Avanua Rayen Lace Mini Dress

Let me start of this review by stating how picky I am about lingerie purchases... but when I saw this item I decided to take a risk and order something new.

This is the first time I have ordered anything in the Avanua brand and I have to saw my first impression was really good based on this following:

The packaging: This mini dress and matching G-string arrived in a branded box that has a sleeve over it with the actual mini dress pictured in black and red on the model from this product listing on the front with the brand name "rayen chemise" product name and "Made in Europe." On the back is another model photo of a woman's face and "made in Poland" imprinted. On the side of this cardboard sleeve is the UPC code and fabric content.

But what makes this packaging brilliant is that this sleeve is easily removed for gift giving to someone. Once removed you have a lovely plain black shiny box with the "Avanua" logo in one corner in simple white on the outside. This, when you open the box on interior side, is in red with the words "Let's Seduce Yourself" in English. I happened to buy this for myself, but wanted to note in detail how incredibly nice this packaging is for an affordable lingerie set like this.

Housed inside the box is the mini dress and matching G-string. There was a tag attached to the G-string with care instructions.

Now onto the actual mini dress. I have a large collection of babydolls, chemises and the like. But more recently I have started to get brave and venture into more form-fitting pieces for the bedroom and I feel it is a big body confidence boost when it fits correctly.

When I saw the Avanua Rayen Lace Mini Dress as a new lingerie item on the Lovehoney website, I was immediately attracted to the overall look of this item. But as it lay perfectly on the model I wondered how would it look on my body?

For the purpose of this review, I am a US Size 1012, C/D cup breasts and I have some hips on me. So, while I love my body, I have lived a life and have a few areas I am less confident about, like many women, those are my tummy and hip areas.

So let's start with the fit!

I am reviewing the size L/XL. This item is incredibly stretch and accommodated my body no problem. The lace fabric was very flexible and the keyhole design really helps make this dress work on many frames and body types in my opinion.

I am a bit taller at 5 foot 7 1/2 inches with a longer torso, so one thing I did discover about the fit was this was very short on me. I could tug it down a bit over my hips and bum but with much movement it would work its way up, especially in the back, and I would have some cheek showing. Personally this to me was very sexy looking, but if you were planning to wear this as a dress to a club or the like keep that in mind if you have a taller or longer torso.

The long sleeves are also stretchy and fit perfectly, no issues there, if you had a wider arm it would obviously look a bit more sheer but the pattern of the lace is really lovely and would look great on.

The keyhole will accommodate a range of sizes as this is open in the front and the back. While I have an average cup size in a C/D, this would definitely work with a smaller or larger breasts. You can simply pull on the keyhole (which is lined in beautiful edging) to lay where you want across the chest. There is no support for your breasts, so however they lay naked will be how it looks with this dress on. Keep that in mind.

Now I did find my nipples could easily "pop out" of the center of this key hole with a lot of movement or leaning forward. For me, I loved it as it gives full access during play without having to remove the entire garment in the heat of the moment.

In my book, this mini dress is so incredibly sexy, but oh so elegant! The open back with the behind the neck tie is really pretty and interesting. Paired with the front keyhole this shows you or your partner glimpses of your backline and cleavage while framing out your body in elegant black lace. I loved how exposed I felt while still covering my arms, hips, and stomach area.

The lace fabric is a true deep black. I hand wash my lace lingerie and saw no colour bleed upon washing. It is a poly blend, but is very stretchy and soft to the touch. Just pulling this on my body felt like a lover's caress and I couldn't wait to feel hands running over this and pressing it into my skin.

The neckline and both key hole openings are finished in an opaque black fabric that also stretches and feels soft against the skin. There is a black satin looking ribbon that ties behind the neck to secure this lingerie on your body.

As far as wearing this dress in public goes, it is way too exposed for my personal taste when worn alone, but paired with a really pretty bra underneath or nipple covers and some tit tape you could wear it in public. I would personally pair it with something underneath like hot pants or leggings to not look like you are overexposed.

The enclosed G-string with this dress has the matching fabric but it is a simple elastic strap on sides and back. Nothing overly great here, but fits comfortably with plenty of stretch, and does a nice job not competing with the dress. You can also use a different black knicker or a fun colour or just skip anything underneath to mix it up if you like.

I can, with confidence, highly recommend this lingerie mini dress for a woman (or the woman in your life) who likes to dress in the bedroom with elegance and sexiness all wrapped into one. I think this would make an incredible gift as well. I know after trying on and snapping a few pictures of this on my body I can't wait for my next date night "in" to strut into the room with this and a pair or sparkly heels.