Off the Rack ~ Sugar Candy Everyday Fuller Bust Seamless Bra

July 27, 2017 By Leah H

Yesterday, Darlene reviewed the Sugar Candy bra in size Medium. Today, I’m reviewing it in XS and Small. Click here to start with Darlene’s post.

Just like Darlene, I was initially a bit skeptical of the Sugar Candy bra’s claims. But also like her, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I love it!

I’m currently wearing UK 28GG or 30G in most brands, which the Sugar Candy size chart puts at size XS. But I was doubtful that the smallest possible size would really be right for me, so they sent me two sizes to try.

Turns out I was correct, and the XS was significantly too small, with quad-boob, escaping tissue at the armpits, and a very low neckline.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Bra Review, Off the Rack

Sugar Candy Comfort Bra for Fuller Busts–How Sweet It Is!

July 27, 2017 By Darlene C.

“Revolutionary seamless, wire free, fuller bust bra!”

“Literally never been done before!”

As I read these statements in a recent email, my eyes only stopped rolling when I saw the following:

Darlene, I want to clarify that Sugar Candy was not created to replace the typical wire, fuller bust bra which is much needed. Sugar Candy is purely a comfort bra option, that women can wear at home and to bed.

Well, then! I replied with a request for samples, and the company sent me a medium and Leah an XS and S. We used the UK columns and rows in their size chart, and since I’m somewhere in the 34FF/G range right now, it was refreshing that M covered all my options. [Read more…]

Off the Rack ~ Introducing Alisa Nicole Swimwear

July 14, 2017 By Leah H

This week I’m reviewing a start-up swimwear brand called Alisa Nicole Swimwear. Founder Alisa recently reached out to Darlene and me, only to realize that we all live in New York City, making it super easy and convenient for Darlene and me to try a few pieces of her swim collection without dealing with postage or shipping things back-and-forth. The three of us had brunch last weekend, followed by a try-on session.

Darlene, Alisa, and me.

First, some background on Alisa Nicole Swimwear: Alisa used to live in Sydney, Australia. As a busty woman and avid surfer, she couldn’t find any swimwear that suited her shape and gave the right support—so naturally she started making her own!

Here’s Alisa surfing in Australia while wearing her “Aphrodite” one-piece.

While Alisa reached out to us with the pitch of a busty swim brand, during our meetup she explained that she actually wants to avoid pigeon-holing her company into that niche. Rather, she designed her product to fit a range of bust sizes. I was a little skeptical of this claim at first (aren’t we all?), but check out this photo of Alisa (left) and her much less busty model (right) rocking the exact same swimsuit: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Off the Rack, Swimsuits

Mission Accomplished: I Tried Corin at Bra Spectrum

July 11, 2017 By Darlene C.

It’s been six years since I first wrote about Polish brand Corin, and two weeks ago I finally got to try their bras–one of the perks of having a pop up shop for my big bust button-downs in an amazing lingerie store. (At my next pop up shop, I’ll finally get to try Ewa Michalek at the only brick and mortar store on the East Coast that carries them!)

Before I go into detail about the bras, here’s what I like about Bra Spectrum:

ALL the styles and sizes are out on the floor. This meant that I could browse to my heart’s content.
During each fitting, they make sure to give “scoop & swoop” instructions.
Owner Tatyana and store manager Kristin will run back and forth to bring whatever you request. I had created a pile of bra rejects by the time I was through, but Kristin never showed impatience or tuned out of the process, and I watched them cater to everyone the same way.
Ultimately they defer to what a customer wants rather than being militant about fit. This explains their giant selection for women who hate underwires, but more on that later!

I was especially excited to have a fitting because I’ve gained 10 pounds and don’t fit my 32F/FF bras anymore. Kristin began by measuring 79 cm beneath my bust and 103 cm around my bust and started with a 36F. A lot of fitters do this with me, so I let the process take its course, and eventually we found that most of the Corin bras that worked on me were around a 34F/FF . . . or a 75H if you want the Polish size. For the record, I’ve just measured myself ahead of writing this post, and I measure 33.5″ beneath my bust and 41.5″ around my bust, so a 34F/FF sounds about right.

Corin Semi-Soft Bras

I tried two semi-soft Corins in 75H, beginning with the Rosa, which I loved until I tried the Jacqueline, which I loved even more.

rosa flat final