Bras! Bras! Bras! Women tend to have a love hate relationship with these nifty little creations. Whether they just can’t seem to find the perfect bra that fits just right or they have an obsession and may “collect” as many as they can get their hands on; after all, some of these things are super sexy and stylish! Bras today have changed in style and design from those …interesting bras of our past, but it seems that there are still some clichés in the system. There are handfuls of women who still have an extremely difficult time finding bras that fit them the way they should. Instead of having the comfort and support they deserve, they may end up with bulge, sagginess, or even multi-boob issues! Finding the perfect or “right” bra size should be a must on every woman’s to-do list!
Find your best fitting bras at Herroom.
Bras : The Good The Bad And The Ugly By Leah Chamberlin
18 JunA Review Of The Tutti Rouge Betty
17 JunEver since I first tried the Liliana bra by Tutti Rouge I have been champing at the bit to give some of their other sets a whirl. And so when Tutti Rouge HQ sent me a little tissue paper wrapped gift, complete with the Tutti stick of rock and lipgloss, I couldn’t have been more excited for it’s contents!
Inside was the gorgeous Betty set in a size 36HH/XL.
I was really excited to try the set on, especially in a 36HH as my previous bra had been touch and go in a 36H. Tutti Rouge sent me this unprompted, and they must have realised that sizing up would probably be a good idea on me.
As you can see, the set fit me pretty damn well! The size XL knickers were a lot comfier than the Liliana briefs, and I attribute that to the material that they are made out of. I adore the sexy sheer back and the peephole at the top with the tiny cute hot pink bow topping it off. I’m actually in shock at how well the fit my rather large derriere, especially given that they are a size XL!
I found the bra to be a pretty good fit on me. It’s made out of a two part construction, and gives me a very rounded shape.
I wore the bra almost solidly for two days in a row under one low cut dress, and one very fitted dress, and it was extremely comfortable, perfectly plunged and I didn’t have to worry about anything showing underneath my dresses.
The bra gave me a gentle cleavage without squishing my bust or bruising my chin. My bust felt very secure in the bra, and it even survived me running for several buses and trains – the story of my life! The wires under the arms were a good length on me, and I didn’t experience any stabbing under the arms, or too much ‘side boob’ overflow.
The pattern of the bra is stunning, and something you would usually struggle to find in larger cup sizes. The straps sported the signature heart shape adjusters, and they held me in place over the two days. My only gripe with the straps would be that they are only half adjustable, and smaller shouldered women may find that something of a problem.
In the photos my bust does look somewhat squished, and I would be curious to try a cup size up and possibly a band size down, as the band is very forgiving.
The frilly detail on the bottom of the bra does give the illusion of the wires sitting away from my chest – something that led to a great discussion amongst my fellow blogger and bra addicts. However, I can assure you that the wires sit flush against my chest, and as stated there is no movement from the bra when I wear it. Like I said, the band is quite stretchy and I would possibly fit a 34JJ bra better if it existed, but this 36HH was a pretty spot on choice.
I’m hoping that these photos will give you a better idea of how the band sits against my chest, and also show the frill detail off a little better. It is a nice touch, and one that only serves to enhance the beauty of the bra, and causes no irritation or discomfort to me.
All in all the Betty works rather well for me in this size, but I would be curious to see how it worked on me in a 34JJ if that size existed in this style. I would have to conclude that Tutti Rouge’s sizing is generous in the band due to a rather generous stretch in it, and in that respect the sizing is rather like the Eveden brand’s bras (Freya, Fantasie, Elomi). The cups do come up a cup size or two small – reminding me of Curvy Kate’s ‘Showgirl’ sizing.
If you are curious about what’s coming next from Tutti Rouge then check out Invest In Your Chest’s post.
Did Betty take your fancy? Would you like to win a set? If so you have one week, until Monday the 24th of June, to ‘like’ the Tutti Rouge Facebook page and write a post on their wall finishing off this sentence in 50 words or less:
“I love Tutti Rouge because…”
The Tutti team will pick a winner and announce it on the page! Good Luck!
