Review: Curvy Kate Gia

This is the best shape I've found with Curvy Kate. 2nd best is Portia. I've worn this brand quite a bit over the last year, although now that I have bumped up 1/2 cup size, they no longer work so well. Mainly due to the total lack of stretch in the cup fabric; Curvy Kate is all about the rigid, though fairly soft, fabric. Unfortunately, as the fabric has no ability to flex and bounce back, it distorts over the day resulting in the now infamous 'upside down 7' ski slope shape that is especially a problem for full-on-top shapes. 

Comfort:

• Wires are medium-low in height, which I really enjoy. Medium width. CK is never 'a lotta bra'.
• Cup fabric is a comfy satin simplex on the lower part, and a softish mesh on top.
• Straps are in a nice position, not too far to the edge.
• Gore is fairly low, not too wide and tacks well.
  
  
  
  

Beauty:

• Rich jewel toned color. The satin lower cup has a subtle luster. The geometric mesh has tiny random cut-outs. It's not my favorite; I'm more of a lace fan.
• True balconette shape, with a little less coverage than some otheir other styles.
• Shape is lifted and round-ish, for Curvy Kate.

Compromises:

• Band. Not the softest. And it has a little of that thin elastic along the edges that is tighter than the rest of the band. It's not as bad as Freya, but noticeable. 
• Like all their styles, as the cup size increases, so does the upper panel of the cup. I just don't care for the way it throws off the balance of the design by expanding to 1/2 the overall cup, rather than the 1/3 it comprises in the smaller sizes.
• Virtually no ability to accommodate size fluctuations. The wires will quickly begin to dig, and the already iffy shape develops odd angles that resemble a squared-odd triangle.
• Band runs quite snug and stops at a 38.

When Do I Wear It?

Mainly as a compromise choice while I'm searching for better options in a seamed, lightweight, minimal-to-moderate coverage balconette. comfy enough for a work day and breathable in summer.

Size: 38GG