Bolero Beachwear DD+ Hanky Dress Review (and a special discount for you!)

For ladies with larger busts, finding a proper fit in a dress can be a difficult task.  Its frustrating to see a pretty dress on a store rack but, if you are like me, you quickly assess it for stretch and usually then just walk away.  Clothing designed especially to accommodate larger breasts can be daunting to source out and so I am pleased today to bring you a new dress review from Bolero Beachwear!

A few months ago, we interviewed Bolero’s owner Patricia McCaw and that interview was featured in our Retailer Spotlight which you can read HERE.

Bolero offers a fun and fashionable line of unique, high quality DD+  dresses and tops which are manufactured ethically in the United States, where the Company is based.  Supporting a woman-owned business and ethical manufacturing is something we can all get behind, isn’t it?!   I was kindly sent the Style #12 Hanky Dress in size X-Small in the DD+ line, in the blue peacock colourway (this dress can also be ordered in black & white, purple or turquoise peacock prints).   The Bolero website picture below shows the black and white version.

To give you a little bit of background info, I asked Bolero’s owner Patricia what her inspiration was in designing this dress:

This style was inspired by a hanky dress that I made for myself years ago and every time I wore it, I got so many compliments and people asking me where can they get it?

I  realized that was just the perfect dress for events and parties and so I designed a hanky dress especially for our line.  Since so many women prefer sleeves, I added the sexy peekaboo sleeves thinking that would  be perfect for any season.

When I received the peacock print material, it was like the fabric was talking to me and telling me it wanted to be a hanky dress 🙂  The movement of the dress, the fit, the sheer trim at the bottom, the lined top, all was technically designed to fit and flatter our busty and curvy customers with love<3

Close Up of Fabric (at hem of skirt):

 

I love the ‘cold shoulder’ trend but one thing I typically have trouble with is that my bra straps always seem to end up exposed and I really detest that look.  This dress thankfully was thoughtfully designed and the fabric lays perfectly over my bra straps (for reference, in my pictures I am wearing my Ewa Michalak S Kleks bra under my Bolero hanky dress).

I also adore the asymmetrical handkerchief hem on the skirt.  This cut gives a very flattering drape over the hips.  The flared skirt is perfect for a twirl on the dance floor, or just a sexy swish as you walk!

The fabric content on this dress is 90% polyester and 10% spandex, making it easy care –  completely wrinkle free and quick drying.

 This dress will make a great travel-friendly holiday dress but alas, I am currently in cold Canada, in the dead of winter, in a deep freeze 😦  Still, I thought to myself – I bet this pretty little piece could easily be styled into something perfectly suitable for a day in the Great White North, no? Yes!

I decided to play up the black in the dress pattern for my winter look, and to play up the white and silvery sequins in the dress fabric for my summer look.

Winter Styling:

I’ve easily given the dress a completely different look by covering the top with a simple black sweater and tall black boots.  The sweater is from Canadian company Rickis (no longer available) but I’ve found a very similar one HERE.   A black cardigan or blazer would be great options too.   My black suede Cole Haan boots are from a past season but I’ve found a similar pair HERE.  In keeping with playing up the black, I’ve accessorized with my beautiful black pearl  choker (similar one HERE).

Now lets take a look at how I’d wear the dress if I was somewhere with better weather than Canada has right now . . . say for example the Caribbean!  Fingers crossed for a holiday soon!!!

Summer Styling:

For this look, I’ve simply added a pair of strappy silver wedges (similar style HERE), a white gold multi-strand necklace (similar style HERE), and my Raymond Wiel Jasmine watch.   A white or silver/grey shawl or cardigan would be a nice addition for cooler evenings.

Its worth noting that Bolero will happily customize their dresses.  By emailing with instructions / questions,  skirts can be made shorter or longer and tops can be adjusted for proportion.  You will find that they really love to hear from potential customers and get as much information as they can before they ship orders out.

As far as sizing goes, I would say this runs true to size for an Extra Small, and would fit well for those in  the approximate size 2 to 4 range.  I’ m currently wearing a 30GG UK bra and there wouldn’t be too much more bust room in the XS size.   I’ve packed on some extra pounds (blame a combination of menopause / Christmas indulging / laziness) and am currently around 130 lbs and I’m 5’4″.   I think the length of this dress is perfect for me but next time I order, I will choose a Small as the Extra Small is slightly snug at this weight.  Either that or go back to the gym and quit eating junk food! 😛

Be sure to check out the DD+ line on Bolero’s website.  I bet you’ll find something you like!  And, especially for our AEE readers, Bolero has kindly provided a discount code!  Use code ENHANCED15 when you place an order and enjoy 15% off!   Bolero Beachwear dresses can be purchased online through the Bolero website HERE or at select retailers.  Don’t forget to like Bolero’s Facebook page as well so you can keep abreast 🙂 of new styles and info!

