Tag: bra and knickers set

Header image for Lovehoney Unwrap Me bra gift set review

[Lingerie Review] Lovehoney Unwrap Me Bra Gift Set

Published on by Amy

Giving lingerie as a gift is a divisive one, and can be a minefield. Should you or shouldn’t you? Will it be appreciated or not? And most importantly, how well do you know the recipient?

On this one, I tend to come down on the side of “it depends.” (Anyone surprised?) If you know your partner and their tastes and size very well then sure, go for it. But if you’re not sure, choose something else or stick to a gift card so they can pick something they’ll love. This is all assuming, of course, that they’re a lingerie person at all. Giving lingerie as a gift when your partner has never worn it or expressed any interest in wearing it is unlikely to go down well.

With all that in mind, let’s have a look at something from Lovehoney’s 2023 Christmas range: the Upwrap Me bra gift set, which landed on my review pile this week.

Lovehoney Unwrap Me Bra Gift Set

This four piece set consists of a bra, pants, and two wrist ties. They are made of a satiny polyester/elastane blend in a deep and vibrant shade of red.

Lovehoney Unwrap Me Bra Gift Set in its packaging

The Unwrap Me bra gift set is available in “One Size” (UK 6-16) and “Plus Size” (UK 18-22.) If you’re in the middle, though, I’d suggest sizing up especially if you have larger boobs (more on that in a minute) as they run a little small.

Be aware that they’re hand-wash only and can’t be ironed, tumble dried, or dry cleaned. I tend to wash my lingerie in a protective bag on the cold hand wash cycle of the washing machine, and that has always worked fine.

What I Liked

Lovehoney Unwrap Me Bra Gift Set on the model, a curvy white woman with long brown hair
Lovehoney Unwrap Me Bra Gift Set on the model, a curvy white woman with long brown hair, viewed from the back

  • The set comes attractively packaged in a black sleeve, stamped with the Lovehoney insignia and tied with red ribbon that matches the set. Lovely for gifting, or just as a treat to yourself.
  • The satin is lovely and soft.
  • The deep red colour is beautiful and festive.
  • Front-fastening makes the bra super easy to put on and take off.
  • The bra is very adjustable, with sliders on both the back band and the shoulder straps.
  • A wide band makes the bra comfortable to wear.
  • The gusset is made of 100% vulva-friendly cotton.

All that, and I just really love how it looks! I think the tie-up design is really sexy and I love how the straps on the pants frame my butt (in my opinion, one of my best features.) It definitely makes me want my partners to unwrap me for Christmas…

And What I Didn’t Like

Despite my overall positive impressions of this set, there were a few aspects of the Unwrap Me bra gift set that I didn’t like as much.

  • The elastic straps on the pants (the ones that go across the butt cheeks) aren’t adjustable. I can fix this myself with a couple of stitches, but it would have been so easy to include an adjustable slider here.
  • My damn boobs still don’t fit. I requested the plus size version (I’m between sizes and thought it might be a better fit for my chest) but even then, the cups aren’t really big enough. It’s wearable, especially if I shorten the straps for a little more stability and support, but there will definitely be unintentional nipple slippage if I move wrong! Another note on sizing: some wearers in the on-site reviews have noted that it may not work well for shorter people.
  • The satin is so slippery that when it’s on, the ties don’t really stay tied very well. Realistically, you’ll need to double knot everything if you want it to stay on for more than ten minutes.
  • The matching wrist restraints are cute, but they are NOT (as the marketing copy claims) for “fun bondage play.” Please don’t tie people up with silky ties, it’s really not very safe as they can tighten or cut off circulation in unexpected ways. I’ve yelled about this before. Use these for decoration, and buy some cuffs or rope for actual bondage. Please.

Verdict

Overall, I do like this set. It’s beautiful and reasonably comfortable, too. Though I do have some complaints, they’re not significant enough to stop me from wearing it again.

This set retails for £29.99 in both One Size and Plus Size (that’s $36.99 US.)

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this set to review. All views, as always, are mine. Affiliate links appear in this post and shopping with them sends me a small commission.

Lovehoney Mindful Plum Lace Bra Set

[Lingerie Review] Lovehoney Mindful Plum Lace Bra Set

Published on by Amy

[Update 11/03/24: this set has been discontinued but I have left the post up for reference.]

I’ve tried a couple of different things from the Lovehoney Mindful range of eco-conscious lingerie at this point, and been really impressed by them. So I was very excited to see there was a new selection out in my favourite colour: purple! Today, I’m trying out the Lovehoney Mindful Plum Lace Bra Set.

Mindfully Glamorous

The Mindful lingerie collection is all made of recycled pre-consumer materials, reusing things that would otherwise end up in landfill. Presented in a biodegradable cornstarch bag and with a recyclable cardboard tag, you can feel good about the sustainability credentials when you buy Mindful.

The Mindful Plum Lace Bra Set is a two-piece in a gorgeous, rich shade of plum purple. It is made primarily of polyamide lace and features wide, stretchy under-bust and waist bands adorned with the Lovehoney heart insignia.

The knickers have a little cutout detail at the back, and the bra features a cleavage-displaying peephole in the centre.

Upon taking the Mindful Plum Lace Bra Set out of its packaging, my femme soul was immediately drawn to the colour and pretty floral design of the lace. The set appears sturdy and well-made, a few stray threads that I had to deal with notwithstanding.

