This is the second bikini set I got from rachaelll, and like the Bondi set, I just had to make a few alterations which drastically improved the fit for me!
The top, being a 30F, was far too big in the band for me to begin with, especially since I bought this to be worn strapless (there are however loops to connect straps if desired). So, I ripped out all the seams that connected the band with the clasps and I pulled the band further through the clasps until I thought it would be tight enough for me, then I stitched the band in place and ...cut off the excess. I think I could've used a tiny bit more ease in the band, but it's not too uncomfortable, even after I've worn it for several hours and gone swimming and whatnot. Other than the band, the rest of the fit is pretty good. I'm impressed with the amount of projection in the cups, and the gore actually tacks (unlike my Cleo Lucille bandeau)! The cups are a little closed on top, and although I do get a tiny bit of bulging above the cups, it's not noticeable IMO. The only thing that could be better in terms of fit is that the wires are quite wide on me, but this doesn't affect my comfort at all.
As for the bottoms, they were pretty baggy on me to begin with, but I took them in at the side seams, which tightened them right up. I wore this suit to the beach for several hours and both sunbathed and went swimming, and it was only due to some really strong waves that I ever felt I was in danger of being exposed due to the top sliding down, but it was easy enough to pull it back up.
Overall I'm really happy I purchased this set, because now I know that it's possible for me to alter a strapless swimsuit and make it work for me, and I'm also really happy that I learned that Freya's strapless tops fit better for me (and probably a lot of other folks) than Cleo's.
PS. If you come to the full information page for this bikini, you can see all the photos I've added, including some of the alterations I made. (Sorry I didn't take any before photos). Read more 284 more words
Well, I got this and the Freya Palm Haze bikini sets from rachaelll a couple weeks ago, and after some quick alterations, I am happy to report that they both fit really well! Let's get into it.
Unfortunately I didn't take any "before" photos of either of the bikini sets, but this top was a bit too wide-set for me originally. So I decided I would do some fancy folding to maintain the design of the top (to keep the diagonal seam in the middle where the cups met, well, diagonal) and stitch it all into place. First I folded the left side of the gore ...under (left from my perspective when I'm wearing it) and stitched that down onto itself, and then I stitched the left side to the right side and did some crafty pulling of the outer jersey layer so that the stitching wouldn't go through that. It came out looking almost completely invisible from the outside, which I'm super happy with. The "gore" is slightly higher now than it was originally, but I'm perfectly happy with that, and bringing the cups closer also had the added benefit of giving me some decent cleavage, too.
The top's band was snug for a 30 to begin with, but the band is slightly shorter now that I folded some of it onto itself in my alteration. I have no problem with this. The top is made of a nice medium-thickness foam which I feel secure and supported in, but it does take a while to dry completely.
So the top fits beautifully now, and the bottoms fit well enough. When I'm just lounging, the bottoms fit perfectly, but when I go swimming, they do get a little baggy and don't fit as snugly as I would like. However, this doesn't bother me too much, and it would be easy enough to take the bottoms in a tiny bit at the side seam if I want to in the future. Read more 222 more words
Edit 19.08.20: Today I have finally learned how to close the hook on my back. But my ovulation day is coming, and my boobs start to swell again. After I scooped and swooped, I saw quad boob on my left side https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />
Actually this is my first time to try a bikini. I have no idea if it fits or not. It is a struggle for me to close the plastic hook on my back, so I do it on front and then twist the band. I don't know if this is the right way to wear a bikini top. If not, I ...guess the band can be too tight for me.
It's a multiway top. The cups are very wide, maybe also a little bit shallow. If I wear it without straps, they slide down and cause slightly quad boobs, just like any other strapless bras on my body. So I only wear it with straps, or pull the sleeves up as straps, then they look better. However, I still can't define if they really fit or not.
The center gore is wide and tall, but it tacks. It is strange to me because my boobs are closeset. Normally I can't wear a bra with such a 8.0×2.5 cm center gore.
I love the pink-orange colour. I also tried to make the look just like the online shop model but failed, because I don't have so wide shoulders as her. So I give the appearance a score 4/5.
Anyway, I want to thank alisa for the bikini panty size suggestion. I chose a size M, it is very comfy and fit snug on me. Read more 171 more words
This is super cute! Congrats on getting a cute bikini that fits! I accept smaller fit issues with swim suits versus bras, they are never made to the same standards as bras it seems, so if you are comfortable and it looks nice I think it is a big win.
veggiechic Thanks for the comment, I decided to try a Panache Anya Stripe Bandeau and make some comparisons. According to the measurements, I guess it can fit me better.