Cheap Swimwear Options For Fuller Busts
16 JunIt’s tentatively that time of year again in the UK – the time when the weather heats up, and we all have to start scrambling for our summer dresses and *gulp* bikinis and swimming costumes. And when it comes to being a D+ woman, your options can seem to become fewer and further in between, and the price can rise. And whilst some women may be tempted to squeeze themselves into tiny string bikinis that don’t fit, I am here to tell you about the sites that sell swimwear that makes use of the rest of the alphabet without breaking the bank!
First up is the site My Curves&Me which sells cheap swimwear by Panache.
I LOVE this Holly balconnet bikini available up to a K cup!
This Veronica swimsuit is a great alternative option for the more tummy conscious woman, and the colour combination is divine!
Brastop is usually my first recommendation for cheap large cup bras and swimwear.
The Freya Calypso set is undeniably gorgeous, and is available up to a HH cup.
This Rome tankini by Fanatsie is great for ladies who are maybe not suited to the proportions of a one piece and yet still want the coverage.
The Leia lingerie outlet is a fabulous place to find bargain pieces from bygone seasons.
I love this South Pacific red plunge bikini by Freya available only in HH, J and JJ cups at present.
This gorgeous Firefly Black Soft Cup Tankini Top>soft cup Freya Firefly tankini is perfect for those of you who prefer a wire free beach experience.
Bras & Honey currently have a lot of cheap Freya swimwear in stock.
If halternecks are more your style, then look no further than this Freya Pier set.
This gorgeous red Fantasie Venice Bikini is another great staple piece that will offer great support and coverage.
I hope that you like the swimwear stores and options that I have shown you today. Please feel free to add other stores and pieces you have seen in the comments, and be sure to let us know where in the world you are to help other international readers!
Stocking HQ’s Plus Size Offerings
13 JunBeing plus size, large arsed and fairly average in height means that wearing tights is often no fun. And so when Peter from Stockings HQ offered to send me some plus size tights and hold ups to try, I jumped on the chance! I decided to try them all on with some lovely red knickers so that you could see the opacity of the products. Please do also note that the exact products I tried are seemingly not on the website, but I will be able to link you to the brands.
The first pair that I tried on were some footless tight from Pretty Polly in a size XL.
I really like these tights! Footless is always a winner because it means there’s less chance of them not fitting. I like that they are technically ‘light leggings’ and they will perfect on a cooler summer’s day… or one when I can’t be bothered to shave my legs! They feel really smooth on and pulled up really easily. I liked where they sat on me, as there is nothing worse that a pair of tights cutting into your chub. I’m keen to try some more Pretty Polly plus size tights after having these on.
The next pair that I tried were these XL Eleganti stockings.
My chubby thighs don’t always go well with hold ups, and sadly these were no exception. They were very easy to pull on and up, the length was spot on and I loved the retro seams. However, my tree trunk legs resembled overstuffed sausages! On a more toned slim pair of legs these soft elegant luxurious tights would work wonders, but sadly they would not be a choice of mine until my legs lose a little of the wobble!
The final pair of tights that I tried were a size 4XL by Levante.
These tights had gorgeous floral details around the waist and thighs, and I really loved that touch. They were not so easy to get on, and sadly did not fit me perfectly – although I was petrified of breaking them! They were really soft and had a lovely sheen to them, and it’s a brand I would probably re visit in the future.
Who makes your favourite plus size tights?
Spring Cleaning!
12 JunI am a TERRIBLE hoarder, and it really takes some effort from me to clear out my wardrobe or cupboards and decided what I want to part ways with. I am also an impulse buyer – and so you can imagine the mess that my flat is in!
I often use eBay to sell unwanted items – the thing is, I then end up buying even more tat…
Enter musicMagpie. If you are looking to sell your old clothes before the summer or anything else then this is the site for you. musicMagpie are a company that allows the user to make easy cash for some of their old unwanted items. Starting with DVDs, CDs and video games, they have gone on to buy consoles, laptops, iPods, iPads, mobiles and now even clothes! So now you can sell your old stuff that you don’t want anymore, whilst making money, all at the tips of your fingers, using their website or even their mobile app, making it even easier for you!
