Allybra

This is one of the most beautiful bras I have ever seen. It sparks joy. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" />

I have been drooling over this for months, so when a boutique ran a 30% off promo for Cyber Monday, I snapped up one in my usual size. The sizing advice on the Katherine Hamilton page is oddly phrased, it is not clear if they are telling women to "go up a size" from their regular US size to end up in the equivalent UK size, or if they are saying to end up in a size up from your usual equivalent UK size. The way ... it is written is like it is giving different advice to US customers and everyone else. The few reviews I could find did not indicate that it ran particularly small, so I decided to go with my usual size. (32FF also seems to be the largest 32 band size carried by the boutique in this bra, so I would have had to sister size to get a larger cup.)

I am extremely pale, so the tulle does not blend into my skin, but it does not look bad, just no illusion of "only" embroidered cups. The internal side support sling is also obviously darker, very visible from the side. The rest of the embroidered cup blends a bit better, probably because the blue thread breaks up the beige expanse. The embroidery is not as obviously shimmering and two-toned in regular artificial light, but is still lovely. Between the embroidery and the darker (for me) mesh, my nipples and areola are not very visible. I generally wear nipple covers with unlined bras, but I do not think I will need to bother with them for this bra. I have rather prominent nipples, so it surprises me that there is little to no show-through. I still would not wear a tight or clingy shirt with this due to the embroidery.

The underwire is definitely shorter than average, which I find comfortable. If you need a lot of containment at the side, this may be problematic. The wires are a good width, I tend to prefer narrower wires. The gore is a bit high for my close-set breasts, and a bit wide, so I get one side twisting slightly and sitting on the breast. It is not necessarily uncomfortable (this happens in most non-plunge bras, so I am used to it), and it is not particularly noticeable visually, so I am prepared to put up with it. It is tacking and does not dig into my sternum. The band has 3 hooks in this size, the back band is a bit wider than in the pictures on the website (the model must be in a smaller size, as there are only 2 hooks), but it is not a massive difference.

Now for the bad news: the bra is a little too small. It is not quite projected enough at the wire, thanks to the tulle, you can SEE that the wire does not quite stay in my IMF. In addition, where the embroidered overlay is tacked onto the tulle "under-cup", I get a bit of in-cup quad-boob. It is not so obvious that it would show under a regular top or from a distance, but it is noticeable when I look down. It also exacerbates an apparent common problem with this bra. The overlay is sewn to the inner cup in a few places, and the tulle wrinkles/bubbles a bit between these spots. This happened on both sides, but was so bad on my left breast that I would actually classify it as defective. No matter how I pulled, arranged, tucked, or fluffed the bra and/or my breasts, the wrinkle/bubbles remained.

The boutique has a few bricks and mortar stores, so even though the bra was out of stock in my size online, I was able to track one down for an exchange. They had a 32FF and a 34FF, so I tried both to see how they fit. The wrinkle still existed in the "other" 32FF, but it was much less obvious. The wrinkling was least visible in the 34FF, but the tulle at the top was thisclose to being roomy, the frame was clearly too wide, and the band was too big. I could have worn it on the middle hooks or tighter, but I did not feel that the overall fit was better than the 32FF. I have a few more pounds to lose, so if I lose any fullness, the 34FF would be unwearable, whereas the 32FF might improve.

The saleswomen at the boutique said that the wrinkling/bubbling was a common problem with this bra (possibly with other Katherine Hamilton bras as well?), in multiple sizes. I do not know enough about sewing to know if it is a design flaw or a production technique flaw that could be fixed with different sized stitches or thread tension or something. There was enough of a difference between the two 32FF bras that I would advise trying on the bra before purchasing if possible, not just in multiple sizes, but multiples of the same size.

I suspect a 32G would either be perfect or slightly big up top (yay, full on bottom), based on the 34FF. My best fitting bras tend to be UK 32FFs, so the advice to go up a size from your usual UK size is likely good advice.