Looks good on you, and the fit sounds pretty good for a bikini. Swimsuits/bikinis are SO hard to fit in bra sizes. I've tried quite a few bikinis and swimsuits over the last few years (sorry I decided not to review them here), and I've actually given up and gone back to buying "medium" instead in a no name brand. I have one cup sized swimsuit and one bikini that fits fairly well, and the rest all have major fit issues. It's super frustrating!
It looks good on you! I'm glad my size suggestion was helpful.
Shallow and too small even when I was that size, but the suit hid it well. I enjoyed having a top that stayed in place, didn't look like a bra, had support, didn't show cleavage/stayed in place with antics, and felt fashion forward. I'm really sad it is too small now!
I've seen this sweetheart cut fairly often in Freya Swim and I found it to be a very comfortable padded bikini top. I would call it a half cup bra/bikini top and it gives my FoB breasts an uplifted and round shape. This particular version comes in a quite bright red with a black pip print.
Personally I've don't worn that many Freya models (nor half cup bras for that matter) still construction and looks of this bikini top reminded me of the Freya Patsy Padded Half Cup Bra (1223) though I found the bikini top much more comfortable to wear. But notice I went up a band size and down two cup sizes here comparing to the Patsy that fit me in 28G.
I bought this bikini set in summer 2008. Here is the review I wrote at the time (with some adjustments to reflect current fit--note that the photo of me in the suit is from then, not now):
This is the sixth swimsuit I've ordered online, not to mention the dozens I've shortsightedly tried on in shops. With other suits I've ordered, I had to experiment with different sized tops and bottoms. With this suit, I think, I will be spared that trouble.
Seeing this suit online, I was a bit skeptical at first. It seemed too loud for my tastes (I know - it's nearly solid colored and has, ...O horrors!, a couple buckles, but I'm very shy in my fashion choices). But I was desperate, so I ordered it, anyway.
I normally wear a 28FF in Freya. I've tried two other bikini tops from them, both of which were two small in a 30F. According to Figleaves reviewers, though, this one is a lot more normally sized, so I went ahead and ordered the 30F. The cup fits very well, especially considering that I have to take a 28G in Freya plunge styles. The band is, of course, slightly bigger than I'm used to, but it's not noticeably riding up my back, and I feel adequately supported (definitely supported enough to swim or walk; definitely not supported enough to jog or play volleyball). My biggest complaint would probably be that the seams on the cup create an odd side profile: quite pointy. (I've found this to be the case with a few Freya bras, even: the seam is the most prominent/pointy part, even though that's not where the nipples rests.) I'm guessing that most people aren't going to be investigating my chest enough to notice this or the cup-wrinkling.
The bottoms were a lot skimpier than I'm used to or would normally be comfortable with (I got the retro brief). They're full coverage in the front, but in the back the corners of my bum are exposed. I normally wear a 0-1 in American jeans, and the XS is a bit too small for my tastes. I've gained weight since buying it, so I have a bit of a 'muffin top'. It's really difficult for me to find bottoms that aren't saggy in the bum and/or up to my navel, though, so all things considered I'm quite satisfied with these (if only I hadn't gained 10 lbs. since 2008, ha!). Read more 301 more words
Love this top, it's my go-to swim top! Really flattering blue color and great fit for my FOB, center-full, very projected, and narrow boobs. Feels secure in the ocean and for walking around. Would definitely repurchase in additional colorways.
Super comfortable and cute! Have gained a little weight since I first purchased this and at this point could probably use a cup size up. I typically fit Ewa Michalak BMs and CHPs the best (FOB, narrow, center full, projected) so I was surprised that this Freya swim top fit me so well! Would definitely repurchase in my correct size in additional colorways.
the band is a little loose for me, I usually wear 28 bra band but for swimwear I thought I just go one size up because of the material etc. but this just a little bit too big. cups are too big for me too. gorgeous tho!
The pattern on this swim set is really fun, I love the black and white palm trees. The top is a multi-way that can also be worn strapless. It comes with two removable straps that are quite long and fully adjustable. The swim set is made from high-quality scuba material and is lightly lined with white foam to provide coverage, but not bulk. The band is TTS and has only one closure option - which is sadly too loose for me. It would fit much better on a true 30 band. The cups are quite roomy and provide enough coverage to be family friendly. The gore on this swim top is quite wide and doesn't comfortably fit my close-set breasts. This top would be better suited for someone a little wider set.
This bra definitely runs small in the cup for a 30F (and smaller than Freya's wired swimwear). I would need to size up to at least a 30FF or G to have a family friendly fit. This style is also suited to someone more wideset - my breasts are quite close together, and this bikini shows far more cleavage that I want. This Freya soft styles will likely fit shallower breasts much better. The band feels firm for a 30 (compared to other Freya swim styles) and only has one hook closure.