 

 

Beach days and Holidays Styling with MsDizz, featuring the Comexim / Bra Obsessed Harbour Bikini!

Summer is drawing to a close in my part of the world and soon I will be packing away my swimwear and having it on standby for its next appearance:  winter vacation!  Or should I say vacation from winter!  Is there anything better than miles of white sand, blue water and sunshine when you’ve just left the North Pole behind?  No!  There isn’t!    Of course it is important to look good while you’re heading off to the beach, to the buffet, bellying up to the bar, or whatever your day brings, and that is why today our lovely blogger MsDizz has kindly volunteered to show us her own stylish solution for covering up and coordinating with the Comexim / Bra Obsessed exclusive Harbour bikini (reviewed previously HERE) .  If you picked this one up already, then you already know its a great suit and if you didn’t, it is still available through Bra Obsessed.

In the picture below, MsDizz is wearing a Gottex Blush Sail Away Jersey over her Harbour bikini, for a beautifully coordinated look.

This romper is sold out at many locations but I did manage to scour a few sources that still have it available (and at steeply discounted prices!) so that you might snag one up for yourself:

Poshmark.com link

Sweetcouch link

eBay link

No outfit is complete without a great bag.  MsDizz is carrying the Michael Kors Jet Set Saffiano Leather Stripe Tote.  This bag is sold out but I did find it on Poshmark HERE.  There were also several listed on eBay such as THIS ONE.  Another, similar choice would be the  Tommy Hilfiger Adrianna Ribbon tote which I found  on Amazon HERE and one on eBay HERE.

You could complete this outfit with a pair of classic and comfy white birkenstocks:

And of course a great pair of sunnies.  This pair of Rayban wayfarers would be perfect.

Seems like we’ve done your beach wardrobe planning for you.  Now all you have to do is choose your destination!  😉

Happy Holidays from MsDizz and I!

P.S. – if you own this suit, what do you pair it with? Or if you are considering picking it up, what would you add to complete the outfit?  Let us know!

 

 

 

 

Feeling Fab in Lilly & Lime!

Something I didn’t realize when deciding to get larger implants was how it would affect swim suit shopping.  It’s truly a pain!!  I was already wearing my proper fitting bras but when wearing swimwear you are very exposed and there’s always a chance of something showing that you would rather keep covered.  Showing off copious amounts of cleavage can be a bit awkward in public, especially when I’m with my 2 youngest kiddos and they are boys!  Suffice to say it’s been a struggle trying to find a cute and modest swim top as I prefer bikinis and triangle tops are much too revealing unless I’m staying in my own pool and not allowing visitors.  I have also struggled with very, very close set breasts so I was doubtful that anything other than a low plunge would work.  In fact, at first I told my fellow bloggers that I shouldn’t even try the suit for fear of it not working for my shape but boy am I glad I did after all (hint…I love it!).   I was kindly gifted the Stripe Balconette and the matching Stripe Hipster Tie Bottom by Lilly and Lime, a new Australian based swimwear company specializing in swimwear for D cup and up.  I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my package to find a very cute tote with my bikini inside, a special touch by the company that stood out to me.  I was even happier once I tried on my suit and my doubts soon faded as I finally found a modest and super cute bikini top that I can proudly wear in public.

I was sent the Stripe Balconette style in a 30GG which is my UK size and it’s the size I usually wear in Ewa Michalak unlined styles as well (this might help my fellow Polish bra junkies out there..wink…wink!).  The Balconette is the only style that has the option to be worn with or without straps which are fully adjustable.  For fun you could even cross the straps in the back!  As for fit…The band has a plastic clasp closure and is rather loose so I would definitely prefer a 28H so I could safely and securely wear it as the strapless option to avoid those extra tan lines.  The cups fit almost perfectly with nice projection and I would say they are comparable to my other 30GG bras but I would prefer the wires to be just a bit narrower.  The cups are lined with foam and there are no removable pads making it a stiff fit at first but the longer I had the top on the more it molded to my breasts and I must add that when the top is wet it kept it’s shape nicely.  I’m  also happy to report that my breasts were nicely separated  and the gore was actually comfortable!  This really shocked me as I have a very difficult time with high gores and this one is pretty wide too …good thing I didn’t judge it until I tried it 🙂  The wires are on the softer side so that probably contributes to the comfort, a huge bonus since that’s just as important as being cute for me.  As for support, I can’t accurately comment since the band is too loose for me to properly judge.  The bottoms are very cheeky for me;  I received a size 12 in the Stripe Hipster Tie bottom,  I usually wear a large or size 8 in US sizes.

