Ewa Michalak’s S, SM and SF Styles – Battle of the Bras

With the recent debut of the new SF style (review HERE) from Ewa Michalak, we thought it would be helpful to our readers if we did a comparison of the S, SM and SF styles for you. Although all three styles are similar, they have distinct differences that I will point out that make each one unique and might have you favoring one over the others.

S Kwaity

 I’d like to first do a short recap the three styles for you, starting with the classic S style. The S is a lightly padded balconette with a higher gore and comes with removable push-up pads to give you that extra oomph and/or help with asymmetry correction.

SM Amorek

Next is the SM, which is an unlined balconette with a higher gore and cups made of a stable (non-stretchy) material, typically lace or mesh. This style does not come with removable push-up pads.

SF Gladzioch bez

Lastly we will recap the SF, or Semi-soFt style which the most recent style debuted in the EM line. The SF is a good compromise between the S and SM, being a semi-padded bra with the same high gore as the other two. Like the SM, this style doesn’t come with removable push-up pads. The bottom of the cups are made of a stable (non-stretchy) material while the top of the cups is made of a double layer of elastic tulle, allowing for more stretch and forgiveness up top.

Now that you know the basics of each style, I’d like to get into comparing the three for you.  Let’s start with their similarities. All three styles come with three or four rows of two or three hook and eyes (depending on size of the bra) as well as fully adjustable straps. They also all are designed in a way that pulls your breasts forward to create maximum cleavage. Due to the medium-to-high gore on these styles (3″ tall on my 65GGs), they are well suited for softer breasts that tend to fall in the center when wearing a bra with a low gore such as the PL style, or if you have wide cleavage and want to pull your breasts closer. The down-side to the higher gore is that these styles can be difficult for women with very close-set breasts, as the gore can tend to sit on the tissue (or implant). Lastly, the cup height is mid-level which makes this an ideal bra to wear with a medium neckline, but may be difficult with a lower cut top.

Since we have covered the general style and similarities of these three bras lets move on to what makes them so different, and that really is their cups.  Aside from the classic S style being the only one of the three that comes with pockets for removable pads or “cookies”, it also has light padding sewn into the cup.  The positives: it gives you a little extra oomph without feeling like you are wearing a really padded bra; it covers your nips for modesty (no nipping out in this bra); and the lining is very soft against your skin.  The negatives: in warmer weather this bra can be a little hot, creating the dreaded boob sweat we all hate; and if you already feel like your breasts are big enough, the padding on this bra may not be something you are looking for.  The cups of the SM style are pretty much the exact opposite of the S.  This style does not come with removable pads and is constructed of very thin and shear material.  The positives: this bra is a godsend in warm weather, as the cup material is light and airy; and although it pulls your breasts front-and-center, with no padding it doesn’t add any extra bulk to your boobs.  The negatives: if you are more modest (or your office seems to always be frigidly cold like mine is), this bra is going to have you nipping out a bit; and since this bra has no padding or cookies, the sizing is not very forgiving so you will need to have your size down and may not work well if you have a lot of asymmetry.  Last is the SF, which really seems to marry the S and SM together.  Like the SM, this style does not come with removable pads, however the cup is made with a slightly thicker material so it is not sheer.  Also, if you love the shape that the S style gives you but you find that the top of the cups are too closed off, the SF is a great alternative since the tulle at the top allows for more FoT breasts without creating that “muffin top” look that the S style can sometimes make.  The positives: if you like the modesty of the S style but don’t want a padded bra, this is a great compromise; and if you need more room at the top of your cup, this is a great style.  The negatives: like with the SM, since there is no padding, you really need to know your sizing.  NOTE: Another difference I noticed with the SF is that the cups are more full coverage on this bra than on the S or SM styles.

As far as which is the best style?  I really don’t think any of them are the “best”, as I think that they all serve a purpose, and in my opinion all deserve a spot in your wardrobe 🙂  Personally, I prefer the S style and wear that the majority of the time.  However, on super hot days I will chose between the SM and the SF, and which one I choose is 100% dependent on if I am going to work or not.  As I mentioned earlier, my office building is always freezing and I hate worrying about if my nips are showing, so if I’m going to work then I will wear the SF.  But if it is hot out and I am going to be outside, I almost always reach for my SM.  A small little side note about the SM style for those of you who are also enhanced like me: since I have very little natural tissue and no hang, my breasts do not fill out the very bottom of my cups (a very common thing among implanted ladies).  Though this happens in all my bras, since the SM is sheer it is the only bra where I actually see that gap.  It’s not a big deal, but it did worry me the first time I tried the SM, until I found out this is normal.

If you haven’t tried any of these styles before, my suggestion is always to start with the classic S style first and really get your sizing down.  Once you know what size you are in Ewa Michalak, then branch out to the other styles.  As a quick tip, the SM and the SF do seem to typically run a little big in the cups (or seem that way since there isn’t any padding to fill the cup out a bit), so I might suggest getting a cup size smaller in these styles 😉  I hope you have enjoyed this review and please let us know if you have any questions!

