Bra shopping - YouLookFab Forum

Went bra shopping last night with my DD's. I realized it has been about a year since I last bought bras for all of us. My Chantelle's have held up pretty well, except for two that I wear the most (tee-shirt type bras in regulation nude). They needed to be replaced.

Was a little disappointed because the model I like - the 3061 - is being discontinued. Why do they do that? Sigh. I ended up buying the replacement version (sorry don't have the model # handy). It's nice, fits about the same, BUT it is only offered in black (don't need) and toffee.

The toffee is probably a great nude for the vast majority of people, except those of us who are very fair. I suspect it is going to show under white tops, because of the contrast. I was told there is no other shade of nude in this style being offered by Chantelle. I tried on another style in a lighter nude, but it didn't fit me well.

This morning I went searching the web, and I did luck out finding the very last 34B of the 3061 in a light nude, for half the price. So that is good. But I'm just sad I can't find another one!!! One more would be perfect; I'd be all set for another year.

Anyone have any suggestions for alternative brands to try?

P.s. DD16 did not luck out at all this time... DD15 liked the updated version of her CK bra, which has a racer back, very helpful for her since she lives in tanks.

14 years ago

cciele

Veteran

Aw, I'm sorry they are discontinuing your fav style! I hate it when you find something that works really well, then it gets discontinued.

I am a Wacoal girl but at NAS the salesgirl turned me on to On Gossamer bras. They are super light weight and super comfy!

Antje

Besides Chantelle, I recommend Wacoal as well (and they have some Wacoal t-shirt bras on sale at NAS, I got a nude one.)
I've also had DKNY bras, which worked well as t-shirt bras but they didn't last nearly as long as Chantelle or Wacoal.

Anonymous

I've had luck finding "discontinued" Chantelle models at the Nordstrom Rack - do you have one nearby? I'm still new to buying proper bras instead of buying whatever is on clearance from Gap Body, so I don't have any other advice for you.

It warms my heart to know you take your DDs bra shopping. My mom tried to help me out, but I was fairly obstinate and ended up going on my own as soon as I could drive - I was always so embarrassed about my chest! It is great that you and your daughters can go shopping together!

Chris

Active Member

I actually like Wacoal more than Chantelle but really style and fit is more important. Bra companies seem to discontinue styles in a whilly nilly manner.
I remember some of our best selling styles being discontinued by the Big 3 bra vendors (Vanity Fair, Maidenform, Bali) on an annual basis.

Racer back option is so handy!

This story may or may not relate to your bra search, but this is how bra shopping went for me recently.
I had been wearing bras that were fitted on me at Nordstrom's. As I've said in previous posts, I always had to wear a cami to keep things from moving around which would drive me nuts. I also had to wear a foam pad inside the cup to fill it out the rest of the way.
I saw an ad in the local small town paper for 'The Bra Lady'. I called and made an appt. She laughed at the fact that I had to add a foam pad and wear a cami to keep it all in place. She accused Nordy's of selling whatever they had on hand and said she has a basket full of bras from there that women do not want to take home after they are fitted by her and try her bras.
I did get a couple of bras that I LOVE. No need for a foam pad or a cami with these. I actually am in the same size I was from Nordstrom's but the bra is built differently and fits me perfectly. What a relief. This new brand is Dominique made in the Phillipines.
Anyway the Bra Lady also went on and on both times I talked to her about the storage houses for her items running out of sizes because of the economy they cannot afford to store all of these bras. She said it costs big bucks to ship and store large amounts of merchandise. She kept saying you don't know how bad it is behind the scenes of retail.

shiny

San, I may have to hunt down that bra for DD16. She has the most trouble finding bras that fit, being slim on top, with narrow shoulders, very short from shoulder to bra band. Bra straps are always too long, always slipping off, etc. The bra she likes best is a "petite" bra. She did try on one very pretty bra yesterday we almost bought, but it was more pretty than practical and at this time she needs practical.

Wacoal: the store had a ton of those - we were rushed so I didn't try any on (I just stuck to all the Chantelle's). I will have to do that next time. Good to know!

As for Nordies' Rack and other places, my problem is that 34B seems to sell out first.

I'm wearing the new toffee one today and I did test it out under a white shirt and DD15 said it wasn't as bad as she and I thought it might be....

Am I silly to say that there's nothing like a brand-new bra? What a difference!

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