So far, so good. How did things go once I put it on?

Fit and Comfort

The Mindful Plum Lace Bra Set comes in 5 different sizes, designed to fit anyone from a size 8 to a size 26 (UK). I received the M/L and it fit my size 12 form beautifully.

The Mindful range seems to run true to size, insofar as women’s clothing sizes have any kind of consistency. I’d recommend going a size up if you’re on the cusp between sizes, but otherwise you can order your usual dress size with confidence.

The bra provides very gentle support, much as you’d expect from a soft non-wired bra or bralette. With a traditional clasp with three tightness settings and slider straps, you can adjust the fit for your unique body. There’s also a clip that allows you to turn the straps into a racerback style. I like wearing it this way as I find it provides slightly more support than the straight strap style.

The bra cups fit better than I expected they would, but are really just barely big enough for my G-cup breasts. I wouldn’t recommend this set if your bust is any larger. Overall it’s probably a better fit for those who have slightly smaller breasts. But with a few clever adjustments and some positioning, I did manage to find a comfortable and boob-containing way to wear it. Unlike some bralette styles I’ve tried, I don’t feel like I’m going to fall out of it every time I breathe!

The knickers from the Mindful Plum Lace Bra Set are comfortable enough to wear all day. The high-waisted, full brief design makes a nice change from the thongs that so often come with lingerie sets. (Fuck thongs, amirite?) The lace is soft and non-scratchy, and the wide waistband provides extra comfort. They also have a vagina-friendly 100% cotton panel in the gusset, mitigating the risk of thrush and other problems that can arise from wearing man-made fibres around your genitals.

Mindful Plum Lace Bra Set: Verdict

This is a really lovely little set. It’s versatile enough that I can see myself wearing the full set on a date or for a sexy night with my partner. But I can just as easily envision wearing the knickers all day long for a little extra femme joy under my regular clothing.

Comfy, conscious beauty. Colour me impressed!

The Mindful Plum Lace Bra Set retails for £32.99 ($39.99 US). and is also available in black with green detailing. You can get 10% off this and anything else you order with my Lovehoney discount code, “AFF-COFFKINK10”.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this set to review. All views and pictures are mine. Affiliate links appear within this post. If you make a purchase, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Header image for review of the Fifty Shades of Grey lingerie Captivate Bra Set

[Lingerie Review] Lovehoney Fifty Shades of Grey Captivate Bra Set

Published on by Amy1 Comment

[Update 01/11/23: this product has been discontinued. I have removed dead links but left the post up for information.]

I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone that I’m not a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey. At alllll. But, as I said a long time ago, a lot of people are – and if they’re going to look for sexy products based on that franchise, I want them to at least get decent quality stuff for their money.

With that said, I was excited to receive three items of lingerie to review from Lovehoney’s new Fifty Shades inspired line in time for Valentine’s day. Today, we’re looking at the Black and Gold Captivate Bra Set.

First impressions…

This set is a bit of a departure from my usual tastes. I don’t normally wear anything yellow/gold (not even yellow gold jewellery.) It just doesn’t really fit with my aesthetic.

With that said, I did immediately think how pretty this set was when I took it out of the packaging. It’s a two-piece bra-and-knickers set, black and decorated with embroidered gold roses. It’s elegant and it adds a different and unusual twist to your standard black lingerie.

The bra is a pretty straightforward full cup, longline underwired bra. A detachable satin strap leads from between the cups up to the attached choker, which is made of the same black lace with gold roses. The high-waisted knickers feature strappy sides and back for an unusual and sexy bondage-inspired look, plus more little roses at the point where the butt meets the lower back.

The Captivate line is at the higher end of Lovehoney’s price range, with this Captivate Bra Set retailing for £59.99 ($74.99 US). There are a lot of gorgeous pieces in the collection, so do take a look!

Comfort and Fit

I have encountered, yet again, the eternal lingerie problem of My Boobs Just Don’t Fucking Fit.

I’m a size 14 and I ordered the large as recommended. The knickers fit me super well, and every strap is adjustable so you can get the best fit for you.

The bra though… yeah.

I understand why these lines are done in simple S/M/L sizes to make them more affordable, but it’s a real gamble whether the corresponding cup sizes will work for any individual wearer. If I had to guess, I’d say maybe the large would fit a D or DD cup? My poor G cups don’t stand a chance and just ended up feeling squished and stabbed by wires, with folds of boob spilling out every time I stand up or move.

The bra back band and straps are adjustable, so that’s a plus. But be aware of the sizing issue if you have boobs that are much bigger or smaller than the average (whatever that means) for your body size.

Look and Materials

The Captivate Bra Set is made of black satin with black lace and gold embroidery accent. The fabrics are high-quality and luxurious, and feel lovely and soft against my skin. Its clear to me that these pieces are well-made and, with the right care, should last a good long time.

I think this set is objectively very pretty, but I’m not sure it looks great on me. The shape of the knickers is flattering and enhances my curves and butt, but I’m not convinced the yellow/gold is a great colour on me.

Verdict

I’ll almost certainly wear the knickers again, because they fit well and I love the shape. The bra, sadly, is a complete no-go for me and I’ll probably pass it on to someone else with a smaller cup size.

