Monday 19 August 2013

Freya "Patsy" Padded Half Cup (H-cup!) Review

I'm back :)

Freya recently made a (very quiet) decision to extend the sizes of their padded half-cup bras to H (previously they only went to G). I was thrilled to hear this, because the vertical-seam design of the padded half-cups is perfect for giving a round shape. Since Freya's balconettes tend to give a pointy shape on lots of people, I was happy to see them giving more attention to a better seam structure. Unfortunately, Miss Underpinnings recently reported that (after only about a week of these bras being available in H-cups) they're already limiting the number of bras that will have this extended size range for next season. Boo, Freya. Don't be frightened of adding a mere TWO cup sizes to a successful shape. We want these bras and we will buy them if you make them. I'm hoping my review can highlight the fact that these bras are here, they work, and they're great! If we all go and buy one, maybe Freya will see that there is indeed demand for this shape up to H cups. That's my shameless plug.

To start with, I've always loved the design of the Patsy but never bought the unpadded balconette because it's famous for giving a very pointy shape. I always lusted after the half-cup, but wasn't sure if I could take in a 34G to make it work. I love the new "Ballet Pink" color, the first to go to H, and couldn't buy it fast enough. I decided in the end to get a 32H instead of a 30H, because I was afraid these would run a little small in the cups. (The band doesn't matter much to me because I've recently gained weight and a 32 band is fine for me now, though I've preferred a 30 in the past.)

I was right that the cups run a little small, and the 32H was perfect for me in the cups. I'd recommend going up a cup size if you have a lot of upper volume or if you are usually between sizes. For those with lower fullness who are consistently the same cup size, normal cup size should be okay. 


The gore on this bra does NOT lay flat on me. This is not ideal, but also not unexpected as Freya is not known to have the strongest wires. I don't mind very much because my boobs are firm enough to not slip around, and in some ways it actually makes the bra more comfortable. However, if you are a perfectionist about gores lying flat, or if you have boobs that tend to spill over into the middle, the gore in these higher cup sizes may be an issue to be aware of.


The shape from the side is stellar, exactly what I look for. The Patsy (and by extension, the Freya padded half-cup shape in general) gives a bit more lift than Cleo's Juna-based half-cups or Curvy Kate's Showgirl half-cups. It is less low-slung than those and consequently a little less minimizing, but still holds everything closer to home than most balconettes do.

As you can see, the underwires are a little less wide than many British bras in this size range. They're not as narrow as most Polish bras, though.

The padding is thin, which I'm glad about. However, when combined with the patterned mesh overlay, it's also a little 'rustle-y'.

I love how the pattern is continued on the straps and around the entire band. It's such a cute bra, just the thing I've been hoping to own for years.


As you can see from the above photo, the apex this bra gives me is a bit low (which matches my natural apex, actually, but looks slightly different from the visual apex I get in Cleo bras). This supports my theory that the Patsy half-cup may actually work for both upper AND lower fullness. Half-cups often work only for those with upper fullness and gape on those with lower fullness, but I feel that the Patsy could work well for both. For those without upper fullness, the shape will curve back in where the bra ends, giving an uplifted round shape. For those with upper fullness, the shape ends up being a little longer and lower--actually mimicking the real shape of full-on-top boobs. I'm kind of into this.

One more note about this bra, though. It is VERY shallow. Those who have a lot of projection and need deep cups will not find this bra serves them well.

If anyone else has tried the Patsy half-cup up to H, or even in the previously existing lower sizes, let us know in the comments if it worked for your shape!

21 comments:

  1. Great review! Glad to hear about the size expansion and sad to hear they're already pulling back from it for next season. I may have to check out this bra in one of the colors available at Nordstrom right now. I didn't realize the pattern continued onto the band and straps! Sooo cute!

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  2. Thanks so much for bringing my attention to the size extension, I would have completely missed it! I was actually looking forward to trying the padded half cup way back when the line was first released but then I found out that it only went up to a G cup. I just wish they would extend the size range of the longline Patsy too. Or just any one of their longline bras in fact.

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  3. Where did you buy this from? I adore the colourway but can only find the black :( boooo

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    1. I found it up to H cups on Brastop. The black version is available in H cups from Bravissimo. So far I haven't found both for sale anywhere!

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  4. Where did you get this? I've been waiting to try this bra and I can't find the new H cups anywhere. Figleaves has the balcony version but not the half cup.

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    1. The pink version is available on Brastop and the black with tan dots on Bravissimo's site. I've also seen them both available from eBay sellers here and there.

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  5. I have this bra in the Totally Tartan... I wear the heck out of that thing and will probably have to buy another just because I've worn it out. Amazing and great cleavage for me! I'm full on top 32E.

