The Sports Bra Olympics: Freya Active, Shock Absorber, Panache Sport & Pure Lime

   With such a buzz surrounding the London 2012 Olympics and 'Olympic fever' spanning far and wide, everyone has united to support their country's athletes in the pursuit of gold medal triumph. Whether you managed to attend the spectacular opening ceremony, saw any of the games in action or have watched them from the comfort of your living room, sport has definitely been the word on everyone's tongues (and will probably continue to be for a while after the closing ceremony!)

   The Olympics definitely inspired this post about sports bras because it is so important to feel supported and comfortable when exercising. Wearing a sports bra can make the difference to any woman (Olympian or otherwise) in terms of comfort, performance, confidence and overall enjoyment of Sport. 

   I have never been a huge fan of exercise, but around 6 months ago I decided to get back into it and joined the gym to increase my fitness. One reason that I didn't like Sport previously was because I didn't feel comfortable and supported whilst exercising. About 2/3 years ago, (pre-Bravissimo refitting and living abroad)  I decided to give running a go with my flatmate, so off to the shops I trundled and came back with an elasticated Nike sports bra which offered little to no support. After the discomfort of my first run, I decided that the best option was to put a bra on underneath my sports bra, but I was still bouncing all over the place! Naturally, after a few runs I gave up. 

  Since being refitted and wanting to get back into exercising, I have realised that sport and discomfort do not have to go hand in hand and that there are some great sports bras out there for the larger busted. It is so important for women (regardless of size) to wear a correctly fitting sports bra for exercise. The breasts are made from fatty tissue rather than muscle, meaning that they require the support of a sports bra to prevent discomfort and irreversible damage to the breast tissue and ligaments. Wearing a sports bra should make you feel comfortable and supported during exercise and will also help to prevent stretching and sagging.

   After my decision to try Sport again, I have been on the search for a fantastic sports bra. In this blog post I will be putting 4 sports bras to the test at the gym: The Pure Lime High Impact Compression Bra, Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra, Freya Active Magenta Underwired Sports Bra and Panache Sport Purple Sports Bra. (Gym exercises include rowing, running, cross training, floor work and resistance machines)

The question is, which bra will be victorious and which will win the 'Undercover Lingerista' gold, silver and bronze medals?

Challenger 1: Pure Lime High Impact Compression Bra, (original RRP: £34.99)

   PureLime is a Scandinavian brand who manufacture a range of sportswear. Pure Lime aims to "produce the most feminine, fashionable and high quality performance sportswear for women, that reflects their priorities to look good and then perform." I found this quite an interesting statement because it suggests that aesthetics is the number one priority rather than fit! Never-the-less, this was the first sports bra that I had bought since being refitted as a 28FF - it was a bargain at £4 on ebay (brand new with tags), so I thought that it would be a good place to start.

FEATURES:

• Compression sports bra (functions by 'strapping down' the cleavage to restrict movement)
• Made from 'Cool Max' material to move moisture from the skin to the outer layer of the fabric to keep you cool
• Adjustable padded shoulder straps
• Anti-stretch cup separation
• Side support for lift and to reduce side movements
• Machine washable
  

   This bra is apparently a test winning bra, so I had high hopes for it. I bought this bra in a 28FF and the back band felt tight but manageable. Sizing is quite difficult in this sports bra because it does not have any cup separation or underwires. As a compression bra, it constricts the chest (read also: squashes down), making it difficult to tell how it is fitting you unless you are getting obvious cleavage spillage or bulging. In future, however, I might consider sizing up to a 28G to avoid feeling so 'crammed' into this bra. 

