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Original poster

Freya bras - bra experts!

27 replies

Cantdothisagain · 15/09/2012 20:46

I've been reading the bra threads with interest and wondered if one of you bra experts could help me. I am a 28 back (measure just under 28 inches). Panache and Cleo bras don't fit me at all, but Freya and Bravissimo's own seem to, and I went to Bravissimo today but the only bra they had in either of those makes in my size was the Freya Piper - here Freya Piper
if that link works.

It looks fab but I now need more bras and hence need to order on-line. Can anyone recommend similar shaped bras that I could order to try? Thank you!

OP posts:
MrsSnow · 15/09/2012 20:55

John Lewis sell Freya bras not sure if that helps at all.

Original poster
Cantdothisagain · 15/09/2012 20:56

I went into JL too, but they had barely anything in a 28 back, but thanks for the suggestion - would have been good if their stock had been better!

OP posts:
KatieMorag · 15/09/2012 20:57

You could phone bravissimo and ask them. Their telephone staff are usually very good

StatisticallyChallenged · 15/09/2012 20:58

It appears that it is based on the Freya Neive which is still kicking around online (it doesn't have the visible lace panel but you can see the panel arrangement/structure is the same)

IME freya only tend to have a few cuts that they re use regularly - the lyla looks similar, and the lacey looks nice too

Have you tried the Bravissimo Alana? I'm a Freya/Bravissimo girl too and it's one of my best day to day bras.

BeauNeidel · 15/09/2012 21:01

Try a 30 back with a smaller cup then make sure it is done up on the tightest, maybe in another style? Personally I hate Freya, they just don't work for me.

Have you tried Debenhams? Their own range might be good for you. Off hand I can't remember if they do a 28 back but I find them a little smaller than othber styles.

Original poster
Cantdothisagain · 15/09/2012 21:20

Thank you all for the suggestions.

The Lyla would be similar I think - only they didn't have that in the right size and I can't see it in my size anywhere online. I will check out the Nieve.

I would try a 30 back, but I tried lots and they are enormous on me even on tightest hook - I just re-measured and I'm 27 inches around the back.

I could actually go into Debenhams and see, but last time I went they just had big back sizes in stock in the shop. I will try this week though.

I know different bra makes work on different people, as Panache wires dig under my arm horribly. Freya gets much criticism but they fit me.

OP posts:
StatisticallyChallenged · 15/09/2012 21:25

I think you may have to resort to online TBH - I'm a 30 now but have previously been a 28 and going up in the back doesn't work, but few real shops have anything.

I am like you, get on with Freya and Bravissimo brand, can't wear Panache at all as they dig. The wire is just all wrong on me.

I've recently tried Curvy Kate - Didn't get on with their unpadded but quite like the Showgirl range (tempt me/tease me/thrill me/fleurty. Sizing is similar to Freya except on the plunge which I would suggest going up at least 1 if not two cups.

GobblersKnob · 15/09/2012 21:27

The good thing about freya is they don't really make many different bras, they just knock loads of the same design out in multiple colours/fabrics, I think all the following would suit as they all look basically the same; Latisha, Naomi, Estelle, Pollyanna, Zara, Tara, Beau, Sadie, Mimi, Greta and Lauren.

Some are discontinued now, but look on ebay/amazon/brastop etc etc, good luck.

StatisticallyChallenged · 15/09/2012 21:27

Good website - figleaves, Leia Lingerie (especially their outlet section!), brastop, amazon (surprisingly and often cheap!) Also worth checking debenhams online as they sometimes have 28s, as do John Lewis (our local was useless too)

Original poster
Cantdothisagain · 15/09/2012 21:30

I am resigned to on-line! Thanks for the Curvy Kate suggestion- I will order a couple of those.

Oh and I meant to say to a previous poster - before I lost weight I was a 30 back, and I did like the Alana. But I am not sure which size Alana to order, because before I used to have to get a cup size larger in an Alana compared with Freya - would you say that is usual? in which case I will order a bigger cup size.

OP posts:
StatisticallyChallenged · 15/09/2012 21:34

I'd stick with one up in the Alana - I've been numerous sizes in the last few years - lost weight, got pregnant, had a baby, wound up fatter.....

My Alanas are consistently the same back, but a cup bigger, than most of my Freyas. I seem to have shrunk to an H in Freya but still an HH in the Alana.

Original poster
Cantdothisagain · 15/09/2012 21:40

Thank you both for the advice!

I did try the Freya Ada, which fitted too but didn't seem quite as supportive as the one I got. I will order a size larger Alana as Statistically suggests (that was also my experience in my old size) and seek out the similar Freyas that Gobblers suggest.

