Hello Ladies,
Longtime readers of our blog will know that I adore Freya bras because they fit my body perfectly, wear well, and provide all day comfort. In fact, I never worry if a Freya bra will fit me because I have yet to find a style that wasn’t designed with my breasts and torso in mind. However, would Freya’s new basic, the Gem, live up to my high standards?
Sizing: Recently, I lost a little weight which adjusted my ribcage measurement to 29.25″, and as a result, I knew it was possible my usual 30H would not fit in the band. I was right. The band felt the best on the middle or tightest set of hooks, and the last time I purchased a bra from Freya when it felt this loose, I retired it to the “Wear at Home” drawer after three or four months rather than my usual 6+ months. Instead, I opted for the 28HH which fits beautifully. The cup does not have any overflow or gaping at the top, and the band is firm without being tight or binding.
Fit: The fit of the Gem reminds me of the older Freya Pollyanna with the exception that the band of the Gem is not as firm. The cup shape and coverage level seem comparable, but the Gem has a more v-shaped neckline which I prefer. Another version of Freya’s “plunge balcony” styles, the Gem strikes the right balance between coverage and versatility with it’s moderately high center gore. Furthermore, the wires do not extend as far back on my sides, and there is enough space between the side of the cup and my arm to prevent discomfort. When I first put the bra on, I smiled because the bra felt so amazing and dreamy against the skin. It does all the right things for me—lift, shaping, comfort, and fit!
Materials & Design: To be honest, the pictures of the Gem in the Freya catalog never impressed me. The models do not seem to fill out the cups properly, and I’ve seen a lot of bagging that wasn’t flattering.
Nevertheless, given my devotion to Freya, I was willing to overlook the less than perfect photos and reserve judgment until I could try the design myself. I am glad I did because I found the bra to be far prettier in person. The pale pink background offsets the black overlay and allows the polka dots and flowers to pop but in a more subtle way. Powernet wings offer added side support and anchorage while fully-adjustable straps let me customize the fit. Finally, I was happy to see that the pattern on the bra is rather flat and discreet so that only the hint of a seam is visible under my thinner tee shirts.
The Shorts & Briefs: I ordered my usual size Medium in the shorts, and I am in love. While the Freya shorts are always very cute, I feel like the flounce hem they routinely use makes them less versatile under tighter bottoms (which I tend to wear a lot of because I like my booty). Not to mention, they do not contour as well to my curves, but the shorts for the Gem trade in the less-than-smooth leg opening for something that hugs the body. Also, while I haven’t personally tried them, I did see the high-waist briefs in person. Anyone who thinks a higher waist brief is strictly a “Granny Panty” needs to check out the Gem briefs. They will be come converted!
Overall Grade: A+
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