   I would liken the design of this Pure Lime bra to the elasticated panel sports bras that I wore when I was younger, but with a few extra support features. I would say that the support from this bra is average (although much better than the Nike one that I tried a few years back!) I had a bit more bounce than I would like when I put it through its paces at the gym, but it wasn't so uncomfortable that I would resort to putting a regular bra on underneath. I did have a bit of shoulder ache during and after wearing this bra unfortunately and on one occasion a strap actually unhooked itself whilst I was rowing! I was also not a great fan of the way that the elastic at the bottom of the band rolled up when worn and I didn't really enjoy the constricting feeling of the compression cups. 

   However, there are some benefits to this bra that can't be overlooked. I like the fact that the straps can be worn normally or be made into a racer back, making it versatile for wear with different gym attire. It also has a thick band and 4 hook and eye fastenings at the back, which gives extra anchorage and security when worn. I also love that it is machine washable (hand-washing after every wear to the gym is very tedious!) and quite quick-drying.

Challenger 2: Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra, (RRP: £37)

   Shock Absorber is a very well-known sports bra brand, having launched in 1995 after the publication a year earlier of results by Edinburgh University into the negative effects of exercising on the female body.  Shock Absorber have worked with the University of Portsmouth in addition to carrying out their own research in order to produce a range of sports bras that perform to a high level and provide 'style, comfort and quality'. The Shock Absorber 'Run' bra is the result of a collaboration with Dr Joanna Scurr, a Breast Biomechanics Professor and this bra claims to "reduce breast bounce (by) as much as 78%" (results based on a University of Portsmouth 2009 test against 'no bra conditions').

   As the name suggests, the 'Run' bra is specifically designed for running and comes in sizes 30-36 A and 30-38 B-F, so I decided to try a 30F (sister size to my usual 28FF).

FEATURES: 

• Soft, seamless material to minimise rubbing or chafing
• Wide non-slip padded straps 
• Reflective strip across the bust for high visibility
• Open back, clip and back hook and eye fastenings
• Made from moisture-wicking, breathable sports performance fabrics
• 'Infinity-8' support system to counteract 'figure of eight' movement of breast bounce whilst running
  

   Although this sports bra does not come in a 28 back, the 30 back came up very tight and there would be no way that I would downsize in the band even if the option were available! The Shock Absorber 'Run' bra in fact felt even tighter than the Pure Lime High Impact Compression bra which was a 28FF! As you can see from the picture below, the 30F Shock Absorber is actually smaller in the band than the Pure Lime 28FF! 

   Despite this Shock Absorber bra working by compressing the bust, it looks quite good on and the shape that it gives me is quite rounded. I also really like the design of this bra, which is simple but attractive - the reflective silver strips add some interest and are a great visibility feature for those running in the outdoors.  

   I enjoyed wearing this bra in the gym more than the Pure Lime and I only had a bit of bounce from it, so overall it was supportive to exercise in. The fabric is also really smooth against the skin and it has central, underarm and underbust breathable moisture-wicking panels which draw sweat away from the body, making for a more comfortable work out. I also liked the feel of the straps (which are positioned closer to the neck). They don't dig into my shoulders as much as the Pure Lime and the back clasp has padding for extra comfort!

   One thing that was a bit difficult was the putting on and taking off of this sports bra. Firstly, as it is so tight, I cannot do this bra up without putting it on from the front and twisting it round. Secondly, the 'snap clip' at the top of the back is very difficult to fasten by yourself. I would also consider upsizing in the band next time around as I feel that even in the 30 back it is a little too tight for my liking!

   Overall, the Shock Absorber 'Run' performed well across a range of activities in the gym (not just running). I am not 100% that I like 'compression bras' best for exercise, but this is the best one that I have tried so far.

Challenger 3: Freya Active Magenta Underwired Sports Bra, (RRP: £29)

   After launching Freya Active in 2008, Freya has developed a range of sports performance wear, from clothing to underwired, moulded and soft cup sports bras. Freya realised the need for innovation and consequently developed non-compression and separation sports bra styles, to give women another option when exercising. They are also the official partner to the England Netball team and have been involved in the 'Back to Netball Scheme', an initiative to promote sport UK-wide.

