Bra Review: Gorgeous at Debenhams Provence Lace Bra in 30G

 

I couldn't actually find a stock photo of this bra. I know it is in their DD-K range of bras. If you want to see stock photos of something similar go right ahead.
 

The label actually lies because this bra was actually 7.88! Yeah, 75% percent off!

The one day I go up to visit Dublin (I suppose I had to make an effort to see my boyfriend), Debenhams was having a Blue Cross Sale. I'm not really one for falling for the gullible thing that just because something is on a sale that it is a bargain. However, Debenhams had finally got their act together and had moved all their discount bras to one section and that extra 20% off rocked! Even in Arnotts the bras were on sale! This is like my heaven.

So I tried on all the 30Gs. I have come to the conclusion that in the Gorgeous range I am a 32G / 30GG, because the 30Gs are really small. I am noting 32G because I have found their 30GGs just way too wide wired, but the 32Gs okay, but too loose to truly test. When I get a Rixie Clip, I will report back. Remember I have one breast larger than the other, so that's a pretty annoying factor in my purchases (nothing bloody fits both sides aragh argh).

Review:

Looks: 

Overall, I have to call this bra a "meh bra". I like the lace's unusual pattern.

I really like the geometric theme.  Sadly, overall, I think it looks a too much like an old lady would wear it. 

Feel: 

This bra doesn't feel particularly soft or particularly rough.

Shape: 

Horrid. Round at the bottom, then more naturally pointy at the top. A combination that just doesn't work. It reminds me of what Hater at Bras I hate calls the Curvy Kate "upside down 7".

Other Features:
In-built side-support panel which made the bottom half the bra have a nice shape.

Straps: 

Too far apart, even after I shortened the bra. I wanted to tighten them so the bra could actually lift but it was simply impossible as it would just make the bra cut into my armpits. They are fully adjustable.

Fit:
What kind of bra is this? I really am asking. Is it an balconette or full-cup bra. The wide strap placement and the half-cup design would make me think it was a balconette. On the other hand, the odd fact if I could tighten the straps enough, it would look like a full-cup, with a round shape. 

Central gore lightly tacks. The wires were too wide. I had orange in a glass.

Overall:

Just meh. Not suitable for full on top, because of the strange difference in shape from the top and bottom halves. I bent the wires so it's less painful. As usual, I spill slightly out of one side. I'm keep this bra too wear under many layers of clothes to hide the horrible shape. I need to size up, but then the wires and straps would just be too painful. I don't think this bra would give a very good shape, perhaps it might on those who are full on bottom.

Even post alterations (tightening band and bending wires to fit my body), little difference was made in shape.

Bra Review: Gorgeous at Debenhams Soft Comfort T-shirt Bra (1500108092) 30G

This could be seen as a lead on from my post on Debenhams because I'm going to post a little review on this bra... beige thing... I purchased there for the pricey sum of 5 euros. Speaking from my knowledge of the Irish full-bust market that is pretty damn impressive. In fact they have quite a few of them still floating around in there... though I might grab them first.

Looks:
This bra really has nothing going for it in the looks department. Nothing. Perhaps that it's smooth under clothing could be a plus. The cups are weirdly stretchy but it doesn't sacrifice support so I found that very helpful for my larger left side.

I tried wearing it under a thin cotton white vest... (with the most oddly placed pocket ever... it was a mirco-pocket right on the boob) I can attest that the colour is close enough to my skin tone that it blends.

Feel:
This bra wins here - it deserves its title of soft. I could nuzzle this bra as if was a cuddly toy. I never realised how comfortable soft fabric is. My mother noted that it looks quite warm! Suitable for the climate then? 

Shape:
A bit of a meh it's not that uplifted but it does give a perky look overall. It was somewhere between rounded and pointy... the compromise bra? It doesn't flatten or squish and even my larger left breast fits quite well in the cups. Sadly the look is very east-west. Urk. EDIT: Okay this bra is now the worst ever. So bloody east west, it's like my breasts hate each other and are sulking by getting as far from each other as they can...

Fit:
The.gore.will.not.tack. Very annoying. So this bra doesn't fit really. However the bending (since the publication my Bratabase review) seems to be have helping a bit. It stays in place on the tightest hook even without alteration (which I plan to do... perhaps it will fix the gore or if that doe not work I will sew it together). EDIT: I altered the bra... still not great.

Straps/Other features:
The top half the strap is a 'comfort strap' and I agree. You can remove the second half the strap which is a little thinner than Freya fare. This bra can be a multiway, though I'm dubious if it's that a good idea as this bra doesn't seem like one anyone would risk flashing. The bra came with an extra strap. I don't know if it was supposed to come with two or whether it is supposed to be a halter strap (again with the chances of this bra getting a flash I don't see why). The choice to change the second half of the back straps means that I doubt anyone would find that the straps would not fit your height! It's a pretty clever idea actually.

Conclusion:

This bra was a fiver and while I usually like to get a very good value for money (just an hour ago I was in Tesco's clearance musing over the ethics of taking 60c steak (I know right!) from someone's basket. No, I didn't go through with it) I will admit that this bra is fine for what it is but it probably should be skipped by those who want something a little more decent. I can see why it didn't sell straight off.

