Update...over the shoulder boulder holders... - YouLookFab Forum

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Update...over the shoulder boulder holders...

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Update is at the bottom of this post.

Hey everyone, so one area I have severely neglected on my style journey is foundational undergarments. I would love some pretty and functional items.

Truth be told I focus so much in the clothing I just have serviceable unmentionables. Plain cotton sports bras etc. I have been wearing this type of garments for years. Creating the wonderful uniboob.

It is time to make the uni, separate and uplifting. I don't even know my real size. I'm wear a xl in sports bras lol. If you can recommend some stores where I could find some pretty yet functional unmentionables it would be great. Um price is a factor I think under $25 would be great.

Although it will be hard to trade in my fruit of the loom underoos. I think I just might have out grown them. pun intended.

Oh and the title is what my grandmother would call bras back in the day.

As always thanks in advance.

Update: Bra fitting everyone should have maybe 2 in their lifetime done. One when you are young and perky and another one when you mature and perky.

So I went to a small intimate apparel boutique in the south suburbs of Chicago that catered to plus size women. My experience was very positive especially empowered with the advise from you all on this forum.

As a grown women I was still somewhat embarrassed at having someone measure me fro a Bra. Although the consultant was very professional and reassuring.

We talked for about 20 minutes of goals and expectations which was very surprising to me. But, how else could you learn of what I needed to work in my everyday active life.

I brought two Bras

http://www.hanes.com/onehanesp.....bra-m09454

Fits
perfect.Hope Maidenform continues to make this bra. I will continue to
order. I am not one to wear a different bra for every outfit. I find a
bra I like and wear it.I
highly recommend this bra for the active lifestyle person.

I love it, love it, love it. After wearing and being active for several days. I can say that this is a keeper and affordable. Now that I know my correct size 38 D and what to look for I can now have the foundational support I need. Thank you for reading.

Shopping

35 replies

Latest reply was from abc

Daria

If you are not opposed to online shopping, try http://www.barenecessities.com/
They always run sales.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I was going to suggest the same site as Daria. The customer service staff are very helpful, so do speak to them about your requirements.

abc

Veteran

In your case I would think a fitting would be in order but you can go with Angie's suggestion as she is the uber expert! It's great that you are focusing on this area. You will be shocked how differently your clothes will fit (better, more flattering) and how good you feel when you have properly fitting and pretty underthings. You may end up spending more than you wanted but IMHO it is worth every cent. And once you know your size and a brand or two that "gets" you you can always wait for sales or scour clearance racks. I bought a bra or two from Nordies then just keep an eye out at Nordstrom rack where i get the same bra for about half the price. Good luck and feel great!

abc

Veteran

PS forgot to mention I have had good luck with Cacique brand bras from Lane Bryant. Fit well, good selection and pretty too. Can find good sales there. Also Soma too. Both carry more size variety than ahem places like VS that tell us we are a 38c when in fact we are more like a 40 or 42 something but that's all they carry and just wanna sell you a bra whether it fits or not.

PPS also you may need to pay attention to how you launder "real" bras vs sports bras. Wash in a delicates bag and hang to dry. Clothes dryer will damage them over time.

PPPS I love your title. My friends and I used to call bras this back in high school. Blast from the past. Ok I will stop now!

unfrumped

Veteran

Gotta love phrases that are referenced by the Divine Miss M.

DonnaF

Veteran

First, I would take a tape measure to find your circumference under your girls. That is your band size. (When I did that, I discovered I was two sizes smaller than I had been buying! 32" => 28") Get sized at a real specialty lingerie shop, not Victoria's Secret or a department store. The Nordstrom gal tried to mis-size me, maybe because Nordstrom doesn't carry a band size smaller than 30". VS is notorious for doing the same. Lingerie shops carry a wider variety of sizes than non-specialty stores, but some specialize in smaller sizes and others specialize at the other end. Once you know your size and styles that work for you, you can watch for sales online.

Be prepared to faint at the price if you are not a mainstream size. Bratabase.com is a great place for reviews, and once you have found a make, model, and size that fits, it will tell you other makes and models likely to fit.

