Review: Curvy Studio bralettes (at Target)

This is one of the few brands that actually makes bralettes designed to fit up to an H-cup (US). Curvy Studio is a cheaper line of Curvy Couture, found at Target. I haven't found much success with bras in either version, but the bralettes looked promising.

Beauty

I tried two styles, the Perfect Lace Bralette and the (oddly -& inaccurately-named) High Apex Lace Bralette. Both styles share a similar look, and suffer from the same issues, but the shape is different. And I find the High Apex prettier, with it's laced-edged straps and deeper V-neck.

The Perfect Lace Bralette:

 High Apex Lace Bralette

The only real difference between the styles is the shape. 

The weirdly named High Apex has better shaping due to a vertical seam (more on that later) in the cup. This has nothing to do with a high apex, but simply a deeper cup - which would have been a far more sensible -& helpful- name.

 

While the Perfect Lace is more of a smooshed sports-bra style, without any defined cup shape.  

Both styles look really promising on paper:

• Soft-ish lace fabric is lined with mesh for actual support
• Longer-line band, for more stability
• Cups sized to fit up to an H-cup (US)

In reality, both suffer from the same serious design flaws: 

Straps are not restricted-stretch and totally dig in. Which is just really silly, when they went to the trouble to make an H-cup with mesh lining.

Band.   Incredibly, deeply annoying. It instantly scrunches itself up. It literally would not stay in place long enough for me to snap a pic.

Here is how long it is - if I hold it in place with my hand.

Annnnd when I let go:

It's basically like wearing a scrunchy around your chest. I have a natural figure-8 shape, i.e., a defined waist. So I can't imagine what shape rib cage/waist this would actually work for. 

Seams.  And the final flaw for the High Apex style is that vertical seam that gives such an improved shape. Take a look at the inside - this is what is actually against your boob:

Yeah. That is appalling. The last time I encountered a seam that ridged and rugged was on a canvas cushion for outdoor furniture. Not really something I want on the sensitive skin of my boobs. 

When Might You Wear These?

For lounging around the house -though the High Apex could be wearable as an out-of-the-house weekend bra- assuming you don't mind that 6" scrunchy around your ribs, and you can tolerate that crazy seam against your skin.

Sizing: A very large range for a bralette: M to XXL (36C-42H)

High Apex in XXL (per size chart, fits 40G-42H). This style definitely has more cup capacity.

Perfect Lace in XL (38G-H)

Review: Curvy Studio bralettes (at Target)

This is one of the few brands that actually makes bralettes designed to fit up to an H-cup (US). Curvy Studio is a cheaper line of Curvy Couture, found at Target. I haven't found much success with bras in either version, but the bralettes looked promising.

Beauty

I tried two styles, the Perfect Lace Bralette and the (oddly -& inaccurately-named) High Apex Lace Bralette. Both styles share a similar look, and suffer from the same issues, but the shape is different. And I find the High Apex prettier, with it's laced-edged straps and deeper V-neck.

The Perfect Lace Bralette:

 High Apex Lace Bralette

The only real difference between the styles is the shape. 

The weirdly named High Apex has better shaping due to a vertical seam (more on that later) in the cup. This has nothing to do with a high apex, but simply a deeper cup - which would have been a far more sensible -& helpful- name.

 

While the Perfect Lace is more of a smooshed sports-bra style, without any defined cup shape.  

Both styles look really promising on paper:

• Soft-ish lace fabric is lined with mesh for actual support
• Longer-line band, for more stability
• Cups sized to fit up to an H-cup (US)

In reality, both suffer from the same serious design flaws: 

Straps are not restricted-stretch and totally dig in. Which is just really silly, when they went to the trouble to make an H-cup with mesh lining.

Band.   Incredibly, deeply annoying. It instantly scrunches itself up. It literally would not stay in place long enough for me to snap a pic.

Here is how long it is - if I hold it in place with my hand.

Annnnd when I let go:

It's basically like wearing a scrunchy around your chest. I have a natural figure-8 shape, i.e., a defined waist. So I can't imagine what shape rib cage/waist this would actually work for. 

Seams.  And the final flaw for the High Apex style is that vertical seam that gives such an improved shape. Take a look at the inside - this is what is actually against your boob:

Yeah. That is appalling. The last time I encountered a seam that ridged and rugged was on a canvas cushion for outdoor furniture. Not really something I want on the sensitive skin of my boobs. 

