Check out my review of the Curvy Kate Portia Seafoam/Pink Bra and Shorts. Would the redesigned fit of this brand work better for me?
It’s hard to believe that popular British lingerie brand Curvy Kate has only been around for about 4 years – they’ve done so much in such a short space of time that it seems they’ve been in business for decades.
Constantly working to improve lingerie and swimwear options for ladies with a larger bust, Curvy Kate brings out a collection of new delights for us to enjoy every six months or so. The range for Spring/Summer 2013 is nothing short of gorgeous and I was absolutely thrilled when the Curvy Kate team asked me to try the Curvy Kate Portia Seafoam/Pink Bra and Shorts.
Image courtesy of Curvy Kate
I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s just SO pretty! I was sent the Curvy Kate Portia Seafoam/Pink Bra in 32K and Shorts in 18:
In the past, I have had fit issues with Curvy Kate bras due to the wires being too wide and the cups too shallow. I was therefore delighted when the brand advised me that they have listened to the feedback from their customers and have altered their bra construction to provide a superior fit and shape. It was with great excitement that I tried this set on.
Firstly, I was struck by how beautiful the Curvy Kate Portia Seafoam/Pink set is in reality. The colours are just lovely and photos cannot do them justice. The embroidery on the cups gives a mermaid-like shimmer so it’s really girly and pretty.
The straps of the Curvy Kate Portia Seafoam/Pink Bra are very comfortable and adjust fully. I found no slippage with the adjusters, meaning that once I had the straps to my desired length they stayed in place. The straps have limited stretch so although they are very soft on my skin they don’t stretch under the weight of my boobs.
The 32 band was a great fit for me. It was firm without being too tight and felt very comfortable. The band fastens with three rows of three hooks and eyes.
The cups of the Curvy Kate Portia Seafoam/Pink Bra were an absolute revelation. They were significantly narrower than the Curvy Kates I’ve previously tried and also quite a bit deeper. I didn’t have any empty space at the sides of the cups and the wires encased my breast tissue perfectly. Hurrah!
As you can see, the cups of the Curvy Kate Portia Seafoam/Pink Bra are almost completely sheer. There are in fact two layers of fabric on the lower half of the cup but both layers are of the same ‘nearly sheer’ material so they don’t offer a lot of cover-up. I didn’t mind this at all – I have my padded Ewa Michalak bras for when I want to be covered up so it’s good to have the option of a semi-sheer cup.
However, I am sorry to report that the cup fit was still not quite right for me. They were still rather too shallow and as you can see from the photos from the side I get a rather odd shape. It is as if the apex of the cup is too low for me, so my breast looks as if it points downwards somewhat. If I size up in the cup (which would mean sizing up in the band as K is the largest cup available) the problem would only be made worse.
From my ‘bird’s eye view’ photo looking down on my boobs, you can see that the Curvy Kate Portia Seafoam/Pink Bra pulls my breasts to the sides. My breasts are fairly close-set and are ‘up front’, meaning that there is little or no breast tissue at the sides as the roots of my boobs are completely on the front of my body. Therefore I need cups that have lots of depth and narrow wires so that my boobs are not forced into an unnatural position.
The matching Curvy Kate Portia Seafoam/Pink Shorts were great – very comfortable (and every bit as sheer as the bra!!) and easy to wear. Personally I prefer briefs to shorts but these look great with the bra and really help to complete the set. Curvy Kate also do a matching thong for this set, but it’s worth noting that it does not have a modesty panel across the front as the shorts do.
I think this new bra shape is a huge improvement on previous Curvy Kate bra designs and I am sure many women will be happy with the changes. I look forward to following the brand’s developments over the coming years as they continue to support the busts of women around the world.
You can find all my Curvy Kate reviews here.
I don't think there is any frontal picture of you in any set that doesn't cause my jaw to drop. I like how this color looks on you. Your skin tone is nice and many seem to go well with it and this color is very feminine and pretty and you definitely pull it off. It's a shame that the fit isn't quite right but I don't think going up a cupsize would do you any good, unfortunately.
Hehe thank you. I agree that going up a cupsize would not work. It would mean going up a bandsize (to get a 34K) and I definitely wouldn't want to do that as the 32 is a good fit. I've tried Curvy Kates in 34 bands before and they are definitely too loose for me. I love the colours of this set, too!
I find this really encouraging, especially since Portia was the best fit on me so far too (but in the white colorway so I'm assuming the wires are more narrow in the seafoam?). Plus, since this fits you now I wonder if I could get away with a 32K or 32JJ, hmm… might be worth a try once I need new bras post-partum. I'm a huge fan of their short! Got to say they were probably the most comfortable ones I've tried to date.
Yes, I believe the Portia you tried before would have been the 'old' shape and therefore has wider wires than this. I've entered the measurements on Bratabase so feel free to check them to see if this one might work for you.
I was excited to read your review as I remember you said they had some some redesign work to make the cups deeper. Even though there are a few fit issues that you mentioned, I still like the overall look of this bra on you. It gives me a bit of hope for the brand, but after my recent sadness over the daily boost, I may just admire from afar.
Thanks – this is by far the best fit I have had from a Curvy Kate bra EVER! I must give the Daily Boost a try at some point, too. Oh and I recently tried one of their bikinis and the fit in that is again much improved x
I have this bra and I absolutely love it! It's beautiful and it's my boyfriends favourite 🙂 so pretty, you look fantastic in it x x x
Thanks Becci – I am not surprised it's your boyfriend's favourite. It is such a pretty set.
I think I might need this set in my life! The colour is to die for and the bottoms look sexy while still actually covering the bummage 😀 *goes off to buy*
Yay! I agree with all of your points. It's a fab set! I love the colours so much, too!
I love the colour of this set, how very pretty! Great review, I found it so useful to help me work out what size I need. Thank you xx
This is such a pretty set it is a shame about the fit though I wonder if a different size would help I’m no bra expert though lol I wear 36DD so it’s quite easy finding bras that fit
Aww. I'm so jealous of your body love. Sadly, I'm only a small 30DD, but I embrace it. You're truly a beauty!
Wow! Your curves look AMAZING in see through lingerie! lol! I love the way Curvy Kate does see through bras for big boobs!
OMG you look absolutely stunning in this!