This review is for the updated Patsy fit, with the current Freya label.

I don't think I've ever shelled out over $50 for a bra that may or may not be returnable, but that's exactly the chance I took on Patsy, since I had had this style on my wishlist for a while, and I had such good luck with the Summer Haze Padded Half Cup and felt they were very likely to be twins. Thankfully, the blind buy worked out, and now I have a beautiful Ballet Pink Patsy in my possession, and she fits wonderfully!

The measurements on my Patsy are just slightly bigger in the cup than my Summer Haze, but as it is .5 cm, it is not very noticeable. I would say both bras fit me quite identically, which means that the wires are comfortable, the cups are a good shape and volume, with none of the minimizing effect that I got from Rhea in the same size. Summer Haze and Patsy have what I typically think of as a 3HC, which is a rounded cup shape with 2 vertical seams, no upper panel, and a slightly closed off top.

This cut works the best for me, as the shape eliminates gapping at the top, which I experience with tall, open cups since I am not particularly FOT, while giving a very nice rounded shape similar to what one would get from a molded foam T-shirt bra. The wires are a nice and even curve instead of the wonky J curve or Nike swoosh shape that many Freyas have. The cups are very similar to Fantasie Sofia or Fauve Aurelia in shape, but are more closed off and rounded at the top. The angle of the cup is also cut at a slight plunge angle, which allows it to sit closer to the inner part of the breast where I am quite empty. The Fantasie and Fauve half cups are mostly constructed with straight cups. Despite the slightly closed top, this can certainly accommodate tall roots or more upper fullness, as there is plenty of room in the upper cup on me, and it works well when I tried it on with inserts. The only criticism about the fit is that the cups are a bit tall for my frame, leading to some gapping when I move, though I don't get this issue in similar bras that are cut with lower cups.

The wires on me are perfect on this bra, so I don't experience any discomfort like I did on Fearne, where the cup fit well but the wires were narrow and intolerable. Based on my experience so far with Freya Half Cups, the wires are all firm instead of the flexible ones used on their Unlined Plunges, so any mismatch in wire shape or size can be very painful. The bra band is printed powermesh and moderately firm. Freya's bands typically run large and this 28 is comfortable but not snug on me, though I might have to alter it down in time.

The appearance of the bra is nice, but a bit plain. It's definitely cute and girly without being overly young. It's the perfect kind of styling for an everyday bra. Patsy also uses the same lightweight mesh fabric on the cups as Summer Haze, which is a firm structured mesh rather than the standard stretchy mesh (like used on Cleo Marcie and Lucy), meant to be cool and breezy for summer. Indeed, the combination of this fabric and the lightweight foam lining in the cups makes this lined bra feel so much cooler than wearing a stuffy foam T-shirt bra in the summer heat. Ballet Pink is a soft pink with mocha polka dots throughout, and I like this color combination, which extends to the lace and bows. The upper edge has a bit of simple lace decoration and isn't visible or lumpy under clothing. Though the bra is seamed, it isn't nearly as noticeable under clothing as many other bras of similar construction. Straps are plain wide elastic, but are covered with the same printed mesh fabric, so the print extends throughout. The bows are sweet and delicate. The center gore bow is really pretty as it is double layered with thick and thin ribbon, and topped off with a tiny flower. Yay for no weird charms!

I think this is a fabulous bra for everyday wear, and is a bra you can really live in. Overall, I love this bra because it gives me a great shape without a molded cup, and is supremely comfortable on me. This ticks all the boxes for what I am looking for in a padded (not foam cup) bra--the natural, easy shaping and lightweight feel of an unlined bra, with the rounded shape and additional modesty provided by a foam bra. What a shame that Patsy has been discontinued! I'd happily buy this in every color. Meanwhile, I'll be checking out all other Freya bras that look to be the same Padded Half Cup cut, with fingers crossed that I find some more dupes!

Ballet Pink colorway

Updated on Jul 24, 2020 Flag this

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