This review is for the Katherine Hamilton Sophia Lace Balconette bra in 32GG, color Ginger. My ABTF size is 32G/GG UK (or more) depending on projection.

Band:
* Stretchy. Has 3 hooks by 3 columns.

Wires:
* Very comfortable; very narrow at 5.75 inches wide in the 32GG.

Cups:
* 3 part cup, balconette. The bottom has an inner mesh lining and one vertical seam. The top is a continuation of the lace layer that's over the whole cup. The lace has a seamless edge at the neckline which should lay flat (no elastic). There is a stretch silk quarter cup sling on the outside that is decorative (not intended to ... support).

Straps:
* The straps are half adjustable. The front half of the straps are the same silk as the sling.

Fabric:
* The Ginger color is rich. The lace and the silk are both soft; very nice. This is the most beautiful bra I've seen in person and I attribute it to the silk.

Hardware:
* The hardware is gold, which I normally never go for but with the Ginger fabric it's perfect.

About me: very close set (breasts touch), very narrow roots, very projected at the wire, full on bottom, short roots, soft tissue, significant rib flares, narrow shoulders.

FIT

* The band length was fine but quite stretchy. While I did measure it stretched to 32 before wire distortion, it could easily go further with some wire distortion. I agree with others that it's very stretchy.
* The wires are comfortable when standing but I have rib flares and they dug in quite a bit when I sat. I think it's a projection issue, not a wire issue.
* The gore tacked nicely. It was narrow enough for me at .75 inches, but I still might prefer to overlay the wires.
* The cups were a bit confusing to evaluate. (See my pics to understand.)The bra is meant for someone more full on top than I am, but it also had a bit of an indentation above the horizontal seam. Perhaps it's for someone less conical than me. It also didn't have enough immediate projection for me. (I think I'll need custom wires.)
* The straps are long enough but barely, and I'm quite short at 5'4".
* The sides are a comfortable height for me.

OVERALL IMPRESSION
* What a beautiful bra! I loved it from the moment I opened the box. If only it fit my projection needs I would order so many of them!

From the KH website:

Vintage charm meets modern wearability in our signature Sophia collection. This luxurious balconette bra is made from delicate French lace with overlaid pure silk cups. Bespoke underwires and a mesh lining help to enhance lift and comfort. Timelessly elegant, it’s a style that will endure seasons to come. Pair with the matching high-waisted knickers and suspender belt for all-out glamour.

• French lace
• Stretch silk quarter cup
• Made in Latvia
• Designed in the UK
• Non padded
• Metal ring detail
• Hook fastenings
• Delicate wash in lingerie wash bag, flat dry
• Available in Black, Ivory, Blush, Ginger or Red
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Ginger colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Feb 13, 2021 Flag this

This bra is very comfortable and provides excellent support.
It is the only bra I have found which gives an excellent shape without any padding.
The satin overlay I think makes it look unique and also provides an extra layer of support.
It feels luxurious and very feminine.

Ivory colorway

Updated on Oct 07, 2016 Flag this

My stats for reference:
5'3, 26HH, FOT, tall and narrow roots, center full, projected, super close set and average root placement (high set, low set etc.)


Look:
This bra is so pretty! It has an almost bridal vibe. The silk slings add a touch of luxury. Definitely an "investment" piece that should be worn under a white version of one of those "my rich husband died of mysterious circumstances" robes.

Fit:
Why have you betrayed me so!? I was so excited to have a pure white unlined bra to ruin and discolor under pretty sundresses while I'm sweating my balls off in 90° heat this summer! But this bra wouldn't cooperate with ... my ideas. The gore is far too high and wide for me. The cups are too wide and are slightly shallow. Not enough to make them unprojected, just less projected than I personally need. I'd say it's great for average width and average projection. The wires slide down on me and the upper cups dig into my roots, creating quadboob on both sides. The straps are halfway adjustable, I have them almost fully extended, this bra could not accommodate someone taller or lower set than me.  The straps are also and super wide set for me.  I can handle wide set straps most of the time by angling them in. But that amplified the pain from the plastic loops on my tail of spence, completing the trifecta of torture that Katherine calls a bra. (Straps, gore, cup width). The band is pretty snug, definitely a true 26 band. Overall, this bra is a femme fatale, absolutely stunning, but it'll kill you slowly and painfully.
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This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Mar 09, 2021 Flag this

My stats: FOB, projected, center-full, narrow roots, close set (front-and-center boobs!).

My thoughts on this bra: I wrote that it "Fits" but it's totally unwearable.

