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Full Bust Bra Review: Miss Mandalay Amelie

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The Miss Mandalay Amelie is one of the best bras I've ever worn, hands down. I don't think that bras are good or bad necessarily, but I do believe in bra magic. Bra magic happens when you try on a particular style and it just works.  It's that ideal combination of fit, shape, and design that all lingerie bloggers - hell, all women! - are after. The Amelie certainly worked her bra magic on me. 



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Guest Post: Embracing Body Diversity

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As a new year on Miss Underpinnings begins, another behind-the-scenes blog adviser is throwing back the curtain of anonymity. Known previously (and cryptically) as Miss Underpinnings' friend 'K', I am happy to have joined the writing corps of one of my favorite blogs on the internets!

Part of what has drawn me to Miss Underpinnings since the beginning (besides my unwavering devotion to its eponymous creator) is its commitment to debunking the myth that women's bodies come in one form. Hardly a revolutionary concept, but one that bears repeating... and repeating until we all begin to internalize and embrace body diversity.

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An Introduction to Gossard

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I've always thought of Gossard as a bit of an 'outlier' brand. Like Lepel, Bestform, or Just Peachy by Figleaves, their lingerie is infrequently reviewed and they pop up occasionally on full bust blogs. I was familiar with their aesthetic, but I didn't know what to expect in terms of quality or fit. I'm always cautious when I try new lines because I'm a risk averse person by nature. I'm the girl who orders the same meal in a restaurant fifty times and keeps Hoarders-like collections of one niche item. So, this quality kept me away for awhile. But of course, I mistakenly set the bar too low.

The biggest surprise? Although they don't look it, I'd say Gossard has a lot in common with Curvy Kate. For starters, Gossard is a total steal. Like the juggernaut Curvy Kate, their bras look much more expensive than they are. Definitely a "bang for your buck" quality. To fall in love with these sets, you'd need to let go of your expectations that you'll achieve a certain look. Once you're familiar with them, you could turn to the brand to get an exclusive shape. Curvy Kate and Gossard also have more unpredictable sizing than what you're used to with Panache/Freya. That's not a necessarily a bad quality; it allows women to enjoy their bras who might otherwise size out of their range. Nor is it revolutionary, since we've all experienced crazy fit differences between the Eveden and Panache lines. Most importantly, if the company continues with such strong designs, I think it has unbelievable cult potential. Their Ooh La La Corselet is already a wonderful success and I've also seen their Retrolution pieces pop up everywhere. Even Modcloth! It's definitely a brand I can see women becoming devoted to.

It'll be interesting to see if you guys agree with my findings or think I'm totally off base. Either way, I'll be excited to learn if anyone owns Gossard lingerie and what their experience has been. I've structured this review into three parts: padded, soft, and a body. Ah, I'm remiss! Gossard has some kickass pieces for Valentine's Day! Check it, then send it to your Significant Other, Special Friend, Sugar Daddy, or Sexy Neighbor:


Next Up: Reviews of the Gossard Retrolution Half Padded and Oriental Bloom Longline Bras...

Full Bust Bra Review: Gossard Retrolution Half Padded

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Once the Retrolution debuted, I was curious. Increasingly, brands are coupling their bras with shapewear or high waisted bottoms (See: Fantasie, Parfait). However, I think Gossard took it to the next level with their straightforwardly old school waist cincher. It's one of my great white whales: a glamorous shapewear item -- with garters! -- that matches a full bust bra. It's a bold move and definitely gets my stamp of approval. But, more to the point, the Gossard Half Padded intrigued me with it's shape. In the last few months, I've been obsessed with this particular type of bra, a demi with a horizontal seam from the bottom and an unseamed/seemingly unseamed top cup. These bras are much more common in the straight size market. Huit makes gorgeous ones and Wacoal unveiled their Retro Chic Demi last year, which follows along the same lines.

