Post Number 2 of my Curve coverage! This week I’m covering Gossard, Le Mystere, Passionata, and Tutti Rouge.


Gossard

I really like the fit of the one Gossard bra I have. Most people online seem to report that Gossard bands run large, but everything I’ve ever tried from them has run small, in my opinion. This is great for me, since they don’t make 28 bands! I also find the cups to run a wee small, so I go with 30G in their non-padded offerings, and it’s a tiny bit loose on my smaller boob (as a reminder, I’m generally in between both band and cup sizes, so 28G/GG or 30FF/G).

For Autumn/Winter 2016, Gossard has some lovely shades of blue, as well as a collection partnered with Australian soap star Olympia Valance. Sadly, there are still no plans to expand the sizing of the Retrolution Stay-Lo Plunge above DD.

Here are some of the pieces I liked that go to a UK G-cup:

Gypsey High Apex Plunge Bra in teal. Come on, you know I can’t resist teal.
Gypsey High Apex Plunge Bra in teal. Come on, you know I can’t resist teal.
And another teal High Apex Plunge Bra, this one part of the Olympia Valance collection, with black lace overlay and tiny black crystals along the upper lace edge.
And another teal High Apex Plunge Bra, this one part of the Olympia Valance collection, with black lace overlay and tiny black crystals along the upper lace edge.
I love the subtle sparkle of these little crystals.
I love the subtle sparkle of these little crystals.
Finally, we have the Gossard Glossies, their #1 seller in the US. Love that blue, of course.
Finally, we have the Gossard Glossies, their #1 seller in the US. Love that blue, of course.
The Glossies are completely sheer and molded. At DD–G, the cups feature a sheer interior side sling that you can just barely see here.
The Glossies are completely sheer and molded. At DD–G, the cups feature a sheer interior side sling that you can just barely see here.


Le Mystere

Le Mystere will always have a place in my heart, since I wore their Soiree Low-Back Bustier under my wedding dress. They cover sizes 30–44 A–H (European sizes, so the equivalent of A–FF UK). This year they told me they use exclusively models with natural 34D breasts. Of course, secretly this made me laugh, because you know there’s no way a conventional model is truly a 34-band. The closest Le Mystere size these gals would actually be is probably 30F (so 30E UK), or if they were truly properly fitted, then I bet it’d be a 28- or 26-band.

That being said, there was lots to like in their upcoming season:

The Sophia Lace doesn’t look that special upon first glance, but the “steel blue” colorway had beautiful silver lurex thread throughout the lace that provided a subtle yet impossible-not-to-notice sheen.
The Sophia Lace doesn’t look that special upon first glance, but the “steel blue” colorway had beautiful silver lurex thread throughout the lace that provided a subtle yet impossible-not-to-notice sheen.
My attempt at capturing the silver. The molded tee-shirt version has solid blue cups, but maintains the lace (and the silver thread!) on the band and gore.
My attempt at capturing the silver. The molded tee-shirt version has solid blue cups, but maintains the lace (and the silver thread!) on the band and gore.
The non-silver threaded eggplant color is lovely too.
The non-silver threaded eggplant color is lovely too.
The Safari is the brand’s #3 best-seller, and is top rated for comfort. What caught my eye on this relatively basic offering was the trim on the cup edge.
The Safari is the brand’s #3 best-seller, and is top rated for comfort. What caught my eye on this relatively basic offering was the trim on the cup edge.
Safari’s woven trim looked really cool and modern up close.
Safari’s woven trim looked really cool and modern up close.

Next up is something truly innovative and cool. The Le Mystere “Convertible” is a molded-cup bra with straps that can be worn standard or crossed in back. There are also two different strap connection spots in back, so you can change the positioning of the straps whether they’re being worn standard or crossed.

However, the really neat addition is the lace triangle panel that can be attached to the back for a decorative look, like so:

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Or you can attach it in the front to turn your bra into a faux lace camisole:

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Here’s a view of the cami option from inside the cups, where it attaches to the strap connection point and the gore:

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Hello! Genius!

Next is Le Mystere’s take on the sports bra, in the style that Panache has popularized, i.e. padded wires, crop top shape, great colors:

“Plum” colorway.
“Plum” colorway.
“Cobalt” colorway.
“Cobalt” colorway.

Back to regular bras…

More Sophia bras, some of several examples I found of lingerie in Pantone’s “colors of the year,” serenity and rose quartz (though these were named “opal” and “lilac”).
More Sophia bras, some of several examples I found of lingerie in Pantone’s “colors of the year,” serenity and rose quartz (though these were named “opal” and “lilac”).
The “Comfort Chic” collection is a takeoff on the athleisure trend. It’s made of micro-modal (from the beech tree), and felt really soft and cozy to the touch.
The “Comfort Chic” collection is a takeoff on the athleisure trend. It’s made of micro-modal (from the beech tree), and felt really soft and cozy to the touch.
I looooove the denim look of the “navy heather” colorway.
I looooove the denim look of the “navy heather” colorway.

