like a teardrop. So much better than the weird metal charms and random hardware found on other fashion styles!
Lime Light is a bit quirky and probably not to everyone's taste, but I find it to be a very charming addition to my collection. Read more 569 more words
The Fearne Padded Half Cup is my fourth Freya padded bra, and unfortunately this one had one fatal flaw. This is a shame, since I really liked the appearance of the bra, and actually found the cups to be a pretty good fit! I own the Unlined Fearne Balcony in the Black colorway and picked up this one in Ivory, which is actually mostly soft bubblegum pink print with ivory. It's much cuter in person than I expected.
Usually, this type of Padded Half Cup has a reputation for being wide and shallow. I actually found this one to be narrow and projected. The ...main problem is that the wires here are incredibly rigid and almost entirely vertical at the outer cup, so instead of flexing a bit wider when worn, it does not budge. As a result, the wires sit on my side tissue and feel painful. The stiffness of the wire also makes the gore a little uncomfortable, but as there is no extra room in the wire channel, I can't shift it around either. I think that if this bra had normal wires of average flexibility and a more gentle curved shape, it would have fit quite well. The cups are a 4 piece construction with a 3HC bottom cup and a horizontal upper cup, which is neither particularly closed or open, and fits me pretty well. They feel like they have some decent projection and give a naturally rounded shape. Due to the narrow wires, I had a feeling that the cups were a touch small, but it's really hard to tell if that is really the case or if it is due to the wires restricting the cup width. I had no trouble filling this out, whereas the Freya unlined bras in 28E can be a little roomy in the cups for me.
The bra is made from the same silky printed fabric that Freya typically uses on their printed bras, and the upper cup is mesh with diamond embroidery and a scalloped lace upper edge. The cups are lined with soft foam batting as are Freya and Fantasie's other padded bras. The foam on this bra seems a bit firmer than what I've seen on some other similar bras, as the cups hold their shape a little better on their own. However, it is still soft enough that drag lines and wrinkles can form, unlike in thicker foam cups. The print extends to the cradle and band, which is made from firm printed powermesh. The straps are decorated with printed fabric, and the straps here are fairly ornate, with crosses, squares, and a scalloped edge. I really like that this bra is simply trimmed with polka dot textured white bows and doesn't have any weird charms or trims. Too bad the wires here are so painful! This might be a good option for those who need really narrow wires, or someone who prefers very firm wires. Read more 403 more words
I knew Freya made padded half cups, but I had no idea that a padded plunge cut also existed until I searched for "Freya padded bra" on Amazon and found the Urban Echo. I didn't like the fit of the Rhea Padded Half Cup I tried since the 3HC construction was very minimizing on me, and figured this one was worth a try. Imagine my surprise when this actually fit quite well!
However, the biggest surprise was when I opened the package and pulled out a bra that . . . looked like a Comexim. The print, the trims, the shape of the cups, the construction ...of the band, and the elastic used all reminded me of something I would see on a Comexim bra. Out of curiosity, I decided to compare this against a Comexim Standard Plunge in the equivalent size (60H) to compare the similarities and differences in measurement:
- Band is longer on the Freya, but as it is quite firm, they both feel very snug - Cup width and depth are about the same on both - Comexim has longer wires as the center gore is taller - Freya's cup height is slightly shorter, but both are quite tall
(Note: the stock photos make the bras look quite different on the body, but this is inaccurate. The angle and construction of the cups is virtually identical)
Since this measures quite similarly to the Comexim Standard Plunge, which fits me very well, it's no surprise that the Freya Padded Plunge was also a good fit on me. The main differences between the two bras is that the Freya is made from soft thin foam batting, which lightly lines the bra but doesn't give it much shape or structure. Comexim bras are made from true foam and is slightly thicker, giving the cups shaping and structure similar to that of a t-shirt bra. Neither bra has push up padding. Because of the differences in the padding quality, the Comexim gives me a rounder, smoother shape with less visible seams under clothing. On my larger side, the Freya gives a good rounded shape, but on my smaller side, the seams can look noticeable under clothing. One foam pad inserted into the cup of the smaller side fixes this issue and evens both out. Of course, this is a standard problem I face due to asymmetry.
