It's All Structural

Ah, the joys of renovation. The project has hit a couple of snags in the last 24 hours. I'm not going to talk about them because a) they stress me out all to shit and b) it's really important not to over react. Every human being who's ever undertaken a structural reno says (s)he hits some pretty piquant moments. Thing is, those moments often disappear as quickly as they arrive. So I've decided to just truck along, structural reno veteran-in-the-making. Is there a t-shirt for that?

As luck would have it, I arrived home to a little present from Figleaves on the porch. Note: It was a present from me, to me, via Figleaves. They didn't comp me anything.

You know how I love to try out new brands and how this blog makes me feel like I'm not so much supporting a habit as performing a public service? Well, I've noted the house brand "Midnight Grace" for quite a while, and I've often wondered how the product would wear.

For starters, Midnight Grace is a stupid name. What is it with brands and their stupid names these days??

Specifically, I went on the site to find something inexpensive. Often, people ask me for lingerie advice and I direct them to brands I love, but which might not be in the optimal price range. This time, I went looking for cheap (price-wise only, natch), and this is what I found:

Midnight Grace Posy Non-padded Plunge Bra and Shorts

Who doesn't like a nice floral print?

I chose it because a) it seemed easy to wear under things b) was cute c) seemed supportive and d) it cost (on sale, and that sale continues) £8.40 for the bra and £4.80 for the undies. Including shipping, this whole thing cost me under 40 bucks CDN. You can't find a set at Target for that price.

So, what do I think?

For starters, I've been buying up 1 cup size lately. I'm experimenting in light of changing breast volume and shape, but I've found that, when one buys a new brand in a new size, everything's a surprise.

I would say, just from my minimal experience of this one style of bra, that it fits small in both cup and band. I'm glad I went up a size, though it's a bit roomy in the upper cups for me. The gore sits perfectly flush with my breastbone and the wires are the right size to encase the fullness and deepness of my breasts. I suggest this style is good for someone with upper bust volume and breasts that aren't too closely set. It does seem to separate the breasts quite a bit, which gives a flatter profile (not my fave). This bra does not promote cleavage (not something I particularly care about attaining in every bra).

The fabric is not luxe, nor is it yucky. On this front, I think you get what you pay for. If I'd bought this at full price, I'd be satisfied by the fabric quality, but not impressed.

Where this falls down, no pun intended, is on supportiveness. Don't get me wrong, it's not a disaster. I can totally wear this thing, though I wonder how often I will, in light of the exquisite and sizable cache I already own. I just think it would be better on a younger, not-so-dense bust. In this respect it has a Panache Cleo quality - really pretty to look at, but not so well engineered, at least not for heavy breasts. I sense the brand is catering to a youth market in that the cups are very sheer (and as such, not so strong, though my Miss Mandalay bra is just a sheer and much more supportive. Note, the Mandalay bra has really grown on me. What I've learned, in my travels, is that younger, proportionately full-busted purchasers are very dismayed when they buy bras online, only to find that those bras - in their size - are made differently than the photos which initially enticed the purchase i.e. with wider straps or underlayers of fabric etc., to improve structural support.)

The undies fit nicely. They're true to size, IMO. Note that I do not have a particularly large derriere or hips. The waistband sits just below the navel for a look that flatters a stomach that's not quite flat. For what it's worth, I don't think the photo above does them justice. I don't think they flatter the proportionately thick upper legs of the model shown and I think, for the pic, they should have sized up.


Would I buy this brand again? No - I can afford better and I value quality and support. In truth, as I've said many times, I'd go without many things for luxe lingerie. It more than pays for itself. For optimal design / value / cost ratio, I maintain that that you cannot do better than Freya (if you have a proportionately large chest and narrow frame).

Would I recommend this brand for those who don't want to or can't spend a lot, but who need a "larger" cup size and cute design? Yes, if the woman were slim(ish), young(ish) and not in need of too much support.

If nothing else, it's taken my mind off third floor renos. Has anyone tried this brand? Thoughts or feelings?