#dora larsen

[martysimone]

Dora Larsen | Anais Graphic Lace • bralette + high waist thong

[corruptedromi]

[pocketvenuslux]

I recently purchased the Amanda knicker by Dora Larsen. It's a cheeky UK brand with a signature style that's easily recognizable by its creative colour ways and liberal use of lace. I absolutely love the bold and unusual colour combinations. And the pieces are so, so pretty, the epitome of frivolity.

I also really like DL’s commitment to ethical practices. DL manufactures their lingerie in China and I want to point out here that just because something is made in a European nation, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be better quality. Conversely, if something is made in China it doesn’t necessarily mean it is poorly constructed. The racist ideas people still hold about China and the distrust Western consumers have of Chinese manufactured goods have not kept apace with reality. I think it is more important to ask whether the company cares about ethical production and good working conditions for its manufacturers.

Another great point about DL is that the fit of their pieces is very forgiving. I'd say I'm a S/M in this brand but fit into an XS because the materials have a fair bit of stretch. I ended up buying a L knicker because it was on sale. It’s obviously loose and does not sit correctly on me as I need to pull a hipster cut into a high cut style so the rear mesh triangle sits way too high over my sacrum, but the piece still drapes nicely over my curves so I can kind of fake it. I would just note that the gusset is relatively thin, which you can see from the photo below with the ruler.

As for the bras, the fit was larger than what I expected. For most UK brands, I am typically a 34C and sometimes I cannot even close the band for my sister size, 32D. I was surprized to fit very comfortably into a 32D with Dora Larsen. The 34C worked, but I could use the smallest set of closures whereas I am used to using the farthest, and thereby the largest set, for a 34 band in UK brands.

However, I am very sorry to say I’m not pleased with the construction of the piece itself. The brief looks a little sloppy from the inside, especially where the raw edge of the elastics are exposed at the ends of the gusset. However, my issue with this is not simply aesthetics. 

By designing the piece this way, there is a major difference in tensile strength between the weaker lace and the stronger gusset which is reinforced by  multiple fabric layers. What this means is that anytime this seam is stressed, the lace takes all the strain. As you can see from my two closeup photographs, the lace has actually begun to tear after only a few wears. This might be because of poor fit, which means the fabric is moving around on my body in ways it normally wouldn’t, but honestly, I wonder if the issue would not be more noticeable with a closer fit. I could resew the lace back to the gusset, but that would not resolve the initial problem of tensile strength difference and so the lace is likely to tear again.

I like picking up sale items because it’s a lower-risk way for me to try new brands before committing to a set. To be honest, this was something of a disappointing purchase. As much as I adore DL’s distinct aesthetic and appreciate the creativity and clarity of vision behind it, I will not be picking up a full set until I see changes made addressing the tensile strength issue.

I bought this brief on sale for CA$36 from Secrets From Your Sister. It normally retails for £32 (roughly CA$55) although at present, it is retailing at Secrets From Your Sister for CA$80.

Fabric: 84% nylon, 15% elastane for the mesh, 100% nylon lace, 100% cotton gusset

Made in China

Photographs: Dora Larsen, mine

[sorceress-k]

[arane1-blog]

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[martysimone]

Dora Larsen | Lumi • tulle set embroidered with daisies

[martysimone]

Dora Larsen | Clementine Lace Soft Cup Bodysuit  

[martysimone]

Dora Larsen | Ebba • blue + burgundy tulle + lace set