The other main difference is the gore height, as the Freya bra has a gore height 1.2"/3 cm shorter than the Comexim. This may be a benefit for those who find the gore height of Comexim's Standard Plunge to be too tall. The wires are approximately the same length if you account for the shorter gore, as the rest of the wire coverage is very similar. The cup shapes on both bras are constructed in a very similar fashion and share similar proportions. Both bras give a really nice rounded shape, but if you have less upper fullness, you may feel a bit of emptiness inside the upper cup. This definitely happens a bit to me, but it's not something I would consider an issue as the effect is quite minor. Once again, it is more noticeable on my smaller side. Thanks to Comexim's thicker foam, it is hardly noticeable in the Comexim bras, but more obvious in Freya's thinner cups.
The appearance of the bra also looks very much like a Comexim. The print of this bra is white-based with graphite grey and soft pink florals and swirls, similar to a coloring book page. The print and color is very similar to the Comexim Jasmine, which has dark grey botanical sketches on a pink ground, and both share similar graphite wide elastic. The band is made of very firm printed powermesh, so the print goes throughout the entire bra. The trim is graphite grey crochet lace at the upper cup, similar to the one on Comexim Blue Spring. The overall color scheme is similar to Jasmine, Brigitte, Princess, and Matthiola. Thus, if you like the aesthetic of these Comexim styles but aren't typically drawn to Freya's prints, you might enjoy this bra!
The only thing "Freya-esque" on this bra that I feel Comexim would never do are the pink foldover ribbon segments at the center gore and straps, instead of standard pink bows, and the odd triangular metal charm at the center gore. A bit weird, but not terribly offensive. The inclusion of additional lace detailing where the cradle connects to the wings adds some nice interest and ties the whole look together. Despite the name, Urban Echo is surprisingly feminine and pretty. I highly recommend this if you love Comexim Padded Plunge styles! Read more 691 more words
I've been curious about Freya's padded half cups for a while, but the only one I've tried so far was the random Mode style that got shipped to me accidentally by Amazon, and it was horrible. I own the unlined version of Rhea in 28DD and was able to grab this Padded Half Cup in my current size of 28E. It fits, but unfortunately I really dislike the minimized shape it gives me, so like the Comexim Basic 3HC that gave me the same problem, it won’t be staying in my collection.
So far, 3HCs have rarely worked out for me as it also didn't work in ...the two Fantasie Padded Half Cups or the Masquerade Medina I tried, so I am feeling kind of nervous that this shape isn't for me (I have another Comexim 3HC coming in the mail that is hopefully deeper). In general, the cups are on the wider side and just don't have enough projection for me, so they create a flattened, minimized appearance that looks like I'm wearing a sports bra, though they do also create a nice push up effect at the top of the cup. I haven't yet figured out if the problem is lack of immediate projection at the wire, overall projection and shaping, or lack of upper projection, as all parts of the cup feel a little weird and look minimized, but my guess is leaning towards the lack of upper cup projection.
Other than this shape concern, I actually quite like this bra. I considered keeping it until I looked at myself in the bra with a shirt on, and could see how unflattering the side profile is. The cup width and height are quite comfortable on me, and from the front, it looks quite nice. I definitely fill out the cups completely, which is kind of rare for me in Freya's 28E. I get a very rounded and full upper appearance in this bra. My guess is that this would be a nice shallow-friendly option, since the cups don't look any better when I try to add padding or silicone inserts--just like in the Comexim Basic 3HC, it just made the shape look unbalanced and distorted because the cups simply do not have the projection to handle any additional volume. Unlike Comexim bras, the construction of this "padded half cup" is the same soft batting-like foam that Fantasie uses for their padded half cups. It is thin, soft, and doesn't provide support or structure. It essentially just functions as some lining to give a smoother shape and provide some modesty. So far, I haven't warmed up to this construction, and I prefer either a true unlined bra or a structured foam bra like the B. Tempt'd by Wacoal Ciao Bella or Comexim options.
Details of this bra are similar to the Rhea Unlined Plunge, but the embroidery here is all over the bottom cup. The design is of pink and coral wild roses, Queen Anne's lace, and pale pink freesias. It is quite a lovely design that reminds me of an English garden, and you can see much more of the overall embroidery than in the Unlined Plunge version as that style only has embroidery on the upper cup. The embroidery is executed on black jacquard lace, but the rest of the bra is plain black mesh. The straps have a short twinned detail in the front, which leaves most of the strap adjustable. I found the center gore decoration of a rose gold slider and a strip of ribbon to be strange on the other Rhea, and it looks just as strange here. The band runs a little large, like many Freyas do, as my 28 band measures as a 30.
