NAS Betsey Johnson Review & Aquatalia Bootie Question - YouLookFab Forum

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NAS Betsey Johnson Review & Aquatalia Bootie Question

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

This year for NAS I told myself to just focus on basics. Based on some positive reviews here, I ordered two different Betsey Johnson bras.

Unfortunately, the Forever Perfect, which I ordered in two different sizes, was not so perfect on me. I could try a third size, but will not because this bra feels like it has more coverage on the sides than is comfortable for me.

I really like the lace balconette bra though (online only). I recommend this bra if you like pretty lingerie with demi styling and/or less cup coverage. It's listed as a balconette, which doesn't always work for me (they can come up too high in the center), but this one does. I sized down one cup size compared to my usual Natori Feathers size and it fits perfectly. I find that if I size down in this bra style, I make up for the fact that I am no longer as full on top as I used to be. LOL. I ordered the 30 band size, I think the 32 would be more comfortable but now see it's sold out in my cup size. I wish it had less padding, but the padding isn't OTT.

I thought about getting another Natori Feathers, which fits me really well and I have in two colors but not nude. I might still order it.

My one impulse order was these Aquatalia booties. I ordered them yesterday when I found them in my size. In the light neutral, size 6.5, not the black. I have no idea if they will fit my wide feet though. Or if I got the right size. Has anyone tried them? They are shipping from the East Coast, and haven't shipped yet, so I'm not expecting them until after NAS is over. I thought it was worth trying them, as they are a well made item and never go on sale except for NAS.

Betsey Johnson 'Forever Perfect' Underwire Demi Bra

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Betsey Johnson Eyelet Lace Balconette Bra (Online Only)

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Aquatalia By Marvin K. 'Fay' Weatherproof Bootie (Women) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

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19 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

Joy

Veteran

Denise, thankyou for your review. Those Aquatalia booties were very tempting but I have black booties for this coming winter. I hope something as nice will be offered next year.
You noticed something I had not...that the Betsey Johnson a Forever Perfect has more side coverage than most. That is exactly what I need and it's hard to find In a small band and cup size. I've got quite a bit of breast tissue on the side that I'd love to push to the front. I also like the Natori Feathers as they are so pretty, and a bigger cup size fits.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for responding to my thread Joy. Yes, I know all about that side tissue as I have it too but I am super sensitive to anything hitting my underarms and this bra cuts a little too close there. I am so short from waist to shoulder! I am a true petite in this regard.

I feel the Betsey balconette does a good job of putting me front and center without making me look bigger than I wish too. I'm hoping the 30 band will loosen up. I have a 28inch ribcage so a 30 band always feels snug although not in Simone Perele. Speaking of which, when are they going to be a part of NAS? It's because of NAS that I even tried brands like Natori and Chantelle. They would grow their customer base. They are my favorite brand but they don't last any longer than Natori and they are more expensive.

If anyone has read this far maybe you can suggest some good bras for average figure 32 or 30 band?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Great review, Denise--thanks for posting it. I guess it stands to reason if the Natori Feathers works for you, the Betsey Johnson Forever Perfect might not--the former is okay but not great for me, and I really like the latter.
I did try the Aquatalia booties in mushroom leather. My foot is on the wide side--in Munro I almost always wear a 7W. I ordered the 7.5 in the Aquatalia boot, and it fit snugly but comfortably. (I would wear them with stockings--knee-highs usually.) I didn't keep them because I decided to buy other booties instead. The mushroom leather version has a kind of sleek but casual look; not rugged, not polished. To me they look classic, current, and have a bit of a western vibe with the heel shape. I liked the fact that my foot looked long and narrow in them (a nice change for me)!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Thank you Sharan. What is your most typical shoe size? I've never tried Munros so don't have a frame of reference.

I'm already worried that the Aquatalias are going to be a bit small because in the photo they look a bit narrow.

I wear a 6 in sandals. Some don't work if they are too narrow, but I can make many sandals work by stretching them a bit. In boots and booties, I wear a 6.5 or European 37.

Adelfa

Veteran

Denise, are the booties the ones I tried on with you?

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I am between a 7 and 7.5. I think my foot measures 7, but because of high volume (high instep) and maybe width, I sometimes wear a C or W width, or a 7.5 medium. In European sizes, I take a 37.5 or 38. I think I get the best fit in European sizes.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Denise, thanks for that review. I ordered that Betsy Johnson bra also. We'll see how it works out. I may run into the same issue you did, as underwires do sometimes dig into my armpits, especially if I have to adjust the straps too much. Crossing fingers. I didn't try the other Betsy Johnson but could be persuaded by your report. Unfortunately, I won't get my stuff until after the sale is over, so it might be a while until I know and I may have to wait for the mid-year sale to experiment more.

Did you see these two Simone Perele's on sale? Might be worth a try if they are styles that work for you? They make such lovely bras, but I find the fit (on the styles I've tried) is not quite right for me. The spacing in front is not quite wide enough (band fits, but I am wider spaced) and the straps are not quite adjustable enough, although I guess that would be an easy alteration. I haven't tried the Delice style, though.

I almost tried those Aquatalias!! I actually missed out by dithering too much when they came back in stock in my possible size. That was the issue, of course -- I wasn't sure. I have a different pair of Aquatalias in my larger size, 7. (I am best in an EU 37 but often want thicker socks in a boot or even bootie.) Anyway -- it's on the large side for me, but an insole and thicker socks fix that (and since the style I own is a true book, that is fine for me.) I really liked that mushroom colour on these for bookending but couldn't decide in the end -- let me know how they work for you. If you don't want them, maybe I would take them. Weather proof boots are a huge plus in my climate.

