Le Fabuleux Soutien d'Amelie: Miss Mandalay 'Amelie' bra review

'Le Fabuleux Soutien d'Amelie'

(The fabulous support of 'Amelie'*) 

   Whilst I coo about fuller bust lingerie brands such as Freya and Panache on a regular basis, one of the larger cup brands that I have been more silently enamoured with for a while is Miss Mandalay. Miss Mandalay has catered to the fuller bust market since 2005 and although I have reviewed some of their swimwear back in 2011, the lingerie has not had as much recognition as it deserves on my blog.. 

   Miss Mandalay states one of its points of difference as being its focus on "fashionably different lingerie and swimwear in C-HH cup sizes", catering to busty women who desire "something 'more'..with a great technical fit." Miss Mandalay is very much about the fusion of substance and style - something that is evidenced by the play on fabric textures, prints, colours and detailing from season to season, in both lingerie and swimwear collections.

   Miss Mandalay is slightly more pricey in comparison to some of its fuller bust brand rivals, but thanks to the high quality fabrics that are used and the careful construction of the garments, you can be assured that you are paying for comfort, support and great fit with Miss Mandalay.

   If you remember back to my pre-Christmas fuller bust lingerie wishlist, you may know that the Miss Mandalay 'Amelie' bra featured as one of my top must-haves! What particularly caught my fancy about the 'Amelie' bra is that it represents a slight departure from the fun, flirty and colour/print orientated designs that I tend to associate with Miss Mandalay. 

  Miss Mandalay has stripped back the vivid colours, leopard print and ruffles to create something sumptuous, sophisticated, elegant and utterly classy..say "bonjour" to 'Amelie' (Available in sizes 28-38 C-GG):

   To my delight, the lovely Red Box Lingerie gave me the opportunity to try this beautiful bra just before Xmas (it arrived quickly and beautifully packaged like a gift, complete with a little card too!) 

   In line with some of my earlier findings about Miss Mandalay's swimwear sizing and having tried the 'Paige' and 'Paris' bras (which I seem to remember come up tighter than the average 28 back), I opted for a 30FF in the 'Amelie'..

   As you can see, the Miss Mandalay 'Amelie' looks even more beautiful in the flesh, with its glamorous mink satin set against ornate black floral stretch lace. The bra fastens with two hooks and eyes and has fully adjustable straps (which is always a bonus!) 

   'Amelie' is described as being a 'balconette shape' with three-panel support cups. Although this bra appears to resemble more of a fuller cup plunge in the picture (below), the actual shape when worn is a delightful cross-between of balconette and plunge, which is very flattering and supportive..

   The design of the 'Amelie' is visually very alluring and there is great attention to detail - who can resist those exquisite little ribbon bows at the centre gore and straps? I love the way that satin, lace and mesh have been employed in an unusual way too; the back band is mesh, whereas the rest of the bra is a mixture of satin (along the gore and sling) and black stretch lace (over the cups). 

   The support sling is also unconventional as it does not form part of the internal structure of the bra. Instead, the sling has been externalised and decorated with mink satin, which transforms a design and support feature into one that is highly aesthetic! 

   The sling is, of course, a great design feature for ladies with a fuller bust, helping to lift the breasts up and gently push them forwards. The shape that I get whilst wearing the 'Amelie' is very natural and uplifted and the sling seems to hold everything in place nicely too. 

   Another great construction element of the 'Amelie' is the design of the lace cups - the cups feature a reinforced lace bottom section and stretch lace along the top of the cups. It is helpful to have the extra mesh lining underneath the lace in the bottom of the cups as the reinforced fabric helps to keep the breasts in place more securely. 

   On the other hand, the stretch lace at the top of the cups moulds to the individual's breast shape, stopping any cutting in to the breast tissue. The stretch lace is also clever as it allows for any slight fluctuations in breast fullness during the month..

   I also got on very well with the shape of the wires of the 'Amelie', which are narrower than those of brands such as Curvy Kate (for example). Additionally, the wires are positioned close together at the centre gore, making this bra very well suited to those with closer set breasts.

