Apologies for my absence last week, dear readers. I really wanted to do my Eveden post as soon as possible, but then I got swamped with work! Finally, here is my overly excited report on Freya and Fantasie’s latest and upcoming offerings. This is going to be an image-heavy post, with explanations of each item located after each photo.
First up, Fantasie lingerie:
This was the first item pulled for us, and Darlene and I were pretty much swooning over the lovely print. “Alicia” in blossom print. Plunge bra 32-38 C & 30-38 D-G, side support bra 30-40 D-FF & 30-38 D-J. Release date May 2015.
I really enjoyed the candy pink coloring of this baby. The cream one would make a lovely bridal set, and includes a molded strapless, padded half-cup (also in pink), side support bra (also in pink), and basque, along with high-waisted briefs, regular briefs, thong, suspender belt, and even a garter. What a collection! The “print” on these is actually a super soft velvet. I was a huge fan.
“Mae” in lipstick or champagne. Strapless 32-40 D, 30-40 DD-E, 30-38 F-G, 30-36 GG; padded half cup (both colors) 32-38 C & 30-38 D-G; side support (both colors) 30-38 D, 30-42 DD-F, 30-40 FF-G, 30-38 GG-H; basque 30-38 D-G. Release date Feb 2015 (champagne), May 2015 (lipstick).
Easily my favorite Fantasie piece of the entire collection. This gorgeous Japanese-inspired print immediately made me think of a kimono or Ukiyo-e (woodblock) print. It also felt really silky and nice.
I’m super confused, however, because it’s missing from the AW15 lookbook. Somehow I forgot to take the previous season’s book, which features items being released right now, but it’s not on Fantasie’s website either. So I have no idea of the release date and I was only able to collect size information from other bloggers, so this is not complete: “Clementine” side support bra in 30-40 D-FF & 30-38 G-H.
Next up is Freya lingerie, which, oh gosh—so much to love!! Some of this stuff is from the collection that’s out right now and some is from AW15.
Of course I have to start with Deco! I totally adore this neon yellow set with black and white animal print straps. You can even choose a thong in all print with neon yellow trim for a less monochromatic matching set. I swear, I never get tired of neon citrus colors (lemon, lime, and orange).
“Deco” molded plunge in zest: 32-38 B-C, 28-38 D-G, 28-36 GG. Release date March 2015.
Another Deco! Apparently I’m a sucker for neon blue as well, though this was more of a super saturated sky blue than a neon in reality. Love that black trim. It’s also coming out in purple with neon pink accents. Includes a J-hook in back.
“Deco Vibe” molded plunge in electric blue: 32-38 B-C, 28-38 D-G, 28-36 GG. Release date Oct 2015.
Love this mint color and the total sheerness of the Starlet. Also the polka dots on the bows. It also comes in…
A lovely neon blue! With orange bows.
“Starlet” in peppermint and electric blue. Vertical seam bra in 32-38 B-C & 28-38 D-F; plunge balcony 32-36 C & 28-38 D-G. Release date January 2015 (peppermint), April 2015 (electric blue).
Next season will also see the addition of neon pink (though I think it looks like orange) and black (continuity). Same size range, release date June 2015.
Starlet brings me to Freya’s next big innovation—mix-and-match panties called “Fancies.” Here’s the blue Starlet bra with its matching briefs and a pair of Fancies on the bottom:
And here are all the colors being released Dec 2014 through April 2015:
The idea with these boy-short and Brazilian panties is that you can match them with several bras from the season. I think it’s really clever and the styles are cute. However, I’m a little disappointed by the price point. These aren’t as upscale as the other matching underwear in terms of materials and construction, but they have almost the same price point at $26-$28 (compared to $28-$30). I’m sorry, but I will never pay more than $15 for a pair of panties, no matter how well they match my bras.
Here is a design that I’m desperate to try, as much for experimentation’s sake as because I like the style. I don’t really care about the leopard print (though that lilac trim at least makes it a little different), but check out these details:
The keyhole, straps, plunge, and band design are unlike anything Freya’s made before. I really, really want to check out this bra to see how it feels and how supportive it is. Plus, the AW15 colorway is way more up my alley:
When the Hourglassy crew was part of a focus group at the Eveden NY office some time ago, several of the other busty ladies present said they wanted all the delicate trappings of smaller bust bras (thin straps, single hook, less cup coverage, etc), and I think this bra fits that bill. So kudos to Eveden for listening! Of course, the plunge stops at G, but I have a hard time believing such a dainty design would be supportive enough for K cups, which is what the traditional balcony version goes up to.
“Minx” in leopard, Tabasco, and sugarplum (not shown, but it’s light pink leopard with pink lace). Plunge balcony 32-38 C & 28-38 D-G; balcony 28-38 GG-J & 30-36 JJ-K; padded half-cup 32-38 B-C & 30-38 D-G. Release date May 2015 (leopard), Sept 2015 (Tabasco), Nov 2015 (sugarplum).