The swim set is made high-quality scuba material and the colours are vibrant and fun. The foam lining in the cup is thin, it covers the nips and provides support without adding bulk. I bought the matching size small bottoms (UK 10) and fit like a dream. The cut provides bum coverage while still looking cute.
Overall, the fit here is good--it feels better than the other halter bikini tops I tried on in this sessions (Curvy Kate Starry 30F and 2 sizes of Cleo Lexie). It feels like a more substantial and thicker material than the others, and it's also a better fit for me. There are some minor fit issues. There is a small amount of gapping at the top just under the strap, where the bra is straight and my breast dips. This may be standard for a halter bra if you're not full on top; I didn't notice it with the other bras, but they were almost universally too small/shallow. ...The other issue, very common for me, is that the center gore lies about a finger width off my chest. A skooch more depth could have helped me, but this fit is definitely close enough for wear; I feel like I can swim and move around without losing my top.
EDIT 2 YEARS LATER: I have gone up a cup size and now have much more top fullness, and I get major quad-boob from this now - it's clearly too small in the cup. The band is still good, although I've also started wearing 32's as a rule (I have a 30.5" ribcage, so true 30's are too tight for me - but this is a stretchy band. Granted, it's also 2 years old now, but I have barely worn it - I don't swim often.)
I love everything about this bikini! I think it is a really cute design, especially the option to have either cross over or halter neck. It is comfortable and supportive and gives just the shape I like : it has a subtle cleavage, nice uplift, and natural shape. I only wish I could find a bra that fit me this well!!!! It is so confusing to me that Freya (and the same with curvy Kate) bikinis fit just how I like but I can't find any of their bras that fit at all! I wish they would make a bra just the same shape/style/cut as the bikini.
Re ...the fit: I think the back fits nice, although is not super tight. At the moment I am not wanting to wear my bras really tight so I like the fit of this, although I will have to see if it gets loose when I go in the water. I think it is a standard 30. The straps can be worn halter and therefore as tight or loose as required. Although if worn cross over they can't be adjusted. On me they were ok as a cross over, although if I could adjust them I would make them a little tighter.
The cup fits very well. One of the best fits I have ever had. My breasts are full in the centre where they meet and very close together. And not full at the top. Therefore I have mixed results with plunges - on one hand I need the plunge so the wires are low at the centre and not sitting on my breast. On the other hand, I often end up with quad boob or my breasts falling out or being pushed to the centre because of the plunge, and gaping or wrinkled fabric at the top of the cup where I don't fill it out and often plunges seem to be too high under my arms and where the straps meet the cups. But with this bikini none of that! As I said above, I only wish I could find a bra that did the same https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Read more 255 more words
Any suggestions regarding a bra that would be similar to this bikini would be great! ......
It's a very pretty bikini! I think you need a cup size up as well, both cups have quaddin 😒
I think the way I hold the camera creates a bit of quad boob, I think if I am standing with my arms to the side it is ok.... But I don't mind if there is a tiny bit of quad boob. I find basically everything is like this! For me this is as close to fitting as I seem to be able to find! So I can live with this even if maybe it isn't perfect, perfect :)
That makes sense! It's hard to get good pics on your own!
This is my favorite swim top! It lifts and supports the girls perfectly and gives a beautiful round shape under fitted rash guards. The blue with white trim is super cute too! And I love the higher sided bottom option that doesn't create love handles.
Freya bras (unpadded) and some bikinis don´t usually fit my shape. I have wide + tall root and shallow boobs and Freya seems to have always too closed on top, and too deep cups for me, but I read that this bikini top is an exception. I tried my luck and got a nice surprise!
My usual Panache size is 28F. I read that the band in Pier runs tight and cups small so I ordered 30F. Band is nice and snug. I do get along very well with the cups, too! The seam across the cups looks like it tries to wrinkle a little in the center, but ...this is very minor. The shape viewed from the side is not completely rounded, but very much so. I would never have imagined to get this good a shape from an unpadded freya bikini! From the picture it seems I have some wrinkling at the bottom of the cups. I think it can be removed by shortening the halter neck a little but I´ll have to test it. It might be that if I tighten it too much, the cups will cut in at the top.
I also got bikini bottom EU / UK M, which I think fits true to size. I usually wear UK 12 / EU M. It is the brief with frills.
Overall: Very nice indeed!! The bikini feels very secure, I feel like I could even do sports in this!! Even though it is not the perfect fit for me, I really like it! Read more 148 more words
Nicely done! I am so impressed with your alterations skills with two successes in a row!