As you can guess, being a lingerie-a-holic is not always an easy job. There are so many bras that I fall in love with, that lingerie discount sites are now my 'holy grail'! My recent find is the website, notnaked, which I blogged about briefly in an earlier post...
Run by dedicated duo, Simon and Michele, notnaked was created with a view to providing quality brands at discounted prices. Notnaked buys directly from UK manufacturers to ensure great value, meaning that you won't have to think twice about snapping up that pretty bra set!
I was delighted to find a wide range of well-loved names on notnaked's website, such as Wonderbra, Triumph, Lepel, Charnos, Sloggi, Panache, Curvy Kate, Royce, Berlei, Gossard and Playtex. Most exciting of all, is that notnaked offer sizes from a 28 band up to a 46 band and cup sizes from AA-KK. It is even possible to order in your size if it is not available!
The notnaked site is very easy to use and well organised into categories, so that you can pick the lingerie that best suits your shape and requirements. Notnaked also have the option to browse by your favourite bra or brief style or choose from different lingerie styles (such as basques, bridal wear and shapewear). There are also categories for nightwear and swimwear...or you can simply shop by your favourite brand. From balcony to push up, post-surgery, nursing, strapless, sport or soft cup, notnaked has you covered!
A great advantage with notnaked, is that they sell both new stock and old season products. I am often frustrated when products that I love sell out in my size before I have time to snap them up, so it is great to find old favourites that I want to repurchase and styles that I have missed out on!
One of the bra sets that I have been after for a long time, is the Masquerade (by Panache) 'Anise' set. I was thrilled to find my size on notnaked at £18.95 for the bra and £9.95 for the matching thong. Reduced from an RRP of £33 and £14, notnaked's price is a steal!
Notnaked sent me the 'Anise' bra in a 28FF and a size 10 thong, which both arrived just a day later. Notnaked continue to impress me with their speedy postage - a real plus if you need something quickly! Additionally, my goodies came nicely wrapped up like a present...perfect for Christmas, or for a cheeky gift to yourself!
The Masquerade 'Anise' bra is a stunning, lightly padded underwired balconette that oozes vintage glamour. With its eye-catching coral hue, the 'Anise' is transformed into a modern classic that stands out from the crowd. The moulded cups are almost flesh-tone, making the floral-patterned coral eyelash lace overlay 'pop' - a really interesting take on the nude and lace trend that has been all over the catwalks recently!
The stand-out feature of this bra is undoubtedly the sexy triangle cut-out at the centre of the cups. It gives a little peek of skin, whilst enhancing the bra's boudoir appeal. The 'Anise' also features contrasting satin along the back panel and bra straps, which adds a high-end, sophisticated touch. I love the intricate flower and bow motif at the centre of the cups, which boasts a tiny pearl bead too - just gorgeous!
I found my usual 28FF size in the 'Anise' to be a great fit in the cups, but surprisingly tight at the back. I ended up exchanging the 28FF for a 30F, to give me a little extra room to breathe! The underband elastic and straps feel quite rigid compared to some of my other Panache bras, but the tight back band is great news for those that are sub or towards the smaller end of a 28 inch back!
Thanks to its moulded cup style, the 'Anise' gives fantastic uplift and shape to your bust, giving you a real 'Marie-Antoinette' cleavage. True to Panache as a whole, the Masquerade 'Anise' delivers no less than fabulous support, which is so important for ladies with a larger bust.
The matching thong is also beautifully detailed, with its luxurious coral satin and lace panel. The eyelash lace makes this thong look delicate, but oh so sexy...
Back detailing:
In terms of fit, I felt that the thong was slightly towards the generous side and I probably could have got away with an 8. It is worth noting that the lace is quite sheer and with only a thin layer of pale mesh underneath, this thong leaves little to the imagination. This is great for those that are partial to saucy smalls, but not for those that prefer more coverage!
Like the 'Anise' bra, the matching thong also has a pretty bow and pearl detail:
All in all, the 'Anise' would make a perfect Christmas present for the glamour puss that loves a bit of elegance and luxury in her life. Seductive bras for the larger bust are hard to come by, but the Masquerade 'Anise' delivers sumptuous fabrics and exquisite detailing in abundance. The bright coral colour sets the 'Anise' apart from other bras on the market and would look great against a range of skin tones (even on a very pale lady, such as myself!). What's more, for £28.90, you can get a whole lingerie set, with money left over to go towards your Xmas turkey!!
Thanks to notnaked's super-quick delivery (a real testament to their brilliant customer service), you can be sure to get your goodies in ample time. It is worth snapping things up quick though, as items don't stay around for long! With new stock added weekly, there is always something that I have got my eye on at notnaked and with Christmas approaching, I might have to start dropping some not-so-subtle hints...!
