Harnessing the power: Body harness OOTD and review of the Freya Deco 'Spotlight' !

   For my birthday last month, my husband was kind enough to treat me with a trip to The Crazy Bear hotel in Beaconsfield. The hotel is nothing short of opulent, with its brocade-patterned doors, chandeliers, gold leaf walls and quilted seating (and that's just the restaurant and bar!)

   Our room was situated in the town house and it epitomised boudoir decadence with dim lighting and a backdrop of dark brocade wallpaper, heavy velour drapes with gold tassels and scarlet red carpet. The room was furnished with gothic-baroque elements such as an ornate gold mirror and a golden chandelier (dripping with red and black crystals)!

   Having been to The Crazy Bear once before, I wanted my dinner outfit to reflect the outré décor and eccentric glamour of the hotel, so I put together an ensemble that centred upon a lingerie-come-fashion-accessory that I have not felt daring enough to wear out... until now! The item in question is my gold-studded, black, faux-leather ASOS harness (which has been hanging in my wardrobe, unworn, for around a year or so!) If the Crazy Bear was not good enough excuse to channel bondage-inspired outerwear, then I don't know what would be!

   Harnesses can be very tricky to wear as outerwear because the styling has to be spot on - showing too much flesh was a 'no-no' for me as I felt that too much skin on display with a harness could look slightly indecent! I chose to channel the Crazy Bear colour scheme of red, black and gold in my outfit, starting with a simple bodycon midi dress in crushed red velvet, which I picked up in Primark for about £10!

 The 'midi' has become a real wardrobe staple for me, as at 5ft10, they often come up shorter on me (to around knee length). This Primark dress feels lovely on and hugs my curves (with a good amount of stretch over the chest!) - ideal for showing off your figure without showing much flesh at all!

   I decided to jazz up my outfit with a pair of patterned tights. I chose my eye-catching, black Wolford 'dolly dots' tights to pick up the circular stud detailing on my harness. The quality of these tights is excellent and they seem much less prone to laddering than my usual tights!

   The heel-boots are again a bargain from Primark and I thought that the faux suede and black strapping detailing with gold studs mirrored the harness detailing perfectly.

   I finished the look off with gold earrings, a slick of bright red lipstick, cat-wing eye make-up and, of course, some matching lingerie! The underwear that I wore with this outfit was the Freya 'Spotlight' Deco, which I bought from Figleaves when they had a 15% off code (naughty me!) The claret red tone and black polka dots match the theme of my outfit perfectly. With its trademark seamless finish and cleavage-flattering moulded cups, the 'Spotlight' was extremely practical underneath a bodycon dress too!

   In true lingerie blog style, my review would not be complete without briefly touching upon the look and fit of this new Freya Deco.. 

   The 'Spotlight' bra delivers a fashionable twist on Freya's best-selling 'Deco' design. The unusual claret base colour adds a touch of sophistication, keeping the polka dot pattern from looking too 'cutesy'. I love that Freya have inverted the colour scheme on the straps, trim and central bow (burgandy polka dots on a black base) and I am also glad that the pattern and trim continue down the bra wings - it really pulls the design together!

   Whilst this bra, for the most part, delivers the same fit and support of a regular Deco bra, the 'Spotlight' did not feel exactly the same when worn. Although the fit is only fractionally different, the top of the cups of the 'Spotlight' appear to curve inwards more than the regular Deco or Deco 'Honey'. I would attribute this 'curving inwards' to the presence of a thicker (and stiffer) elastic trim, which is present on the inside and outside of the 'Spotlight'. 

(Comparison of the outer trim of the 'Spotlight' compared to no trim on the regular nude Deco)

(The inner trim of the 'Spotlight' is significantly thicker/wider than the interior trim of my regular nude Deco)

   For those that experience slight 'gapping' at the top of the cups on the regular Deco, the 'Spotlight' could help to reduce this. Conversely, this design alteration may result in a slight 'cutting in' on those that are quite full-on-top in shape (this may not warrant having to size up in the cups, however). 

   All in all, I found that my usual 28FF was a good fit in the 'Spotlight' and like all of my Freya Deco bras, the 'Spotlight' feels comfortable and supportive when worn. I am looking forward to adding more Deco bras to my collection in future. Take a look at these beauties that are coming out this S/S14 and A/W14!

(L-R: Freya Deco 'Lagoon' (S/S14), Freya Deco 'Delight' (S/S14), Freya Deco 'Rebel' (A/W14))

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As always, I hope that you enjoyed my blog post. Let me know what you think of my outfit! 

Would you be daring enough to wear a body harness out? 

Love,

Bling for your bra - Esty Lingerie choker strap review

   An accessory can be the perfect finishing touch to any outfit, so where does the lingerie market stand when it comes to underwear accessories? 

   You may be aware of the existence of functional bra-cessories such as your commonplace bra-extenders, comfort strap pads and chicken fillets but what about accessories that take your bra to the next level of aesthetic impact? 

