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: F&F Harmony Lace Fuller Bust Bra in Pink, 32G (32FF)

F&F Harmony Lace Fuller Bust Bra in Pink, available in sizes 32DD - 40G (40FF UK sizing) with no gaps. 

You may remember that I was intrigued by my local Tesco's bra selection. I know from previous experience is that extended sizes get put on the market here in Ireland, then vanish. Why? Because no one fits into them when you encourage your potential customers to wear a band 4 inches too big and a cup about 4 sizes too small... Just like all the poor 28 bands that are no longer in Marks and Spencer's. 

What was I saying... OMG I actually managed to grab one! FIVE EURO! I'm still pretty confused and pissed about their measuring advice, but I'm just going to block it out and go for a sister size of my own. I usually wear about 28GG, I decided to have a look at their 32FF. It's labelled 32G, as they skip FF.

So the bra:

I really like this bra, so I'll have to ignore Tesco's *sigh* utter crap. I have to review this. The bra blogosphere needs me. Tescos / Florence and Fred bras are really under-reviewed. There's about 3 on Bratabase.

Review

Looks: Wow, maybe it's just be but this bra is stunning. Lovely vivid pink with simple lace pattern. Maybe some people might think the fabric looks flimsy though. I think it looks just light. The lacy cups would be visible under tight fitting clothes. I usually wouldn't point this out, but the back band is this lovely shiny silky fabric and it looks like it wouldn't cling or dig in. It seems like an odd aesthetic choice to have this great feature on the back but with the lacy cups on the front.

Feel: This bra feels stretchy - I correctly guessed that the cups are Nylon. It's not really a soft to touch bra, but I love the silky feel of the back mesh.

Shape: Very round, very forgiving stretchy cups. I couldn't tighten the bra as much as I would have liked but I liked the shape very much. 

Other Features:

This bra has a side support panel which is made of nylon. The back has 3 hooks.

Straps: I feel they are kind of thin - 0.5 inches. They are half adjustable, but it would not be hard to take apart and lengthen as the second half of the strap is the same as the front half.

Fit:
Very wide central gore, which did not tack (I wonder if it would if it was taken in?). I think it could be taken in very easily.

The cups were too wide for me (but not particularly wide overall in my opinion).

I think I should try the 32F rather than altering this bra because the cups are very stretchy and thus I think I could get away with a size smaller.

Overall:
If you're in the size range of this bra, check it out! The stretchiness is very forgiving for asymmetry. It's only available online in a 40F though. Don't take the last 32F in my local Tescos!

 

 

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/