I like the Offbeat Side Support, so I decided to try the plunge. While a wear a 32E in the side support style, the plunge fits much better in a 32DD. However, the band of the plunge is much, much longer! (We’re talking multiple inches.) So, I’m going to try sister sizing to a 30E in this one. I do measure as a 30 band, so I think the plunge band actually fits truer to size.
Shape is rounder than the side support version, which I like. Cups are narrower, but they’re significantly deeper, too. (In the side support, I ended up bending the wires to make them narrower and give the cups some additional depth.) Gore is the teensiest bit shorter in the plunge. Straps are narrow set enough, which is great!
I noticed the same thing with mine. The 30G side support fits like a 28 band and I have to use an extender. Freya bands are usually stretchy so I was surprised!
Yes, I was surprised at how very snug it is, too! It’s shocking how different bras in the same brand can be.
I bought this hoping for the support of the Idol Balcony bra with shorter cups that are better suited to my body type. I’m super disappointed and returning it. The band runs HUGE. I have a 30E and even on the tightest hook, I can put my whole hand under it and stretch it several inches away from my body. It measures 35 inches stretched! Cups seem true to size.
Sorry it was disappointing! If it's like the other bras I know from that line, the band is probably cut to a normal (unstretched) length--it just stretches halfway round the globe. I really didn't like the Fancies line overall because of the materials and construction. Flimsies would have been a better name lol
wendybien “Stretches halfway around the globe” is an accurate assessment! Good to know the @Fancies line is all like that! I’ll skip over those in my quest for a perfect bra :)
I appreciate your review and info on this style. Unfortunately, for some reason all the Freya's I've been able to get my hands on in 36 and 30 bands are also horrifically stretchy. No support whatsoever. Keep hoping that there will be a version where this brand finally figures out how to make a bra, that we can't do hula hooping or jump rope with.
Ugh typo'd when I meant to say ***all the Freya's I've been able to get my hands on in 28 & 30 bands, also horrifically stretchy*** The only way around this is to look for anything with a low elastane percentage, like 6 to 10 percent. taller bands rather than thinner ones, tend to stretch less. Maybe this is why most brands use barely an inch wide band on all their sizes, hope to force every size to have a crappy loose fit that rides up over the underboobs.
Sorry to be the (late) bearer of depressing news, but I have been checking out Freya bras since the brand launched in the late 90s and apart from their first few seasons in existence, I can confirm their problem with excessively stretchy bands is a chronic one. I think it just goes with the price point and targeting of somewhat younger wearers--the quality just isn't there. If you are limited to UK brands and need a small band, I would look at Cleo, Fantasie etc. instead. Cleo runs small and firm, Fantasie is pretty true to size in small band/large cup.
My shape: Narrow root, close set, center full, even fullness, functionally full on bottom, immediate projection, and apparently very narrow shoulders (straps are basically always too wide set).
This is a beautiful bra. Not broken in, the band runs very firm (at least in the dark blue, which is gorgeous BTW), but I’m not sure if that may quickly change. I’m going to wear it for a while, and then maybe try a 30, too (my usual size). I have a terrible problem with most straps being so wide set that they really, really hurt my armpits where the strap meets the cup. While I still wish these were ...even a little closer set, they’re really not bad at all.
I have a tilt to my sternum, so the gore was really stabby at first due to its height. But! I realized there was extra space in the wire channel. So, I pushed the wires down as far as they would go and added some hand stitching to keep them there. Now, it’s not a problem.
My right side is a bit less full on top than my left, but you can’t tell at all in this bra. No wrinkling anywhere. Read more 91 more words
This bra actually isn't a bralette, but an ordinary underwired bra giving the appearance of a longline bra, with the "longline" part being just decorative lace with no additional band or support. Two hooks connect the bra itself and three more hooks connect the lace. It seems to have been designed for straight ribcages, as the lower hooks don't fit snugly against my slightly V-shaped ribcage. Those who have a A-shaped ribcage or a larger abdomen will probably have problems hooking the bra without tearing it apart. As usual with Freya, the band is quite large and stretchy, and the 32 I bought fits more like a 34 ...in most brands. The cups are a bit on the smaller size with Freya. Wires are pretty wide and apex projection is pretty good, but immediate projection is a bit shallow, and the cups are somewhat closed on top. I'm very projected, full on bottom with narrow roots, but the bra still fits pretty well, so it seems to have a pretty forgiving shape. It should fit average projection and width, full on bottom or even shapes best. The lace on the cups has no stretch, and although the cups don't have a top elastic, they might be too closed on top and in the center for tall roots or very close set shapes. The fabric is a little bit rigid and scratchy on the cups, but the bottom lace is soft and stretchy, and the bra is comfortable. The antique rose colored lace is beautiful and makes a gorgeous lingerie set. Read more 152 more words
This Bra gave me the usual feeling of pushing my boobs under my armpits. This meant that the cups are too separate so the gore is poking into my breast tissue. The wires are about 4cm away from my inframammary fold and feel like they are poking my back. Because the cups are too wide the cup fabric digs into my armpit. I also feel like the straps are too separate on the back of the bra not giving the proper support I need.