A lovely set for the right wearer, but not a big winner for me.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this set in exchange for an honest review. All views, as ever, are my own. Using my affiliate links supports the blog at no extra cost to you.

Header image for a review of the Passion Flower Bra Set from Lovehoney lingerie

[Lingerie Review] Lovehoney Passion Flower Bra Set

Published on by Amy

[Update 04/03/22: this product has been discontinued. I have removed dead links but left the post up for reference.]

The last 11 days have just flown by, and today is the last review of my #12DaysofLovehoney series! Do check back tomorrow, though, because I have a very special giveaway for you all. For now, though, it’s time to look at the Passion Flower Bra Set from Lovehoney’s Passion Flower lingerie line.

By the way: read the entire series while you’re here!

Purple Passion

I’ve adored the aesthetic of the Passion Flower range ever since it first popped up on the Lovehoney site earlier this year. So I was thrilled to be offered the Passion Flower Bra Set for review as part of this project.

Passion Flower is a range of purple lace lingerie with pink and white flowers. This set consists of three pieces: an underwired halter-neck bra, a thong, and a suspender belt.

It’s worth noting that the suspenders are NOT detatchable, so you’ll need to wear stockings to get the full effect. Of course, you can ditch the suspender belt and just wear the bra and thong if stockings aren’t your thing.

The bra features a little silver charm in the shape of the Lovehoney heart insignia, and both the suspender belt and bra feature cute pink criss-cross detailing.

First impressions? I like what I see. Let’s try it on…

Fit

The Passion Flower Bra Set comes in “one size” (to fit a UK 8-16) and plus size (to fit a UK 18-24.) If you’ve been reading my lingerie reviews for a while, you’ll know I’m not generally a fan of “one size” fits – bodies are just too diverse and varied for many people to get a reliable fit.

With that said, the Passion Flower Bra Set actually does a pretty admirable job of being suitable for a range of sizes. It is adjustable in multiple places, from the back band and halter tie of the bra, to the waistbands of the knickers and suspender belt, and even the length of the suspenders.

It’s pretty suitable for a range of bust sizes, too. Once I adjusted the band size appropriately, the underwires sat securely under my boobs and the soft lace cups actually contained my G-cups.

The bra is a bit fiddly to get into. This is because the fastening mechanism isn’t a traditional bra clasp, but a simple suspender-style hook that’s pretty small. I found it easiest to put it on backwards, fasten it at the front, and then twist it to be on the right way.

Comfort-wise, the lace is very soft and a delight to wear.

Look

I adore the look of the whole Passion Flower range! The bright colour is eye-catching and the floral design is super fun and femme. I feel flirty and feminine when I wear this set.

The wired cups and halterneck design also make it possible to get pretty epic cleavage out of this set, especially if you’re well-endowed in the boob department. The criss-cross detailing draws attention to the cleavage and waistline, while the sheer lace reveals tantalising hints of skin.

Pair with nude stockings for the complete look.

The Verdict

Playful yet elegant, stylish and striking… the Passion Flower Bra Set is an absolute win for me. I loved wearing it and it is definitely going to become a firm favourite.

An ideal addition to your bedroom/sex club wardrobe or a fun sexy gift for the femme in your life.

Get the set for a bargain £24.99 from Lovehoney.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this product to review! Views are, as always, my own. Affiliate links appear in this and all my review posts. Want to support the blog? Buying me a coffee is a great way to do that!

Header image for a Lovehoney Fierce lingerie review

[Lingerie Review] Lovehoney Fierce Lace-Up Bra Set

Published on by Amy

I was so excited about this one that I’ve bumped it up the review queue! I’m very into Lovehoney’s Fierce range and honestly would probably buy one of everything if I could. So it was lovely to receive this set to review for you guys. Let’s take a look.

Lovehoney Fierce Lace-Up Bra Set

The Fierce Lace-Up Bra Set is part of Lovehoney’s Fierce range, a collection of fetish-inspired, wet-look and faux leather pieces. This two-piece set is made up of a bra and… knickers? Shorts? Kinda a halfway house? I’m gonna go with “knickers” for ease of writing.

The set is made of black faux-leather, which is a polyester/elastane mix. Bonus: the gusset on the knickers is cotton-lined, which is healthier for your bits!

The butt, cleavage, and two cut-out sections on the knickers have lace-up detailing with metal eyelets. The bra ties up in a halter-neck style.

Here it is on Lovehoney’s gorgeous model:

The Lovehoney Fierce Lace-Up Bra Set on the model
Image courtesy of Lovehoney

First impressions

I loved this set as soon as I took it out of the packaging. I love the look and feel of leather, but have ethical qualms about it as a vegetarian. So, while not 100% convincing – at least close up – this is a decent alternative.

The combo of the shiny black fabric and lacing is just extremely sexy. I wanted to put it on straight away!

Fit & Comfort

Ahh – no wires! I make no secret of the fact that I think wired bras are the fucking devil and absolutely will not wear them if I can possibly help it. Fortunately, the Fierce Lace-Up Bra Set is completely wire-free.

As sexy lingerie goes, this set is shockingly comfortable to wear. The fabric feels nice against the skin, and the stretchy elastic waist and underbust bands mean nothing is digging in or pinching.

