Ereshiy

This bra was very firm in the back, which is certainly a plus for me with my 27" underbust. I actually started this out on the loosest hook for once. Unlike what other women have said, I found it to me more than spacious enough in the cup with a lovely shape and soft padding. Straps are too wide for my shoulders, but this is a common theme.

Bra looks great underneath thin tops and other fussy outfits as the seams are almost invisible.

After owning the bra for several months, I have noticed that the underwires have been designed for someone who is wider than me. A lot wider. ... The wires extend all the way back & around to the flat portion of my back. Also, as a colour comment, placing the white trim on the nude bra & the nude trim on the white bra seems to defeat the purpose of t-shirt, as being busty, my shirts are nearly always stretched & the trim can be quite visible. The bra itself is still in good shape, but I think this style would work better in a size which isn't at the bottom of the band sizes & top of the cup sizes, if the crazy width of my underwires is anything to go by.


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Updated on Apr 02, 2013 Flag this

Wow- this is a generous bra. To put this in perspective, I found that a 32J in most Cleo bras is a tad small in the cup, whereas this is spot on for me in cup volume. You may want to consider getting one-two cup sizes down from your normal Cleo size.

The bra is a three-piece balconette, with the cups made out of a very sturdy fabric- there's almost no give in it at all. There's a small bird charm in the centre to match the bird print fabric, which is a very nice touch. There's two rows of hooks in three columns on the fastening, which is ... normal for Cleo, although I certainly wouldn't say no to the extra stability of a third row, especially in the larger cup sizes. I'm not really a dark bra person, but I'm also a realist, and this bra was a pretty good fit so I'm sure I'll get used to the navy with red trim after a while.

The band is too long for me, and rides up a little even on the tightest hook (which is unsurprising, as I'd ideally wear a very snug 28 or 26 band). The straps are too wide-set, and will wander off my shoulders unless I use something like a racerback converter. The wires are a touch wide, and there's not quite enough immediate projection in the bra, leading to a bit of wrinkling around the bottom and side of the cups.

However, the shape it gives me is very centred- I have almost no breast tissue at my sides, which is unusual for a bra in this size. It's definitely a very uplifted shape, which some people may consider a bit pointy, but I think that I rather like it. The sturdy fabric is a plus for me, as it feels very supportive. I know some people with upper fullness have said that the bra cuts in on the top, and while my breasts are fuller on the top, they have a lot of projection for their height, and so this works quite well. I'd say it's a good bra for short boobs.

I'm planning to alter the band and the straps a little to improve the fit, and I'll add some more notes to this review after I've worn the bra for a while.
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Updated on Jun 11, 2013 Flag this

On my continuing quest to figure out my best Ewa Michalak size, this is Bezyk number 3 I've tried. In this size, the cup is made of 4 parts, has fully adjustable straps & fastens with 3 rows of 4 columns of hooks.

Fitwise for me, this still isn't quite right, and leads me to suspect I in fact may not have a best size. Unlike the 70J I tried which had good height and width and was too shallow, this bra is slightly too wide, a bit too tall, and is still too shallow. I thought it may be wearable, but my excess depth just seems to escape ... the bra during the day. The band was too long for me, and I realised to take it in enough to feel stable, I'd need to move the straps, which would make it an irreversible alteration. My straight ribcage doesn't get on well with Ewa's bands which are cut for a tapered ribcage.

I got this used from another Bratabaser and it's still in good condition. The bra hasn't stretched out with wear. It gives the lovely S shape and the straps are stable, even with my heavy breasts.
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Updated on Feb 05, 2014 Flag this

Wow, I must say this is another of Ewa Michalak's bras where the pictures don't do justice to quite how lovely it is. In this size range, the S cut has a 4 part cup and fastens with 3 rows of 4 columns of hooks. It comes with 'push-up' pads for asymmetry correction or an extra boost. The straps are fully adjustable multi-way straps.

I'm pretty sure I could just fill this whole review with how pretty this bra is. It's a pearly white colour with a lace overlay on the cups. There's a satin bow at the gore with a 'pearl' drop. Ewa Michalak consistently seems to design ... bras which really appeal to me. I think this would be beautiful bridal lingerie, which could be wonderful for those of us at the larger end of the cup scale who are limited in options.

