This bra has a slightly too long band for me, so I had to start it on the second hook. Other than that, the wires are slightly too wide, but nothing that really affects the fit of this bra too much. It is very pretty and true to size, though fairly tall. Probably best for even to FOT boobs with average projection and a bit wider roots, though it fits this girl with average roots as well.
When I got it a few month ago the material around the straps felt irritating and the band felt too loose. But the fit looked really good so I couldn't bring myself to return it and somehow forgot about it.
Three week ago I got a really bad bronchitis and suddenly felt strangled in my Cleo and Panache bras. Looking for something looser I gave this one another try. I soaked it and loosened the straps a little and now it is super comfortable. The cups feel so soft and nice. They have just the right amount of padding to look smooth without ...feeling bulky and warm. The shape it also great: Somewhat wider and less round then my Cleo bras but still nice and perky especially from the sides.
The wires are flexible but quite narrow (much narrower then in the Freya Rapture). They sit about 1cm behind my breast tissue and I don't feel them at all. The gore tacks but it is barely noticeable compare to my Cleo / Panache bras.
Support is surprisingly good. The band is very loose: Stretched it is about 10.5cm (4.1 inches) longer them my Cleo Marcie (http://bra.pe/XYLq/). But it stays in place just as fine and I don't have to adjust my boobs during a busy workday. But this is probably also due to the narrow strap placement and the less projected cup shape that keeps my breasts closer to the chest. It probably just felt unsupportive at first because I was so used to the death grip of my other 28F/FF bras.
My only issue is that the dots appear slightly darker on the straps which makes them looks dirty or washed out even though I have only washed it a couple of times. But overall I am very happy to have rediscovered this one and I will totally get it in more colors. Read more 211 more words
Style Nothing fancy but I definitely needed a black bra that doesn't cause too much attention under clothes.
Sizing / fit I am impressed by how well this fits. I had a problem with the wires of my 30F Freya Rapture being way too wide and too flexible. These are more like cleo wires. They are really firm and somewhat narrower. So they follow my IMF more closely. The band is very snug, comparable to my Panache Jasmine in the same size. Maybe a 30E/F would have worked as well. The cups are true to size with a bit more space at the top compared to the Rapture and the fabric ...is thick enough to keep my nipples down even if it's cold. Overall it feels extremely supportive and makes a really nice round shape. Though not as round as my Cleo Marcie http://bra.pe/XYLq/ which is my new benchmark for roundness https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" />
Quality Everything feels really soft and comfy. The straps on my Freya Patsy are a bit rough and have seems that tend to chafe my shoulders. These are smooth and a bit thicker which feels soo much better. The same goes for fabric around the band which actually provides some support unlike the mesh in most of my cleo / panache bras. This also prevents the elastic from cutting in too much. But I guess I could also make it less breathable. So maybe it is more of a winter bra. I have it for about three month now and it didn't stretch out at all. Read more 153 more words
This looks amazing on you! I love the colour of this bra (it's dark green right?), I've thought about getting it numerous times, but now that I see if "in real life", I want it even more!
No, it's actually black and the pink also looks a bit pale on the photos.
Well it's still a nice looking bra, haha! I think they do make a green model if I am thinking of the right bra. Anyways, it looks good on you.
Thank you!
What is your snug measurement? I’m considering this bra but I’m unsure if if I should go 28F or 30E in it.
Calluna I measure 73.5 (28.94 inches) snug and 69.5 (27.36 inches) tight (exhaled). But I like my bands really snug.
aboobaccount my snug measurements run between 28.75 inches and 29.75 inches depending on who’s taking them. My tight is 28 inches to 28.75 inches but not sure if either were exhaled measurements. I’ve been in 32 bands for a while but have felt like most 32 bands are in the looser side and 30 bands feel a little bit too snug like I really need 31 which doesn’t exist. So I’ve been trying for tight 32s.
But I’ve been told that Freya bands run bigger now (compared with my ancient Pollyanna which was a 32DD) which is why I am considering the 28 bands with them.
Calluna This one doesn't run loose! It fits tighter then my Freya Petsy and Starlet. If your (exhaled) tight measurement is larger then mine then you will probably be fine in a 30. Especially if you don't have much padding around your ribs.