Karlee Smith Sexy Lady Snap Me Twice Review

In our never-ending quest to find bust-friendly clothing, my fellow blogger Jelz ran across a sports bra company that we hadn’t heard of before called Karlee Smith. Karlee Smith is a unique company as it not only offers, but caters to augmented women! They sell a variety of high quality sports bras as well as recovery/compression bras for women who have had breast augmentation, reduction, mastectomy and/or breast lift surgeries.  To read a full feature of this company, click HERE.   When Jelz reached out to them, they graciously offered to send several of us one of their bras to try out and review, and I just so happened to be one of those lucky bloggers!

When browsing their website, www.karleesmith.com you will see that they currently offer two different types of bras, Post Op and Sports. Although my post-op days are far behind me, I actually ended up choosing the Sexy Lady Snap Me Twice bra which is in their post-op collection because 1) it was such a pretty bra; and 2) the description stated that along with post operative wear it can be used for yoga, Pilates and lounging. Unlike some of my fellow bloggers who may need a more high-impact sports bra for working out, I typically engage in more low-impact activities that don’t require as much support so this bra seemed ideal for what I needed!

The ordering process for my new bra was very straightforward on their website; however the sizing did perplex me just a bit mainly because of its simplicity. Their bras are all sized solely based on band size (small 28”-32”, medium 34”-36”, and large 38”-40”) which seems easy enough; I wear a 28”-30” bra band so I’d be a small. My concern was that when I went to their fit guide to confirm I was ordering the right size, it states ‘small fits women who wear the traditional bra size 32B/C/D/DD through 34A/B’. My UK bra size is 30GG which converts to a US 30J, so even if I sister-sized I’d be at least a few cups too big for the small but I knew that the medium would not give me the support I needed under my bust. I actually felt a bit deflated for a few minutes because I thought that this bra wouldn’t work for me. But after some discussion with the other bloggers who were ordering their sports bras as well (and reading through the return/exchange policy on the website), I decided to cross my fingers and took a leap of faith and ordered the small. I placed my order on a Thursday afternoon and with priority shipping in the U.S. my package was waiting in my mailbox the following Monday!

Upon opening the package, the first thing I noticed (after how cute the pattern was) was how lightweight the material is.  This may not be a positive for all women, since light material can mean less support, but for me it was fantastic!  Since I don’t do any heavy exercising (mainly just power walking) having a light-weight bra that doesn’t create a lot of boob-sweat is A+ in my book.  The bra is 88% nylon and 12% spandex and a lime green with little magenta dots and a flower pattern accented with a white band and straps.  The band is about 1 1/4 inches wide and stretches to about 36 inches, though still feels fairly snug on my 27 inch rib cage.  My fears of the small size not fitting my boobs was (thankfully) completely unfounded, as the bra fit perfectly.  From the top of the cup to the top of the band is 6 inches, but stretches very well and has a double layer of material for extra support.  This sports/recovery/compression bra has a zippered front as well as a small hook closure at the middle behind the zipper.  Now you might be wondering why it’s called ‘Snap Me Twice’, and that is due to the 2 rows of snaps at the straps, which allows you to adjust them a bit depending on comfort.  For me, the tighter row has worked the best.  I also appreciate how sleek the snaps are and the straps are still very smooth under a shirt.

As far as comfort goes, I’d have to give this bra an A+.  It really is the most comfortable sports bra I own.  It fits me perfectly and supports my breasts without squeezing them at all.  The entire bra feels snug, but not constricting and I have found myself reaching for it every day when I get home from work!  I don’t sleep in a bra every night, but I do on occasion and have slept in this one and was very comfortable in it. The only complaint I have about the construction of the bra (and it is pretty minor), is that there is a flap of material behind the zipper and when it is zipped up, the top of the flap peaks out the top.  It really is just an aesthetics thing, but I do notice it and so in full disclosure I thought I’d point it out.  Other than that, I’d have to say that I really do love this bra!

The Sexy Lady Snap Me Twice bra runs at a retail price if $92 USD, and I’ll be honest and say that when I first saw the price on the website I thought I’d never spend $92 on any sports bra!  However, after thinking about it I’ve realized a couple things.  First is that this is not just a sports bra, but also a post-op/compression bra.  I’m past my post-op days but I can safely say that I would have chosen this over the ugly, ill-fitting post-op bra that cost me $40 that my surgeon gave me after my augmentation any day!  And second, I have about 4 or 5 sports bras that don’t fit me nearly as well or as comfortably that I’ve paid $20-$30 each for.  So in retrospect, I think I’d rather have a couple of these than a bunch of cheaper ones that I don’t like wearing!  I hope you enjoyed this review, and if you are in the market for a sports bra or post-op/compression bra I’d highly urge you to check out Karlee Smith and see if one of their bras might work for you!

*My Sexy Lady Snap Me Twice bra was graciously provided for review by Karlee Smith.  All opinions are my own.

Insider’s Scoop – Ewa Michalak Fairytale Purple!

Hey Ewa Michalak lovers! I have a bit of fun insider’s exclusive information for you today!   I bet you are wondering about the beauty in this picture and I’m not going to keep you suffering.  Allow us to present to you the ultra exclusive  to Bra Obsessed Ewa Michalak FairyTale Purple!

