This bra I found second hand for a very low price. I remember that it was widely considered a good offering from Freya and I can confirm it is!
Materials feel like good quality, the lace is soft and not itchy. The construction feels sturdy and supportive enough for larger sizes. The lace on the upper cup is stretchy. The cups are medium height and width for the size range which is good for me. I have tall and wide root for my size and also outer fullness. The side support style is just the perfect shape for me. This bra is best for even, full on top and ... center heavy shape that also have side fullness and need overall deep cups with medium wide and tall wires.
Why did it not work for me:
First, I need a 34 band in this style, which is my usual size, so band runs true to size as it is a bit big on me.
I also find the cups a tad big and there is wrinkling on the apex, it does barely show in pictures because the stretch lace will form and smooth out the shape. 1 cup size smaller would also fit as I don't use the extra space the stretch lace allows.
These size issues are minor and the bra is totally wearable on inner hooks and with straps adjusted if it weren't for the absolutely painful gore! I cannot stand to wear it longer than 1 hour because the gore presses into my sternum so much. I was shocked because the band is really not too tight and I couldn't figure out why this bra would feel so constricting. After trials of other bras that don't do this, I think I figured it out, because it happens mostly with stretch lace bras. These bras do allow for a lot of center and upper fullness which I don't have, so the lace just lies flat. The gore which is also too high for my close set breasts presses with full force to my sternum as there is too much pressure in that area from "empty space" in bra that isn't used. I will try more bras and test this theory. I did not come up with a better explanation. It happens with stretch lace and non padded bras but never with padded ones and less with low plunge bras or shallow bras.
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Updated on May 02, 2024 Flag this
I tried this bra a while ago - in the wrong size & never pursued finding a better fit. Recently I received one in my correct size as part of a Grab Bag Special. I was surprised at how much I liked it. As you noted, the lace is soft & it provides a round shape.
Unlike you, I found the band TIGHT. My stretched 28-band measures ~68 cm. I need to wear it with an extender. I believe there are 8 bras measured in my size & they all measure tight.
The lace cup is not as forgiving on my fuller-on-top tissues, causing some quad-boob on my larger side.
My ToS is NOT irritated, so that's a plus 😁!
I tried the Offbeat Plunge (which I see you have too). I didn't like that one. I should have known, as it's based on the Freya Fancies. I have a Freya Fancies, but it's not a favorite.
If you get a new Offbeat Side Support in 34-band, I'd have an extender on hand.
Oh! Regarding the gore discomfort - you could consider bending the wires out a bit. There is space in the wire channels. I moved my wires back (towards the axilla) & considered sewing the channel off at the gore. If that makes sense. I've washed my bra a few times and after mild manipulation, the gore isn't bothersome to me.