the bra place

By Susan A. Stibbe

by Jill Ockhardt www.ockhardtphoto.com

Bras, bras, and more bras.

The Crystal Corset Bra Boutique in Fargo stocks over a thousand different styles, colors, and sizes of bras. It serves as the area’s only professional bra fitter and carries many brands that can’t be found anywhere else in Fargo/ Moorhead. “It still isn’t enough,” said owner Heather Swenson. “Everybody is different and we are always busy adding to our inventory to include the latest styles.”

Swenson had an “aha moment” in 2005 watching an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show called “Oprah’s Bra Intervention.” “When I heard that 85% of women are wearing the wrong size bra, I truly thought aha,” said Swenson. “I always had a hard time finding a bra that fit correctly and, like most women, I usually just bought one that the saleswoman said looked like it fit pretty well.”

Swenson started fitting bras by appointment out of her home. She would also go to customers’ houses to fit or hold bra parties. “They were just like Tupperware parties except I helped our customers find a perfectly fitted bra,” Swenson said. “I carried one style, in black and nude, but could order other styles and colors.”

Swenson left her corporate-setting job and moved her inventory to her first location in downtown Fargo. In May 2014, she moved to her current location in south Fargo in the Old Chicago Mall. She and her employees have taken part in extensive training in bra fitting and are certified through the Fabfit Academy. “We recommend getting fitted every six months or at a minimum once a year,” continued Swenson. “Our bodies are constantly changing and as little as a fiveto ten-pound weight change can make a big difference in both the band and cup size of a bra. Pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss, and menopause can all change your bra size. In the 1970s, the average bra size was 34C and today the average size is 36DD. If you haven’t been professionally fitted in the last few years, you are probably wearing the wrong size.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and The Crystal Corset recommends coming in after your annual mammogram appointment to get fitted and purchase a new bra. “It’s a great reminder,” Swenson said. “Women should have at least three bras to rotate in their wardrobes.”

Swenson also stressed the four main components of fit:

1) The band: 80% of the support in a bra comes from the band around the rib cage. It is the most important part of the fit and the number one mistake women make is buying a bra with too big a band.

2) The cup: Most women wear a cup that's too small. Remember, as the size of the band increases, the cup volume increases. 34D and 36D are not the same cup size. 34D and 36C are the same cup volume but are different band sizes.

3) The straps: If the band fits correctly and is anchored down, the straps aren’t doing the lifting. As Swenson said, “It's just simple physics like I learned in my college physics class. Or think of it as a teeter-totter. If the band is tight and low, the front cups will be lifted, which is what you want.”

4) The gore or bridge: This is the part that connects the cups. It should fit nice and flat on the sternum.

“We try to emphasize the three F’s,” said Swenson. “Fit! Flatter! Feel Good!”

Although bras are their main emphasis, the Crystal Corset also carries shapewear, panties (including Hanky Panky in all sizes through plus sizes), corsets, bridal wear and gifts, sleepwear/ loungewear, snug tank tops and camis, bra bags for storage and traveling, laundry bags and soap, bath and body items, and bra accessories. “Our inventory is always expanding,” said Heather Wright, store manager. “Bra-sized swimwear will be coming in the future. We also have sports bras and nursing bras in all sizes. We stock bras in 28 – 54 band size and A – N cup size. We are also willing to special order.”

Both Heathers agree it is a wonderfully rewarding experience to help women find the perfect fit. “We have a lot of fun,” said Swenson. “Women come in a little hesitant – but they’re just boobs –we all have them.”

[AWM]

Scherling Photography