Caveats: I am full on bottom, somewhat soft-tissued, projected, slightly pendulous, close-set, inner fullness, need a lot of immediate projection. I have narrower roots. I am a bit deflated on top and have some looser skin. It is not super obvious, but likely affects fit slightly.
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Blue colorway

Updated on Dec 17, 2019 Flag this

I tried this bra on along with a 32FF a couple years ago, but decided to go with the smaller size, in part because I was losing weight at the time. I think that the 32G was technically a better fit in some ways (at the time), despite appearances.

My biggest complaint was and is the thick edge at the top. It causes a noticeable line regardless of how well the cup fits, both in and out of clothes. This is a bigger problem than the seams. If you are quadding at all, it is accentuated by the edge. The edge can also give the illusion that there is ... gapping (when looking from an angle or the side), simply because the bra seems so thick (I do not think the foam is actually as thick as it appears with the bound edge).

It was too shallow at the wire, but the projection was decent overall. Definitely NOT in my IMF. The top edge seemed to gap very slightly, but this was hard to gauge due to the thick binding. The wires were a little wide. The gore tacked hard.

Caveats: I am full on bottom, somewhat soft-tissued, projected, slightly pendulous, close-set, inner fullness, need a lot of immediate projection. I have narrower roots. I am long-waisted and tall for a woman (5'8"). I have a smaller frame, am a bit deflated on top and have some looser skin. It is not super obvious, but likely affects fit slightly.
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Rose print colorway

This bra is not owned any more

Updated on Dec 24, 2019 Flag this

I have owned this bra for 2 years, wearing it frequently. I originally purchased it because I was going on safari in Africa, and a GOOD sports bra is a necessity. This did the job, and I cannot imagine doing such a trip in a S/M/L top masquerading as a support garment.

The band is quite firm, I did not size up from my usual size, but if you are between band sizes you might prefer to take the larger. I can still comfortably wear it on the first hook and be supported enough for everyday activity, though I would want a tighter hook for actual workouts. Based on ... that, I would not advise anyone to take an uncomfortably tight band - it may well take YEARS for it to stretch.

The cups are padded enough and the seams are flat enough that this can be worn as a t-shirt bra. The padded wires are absurdly comfortable, enough so that even though the gore is too wide and high for my close set breasts, I still find this bra comfortable, to the point that I can sleep in it without ill effect. The gore does not seem to fully tack, though it is hard to really tell due to the construction of the bra. The fabric comes up significantly higher than the wires, so it is difficult to determine tack visually. The cups are tall, do not have enough immediate projection for me, and are slightly roomy in the top. The bra does not actually gap at the top, it is more that the fabric does not give a feeling of containment or restriction. This is fine for a normal bra, but less desirable in a sports bra. As a result, I do not feel as "strapped down" as I would like when doing high-impact movement. If the cups were a little shorter or cut a little less full in the top, it would probably feel more secure when I run.

I get a great shape for a sports bra. I always work out in a shirt, but with or without one, my breasts look good. Lifted and separated, good apex projection visually and practically. I recently bought a replacement in a cup size down, 32F - Panache Sport » Sports Bra (5021). It is a bit too small, but I think it will be more supportive for workouts, and since I am still looking to drop a bit of weight, I think/hope I will get more use out of it than if I bought a new 32FF. I seem to get a bit less bounce when I run in the smaller size.

Caveats: I am full on bottom, somewhat soft-tissued, projected, slightly pendulous, close-set, inner fullness, need a lot of immediate projection. I have narrower roots. I am long-waisted and tall for a woman (5'8"). I have a smaller frame, am a bit deflated on top and have some looser skin. It is not super obvious, but likely affects fit slightly.
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Latte colorway

Updated on Jan 01, 2020 Flag this

I have owned this bra and worn it regularly for a couple of years. I have lost a little weight (minimal change in breast-related measurements), which has improved the fit slightly. It is a little too small and shallow at the wire, but the projection is decent overall. The wires are narrower than a lot of bras in this size, though not as narrow as my Ewa Michalak bras. The gore twists slightly, though not enough to really cause discomfort. The gore now tacks pretty well, it used to be more of a soft tack. The band and straps have stretched a bit, but the straps initially were ... barely long enough when fully extended, so a bit of stretching is not a big deal. Otherwise, Mimi has held up quite well. Still looks lovely.