I am an older mom of four and I nervously told my fellow bloggers that I didn’t think there was any way on Earth I could wear these cheeky bottoms after seeing pictures of other,  much younger girls in them.  Guess what …shocked again,  they look pretty decent and the ties are just the right fun touch.  I would still prefer more coverage in public and definitely in the waves but for floating in my pool they are perfect.  The fabric is very high quality, nicely lined and there’s a very cute Lilly and Lime signature metal tag detail that I love!  The stripes are a vibrant purple/blue shade and white…very hip and fun and for a twist this pattern would look super cute interchanged with either the Nectarine top or bottom.

Overall I am ecstatic about this new suit,  I feel young and confident in it…nothing could be better then that right?!  I look forward to more from Lilly and Lime!  There aren’t many larger cup options in swimwear so I am thrilled to find this new choice…super cute vibrant prints and high quality!  A huge Thanks to Lilly and Lime for this beautiful bikini!  My Stripe Bikini was graciously provided for review by Lilly and Lime.  All opinions are my own. Peace! 🙂

Retailer Spotlight – Lilly & Lime Swimwear

A couple of months ago my fellow bloggers and I were approached by  new Australia-based swimwear company Lilly & Lime to see if we would like to try out their suits and review them for our readers.  After doing some initial research on the company and finding out that they cater to fuller busted women (D cup and above), we were intrigued and excited to give their suits a try.  Since this company is very new, we thought that it would be beneficial to both review their swimwear as well as dedicate a Retailer Spotlight to them so that our readers can learn not only about the brand, but the two women behind it.

When you first visit the Lilly & Lime website, you will notice how fun and youthful their swimsuits are.  They use bright solids and patterns that are easily mix-and-matchable and offer three of styles of tops, all meant to support larger busts.  I was quite impressed with their range of sizes as well with tops offered from a 28D all the way to a 38HH (U.K.).  They also offer three styles of bottoms with sizes ranging from 8 – 18, also in U.K. sizing.

Stock Photo

Over the next couple of months each of the bloggers at AEE will be posting our individual reviews and thoughts about the Lilly & Lime swimsuits that have been gifted to us, but before that here is your opportunity to learn more about the company and it’s owners Emma and Ash via my interview with Emma.

What influenced you to get into the retail lingerie/swimsuit business?

My business partner, Ash and I have both struggled our whole lives to find bikinis that we liked and that fitted us. So lack of choice was really the great motivator for us.

How did Lilly & Lime come to be?

We were at a Hens night a few years ago and discussing, over a few glasses of bubbly, how hard it was to find bikinis and so we decided to look into it a little bit more and start our own brand. Needless to say we had no idea what we were getting into and how hard it is to build a good bikini/bra in bigger sizes. It has taken us over three years to perfect the styles and fit. Luckily we have worked with some great technical people along the way who have guided us and become part of the L&L team. 

How long has Lilly & Lime been open?

We have officially be open for two months. Yay happy dance. 

Do you have a storefront, or are you strictly online?

We only sell online at www.lillyandlime.com .

How do you find the majority of your customers?

Currently our customers are finding us through Google, social media and word of mouth which is fantastic. We are launching some marketing campaigns in the next few weeks to broaden our customer base.

What is the best way for potential new customers to find or contact you?

Our site www.lillyandlime.com or lillyandlimeswimwear on Facebook and Instagram.

What makes you stand out from other swimsuit retailers?

We have a youthful, fun feeling about our prints but we take the fit of our bikinis very seriously. We are a new brand so we are constantly working with feedback we get from customers on what we can do to improve the fit and shopping experience. We really do want to make the best fitting bikinis for bigger busts in the world!

What is your favorite thing about your job?

Hands down it has to be happy customers. We recently had a customer who had been battling to find a bikini top that fitted her for years, she bought ours and sent us a message saying it was the best fitting bikini she has ever owned. That was an amazing feeling.

What is your favorite thing about the swimsuit industry?

