The Belvia Bra

If I'm perfectly honest when it comes to bras I can be a little shallow and for me it's all about looks. This doesn't mean that it has to be particularly striking, but it does have to look good under clothes and provide support and lift that looks natural. So when I was asked to review the Belvia bra I was a little apprehensive. It essentially looks like a crop top or a sports bra and not something I would usually wear, but after looking at lots of positive reviews and reading that it promised to give great shape and comfort I thought I would give it a try.

The Belvia bra comes in a range of sizes from S to XL depending on your chest size (not cup size). I therefore chose a small even though I am a 32DD. The material is elastic enough to conform to your curves and give a snug fit. Ultimately this bra is exceptionally comfortable, so much so that I forgot I was wearing it. I love the fact that there are no straps or underwires to dig into any wobbly bits so it looks smooth and flattering. The material is stretchy, but firm enough to provide some support. As long as you are not wearing anything low cut or with thin straps it also looks great and almost undetectable under clothes as it lies flat to your back and is seamless.

For those who need a lot of support or are looking to get an extra boost this bra would probably not be ideal. However, if you are happy with your natural shape and are looking for a super comfortable t-shirt bra for everyday wear the Belvia bra is absolutely ideal.

The bra comes in three colours (black, white or nude) and is currently available here at £38.97 for 4 bras!

Have you ever tried the Belvia bra?

Rigby & Peller

Did you know that 80% of women in the UK are wearing the wrong bra size? Well, I had certainly heard that statistic before, but I didn't know that I was in fact one of them! A few weeks ago I attended the opening of a new Rigby & Peller store in the City to have my own fitting and try on some of their beautifully luxurious underwear and beachwear.

Rigby & Peller are synonimous with quality lingerie. After being in the business for over 50 years R&P are able to fit women from sight alone and without the use of a tape measure. It was very strange to be fitted by someone without any measurements being made, but the staff are incredibly professional and experienced. I was dumbfounded to see that in fact I was a whole cup size larger and one size smaller around the back than I have been wearing for years.

Rigby & Peller owner Mrs June Kenton comments: "Breast sizes have increased significantly over the past 50 years with an increase in demand for smaller back sizes, however there is a common misconception that only large breasted ladies need to be concerned about a well fitted bra. No matter their size or shape we want women to understand how dramatically they can improve their quality of life and general well being by having a bra that is properly fitted and well made – it is staggering how many women stick to one size throughout their lifetime.”

During my fitting I was shown a range of different styles and premium brands to try that were suited to my shape and the look that I wanted. R&P hold so many different styles of lingerie that it's easy to find exactly what you need. Plus every item is fitted perfectly so that it supports, lifts, shapes and smooths in all the right places! I was extremely impressed with the staff as they have such a great knowledge of their stock and know all the minute differences in the sizes of different brands.

I also fell in love with their swimwear, which is modern, flattering, yet functional. They have a fantastic range of slimming swimsuits too! My absolute favourite is the Maryan Mehlhorn one piece (£169 here).

Rigby & Peller caters for sizes from 30A to 48N, with the average Rigby & Peller bra containing 38+ components compared to just 16 in an average bra! I would highly recommend checking out R&P for a fitting and if you work near the City the new store in Bow Lane here is absolutely lovely!

Have you ever had a fitting at Rigby & Peller?

Showing some skin...

Even though sunshine still seems a distant memory we are heading towards the cusp of Summer which means that the best part of the year is almost upon us. Having recently booked flights for my Summer holiday I know that one can never be too prepared so the planning has already started, with bikinis being top of my list. I was recently contacted by Simply Beach to try out some of their swimwear and underwear and jumped at the chance of updating my bikini wardrobe! Simply Beach have a fantabulous range of brands to choose from so it took me quite a while to decide on a design, but finally I settled on a bright, vintage style from Red or Dead (£60 here).