Only 13 have been made so far.  Mine and MsDizz’s, Yoomee’s is in the mail on its way to her, and ten other people in the world currently have one.  This gorgeous bra is a true exclusive to Bra Obsessed.  It will not be released by Ewa Michalak at any time in the future.  Would you like to have one too?  Then I have great news for you!  I’ve just heard that up to 20 more sets can be made with this special fabric.

Standard cut on Fairytale Purple is PL style.  MsDizz is modelling her PL for you in size 30H (65H) below.

For an additional $15 CAD you can request it in S style which is what I did.  I am modelling my S in size 30GG (65GG) below.

Take a look at these gorgeous details:

I love a bit of contrasting colour on the straps.

Its purple.  Need I say more?

The lace overlay goes all the way around the back of the band.  Unexpected and pretty!

My 30 (65) band measures approximately 23.5″ unstretched and approximately 31″ stretched before I notice any significant wire distortion.  MsDizz also noticed that her band felt loose so you may want to consider sizing down in the band on this one.  Tip:  Remember that if you size down in the band, you need to size up in the cup to compensate.  For example going from a 65GG, to get the same volume in a 60 band you would increase the cup one size up and order 60H.

Matching panties or thongs are available.  Here are my panties:

Note that they have the frilly, non-elastic finish on the bum.  Beautiful set / not my favourite style of panties but a girl has to do what a girl has to do to have the matching set.

Yoomee will show off hers when it arrives but we wanted to get this information to you today so that you don’t miss your opportunity to order this very special, extremely limited set.  You can place your order by emailing Bra Obsessed at bras@braobsessed.com.  Don’t forget to take a look on the Bra Obsessed site at the other two exclusive limited edition Ewa Michalak offerings, the Chalet and the Blekitek !

Ewa Michalak’s BM Naomi

In my continued quest to try every style of Ewa Michalak bra that is available in my size, as well as stock up on more summer, boob-sweat minimizing bras, I decided that the next style I had to try was the BM.  Like the SM style, the BM is an unlined balconette; and when I saw the new BM Naomi debut a couple of months ago, I knew that was the one for me!  

Stock photo

I ordered Naomi, along with the gorgeous S Opium (click HERE for review) from the lovely Jaimie at Bra Obsessed and was thrilled when I got it in the mail the other day!  Although it may look like just a plain brown bra on the website, like pretty much every Ewa bra, it is quite stunning in person.  A big surprise was that there is quite a purple undertone to this bra, with the band being only a shade or two off from the color of my S Glamour (click HERE for review) with a shiny satin look and feel.  On my 65GG, the band has the usual four rows of 3 hooks and eyes and is on the looser side with me being able to stretch it to about 32 inches before much wire distortion occurs, so if you like a firm band you may want to size down in this one.   TIP: Remember that when you size down in band, you will want to size up in cup to keep the same cup size. The band also is reinforced with a black mesh lining on the inner side for extra comfort and a more luxurious feel. The straps have a shiny satin sheen as well, and are fully adjustable for your comfort preference.  

The cups of the BM Naomi are made up of three-parts made of a stretchy floral lace in a deeper brown, but still with a purple undertone.  The bottom parts of the cup are lined with black mesh that comes up the side to meet the straps.  This mesh lining helps with the structure of the bra since the lace has stretch to it and keeps your breasts feeling secure and supported.  In typical Ewa fashion, no bra would be complete without it’s beautiful details and Naomi is no exception.  This bra has matching polka dot bows at the gore and straps making it both fun and flirty 😉

Now that we are done with the technical stuff, let me tell you how it feels 🙂  The first thing I noticed when I put Naomi on was how incredibly comfortable it is.  The stretch of the lace molded perfectly to my boobs and the band made me feel very supported (even though I had to wear it on the third tightest row of hooks). I was also very pleased that it wore extremely smoothly under shirts and I didn’t notice any lines showing through at all.  I have tan skin (I am currently somewhere between the color of Triumf and Naomi), and get fairly dark in the summer months, so Naomi is a perfect “nude” bra for me.  One thing I noticed the first day I wore it was that for some reason the bra made my boobs itch just a little bit.  But when I wore it a second time I didn’t notice it anymore, so I’m not quite sure what that was about!

I can honestly say I don’t really have anything negative to say about this bra, and I’d even venture to say that I find it more comfortable than either of the SMs I currently own (Triumf and Amorek), though they are very comfortable as well.  For those of you ladies who have more (or all) natural breast tissue and have some natural sag or hang, I have heard that the BM is a bit more minimizing than the SM style, which could be a positive or a negative depending on the look you are going for.  For me, who has very little natural tissue and zero sag or hang, I don’t see much of a difference between the two styles as far as the look.  It is definitely not going to give you the BAM! look that the S style does, but if you are looking for a light, airy, comfortable and supportive bra, this might be just the one for you!

Stock photo -Naomi Brief

Stock photo – Naomi Thong

Lastly, if you are looking to make this bra into a set, Ewa offers both the Naomi brief (for you ladies who are on #TeamFullBum) as well as the Naomi thong (for girls on #TeamButtCrack 😉 ).  I, unfortunately had to pass on the undies this time around as my wallet was already screaming in protest!  I hope you enjoyed this review and please stay tuned, our summer review line up is just warming up 🙂

Is Ewa’s New Semi-soFt Right for You?