   After seeing the Freya Active underwired sports bra at the Eveden Autumn/Winter 2012 press day, I was very keen to try it out. This bra comes in sizes 28 D-G and 30-38 D-H, so I was able to try out my usual size of 28FF in the Magenta 'fashion colourway'...

FEATURES:

• Wide curvature wire for comfortable and supportive fit
• Puncture-resistant wire casing allowing for it to be machine washed
• CoolMax® fabric lining to wick moisture away from the skin
• Double fabric and cooling mesh panels
• Built-up padded straps
• Padded hook and eye with soft seal for added comfort

   Unlike many traditional sports bras, the Freya Active underwired sports bra is an encapsulation rather than compression bra, meaning that instead of the bust being restricted, the breast tissue is separately encased by the cups. I found this very helpful in ascertaining whether this bra fit me correctly as the cups are underwired and it is easier to see if the breasts are not properly encased.

   The 28FF is a really good fit in this sports bra - the band is firm (there are four hooks and eyes on the fastening for extra security) and the cups are a great fit. I really like the feel of this bra when worn - it is double lined with a soft and smooth feeling CoolMax® fabric which wicks sweat away from the skin and the straps are slightly padded to ease pressure on the shoulders.

   I was also lucky enough to try out the matching Freya Active thong, which is seamless and made from Coolmax Fresh® to keep you cool and comfortable. Although I probably wouldn't wear a thong to the gym, it was super soft and had a cute key-hold detail at the back.

   The Freya Active sports bra performs really well in the gym and I get an excellent level of support with very minimal bounce. Aesthetically, I love the magenta and grey colour scheme which is feminine and chic. (Freya have also created other colour options for this bra; black, white, nude, red and charcoal, so there really is something for a wide range of preferences!) I also like the coverage from this sports bra - it dips slightly lower than other sports bra styles. Having a little more skin open to the air is quite nice when you are working up a sweat in the gym, but the support is still there as the underwired cups keep everything in place.

   Although I really like this bra in all other respects, the one thing that I am not so keen on is the pointy shape that it gives my bust! After doing a little bit of research on the internet, it seems that a lot of people have experienced the Madonna-esque cone bra look from this sports bra and as you can see from the picture (below), even my plastic mannequin got the same effect!

   The main reason for this pointy effect is most likely due to the construction of the cups, which have a central seam that runs straight across the middle of the breasts. For me personally, this is not the optimum shape that I would desire from a sports bra, so I tend to wear this bra under more loose fitting gym t-shirts to hide the shape. Pointy-ness aside, I really like this bra and it is an added bonus that it is machine washable!

Challenger 4: Panache Sport Purple Sports Bra, (RRP: £35)

   Ever since attending the Panache Spring/Summer 2012 press day, I have been really excited to try out their new Sports bra! This bra was created after 3 years of research and testing with Loughborough University's Progressive Sports Technologies, using 3D motion and biomechanical tracking techniques to measure the effects of the sports bra on breast bounce. This bra claims to reduce breast bounce by 83% (compared to wearing no bra) and it has an impressive range of sizing from 28-40 inch backs and B-H cups, meaning that more women can benefit from the support of this bra. Fortunately for me, I was able to try my usual size of 28FF in the purple colourway of this bra..

FEATURES:

• Wide, padded straps to disperse pressure on shoulders for added comfort
• Smooth, moulded cups to reduce friction 
• Underwires wrapped in silicone
• Smooth shape with flat seams
• Lightweight microfiber fabric wicks moisture away from skin
• Breathable mesh panels

   The Panache Sports bra (like the Freya Active) encapsulates and separates the breasts rather than compresses them. This bra in a 28FF fits me really well - the band is snug and my breast tissue is fully encased in the wired cups with no bulging anywhere. I especially like that the underwires are wrapped in silicone and sewn between the fabric layers, meaning that they are extremely comfortable and soft against the skin. I also liked that I could tell that the hidden wires were sitting flush against my chest, without causing any digging in at all.

