Ewa Michalak HP Kobalt Reviewed
Remember way back when I mentioned buying an HP Kobalt from blogger Ejay over at Dimpsey Bra Fit? If you’re a new reader, you can find out about that little adventure here. Well, it finally arrived, and it fits almost perfectly! Behold!
HP Kobalt, 26G
The HP shape is one of Ewa Michalak’s half cup variations. The shape is very round, and held closer to the chest than Ewa’s other half cups (CH, CHP), which are more projected. Though I must say, the shape is still more projected than many of my non-Ewa bras.
My general initial reaction whenever I put on a half cup is “AH! So much boob!” But I soon get used to the feeling, and am always impressed with the look, and am surprised by the security. I wore this bra all day while cleaning my house and didn’t experience any security issues or discomfort. Thoroughly impressed!
I purchased this bra in a 26G, and as I thought, the band is too tight. I can fasten it, but it’s too restrictive to be comfortable, so I’m wearing it with a full extender for the time being. It’s a pretty true-to-size 26 band, stretching to a bit more than 26 inches. Lately I’ve enjoyed wearing my bras a bit looser than my ribcage measurement (26 inches), and find that bras that stretch to 27 or 28 inches are suiting me well. The cups definitely run big compared to PL styles, which I need a 28G-GG in. A 28FF, or 26G in this case, fits very well in the cups.
Primary characteristics of the HP Kobalt are:
- Narrow wires
- Wide straps
- Half adjustable straps
- Fairly deep cups
- Lightly padded cotton lined cups
- Lightly padded straps
This style would likely work well for someone will pretty full on top boobs. I have fairly even fullness and occasionally get some gaping, but nothing that would cause me not to keep the bra. Design-wise, I love the deep grey-blue colour, and the one ice blue bow at the center to off set it looks fantastic. The only downside for me is that the HP Kobalt makes my chest appear larger, which really only makes it a downside for everyday wear. It’s quite nice for mixing it up every now and then.
-Windie
That is so gorgeous on you! I love the color and shape. The teal straps at the back are a great touch.
Completely agree about the teal straps! I might even get a navy blue extender to make the bra feel more “complete.”
Great that it finally arrived Windie! Glad you like it! It seems to suit your shape better than I =)
Thanks so much for selling it to me! It’s a great bra!
The bra looks great on you! (I have it as well, and it’s my current favourite.)
Just a quick thought/question: I hear a lot of people defining a “true x band” as “a band that stretches to x inches”… but if a well-fitting band does leave enough room for two fingers, then the band would need to stretch to x+ 1 or 2 inches (or something like that). Does it make sense to say that a band that stretches to x inches is a “true x band” if it won’t fit someone with an x-inch ribcage?
Yeah, that makes sense to me, but I think that it depends on the amount of fat one has around their ribcage. If a woman with a lot of squish measured 36 inches around her ribcage, then she could likely wear a band stretched to 36 inches since it could depress into the fat tissue somewhat before becoming uncomfortable. That’s what I’ve heard from some friends who have more fat around their ribcage anyway. I have very little fat tissue, so I need the inches for comfort. I think it’s just dependant on body type.
I’ve been eyeing this bra for a while myself, I just never got the urge to order it. It looks fantastic on you! Such a nice, uplifted shape. Glad to hear it’s supportive, too. Makes me want to go get one after all.. 🙂
It’s my favourite half cup variation from Ewa Michalak that I’ve tried, it stikes a nice balance between projection and uplift!
Great review! The blue color and texture almost reminds me a bit of denim. EM keeps tempting me . . .
Take the pluunge! >:)
I love the look and style of this, but unfortunately I’ve heard the HPs have a very open top, which is the opposite of what would suit me 😦 Bummer! Looks great on you, though. 🙂
Hey Yui! Yes, the HP bras are really open on top. I get a bit of gaping sometimes, but for the most part it works nicely 🙂 Thanks!
I came across your blog the other day and love pretty much everything about it. This is actually the first place I heard of Ewa Michalak and I’ve been perusing the online shop ever since, but I’m not brave enough to actually buy anything (also they’re on a break at the moment). I’ve pegged myself as a 28FF as well, most of the time, and I’m pretty tired of all the balconettes in the wardrobe. This is gorgeous (and looks fantastic on you, I might add) so I may give this a shot and get over my mixed feelings about wide straps. Might also give the PL Stalówka (or the CHP) a shot while I’m at it. Any recommendations? 🙂 Also thank you for your excellent reviews and I adore the wonderful gaming paraphernalia in the background.
Hey Laurie! Glad you like the blog, and yeeeees, welcome to the world of Ewa Michalak 😀 I’ll be reviewing one of their SM bras soon, and definitely love and recommend that style (it has a narrower strap and wire placement than say, the HP Kobalt).
Unfortunately I think the Stalowka and Kobalt are discontinued, but maybe they still have some fabric kicking around for custom sizes? Definitely worth asking!
I need to force myself to do more gaming posts… I talk about and play games so much in “real life” that the need to write about them doesn’t build up like it does with lingerie 😛