Panache Sport Bra v Freya Active

May 11, 2012

I was chuffed to recently win a fab Panache Sport bra. Winning something is always nice and it’s all the sweeter when it’s underwear related!

Panache Sport Moulded Underwired Bra

I’d recently reviewed a bra from the Freya Active range so it was interesting to see how these would compare. My Freya bra is an unpadded underwired (30GG) whereas the Panache bra is a moulded underwired (28H). I have tried out Freya’s moulded version before though so I was still keen to compare the two brands.

Freya Active Moulded Bra

The Panache moulded has a very similar shape to both Freya’s moulded and soft cup sports bras in that they are all offer a high level of coverage by encapsulating most of the breast tissue. The Freya underwired’s cups are not as highly cut, looking the most ‘bra-like’ out of all of them. The Panache style looks more sporty in a crop top kinda way.

My Freya feels more lightweight than my Panache with it’s soft, slinky feeling cups but I love the feel of Panache’s fabric; it’s very soft with a microfibre texture.

Freya Active Undewired Bra – lightweight and slinky

Panache Sport is a well designed piece of sports wear with every area well considered. There is underwiring but you’d barely know it because of how well the wires are encased (which I’m told includes the clever use of silicone). I felt absolutely no digging in whilst wearing it, despite how snug the bra fit.

Me wearing Panache Sport Moulded Bra

Freya Active Underwired has a significantly wider back fastener to the Panache, being 4 hooks deep by 4 hooks. Panache Sport, although still a supportive width, is 3 hooks by 3 hooks. Both hook and eye fastening pads are soft touch and non irritating; Freya is a soft handle cotton like, thin pad that lends itself well to exercise mat work, Panache has a thicker inner padding which is good for extra comfort. Freya’s Moulded bra is different to it’s underwired version and Panache’s in that it has a racer back in addition to an adjustable band.

Tight but well fitting and supportive

There isn’t much difference in the straps; both are wide, padded and half adjustable with Freya Active’s straps being slightly wider in the adjustable section.

I’m actually really liking the Panache Sport. At first I thought the 28 back was a bit too tight but unlike Freya’s 28 which I found impossible to fasten at all, I got into the feel wearing it and I appreciated it’s fit. It’s super comfy and I like the combination of the underwires with the benefit of the moulded cups which altogether help reign things in. I also can’t help but feel more attracted to the look of the Panache bra as opposed to Freya’s moulded bra. It could be because the black colourway makes it look more stylish but it does seem to lift and support my boobs a lot better. I’m really impressed with it – and it’s very touchable!

Panache has recently joined forces with Breast Cancer charity Coppafeel and created a stunning bright pink bra with proceeds of it’s sale going towards The Boobettes project; a group of women affected by breast cancer who are educating and advising women how to check their boobs and know the signs of breast cancer. This is a brilliant campaign for which I hope they raise lots of funds.