I ordered the 70 band to avoid getting the 20 PLN custom charge and so the fact that the band is a bit longer than I'd prefer is no suprise (my ideal UK band size would be 26/28). This band has a slightly shorter stretched length than other EM bras which I've tried in a 70, but it's still stretchy and not firm on me. I have the usual problem where I end up with gapping at the top of the band because of the way that it's cut, it's just a body shape incompatibility issue. I've come to terms with the fact that I will never get a good fit in any EM size, but this seems to be wearable if I shorten the band. I'd really like wires which are a bit narrower, although these aren't so wide as to cause major fit issues. The straps are sturdy and almost remind me of Freya straps (hopefully they're just as comfortable). They're also quite a bit too wide-set in the up and down configuration, but as I can wear them crossed over, that would help with that issue (though I personally find that cross-over has its own set of problems under clothing). The bra comes with straps which can be worn both crossed over and up and down. I'd think you could wear the bra as a halterneck if you had the correct strap to do so, but it wouldn't be suitable to be worn as a strapless (I tried, the cups flop forward and slide down).

Cups are pretty much impossible for me. I need the height and width in EM of a 60K or equivalent sister size, but I need the depth of a 60M or equivalent sister size. What happens in this bra is the extra projection of my breasts and the overly tall apex of the bra means that the tissue just ends up spilling into the middle and I gap at the sides (sometimes I wish I could mark 'cuts in on top' and 'wrinkles on top' at the same time because I do both). I can also get problems with breast torque, because my breasts trying to push the cups out for more depth means the underwires can roll under a bit and stab me. With the push-up pads in, it doesn't seem to affect the maximum depth of the bra, but it does mean that I'm lifted up a bit more which reduces gaping at the top. The gore floats and pushing it in, it's super obvious that I need more depth in the bra. I'm feeling like this may be the best compromise in padded styles, but it's not an ideal situation by any means.

I also got matching briefs in size 36 (marked on the site as equivalent to 8 UK), and tried out the garter belt in 34/36, but sadly that has to go to my sister. I don't get on well with garter belts anyway because of my unusual hip shape, but this one with the ribbon ties is a bit more forgiving than most. The briefs are a bit taller than I'd like, but my body shape is really unusual in that all the width of my hips is up much higher than normal and I can really only wear underpants which are quite short or I get the choice between muffin top or a baggy bottom. I think that they're a little on the firm side and I'd suggest going for the larger of your preferred sizes to avoid cutting in. 36 seems to be the best size for me though, and unlike some other fancy matching underpants I've tried, these seem to be quite comfortable and 'breathe'. Both pants and garter belt are simply gorgeous with the same detailing as the bra.

I've found that the multiway straps aren't really very suitable, because they're so wide-set and that combined with heavy breasts mean that they have a tendency to fly off at inappropriate times. I'd think possibly replacing the straps, or sewing them down at the back may help with this issue. It is also possible that people with wider shoulders than me may not have so many troubles with the straps detaching themselves inappropriately.


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Updated on Oct 18, 2014 Flag this

This bra is a 3-piece style, with 3 rows of 3 columns of hooks. The straps are fully adjustable.

I got the Gia in Seafoam from another bratabaser, as I keep deluding myself into thinking that I can get a good fit in Curvy Kate bras. This colourway is the new cut for larger cup sizes, and while better than styles I have tried in the past, it's still too wide for me and too shallow in the centre.

I love the colour of the bra, and also the detailing of a small ruffle near the clasps in fabric which matches the top section of the bra cup.

The material of ... the band is very stretchy! It actually sits flat on me, despite the fact that in an ideal world I'd wear a 26 band. However, it has no real purchase whatsoever, so it doesn't provide any support.

I've indicated that the straps don't adjust to be short enough, though to be honest that's hard to gauge as the side of the bra cups is too high under my arms. I have a lot of excess width at the side of the cups, and not enough space in the centre, so I quad out of the cups.

I'm not sure if the fabric for this particular bra was faulty or poor quality, but after minimal wear, the powermesh has puckered up, like a bra which has been used for a very long time.

Overall, I'd say that the new CK cuts have the same kind of shaping as the old ones, with a wire width which is comparable to Panache superbra.
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Updated on Aug 01, 2013 Flag this

I have to admit I went into mild shock when I got my Ariza out of its packaging. The photos I've seen of the violet mix colourway just don't do justice to how bright this bra is. If you like very flamboyant colours, this may be a bra for you.

