What you should know about buying a bra from Curvy Kate

I had heard of Curvy Kate for a while but had never tried one anything from the lingerie range before. The Curvy Kate bloggers event at The Owl & Pussycat earlier this month was the best place for me to learn more about the brand and why it’s a good option for ladies with ample bosom.

All ladies go through the difficulty of trying to find the perfect bra, the high street hasn’t always been the ideal place for varied sizes but things are slowly changing. It’s hard to cater for all when we all come in so many sizes but with brands like Curvy Kate aiming to put the needs of customers first there is hope for a better selection of quality lingerie for women who range from D-K cups. 

The Curvy Kate team showed off the spring/summer 2013 and autumn/winter 2013 collections and giving us a sneak peek of what’s to come next summer.  This was a mini-catwalk show featuring the brand’s models that all looked gorgeous in the sets and had some fun with the audience. After the team’s designer Charlotte and PR and marketing manager, Hannah took us through the new collections while expressing their passion for lingerie.

Curvy Kate Model Lotte Williams wearing Princess and Lola sets

There were a couple of highlights from the evening that I thought I would share with you. These include things are a closely related to the brand and general bra buying advice.

The ladies in attendance had so much fun eating cupcakes and playing bra bingo!

Look out for the SS14 strapless bra called Luxe. This is first strapless bra for the brand. It has vertical seams it’s different from a moulded strapless bra because the vertical seams give more support, structure and body contouring.

Some adaptions have been made to the straps for women who have narrow shoulders. This means the straps have been nipped in a bit as some struggled with straps slipping off. 

My favourties from AW13 are Daisy Chain and Gia they each have that mesh upper detail and come in range a subtle shades ideal for the season. From SS14 I’m a fan of Dreamcatcher and Ritzy the latter has a pinstripe overlay that is super seductive.

Left: I am holding the Dreamcatcher bra. Right: My Portia set, bra 30F and briefs size 12

At the end of the evening we all got fitted and to take a set home I chose Portia a balcony bra that is I like for everyday. I feel the cups offer more coverage than other bra styles giving you a nice lift, shape and fit.

Two things to remember when looking for the perfect bra:

The measurement around the back is important to the fit of the bra. This area gives you support and helps to lift your boobs upwards.

You’re most likely to fit into two sizes but opt for the size that is smaller in the back and larger in the cup to get maximum support.

Shop Curvy Kate on ShopStyle:

Curvy Kate

Wishlist: Monki picks

Monki favourites by bee2010 featuring
1. Malou singlet, £12
2. Raphaela necklace, £12
3. Minne trousers, £20
4. Karen sunglasses, £8
5. Novali dress, £20
6. Brighton tee, £15
7. Wren sandal, £35

I don't know if you have noticed but the Monki website has been revamped. It's easier to browse around the clothing and accessories categories now, I spotted a couple things I'd love for SS13. I normally don't buy clothing with a lot of print in it but I was really drawn to these pieces. The Novali dress is my top pick, it's the perfect combination of smart/casual and I think it would look great paired with the white sandals. I haven't bought any kind of peplum outfit yet so I'd have to give this a try on first. If there was only one item I could get my hands on, it would have to be the Brighton tee because I love a raglan jersey they are so comfortable and ideal for everyday style. I can imagine pairing this tee with red lipstick or pale pink trousers or boyfriend jeans. If I get round purchasing any of these I'll be sure to do an outfit post.

Tell me what are your favourite SS13 high street picks? 

Bianca x


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Trending: Monochrome SS13

The black and white combo is super hot for the SS13 season. I've seen so many pieces on the high street that I'm tempted to buy but I think I'll wait for the weather to pick up before I go on a spring shopping spree.

I've been keeping a eye out for monochrome seen on celebs, in stores and across fashion blogs. Here are my top picks.

I was a fan of Beyonce's Osman jumpsuit that she wore to this year's Grammy Awards. I think chunky blocks of monchrome on this outfit appear easier on the eye compared to narrow horizontal stripes or checkboard patterns that you see on other pieces. I spotted a dress from ASOS similar to this style, I've included it on my Polyvore board below.

Photo: Getty Images

Another celeb fave is Rochelle Humes' ka-yute babydoll dress that she wore on a night out in London. Even though this dress is probably maternity but I love it. It's nice how she is rocking the monochrome trend without being too over-the-top. Less is more peeps.

Photo: Rex

My high street favourites for the colour constrasting trend come from my Polyvore board. It's nice that there's so much variety with this trend. It seems like there's is something for everything shape and size plus monochrome accessories make a good pairing for bright clothing, I shall invest for the summer.