   I am all in all pleased with the fit of the 'Amelie' although a 28G would have been the ideal fit for me. I need to wear the 30FF on its tightest hooks and the thin straps dig in to my shoulders a little as I need the extra support from a tighter back band. This also suggests to me that the 'Amelie' comes up truer to size than Miss Mandalay's more tight-fitting bras (e.g. 'Paige' and 'Paris). This may be due in part to the materials that have been used in this bra (the back band is made from quite a stretchy mesh material and therefore has more 'give'). 

   I would definitely recommend the Miss Mandalay 'Amelie' bra and it comes as no surprise that it is one of Miss Mandalay's most popular bras! 'Amelie' is delightfully decadent, exquisitely elegant, beautifully boudoir and to top it off, brilliantly constructed to suit DD+ bra sizes! 

   I often brand myself a moulded bra fanatic but this unpadded bra is enough to make me fall in love over and over again..

(Pair the 'Amelie' bra with the matching thong or knickers..or match the bra with any pair of black lacey briefs - these tie-back knickers are by Collette Dinnigan!)

 
   For those wanting to try the lovely Miss Mandalay 'Amelie' bra, rejoice because it is now on sale for £35 (reduced from £46) at www.redboxlingerie.com!

(Click here to see a sneak peek of what Miss Mandalay S/S13 has to offer too...)

Love,
Kitty xo

*(The title of this blog post is a play on words of the well-known French film 'Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain'!)

A luxurious gift on the highstreet: Rosie for Autograph M&S nightwear review

   If you're looking for the perfect gift this Christmas, lingerie and nightwear can be a wonderful treat to receive! Whilst lingerie is a thoughtful and personal gift, there are many pitfalls to avoid when purchasing it for someone else - factoring in both her size and taste can be a difficult task! A fantastic alternative gift idea is to buy your special lady some luxurious nightwear or sleepwear; think silks, satins, lace, demure detailing and beautiful trims. The big question is..where can you find luxury without the huge price tag? Surely you can't find it on the high street, right? Wrong!

   When I say 'M&S' to you, images of decadent, vintage-inspired silk lingerie and nightwear probably isn't the first thing that springs to mind, but prepare to be impressed (and seduced in equal measure) by the debut collection from supermodel, Rosie Huntington Whitely: 'Rosie for Autograph'. Lingerie has played a huge part in Rosie's modelling career and she is said to hold a real passion for it, making the English rose a perfect ambassador for the M&S 'Autograph' brand. Rosie states:

   "I was particularly drawn to the opulent elegance of the Twenties era which really shows in my designs from the sumptuous silks I chose to the intricate deco-inspired embroidery detailing on the garments. The palette [...] was largely influenced by the rich colours of different types of roses. From the muted tones of dusky pink and green through to dramatic scarlet blooms." (via Daily Mail)

   Rosie's collection certainly channels Great Gatsby elegance and the pieces reflect a softness and femininity that is classic, sophisticated and timeless. As the lingerie from the collection does not come in my bra size, my attention was drawn to the luxurious nightwear styles..cue delightful pure silk and cashmere pieces with lace and ribbon trims.

   The piece that caught my eye above all was the Rosie for Autograph pure silk lace wrap dressing gown in taupe (£59):

   It was an interesting choice for me as I have never really worn anything in this unusual taupe/mink shade, but I really loved the wrap-over design, lace detailing, floaty 'butterfly' sleeves, ribbon waist tie and key hole detail at the back - vintage romanticism at its best! 

   As you can see, the colour of this night gown is slightly darker than the promotional pictures, which was a welcome surprise for me as I am very pale. The quality was also very high and the 100% silk content makes this piece beautifully soft against the skin when worn.

   The design of this wrap dressing gown is gorgeous - it features an inner tie which keeps the cross-over sections in place better and the ties can be tied as tight or loose as the wearer wishes. The night gown is finished off by a silky waist ribbon tie:

   I really love the way that this dressing gown looks and feels when worn. The silk feels lightweight and it is hard not to glide around in this floaty number without feeling like an old Hollywood screen siren! The size 10 fit me nicely and it sweeps over curves and drapes beautifully to just above my ankles. (I'm 5ft10, so it would probably fall to ankle/near floor length on someone shorter) The wrap style is also very flattering to ladies with a bust and I actually found the chest area (which is made from lace with a slight stretch) to be generous - great news for those with larger busts that need extra chest room!