I'd give the Freya Padded Half Cup silhouette another try, perhaps in Strawberry Fields, Patsy, or Daisy if I can get my hands on them. It's close, but not good enough to keep. Read more 565 more words
Jewel Garden is one of those Freya fashion bras I was just drawn to because something about the print really appeals to me. When I saw this online, it looked like a beautifully soft watercolor pastel of abstract flower petals on a white base. In person, the colors are much more vibrant, so it is more like washed out soft neons. Still lovely, but it gives the bra a different feel from what I was expecting.
I had also expected this to fit like the Crush Plunge Balcony Bra, which was a pretty good fit on me, as it looked like it was the same fabric. ... I also picked up Jasmine Meadow at the same time and thought it would fit the same. In reality, all 3 bras fit differently despite being made from the same body fabric and looking similar in construction:
- Jasmine Meadow looks minimizing and feels the least projected, although the cup depth is about the same. No issues with upper cup - Crush has the best balance of projection for my shape, although it is a little roomy in the upper cup - Jewel Garden has a similar fit in the bottom portion of the cup, but it is more projected at the top, and the upper cup is deeper than Crush
Unfortunately, this meant that even with foam pads (to convert this into a lined bra), the upper cup wrinkles on me noticeably. This tells me that this style is cut for someone with a lot of upper fullness, though the non-stretch upper cup tells me that it would also not suit tall roots. This is not as crazy deep as Pulse, where the cup depth is noticeably deeper than similar looking cuts in the same size. The cup depth of this bra is similar to the other two, but the distribution of fullness is different. The upper cup on this bra appears shelf-like in relation to the bottom cup, so it is built for upper projection that doesn't gradually taper into tall roots. The bras that suit me have upper cups that gradually slope in relation to the bottom cups. I also noticed that the wires on this bra are more of the shallow J shape that I really tend to dislike on Freya bras.
Because of this fit issue, I won't be keeping this bra, as the wrinkled upper cup is somewhat noticeable under clothing even with foam pads. If it weren't for the shape mismatch, I am pretty happy with the details, construction, and comfort of this bra. The single layer bottom cup is made from the same silky soft printed tricot as most printed Freya fashion bras, making it very comfortable for summer. The print extends to the cradle, which is double lined with stiff tricot, and the wings are nice firm printed powermesh that actually measures pretty TTS for a 28. This band felt nice and snug, which is a rarity for Freya! The upper cup is made from single layer mesh with a wavy satin stitch embroidery and soft print, and the straps are picot edged plain satin with fabric topped on at the front. The gore decoration isn't particularly offensive, as it is a modified white satin bow with a small metal diamond shaped charm. Read more 452 more words
What am I doing with this bra after swearing off random Freya fashion styles (multiple times, in fact)? Well, eBay got the better of me, and I found this bra in my real size for a great price. These days, 28E bras are rather hard to find, since many lines have consolidated down their 28 band offerings and I'm stuck in my awkward sister size of 30DD, so after checking measurements and reviews on this bra, I decided to give it a chance. Technically it doesn't exactly fit, but I'm still very pleased with this purchase.
The print and appearance is what drew me to this ...bra in the first place. The pattern is a fun semi-abstract rendition of pink orchids and waterfall blue ikat. I like the fun, summery vibe of this design, and it reminds me of a tropical vacation. This is one of the first Freya bras that I really like for all of its aesthetic components. I feel that while the colors are bright, the design works well together. Plus, there's no tacky center gore charm in sight, just a simple turquoise bow! I was pleased to discover that the fabrication of this is the same lightweight, silky fabric used on other printed styles like Sansa and Fearne. However, it feels even softer and more lightweight than I remember. I can tell that this is going to be an amazing summer bra!
In terms of cup construction, I feel that this is a more "balanced" plunge bra than many other Freya cuts. No weird shapes to be found here (like Summer Haze) . . . Crush has a balcony plunge shape more reminiscent of Cleo's styles. I found the wires to be nicely curved and comfortable instead of the common J wires in other Freyas. I can fill out the cup perfectly on my larger side when fully scooped, but once I move, the upper cup becomes empty at the center, so the main problem here is that it is designed for someone with a more rounded shape that has more center fullness than I have. The cup depth is actually quite deep for this size, so note that my measurement here is accurate and the average on BTB is not correct. With foam pads, this becomes a perfect t-shirt bra shape for me, so I am happy that it is still quite wearable.
