September 7, 2010
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BOOBOOBOOBOOBOOB. AKA battling the bra buying beatdown.
Somewhere in the midst of getting pregnant, having the baby and, well, LIFE, I’ve been putting off a MUST DO: buying new bras.
I’m not going to lie, other than the occasional nursing bra earlier this year, or a half-hearted shopping attempt to get a new (read: ONE) brazier, it has been 3 1/2 years since I updated my “wardrobe”.
Why is that a big deal? Well, not only do you grow and change over time, but even the most delicate washing can screw up the bra’s integrity. That’s why experts suggest replacing bras every SIX MONTHS. WHAT?! Okay, “expert”, you gonna pay for it?
I don’t think I would have even gone now, to be honest, but my back has been killing me, the straps are hanging out more on my upper arm than my shoulder, not to mention, well, “thy cup runneth over”.
Armed with birthday cash, I was determined to stock up. Over two days, I became the proud owner of a gaggle of over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders. Getting there was not easy, but I made sure it wasn’t as frustrating as previous shopping excursions.
I have a very particular size; I’m not necessarily the biggest girl overall (though I’m not small), but I am definitely blessed (more like cursed). It’s usually not carried in normal department stores, and most stores you MIGHT find it in carry “old lady” bras. You know the ones; they triangulate the girls to a perfect (unnatural) point, with bottom bands that stretch for days, and more hook-and-eye closures than you have fingers. Soooo not hot.
Talking with my friend, she mentioned that Frederick’s of Hollywood carries larger sizes. Oooohhhh! Really?! Something remotely sexy? Tell me more! I looked at their site, saw they had my size, so we made the trek a few towns over … And all they had were black and beige in the size I needed. Where’s my red lace? I want something with color! Oh well. I went ahead and picked up a few anyway. I mean, it’s at LEAST got a cool corset-looking tie in the front, and they were comfy to boot.
BUT, the big win of the weekend was from Lane Bryant. The good ol’ LB has been doing well to update their style the past few years, gearing more toward the young, hip and chic (in addition to their “old lady” standards).
I went ahead and got a few different colors and styles, in a size that actually fits! (So THIS is what a bra is supposed to feel like?!) … And they’re kinda cute! … And not “old lady” looking!
Finding yourself in need for a new “storage center” (the most interesting synonym I heard all weekend)? Here are a few tips:- shirt matters. Wear a shirt that’s similar to what you wear most often. If possible, make sure it’s easier to get on and off, too. You’ll want to see where the cups, strap and back rests, and whether you’ll need a different style.
- measure up. You should always get sized before you try/buy. Your body probably changes often through time, so thinking you’ll always be a 36C may not be the case. (HAH! AS IF!) Most specialty stores have bra fit specialists to help, so USE THEM. If nothing else, break out the tape measure and do it yourself! This site will help you calculate.
- stock up. When it’s time for an inventory update, be sure to get 5-7 standards, with a few extras. Evaluate your lifestyle, and purchase to accommodate. For example, I’m not a strapless top kind of girl, so those stayed at the store. My friend, however wears nothing but tube tops, so she invests in convertible bras.
- be open. Just because you’ve never worn a particular style or color, doesn’t mean you won’t like it. Try different styles and see what works. You may find that it’s just what you’ve been missing. (I always said “no” to lace overlays, but darned if I didn’t get one. And remember the corset-laced style? Yeah, that would have been an auto-uh-uh five years ago.)
- be happy. A comfortable bra shouldn’t ride up your back, or slip down your shoulders. Try each one on, and make sure they perform exactly as you’d like them to. If not, keep shopping ‘til you find one you can be happy with.
- research it. Once I got my updated digit/letter combo, I looked into stores that catered to that size. Other than some style disappointment, I was pleasantly surprised that just about every single piece fit. I can only imagine how much time I could have wasted going into stores, searching for things they didn’t even carry!
- spend it. Don’t settle on something just because it’s there, or that it’s cheaper than the one you really want. Bras are an INVESTMENT and should be treated as such. Build a “bra fund” into your monthly budget, if you have to, because this is definitely something no woman (almost) should be without!
At the end of the day, you want to be comfortable, both with the fit AND the look that the piece provides. How did YOUR last bra shopping experience go?
Luck and loves!
–Jen
Comments (34)
As a former bra “expert” I have to say it’s true, they really only last 6 months. And seriosuly ladies, get measured. You’d be surprised at how many people are WAAAYYY off.
My last bra shopping experience ended in tears. It started because I was shopping for a swimsuit and I noticed that the tops didn’t fit correctly. So I say to myself, “Uh oh…let’s go out into the world of all things Lady and have people help.” I’m not big…actually, I’m regular. Or so I thought. Because every where I go, there are bras that are in my size. Anywho, it took me about 2 hours to find 3 bras that I was comfortable with and I haven’t been back since. This was a few months ago. =(
But maybe I’ll try again because of this post. *sighs*
*complex
As a current Victoria’s Secret employee I agree 100% with all your tips. Ladies- you really do change sizes every 6-8 months. And even washed properly they only last about that long (sometimes longer if they are ones you don’t wear much). Get measured! Try bras on! Don’t go into the store and just buy based on the salespersons recomendations- every woman has different bra needs/ criteria. Just bc a style works for me doesn’t mean it’ll work for you.
I used to have all kinds of problems finding bras and wore the wrong size for most of college bc I couldn’t afford to replace my bras as frequently as I needed. When I finally got measured and took the time (and money) to get some it was worth it.
And for us, guys, make sure they are easy to remove
Hah, it’s probably been more than a year since I’ve gone bra shopping. They’re so expensive!