We love bikinis, Summer, the beach and swimming so it doesn’t feel like hard work. The industry is fun and I don’t think people take themselves too seriously. At the end of the day we are selling a product that most people take on holiday with them or associate with Summer and good times and that in itself is a really nice thing.

What is the most common question that your customers ask regarding fitting?

“I am not sure what size to buy.” And our answer is always to be professionally fitted. We can give many tips on how the bikini should fit but there is no substitute for that one on one service.

Do you have your own personal favorite suit?

For me (Emma), I love to mix and match our colours and prints.  I love the Balconette stripe top with the Hipster Tie bottoms in nectarine.  Ash – I love the underwire halter and also the hipster ties – stripe and floral are my favs!!!  Also a big fan of mix and match!

Do you have any hot, up and coming tips or advice for our readers?

The range is great for mixing and matching styles and colours so when you are looking to buy a bikini buy colours that work well together. Essentially you can buy two bikinis but end up with 4 different options for wearing them.

What would you like our readers to know about you and your company?

We have FREE shipping worldwide, we also accept returns and will do exchanges so you can find the size that’s best for you.  Our prices are in AUD$ on the site so for most other currencies that works in your favour and the bikinis are a lot more affordable than you think.  We are happy to help customers with any fit advice, questions and any feedback that you have for is is always welcome.

We hope you enjoyed learning about Lilly & Lime and please stay tuned for our blogger reviews!

Swimwear That’s Not Minus Sized?

I fall into a size category that I find incredibly frustrating at times.  At 5’9, pants are flood ready, sleeves are closer to 3/4 length and tops can easily show off my navel.  Sometimes I get lucky finding things that are long enough, and sometimes brands will carry a sliver of a ‘tall’ selection.

My biggest frustration lately is swimwear.  One piece suits are almost always too short, making them so high cut, I look like I’m auditioning for a Whitesnake video.

Before I had augmentation surgery, I could usually just hike and tug a suit to land somewhere between Tawny Kitaen and JLO at the 2000 Grammys.  Nowadays, I have boobs that can and will fall out of something too low cut.   “Just wear a bikini!” you say.  Well, although I’m tall enough to be a runway model, I wear a US size 14 and I’ve had 3 children.  So, I haven’t felt comfortable in a 2 piece since 2003.  There are, of course lots of stores that carry ‘Plus sized’ swimwear, but I’m on the very low end of that spectrum, and I don’t think I should have to wear something that my Nana would think was “precious.”

While recently preparing for a beach trip with my husband, I made it my mission to find a few options that I would feel comfortable AND sexy in.  I bought and returned several suits from various online retailers, but I did manage to find a few very cute options!

First up is the Scarf City Push Up One Piece from Kenneth Cole.  It’s not available from the retailer I bought it from, but I did find one here.  It is a bit low cut and won’t work for everyone, but I love this style and find it sexy without being too revealing.  The fabric is just firm enough to feel supported and will give some tummy control without feeling constricting.  It ties behind the neck in a halter style and has what I would consider pretty full bum coverage. I ordered this in an XL.

Another option I found is, gasp! a 2 piece!  I recently ordered the St. Tropez bikini from Ewa Michalak reviewed in detail by our own Jelz here.  Sadly the bottoms just weren’t for me, but the top in 85G fits great and looks very cute in my opinion with the bottoms that I got as part of a set at Unique Vintage.  The top in the Monroe bikini set was too small, but the bottoms are great, as they don’t cut into my waist at all.  I got these in XL also and the fit is exactly right. They have ruching all along the front which hides a multitude of sins, and also a full coverage bum.  I highly recommend Unique Vintage if you like the retro style and are an easier fit in the bust.

Last but not least is an option that not everyone would  be comfortable with, and if I were anywhere but on vacation with my husband, I wouldn’t either.  It’s the Color block Plunge One Piece from Victoria’s Secret.  It’s not currently available, but it has been sold out and back on the site a couple of times, so if you love it, keep checking the availability.  I ordered a large, which is usually perfect from VS but this suit runs much smaller than any other suit I’ve owned from them.  I think it’s because the fabric has very little stretch.  It’s a bit revealing and racy, but I love it.  The front has a very deep plunge, partly because it’s actually a bit short for my torso and on me, it shows quite a bit of sideboob.  The back is a low plunge with very cheeky bum coverage.

