General comments:

The cut of this bra is supposed to be a combination of the CH style (which I love) and the HP style (which I haven't tried). For some obscure reason I was a bit sceptical whether it would work for me, but as this CHP style is supposed to be one Ewa Michalak's new 'flag ship' styles I was willing to give it a try. Besides, the design wowed me when I first saw it presented online so even though I really don't need another padded bra, I went ahead and ordered it. Now, I was really 'craving' a CHP Cappuccino, but that one wasn't readily available ... in my size. This plum-coloured CHP Amethyst seemed quite delectable too though, so into my shopping basket it went.

Bra description:

A very beautiful bra of 'plum-coloured' shiny knit partially overlaid with a beautiful, black, floral lace. The centre gore is embellished with a black satin bow and a precious-looking ring-shaped 'jewel' threaded with plum satin lace. The straps are partially overlaid with black lace as well that is, again, threaded with plum satin lace. A small black satin bow adorns the points where the 'lace' parts connect to the elastic parts of the straps. The cups are lightly padded and the wings are made of a double layer of stretch mesh, the bottom one firm, the top one thinner.

It really is quite pretty, although it's somehow not quite what I expected. Maybe it's the colour that isn't as deep as I'd like, or maybe it's the fabric that isn't as 'satiny' as I thought it would be ... ? I don't know, but paired with the little sparkly centre gore embellishment -- again, it's really really quite lovely -- it just isn't quite 'me'. Also, I just hate the lacy parts of the straps. They are very similar to the ones on the HM Fioletowy Krokodyl I tried and they are equally uncomfortable: as they are quite wide-spaced they chafe me badly. I don't think they are wider spaced than the ones on the HM Gold, CH Onyx or PL Onyks that I have so it really is just the material that bothers me to no end.

Bra fit:

First, as to sizing, this CHP style seems to run BIG. I suspected something based on reviews I read and ordered it in what seems to be my size in the HM style: 65DD. Size-wise I think this indeed isn't that far off: it fits fairly similar as my PL Onyks in 65E, so compared to that one I'd say it runs at least half a cup size large.

The band is quite firm, but clearly looser than the band on my PL Onyks. It feels more or less the same as the band on my HM Gold (measurement-wise there indeed isn't that much difference), but somehow it feels more 'slippy'. However, I don't think I could consider going down a band size in this style ... it feels the band just isn't going to stay in place if I wear it longer than a couple of minutes, but one size down will probably be too tight. Ah, the curse of being exactly in between bandsizes *rolls eyes*

Sadly, my initial scepticism was proven right: this cut just doesn't work for me. Oddly enough it reminds me way more of how the PL Onyks fits me than the CH or HM, although the seaming pattern is almost identical to the CH. However, I get pretty spectacular gapping at the cup edges (worse towards the straps) and my soft-ish breasts want to spill towards centre -- somewhat similar to what happens with my PL Onyks, which just isn't ideal for my shape, although it fits significantly better than this CHP https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> It seems to fit reasonably okay when I've just put it on and adjusted myself (especially on my smaller left side), but as soon as my breasts 'settle' the gapping and spilling fest starts. Another strange thing is that the cups of the CHP Ametyst want to slip down and I end up with empty space above the wire and a fold in the bottom. I didn't really notice this happening on my PL Onyks, but the band on that one is clearly tighter and the cups seem to have more projection, so maybe that's what's keeping everything in place better? Anyway, I don't get any of these issues with my CH Onyx, so I don't really know what's up with that -- it suggests the cups of the CHP are shallower in the bottom than what works for my breasts OR the wires are somehow differently shaped causing 'orange-in-a-glass'. From what I can tell, the wires are quite comparable to the wires of my 60F CH and 65E PL, so it's more likely the first reason: cups too shallow for my breasts.

Conclusion:

This one is going back as it really doesn't work for me *snif* The cup edges gap in the way a size smaller won't solve: that would only make my breasts spill towards the centre even more. Besides, the wires in this size are quite okay for me -- I really don't want them any narrower or shorter. A size larger is no option either as that would just make the cups huge -- I'm very petite and the cups on this one already come up just a bit too high for comfort.

As far as comparing it to other Ewa Michalak styles: to me it seems most similar to the PL style, which is weird as CHP is supposed to be a blend of the two half-cup styles CH and HP. It has slightly less projection than PL though and comes up a little higher in the cups, which is maybe why I have gained new appreciation for the way PL fits me (I've been wearing it again today, and really, it isn't half bad!), even though it still isn't the most ideal style for me. The cut of the CHP just 'doesn't cut it' for me. Another real plus of the PL style over the CHP is that is comes with removable 'cookies' to correct my asymmetry.

I'm somehow oddly disappointed -- I am set to love Ewa Michalak as I have my HM Gold and my CH Onyx (one bandsize too small) which are close to yet not even entirely perfect. PL is a good third, although it comes with a couple more imperfections, but that can't be all there is, can it? (*) I grovel an beg Ewa Michalak: "PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT DISCONTINUE THE CH STYLE!!!" Although it has it's own issues, I have yet to find a padded half cup style that works even half as well for me and this CHP is nowhere near a 'fitting' replacement.

(*) And that's why I'm seriously considering getting into the business of bespoke bra-making https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" />
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Updated on Nov 23, 2012 Flag this

This bra was too good a deal to pass up on eBay although I had a hunch that it wouldn't work out for me, which ended up being true. As with my other CHP adventure, I would fit better in a size several cups up than my normal/Cleo 32GG.

the bra is super pretty, obviously, and the fabrics are soft and comfortable to wear. I'm surprised it doesn't have the padding at the bottom, as it seems like a good model to have that feature.

