Simply beach and the Freya 'Revolution'...

   With an increasing array of swimwear available to girls with curves, gone are the days of badly fitting, mix-matched bikini tops and bottoms in different sizes. Although I am a convert to cup sized swimwear, a part of me does pine for the gorgeous strapless and bandeau bikinis found on the high street. I initially resigned myself to the idea that the strapless bikini was just not engineered for the larger bust, but I soon realised that I was mistaken. On browsing Simply Beach, I was overjoyed to come across a certain Freya bikini, whose name suggested that it was the end of my strapless bikini envy...  

   Introducing..the Freya 'Revolution' bikini! The 'Revolution' bikini top is a versatile and chic black bandeau, which not only can be worn strapless, but also comes with adjustable and detachable straps, so that you can wear it as a halterneck too! Available in sizes 30-38 back and from cup sizes D-G, the 'Revolution' is the stylish, sexy and supportive multiway bikini that every curvy girl craves. 

   Although I am a 28FF and no 28 back is available in the 'Revolution' bandeau bikini (Freya please take note!), I was keen to try the 30F for size.. because, well, a gorgeous strapless multiway bikini for the larger bust is hard to come by and the 'Revolution' is a beauty! Thanks to the fantastic Simply Beach, the Freya 'Revolution' arrived quickly on my doorstep, bringing with it, thoughts of my next holiday get-away... 

   The Freya 'Revolution' is every bit the glamorous classic in real life, coming in 'flatter all' black, with ivory stitch detailing. Freya add a touch of girly charm with flirty frills at the centre of the cups, whilst the three black buttons give the bikini a sophisticated feel. The fabric is also slightly ruched at the centre and sides, to give the bandeau a bit more shape.

   Freya know that support is key for the busty girl and the concealed underwire in the cups and side boning ensure that you feel comfortable and supported on the beach or by the pool. The 'Revolution' bikini top features a wide back clasp, to give extra security and support. 

   Having the option of removable shoulder straps makes this bikini a real winner. Not only does it give this bikini two 'looks', but it is also great for tanning. Whilst not everyone will feel daring enough to go strapless on the beach, the detachable straps are ideal for avoiding annoying strap marks left after sunbathing! 

   As someone who has never owned a strapless bikini before, I was very impressed with the shape of the 'Revolution'. Whilst some strapless bandeau bikinis can be unflattering styles that simply drape over your chest, the 'sweet heart' neckline and general cut of the 'Revolution' really compliment a larger bust, whilst not revealing too much cleavage or being low cut.

   In terms of support, the 30 back did unfortunately feel a bit too loose for me, but not so loose that it was unwearable. I feel that I could happily laze by the pool in this bikini and have a splash about, but beach games and vigorous swimming would probably be off the cards. For this reason, I would really love for Freya to make their bandeau bikinis in 28 backs, as especially for a strapless, a firm under band is vital to give good support.  

   I was very impressed, however, with Freya's attention to detail in the 'Revolution's design. Aside from the underwire and boning, there is a plastic strip that runs along the inside cups and back band, which helps the bikini to stick to you and stay in place.

   To compliment the 'Revolution' bikini top, I also received the matching bikini shorts, which boast a similar little frill and button detail along the top. The size small fit me perfectly and I like the fact that the shorts give good coverage at the back. Although they come up a bit higher than my usual 'hipster' bikini bottoms, they are very comfortable to wear - perfect for those that prefer a less skimpy look for the beach or pool. 

   The 'Revolution' is a great take on the strapless bandeau bikini and as always, Freya add a signature twist with their attention to detail, flattering shapes and great curve-supporting engineering! The 'Revolution' is available at a reduced price of £25.50 for the top and £16.50 for the short on Simply Beach, making it a bikini well worth snapping up for your next holiday. 

   In the same way that every underwear drawer needs a multiway/strapless bra, I think that every girl needs to own a multiway/strapless bikini. Versatile, stylish, comfortable and curve-friendly, the 'Revolution' seems to be a revolution by nature as well as name!