Lastly, I just need to point out the gorgeous jade color new to the basic (but excellent fitting on me!) Rio bra. And I also enjoy the back of the thong. It’s, like, half brief and half thong. Interesting (and maybe more comfortable than a regular string thong?).
Rio in “jade” plunge balcony: 32-38 B, 30-38 C-D, 28-38 DD-H.
Next up is Fantasie swimwear.
I could take or leave this print, but I’m thrilled that a large-cup lingerie company is offering a one-strap swimsuit. It’s so on trend!
“Cayman” comes in a balcony bikini top up to HH, bandeau up to G, tankini up to H, two swim bottoms, a maxi dress, and the asymmetric one-piece in 32-38 D-G. Release date July 2015.
I don’t usually go for obviously tropical prints on swimwear, but something about these layers of green with just pops of pomegranate really spoke to me. “Antigua” comes in a full-cup bikini top up to H, bandeau up to G, tankini with adjustable sides (shown here) up to H, a one-piece suit up to J, two bottoms, and a long sarong.
That’s all that really caught my eye among Fantasie’s swim offerings, but Freya had lots for me to get excited about.
First up, speaking of on-trend asymmetrical swimwear…
Oh my god, what is this?? Holy crap, it’s a gold foil, stripper-chic, cut-out monokini. This is so far from my style, but I am sooooo happy Freya is making this. It only goes up to an F cup, but that’s still a lot bigger than the boobs that will fit in the completely support-less strips of spandex these suits are usually made of.
The inside features hidden underwires and a non-adjustable clasp. And if you want the gold amazingness of the fabric, but prefer something a little more traditional, there’s also a halter bikini that goes up to FF:
I’d be tempted to just buy the bottoms and pair them with a solid black or white top.
“Gold Rush” cut-out suit comes in 30-36 D-F and halter bikini in 30-38 C-E, 30-36 F, 30-34 FF. Release date December 2014.
Augh, loooooove the watermelon and coordinating watermelon seed print! I want to buy every item in this group and mix and match them. I think it’d be so cute to pair the fruit print on top with the seed print on bottom (or vice versa).
“Watermelon” comes in a wired halter bikini up to H, padded bandeau up to G, wired halter tankini up to G, two bottoms, and a bandeau dress. The seeds (“Pip”) come in a wired halter bikini up to H, sweetheart padded bikini up to GG, two bottoms, and a one-piece up to FF. Release date: February 2015.
Moving into a sportier look, we have “Revival” in “Surf,” with just a touch of neon. It also comes in an indigo base with fuschia and white accents. On offer is a padded bandeau top up to GG, sweetheart padded top (shown here) up to GG, padded bandeau tankini up to GG, and two bottoms; “Indigo” also comes in a third bottom and a bandeau one-piece up to GG.
Continuing the trend of sporty + neon, here is the swimsuit I am utterly obsessed with! I actually bought this from Asos earlier this week and am waiting for its delivery. Hello, a longline bandeau top with sporty black accents? In neon?? With high-waisted bottoms??? It’s like Freya read my mind! I cannot wait to try this suit.
“Bondi” in “Vibe” also comes in a padded sweetheart top up to GG and a soft triangle up to F, plus two bottoms and a swim skirt (the longline goes up to G). I’m not as big a fan of the sweetheart top because the pink strip at the top is narrower and continues onto the straps, whereas I’d much prefer the straps stay black like the longline and the soft cups.
This suit is also coming out in a “Seaspray” color combo that I’m even more in love with in August:
I’m really disappointed (really), however, that it’s not being released in the longline or the high-waisted bottoms. WHY NOT?? I love the way the soft triangle cups look, but they stop at an F cup for crying out loud. That’s too small to even sister size into unless I want a huge, loose band. It also kills me that the two bikini bottom options are just solid instead of featuring the accent color at the waistband.
Continuing with the neons is the delightfully Barbie-esque hot pink, polka dot “Bon Bon,” available in a sweetheart padded top up to GG, padded halter (seen here) up to GG, padded plunge up to J, bandeau tankini up to GG, and two choices of bottoms. Release date May 2015.
Last up is the Saved by the Bell-looking “Tribal Tax.” Again I love the black trim, and I’m a big fan of this “mid-line” padded bandeau top, which goes up to G. This print also comes in a sweetheart padded top up to HH, and there are two bottoms.
Whew! That’s all of it. And that’s all for my Curve Expo coverage this go-round.
The embroidery on that first Fantasie bra, is it just me or were they “inspired” by Lou’s Folie Douce collection?
Really like Freya’s Minx in leopard, hope I can get it as it is different from everything I have.
And I agree with those ladies, being in the smaller end of the full bust spectrum I do find the straps etc are sometimes too chunky for my small frame and don’t feel like I need all that to get proper support.