When Might You Wear These?

For lounging around the house -though the High Apex could be wearable as an out-of-the-house weekend bra- assuming you don't mind that 6" scrunchy around your ribs, and you can tolerate that crazy seam against your skin.

Sizing: A very large range for a bralette: M to XXL (36C-42H)

High Apex in XXL (per size chart, fits 40G-42H). This style definitely has more cup capacity.

Perfect Lace in XL (38G-H)

Review: Rosme Mona Unpadded

Rosme is an Eastern European brand that is worth trying. It is easily available on Amazon & eBay and most of their styles are under $25. Their aesthetic is pretty utilitarian: simple styles - and beige, black & white are the only colors you're likely to find. However, there is a wide variety of styles, which are truly aimed toward different shapes. 

So, unlike brands such as Panache - and especially Freya & Elomi, which really only cater to one single shape - your chances of finding a style that suits you are quite good. Case in point: the Annija was one of the worst fits (for my shape) I've tried in quite some time. But the Mona is a different beast altogether:

 Beauty

It is very difficult to make out in photos, but the upper cup is a very open, stretchy, soft lace; the bottom cup is satin. Overall, the design is quite plain and streamlined. 

Comfort

Band. Non-mesh, 2-hook, runs large and stretchy (as do all the Rosme I've tried). I actually bought this bra a couple of years ago, but it fit a bit too loose for good support, so I packed it away. Now, 20 lbs later, it fits quite well. The band is actually comfy. Not something I'd expect with 2 hooks, but the fact that it is not made of crappy, rugged mesh really helps with that. 

Cups.  Wires are on the softer side, and nice medium height; upright U-shape. The upper lace is an open pattern, which provides lots of stretch and ventilation and makes it full-on-top friendly. The whole bra feels very light on the body; I could feel air flow just walking around. The Mona is the opposite of 'a lotta bra'. The cups have good capacity and depth; the Mona tacks better than usual on me. 

Straps.  They have those ring-connectors I absolutely hate - except when I don't, in this single rare case. Surprise: they are actually comfy. Because they are designed correctly i.e. the ring sits where it should: not smack on top of my shoulder, but over it, and about 1/3 of the way down my back. So there is no weight or pressure. The front of the strap is broader, but not actually padded. 

Compromise

Shape.  And it's iffy to even list it under this category because shape is more a matter of preference, really. And Mona does not give a horrid shape like, say, Curvy Kate's ski slope (for FOT's). It's just not quite as round (under clothing) as I'd like.

And this pic shows really well how Euro designs differ from UK designs. See that area from the strap to the band? See what's not there? Yep: that deeply annoying extra fabric that comes up way too high on UK bras and cuts into the underarm area. Whereas this Euro design is cut perfectly to follow the lines of the body, giving you full range of motion with zero cutting in.

For comparison, here is the Panache Jasmine, one of their 'lower'(!) wire styles.

I'm a good 20 lbs thinner in this pic, but from the way the bra cuts in & encases me, you wouldn't guess that. The band was even a little loose on me then. 
 

 When Do I Wear It?

This is another good 'anytime' bra. It's a good work bra, especially for overheated offices, since it is so lightweight and cool. It's perfectly comfy for weekends, too. The only time I wouldn't likely choose Mona is under thin, loose knits. The lace pattern is flat and invisible, but the seam is a little prominent and the shape a little more projected, which makes a high likelihood for boob-tenting.

Size: 40H (Euro sizing) Fits me like a UK 40G
The bands do run quite loose and stretchy, so sister-sizing won't be as useful here. The stretch-lace and projected cups makes this very workable for FOT's, though it's probably aimed at a balanced shape. I do think full-on-bottoms could also do well with this style, especially if you have some projection; the lace is more substantial than say, Jasmine, and is unlikely to gap.

Review: Rosme Mona Unpadded

Rosme is an Eastern European brand that is worth trying. It is easily available on Amazon & eBay and most of their styles are under $25. Their aesthetic is pretty utilitarian: simple styles - and beige, black & white are the only colors you're likely to find. However, there is a wide variety of styles, which are truly aimed toward different shapes. 