   I really loved the look of this bra when worn too. The cups of this bra are moulded, giving a great rounded shape to the bust without minimising or squashing the bust down as compression bras tend to. Aesthetically, Panache have done a brilliant job by introducing 'fashion colours' in addition to their classic black and white sports bras. I particularly like this purple, grey and pink version, which is ideal for women who also want to feel stylish from head to toe when they're working out!

   To top it off, the Panache sports bra feels great on and performs really well whilst exercising too. Although it does not 100% 'banish the bounce' (I don't think any sports bra is 100% bounce-free), it does feel very supportive and comfortable and greatly reduces movement too. The band feels snug and supportive without being in any way uncomfortable and the slightly padded straps reduce digging in at the shoulders. I also like that the hook and eye fastening is cushioned for added comfort. Another great feature of this bra is that there is a little clip at the back on one of the straps to create a racer back option. 

   My only criticism of this sports bra is that it is not machine washable. Although that would have been the icing on the cake, I really like this bra and I would be willing to trade in the ease of machine washing for a great sports bra.

***

...AND THE RESULTS ARE IN! 

Which sports bras won the 'Undercover Lingerista' Bra-lympian medals? 

Pure Lime: No medal won (Not a bad sports bra and I can't really complain for £4, but equally, there are some disadvantages to this bra that need ironing out before it gets my vote.)

Shock Absorber: Bronze Medal (A good sports bra with some great features. Perhaps if I went up to a 32 back in this bra, it might have scored higher.)

Freya Active: Silver Medal (A great sports bra that scores very highly on fit, support and comfort, but just missed out on gold due to the pointy shape of the cups.)

Panache Sport: Gold Medal (This bra is an all-rounder with fantastic support, fit and shape and it looks lovely on too!)

   Although it was hard to pick a winner as all of the sports bras that I tried had their pros and cons, the real decision for me was choosing between the Freya Active and Panache sports bras as I loved both and would highly recommend them. The two bras performed very well across an array of gym activities, so the clincher actually resided in aesthetics - primarily, the shape. An important factor for me is that I also feel good about the way that I look in a sports bra. I loved the shape from the Panache sports bra (..if you were daring enough, you could even get away with wearing this on its own!) 

   Wearing a supportive and well-fitting sports bra has contributed to me enjoying sports again and I am so glad that none of the bras that I tried required me to wear my day-to-day bra underneath! Now that I have discovered the rewards of exercising with a great-fitting sports bras first hand, I will definitely be preaching the benefits to anyone that will listen. Hmm..I wonder what would happen if I left a few leaflets lying around the gym for women to see...?!

Love,

Kitty xo 

Panache Spring/Summer 2012 Press Launch

  Since its creation by Anthony Power in 1982, British brand, Panache, has grown from a small business into one of the leading names of the D+ lingerie market. Fit, support, comfort and quality are paramount to Panache's ideals - a philosophy that remains key to its global success. 

Panache offer great fit from AA-KK across five different collections, each geared towards a slightly different customer base: 

Panache Superbra - The brand's core collection that focuses on providing classic, pretty and well-fitting staples.

Cleo by Panache - Aimed at a younger audience, Cleo is fun and edgy, providing a great fit and fashionable designs.

Masquerade - Panache's higher-end collection that features dramatic and glamorous lingerie and bedroom wear in luxurious designs and fabrics.

Atlantis - A collection from AA-E that focuses on creating uplift and the appearance of a bigger bust with cleavage-boosting padded bras. 

Panache Swimwear - An extension of Panache Superbra, providing well-fitting, supportive and fashionable swimwear for the bigger busted woman.

  I have worn Panache for a while now and am a big fan of Cleo and Masquerade in particular, so I was naturally very excited to be invited to Panache's Spring/Summer 2012 press launch, hosted by Instinct PR. The event was held at the Sanctum Hotel in Soho and took place in one of the suites, giving the launch a glamorous boudoir atmosphere. 