The upper cup here is unique in that it has a two piece construction, with half of it made from the body fabric, joined to an edge made from embroidered mesh with a turquoise satin stitch decorative seam. The upper edge of the mesh is stabilized with clear elastic so it is quite firm, but the upper cup isn't very closed off, so it should accommodate root fullness within reason. The embroidery here is also quite special, as it has a floral mandala pattern with dahlias and plumerias, adding to the tropical feel. The band here is nice firm printed powermesh, and I have no complaints about it running big! It feels like a TTS 28 band. Wide strap elastic with scalloped edges and fabric trim at the front, a gentle leotard back, and pops of turquoise bows complete the look.
I will definitely be wearing this during the summer with foam pads as I trade out my Le Mystere and Ciao Bella bras for lighter weight lined options! Read more 476 more words
One of the hooks was already loose when I got it and after one or two washes the part where the decorative metal bar is sewn turned green a little. Other than that it is the best bra I've owned so far, supports and lifts without sliding down. This strapless definitely surprised me.
I received this bra completely by accident when Amazon somehow shipped me a bra that was the correct color and size (28E nude) but totally different brand and style (I ordered the Cleo Maddie). Thanks Amazon! Since I have this thing in my possession, I might as well list the details here on BTB for future reference.
When I tried on this bra, I immediately felt that the cups were too small for me, but the measurements look pretty appropriate for my size. I think this is another case of the Freya shape mismatch, where most of the non-plunge balcony bras don't work for my shape ...(basically anything except the Fancies). Looking at the shape more closely, the problem is that the distribution of volume in this bra is totally wrong for me.
The wires are wide and shallow, and while the measurement looks normal compared to my bras, the cup is much shorter than normal, so it's not tall enough to contain all my tissue. I get almost 1" of empty space at the outer portion of the cup that is empty, and since the wires are quite short vertically, it doesn't contain my tissue on the sides. The inside of the cup isn't cut for any center fullness (I would actually consider myself pretty even but slightly outer full), so it causes spillage in the center. The fullest point of the cup is too low for me, so the vertical proportion is off.
And thanks to the empty outer cup, any strap tension causes the excess fabric to pull up and form a deep wrinkle from the strap connection point to the bottom of the cup. The cups are constructed without any give, which makes all the problems worse, and the seams are extremely rigid, restricting tissue at all the wrong places.
The outer cup is made from a non-stretch shadow stripe lined with soft foam and thin tricot. Note that the foam here feels more like the batting used in quilts than the rigid foam you find in other cut and sew padded bras like Comexim's). It is a 4 piece cup construction, with a 3HC construction at the bottom of the cup and a standard horizontal piece going across. Scalloped lace trim is seamed into the bottom 3 pieces but they stop at the upper cup. The same trim is used at the bottom of the band and on the straps. In order to improve the fit, I would need narrower cups with more inner projection, more cup height, and deeper and longer wires that come up further along the outer cup.
Aesthetically, this bra is totally fine. It does remind me a bit of Cleo Lexi and Maddie if they weren't molded cups. In practice, the seam trims add to the lumpiness of this bra and really weren't an ideal choice. Many other reviewers commented that the seams show visibly under clothing. There is a small random square charm at the gore (Freya always gets me with these random charms), but I like the wide straps with scalloped trim, bow detail at the strap attachment, and leotard back.
There is a reason I don't bother trying Freya fashion styles anymore, since they never work for me. Sadly, this random arrival was another Freya fail. Read more 455 more words
Freya Fancies was one of my favorite bras when I was a solid 28DD, thanks to the fact that it's pretty, comfortable, and comes in a beautiful assortment of colors. It took me a few tries to find the correct size as I started my journey with a 28D that I didn't immediately realize was too small and altered and wore for a while before switching to 28DD. However, since I have gone up a cup size in recent months, I noticed the 28DD's wires were too narrow and cutting in on the sides, and the closed top would dig into my roots. I decided to size up ...to the 28E, and I'm glad it still works for me!
I love the gate back detail of this bra, which is unique and different from all other bras I've tried except the Honeydew Skinz T-Shirt Bra. The band does run a bit loose, as Freya bands are known to do, but I find that the firm elastic used here does stay in place pretty well. It also seems like it would be pretty easy to alter as the elastic can simply be shortened with simpler sewing than on a normal bra band. It also sits a bit lower on the back, which is great for clothing cut low in the back.