This bra is cute but it is not my shape at all. The wires are really, really wide even for me and it's very shallow. The gore and the cups come up way too high. The only good thing about this bra is that it covered my center fullness but at the same time it gaped on the outer part because it's such a tall bra.
I bought this bra from Broad Lingerie in Toronto, ON. It was on the clearance rack and I had been wanting a Deco Vibe in Blush for a long time because I needed a new "nude", seamless bra for myself. I tried it on, and I knew that Freya's 28 bands were too big for me, but Sam Conover, the owner of the boutique, has a personal friend who does alterations for a small fee! So I got the band shortened by a full band length, which cost only $10, and I got the straps shortened about an inch as well (only $5) so that if I ever ...want to use the J-hook it'll be positioned in the middle of my back instead of up near my neck. I just left the bra with Sam once I paid for it and it took about 4 days for the alterations to be completed, and then they just emailed me when it was ready to be picked up! As for the bra itself, here we go: I love the delicate blush colour, and it has a pretty diamond geometric mesh over the band. It also has a thin white lace trim along the bottom and top of the band, as well as on the sides of the cups. Because of the alteration, the band fits nice and snug on the first set of hooks. The wires are a perfect width for me, and the bra is a little on the shallow side, both in cup depth and immediate depth at the wire, but this is what creates VS-style cleavage. The bra doesn't ride down for me because I don't need a ton of immediate projection. An added benefit of having the band shortened was that the straps came inward slightly, so they're a good width for me when worn regularly. The gore tacks, and it doesn't bother me whatsoever throughout the day. Having the band shortened almost makes the cup volume too small for me (it wasn't a problem when I tried it on before the alteration) but this just adds to the cleavage, which I'm not complaining about. Now that the band is the proper length too, it really feels like I'm strapped in (in a good way) and there's barely any movement throughout the day. My boobs stay where they're put in this bra.
Overall, I love this bra, and I had an amazing experience buying this from Broad Lingerie! 10/10, would recommend. Read more 303 more words
The Gem was a surprise: surprisingly narrow for a Freya bra and with enough projection for my breasts! The shape is a bit pointy from the side, but the design is so pretty that I'm able to overlook that!
Runs large in band and cup--fits like a tight 30F, or a really loose 28FF. Decently narrow wires. Scratchy band and mesh.
Unpadded Freya plunges (Arabella, Totally Tartan Plunge) want very centered, projected-in-the-middle, kind of full-on-top breasts, and they don't look right if your nipples can't line up with the pointy part in the cups.
Not good for projected-on-bottom, shallow-on-top breasts. The lace was obvious through loose t-shirts because it was so oversized on top.
Color: Nude (measurements below for this color only)
Stretched Band: 29" Band Length: 24" Cup Width: 5.25" Cup Depth: 8.75" Wire Length: 8.25" Cup Seperation: 1.125" Center Gore: 1.75" Wing Height: 3.375" Strap Width: 0.75" Hooks: 2
Pros: Molded cups provide modesty and support. The only style from Freya that can be worn with clothing...i.e. no twin torpedos here. Cups fit pretty *true to size* and by that I mean their cup depth is in line with the size it is supposed to fit. I'm fuller all around but don't have a lot of projection or too much top fullness, gapping was never really an issue, but less fullness and you may have sizing problems with this style.
Cons: The elastic could be of ...a better quality considering the price because it stretches out pretty fast after a few wears. I wash with Borax and A&H detergent and everythin snaps back into place. Foam in cups is a little rigid and heavy. About 3/16" in thickness, could be thinner. Straps are set far apart, at least for me, but on someone else with very wide shoulders this shouldn't be a problem.
I bought this from HerRoom in late Winter/early Spring 2009, so this has gotten quite a lot of use. After the first couple of months owning it I had to restitch the eyes in the back closure. This was not super tight by any means. I had been running around outside (nothing too strenuous) and the stitching snapped. Because it's the nude color it will fit slightly larger than any other color, especially black. Brand new it was like this so it has nothing to do with use.
Other than quality issues the fit is great. I've been wearing these more often, they keep everything in place and look good under just about everything. Wish it came in a darker nude though, kind of too beige/pink for my color =/ Read more 194 more words
The cups on this measure 8.8 inches, not 8.1. I don't know why it's showing differently. 8.1 would be more in line with a size 28DDD (1 cup size smaller than mine). As a general rule of thumb, size 28DDDD and every larger sister size than that will have a cup depth of 8.5 - 9", as will the persons breast depth themselves.
