Tuesday, 27 October 2015

Tara Starlet Bow Bodice Top Review

I'm always tempted by the Tara Starlet sale section, and recently tried out their 'Bow Bodice'.  This cropped bodice top originally came out in pink and blue gingham, but is currently available in black, purple, pale blue and bright red.  Originally £48, I snapped it up in the sale in purple for just £12.  Read on to find out how I got on.

bow bodice


On opening my package, I noticed that the cups were quite squished from travelling through the post, and try as I may to push them back into shape, they didn't quite spring back as expected.  I thought that this issue would be solved when I wore the top and my bust would push it out into the correct shape.  Alas, this is where it all went wrong.  I'm small busted, which I freely admit.  My A cup bust was simply not big enough to push the fabric back into the right shape.  I popped on my most highly padded bra, which takes me up to a B cup.  This still wasn't enough.  I am not sure what material they've used as the padding, but it really doesn't work.  I can't conceivably see how anyone under a C cup can wear this top, without risking deflated bosoms the moment you knock into something or somebody hugs you!  Allow me to demonstrate more clearly with the below pictures, and a short and comedic video clip that shows how one side was stubbornly refusing to spring back into shape.

Tara Starlet Bow Bodice Review

Tara Starlet Bow Bodice Review

Tara Starlet Bow Bodice Review

Tara Starlet Bow Bodice Review





Apart from the issue of the collapsing bust, I liked the fit and the lovely bengaline fabric, which has just the right amount of stretch.  I am a size 12 and chose their size medium, which I found true to size.  With a high-waisted skirt, I had just a sliver of bare flesh - if you're more petite than my 5'9" frame you might find that you don't get any gap at all.

Tara Starlet Bow Bodice Review

Tara Starlet Bow Bodice Review

Tara Starlet Bow Bodice Review

I also can't see ladies who are D+ welcoming so much extra padding in the bust area, so I'm struggling to see just who this top is catering for.  Normally I wouldn't do a video, but the effect on me was so comical, I had to document it!  If I wore this top, the first person I hugged would completely squish my bust and it wouldn't restore itself.  I felt a bit like a Fembot.

My verdict: Return!  This one's not for me, but if you don't have my boob issues then it's a bargain to stash away for next summer.

I'm sad that this top isn't for me.  I'd love to hear from you if you've tried it, let me know how you got on in the comments.

UPDATE:
Tara herself responded to my review with this comment:

"I bought these cups following lots of customer feedback that was asking for more support in our bodice tops, they were very expensive and I'm now selling the tops at a loss. Unfortunately these 3-Dimentional bust cups do not lend them selves very well to being flat-packed for storage and shipping so rest assured I won't be using them again! We have found a great little trick for manipulating the squashed cup, it involves rolling a tennis ball inside it to pressure it back out. I know it is not ideal and unfortunately these cups have been a bit of a learning curve for me which is why the tops are so heavily discounted."

I did ask customer services to refund my postage because of the fault, which was known about as Tara herself admitted, but I wasn't made aware of before purchase, and received this response:

"We did have a look at the top you sent back and unfortunately we couldn't identify a fault."

22 comments:

  1. I had to giggle - the video really did add something here as you couldn't tell what you meant until it was demonstrated! I'm not sure this would be good on petite ladies without alterations anyway, as those straps are gonna be far too long for the likes of me. So you probably have to be a tall, precisely D cup lady to get it to fit properly? In which case I'm not going anywhere near this one..! xx

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    Replies
    1. It's a shame as this would look so cute on you if it fit well! Lots of similar ones out there though x

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  2. Hahahahahaha! The video is priceless!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  3. I used to like some of their older designs, but the recent ones have all been too youthful - their stuff doesn't go up to fatgirl size anyhow, so it's a moot point. It's funny, I'd have thought svelte ladies like yourself would have no problem, but clearly they're not quite right for you either.

    (And I can vouch that I would not want padding for my G-cups. I can fit my bra on my head; why would I want to make the things look *bigger*?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Their designs have been a tad skimpy of late but they seem to have sorted out their sizing these days, which used to run about 2 sizes small on some items! I agree to the weird padding, too much for both small and big bosoms x

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  4. I love these posts, there so helpful! That video is comical, what a daft way to pad a bust! I bought one of those cross top things everyone seems to have and I've had some real issues evening out the padding in that! I keep realising I have one side bigger than the other where they've migrated throughout the day!

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    Replies
    1. Oh dear, not a good wardrobe malfunction!!! It's like going back to the days of chicken fillets..

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  5. Oh my god, I cracked up so hard at that video. A+ reviewing skills. I do like the color and the shape, such a pity about the fit.

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    Replies
    1. It was so much fun, I can't wait to review more ill fitting items!!!

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  6. How weird are those cups? I've got a few 1960s swimsuits with reinforced busts but they always spring back when they're dented - like you, I'm not exactly well-blessed in the boob department.
    Do you know what irks me the most? The fact the hem isn't sewn in a matching thread. A clash would be fine but the just looks shoddy. I'm glad you sent it back. You're far too attractive to wear badly made clothes. xxx

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    Replies
    1. It's just a really odd padding material, feels almost like rubber?! Weird.

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  7. Beautiful colour - wow! I think this top looks great on you. Way to bargain shop, dear gal!

    ♥ Jessica

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  8. Hi Porcelina!
    Thank you for the honest and candid feedback, I really appreciate the insight.
    I bought these cups following lots of customer feedback that was asking for more support in our bodice tops, they were very expensive and I'm now selling the tops at a loss. Unfortunately these 3-Dimentional bust cups do not lend them selves very well to being flat-packed for storage and shipping so rest assured I won't be using them again! We have found a great little trick for manipulating the squashed cup, it involves rolling a tennis ball inside it to pressure it back out. I know it is not ideal and unfortunately these cups have been a bit of a learning curve for me which is why the tops are so heavily discounted.
    @Mim I am really excited about expanding my size range for next season, I plan to make the full collection in sizes 6-24 from SS16 onwards.
    Many thanks again and kindest regards,
    Tara x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tara, thank you so much for stopping by and responding to my feedback, it's really great that you take the time to respond to customer comments. Also, that's amazing news about the expansion in sizes!! A really good move I'm sure. Best of luck with it x

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    2. Oh excellent! Thank you for responding to my comment.

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  9. I've experienced that same issue, I've just cut the cups out!

    Jay x

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  10. I'm a DD cup and bought this top but even my jubblies could not fill the moulded cups, it felt like the lining fabric was not gernous enough to fit inside the cups...so when i shoved my boobs in it didnt fill out the cups and the material they've used just seemed to buckle. it's hard to explain, i wish i'd thought of cutting out the cups because i just sent it back :(

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    Replies
    1. That would explain a lot, if it's an issue also with the lining fabric, as my husband pointed out there was an 'air gap' between the inner lining and the outer. Thanks for raising that, it's interesting to know that as a larger cup size it totally didn't work for you either! x

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  11. I'm an FF cup, I still get the weird collapsy cup thing going >< I love the way they look when I can keep the cups in line so I keep wearing them, but it's a bit awkward since I just end up groping myself in public to try and get the cup back into shape >< doesn't stop me from owning 4 though.

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  12. Such an adorable top! It's a shame that it didn't work for you! I love the video though. It shows the issues with this top so well!

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