Thursday 16 June 2011

Outlet Action!

I went to Cheshire Oaks designer outlet just outside Chester a few weeks ago and here's how my day went:

First up, I went into the Karen Millen outlet and tried on 3 dresses and a trench coat, as seen in the follwing photo. It was a size 10, and a very heavy fabric. The wasist was too big as you can see, the sleeves too long

Karen Millen dress no.1:
Size 10, and beautifully designed and made. The issue here is pretty obvious: Hello bra!

Dress no.2:
Again in a size 10, Karen Millen really cater for curves! I'm convinced their mirrors distort you though. I look like ones of those controversial Pepperberry models! I LOVE this dress! It comes with a detachable necklace thingy too, which, as you can see in the picture, fastens like a halterneck.

Dress no.3:
This one's a size 8 and too small! I wouldn't be able to sit down in this! Still, it's a nice style; cowl neck and pencil skirt combo.

Onto the bras! The outlet store was full to the brim of Wonderbras and Shock Absorbers, not too many in my size, so here are the ones a found:

This was a struggle! I tried on 3 different sizes in this Shock Absorber. The 30G didn't have enough cup coverage, I think the one in the photo might be this size (see the sideboob?), the 30GG was too big on the back, and the 28H was again a little small in the cup and a little tight on the band. The benefit of this bra is that it just looks like a crop top, so you'd be able to go for a run/work out without a t-shirt. This is the best sports bra I've tried on so far.


This next one, another Shock Absorber in a 30G was truly horrific! Fembot alert! I hate the way the straps sit across the collarbone, and the way my boobs look like cones. AWFUL! It may work for smaller cup sizes though, and my boobs didn't move an inch.

Lastly, I tried this wonderbra, in a 30G. Band too stretchy and therefore unsupportive, cups too small and just...not right....And as usual, the straps are too long.

The moral of the story is: Take a trip to your local outlet village, it's always worth a rummage!

Thrill Me, Tease Me.....

Apologies for the numerous blogs today, I have lots of photos from various trying on occasions I wanted to share!

This time, it's the turn of Curvy Kate, yet again! Following my stint in this years' Star In A Bra competition, I've become quite fond of the brand and their ruffly, luxurious, sexy designs, although I must admit, I've not ventured beyond the Showgirl range. I always buy from Brastop, as they offer a good range for good prices, and almost always have different offers on.

A quick point to add is that the sizes of the Thrill Me and Tease me bras are slightly off. I usually wear a 30G, but in both these styles I need a 28H. So it's down a back size, up one or even two cup sizes. My tip is to buy from a retailer with a no quibble returns policy, such as Brastop.


This, my darlings, is the Tease Me in Purple/Black. Size 28H, size 16 shorts. I LOVE it! I also have this in Emerald/Black. I've still not worn it during the day yet, but I've heard they are really comfortable. I love the fact it has bows, ruffles and suspender clips and goes right up to a J cup! Other women get an epic cleavage from this, sadly, I don't, but that's simply due to my breasts being bottom heavy. If you're a DD cup or above, then BUY THIS!

The next set featured is the Thrill Me in Ivory/Black. 28H/16. Again, ruffles and bows sold this for me, although I'm not entirely convinced the ruffles on the edge of the cups will sit well beneath clothes. I'm exchanging the shorts for a size 18 as they seem pretty snug and give me a bit of a muffin top, but the thong in a 16 is perfect and oh-so cute!

 The third set I ordered was the Ella in black/multi, in 30G, size 16 shorts. I ordered this as I wanted to try an unpadded bra for a change, but I've since returned it, as I know I won't wear it! The fit was ok, perhaps a little smaller than comfortable in the cups, and the shorts were HUGE as you can probably tell! I'd recommend going down by one or two sizes in these. If you like unpadded bras, then the Ella offers excellent support and is very pretty, reminding me of bright fireworks exploding against a dark sky. Just lovely!

So there we have it, another Curvy Kate review done! Before I go, Take a look at the newly released brochure for Curvy Kate's Spring Summer 2012 range. You may see a familiar face on page 27 ;)

Fitting Faux Pas and Bikini Bloopers!

