Ewa Michalak Bra Reviews – Part 1: HP Nina Revisited
A little while ago I received a few bras from Polish lingerie brand, Ewa Michalak. I’d experienced a few problems with ordering my corresponding size because of the european sizing differences but I’m happy to say that since returning my first order, I now have replacements to try.
Being between sizes, it was a confusing job for me deciding whether to order sizes to a 28GG, 30GG or 28H. The brand being european also meant that sizes are not the same as UK inch bands, calculated in centimetres instead. Then I’d read about some Ewa Michalak customers recommending to order the next size up from your usual size, so I had a lot to consider.
At the time of my first order I went for what I considered a straight conversion at 65GG, 30GG being my mid size. As I wear 28 backs often, I expected the 30 to make up for the difference but it didn’t work out as I’d thought it would. Really, because inches and centimetres do not convert precisely, it would have been wiser to jump straight to the 70 back; marked as an equivalent of a 32 back on the Ewa Michalak website.
The first bra I reviewed was the sultry HP Nina, a sexy half cup bra trimmed with a feminine floral ribbon detail in a 65GG (30GG). It was a relatively good fit but I felt it was just too tight and a little inadequate in the cup.
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| 65GG (30GG) HP Nina |
I exchanged it for a 70H (32H) hoping for a more comfortable band and more roomy cups.
When I opened up the package I knew instantly the 70H would be too big. The cups looked enormous, even bigger compared to other bras in the box of the same size. The straps were a bit fiddly to adjust (I had to ask my OH in the end to adjust it for me) but once fitted and fastened up on the first hooks, my boobs were quite swamped with a lot of cup space unfilled. Compared against the photo above, you can see just how much bigger this one is.
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| 70H (32H) HP Nina |
The back was a really good fit, so the 70 (32) was the perfect band for me. I know that if I remained with the GG cups then it would have been the perfect fit. When I estimated my next size up from the tight 65GG, I admit I was a little too adventurous with going up in the band and in the cups. So, in the HP Nina, a 70GG (32GG) is the best size to go for, when compared to my average 30GG UK size.
What I like about the HP Nina is that it’s a more flexible design being the half cup compared to a full balcony which I don’t always suit. It provides excellent, reliable coverage whilst supporting a good degree of bust shelf. It’s very flattering if you’re after a good, rounded shape with a flash of cleavage, and it’s not too dressy to get away with wearing everyday. HP Nina is a glamorous bra, perfect for fuller busts.
Have you tried the HP Nina? How did you find the fit and sizing?
Becky x
knittinggoddess
August 3, 2012 at 3:52 amI made the same mistake about overestimating size changes in Ewa Michalak bras! I found 65G to be definitely too big in the band/small in the cup so I leapt straight to 55HH, figuring that I could always wear an extender and pad the cups if I was a little off. But I overshot, and ended up selling my bras via Bratabase.com. (Special orders like the 55 band can’t be returned.)
I haven’t found my perfect size in Ewa Michalak, but by process of elimination think it’s 60H in the HPs and 60GG in the CHs. As I said, I have a HP Nina in 65G and find it a little too big in the band and too small in the cups. My boobs sort of slouch out and give me a bit of quadraboob, which might just be a boob thing rather than a cup size issue. The band is also stretchier than the HP Koktajl or any of the CH/HM bras I’ve tried. Maybe this is a fluke?
In any case, I think it fits a lot like the Freya Deco, only with a higher gore. The shape and cleavage are very similar. Unfortunately, the ribbon shows through t-shirts, which is annoying. But on my smaller boob days, I’m perfectly happy to wear this bra on the tightest hook, because it is rather nice.
Cavy.girl
August 5, 2012 at 4:42 pmHi!
Ah, I’m glad it wasn’t just me then! lol
You’re maybe more clued up on EW than me, I’m not sure whether materials used for different ranges are the same, because some do seem to vary greatly across ranges. I definitely think the HP Nina is bigger than the others I got. I’ve not seen the HP Koktajl, I will have to go and check that one out.
Becky x
CurvyWordy
August 7, 2012 at 1:46 amGreat post! It can be rather a pickle trying to work out your EM size (and sometimes it varies from bra to bra, not just style to style – eek!) but it really is worth all the hard work once you find your best fit. These bras are so beautiful and offer second to none fit, uplift and support.
CurvyWordy
August 7, 2012 at 1:51 amJust re-read your post and see that you actually ordered TWO cup sizes up from the 65GG – no wonder the 70H was too big for you! One cup size up and one band size up would have been 70GG which, as you say in your post, would be the perfect fit. If you’d wanted to keep the cup at the same volume but go up in the band then you would need the 70G (remember the sister sizing rules, e.g 65GG=70G=75FF etc).
I so wish the HP style worked for me as this is SUCH a beautiful bra. *Sigh* x
Cavy.girl
August 7, 2012 at 10:52 amHi Caroline!
Yeah, I’m easily confused! lol Well when I first tried the 65GG it was so much smaller than anything else I’d tried. Normally I would just try the next size up, either by going up in the cup and down in the back or vice versa, but I honestly thought I’d need both increasing. I am pretty annoyed with myself for not doing it gradually, as in try the 70GG first without assuming.
I was surprised the HP worked for me, I’m usually best in a plunge because I don’t have the space for the high gore on a balcony. I’ll have to have a neb back at your blog and see which others you’d recommend. 🙂
Becky x