Make your cleavage illegal with Tutti Rouge's Jessica

As always, apologise for the radio silence. You know how life gets in the way? Yeah, that. Coupled with the fact that it's January and that means we're all recovering after having had a few months run up to Christmas.

In early December Tutti Rouge so kindly offered me their new Jessica set to review. I'd been hotly anticipating it's release and subsequent #illegalcleavage social media campaign featuring curvy redhead Lucy V. I was delighted when I received the set through my door! I initially requested the bra in a 28GG and thong in a medium but on arrival I realised that I'd underestimated myself and needed a size up in both, so a 28H and large thong, which I'm happy to say, fit beautifully. The matching suspender belt is a small. So if you're between sizes in both bras and pants, you'd do better to size up as I did.

What sets the Jessica bra aside from anything else I've ever seen on the market (particularly in plus bust brands) is that the bra has pockets on the inside of the cups for its padding. Now, this may not seem that unusual but the bra is unpadded and the padding is made in a way to give you multiple options. The band is accurately sized and the cups, Although not particularly supportive on myself, as my boobs aren't all that perky, are made from a stretch mesh are accommodating for asymmetrical boobs. If you're a fan of unpadded AND padded bras, then Jessica is worth a try.

The pads, or 'cookies' as Tutti Rouge like to call them, are a rectangular-ish shaped pocket (so a double layer of padding) containing another smaller pad. The idea behind this is that you control how much cleavage you want with the added benefit of being able to even out asymmetrical boobs should you struggle with that. The cookie system gives you, if you're not taking into account any asymmetry, 4 different levels of padding; unpadded, small cookies, cookie pocket and cookie pocket with smaller cookies inside. Are you feeling the urge to eat a cookie yet...no, me neither... ;)

I love the idea of effectively customising an OTR bra yourself, and as I touched on before, if you have noticeable asymmetry then this bra if definitely worth trying out. I estimate I have a difference of half a cup maybe, so it's not all that noticeable once I'm wearing a bra.

The thong in a large is perfect on me, as long time readers know, I'm well blessed in the hip/butt department and I like to make sure I don't get any bulges so I usually size up on what's recommended on your average size chart. The suspender belt is a small and is a little on the large side if I'm being picky, but works out fine. I just wish I could buy suspender belts and pants in the same size! Damn curves! That said, I don't ever wear suspender belts for anything other than photoshoots anyway, so ignore my whinging!

As always with Tutti Rouge, it's the details that make the sets that bit different from other brands, such as the heart strap adjusters, which I bloody LOVE! The fabrics, trims and colours have all been chosen with great care and tie in beautifully with one another.

Since I always have to have something to moan about it would have to be the bulk and particularly the shape of the cookies. Once you have all of them fitted inside your bra you will be able to feel your arms rub against them once you start moving around. The other issue is the shape. provided you're not wearing something *too* tight fitting, you'll be okay, but when you wear this bra with a slinky bodycon dress there's a very real risk of the chunky non boob shaped cookies being visible. Personally I'd have made the cookies in the traditional 'chicken fillet' shape.

Anyway, Overall I love how this set looks and how versatile it is with its multiple looks. Have you tried the Jessica set yet? Is the concept of customising the level of padding something that makes you want to try it?

As always, thanks for reading x

The Beautiful Boudoir by Pour Moi?

*PLEASE DO NOT SHARE MY IMAGES WITHOUT MY PERMISSION*

Back in February you may recall my Valentine's line-up was dedicated to one brand, Pour Moi? I was contacted by the company who offered me a set to review, so naturally I chose my 'No. 1' set from the gorgeous Boudoir range.

*Firstly and most importantly, Pour Moi? don't make my current size of 28GG/H so I had to sister size to a 30G.*

The Boudoir range from Pour Moi? is made in an elegant nude mesh with black trim, straps and floral embroidered motifs. I consider the Boudoir range to be a practical way of wearing a burlesque look, with the floral motifs hinting at nipple pasties. I have to admit, I ADORE the strappy look of this range and should I ever book another shoot with My Boudoir I plan on wearing it with few extra accessories.

Pour Moi? very kindly sent me both bras from the Boudoir range, the half padded and unpadded, both in a 30G. Both bras are too big in the band as expected, but could be shortened using a Rixie Clip if needs be. 

The Unpadded Boudoir Bra comes in sizes 30D-G, 32-36B-G and 38-40C-G and costs £28. It has sheer cups with strategically placed black floral motifs to ensure no nipple show if that's something you guard against. The underwiring is highlighted in black to mirror the trim at the top of the cups and the straps are black and fully adjustable. As I've sister sized, I expected the cups to fit well, but I feel a cup size bigger would have fitted better, so if you can, size up in the cup but stick to your usual band.

