Wet look top and panty set - camisole set discontinued by Cottelli - review by Ms. N

True confession: I am a bit of a lingerie addict. In particular, I am hooked on babydoll nighties and chemises. When I saw this hot little number on the Eden Fantasys website, I had to have it. No, seriously, I HAD TO HAVE IT.

Okay, that is the first part of the confession. The second part is that just because I want a particular lingerie set doesn't mean that I am always able to get it. I have discovered through experience that the sizing of lingerie online does not always translate to real world sizes. In the real world, I am normally pretty secure in the fact that if I buy a size large, it is going to fit me properly. Online, it usually seems that a size large is going to be a size too small across the chest. Because of this, I generally purchase an extra large online. That is, I purchase one when the item in question is available in an extra large. More often than not, it isn't. While I am at it, let me mention...One size fits most is meant as the punchline of a very bad joke.

I said all of that to say this: when I first noticed this set, I looked at the sizing chart and noticed a distinct difference. Cottelli sizes their lingerie in centimeters! Now, as an American of a certain age, I do recall the attempts we had in the Carter era to convert to the Metric System. I mostly recall that it failed, and I have no clue how many centimeters are in an inch. However, I do know how to use the internet to find a centimeter to inches converter. After locating one of these handy tools, I plugged in the chest measurements for each size. For future reference, in this particular clothing line, a small would be equal to a 32-35 inches across the bust, a medium would be equal to 35-38 inches across the bust, a large would be equal to 38-41 inches across the bust, and an extra large is equal to equal to 42-44 inches, all give or take a fraction of an inch.

The next part of the confession is this: I have been wanting something with a "wet look" for years. I think it registers in my mind as a bit of a kinky fashion accessory that has been missing from my wardrobe. That is another reason I grabbed this set when I saw it. The materials are listed as 70% Polyester, 20% Polyamide, and 10% Spandex. Going back to the sizing issue, in a bra, I am a 38D, so this would normally translate to a 42 inch bust. As that was at the low end of the extra large size, I decided to take my chances with the large, feeling that the stretch of the material would make up for the fractions-smaller size limit (this was indeed the case, but I will get to that in a minute).

Now, if you look at the picture on the website, you will see that in the top, the "wet look" section is from the bust up. There is one wide shoulder strap on the right side decorated with a bow at the point where it attaches to the top. The area which covers the bust is made of the poly-spandex material and has a line of elastic underneath the bust. On my particular top, this section covering the bust seemed to be cut so that it actually did not line up straight. It seemed to go diagonally downhill on the side without the shoulder strap. For that reason, I think it would be great if the top had a strap on both sides, even if the one on the left side were only a spaghetti strap. This would "hold up" the other side, keeping the material from falling down and exposing too much breast (until such time as that is wanted, of course).

Below the bust, there is a section of lace which makes up the rest of the top. The design shown on the website has the lace looking like an alternating pattern of lines and circles. In reality, the lace pattern is that of flowers and leaves. It is still very pretty. It just does not match what is shown on the website.

Continued...

The matching panties are lovely as well. Aside from the pattern of the lace being different, they are exactly as shown on the website. In the front, there is a stretch of lace about an inch and a half wide, which gives way to the poly-spandex material for the rest of the panty, front and back. The panties would best be described as bikini bottoms. They have full coverage in the front, though in the back, it is possible that you might find them a bit cheeky. One thing to note is that they lack a cotton lining, if that is an issue for you. Sizing in the panties are as follows: a small would be equal to a 36-38 inches across the hips, a medium would be equal to 39-41 inches across the hips, a large would be equal to 41-44 inches across the hips, and an extra large is equal to equal to 44-46 inches, all give or take a fraction of an inch.

Aside from the looks of this set, the material also seems to be quite sturdy. It stretches without giving the impression that it is going to tear at any moment. Cleaning is also simple with this set. The only instructions given are to wash dark colors separately. Still, given the delicate material on the top, I would suggest washing it apart from anything else in order to avoid snagging or damaging the lace.

One last thing to mention is that the poly-spandex sections of the set do not seem to "breathe" well, making this a fashion statement that may heat you up in more ways than one. I found myself quite warm and sticky after about ten or fifteen minutes wearing the set. It may be that you will wish to wear this for only a short period of time.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with this set. The sizing was true to what was given on the website, which will make Cottelli a brand I will look for in the future. The set was well-made and beautiful. Other than the way that the top seemed to slope down on the left side, I found it to be a great investment.

What's not to like? This is still a super sexy set. Aside from the small complaints of it being rather warm if worn for a significant amount of time and the slight lopsidedness of the strapless left side, I am completely satisfied with this set. I would buy it again.