As anyone who loves Polish lingerie knows, Ewa Michalak is not just known for the gorgeous look of her bras, but also for designing different styles to accommodate the many types of breasts there are.  Unlike most lingerie companies that might have a few different styles and then scale their sizes, Ewa currently offers about 13 different styles of bras to accommodate almost any type of boobs, from small to big, close-set to wide, FoT or FoB, firm or soft.  The most recent style that Ewa has designed is the SF, which stands for Semi-soFt.  As soon as this new style was posted on the Ewa Michalak Facebook page I was immediately intrigued.  And when she offered to send me the SF Gladzioch bez set (including the Bibi bezowa Perla thong) as a gift so that I could wear and review it for our readers, I was beyond thankful, as I know that many of our readers are just as curious about this new style as I was!   Note: Although this bra was gifted for review purposes, all thoughts and opinions are my own and given with full honesty and disclosure.

Upon first glance of the SF Gladzioch bez, you’re probably thinking what I was thinking, which is that it definitely lacks the pizzazz that Ewa bras are known for, looking more like a plain nude bra.  However, when you see it in person it’s hard not to appreciate the simple elegance that it exudes.  The four-part cup is made of a shiny nude fabric on the bottom 3-parts, and a double layer of elastic tulle on the top.  And no Ewa bra would be complete without the signature details that make her bras so fun and special; in keeping with simple elegance there are small buttons placed at the gore and straps.  It actually reminds me of an elegant, understated wedding gown with the shiny satin and tulle…though that might just be because I’m getting married soon and I have wedding dresses on the brain 😉 !  So although this may not be as “fun” as many of the other bras that have recently been released, please make no mistake that this is still a gorgeous Ewa bra!

According to the description of the SF on the Ewa Michalak website, this bra is meant for those who want more structure than an unlined bra provides, but don’t like the bulkiness of a padded bra, and I’d have to say that that description is pretty much spot on.  The SF is like the child  of the S and SM styles if they had a baby 🙂  The material on the bottom 3-parts of the cup is on the stiffer side, so it gives great structure and support without being bulky at all.  The tulle at the top of the cups allows for more coverage but because it is a very stretchy material, it doesn’t give you a closed in feeling like the S style can have. I actually think this would be a great style for women who have quite a bit of projection and/or are very FoT, especially if you want more coverage than a CHP provides without getting the “muffin top” that the S can give.  The band on this bra is very firm, so I would recommend considering sizing up if you usual size is already on the firm side.  

Upon trying the SF on, I was glad I chose to get a 65GG, which is the size I wear in the SM and BM styles (I’m in between a 65GG and 65H in the S style). This bra has a ton of projection so you’ll want to consider sizing down for this one, as it does not come with cookie pockets to help fill you out. The fit is very similar to the S style and gives a lot of BAM, which I love!  As I mentioned previously, the band is very firm (the firmest out of any of the 65s I own) and the gore gives me a very hard tack like my unlined bras do. I was worried that the stiff material might be scratchy or uncomfortable, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite comfortable and didn’t bother me at all.

I wore the SF for a full day, which is about 12 hours and here are my honest pros and cons. The pros are that I loved the shape it gave me and the fact that I felt very supported but not too warm (as my S styles can be in the hotter months of summer). And I do enjoy the very firm band and fully adjustable straps for comfort as well. I have a couple of cons though that I thought were worth mentioning as well. The first was that although I believe it is mentioned in the description as something that just naturally happens and is not a fault in the product, I didn’t really like that the tulle seemed to gather or wrinkle throughout the day. This may not happen if you have more projection to keep the material more taut, but I did notice it happened to me since the elastic tulle is very stretchy. I didn’t seem to notice it through my shirt, but when I peeked in under my shirt I saw it and would smooth it out. The second is more of a personal preference in that the gore has such a hard tack that by the end of the day I did feel it quite a bit. Nothing horrible, but more noticeable than I’d like. However, I notice that with my SM styles as well so if you like the fit and feel of the SM, I don’t think this is something you’d mind at all. 

As mentioned, to go along with the SF Gladzioch bez, I was also gifted the Bibi bezowa Perla thong.  These I got in a size 36, which I was a little worried would be too big, since my Amorek thong in the same size was a little on the loose side.  But those extra few pounds I have put on over the past few months must have filled in the space because the 36s were a perfect fit and the perfect complement to my new SF.  I especially love the little pearl accent on the back!  I must admit that I’m not a fan of all of Ewa’s thongs, as I feel some are a bit on the high-waisted side, with the band sitting at my navel.  But these fit just the way I like, with the band resting about an inch or two below.  The lace is very soft and as with the SF Gladzioch bez, they have a very bridal feel to them.  So much so that I may actually wear these on my wedding day 🙂

Overall, I really liked the SF and it’s a style I’d definitely purchase again once there are some fun colors and patterns to choose from!  If you enjoy the SM style and want a bit more structure or more modesty, I think this is a style you should strongly consider 🙂

 

Ewa Michalak S Opium Review

I recently took a road trip out to visit Jaimie at Bra Obsessed and picked up just a couple of things 😉

Jaimie had my change room ready to go before I had even arrived.  So much temptation!

