Basking in beauty: Tutti Rouge 'Betty' bra and knicker review

   Over the last few months, waves of excitement have coursed through the Lingerie blogging community, heralding the arrival of a new fuller bust lingerie brand! Think cup cakes and pillow fights, add a dash of eye-catching colour and adorable prints, then top it off with a sprinkling of flirty satin and lace.. and voila! Say hello to the new brand on the block that is creating a buzz...Tutti Rouge!

Baking cakes, pillow fights.. and that's just the advert! 

   Tutti Rouge is the brain child of Jessica Prebble, a lady who is certainly no stranger to the Lingerie scene! With 17 years of experience in the Intimates sector (including a degree in Contour Fashion from De Montfort University, a Masters in Textiles from Birmingham UCE and work with lingerie giants such as Bravissimo and Debenhams), it seemed apt that Jessica began her own label. Her wealth of knowledge has led her to develop a brand that answers the prayers of many younger, larger busted girls who struggle to find fashion-conscious (and affordable!) lingerie in both padded and unpadded bra styles. 

   Jessica understands that design, fit, quality and affordability go hand in hand: "Tutti rouge will break a few hearts but she won't break the bank" and it is precisely this philosophy that Tutti Rouge delivers. Tutti Rouge injects a new lease of life into the lingerie market with fashionable designs that are guaranteed to turn heads. Tutti Rouge offers fresh, fun and flirty underwear styles in back sizes 28-38 and cup sizes DD-HH/J, meaning that a large range of fuller busted women can enjoy the Tutti effect! 

   If you have been keeping a-breast (see what I did there!?) of the Tutti updates via Facebook, you will have noticed that Tutti Rouge have staggered the release of their debut collection. The fuchsia pink unpadded 'Liliana' set was first to launch, followed by the most recent: 'Betty'. As Undercover Lingerista readers may know, I tend to favour moulded bra styles, so 'Betty' really caught my eye with her scrumptious icing-coloured satin, her feminine poppy print and her flirty ruffle trim.. and who can resist those adorable matching shorties? 

   Thanks to the Tutti Team, I was lucky enough to be able to try this set out for myself. The 'Betty' set arrived in a chic black box with the pink 'Tutti Rouge' logo emblazoned on the front. Inside the box, wrapped in light pink tissue paper (along with a yummy stick of rock!), was my beautiful new set of lingerie...

   As you can see, the 'Betty' set really is a sight to behold and the colour palette is ideal for Spring/Summer! The 'Betty' bra and shortie knickers feature an unusual floral/ poppy print design in pink and mint tones, which sits atop a yellowy-cream base of satin. The poppy print has an almost oriental feel to it - something that makes it stand apart from the plethora of 'traditional' floral patterns that dominate the current lingerie market. The warm yellow/gold undertone of the satin also compliments my pale skin perfectly and its luxurious sheen makes this set look more expensive than it actually is! 

  

   Additionally, the 'Betty' set boasts some really special embellishments that demonstrate Tutti Rouge's desire to be different! A delightful frilled hem line sits along the edge (and on the underside) of the cups, whilst vivid pink bows adorn the centre of the bra cups - a detail that also features on the adorable matching knickers!

   It is clear that a lot of thought has gone into the embellishments and finer details. The poppy print is extended to the satin-wrapped bra straps (a concept that many other brands overlook!) The straps are also purposefully quite thin (1.5cm) and with their pretty pattern, I would definitely have no qualms about showing them off! The only downside to them is that they are not fully adjustable! 

   The bra straps also boast decorative heart-shaped strap adjusters - another gorgeous and very well-thought out design feature of the 'Betty'! 

   As you can see from the picture (below), the 'Betty' fastens with 2 hooks (DD-G cups, 3 hooks for GG-HH cups) and once again, Tutti Rouge adds a playful twist with the Tutti Rouge logo embossed on the closure.

   With regard to construction, the 'Betty' bra is an underwired and lightly padded/ moulded balconette style bra, featuring a two-part cup construction with a soft foam lining that makes this bra very comfortable to wear.. 

   When it comes to fit, however, I was not completely satisfied. I tried both a 28G and 30FF in the 'Betty' and neither band was quite right for me and the centre gore did not quite tack to my chest in either size. I put the 30FF 'Betty' straight on to the tightest hook, so imagine my surprise when I could only just fasten the 28G on the loosest setting! When I measured the two bands, the 30FF measured 63cm and the 28G measured 55cm, which gives around a 3 inch difference between the band lengths. The mesh band is quite stretchy, so I probably could have bought a bra back extender for the 28G bra, but I chose to keep the 30FF for ease. 