I have softer tissue and am deflated/very shallow up top, so no matter how I shove my tissue around, I never really get the super mounded, almost implant-like look. Mimi manages to give me a "higher", subtly mounded look. Near my period, I quad and explode out of it, even after losing weight.

My biggest complaint was and is the thick edge at the top. It causes a noticeable line regardless of how well the cup fits, both in and out of clothes. This is a bigger problem than the seams. If you are quadding at all, it is accentuated by the edge. The edge can also give the illusion that there is gapping (when looking from an angle or the side), simply because the bra seems so thick (I do not think the foam is actually as thick as it appears with the bound edge).

I also tried the 32G, it fit fairly well, but the edge made it seem bigger than it was. Since I was still losing weight, I decided to go with the smaller size. I think that the 32G was technically a better fit in some ways (at the time), despite appearances.

Caveats: I am full on bottom, somewhat soft-tissued, projected, slightly pendulous, close-set, inner fullness, need a lot of immediate projection. I have narrower roots. I am long-waisted and tall for a woman (5'8"). I have a smaller frame, am a bit deflated on top and have some looser skin. It is not super obvious, but likely affects fit slightly.
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Rose print colorway

Updated on Dec 24, 2019 Flag this

Lovely bra, fancy and sophisticated looking. The equivalent of a "little black dress" bra, only better.

Warning: the Ewa fitting advice floating around the web does not seem to serve me well in any bra. Definitely did not need to size up 2 cups!

I originally ordered this in 70GG, it was a good fit WITH cookies, the right side just barely not full - probably because my breast fell slightly inward rather than staying in place. However, I was still losing weight, so I knew it was unlikely to fit for long. I conferred with Kaska, she suggested the 70G. She was probably right, but since I planned ... to drop more weight, I decided to go with 70FF. I still have a few pounds I want to lose, and I want to tighten up some, so I am hoping the bra will fit well when I finally hit my target.

The gore is a great height, but I can feel it from the start, and it starts to push into my body the longer I wear the bra. I suspect this is in part because the bra is still a little small. I get amazing buttcrack cleavage (it is beyond touching), but that is because I am quadding! It is not painful, but I do not want to stretch the bra out, so I have only worn it a couple times, largely to check if it fits better after "settling". (Not yet!)

My best fitting bras tend to be UK 32FFs, but in Ewa, I suspect I am currently closer to 70G, or in between 70FF and 70G, depending on the cut.

Caveats: I am full on bottom, somewhat soft-tissued, projected, slightly pendulous, close-set, inner fullness, need a lot of immediate projection. I have narrower roots. I am long-waisted and tall for a woman (5'8"). I have a smaller frame, am a bit deflated on top and have some looser skin. It is not super obvious, but likely affects fit slightly.
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Updated on Dec 17, 2019 Flag this

I was delighted to find that this bra is supportive enough to run in it - even without using the J-hook. I wore it for a 4+ mile run today on a hilly route, and while I am not the speediest of souls, I felt well-supported and did not notice any bounce, other than in the very tops of my breasts that are "above" the bra (which was minimal). Trudging up stairs and racing down them is comfortable, no need to hold myself. Jumping jacks and bouncing around like a hyperactive pre-schooler had no ill effects. This bra keeps you secure and supported without making it impossible to ... breathe.

The shape and support is extremely similar to that of the wired bra, though it does not feel as "secure" along the band due to the lack of wires. This does not seem to affect the actual support, but it does have a different feel, especially if you are used to mostly wearing wired bras, including sports bras. The wired bra *feels* a bit tighter and supportive in the cup perimeter, but again, I did not notice a difference in function. I think the non-wired version is slightly more closed on top, though I do not have a wired version in the same size for proper comparison. There is less separation of the breasts without the wires, indeed, it is probably more accurate to say there is hardly any. This has not bothered me so far. When lounging, the non-wired version does not keep breasts contained on the sides the way the wired version does.

Because the bra is less structured, sizing down may be necessary for better support. I also tried the 34FF, and it appeared to fit and felt generally okay, but seemed to have a bit of extra room at the lower sides. Fit was a little harder to assess without wires (I have not worn a non-wired bra in years, except for sleeping.)