The battle with the underwire is enough to make anyone cry. I’ve been able to find, very luckily some without wires that are just as supportive, cute and actually comfortable at the Hanes/Playtex outlet near me. I’m all about the comfort now.
I totally need to get my girl to read this. She will be needing an entire new drobe after she has this baby. I like the post, considering I’m never going to use your advice… lol. Have a great week!!
HAHA “over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder” makes me think of Beaches, I love that movie.
Underwires actually don’t bother me…but I buy expensive bras……… I am sure as hell not replacing them every 6 months, though I’ve had to get new ones since I’ve gained weight and my boobs are a whole cup size bigger D:
@quasarglow - my dad used to call them those, he joked about putting them in the freezer D:
This is good advice! And no way would I replace my bras every 6months. If I’m payin over 40dollars they’re going to have to at least last me a year.
I’m small so I have a really hard time finding anything that fits well and makes me feel good about myself. I found a style that I liked well, but it was discontinued.
I have the same problem with wearing a weird bra size and having to wear old lady bras. It SUCKS.
Interesting entry.
Underwires = the very devil. I’ve had brand new underwire bras turn on me within one wear. Ridiculous. :(
During my last bra shopping excursion, I found a bra I was sure was the same model/brand as my favorite one, which is a really nice material. I was very excited, until I saw it was $30. I need allll new bras after having the twinkles, not just one.
I tried one on, but it was a band size too small. I was in a hurry, so I went back and flipped through the rack until I found a tag with the right size.
It was only after I was home that I realized I had grabbed one with a loose tag stuck to it, and it was a size too small. So now I’m squeezing into this too-small bra, and there’s something in the back of it that ITCHES.
It makes me sad. Especially now that I have one boob that is almost a cup size bigger than the other and you can see it through my shirt.
Love this post! good advise! well I were a bigger size bra and I usually get all of them for Lane Bryant, I usually go when they have they’re “semi-annual” sale buy 2 bras get 2 free
but even then I don’t wanna even think about replacing them every six months, a year tops. an average $35-$40 is a good chuck, especially if your buying more than one.
I have “period” bras, because my boobs inflate during that time of the month.
But as far as my last escapade, I was very successful. I got two of the Victoria’s Secret Demis in a 36DD and I love them. The lady in the store was like, “Try a 38D, it’s the sister size.” Except…that doesn’t work. VS is super-expensive, but it’s worth it for bras that actually fit. And their measuring chart is all wrong. They tell me I’m a B-cup.
I like Cacique by Lane Bryant,they fit,look great and feel good.
ddddddd I thought you were one of those pervert guys that talk about boobs alot.
i have small/medium (b/c) boobs and a medium waist size so standard bra’s fit me well and i buy a new pair of sexy underwair every month.. my boyfriend loves it
he’s becoming a plastic surgeon..so one day.. who knows, I might have a d and not need a bra haha x
@Chewce2007 - Not at all!!
my last bra shopping ended with me buying exactly one bra – my others are probably all around 3 or 4 years old, too – that i love and adore. it fits perfectly and looks good and i wear it at every occasion whenst wearing a nice bra matters, i.e., too often. so i really need a new one or two or 5, but the money isn’t flowing. i might actually save up.
You know, I think this may the first time I have seen the phrase “over the shoulder boulder holder” outside of a slang dictionary.
And the first part of the title reminded me of Darth Vader’s theme from the Star Wars movies.
Haha. Aside from the fact that this is a great post, I love how some of the guys actually bothered to read all that and gave a nice comment. Cute!
BOOBS SUCK! i have to wear fairly expensive bras as well because of my size… and i cannot afford to replace them every 6 months… although i can definitly feel a difference in my bra as the months go on… i wish i could wear a new bra every day.
I bought three nursing bras at Target about 9 months ago…and that’s what I’ve been wearing since.
Do they even make pretty nursing bras?
bra shopping isn’t a fave activity, however i am always tickled to find ones that fit well and are relatively comfy. Congrats on your finds.
Girls, please, there is NO SUCH THING AS A B CUP.Cup sizes are relative to band size. A 28B and a 34B will be completely different. Please read this: http://weblog.xanga.com/eternalvoyageur/651169092/the-bra-matrix.html
Sorry, but I couldn´t see any big cups in Frederic´s of Hollywood. D isn´t big.
JJ or K cups are big. Any any store that just carries A B C & D cups in just a couple of band sizes will most probably fit you wrong, because they want to sell whatever they´ve got !
For a real selection of sizes, try Figleaves or Bravissimo. Or even Brastop.
@eternalvoyageur - Hi, are you directing this comment at me, or the collective? I’m confused, because I never mentioned actual cup sizes, or said that they were the same across the board.
Cup size is relative; it depends on your bust measurement vs. your under-chest one, as you pointed out above. I don’t know that anyone is disagreeing with you.
Also, Frederick’s DOES carry larger size bras. See here.
Yes, JJ and K cups are big. So are F & FF cups, which I am.
I also pointed out that I was highly successful in my bra purchasing venture, so I’m really confused where this was coming from.
With all of that said, I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
I know what you mean, I recently went bra shopping and what a difference that made! I never knew they could feel so comfortable. I even found out that I went up a cup size and that I had been way off. Definitely invested in some Victoria’s Secret bras which honestly, have lasted me a lot longer than anything else. I got two nice ones, three every day where ones, and a couple comfy ones. Always nice to have
Your synonyms were amusing. Don’t think I’ll ever need this info for myself though.
layne bryant has the best bra’s!!! thats the only place i go they usually last me quite a while plus usually they have a great sale buy 2 get 2 FREE!! so they are worth the price when getting some free!