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Curvy Kate Portia Black/Pink

Bra: Curvy Kate Portia Black/Pink

Product description: Portia Black Pink balconette bra styled in semi-sheer mesh underwired cups with a subtle detailing. Bottom part of the cup is double lined for added uplift while the top of the cup is beautifully embroidered and embellished with intertwined ribbon. The back wings of this Curvy Kate bra have been designed with firm mesh for comfort and support.

My size: 30HH

Fit: Being a balconette bra, it gives a very natural shape to the breast and is very comfy to wear. The 30HH is a perfect fit for me so I would definitely recommend ordering your actual size for this bra.

Materials: Polyamide Elastane

Colour: Mostly black with a lovely pink ribbon through the top of the cup. This bra also comes in a wide range of colours too. Teal/Lemon, Coral/Aqua, Navy/Lime, Purple/Pink and Black/Yellow.

Comfort: This bra is nice and firm but very comfy at the same time. I can walk around all day at work or while shopping and not have to think about my bra or have to put them back in the bra (I hate having to do that, don’t you?).

Occasion: I had a day off today and wore this bra while shopping then making the dinner. I would say that it is perfect for everyday wear on any occasion.

The briefs: The thong is on the small side again, as you can see in the picture of me above, it is slightly digging in at the sides. While ordering your brief, you might want to get one or even two sizes up on this one so if you are a 10, you might want to go for a 12 or 14. I hear, though, that Curvy Kate are aware of this and the new Curvy Kate range should be slightly bigger made… yay!

Value: Considering the prices right now on the Portia range, you can’t beat that value. A great bra for under a tenner, yes please!

Price: Depending on which colour you get, the price ranges from £8.95 to £12.95. Truly amazing prices!

Rating: I would rate this bra 5 out of 5. I know, wow, again!!

Swimwear SALE now on - up to 70% OFF D to J cups!

The summer may be coming to an end, but it doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a new bikini or a swimming costume.

Right now, if you head on over to the Brastop website, we’re offering up to 70% off everything in our big size swimwear end of summer sale!

But you better hurry – stock is running out quickly!

Curvy Kate Ella Navy/Orange

Bra: Curvy Kate Ella Balconette Bra Navy/Orange

Product description: Fuller balconette bra in soft navy lace, overlayed with striking yellow and orange floral embroidery and rich ribbon bows on the strap sides to enhance the look. Adjustable straps fasten with two clips at the back, three for larger cup sizes.

My size: 30HH

Fit: The bra size on me is perfect, nice and tight at the back but not uncomfortable or painful. I feel completely supported, I don’t need to re-arrange myself every five minutes! The straps are a perfect width – I’m not very fond of thick straps so these are ideal.

The thong, however, was on the tight side. I got the size 12 but I think I need the 14. They are quite small made so bear in mind when you buy your pair that you might want to get the size up!

Materials: 85% Polyamide, 15% Elastane.

Colours: Gorgeous Navy with a Yellow/Orange floral design and pretty bows. It is also available in Ivory/Coral too.

Comfort: This is, honestly, one of the most comfortable bras I have ever had. It is so soft around the breasts and it has an extremely light feel to it that it almost feels like I don’t have a bra on – amazing!!

Occasion: There is nothing like taking your bra off after a long day at work. This is the perfect bra to change into and to have underneath your comfy evening wear.

Value: Being a Curvy Kate bra, it’s excellent value for money. I would be prepared to pay a lot of money for this bra. Also available in DD-J cups while stocks last.

Cost: There is an offer on this bra at the moment, it is only £14.95 but hurry, there’s only 1 day left to snap it up at that price!

Rating: 5 out of 5 – I know, wow!!

Mad Men Lingerie

Are you a fan of the TV series Mad Men? I’ve watched the first eight or so episodes on DVD, and while I find it interesting, it can be a bit slow – but the fashions and styles depicted are just fantastic.

In particular, I’m a big fan of Christina Hendricks – she’s a perfect role model for curvy women, and flies in the face of the percieved skinny-model figure.

Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to look as strikingly-beautiful and voluptuously curvy as her?

Well, lingerie giants Maidenform have decided to design some Mad Men-inspired lingerie designs.

The London Evening Standard has sought out some existing designs that capture the Mad Men spirit, including some eye-catching corslettes, high-waist suspenders and some balconette-style bras.