The band is firm enough to support me but does not seem as tight (for the size) as my wired ones. I did not size up in the band, my loose measurement is currently fluctuating ~33.5-34 inches. The cup seams do not appear to be as flat as those on the wired bra cups, and the seams are somewhat noticeable under a fitted shirt, especially the side panel ones. The shape is pretty good, especially for a non-wired bra. Overall, a very good sports bra.
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Black colorway

Updated on Dec 30, 2020 Flag this

This is my second bra in this style, my first was a 32FF - Panache Sport » Sports Bra (5021) in the latte color. The larger cup fits better in some ways, but I am dropping a little more weight, and suspect/hope that the smaller size will last longer and "contain" me a little more. If the cups were a little shorter or cut a little less full in the top, the 32FF would probably feel more secure when I run. I think I currently get a bit less bounce in the 32F, even though it has a slightly lower neckline, exposing more breast tissue.

The band ... is quite firm, I did not size up from my usual size, but if you are between band sizes you might prefer to take the larger. After 2 years of frequent wear, my previous bra can still be comfortably worn on the first hook and be supportive for everyday activity, though I would want a tighter hook for actual workouts. Based on that, I would not advise anyone to take an uncomfortably tight band - it may well take YEARS for it to stretch.

The cups are padded enough and the seams are flat enough that this can be worn as a t-shirt bra, though the beautiful lunar print would likely show through all but the darkest of shirts. The padded wires are absurdly comfortable, enough so that even though the gore is too wide and high for my close set breasts, I still find this bra comfortable. The gore definitely does not tack except at the base, and that may be more of a soft tack influenced by the tight band. The larger size also did not seem to tack, though it is hard to really tell in both bras due to the construction. The fabric comes up significantly higher than the wires, so it is difficult to determine tack visually.

I get an amazing shape for a sports bra. I always work out in a shirt, but with or without one, my breasts look awesome. Lifted and separated, good apex projection. Not enough immediate depth. I suspect I am getting a bit of a push up effect from the bra being a little small, but I do not look smashed or like I am spilling out anywhere.

Caveats: I am full on bottom, somewhat soft-tissued, projected, slightly pendulous, close-set, inner fullness, need a lot of immediate projection. I have narrower roots. I am long-waisted and tall for a woman (5'8"). I have a smaller frame, am a bit deflated on top and have some looser skin. It is not super obvious, but likely affects fit slightly.
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Lunar print colorway

Updated on Jan 01, 2020 Flag this

Absolutely gorgeous bra. Visually stunning. The center bow gets swallowed up slightly by my breasts, not sure if that is because of size or closeness.

Warning: the Ewa fitting advice floating around the web does not seem to serve me well in any bra. Definitely did not need to size up 2 cups!

I originally ordered this in 70GG, but it was probably ~1 size too big even with cookies. More upper fullness probably would have helped. I conferred with Kaska at Ewa, she suggested the 70FF or 70G, depending on if I wanted to wear with cookies. As I had a bit more weight to lose, I decided to ... go with the smaller size in hopes of being able to wear it longer, even if I had to wait a little to wear it.

Have owned the bra for a while, but only worn somewhat regularly for a year or so. (It was a little small, and I wanted to lose a few more pounds before wearing it rather than risk stretching it.) Without cookies, the fit is generally good, though I might get very slight gapping after settling. Not sure if it is actually gapping because recently, the edge of the cup foam seems to be curling outward slightly, which gives the appearance of slight gapping (depending on my cycle, etc.), but does not seem to actually not fit. Not sure what that is about, but it is not visible under clothes. With cookies, I definitely quad and my areolae start trying to peek out of the bra. They are not huge for my size (I do not think?), but they do flirt with leaving lower cut bras. Good wire width. I am close set, but the gore is low enough that I am quite comfortable.

I get decent cleavage. Not much for cakes on a plate, but everything is front and center! (I have softer tissue and am deflated/very shallow up top, so no matter how I shove my tissue around, I never really get the super mounded, almost implant-like look.) Still manage to look boobilicious. End up with touching cleavage above the gore.

