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I'm just reflecting a little on ordering custom from Ewa Michalak...
I LOVE their bras. I love them so much, even though I have yet to get one that fits me. I think their construction is gorgeous, the fabric is really comfortable, and I like the wires a lot. From what I've read about their 30 (65) bands, they would most ... certainly be too big for me, except for some of their bands that run really tight. I ordered a custom 60 in their Stalowka and it fit perfectly, except the cup size was wrong (my fault). Unfortunately they are out of Stalowka fabric now, so I ordered a replacement custom 60 Cielus instead.
When I got the Cielus, it was INCREDIBLY tight, like suitable for a 55 band tight. Too tight to wear, and because it has four columns of hooks and wearing it on the last hook was too tight, I'd rather not wear it with an extender, because the hooks would then take up most of the space on my back and I don't think the bra is likely to stretch enough to wear on the right hooks.
After trying my Cielus, I was disappointed but figured I would just find someone who might benefit from a bra that fits like a 26GG eventually and pass it along. I've reflected on this for the past few days, though, and after reading a few other women who either had Michalak bands that were way too tight, or quite loose, I think this is a bit more of an issue. If I custom order a bra, I understand it is my fault if I, say, get the cup size wrong, but if I have custom ordered a bra to fit a 60 band, especially when other 60 bands from the same manufacturer in the same style have fit like snug but wearable 60 bands, I expect it to be anywhere near the size I need, especially because there is no indication on the website that the band runs small and sources for outside research, like other bra postings, can be limited sometimes. I also feel that just ordering stock bras and having some fit variability is bound to happen, but if I have paid extra money for a particular band size, well, I damn well want that bra to fit that band size.
Sadly I don't think there is anything I can do about it now, since the bra isn't returnable, but the longer I think about it, the less pleased I am with the situation. I am so willing to jump on the bandwagon to support small companies, especially ones so sensitive to the plight of limited band/cup sizes and make such a good product, and I want them to succeed, but I really see a problem with paying for a custom order for a product and receiving a product that fits quite differently than other similar orders (though the label DOES say 60GG, but the band only stretches to maaaaaybe just about 27". My tightest underbust is 26", and it's too small for me), and not being able to return it.
I have sent Dominik an e-mail expressing as much, but admittedly with my previous history of communication with him, I am not sure what to expect. I want to love the company, but just don't have confidence in ordering their product without it being already used and vouched for by another person at this point, and that makes me sad
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Shared on Apr 14, 2013 Flag this
I recommend using your usual band size, and using your cm bust measurement to determine which cup size you should be wearing, based off of their size chart. If I would have chosen my band size based off of their chart, it definitely would have been too big. This worked well for me :) If you're in the US, you need to e-mail them to place an order directly with customer service. Their shipping on their website only works within Poland.