Stomp, if you get time, could you give me a little help?
I’m a (natural) 30 E.
Which is a bummer.
I like my breasts, they suit me, and they’re actually quite perky, so I don’t need the massive girder-like support bras with 5 hooks in the back.
Can you think of a nice, pretty bra that I won’t fall out of and that won’t have the same kind of structural engineering as the Golden Gate bridge!
Peg, Donna Karen makes a low back halter bra in your size. There is a little see- through piece of silicone beteween the breasts so if you are wearing a low cut dress in the front it will not show. It is available in nude and black. It is a six way convertable. I think the cost is $48-. Saks fifth ave. carries it. I would call a saks near you and ask if they have it, if so then have them put it on hold so you can go in and try it on. I would bring the dress along with.
Vixenation, I recommend silicone gel inserts. They are the most natural looking enhancers. I wear them sometimes my self. They will heat up to your body temp. and they jiggle like real boobs too, lol. A wonderful new invention that is flying ou the door is the Nu Bra. These silicon gel enhancers will stick on to your body and have a clasp in the front to create major clevage. When you put these on place them on the outer bottom side of the breast then pull your breasts together and fasten the clasp. It truly is amazing. I think they are around $50-60, but well worth the money. Both Saks and Neiman Marcus carry it. You can also try a water bra. Water and gel is best. Julia roberts wore one in Erin Brokovich, it was called the Ultimo water bra.
There’s just no such thing as an attractive nursing bra, is there?
Irishgirl, If you try on a French brand of lingerie you may be a 32. French brands run smaller then American so this might help. Chantelle caters to women just like you. We have many beautiful full busted bras that come with matching coordinates. Check out the website and look at Maestria, Eros, Evidence, Gourmandise and Ava. All very sexy and I think that some are available in a 30 but I would have to check into that for you. Neiman Marcus carries all of these collections. I would take a dozen and spend 30 min. in the fitting room and see what works. If you absolutely need a 30 then alterations in this store can take the side in for you. I have a friend who is also a natural 30 E and she fit the Gourmandise in a 32. All bottoms range from xs-xxxxl.
Lorene, Wacoal just launched a nursing bra collection that is very attractive. Nordstrom carries them.
Cicada2003, Well, thats the unfortunate thing. You will have to buy on-line, unless you have a speciality store that carries hard to find garmets. You can always return them if you buy on-line. If you can tell me what city you live in I can check to see if there is a speciality store in your area.
Vixenation, The Nu Bra is $60- and comes in clear, nude and black. They comes in cup sizes A-D.
Peg, The Donna Karen low back halter is $48- and the style # is 35147.
Simple Dreamer, Chantelle makes a bra your size where the straps are a little wider set creating a more open bust line. It is called Evidence and comes with matching briefs, panty or tanga available from xs-xxxxl. Very attractive, as a matter of fact it is on sale at Nordstroms right now in Arctic Blue. I am sure that there are a few other brands but I would have to do some research on it. We do carry beautiful lace demi’s up to an F cup but I am not sure if it will fit. That is something where you have to get into the store and try them on. The Maestria bra seems to have a deeper cup than the rest so that might work for you. I will let you know if I can find any thing else.
Dang, Stomp! You’ve become an overnight celebrity in thse parts…
You’re a regular fount of useful information for what seems to be a universal problem. You seem to love your job, and it shows. If I may, how many years have you been in this line of work? Have you always worked for the same company? And whereabouts are you, if you don’t mind sharing? [Hey, might even have a few customers right here and now!:)]
If the obvious needs to be said, I think you’re doing a great job here…and I think you’d make a great trainer (you seem to have the necessary patience).
I’m blushing, really. Thanks. I have been doing this for 8 years. It’s my passion. I first started in Canada, where two wonderful ladies had the patience to train me. I have only been with Chantelle 6 months. I live in San Diego. I take care of all the stores here, Also Palm Desert and Las Vegas. I am really fortunate to have a job I really love. I am glad to be of help. 
Well…you also seem to be a wonderful person. Period.
Woot!
Thanks, Stomp. You’re my new best friend. Well, maybe I should hold off on that until I actually try on the bra, but it’s nice to know that there’s a bra out there for this dress. I had no idea Donna Karen made undergarments.
Thanks again!
Ooh, Stomp, I have ALL sorts of questions!
First, I’m a 38 or 40 DD or DDD, depending on the bra. Even in the bigger cup size, sometimes I’ll find that the bra has ridden up so much that my breasts are coming out the bottom. This happens after I’ve gotten them all tucked in so there’s no spillage out the top. Would this be due to having the straps too tight? I have them pretty tight so I feel like I have enough support, and if I loosen them it feels too bouncy. Do I need an even bigger cup size? (God forbid, I’m ALREADY wearing battleship bras!) I find that the most uncomfortable thing in all my bras is how it feels under my arms–too tight and riding up all the time.
Second problem: Even in a DDD, I still have what I fondly call ‘mono-boob’–once I have my clothes on, it looks like one giant boob all the way across. I seem to have the lift but no separation. Again, I’m afraid this means a bigger cup size (please, Og, No!). How can I fix this?
Oh, and also, for whatever reason, I can’t seem to find a bra in my size that doesn’t have a little bow at the cleavage. I have been just cutting them off so they stop showing through my shirts but I wonder what’s up with that. Do the manufacturers somehow think that putting a teeny tiny little bow on a battleship bra makes it feminine?
If I absolutely HAVE to machine wash my unmentionables, what do you recommend? Can I put them in the dryer if I dry on Air with no heat? I didn’t realize the dryer was so bad on bras…like someone else mentioned, hubby dries on volcano setting so my bras have been lasting about a year.