I’m currently selling a few clothes on my Facebook page, but I will definitely be trying to make a bit of extra money on musicMagpie selling other unwanted items.
Here are my top tips for deciding whether or not to sell or keep something:
* If it’s an item of clothing – does it fit you? There’s not point waiting to lose or gain enough weight to fit something. Your wardrobe is for NOW and if it’s the wrong size you should get rid!
* When did you last use/wear it? Have you missed it? If not – get rid!
* Is it of sentimental value? Will the person who gave it to you be upset if you part with it? Will they even know? If not – get rid!
* Is it broken beyond repair? If so you should maybe throw it out…
* Do you have about five of the same item? I have about ten red dresses, and about half of them look suspiciously similar. Time to pick the faves and get rid of the rest!
Are you also a fan of spring cleaning? What do you usually do with your unwanted items?
A Review Of Corsets UK’s Highly Curvaceous Corsets
10 JunAs most of you will have spotted, I adore corsets! My ultimate favourite corset has to be the Morticia from What Katie Did.
The reason that I love the Morticia corset so much is because she is perfect for someone like me who has a ‘curvier’ figure, and a large hip to waist ratio. I’ve never quite found a corset so perfect, and so I was thrilled when Corsets UK asked me if I would like to try one of their ‘Highly Curvaceous’ corsets.
The steel boned corset promised to work on ladies with a “large difference in waist and hip measurement” – that sounded like me!
The lovely Lizzie from Corsets UK sent me a size 32 corset to start with – I usually wear a 30 or 28, but that’s in underbust corsets where my boobs do not roam!
The corset fitted me quite well. I especially liked how it fit on my hips. However, I did find it not quite roomy enough on my bust and a bit too short for my long torso. It sufficed for a cheeky photo shoot with My Boudoir but I wasn’t convinced that my assets would have stayed put for anything more strenuous…
Lizzie and I decided that a size down in the corset might work well on me, as I had been able to lace it closed at my waist. I knew it wouldn’t be any better on my bust, but I was curious to see how it would fit.
As you can see my bust does NOT look ready to stay put in the corset, however it did give me a lovely shape.
The length of the corset is, as previously stated, a bit too short for my torso. I am 5’7 with a long body and so I am used to things coming up fairly short on me, but sadly a too short corset = tummy bulge!
The corset laced with a ribbon, and I find that hard to lace up on my own. I feel that the corset could have gone smaller with the assistance of someone else, but I am happy with the shape it gave me as it was.
I had the corset on for almost an hour as I took photos and checked how it looked. I did find it very comfortable, but not quite as flexible as some corsets I have owned. I couldn’t do my shoes up in a corset like this, but I would be able to last an evening in it.
The next highly curvaceous corset that I tried was a size 32 underbust corset.
I really loved this corset! It didn’t give me an overly dramatic shape, but it was a great length and felt very comfortable on.
I once again was unable to fasten it as tightly as I would have liked, which may in turn have led to a more extreme silhouette, but I was pleased with how easy it was to put on.
The cord tie is my preferred corset fastening as it feels durable and easy to use, as it were.
As much as I am disappointed that the overbust corset wasn’t a great success on me, I am excited to find another great curve accommodating underbust corset that does account for my hips and height. I think that the overbust corset range will work better on shorter women with a 8-10 inch difference between their waist and hips.
What do you think of my new corsets? Are you a fan of the highly curvaceous corsets from Corset UK?
Introducing: Dearcurves
7 JunIt’s always exciting to see new plus size brands popping up on the market, and especially exciting when those brands bring something completely new to the table. One of those brands that has recently popped up is Dearcurves.
I love the look of the clothes, and so I asked the brains behind it, Linda Idegwu, a few questions about the brand…
o How long ago did you come up with the idea of Dearcurves and what made you actually start up?
