My readers, I have for you today a look at a brand that has (lately) been making the rounds in the full bust blogosphere.

You may have first read about UK lingerie brand Bluebella’s new fuller bust DD+ range called “More” on Sweet Nothings’ detailed blog a few months ago. That’s precisely when the brand came on my radar. I was extremely attracted to the Aura and the Iana. The first for its strappy back and strappy gore, and the second for its fresh and modern aesthetic. Since then, you may have very recently come across some reviews of Bluebella More bras from Cakes on a Plate, Big Cup Little Cup, and Sweet Nothings.

Before I show you Aura, which I was pretty darn happy to have sent to me by the Bluebella folks, here’s a few things to note about the company: first, the size range is 32-38 DD-G (UK sizing). This is not the widest size range, for sure, but it’s a good start for a company venturing into full bust territory, which, I understand, can be a risky move. Learning about Bluebella, I was particularly pleased with their prices (the Aura retails at 32 GBP, or about 48 USD!), their shipping (to the US it is free if you spend over 30 GBP), and their return policy (free returns if you’re in the UK!).

So, here’s what the Aura bra looks like:





I think it’s fairly clear why I was so attracted to this one! If you’ve been following my blog, you know I do not have any other bras like this. My bras are lacy, or embroideried, or bejeweled, or bowed, or flowery (or plain). Full bust bras with interesting backs, with strappy/cage details are rare (although props to Ewa Michalak and Pour Moi for offering some of the latter in the past year, too).

I’ve become of the opinion that more full bust bras should experiment with back details, and not just for the sake of being trendy and interesting. Since most of the support of a bra comes from the band, it seems to me that if we add more band – in the form of extra straps and interesting configurations – the support will also be improved. Maybe?

Regardless, the Aura has exactly the look that I want in diving into the new strappy style. It has just the right amount of simplicity – a moulded, padded, black bra (with the glint of some gold hardware) – so that the cage details can stand out and steal the show. The front, side, and back views are all awesome.

In addition to its edgy factor, Aura has some other notable features. First, the bra has real deal graduated push-up cups (up to about half an inch of padding at its most padded point)! Now this is extremely hard to find among full bust bras. The only well-known models I’m aware of that have extra padding that may be considered push-up are the new Tutti Rouge Jessica and Ewa Michalak padded bras (all of which involve removable pads). The graduated padding in Aura resembles the kind of push-up padding found in department store bras or at Victoria’s Secret. So if you’ve been missing the push-up effect in fuller busts bras, Aura may be one to check out.

The inside of the cups with padding:

The matching brief in size S is true to size and quite nice. It is sooo delicate and light – particularly the mesh in the back – and is especially silky. I was pretty impressed. The strappy theme is continued on each hip, with everything connected by the gold hardware. Snazzy!

How did this bra in size 32FF fit? Since Bluebella is a new brand to many readers I’m sure, I thought I would include some precise measurements. The band is 28.5 inches and stretches to about 32.5 (so unfortunately, this bra will not work for a 28/30 band like moi…hmmph!). The width of the cups are about 6 inches – which is about the same as a Comexim halfcup in a similar size – so not too wide at all! The cup depth is about 9 inches, so it seems like the bra may run a little small in the cups. The gore comes in at 3 inches, and the straps are three quarters of an inch.

But how does this bra fit on me? Well, it looks pretty damn awesome. I am utterly seduced by its appearance, and am so sad that this size does not quite work for me. I covet this exact bra, but with a grand total of two tweaks. Then it will be the perfect fit.

So what’s wrong? You can see the cups are actually pretty good. Because of the push-up padding, the cups end up being shallower at the bottom of the cups (so if you’re more projected you might prefer to try Bluebella’s nonpadded styles). But since my boobs are mashable, the cups work for me. The padding does its job and pushes my boobs up and towards the middle, producing a really nice, open cleavage! The shape of the cups at the top is extremely friendly if you’re full on top and with inner fullness.

The biggest problem, which you may have noticed from the photos, is that the band is too big on me. But this is no surprise. Since I am usually 28 or 30 in band size, I was hoping this would be a super-firm-really-a-30 32 band. Alas it wasn’t. This 32 band is true to size. Even on the tightest hook the gore is not fully tacking because of band looseness. Bluebella, please consider making 30 bands in the future (and 28 bands)!

The gore not tacking because the band is too loose for me:





You can see that the amazing strappy back is riding up in the back. Unfortunately it would be very hard to alter this band smaller – so ultimately Aura is not a keeper for me on this basis.

The briefs fit really well, though! Skimpy, see-through and form-fitting in the back. Definitely keepers.

This set made me feel sexy in a whole new and different way. Hehe.

The second issue for me was the wideness of the straps, and the amount of fabric right near the armpit. I think some people may appreciate the amount of coverage in this area (it helps to push all of your tissue into the cup!), but on my petite frame it is too much, and uncomfortable on my armpits. If you are not so petite (or perhaps a little lower set), this bra may work a lot better for you. Also, I imagine there may be less side coverage in a smaller size.

I would love for the cup area near the armpit to be lessened by about a centimeter.

So those are the two fit issues this bra has for me. I did love the narrow wires, though. Take a look:





Ready for work!

This bra is fairly smooth under a T-shirt:

And gives a rounded, projected silhouette:





All in all, I’m excited about Bluebella’s new DD+ ranges, and looking forward to trying some of the other styles (especially Iana! And ones which would be more viable in terms of altering the band smaller!). But I’m really hoping that in the near future they will decide to expand their size range to include not just more band sizes (which I need), but more cup sizes as well. That would be amazing, as Bluebella’s present styles are so modern, fresh, and fashion forward – which I think can fill a special niche among full bust brands.

Check out Aura here if you think it might work for you – or take a gander at Bluebella’s other styles in the More range.