The Fabric is nice and soft and the top of the cup follows the breast tissue wonderfully though there seems to be a bit more fabric on the lace side of the transition meaning the lace gapes a little.
I like this bra! The Freya Deco bras have certainly seemed to be a hit among most in the reviews I have read especially among people with similar shaped breasts. When I saw a Freya Deco Moulded Plunge Bra in a 28GG new for a STEAL I had to jump on it. It arrived in a matter of days, and I am very excited to have a bra that is close to fitting. While this bra almost fits, I have a few little issues with it, but I think I will still keep it, considering I have no bras that fit me and my 36DD VS bras feel ...terribly Ill fitted now.
At a glance this bra seemed decent, kind of plain, the gore seemed a little taller than I anticipated for a plunge, measuring at about 2 - 2.25inches tall and I believe 0.75inches wide at the top. I often have issues with the gores of bras that are not super plunges, so I crossed my fingers that it would work. The bra is black, with a couple little tiny bows adorning where the straps meet the bra and at the top of the gore, which, a cute touch, I guess. (Or apparently when manufacturing banal big boosum brassieres everyone thinks tacking a bow on it is just what it needs to transform its aesthetics from ordinary to "wow!".) Upon closer inspection, I noticed the band and gore had a very subtle pattern on it, which was a little detail I actually did genuinly appreciate. I also hoped that the bra would not be too big or gap at the sides. The wires did not look insanely wide, which to me was good and the J hook looked sturdy. In part I had purchased it for this, but also because it appeared to work for people with breast shapes similar to mine.
I am still getting use to putting a bra on and then clasping it in the back, rather thanpullinf my 34 or 36 bands over my head already done. The band fit perfectly on the tightest hooks, snug but not too tight. I heard some Freya bands run big but I don't think mine measures or feels that way. My posture is instantly improved and my kyphotic curve looks better with the band taking a literal weight off of my shoulders. The wires follow below my IMF on my left breast pretty well but seem a little wider and just below my noticably smaller right breast. The gore seems to work for me its flat against my sternum and not digging in either. The straps seem like they might be a little too far apart for my comfort and I wish they were a little thicker. I have been playing with the straps and J hook but it still is giving me minor irritation at the top of the cups at the apex in that tissue next to my armpit. I am considering moving the straps inwards possibly. I prefer bras with cups tall enough to contain everything, but the cups may be just a little too tall on the sides for me and my short torso. I also think going down a cupsize would have been better. At first both cups seemed to have a little space at the top but after scooping and swooping, it appeared less so. Still my smaller breast had a little extra room. It is smaller and the root height is different I think though. I am not sure if the asymmetry originated from my back issues or if they are just differently sized. I do think that this size would better suit me if I gain a little weight or around my period, when they get larger, heavier, and gain more full on top. I have somewhat even fullness top/bottom but believe I might be functionally FOB with a lot of center fullness. My breasts appear kind of farther apart unsupported, but supported at all they are very close togetherwhich is why I have had issues with gores in the past. My nipples appear slightly east west but a lot of that has to do with my center fullness, with less fullness outside. I am fairly projected with slightly narrow roots and like bras that help keep everything forward. I am petite 4 ft 9 and probably under 110lbs now with a short torso, which affects my bra fit. My shoulders are more narrow than othr women, so sometimes strap placement can be an issue. My shoulders have rounded from back issues and poor posture likely exacerbated by wearing non supportive bras my whole life. On this bra, the straps are just a little too far apart leaving a red mark after wearing it for a few hours. I am going to see If I can remedy it by adjusting the straps or utilizing the J hook. I am going to keep this bra for now I need something that offers me some support my back has been aching, but I am curious to see how it fits later on in the month. I feel like I need to wear a different size then. I 100% would have without a doubt passed over this bra in the past, but I am willing to try another Freya Deco as well. This bra is pretty good, the moulded cup isn't super forgiving on my smaller breast, so I may try one a cup size smaller. I appreciate the companies that make 28 bands, I wish I had more to say about this bra, it's simple and a really good bra my on only gripe is with the annoying straps. I also dont love moulded cups, but this ones okay. I am glad that I tried it, and that I have a bra that kind of fits for now. It looks good under a shirt so If I can pad out the strap area I may like this bra! It met but didn't exceed my expectations.