Monochrome ss13 by bee2010 featuring a longsleeve dress

ASOS longsleeve dress, £31 / Striped dress / Vesper Dresses checkered dress, £59 / Longsleeve dress / Oasis sheer shirt / Striped tote bag / Stretch bracelet / Dorothy Perkins , £9.26 / Buy Monochrome Scallop Top from the Next UK online shop / F&F Monochrome Cut-Out Saddle Bag

Tell me how will you wear this season's monochrome trend?

Bianca x

Trending SS13: Holographic details

Silver metallics and holographic tones were spotted on the catwalks of Alexander Wang, Jonathan Saunders and Burberry for SS13.

Images: Style.com

I have noticed a couple of new season items on the high street channeling this trend.

On the catwalk clothing was the focus for the silver highlights but while it looks cool I don't think that can transcend well for everyday wear.

Holographic accessories by bee2010 featuring a leather cuff bracelet

Narciso Rodriguez envelope clutch, £925 / UNEARTHED leather cuff bracelet, £50 / Stella McCartney , £130 / Jane Norman beauty product / Louise Gray beauty product, £2.48 / Hologram Satchel - Gold, £24 / Sephora Collection Holographic Bag Collection, £15 / Ciaté 'confetti' Paint Pot, £9.30

I think the best way to tap into the metallic/holographic trend is through accessories including shoes, bags, belts and even nails.

If I had to pick I'd go for nails and a clutch. I'm thinking of trying out the Topshop Nails shades In Plume and Eclipse.

 What SS13 are you most looking forward to?

Bianca x

Best of Fashion Week SS13

Fashion Week is all about new collections and trends but what happens at the events can be equally as exciting. This season involved wacky designs, FROW fights and Twitter spats. So I have rounded up my pick of the best gossip, trends and styles from fashion month spring/summer 2013.

New York Fashion Week

Image: Style.com

Zac Posen – Oh dear! It was only amount of time before the claws came out on the FROW. The most surprising thing about this cat fight is that it was between a guest and Posen’s PR. The scrabble for seats got real when Jalouse stylist Jennifer Eymere slapped the PR across the face to humiliate her because she had embarrassed them. The best part of the whole thing was Jennifer’s quote: “Now you know you don't fuck with French people.” – Nice!

London Fashion Week

Image: Style.com

Burberry Prorsum – Christopher Bailey’s metallic trench coat finale was one of the most talked about moments of London Fashion Week.  While at my desk I managed to catch the last few minutes of the show on livestream. A rainbow of Burberry trenches from fuchsia to teal made a strong statement and highlighted the versatility of the Burberry staple. 

Nasir Mazhar – Designers and artists like Nasir are the reason why London Fashion Week has such cool credentials. For his first foray into clothing and accessories, he transformed the Topshop show space into hairdressers/barbers, a super enhanced one. The setting was all about the blend of music and fashion in East London and that’s what I loved about it. The aesthetics were very 90s, tracksuits, mesh tops and mini-skirts made up the collection, models had long decorated talons and grime MC's rapped throughout.

Milan Fashion Week

Image: Style.com

Prada – Umm, I’m not sure about Miuccia's toe socks but they are interesting to look at. However it’s the socks and sandals combo that I just can’t get over. Everything else, bravo!

Paris Fashion Week 

Image: Style.com

Kenzo – Back on the radar of ‘cool’ fashion the Kenzo show was highly anticipated for SS13. Unfortunately for the logo lovers there was no sight of the label’s letters splashed across jumpers and tees. For next season I am a fan of the safari/jungle collection that featured tropical prints (in neon), utility gear and interesting silhouettes.  

Image: Style.com

Chanel – I don’t always find the Chanel collections to be as exciting as the spectacular event that it has become. However one thing that was impossible to miss from SS13 was the giant quilted Chanel beach bag – LOL. I can’t wait for some celeb or crazy lady with a lot of £££ to walk out on a beach with this huge tote, it’s totally over-the-top and silly but it’s refreshing to know that Karl Lagerfeld doesn’t take himself too seriously.

Image: Style.com

Saint Laurent – Hedi Slimane’s collection for the re-branded Saint Laurent was pretty cool but even better was the twitter/letter spat between fashion’s elite editors and journalists. It seems Heidi and his PR team had been upsetting the press with their new regulations and it all came out during the last week of fashion month. I don't think you should bad mouth people through the internet but this made for a funny story.

Images: PA/Rex

What was your favourite fashion week moment?

Bianca x