Stretched band - 27" Band - 23.5" Cup width - 5" Cup depth - 9.1" Wire length - 8.5" Cup seperation - .8" Strap width - .8" Hooks - 2
PROS: Soft material, not in the least bit itchy (not sure why others complained about that) Thick straps for better support, plus the embroidery on them prevents them from readjusting on their own Supportive full band that (for once for Freya!) runs true to size and does not slide around Because it's a plunge and also a balcony style (This is the style sold to me by Nordstrom, it is not a balconette), it gives great lift but doesn't leave you with that pointy look. I can wear this under ...thin t-shirts and although the seams do show through just a tad, it is minimal compared to other lace bras.
CONS: Why can't Freya line their bras? I don't understand...just a thin material of the same size, it would give an even rounder look and be just a bit more warm. The material is very thin, so show-through is a problem if you're cold. I wish the wires were a little bit taller on the outer sides. I'm more average-full busted, but for someone with fuller breasts (the total circumference) this would probably result in side spillage.
The cups of this bra are cut exactly the same as the Freya Arabella. The only difference is this one fits better because the ribbon on the Arabella prevents the top fabric on the cup from stretching so it can give a point and quad-boob look. The black lace on the tops of these cups seem to have a bit of give so the pointy appearance is not as bad.
*Update 8/02/11* I never wear this because it's uncomfortable. For a few minutes it feels ok and looks ok, but after those few minutes the cups wrinkle and sag, while at the same time cutting into breast tissue at the top of the cup resulting in what appears to be quad-boob. Read more 212 more words
I only tried on this bra in a local shop, but I did not buy it as it did not fit me AT ALL.
General comments:
I have only just hopped on the correct-size-bra-band-wagon and still very much in the process of figuring out what works for me. This is not made any easier by the fact that I am breastfeeding (10 months and counting) and still am not used to fact that I have BREASTS, as opposed to my pre-pregnancy 'breasts'. Also, because of breastfeeding, my size, shape and density isn't exactly constant. Anyway, I've so far found only two bra models in a size 60 band (both Freya) ...in local stores and this review is for one of them. I tried this bra on in 65E and 60F, neither of which fit even close.
Bra description:
A pretty bra made out of black mesh with pink polka dots and pink. It's quite cute, though it looked better on the hanger than on me, the fitting issues aside.
Fit:
The band felt very snug, but it was the first time ever I tried on a bra that didn't close completely at the tightest hook, a revelation! Also, the centre gore laid nice and flat, something I haven't seen too often before. I guess that after a lifetime of wearing over-large size 70 bands it just takes some getting used to wearing a band that is appropriately tight.
The cups were a decidedly less successful story, though. Honestly, I've never tried on a bra that was so incompatible with my shape as this Freya one. In this 60F the underwires did not encircle my breasts convincingly. I would have preferred them wider, but this bra wasn't available in a larger size. Also, the shape of the cups was ... odd, to say the least. My larger right breast ALMOST filled out the cup, but there was still a strange deep fold at the top of the cup. This was even worse on the other side. The strange thing was that despite what seemed excess space at the top of the cups, the front edge of the cups STILL cut into my breasts on BOTH sides. Loosening the straps didn't remedy this and only resulted in an even sadder look. The cups didn't feel supportive and the shape they gave me was just ugly. The fabric didn't feel that comfortable against my skin either.
Conclusion:
This bra simply isn't meant for me. The wires are too narrow and the cups too deep. What's going on with the front edge of the cups I don't know, but it clearly doesn't work for my wide-set, wide-based, and relatively less voluminous breasts. Read more 331 more words
This would be my first bra that actually legitimately fit me. However, with no actual stores nearby that sell this bra, I had to do a bit of guesswork based off the reviews I read online. I guess I got lucky because on the first try it seems to fit perfectly.
This bra gives lovely cleavage, which can always be appreciated, but not a distasteful amount. The cups did gape a bit at first, but after tightening the straps they lay perfectly flat with no problems. I saw in a lot of reviews that the band was rather loose, and that you should go down a band size, ...but as I measure about 27.5", that wasn't really an option. I've never had a 28 band bra before this one, but to me it seems rather tight, and not at all too loose. It's definitely much tighter than the 30 band bras I own in a different style.