The gore is about an inch from tacking at the top. And while the cups cover my nipples, there is definitely signs of ... quadboob and I'm a bit afraid I would bubble out of it. I didn't try a shirt on over it, but I'm sure it provides the same uplift and cleavage that EM is known for.

Alas, I really do need super projected cups with even more bottom cup depth and even narrower wires, and would probably work better in a BM, maybe S or SM model (maybe HM/HP? I don't know much about those), so this will likely soon be listed for sale.
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Updated on Mar 18, 2015 Flag this

This bra fits great; my only complaint is that the band is a little too big for me. This may be because it is an older model, and I got it used, in combination with Ewa's older models typically having looser bands.

I'm normally about a 65E/60F in Ewa's CH/CHP's, but I think the Ametyst runs a little more like a 70DD. I'd say the cup is pretty true to size, but since this is an older style, it's a teensy more full coverage and less boobs-in-your-chin than some of the newer styles.

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Updated on Aug 26, 2014 Flag this

The looks are absolutely stunning from the weaved ribbon detail in the straps to the lovely lace overlay.

The fit is what you'd expect from a mix of HP and CH, but it's definitely leaning a lot on the CH side. It's not quite as open on top as CH but pretty similar.

The center gore doesn't tack. I think it's because I have more center fullness than the bra is designed for, not because it's small. When I press the center gore against my chest there is a bit of breast tissue bubbling over the edge but everywhere else the edge is gaping a touch, so it's borderline too big if anything.

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Updated on Jun 29, 2014 Flag this

I like the design of the bra. It looks sophisticated, classic and elegant. It's like more of a burgundy color, which I like. The band is actually stretchy and confortable. It's true to size, eh? The straps are far apart, but it doesn't actually slip. I'm not sure with that for now though, as I just got it and tried it on for the first time. I get a slight quadboob after scooping and swooping, but I think I'll get more gaping if I have the next cup size. But so far, this is one of the best-fitting bras I've ever had and the most comfortable one too.

Updated on Feb 27, 2014 Flag this

This is the only bra I've ever owned that honest-to-goodness truly fits my shape without gaping, sagging, squishing, or pinching anywhere. The open top and half-cup height work really well for the high-projection-but-really-short top parts of my boobs, although it fits me much more like a 3/4 or full cup balconette than a half-cup. The cups are narrow enough toward the roots to provide good side support (my biggest support issue) while still having enough forward-facing depth to accommodate my immediate projection. I also really like the look of the black lace over dark purple satin, and the lace pattern is flat enough that it doesn't show through my shirts. The only complaint I have is that the edging on the shoulder straps can chafe if I'm moving around a lot.

Updated on Oct 30, 2013 Flag this

Me: soft, FOB, somewhat empty on top

This is finally a half-cup I can wear (with reservations). Please excuse the photos - I realized after uploading that I kind of had the bra on stupid because I was in a hurry - it does fit better than it looks on the sides.

The CHP comes up higher over my breasts than the CH which means it feels more secure. I might, however, size down a cup next time because there is little difference between the two sizes and I think it would improve breast mounding and shape (as I think EM bras look better when a little ... small vs. a little large on my soft breasts).

The band on this one is very stretchy and I am already on the second hooks, but it seems to be holding steady here. Otherwise, the dark wine colored fabric peeking through is very subtle and I like all of the little details EM uses. But for some reason, this bra doesn't feel as high quality as all my others. I still think it quite lovely though.

On the upside, my husband noticed the shape of my breasts immediately, haha. They are very round and forward and look great with a scoopneck top.
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Updated on Aug 12, 2013 Flag this

I ordered CHP Ametyst with CHP Milady. Theorethically they are twin models, the only differences are the lace covering the cups and the front part of the band, and the colour of the cups underneath. Despite identhical construction, I realised after trying it on that the fit is completely different.

The first and the most important difference is in flexible underwires. They are not resistant enough to give a good support to my breast in my opinion. The cups are not to small, but the center gore sometimes doesn't lay flat against the sternum because it can't support the weight of my breast. As a result, the shape it gives is less rounded in profile.

As in Milady, the band is very stretchy and loose, I have to fasten it on the last hook most of the time.

Put aside all these fit issues, it's still a very beautiful bra.

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Updated on Jul 22, 2013 Flag this

This bra felt way bigger on me than it perhaps should have been, likely because of the more open cut on the top. Either way, it was definitely too big, and it had the same comfort issues as its PL counterpart-- pretty lace detailing on the straps not feeling very pretty against my skin.

For anyone at the edge of Ewa Michalak's size range, I'd definitely recommend trying a CH or CHP style if you want to try and squeeze into something, because it definitely had more room for error than you'd find in the PLs.

Also, the band on this felt far more stretchy than the PL Ametyst-- a bit more than you'd expect from a 70 band, actually. The pictures for this had me in it at the loosest hook, but for all-day wear, I'd definitely have to go in one or two hooks to feel secure.

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Updated on Jan 30, 2013 Flag this

I like the CHP shape from EM. It's rounded and projected up front, and with narrow yet deep enough cups for my shape. The top edge is open and so avoids quadboob for me. The center gore is high enough to keep me from falling in to the center, which happens to me in the PL-styles. The straps are fully adjustable but not slippery. The only disappointment for me is that the band and side panels are very stretchy, and so I can wear the bra comfortably on the smallest hook new. I'm going to have to tailor it down once it stretches from wear, but does fit quite comfortably on that smallest hook otherwise. I'd say go down a band size if you like a firm or snug band.

Updated on Dec 08, 2012 Flag this