Above: The Unpadded Boudoir Bra

Next up, the Half Padded Boudoir Bra, £28 in sizes 30D-G, 32-34B-G and 38-40C-G. now this bra is interesting! Unlike anything I've ever seen before it has a half cup, again with the floral motif and black underwire casing, and a...how do I describe this...a floating trim? It'll make more sense when you see the photos.Sadly this bra runs smaller in the cup by around a whole cup size, so size up by two cups and stick to your usual band. That said, this bra was clearly designed with seduction in mind so I guess fit isn't all that important! 

Above: The Half Padded Boudoir Bra

I was also sent the Boudoir Thong in a size 16 (£12 sizes 8-16) and Boudoir Suspender in a Large (£20 sizes S-XL). The Boudoir Thong is a perfect fit, if a touch baggy in the front and I love the strappy detail. It works beautifully with the Boudoir Suspender as you can see. Ideally a smaller suspender belt would have been preferable as I've ventured out before in a suspender belt that sits on my hips rather than my waist before and ended up with my stockings slipping! 

So do you love this show stopping set as much as I do? Are you thinking of buying it?

Again, thanks for reading,

Le Curvy Kitten 

x

Pour Moi? The Valentine's Day Edit 2015

But a few days from now it will be upon us. The day singletons loathe, those spoken for panic about; Valentine's Day. I've never been a fan of lingerie for lingerie for the sake of seduction but I realise some of you might and admittedly I have found myself lusting over a number of styles a little less practical for everyday use, so here's my top 5 for Valentine's Day 2015 by lingerie brand Pour Moi? I know they don't come in my size, but a girl can dream (and sister size) right?

5. In at number 5 is the flirty Indulgence range. With it's pink base and black mesh overlay it's both feminine and sexy. What's more, this set in on sale! Prices listed below are correct at the time of publishing.

Indulgence -matching items also available

Padded Bra £12.00 Sizes 30 D-F, 32 B-F, 34 A-F, 36 B-E

Suspender Belt £8.00 Sizes S-XL

Thong £6.00 Sizes 8-16

4. A luxurious addition to your lingerie drawer from Pour Moi? is the Treasure range. With tons of eyelash lace, satin and bows (gotta love bows, right?) you're sure to find something in the range even if the bra and basque don't come in your size (raises hand). Check out the super cute skirted thong!

Treasure- matching items also available. Also in Mink/Black colour way

Padded Bra £26.00 Sizes 30 D-F, 32 B-F, 34 A-F, 36 B-E, 38 B-D

Skirted Thong £18 Sizes 8-18

3. For a less typically sexy caged look, try the Forbidden range in its brand new colour way of Peacock, a bright peacock blue with a hint of pink lurking beneath. The Forbidden range features such details as bows and little keys and also comes in a more stereotypically sexy colour way of pink/black. The latter colour boasts a larger range of matching items such as a basque and suspender belt.

Forbidden- Matching items also available. Also in Black/Pink colour way

Half Padded Bra £28.00 Sizes 30 D-G, 32 A-G, 34 A-G, 36 B-G, 38 B-G, 38 C-G, 40 C-G

Brief £15 Sizes 8-18

2. The set that has grabbed my attention the most and had me daydreaming about is Addicted. Like Forbidden (above) is has that bondage-inspired caged look but is more strappy and comes in red, black and white. I LOVE this set in red! The bra is a half cup unpadded and features a tassel-ended bow at the gore. 

Addicted- Matching items also available. Also in Black and White.

Half Cup Bra £28.00 (£16.00 on sale in red only) Sizes 30 D-G, 32 B-G, 34 B-G, 36 C-G, 38 D-G, 40 D-G.

Suspender £16.00 (£9.50 on sale in red only) Sizes S-XL

G-String £12.00 (£7.20 on sale in red only) Sizes 8-16

1. And finally in the top slot, the beautiful Boudoir range! In nude mesh with black floral motif this range oozes sensual decadence. The range features two bras, one sheer unpadded (first pic), the other is a half padded (second pic) with a sort of cage look but done more elegantly with a sheer black mesh. It's divine! I love the burlesque look this set has with the flora motifs reminiscent of tasselled pasties.

Boudoir- Matching items available

1st pic:

Unpadded Bra £28.00 Sizes 30 D-G, 32 B-G, 34 B-G, 36 B-G, 38 C-G, 40 C-G

Suspender Belt £20.00 Sizes S-XL

Thong £12.00 Sizes 8-16

2nd pic:

Half Padded Bra £28.00 Sizes 30 D-G, 32 B-G, 34 B-G, 36 B-G, 38 C-G, 40 C-G

Brief £15.00 Sizes S-XL

Since none of these bras are available in my size I can't give any fit advice, but I will be reviewing a set in my sister size of 30G in the near future. Keep your eyes peeled!

Whether you're spending it alone or with your significant other, have a lovely Valentine's Day and don't forget to treat yourself too! 

Ooh La La LOVE!

*This item was sent to me by Gossard to review. This in no way clouds my judgement*

As soon as I saw the Ooh La La range from Gossard I fell in love to the point of buying an entire set that didn't even fit purely on the basis that it looked gorgeous! I consider it the set that won me Brastop's Model Of The Month competition in December 2011. To recap, here's the set; plunge bra £30, deep suspender £22 and shorts £14.

