Stomp: I have a bra crisis! My future sister-in-law picked me to be in her wedding party. Like all brides to be, she wants her bridesmaids to be as uncomfortable as possible, so she picked us a backless dress with spaghetti straps. This essentially means that no normal bra will do.
I am a 34D or DD. I’ve tried the backless, strapless deals that push you up from below, but they NEVER have enough support, which I need desperately. What do you recommend? How well do those things that I’ve seen, the ones that you glue right onto your breasts, work? Are there any other suggestions (short of attempting to get my brother to call off the engagement)?
Much, much obliged if you can point me in the right direction on this one.
We’re designed to be swimming naked. We’re water animals that came back to the land.
Before bras, I think people wore corsets. ?
Everyone should look at www.decentexposures.com
Decent Exposures are bra specialists who put any combination of features you want into the bra. They will customize each minute detail and they suit those who like great colors or PLAIN.
This site does not tell me to add four inches to the band size.
Using their directions, my rib measurement is 28 and bust is 32, giving me a D cup. I’ve worn Bs, Cs and Ds, none of them fit. All of them leave me with a gap between cup and boob, which led me to believe they were too big.
Interestingly, I recently tried an A cup on a whim. Gap was still there.
Daftbugger, no, really, they won’t come undone. They’re velcroed all along the strap, with the free end underneath, and you could always use safety pins, or sew them at the position you like
Daftbugger, I once had a Champion sports bra in DD that met all these requirements, plus it fastened in the front–with a zipper. The down side: It only supported me the first couple of times I wore it. (For tennis. Very hot & sweaty.) Also, it was neon green with navy blue trim so it sorta glowed through my light-colored tops. Even with all that I bought another one. Got them at a store specializing in running gear, no idea if they are still, or universally, available.
Irishgirl, I used to wear one at school. Was forever having to sew the velcro bit back on. Not again!
Champion sports bra? Never of heard of them. Prehaps I should have a look. I find that sports bras that are sold in sports shops tend to supported tops, which never seem to have enough support IMHO.
Bah, why can’t Berlei makes those top sports bras again. I was gutted when my last one was stolen!
stomp is out of town, she has a nat’l sales meeting in NYC until Sunday, she sends her regards and she will be back next week to answer all your queries. Have a great weekend
barge
Have you sport bra folks ever checked out Title 9 Sports? I’m a big fan of their stuff.
They don’t do non-US/Canada orders over the internet, but I think you can order internationally over the phone. I usually order from their paper catalog anyway.
I am back from NYC. We had some very productive meetings and I am ready to get back to work. I will answer every question tonight and tommorow.
Cicada 2003, Their is a store in Denver. Nordstroms, Parkmeadows carries a brand called Lunair. Have a sales associate show you their collection and also any others they may have.
Canvasshoes, Nordstrom in Alaska actually has a fair selection. I am going to get a list of what they carry. I do know they have the Amazone bra. This would look great on you.
There is a Nordstrom in Salem but from what Barb told me the Washington Square and Portland stores have a better assortment. Barb will be in the Washington Sq. store on the 26th of this month.
According to your instructions I would need a 38D (measuring at the bottom, under the breast) or 40D (measuring from the top, under the arms). I have put on about 20-25 lbs with the kids and, honestly, don’t see myself losing that extra weight anytime soon.
I spent years pulling the band down from my back and sides and sliding the straps back up on the shoulders. Lately I’ve taken to wearing a shear sports-type bra for comfort reasons and hate, hate, hate underwires (they always stab me somewhere, usually between the breasts). Certainly the bras I’ve worn in the past were ill-fitting, and while the sports bras are comfortable, they don’t flatter the clothing or offer much support. I have been shopping at Target stores and am considering actually paying some bucks for some good bras now. I live in a hot and humid climate.
What do you recommend for me? I require comfort first, then want something that doesn’t ride as high in front as the sports bras. I prefer a seamless look and don’t care too much about color or frills. Also, I don’t want to be adjusting my bra back/sides all day. Help!