Dearcurves, amongst other factors is my way of positively promoting Africa and one of our ways of life in the western world. Through fashion, I give a bit of Africa to the western. Dearcurves was founded in January 2012, the brand is a work in progress, wholly dedicated to making our customers look even more fabulous. I did a lot of research and found that though, there are brands that cater for the plus market, none of them offer something unique, flattering and exotic, that, along with the fact that I think we should love our curves lead to the formation of the brand. We consistently sought and use the finest prints available for our designs. And because we are focused exclusively on the plus size market, coupled with been a plus model myself, I wholly understand the challenges woman with curves face and make sure my clothes are not only wearable but flattering too.
o When can we expect new items to become available, and can you give us a hint of what to expect?
I’ve launched some lines from the new collection, we are however working towards a big launch in couple of weeks,presently putting final finishing to clothes. for this collection think Stepford’s wives, think spring!!! With a touch of 1970′s.
o What made you use the gorgeous models that you use?
The models I use accurately represent my target market; the plus size community.
Linda was kind enough to send me a skirt to review from her forthcoming collection. Her items of clothing have no stretch to them, and so Linda asked me my measurements to make sure that she would select something that would fit perfectly. My 48 inch hips put me in a size 18, and so I eagerly waited for my skirt to arrive…
The skirt fit me like a glove! The size was spot on on my hips, a little large on my waist but nothing drastic.
I wore my trusty Maidenform shapewear with it to help smooth out lumps and bumps.
I LOVED the pattern and found it extremely flattering. It would suit a whole range of occasions and accompanying tops – fitted, peplum, empire line.
I did find the skirt to be ever so slightly restrictive, and I would be curious to size up in my next DC item.
All in all I rather liked the skirt. It was something a little different to my usual style, but the shape and glorious bright colours meant that I wasn’t too far out of my comfort zone. I must confess that I would rather this item had a little bit of stretch too it, but I appreciate what the brand is about, and the style suits that so well.
What do you think of this brand new plus size line? Do you like the African influences? Have you tried and items out, or would you like too? Let me know in the comments.
The Latest Fashion Apps for Your Phone
6 JunWith mobile phone technology improving all the time, even the technophobes among us can get involved with the latest apps. There are plenty of fashion-focused apps on the market, from price comparison apps to apps which help you show off what you’re wearing that day – so you can keep up to date with the latest styles and trends, and keep your wardrobe organised!
Women with fuller figures and fuller busts can struggle in the search for a perfect fitting bra, and if you’re not armed with the right knowledge and tools then the world of lingerie can be a minefield! A properly fitting bra can make you feel like a million dollars, and will bring the best out of your figure – providing the perfect base for your favourite outfits. Well, as that old saying goes, there’s an app for that; and a pretty good one to boot. Bra-Fitter will direct you to take your own measurements and then churn out your bra size. Not revolutionary, you might think, but this little app will also let you know what size you are in all your favourite brands, as well as the size you’ll need for your preferred style of bra and your size in different countries, just in case you get whisked off to Paris to splurge on fancy lingerie; you lucky thing, you. Is your band a few sizes too big and riding up your back? Or maybe your cups are far too small and you’re spilling out the sides? This new app aims to put an end to fit woes, and will educate you on how a properly fitted bra should look and feel.
Stylebook is the perfect app for shopaholics! You can store images of all of your clothes, create outfits and shop your own closet, all at the click of a button. The calendar feature will help you plan what you want to wear in advance, and the nifty packing lists will mean you never forget your favourite flip-flops again!
Fashionistas who like to keep their finger on the pulse can use the Trendstop TrendTracker to follow style industry news and get reports on the latest trends straight to your phone. Great for gathering a little bit of inspiration. If you want to keep up with your favourite fashion bloggers as well, an app like Bloglovin’ or Feedly will help you keep up to date, and provide you with plenty of fashion savvy right at your fingertips.
What are your favourite fashion apps?
A Review Of The Anna Scholz Plain Ruched Dress
4 JunAnna Scholz is one of those designers who gets it so right, all of the time. And the fact that she is a plus size designer makes her really special.
If you are a fan of Boombands Em you will have seen several of her glorious creations featured on there. If you are NOT a fan of Boombands Em then you need to become one…
Em and I are pretty much body twins, and so when I was asked to review an item from Simply Be, it’s no wonder I immediately thought of Anna Scholz.
