life of bra shopping

story by | melissa fluge

When the thought came to mind of writing an article about bra shopping, I figured the challenge was going to be interesting, exciting and a tad scary. I mean, is it really true that approximately 80% of women wear the wrong bra size? The only way for me to truly know meant busting out of my comfort zone and going on a fact finding mission to see if I could possibly be one of those 8 out of 10 gals wearing the wrong size.

As I sat down to write this article, I turned on my DVR to catch the last episode of the Rachael Ray Show and low and behold there was Clinton Kelly from TLC’s What Not to Wear. Call it fate [or an intervention!], he was sharing with the audience the top 5 bra issues women face:

1. Wearing a bra that is too small.

2. Using lingerie as a real bra.

3. Having too much padding.

4. Breasts are sitting too high.

5. Sagging just doesn’t cut it.

As I pondered his words, I recalled a statement from Tim Gunn with Marie Claire [fashion guru and host of Project Runway], saying how undergarments set the foundation for all clothing, so without the right undergarments, it doesn’t matter how pretty your outfit looks. It is all about how it fits. Then I thought to myself, how come these men are giving us women advice on bras? Well, Clinton and Tim, time to get back to basics and find the right brazier for me and “the girls!”

I had to prepare myself for a day of being uncomfortable and nervous. I am definitely not one to partially undress in front of strangers, leaving them to mentally judge my uneven breasts caused by breastfeeding or that oh so ever pale, pasty, winter skin, but I had to do it. With cleanly shaven arm pits [which is a must ladies], a nude color bra, t-shirt and jeans, I started my day with the perfect cup of dark hot chocolate from Caribou Coffee and headed off to my first stop, Macy’s.

I entered the store and immediately found a very nice associate to assist me with a bra fitting. I took off my t-shirt and there I stood in my bra, nervous as could be, while she measured. What felt like hours, only took seconds. She didn’t mention my size, but with a look of determination turned and simply said “I’ll be right back,” as if it was a secret mission. Moments later there she was with two different bra styles in hand.

To backtrack a bit, before having a baby I would have sworn I was a solid 38C. Then during the 8th month of my first pregnancy I was fitted for a nursing bra at a local maternity store. At that time I was a 38D—I also used a bra extender for extra comfort. Now, 18 months after giving birth, there I stood in the dressing room to discover I was now a 36D. A perfect example of the roller coaster change our bodies can experience and why our bras should change too.

With my new size known, I started from scratch looking for an “everyday” bra. The first was a t-shirt style bra, which is commonly associated with smooth, invisible seams that look great under; you guessed it…a t-shirt.

I wore a t-shirt that day, to make sure the bras I tried looked great under my shirt and wouldn’t show the excess back fat and underarm flab I happen to be sporting right now. I started the day anticipating that getting fitted was going to be the toughest part, but I avoid wearing your bra for two consecutive days your body exudes heat and heat makes the lycra in the bra stretch when it is warm wearing your bra for more than one day in a row will cause it to deteriorate faster lycra needs at least 24 hours to cool off—so alternating bras each day will go a long way towards good bra care was wrong. It was finding the perfect bra! I realized bra shopping is like finding the perfect jeans. It takes trying on a lot of different styles and brands before you know you found the right one.

My journey continued as I ventured over to Victoria’s Secret. I once again started with the measurement process to compare my size at Macy’s and it was exactly the same, a 36D. The associate brought me a wide variety of 5 different types of bras and I tried them all.

After trying on different brands at Macy’s—Olga, Maidenform, Vanity Fair and Calvin Klein—I discovered Maidenform was the best option for me. They have a wide variety of styles and colors/patterns to choose from. Their softness, smooth fit and cup coverage was perfect for what I needed.

I absolutely fell in love with the smooth, ultra comfortable Incredible by Victoria Secret Demi Bra. The band was smooth, form fitting and extremely comfortable. According to the associate at VS, the band of any bra should be the primary support of your breasts, where the straps should just be there for backup. I was sold and could have purchased it in every color and pattern.