I am between cup sizes (I was at a store just saturday and the lady said I was “on the high end of a B”) Well it sucks because I am bursting out of B-cups and not filling up a C. My chest size is generally a 34, although I have several 32’s that fit me fine (from J.Crew), and my all time favorite bra was bought for me in Brazil and is a 44, whatever that means.
Oh, also I can’t stand any kind of padding or heavyweight material.
Any ideas for us betweeners? I cannot and will not pay $50 for a bra. (Heck even my $20 bras last 5 years… I had a Victoria Secret bra that I bought in high school and retired this year: 12 years old)
I’m still curious, how did human beings get by? Is having particularly large breasts a relatively recent trend? I know the modern brasseire is only about a century old (if even that). Because from some of the feedback on this thread, having large breasts seems almost a handicap. I couldn’t imagine having to wear some sort of restrictive article of clothing on every waking hour of the day. Hell, hats are really uncomfortable for me to wear. When it is hot out, I wear a pair of shorts and nothing else. Shouldn’t every human being have that luxury?
Stomp, no ideas for a comfortable foundation garment that a well-endowed girl can wear with a backless, spaghetti strapped dress? I was going to start a separate thread on it, but if you could help me I won’t need to. I’d be much obliged.
Incubus: I think women these days wear bras for several reasons: to prevent future sagging, to hide current sagging, to alleviate the sweatiness problem of not wearing a bra, and to enhance whatever endowments you may have/minimize what you wish you didn’t. Believe me, if I could get away without wearing a bra, I would. It’s just not comfortable.
Hello everyone, I did not forget about you. I had some family from Canada then I spent some time in Mexico. But I am back and will answer your questions. I hope you are all doing well.
Hello again, Often times your size will vary depending on the brand and style of the bra. I myself vary from a 34A to a 34C. It is not unusual to vary in size. Just stay with what you are comfortable with because when it comes down to it comfort is most important. When you are trying bras on take a handful into the fitting room and see what works best for you. Have Fun.
Rubystreak, Well, this is a tough one because if you are “naturally” full busted then you need the support. You have a decision you need to make. It sounds like a special occasion dress. How long will you be wearing the dress? Do you plan to wear it more then once? How much support do you need?
You have a few options. None of which that are going to offer the support of an over the shoulder bra. First option, if you are not going to be wearing the dress for too long and can stand not wearing a bra for a little while then you can just get breast petels. These are made by Fashion Forms and can be found at Saks, Neimans and Nordstroms and maybe a speciality store. They are adhesive nipple covers, they will hide your nipples so you don’t poke through you dress. Your next option is getting the adhesive strapless bra, also made by Fashion Forms. This is a paper thin “sticker bra” that will offer you coverage and when you put it on you lift your breasts up then stick. They will stay on all day and do not hurt to take off but again it will give very support. And last option but my favorite is the adhesive strapless, backless bra made by Fashion Forms. This only comes up to a D cup. But is is a deep D cup. You can get push up style or just regular. This will offer the most support. It is a regular looking molded bra without the straps or back. It comes with adhesive strips that you stick under the arms. Now, your dress is backless and spaghetti straps then it may be skimpy under the arms and sides and the adhesive strips may show. So then what you are going to have to do is have it tapered or sewn into your dress. Many women do this. If you plan on wearing this dress often then you may want to have it permanently sewn in but if you are only going to wear it once or twice then you can have it tapered in and then have it removed for future use. If the store where your dress was purchased has an alterations team they can do it for you, if not then you have to take it somewhere to have altered. Be sure to take the dress in well before your event so the alterations people can work on it. Plus, if you need it like next day for example it will cost you more to had altered. To have the bra put in it should cost no more than $20. I think this bra costs approx. $30. Bring the dress into the store so you can try your options on with your dress. Many stores also carry deep back bustiers/corsets. This will offer plenty of support but cost more and may be uncomfortable to wear for long periods. Please let me know if you have anymore questions and I can help you. If you can tell me what city you are in I can tell you stores in your area that carry these options. Have Fun ; )