Lastly, we have my favorite item, which sadly only goes up to F (or UK E), the “Ultimate Plunge” convertible strapless:

So cool-looking! It closes in front, so the back remains totally smooth.
So cool-looking! It closes in front, so the back remains totally smooth.
You can wear the front closed all the way, or leave one or two clips open to make it a deeper plunge.
You can wear the front closed all the way, or leave one or two clips open to make it a deeper plunge.
A view of the smooth back. I wish Freya would make a Deco strapless like this. I don’t care if the band’s not adjustable! I’m still wearing my Deco on the loosest setting and it’s a million years old.
A view of the smooth back. I wish Freya would make a Deco strapless like this. I don’t care if the band’s not adjustable! I’m still wearing my Deco on the loosest setting and it’s a million years old.


Passionata

Passionata is a little boring this season, to be honest. They didn’t show me any fun, bright colors, which is what I’ve always thought of as their signature. They did have a few new innovations, though. Passionata goes up to European H (so once again, UK FF).

“Beautify” is their new spacer fabric bra. The heathered print is actually woven into the spacer fabric instead of being an outer liner, so it was super lightweight.
“Beautify” is their new spacer fabric bra. The heathered print is actually woven into the spacer fabric instead of being an outer liner, so it was super lightweight.
I was really intrigued by the “Blossom” collection. This “Sexy T-Shirt Bra” features lace trim toward the gore and double-straps.
I was really intrigued by the “Blossom” collection. This “Sexy T-Shirt Bra” features lace trim toward the gore and double-straps.
A better look at those double-straps.
A better look at those double-straps.
Also part of the Blossom collection is this dainty demi bustier, which, miraculously, is offered up to G-cups (aka UK F). I realize F is not that big, but it’s rare to see something this delicate go above D, so I’ll take it!
Also part of the Blossom collection is this dainty demi bustier, which, miraculously, is offered up to G-cups (aka UK F). I realize F is not that big, but it’s rare to see something this delicate go above D, so I’ll take it!
Blossom demi bustier in black.
Blossom demi bustier in black.
And the demi bustier’s standard supportive back.
And the demi bustier’s standard supportive back.


Tutti Rouge

Lastly, we have Tutti Rouge, who had me just about tickled by some of their new designs. All the bras I’m showing here go up to UK HH except Liliana, which goes up to J.

Ignoring for a moment that the model was wearing the wrong sample size, the “Sukki” looks like a pretty standard bra, right?
Ignoring for a moment that the model was wearing the wrong sample size, the “Sukki” looks like a pretty standard bra, right?
Well guess again! It’s a cage bra with removable straps! I’m so glad large cup brands are finally embracing the cage bra trend. This hot little number goes up to a UK HH cup.
Well guess again! It’s a cage bra with removable straps! I’m so glad large cup brands are finally embracing the cage bra trend.

Please also note that the high-waisted briefs are intended to “hold me tight” with “Tutti-tec.” Basically, they have mild shaping meant to enhance curves, but I just like Tutti’s funny naming conventions.

This season’s Betty features a new Tutti signature print—this time a burlesque theme with dancers wearing actual Tutti Rouge lingerie from the new season! I just about died when they told me the print includes their own underwear. It’s so freaking clever and cute.
This season’s Betty features a new Tutti signature print—this time a burlesque theme with dancers wearing actual Tutti Rouge lingerie from the new season! I just about died when they told me the print includes their own underwear. It’s so freaking clever and cute.
A closeup of the fabulous fabric.
A closeup of the fabulous fabric.
Nichole’s new “Ruby Kisses” colorway looks like abstract animal print.
Nichole’s new “Ruby Kisses” colorway looks like abstract animal print.
A closeup of “Ruby Kisses.”
A closeup of “Ruby Kisses.”
I was pretty thrilled by Nichole’s new black color with cream trim. It’s rare to see this combo with black as the base instead of the trim.
I was pretty thrilled by Nichole’s new black color with cream trim. It’s rare to see this combo with black as the base instead of the trim.
Another teal offering that I can’t resist, this time the Liliana.
Another teal offering that I can’t resist, this time the Liliana.
I love the new dusty red Jessica color (“Scarlet”).
I love the new dusty red Jessica color (“Scarlet”).
How stunning is Jessica’s suspender in red?
How stunning is Jessica’s suspender in scarlet?
Love that they use their signature heart-shaped adjusters on the garters too.
Love that they use their signature heart-shaped adjusters on the garters too.
Lastly, I just had to snap a shot of this violet-hued beauty—she’s pure pinup for the modern age!
Lastly, I just had to snap a shot of this violet-hued beauty—she’s pure pinup for the modern age!

Check in again next Friday for Claudette, Curvy Kate, and Parfait. Freya, Fantasie, Panache, and Cleo will follow in my final post the week after that.