We’ve been quiet here for a few weeks because the summer has been JAM PACKED with lovely things: weddings, holidays, lovely work trips, and other exciting things yet to be announced…
We’ve both been off gallivanting around the country, and the world, and luckily that means one exciting thing for Big Cup Little Cup: SWIMWEAR! Char went off on her holidays to Italy back in July, and the lovely folk over at Figleaves offered to send her some swimwear top picks. Here she is with the verdict on her favourite items…
For those of you still looking for the perfect one-piece or bikini this summer, you’re in luck! Several of these items are now on sale directly via the Figleaves website. Grab a bargain for the last of a summer sun while you still can!
Apologies for the quality of these photos: they were snapped on a camera phone whilst out enjoy the beach. Char’s boyfriend turned into quite the Instagram husband by the end of the trip, but at the beginning of the week it was mostly selfies.
Icon Spot Mesh Black Underwired Halter Bikini by Figleaves
Bikini top: 30D, £28.80 (20% Off)
Briefs: 10, £16.00 (20% Off)
When I was picking pieces to take away this summer (and there were SO MANY beautiful ones to choose from!) I decided to go for a mix of swimsuits and bikinis. I love the versatility of a bikini on holiday: being able to wear the top part with shorts or under more sheer tops when it gets really hot. I loved the look of this classic black bikini from the Figleaves brand. It’s a lovely, timeless style but with some gorgeous detailing in the polka-dot mesh on both the halter neck and the sides of the briefs.
I found the bikini top slightly tight on both my ribs and the cups (you may be able to tell from the photos!) and so would probably size up to a 32C in the future; potentially even a 32D. The briefs were a perfect fit and help up well with some serious sea swimming! The bikini top fastens with a normal snap clasp, and also has silicone strips around the top of the cups to help keep everything in place.
Verdict: Love the classic look of this bikini, especially the super flattering mesh details on the briefs. Would recommend sizing up for a more comfortable fit.
Desert Tribe Deep V Maillot by Seafolly
Swimsuit: Size 10, £70.00 (30% Off)
I LOVE THIS SWIMSUIT!!! There’s not much more to say on the subject, to be honest. It was pretty much love at first sight. The bright colours and pattern are perfect for a summer beach holiday; the fabric is thick and the quality of the design is great: feels like it could last forever. I did some pretty hardcore swimming and rock jumping in this baby and there was zero risk of anything going flying (that wasn’t meant to be going flying). It feels a little like an in-between of a swimsuit / bikini, with a very low front V and exposed back.
Verdict: Beautiful, flattering, functional, and true to size.
Icon Mesh Shaping Black Swimsuit by Figleaves
Swimsuit: Size 10, £55
I’ve been going back and forth for a long time over what I think of high-neck swimsuits and bikinis. I love how they look on a a lot of people, but wasn’t sure if they would suit me. So this was the perfect time to try! I really love the look of this one by Figleaves, which kind of sits in the athleti-leisure trend to me. The mesh panels aren’t obvious at first glance, but add a lovely, flattering look to the overall effect. It wasn’t my favourite piece in terms of fit: although I love an open back, I did feel when swimming that there would have been slippage from the shoulders. It’s meant to be a ‘shaping’ design, which I guess means that it ‘holds you in’ more? I didn’t notice much of a difference in terms of ‘shaping’ between this and my other swimsuit (which wasn’t described as ‘shaping’), but it did feel well made and there is a nice amount of padding in the cups. I actually found myself wearing this as a bodysuit on an evening as well as a swimsuit by day—it looks so good with a pair of high-waisted trousers or a skirt! Not easy to go to the look in though…
Verdict: true to size, sophisticated style that can double up as a top.
Batik Twist Halterneck Bikini by Watercult
Bikini top: 12B, £41.40 (40% Off)
Batik Twist Tie Side Brief: Size 10, £29.40 (40% Off)
Who doesn’t love a bit of tie dye in the summer?! I couldn’t resist this bikini from Australian brand Watercult (who I’m now obsessed with). The design is so summery and lovely and both pieces are incredibly well made, with lovely fabrics and fixtures. I wish I had better photos to show this one off, but sadly only managed to get the single selfie! There is gorgeous crochet detailing on both the top and briefs, which gives a kind of hippy vibe that I totally. On the side ties of the briefs, there are also golden pineapple ornaments which are super cute—and I’m assuming have something to do with their brand, or else are just a bit lovely and random! The sizing here was confusing, but with some help from the lovely folk at Figleaves I ordered at 12B, which is actually the equivalent of a 34B—quite far from my usual 30D! It didn’t make much a difference, though, as the bikini band ties up at the back, so I just tied it nice and tight. The cups fit well and had a good amount of padding, which helped to keep everything in place. It wasn’t my most secure set for sea-swimming and rock-jumping, but it certainly did the job for sunbathing and light swims! (Not that I do much sunbathing, as is probably obvious…)
Verdict: Gorgeous, summery design with lovely details.
