Hello Everyone,

Earlier this week, I reviewed the fabulous Samanta Mintaka A925 bra, and today, I am following through with my promise to review the other bra gifted to me by Sweet Nothings:  The Hana A111.  If you have not already done so, I recommend reading the Prelude to a Product Review post I wrote before continuing forward as I discuss Samanta’s sizing, pricing, and brand strategy in depth—all of which I will not rehash here.  Also, please check out the original review written by Sweet Nothings on both the Mintaka and Hana as she has additional insights and photos you may enjoy.

Sizing & Fit:  As with the Mintaka A925, the Hana is a size 70K (roughly a UK 32H) and fits well.  Because the bra is lightly used, I am estimating how much the band has stretched to determine sizing consistency.  Furthermore, after revisiting my current measurements, I realized I am between a 30 and 32 band again. With this information taken into account, the Hana fits comfortably on the middle hook some days while others feel better on a tighter setting.  This variance could also be related to how much salt I imbibed on the previous evening (if I had popcorn *cough* last night *cough*, count on me needing the middle hooks).  However, the fabric on the wings feels like it may have more innate stretch, and the Hana also lacks the side stays of the Mintaka.  Side stays often constrict the ability of the wing to fully stretch and are frequently paired with a firmer fabric near the underwire before transitioning to something more flexible after the stay.  I am going to tentatively claim the band runs truer to UK sizing here.  (Note:  I came to the same conclusion on the video; however, the video and pictures were shot nearly three weeks before I got a chance to write the review.  In between that time, I lost a couple pounds which changed how tight I can wear the band.)

The cups on the Hana fit me perfectly, giving me enough depth and space to completely fill the cup without encountering any overflow in the front or on the sides.  Unlike my Comexim bras which I adore (clearly since I mentally compare everything else to them and can’t stop mentioning them in my reviews—I realize this, but hey, it’s my blog.), the Hana offers a more relaxed, natural profile without sacrificing lift or forward projection.  According to Samanta, the A111 “optically reduces the bust, exposes it and slightly raises it up. It maintains and naturally rounds the bust. Deep cups cover 80% of the bust, ensuring maximum subtlety and comfort.” Kudos to Samanta’s copywriter because that is a clear, concise, and honest description of how the bra fits and the profile it creates.

The narrow center gore fully tacks comparable to the more traditional “UK Tack,” and the sides are slightly wider than I need.  However, the height of the underwire and the shape of the outer cup are low enough to not create any issues with the bra cutting into my arm or digging into sensitive tissue.  In fact, the cup design for the A111 is quite unique in the fuller bust market.  Composed of a three-section cup design, the A111 offers a smooth lower cup, a side panel, and an embroidered upper cup.  Often, you see the use of a vertical seam directly beneath the heaviest part of the bust to create additional lift, but the A111 manages to achieve support without needing one.  The traditional side panel pulls breast tissue into the front, and the embroidered top cup contours inward for a perfect fit.  Like Mintaka, the back closes with two hook-and-eye closures, and the straps are wider than I prefer but comfortable and fully-adjustable.

A full coverage piece, the A111 completely lifts and separates tissue into a flattering, modern silhouette.  My Comexim bras often created challenges closing button-fronts even before I gained weight, but Hana offers a more subtle profile, particularly for clothing more sensitive to extreme projection.  I have also been missing non-padded bras lately, and trying Hana reminded me how much I enjoy them.  Finally, anyone who had reservations about the tacking issues, padding, or general shape of the A925 Mintaka may find something to appreciate here, particularly people interested in a bra with less immediate projection.

Materials & Design:  The Hana A111 uses exceptionally smooth, non-irritating materials for the bulk of the design which translates to an effortlessly lightweight bra.  A dreamy, slightly stretchy fabric represents both the side panel and lower cup, and the wings anchor the body but feel soft and comfortable.  Hana disappears seamlessly into the background of the day rather than reminding me constantly that I’m wearing a bra.  Moreover, I frequently experience issues with banded frames flipping underneath the underwire during my daily activities and then rubbing my skin.  Longlines have been a perfect solution for me, but Hana manages to avoid the problem entirely.  Even if the band does someday roll under, the fabric is so smooth and devoid of lace or embroidery that I think it will not create the same problems.

Aside from the incredible materials, the Hana is also an understated, elegant design, and I think the use of tight seaming, flat embroidery, and smoother fabric ensures the bra will not be rejected for a lack of discretion under thinner clothing.  In the claret, Hana imbues a deep, crimson for a pop of rich, jewel-tone color, and the textured straps and ornate floral embroidery offer visual interest without competing with the eye-popping color.

Overall, I have been wearing the bra for a few weeks, and I’m hard pressed to pick a favorite between Mintaka and Hana because I like them for different purposes.  Mintaka channels the forward projection and shape I have come to rely on over the last two years, but Hana reminds me of of my lost love Freya, now upgraded and improved to fit my figure while still providing the rounded, lifted shape I love.

Erica