The colour of the bra aside, it's a 3 piece balconette made with the usual Panache sturdiness. The straps are relatively thin for a bra of this size, and only half adjustable, with the buckles sliding down towards your back instead of up towards your shoulders.

Some good things about the bra? The band on it is thick and very ... sturdy underneath your breasts. While it is fairly stretchy, it still seems as though it would be supportive when not stretched out a lot. The wires don't distort much with wear, which can be a hard thing to achieve in large cup sizes.

Unfortunately though, it's just not the right fit for me. The underwires are so tall and wide that they poke me under the arms. This throws out the shape of the cup so I have baggy sides and bottom of the cup, and not enough room in the centre, where I spill out. The gore is unpleasantly wide on my very close-set breasts, and so sits out and against my breast tissue. The band is too long for me, which is unsurprising as I sized up to get a good cup volume. I also found that the straps didn't adjust to be short enough, and owing to the design of the adjustment, I couldn't readily make them any shorter.

I feel like this could be a wonderful bra for someone with a slightly larger frame and lower set breasts than I have. It seems as though the overall design could be quite comfortable if the bra was the right shape for your body. Panache does know how to make very large cup bras, it's just that they don't seem to make them for me.
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Updated on Jun 25, 2013 Flag this

In this size range, the Porcelanka has a 4-piece cup (3 vertical seamed sections with a horizontal section on top), partially adjustable straps, and it fastens with 3 rows of 4 columns of hooks.

I've previously had a Porcelanka in a different size (70K), and this is unsurprisingly fairly similar. One noteable difference though is that the straps seem to be nearly .5 cm wider in this model. I'm not sure if this is a general design change owing to the difference between purchase dates, or a size specific difference.

The colour is described as cocoa beige on the website, and I'd say that's a fairly good description. I think ... it would be a very good match for cool-toned fair skin. It's not a perfect match for my warm-toned fair skin, but it's still low-key under light coloured shirts. The lace is somewhat problematic though, both because it's only been stitched on top so it can flip up during wear, and also the different colour and texture is often quite visible under a t-shirt. I'd say that the overall look is functional but elegant. It's not one of EM's prettiest bras, but it's still quite appealing for a t-shirt bra.

This is a larger sister size of my preferred size, so the band is too long, and while it doesn't actually ride up, the relationship between the straps and my back is all wrong, so there's giant loose sections between the underwire and the strap at the back of the bra. The wires, while not so wide as to be uncomfortable, are definitely too wide for my narrow rooted breasts. I've found the partially adjustable straps frustrating on two counts, firstly because they don't really alter to be short enough, and secondly, the front section which is made of the same light padding as the bra cup doesn't seem to be very sturdy, and often digs in and warps, despite the straps being overly long. The straps are also set much too far apart for my narrow frame, but this is sadly normal for bras in this size range.

It seems to me like these sizes which were part of the S size expansion have even taller cups in relation to the depth than existing sizes. This is a bit of a problem for me, because of how short-rooted my breasts are. If you look at the pictures, the bra easily looks 2-3 cup sizes too big, but my 70K is clearly 3 or so sizes too small in the cup (and is 3 cup volumes smaller). It's basically impossible to capture in an image, but I actually fill the bottom 2/3 of the bra perfectly well, and it creates slight uplift.

I'm going to attempt alterations, and plan to add some more notes to the review after I've worn the bra for a while.
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Updated on Dec 10, 2014 Flag this

NB: This bra is a prototype and may not reflect the finished product.

I have been exceptionally fortunate and was sent a second slightly different prototype of the Aubergine. I've already reviewed the bra (see my other entry), but this version has green straps and clasp instead of the black of the initial bra.

This version is also a reduced cup and still has fully adjustable straps and fastens with 4 columns of 3 rows of hook and eyes. The cup and wing fabric is identical (and very nice).

While the basics are the same, I have found that the green elastic is slightly more stretchy than the black, making the ... band on the longer side for me (it's currently most comfortable on the second or third hook), and the straps are a little flimsier. I think that the green straps must be a little longer as I've found them slightly too long even fully shortened for my high-set breasts.