Simone Perele 'Delice 3D' Molded Underwire Demi Bra

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Simone Perele 'Caressence 3D' Plunge Bra

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kkards

Veteran

i wanted the aquatalia's but when i went to order they were out of stock. i did try on a pair of non NAS priced booties i found that they run true to size, but are a tight fit, not uncomfortable, but the padding makes them tight.
i own the betsy johnson bra…and i like it, but its not the prefect bra. you might try this calvin klein…the nordies site said that the ban runs tight, i actually thought it ran slightly big, but its worth a try.

Calvin Klein 'Perfectly Fit' Lace Trim T-Shirt Bra

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UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I bought the mushroom calf booties but ended up sending them back. They were comfortable and a good height and fit for me and would have been good for book ending with my hair. I decided that they were a little plain for me and that I would wait till later in the season to see if something different and more eye catching comes along.

Thistle

Veteran

I ordered those exact booties but in black. I have medium feet. Not high volume or low, not wide or narrow. I can't wear Kate Spade comfortably, but I always take medium width shoes otherwise.

I found them a little bit snug over the top of my foot, and I didn't expect a lot of stretch based on the waterproof fabrication. Not as comfortable as the Munro booties, but not uncomfortable either. I wear between a 9 and a 9.5 in shoes. The 9.5 fit fine lengthwise, and I couldn't have sized down.

I was more disappointed with the sole. Not nearly as grippy as I'd hoped, but the floors at work are slippery, especially in winter.

HJ

I tried that boot in the lighter taupe color. I'm typically a 6-6.5 (EU 37) but on a tip from my mom ordered a 7. They fit beautifully with a thin sock and were very comfortable. I have fussy low volume feet. Unfortunately they were darker in person than I wanted so I returned them.

jackiec

Veteran

I would have loved to have tried those booties in the mushroom colour. They would be amazingly useful here in the winter. They were out of stock and the price is high (plus exchange). Let us know. Sorry no help. No help on the bras either. I'm a flat board wonder.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jackie, I have seen you in person and you are NOT flat. You are slim with pretty curves and muscles. So there.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the reviews, Denise. Are you off your Simone Pereles? Try Chantelle too. They do good bras in size 30 and 32 but are larger than the SP, which is why I am sized out of Chantelle.

The booties might be a little snug in the toe box for you, but keep us posted.

Parsley

Veteran

Hi Denise, I tried those booties in black, but ended up returning them in favor of the Franco Sarto Granite. In person the styles look surprisingly similar other than the zippers on the FS ones.
I wear a 9 or 9.5 and have a narrow foot and the 9.5 fit me well in the Aquatalia, so I suspect that it might be a little bit tight on you in your normal size. They are very nice, well-made, waterproof booties, but the Franco Sartos were a bit sleeker looking and more comfortable on me.

Franco Sarto 'Granite' Bootie (Women) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

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Joy

Veteran

Denise, the bands on those BJ bras do stretch out some fairly quickly. I also like and own several Calvin Klein tee shirt bras, but they have more padding than the Betsey Johnson or Natori. I do not fit Simon Perele but sure wish I did. I have one Chantelle bra and it is so well made but the Natori fit better.

MTBGirl

Veteran

Denise have you heard of bra extenders? Usually come in a three pack of white, black and nude. If you have some bras that need a little more length in the band they work great! I tried to fashion my own and then learned they sell them! Just make sure you get the proper hook count.

Lisa

I bought the Aquatalia booties in both colors. I have a large and wide foot and they fit me perfectly in my usual size. So you might be ok. They did feel slightly tight when I first put them on, but within 10 min they were perfect. They are a pricey bootie, even on sale, but this brand works very well for me in my winter climate. They are very well made. I did not try on the FS Granite bootie that has been popular with many other ladies because I wanted the waterproof feature.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Lisa -- thank you for responding! That is good news that they fit you in your usual size, and that there is some give to the leather.

Donna -- great idea to get a bra extender! Thanks.

Joy -- good to know the Betsey bras will stretch in the band, I feel better about keeping the 30 band.

Parsley -- Thank you for sharing your experience. You may well be right that the Aquas won't fit. Good thing Nordstrom has such great return policies.

Angie -- No I am not off my Simone Perele's at all. I still love them! But I have a constant need for refreshing my bra wardrobe due to hard wear and the need for daily laundering.

Jackie -- your post made me laugh, of course not AT you, you have a model's build and are tall, what is not to envy about that!

HJ -- I am typically a Euro 36 sandals but in boots usually a 37 but high volume feet. It does sound like the 7 would have been a better size, but we shall see.

Thistle -- thanks for the review. It does sound like these run small.

UmmLilla -- I appreciate your thought process.

Kkards -- I didn't see the CK bra! I'm going to try it.

Suz -- I totally missed that there were some SPs on sale. Thanks for the Finds! The Delice is probably my favorite bra ever, so I'm going to order it even though I'm not as into colorful bras as I should be (maybe because they show underneath my uniform white shirts?). The straps, fully tightened, are perfect for me so no alterations needed. I did have to alter the Carrescense and found the lace to be a bit scratchy but this bra has held up well. I do recommend the Delice for you. Go with your smaller band size if available, but the bigger band size works too, fully cranked down.

Adelfa -- Yes! I remember now, you tried them on. I *think* I tried a pair on a year or two ago as well, and from the foggy recesses of my memory I recall I needed a 7 (weird how I did not remember this when I ordered them -- shopping brain?). But we shall see. It seems several YLFers tried but did not keep these boots.

Firecracker Sharan -- it sounds like we have similar feet. I find European footwear to almost always fit me better than American.