 

Three new suits that I actually like is a huge score for me, and it gives me hope that I can find more options for my seemingly impossible proportions!  If you have any recommendations for your favorite brands, styles or retailers, share them!  Us Amazons need all the help we can get!

xo Treschic

Ewa Michalak SM Malinowy – A Mix and Matchable Summer Staple

Last week I received a wonderful gift in my mail box.  The Ewa Michalak team had generously sent me the SM Malinowy set for review, and they could not have chosen better for me.  As I’ve mentioned in previous EM reviews, I like to rotate between my two favourite styles, the S and the SM.  On hot days, absolutely nothing beats the comfort of a light, cool and breezy SM for me.

Using Google Translate, the name Malinowy translates from Polish to English as Rasberry.  The colour is indeed a bright, fresh and fun pop of summery raspberry pink.  The gore, straps and even the sides of the band are adorned with little orange satin bows, which the Ewa Michalak site describes as coquettish.  Actually I think the entire set is quite coquettish!   The unlined, lacy cups of the Malinowy  are fairly sheer and I am wearing nipple petals underneath for modesty in these photos.  I received this bra in size 65G and this is a perfect fit for me.  After being worn and washed, this band measures approximately 24″ unstretched and  approximately 30″ stretched, before any cup distortion starts.  I am also pleased to be able to report that there was no bleeding of the colour when I washed this bra.

A side view showing the fantastic rounded, lifted shape I get with SM . . . and check out those adorable little side bows – just a little bit of unexpected fun!

While this bra is very pretty, it is also a very practical addition to your summer bradrobe.  Obviously it is very lightweight and a great summer colour, but there is another reason.  I had previously done a general  SM style review  and you can see there some photos of different styles that I own, but one thing I didn’t mention in that review was that some SM styles will contribute to a slightly smoother clothed appearance than others.  Malinowy is one of those bras that will give a very smooth clothed appearance. The reason for this is because  it is constructed with the seam bindings on the inside of the cups.  When you choose an SM with the seams bindings hidden in the backs of the cups, this allows the bra to appear as smooth  (hidden) as possible under clothing.  When you choose an SM with the seam bindings displayed at the front of the bra, you get a different aesthetic appearance (and I own and love that construction as well),  and those seams may be slightly more visible under clothing.  In my experience, all SM bras lay very smooth, but if I had to pick one, I would say that this particular construction offers the very smoothest clothed appearance.

A look at the seams in the insides of the cups:

I received the  full brief panties for the SM Malinowy in my usual size 36 which make for an adorable set.  I do have to point out however, that these are not my favourite cut of full brief panties.   The finish at the  rear of the leg holes is frilly rather than elasticated.  My personal preference is for full elastic around the leg holes; otherwise, I seem to experience varying degrees of hitching.  These are not terrible hitch offenders and they stay put reasonably well, but this style is not the very best cut for me.  I do have several sets in transit which have similar styled panties so this is definitely not enough of a deterrent to stop me from having my full sets, but it is something that I noted.

Earlier this Spring I had purchased the S Opium set and I mentioned in that review how the colours of that set coordinate perfectly with the SM Malinowy set so that you can mix and match between both sets.  The S Opium set is available with the panties only in brief style.  There is no thong available.  Personally, I believe that all thongs should be banned.   Why would you want to spend all day trying to pick a wedgie?   Butt floss I say!  However,  I must acknowledge, despite my own strong opinions on the subject, that there is a market for both styles.    If you yourself (for reasons unknown to me) prefer a thong and you wish to have S Opium as a set with a coordinating thong, then you can order the thong style panties from the SM Malinowy set and they will look perfect together.    Likewise, the full briefs from Opium pair perfectly with the SM Malinowy bra.

Having both full sets as I do is a great way to be able to change things up with mixing and matching.  Check out this fantastic EM stock photo which actually shows how well the two sets coordinate together:

Speaking of matching, I showed in my Opium review how I had coordinated my nails with Bio Seaweed Gel polish in 67 Passionfruit.

That polish of course also matches Malinowy perfectly, but a new set surely deserves something new to match, does it not?  Which was exactly why I headed over to my local Chanel makeup counter and picked up this beautiful Rouge Coco Stylo stylo in the shade 208, Roman.  We all deserve to treat ourselves once in a while!

***

* My SM Malinowy set was graciously provided for review by Ewa Michalak. All opinions are my own.

 

 

 

Bra Obsessed’s Exclusive Summer 2016 Comexim Bikinis – Harbour and Port

The weather man is calling for a long, hot summer where I live and so I needed no justification in ordering myself another new bikini.