If I wear the band on a comfortable hook, the fit of this bra is similar (nice cup depth, cups a little tall for my short breasts, gore doesn't quite tack, straps much too far apart).

I think that I prefer the appearance of this version, but the version with the black elastic is a little sturdier, and therefore more comfortable for my very heavy, projected breasts.
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Updated on Feb 04, 2015 Flag this

The Freya Pier really seems as though it's the best of a bad bunch when it comes to swimwear over a J cup (Curvy Kate cup shape not that great on me, Panache wires far too tall). It's an underwired bikini top, and it fastens with a swimwear clasp. The straps are fully adjustable.

Personally, I like my swimwear to have some coverage, and I also don't care for dark colours, but I wanted to be able to swim and feel contained, so this is what I've opted for. Polkadots are cute, but I would prefer a brighter background and really wish the Pier tankini came up to a ... K cup.

The actual lift the bikini provides is great and the shape is quite flattering. I'd prefer a much thicker back band, and could honestly pass on the swimwear clasp and go for something which is a bit more adjustable to prolong the wear. I may be slight, but I'm not skinny, and the thin band creates some back bulges I could live without. The band is a little on the long side, but I like my bands to be quite firm, and I also think that possibly a wider band would answer just as well for support.

The cups are borderline too small on me, and so the gore doesn't tack. The wires are very wide, and like most Freya offerings, a bit on the flimsy side, but I don't hold swimwear to the same standards as things I'd wear everyday, so this isn't the end of the world. I think that in an ideal world, I'd get my best fit in a 28KK in this top, but that size isn't made.

I tried the matching bottoms for this, which I found to be a very poor cut for me. As they're neither long enough to be true high-waisted pants or short enough to be briefs, the smaller sizes I'd take in briefs (XS/S) cut into my tummy, but the larger sizes I'd take in high-waisted pants (M/L) hang off my legs because the legholes are cut too wide. This situation isn't uncommon for me in pants because of my aggressively heart-shaped hips, but it does mean I plan to get some swimmer bottoms cut in briefs style to wear with the top instead.

I'm planning to add some more notes to this review after I've worn the top for a while.
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Black colorway

Updated on Jan 16, 2014 Flag this

Another lovely S cut bra from Ewa Michalak. The bra in this size has a cup made of 4 parts, with partially adjustable straps, and fastens with 3 rows of 4 columns of hooks. The straps are half made of the lightly padded foam which makes up the bra cup, and the rest is a regular strap (similar to that used on the SM Bezyk).

The colour is described as cocoa beige on the site, and I think it would be nude on someone with a cool skin tone. It's a bit of a mismatch on my warm fair skin, but it's not especially noticeable under a shirt. What ... does show up is the lace decoration on the top of the cup. It's only been sewn on one side, and so it can flip up during wear. It also is a much lighter colour than the rest of the bra. I may just take the lace off if it bothers me too much. It does add an extra touch to the bra which is quite nice, but it isn't very practical for a bra which I bought to wear under light coloured clothing. I like the overall appearance, but I'd choose something a bit plainer for a nude bra personally.

The bra cups are just a bit too tall under my arms to be comfortable, and while the straps are very comfortable to wear with the light padding, they're just a bit too long to take up the slack of the too tall cups. They're also rather wide set, which is pretty common amongst all EM bras I've tried. The band is too long, but I ordered off the dropdown with the intention of taking in the bra. I normally wear a 28 band in UK brands, and if I could readily get them, I'd most likely opt for a 60 band in EM, as I like (and require) a firm band to hold my breasts in place. The cups are both too shallow and too tall, but probably the best balance between the two, owing to my large disparity (I've worked out that in EM I need the height of a 60K and the depth of a 60M or comparable volumes, so this is in the middle).

Edit: I ended up taking the lace off the top of the cups, which was a fairly easy 15 minutes with an unpicker and made the bra a lot more low-key under tops. With band alterations, the straps were more centred and the band was more comfortable. I'm basically always happy with the durability of EM bras and this is no exception, still able to be worn on the loosest hook (post alteration) after several months of wear. The cups are too shallow, and so the wires dig in a bit with wear, but with my sizing dilemma, I didn't mind this as an uplift/cleavage bra until my breasts grew again, firmly sizing me out of this bra even without scooping.
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Updated on Dec 09, 2014 Flag this