Her shop truly is a Polish bra lover’s paradise!

Today I’m reviewing one of my purchases from that trip, the glorious Ewa Michalak S Opium.

I knew from the moment I first saw this set that I MUST have it.  Sometimes with floral prints I can take them or I can leave them, but this one was different.  This one is like a gorgeous water colour painting of poppies, done in the prettiest muted shades of pinks, peaches and lavenders with pops of bright pink throughout.  This colour scheme (and those pretty pink straps) make it a perfect choice for Spring and Summer.

I purchased my S Opium set in size  65GG (30GG) for the bra, with the matching full briefs in size 36.  I have recently gone up a cup in my bra size due to some unfortunate weight gain that seems intent on sticking around.  The 65GG is a perfect fit and for the first time in my personal Polish bra wearing history, I am able to keep the cookies (pads) in!   This 65 band measures approximately 23 inches unstretched, and approximately 30″ stretched (without starting cup distortion) after several washes and wears.  The band has a fairly firm feel to it.

Ewa Michalak S style bras are a favourite of mine as they keep me well anchored and provide an amazing up front and center, lifted appearance.   I rotate between the lined S style and the unlined SM style, depending on the weather.

Even though S is best for me for the reasons outlined above, other ladies have their own cut preferences.  My co-blogger MsDizz for example does best in the PL style and was able (by special request) to order her Opium in PL directly through Ewa Michalak.  This option is at the discretion of Ewa Michalak, but  if you see a bra you love that is available only in a cut that isn’t perfect for you, it doesn’t hurt to write and ask.  Note though that this will make the item a final sale (not returnable) and it does cost an extra 40 PLN to have the style changed.  If ordering through Bra Obsessed, you can email and enquire about the availability and cost of other cuts (all returnable when ordered through Bra Obsessed).

MsDizz ordered her PL Opium in size 65H and is modelling it for us in the picture below, without the cookies in.

The measurements for her 65H PL are approximately 23.5 inches unstretched and approximately 30.5 inches stretched and unlike me, she does not feel that the band is on the firm side.  Always interesting to have different perspectives and that is part of the beauty of having not just one but EIGHT bloggers here at An Enhanced Experience.

My co-blogger Tanzilove has Opium on order in CHP cut in size 80GG and she will be showing off her CHP Opium and giving her thoughts and opinions in an upcoming review.

I do love a matching set and these panties, worn with the bra, make for such a pretty, pulled together, flirty and fun look.   They are very comfortable and they don’t ride up during the day.  Here is a look at the panties, both front and back.

   

Speaking of a pulled together look,  I decided to have my nails done to match, just for fun.  This is Bio Seaweed Gel polish in 67 Passionfruit.   A pretty pairing, don’t you think?

I am expecting the SM Malinowy set very soon and that colour coordinates perfectly with Opium so that you can mix and match the bras and panty combinations between the two sets.

I think that deserves picking up something else to match!  A new lipstick perhaps?  Stay tuned for my Malinowy review to come soon and we’ll see what I can come up with.

 

 

Full Busted – or just Busted?

 

My co-bloggers and I recently had a lively discussion over what each of our definitions of full busted was and whether or not we considered our own selves to be full busted.

Personally, being in the 30G / GG UK range, I just don’t consider myself to be full busted.  I wear ‘full busted’ bras and swimwear,  but I feel that is only in the sense of the bra cups being larger in contrast with the bands being smaller.  That plus (in my area) anything below a 32 band is available only in a specialty shop.   Sure, G for Ginormous and all that, but on a 30 band? Its not all that and a bag of chips if you ask me.

According to this article from Medical Daily, the average American woman wears a bra size of 34DD.    If you sister sized me into a 34 band (I realize that wouldn’t fit, but just for argument’s sake…), I’d be not much over that average size.

According to Wikepedia, the definition of a full bust is having a cup size of at least C.  I have a question for Wikepedia.  C what?  C28?  C48?   There is a difference and the difference is real.  Real big.

So if we go with 34DD as the average size, then are most women full busted?

To me, I equate being truly full busted with having difficulty in finding clothing that fits properly, with having back pain, with struggling to find a bra that offers adequate support, coverage and comfort, having shoulder straps that dig in painfully due to breast weight.   My issues are limited  to occasionally struggling to find fitted dresses that fit properly.  The small band / larger cup bras and swimsuits are out there and easy enough to obtain so I don’t count bra / sport bra / swimsuit issues.  Back pain?  Never.   My issues sounds pretty petty, don’t they?

I’ve asked a few of my co-bloggers to tell us their thoughts…

Baby:  

I view full busted as more along the lines of proportion. The bust being fuller in size compared to hips and shoulders, not necessarily just the ribcage/band measurement. I fit the definition of full busted but I actually feel I am in proportion with my hips and shoulders.
That said, I do have some problems finding clothing but nothing extreme that I can’t get around by ordering online.