  On arriving, the Instinct PR team welcomed me with an overview of the brand and invited me to be fitted into their best-selling 'Tango' bra, which currently goes up to a K cup. The 'Tango' is a staple from the Superbra collection and comes in both a plunge and balconette. It is completely unpadded and follows the natural shape of the breasts, whilst the Austrian leaf embroidery design on the cups keeps the bra from looking plain. The fitter was fantastic and fitted me as a 28FF in a matter of a minute!  

  The exciting news is that this year the 'Tango' celebrates its 10th anniversary and to honour the occasion, Panache has brought out two stunning, limited edition styles...

The gorgeous, peachy-coral toned 'Tutti Frutti', with raspberry, purple and pink tinged leaf embroidery: 

and the luxurious 'Ocean blue' bra, which boasts satin along the straps and under-band and features a ribbon and diamanté embellishment at the centre of the cups: 

  This brings me to talk about the Panache Superbra collection as a whole... 

PANACHE SUPERBRA

  The Panache Superbra Spring/Summer 2012 collection builds on classic Panache shapes, seeing updates to their best selling styles, as well as the introduction of an array of vibrant new colours and patterns. The Superbra collection is awash with rich blues, burnt yellows and oranges, berry, aqua, peach, violet and fuchsia hues, whilst designs range from plain delicate lace to leaf and floral embroidery, through to graphic print feather and mosaic patterning. This collection combines superb fit and ultimate comfort with sophisticated, yet fashionable styling.

The 'Carmel' is a gorgeous new addition to the collection - the rich blue is set off beautifully by the burnt yellow-orange hibiscus detailing, which really gives this piece an exotic feel:

I loved the 'Ariza' - an intense violet hue complimented by pops of aqua and orange floral detailing: 

The moulded 'Porcelain Viva' bra comes in bright fuchsia for S/S12 - an eye-catching fashion colour that provides variation to the standard black, white and nude basic shades: 

The  'Fern' balconette channels Gaudi-esque geometric mosaic patterning, with a quirky colour palette of pinks, oranges and greys: 

The 'Paloma' boasts an eye-catching graphic feather print pattern in burnt orange, black, white and grey:

The lacey 'Andorra' is the epitome of simple sophistication, whilst its berry hue gives it a feel of luxury..

whilst the 'Eden' adds a tropical vibe with flashes of orange and floral motifs against a berry backdrop:

The girly new 'Lorna' bra drew many a gasp when it was revealed that this red, pink, grey and white floral and lace number was a maternity bra! 

I also thought that the current 'Sophie' maternity bra was really boudoir and sexy - Good on Panache for providing such lovely maternity bras for yummy mummys!

Panache Superbra new season styles alongside old favourites: 

THE NEW PANACHE SPORTS BRA

  After much anticipation, the new Panache Sports bra has arrived! The new sports bra is the brainchild of Panache's head designer, Clare Fallon and is the product of 3 years of careful development and extensive testing by Progressive Sports Technologies in Loughborough. During this period, 3D motion and biomechanical tracking techniques were used to measure the effects of the sports bra on breast bounce. Panache are delighted with their new sports bra offering and say that it reduces bounce by 83%, compared to 65% by its competitors. The Panache sports bra works by encapsulating rather than compressing the breasts, providing superior comfort and support to the wearer. Catering to sizes from D-H and at a very reasonable £35, this bra is perfect for larger busted ladies who want to exercise and banish the bounce! I was very excited to finally see the new Panache Sports bra in the flesh:

  What is also amazing about this sports bra, is that Panache have even introduced some fashion colours into the range - the purple, pink and grey version looks great, as well as providing the support you need for exercising! The Panache sports bra definitely deserves a blog review in future...