May not post to adventures. Read more 909 more words
I ordered this from amazon to try, knowing the return would be easy. My shape is narrow, even, projected with average-to-short roots, close-set with lots of upper-center fullness and soft, saggy breast tissue. This bra felt pretty comfortable when I first put it on, but doesn't provide much support. The stretchy band and straps and stretch lace let my soft boobs just "hang out"; there is not much lift or shaping going on. However, it's not a total bra fail, as the fit is somewhat decent, and it's lightweight enough to wear in the hot summer. I don't like the pepto-bismol-pink colorway (Sweet Pea)
I usually wear 28F but the cups on this one are too small. There is noticeable quadding at the tops of the cups, where the lace cuts into me in a way that looks and feels compressive. I think the cups may be too shallow for me and not allow for enough depth, since I'm full on bottom and that usually results in gapping or wrinkling at the top instead of quadding at the top. They don't have much stretch "outwards" even though the top half of lace can stretch "upwards."
Otherwise, it's a nice bra with pretty and comfortable material and I would like to try again in ...a larger cup, like 28FF or 28G. The material seems really strong and sturdy, which might contribute to its shallowness because it won't stretch to a deeper shape, but it does seem like it'd offer a lot of support. I like that the cups are wide with side support since I'm wide-rooted despite being very projected. The band is firm compared to other Freya 28s, which I also appreciate.
Even though the cups are made of lace, it's a relatively strong and stable lace and the bottom halves have a very thin but extremely strong mesh as well. It seems like the stretchiness of the bra is different depending on the size, since I see other reviews reporting full stretch. Read more 119 more words
This was my first bra bought in a size 28 and i’m so glad i purchased it! All the 30 sized bands i’d been purchasing were too loose so i stopped being in denial that I needed a smaller band size. I love the narrowness of the cups, a lot of my other bras including a 30E that i have that i’d say fit pretty well have wires that are too wide for me which causes empty space on the sides. I feel like that tends to make my breasts look wider and less projected. I do get lines from wearing this bra but they go away quickly ...after removing and are not sore, honestly it’s a breath of fresh air after only wearing bras with a too large band. All this being said i think the fit is pretty good, from a side angle I notice some overflowing tissue so i’d like to try going up a cup size to see if that resolves the issue. Other than that a pretty good fit for me https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Read more 74 more words
I really like this bra and wish that it fit me properly! It’s soft and delicate looking, but the moulded cups are too tall for my small frame and short roots. The straps are too far apart for me as well, and using the j-hook to convert it into a racer back style doesn’t seem to help. Gapping/empty space and the top of the cups. Given the shape of my breasts I thought I would be FoT, but I’ve since found out that with short roots FoT breasts may be “functionally FoB”, which is probably why there’s too much room in the top of the cups. Moulded cups may just need to be avoided for me because I’m so short.
My information: calculated UK 28E (27" underbust, 32.5"/34.5"/33" bust), FOB, tall roots, projected, close set
I wanted to try this bra because it is padded for extra nipple coverage, but because of the lace and seams, it is quite apparent under clothes.
Other than the wires being too wide (a problem I always have), and the gore being too wide (also a problem I always have), this fits my shape pretty well. However, the top of the gore is SOOO uncomfortable! It's not even a problem with the height of the gore; I've worn bras with higher gores that have been decently comfortable, but for some reason, this really just stabs right into my sternum.
TLDR didn't fit me, but its really cute and soft and i really had high hopes when I bought it. I've been so bummed out about this not fitting that I've avoided writing a review for it tbh.
DESIGN: When I saw this in the online store and for a decent price, I just HAD to try it. It looks good in pictures and it holds up in real life. There's three different kinds of lace, each with its own pattern. The bottom 2/3rds of the cup have this flowery lace and by flowery lace i mean the lace itself is weaved in various flower patterns. It is heckin ...cute. The top 1/3rd has vertically stretchy lace weaved in a diamond pattern (extremely stylish!) and the cup edge is another separate piece of very elastic lace, weaved like a band with lots of holes in it. The cups are lined with non-stretch power mesh. The wings have stretch mesh. The straps are shiny, lined with little lace hoops and just a little wider than I'm used to (1,5cm). I got the feeling the straps would be hard to adjust because of the hoops (loops?), but when I tried adjusting the straps, it was easier than on most bras! The decoration on the gore is stylish, more elegant than cute.