Yoomee:

I more look at the “big picture” when I think about bust size and if I would consider someone (including myself) full busted.  Purely looking at the numbers (proportion and cup size), I would be considered full busted. My bust is wider than my waist and hips and I wear a GG to H cup, though my band is 28-30.  However, I personally don’t think I look like I have humongous boobs at all. I also think there is a difference in the appearance of “big boobs” if you look at most natural breasts compared to enhanced.  In comparison, I think my boobs look very comparable to natural DDs. So am I full busted?  Yes. Do I perceive myself as full busted?  Not really. 

Treschic:

I agree that breast size is relative to the body they belong to.  I am 5’9 and almost 200 lbs, I’ve been called ‘statuesque’, ‘amazonian’, and ‘big boned’ but the reality is I’m a big girl 🙂 I was a 36B prior to my surgery, and received 800cc implants.  On a smaller woman, 800ccs can look huge, but in my opinion I just look well proportioned.  I now wear a 36Gish UK, which most would consider full busted, and I suppose I am, but I don’t have any problems finding clothes or bras.  I think a lot of that is due to the fact that, unlike many of my fellow bloggers here at AEE, I don’t wear a small band.  I also wore a larger clothing size prior to my augmentation, so all my clothes still fit fine…better even!  

This photo shows how angles play a big part in how big they look.

In proportion to my whole body, I think my boobs look very average sized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tanzilove:

The terms “full busted” and “projection” seem to get thrown around quite loosely. I agree with my fellow bloggers and their opinions on being full busted. I am a 36I US. I am what most women would consider to be full busted. Do I have problems finding clothes that fit properly? No. Are my breasts constantly exposed because my tops are too tight or too small? No. Don’t get me wrong. There are some things that just wont work. Some things will not fit well and won’t look good but these things are easily replaced with other styles. Like my fellow blogger Treschic, I am not a smaller band size. I wear an average band size. My bust size is pretty consistent with the rest of me. I do have a smaller waist, but I have hips and booty. Definitely curvy.

Let’s look at the other end of the spectrum. My daughter measures at a UK 28FF. Is she full busted? My opinion, and hers: absolutely not. She is tall and thin. That still doesn’t put her in the “full busted” category as far as we are concerned. She can wear whatever she wants; string bikinis, bralettes, etc. She doesn’t experience back pain or limitations because of her bust size. She is comfortable with her natural size and doesn’t feel the need to exaggerate it, or play up the fact that she is a 28 FF. She considers herself normal. No one stares at her, no one asks her about her “huge boobs”.

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We’d love to know what you think?  What is your definition of full busted?  What do you think the definition should be?

Until next time,

Jelz and the AEE team

 

Ewa Michalak – SM Amorek

The SM style bra from Ewa Michalak has been one that I’ve honestly been a bit scared of since I first fell in love with Polish bras.  It’s a style that I’ve always thought was beautiful and sexy but never thought I’d buy since it is an unlined balconette, and I’ve never thought unlined bras did much for my bust.  But since my upgrade, I’ve felt more comfortable with my breast size so I decided to try it out.  The first SM I tried, the SM Wrozka was a complete flop (in my opinion).  The gore dug unrelentingly at my chest and made it impossible to wear for more than an hour or two and scared me away from the SM style for a whole year!  But with summer quickly approaching, and all the other AEE gals raving about how amazing the SM is (especially in the summer heat), I cautiously decided to give it another try.

Hearts added for modesty:)

 

In my direct order, along with S Glamour (review HERE) I ordered two SM style bras, the SM Triumph and the SM Amorek.  Amorek is a bra I had been admiring from afar for quite some time, ever since fellow AEE blogger, Baby had purchased it.  Amorek is the type of lingerie that screams Valentines Day, but really is perfect for any time you want to feel very pretty and girly.  The bra has pink mesh cups accented with cherry red satin ribbon across the 3-part cup and matching red scalloped lace across the top. The gore is accented with a small red heart, and there are red bows were the pink mesh meets the red straps.  The mesh cups do not have any design to them, so they are very see through, a huge plus in my hubby’s opinion 😉

Hearts added for modesty:)

As far as sizing goes, I was a little torn on what to order.  As I mentioned in a recent post, I am a 65GG 1/2, but I’ve been told that with some SM bras you want to size down (depending on if the cup ran big or not and due to the fact that the bra is unlined).  The SM cups do not have any stretch to them and obviously don’t come with the removable “cookies” that the lined Ewa bras do, so making sure that you get the right size is very important since you don’t have as much wiggle room as you do with lined bras.  After getting some guidance from my fellow bloggers, I ended up ordering a 65GG and it is a perfect fit.  As you may notice in the pictures above, there is a small amount of empty fabric under my breasts, right above the wire.  This is something that is very normal for enhanced breasts, especially if you don’t have much natural tissue.  My breasts don’t have any natural “hang” that would typically fill this space.