My only complaint about this bra is how thick the straps are. I know many people prefer thick strapped bras, but as a fairly young person, the thick straps don't exactly hide well under the types of clothes I tend to like. I think I may get a strapless Deco as well, because they come with multiway straps that seem to be much thinner.
Overall, I really love this bra. I haven't owned it long enough to comment on how much it might stretch out, but perhaps I'll add to this later. Read more 141 more words
I *love* this strapless bra! I had been struggling with a Fantasie strapless (4530) that was too big post weight loss and that was cut like a traditional strapless bra (i.e., a high center gore and complete coverage). This Freya is MUCH better, and not just because of proper sizing.
While the band is a bit snug (my ribcage measures 28" and I bought a 28 band), I have always found that it is best to wear the smallest size possible in the band when purchasing a strapless bra (there is nothing worse than slippage throughout the night!). I also *love* the plunge neckline and the lift it gives my breast. Absolutely amazing. I can't believe a strapless bra makes my boobs look so sexy!
Viva is a newer side support style from Freya. I've only tried the Starlight Hero Side Support and the Rose Tapestry Side Support, but didn't end up keeping either of them. I originally bought Viva when I was closer to a 28E and it has turned out to be too small, so I returned it and reordered 28F instead. Happily, it fits!
Freya's side support styles are very similar to the Fantasie ones, but they are available in a 28 band. I've noticed that newer Freya styles are much more TTS in the band, as many older Freya 28s basically fit like 30s. This ...is a true 28E, so I am very pleased with the band. It is made from firm printed powermesh and has a gentle leotard back. The wings are rather short, but I didn't find the band to be uncomfortable at all.
The cups are made from lightweight silky printed fabric, basically the same fabric that Freya uses on most of their printed bras, and basically the same fabric on Fantasie's printed bras as well. This lightweight fabric gives pretty good shaping and support while remaining lightweight. The cups of this bra are unlined, but they still give me a great rounded shape. The side support panel is lined with nonstretch tricot, but I didn't have any issues with it cutting into tissue and creating a horrible vertical line like these panels sometimes do. Most of the upper cup is made from mesh elastic with shadow stripes. Side support styles are typically pretty closed off at the top, and this is no exception, but the fact that it is mostly elastic helps it stretch better. Thus, this will accommodate tall roots better than most side support styles out there.
I have noticed that Freya's side support styles tend to run a little small in the cup, however, as that was part of the reason why I didn't keep any of the other styles I tried on previously. I also recently tried the Starlight Side Support in 28E and found it almost a half cup too small, but Viva seems to run nearly a full size too small. If you are on the larger end of your size, I'd recommend ordering a size up in this silhouette.
The styling of this bra is super cute. I bought the Black colorway, which has fun geometric pink, blue, and coral flowers on a polka-dotted black base. The print is whimsical without looking too young. Trims are super simple, with medium width plain straps, and two tone skinny pink and hot coral bows at the center gore and strap attachments. Best of all, no metal center gore charm! Glad that sizing up has worked out, because currently I am in between 28E and 28F, and still trying to figure out which styles fit best in which size. Read more 384 more words
This bra is very comfortable but not flattering. The wires are very flexible and distort even when the band is barley stretched. The cup width increases by an inch when stretched. Distorting the wires also distorts the cups making them flat at the top, smashing my boobs. The tall gore is not painful even though it sits on breast tissue because the wires are so soft and pressure is distributed over a larger area. I wonder if they could make a bra with soft wires at the gore and harder wires on the outside because I think that would work for me.
I had read some negative reviews on this bra but when I went to the UK in September I tried EVERY bra in Bravissimo in my size range. This one is like a breast hug! While it's not technically the best fit, it's very comfortable and is beautiful in the black colorway I have. The band is stretchy, the wires are not firm and the bra gives a SLIGHTLY east-west look, but for my fit preferences and my shape this bra is great for when I need to wear a bra but reallly want to sit in pajamas all day.