Not too visible under clothes, though I would avoid tight or clingy tops, especially if they are solid-colored and have no decoration. I can wear it with a striped fitted t-shirt, but it might not work if the same shirt was just one color.

I do not find the straps uncomfortably wide-set. Not sure that they are any wider than other balconettes I own.

My best fitting bras tend to be UK 32FFs, but in Ewa, I suspect I am currently closer to 70G, or in between 70FF and 70G, depending on the cut.

Caveats: I am full on bottom, somewhat soft-tissued, projected, slightly pendulous, close-set, inner fullness, need a lot of immediate projection. I have narrower roots. I am long-waisted and tall for a woman (5'8"). I have a smaller frame, am a bit deflated on top and have some looser skin. It is not super obvious, but likely affects fit slightly.
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Updated on Dec 17, 2019 Flag this

No molded bra will ever be perfect, but this one works well enough for me, and better than many.

Generally good fit, though I could use more immediate projection and narrower wires. (Pipe dream t-shirt bra!) The gore is very low, so quite comfortable. I get a little bit of a wrinkle/pucker on the inside edge of one cup, but I think that is just because my breast is not the exact shape of the "mold", rather than a problem with size. Straps stay put. Band is a good fit, the pleated band front adds a little visual interest without showing through shirts. Not particularly exciting, though I am ... not sure one would WANT a nude t-shirt bra that was "exciting". Slightly minimizing from the side, especially compared to my last t-shirt bra, the Fantasie Smoothing T-Shirt Bra (4510) in 32FF, which was more projected.

Does what it needs to do, gives a smooth look and disappears under tight/clingy and/or light colored tops.

Caveats: I am full on bottom, somewhat soft-tissued, projected, slightly pendulous, close-set, inner fullness, need a lot of immediate projection. I have narrower roots. I am long-waisted and tall for a woman (5'8"). I have a smaller frame, am a bit deflated on top and have some looser skin. It is not super obvious, but likely affects fit slightly.
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Sand colorway

Updated on Dec 17, 2019 Flag this

Lovely bra, lovely color. Lace at edge overhangs and can make it look as though the breast is not filling the bra, unless one is actually "quadding", and thus touching the lace. Sometimes I can see a line on the outside at the same place where the cookie pocket ends, which looks a little odd aesthetically. I hate that the insert opening is between the pocket and the bra, it is harder to put the cookie inside and arrange it properly. I wish it was attached and opened like the pockets in S Syrena. The center bow gets a little swallowed up by my breasts.

Warning: the Ewa fitting ... advice floating around the web does not seem to serve me well in any bra. Definitely did not need to size up in the band, or so much in the cups!

I originally ordered this in 75G, it was way too big. I conferred with Kaska at Ewa, she recommended the 70FF.

Okay fit without cookies, but my areolae often peak out even when “tucked”. (If I put in the cookies, I explode out of the bra. And not in a sexy way.) A little small, but not super obvious since I am not very full on top. Probably not the best cut for full on bottom women. Good wire width. Gore is a good height, not uncomfortable even though I am close set. I get touching cleavage above the gore, I suspect I would even if the bra were not a little small. Up one cup size would probably be a better fit, but as I have a few pounds to lose and some tightening up of the body to do, I chose to stick with this one. I also suspect I am too shallow up top to look very full in a larger size.

If you are looking for a bra that will make you look boobilicious in a low cut top, this is the one. Fine with a patterned top, fine with a looser top. Because of the seams and lace edge, I would not wear it with a solid-colored, tight/clingy top.

My best fitting bras tend to be UK 32FFs, but in Ewa, I suspect I am currently closer to 70G, or in between 70FF and 70G, depending on the cut.

Caveats: I am full on bottom, somewhat soft-tissued, projected, slightly pendulous, close-set, inner fullness, need a lot of immediate projection. I have narrower roots. I am long-waisted and tall for a woman (5'8"). I have a smaller frame, am a bit deflated on top and have some looser skin. It is not super obvious, but likely affects fit slightly.
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Updated on Dec 17, 2019 Flag this