Let's just briefly mention that COLOR tho. It's red, but somewhere around wine red and wine purple. It looked hella good online and I still like the color when I have the bra in front of me.
FIT: Ah yes, the fit. For me it was not good. Plunge styles never work for me because of my pendulous inner full/vertically even shape, I always spill out the middle. This bra was no exception. There wasn't enough immediate projection as well so my breasts were pushing the cup away from my body and not filling out the bottom of the cup. The cup edge was cutting in to my inner fullness also. At the time of writing this in February, I haven't tried this on since April last year. It didn't fit the first time and since then my band size has increased, and I haven't really felt like trying on a bra that's gonna be too small even with an extender. I think one of the reasons this bra was a poor fit is partially a clear shape mismatch, and partially some pretty stretchy cup fabric. I need firm non-elastic cup material for optimal fit.
QUALITY: This whole bra is so. SOFT. Everywhere I touch it it just feels velvety and silky and it is very pleasant! The wings' stretch mesh is really silky and the hook-and-eye closing part is so soft it feels like microfleece. All of the fabric used in the cup is silky and I don't think the fabric would be coarse or scratchy anywhere whilst wearing it. Even the wire channels are really soft to the touch. It feels like a solid construction like a bra usually should. All the seams feel solid, nothing feels wonky or flimsy. Read more 400 more words
- Band is nice, snug but comfortable - Gore fits nicely - Cups fit well - Straps are fine - Wire feels good - Material is nice, lace isn't very snagable - Visibility: no texture or lines showing under a mid-weight sweater
## MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION
- Backband is a lovely poly performance knit (not a power mesh) - Two-piece cup split diagonally with a power bar, all stretch lace lined with a mesh tricot - Frame and one-piece gore are lined with a mesh tricot - Hook & eye is plush backed with soft edges
Heya, thanks for reviewing multiple sizes, very helpful!
Just an FYI, if you'd like input on your review (to keep or not to keep (; ) you can click the 'share review as adventure' button so that more people get to see it!
Now it just disappears onto the bra's specific homepage, where only people (like me) who coincidentally look up the Freya Starlight get to see your review (:
- Band is nice, snug but comfortable - Gore fits nicely - Cups are too big - Straps are fine - Wire feels good - Material is nice, lace isn't very snagable - Visibility: no texture or lines showing under a mid-weight sweater
## SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO NOW
🛍 👎 Size down the cups.
I like the style and the band fits well, I'm going to try a smaller cup size.
- Backband is a lovely poly performance knit (not a power mesh) - Two-piece cup split diagonally with a power bar, all stretch lace lined with a mesh tricot - Frame and one-piece gore are lined with a mesh tricot - Hook & eye is plush backed with soft edges
I almost kept this bra but it was a bit too loose on the top section of lace. I think it might be due to the top section not being bonded together like the bottom section so it has less rigidity or maybe the shape is just wrong for me, as my boobs are fuller on the bottom. I found the gore really comfortable and it tacked well too. This is the first Freya bra I've tried and I was pleasantly surprised at the soft fleecy fabric covering the wires inside which made it very comfortable. I'm not sure I understood the side support feature but I don't ...have anything against it either! I didn't find the fabric scratchy at all (like others on here) but I wear a lot of wool jumpers so maybe I've trained myself for a little bit of a scratchy fabric. The band felt really comfortable and supportive and if it was possible I'd order this in a 30C, as I think the cup size was probably the only issue. I also liked the shape it created even though it isn't padded. The lace is quite see through so that's something to bear in mind if you want coverage. The colour poseidon is a lovely deep teal meets petrol blue and honestly was a large reason for me ordering it! Read more 118 more words
I LOVE the look of these bras, and they are comfy for lace! Sadly, they are not for me. This cut really accentuated the relatively small size difference between my breasts. It fit one near perfectly but had much wrinkling and empty space in the other which looks weird under clothing. My take is that the wires were just too wide and deep U for me -IMF mismatch-and a little too closed off at the top for my shape (which I'm still trying to determine, tbh). I think this bra may work well for those with wider/shorter roots than me, with even fullness and immediate projection.
I'm sorry this didn't work for you, Freya's bras are a hit or miss for most people, myself included. Good luck finding A bra that fits!