So, unlike brands such as Panache - and especially Freya & Elomi, which really only cater to one single shape - your chances of finding a style that suits you are quite good. Case in point: the Annija was one of the worst fits (for my shape) I've tried in quite some time. But the Mona is a different beast altogether:

 Beauty

It is very difficult to make out in photos, but the upper cup is a very open, stretchy, soft lace; the bottom cup is satin. Overall, the design is quite plain and streamlined. 

Comfort

Band. Non-mesh, 2-hook, runs large and stretchy (as do all the Rosme I've tried). I actually bought this bra a couple of years ago, but it fit a bit too loose for good support, so I packed it away. Now, 20 lbs later, it fits quite well. The band is actually comfy. Not something I'd expect with 2 hooks, but the fact that it is not made of crappy, rugged mesh really helps with that. 

Cups.  Wires are on the softer side, and nice medium height; upright U-shape. The upper lace is an open pattern, which provides lots of stretch and ventilation and makes it full-on-top friendly. The whole bra feels very light on the body; I could feel air flow just walking around. The Mona is the opposite of 'a lotta bra'. The cups have good capacity and depth; the Mona tacks better than usual on me. 

Straps.  They have those ring-connectors I absolutely hate - except when I don't, in this single rare case. Surprise: they are actually comfy. Because they are designed correctly i.e. the ring sits where it should: not smack on top of my shoulder, but over it, and about 1/3 of the way down my back. So there is no weight or pressure. The front of the strap is broader, but not actually padded. 

Compromise

Shape.  And it's iffy to even list it under this category because shape is more a matter of preference, really. And Mona does not give a horrid shape like, say, Curvy Kate's ski slope (for FOT's). It's just not quite as round (under clothing) as I'd like.

And this pic shows really well how Euro designs differ from UK designs. See that area from the strap to the band? See what's not there? Yep: that deeply annoying extra fabric that comes up way too high on UK bras and cuts into the underarm area. Whereas this Euro design is cut perfectly to follow the lines of the body, giving you full range of motion with zero cutting in.

For comparison, here is the Panache Jasmine, one of their 'lower'(!) wire styles.

I'm a good 20 lbs thinner in this pic, but from the way the bra cuts in & encases me, you wouldn't guess that. The band was even a little loose on me then. 
 

 When Do I Wear It?

This is another good 'anytime' bra. It's a good work bra, especially for overheated offices, since it is so lightweight and cool. It's perfectly comfy for weekends, too. The only time I wouldn't likely choose Mona is under thin, loose knits. The lace pattern is flat and invisible, but the seam is a little prominent and the shape a little more projected, which makes a high likelihood for boob-tenting.

Size: 40H (Euro sizing) Fits me like a UK 40G
The bands do run quite loose and stretchy, so sister-sizing won't be as useful here. The stretch-lace and projected cups makes this very workable for FOT's, though it's probably aimed at a balanced shape. I do think full-on-bottoms could also do well with this style, especially if you have some projection; the lace is more substantial than say, Jasmine, and is unlikely to gap.

Review: Gorsenia Verona

In my latest attempt to find another style as wonderful as Gorsenia's Solange, I tried Verona. From the Amazon pics, she looked very similar in structure; however, she turned out to be more similar to Lilli-Rose, also a good bra - just not as good. 

Beauty

Satin luster combines with a pretty lace-on-sheer section. The overall effect is one of clean-lined elegance. The lace is flat and does not show under knits.

Comfort & Fit

Cups.  They run slightly smaller than Solange, so I get less of the fluttering effect with the lace panel: a little on my smaller left side, and none at all on my right. As with all Gorsenia styles I've tried, they are very full-on-top friendly - a welcome rarity - and also would work for balanced shapes. Full-on-bottoms, not so much; you will have a lot of empty upper cup, and as there isn't much stretch to the lace, it isn't going to conform to that shape well.  I am getting the usual Gorsenia perfect tack.

Band.  Unfortunately, it is mesh. It runs quite a bit tighter than Solange's lovely satin band. And it is power mesh, not the finer, softer mesh of a Natori. It's not a dealbreaker, but it does mean that I am ready to take Verona off when I get home, whereas Solange, I am happy to wear out to dinner after work. 

Straps.  These are the same slightly wider - and much shorter - straps of Lilli-Rose. I have to wear them fully extended. There's no awful ring connector, so they are fully adjustable and very petite-friendly. 

