Round 1: Looks
When I first saw the Cupcake, I didn't think much would be able to top it on looks. The baby blue colour is gorgeous, and the lace detailing is equally as lovely. The adorable little blue bows that adorn this bra are so cute, as is the white lace on the straps. It's little details like this that really make a bra for me - it shows effort has gone into making it, and serious thought has gone into the design.
The Reger balconette, however, outstripped this by miles. The floral printed material is chiffon, and is pleated around the cups. Lace is overlayed on top, around the top of the cup, and an adorable white bow nestles in between the cups.
While the straps aren't lace (as they are with the Cupcake) this makes them much more comfortable. There is also lace along the band, which is a nice feature.
So a clear winner for round one; Janet Reger Floral Balconette!
Round Two: Quality
From experience, Elle MacPherson always make high quality lingerie, and the Cupcake is no exception. The patterning on the lace is gorgeous, and it feels so well made. Even though half the cup is delicate lace, it feels substantial enough to last wear after wear.
The straps seem thick enough to hold most women up without discomfort, and all the detailing (such as the bows) are put on beautifully. They're also built into the bra - the cups 'flow' up straight into the strap, which I always find to be a good feature in a bra (they always feel so much sturdier like that). The underwires were firmly in place, and they didn't bulge out of the side of the cup as they do in so many other bras.
The band of the bra isn't especially elastic - it doesn't have too much give in it, and this could be a problem (given, its one of the only problems I can find with the craftmanship of this bra!)
The straps seem thick enough to hold most women up without discomfort, and all the detailing (such as the bows) are put on beautifully. They're also built into the bra - the cups 'flow' up straight into the strap, which I always find to be a good feature in a bra (they always feel so much sturdier like that). The underwires were firmly in place, and they didn't bulge out of the side of the cup as they do in so many other bras.
The band of the bra isn't especially elastic - it doesn't have too much give in it, and this could be a problem (given, its one of the only problems I can find with the craftmanship of this bra!)
Having never tried a Janet Reger bra before, I didn't know what to expect in terms of quality, but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.
The stitching on the chiffon on the cup was really strong, and the lace details and bow seemed equally as strong as that on the Cupcake. The underwires too were firmly in place, and (as with the Cupcake) they didn't poke out of the fabric at the ends.
I can only see one problem with this bra, and that is with the straps. While they are substantial enough to hold up larger breasts without difficulty, I don't always like the way that they're attached to the cup itself. The straps are sewn onto the cup (as opposed to being built up from the cup as they are with the Cupcake). This does make me feel a little more dubious about their strength, but to be honest, I can't see it breaking, even for those wearing it in the 38DD it goes up to.
The stitching on the chiffon on the cup was really strong, and the lace details and bow seemed equally as strong as that on the Cupcake. The underwires too were firmly in place, and (as with the Cupcake) they didn't poke out of the fabric at the ends.
I can only see one problem with this bra, and that is with the straps. While they are substantial enough to hold up larger breasts without difficulty, I don't always like the way that they're attached to the cup itself. The straps are sewn onto the cup (as opposed to being built up from the cup as they are with the Cupcake). This does make me feel a little more dubious about their strength, but to be honest, I can't see it breaking, even for those wearing it in the 38DD it goes up to.
So for round two, the winner is the Cupcake.
That means it's a draw so far, and round three is the decider!
That means it's a draw so far, and round three is the decider!
Round Three: Comfort
The first thing I noticed when wearing the Cupcake, was the lace. While it is simply gorgeous, it was a little irritating, especially on the straps and band. The lace was itchy, and gave me little red patches on my skin #sadface :(
Despite this, the bra fit well, and was comfortable in the cups. The material lining them was soft, and there weren't any seams on the inside of the cup (which I know can be irritating to some people). The underwires didn't poke out of their lining as happens with some bra's, which is a definite sign of quality too.
Another thing I've noticed with some bra's, is how close the cups are together. With some, they can be quite close together (which is a problem for me personally) and your boobs are squished together. This is certainly not the case with this bra; it's really comfortable, and holds your girls in a very natural position.
Another thing I've noticed with some bra's, is how close the cups are together. With some, they can be quite close together (which is a problem for me personally) and your boobs are squished together. This is certainly not the case with this bra; it's really comfortable, and holds your girls in a very natural position.
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| Excuse the slight blurryness...I have terribly shaky hands! |
The floral balconette was super comfy. The cups are a really good shape, with no seams inside them to irritate. They also cover a fair amount of boob, so there's no spillage from the cup, and you feel particularly secure.
As with the Cupcake, the underwires didn't dig in at all; the lining kept them really secure.
The lace wasn't directly on your skin, so there was no discomfort from that at all, and the straps are made from plain material which is relatively thick, so they were really comfortable on your shoulders.
Again, the cups were in really natural positions, so your boobs aren't getting out in any positions they wouldn't normally be in!
As with the Cupcake, the underwires didn't dig in at all; the lining kept them really secure.
The lace wasn't directly on your skin, so there was no discomfort from that at all, and the straps are made from plain material which is relatively thick, so they were really comfortable on your shoulders.
Again, the cups were in really natural positions, so your boobs aren't getting out in any positions they wouldn't normally be in!
Finally, the winner of round three is the Janet Reger Floral Balconette!
And I can conclude from this, the first of many Epic Bra Battles that the overall winner is the high street bra, the Janet Reger Floral Balconette.
So. It appears that in this case, a higher price tag doesn't necessarily mean a better bra.
And for those interested, the Janet Reger Floral Balconette cost a mere £20 in comparison to the Cupcake's £41 price tag!
Next time, Elle MacPherson vs La Senza! Stay tuned ;)
Haych xxx
So. It appears that in this case, a higher price tag doesn't necessarily mean a better bra.
And for those interested, the Janet Reger Floral Balconette cost a mere £20 in comparison to the Cupcake's £41 price tag!
Next time, Elle MacPherson vs La Senza! Stay tuned ;)
Haych xxx
