I’m slaving over instructions to the revised size chart on the Campbell & Kate website today, but here are a few thoughts that haven’t been dedicated to that process:

1.  Is it possible for women with large busts to take dressing our shapes too seriously? I ask because I’ve been noticing quite a few tiny women dressed in baggy clothes recently, and their clothes were just as unflattering on them as they would be on us.  Each of these women worked in the creative field, but I’m not sure that each one was expressing her personality.  Some I suspect of hiding beneath black sacks that, because they were black, allowed them to say, “I’m creative” on the surface, when they really probably meant, “I’m playing it safe.”

Anyways, I’m such a stickler for finding things that flatter an hourglass shape, that I too quickly reject anything that breaks my rules.  Sometimes it’s good just to be playful . . . but not $740 playful, like this Jil Sander dress for this season, or whatever Drew Barrymore paid for dress below (cinching the knees is one way to distract from the bust!).  (My current Jil Sander preoccupation began with this dress that I posted on the Campbell & Kate Facebook page recently.)

2.  As you know from Tammy’s The Rack series last year, I support women who decide to get breast reductions, but I ADORE Les Gros Bonnets’ H+ perspective on the matter.  My favorite line comes at the beginning because even Tammy wrote about this happening to her in the lead-up to her decision to have a reduction:

“…[I]t would be quite nice if they [women who get reductions] could educate their siblings, nieces and nephews and all and let them know that it is not appropriate to tell a complete stranger how breast reduction changed the life of their sister, aunt or whatever for the better.”

Interestingly, right after reading her post, I also read Ali Cudby’s perspective, based on her personal experience:

“Ultimately, I had the surgery because I felt uncomfortable in my skin, and a large part of that feeling was related to my inability to find bras that fit. I think if I’d had a selection of pretty, feminine bras that fit — like those available today — I wouldn’t have made the same decision.“

Both views are much more body-affirming than the plastic surgeon’s statement to a 34H woman at 5:32 in this YouTube video from The Doctors (warning-if you’re like me, you’ll feel pretty indignant at his ignorance AND arrogance):

“I think your body is telling you that maybe the breasts are a little too big for the rest of your body. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so hard to fit, and you’re suffering with the shoulder straps, the excess weight, causing back and postural problems. You know, breast reduction would help alleviate some of those problems, and make her a little easier to fit, possibly.”

(See 5:06 for a comparison of her bras pre- and post-fitting.  I think she could get a much better lift than what she ends up with, don’t you? But regardless, she looks amazing in what she’s wearing–where’d she find that blouse?)

3.  I’m glad to be able to report that the refund for the  BiuBiu returns that I mailed back to Poland on December 28 was credited to my account on February 4.  I expected the long wait, but I’m glad I didn’t have to do any following up to get my money back. It’s simply a matter of being able to have your funds tied up in waiting for returns if you order from them.  By the way, they have a new English language Facebook page for you to like, and it has a 5% discount.

4.  Did you fall in love with Mimi Holiday after reading about the brand in Off the Rack on Saturday? You can find more luscious photos in Cheryl’s post about them over at Invest in Your Chest. I’m looking forward to her reviews of them in the future.