   Band size aside, I feel that the cup volume was spot on in the (30)FF and the 'Betty' gives a lovely, uplifted shape to a fuller bust without being OTT. The 'Betty' lifts the bust to give a subtle cleavage, making it ideal for a variety of necklines. In fact, the shape of 'Betty' reminds me slightly of the 'Thrill Me' (one of my favourite Curvy Kate bras to date), but with slightly wider underwires.

***

   

   Let us not forget the gorgeous satin and poppy print 'Betty' retro shorties (Size S-XL). Once again, Tutti Rouge have hit the nail on the head when it comes to attention to detail! The knickers are panelled and edged by Tutti's playful ivory frill, but the real 'wow' feature is found on the back of the knickers..

 
   The sassy triangular key hole detail at the top of the knickers is a really knock-out feature and the little pink bow adds a touch of colour to the plain ivory mesh. The mesh is semi-sheer, giving a cheeky peek of flesh underneath (if you'll forgive the pun!)

   I really enjoyed the fit of the 'Betty' shorties and the size M was generous but well-fitting (no one likes knickers that dig in!) They are extremely comfortable to wear on an everyday basis and the gathered ruching on the back panel contours beautifully to the curves of your derrière!

   Overall, 'Betty' really hits the mark when it comes to aesthetics - the design is unique and refreshing, the fabrics are great quality and the attention to detail is impressive! 'Betty' epitomises the carefree spirit of Tutti Rouge and this set brings back the fun and frivolity to lingerie (something that occasionally gets lost in translation with all the bondage-inspired/ Fifty Shades-inspired lingerie on the scene at present). The 'Betty' is a set that will make girls feel truly special, confident, trendy and girly and I wish that Tutti Rouge had been around when I was a teenager! 

   The Tutti Rouge 'Betty' bra is available to buy at £32 for the bra and £16 for the knickers at Bravissimo.

***

   I am really excited to try more from Tutti Rouge and I already have my eye on the sassy, purple spotted 'Frankie' bra and suspender skirt set (below):

   With Tutti's bright and colourful styles, fabulous attention to detail, impressive size range, and attractive price points, the brand is certainly putting the fun back into fuller busted lingerie with frillies that make you feel fabulous!

Take a look at Tutti Rouge's A/W13 video to get a glimpse of the lingerie delights that Tutti have in the pipeline...can you spot the new 'Betty' colourway? 

(A sneak peek from Tutti Rouge's 'French Bliss' shoot for S/S14!)

What do you think of the brand? Have you got Tutti fever?

Love, 

Kitty xo

Arabel Lingerie - Forget Me Not knickers and Sugarplum garter review

   "Pretty but playful. Naughty but nice." These are definitely dichotomies that I can live by when it comes to lingerie! Although I find myself drawn to the edgy, bondage-inspired designs that have filtered to the forefront of the current lingerie market, on discovering the delicious candy colours, girly frills, bows and delicate lace details of Arabel Lingerie, it was impossible not to develop a sweet tooth for the collection! 

   Arabel Lingerie was founded in April 2012 by the talented, Sarah Lister. After completing a foundation diploma in Art and Fashion Design at the University of Gloucestershire, Sarah began training in pattern drafting, corsetry and lingerie construction before taking on her long-held ambition to conquer the lingerie world with her whimsical and sugar sweet designs. Sarah advocates that "women of all sizes deserve beautiful lingerie"; an ethos that I wholeheartedly champion!

   Arabel Lingerie is all about making the wearer feel special - every garment is lovingly hand made in the UK (to your measurements, if required!), using high quality satin and lace. The Arabel Lingerie collection currently includes knickers, suspenders, garter bets and more recently, a 'camidoll' and soft cup bra! The sugar sweet colours, romantic designs and girly motifs really capture the essence of femininity and playfulness, so I was delighted when Sarah offered me a sample of her pretty lingerie to review. 

   I chose the 'Forget Me Not' knickers (£18) and 'Sugarplum' garter belt (in black) (£32) and emailed Sarah my measurements to ensure a perfect fit. The lingerie arrived beautifully wrapped up in a compact black box. To my surprise, on undoing the bow, the box unfolded like an origami flower to reveal my new lingerie - a lovely touch indeed! 

The lingerie was even prettier in the flesh than on the Arabel Lingerie website and I could not wait to try on my new underwear!

   The 'Forget Me Not' knickers are a gorgeous powder blue shade with a contrasting black elastic trim and a black satin bow at the centre. The bluebell shade is not a colour that I have much of in my underwear (or outerwear) collection, but it is a great nod to Spring/Summer pastels. Although pastels can sometimes wash me out, the pale blue of these knickers really compliments my fair complexion.