I love my bikinis, but sometimes after a night of indulgence on holiday I don't feel tummy exposure is a necessity, so it's always great to have a one-piece stashed away in your suitcase. I love the cutesy ice cream pattern on this Red or Dead swimsuit and the fact that it's strapless, so you can really work on those tan lines.

The swimsuit comes in handy packaging, which is perfect for packing, or throwing in a sandy beach bag.

My favourite feature of this swimsuit is the pink bow belt, which adds a little bit of interest and defines the waist. The colour is also deeper and brighter than in the promo images, which is great as it can remain vibrant and not get bleached by the sun.

The other item I chose from Simply Beach is a beautiful lingerie set from Lepel (currently on sale here).

I absolutely love mint, especially as it looks great against tanned skin so I was immediately drawn to the delicate mint lace and bright floral pattern.

The bra has lots of cute little details such as rose buds on the straps and a satin trim and looks very flattering on, while still being supportive and comfortable.

 

This set is currently on sale here for under £30!

You can check out more designer lingerie and swimwear on the Simply Beach website. Let me know what your favourite styles are!

Have you planned your Summer holiday wardrobe yet? What pieces are you looking for to wear this Summer? xxx

Over sharing?

I hope that lingerie posts are not too much over sharing for you all, but to be perfectly honest I think underwear is very important! It can definitely make or break any outfit and influence the way you feel, whether it be sexy, confident, or ready for the challenge of the treadmill.

When I was little I was told that it was important to wear matching underwear just in case I was in an accident. Now I do not remember who said this, or why, or whether they were joking, but from then on I became convinced that if ever I was knocked over by a bus I would definitely not want a washed too many times bra and granny pants exposed (as if this would be my main worry.. hmm). Perhaps it was one of those phrases that has somehow stuck in my subconscious as I always feel somehow incomplete if I do not match, or at least make an effort to do so...

No matter what anyone says, I think lingerie should be designed for women, not for men (though I have nothing against Ann Summers, it definitely fits a gap in the market). Any woman will appreciate a beautiful, well designed and structured bra far more than a man who just wants to know what is underneath it. Therefore, lingerie is something I always buy and wear for myself. I really don't care if that includes Bridgette Jones style control pants, because at the end of the day, if they make me feel better about my body, and make a knockout dress look the way I want it to, then tough luck to all those who may snigger. On the other end of the spectrum, even if I am wearing the plainest clothes, or a stuffy business suit, knowing that underneath it all I am still my girlie self in pretty, feminine lingerie certainly gives me more confidence.

So with this in mind I wanted to share my recent purchases.

When I saw this bra sitting all lonely in the Oasis sale rack I had to have it, despite the lack of matching panties :*( and a smaller size, it was too cute to pass up! I really love the pattern and the lace detail in the centre. I wore it the other day with a plain red dress and the straps, with the blue and pop of red flowers, looked fantastic and really added to the outfit, without giving it a tacky "my bra is showing and it does not match" look.

Today I went to check out the Harrods sale and after hours of drooling over shoes I wandered into the lingerie department. Agent Provocateur immediately caught my eye as they have such beautiful, unique pieces, as well as some scary looking PVC that I will not elaborate on.. eeek!! I have never bought anything from them before, although I have been lusting after their £200 corsets for some time (pictured at top)! Unfortunately none of these or their gorgeous silk dressing gowns were on sale, however they did have some huge reductions. I am talking about bras for £25 here ladies, and a swimsuit for £30... that is Topshop prices!!

Straight away I spotted this Monika set because it was wearable, yet had the cutest detailing on the shoulders. I have never seen a bra with little cap sleeves before. Plus they had it in a D-cup.. hurray!!

If you have a chance then do check the sale out and in the meantime here are a few photos from their website (note how the models are not over inflated for once!) that I have added to my wishlist for when I win the lottery...
This is the most indulgent beauty cabinet, at a staggering £2500 *gasp*!!Do you like high-end lingerie? Is it something you would spend money on? What do you ladies think?