Since then, I've lusted after the Ooh La La corsele £59 and thong £12 in it's different colours, particularly the most recent in Scarlet.

You can imagine my delight when the lovely Jade from Gossard offered to send me the very corselet and matching thong I'd been admiring from afar! As soon as I unpackaged it I was in love, but at a 30G (again, sent because Gossard don't make a 28GG) I was doubtful that it would fit.

The colour is more of a raspberry red rather than scarlet, with pinkish undertones. The vintage styling, pin tucks and lace really add to the luxury of this piece, making it ideal for bridal lingerie in the Ivory colour.

Firstly, Gossard boast this corselet has an 'easy-on, easy-off' side zip and hook and eye fastening. Let me tell you, easy it is NOT! I fought for quite a long time trying to fasten the damn thing, and eventually had to unhook the bra strap and spin it around! The zip is concealed and virtually invisible. Here's the fastening with the hook and eye part of the bra band fastened already;

The unique side hook and eye fastening with a concealed zip

The 30G padded cups were a perfect fit on me, but as expected, the band was on the large side, as was the body. I can imagine this fitting a 30G size 10-12 perfectly. Sadly it was an inch or two too big on my waist. It would be suitable for wearing underneath that little black dress as a sexy alternative to shapewear, but you also need to take into account the seams which may appear bulky under anything particularly tight fitting. I'm unable to comment on it's 'pull-in power' as it's loose in the body on me. This begs the question; how much pinning did they have to do on the model to get it to look so good?!

The addition of suspenders is both practical and drop dead sexy too! This corselet is a multi-way, enabling it to be worn under a strapless, halterneck, asymetrical or normal strapped dress. Sadly, as it was a bit big in the band, I can only wear it with straps.

Regular readers will know I like to buy my thongs in larger sizes to reduce 'muffin top' and in the Ooh La La, I was sent a Large, which fitted perfectly without any lumps and bumps.

Be warned, this corselet will make you feel like a real-life Jessica Rabbit!

At £59, it's a lot more than I'd be happy to spend, but if it fits and you have a use for it, I'd certainly recommend buying it. It's sexy, practical and well made. The corselet is available in sizes 30-38 D-G for £59 and the thong XS-L for £12. There's no denying it's one of the sexiest sets I've reviewed so far, it's just a shame that Gossard don't cater for more sizes.

What do you think? Would you pay this much for a corselet? Should Gossard branch out with their sizes?

2 more from Curvy Kate!

Rich jewel colours, ruffles, bows, oodles of detailing...It can only mean one thing, another Curvy Kate Showgirl review!

I have to admit, every time I open my lingerie drawer, I let out a sigh at the sheer beauty of this first bra. It is truly beautiful! It is Curvy Kate's Thrill Me in Jade/Fuchsia. It's base colour is supposedly jade, but I'd call it more of a turquoise. It's trim is a bright, contrasting fuchsia, and works beautifully against the jade.

I was fortunate enough to receive this bra, along with all the bottoms; the thong, high-waisted brief and the shorts as a Christmas present from my lovely boyfriend. I prefer the shorts out of the three, as they have cheeky ruffles across the bottom and also have detachable suspenders. The high-waisted briefs are something I've not tried before, and although other women find them flattering, I feel they make me look bigger somehow. I love the thong as frills at the top of each leg, so cute! 

For size reference, the bra is a 28H and the bottoms are all in a 14. As always with Thrill Me, back down, 2 cups up is my general rule, but this must only be used as a guide, as you may find they fit you differently. op to bottom, shorts, thong, high-waisted brief.

Again a Christmas present, this time Curvy Kate's Tease Me in Black/Almond. I LOVE Tease Me, it's so sexy AND supportive. The almond colour makes a nice change from the brighter colours from past seasons, and I must admit, I wasn't a fan initially, but seeing it in the flesh changed that. I just have the gorgeous shorts in this set, with ruffles on the back and detachable suspenders.

Again, in a size 28H and this time the shorts are a size 16.

There's nothing more I can say about these sets that I haven't already covered. I just think they are gorgeous!

Thanks for reading
<3

Finally I've won something!!

So on my quest to be photographed professionally in my smalls I've been entering Brastop's 'Model of the Month' competition every month since it started back in July last year. Yes, you guessed it, I won December's title!

I can tell you I'm thrilled to bits and have already landed an interview with the local paper (again) to try and drum up support for some votes when the time comes. I'm sure the people at The Sentinel are sick to death of me now, since I was only in the paper a month ago for the third time last year! It's all unpaid so they can't really complain!

As part of the prize I'm to attend another professional photo shoot and make over at the end of the month, and I'll be put through to Brastop's overall Cover Girl competition, which is when I'll need your votes (pretty please, you lovely people <3)! Please do check out Brastop.com, it's the only online bra shop I'll go back to again and again! Nice plug there Kel... I'll leave you with one of my winning photos ;)

As always, thanks for reading! x