There is a rather infamous battle of bra fitting that has constantly been raging for quite a few years now, so I thought I'd give it a quick mention, as it is linked to the bikini half of my blog. The old school method is to add 4-5 inches to the actualy underbust measurement, which I'm sure is where all this 'blah blah % of all women are wearing the wrong bra size' thing comes from. I've only recently (in the past 3 months maybe) discovered that instead of the 32G I was wearing, my 'real' size is 30G. 

For my fitting I went to Bravissimo, who fit you by eye based on the bra you're wearing. To be honest, even I don't practise what I preach entirely, as my underbust measurement is pretty much 28", so I should really be trying 28 backs. The 30 backs I have seem nice and snug, so I'll stick with them for now. I'm aware that this may just be a manufacturer issue... 

It was clear from my Star In A Bra entry photos (32G) that I was wearing the wrong size, even a MAN commented on this! Surely this is proof enough that the old method is wrong?! Here's a photo of me wearing a 32 back size.Not the best picture to demonstrate this, but you just about see that the bra sits away from my chest at the gore (the centre of the bra, between the cups). This means that all the support comes from the straps, causing pain, red marks and cutting in on the shoulder muscles.

So, according to some online calculators I come up as anything from a 32E to a 34E, and many sizes besides. With this in mind, I decided to try on  a few bikinis from New Look's range by Kelly Brook.

Firstly, a very cute black and white gingham number in a 32E. I don't really need to say much about this, I think the photos say it all...The only plus side is that the cups are big enough. Stringy straps=ouch!


Next I tried a 34E swimsuit. Unflattering, badly fitting. I am NOT a 34! Maybe if I tied the 'bra strap' back instead of using the fastener....?

Lastly, I adore the fabric and ruffles on this last one, again a 34E. Cups on the large side, same with the back.

My biggest point to make with these bikinis is WHY do they have shoestring straps??? Fine for smaller cup sizes but I'm thinking cheesewire for heavier boobs....

Thanks for reading, as always x

Debenhams Disasters and Delights!

As always, I ended up in Debenhams lingerie department last week. I noticed they have a few nice new bras in, so I gave them a whirl, leaving my boyfriend, yet again, aimlessly andering around the reast of the store. Bless.

Bra numero uno: Gorgeous Black Spot Balcony Bra, Currently in the 30% off offer at £17.60, usual price £22.
As always, I tried this in a 30G, and had no problems with the typically snug Debenhams band. The problem was in the straps, that are stretchy and too long. I know this can be rectified in a few minutes with a needle and thread, but it's still annoying, nonetheless. See how, in the second photo, the uplift of the breast is acheived by simply shortening the straps? his is something I have always had issues with sadly.

Second up, we have the Gorgeous (VERY fitting in this case) Ivory Ribbon Detail Balcony Bra £16 currently, usually £20. 
Oh my....I LOVE the styling of this bra, contrasting colours and ribbons are my favourite! The fit is fine, again in a 30G. I'm quite tempted to buy this one, but yet again, the straps are too long! I want uplift, damnit!

Thirdly, I found this on the sale rack at just £7.20. It's a Wonderbra, and I think it's model name is 'Dream'. It's not on the Debenhams website, so check Ebay if you like it, or here.
This one is a typical balcony bra, with excellent uplift, a snug fitting band, and giving a pretty good forward projection which sits well under clothes. It gives a very flattering shape and makes you look slimmer too, whic is always a bonus! I'm sure if you have more top heavy boobs, you will get an epic cleavage too!
I purchased this one (manily due to the price) and it's nice as an everyday bra, although the underwires do sit quite far into the armpits. Ideal id you tend to get a lot of sideboob, but does tend to rub a little. Not enough to stop me seeking it out in white though!

Last up for this blog, The Gorgeous Black Sports Bra £17.60 at the moment, usually £22.
I wasn't expecting much from this, with it being an 'own brand' sports bra, but I must admit, it was pretty supportive! The ONLY issue I had was that the 'cups' (can I call the front area that??) were a bit small. They could have done with being a tad bigger, offering a bit more coverage under the arms to encase any sideboob. I tried this in my usual size of 30G.
If you're looking for a sports bra, certainly at least try this one on!

I know a lot of you busty girls out there avoid places like M&S and Debenhams, but I strongly suggest you don't entirely rule them out. Don't forget Debenhams also stock other big boob brands such as Freya, Fantasie and Panache!

Thanks for reading Gorgeous ;) x