I hurried to the Simply Be website and had a look at their Anna Scholz range. So many pretty dresses! However, there was one that stood out for me – the Anna Scholz plain ruched dress.
I went for this dress in a size 16 as I discovered in this review that her dresses are cut quite generously, and in no time at all I had my grubby little mitts on the beautiful magenta creation.
As predicted, the 16 was a great fit for me. The material is such that I feel a 14 may have also sufficed.
It fit my curves perfectly, and I am torn as to whether I will need to add my beloved belt to the dress!
I adored the colour – I am not a pink girl, and so this purpley pinky mix was just girly enough without straying out of my comfort zone.
The ruching was very flattering and helped skim over my lumps and bumps. The neckline was perfect, and makes this dress ideal for office wear, nights out and so much more.
The length was spot on, hitting me just below the knee. I also LOVED the 3/4 length sleeves as they covered my arms without being too tight and restrictive.
I cannot stress just how much I adore this dress! I am hoping it will come out in green as well, as I think it would look amazing!
I know that a lot of larger ladies say that they cannot wear tighter dresses, but I feel that a dress like this would be perfect on many unsure girls. You don’t have to go for such a fitted style, you can add a belt and a cardi and gradually get used to a tighter dressed look. The ruching on this dress is great for flattering bigger tummies, and the material is sift and gorgeous!
Are you a big girl who also loves figure hugging dresses? Or do you loathe them? Let me know 
Inspired By New Look
2 JunWhen you’re a fat girl, shopping on the high street can be a royal pain in the arse. Some shops stop at a 16, some at an 18, and some have plus size lines that in no way reflect the gorgeousness of their smaller clothes.
One shop that I have always found to fall in that latter category is New Look. New Look are famed for selling amazing affordable fashionable high street pieces, and yet their plus size line always seemed so…frumpy. So boring. So safe. And so I avoided them!
Recently I was asked if I would review some items from New Look, and I instantly thought of the Inspire range. I has seen some more impressive pieces from them on a recent shopping trip, and I felt it was time to see if they had some more appealing pieces in stock.
I selected several items and some shoes to go with them, and excitedly waited for them to arrive. It wasn’t long before they did, and this is how I got on…
The first item that I tried, and tested on a lovely sunny day was this Aztec dress.
I got it in a size 18, and the fit was great – although ideally a 16 would have been better.
The dress was a perfect length on me, and I loved the modest neckline.
The pattern was so unlike anything I have ever tried before, but I loved it! I was worried that it may be a bit too much, but it was surprisingly flattering.
This dress looks complete with a nice thick waist belt added too it, and it is a versatile dress that will look great on many occasions all year round.
The shoes I added to the dress were these gorgeous wide fit sandals:
My feet are of the wider variety, and these sandals were ideal and gorgeous looking! My only gripe is that the soles have absolutely zero grip, and so be careful how you go if you are inspired to buy a pair!
I was really excited to try the Aztec print skirt and I chose to pair it with a peplum top.
I found the size 18 skirt to look and feel great, and I have already worn it many times with several different tops and shoes.
I didn’t find the peplum top to be as flattering as I had first envisioned, and I feel it will take a bit of experimentation to make it work for me.
The skirt sat nicely on my waist, and it is figure huggingly flattering.
The shoes that I teamed with this look were these cork wedges.
These wedges are AMAZING! Them being wide fit means that the straps actually fit which is fab, and they look great with everything! They are very sturdy and comfy to walk in and I think I need the black pair…
My last purchase was a nice light raincoat. The was my first foray into trying some coats and jackets at New Look and this plum number in a size 20 was a great choice.
It’s not quite as smart as I had hoped for due to the material being rather soft, but it fits fabulously with room for a jumper or more layers underneath.
The colour is great for a mucky pup like me, and the deep pockets are great for storing my phone and oyster card in.
I have worn it over a variety of outfits, and it dries quickly and folds up neatly to fit into my handbag.
Overall I am extremely impressed with my haul from New Look’s Inspire and wide fit range. I have already had so much wear out of my outfits and I can’t wait to see what Inspire come out with next season – if only their instore range was extensive as the online selection…