   I also love the 'peek-a-boo' effect of the semi-sheer lace and the floral pattern gives these knickers a slightly vintage edge. The 'pièce de résistance' of these knickers, however, is the delightfully girly tutu frill detail that goes all the way from front to back! The only down-side to the frill is that it can get a bit creased under trousers, but the stretch lace material lends to easy reshaping!

   As for the sizing, Sarah has a very handy size guide on her site, which tells you how to find the perfect fit for her garments. Her knicker sizing chart includes standard clothing sizes e.g. 10-12 but it also states a high hip measurement e.g. 34". This was very helpful when picking out my size as I could see which knicker size corresponded to my high hip measurement. It is also helpful for those that are not uniformly 'one clothing size' all over. (I am generally a size 10 in clothes, but my hips are wider and the 36" 12-14 Arabel knickers fit me beautifully.)

Dual knicker sizing chart:

 

30" 6-8

32" 8-10

34" 10-12

36" 12-14

38" 14-16

40" 16-18

42" 18-20

44" 20-22

   I am a huge fan of the stretch lace used in these knickers. The material is very soft against the skin and there is no digging in at all, making them really comfortable to wear everyday. I also think that these knickers would be ideal for bridal wear as 'something blue', paired with the 'Sugarplum' garter belt in blue.

   I was also impressed by how pretty and sturdy the garter/suspender belt was in real life. I went for a plain black version of the 'Sugarplum' garter belt (which is available in blue, pink or white on the website). The garter belt is made from a thick black elastic with a smooth underside, so that it sits comfortably against your skin without rubbing. 

   The garter belt features six adjustable suspender straps - a nice change from the more common four strap garter belts. The belt fastens at the back with a single hook and eye closure (with three tightness settings). Having six straps does make the process of attaching them to stockings a little more time consuming, but the benefit is that when attached, you do feel as though your stockings will stay securely in place all day. The 'slider' clasps are also decorated with adorable satin bows - a beautiful finishing touch!

   Once again, the 'Sugarplum' garter belt is a 'made-to-measure' garment, so I gave Sarah my measurement (a touch below my natural waist as I wanted it to sit slightly lower). It is very useful having the three rows of hooks as I can tighten or loosen it according to where I want the belt to sit. The pictures show the garter belt in two different positions, but it tends to sit slightly lower than my belly button as in the top picture.

   The garter belt was surprisingly comfortable to wear, holding my stockings up with no slipping. The garter belt is really versatile in black and it looks gorgeous with the Arabel 'Forget Me Not' ruffle knickers, as well as with just about any lingerie set in my underwear drawer!

***

   I am really thrilled with my Arabel Lingerie knickers and suspender belt and cannot praise enough how good it is to own lingerie that is exquisitely pretty, comfortable, excellent quality and made to your measurements! Sarah's bespoke service is great as you can order any of her designs to be made in a different colourway and you can even contact her directly if you fancy a made-to-measure lingerie creation of your own imagination. 

***

   Arabel Lingerie is set to introduce even more exciting lingerie pieces to its collections this year and Sarah has mentioned cup sized bras, swimwear, corsetry and even 'plus sized lingerie' (depending on the demand). Sarah recognises that "everyone has their own fit problems" when it comes to lingerie and her brand, Arabel Lingerie, seeks to cater to each unique individual with great fit, high quality and a sprinkle of sugar, pixie dust and lingerie magic!

(Next on my wishlist is the Gwenhyfar garter belt and knicker set!)

Take a look at Arabel Lingerie's current collections on the official website and follow the brand on social media.

What do you think of Arabel Lingerie?

Love,
Kitty xo

Stepping into sophistication: Masquerade by Panache 'Amor' lingerie review

   Undercover Lingerista readers will likely be aware of my love for fuller busted lingerie brand, Panache and their Masquerade line. Masquerade lingerie is commonly characterised by sophisticated and elegant designs, sumptuous fabrics and ornate detailing, which combine to offer the wearer great fitting luxury lingerie at affordable price points. Masquerade tends to be slightly more expensive than Panache's other sub-brands ('Superbra' and 'Cleo'), but the Masquerade line is such a decadent approach to D-H cup lingerie, that it is hard not to fall in love with the collections! 

