Bra Review: Ewa Michalak CHP Gazeta, 65F

For most of you reading this, the Gazeta needs no introduction.  Gazeta translates to “newspaper” and was a wildly popular bra by Ewa Michalak back when it was first released.  Despite several reviews stating the band runs tight and the bra overall was terribly uncomfortable, it remained popular due to its uniqueness.  Gazeta is a padded half cup made from a newspaper print fabric, with black piping, ruffles and little red hearts as accents.  I missed out on the original run of Gazeta, and it’s been discontinued for quite some time due to the apparent loss of the fabric source.  I always had it on my list of Unicorn Bras – bras I love but figured I’d never be lucky enough to snag.

Well, thanks to a lovely friend and incredible timing, I now have a Gazeta in my hands.  Or rather, on my boobs.

Ta-da!  The original Gazeta design featured a split strap where the straps attach to the cups, but the previous owner removed that.  I hear it pinches skin, so I’m not complaining.  Just look at this lovely work of art!  I’ve never seen a bra anywhere else that looks remotely like Gazeta.  Possibly the coolest part of this bra is the newspaper fabric – it means that no two Gazeta bras are identical.  I’ve often said I have a thing for unique bras or unusual designs, but in this case it is TRULY one of a kind.  Nobody else has this exact bra!

Gazeta fits me almost perfectly.  I do find the band to run a full size tight, which is great for me.  The wires are not quite as narrow as my other half cups but I’ll overlook that because it’s a freaking Gazeta.  The bottom projection is sufficient and I don’t quad out of the top OR notice any gapping on my smaller side.  Not sure how this feat is accomplished, but I suspect it has something to do with the ruffle trim!  The straps are typically wide-set, on par with other Ewa bras, but I have broad shoulders and don’t find it to bother my armpits too much.  Those with narrower frames will likely have a different experience.

I do find the cups to run taller than other CH/Ps I’ve tried, and you can see there’s no hint of cleavage here.  I also have lost upper fullness from weight loss, so that could definitely be a factor in how the cups fit me.  I measured Gazeta’s cups at 5.25″ wide and 9.5″ deep – definitely on the larger side for a 65F.

Personally, I don’t hate the little heart accents, but I know they’re not everybody’s taste.  I think the red hearts help the giant red bow in the center make sense.  If there was only one or the other, it would seem to me like a random use of the color red.  Instead, the red becomes part of the color scheme of the bra.

I really can’t say enough good about Gazeta.  I find the fabric and ruffles fairly soft and the wires firm but comfortable, but mine is also secondhand and broken in a bit.  Your mileage may vary 😉 I am tickled I had the chance to add Gazeta to my bra wardrobe.  It’s truly unique and makes me happy when I wear it!

That’s all for today, thanks for stopping by!

Bra Review: Ewa Michalak CH Onyks, 65F

Today I’m reviewing the 4th and final Ewa Michalak CH/CHP I’ve been able to try on so far.  That is, until my CHP Groszki I Róże gets here next week 😉

On display today is a 65F CH Onyks.  It’s a solid black bra with completely convertible straps, allowing it to be worn cross back and strapless.  I was excited to get my hands on this one because despite my massive bra collection, I do not own a single solid black bra!  Let’s take a look at her, shall we?

From the front – not too bad!  I like the button detail instead of bows.  It has the classic CH shape and cut.  Let’s look at the side view:

Now we’re starting to see a couple of issues.  Namely, the bubbling/quadding.  This is verging on full on quadding for me – it felt worse than the pictures suggest.  It appears the Onyks, and its white twin Lilia, are satin edge trimmed and more closed off than typical CH/CHP bras.  As mentioned in previous reviews, the main reason I can get away with a 65F in the CH/CHP cut is because it is very open on top.  Let’s look at the last shot:

It’s hard to see in photographs, but you can tell how my problem child lefty is trying to make a break for it towards the center of the bra.  Along with the closed-off cups, the band is very stretchy and generous for a 65 band.  I needed to close it on the tightest hooks right away.  One would think that simply sizing up to a 65FF would solve the quadding issues, and it would.  It would also render the cups too wide 😦 Therein lies my problem with 99% of Ewa (and UK) bras – if the cups are big enough, the wires are too wide.  Fortunately, the Groszki I Róże is said to be very open on top, so I am still looking forward to receiving that set and reviewing it for all my lovely readers!

I ended up re-selling dear Onyx.  I’m disappointed, since I loved the aesthetics of it.  Alas, my hunt for the perfect solid black bra continues!

 

Bra Review: Comexim Brigitte 60HH, and a word about body acceptance

Friendly reminder before I get too far into this review – you can always click on the pictures in my post to make them larger and see more detail 🙂

Comexim Brigitte is a gorgeous pale pink and black bra that has been around for a little while now, and I’ve loved her since I first laid eyes on her many months ago.  I needed her in my life.  This is my kind of girly bra.  I’m not a sucker for pink, but this is pink done right.  This is subtle pink, and the intricate black damask pattern adds a hint of edginess that keeps this frilly beauty from being too over the top.  I love the vibe Brigitte gives off.  Girly, yet mysterious.  Drumroll, please…. let’s meet her, shall we?