   I was also very impressed with the attention to detail. The main body of the gown is silk, but the bust section and sleeves are predominantly semi-sheer lace. You could either wear this gown over a night dress or alone for a more risqué (but still classy) look.. 

(Close up of a lace sleeve with slightly scalloped edging..)

   The silky waist ribbon tie helps to cinch in the waist and emphasise your feminine curves, whilst its soft sheen compliments the matte silk of the rest of the garment. The key-hole slit detail adds interest at the back of this dressing gown, revealing a peek of skin - a lovely touch indeed!

   Better still, when I checked the washing label, I was thrilled to find out that it is machine washable! (Surprising for something that has such delicate looking details, but it seems very well made.)

   I was really bowled over by how pretty this Rosie for Autograph gown was in the flesh and would really recommend it as a gift to someone else or as a treat to yourself this Christmas! It is a very versatile and flattering piece and even accomodates for a larger bust - a big 'tick' in my books. This piece would be perfect for injecting some grown up, sophisticated vintage glamour into any lady's nightwear collection. It is the kind of piece that I would love for my husband to buy me for Christmas and it looks so much more expensive than its £59 price tag - anyone would think that it was a luxury boutique piece!

   If you're looking for affordable luxury this Christmas, the Rosie for Autograph M&S nightgown is a present-perfect romantic treat that will make the recipient feel well and truly spoiled. It comes in sizes 8-22 and is selling out fast, so be quick if you want a slice of supermodel decadence under your tree this Xmas...

Click here to buy or see more of the Rosie for Autograph collection here.

Love,
Kitty xo

My first Ewa Michalak (Effuniak) review - PL Violet

   Ewa Michalak (Effuniak) is a brand that I have wanted to review ever since I discovered it about a year ago. Ewa Michalak is a Polish lingerie company that offers bras in an extensive range of sizes; from a 30 (European: 65) band to a 46 (European: 105) band, with AA-O cups (back size dependent)! It is possible to order custom size bras, including back sizes 24 (50), 26 (55) and 28 (60), which is fantastic news as sub 28 bands are next to non-existent in most other lingerie brands. 

   The eponymous designer, Ewa 'Effuniak' Michalak, is a lingerie industry expert, having worked as a lingerie designer for 15 years. Ewa prides herself on her company mission to provide affordable and attractive lingerie, dressing "every woman's [bust] beautifully, regardless of [her] size or shape". Ewa Michalak's bras cater to a wide spectrum of tastes and her collections boast plunge, half cup, maternity, strapless, soft cup and padded bras, as well as matching coordinates. (Additionally, the site has a small selection of swimwear.)

   One of the things that really excited me about EM bras was the fact that they offer something unique to the lingerie market - Ewa is not afraid to experiment with unusual colours, patterns or motifs and the level of detail on some of her bras is astonishing for the price. As you can see from the pictures below, Ewa also uses models of different sizes in the promotional pictures - something that is extremely refreshing to see:

   I will admit that the main reason for holding off on ordering directly from Ewa Michalak was because I was nervous of postage costs and losing money if I needed to return my order to Poland. Fortunately for me, I was able to purchase my first Ewa Michalak bra from an American friend in a 30FF (European: 65FF).

  Given that I had never tried an EM bra before and I had heard that the bands can sometimes run small, I thought that a 30FF would be a great place to start. (At present, I tend to fluctuate between a 28FF and 28G in other lingerie brands.)

   The bra in question is the 'PL Violet', a lightly padded plunge bra which I had previously admired on the Ewa Michalak site. The bra cups are white and feature a beautiful lavender lace overlay with pretty floral embroidery. The straps and middle of the cups are adorned with contrasting white bows and the white straps are accented by pinky/purple ruched ribbon detailing. As a fan of lace and plunge style bras, the 'PL Violet' seemed to be a combination that was too good to miss!

