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.
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Black colorway
Updated on Sep 28, 2020 Flag this