This is the Comexim Harbour set.  It is available exclusively through Bra Obsessed.  I’m a sucker for anything nautical themed and so it, like so many other things, called my name.

I purchased the top in  30G and the bottoms in Medium.  I requested that the bottoms have the waist line raised one inch higher than is the standard for Comexim bikini bottoms.  I did this because I felt that my two other Comexim bikinis (Jamaica and Pin Up Girl) were a tad low cut.  Actually, that isn’t really the whole truth.  What happened was this.  This past March I was strolling along a gorgeous white sand beach in the Caribbean with my teen daughter when she asked if we could go for a ride on one of those fun-looking little sail boats that resort workers will take guests out on.  “Sure!”  I said, although frankly it was a bit windy that day, the surf was kicking up pretty good and I thought we might possibly even die.  Anyway, off we went and sure enough a big wave came up, soaked me right down and just about dragged my pants out to sea too.  So now I’m nervous of losing my pants and feel a little safer with them up a bit higher.

My bikini top is in the classic plunge style, with no modifications.

This bikini top features all silver-toned hardware and a jaunty little knotted bow at the gore which brings to mind a sailor’s rope.

In designing this set, special attention has been paid to what Jaimie’s customers have been looking for in a bikini. The bikini bottoms are fully lined.  The band of the bikini top is extra firm and strong, due to the addition of a supportive fabric liner built into the backside of the bikini’s band.

The shoulder straps are double layered and have reinforced zigzag stitching so that, for women with heavier busts, they will offer extra support, will not fold and will be much more comfortable.     There is a firm locking clip at the back.  I did note that the shoulder straps are only partially adjustable due to the extra silver ring on the back of the shoulder straps.  If you require the straps to be fully adjustable, you should request to have your bikini top made without that additional ring.  Personally, I have no need to adjust the straps that high and I feel  that the extra bit of hardware adds to the whole nautical / bikini vibe.

While I was at the Bra Obsessed shop a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to take a look at and try on Jaimie’s other exclusive bikini for 2016, the Comexim Port.  This is a sophisticated and sleek little black number with gold hardware made of high quality Lycra.   I noticed this bikini top showed quite a lot of cleavage.  The Port model actually owes its extra sexy appearance to having reduced cups and gore, which also helps it to have a less bra-like appearance.

This suit features the same special details as the Harbour, with the extra fabric liner in the band and the re-engineered shoulder straps.  The band definitely felt snug and secure and the gold locking clip felt strong enough that you wouldn’t have to worry about any wardrobe malfunctions on the beach.

Both the Port and Harbour bikinis can be ordered in your choice of regular cup style, half cup style, etc. (and you can even have the bottoms made higher if you are worried about losing them at sea!).

 

Panache Sports Vest review

Hello lovely readers!  I have a new review for you today, but I wanted to start with a bit of chit chat.

I’m sure that everyone seen the latest Spring offerings from Ewa Michalak.   Personally, I’ve placed an order for the gorgeous Ewa Michalak Opium set in S cut.  I think it will be the perfect Spring bra.  I’m so in love with the poppy printed fabric and the pink trim.  It is a rare thing when Ewa Michalak releases swimwear and so I’ve also ordered the new  Saint Tropez bikini, although to be honest, I’m really on the fence with how I feel about those high waisted bottoms.  I wish there had been options, but I still went ahead and ordered, so we shall see!   Speaking of swimwear, if you are subscribed to her email updates you will have seen that Bra Obsessed will be releasing two Comexim bikinis which are exclusive to Bra Obsessed and I’ve chosen the nautical bikini.  Can’t wait!  When my order comes in, I’m going to drive out to Bra Obsessed to collect my goodies in person, so stay tuned for that as a future post.  I’ve also recently returned from a Caribbean holiday where I put my last season’s Comexim bikinis to the test and I will report on that in another post.  So lots to look forward to.

But before I have to  review  bikinis for you, I’ve been at least trying to make an effort to get to the gym more often.  And that means sports bras.  I don’t have a huge inventory of sports bras but I thought it would be good to review what I do have, starting with my most recent purchase, the Panache Sports Vest.  I saw this one for a steal of a deal on eBay and grabbed it up in 30G.  The link to the  seller I used can be found HERE  in case you are interested in scooping one up for yourself.  I have used this seller, NatureFigures, in the past and have had no issues at all. Here is a stock picture of the item:

This item also is available in a bright coral/pink colourway but I felt that the black would go better with my selection of black yoga pants 😉

I liked the idea of the bra being built right into the tank top because I often struggle with finding the right match of gym top / bra so that I don’t get bra straps etc. showing out in the open.  I’m kind of fussy about that and I prefer to have my bra hidden, so this seemed like a great solution.  You can see in the picture below that it has a regular hook and eye bra closure.