The Fierce Lace-Up Bra Set comes in small, medium, and large sizes, and there’s a handy sizing chart on the product page. It’s also available in an equally sexy plus size version. As the elastic is stretchyy and the bra has 3 clasp options and a halterneck, it’s somewhat adjustable in terms of sizing.

I’m a size 14 and the large fits me comfortably. Some reviewers noted that the knickers were on the small side, so if in doubt consider going up a size.

So for the moment of truth: did it contain my boobs?

The answer to that is… kind of. They did mostly fit into the cups and stayed put, particularly when I tied the halterneck quite tight to give them a little extra lift. But I did get a little bit of nipple slippage at the front. If this is something you don’t want, go up a size if you’re well endowed in the chest department.

Look & Feel

This set is VERY my style. The feminine silhouette with a kinky edge just speaks very much to my personal aesthetic goals.

Lovehoney describe it as a “Dominatrix-inspired look,” but I think that’s only one possible interpretation. The open panels and easy access through the lacing and crotchless knickers speaks to vulnerability to me, which helps me tap into my submissive headspace when I’m wearing it.

The laced up detailing really makes this set for me. It’s just the right level of showing off my body while leaving enough to the imagination to tease a lover and make them want more.

Care & cleaning

The Fierce Lace-Up Bra Set is hand-wash only. Use cold water and gentle detergent if necessary. Dry it on the washing line, and don’t iron it.

Final thoughts

Oh yes, this one did not disappoint!

The Fierce collection was created with actual kinksters in mind, and it shows.

Bonus: it’s so easy to take on and off that you can wear it to the dungeon[1], slip out of it for playtime, then pop it back on in seconds.

This set retails for an affordable £34.99 ($42.99 US). Far below the price tag of real leather!

[1] If we can ever go to dungeons again. *cries*

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me the Fierce Lace-Up Bra Set to review. All views are, as always, my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Header image for Lovehoney Brand X lingerie review

[Lingerie Review] Lovehoney Brand X A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set

Published on by Amy

[Update 11/03/24: this set and range have been discontinued but I have left the post up for reference.]

It’s rare I find a piece of sexy lingerie I could describe as “reasonably comfy, actually.” It’s also rare I find a piece of sexy lingerie that actually contains my boobs. Finding both of these things in one item? Well, that’s a rarely-seen miracle! The A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set, from Lovehoney’s new Brand X collection, is one such piece.

X Marks the Spot

Brand X is a new line of lingerie and fetishwear from Lovehoney, designed by a team of professional Dominatrixes. The range features 24 lines in a mixture of standard and plus sizes, from harnesses to dresses to body-stockings and more. Everything in the range is black, and made from a combination of wet-look PVC and fishnet.

The A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set from Lovehoneys Brand X range

I received the A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set. This two-piece set contains a longline bra which zips up at the front, and a hair of high-waisted knickers with zip running all the way around.

First Impressions

I loved this set from the moment I took it out of the packaging. The fetish-inspired design and fishnet decoration is just so my style. I’m actually completely in love with this whole range and might need to see if I can get my hands on some more pieces to review for you guys.

The A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set from Lovehoneys Brand X range
The A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set from Lovehoneys Brand X range

The other thing I thought when I opened up this set was “holy shit, my boobs might actually fit in that!”

Read on to find out what I thought when I actually put it on…

Comfort and Fit

Fetishwear is not often associated with comfort, and for good reason. Sky-high heels, stomach-sucking corsets and boob-sculpting underwires are hardly the epitome of cosy.

The A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set from Lovehoneys Brand X range
The A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set from Lovehoneys Brand X range

So I was delightfully surprised by how comtortable the A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set is. The wide elasticated bands and stretchy fabric means it sits comfortably and clings to your body like a glove. As there are no wires or boning, there’s nothing digging in painfully or contorting your body into uncomfortable shapes.

I also really love the easy-on nature of this set. I didn’t even have to unzip anything – I could just pull it on, adjust it into place, and go. This means I’d be likely to wear this set to a date or event where I was planning to play. It’s super easy to take off if necessary for playtime, and then put back on afterwards.

Similarly, the fact that the bra closes at the front is likely to make it more accessible and friendly to those who cannot manage back-fastening garments by themselves. No fiddling with clasps – just zip and go!

The fit, in my experience, is true to size. I wear a size 14 and received the L/XL set, which is recommended for sizes 14-16. It fits pretty much perfectly and, because it has some stretch, accommodates for a range of the bodies that sit within those clothing sizes. The S/M will fit a size 10-12, while the plus size versions cover sizes 18-24.

Finally, joy of joys, my boobs actually fit! I so often find I’m falling out of lingerie that is ostensibly my size, that finding something I don’t have to adjust every 15 seconds is a small miracle.

Aesthetics

I feel sexy as fuck when I wear my A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set! I think the idea is that the style is meant to say “Dominatrix,” but you all know that’s a thing I am definitely not. I’m pretty close to exclusively submissive these days. And actually, wearing kinktastic lingerie that makes me feel really sexy helps me tap into that headspace. (See also: the Catsuit of Joy.)

I feel like this set really flatters my curves – by which I do not mean minimises them, but flaunts them unapologetically. The band of the longline bra hits in just the right place to show off the curve of my waist, and the high waisted knickers show off my full hips and my finest feature of all – my fabulous butt.

I especially love the cut out section between the top of the main bra cups and the decorative fishnet panels and straps. Something about this hint of skin, when the rest of the breasts are thoroughly covered, is just unspeakably sexy to me.