Thank you! :) Me too - it's such a pretty bra. I tried it in 30E as well hoping it would fit but alas it was far, far worse... Simultaneously too small and large... Still trying to figure that one out! Lol I'll add and review that one soon.
At the beginning of my bra journey in summer of 2019, I had purchased the Freya Starlight Hero Side Support Bra in sizes 28D and 28DD to try, back when I was a smaller size. 28DD worked for me at the time, but I ended up not keeping this bra because I just didn't need it, and because I wasn't satisfied with the appearance or comfort of the style. Freya has added this to their current permanent collection, so I picked up their newest version in the fashion color Slate. Although I am currently measuring between 28E and 28F, I ended up getting the ...28E because it was cheaper, even though I know that their Side Support styles tend to run about a half size small.
This is a 4 piece cup with side support panel. Compared to the Viva Side Support, another one of their newer styles, the 28E is not quite so small. Viva is at least a half size small and nearly a full size small, but Starlight is somewhere between true to size and a half size small. Other than this, the fit and construction between the two styles are the same. I have also tried the Rose Tapestry Side Support Bra a while back, and concluded it is the same. If Fantasie's standard side support styles (the balanced ones, not the ones for extremely projected shapes) work for you, then this is a good option, especially if you need the 28 band.
Overall, Starlight fit me pretty well, but I just have this feeling that the cups overall are just a little bit small. Everything feels fine, but the proportions look a little off on my body (unlike the Viva that I purchased in 28F). In addition, the fabric here is quite rigid and doesn't have much stretch, so it won't sit as smoothly on your body if the fit is not perfect. The band is not snug but is comfortable and decently TTS. It is made of solid thick stretch knit with decently firm elastic, and has a gentle leotard back.
My main criticism from my original review of Starlight was regarding the scratchiness of the fabric. Unfortunately, it still hasn't been remedied here. It feels a bit like the fabric has been stiffened with starch, however I noticed that while the upper and lower cups are made from the same combination of mesh backed-lace, the upper cup is two separate layers, while the bottom cup is fused together into one fabric. I suspect the fusible interfacing used is what is causing the fabric to be so stiff, so I am not sure that this would soften with washing. I understand that they would fuse the layers together for stability, as the bottom of the cup gives nice support, but I wish they would find a new version that wouldn't make the inside of the cup so scratchy! Note that because the upper cup is two separate layers, it has some natural stretch, and the upper edge elastic is stretchy as well, so it should not cut into upper tissue.
The lace design seems to have been updated from the original, if I remember correctly. The current design is of polka dots on a webby-looking background. This fabric is lightweight yet supportive. Both the mesh and lace have stretch, but the bottom cups do not stretch because of the fusible interfacing. The same fabric is used throughout the cups and cradle, while the back of the band is solid. Straps are plain medium width elastic, though they could benefit from a bit of texture to avoid slipping during wear. The hardware is attractive gold-tone in the front and dyed to match in the back. The only trim on this bra is simple and tasteful-- a small folded ribbon with a rich gold-tone round stud. Read more 553 more words
The most important thing to know about my breasts is that they're very pendulous and the tissue is very soft. I have relatively narrow roots, medium height. They're also splayed and wide-set.
I've had some success with Freya balconettes before, but very limited success with their soft cup styles. The lack of stretch anywhere tends to mean cups are left gaping and wrinkling badly at the top. When I saw that Offbeat had a stretch top panel, I had to give it a shot. And I'm glad I did, because I love this bra so much. The color is great, the height is great, the fit is great. I ...was shocked to read a review of this bra that said the 34J cup is full stretch, because the 36E is not! The only section of the cup that's full stretch is the top lace panel.
True to Freya, the wires on Offbeat are relatively soft, and they're also a little on the shorter side of things, both at the gore and at the outside of the cup. I don't mind this! It's hard for me to find bras that don't have at least a little puckering at the IMF, even if only on my left side, which is more projected, but this one is just deep enough to skirt by without the dreaded wrinkling. The pink straps are a nice touch. I'm a fan! Read more 124 more words
yolibrarian , you've added another bra to my list of ones to check out!
I'm a pendulous, narrow-rooted 36F who has always been charmed by Freya's colorways but was morose because Freya seems to specialize in bras for people who need wide wires.
The Offbeat looks lovely on you, and I'm glad to hear that there's a Freya that could work for me.
I noticed the same thing with mine. The 30G side support fits like a 28 band and I have to use an extender. Freya bands are usually stretchy so I was surprised!