Finally, a link to my Bratabase review: http://bra.pe/RBsG/

Also shout-out to my first follower: http://brajunkie.blogspot.ie/

The Lingerie Adventure in Dublin! Introduction!

Bra Shopping is my most beloved activity and I am on a mission to create a Dublin catalogue on them! I l love Dublin - it a beautiful, and handily one of the most compact cites in the world. You could walk from Ranelagh to Mary Street in an hour, easy. Most of these locations are really near each other and prices should always be compared. However, to my knowledge there is no real comprehensive list - with reviews and directions!
 
After giving a brief taster on the last two posts I have decided to go bra shopping so you don't have too! ... so get forwarding the funds to my PayPal Account!

I have catalogued them into North, Southside (i.e. which side of the river they are on - no this isn't a Southside prejudice to the Northside or whatever, it's for ease of cataloguing them... :) ) and Suburbs!

Note 1: I have yet to visit Peaches and Cream and Intimate Lingerie.

Note 2:

This list is not comprehensive (yet!) so expect updates!

Southside:

Bramora on Earlsfort Terrence - Review - Directions - Website
Peaches and Cream on South Anne Street - Review - Directions - Website
Marks and Spencers on Grafton Street - Review - Directions - Website
TK Maxx in the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre - Review - Directions - Website
Intimate Lingerie on Tara Street - Review - Directions - Website

Northside:

Debenhams in the Ilac Centre, Henry Street - Review - Directions - Website
Marks and Spencers on Mary Street - Review - Directions - Website
Arnotts on Henry Street - Review - Directions - Website
  
Suburbs:

Cupcakes Lingerie on Main Street, Ranelagh, D6 - Review - Directions - Website
Debenhams in the Frascati Centre, Blackrock, County Dublin - Review - Directions - Website

The Lingerie Adventure - Northside Part 1: Henry Street's Offerings Part 1

I love Henry Street - you know it's the finest shopping street in Dublin because you have to navigate through swaths of people to get anywhere in it. There is a true balance between (as Wikipedia phrases it) "the Ilac Shopping Centre [with its] many interesting and lower budget shops" (which is an odd thing to say it has an Debenhams!), and then just odd little spots like super extravagant Arnotts and the adorable fabric shop, Hickeys. Oh and it has loads of shoe shops. Not to mention the library in the Ilac Centre. And Iceland (also in the Ilac Centre). So to stop myself fawning over my beloved Ilac (I saw an ad for it on TV and squealed!).

The Ilac Centre also houses Debenhams, which I am going to crown the best place to shop for bras in Dublin.

Vital Stats/Dating Profile:

Name: Debenhams, Ilac Centre
Location: Henry Street
Website: http://www.ilac.ie/stores/debenhams/
Sizes Available: I have seen from 28A to 30J and I'm sure they have more! Loads of 28 backs (the only place I have seen them on shelves! Sadly, 28s but only to G.
Brands I noted (note too that I have strong bias towards full-bust): Gorgeous, Freya, Fantastie, Wonderbra, Gossard, Shock Absorber.
Ordering Service: Yes.
Price: Very cheap - some bras are 5 euro reduced. Many Gorgeous bras are 25 or so. Everything else is standard enough though they seem to have good sales!
Fitting Service: Dire. Avoid!
Summary: Heaven for DIY fitters... the staff have never tried to help me! I'm just tiny girl with the giant pile of giant bras. I think they know me in there. Oh er! Erm! Shout-out!

The store is beautifully located where you can see a the Spire dramatically in the background of the picture (stolen from GoogleMaps oh er!)... shame about the lingerie section being up three flights of stairs.

Name: Arnotts
Location: Henry Street (right across the street from the Ilac!)
Website: http://www.arnotts.ie/aspx/homepage.aspx
Sizes Available: I don't know much about the smaller sizes, but a lack of 28 bands, 30 bands are rare enough. Mainly larger bands, but there are larger cups. There were 36Js.
Ordering Service: Yes.
Brands I noted (note too that I have strong bias towards full-bust): Fantasie (so much Fantasie!), Freya, Panache, Shock Absorber, Simon Perle, Wacoal (I have never seen Wacoal until now!)
Price: Sadly, not competitive, about 45 euro for a Panache Andorra. Not shocking, but even with their sale on out of my budget. No 28 backs anyways.
Fitting Service: Seems okay - I overhead them fitting a 34D into a 30F and she sounded surprised that her straps weren't falling down. Sadly I can't personally vouch for it. On the whole it doesn't sound bad! :)
Summary: Expensive but a pretty store with brands I haven't spotted elsewhere in Dublin - sadly no Cleo or Masquerade.

What a luxurious shop - the changing rooms are a beautiful silvery grey and massive (with two giant mirrors), with a transparent chair. I think I'll take a picture next time! It screams luxury! Arnotts has changed its design since Google Maps' picture.

Their is another lingerie shop on Henry Street - Marks and Spencers. They also have a store on Grafton Street - which I will discuss next!