Flirty in 'Fiona': Parfait by Affinitas 'Fiona' camisole review

   If you have read my blog about the Affinitas Intimates A/W12 press event a little while ago, you may have noticed that I took quite a shine to the Affinitas fuller bust range, 'Parfait', which encompasses sizes 30D-40G.

   Although I feel lucky that the larger bust lingerie market is expanding and I can now get a range of beautiful and supportive bras for all occasions in my size, it is not always quite as easy to find a bustier, camisole or babydoll for larger cup sizes. Highstreet stores often sell them in standardised clothing sizes with no cup sizes, so finding a boudoir beauty to fit a 28FF is about as unsuccessful as trying to squeeze my bust into those very same standardised undergarments! 

   As you can imagine, I was thrilled to come across 'Parfait' as the current collection offers some really glamorous and sexy boudoir pieces in addition to flirty everyday bras and comfy basics. One of the designs that particularly caught my eye was Parfait's padded wired 'Fiona' camisole in peacock blue, which Affinitas Intimates kindly sent me to try out...

      As 'Parfait' starts at a 30 back (and I'd heard reports that the 30 backs come up tighter than other brands), I decided to go for a 30F (sister size to my usual 28FF) and a size M (10/12) in the matching boyshorts.

   The Parfait 'Fiona' is a beautiful camisole made from silky stretch satin in a jewel tone blue (also comes in wine purple, black or white), complete with black lace trim along the underwired cups. The peacock blue tone was even more glamorous in the flesh and the satin has a slight shimmer to it when it catches the light. I really love the attention to detail on the 'Fiona' too - it features subtle pleats on the straps, embroidered panelling down the torso of the chemise and stylish contrasting black lace on the cups and a little bow and sequin motif at the centre of the cups.

    Additionally, the 'Fiona' boasts an absolutely knock-out detail at the back - a decorative lace-up corset design with ribbon ties and double layered mesh back panels, giving this camisole added sex appeal.  

   Aside from this camisole's obvious aesthetic appeal, it is also very easy to take on and off. There is no fiddly lacing up to do as the 'Fiona' has a half zipper and clasp closure at the side.

   I was pleased that the 'Fiona' in a 30 back was a good fit - not too snug or too loose. The stretch satin and mesh fabric makes the 'Fiona' very comfortable to wear and the material follows the natural contours of the body without feeling restrictive like some shapewear can. The only downside to the fabric is that it rucks up a little bit when worn, but it does not distract from this garment's beauty. 

  I felt very glamorous in this striking camisole and the peacock blue colour really pops against your skin tone whatever complexion you have. The black contrast lace also gives a hint of old Hollywood elegance to the 'Fiona', which I absolutely loved.

   I also really like that this camisole has moulded underwired cups - it is nice to have a little bit of lift and the 'Fiona' gives a great rounded shape to your cleavage. It is worth mentioning that the straps are only part adjustable and I had to tighten them as much as they would go. Luckily, as the 'Fiona' is not an 'everyday' item, I should still get plenty of wear out of this camisole without the straps becoming too loose too quickly. My only real regret with the 'Fiona' is that I ordered a 30F not 30FF and I feel that the cups ran a bit small (although not very obvious from the above pictures). 


   I am glad that I went for the Medium boyshort knickers (roughly a UK 10-12) as they fit me beautifully. They remind me a little bit in style of the Curvy Kate 'Thrill Me' shorts, but refined with less ruffles. Again, made from stretch satin, the 'Fiona' boyshorts are really comfortable to wear and look great on. The black lace, grosgrain sequin bow at the centre and ruffle trim make these boyshorts exude seductive sophistication and are sure to make you feel a million dollars.


   It's worth adding that these boyshorts give quite full coverage to your derrière but are still very flirty thanks to the mesh panel at the back - a great example of how less (fabric) is not always more (sexy)! Additionally, I love that they come with detachable suspenders - they look fabulous with black stockings to mirror the black lace contrast on the 'Fiona' camisole and knickers!

   I am really excited to have found 'Parfait' by Affinitas and the 'Fiona' is a truly glamorous 'boudoir' set. I also have my eye on some of the babydolls from the upcoming A/W collection which are absolutely gorgeous!

'Parfait' is certainly 'one to watch' and I will definitely be exploring more of this exciting brand in future... 

Find out more about stockists of 'Parfait' by Affinitas here.

Love,

Kitty xo

Hello, 'Kitty'! A By Caprice review..

   I first came across Caprice Bourret's lingerie brand, 'By Caprice', last year and consequently reviewed the 'Audrey' set (click to read here). I was impressed with By Caprice's offerings and decided to keep an eye on the brand's development in the following months.