I have to say, I hoped losing weight would turn me into a 'normal' size, so I could just pick up bras whenever, rather than have to order on-line. Instead I have gone down back size and it's actually harder in Bravissimo/JL to find fitting bras. Bah.

I now have endless too big bras. They can be donated to Bravissimo, can't they?

OP posts:
StatisticallyChallenged · 15/09/2012 21:45

Same happens to me sadly - my size gets worse when I lose weight as I don't lose weight from my cup but my back shrinks. So I actually end up a bigger cup on a smaller back. With an even smaller choice of bras :(

ellangirl · 15/09/2012 21:48

Try this link here for a Freya overview...

TapselteerieO · 15/09/2012 21:51

I am a 30G in Freya, I usually go to Debenhams for them - they tend to have the best range of styles, plus independent lingerie shops sell them, though they only get a couple of each size in a style so you have to be lucky. I have to try on a lot of bras before I find one that fits, I usually try on every Freya in my size. T.K Maxx has them in now and again, but I usually get my best bargains in Debenhams.

IDismyname · 15/09/2012 21:53

Bravissimo or Debenhams. I buy nothing else in the latter shop - just bras!

Original poster
Cantdothisagain · 15/09/2012 21:59

It's rubbish, isn't it, losing weight from the back and then ending up even more difficult to find a bra that fits!

Thanks for the Debenhams recommendation. I actually have a Debenhams voucher to spend, so would love to find something in there - just last time they didn't have any 28 backs in anything above a DD. I can try again though.

I wonder if many women are wearing too large back sizes and so a 28 seems very weird, when in point of fact I'm an 8-10 and not particularly teeny. A friend of mine seems to wear a 42 inch back, and she really can't be...

OP posts:
BeauNeidel · 15/09/2012 22:02

If it's the wires under the arms that hurt in Panache, I saw in the new Bravissimo catalogue they have a new style not so high up in the wires. I'll see if I can find it....

Can't find it online, I'll try and dig out the paper one!

StatisticallyChallenged · 15/09/2012 22:02

Oh yes - take a look at the epic "how do you wear your bras" thread for evidence!

ellangirl · 15/09/2012 22:03

I'm 5'9" and a good size 12 and only have a 30 back size. People never believe my bra size of 30gg as they are all wearing 34-38bras. 28 is hard to find though so I appreciate t's difficult. I'mtrying to find decent nursing bras in 30hh ish and that really sucks!!

Original poster
Cantdothisagain · 15/09/2012 22:13

I can believe finding nursing bras in that size is a pain! I was a 32 when first needed nursing bras and had the good fortune of finding some in Debenhams sale for a steal (Royce ones, which were somewhat matronly but fitted). With child number 2, Debenhams weren't selling nursing bras above a G cup and I was an H, so it was impossible. I found some on the Upper Cup site - no idea if it is still running. But the sizes were mad. The Freya nursing bras were very generous, but I tried a different make, can't remember the name, that dug in horribly.

It is the under-arm wires with Panache that don't work - though it may also be the straps. It is very annoying as they do lots in smaller backs.

For the person who recommended the Bras I Hate blog, I really am enjoying it. Although she seems to fit completely different bras to me, I like the accounts of the different structures.

OP posts:
StatisticallyChallenged · 15/09/2012 22:22

invest in your chest is another good bra blog.

I didn't breastfeed, and whilst it was far from the only reason I have to admit bra issues were a factor. I was in a JJ cup before my milk came in. When it did I looked like a comedy character - I'd hazard a guess (judging by the quadboobs!) that I went up at least 3 sizes, so probably around a 30L. They were frankly ridiculous.

BeauNeidel · 16/09/2012 02:34

Insomnia has brought me to checking the catalogue, and while the first Panache bra states the wires are lower the back sizes start at 30.

Original poster
Cantdothisagain · 16/09/2012 08:42

Thanks Beau. Seems a bit silly to start at a 30 when presumably the high wires issue is often suffered by women with shorter torsos, who are more likely (maybe!) to be small-backed. Ho-hum. Have been on the JL website and there are no bras in my size.

The Internet it is then.

OP posts:
Mewsical · 17/09/2012 10:47

I agree with the comment about the cut of the bras - Freya tend to stick to the same shapes and just vary the design. I look on the Freya lingerie website for their new designs each season and buy them in the sale in the next.
I also use Figleaves and Leia.

I also have a Bravissimo Alana in black (in same size) as Freya don't tend to do that shape in unpatterned/less decorative styles.

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