Let's Talk Bras....

[branv]

I swear by Fantasie and Prima Donna. I thought I was a 36DD/38D because that's what I was wearing at Victoria's Secret, and always had strap issues, etc. Then I went to Intimacy in Chicago and got fitted - and found I should be wearing a 32F/G! I actually went *back* to VS after that, and they still fitted me in a 36DD, which just doesn't work! Once you get fitted correctly, you know what to look for and it's easy to find bras that fit right even if the sizing between brands isn't the same.

This practice makes me furious! For anyone who isn't aware, it's called "sister sizing" and basically when a bra shop doesn't carry your size, they will do a "1:1" sort of thing until they can put you into one of their bras that they do carry. For instance, if you're actually measuring in at a 36F/DDD, they'll take down the cup size and up the band size i.e. for every cup size they go down, they go up one strap size. So someone who SHOULD be in a 36F/DDD gets put into a 40D. Yes, for some people this works. But for many people it doesn't and they go for years wearing a size that is at best less flattering than it could be, at worse, painful and unattractive. And the salespeople don't even fess up and say, "well really you should be this size, but we're going to have to put you into this b/c it's all we have." I spent years with bra problems because of this and thought it was impossible to get a good fit.

And go figure...the cup size doesn't stay the same. A 36C can end up with a bigger CUP in a 42C, not just a bigger band. How does that make sense? a big mistake people make when their bra strap is too tight is to go up a band size...but then they end up with not just a band that's too big, but a cup size that's too big. It's crazy.

I think the best thing people can do is get a good friend and have them measure you. I have been to all the places recommended...VS, Nordstroms, LB, and have gotten varied sizes, none truly accurate. I finally found a wonderful lady who knew what she was doing and was honest about my true size even though they didn't carry it. She was also the first salesperson who had me lift up on my bra straps to heft the girls up for accurate measuring. I'm still stunned at what my real bra size is. And since I've been wearing it, it's amazing how much slimmer my waist looks with the girls lifted where they should be. It's also far improved my posture

 

[ceecee]

DD is anxiously waiting until she is old enough for a reduction, she got measured at a bra place and I paid the $80 and she refused to ever wear it, she is really large and didn't want to get teased (age 13) so she continues to wear a sports bra, which doesn't provide any support! To make matters worse one cup is a whole cup size different.

 

[TxRabbit]

Do you know what style/brand at Target is recommended?

BTW, absolutely hate to wear a bra! The tightness around my rib cage and the constant riding up in the back really bothers me. I am a 38DD or 40DD and just can't find anything that I don't want to rip off as soon as I get home!

Have you ever tried just NOT wearing one?

 

[benolathe]

Have you ever tried just NOT wearing one?

Yes, quite often actually. It was nice having a 3-day weekend and not even putting on a bra for the entire three days!

BTW, this is much easier to do when a jacket/coat is required.

 

[TxRabbit]

Yes, quite often actually. It was nice having a 3-day weekend and not even putting on a bra for the entire three days!

BTW, this is much easier to do when a jacket/coat is required.

Since it's still winter, and I know Olathe can get pretty cold, lived in Lenexa for a bit, I would experiment with layers to extend those 3 days into the weekend...LOL.

 

[Magix]

What kind of soap is it? I would love to get something like that to make handwashing simple and make expensive bras last longer.

I couldn't remember the name yesterday!! It's called "Soak", available at Amazon. I have the unscented type, but it looks like there are a few scents available, too. Great stuff! You don't have to use much for each wash. Just soak your items for about 15 minutes (I've left them in as long as overnight when I've forgetten about them) and just squeeze the water out, then hang to dry. Works wonderfully and it's so simple! I usually just put in a bra to soak in a bucket before I hop in the shower. When I get out, it's ready to squeeze and hang. I've had my bottle since Oct 31 and have washed a bra every day, plus a few other hand wash items here and there, and still have at least half a bottle left!