   Sure enough, the Spring/Summer 2012 collection went to press with a bang, boasting a whole host of sultry new styles; such as the 'Morticia', 'Dianthus' and 'Greta'. The S/S12 collection exudes 'femme fatale', with its feminine embroidery and sexy cuts, but at the same time it retains its playfulness with floral motifs and dashes of colour.

   The range, however, encompasses far more than basic bra sets. The collection includes the 'Greta' babydoll (a seductive red and black mesh number with an incorporated moulded bra) and the effortlessly glamorous 'Morticia' ruched thong back body, which comes in black/nude and ivory.  

The set that caught my eye was the aptly named, 'Kitty' (which interestingly enough, is a bit of a side-step from the general feel of the collection)... 

   The 'Kitty' set features a moulded underwired padded bra with a chiffon overlay. The bra is covered in a leopard print pattern in blue tones, with contrasting cornflower blue straps and bow motifs. Matching leopard print chiffon ruffle briefs are also available to compliment the bra. Thanks to By Caprice, I was lucky enough to be sent my namesake 'Kitty' set to try for size...

   As you can see, in real life, the 'Kitty' set differs noticeably from the promotional shot of Caprice wearing it. Firstly, the blue tones are more muted in real life and grey actually features quite dominantly in the colour palette. This was actually a pleasant surprise, as I was worried that the pattern would look a bit garish from the promotional picture! Additionally, the chiffon has a slight glittery sheen to it, which catches the light and gives the set a subtle sparkle...

   By Caprice have managed to merge a leopard print pattern with a fashion-forward injection of colour, to keep the 'Kitty' looking edgy. The blue ruffled straps, dainty bow motifs and blue edging along the bottom of the band make the 'Kitty' an original take on a classic print, whilst keeping the look sophisticated! 

   As with the 'Audrey' set, I opted for the 30FF in the 'Kitty', rather than my "sister size" of 30F (the same volume as my usual 28FF bra size). Unfortunately, 28 backs are not available in By Caprice underwear, so the 30 back was the best option for me. The band was a little loose, but not by any means unwearable. 

   I am very glad that I went up a cup size, as I feel that the By Caprice bras that I have tried tended to run a bit small in the cups. This could also be partly due to the bra cups having inbuilt graduated padding...

   Although padding is somewhat of a rarity in larger cup sizes, By Caprice recognise that some girls like a bit of a boost every now and again, regardless of their cup size! Luckily, the padding is foamy and quite light-weight, meaning that unlike many of the super-padded gel bras that are on the market at the moment, it does not feel uncomfortable or strange when worn. The boost is quite subtle, so you won't feel self-conscious or as if you have had an overnight boob job!

   The shape that the 'Kitty' bra gives is nice and rounded and the plunge cut makes it flattering to your bust - ideal for wearing under 'V' cut tops. After prolonged wear, I found that the straps put a bit of pressure on my shoulders, but this could be easily rectified by wearing a 28 back (hint, hint!)..

   I received the 'Kitty' chiffon briefs in a size medium (10-12), which match the bra with its blue leopard print design. 

  As you can see from the pictures, the 'Kitty' briefs are a more conventional 'knicker brief' cut. In comparison to the 'Audrey' shorties that I own, their cut makes them comfier for everyday wear. (It is worth mentioning that you may need to size up in By Caprice briefs, as they have a skimpier cut and seem a little smaller than other brands that I have tried.)

Overall, I really liked the 'Kitty' knickers, which juxtapose the sexiness of semi-sheer chiffon with delicate and flirty ruffles and bow motifs...

   It certainly isn't every day that you come across your 'bra namesake', so it can only be fate that I tried the 'Kitty'! Despite any initial hesitations that I had about owning a blue leopard print bra, the 'Kitty' surprised me and it looks so much more stylish in real life. 

   By Caprice have revolutionised leopard print for me, with their edgy mixture of print with an eye-catching blue and grey colour scheme. Even my other half (who isn't usually an animal print fan) said how much he liked the design! 

   The 'Kitty' set is available from 30-38 backs and from cup sizes A-G, meaning that a range of sizes can take a walk on the wild side with this leopard print number! What's more, the By Caprice 'Kitty' is very affordable at £26 for the bra and £14 for the briefs. 

   The 'Kitty' is definitely a set to make you feel like a fully fledged glamour puss, so get ready to take a walk on the wild side...

(To find out more, take a look at the By Caprice official website or buy online at ASOS, Figleaves, Littlewoods or New Look)   

Love,

Kitty xo