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Pepperberry Spring Collection Launches

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Blah, Mondays are the roughest. Waking up to new collections, full bust news, or generally pretty things is the best though. In my Facebook feed this morning, I saw the announcement that the Pepperberry Spring range had been put up. Like their new lingerie offerings, I was impressed! I loved their use of bows, the small polka dot prints, and most especially, the kooky 50's styling! While there's a lot there I'd pass on, there were several pieces I've already fallen for. Here are my top picks:

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5 Bras I Wish Came In My Size

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Disclaimer: This isn't a whiny woe-is-me post on why there aren't that many cute bras in my size. Bumping around the 28G/30FF range, I have nothing to complain about in terms of selection, diversity, and fit. Moaning about my options would be akin to those celebrity interviews where actresses complain about how difficult is to be white, rich, talented, beautiful, or famous. Really?! A woman in the H+ range has far fewer options than I do and I want to maintain my perspective. I suppose this post is a declaration of my taste outside of the current full bust offerings. The grass is always greener, eh? Here are my top 5 plus/straight size bras that I'd like to see in my size and their closest full bust style:



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Full Bust Bra Review: Gossard Oriental Bloom Longline

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The Gossard Oriental Bloom Longline is a great design. However, Gossard's Ooh La La and Retrolution lines seem to have overshadowed it's arrival. It's a shame since Gossard has an interesting prospective on this explosive trend. Of course, I'm in the camp of "the more longlines, the better". I haven't physically tried that many of them because the trend is still evolving. In addition to Gossard's sexy contribution, Parfait's joining the fray with their Danielle longline and Freya will be releasing the beast that is the Deco Shape in April.

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eShakti Pre-Spring/Resort Collection

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I've been casually stalking the eShakti website for new arrivals during the last few months. In the past, they were a retailer who used to put out a collection and I'd like roughly a quarter of it. Yet, in their Pre-Spring/Resort collection, eShakti has hit a sweet spot. Like Pepperberry, eShakti has rolled out a line of products that are happy, optimistic, and undeniably 50's inspired. In the middle of February when I feel I've had a head cold for six weeks straight, I appreciate any design that promises a future of barbecues, summer evening walks, and swimming. These pieces get me in the mood for warmer temperatures:  
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How Bras are Like Love

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On past Valentine's Days, I've morphed into that girl. I've always been a romantic at heart and on Valentine's Day, it gets amped up to truly ridiculous levels. When I say ridiculous levels, I really mean epic, age-inappropriate meltdowns. When I haven't received gifts, I cried. I criticized. I yelled. While these moments aren't anywhere near "my finest", I'm not entirely to blame. My boyfriend is ironically awful around this major (!!!) holiday. Yeah, that time he gave me a Kmart blender on February 15th? Or, that time he invited me to dinner with his parents, four days before we started dating? I've been challenged by Zack's conception of February 14th for the past three years.

I can't get enough of this kid and he isn't into V-Day
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Lingerie Fashion Week: Parfait Runway Show

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Parfait - Camilla in Black/Beige
 It's that time again! The bi-yearly market period for lingerie -- Curve Expo -- will begin officially tomorrow at 9:00 am. However, festivities kicked off yesterday, when the inaugural Lingerie Fashion Week opened its doors. Mr. Underpinnings and I took the train down to the city this morning and were able to see the last show. To my delight, we got a front row view of the Autumn/Winter 2013 Parfait collection. We tried to take some pictures to share the loveliness (it's harder than it looks!) so after the break, my review of the presentation below and a sneak peak at the new fashion items:

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Curve NY: Empreinte Autumn/Winter 2013

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Going into my meeting with Empreinte, I realized I had no idea what the brand was about. I knew it was a luxury full bust company that originates in France. I've also learned that they're known for their use of modern technology and traditional lingerie techniques. To be completely honest, I was a little nervous too. I felt like I'd been suddenly upgraded to the big kids' table! Really, I'm intimidated by anything French, luxurious and expensive whether it's a purse, cake, or bra. However after the meeting, I had a crisp understanding of the brand's vision and connected to their point of view. Empreinte believe that their lingerie should always enhance a woman's natural beauty and their products will consistently be elegant, sophisticated, and assembled from the best materials. It doesn't get better than that, right? Let's take a look at their fashion offerings for Autumn/Winter 2013:

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Breaking News: A Full Bust Lingerie Trip to Poland

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As I mentioned back in December, Zack's family took us on a European river cruise through Southern Germany and onwards along the Danube. Unfortunately, we had one major travel kerfuffle: the cruise turned into a bus trip when the river was too high to navigate safely on! Dear Historic Flooding of December 2012, you suck. But while strolling through Vienna and trying to kill time before we all meet up, Zack and I spotted this lingerie boutique. There were tons of lingerie superstores lining the main shopping district so it wasn't a total revelation...and then I saw Masquerade! And busty
mannequins! Kris Line! I dove in there faster than you can say "lingerie".