   When it comes to bras, I tend to favour moulded bras due to the great rounded shape and cleavage that they offer. One of my favourite bras from Masquerade is definitely the 'Capella' bra which I reviewed a while ago..so much so that this beautiful bra became one of my 'go-to' bras for both special occasions and under my everyday work wear (as it was so comfortable)! Unfortunately my 'Capella' is slightly too small for me at the moment, so when I spotted the new Masquerade 'Amor' sweetheart moulded bra at the Panache A/W12 press day, I couldn't help but lust after it!

   

   The Masquerade 'Amor' set consists of a stunning moulded underwired bra and brazilian briefs in a rich sapphire jewel tone. The bra comes in back sizes 28-38 with cup sizes D-G and the matching knickers come in sizes 8-18. In line with my current Panache size, I went for a 28G in the bra and a 10 in the briefs, courtesy of the lovely people at Panache..

   The Masquerade 'Amor' bra looks even more exquisite in the flesh and the play on detail actually resides in the contrast of the sapphire satin with the matte blue fabric sections. As you can see from the pictures, the satin has an opulent sheen to it when it catches the light, making this bra look very chic and high-end. The matte blue sections run across the cups and down the centre gore of the bra in a 'V' shape, drawing the eye down to a central cleavage point. The 'Amor' is similar to the 'Capella' in that it is a balconette-plunge style with a 'sweetheart' neckline, which gives a more subtle and 'natural' cleavage than a deep plunge bra.

   The straps are also fairly thin (compared to Freya bras for example) and measure about 1.5cm thick (the same as the straps on the other Masquerade bras that I own). Unlike the 'Capella', however, the 'Amor' bra's straps are fully adjustable, which is always a bonus in my book as it lends to a longer 'strap life' and is useful for those that need to tighten their straps considerably.

   The bra fastens with two hook and eyes and the back band is double lined with a matte blue stretch fabric and bordered by satin wrapped elastic. Initially the 28G 'Amor' band felt similar to the Masquerade 'Anise' and because it felt a bit too tight when I first tried it on, I exchanged it for a 30FF. I now wish that I had stuck with the 28G and worn it with an extender until it loosened up - the 30FF band loosened up very quickly and I need to go on to the middle hook after wearing it just once! 

   That said, the 'Amor' is a lovely bra and the satin is silky smooth. When worn, the bra gives a very rounded shape and a natural looking cleavage that is perfect for all occasions. Thanks to the smooth lines of the 'Amor' bra, it would work well under most clothing. I often reach for plain moulded bras for work (e.g. my Freya 'Deco' bras), so the 'Amor' makes for a more luxurious substitute. There is nothing nicer than going to work knowing that you're wearing comfortable and equally stylish lingerie!

   As for the matching brazilian briefs, I am glad that I exchanged the 10 for a 12 as they look more flattering in the bigger size. 

   The 'Amor' brazilian briefs are interestingly not a direct match to the 'Amor' bra and are instead made from a soft matte stretch mesh with satin-wrapped elastic edging. I actually quite like that the bra and briefs are not 'matchy matchy' as it makes the set a bit more unusual. The fabric is also very slightly sheer, meaning that they steer away from looking like 'standard' plain blue knickers:

   The briefs are very smooth feeling and practical as they are seam-free. Although they are comfortable, they are not my favourite knickers. The elastic borders dig into your flesh a little bit, which although not uncomfortable, is not hugely flattering or conducive to creating a sleek silhouette under clothing. 

   The 'Amor' is a lovely lingerie set and I can see the bra particularly being worn a great deal in the upcoming festive season - whether it is under a dress to a Christmas party or as an everyday set under work clothes or casual wear. It has an understated appeal that makes it a timeless set and the luxe satin and sheer matte fabric combination elevates it beyond being 'just a blue lingerie set'. 

   With Christmas approaching, the 'Amor' would also make for a luxurious gift. If you can't afford real diamonds and sapphires, the 'Amor''s jewel tone satin will be enough to seduce any lady and make her feel spoiled! There is nothing more indulgent than gorgeous new lingerie and the 'Amor' set delivers everyday luxury aplenty. 

   One thing that I have learnt in my bra journey is that beautiful lingerie makes me feel good, so why save it solely for special occasions? Whether you're at the office or just lounging at home, wearing that pretty lingerie set will make you feel like you really 'have it together'!

The Masquerade 'Amor' is available to buy from My Curves and Me and other retailers. (Now there is even more reason to treat yourself or someone else as the 'Amor' bra is currently reduced from £42 to £24.50 and the briefs are reduced from £18.50 to £10.79!)

(I have also heard that the 'Amor' is coming out in 'Berry' for 2013, so keep your eyes peeled!)

Click here to see more of Panache's Masquerade collections.

Love,

Kitty xo