Finding a well-fitting bra is like finding a well-fitting pair of pants or flattering jeans. Gotta try a lot. Don't settle.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Thank you for your help and replies. I have a scheduled appointment for a fitting and purchase with a local chi chi boutique. I will start there they seem to know what they are talking about. I am a little blown away by the prices of undergarments. But a few nice prices will not hurt the wallet to much. I am cheap um frugal yeah frugal is a good word. Like PBS Jeff Smith the Frugal Gourmet does anyone remember him? ok I am rambling thank you for the help. I am going this weekend I will post pictures of the before and after Of how my garments fit. Thank you Ladies.

Gaylene

Veteran

I spent years in those serviceable, cheap bras until I went for a fitting at at age 59. I could smack myself for being so stupid all those years because, hands down, a well-fitting bra is one of the best investments you'll ever make in your appearance. I'm not particularly well-endowed, but even my husband noticed the difference when I put on a T-shirt. EVERYTHING you put on the upper half of your body will fit better once you are in the right bra.

The best way is to find a reputable specialty bra shop with a big selection and a good fitter. A good fitter will give you lots of information about what kinds of bras will work best for your shape--wide vs, narrow gore, underwire size and shape, two-piece vs. three-piece vs. molded cups, strap placement, band width and single vs. multiple hooks. You'll try on lots of styles and brands because there is nothing standardized about bra sizes, just like clothing. Even if you just buy a single bra from that session, the education you'll get will be worth the price.

If you can't find a B&M store, the next best solution would be to do some research on bra websites that specialize in fitting larger sizes. Read up on what you need to look for in a good fit and figure out what your unique needs are so you can pay attention to those aspects when trying on bras.
Buy a bunch of sizes online and be prepared to return most of them. Always go a back size smaller, and maybe a cup size larger, than you imagine you'll need unless you're very confident you know what size to choose. Don't put much faith in online bra calculators because most are way off. Many women are stunned to find that they need go up several cup sizes--a D or E cup size does not necessarily mean you are well-endowed. A 30D fits more less the same volume as a 36A, 34B, or a 32C; the difference is in a woman's frame and back width, not breast tissue.

if you plan to do this alone, I'd recommend the Butterfly Collection http://www.butterflycollection.ca as a good starting place They offer a Bra 101: http://www.butterflycollection.....chool.html
well as free consultations and even a Skype fitting service.

Underpinnings are a hugely important factor in looking good in your clothing. If you get them right, you'll be amazed at the difference.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Gaylene thank you so much so helpful. I'm 41 and the girls are not as perky as they they once were. It way beyond time to get them the support they no we needed.

lisaflex

Veteran

handwash bras in dreft and air dry...best way to keep them in top shape! and never wear the same bra 2 days in a row - they need to "breathe"

Cococat

Veteran

I second (or third) a fitting. A properly fitted bra to enhance 'the girls' makes a HUGE difference. Also make sure that you wear a tee or a style of top that you usually wear and put it back on over the bra and check front, back, side view etc.

If you forgo the fitting, make sure you try on in a change room with mirrors that allow different views, check it alone and then with your usual top over.

I'm a DD girl and I find that it's not only correct size but also style that can make a big difference....different types of 34DD bras can give me uniboob, 4 boob, torpedo boob, back muffin...or perfect boob. Once I find perfect boob, I buy 3 or 4.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am going to read the other replies later, but once I figured out my proper size and fit I was able to find my $75 bras for less than half price on ebay NWT (even I won't do used bras or underwear :-0).

JayS

Veteran

Definitely get a good bra fitting. And be prepared to spend a lot of time trying on different styles. Fit and sizing varies quite a bit..in one style you may need a bigger band and smaller cup than another.

I also take tops that need good bras to try on over the bra. I want my girls sitting at the darts on blouses, so I take a darted blouse with me to see if the bra can hoist to that altitude.

One of the best threads I have ever read on YLF is this one:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ing-thread

Very in depth and informative.

Oh, and after I go to my fitting at Intimacy, I buy extras from Amazon. Once you know the style and size, you can usually find them cheaper than lingerie shops. (I always buy at least one from the fitter..they deserve compensation for their time and knowledge.)

If I had to chose between spending the big $ on clothes or bras, bras would win every time. Gotta have a good foundation to build upon.

Good luck!

elpgal

Veteran

If you can't find a good professional fitter, check out the ABTF forums on Reddit.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

Def good that you're getting a pro fitting.