It’s always difficult finding the right mixture of something stylish, sexy and comfortable when it comes to classically designed (or designer) lingerie – I used to own a really beautiful Fantasie bodyshaper with suspenders that I wore until it fell apart, and I’ve never been able to find one quite like it.

The black Marks & Spencer basque looks very nice, although, I might be tempted to pick up a Panache Venus bodyshaper from the Brastop website…

FREE Delivery on all orders this Bank Holiday!

Don’t say we’re not good to you here at Brastop – until midnight on Monday, you can get FREE DELIVERY if you live in the UK!

Just use the code: AUGUST10 at the checkout.

What more can a girl ask for?

Shock Absorber Bra in Black

According to experts, if you’ve been looking for the perfect sports bra, you’re wasting your time, because it doesn’t exist.

It’s all to do with the motion of your boobs when you run – apparently, they jiggle around in a figure of eight, and no-one has developed a sports bra that fits comfortably and tackles the problem.

Deirdre McGhee, a sports physiotherapist suggests one way to overcome it, especially if you’re quite busty, is to wear two bras – a sports bra and a crop top.

Personally, I think it’s bad enough having to wear a bra that you have to put on like you’re squeezing yourself into a handbag and which often feels like you’re wearing a bullet-proof jacket – so I’m not keen on wearing something on top of already tight-fitting underwear.

The sensible thing to do is get remeasured and refitted regularly, and find a sports bra that works for you – in my case, the black Shock Absorber does the trick.

Check out my reviews of sports bras, and pick yourself one up for as low as £26.

End of Season Summer Sale

Our big bra end of season summer sale is here!

All you need to do is visit the Brastop.com website, find your bra size and you’ll get loads of bargains, with up to 72% off D-J Cups and bras starting from a low as £7.95!

I’m going to let you in on a little secret… this Wonderbra is only £9.95!!!!!

Wonderbra Embrace Lace Bra Cherry

The Wonderbra is known for giving you a sexy shape and this one’s no exception.

It’s sexy, feminine and what a gorgeous colour – it even plunges right up to a G cup!

Psst… you will find this bra for £28 from Figleaves. That’s an amazing £18.05 saving!!!

We made it to 2000 fans!

We finally made it to 2000 fans on our Brastop Facebook page!

As a special treat to everyone who signed up, all you need to do is visit the Brastop Facebook site to find out the special code for our 15% discount offer with NO MINUMUM SPEND!

It will also work in conjunction with our special sale – which starts today, featuring bras from as little as £7.95!!

But you’ll need to hurry – it’s only for 24 hours!

HURRY, LADIES!! Make sure you don’t miss out of this FABULOUS offer only at Brastop.com

There’s only 3 and a half hours left to purchase the very beautiful Lepel Bras for only £12 each!!

I hate to say it, but this summer was the first year I ventured out in a fitted a bikini and all I can say is wow -what a difference it’s made!

Wearing a 30FF, string bikinis should have seemed like a no-no for me, yet every year I’d set off down my local beach in a precarious set, hoping for the best, and by best I mean not flashing the entire South coast.

It’s all very well picking up a cheap bikini on the high street, but unless I lay very still sunbathing, normally on my front, I risked flashing anyone and everyone. Not good for a girl like me – I love playing a game of rounders or going for a swim.

I was more than impressed to discover that fitted swim wear wasn’t as expensive as first thought and what a difference it’s made! If you haven’t experienced the benefits of swimwear fitted to your bra size I really cannot recommend it enough. Running into the (albeit freezing cold) sea can be done without worrying!

Brastop stock swimwear starting at a size 28D and going up to a 42FF. Whatever you fancy, bikini, tankini, swimsuit or sports wear, we have it all.

With our cheapest swimwear coming in at £12, the offers really are too good to miss.

So whether you’re stocking up for next year, buying for the last getaway in the sun or simply have your fingers and toes crossed the weather picks up again, head on over to our swimwear page now and snap up a bargain.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

 

Superbra Eliza Bra

Ok ladies, here’s a Brastop Blog offer of the week for you: the Superbra Eliza Bra. It is only an incredible £14.50!!!

It’s a very delicate and feminine bra – the perfect bra to make you feel girly and pretty.