The zips also add an extra sizzle of sexiness and potential. You can unzip just a little bit to tease your lover, or they can tie you up and then unzip you…

So do I recommend it?

Oh my goodness, Lovehoney have knocked it out of the park with Brand X! I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that a team of kinksters would know how to design wonderful fetishwear.

Brand X is sexy as fuck, comfortable enough to actually play in, and will look fabulous on a wide range of bodies.

The A Rider Zip-Up Bra Set retails for a very reasonable £34.99/$42.99. Other pieces in the Brand X range retail from £19.99 up to £39.99.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this set in exchange for an honest review. I’m partnering with them throughout Masturbation Month to bring you sexy content and product reviews! This post features affiliate links. All views, as always, are mine.

Header image for a review of the Lovehoney Hot For You lingerie set

[Lingerie Review] Hot For You Set by Lovehoney

Published on by Amy

[Update 03/03/22: this product has been discontinued. I have removed dead links and left the post up for reference.]

We all know by now, don’t we, that I am a whimsical romantic? So how could I resist some cutesy Valentine’s-themed lingerie? Hot For You is Lovehoney’s 2020 Valentine’s offering.

Things are heating up…

Hot For You consists of three sets: a bra and knickers set available in standard and plus sizes, and a thong designed for people with penises. They are all black and feature small decorative accents (hearts on the bra sets, flames on the thong) which start off black and turn to red as your body temperature rises. Cute, no?

Plus size model wearing the Hot For You lingerie from Lovehoney. For 2020 Valentine's gift guide

I got sent the Hot For You bra set to try out…

I heart this look

Aesthetically I’m really into this range. It’s playful and just a touch on the silly side without being excessively twee or over-the-top. Black is my preferred colour of choice for lingerie most of the time, and the heart accents are super cute.

Close up of a male body in the Hot For You flame design thong

(Though I wish they’d made the flame design thong for folks with vulvas too – the idea of a colour-changing fire icon over my junk just amuses me on a deep level for some reason.

Does the colour-change function actually work?

Yep!

So my house tends to get Extremely Fucking Cold at this time of year. Therefore, the first time I tried these pieces on, I… erm, blasted a hairdryer at my tits for a few seconds. (The things I do for you guys and journalism, honestly!) The hearts changed colour almost immediately in the warmth.

I later tried them on again when I wasn’t quite so cold, and they did change nicely as my body temperature warmed up.

So, yes, it does what it says on the tin.

Comfort and Fit

Yet again, these pieces are listed as “One Size.” The standard is supposed to fit sizes 8 – 16, and the plus is supposed to fit sizes 18 – 24. The bra and knickers actually are very adjustable; the bands are made of an elasticated satin material and are also length-adjustable. The bra is a halter-neck design, so be aware of that. If you find it difficult to tie things behind you, you might want to get someone to help you.

Though these pieces function as “One Size” better than many I’ve tried, I still have the familiar recurring problem: my boobs don’t really fit. The standard bra and knickers set fits me quite nicely (I’m about a size 14 right now,) but really barely contained my probably-an-F-cup boobs at all. The spilling-out look can be fun if that’s your sort of thing, but I prefer a bit more coverage unless I’m intentionally going for revealing.

The standard Hot For You set is really designed for folks who are more like an A – D cup. It’s frustrating that lingerie designs always assume that bigger body = bigger boobs, which isn’t true at all! Some people wear a size 8 but have F-cup boobs. Some people are plus-size but have small boobs! This is always going to be an issue in “One Size” pieces, which is why I generally wish that making sexy lingerie based on actual measurements (i.e. cup and band sizes) was more of a thing.

(Though, I have to admit, my partners were in favour of the “boobs falling out” look.)

The bra provides next to no actual support, but… I mean, it’s not like I was going jogging in it, and I don’t wear bras most of the time anyway, so *shrug.*

The sizing issue notwithstanding, the Hot For You set gets good marks for comfort. The mesh material is soft and non-scratchy, and the stretchy satin bands feel nice against the skin. There are no wires or boning, so nothing to dig in or pinch.

Final thoughts

A cute and inexpensive Valentine’s day gift – for your lover or yourself! (Fun idea: wear this set to bed and see how long it takes your lover to notice that the hearts or flames are changing colour!)

The Hot For You bra sets both retail for £19.99, and the thong is £14.99.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me this piece in exchange for an honest review! Affiliate links are contained within this post. All views are mine. Selfie is by me, other pics are by Lovehoney and used with permission.

Header image for a review of the Free Spirit lingerie set by Lovehoney

[Lingerie Review] Lovehoney “Free Spirit” Bra Set

Published on by Amy

Update 03/03/22: this product has been discontinued.

I’ve had this set for quite a while, but have been struggling to know what to say about it. Lingerie is, in some ways, much harder to review than other products such as sex toys or kink gear. What we individually find aesthetically pleasing in clothing, and what fits each of our wonderful and unique bodies, is so infinitely variable that it’s often hard to know how to review lingerie in a way that is likely to be helpful to anyone. With that said, let’s take a look at this offering from Lovehoney’s Free Spirit lingerie line.

Content warning: this review touches briefly on sizeism and clothing being made with thin folks in mind. Please feel free to skip if that’s going to be difficult for you!

