Do you still get a little rush when you hear about startups catering to the full bust? I do, and that’s how I felt when I discovered Good Night Gilda and Claudette last year . . . followed by a wave of cynicism. After all, Good Night Gilda stopped at an F cup, and Claudette only went to G. How committed could they be to full-busted women? I checked in on them occasionally after that but didn’t take them very seriously. I even began to get the two brands confused.
My confusion (and cynicism) dissipated after meeting each company’s founder at Curve. I now find it fascinating to look at the two startups side by side. I hope you do, too.
The Founders
Good Night Gilda:
20-something and size 6, Whitney Galitz works full-time as a personal shopper and stylist in Los Angeles. She grew up in suburban America where Victoria’s Secret was her only source for lingerie. As a shopper and stylist, two years of carrying 50 pounds of clothes around all day led to chronic back pain. She saw a physical therapist before deciding to get a reduction in 2010, but she never forgot what it was like to want “pretty lingerie that was also supportive”, and that’s how Good Night Gilda began.
Claudette:
Robin Levitt worked in the garment industry for years, but when she had her third child over two years ago, she was ready to go into business for herself. Now a 34F, she wanted something more modern and edgy than anything she could find in stores. She and her husband took the money they had saved to build a house and poured it into Claudette instead. So when Robin told me that she “believed in the category of large bust”, I believed her.
The Approach
Good Night Gilda:
- Self-taught bra maker, it took Whitney 2 years to develop her C-F cup bras; she only wants to offer what she can do well.
- She uses fabric composed of silk with lycra; the bras are lined with 4-way stretch mesh for extra support.
- Whitney is inspired by musicals and films. For more about their influence on her work, read this interview.
- Made in Los Angeles.
Claudette:
- Robin hired large cup expert Bok Goodall from England.
- While most companies begin with small cups and work up, Claudette began at a G and worked down. It took 18 months to get to a G cup they liked.
- The women of the company test the bras and provide emotional feedback about the fit and details.
- Made in Indonesia.
Their Favorites
Good Night Gilda:
The Gilda Romper because it looks good on everybody. I saw this with my own eyes when my friend from bra fitting class tried one on. The halter neck, T-strap in back, and slightly flared legs are super flattering. In the photo below, her model on the right is wearing one.
Claudette:
The Cool Cotton Underwire bra because the sweetheart neckline makes it perfect for wearing under Calvin Klein camis. Both Robin and Bok are wearing this bra in the photo above.
Details I Love
Good Night Gilda:
- Three rows of hooks in the back of each bra help eliminate back fat. Whitney wants the bands to be really flattering from the back. She also understands how important the band is for support–and a wider band means more freedom to use thinner straps that are meant to be seen.
- Her vision of lingerie as outerwear. The ruffled Gilda Balconette Bra can be worn as a bedroom bra or take the place of a cami, as it does for the woman wearing a 38DD in this Good Night Gilda Facebook photo of a woman wearing it in 38DD. In the photo above, she is wearing her own Bullseye Bra in scarlet beneath her sheer blouse.
Claudette:
- The mauve color that they offer in every style in every season as their “signature basic”.
- Their sense of humor–the closest thing they have to a nude is their “American Tan”, the actual name of a common panty hose shade in the UK.
- Their price range of $38.50 – $58. As they told Holly in an interview for TheFullFiguredChest, they want their customers to be able to “splurge without the guilt”.
- Their plans to increase their range to 28 backs and K cups by spring 2013.
Where to Buy
Good Night Gilda:
Claudette:
- See this list of sellers on their website
- BareNecessities
- The “Hot and Cotton” bra on Bounce by Title Nine . . . but only up to a D cup (grrr!)
I’ve been excited for months about Claudette going up to a K cup next year, but I’ve recently realised that this might be an American K… I so hope not!
Thanks for sharing Darlene! While I’d always love to see a wider size range it’s encouraging to see new lingerie makers who are working towards that goal (even if they don’t carry my size). I think Good Night Gilda is definitely on to something in terms of the fit of the band. On my Underbust Survey Part 3 two lingerie store owners commented that one of the biggest things preventing women from going down to the correct band size was that the band cut into their back fat and showed up underneath shirts. If Good Night Gilda is working on preventing that (and really advertise that) they might be in for a lot of success. 🙂
So what would the UK equivalent be of their K cup? I never go by American sizes…
I mean of Claudette’s K cup. Sorry if that wasn’t clear. 🙂
That’s interesting, June. When I was growing up, I HATED the 3-4 rows of hooks in my Cameo bras and wanted the dainty two-rows that all my friends were wearing. Now I realize that besides all the industrial support those bands were providing, they were also giving me a smooth back. I think that’s the appeal of the pretty longlines on the market now.
I’m happy to clarify answers for both June and Astrid. At
curve we chatted more about the beginnings
Of Claudette- and how we came to be- we didn’t get to
Go line by line to discuss the fine points
Of our collections.
I believe you will both be happy to know Claudette
Follows UK sizing- so our G is a UK G cup. Hopefully
That brings big smiles. We are working toward the
Addition of a 28 band in SS13 and increasing the
Cup offering to a K soon after, however only after its wear trail
Approved!
For now, the current collections with the exception of Sophia
Are available in 30-38 bands and 30-34 A-G cups; 36-38 B-G
Cups. Aalthough not every account selects the full size span, you
Can visit our website as noted for a list of stockists. Currently
Barenecessities.com offers the Cool Cotton in the full size offering..
Warm regards!!
Thanks for taking the time to respond, Robin! There was so much to talk about when Leah and I met with you that if we’d gone line by line through your collections, we would have taken your entire day. I loved hearing the story behind your brand. Even though the next time we see you I’m sure the focus will be on the specifics of the styles, I hope you always have stories to share with us!
Darlene – it’s certainly my pleasure! I think we got to cover a great deal on a first meeting!! We can set time to review collections in August!!
All the best!!
That’s awesome news. I’ve invested a lot of drooling in this when I first heard about it. I’m glad that I can keep on daydreaming about all the neon dessous I’m going to buy next year!