   With the widespread furor caused by 'Fifty Shades of Grey', bondage accessories have taken to the stage in a big way and it seems that now, the sky is the limit when it comes to sprucing up your underwear with edgy (and sometimes risqué) accessories...  

(Picture via: Bloodglitterlust @ Tumblr)

   Although the 'Fifty Shades' book has bypassed me somewhat, bondage-inspired lingerie certainly hasn't! Anything strappy/cut-out/mesh/harness-like gets me weak at the knees, so I was delighted to stumble across Esty Lingerie's new and improved Accessories section. 

   I have been a fan of Esty Lingerie for a while; the company boasts an extensive range of amazing independent designer names on its website that I regularly lust after. Even more exciting, however, is the fact that company director, Estelle Puleston, is also a lingerie designer and her new range of lingerie accessories is certainly something to get dreamy-eyed over!

   Esty Lingerie's Accessories range is an ideal way to personalise and rejuvenate the lingerie that you already own and the collection includes everything from customised bra straps, suspender straps and garters to cuffs, harnesses and handcuffs! The accessories that really caught my eye were the gorgeous, bondage-inspired choker straps, which come in a variety of styles and colours..

   What particularly excites me about the choker strap accessory is that it fuses the idea of a necklace, harness and bra strap to create something that bridges the gap between under and outer-wear. Bondage-inspired bras also do not tend to be readily available to small-backed and fuller busted girls such as myself, so a choker strap seemed to be an ideal way of customising the lingerie that I already owned! 

   I was over the moon when Esty Lingerie offered me the chance to channel the trend with an Esty choker strap of my choice! As a fan of Alexander McQueen and his trademark skull motifs, the black satin elastic choker bra strap with crystal skull seemed to be a great nod to the late designer!

   The Esty Lingerie black satin choker strap is one size and is incredibly adaptable thanks to its stretch elastic and metal adjusters, which can be modified to fit the individual. To attach the choker strap, the bottom slider can be adjusted to form a loop and then all you have to do is slip it over the bra wing and slide it to the centre. Put on your bra as normal and then use the clip at the top to fasten the choker at the neck. Tighten or loosen the top and bottom sliders as necessary and voilà! Your very own custom bra harness!

   Whilst I have tried my choker strap with plunge and balcony bras, I really love wearing my skull choker strap with a plain strapless bra like the black Freya Deco. The choker strap works so well with a strapless as the choker almost becomes part of the bra, creating a new bra design in itself. The eye is also drawn upwards to the neck, honing in on the glint of the diamanté skull charm and cute satin ribbon bow detail.

   The Esty choker strap is well made and comfortable to wear, meaning that it is not limited to the boudoir; it can be incorporated into day and evening outfits alike. As the Esty skull choker is such a 'wow' piece and I am such a big fan of the lingerie as outerwear trend, I have enjoyed wearing my choker strap with slinky evening dresses, under blouses and even peeking out of casual vest tops. 

   I have put a few outfits together so that you can get a feel for some of the ways that the choker strap can be worn in harmony with clothing without looking OTT...

Day: Casual vests and acid wash jeans

Neon vest top: Undiz (France) 

Bra: Freya Deco strapless

Acid wash jeggings: Topshop

Stud boots: Primark

Neon is a huge trend at the moment and yellow/lime is one of this season's hottest shades - it looks great against a tan and it even works with my 'moon tan'! I love the contrast of the neon with my Topshop acid wash jeggings and my Primark studded boots tie in well with the skull choker strap - ideal for adding a rock-chic edge!

Burgundy vest: New Look

Bra: Freya Deco strapless

Acid wash jeggings: Topshop

Stud boots: Primark

If you're not feeling daring enough to wear out-there neons this Summer, burgundy/rust is a great transitional shade that will take you into Autumn. Burgundy feels a little more sophisticated and understated and I love the relaxed simplicity of this outfit, whilst the choker strap turns up the heat.

Evening: Mesh and velvet bodycon

Dress: H&M Conscious collection

Bra: Freya Deco strapless

     Let's just say that I was feeling unusually Gothic when I put this outfit together! I really like the textural contrast of the velvet with the mesh of this bodycon dress and the waterfall/batwing sleeves give this outfit plenty of dramatic impact. My Deco strapless works brilliantly under this dress, meaning that the only strap on show is my fabulous Esty skull choker strap!

   As you can see, the Esty skull choker strap is a perfect way to spice up any outfit and it really gives the 'wow factor' to a variety of bra styles. It is quite brilliant to me that you can totally transform your under and outerwear simply by slipping on choker strap! Aside from being easy to wear, the Esty choker is great quality, comfortable and the pièce de résistance? It only costs £10.99! An absolute steal considering its versatility, luxury appeal and suitability for ALL cup sizes!

   I am such a fan of this skull choker strap, that I can't wait to add more Esty accessories to my collection. I might buy the matching skull bra straps or skull suspenders, but more likely I will get one of these beauties:

See the rest of Esty Lingerie's Accessories collection here.

   What do you think of Esty Lingerie's choker straps? Is bondage-inspired lingerie a trend that you would rock and how do you feel about lingerie accessories?

