Desperately seeking a bra that fits. And is comfortable. And not too expensive.
As you might guess based on the headline of this post, today I plan to blog about my boobs. So those of you who are squeemish or easily offended might want to move along right about now. Just sayin'. ;-)
Anyway. Being a woman, I got me some boobs. They're pretty average, as far as boobs go. Bigger than average, perhaps, but not so big that I'd consider having them reduced. They are big enough, however, that I often have trouble finding a bra that fits well, is comfortable and lasts a while.
I have, of course, purchased bras at Victoria's Secret but I find them to be just as uncomfortable and ill-fitting as the ones you pay less for, and they don't last any longer. So a while back I went to Nordstrom to be fitted and to find a Good Bra. And the last few Good Bras I've purchased have lasted quite a while and have been comfortable to start. Unfortunately, like their less expensive cousins, once they stretch out a bit they become less comfortable and annoying - with the straps falling off my shoulders, etc.
Given these experiences, I've done some reading up on bra fitting and sadly I haven't found much in the way of wisdom. Except this: when you buy them, bras should fit well and be comfortable when they're on the loosest hooks so that when they stretch out a bit with wear you can continue to wear them by using the next tighter hooks. Makes sense, right?
So today I went out to Macy's to do some bra shopping. My grandma gave me a Macy's gift card for my birthday, and though it's not the most exciting thing to give yourself for your birthday, I did need it and I figured I'd see if I could find a good bra there.
Except when I was in high school, when I was a bit chubbier, I've always worn a 34D. And I've always found bras to be rather uncomfortable, as noted above. I've never been able to find one that's comfortable when I buy it and continues to be comfortable and supportive as it "ages." So with the above bit of wisdom, I decided I'd try to try on some 32s: Ds, DDs, whatever.
My fatal error was in expecting that there would be 32s on the racks in anything larger than a C cup. Um, no. On the huge number of racks (at least 25 or 30) in the lingerie section at Macy's, I found ONE style that came in a 32D.
And this is what I don't really understand: is it that strange or unusual that someone with a small frame could have larger boobs? It's not that these bigger-cup-size-bras aren't manufactured. They are. If you look on Nordstrom's "Lingerie Boutique," there are plenty of 32Ds and higher in a number of styles... so why not carry a few in the store??
So I hoofed it to the fitting room and tried on the 32 (it unfortunately didn't fit quite right) along with a few others of varying sizes, and discovered that the 32 is clearly the correct size for me! I also learned, from the two women in the dressing room gabbing to each other while I was in there, that "Calvin Klein's bras are the most comfortable," and that "spending more than $25 on a bra is silly." As I was thinking, "clearly you don't have large boobs!" the other girl extolled the virtues of Vicky's Secret but opined that she didn't like the idea of paying $50 for a bra. ("Join the club!" thought I.)
Frankly, if I could find a bra that fits me well, is comfortable, lasts a while and looks nice, I think I might sell my soul to the devil. If necessary, I'd dispense with the "looks nice." Needless to say, such a brassiere was not to be had at Macy's for any price, so I got dressed and instead bought myself a set of 8 pretty "highball" glasses for my kitchen. So, um, happy birthday to me!
Comments
i love talking about bras! the comfortable, supportive, nice looking bra is my holy grail.
you aren't going to like my advice. you know when that comfortable bra starts getting stretched out and not being so wonderful anymore? bye bye bra. i've just accepted that bras don't last long. they just don't. i stock up on my favorite bras when they go on sale and just suck up the cost.
by the way, i assume you wash your bras in cold water and don't put them in the dryer. they'll last a lot longer that way.
i've heard people swear by fredrick's of hollywood, maybe they have something you'd like.
my favorite bra is now discontinued, so that won't help you. in fact, when i go through my stockpile i'm going to be back in your situation. my second favorite bra is the champion double dry everyday -- not really what you are looking for. it's a bit sporty looking rather than pretty and not super cheap (about $30 if not on sale). i'd say it lasts a bit longer than the average bra, but still definitely not more than two years.
Posted by: jen | September 15, 2007 06:23 PM
Are those pictures in National Geographic of the African tribal women naked and with their ta-ta's pendulously suspended really all THAT bad?!? Naw...go bra-less!
Linda D. in Seattle
Posted by: Linda D. | September 16, 2007 07:13 PM
You might want top try Victoria Secret's Body by Victoria Bra. So comfortable, you don't even know you have it on. They're pricey, so I try to buy them on sale (discontinued colors, mostly) and can get one for about $25
Posted by: Mizmell | September 20, 2007 05:40 AM