Does this bra fit me? Ewa Michalak SF 70J EU, gaping at top but otherwise looks good and feels supportive.
Edited to add photos of the back of the Ewa Michalak SF 70J. I loosened the straps by about 2". I didn't have the correct size bra extender. I had a 2-hook or 4-hook that was the correct spacing between hooks. My 3-hook one is spaced differently and didn't really work. Pics here
My measurements:
Loose underbust: 33.5”
Snug underbust: 32”
Tight underbust: 29.5”
Standing bust: 41”
Leaning bust: 44”
Lying bust: 44”
32GG/H UK recommended (32H UK = 32K US = 70K EU) although GG has been too small anytime I've tried it.
I'm located in US. I tried on a bunch of bras at Nordstrom and narrowed down what worked and what didn't, but I eventually realized they don't have what I need in-store, so I've been ordering from their website, plus Miseczki and Breakout Bras.
Shape:
Very close-set, short/narrow roots, very projected, center full, bottom full.
32 band often feels very tight, but 34 is almost always too loose.
I'm 53, 5'6", 173 lbs, short torso, breastfed 2 kids, breasts are saggy but full and round, nipples are facing forward at a slight outward angle.
Common fit problems:
Wires too wide for IMF, bras too tall, gaping at top, gore too wide, shoulder straps always dig in (but I also have a permanent indent there so it could just be that), fat squish makes bands uncomfortable, underwire often uncomfortable and digs into ribs and upper belly when sitting.
The bra I'm asking about:
Ewa Michalak SF Nibynic 70J EU - This is the closest I've come to a perfect fit so far in my ABTF journey. I don't know where to go from here, honestly. Wires don't bother me at all! Gaping at the top of cup, but otherwise cups fit very well and boobs actually feel weightless. The gore isn't quite tacking at the top, but it's close, maybe only a quarter of an inch from chest. Band feels very tight, but from what I understand, Polish bras have firmer bands and it will stretch. It was actually recommended to go up a band size in this style and I previously tried it in Gladzioch fabric in a 75J and the band fit well, but the cups were a tiny bit too big. They were out of the next cup size down, so I took a chance on the 70J they had in stock in a different fabric. Will need an extender at first for comfort if I keep this one.
Pic: Ewa Michalak SF 70J
Other bras I have tried:
Gorsenia Vicky 70K EU - I love how this one looks, and the fit is so close, but I think it's too tall for me. The underwire comes up pretty far into my armpit. Also the outer curves of the underwires are digging in to my ribs. It must not be hitting my IMF quite right even though the wires are narrow enough. I'm planning to return this one, sadly.
Pic: Gorsenia Vicky 70K
Gorsenia Casablanca 70K EU - Lace part at the top was way too big, cups too tall. It's going back!
Panache Ana Plunge 32HH UK: I was spilling out of the middle and gaping at the top, and the straps were digging hard into my shoulders. The wires went at least 1” past my IMF under my arms. The band felt very tight and I hated the lace under the wires. Just didn't feel supported in this one.
Panache Tango Essence 32HH - Gore fit weird (overlapped wires) and the bra pulled across one boob in an odd way, it may have been defective, but the wires were too wide under my arms anyway.
Fantasie Demure 32H UK - Most comfortable band (softer and more stretchy than most bands), but wire too wide/past IMF under arms by over 1”, but other than that the cups fit very well despite being more shallow than I should probably have. Surprisingly minimal gaping at top of cups. This bra was very comfortable even if the wires were too wide for me. Would highly recommend this one for anyone who is looking for a more comfortable/soft band. Also, it's hard to tell from the photos, but this bra is seamed (4 sections) but has a layer of thin molded fabric (not foam) over the top. (I actually kept this one since it was actually comfortable even though I know the fit isn't perfect. I just needed something to wear while I continued my search for the "perfect" bra.)
Pic: Fantasie Demure 32H
Fantasie Fusion Full-Cup Side Support 32GG, H, HH UK - The GG cups were too small, but the wires were narrow enough for me. HH was too big. H cups fit, but the wires they use must make a size jump here because they were too wide, wider than the GG wires for sure. That was disappointing! I also felt the gore was too wide on this one, it wasn't tacking even though the cups really seemed like they were big enough. (I actually bought this in the GG anyway because it was on clearance at Nordstrom Rack for $5 and I could not walk away from that deal. If I ever lose enough weight to go down a cup size maybe it will fit? Lol.)
Elomi Morgan 32HH UK - Gore too wide, wires too wide/past IMF, top of cups cut across my breasts and wire felt like it was too low even though it looked like it was sitting on my IMF at least in the front.
Comexim Miriam Half-Cup 70J, JJ, K EU - I think I actually tried this one in 6 sizes starting with the recommended size from Breakout Bras. They were too small or too big and never felt supportive. I spilled out of every size until the cups were too big. Gore tilted forward a lot and overlapped so one boob was spilling out more than the other. I think I need more coverage than a half cup. This bra is SO pretty though.
In conclusion:
I have actually tried on WAY more bras than this, but I didn't start keeping notes on them until I'd tried on probably 20 styles. A lot of those were obviously wrong for me—cups too tall, cups too far apart, spacer bras, etc. Anything that spreads my boobs wider than my body is a no-go for me.
I have 2 more Comexim bras coming but I'm thinking I might need more coverage than what this brand offers but we'll see!
Any advice or recommendations welcome, but I really want your expert opinions on if I should keep this Ewa Michalak bra. I've been looking for the perfect bra for months and I'm so sick of thinking about bras! I work from home and have been wearing unstructured "comfort" bras for the last few years and they were not doing my back any favors. This has just been a long journey. I don't remember having so many issues with bras being uncomfortable when I was younger, thinner, and had much smaller boobs. 25 years ago I wore a 32DDD, but looking back now I bet I could have worn a 30 band. I was perfectly comfortable though so who knows? Also I'm auDHD and have sensory issues (they have gotten worse as I get older) so even a bra that fits might still bother me. I don't know. That fat squish is definitely not feeling great, but bigger bands I've tried just always ride up in the back. Ugh.
TIA!