The cups are made from rigid, supportive lace. It is on the stiff and scratchy side, but not noticeable when worn. The cups are a pretty standard Freya plunge shape and they are pretty tall compared to Cleo bras. The upper cup is made from stretch lace, but the addition of elastic on the edge makes it behave more like a closed top, so the upper cup will dig in if you have full and tall roots, or if the cup is too small for you. The measurements on this bra run deeper than similar size bras, but I believe it's due to the tall plunge cups, since I have always worn my normal size in this bra. It doesn't seem to work for people who are very shallow though, as based on the pictures it tends to look odd on small cup sizes, and the wires are a bit more narrow than I am used to, which is why I used to bend and reshape them when I was wearing the 28DD. Thankfully, they are pretty easy to reshape, and I've never found them to be painful, even when wearing sizes that are too small.
On me, this bra gives me a supported and rounded shape that looks great under clothing but feels weightless. Since my shape has become more rounded and evenly full, the bra looks better on me than when I was a bit shallower on top. The band construction is extremely comfortable and feels secure without being tight. It's my favorite summer bra, although the thick straps are difficult to hide under some of my summer clothing. I really appreciate that this range comes in so many beautiful fashion colors, since 28 bands usually come in a limited color range, and Cleo/Panache frequently don't even make this size anymore. In terms of quality, this bra has held up really well through washing and wearing. Unfortunately the lace cups don't soften with wear, but they don't pill or snag either. The only quality concern is that the 28D bra I first purchased was way too big in the band, almost +1" longer than normal, and some of the 28DD bras I purchased had inconsistent wire shapes, causing them to fit noticeably differently.
Overall, I love this bra and will continue wearing it as long as it fits me. Highly recommended if Freya shapes work for you and you fit into the size range! I think this would best fit someone who needs a medium cup width, with even overall fullness and average roots. The band does run a little large so suggest to size down unless you are a true 28 or below, in which case the band is worth altering. Read more 562 more words
Freya Fancies was one of my favorite bras when I was a solid 28DD, thanks to the fact that it's pretty, comfortable, and comes in a beautiful assortment of colors. It took me a few tries to find the correct size as I started my journey with a 28D that I didn't immediately realize was too small and altered and wore for a while before switching to 28DD. However, since I have gone up a cup size in recent months, I noticed the 28DD's wires were too narrow and cutting in on the sides, and the closed top would dig into my roots. I decided to size up ...to the 28E, and I'm glad it still works for me!
I love the gate back detail of this bra, which is unique and different from all other bras I've tried except the Honeydew Skinz T-Shirt Bra. The band does run a bit loose, as Freya bands are known to do, but I find that the firm elastic used here does stay in place pretty well. It also seems like it would be pretty easy to alter as the elastic can simply be shortened with simpler sewing than on a normal bra band. It also sits a bit lower on the back, which is great for clothing cut low in the back.
The cups are made from rigid, supportive lace. It is on the stiff and scratchy side, but not noticeable when worn. The cups are a pretty standard Freya plunge shape and they are pretty tall compared to Cleo bras. The upper cup is made from stretch lace, but the addition of elastic on the edge makes it behave more like a closed top, so the upper cup will dig in if you have full and tall roots, or if the cup is too small for you. The measurements on this bra run deeper than similar size bras, but I believe it's due to the tall plunge cups, since I have always worn my normal size in this bra. It doesn't seem to work for people who are very shallow though, as based on the pictures it tends to look odd on small cup sizes, and the wires are a bit more narrow than I am used to, which is why I used to bend and reshape them when I was wearing the 28DD. Thankfully, they are pretty easy to reshape, and I've never found them to be painful, even when wearing sizes that are too small.
On me, this bra gives me a supported and rounded shape that looks great under clothing but feels weightless. Since my shape has become more rounded and evenly full, the bra looks better on me than when I was a bit shallower on top. The band construction is extremely comfortable and feels secure without being tight. It's my favorite summer bra, although the thick straps are difficult to hide under some of my summer clothing. I really appreciate that this range comes in so many beautiful fashion colors, since 28 bands usually come in a limited color range, and Cleo/Panache frequently don't even make this size anymore. In terms of quality, this bra has held up really well through washing and wearing. Unfortunately the lace cups don't soften with wear, but they don't pill or snag either. The only quality concern is that the 28D bra I first purchased was way too big in the band, almost +1" longer than normal, and some of the 28DD bras I purchased had inconsistent wire shapes, causing them to fit noticeably differently.