   It is quite difficult to capture the true colour of this bra in my photographs, but the most accurate colour representation would probably be that of the promotional picture (below):

      Aesthetically, this bra looks just as good in person. I was slightly worried that the violet shade might not suit my pale skin tone, but it actually looked very pretty indeed. I am also really impressed with the level of detail on this bra - the lace overlay is stunning and I love the slightly scalloped lace effect along the cups:

Whilst some manufacturers do not continue bra patterns along the bra wings, Ewa has made sure to keep the lace overlay running right along the back wings too, which is a nice touch:

   Having read many rave reviews in the lingerie blogosphere that praise the superior construction and fit of EM bras, I had high hopes for the 'PL Violet'. I must admit that when I first tried on this bra, I was astonished at just how tight the band was! 

   Although the label states that it is a 65FF (30FF), it felt much more like a very tight 28 back or even a 26 band. The band did not feel as if it had much stretch to it, so I decided that my best option would be to buy my first ever bra back extender, which I could wear until the band loosened enough for me to wear it comfortably. 

(This is a picture of the 'PL Violet' with a 30mm white bra back extender that I bought on Ebay for a few pounds!)

   Another issue that I had with this bra was that the straps were only partially adjustable (due to the ruched ribbon detail) and I needed to tighten them as tight as they would go straight away. I really needed more strap space, so I set about doing my first ever bra alteration. 

   I am by no means an adept seamstress, but I managed to shorten the straps quite easily by cutting out approximately half an inch of the ribbon strap section and then resewed the elasticated section to it. 

(The red box is where I cut out some of the strap fabric and resewed)

   After my strap alteration and after wearing this bra with an extender for several weeks to allow for the band to loosen, I was able to wear the 'PL Violet' comfortably and the fit was so much better on me. The band now feels firm but not suffocatingly tight and my only criticism is that the straps sometimes dig in to my shoulders after prolonged wear. 

   What I really love about this bra is the deep plunge, which is perfect for clothes with low necklines. The cups are very lightly padded with foam and the shape that it gives is rounded and uplifted, but still very natural. This style would be perfect for ladies with larger busts who want lovely cleavage and uplift, without the extra boost that moulded plunges sometimes give.

(The cups lend to a natural, rounded look even on my mannequin!)

   I am quite pleased with my first foray into Ewa Michalak bras and the 30FF 'PL Violet' was a great place to start. After doing further research online, I have found out that other people agree that the 'PL Violet' comes up tighter in the band than other EM styles, so I will probably stick to ordering a 30 band in future (28 backs are unfortunately classed as 'special requests' and have to be made up from scratch, so cannot be returned).

  Whilst I am still in the early stages of finding out what my Ewa sizes are (which can reportedly vary depending on the style of bra), I am very excited to buy more from this brand and aim to order directly from Poland next time around!

   The 'PL Violet' is currently on sale on the EM website (79 zloty = about £15) and is still available to buy in limited sizes. Click here.

   To find out more about Ewa Michalak, visit the official website here: http://www.ewa-michalak.pl/ (click the English language version for a translated webpage!)

Love,

Kitty xo

Reviewed: Mimi Holliday by Damaris 'Bisou Bisou' non-padded bra for larger cup sizes

Avant-garde lingerie should be full of surprises. It must push design boundaries. Through lingerie a woman shows her true style. It is integral that my designs are luxurious, fun, interesting, intricate and essentially, functional." - Damaris Evans

   If you are in search of luxurious lingerie with high fashion impact, Damaris is certain to have any lingerista weak at the knees! With a background in Fashion Print design and a strong creative flair, Damaris Evans created Damaris lingerie in September 2001 after noticing a gap in the commercial lingerie market for a high end lingerie brand. 

   The Damaris brand was an instant hit and soon Press and celebrity clientele were clammering to snap up the gorgeous designs. Evans went on to win several awards (including the Elle Style Award for 'Young Enterprise of the Year' and the 'Inspire and Mentor' Marie Claire campaign award). Her stunning avant-garde designs continue to be received with great acclaim from both fashion and lingerie fields alike.

   As you can see, the attention to detail, luxury fabrics, high quality finish, swarovski embellishments and edgy designs are quite simply put..stunning! I am particularly enamoured with the Damaris 'Tutti Frutti' 'bum cleavage' knickers (below)..