I used to buy a 38C, had a fitting and my size is 36DD, which is about the same cup size, but a smaller band size....who knew that the cup changes size based on the band size? That doesn't even make sense.

Also, don't use fabric softener in the wash with your lingerie. It degrades the latex.

Good luck with the shopping!

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

The Nordstrom gal who fit me also introduced me to some awesome sports bras that don't do the uniboob, so if you like wearing that style for casual comfort, they exist.

Also Title9 has a large selection of sports bras and crossover bras.

retailgirl

Veteran

I've worked in retail forever and was trained to fit bras, but up until three years ago I was wearing the wrong size. A rep. from Wacoal measured me and put me in a 32 D...no way I was a D! I'm small! But it is the right size for me and makes a huge difference in the way you look and the way your clothes fit! Find the money somehow in your budget, get fitted and get a good bra.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Absolutely get fitted and treat yourself to this amazing gift. Well fitting bras make a huge difference even to the itty bitty barely there's like me! I was stunned! I, too, am a D cup. HUNH??? Of course they tried to put me in 32A, but it is not right, not right, not right at all. I needed a smaller band, bigger cup size, and it needs to be widely spaced. As I now (after a couple of mis-fittings) know.

If you have any doubt, I would get another opinion. Scan online bra forums and lingerie shop reviews, and note if the women are endowed as you are. They will be your best recommenders.

And then buy two expensive bras. It will hurt at the time, but thereafter you will find sale versions on ebay or elsewhere. Also, you will know what you are looking for. Believe it or not, I did extremely well in bra shopping completely online during Nordstrom's anniversary sale this year. But it was only because I knew my size, knew a few brands that worked reliably, and read reviews like a maniac.

Jeweled

Veteran

There is a discussion on Reddit, with a step-by-step tutorial on how to measure yourself accurately for bra size:

http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraTh.....it/c469bi0

You may want to measure yourself at home first, using the tutorial in that Reddit discussion - and then have a professional measure you when you get to the store.

Then you'd be more informed when discussing your size and fit with the sales assistant.

chadya

Veteran

Soma is a good place to try.
Their bras are not the most expensive or the cheapest. They have fitters and there are some good ones there. They run sales all the time.

Get a fitting, local place or where ever, and if the bras that works perfectly for you is expensive, just get one for now. Head to eBay and look for that model you might find it at much less. I have done that.
Then just keep your eyes out for sales on that bra.

Kirstjen

Veteran

You need to find out what size you actually are. Once you do, and once you get some bras that fit, if you are truly a busty woman, you will find that engineering in bras is something that is worth the $$ you spend.

You will find that your posture is better, your clothing fits better, and you actually look slimmer.

So I would suggest that you try a wide range of bras, and put some clothing on over each one, snap a photo & get some advice on what which ones provide the best fit.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Chiming in late here, but the following blog is great for bra reviews, helping with sizing, sources, etc.:
http://busts4justice.com/

Ledonna N.

Veteran

@ Laura never late I am off to go read the blog.

Thanks to everyone for your input I feel a bit more confident going to my fitting and a bit ready to shell out a bit more than $25 on the first Bra.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Going to my bra fitting and purchase today The associate said leave room for a couple hours of consultation. Eek..... Well I printed up suggestions from this thread of questions to ask and what to look for. I have a mindset of two Bras? One a pretty pretty one for off work times. And the second for work because I need something serviceable and breathable I move around multiple times a day. That is why I founmd sports bras so comfortable. Whish me luck guys. I have a busy day today so I'll do a write up tomorrow.

Tina

I am wishing you luck and patience!

Beth Ann

Veteran

How'd it go? I just had time to check this thread -- the Chicago area has several good foundations boutiques. I was going to suggest Intimacy at 900 N. Mich. Ave., (or at Oakbrook). I have had luck at Soma, too, and the sales make the prices moderate.

abc

Veteran

What's the update (when you have time)

Gail

Veteran

I have purchased for my daughter from http://www.herroom.com. They have a wide selection and good customer service. I find every bra I have uncomfortable the 32 band too tight and the 34 rides up ugh. I have had fittings too !
I've just about given up but know that it's not an option so will need to find a speciality shop and try some more !

josie411

Seconding the folks who suggested http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/

Made a world of difference for me!

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