With the matching thong right down in price to only £5.00 - so you’ll feel gorgeous in the full set.

Psst… this bra would cost you £28.50 at Beau Dame Lingerie and the thong is £13.50!

Image by Graeme Bird (Creative Commons)

The founder of Ultimo, Michelle Mone, has teased us this week by announcing she will do a lingerie shoot!

After losing an incredible 6st, she went from 17st to 11st and now wants to show off her sexy new figure. And why not, I say!

She promises: “There will be no re-touching, I will do my best and hopefully show all Real Women out there. It’s a one off, you only live once.”

You are an inspiration to all us ladies out there, Michelle – perhaps even our very own marketing manager Hannah Houston could be tempted to don one of Brastop’s Curvy Kate range and model it for the website……?

Top Secret Bras

Here’s an interesting idea: a bra you’re meant to show off as outerwear.

They’re made called a company called Top Secret, and the average item retails in the USA for about$30 – the whole idea is that you’re supposed to wear clothing that intentioally exposes the bra for everyone to see.

It’s an interesting enough concept, but most bras nowadays are so beautifully-designed that they could almost be outwear in themselves, like the fabulous Showgirl range from Curvy Kate, or the Freya Layla bra set.

What do you reckon? Are you happy to leave your bra exposed for all the world to see?

Exclusive summer treat - £5 off your next order!

Dear Brastop Customer,

We hope you are enjoying your summer!

As an exclusive treat for our mailing list members we’re offering £5 OFF when you spend £25 until midnight Sunday 22 August.

Just pop in coupon code ‘SUNFIVE‘ when checking out.

Have a fabulous weekend – and happy shopping!

From everyone at the Brastop Team
x

Hooters girls make bigger tips

I stumbled across the Psychology Today website this morning, seeing as how I have a particular interest in the subject of psychology.

The two articles that caught my eye were written by Dr. Gad Saad, a professor of Marketing at Concordia University. At first, it seemed like a bit of a hoax/spoof, but the more I read, the more interesting it became.

The first item pointed towards an article on the same website, written by Christopher Ryan, the co-author of ‘Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality’, in which he puts forward a theory on why men are so mesmerised by boobs (his basic idea suggests that breasts serve as “signaling devices” announcing fertility and fat deposits sufficient to withstand the rigors of pregnancy and breastfeeding).

However, the second item pointed towards a recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior which found (unsurprisingly) that waitresses with bigger boobs received more tips, although the sex of the ‘tipper’ it was not reported in the study (suggesting that men gave larger tips to well-endowed women and female customers punished them).

The final item, entitled The Allure of Female Hitchiker’s Breast Size cites a recent social experiment carried out by Nicolas Guéguen on the likelihood of a female hitchhiker being picked up, by either a male or female driver, in which three female hitchikers of increasing cup size were observed hitching a ride (all of which was done under safe circumstances).

The conclusion of the experiment was that if a woman has large boobs, men were  more likely to offer them transportation (the numbers are all there, if you don’t believe me!).

So, what does all this say? Well, the first conclusion I reached was that all the studies were carried out by men, which tells you something in itself – and all the articles were written by men – but, more importantly, it emphasises the recent trend that women being bigger (especially in the chest department) is not necessarily a disadvantage, despite the over-emphasis of stick-thin models in the mainstream media.

Of course, no-one is encouraging us big-boobed girls to go out and flaunt our stuff for a lift to work or a few extra tips, but it’s encouraging to know we don’t have to dress-down to hide our figures just because the media dictates so.

Kirsty Smyth

You may remember Kirsty Smyth, one of our finalists who made it through to the in the final 10 of our Star in a Bra 2010 competition?

She modeled this beautiful Princess Aqua from Curvy Kate on her photo shoot in London, isn’t it gorgeous?

It’s one of my favourite bras from Curvy Kate!

You too can look like a Star in a Bra as it is now only £17.95!!!!

How bra-licious is that?

Psst…the same bra would cost you £29 from Chameleon Boutique.

Why not go treat yourself, and you too could be a Bra Star like Kirsty.

Laura-Ann Smith - Star in a Bra 2010

It seems like only yesterday Star in a Bra was kicking off and here we are, interviewing the winner Laura-Ann not long after her first shoot. Time really does fly!