PANACHE SWIMWEAR

   Panache also offer cup-sized swimwear up to a K cup, for ultimate support and comfort by the pool and on the beach. Panache's Spring/Summer 2012 swimwear collection takes its inspiration from Africa and Tahiti and boasts a fabulous mix of eye-catching shades (from purple to orange to scarlet to turquoise), alongside fabulous geometric, tribal, nautical and vintage patterning.

One of my swimwear favourites was the Panache 'Sophia' - an innovative one shouldered vivid purple bandeau bikini. The knot details give this bikini a real sense of glamour and sophistication!

The Panache 'Veronica' comes in a sexy bandeau bikini and in an elegant strappy swimsuit, which has lovely ruching detail at the sides to flatter your curves. The scarlet red of the 'Veronica' just screams vintage pin-up!

Moving away from block colour, the Panache 'Suzette' has an eye-catching tribal leaf print that mixes rich purples with striking violet and coral-orange:

The Panache 'Natalie' bikini continues the use of geometric tribal print, but adds a quirky colour combination of turquoise, purple, aqua and scarlet:

The Panache 'Claudette' features a tropical flower and palm print, with two-toned combinations of black and white or red and white. This simple but dramatic graphic look will work for just about anyone:

Because no swimwear collection would be complete without a bit of nautical print, the 'Lucille' makes a come-back for S/S12 in navy and white with red detailing..fabulous!

Last but not least, one of the stand-out pieces of the collection was the Panache 'Page' halterneck bikini and retro swimsuit. The quirky nautical wave print, scarlet panels and white buttons give a real nod to 50s pin-up style!

CLEO BY PANACHE

  'Cleo' by Panache is a range that I am very familiar with, owning quite a few styles myself! I really liked the Spring/Summer collection, which delivers young, colourful and fashionable lingerie in eye-catching prints and bold colours. Cleo S/S12 is a real burst of paintbox brights - with hot pink, turquoise, orange, inky blue, violet, canary yellow, lime, red and baby blue. Along with the graphic prints, paisley patterning, zig-zag embroidery and lace trims, this range has something for a diverse range of tastes!

Continuing with Cleo's long-standing love for poppy print, the Cleo 'Chloe' bra is very feminine and pretty with its ditsy floral poppy and lavender print:  

A modern twist on paisley print, the turquoise Cleo 'Alexa' bra is a real 'look at me' bra. The flashes of orange, lime, white and purple against the vivid turquoise base make it a knock-out piece. The delicate pink lace trim and bow at the centre of the cups add to its girly charm!

I love the Cleo 'Ellie' bra, which is a really playful and fun balconette that looks rather like a piece of abstract art! The multi-coloured watercolour pattern of inky blue, aqua and purple splotches looks fantastic with the hot pink lace trim. This beauty is bound to add some life to your underwear drawer!

The Cleo 'Rihanna' abstract design again has a very painterly quality to its print. The combination of white, red, black, peach and turquoise is very unusual, yet striking:

A new take on Cleo's popular 'Lucy' bra, this vibrant canary yellow version with pink ribbon motif just screams summer fun and would put a smile on anyone's face no matter what the weather! 

The Cleo 'Ariana' bra in 'samba' has a really exotic carnival feel, with its rainbow-coloured zig-zag embroidery:

Cleo's popular 'Jude' bra is updated in hot red with baby blue detailing for S/S12.. a great alternative to moulded t-shirt bras in basic colours:

As a fan of the Cleo 'Poppy' bra from last season, I was pleased to see that the Cleo 'Juna' bra is identical in design. Coming out in useful basic colours of black, nude and ivory, the 'Juna' will be great as an everyday bra, but will keep you feeling pretty with its decorative broderie anglaise trims!

