Mtblankus

UPDATE 2: I think I have FINALLY made friends with this bra. I tightened the straps about 1/2-1 inch past what I thought was a good fit and it doesn't slip down as much. I may try tightening a bit more, but I think that is going to make the wires poke under the arms. At the level it is now, I can feel the wires, but they are not painful. I think I'm walking a fine line with this one and I think if I shorten the straps the poking will become bothersome. Hopefully I can find the "sweet spot". ...

I will say I still think the center gore is VERY high on this bra. That's because I'm used to more of a plunge style, I think. Much of my wardrobe is knit v-neck shirts, so the seams show through, the darkness of the bra shows through lighter colors, and with the center gore so high, I'm feeling it's rather visible. I can't see it in the mirror, but can when I look down. Maybe no one else can see it?

I am going to try sewing a bra liner for myself because now with the elastic on the front sewn up, the wires themselves are digging in. They are not very padded and I think sewing up the elastic has stretched the casing, making it provide even less cushion.

UPDATE: I thought I should update my review on this bra because my views have changed, as noted in the numerous comments below. This bra has taken a back seat to my too big band/too small cup bras I had been wearing because of comfort and ill fit. I have worked with it to try and make it wearable, but it just isn't fitting well. The elastic rolls under in front, cutting in. I have rolled it out and sewed it up so it does not roll under and cause pain anymore.

The major problem is that the bra slides down after and hour or 2 of wear, making my breasts droop, causing quad boob, the wide-set straps to cut in on the front of the arms, and major jiggle with each step since there's basically minimal support in that slipped-down position. I've added "after" pictures, where you can see the major difference when it slips down. I cannot be sure if it's a cup or band problem. The band could be too tight, although it's pretty comfortable after washing and wearing a few times. I have long, heavy breasts, so it could just be the leverage that heavy breasts sticking out that far in a bra is too much for the bra to hold up.

This bra, for me, starts out great and ends up MEH in a couple of hours. :-/

ORIGINAL POST: I've seen several rave reviews about this bra and finally got mine, in a 36J. I have to say, this bra is some kind of wonderful. If it came in 20 colors, I'd probably get them all. Sadly, as of now, there is only ONE color - a black bird print. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":-(" /> It's very pretty, but I doubt it would be acceptable under a white shirt at church.

While the bottom of the cups aren't quite full enough for me (still have some wrinkling and push-down of the wires under the cups from orange in a glass syndrome), I think it's just about as close to a perfect fit as I may ever come. Band is quite stiff, but it is still very new. It does seem to create less prominent back rolls than most bras because the mesh is stiffer and the elastic along the bottom and top edges of the band are thicker.

When I first put it on and looked down, I thought... wow, that's some forward projection right there. Think dual rocket boosters. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":-D" /> Seriously, there's like a parallel line between the cups actually LIFTING, POINTING FORWARD and SEPARATING my breasts instead of just splaying them east and west like most bras seem to do.

Also, the stretch lace on the top of the cups is very forgiving. I think it makes the cups more adjustable than most bras with nonstretchy material along the top edge. I've seen it referred to as a half cup with a stretch lace "guard" to keep soft breasts from falling out when you bend over. I agree with this description. I bent over as if to pick some things up from the floor, reached down with both arms a few times, and stood back up. Still completely contained. I can't say that about many bras.

I do have one complaint. The straps are too wide set. Because they are attached on the side of the cup instead of the front, they twist and the edge of the strap digs in and rubs a bit on the front of my arms and shoulders. However, I think attaching far at the sides is what gives you the forward projection instead of simply smashing the cup and breast tissue against you. I'm not sure how you could do that and not have the strap turn that direction. Most bras with "side support" seem to do this, but this one more so and perhaps the straps are set a little far back. I'm thinking straps placed 1/4 inch forward on the cup would alleviate the rubbing for me.
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Updated on Jan 17, 2013 Flag this

Overall good fit. Ordering (and waiting) for an Ewa was a bit daunting. I wish now I'd just taken the leap of faith from the start. This woman knows how to make a BRA!!! I went round and round about band and cup size FOREVER. I ended up ordering this in an 80JJ (36JJ) because of reviews I read. I'm on a weight loss journey and I figured I could wear an extender until it stretched out and I lost a little more weight. I think that was the right choice for this bra. The band is stretchier than the ... Karmelki 80K, although the stretched band measurements are the same. This unstretched band is 2" smaller than the Karmelki unstretched band.

