I’m so elated! I finally found the elusive bra of my dreams – Freya Loretta! Happy is not the word!
Not long ago I listed Loretta in my Bras I Wish I Owned – But Can’t post, saying how much I adored the styling and colour but couldn’t buy it because it was discontinued. By chance I came across a Loretta bra on eBay being sold by a boutique lingerie shop selling their old stock. It was a 28GG – my size – so I bid on it right away. Later on the seller apologetically told me that they’d mistakenly listed the bra as a 28GG when in fact it was a 28H. It worked out perfectly because since bidding I’d been doubting whether it would in fact fit me as I’ve been wearing more Hs than GGs. It felt like it was meant to be because I’ve been finding that a 28H is my best size so far.
The bra arrived quickly which was great because I couldn’t wait to receive it. It was so pretty and I fell in love with Loretta’s appearance. It’s honestly the most gorgeous bra I’ve ever owned, period.
The traditional paisley design is given a modern makeover in a pretty blue, pink and cream colour way and it’s gorgeous! The fabric is so smooth with the even silkier feeling cups semi fashioned with beautiful delicate cream lace. A cute centre bow bears a sparkly jewel which makes for a truly decadent bra design.
What I have noticed by comparing my Loretta to other sizes I’ve seen of this is that the scale of the design isn’t consistent. My H cup has deeper lace panels than those cups that are slightly smaller and the centre gore comes up higher. It would have been nice if the lace was embroidered somewhat more so that there isn’t such a huge sparse area between the detail and the cup fabric or made so the fabric was extended over the boob a little further.
When I initially put on the bra I was taken aback at how tight the band felt. I was sure it was feeling beyond snug but I was determined it would fit me and be fine so I continued to wear it throughout the day. I tried to ignore the constriction but it was too overbearing and I found myself continually needing to pull the band away from me to make breathing space. I knew it was far too tight for comfortable wear so I wasn’t surprised when I found huge angry red marks left on my skin when I finally took the bra off at the end of the day.
I was totally gutted to find Loretta was too tight in the 28 back for me because it was made worse that this bra is rarely available anymore and I wouldn’t likely get another opportunity to buy it. I was all set to give up with it when it dawned on me I could try a bra extender. I’ve never used these in my life and always considered them to be dodgy ways of extending the life of a bra that doesn’t properly fit but I realised it could be the answer in this case. Despite my nearest town being over a 20 mile round trip I dropped all that I was doing to go and buy a bra extender before the shops shut.
When I eventually got home I fastened the bra extender to Loretta and found it had in fact now made the band too wide which in turn caused the cups to pucker and the straps too far off my shoulders. How frustrating! It seemed I’d need to manually adjust the length of the extender to make it shorter using my questionable sewing skills.
I managed to secure it a short enough position so when I tried the bra on again it fit a lot better. I’ve since worn it a whole day again and I’m happy to report it’s been really comfy and not bothered me in the slightest.
I don’t know if in general a 30 band would be better for me when the fabric is less stretchy like in this case with Loretta. The material is very taut with little give in the fabric which is probably why my usual 28 felt so overbearing. It would be interesting to see if this is the case with future Freya bras but unfortunately I couldn’t do it in this case and will never know if Loretta in 30H would have been my perfect fit.
But hey! I have the Freya Loretta! I think it was all worth it in the end.
Haha I get those angry red marks from all of my bras, even my 32 bands. My skin is so sensitive that I get red marks from my underwear, tights, bras and pants every day. A couple of my 30 bands are so tight though that when I take them off I can’t stop scratching the deep indents from where they were – those bras are definitely too tight!
That is such a pretty bra and hopefully when it stretches out a bit it’ll be perfect without an extender. I have a bra extender that I sewed shorter because I found it gave me at least two, possibly three band sizes up, which was totally useless. It’s handy now though!
Hi again! Yeah those notorious horrible red marks. I do get them to a degree with all of my bras but this was one was a real baddy! It hurt just so much and definitely needed the extender. Yes, I know what you mean about the extender being too long aswell, it doesn’t make sense how they’re not made to add a slight increase in measurement rather than the huge leap that makes your bra ridiculously too slack. I’m hoping like you said that in time it’ll give and I won’t need to keep the extender attached.
contrary kiwi
May 6, 2012 at 1:19 amHaha I get those angry red marks from all of my bras, even my 32 bands. My skin is so sensitive that I get red marks from my underwear, tights, bras and pants every day. A couple of my 30 bands are so tight though that when I take them off I can’t stop scratching the deep indents from where they were – those bras are definitely too tight!
That is such a pretty bra and hopefully when it stretches out a bit it’ll be perfect without an extender. I have a bra extender that I sewed shorter because I found it gave me at least two, possibly three band sizes up, which was totally useless. It’s handy now though!
Cavy.girl
May 7, 2012 at 12:29 amHi again!
Yeah those notorious horrible red marks. I do get them to a degree with all of my bras but this was one was a real baddy! It hurt just so much and definitely needed the extender. Yes, I know what you mean about the extender being too long aswell, it doesn’t make sense how they’re not made to add a slight increase in measurement rather than the huge leap that makes your bra ridiculously too slack. I’m hoping like you said that in time it’ll give and I won’t need to keep the extender attached.
Becky x
Lynn
November 15, 2015 at 2:31 pmIs this bra supportive enough for exercise?
Becky Magson
November 15, 2015 at 4:39 pmHi, I would only recommend a proper sport bra for exercise as no everyday bra can support well enough for intense movement.
Becky x