Wires.  The same medium/narrow U-shape and medium height of all the unpadded Gorsenias I have tried. A perfect fit for my projected, medium-set shape - though, as always, I'd prefer them to be a 1/2" shorter. 

Shape

I am really happy with the shape I get from every Gorsenia I've tried. 

My natural shape is respected and allowed to do its thing.

But in a way that is lifted, centered, and supported. 

Boobs are kept on the center of my chest, which keeps my silhouette balanced, rather than wide.

The profile shape is pretty much perfection:

Definitely lifted - but not boosted.  

Rounded, but not disconcertingly perfect-orb round. 

Naturally projected - but not in-your-face as Ewa Michalak is.

When Do I Wear It?

For work, mainly. The shape is incredibly versatile and does not create any cleavage. This is huge, as I am high-set and can basically show cleavage in anything other than a turtleneck. The shape works as well under a thin T-shirt as it does under a chunky sweater.

The only instance where a Gorsenia may not be the best choice is with a fitted button-down in a non-stretch fabric, say an Oxford shirt. A style I very rarely wear, in any case. (For that kind of highly structured clothing, you're pretty much stuck with a minimizer bra in any case, unless you have the shirt custom-tailored to your own big-boob specs.) But if for some reason I had to wear that kind of clothing, I would opt for either Liliana or Esme as both possess magical, minimizing - but not widening/flattening - properties.  

Size: 40H (Euro sizing)

Review: Gorsenia Verona

In my latest attempt to find another style as wonderful as Gorsenia's Solange, I tried Verona. From the Amazon pics, she looked very similar in structure; however, she turned out to be more similar to Lilli-Rose, also a good bra - just not as good. 

Beauty

Satin luster combines with a pretty lace-on-sheer section. The overall effect is one of clean-lined elegance. The lace is flat and does not show under knits.

Comfort & Fit

Cups.  They run slightly smaller than Solange, so I get less of the fluttering effect with the lace panel: a little on my smaller left side, and none at all on my right. As with all Gorsenia styles I've tried, they are very full-on-top friendly - a welcome rarity - and also would work for balanced shapes. Full-on-bottoms, not so much; you will have a lot of empty upper cup, and as there isn't much stretch to the lace, it isn't going to conform to that shape well.  I am getting the usual Gorsenia perfect tack.

Band.  Unfortunately, it is mesh. It runs quite a bit tighter than Solange's lovely satin band. And it is power mesh, not the finer, softer mesh of a Natori. It's not a dealbreaker, but it does mean that I am ready to take Verona off when I get home, whereas Solange, I am happy to wear out to dinner after work. 

Straps.  These are the same slightly wider - and much shorter - straps of Lilli-Rose. I have to wear them fully extended. There's no awful ring connector, so they are fully adjustable and very petite-friendly. 

Wires.  The same medium/narrow U-shape and medium height of all the unpadded Gorsenias I have tried. A perfect fit for my projected, medium-set shape - though, as always, I'd prefer them to be a 1/2" shorter. 

Shape

I am really happy with the shape I get from every Gorsenia I've tried. 

My natural shape is respected and allowed to do its thing.

But in a way that is lifted, centered, and supported. 

Boobs are kept on the center of my chest, which keeps my silhouette balanced, rather than wide.

The profile shape is pretty much perfection:

Definitely lifted - but not boosted.  

Rounded, but not disconcertingly perfect-orb round. 

Naturally projected - but not in-your-face as Ewa Michalak is.

When Do I Wear It?

For work, mainly. The shape is incredibly versatile and does not create any cleavage. This is huge, as I am high-set and can basically show cleavage in anything other than a turtleneck. The shape works as well under a thin T-shirt as it does under a chunky sweater.

The only instance where a Gorsenia may not be the best choice is with a fitted button-down in a non-stretch fabric, say an Oxford shirt. A style I very rarely wear, in any case. (For that kind of highly structured clothing, you're pretty much stuck with a minimizer bra in any case, unless you have the shirt custom-tailored to your own big-boob specs.) But if for some reason I had to wear that kind of clothing, I would opt for either Liliana or Esme as both possess magical, minimizing - but not widening/flattening - properties.  

Size: 40H (Euro sizing)