   Of course, such craftmanship comes at a high price and Damaris lingerie retails at around £100+ for a pair of knickers and lingerie can go up to and exceed £3000 per piece! The good news for couture-lovers is that Damaris' diffusion line, Mimi Holliday (launched in early 2003), offers similar lingerie luxuries, but at more affordable price points! Mimi Holliday knickers come in at around £35-£40 and bras at around £50-£60, meaning that you can pick up some gorgeous luxury pieces for less! 

   Mimi Holliday differentiates itself from mainline, Damaris, in that the lingerie tends to be very playful, colourful and fun, whilst remaining sexy and boudoir in feel. I personally fell in love with Mimi Holliday lingerie due to the unique and edgy designs coupled with the fearless colour/print clashes and zingy colour cocktails of neon yellows and pinks. 

   I also applaud the design variations; customers can choose from padded plunge bras, shoulder bras, balcony bras, unpadded 'comfort' bras and matching coordinates including classic knickers, thongs, hipster briefs, boyshorts and high waisted knickers..plus there are some gorgeous slips, suspender belts, camisoles, bodies and babydolls for those in search of some boudoir sex appeal!

   Better still, Mimi Holliday's sizing range goes from 28-40 AA-GG, meaning that many women can enjoy the beautiful lingerie collections! It is fantastic to see such decadent and good quality lingerie that starts at an often-missed-off 28 back and which goes up to a GG cup! 

   A few months back, I went along to a lingerie sample sale that included Damaris and Mimi Holliday and I was thrilled to come across the Mimi Holliday 'Bisou Bisou' blush non padded bra for larger cup sizes in a 28G (which I snapped up for about £25!).

   I was particularly excited to try a 28G in this bra as I had previously been into Selfridges and had tried on several Mimi Holliday bras in a 30FF, which were all too large in the back for me, whilst correct in cup volume. The 'Bisou Bisou' also boasts other bra style options (including a padded plunge, shoulder bra, triangle bra etc.) but the particular bra that I bought is a non-padded plunge style, which is ideal for women with larger busts who prefer a more natural/unboosted shape...

   The 'Bisou Bisou' bra in blush is nothing short of beautiful and it oozes old Hollywood glamour! Its stunning pearly-champagne silk satin is offset by a glorious black cabaret eyelash lace overlay and the bow adornments and soft satin straps are further testimony to this bra's timeless appeal.

   The 'Bisou Bisou' boasts mesh back wings and two hook and eye fastenings. It also features a three piece cup construction, with a sheer top layer of scalloped eyelash lace over a very thin layer of mesh, allowing a subtle but seductive hint of skin to peek through.

   The 28G 'Bisou Bisou' fits nicely in the band and cup and I would say that if you are between sizes like me (I tend to vary between a 28FF and 28G nowadays), it may be worth sizing up in the cup. The shape that it gives is very natural and possibly a bit minimising. Although I tend to favour slightly padded bras over unpadded, I do appreciate a non padded bra if it is as chic and decadent as this lacey delight!

    The bra feels comfortable against the skin thanks to the soft materials used, which is always a bonus. I am really pleased that the top lace panels on the cups are slightly stretchy due to a thin mesh underlay, which allows for the cups to mould nicely to the breast shape. Similarly, care has been taken to make the top edging on the cups elasticated, which is a great design feature as it is comfortable and less likely to cut into the breast tissue.

(Even the shape of this bra on my mannequin is quite 'natural', following the contours of the 'breasts'!)

   I am a little wary of the straps, however, as although they are soft and satin-y, they are also quite thin. They feel very delicate and less reinforced than the straps on other bras that I own and after a whole day of wearing this bra, they do dig in a bit under the strain of a larger cup size. I also wish that the straps were fully adjustable rather than just partially, as it would give a longer lifespan to the straps as they loosen with wear.

   The 'Bisou Bisou' is such a stunning bra (demure and sexy in equal measure) and it is certainly perfect as a special occasion bra, but I'd hesitate to wear it as an everyday bra as it just feels too delicate - I'd probably worry about bouncing or that I'd snag the ornate eyelash lace on my clothing! 

   I love the attention to detail and the 'hand tailored' quality of Mimi Holliday bras, but I feel that the 'Bisou Bisou' bra could perhaps benefit from a little more reinforcement in its construction as it doesn't give a huge amount of support to a larger bust. That said, Mimi Holliday's decadent lingerie is definitely the sort of underwear that you can just slip on and feel a million dollars in and I'd really love to try more from this brand in future!

