Help with Ewa Michalak please! (long-ish)
Ok, so I had previously assumed that I had no business trying EM bras because I need pretty wide wires, and EM is said to run narrow. However, with the new sizing info I have from the ratios getting calculated in the Brabratory post, I'm thinking that actually it may be worth a shot.
It turns out I am wide, yes, but also quite deep, which really just means much bigger cups than I had been trying, in companies with narrower wires, and that my boobs are indeed very, very large for my frame (which I kinda knew already), and really just wide in relation to my body. (Also, really, this is because my underbust is the absolute smallest part of my torso, and I have very little back fat, though I am larger over all everywhere else. I wish I was bigger around the underbust, it would make this a lot easier!)
I think I will be better off with the higher center gore plunges that t_maia mentioned will be released, because my breasts are soft, however I'd kind of like to try a few of the regular PL's just in case they might work, and so that I can know what size I will need when the Superplunges are released. (man I wish I could read Polish, so I could read the EM blog! Google translate results are not so intelligible, lol
I think my breasts are least soft in the middle, so I'm hoping this may have a chance of something working.
So, I'd love some help with sizing, styles to pick, and ordering info!
Ok, so sizing: The EM size calculator says 85KK. Now, I think that 85 will certainly be too big in the band for me, however, the KK seems to be the largest cup being regularly stocked, so I think I will try something in this bigger band initially, so I have the option of returning, and then once I know the cup is good, get a special order in 80L, or whatever size will be right. However I know that often the size calculator is said to be not so great, so I'd love any advice about whether 85KK would be a good starting size. The biggest cups people have listed on here are in the 75KK/80K/85JJ set of sister sizes, so I can't tell directly what the cup width and depth of 85KK will be like, but comparing how the sizes increase for the ones that are listed on here suggests that 85KK/80L *may* be correct. (I need around 8-8.5" cup width.)
Probably the best comparison for size would be to Panache Jasmine. I have this in 32K. The wires are a bit too narrow (dig into breast tissue on the side), and I think the cup is 1-2(?) sizes small. The stretch lace makes it quite forgiving, though, so it works well enough. The band is snug, but after wearing with an extender about 4 times, is mostly comfortable on the loosest hook. I generally wear my bands quite tight in order to provide enough support. I like a band that stretches to 34.5-36" or so. (Bratabase wants to put me in a 36 band, which is usually much too big, but I think it might be right for EM? 34's are either ok at first but very quickly too loose or too loose immediately -- see Panache Tango Luxe 34K I tried recently -- unless they run super tight, like Bravissimo Melrose-based fullcups.)
(I don't have a picture of me wearing the Jasmine right now, but I will try to get one soon. See 34K Bravissimo Linear Rose and Fleur, those are me, if that's any help.)
One concern I have is that I have discovered I need the cups to be very deep right at the bottom against the wire, or else they won't sit right. I don't know if this will be a problem in plunges or not. I'm pretty sure one of the other shapes would work better if they came in my size, but PL is what's available, so it's work with that, or nothing.
I also generally do best with a shallow side support panel, because the side section of my breasts is much shallower, with most of my volume being forward projection, and just a small amount of breast tissue extending towards my armpits. I don't know if this means I shouldn't bother with EM or not, I have no idea what the vertical-seamed shape will be like on me.
So the models that are currently available in 85KK are (all PL):
Milady, Stalowka, Ametyst, Cappucino, Karmelki, Onyks, Cielus, Lilia, Toffik, Black
(none of these are partial band, right? cuz that definitely doesn't work for me.)
Any thoughts on which ones might be worth trying? I'm leaning towards Onyks for sure, but I'd like to order maybe 3-4, especially if there are some that fit differently, if I'm going to bother, I might as well get as much info as possible. I definitely want to avoid any with very narrow straps. (I see that some reviews mention this being a problem on certain models.) Do any of these run particularly deeper at the bottom of the cup? Straps set closer in? Band tighter? Any other thoughts?
Lastly, does anyone have any tips or info on ordering from the USA? (or links to blog posts about this topic? I feel like I read something, but I don't remember where.) Will I definitely get my money back from a return as long as I follow the instructions?
I've gotten to a point where I kinda feel like, well, I've tried everything else, I might as well try this!
Am I totally crazy to think this is worth a shot? Help please! Should I try it?
50 comments
I definitly think it's worth a shot. What I really appreciate with Ewa Michalak is that the bras are made so that they get deeper right away from where the wider is. There are no areas around the wire with absolutly no depth at all as some brands have.
You will only be able to return if you order a bra that you can find from the drop down menu. If so, you only order like normal, put it in the basket etc, pay etc. Remember that there is a 6% Paypal fee. If you want a bra other than what is available there you won't be able to return it.
In your size PL (or in the future PLS) are the only bras currently available in anything close to your size. All PLs are cut exactly the same, though some have pads for assymetry (removable), some have fully adjustable straps, some have partly adjustable straps and then there is a difference in material.
This means that they are all exactly as deep at the bottom, and the straps are at the same position.
Band tighter will definitly be at some bras. The problem is that even this is random. The PL Black has always had a bigger band, plus the cups are a bit stretchy, which both means that it moulds better, but also that it, atleast in my experience streches a bit so that more weight ends up at my shoulders.
Remember that in your size you'll get the center gore height that is on the CurvyWordy blog, as you'll be in the larger-cup section so it won't be as low as in the three-piece cup pictures you've seen here.
I would also probably suggest to aim at your regular 34-band, especially if some 34s turn up too loose after some time, and then order an extender when you place your order. Either one from EM, or get a set of eBay. Some bras will most likely be slightly too small in the band, so then it might be better to aim at slightly tight and then use the extender to get an extra set of eyes.
@Nesoa Thank you so much!
This is very helpful info, good to know that the shapes run basically the same, and which things to look at for variations.
I definitely expect that I may well wind up in 34/75. (I have some extenders already, I pretty much always try on new bras with an extender so as not to damage them in the very likely case I wind up returning, since I do like the band tighter, so I'm all set there. :) Actually sometimes I just make my own from old bras!)
The reason I'm thinking of ordering the 38/85KK is that the KK seems to be the largest cup size showing any results in the drop-down menu (36L and 34LL are there, but get no results) and like you said, I want to make sure I start with something that can be returned. I figured this way I could at least get an idea if this cup size is right, and then special order 80L/75LL or 80LL/75M or whatever seems like it will be good, once I have some idea of how it will fit me. Does that make sense? I feel like I've seen this suggested to others before, and it seems like it makes sense, since I don't really want to order something non-returnable right away!
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