   To see more of Simply Beach's great swimwear selection (including Freya, Panache, Pour moi, Fantasie and Seafolly to name a few), click here. (Postage is £1.99 with free returns and exchanges!)

Love,
Kitty xo

Taylor-ed to perfection - The Freya 'Taylor' bra reviewed!

  As you some of you may remember from one of my first ever blog posts, the Freya 'Deco' is a bra that I hold very close to heart. Not only was it the first bra that I ever bought after being refitted as my 'true' size, but it is also a bra that I have continued to purchase again and again in different shades and prints (you can see my earlier review of the 'Deco' here). 

  The 'Deco' comes in back sizes 28-38 and in cup sizes B-GG and has proved a real best-seller right from its launch. The 'Deco' is a bra that gives great cleavage, whilst being soft and comfortable enough to wear on an everyday basis. It is no wonder that as soon as I glimpsed a preview of the Freya 'Taylor' back in April of this year, I knew that I had to own it! 

  Thanks to Freya Lingerie, I was given the opportunity to review the eagerly awaited 'Taylor' Deco, after being fitted by a Freya expert. I went to my local Freya stockist and the lovely Unnis fit me into a 28FF. I had previously been wearing a 28F in the Deco and felt that I needed to size up in the cups, so I was very excited for my 28FF Freya 'Taylor' to arrive in the post!

  As you can see from the photo, the 'Taylor' builds on Freya's classic black Deco moulded bra, but has been updated with diagonal stripes, lace and velvet detailing and bronze and copper notes. The 'Taylor' is spot on-trend with its semi-sheer black mesh overlay, which gives flashes of the nude moulded cup beneath. The nude colour coming through the mesh really ramps up the bra's sex appeal, without actually revealing anything! 

  The diagonal stripes on the cups give the bra a more 'structured' look, drawing the eye towards the cleavage - meaning that all eyes are on you! The 'Taylor' is also complimented by a strip of bronze velvet ribbon that runs along the cups, adding a luxurious feel to the bra. The straps and centre of the bra boast copper and black satin and lace bows and the top of the cups feature black lace - subtle detailing which lends to the bra's glamorous finish. 

  To compliment the 'Taylor' bra, a matching thong (£12.50), high waisted brief (£16) or short (£12.50) is available. I went for the shorts, as it is a style of underwear that I find very comfortable to wear, as well as being sexy. Like the bra, the 'Taylor' shorts are predominantly black, with two diagonal strips of bronze velvet, black lace trims and a pretty copper and black bow at the centre. I love the panels of striped mesh at the hips, which show off a bit of 'peek-a-boo' skin underneath! (See detail below)

  In terms of fit, the 'Taylor' set was a great success. The bra band sits nice and snug in a 28 and the cups fit perfectly in a FF. The lightly padded cups give a beautifully rounded and uplifted shape and the plunge style gives a cleavage that is truly knock-out! I am also thrilled that the 'Taylor' has such exquisite detailing, whilst remaining seamless. The shorts are also very comfortable to wear and give very good coverage on the bottom. The 'Taylor' shorts are, on the whole, fairly seamless, showing through faintly under only the tightest of my bodycon dresses.

  It is not often that you come across a lingerie set that both oozes elegance and is also practical and comfortable enough to be worn everyday, but the 'Taylor' certainly delivers! What's more, at £33 for the plunge bra and £12.50 for the shorts, it is a bra set that is affordable, well-fitting and very good quality. With its unrivalled support and shape, I think that I have truly found my match in the 'Taylor'. It is definitely my favourite bra set of the moment and something that I would highly recommend to any larger busted lady...

Top marks, Freya!

Love, 

Kitty xo

*The Freya 'Taylor' also comes in a strapless multiway style - A review of the Freya 'Deco' Strapless will be coming soon!