   The Autumn/ Winter collection looks set to melt hearts and for those of you that are interested in trying the 'Bisou Bisou', fear not, because it returns for the coming season in delectable 'Brulée' and 'Berry':

(The Mimi Holliday 'Elferine' lace comfort bra, £54 also looks to be a similar design to the 'Bisou Bisou'..and how pretty and unique is the green and pink colour combination?)

What do you think of Mimi Holliday? Have you tried their lingerie before?

Love,
Kitty xo

A toast to the Masquerade 'Capella' bra

   Last November, I was delighted to get the opportunity to attend the Panache Spring/Summer 2012 press day held at the Sanctum Hotel. As a lover of sumptuous lingerie and beautiful patterns, it comes as no surprise that 'Masquerade' by Panache had me head over heels at first sight and the press day only served to confirm this!

  I viewed the Spring/Summer 2012 collections of Panache Superbra, Cleo, Panache Swimwear and Masquerade and although all of the ranges had pieces that I loved, it was Masquerade that stood out by a mile!

   Discovering the Masquerade range was akin to entering an Aladdin's cave of lingerie and the pieces had strong influences from Arabian antiquities and Persian exoticism - something reflected both in the patterns used and the rich fabric choices.

  

   With my taste for luxury, it was only to be expected that the Masquerade 'Capella' caught my eye, with its soft champagne satin sheen and exquisite contrasting black lace print! Since the Press day, I knew that the 'Capella' had to be mine, so when New Year came around and I saw this beauty discounted at Debenhams, I snapped this bra up quicker than you could say "2012"! 

(The 'Capella' bra comes in sizes 28-38 back and cup sizes D-G, whilst the short and thong come in sizes 8-18.) 

   The 'Capella' is a stunning underwired and moulded bra that is crossed between a balconette and plunge bra, with a 'sweetheart' shaped neckline. It is an extremely stylish and sophisticated bra and its champagne colour would suit a range of complexions, whilst appealing to a diverse age range. The rich satin and lace combination makes this bra very luxurious and opulent looking, without the extortionate designer price tag. 

   The 'Capella' features all over satin in a breathtaking champagne gold colour. The rich satin cups are set off by a delicately embossed intricate black floral lace pattern, which adds to the decadent vintage feel of this bra. To top it off, the 'Capella' boasts quite narrow satin wrapped straps and a pretty little black lace bow which adorns the centre of the bra.

(Close up showing the lace print detail, with the champagne satin peeking through from underneath)

   The 'Capella' is very cleverly designed, with its soft satin fabric and unusual printed lace cups, which give the bra a smooth finish. As a result, the 'Capella' remains fairly seamless under tight clothing, which is quite rare for such a pretty and ornate bra! 

   I was very impressed with the fit of the 'Capella' and my usual 28FF size was spot on. The back band felt snug and supportive (characteristic of Masquerade by Panache bras) and the shape it gave me was uplifted, rounded and with a nice cleavage to boot! My one criticism of the 'Capella' is that the straps are only partially adjustable, meaning that the strap 'lifespan' of this bra is greatly reduced.

   I was amazed at just how comfortable the 'Capella' was and I could happily wear it as an everyday bra, without feeling any digging in or discomfort at the end of a day at work. When it comes to comfortable everyday bras, I am usually a Freya 'Deco' girl, but the 'Capella' and its moulded cups, supportive fit and beautiful design would definitely encourage me to wear this bra everyday, as well as for 'special occasions'.

   At £39, the 'Capella' is not cheap, but it is very good value for money given its rich, quality fabrics and fantastic support. What's more, if you're tight for cash, you can snap up the 'Capella' for £27.30 on Figleaves at the moment. The 'Capella' also comes with the choice of an elegant satin and lace print short or thong (depending on your preference!) 

   The 'Capella' has quickly become one of my 'go to' bras of the moment and I love how silky soft the satin of this bra feels against my skin. This bra definitely makes me want to crack out the champagne and propose a toast..

"To Masquerade's 'Capella', for delivering comfort, support and style in equal measure!"

Love,

Kitty xo