Initial Impressions

“I hate pink,” I text my partner. But this isn’t fair – I don’t hate pink per se. It’s a perfectly attractive colour, taken in isolation. What I hate are the associations of pink. The way that anything that’s assumed to be “for women” (let’s not unpack all the problems with that right now) is plastered in it as if all 3.5 billion of us just go mad over this one specific colour. The fact that it’s used – along with blue – to aggressively gender infants before they are old enough to have any sense of who they really are. The fucking pink tax. But I digress.

The Free Spirit lingerie lines look pinkish-purple, almost lilac, on the website images. In real life, though, these pieces are most definitely PINK. Paired with the dark blue straps and detailing, the effect is quite striking, though I can’t say it’s really my aesthetic. For a certain type of femme look, though, it’s cute.

Model wearing the pink and blue Free Spirit lingerie bra by Lovehoney

My other first impression was “lol my tits are never gonna fit in that.” We’ll talk more about fit shortly.

My Free Spirit bra set came simply packaged in a transparent plastic wrap.

Getting into it…

Anyone who has seen me try on lingerie will know that it is not, typically, a sexy sight. It usually involves me getting tangled in straps, swearing, possibly falling over, and trying not to ruin some fancy lace with my unkempt fingernails. So I seriously appreciate that rarest of holy grails: lingerie that is easy to put on and take off.

The Free Spirit bra was a breeze – you adjust the band to fit, slip it over your head and into place, and tie it up. Be aware that the bra is a halter-neck style, so if you struggle to tie things behind you you’ll need to ask someone to help you fasten it up.

Back view of the model wearing the Free Spirit lingerie bra by Lovehoney

The knickers, though, are another story. As you can see from the images, they are straps and straps and straps galore! It took me a number of attempts to get into them properly, and then I kept finding one strap or another twisted and having to readjust. I’d never wear these to an event where I thought I might be having sex, because it would take me half an hour to get back into them afterwards!

Fit

This set is pitched as “one size fits most” but we all know that isn’t really a thing. I strongly suspect that the “one size” thing is a way to keep costs down, as this line is markedly cheaper than many other Lovehoney lingerie ranges. And it is extremely clear from the design of this set that, though it may be adjustable and ostensibly fit anyone up to a size 16, it was ultimately designed with smaller bodies in mind.

I currently wear a UK size 14 and I didn’t find these pieces to be a good fit. My boobs are… probably a E or F cup at this point? (I don’t really know, I haven’t had a bra fitting in like a decade.) And the Free Spirit bra really did not contain them at all. The adjustable band and tie-up halterneck worked well, but the one-size cups will be woefully inadequate for anyone above a C cup.

The knickers were more of the same. The waistband is adjustable, but the thin decorative straps, though stretchy, are not. They stretched uncomfortably over my stomach and pulled the whole piece out of shape. They dug in and kept twisting out of shape, and the thong was pulled so far up my butt that I felt like the damn thing was trying to cut me in half!

This set is supposedly for UK sizes 8 – 16, and there is a plus-size version for sizes 18 – 24. Interestingly, the plus-size version has different knickers which come without all the strappy bits, which I think proves my point that these knickers were designed with thin folks in mind.

If you are a size 8-10, this set may work well for you. If you wear a larger size or have larger breasts, I recommend looking elsewhere.

Comfort

The lace is not as soft as the lace Lovehoney use on some of their other lingerie pieces, though I suppose that is to be expected at this comparatively low price-point. It’s not horribly scratchy or anything, but don’t expect it to feel super luxurious either. The satin of the bands is soft and feels nice against the skin, though.

The poor fit was the real comfort killer, though, and I don’t see myself wearing this set again now that I’ve written this review.

How did I feel wearing it?

As you’ve probably gathered, this set didn’t work for me. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad design or there’s anything wrong with it as such, but it wasn’t a good fit for my body. It emphasised all the bits of my body I’m uncomfortable with, and made me feel inadequate because it was clearly not designed with people of my body-type in mind.

I want to wear lingerie that makes me look in the mirror and go “yes!” This was not that.

Final thoughts

Overall, I think this is the least strong of Lovehoney’s recent lingerie offerings. Moonlight and Wild Blooms blew me away, and some of their one-size body stockings and mini-dresses have worked well for me… but this range would really have benefited from being made in a wider array of sizing options.

I applaud Lovehoney for creating a lower-priced offering, but I’m underwhelmed by the execution.

The Free Spirit Bra Set retails for £19.99.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me these pieces in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are, as always, my own. Affiliate links appear in this post. Image is courtesy of Lovehoney and reproduced with permission.

A close up of a red bra. For a review of Lovehoney's Elixir lingerie

[Lingerie Review] Lovehoney Elixir Luxury Set

Published on by Amy

[Update 30/01/20: the Elixir lingerie ranges have now been discontinued. I have removed dead links but this post is left up for reference.]

Has anyone else noticed that Lovehoney are on fire with their awesome lingerie offerings lately? I’m not surprised after meeting their wonderful and skilled designer at the recent blogger day – she makes it her mission to find the most beautiful fabrics and use them to create gorgeous pieces for all bodies.

I originally asked for this set in black, but they didn’t have any black sets left for review. Bright red and gold feels a bit much for me, being the shy retiring creature that I am [1]. Still, it’s good to get out of one’s comfort zone, isn’t it? So red it was.