SIGH <3.  What do I love about her?  Everything.  I love the shade of pink.  I love the pattern – I’ve never seen its equal.  I love the understated bows.  I love the ribbon edging.  I love the pinstriped straps.  I even love the little ruffle that extends all the way around to the back of the band.  Sidenote – for all you hot sirens out there, the Comexim Arabella plunge is essentially a red and white version of Brigitte, and it’s my mission to own that bra someday as well.  Arabella (not to be confused with my previously reviewed Freya Arabella) is equally gorgeous.

Brigitte is a perfect fit on me.  The cup width is perfect, the projection is perfect, the lift and shape are perfect.  Just look at this profile.

Brigitte is exactly what I look for in a bra.  Look at all that lift – she holds my bust in, out, and up, and hugs it like a body pillow.  Brigitte doesn’t budge all day.  The band is somewhat stretchier than my others, reminiscent of the Free Time.  The fabric is so soft, and smooth enough to vanish under clingy tee shirts.

Not only does Brigitte fit like a dream, I can’t shake how this bra makes me feel.  I’m going to stray off topic a bit here, but I feel it’s important to address.  Growing up, I was painfully self conscious and most definitely not a fan of my bust.  It felt big and awkward for my petite frame.  I didn’t know what a properly fitting bra was supposed to feel like, and crammed myself into 32DD’s from Victoria’s Secret because it was as close as I could find.  I still had to adjust my bra constantly, I was falling out of it, the band was riding up my back, I thought “DD” just sounded ridiculous, and my self-esteem plummeted.  I saw my breasts as fat, and spiraled into an eating disorder and body dysmorphia, believing that if I lost enough weight, they’d disappear.  I became quite underweight and very close to hospitalization, yet when I looked in the mirror I still could not see myself as others saw me.

After seeking counseling, I started down the long, slow road to self-acceptance.  I finally reached a point in my life where I could eat and maintain a healthy weight, but I still wasn’t happy with myself.  I still struggled with my breasts and attempted to hide them as much as possible.  I lamented that nothing pretty was available in my size, if I could even find my size.  I didn’t like the attention my chest attracted.  Lingerie as an empowering tool was a foreign concept to me – my bras made me feel awkward, not beautiful.

About a year ago, I stumbled upon the wonderful resource known as Bratabase.  I re-measured myself, and was stunned to see a whole new world of bras open up to me.  After many trials and failures, I settled into my new size range of UK 28FF-G, or EU 60HH-J.  Slowly I gained more and more confidence as I discovered bras that actually supported me, didn’t ride up my back, and stayed where they belonged!  My perception of my breasts as evil torture devices started to fade.

Then I discovered the existence of Comexim and Ewa Michalak, and I learned that there are people in the world known for making bras that my specific breast shape needs.  I have very narrow roots, and a lot of projection – meaning my breasts don’t hug close to my chest wall, and this is very common in my size range.  Comexim has become my go-to label.  Not only are their bras cut to fit my chest, the elegance and quality are hard to match.

Honestly, I burst into happy tears when I first looked in the mirror wearing Brigitte.  For the first time in my life, not only am I okay with the reflection, I am happy.  I am proud of my assets.  I feel beautiful.

What I want every single woman who reads this to know is – you are beautiful, too.  It doesn’t matter your height, weight, shape, or what size the label of your bra reads.  You are unique, powerful, and amazing just the way you are and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.  You are a woman who deserves to love her own body and don’t you ever forget it.

Bra Review: Freya Arabella, 28FF

So I’ve been a little obsessed with the aesthetics of this bra ever since I discovered its existence.  Most Freyas I have tried have given me a pointy shape and the “Freya pucker” at the top of the cup, where the bra seems to ask for some tissue I just don’t have.  But when I came across this beauty on Reddit’s Bra Swap sub, for a very reasonable price, I couldn’t help myself.  It is pre-owned and shows some signs of wear, but still in good shape overall.  Enough rambling, let’s take a look at her.

Just…. wow.  This is basically transparent black, and the front seams look a little wonky since I edited out my nipples for privacy.  Arabella is simply stunning, and sexy in a romantic, ballerina-esque way.  My typical unlined Freya size is 28FF, and this holds true for Arabella.  And in contrast to other Freyas I have tried, the shape is very naturally rounded and the top edging does not cut into me in any weird angles.

I really can’t stop staring at this beauty.  Arabella is true to other fairly recent Freya unlined bras in that the wires are very narrow and the bra offers plenty of immediate projection.  It’s a very good shape match for my bust.

As you can see, I don’t get any pointyness.  I really like this shape, it’s lifted and rounded in a more subtle way than Cleo’s unlined balconettes, so it’s good for those days you want a break from the basketball shape.  I find I can wear this bra under my flowy shirts and scrub tops without creating the dreaded boob-tent effect.