I have tightened the straps slightly since I took these pics. They do tend to fall down and I think part of that is the extender making the strap attachment on the back wider and thus too wide. LOVE the straps. While they don't adjust all of the way, they feel soooo comfy. The front half are made from the same soft material as the rest of the bra instead of elastic all of the way and are just such a lovely relief from the sharp edges of elastic straps. I didn't realize how uncomfortable other straps were until I had these on!

The lower elastic on the band is TOO THIN. I compared it to the Karmelki and it's about 1/8 inch smaller in width. This is NOT a good thing. When the bra is on, the elastic tends to cut in, where it doesn't on the Karmelki. I have to wear this with the top 2 hooks 1 row tighter than the bottom hook to get better support from the band without the elastic cutting in. Also, it tends to roll under and cut in under the cups, which is a problem I have with most bras. I have a homemade bra liner to deal with that. I think it is partially due to being fat. There is pudge that starts directly under the band, where it is cutting in. Perhaps weight loss will help that.

The cups. Aaaaaah. Warm. Soft. Huggy (like some others have reported). Love it. Will probably hate it in the summertime heat when we often have temps of 110 degrees. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":-(" /> I'm not a big fan of seamed bras, but the seams don't show too badly under a shirt.

The shape is nice. Lifted, round, forward - though it seems not quite as forward as the Panache Jasmine or Cleo Meg.

The bra seems very supportive, doesn't seem to slip down too far or fold in the bottom of the cups (at least not yet.

This is not a cute or beautiful bra. More utilitarian looking, but WAY COMFORTABLE.

I hope it will still fit when I've lost another 15-20 pounds. I have no hopes that it will still fit when I reach my goal weight (I have a good 50-60 pounds to be lost).
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Updated on Feb 15, 2013 Flag this

I had high hopes for this bra. When I tried it on, it is really comfortable, too. But, when I looked in the mirror, I was very disappointed. I started looking at more pictures here and elsewhere and I realized the SMALLER cup sizes look great... larger cup sizes - meh. NOT the shape I'm looking for. Seems kind of pointy, east/west, and droopy. Really disappointed in this one, so it's going up for sale.

Also, this is also a strangely NOISY bra, at least when new. There is a lot of creaking and groaning as the wires move in the channels even with small movements. Hopefully this is something that would stop after a break-in period, but I haven't noticed it with others before.

Updated on Jan 04, 2013 Flag this

Wow. I'm not sure it's even fair to review this bra, as it's just way, way, WAY too small. But cleavage (or is it BUTT cleavage, LOL)? Either way, I've definitely got cleavage. (o|o)

The band fits nicely and isn't too stretchy. Great firm support from the whole band, not just the thin elastic on top and bottom of the band. And 4 hooks is great. The side was doing something funny with the elastic coming up under the band and the wire in the wing poking out at the bottom. I didn't notice it until after I took the pictures. ... I don't know if it would have stayed down if I had pulled the elastic down lower.

The straps are fully adjustable and I don't think anyone will EVER say they're too short. I'm not sure about too long, though. I have them adjusted about 3/4 of the way and if the cups were the right size, I might have to shorten them further. The straps themselves are 3/4 inch wide smooth elastic. I prefer more cushion in the straps, but as the weight is supposed to be supported mostly by the band, it shouldn't be an issue.

The side wings are quite high, but I didn't have trouble with poking, at least not while just trying it on. With extended wear, I don't know how this would feel. The wing height is 5.5 and the Cleo Meg that is stabbing me under the left arm right now while still being 1/2 to 1 inch below my inframammary fold is only 5.25. I'm 5'6", so not really short, but I have this problem with many bras.

The wires were a bit wider than my root. There is at least 1/2 inch extra space in the side of the cup that contains no breast tissue. They are not as wide as some bras, for sure, but I need a wire about 1/2 inch more narrow than this one if it is to be at the root of my breast, which worries me about getting the bra in the correct cup size. If it's 1/2 inch too wide and it's 3-4 cup sizes too small, how wide will the wire be in a larger cup size?

I don't understand their sizing. I don't know if they custom make each bra or if they just have a standard size progression. There are no tags in the bra at all, so I would guess they are completely custom made for each order.