Love,

Kitty x

Style file: The curvy girl's guide to a night out

Your night out is planned and all of your friends have confirmed, but the big question remains..what to wear?

  Every girl has experienced that ‘I have nothing to wear’ moment prior to a big night out and for the curvy girls out there, there are just so many things to think about aside from whether you can walk in your new sky-scraper heels! Dressing curves is never an easy task – the balance must be addressed between showing off your assets and looking like you’ve tried too hard or have dressed to get the wrong kid of attention!

  Another issue is finding clothes that accommodate for curves and a bigger bust. Going up a size to give enough room to your bust can be disastrous, resulting in too much material around the waist, or clothes that just ‘hang’ off your frame. No-one wants to get lost in too much fabric, but not everyone has the confidence to pour themselves into a fitted dress…

  The solution to dressing curves is firstly to work out the kind of occasion that you are dressing for and secondly, to decide which areas of your body you want to highlight or conceal. Although there are specialist fashion stores (like Pepperberry) that cater for curves, I want to show girls that they can pick up curve-friendly clothes on the cheap! 

 

LOOK 1: Trendy but understated

(Necklace, top and black skinny jeans from Topshop. Studded heeled boots from Love label.)

Skinny jeans are a great night-out alternative to a dress. They can be worn to more casual events, dinner with friends or the cocktail bar.

Black skinny jeans are very slimming and flattering to curves and also elongate your frame.

Wrap-over tops or ‘V’-shaped plunging necklines draw attention to your bust, whilst not revealing too much flesh.

Gold accents and embellishment add a little bit of glitz for the evening. Whoever said you can’t stand out in a pair of black jeans?

LOOK 2: Flirty summer prom dress

 

(Dress, belt and heels – all Primark)

With the onset of summer, what better way to celebrate, than with a

pretty prom-style dress?

This dress from Primark is perfect for curvy girls, due to the fitted bodice and sweetheart neckline, which flatter a bigger bust. The A-line skirt and cinched-in waist give the impression of an hour-glass figure, whilst skimming over the stomach and thighs.

Nude heels finish off the outfit by elongating the legs.

LOOK 3: Chiffon and leggings

(Tunic dress and heels from Primark. Leggings – H&M)

This rust-coloured tunic dress is very girly and great for an evening out with the girls. The bust is roomy and the buttons can be undone to reveal a stretchy under-slip.

The plaited belt adds shape to the dress and draws attention to your waist. Leggings keep the look casual, but the embellished heels add a bit of nighttime glamour!

LOOK 4: Elegant in summer brights

 

(Dress, belt and heels from Dorothy Perkins. Necklace – Primark.)

Take on the summer brights trend with a vibrant purple dress like this one from Dorothy Perkins! The dress is made from a stretchy material and will accommodate for larger busts.

The fabric falls from under the bust and skims your curves. The accompanying belt can also be worn under the bust, enhancing your chest whilst giving you a cinched-in shape!

LOOK 5: Daring panelling

(Bodycon ‘Emma’ dress from Motel)

For the more daring of curvy girls, body-con can be a knockout way to show off curves and an hourglass figure!

This dress by Motel is very glam and perfect for a night out on the tiles. Look out for strategic panelling, which emphasises curvy figures. The panels of the Motel ‘Emma’ dress give the illusion of a smaller waist!

Don’t forget to wear seam-free underwear and a supportive strapless bra. Here, I am wearing the Freya ‘Deco’ strapless bra in black.

LOOK 6: The little black dress

(Dress by Geitzy London – found in a vintage shop. Heels from Dorothy Perkins)

Look out for the perfect little black dress that you can wear over and over again. This ‘Geitzy’ dress is made from very stretchy material and is slightly ruched at the bust. Stretchy dresses, like this one, are great as they cling to the curves that you want to show off (your bust), but aren’t too clingy on the rest of your body!

Team with a gorgeous pair of platform heels and rock those curves!

  I hope you have enjoyed my going-out style file for curvy girls, which should hopefully provide some ‘food for thought’ and show that you don’t need to spend a lot to look good!

  When shopping for clothes, remember to look out for clothes that streamline your figure, enhance your best points and skim over any parts of your body that you dislike. Don’t be afraid to customise – tacking, sewing and altering can really transform an outfit that is not ‘quite’ right when you buy it. Adding a waist belt to a dress is also a great way of giving shape to clothes that otherwise fit too loosely and do not pay enough homage to your gorgeous figure!

  One last thing to keep in mind is underwear. The first step to looking great starts with the basics…and that means a well-fitting, supportive bra! I am wearing the Freya nude ‘Deco’ bra in looks 1-4 and the Freya black strapless ‘Deco’ in looks 5-6. These are the staple lingerie pieces that I reach for again and again. Due to being completely seamless and providing fantastic uplift and support, these bras are a must-have for all curvy girls!

  Although fashion is very subjective, the most important thing is to dress for your figure, as ultimately, only you know what you feel most comfortable and confident in. A beautiful girl is a confident girl; so don’t forget to finish off any outfit with a dazzling smile!

Love,

Kitty xo