[1] Except when the catsuit of joy comes out.

There’s a lot of pieces to this one…

The Elixir set is four separate pieces:

  • A long-line bra, with padded cups and velvety straps and framing detail.
  • Crotchless knickers.
  • A suspender belt with four velvety suspender straps.
  • Wrist cuffs joined with a delicate gold chain.

Note that stockings are not included, so you’ll need to buy those separately. I recommend these red thigh-highs. Perhaps pair with killer heels to complete the look?

Glamour and luxury

I was put off red lingerie years ago because so much of what’s out there is just so… tacky? This is not that.

The fabric is a bright, luscious red and shot through with flecks of gold. The gold just makes the whole set feel so luxurious and high-end – it really feels like it should be much more expensive than it is. Each piece is also adorned with a cute little charm in the shape of the Lovehoney heart logo.

I also love the slightly kinky aesthetic that comes from the cuffs. They are purely for decoration – the chain is extremely thin and the lace is delicate. Don’t try to pull against them or use them for restraint as you’ll damage them.

How does it fit?

Fit is always a bit difficult when it comes to lingerie, because we all have such different proportions. Lovehoney provide handy sizing charts on all their lingerie so you can work out which size is best for you. And if you’re, say, a medium on top but a large on bottom, just get in touch and they’ll help you out if they can.

The Elixir set is available in S/M/L and also in Plus Size, so will fit anyone from size 6 to 24.

I’m currently wearing a UK 14/16 (and occasionally 18, it’s a bit brand-dependent) so after some deliberation I got the Large. The fit is not perfect but pretty good. The bra covers my 38DD boobs pretty well, and the knickers are a great fit. The suspender belt was a bit small on me and didn’t sit properly on my body as a result, but I’m an hourglass shape with big hips so this makes sense.

A question of comfort

I mean, it’s sexy lingerie. It’s not particularly supposed to be comfortable! That said, this set is designed with maximum possible comfort as well as aesthetic in mind. The lace is super soft – not scratchy at all. So though I wouldn’t wear it all day, it’s surprisingly comfortable when compared to other, similar items on the market. I could happily spend an evening out at the club – or in with my partner – wearing it!

Making you feel great

I struggle with body-image. In short, I really struggle to feel good about my body or to feel sexy – and a lot of the time, I hide behind jeans and jumpers and baggy loose clothes. I avoided lingerie for a long time out of the vague feeling that it’s not really for me or my overweight body.

Sex blogging has forced me to dip a toe in to trying lingerie – can’t easily write about it if I don’t try it, now can I? And Lovehoney’s pieces consistently make me feel gorgeous when I put them on. The designs work for a wide range of bodies, not just the proportions of a mainstream lingerie model, and they make a wide range of women and femme folks feel look and feel beautiful.

A great sexy gift?

Christmas is coming up! (As if you’d forgotten). Could this set be a lovely gift for the special femme in your life? Or just a special treat for yourself? The colour scheme is delightfully festive.

The entire Elixir range is currently on sale at 20% off, so you can pick up this gorgeous set for just £35.99. And, if you order before the end of 21 December, there’s still time for delivery before Christmas!

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me the red Elixir luxury lingerie set to review. All views my own. All pictures by me. If you make a purchase, please use my affiliate links and send some commission my way at no extra cost to you. 

A curvy woman in lingerie. For a post on plus-size lingerie and body image

Plus-Size Lingerie and Body Love [A Review, of Sorts]

Published on by Amy7 Comments

Update 02/03/22: Belle Amour and Rendezvous now been discontinued but you can check out Lovehoney’s extensive and growing plus-size lingerie lines here.

This post contains frank descriptions of body image issues and weight loss (no numbers) and discusses external and internalised fatphobia. Please look after yourselves and skip this one if this is likely to be difficult for you. This one is quite vulnerable for me – please be kind. Thank you.

A pretty curvy woman in the Rendezvous plus-size lingerie set from Lovehoney

I am currently fatter than I have ever been in my life. And I am not, truth be told, okay with this.

To be honest, I feel bad even writing that. I don’t know if I am allowed to complain that I experience fatphobia at this size – where I never have before. Plenty of people who are bigger than me experience far worse. But there we are. These things exist on a spectrum. And many people, from men who might want to fuck me to service staff, treat me noticeably worse now than they did 50lb ago.

A pretty curvy woman in the Belle Amour plus-size lingerie bra set from Lovehoney

Even though I’m frequently attracted to gorgeous babes of all sizes, fat and thin and everywhere in between, I really struggle with seeing my body like this. I have to be in a lot of photos at my day job, and I’ve often ended up going to the loos to have a sneaky cry after seeing a photo of myself. It’s probably fair to say I currently hate my body most of the time.

I’m on a long journey right now of getting back to the weight where I felt good about my body, while also trying to love it as it is on the way. Part of the problem is that a lot of my clothes, and especially a lot of the clothes I used to feel good in, don’t fit me at the moment. This includes all the gorgeous lingerie I’ve accrued in two years of sex blogging. (Small mercies, I can still get into the catsuit of joy, but just barely.)