*** I wanted to add that I emailed the first set of pictures to Tallia and she shared them with the bra guru. They agree the bra is at least 3-4 cup sizes too small, but asked for a picture of the back to see how much tissue would possibly be moved forward. So, I took the new (better, brighter) set of pictures with me not holding the camera. As you can see, the back band looks less like a stuffed sausage than most bras. That is because the fabric in the center of the band is very supportive, where most bras seem to get their band support mostly from the elastic on the top and bottom of the band. The wider wings and back band also helps, I'm sure. More fabric = more support. The will be working on a new bra for me. We might be able to contain these water balloons yet!

I have also updated the comfort rating to excellent. After only having it on a few minutes, I can really tell the difference from other bras. I don't know about wearing it all day, but just from trying on and taking pictures, it's more comfortable than any other bra I've tried on or worn. I'll be anxiously awaiting a bigger size. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" />
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Updated on Mar 24, 2013 Flag this

Sad to say, I can't seem to find a good fit in this bra. The straps are not at all comfortable. Because they are thin (not in width, as they are 3/4 inches wide, but in actual thickness) and quite stretchy, they tended to roll like a taco and cut into my shoulders, even when not pulled very tight and only after a few minutes of trying on/wearing. The 36 band was too tight, the 38 too loose.

The cup on the 36J was too small, but the wires too wide, so sizing up does not seem to be a suitable option.

I could NOT ... get the wire to stay in my breast crease, even with the crazy tight band, it kept wanting to slide down. This is a problem with EVERY bra and I end up hiking them up under my breasts several times a day because it drives me crazy.

I am wondering if 2 very large coconuts and some rope might be more practical than a bra for my breast shape. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":-D" />
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Updated on Jan 11, 2013 Flag this

>>

That is one tight band. Compared to other Ewa models, that is. It actually measures spot on at 36. Imagine that. Since most 36 bands tend to stretch further than 36, I usually wear a 36 on my 37" torso. In comparison, the 80JJ - Ewa Michalak » Pl Stalówka (328) measured 36.25 when I got it and is now wearable without an extender, so it is likely this one would be wearable without the extender after a few wears.

The wire is too high under the arm for me. While it doesn't poke, it feels like this slowly ... pushes the cups down. I have the same problem in the Panache Jasmine. That extra half inch (over the Ewa PL models) is bra tragedy for me. It seems to push the cup down just enough that I start getting folding at the bottom of the cup.

The straps are super soft and comfy, which I adore, but do not adjust short enough for me. They are borderline too long now (adjusted as short as possible), but as the bra wears in, they will be too long. I have the same issue with the Stalowka straps and will need to alter them, an incredibly easy alteration.
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Updated on Apr 12, 2013 Flag this

Cleo Meg and I are *NOT* friends. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt=";-)" /> This is my second try with a slight size adjustment.

I first tried my go-to size, 36J, and was able to make it wearable with some serious wire bending to get the gore to lay flat and wearing a bra liner under the front band, where the elastic was curling under and digging in. The cups, however, had gaping at the top edge and, more bothersome, there was puckering along all of the cup seams that was very visible under a thin knit shirt or even a thick T-shirt.

I like ... the design. Pretty bra. The print is pretty and I LOVE the tiny charm on the center gore. VERY supportive. So, I decided to give the 36HH a go to see if a smaller cup would fix the few problems I had. And did it? Yes and no.

The gore lays flat - right out of the box! First bra that has done that for me - EVER. And the wires are close to the right spot under the arms. They don't poke, but they might be a smidgeon too far back (wide). I think the cups are 8" wide and 7.5" seems to be perfect for me.

The band fits perfectly snug on the loosest hook. The straps, well, I'd prefer them wider and cushioned. A true comfort strap would be nice. The width of the elastic straps (0.75") and the scalloped edges on them (and elsewhere on the bra) really bothers my sensitive skin. Also, only 2 hooks on the band. Seems to work with 2 hooks, but I'd feel better with wider straps and 3 hooks and I think it would be more comfortable.

The cups do NOT fit. There is slight quad boobing even on the smaller breast and it's making some bizarre thing happen along the top of my larger boob. I tried to get a close-up of it, but it's hard to photograph. Quite obvious in person, though, and weird. Makes the breast look misshapen.

And that pesky puckering? Yeah, still there. Still very visible under a T-shirt. A visible seam I can live with (barely), but a puckered seam? No. I think the seam has no stretch while the mesh has a tiny bit. This equals a pucker all along the seam.

Too bad, because I really like this bra. I don't want to let it go. https://d28qt14g3opchh.cloudfront.net/smileys/icon_sad.gif" alt=":-(" />
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Updated on Feb 15, 2013 Flag this