I've been curious about Freya's padded half cups for a while, but the only one I've tried so far was the random Mode style that got shipped to me accidentally by Amazon, and it was horrible. I own the unlined version of Rhea in 28DD and was able to grab this Padded Half Cup in my current size of 28E. It fits, but unfortunately I really dislike the minimized shape it gives me, so like the Comexim Basic 3HC that gave me the same problem, it won’t be staying in my collection.

So far, 3HCs have rarely worked out for me as it also didn't work in the two Fantasie Padded Half Cups or the Masquerade Medina I tried, so I am feeling kind of nervous that this shape isn't for me (I have another Comexim 3HC coming in the mail that is hopefully deeper). In general, the cups are on the wider side and just don't have enough projection for me, so they create a flattened, minimized appearance that looks like I'm wearing a sports bra, though they do also create a nice push up effect at the top of the cup. I haven't yet figured out if the problem is lack of immediate projection at the wire, overall projection and shaping, or lack of upper projection, as all parts of the cup feel a little weird and look minimized, but my guess is leaning towards the lack of upper cup projection.

Other than this shape concern, I actually quite like this bra. I considered keeping it until I looked at myself in the bra with a shirt on, and could see how unflattering the side profile is. The cup width and height are quite comfortable on me, and from the front, it looks quite nice. I definitely fill out the cups completely, which is kind of rare for me in Freya's 28E. I get a very rounded and full upper appearance in this bra. My guess is that this would be a nice shallow-friendly option, since the cups don't look any better when I try to add padding or silicone inserts--just like in the Comexim Basic 3HC, it just made the shape look unbalanced and distorted because the cups simply do not have the projection to handle any additional volume. Unlike Comexim bras, the construction of this "padded half cup" is the same soft batting-like foam that Fantasie uses for their padded half cups. It is thin, soft, and doesn't provide support or structure. It essentially just functions as some lining to give a smoother shape and provide some modesty. So far, I haven't warmed up to this construction, and I prefer either a true unlined bra or a structured foam bra like the B. Tempt'd by Wacoal Ciao Bella or Comexim options.

Details of this bra are similar to the Rhea Unlined Plunge, but the embroidery here is all over the bottom cup. The design is of pink and coral wild roses, Queen Anne's lace, and pale pink freesias. It is quite a lovely design that reminds me of an English garden, and you can see much more of the overall embroidery than in the Unlined Plunge version as that style only has embroidery on the upper cup. The embroidery is executed on black jacquard lace, but the rest of the bra is plain black mesh. The straps have a short twinned detail in the front, which leaves most of the strap adjustable. I found the center gore decoration of a rose gold slider and a strip of ribbon to be strange on the other Rhea, and it looks just as strange here. The band runs a little large, like many Freyas do, as my 28 band measures as a 30.

I'd give the Freya Padded Half Cup silhouette another try, perhaps in Strawberry Fields, Patsy, or Daisy if I can get my hands on them. It's close, but not good enough to keep.

Black colorway

Updated on May 20, 2020 Flag this

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