MASQUERADE

  If you are looking for luxury, Masquerade simply oozes glamour and sophistication, with its sumptuous fabrics, rich colours and exquisite detailing. Masquerade looks to combine a beautiful fit with a high-end feel, without the designer price tag! Masquerade Spring/Summer 2012 is heavily influenced by the arabian antiquities of Persia, Morocco and Egypt. The collection features ornate embroidery, floral lace overlay, satin jacquard, tassel and jewel motifs, alongside a colour palette of ivory, nude, antique golds, powder green, dusky lilac, raspberry and black.   

  The 'Rhea' bra in 'powder' was one of the first Masquerade bras that I ever tried on and I remain a fan to this day. The 'Rhea' has proved very popular with Masquerade fans, due to its vintage look and 'Marie-Antoinette' balconette design, which gives fantastic shape and uplift to a larger bust. For Spring/Summer, the 'Rhea' comes in an elegant dusky pink tone:

  

and classic black (guaranteed to look fantastic on everyone!):

  

The 'Rhea' features intricate lace embroidery and a ribbon and heart-shaped jewel at the centre of the cups, for added elegance!

One of my favourite styles was the stunning 'Amira' in 'Elderberry' - a dusky lilac-toned Boselli satin plunge bra, adorned with delicate ivory Guipure lace at the cups, centre gore and along the straps:

The 'Medina' continues the dusky lilac theme, but instead is contrasted with a rose print pattern of red, pink and green - truly exotic! 

The other plunge style from the collection is the powder green 'Illsa' in 'Waterlilly', which boasts an embroidered mosaic tile pattern on the cups: 

For S/S12, the 'Delphi' is updated in champagne nude satin, with white embroidered floral overlay and raspberry notes. Check out the gorgeous mesh-embroidered panels on the knickers too!

Another of my favourites has to be the 'Persia' in 'Damson'. Nude with lace overlay is a big trend for the coming seasons, so the 'Persia' is really on the mark. The 'Persia' bra has a Moroccan influence, with its nude base, overlaid with rich maroon lace. The combination of the satin band and straps with the intricate floral mosaic patterned lace is exquisite and the little tassel motif shows real attention to detail. This is one set that I absolutely must try! 

Another favourite is the satin, champagne coloured 'Capella' with black jacquard lace effect. Not only does this sweetheart moulded bra look divine, but the fit is also spot on! I recently tried this bra on in Bravissimo and fell in love with its beautiful fit and support. This set is sure to make you feel a million dollars!

The gold-nude 'Harem' is a really luxurious twist on the nude trend. With satin and lace panels, this set would be perfect for special occasion wear, as well as for every day luxury. The high-waisted lace panelled knickers are also a nod to the vintage style that is making a come back:  

As a bride-to-be, I was immensely excited by the luxurious ivory satin 'Deity' range (the body and plunge bra are pictured below).  It is so hard to come by beautiful bridal lingerie that is available in a 28 back, so I really struck gold with the 'Deity'. The body and high-waisted knickers look very vintage-inspired and the art-deco esque embroidery and zig zag stitching make the 'Deity' very classic and understated, yet still very seductive:

  All in all, I thought that the Panache Spring/Summer 2012 collections were incredibly strong and there really is something for everyone. Customers love to see their favourite bra styles reinvented in different colours and prints, so Panache really deliver from season to season, updating classics, whilst equally introducing exciting new styles. 

  My absolute favourite collection was Masquerade. There was not a single piece that I did not adore and with its indulgent fabrics and exotic colours, its lingerie seems too good to save for a special occasion! The difficulty will be choosing which to buy, as everything is so stunning!

  I also think that Panache should be commended for really pushing the boat out with the quirky colour combinations and prints of their Cleo range, which presents variation to typically floral-driven summer collections.

  Panache definitely spoil ladies with a larger bust for Spring/Summer 2012 and every collection embodies the chic style that their brand name suggests. Above all, what remains a constant, is Panache's flair for providing lingerie and swimwear that is pretty, supportive, well-fitting and comfortable. 

Fantastic collections by a fantastic brand!

Love,

Kitty xo