ASOS Geisha & Ann Summers Rhea: The Tale of Two Bras

After being snubbed by a one-woman online store, I was so bummed out that I turned to a more mainstream one - it's a shame though, I thought I'd try a small business for once and had already had my mind set up for bralettes for a change. But, it wasn't to be so I turned to ASOS for my recent lingerie needs.

I can barely remember the last time I bought anything online; and I certainly never bought a clothing item before. But believe it or not, it’s been increasingly difficult to find a bra that’s on the smaller size and is not fitted with thick paddings or is not made for a twelve-year-old. For those in the same dilemma as mine, ASOS offers sizes from 30A, and Ann Summers from 32A [you can find some selections in 30B on Ann Summers' website].

ASOS Geisha Lace Underwire Bra

ASOS Geisha Lace Underwire Bra

I found it hard to find reviews on ASOS bras; and ASOS doesn’t have a review system on their product page like Free People or Shopbop, which I think is a shame because it can help would-be buyers tremendously in our decision-making, especially on something as size-sensitive as a bra. So, I bought this bra not knowing what to expect... except that it would be a bra of course.

I was drawn to the geometric pattern of the ASOS Geisha bra and found it even prettier in the hand once the package arrived. The lace could be softer though; it's not rough or abrasive against my skin, and there’s a single nude mesh lining on the cups. I got the 'regular' with underwire; there's also a long-line variety and a wireless [wire-free] triangle variety which I find equally pretty. They have a lot more colour variety now instead of black and red when I purchased mine.

Two things that I think this bra could be improved on: the straps are difficult to adjust, which I think is due to the metal hardware, and the seam that runs the middle of the cup and stops right smack in the centre and creates an unwanted texture to an area where one wants to cover and not have any texture pointing to the spot - excuse the pun.

On that last note, this bra is not padded and have only one mesh lining [which was duly noted during purchase], so you might need nip covers or a couple layers of garments for good coverage.

Ann Summers Rhea Underwire Bra

Ann Summers Rhea Underwire Bra

The first thing that attracted me to the Ann Summers Rhea bra was the two-layered cup design; and that is exactly what it is. Specifically, there's a mesh overlay that covers a prettier lace underneath - it’s almost like wearing your bra inside out.

The design is a bit girly with a few bows and finished with little buttons towards the bottom of the bra.

Wearing this, upon close inspection, I feel the bra is a bit too sexy for a single girl like me.

Ann Summers Rhea: The lace underneath the mesh overlay.

It’s like a tease; you have to peel the top layer off to get to what you're looking for underneath. But, there’s nothing wrong with that. Who says you can’t be sexy even when there’s no one to show it to?

On the minus point, the Rhea creates quite a bit of texture that will show through a thinner top; namely the buttons, the pleating on the mesh overlay, and the light boning on the lace. But the irony is, because of these textures, there's no need for nip covers.

One more thing about the boning, towards the centre of the bra, the stiff strips stick up and slightly out a little. But I think in all fairness, if you have a lot more to fill in the cups, the boning in that particular area won't stick out too much.

When I purchased the Rhea at ASOS, only the black and white were available at the time, but it seems that it used to come in red as well. Sadly, the bra is out of stock at both ASOS and Ann Summers.

For those who are wondering about the sizing, my 27” underbust and 30" bust fits the 32A perfectly [maybe on the snug side], on the outermost eye of the closure; as I like to work my way in as the band gets loose. Also, both of these bras have underwires which I think are relatively comfortable unless you're lying down with one, which I don't usually do when wearing a bra. If you don't like underwires, the Geisha line has triangle bras which I find interesting to have in the future to-do list.

One thing I would like to appeal to bra-makers, is to please - especially for smaller sizes - have a thin padding or a few more layers of lining in the cups because us small girls are always cold.

Is it weird that I’m now regularly browsing for lingerie?