If Macy’s and Victoria’s Secret aren’t quite the places for you, I also made a stop at Lane Bryant, where they carry sizes 38C to 44H in-store and sizes 36C to 48DDD online. Other options to consider are Kohl’s, JCPenney, or Herbeger’s. And for you soon to be mommies, in the market for maternity or nursing bra, definitely try Mommy’s Maternity and Target. Just know there is something out there for all of us.

A few helpful hints I found along the way:

• Make sure when you are trying on bras that you look at the front, back and side views to determine if it truly fits.

• Put your arms down next to your sides and look in the mirror. Where do your breasts sit? They should sit halfway between your shoulders and elbows. Your breasts in the right position can make you look 10 pounds lighter.

• If you are not sure how your bra looks with the outfit you happen to be wearing the day you’re out bra shopping, check the stores return policy first, then take it home. Try the bras on with many different types of shirts, dresses, tanks, etc. to make sure you will be happy with your purchase. I know committing to a really good bra purchase can be expensive, but the trade-off of feeling and looking better is worth every penny.

With the every so changing female body that we are blessed to have, our bodies are constantly evolving due to pregnancy, weight gain or loss, our monthly cycle, illness and just simply with age. It’s inevitable our breasts are bound to be impacted in some way or another. But times have changed and bras have come a long way from the “over-the-should-bolder-holder” title. Getting the support and care necessary for “the girls” is out there…it’s just going to take time and patience to find it. Now, you know your mission…ditch the unsightly back roll, uncomfortable shoulder indents, bursting breast bulge or tomboy chest, get fitted and find that bra!

Now that you spent the time and money to find that perfect new bra, how do you take care of it and make it last? For the sake of time, many ladies will toss their bra in the washer and dryer, without knowing the wear and tear one wash cycle can have on a bra. Yes, hand washing and line-drying your bras is best, but let’s be realistic, time is a precious thing so here are a few tips to clean your favorite bras without the overwhelming hand wash, line dry theory: sources: wikipedia.com, marieclaire.com, rachael ray show, bra.lifetips.com

1. Buy a mesh laundry garment bag at Target, Wal-Mart or K-Mart. Take the extra time to wash them on the delicate cycle in cold water and then hang or lay flat to dry.

2. No garment bag? Wash your bras solo. Hook the back clasps on the bra. It prevents twisting and makes it less likely for the underwire to get twisted in the bra. Consider tightening the shoulder straps as well so there is less to get tangled around another bra in the washing machine.

3. Set the rinse for cool or cold. This can make the elastic in the bra snap back to its original shape as long as the bra isn't too old.

4. There is never a good time to put a bra in the dryer. It can shrink and make it more likely for under-wire to poke through, no matter how reinforced the bra is. Before hanging it to dry leave the back clasped and reshape the cups to regain their form.

We’ve all done it. Time runs short and we take a safety shortcut, never meaning to harm anyone. Besides, the bad thing never happens—right?

Beth and Jeremy Nicholls from Devils Lake, N.D., tell the other side. Their little guy suffered a serious injury requiring specialized care from Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo. “Laine was so brave,” says Beth.

Today he’s the 2011 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion. The network supports 170 children’s hospitals throughout North America, including Sanford Children’s. Funds raised here stay here, helping kids you know.

Faces Of Healing

For a week Laine stayed at Sanford Children’s Hospital where specialized wound care prevented infection. Beth worried hospitalization might scare Laine. The playroom, child life specialists and caring nurses—all made the difference. “He healed really well,” she says.

Beth and Jeremy needed healing, too. “We felt so guilty,” she says. “Why was I with the horses when I should have been home with the kids? Why didn’t we put that gun away? So many whys.” Family support and visits with Sanford Children’s staff helped.

“And yes, we definitely made changes in our home as far as gun safety,” she says.

the beauty of routine so what happened?

Laine needed months of outpatient wound care including frequent trips to Fargo for dressing changes. The process—especially the tape removal—could’ve been painful, but wasn’t.