Continuing our Busty & The Beach coverage, this week I’m reviewing Freya’s “Gatsby” sweetheart padded bikini top in 30GG and high-waist briefs in large. (I measure 38”-29”-42”, height 5’6”, and bra size UK 28GG/30G.)

Disclosure: This set was received as a review sample. All opinions are my own and based entirely on my experience. The links to the top and bottoms are affiliate links, and clicking them may result in commissions to Hourglassy.

Well my boobs have officially grown another cup size since a year ago even though I’m the same weight! I initially requested Freya bikini samples in size 30G, the size I’ve taken in their swimwear for many years, but this time I had to swap them out for 30GG. I’m rather in between bra sizes at the moment (28G/30FF tends to be a bit small, but 28GG/30G tends to be a bit big). I also always size up in swimwear since for some reason it consistently seems to run smaller than bras even from the same company. So the graduation to 30GG is not entirely surprising.

In any case, this bikini fits me quite well, so who cares what the tag says??

Black and white stripe-y swimwear always makes me think of Barbie, and this suit is no exception—though with modern flair!

The Gatsby Sweetheart features a balconette neckline with the ever-present cage bra trend. I personally don’t like when the cage straps go all the way up to the clavicle and much prefer for them to follow the curve of my cleavage, and these do exactly that.

The cups have a single vertical seam up the center. They’re not really what I would describe as “padded,” they just have a light foam lining instead of mesh or thin nylon. The wings are lined in power-mesh and have flexible side stays. The back has a leotard shape with fully adjustable, non-convertible straps.

My boobs are pretty close-set, especially toward the top, so I often have trouble with higher gores, but in this case the underwires “kiss” at the gore, so it’s narrow enough not to dig into breast tissue. In fact, I’m very happy with the slightly higher gore because there is absolutely no chance of my boobs slipping out in heavy waves or active beach behavior. Darlene even snuck a photo of me bending all the way over while getting up from sitting on the pool edge, and I was totally locked in place.

Regarding the bottoms, I usually find Freya’s lower rise bikini bottoms too skimpy. But the last time I tried their high-waist bottoms it was an unflattering disaster. So this time, I stuck with the higher rise but sized up to large so that it wouldn’t dig into my love handles area so badly. The fabric employed here is also thinner than that old Bondi, so there’s no discomfort with having more fabric in the crotch. (Here’s a link to the lower rise style.)

Basically, I’m glad I got size large. But I do have a bone to pick with Freya…These simply are not high-waisted! They are mid-rise. Anything labelled “high-waisted” needs to at least reach the belly button, if not go past it slightly. I realize that my extra-long torso means any bottoms that reach my actual waist (a couple inches above my belly button) will meet underwire on anyone else, but these don’t even reach the belly button of Freya’s own model.

Moving on, I am happy to report that these bottoms are fully lined, so I have no worries about wearing then out by sitting on scratchy cement pool edges.

The Gatsby Sweetheart goes up to HH cups and is also available in a convertible halter top up to J cups, a plunge tankini up to GG, and a plunge halter cut-out one-piece swimsuit up to FF, in addition to two brief styles. I’m really happy with this set and plan to wear it when I want a little more coverage, such as family beach trips and at the public pool.