Hello Ladies,
As a fan of beautiful lingerie, I was not surprised when I fell in love with Tutti Rouge after testing a free sample of the gorgeous Liliana set, but I was more excited to hear I would receive the Betty as well when it debuted. While the bright pink Liliana sports a padded plunge balcony design, the Betty provides a more traditional padded half cup in a fresh spring color palette.
Sizing: Originally, I tested the Liliana in size 30HH only to find the band and cups ran small. A 32HH or J cup would have suited me better, but the wonderful people at Tutti Rouge informed me the Betty ran truer to what I expected. Consequently, I opted for the 30HH, but again, I found the bra to be small overall. In particular, the band on the Betty not only features firm fabric but a shorter cut, so much so that I need to wear an extender. Since there were mixed comments about the band size on the Liliana, I wanted to take a few pictures to compare the length of the Betty and Liliana to a few other sizes and styles in the store.
Based solely on my sample, I recommend sizing up a full band size in the Betty to ensure a proper fit. Even though the band size is rather small, I found the cup on the Betty to be truer-to-size. The HH is slightly small toward the center but definitely not as much as the Liliana. Due to the open neckline design, I can fully scoop the tissue from the sides without showing the spillage under tops. A 32HH is most likely my ideal Tutti Rouge size.
Fit: Longtime readers will remember that two of my favorite bras were the Curvy Kate Tease Me (*takes a moment of silence for the now discontinued style*) and the Masquerade Rhea, the latter of which is too small for me to purchase. The Tutti Rouge Betty feels like a hybrid between the two with a center gore and side underwires that sit slightly wider than the Rhea but not as wide as the Tease Me. Cup-size aside, the depth of the cup and shape of the underwire in the Rhea was perfect for my forward-facing, closet-set breasts, but the Betty works almost as well. Given how the narrow underwires can create fit problems for women with average or wider set breasts, the Betty presents a new alternative which bridges the gap.
Since the Betty is a padded half-cup style, the shape rounds upward and then creates a shelf with Marie Antoinette “cakes on a plate” cleavage near the top of the chest. The padding on the interior is a little firmer than the Liliana or Tease Me but not quite as heavy as the Rhea. Women who prefer unpadded bras or dislike the silhouette of a half-cup bra may want to skip the Betty altogether.
As I mentioned, the band on the Betty is quite firm—a feature I prefer. When bands have less stretch, they anchor better to my body and provide extra lift from the bottom. Furthermore, I hate if my bras move around the body while I’m working. My job keeps me active during the day, and I was pleased to see the Betty stayed put but never felt binding. Still, I’d have liked to wear it without the extender.
Materials: Considering the price point for Tutti Rouge, I expected lower quality materials, but they are truly outstanding. The interior of the cups is lined with an incredibly soft fabric (like the Liliana) which feels effortlessly comfortable even after a long day. Meanwhile, the exterior of the Betty showcases a dreamy satin fabric with a little sheen to add some texture to the bra, and the delectable fabric coats about half of the partially-adjustable straps. While I prefer fully-adjustable straps for the added customization as the straps loose elasticity, I love how Tutti Rouge opted for an interesting strap instead of something plain. Finally, the mesh wings are breathable but firm to offer excellent side support.
Design: When I saw pictures of the Betty, I was skeptical. The half-cup component sounded like it would finally fulfill my longing for a bra in this style, but light yellow and a floral print? My reservations were instantly put to rest when I opened up the delightful packaging. While floral prints are somewhat overdone in the lingerie market, Tutti Rouge utilized a fresh, Asian-influenced pattern which blends feminine romanticism with a hip modernity. The flowers are less traditional and float ethereally on the cups as if they were in a beautiful yellow pond.
Furthermore, whoever picks the colors for the Tutti Rouge bras deserves special applause because I have seen the Liliana and Betty on several different women and the colors are universally flattering. I mean, how do you find a bubblegum pink and a light yellow which look equally lovely across skin tones? Given my pale complexion, I thought the yellow on the Betty would wash me out, but the whole design of the bra complements the color to create something fun and unexpected. The flounce on the hem and lace at the top of the cup complete the girly and frilly vibe of the bra.
However, where Tutti Rouge distinguishes itself is the use of final design flourishes. Nothing is an afterthought. From the giant pink bow at the center to the heart-shaped strap adjusters to the brand’s moniker inscribed on each side of the hook-and-eye closures, everything works together to create a cohesive aesthetic. Sometimes bras feature an eye-catching concept on the cup, but the rest of the bra fulfills its function without being special, but not with Tutti Rouge!
The Briefs: Once again, I ordered the UK 14 (Large) due to my hatred of elastic bands digging into the sides of my hip. I could have worn the 12 comfortably, but I’m not sure if the I’d get that indentation. Overall, I’m happy with the size I choose. As for the design, Tutti Rouge never looses sight of the details while concentrating on the big picture. The lovely satiny fabric adorns the front of the brief which also sports a big pink bow and the same flouncy lace as the top while the back is a sheer mesh. A keyhole cutout is a cheeky, playful feature, and I love the little rouching on the center seam which helps the back contour to your shape.
Break-In Day: I wore the bra all day yesterday for the first time, and I was pleased with the comfort. Despite having the bra on for over ten hours, I didn’t once feel like I was uncomfortable. At first, I was a little concerned the decorative flounce at the bottom would create issues by rubbing or chafing, but neither occurred.
Overall Grade: A
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