There are some downfalls to Arabella.  Some may find the lace edging itchy – mine is pre-owned and I still wanted to wash it with a tiny bit of fabric softener because it was mildly irritating.  And the band is typical Freya-long, and it’s exacerbated in this case because the bra is not brand new.  My UB measures 27.5-28″ and the band easily stretches to 29.5.”

As you can see, it’s clasped on the tightest hooks.  Typically one wants the bra to fit snugly on the loosest hooks, to allow for the band to stretch with wear.  But because I’m so in love with the bra as a whole, I will overlook this and consider an alteration in the future, should the band stretch further and be unwearable.

Arabella is discontinued, but during production it was also made in a black and hot pink colorway and a sheer nude with blue trim.  I would possibly gnaw a limb off to get my hands on a nude one, so if somebody happens to stumble across a 28FF nude Arabella, please let me know!!

Bra Review: Comexim Coco half cup 60HH

I’m back today with another Comexim!  Surprised??  You shouldn’t be.  Today’s lovely lady came via a secondhand purchase from my dear friend over at Brog with a Dog, and her name is Coco.

The bra, not my friend.

It was supposed to have alterations, but now we aren’t sure it if that request translated properly.  I don’t think it would fit me if it had the alterations that were ordered – straps moved in, reduced cups, etc.  60HH is my Comexim plunge size, and the half cup cut is said to be a little shallower and therefore fit a bit smaller.  But this bra isn’t a bad fit on me!  The wires are nice and narrow and the cup barely fits.  After scooping & swooping, I have to kinda “reverse scoop” my bigger left side back into the cup. After that, the gore tacks nicely, and oddly enough it gives a very minimizing appearance.

Hmm, my girls seem to have gone into hiding here…

You can see where the tops of my boobies are wanting to quad out of the cup.  I’ve never met a narrow-wired bra of any kind that gave a minimizing appearance, and I actually like it in this case.  I wear scrubs to lab and work, and the Coco works fabulously to prevent the dreaded “boob tent”  look under baggy shirts.  I wonder if I had this bra half a size up, if it would be just as minimizing.

Aesthetically, Coco is kind of a cross between cute and grown up.  The lace pattern is unique and grown up, but the bright pink bows are cute.  Coco does have a 3×3 fastener, which is an alteration and not standard until sizes 60J and larger.  So we know at least that alteration translated!  I prefer 3×3 fasteners for added stability. Coco reflects the typical Comexim good quality, narrow wires, allowance for projection, and attention to detail I’ve come to expect and rely on.  One more look at her before I call this a review.

Thanks for reading!

Bra Review: Curvy Kate Bardot 30FF

Hello loyal readers!  I’ve been seriously slacking this past week – to say classwork is dominating my time is an understatement!  So I’m going to try to make up for it today and do 2 reviews.

First up is the stunning offering from Curvy Kate’s SS2015 (I think) line named Bardot.  She’s a gorgeous sheer black and purple number and for AW2015 is coming out in black and red.  Bardot is simply sexy, no other way to put it.

Please note – the bra is see through, I’ve only edited out my nipples for the sake of trying to prevent total creepers from stalking my brog.

Bardot is the longest standing member in my current bra wardrobe, which has been basically a revolving door this year as I’ve nailed down my size and shape, so that’s saying a lot.  The back is a 3 x 3 fastener – and I love Curvy Kate for consistently offering that in my size range, because believe it or not it’s not common and I feel I benefit from the added support it offers.  Curvy Kate also always nails the little finishing details that make a bra unique. The bows, oh the perfect lilac bows!  The purple trim that runs all the way around the back! The black satin contrast on the gore and band! Yes please!

Curvy Kate has long been known for making FOT-friendly bras that are relatively wide-wired and shallow, even in the larger sizes, with stretchy bands.  At the beginning of the year, it was rumored CK changed their fit for the better for us larger end ladies – and I’d have to agree.  I’d say the band runs tight for CK, it only stretches to 29″ and is wearable on the loosest hooks for me, fastenable on the middle hooks. I was worried about this since the bra was not offered online in my usual 28G.  The wires are narrower than in the past and this bra offers plenty of immediate projection.

As you can see, the top of the cup is fairly closed off, almost too much so for my even fullness boobs.  It works for me because I’m very short-rooted.  So if you’re FOT or tall rooted, this is not the CK bra for you. It cuts in just a bit on my bigger side while simultaneously wrinkling on my smaller side. It’s not a perfect fit, but these minor issues are unnoticeable under a loose tee shirt, and I wouldn’t wear this bra under a tight tee shirt due to the lace and seams.

I’m impressed by the amount of lift and overall roundness I get from Bardot.  It provides a lovely rounded shape in a bit more natural way than Cleo’s ultra-round and out-there apple boobs.  I also love the very narrow center gore – no sitting on my close set breast tissue here.

Bardot will be a fantastic bra for many.  It is just screaming for narrow to average width, projected, very FOB or short rooted shapes. I highly recommend it.