I think you’ll enjoy these posts and articles that have caught my attention lately. (The first three titles are links to the blog posts.)
1. Me and My Mythical Bra Size
With a narrow range of only 20 bra sizes available in most mainstream lingerie outlets, Boosaurus is on a mission:
If I show everyone that a girl with a 28-band isn’t just some mythical, twig-like creature, maybe some girls will realize that bands below 32 do exist, and they’re not freakish for feeling like bands are always too big for them. If I tell everyone over and over that I wear a GG (or sometimes G, or H, or HH) cup, then maybe a few people will realize that the alphabet doesn’t stop at D, that there are lots of options out there, that well-fitting bras do exist, that wearing a D cup or above isn’t some strange, shameful thing.
I had to smile because her post reminded me of my search for an H cup fit model on craigslist back in 2009. The title of my post about the experience? Searching for an H Cup Model (in a World that Doesn’t Believe in Their Existence). You’ll smile–and cringe–if you read it.
2. Support vs. Uplift
Les Gros Bonnets’ post has me thinking. Although I realize that one doesn’t automatically give you the other, I have always assumed you can have both support and uplift in a bra. What has been your experience here? I’m going to start looking into this more, especially as I try the Curvy Kate bras that are on their way to me. That’s one of the reasons I’m so interested in this topic. I have now tried the Curvy Kate Princess in a 34H (the 34FF was far too small), but it basically just contains me. There’s no lift. So I’m going to see if the size can be tweaked before I wear it extensively to check the support. That meant ordering over $450 of Curvy Kate bras from BareNecessities last night to get to the bottom of this. I’ll let you know what I find out.
3. What Curvy Clothes Would You Like to See?
June over at Braless in Brasil posted this fun question. Of course I blanked out on ideas immediately after reading it, but I agree with some of the comments:Â a classic Burberry trench coat and a fitted suit jacket would be lovely. And I especially like the first and third dresses in June’s post.
Since I know I’ll be coming up with answers to this question for a long time, I’ve started a new Pinterest board called Clothing Wish List for D Cups and Up. If you’re already on Pinterest, give me a link to you in the comments so that I can follow you. Then I can make you a contributor to this board. Or you can create your own board that others of us can follow and re-pin from.
4. The April 2012 issue of ShopSmart from ConsumerReports
This caught my eye in the grocery checkout aisle because it contains an 8-page feature on bra fit. Unfortunately, they give the same old Plus 4 misinformation, but some of their makeovers turned out really well. Here are my favorites:
They even have this piece online comparing 34B bras from La Perla, Victoria’s Secret and Target. I would expect the answer to their question “[D]oes a woman need to pay that much [over a $100] for a well-made bra that fits?” to be very different if they had used F cups and up.
Finally, they even had a review of the Genie bra! Five staffers tried it in size medium and five in size large. As you would expect, all of the women said it was comfortable, but “eight out of 10 said it wasn’t particularly supportive.” (I’m surprised only eight reached that conclusion!) The bra expert they consulted said it made them look “smushed, unsupported, and bouncy” and that, “You might wear it around the house instead of going braless, but that’s about it.”
CurvyWordy is on the hunt for a house/sleep bra. I wonder if she’d like to give this one a try! (She has links to the other bras she’s reviewed at the bottom of the Royce review that I’ve linked to.)
5. The October 2011 issue of Women’s Health
Found this at a friend’s house over the weekend. Since I’m constantly evaluating other women’s chests with Mr. Campbell, this was slightly reassuring.
I’m already following you but: http://pinterest.com/greenepony/
But I have found not only a decently fitting suit coat (petite ann taylor in a fabric with stretch) but my favorite coat is a navy blue trench that I get tons of compliments on- also ann taylor petite but a couple years old now.
I’ve had good luck with Ann Taylor in the past also. So often I’ll pass someone on the street, ask where they got a top, and of course it’s Ann Taylor.
I’m jealous of your navy trench.
Thanks for the mention 🙂
Actually I tried something very similar to the Genie bra from a store over here called Matalan. It was indeed very comfortable but gave minimal support. The straps were way too long and weren’t adjustable. In order for the bra to cover my nipples I had to go for a Large, which was huge in the band. I toyed with the idea of cutting it up and resewing so it fitted better but in the end just got a refund.
Someone somewhere could make a mint from the many ladies like us who are looking for a soft cup, supportive bra.
You’re right! I was about to say it couldn’t be that hard, but then I wondered how much support you’re looking for. If it’s just a matter of creating a version of the Genie bra that has a smaller band and larger cup, would that be enough?
Thanks for the mention! I’m surprised to see a magazine actually mention G and H cups, wow! What magazine was this? Did they say what brands of bras they were using? 🙂
I checked out your pininterest page and loved it. I especially loved the Daisy jacket and the posh girl vintage dress, sigh…
Incredible, right? ShopSmart from Consumer Reports. One of the makeovers even ended up in a 30 band (a 30B).
The brands in the pics above are, in order: Elomi, Panache and Elomi. They also used Amoena Mia, Fantasie and The Little Bra Company.
The expert fitter they used is Beverly White of http://www.measuredtofit.com in Wappingers Falls, NY. I may need to check them out.