Helping you get the perfect fit first time

August 22, 2019 0 Comments

As much as there are a whole load of perks to being an online shop (mainly being able to reach as many of you Lycra lovers all over the world!), we know that sometimes choosing your sizing can be a little tricky, especially when you're after something skintight! We've always tried to make it as easy as possible, with free UK returns, try before you buy with Klarna, our detailed sizing measurements tab on each product - and we've just come up with a whole new way to make the perfect fit that bit easier to suss - our Stretch-o-Meter!

We think this is especially important now, because as we grow we're introducing new fabrics and shapes in each collection, and the difference in stretch and shape can mean they fit slightly more firmly or loosely. So whether you're a regular Burnt Soul customer and used to a specific fabric or cut or a newbie that is venturing into the land of Lycra for the first time... this one's for you!

The main one to look out for is our much firmer, printed Eco Lycra. We are fully behind using eco-friendly fabrics and practices wherever we can, and some of the studio girls really prefer it too - acting like your favourite pair of support pants. But it's super important that you guys know what the difference is between these and our holographic alternatives, so you can get the perfect sized outfit, first time, every time! 

So without further ado... meet the Stretch-o-meter, on hand to help you suss out the perfect size!  We've also written a little blog with girls in the studio, their sizes and their preferences so you can get more info first hand.

Stretch-o-meter

You'll find a Stretch-o-meter on every product, to give you the best idea of how your it may fit. 1 indicates a much firmer and sculpting fit, and this may affect the size you go for. At the top of the scale, at number 5, are our stretchier, softer fabrics. They allow for a lot more give.

For example, Hannah (measurements below) is usually a UK 10-12 in our sizing but can wear a UK 8-10 in the Backless Siren Catsuit. If she's going for an eco catsuit, she prefers a looser fit so will opt for a UK 12-14.

Fabric on the scale

1 - Eco Lycra, Glittery Mesh, Velour

2 - Printed Mesh

3 - Snake Print Lycra (Gold Digger), Standard Printed Lycra (not Eco)

4 - Snake Print on Velvet, Soft Jersey

5 - Plain Velvet, Black Snake Print (Siren)

Staff Measurements

For our standard size guide click here.

How we wear ours

Robyn - Designer and Burnt Soul Boss Lady

1. Do you have any areas of your body that sometimes make it difficult to buy a 'standard' fit? As I'm quite tall I always have to buy a long trouser or jean. I also have quite a long torso. This is why I design with a bias to us tall gals! 
2. What size would you normally buy online? UK 10 on top and UK 12 on the bottom.
3. What's your preferred Burnt Soul Fit? I'm a solid 10-12 unless the fabric is more delicate. For instance, the Velour in the Scary Spice limited edition catsuit doesn't have as much stretch up and down as the normal Lycra so I end up sizing up to give me more length (see the last image).
4. What size would you go for in our Eco Lycra? Even though I find the Eco Lycra a lot harder to get on, I find that it does give slightly and I prefer the sucked in feel of the tighter lycra so I'll still go for a UK10-12. Getting up the leggings for the first time is always a bit of a struggle but once they're on I feel smooth and cinched. The 12-14 doesn't look or feel bad but there's definitely room at the top of the catsuits. I do opt for a 12-14 in the two-piece bottoms as I prefer more coverage! 
5. What size would you go for in our other pieces? I generally find the UK10-12 is good for me in most styles. I can get into the Siren Catsuits in a UK 8-10 but I still prefer the feel of the 10-12 as it doesn't look so spray on.
6. What is your favourite style for your body shape and why? I love the Full Back catsuits as I feel it accentuates my waist more and I can add shoulder pads for an even more exaggerated silhouette!

Anna - Head of Marketing (aka Dream maker)

1. Do you have any areas of your body that sometimes make it difficult to buy a 'standard' fit? No, pretty standard!
2. What size would you normally buy online? A standard UK 12
3. What's your preferred Burnt Soul Fit? I'd go for a comfier fit over a super tight one.
4. What size would you go for in our Eco Lycra? I'd go for a UK 12-14 in the catsuit and leggings. The 10-12 catsuit still fits - as you can see in the pictures above, and I could totally wear it - it holds me in well and is super secure even when I'm not wearing bra (like the pictures above), but I find the looser fit gives me a little more freedom when I'm partying or dancing!
5. What size would you go for in our other pieces? UK 10-12
6. What is your favourite style for your body shape and why? For my shape, I think the peekaboo is most flattering but I also love wearing the backless. I've always needed extra bra support, so it's such a great feeling to feel like everything was held where it was supposed to be in a completely backless catsuit!!

Hannah - Queen of the Sewing Room 👑

1. Do you have any areas of your body that sometimes make it difficult to buy a 'standard' fit? My athletic legs and tiny waist to hip ratio can make it hard to find leggings that fit properly.
2. What size would you normally buy online? UK size 10
3. What's your prefered Burnt Soul Fit? I like a tight fit!
4. What size would you go for in our Eco Lycra? I find some of the Eco catsuits quite hard to get on my legs so would opt for a 12-14 in a catsuit but as I prefer a tighter waist, I'd go for a 10-12 in the leggings. For the Bralette, I wear a 12-14. The 10-12 does fit but for a bit more coverage I like the 12-14. With the 10-12 I feel like my boobs are a bit 'out'!
5. What size would you go for in our other pieces? Generally a 10-12 is good for me although I can wear an 8-10 in the Siren backless.
6. What is your favourite style for your body shape and why? My fave style is the backless as I normally always have to wear a bra but feel totally secure in this and love showing my back. 

Katie - Studio Co-Ordinator extraordinaire 

1. Do you have any areas of your body that sometimes make it difficult to buy a 'standard' fit? I have a short body and long legs
2. What size would you normally buy online? UK 8
3. What's your prefered Burnt Soul Fit? I like a tight fit
4. What size would you go for in our Eco Lycra? In the Eco Lycra I size up in the leggings and catsuit to a UK 8-10 as the 6-8 is just a bit too hard to get on for my liking. I did get the Two-Piece bralette and pants in a 6-8 though as I wanted a tighter/skimpier fit.
5. What size would you go for in our other pieces? Generally, I'd go for the 6-8 although I did find the Gold Digger leggings in a 6-8 harder to get on so I went for the 8-10.
6. What is your favourite style for your body shape and why? I love wearing the peekaboo and full back catsuits. I find that for someone that has a smaller chest, they give me boobs!!

Bea - New seamstress on the block

1. Do you have any areas of your body that sometimes make it difficult to buy a 'standard' fit? I have a small waist to bust and waist to hips ratio so find it hard to find clothes that fit my proportions. 
2. What size would you normally buy online? UK 10
3. What's your prefered Burnt Soul Fit? I like a tight fit
4. What size would you go for in our Eco Lycra? I would go for an 8-10 catsuit as I'd want it to stay tight over time. The eco lycra (long body) Rainbow Bodysuit also fits but was a struggle to get on and if I were using it as a swimmer, I'd go up a size.
5. What size would you go for in our other pieces? The Tinker Bodysuit fit in the 10-12 but I prefer the tighter fit of the 8-10 and felt like it was really supportive without a bra.
6. What is your favourite style for your body shape and why? I prefer the peekaboo style as I'd normally always want to wear a bra although I do feel really supported.

Summary

We hope this helps you when choosing the perfect size fit for you!  Our team are always on hand to help if you have any more questions. You can send us an email here or send us a message via Facebook by clicking on the small speech bubble in the bottom right of the screen now. 

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