The strap placement - I can't move my arms when I wear this bra.

The straps are not elastic, they're only about 1/3 elastic, which is in the back, hence they kind of strap my arms down.

So, I don't know how people wear this style. This style isn't TTS either, and this was *supposed* to be their style that runs true-to-size, (I guessed otherwise).

I marked it down as quality, poor, (2/5) because of the price.

Ivory colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Dec 05, 2021 Flag this

I am a fitting model, and so have had the opportunity to try this bra before it is released.

The Sophia bra is a beautiful piece of lingerie. When I first tried it on, I was astonished at how well it fitted me – it felt like it was made to measure. It’s light and comfortable (with no bits that dig in or rub!), and the construction of the cups gives a flattering forward-projected / lifted shape; the overlaid silk quarter-cup at each side is effective in adding support/lift. Despite not being padded, it creates a lovely silhouette.

You can see from the pictures that it’s a lovely bra, but when you actually hold the product in your hands, the quality of materials and craftsmanship is evident. Fine silk and exquisite lace give this piece a luxurious feel, but even other details (such as the mesh sides) are noticeably of very good quality.

Highly recommended!

Black colorway

Updated on May 30, 2016 Flag this

This is a really pretty bra, specially designed for people with smaller backs and larger breasts. The wires and material are really comfortable and the shape is great, especially as it is not padded. This company have really done their research and created a fab everyday, pretty bra that is comfortable and gives me confidence.

Black colorway

Updated on Feb 29, 2016 Flag this

I've been lucky enough to test fit the new Sophia in red for 2018 which is now available to pre-order for December (Christmas!)

They've changed the design of Sophia for the launch of the red colour with a new 'almond' colour invisible tulle cup liner which makes the cup look like it isn't lined at all. I think it makes the bra look much daintier...it's like they've managed to hide any structural bits of material so it looks much more delicate and the lace is now consistent throughout the cup. The whole cup is now lined as well (instead of just the bottom bit) making the shape very ... rounded.

They've loosened the silk sling because apparently some people found that it cut in. I never had that problem so can't really comment on it but it fits really nicely and doesn't cut in at all. Good news for anyone who didn't get on with the sling before though.

I can't fault the fit and shape and my breasts are really lifted (without a bra they're pretty droopy!). The wires work really well for me and my breasts just don't move in this bra. I can move about, jump around etc and everything stays secure https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" /> Very happy.
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Red colorway

Updated on Oct 30, 2017 Flag this

Ahhhhh this is the most gorgeous thing. IF ONLY THE CUPS WEREN'T VERY SLIGHTLY TOO SMALL. I'm going to open a bra fitting just to beg you folks to tell me it's okay, honestly. That's how much I love this bra and how reluctant I am to wait until the store opens for real in May.

The wires are narrow (5" across in this 30G), there is projection, the band is comfortable... everything looks and feels quite luxe, in my opinion. The matching panties are gorgeous.

And most of all, after a day of wearing a similarly-sized Fantasie Rebecca Spacer Moulded Bra (2024) (which is too wide and ... too shallow for me), and being uncomfortable much of the day... just putting this bra on was such a relief that I didn't really want to take it off to measure it. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" />

Also, I must compliment the staff, who initially responded to an email asking about their other line, Bosom Galore, and then directed me to this sister brand when I withered upon hearing that the BG bra I wanted most is somewhat shallow. We spent about a month with me occasionally sending them questions and them replying quickly, and then they helped me order this gorgeous little sample they had before their website was officially open for orders.

I will probably be ordering both the styles and colors they currently have. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" /> And then still wanting more.
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30:9 30G

Do I need to go up a cup size?

Katherine Hamilton Intimates

Sophia Bra

4 suggestions

Black colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Apr 05, 2016 Flag this

The depth is fine, but the cups and gore are too tall. I guess it's just a shape mismatch for me (functionally short/FOB).

Blush colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 21, 2021 Flag this

Apparently I still don't know what a proper fit looks like since I thought the 26F wasn't too bad, but this is so much better. Narrow, projected, true to size band, almost perfect. The cups are a bit too tall (I've heard this style is for taller roots) and closed for me, but it's pretty enough that I'm probably keeping it.

Update: Maybe it's tissue migration or just a slight size change, but now there's a little quadding on my larger side. Someday I'll try 26FF and 26G in another style.

Update 2: 26G was a better fit in the cups, but overall too tall/wide. They have pretty stuff, but I don't think KH is for me.

Blush colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Aug 02, 2021 Flag this