Made In Preston

Although some would consider having a larger bust something of a blessing, I must admit that I’ve always considered it more of a curse.  Expensive underwear (no sub £30 bras for me), thick, three eyelet bra straps that never seem to look pretty or feminine, blouses that gape at the bust and clothes that always seem to be made for smaller chests.

These days, we live in a world where clothes are generally mass-produced, and designed for a body type that rarely seems to exist in reality.  In years gone by women made their own clothes, based on their own measurements.  These days we have to make do with a ‘one size fits all’ in terms of the shape or silhouette of items of clothing and larger (or even average) busts seem not to be accomodated.

These are precisely the sorts of frustrations that award-winning entrepreneur Nikki Hesford (whom you may have seen on Dragons Den last year with her previous company BigBraBar) intended to tackle when she set up ‘Made In Preston‘, which makes ‘fitted fashion for bigger boobs’, all designed, produced and packaged in Preston.  All of their clothes are made from start to finish by their skilled machinists, and sizes run from a size 6 to a 16 with each dress size then having three further size options depending on bra size, up to a J cup.  I don’t know where to begin with the reasons why I love Made in Preston, from Nikki’s personal journey to being an amazing businesswoman and the work she does volunteering, mentoring and speaking about entrepreneurship, to the fact that the brand helps local unemployed people and is committed to keeping skills and jobs in the local area.  It’s a really good feeling to know that you’re supporting a brand with so many commendable values.

With their clothes being so bespoke, and produced in Britain, you might think that the price points would be higher, but they’re actually incredible reasonable, with all current stock between £35 – £45.  They have some really lovely items – their Aztec Playsuit is going on my wishlist!

I was kindly sent the black peplum, silver panelled dress (£45) to review and I’m thrilled to bits with what they picked (and made!) for me.  The pictures really don’t do it justice (apologies for my grumpy face in the second one!) It fits like a glove and felt amazing to have a dress that goes in and out in all the right places!

dress: made in preston* £45 | shoes: jeffrey campbell [old]

I highly recommend Made In Preston to any of my bigger-busted blog readers – I’ll certainly be snapping up some more of their items in future.  £45 is a very small price to pay for an item of clothing that’s built to my measurements and a slice of good old British manufacturing.

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