Overall, I love this bra and will continue wearing it as long as it fits me. Highly recommended if Freya shapes work for you and you fit into the size range! I think this would best fit someone who needs a medium cup width, with even overall fullness and average roots. The band does run a little large so suggest to size down unless you are a true 28 or below, in which case the band is worth altering. Read more 562 more words
I found this bra on sale randomly and thought I'd try it. There wasn't much info on it in this size, but supposedly it's the same cut as Arabella and Ooh La La, so I checked the measurements and thought it might work. I wear Fancies in 28E and the cup measurements are a little larger than in other brands/styles, so it seemed reasonable. Unfortunately, this bra runs about a cup large and fits like a 28F, so it ended up being way too big. The cups are deeper than Arabella, Ooh La La, and Fancies, so I ended up not being able to ...fill the entire top cup at all.
A shame, since the band feels decent (no oversized Freya band here), and I liked the wider wires. The colorway I got is the black/blue, which is really pretty and unique as the blue is somewhere between navy and deep peacock. The cups are made of very lightweight diamond non-stretch mesh, and it's not as stiff as other Freya bras I've tried. The upper cup has a scalloped embroidery and a zigzag pattern (I suppose this is to tie into the "Pulse" name as it resembles a heartbeat). The center bow shares the same diamond texture as the cups, and the straps share the same scalloped edge as the upper cup. I appreciate Freya for making fully adjustable straps on many of their styles.
I think if Freya cuts tend to work for you, keeping your band size and sizing down at least one cup size would be the way to go. Read more 162 more words
Freya Fancies was one of my favorite bras when I was a solid 28DD, thanks to the fact that it's pretty, comfortable, and comes in a beautiful assortment of colors. It took me a few tries to find the correct size as I started my journey with a 28D that I didn't immediately realize was too small and altered and wore for a while before switching to 28DD. However, since I have gone up a cup size in recent months, I noticed the 28DD's wires were too narrow and cutting in on the sides, and the closed top would dig into my roots. I decided ...to size up to the 28E, and I'm glad it still works for me!
I love the gate back detail of this bra, which is unique and different from all other bras I've tried except the Honeydew Skinz T-Shirt Bra. The band does run a bit loose, as Freya bands are known to do, but I find that the firm elastic used here does stay in place pretty well. It also seems like it would be pretty easy to alter as the elastic can simply be shortened with simpler sewing than on a normal bra band. It also sits a bit lower on the back, which is great for clothing cut low in the back.
The cups are made from rigid, supportive lace. It is on the stiff and scratchy side, but not noticeable when worn. The cups are a pretty standard Freya plunge shape and they are pretty tall compared to Cleo bras. The upper cup is made from stretch lace, but the addition of elastic on the edge makes it behave more like a closed top, so the upper cup will dig in if you have full and tall roots, or if the cup is too small for you. The measurements on this bra run deeper than similar size bras, but I believe it's due to the tall plunge cups, since I have always worn my normal size in this bra. It doesn't seem to work for people who are very shallow though, as based on the pictures it tends to look odd on small cup sizes, and the wires are a bit more narrow than I am used to, which is why I used to bend and reshape them when I was wearing the 28DD. Thankfully, they are pretty easy to reshape, and I've never found them to be painful, even when wearing sizes that are too small.
On me, this bra gives me a supported and rounded shape that looks great under clothing but feels weightless. Since my shape has become more rounded and evenly full, the bra looks better on me than when I was a bit shallower on top. The band construction is extremely comfortable and feels secure without being tight. It's my favorite summer bra, although the thick straps are difficult to hide under some of my summer clothing. I really appreciate that this range comes in so many beautiful fashion colors, since 28 bands usually come in a limited color range, and Cleo/Panache frequently don't even make this size anymore. In terms of quality, this bra has held up really well through washing and wearing. Unfortunately the lace cups don't soften with wear, but they don't pill or snag either. The only quality concern is that the 28D bra I first purchased was way too big in the band, almost +1" longer than normal, and some of the 28DD bras I purchased had inconsistent wire shapes, causing them to fit noticeably differently.
Overall, I love this bra and will continue wearing it as long as it fits me. Highly recommended if Freya shapes work for you and you fit into the size range! I think this would best fit someone who needs a medium cup width, with even overall fullness and average roots. The band does run a little large so suggest to size down unless you are a true 28 or below, in which case the band is worth altering. Read more 584 more words
I bought this for find substitute of EM CHP and Cleo Mimi. Sadly, this didn't. Like too wide cup separation, quadding, and too stretchy band, this have many issues for me. But I think this works well for people that need open top ones.
