Shaken but not stirred - The Freya Supernova 'Voodoo' bikini

On holiday, every girl dreams of emerging from the sea in true bond girl style, so when I spotted the glamorous Freya Supernova 'Voodoo' bikini on sale on Brastop, I had to snap it up! Freya's 'Supernova' collection builds on their previous 'Vodkatini' collection, which features the same bikini styles of an underwired cup bikini top and soft triangle non-wired top. Although only the underwired bikini top came in my 28FF size, I was intrigued to try the triangle bikini top in a 30F, as it was very different from the other bikini styles that I owned...

The Freya Supernova 'Voodoo' bikini is a striking raspberry pink colour, offset by sleek contrasting white and charcoal trimming. This eye-catching combination gives the bikini a feel of glamour and sophistication, whilst remaining quite classic looking. Both the bikini top and briefs are adorned with silvery charcoal buckles, which each feature the 'Freya' logo.

The buckle detailing on the Freya 'Supernova' immediately made me recall the gorgeous 'Bond girls': Ursula Andress and Halle Berry, who have set the big screens alight with hollywood glamour in their seductive buckle swimwear...

Not only is the Freya 'Supernova' bikini a feast for the eyes, but it is also ideal for bigger busts. The shape of the bikini is very curve-friendly and it gives great uplift and shape to your cleavage. The bikini briefs are also extremely flattering, giving good coverage and a smooth fit. The bikini is very comfortable to wear, due to its ultra-soft Riviera fabric and lightly padded non-underwire cups. Although I normally prefer underwired bikinis due to their firm support, the non-underwire 'Supernova' bikini top felt surprisingly secure. With its snap-clasp back, the 'Supernova' keeps your curves in place, so that although they may be shaken, they are definitely not stirred (if you will pardon the pun!)

My one plea to Freya would be that they extend the range of back sizes down to a 28 in the triangle style of the 'Supernova' bikini and in their other triangle styles, as the smallest back size available remains a 30. Although the 30F in the 'Supernova' is not a bad fit, it is a little bit big in the back and I feel that if there was a 28 back available, I would get the perfect fit. This would also mean that there would be less pressure on my neck from the halterneck ties at the top of the bikini, which are put under more strain if the back band is not quite tight enough.

Overall, I am delighted with the Freya Supernova 'Voodoo' bikini and it is clear that a lot of effort has been put into the style and fit. I am also impressed with the continued high quality of Freya's swimwear - the XtraLife lycra extends your bikini's lifespan through high chlorine resistance, meaning that you can 'wow' in your Freya bikinis time and time again! Although the 'Voodoo' model of the 'Supernova' bikini is running quite low in stock on Brastop, if you can't find your size, check out Bravissimo, Leia lingerie and Figleaves for some great alternative patterns, whilst keeping the same figure-flattering style and support of the Freya 'Supernova'!

Love,

Kitty xo

Trend report: Brighten up your Summer with the Freya "Cabaret"

  Although the English weather is proving to be somewhat fickle at the moment, that should be no reason to shy away from one of Spring/Summer 2011's hottest trends...and we're talking colour, colour and more colour! What better way to feel summery, than by wearing eye-catching brights and colour-blocking (if you dare)..?

As showcased by Jil Sander, Gucci, Christian Dior and Diane von Furstenberg, the current catwalks are awash with paint-box brights, with purple emerging as one of this season's leading shades. With this in mind, Freya's swimwear collection for Summer 2011 and their "Cabaret" bikini is right on point...

Freya "Cabaret" triangle bikini top - £26 (left) and plunge bikini top - £29 (right)

It is often extremely hard for curvy girls to find well-fitting swimwear that also looks good, so the Freya "Cabaret" bikini is any fashion-conscious curvy girl's dream come true! The "Cabaret" comes in a sumptuous vivid purple, making it an absolute stand-out piece for the beach this summer and will suit a wide range of skin tones. I was sent both the "Cabaret" triangle bikini top (above left) and plunge style (above right) to try for fit. The triangle bikini top comes in back sizes 30-38 and in cup sizes D-FF, whereas the plunge version comes in a wider range of sizes, from 28-38 and cup sizes D-GG.

Freya "Cabaret" triangle bikini top

I originally received the "Cabaret" triangle bikini top, as I am a big fan of halterneck styles and loved the cut-out detail in the centre of the cups - sexy but understated. Due to the lack of a 28 back in this style, I went for a 30F. Although in some brands, bikinis can come up small in the back, the 30 in the "Cabaret" was too big for me - a shame, as it is such a pretty style.

I then tried the 28FF (my true size) in the "Cabaret" plunge and unsurprisingly, the fit was absolutely perfect! I find that Freya sizing is often a lot more accurate than other brands, so if you are thinking of purchasing this bikini, order your true size and your bust will thank you!

Freya "Cabaret" plunge bikini top

Most of the support from your bras and bikinis should come from the underband, so I noticed the difference in fit straight away when I tried on my true size in the "Cabaret" plunge. The plunge style is very comfortable and curve-friendly - perfect for posing, swimming, playing beach volley-ball and taking on the waterslides! This bikini is versatile in that it will appeal to a wide age-range, due to its vibrant colour and sophisticated style. The little glass-effect beads on the straps are great for adding a touch of glamour too! The Freya "Cabaret" is the perfect balance between sexy and modest, due to its cleavage-flattering, fuller cup style and supportive underwire, which provides support where you need it most!

To compliment the bikini tops, Freya have brought out matching shorts (£16.50), a classic brief (£15.50) and tie-side briefs (£13.50), depending on your desired level of coverage! My personal favourite are the tie-side briefs, which I got in my usual size small - they certainly have leg-lengthening 'wow' factor!

Once again, I can't recommend Freya enough! They score very highly on comfort, fit and practicality, but most importantly, Freya succeed in updating classic styles by tapping into current trends. True to its word, this bikini is bound to make you the star of the show wherever you wear it!

Love,
Kitty xo