So when my pals at Lovehoney announced they were launching two new lines of plus-size lingerie, I agreed to try it out. Still at a place of being reluctant to call myself “plus-size,” I nervously selected a couple of pieces and waited for them to arrive. They then sat on the sofa for several days, staring at me. Making me feel guilty for not trying them and scared to try them in equal measure. What if they looked awful? If they didn’t fit? If I ended up just hating my body even more?

Eventually I did try them, when I was alone in the house and there was no-one but me and the mirror to judge me. (Not that my sweethearts would ever negatively judge me, but internalised fatphobia is strong, y’all).

Meet Belle Amour & Rendezvous

Belle Amour and Rendezvous are Lovehoney’s two new lines of plus-size lingerie. Unlike their other offerings, these ranges are exclusive to Plus and cover sizes 18-28 (that’s UK sizes).

“Belle Amour” is a red-themed range (two of the sets also have black accents) which is bright, bold and sexy as hell. The two “Rendezvous” pieces are inspired by fetishwear and characterised by black fabrics, gold studded collar and belt, and fishnet lace. Woof.

The pieces I chose & my experience

I decided to go for one basque and one bra set, to get the best overall sense of the range. I chose the Rendezvous Studded Fishnet Basque and the Belle Amour Longline Bra Set.

When I first got lingerie from Lovehoney, I was really pleasantly surprised at the quality. Unlike what you get from a lot of sex shops and online retailers, this stuff is fantastically made and uses real high-quality materials. These pieces were no exception. The satin looks anything but cheap, and the lace is unbelievably soft.

I tried on the Rendezvous set first. I’m a big fan of fishnet and I love the floral pattern interspersed with the netting – it gives the set a gorgeous kinky/femme edge. The studded belt is my favourite part, though. I love how it accentuates the curve of my waist.

Sexy lingerie, including plus-size lingerie, is not designed for comfort, so I won’t pretend it was the most comfy thing in the world. But the material is soft and non-scratchy enough that I could wear it for a few hours at an event without too much trouble.

I think this one is coming out at the next kink event we go to…

Next up was the Belle Amour set. I was initially less sure about this one. For starters, it shows off my stomach which isn’t a part of my body I am particularly fond of.

But the longer I wore it, the more I loved the shape it gives to my breasts and the way the garter belt hugs the curve of my hips. I also think the long line bra style, which hits just at the top of my waist, is a super flattering cut for me. The whole aesthetic is delightfully femme.

This is definitely the more comfortable of the two – again, I cannot overestimate how soft this lace is!

Now I just need to get me some wonderful stockings to complete the look…!

Some reactions:

I think it’s safe to say the reactions from my partners and sexy friends were overwhelmingly positive.

“Woof!” – anonymous friend

“*heart eyes emoji*” – other anonymous friend

“So ridiculously hot.” – the Artist

*Drags me into the bedroom for immediate sex* – Mr CK

A note on sizing

As ever, femme clothing sizing continues to be a mystery. Lovehoney’s plus-size lingerie comes in three sizes: 18/20, 22/24, and 26/28. However, each basque and bra has three rows of hooks-and-eyes and some stretch, making them adjustable to a reasonable degree.

Regardless of what size I’ve been at, I have always had disproportionately large boobs compared to the rest of my body. I don’t normally do bras so I haven’t had a measurement done in years. But at a guess I’m probably an E or F cup right now. This means I often have to go a size up in tops and anything with a built-in bra.

I requested these pieces in size 18/20. I’m wearing a 16 in most things at the moment, occasionally an 18 on top thanks to the aforementioned tits. However, on the tightest hook setting these pieces fitted like a dream. Even the cups were a perfect size and actually covered my nipples properly! All the straps are adjustable, from the bra straps to the pieces that attach the collar to the basque. The collar, though not adjustable, is stretchy enough that I can pull it over my head so it will fit the vast majority of neck sizes.

The knickers on both pieces were very, very slightly big on me but really nowhere near enough as to be problematic.

Care and Cleaning

Unfortunately, these pieces – as with most sexy lingerie – are hand-wash only. We actually do put them through the washing machine, in a net bag on the most gentle cycle and they’ve been absolutely fine, but your mileage may vary.

The Verdict

I love both of these sets, and these whole ranges! Interestingly, both my partners agreed that the red set was their favourite, but the black feels like more “me” when I wear them. Perhaps I’m just not very used to bright colours! Black feels much more comfortable, much more… safe?

More than anything, I want to emphasise how goddamn sexy I feel in these pieces. I cried when I’d finished trying them. The whole experience reminded me how it feels to love what I see in the mirror. That’s been… a while.

So what now?

Whatever size you are, if you’re struggling with how you see your body, I recommend getting something to wear that you feel absolutely gorgeous in. This might be lingerie or it might not – what makes us feel good is very personal.

This experience has not cured my body-image issues by any stretch of the imagination. I’m not sure that’s entirely possible. Body image is more complex than the availability of plus-size lingerie. We live in a society that hates fat bodies, that encourages women to hate themselves, and that profits off insecurities and imperfections the media has convinced us we have.

But putting on this this gorgeous plus-size lingerie, taking photos and letting my lovers tell me how sexy I am, has reminded me that my body can still be hot and desirable and perfect, exactly as it is right now. And that has to be worth something.

Thanks to Lovehoney for providing me with these pieces to try. As ever, all opinions are my own. If you purchase through my affiliate links, you send a small commission my way at no extra cost to you. Professional product photos are property of Lovehoney and used with permission.