There are definitely pros and cons to the SM style (and this bra in particular), especially if you are a die hard S style girl like me. First, let’s go over the pros. The SM’s mesh cups are extremely light and breathable and I’m excited to wear this in the summer, as it’s going to greatly minimize the dreaded summer boob sweat 😉  The band is fairly firm and the straps are fully adjustable. The gore on this bra seems slightly lower than my S styles so it tacks very well and doesn’t cut into my cleavage at all. Also, because of the way the cup is cut and sewn into the straps, this bra gives great support even though the material is very thin. Lastly, because the SM is cut like the S (lined balconette version), it still pulls your breasts front and center giving great cleavage :). Now on to the cons. There are only two, and they aren’t big enough to stop me from wearing this beauty, but I feel like it wouldn’t be an accurate review if I didn’t mention them.  Both cons have to do with the ribbon that lines the seams of the cup, and I suppose you could lump them both into one, but I will speak of them individually. The first is that the bra doesn’t lay completely smooth under shirts, as the ribbon that lines the seams does show unless you are wearing a medium to thick material or one with lots of pattern. The second is that the ribbon sticks up at my nipples in a way that under certain shirts it appears that my nipples are always hard!  As shown in the picture above, when I am wearing the blue shirt that is made with thin material, you can see the seams very clearly; though in the black shirt with a medium weight material, you don’t see the seams (or nipples) much at all.  Neither con are very significant in my book, and certainly won’t stop me from wearing this bra!

As soon as Jelz (our resident “matching sets” girl) found out I was purchasing Amorek, she badgered me into getting the matching Amorek thong as well 😉 And since she’s never steered me wrong with the undies I can pass on and the ones I absolutely must buy, it was no surprise when I got them I was so glad that I did!  They are so cute and girly and really are the perfect complement to the bra.    I purchased these in a 36 (8) which is my usual Ewa undies size, but in my opinion they run a little big and could have easily fit in a size down.

As you can see in this picture, this really is a bra where you want to make it a set.  I have been extremely impressed with the SM Amorek and it has encouraged me to add more SMs to my collection.  If you are looking for a light summer bra, but want one with some fun and girly attitude, I definitely think this is the one for you!  Please make sure to stay tuned, as I am awaiting the arrival of the beautiful BM Naomi and will be posting a review on it as well as a comparison of the differences between the SM and BM styles 🙂

Ewa Michalak Saint-Tropez Swimsuit Review

Ever since I first became acquainted with the Ewa Michalak brand, I had been hoping that a swimsuit would be released for sale.  I had even written and asked (pleaded!), to no avail.  So, when Spring 2016 rolled  around and I saw the first Facebook hints that some sort of swimwear would be released, I was super excited.  However, when I first saw the photos of the Saint-Tropez swimsuit I actually felt a bit disappointed.  I didn’t think that the retro style would suit me.  I had never tried high waisted bottoms and I just couldn’t see myself pulling off that look.  Still, I had waited soooo long for EM swimwear that I  couldn’t miss the chance to own my very own set, regardless of my initial reservations.    Anyway, its good to try new things.   Change is good!

I asked the lovely Jaimie of Bra Obsessed to please order a set for me right away.  Truth be told, I asked Jaimie to please order two sets for me to try because my size has fluctuated a bit as of late.  I’ve heard other adult  women say that their breast size has increased because of a ‘hormonal growth spurt’or  simply that their ‘breasts grew’ (and I can only assume that they mean ONLY their breasts).  Maybe that is true. Regardless, the truth of my own situation is that my breasts grew.  So did my gut.  What can I say?  I ate a lot of snacks over the winter and didn’t go to the gym as often as I had intended.  I confess!  That, my friends, is the reality of my situation.  It is what it is.

I purchased this set with the top in size 65GG (one cup up from my pre-winter indulgence size 65G) and the bottoms in size 36.  The band measures approximately 22.5″ unstretched and I actually couldn’t stretch it past 29″.   This is good news because it means it will stay put when it is wet.  It felt comfortable on my 27″ ribcage. The swim top is in my favourite S bra style.  It gives that wonderful up front and centre, lifted appearance that has made the S style so popular with so many women.

The suit is made of Lycra so that it is appropriate for pools and oceans (if you’re so lucky).  The inside of the cups are lined with nylon instead of the usual cotton  of EM bras and the swimsuit does have the removal ‘cookies’ for correcting asymmetry or boosting cleavage.

An interesting feature of the swim top is the removable cleavage strap detail.  The cleavage straps are elastic, with metal hooks and eyes for easy on / off and they feature adjustable sliders so that you can custom set the length yourself.  The straps attach to a metal ring on the shoulder straps and to a fabric loop at the centre of the gore.

Adding or removing these straps allows the wearer to choose from two quite different looks, as shown below.

The back (in size 65GG) has a regular 3 x 3 bra hook and eye closure, but these are disguised by a simple fabric tie that you do up over top of the bra closure.

Its almost like Ewa knew I’d been stuffing my face all winter because the bottoms actually have a sort of tummy control lining and they smooth any lumpiness that might have otherwise shown, which is nice.  Because of this lining, the bottoms feel snug and firm without much stretch, similar to how any type of tummy control underpants might feel.

I doubt I’ll get to wear my suit in Saint Tropez, but watch out Puerto Backyarda, the weather is getting warmer and I’ll be ready!