You voted her in as your favourite curvy girl, so lets see how our favourite Scot got on…

First of all, congratulations on coming first in the competition! I bet you were thrilled.
I was absolutely stunned that I had won to be honest; I really didn’t think I would win. I’m really looking forward to the experience and the opportunity to take part in such a big campaign.

Coming first is quite an achievement, this years competition has been our strongest yet. Do you have any messages for all the people that voted for you?
Just a huge thank you everyone that voted – I really appreciate the support, no pun intended! I was really nervous about entering, so just the fact that people voted for me was wonderful.

Previously you mentioned that your friends and family have been really supportive – is this still the case now you’re officially an underwear model?
Definitely! Everyone, without exception, has been really positive about it. Even my neighbours, who happened to see an article in the newspaper, came to our door to congratulate me. A lot of friends, family and work clients have bought me gifts and cards, which is so sweet of them. My partner has come down to London with my for the first couple of photo shoots as I haven’t really spent any time in London and wasn’t really sure how to get about, so it’s lovely to have him there every step of the way. In short, everyone has been so supportive, which has been really fantastic and such a great help.

We’re all really excited to see your first photos come through. Tell us a bit about your first shoot.
Well I flew down to London with my partner for the 11am start, where I went straight into hair and make-up. I met all the other Curvy Kate girls, who were absolutely lovely and made me feel really welcome. Then it was time for the photos! A lot had to be crammed into that day, so it was a bit hectic, but I loved every minute of it. I had just come back from a holiday in Mexico, so had some serious jet-lag, but the adrenaline kept me going!

How was working with the previous Star in a Bra winners? Did it make you feel more comfortable or even more nervous?
To be honest I was nervous – being the new person is always a bit nerve-racking. But from the moment I arrived the whole team were really nice and made me feel so comfortable and welcome. Once I had been there for a while I managed to just relax and get on with enjoying the experience.

Laura-Ann Smith - Star in a Bra 2010

Thinking back to when you entered, did you think you’d make it this far or did you have your doubts?
I didn’t think for a minute that I would get through to the finals, let alone to go through and win it. I had thought about entering the year before but nerves got the better of me and I didn’t, so this year I managed to build my courage up and just go for it. I was delighted to get through to the top 30, then the final 10 so winning it was just fantastic.

Now that you’ve won, what are you looking forward to about the year ahead?
I’m really looking forward to the modelling experience because I’ve never done anything like it before. Seeing what goes on is really interesting! I’m also looking forward to being part of such a great campaign that promotes confidence for curvy women.

As you know, you get to model for a year when you win Star in a Bra, do you think you’ll consider pursuing modelling in the future once the year is over?
I’ve enjoyed it so far, and I’m surprised to say it’s not as scary as I first thought it would be. Hopefully people will like the photos and I can continue to do it in the future. It’s a great opportunity for me, and even if I never model again once the year is over, I will take away the memories and the photos that will never leave me.

I think it’s safe to say Laura-Ann is a great choice for Curvy Kate and we’re looking forward to seeing all her photo shoots to come!

£10 OFF gorgeous NEW Fantasie bras in D-K cups!

It’s Tuesday, you’re at work, you’re bored – and you’ve still got some money left from payday burning a hole in your purse…

So – why not treat yourself to one of my top three favourite brands of bra: Fantasie!

Right now, we’re offering £10 off some of the new bras in the Fantasie range available at Brastop.com, including the Kara Midnight Balconette bra.

If there’s ever been a good time to treat yourself to one of the best brands of bra on the planet – today’s the day!

Top Tip of the Week!

It’s been a while since we posted any of the tips sent in to Brastop.com, so I’ll run a few of the recent winners over the next few days, starting with this helpful – if light-hearted – approach to making your bra fit properly.

Heree’s another great suggestion from this month’s reader’s tip winner on how to make sure you get the correct measurement:

“To ensure that your bra will be comfy when trying it on do strike a pose! Touch the ceiling, touch your toes, twist again and then do the vogue. This will check that it doesn’t dig or pull in the wrong places and will hold you in.” – Lyndsay Shemmeld.

Thank-you Lyndsay- you win a free lingerie set!

Don’t forget, if you have a tip or a suggestion, you can either post a comment below or you can fill out our suggestion form (if you fill out the form, you could be in with a chance of winning a free lingerie set!).