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Curve NY: Fauve Autumn/Winter 2013

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Fauve has been the collection buzzing in the back of my mind for a long time. I love their stuff, but I hadn't seen it reviewed, covered, or out and about in my favorite lingerie stores so I let it alone. I devoted myself to Frey-Frey and never looked back...until now! Haha no, Freya will always be my first love. Fauve has a strong collection for Autumn/Winter 2013 and it was the brand that really spoke to me from the Eveden family this time around.

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Exclusive Discount from eShakti!

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I woke up this morning to a surprise email from eShakti. They're giving Miss Underpinnings readers an exclusive 20% off discount code! Since they're also offering free customization until February 28th, it's a wonderful time to order a pieces for your individual measurements.

Enter code MSSNDERPNN to redeem and the offer is valid until March 10th, 2013.

Happy Hump Day! :)

Curve NY: Freya Autumn/Winter 2013

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Totally Tartan in Denim
Isn't the Totally Tartan darling!? As many of you already know, I'm a devoted lover of Freya. Sometimes, I feel like they're an extension of me. Like my child. In my mind, Freya is beautiful, brilliant, and can do no wrong. But as all mothers secretly know, their children aren't always perfect cherubs. Freya, it's time to talk about that time on the playground you pulled that poor girl's hair.

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Curve NY: Fantasie Autumn/Winter 2013

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Rebecca in Navy
Fantasie is on fire! During the current Spring season, they have a sweet and pretty English garden theme. It would be the brand all of my favorite Jane Austen characters would wear...if they were full busted and, you know, real. They put an image of the Delilah bra on their catalog cover and I was instantly in love. It was a collection with a design focus, their bras were nicely dissimilar enough that I wanted each one, and it felt as as if the brand had found it's stride. It was a confident and energetic collection. I'm happy to report that their success with Spring/Summer 2013 has flowed into the new Autumn/Winter. It's by no means a continuation of their previous theme, in fact it couldn't be more different. But in terms of general output, ye gods! Check it out: 
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Curve NY: Cleo Autumn/Winter 2013

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Lucy in Malibu Blue
Honestly, I had thrown in the towel with Cleo. I adore the Marcie and some of their recent fashion is topnotch. But I've never been able to nail down my size in their core lines and when I've tried them in the past, there was always something a bit "off". During the Spring/Summer press event I attended, I was peacefully resigned on my stance towards Cleo. I could be the only person who feels this way, but their current collection seemed quite "juniors" when I saw it. Well, let's say I'm not sure I could rock it at 25. Sitting down in their booth last week, I was delighted with the turn around I saw for Autumn/Winter 2013. Their fashion offerings were modern and classy, their basics were redesigned, and there was a polka dot babydoll. Boom, done. I'll definitely be reintroducing myself to Cleo next season...
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Curve NY: Curvy Kate Autumn/Winter 2013

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Daily Boost in Mocha
I never imagined I'd write these words: The upcoming collection from Curvy Kate is charmingly quiet and subtle. It's not boring by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a side of this company that I'm not sure we've seen before. Their Showgirl range -- the Tease Me, Tempt Me, etc. -- have been the company's pillars from its conception so it's fascinating to see the brand temporarily back away from their building blocks. It's a great question for the company to ask itself: Under all the frilly and dramatic sets, who's the real Curvy Kate?
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Do you have a question for Ewa Michalak?

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Ewa Michalak S Fresh set (new release & there's a promo!)
Guys, I have exciting news! I've secured an interview with Ewa Michalak during my time in Poland. Since we might have a bit of trouble understanding one another, a spokesperson for the company has asked me to prepare my questions ahead of time. I definitely know what I'd like to ask her, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to inquire about her background, brand, or vision of the future. To represent everyone's best interests and get to the bottom of that mysterious company, I'd love to ask her some of your questions! I know y'all are curious so lay it on me:

What would you like to ask Ewa?

Is this image offensive? Pinterest thinks so.

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I wasn't planning on posting today. I've been spending every waking hour trying to learn as much as I can about Polish lingerie, public transportation, and available vegetarian food. It must be leaving me a bit on edge because when I saw this message in my email, I raged. With regards to blog stuff, I'm never angry or discontented. I love bras. I love writing about them. I love hearing what y'all have to say about them. Boom, done. With that in mind, let's look at the ridiculousness that started my disgust:
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