 

 

 

 

 

Ewa Michalak – S Glamour

G-L-A-M-O-R-OUS, ooh flossy flossy!  Come on ladies, you know the song!  That is what plays in my head when I look at this bra.  But to be completely honest, the first time I saw the new Ewa Michalak S Glamour, I wasn’t over the moon in love with it.  I thought it was pretty, but it seemed very similar to the S Paris Paris I already own (review HERE).  But then, as I was building my list of bras I was going to purchase on my next order, I couldn’t help but to keep being drawn back to it.  I mean lets be honest, it’s gorgeous!  So after much internal debate, I decided that it had to go on the list.  I have worn Paris so much that it’s starting to look a bit worn anyway, so what the heck.

As some of you may know (based on my lack of reviews), it’s been a stretch since I have purchased any bras, so this time I kinda went crazy!  Between my direct order with Ewa Michalak and two orders through Jaimie at Bra Obsessed, I ordered 7 bras and two undies to make matching sets.  I had heard rumors that Ewa was a bit backed up with orders and that my direct order with her (which included S Glamour, SM Triumph and the SM Amorek with matching thong) might take longer than usual.  I was a little bummed, but have come to accept that waiting is just part of the price you pay when you are a Polish bra junkie like me!  Because I was expecting to wait quite a while, I was thrilled when I got my shipping notice only a few days longer than what my orders usually take (it was about 2 1/2 weeks for production rather than the usual 10-14 days).  Eight days after my bras shipped, they arrived and boy was I excited!  The moment I took Glamour out of the box, I was thanking the bra Gods that I had ordered this one.  It is stunning, I mean seriously magnificent! Every detail on this bra is on point, from the bow accent at the gore with delicate little pink pom poms at the ends, to the luxurious lace that covers the cups, to the shimmery pink satin ribbon. The name suits this bra perfectly, as it is truly glamorous.

My Ewa bra size has been somewhat of a moving target.  I love the firmness of a 60 band (I have a 26″ underbust), but I have not found that the cups on my 60 band bras fit quite right, even when I size up in the cup.  So I have decided to stick with the 65 band for now.  As far as cup size, I typically order a GG even though I recently realized I really am more of a GG 1/2.  Because of this, I decided to order up a cup size and ordered S Glamour in a 65H.  I was actually quite nervous about sizing up in cup, since I have a phobia about getting bras that are too big, which I blame on being small busted for much of my life and all bras I liked seemed too big on me.   When I first put Glamour on, it seemed very big and I almost panicked.  But then after a little adjusting, it actually fit quite nicely 🙂  I will throw in a small disclaimer that I always take the pads out of my GG bras, and with this size H, I do have to wear the pads to get a proper fit (again, I’m a GG 1/2, not quite an H).  There is also the smallest bit of gap that occurs on the cup near the gore on the side of my smaller breast.  Such are the problems we have when we are in between sizes!  I also noticed that this bra’s band seems to be on the looser side, so if you are in between band sizes I’d definitely recommend the smaller band on this one.

On to fit. As much as having a gorgeous bra to wear is awesome and all, the most important thing (to me at least) is how comfortable it is.  I wore this bra all day (about 12 hours) and I’ve gotta say, it is darn comfy!  When I first put it on and then put on my shirt, I will say that I was like “Dang, that’s a lot of boob!”  Not only does it give maximum cleavage (as the S style is known for), with the pads in it adds that extra oomph that sets it over the top. Definitely not a bra to wear if you are looking to minimize your assets!  When I wear a bra for the first time, I pay extra close attention to the fit and feel, and can say I was very happy with Glamour.  The straps are on the stretchy side, not super firm, but fully adjustable and didn’t slip at all throughout the day.  There was no digging or poking at the gore like some bras have, and I felt like it stayed in place with very minimal adjusting throughout the day. All of my bras are comfortable, but I do have the ones that I’m very happy to take off after a long day of work, this one I didn’t feel the need to remove immediately, which is a huge plus in my book!  Also, the seams were barely noticeable under my tight-fitting shirt, another huge plus!  I can safely say this bra will be added to my rotation and will be worn very regularly.

Now to address  my original concern, which was the similarity between Glamour and Paris.  As you can see in the comparison picture below, yes they are similar, but I’d more say that Glamour is like Paris on steroids!  Where Paris is a dusty purple, the fabric in Glamour is actually gray with purple undertones and has more of a sheen to it.  Glamour also has the pink satin ribbon across the seam of the cup, on the gore, as well as sewn into the straps.  What really kicks Glamour up to a whole new level is the the lace overlay Ewa chose to use.  It is quite possibly some of the most beautiful lace I have ever seen.  Its a grayish pink with (what looks like) silver thread woven through it, which almost makes it sparkle.  I would definitely recommend this for any of you who wanted (but missed out on) Paris, anyone who loves gray bras, well heck, I’d recommend this to everyone!

Glamour also has matching undies that you can purchase if you are a “sets” kinda girl. Unfortunately for me, they are only available in “full bums” and I’m a thong girl (or as the AEE ladies jokingly refer to it, “team butt crack” 😉 ).  Below are stock photos of the matching undies, which look just as beautiful as the bra.

Glamour has quickly become one of (if not the) most beautiful bras I own. It’s subtle and elegant details coupled with the outstandingly craftsmanship and design that Ewa puts into all her undergarments really makes this bra a complete package winner in my book!  If you have been on the fence up until now, I’d encourage you to scoop Glamour up before its too late!