The hook and eye bra closure is completely hidden by the back of the top that sits on top of it.

I had thought that the built-in bra was the exact same as the very popular 5021 Panache seamed model, which I own and I know it fits well, so this purchase seemed like a no-brainer.   You can see how my 5021 fits me in the photo below.

However, I was surprised to see, on closer examination, that the bra is actually a seamless bra as you can see in the photo below where I’ve put the vest on and then pulled up the vest to reveal the  built-in bra.

The thing I find unusual about the construction of this bra is that the cups continue long after the centre gore construction ends.  In the photo below, you can see the bra inside out.

In the picture below, my finger is touching the point at which the wires end.

While the cups seem to fit me properly and snugly everywhere else, I do have a bit of emptiness right in that upper inner boob part, above where those wires end, which you can hopefully see back in that first picture where I am showing the bra on me.  I would think most women would experience this same issue.  Although this gap must mean a compromise of support in that exact area, at least it is a small area and you can’t see this issue with the vest pulled down over top of the bra.  I’ll add a few shots of other angles of the bra on me.  First is a side view, followed by a bottoms up.  You can see in the side view that the bra gives a somewhat natural shape as opposed to a very rounded shape as I would have expected in  a seamless cup:

 

The shoulder straps contain a hook at the back, enabling you to wear the vest as a racer back, which will give some extra support and stability.

It was a slight struggle to put this sport vest on and I had to do it up with the closure at the front and then carefully wiggle it around to the back.  I did think that the act of putting it on constituted a workout in itself, however, in pursuit of a fair review, I continued on to the gym.

Once at the gym, I joined into a rather intense Cardio Kick-Box class, for which I lasted approximately a third of the class before I thought I was actually going to throw up or pass out or possibly both, and so, in the interests of safety and preserving what little dignity I had left, I sat out in the hall and waited for the beginner Zumba class to start.    I did survive the entire 40 minute Zumba class and so I can safely tell you that the bra did its job quite well.  I felt as secure and bounce-free in it as I do in my Panache 5021, which is my favourite work horse gym bra.

As for the outer appearance of it as a work out top, it is a clingy spandex fabric.  It can accentuate tummy trouble.  I felt that it had a bit of a swimsuit look to it.  In fact, I’m sure it could do double duty as a tankini top if you are interested in using it for that purpose.    I felt that the colourful side panels drew attention to my chest, and made me look extra boobalicious which made me feel a bit self-conscious.  Because the fabric is a clingy synthetic, it did get sweat soaked quite quickly.

All in all though, I thought it worked pretty well, looked fairly decent and has made a good addition to my sport bra collection.  What do you think of the Panache Sports Vest?  And I’d love to know what your favourite sports bra is!

50 Shades of You Know… (Ewa Michalak SM Ty wiesz… Review)

Ewa Michalak’s SM Ty wiesz.  It needs no introduction.   The name translates from Polish to English as You Know… but for once I was pretty much at a loss for words!  Pictures from the website are below.

I tried mine on and deferred to my husband for his opinion.  He looked up from his morning newspaper, momentarily speechless, then stammered, “is that b-b-b-bondage?” while looking around somewhat anxiously for signs of whips and handcuffs. (Stars have been added to the pictures below for modesty.)

As you can see, on my somewhat warm toned skin, the nude mesh fabric of the cups disappears and the effect truly is that I am wearing only bondage straps.  The jewelled circles on the straps at the cleavage are actually adjustable sliders, allowing for a custom fit.  The straps on which the sliders sit  are  elasticated and so it stays put very nicely.

The matching panties are of course elaborately crafted, with no attention to detail spared, as expected.

From top to bottom below, you can see the front and back of the panties.  They feature the same elasticized straps with the same adjustable jewelled sliders.  These are beautiful and very sexy panties.  I love matching sets and the effect of this set together is a good one.

I always say that my Ewa Michalak beauties all go into regular rotation despite looking as though they should be kept for special occasions.  I feel that this set is no exception.  Every day has the potential to turn into a special occasion, especially when you are wearing this! 😉

While you may think that Ty wiesz  looks like a ‘bedroom only’ bra, it is completely functional.