This bra is soo old so I don’t know how much use this review is in 2017 but I’ll do it for the sake of completion. The Freya Amy is a related model, so the same exact cut, of the Antoinette and Adele. The Antoinette in red and beige were my first fitting bras when I got into bra sizing 5 years ago. I wore them and nothing but them for a year. they fit perfectly and were so comfortable I barely felt them. they gave me the best fully supported, lifted, minimized, and rounded breasts I’ve ever had...it was bra heaven, I could just forget I have ...boobs and go about my day.
Since that time I’ve gone up one or two cup sizes and I wear different bras but I’ve always wanted to try an Amy or Adele because I love their prints. I finally got ahold of an Amy and it’s just like the Antoinette, same cut and silky sturdy soft fabric, but this cut longer fits me like a glove.
This bra is slightly too large and projected in the cups for me. It can accommodate my top fullness and heavy immediate projection but I am shallow at my bust apex so I get wrinkling in these cups. I do with all cut and sew bras I’ve tried. They can still give me a rounded look but I can grasp the extra fabric at the apex. The fabric is so soft and smooth and firm; it can really shape you the way mesh unpadded bras cannot, provided the bra fits you.
The band is very firm so it fits my 26” back well for now. The straps are the widest I’ve ever encountered at .75”. The wires are firm and the flat type. The top portion is not stretchy at all. Read more 194 more words
I had a very old Freya model once - the Phoebe. It was very strange for a Freya unlined bra... quite shallow at the underwire and had a very tight band. I heard once somewhere Freya used to have TTS or snug bands. Somewhere along the way they lost that lol.
Yes I used to buy Freya once in a while, back in the late 1990s when rocks were soft! Tightest bands I ever wore--32 was a rib-crusher and I was probably around a 27.5" underbust back then.
I love the structure of this bra. The fabric is soft and the center gore lies flat against my chest. The cups are firm yet comfortable and give me great cleavage. However, I need to go up a cup size because I have a little side escape and quad boob on my left side.
I only wanted to try this out bc I had heard it had pretty tight strap. I'm no fan of Freya and do not have any other myself, so I can't compare, but it wasn't tight enough for me. I had to put it straight to the tightest hook, which i felt to be really shame as I otherwise really liked the bra. But this is my only disappointment with this bra.
This was also my first soft cup ever, so I can't compare to that. Simply said, it fitted as well and felt as good as my favorite moulded wire bra. Deco soft cup felt light yet sturdy ...all over. Many has told there was itching, but I didn't face such even that I'm quite sensitive. It was soft and lovely. I liked the fact that there was only two column hooks as I don't enjoy feeling like being in a corset. This bra sits tight enough to work on those two. Even shoulder straps were more narrow than the regular Deco straps, which I happen to strongly dislike for I always aim to anything soft.
The cups weren't as pushy as the original Deco does have, they did give pretty plunge cleavage (such like always are too squishy from sides to my liking). This bra works well on wide rooted and somewhat shallow without much projection breasts. The look is effective in all of its simplicity. Read more 129 more words
My shape (as I've figured it out so far): average root width, tall roots, projected, even fullness, very soft breasts.
How this bra fits me: I bought this bra as I have the same one in a 28E and the wires are a touch too narrow for my larger breast, meaning the cup shifts down throughout the day. Overall I find this bra (28E and F) pretty good for my shape. This particular one - F - wants a smidge more apex projection than I have - there is about 3mm of space at the cup's apex on my larger breast. Tightening the strap up does sort that out ...by reducing the cup's volume, but also then cuts into my tall roots. The size is not much off, so I am keeping this one for the week leading up to my period, when I typically increase by half a cup to a cup size.
The material of the bra is excellent. Freya plunge balconies are, by and large, a terrible shape mismatch for me - they are far too structured overall and closed at the top. My tissue sinks into all the space at the bottom while the apex remains completely empty. This one is the exception - the material somehow manages to be both forgiving and not stretchy. I feel supported and lifted and secure (again, a feat with my squishy boobs!) but the cup follows *my* shape, rather than imposing its own.
The band is very soft, as are the wires. I wish the band were firmer - in my size range a giving band is usually not too much of a problem, but I think that my soft breasts need wires and a band that will not budge, so that the cup stays in place. Otherwise my breasts shift about and sink into any empty space they find. I am wearing this one on the loosest hook, but may see about shortening the band overall to improve its support for me. Read more 223 more words
So happy you found comfort! Bronchitis coughs--those require energy, space, and lots of air. Hope you are fully recovered now.