Swim: Origami Customs

I sit down to write this review with a heavy hand. Here it is, Labor Day, the unofficial End of [summer] Days, and I am only just posting a review on this bikini top. Because I only just got back from vacation. And that was the first time I got to wear it (as a swimsuit, at least).

This summer has been kind of a wild ride. I transitioned jobs right at the start, to one that is further away and pays significantly less. I took this job expecting to move out of state in a month, in a state of personal crisis. I was only trying to financially bridge the gap. In luck's true fashion, we had that ripped out from beneath us with just a month's warning. Thus followed a wild scramble for a house, which we had to put more money down for to secure, and bam! My bank account is empty, I'm trying to nest this house while being gone ten hours of the day, and never have days off with my dear housemate... This summer went stale quick, to say the least.

But now that the dust has settled, I am emerging from the ashes happier, supported, and ready to Do More Stuff. Hey ya'll. Check this out. Origami Customs is super fucking cool, super aware, and super accommodating brand, focusing on serving queer/trans shoppers and all others alike. Read the Lingerie Addict's interview with Rachel, or check the faq on her website! She manages to make custom-tailored inclusive clothing, keeping sustainability and ethics in mind, and not charge out the back door.

This top was given to me as a gift from my love, thinking that something different and wire-free, yet still supportive, would put some balm on the burn of my recent breast growth. I'd camped out on Origami Customs' Etsy for a while last summer, eying a high-waisted bathing suit bottom, and as winter progressed I noticed the variety of stuff Rachel was starting to make. Her shop only grew, and by spring, I knew I had to have something from her. Enter the Full Support Reversible Bikini top.

I ordered this top in mid- to late-May, and I think I got it at the end of June, or maybe the beginning of July... I can't recall.  I'd estimate it took about five/six weeks to get here, which I consider pretty reasonable: first of all, she gives you a heads up; second, I ordered a custom suit in May. I get what I deserve for procrastination. Also, it's about $40 for a custom-made, reversible top - that's like two swimsuits for my lazy ass. It's a steal.

I chose black and cherry blossom for mine (as you can see). Originally I'd requested the ties to be cherry blossom as well, but Rachel messaged me to let me know she didn't have enough to do that and asked if black would be okay (of course). I also let her know my underbust and bust measurements, and the bra size I was doing. And as you can see, the results were pleasing.

The first time I wore this was not for swimming, but for a bra under a see-through halter at work. Nine hours of security and comfort is what I got. You're not going to get the same amount of lift out of this top as you would one with underwire, obviously, but the security is worth it. The cross-back style keeps the suit tight on the body, without putting all the weight on the neck as most halter tops would. That being said, you still definitely get some digging on the skin around the neck and shoulders, which is a necessity when trying to tightly secure weight. Not really a big deal. I wore this top for at least five hours straight at the beach with little irritation.

Getting into the top is a little confusing at first. There's a lot of strap to go around. The straps are anchored at the top of the triangles, the go across the back and through little loops on the outer corners, pictured below. The loop is the dominant fabric folded over and sewn down. The straps then meet on the back to tie, cinching the front to the body and keeping it firmly in place without being tight on the back.

Above all, this top is so, so comfortable. Nothing digs in, nothing itches, nothing needs constant readjusting...It stays where I put it and keeps the tits close by. I could easily Baywatch up the coast and feel secure that my tits won't come out anywhere, even if they join in with the full body jiggle. In fact, if there weren't fifteen shark attacks on the coast this summer, on top of a few sightings while we were out there, I would've given this top the nip-slip body-surf contest with confidence. I never felt that I was coming out of it, which is more than I could say for the other top I brought, a Freya halter with wire.

All in all, my gripes are meek and few. I've worn this maybe five days in total now, and while the structure has been sound as shit, I notice that around the edges of the suit where the two sides meet, the stitching seems pulled pretty tight. Like it may come loose in the future. I'm not too worried about it, and it would be an easy fix. That's something only time will tell, tho. Also, there's some weird brown schmutz on the cherry side, right smack in the middle of the suit, that I can't lift out. It's been there since the first time I put it on. I will go ahead and give the maker the benefit of the doubt there and assume I fucked up somewhere in storage, because it is in my nature...I just wish I knew where. And a better way to try and get it off.

schmutz, front n center

Nipple visibility may be an issue with this suit depending on the color or fabric you choose (there's like 27!!), if that's something that matters to you. Personally, I don't give a shit. Either way, you can add bra cups or padding to most of her stuff. Customization and endless accommodation! Padding might also be something to look into if you want any sort of shape or lift from this top. It's great for support, but I don't love the natural shape of my breasts, and if you don't either, you might not favor the way this looks on you. Wide breasts, when supported without shaping, just get wider, and due to my reduction, my breasts are as wide as the were pre-op without the pendulous length. I would be cautious for those who truly define full-busted, because without the support of a wire, the weight from the chest will still be anchored on the upper back. Fuck a halter top, it's definitely better than that. But this might not be life-changing for those with a lot of tissue in their pockets. I do think this top would be great for those who have  bigger band sizes, though. Because the weight is distributed through-out the strapping on the back, there would most-likely be a lot less digging from straps and wire alike, and a smoother look overall.  If that's what you're going for.

After building this post, I'm not loving my body right now.  But I do love this top!  Hopefully my size stays stable enough that I can wear this for many years to come. It'd be fucking amazing to wear a bikini top for two summers in a row. Until next time, stay warm! Winter blows.