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  7. I have the Monet in this style in a G & too big band, b'coz I love the shape. I'm wondering if you found the cut to be completely different in the GG+ sizes as it is in the balcony styles. I wear a GG in Pollyanna & am wondering whether a GG would work in Patsy, or if I should bump up to an H.

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  8. I bought a Patsy a couple of months ago, black with coloured birds, so cute! it's perfect for me, round shape(that I LOVE!), great support. I'm full on top 34F but in Patsy a 34G, yes, it's run a little small in the cups, one reason more to extend the size range
    Kiss from Italy :)
    Lorena

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  9. This is actually my favorite bra in my drawer! I have it in a 28ff and wish I could wear it every day! I do feel like the bands on these are a bit stretchier than other bras I have (like cleo). In other bras, I can do a 30f, but I definitely need the 28 band here!

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  10. I lean towards a 32GG in Freya, so I was thrilled with this as I'm a die hard balconette and half cut lover. I'm very full on bottom, yet Showgirls fit with major cleavage in a 34G/32GG, moderate cleavage in a 34GG and proper fit in 32HH. So I figured I'd try a 32GG and 32H.

    Boo hiss on both! Cups are a good three sizes too small and the 32 band is way stretchier than even CK bras. It actually measures the same as my 36GG sleep bra band, but the cups are far smaller than anything else I have. Both are smaller than my 34G Freya Erin half cup.

    So either both mine were mismarked or the black version is really crappy on sizing. Freya is really hit and miss for me. I think I'll stick to my Curvy Kate's and about any Polish line.

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  11. Thanks for reviewing this! My concern for myself is that you said it runs a bit shallow. Whenever bras do this, I start climbing the cup size ladder, and that would put me outside the range here. It's still cute though!

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  12. I just got mine in black. It's not a perfect fit but it's so pretty and gives such a nice shape that I have to keep it! The gore is nowhere near flat on me, which I think is due to the cups being so shallow. When I press the gore flat I only have a tiny bit of quad-boob on my bigger side, so I don't think the cups are necessarily too small, just the wrong shape.

    I'm a sucker for a three part half cup with vertical seams, though they rarely fit me well. The fit issues I have are minimal enough that it's worth keeping. Plus, it's surprisingly comfortable! I really hope more companies start expanding their cup sizes in styles like this.

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  13. I just discovered your blog, and it's KILLING me. You keep showing me these bras that give a perfectly round shape (hurrah!), only to find that no matter how recent the review, the bra is sold out in my size. *sigh* I really thought that once I was sized right, it'd be a piece of cake to find lots of pretty styles. Not the case, at least not for this 38H.

    But I love your reviews anyway. :)

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  14. I just discovered your blog, and it's KILLING me. You keep showing me these bras that give a perfectly round shape (hurrah)), only to find that no matter how recent the review, the bra is discontinued or sold out in my size. Boo! I really thought that once I finally got sized right, it'd be a piece of cake to find lots of pretty styles. Not the case, at least not in 38H.

    But I love your reviews anyway. :)

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  15. Found this in black on Amazon for $29. I bumped up to a 36H. Love it! Your review is spot on. I'm full on top & my usual GG in Freya would have been too small. But one cup up is perfect. Great rounded shape, & the fabric covered straps are nice & soft. Band is true. 3 hooks would be better, but overall, really pleased.

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  16. i will buy this

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  17. I am a 30GG with lower fullness and CANNOT GET ENOUGH of this bra. I want to get online to save myself some money but only selected bra stores stock it (in my size, they only go up to a 30G!!) in this gorgeous minimal padding. Most online retailers stock the 30GG in only the unpadded, which isn't ideal for me. However, your theory about lower fullness is correct, it's a fantastic bra.

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  18. After a trip to Bravissimo last week they put me into this bra. I wouldn't normally go for vertical seams but this is absolutely gorgeous on!! This fitting was my first discovery of Freya and I think I'm converted away from M&S (even if they are cheaper :/). I will definitely get more of this style.....are the other Freya half cups shaped the same?

    This bra was 36ff on me and the deco plunge which was also fabulous on me was a 36g because the ff was giving me quad boob. What does that mean when you talk about upper and lower volume? I'm only coming across all that lingo now.

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  19. I had my first trip to Bravissimo last week and they put me into this bra. I wouldn't normally have gone for vertical seams but it turned out to be gorgeous on me! I'm new to Freya and I think I'm converted from M&S (even though they are cheaper :/) Are all the Freya half cup designs similar in fit?

    Interestingly, you mention going up a cup for this one, I also fitted a deco plunge which was also gorgeous and an eyeopening 36G but the patsy needed to go down to ff. (I went in wearing a 38e which was just too big all over). What do you mean by upper/lower fullness? Age 40 with big boob problems all my life, I'm only learning the lingo now LOL

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