The elastic cleavage straps do come up quite high and could show in a lower cut top but below I am wearing it under a crew neck sweater without issues.

Under a thinner top, you may notice the seams slightly but honestly, how can you nitpick about a bra this special?  If you are looking for an SM style bra which offers a very smooth appearance, I suggest Wanilla (review HERE) or Czarna Mgielka if you are looking for a black (review HERE).

I did wonder though, with those straps being so pretty, perhaps they could also be shown off as another option.  I tried the bra with my Urkye tuba top with good success (review on that one HERE).

I purchased this bra in my usual size 65G.  There is no stretch to the cup fabric on this bra so you do need to have your size nailed down for it to fit perfectly.  The unstretched band measures approximately  24.5 inches.  Stretched, it measures 30 inches before some good wire distortion starts happening.  With my 27″ rib cage it feels comfortable; not too tight nor too loose.  I purchased the matching panties in my usual size 36 and they fit well.

Dear readers, I am happy to report that you need not be a whip-wielding Dominatrix to own this beautiful set.  You may think it to be a little over the top but why not inject a little spice into your life?  Don’t let this one get away.  This bra is currently available on the Ewa Michalak website but why wait when you can also pick this set up very quickly by ordering through   Bra Obsessed. Check to see if your size is in stock.  Our readers can enjoy a special 10% discount at Bra Obsessed with the code bra10 which is good up until and including this Thursday, October 22nd.  Remember, prices shown are in Canadian dollars so you can snag yourself a good deal with the discount.

…and Ms. Michalak?  I am curious as to how you will top this one?!

URKYE Tuba Full Bust Clothing Review

This past August, I noticed Polish full-bust clothing brand Urkye  had a sale code on their  Facebook page for their Tuba line.  If there is one thing I love its a sale, and I had been curious about this brand so it was obviously meant to be that I should place an order immediately.

I chose this black  Tuba Czarna top:

and this printed Kiecka tubowa w lapki Tuba dress:

 

Urkye’s sizing is unique but they offer a well-explained sizing chart.  Following the chart shown for elastic fabrics, I was able to quite easily determine that I wanted a size 34 (I generally wear a size 2 or 4 in dresses in Canadian stores, and a small in tops).  Urkye’s unique sizing also allows the customer to choose how much bust room they require.  I wear a bra size 65G in Ewa Michalak, 65HH in Comexim and about a 30FF/G in UK brands.  With my measurements of 27″ underbust and 36″ bust, I chose the smaller o/oo Urkye bust size, as the sizing chart indicated.

The dress was on sale even before using the code, from 109 zl down to 69 zl, and actually all of the Tuba dresses are still on sale at time of writing.  My total balance due including shipping came to 146.10 zl which converted into just $52.16 Canadian ($39.29 U.S.).  What a bargain!  As I often tell my husband, it isn’t about how much I spend; its about how much I SAVE!  He loves that one (I think). 😉

My parcel from Urkye arrived to me in Canada just two weeks after ordering.

Here is how my items were packaged:

On closer inspection, I noticed that the printed dress was actually a fun leopard print.  Or is that cougar?  hmmm…

Here is the dress on me:

 

Its quite a lot of cleavage on show!  The bust area can be closed up somewhat but this isn’t going to be a very modest dress, regardless.  The tummy area is also quite clingy.  My trusty Spanx saved the day, but trust me, if it wasn’t for them, you’d be seeing porn star boobs and a has-been hooker stomach.  Not the best look.  If you are toned, you’re in luck, otherwise, like me, you may be doomed to wearing tummy control undergarments under this dress.   After seeing the dress on Urkye’s leggy model, I had been a bit concerned  that it might be too short for my liking but on my 5’4″ frame it hits below my knees and I am comfortable with this length.

I quite liked the black Tuba top.  It is versatile enough to wear with jeans, shorts, a skirt…whatever you want. Like the dress, the top is quite clingy, but I find it more forgiving since it is solid black and my jeans help to hold my gut in too.

 

 

A neat feature of the Tuba line is that the shoulders all have adjustable sliders.  You can pull the sliders up higher and pull the fabric more across the centre of your chest for a less cleavage-y look:

Or, if the mood strikes, you can push those sliders down and show the girls off.

The backs of both the dress and top feature the same low v shape as the fronts.

 

If you are wondering what bra I am wearing under these outfits, it is Comexim’s Dottie, purchased though Bra Obsessed.  Watch for that review to come!

 

Have you tried any of Uryke’s clothing?