And last but not least, what brand do you recommend for those of us who are quite well endowed? I have heard Waocal is a great bra but are they good for the big guns?
Thanks for sharing all your wisdom!
Stomp , what do you recommend for women with breasts that aren’t the same cup size? One C and one D, for example.
Allshookdown, They make bras for you too. They are called conture bras, they usually have a light fiber fill and it will help to even you out. Wacoal makes two. P.S.- everyone is heavier on one side. It’s a woman thing. I will get the price and style # for you.
Absolutely, I do fasten them - once lost a very nice pair of wool socks to Rampaing Bra Hooks. Didn’t do the bra much good, either. Ah, my young and naive days…
I realize I am shortening the life of my bras somewhat by machine washing and drying. For me it’s a trade-off, but I’m aware I’m making it. I have noticed that washing machines with central agitating columns are the hardest on clothes - the front-loaders may spin faster and harder, but they don’t mangle stuff anywhere near as often. I’ve had stray pantyhose survive front-loaders, but never a top-loader with agitator. That may be counter-intuitive, but it’s been my experience.
And I agree, Woolite is not a good choice for delicates.
I’ll keep that in mind next time I go bra-shopping. Thanks for all the info!
Stomp I think you picked the wrong screen name. Maybe you should be **Hello Titty **
Heh. Sorry. Secretly, I’m not, but I’ll never admit it.
Anywhooo, what is the biggest size you have ever had to equip?
Why can’t bra manufacterers get a grip on the nipple placement problem in bra’s? It is always in 97% of the bra’s I try on (yes, they are the cheap ones, why do you ask?) that there is material left over, or it bunches, or the headlights don’t fill it out properly and adjustments have to be made.
Is the tit fit ™ better in better quality bra’s?
and now, my classic line that I’ve waited years to use:
So, how long have you worked in womens underwear?
Peg, I really like this Donna Karen bra, but it does run a little small, I can give a few other alternatives if this does not work.
Sunshine, Great questions. To answer your fisrt question, you probally have to go up a cup size in the bras that your coming out of. Although I would loosen the straps first and see what happens. By tightening the straps it is not going to offer more support, it will just cause discomfort. I have seen women with permanent indents in their shoulders due to this. Look for a bra with a triangular shape where the straps are located directly above the cup, this will naturally offer support and pull you up from the bottom. Look for a bra with wider straps, this will help also. Most bras I have seen in your size are wide on the sides and under the arms. Sometimes the underwire is not hitting you in the right place and is digging in under the arm. This is due to not wearing the right cup size. There are bras that are not quite so high under the arm, these are designed for full busted petite women. If the bra is riding up in the back then that could be a sign that A.) your straps are too tight, which could lead to the front riding up too. B.) you need a smaller band size. Margaret Atwood used the description “one breast and no waist”, lol. There are bras designed to seperate the breasts and lay flat against the breast bone. What is happening to you is that your bras are pushing you together and then the bra itself is sticking way out creating a shelf, this can be noticeable under clothes. One bra that I think would work wonders for you is the Amazone by Chantelle. It is a 3 piece cup. It is designed to pull you out from under the arms(sling treatment) but also it will seperate you in the middle and lay on your breast bone. The bottom half of the cup is a houndstooth material which will give great support. It is set on a frame and reinforced on the sides for great support. The straps increase in width as the cup size increases. The top half of the cup is a sheer tulle with embroidery creating an illusion(that it does not look like so much bra because it shows skin). Although it does have a bow, but it shouldn’t show because the bra will not be sticking out. It comes with underwire or without and both offer great support. I recommend washing on a gentle cycle and air drying. Use a wash bag and I would get some Forever New. For full figure I recommend Chantelle (of course), Wacoal, Olga and Goddess. Let me know if you have any more questions.
ShirlyUjest, thats a great suggestion for a screen name. Very cute:) The largest size I have ever had to fit was a 48JJ. Huge. and natural. Poor woman, that’s when a reduction is in order. She even had to have her clothes made specially for her. We did have a brand name bra that fit her but I can’t remember the brand. The better the brand more often times they will fit better there are many steps that are taken when designing and constructing a bra. Chantelle’s bras are all hand made and great time and attention are given to each and every bra. Cups are molded to assure great nipple placement. We use a new microfiber that molds around the breast when heated by your body temp. thus giving a superior fit and naturally works out the wrinkles and puckers. Quality control tests every piece of fabric for durability. My company was founded in 1876. When chosing a brand look for one that has a strong reputation. 8 years in and still going strong:)
Oh, coolio doolio. I don’t need a fitting though. I know what size I wear, it’s just a little hard to find. Not impossible, but gets a wee bit frustrating. That whole ribs:cup: ratio thing doesn’t work in my favor. If she can find something for me, that’d be nice. How much is a non-grammaish 34d bra gonna run me?
Great thread!
Stomp, if price were no object, what would be the best bra on the market to buy in terms of fit, comfort, looks, durability, etc?
Thanks!
Well, I am going to mention Chantelle because we are the worlds leading brand of fine French lingerie. The average price is $58-. American brands just can’t seem to get the whole feminine thing down. I appreciate lace and embroidery and the little details that add a touch of beauty. Even on an everyday bra. As I have mentioned earlier, I am going on 7 years with some of my Chantelle. My very favorite non-grammish everyday bra is called Evidence by Chantelle. It is absolutly beautiful on and makes the perfect set. This bra will out last all the rest.