shelf-like bosom, volume 56...practically a public service announcement
Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 4:12PM Mrs. G. 
Caitlyn Side Support by Elomi
Mrs. G. has had some bra drama that proved to be more than she could tough out. She ordered two name brand bras off eBay to save a few bucks and neither of them was tolerable. The beige one's underwire stabbed Mrs. G. in her tender side breast flesh and the blue one, no joke, creaked when she moved, as if to say, "Holy Mother, we can not hold these boobs up much longer."
So based on some discussion in the Derf Assist List, Mrs. G. decided to bite the bullet and go to Nordstom for a proper fitting and financial fleecing.
When the Bra Specialist approached Mrs. G. and led her to a fancy room with fancy bird wallpaper on the walls, Mrs. G. explained that she was very modest and would prefer not to take off her shirt. The Bra Specialist was understanding and assured Mrs. G. she would not have to leave her comfort zone. Mrs. G. was so relieved by the Bra Specialist's sensitivity that she took off her shirt because, true story, it is difficult to try on bras with your shirt on. Pulling the straps through your sleeves gets tiresome after the second time. The Bra Specialist told Mrs. G. she could avoid the mirror and face the wall to feel more comfortable. Mrs. G. scooted toward the wall until her nipples grazed the fancy bird wallpaper. The Bra Specialist gently explained Mrs. G. would have to back up a bit to slip the new bra on.
The first bra fit like a dream, a dream! It was comfortable, supportive and the straps didn't dig into Mrs. G's shoulders. An efficient, quick-fire shopper, Mrs. G. said she would take three. The Bra Specialist tried to talk Mrs. G. into slipping on some "fun" bras, fun meaning a blue leopard and pink swirly prints. Mrs. G. thanked her and explained that she was more into beige because it matched her Hanes Her Way beige underwear. Mrs. G. isn't really into clashing. A "fun" bra with Hanes Her Ways is akin to wearing a tube top with wool trousers.
OK, here's the shocking news and why every unsure derf should go and be properly fitted for a bra. Mrs. G. was wearing a bra three cup sizes too small and two band sizes too large. No wonder that blue bra was crying uncle. As a result of a proper fitting bra, she is standing taller and wearing a shirt one size smaller. Lifting them up decreases the stress on that lower middle button large busted women hate.
It was nerve wracking, expensive and worth it. If you haven't been fitted in a while it's time to hitch it up in your fleshy giddy up. You won't be sorry.
Womankind
Reader Comments (43)
I agree wholeheartedly. I took the plunge a couple of years ago and I, too, was WAY off in what I thought was my size. No dear, you are not a 36D, you are a 38DDD. No wonder I was uncomfortable and listing to port ....
Yeah! Those Elomi bras are great! I have a saved auto-email search from eBay to keep me posted on ones I can afford! Try the Energise model for firm support while moving somewhat actively.
Good support for the bosom feels so very grand.
That old marketing saw "most women are wearing the wrong size bra" is really true, as you now see. Those bra-fitting ladies are surgically accurate and generally as sweet and sensitive as can be. And the best part is, of course, now you have wonderful, worth-every-penny bras that make you feel happy under your clothes, which is where it really counts. Three cheers for great bras!
I'm wearing one as I write and I feel perky!
Sing it, sister!! I just recently learned I was a DD instead of a C.
Except I go for the "fun" ones - even so!
and i bet you look perky, too! ;-)
good fit is SO important. and if you're like me, gaining or losing weight changes your needs faster than you think. ugh. ah, femaleness, eh?
Moms, Aunties, and Grams--do this for your young women! I bless the day my two dads marched me down to the fancy department store and utterly humiliated my 13 year old self by setting me up with an ancient, dour woman who waved a tape measure at me, then announced, "No, dear, you do not wear a 36C. You wear a 32DD."
I went from frump to vamp in one fateful afternoon. I think my dads might have regretted it, though.
Good on you, Mrs. G. I suppose photographic evidence, perhaps posed seductively in a snug Derf swag tee shirt, would be too much to ask for?
Aunt Snow, I would have gone for a fun one if I had the fun underwear to go with it. That fancy underwear is EXPENSIVE.
I haven't tried it yet because frankly I'm worried there are not enough letters in the alphabet to accommodate these monsters.
Deb, trust me, there are. Don't tell anyone but I'm an H. Perhaps TMI, but I have really wide breasts.
I'm with you, I had the bra ladies, at Lady Grace, show me the error of my ways. I hated underwires, I hated the uni-boob sports bra look, and finally got a proper bra, and like you am a true believer, and my girlfriend thinks I look hot, a win- win all around.
yay Mrs. G!
Absolutely. I had been needing a fitting for a while and finally had one a few weeks ago. My cousin works at a clothing shop and I had her do it. People thought it was weird to have my cousin do it, but I thought having my cousin feel me up was a much better option that some strange old lady feel me up. I have info on her I can use if I have to. lol
I went from a 46D to a 42C. I lost weight a few years ago and the boobs went first. I compensated for the cup size somewhat but not the rest. I was only able to afford two bras though so am still wearing the wrong bras half the time. I try to save the good bras for important days at work. lol
Thanks Mrs. G. I promise I won't tell a soul... and I will give it a try one of these days, soon.
I can attest to the fact that it's not just shelf-like bosoms that need love. I am "just" a D cup, but man alive the right bra makes me feel pretty and look good too! Recently got re-fitted at the local lingerie store and got a pretty bra to celebrate losing 40 lbs. To be honest -- Nordstrom ladies do a better job for a much less expensive product.
I recently did the bra fitting at Nordstrom's and had nearly the same experience, although the stress of standing in the fitting room while the salesgirl "helped" me was so powerful it took nearly all of my will to not collapse on the floor in a puddle of shame and deep weeping.
Even those of us without shelf-like bosoms can benefit from a proper fitting. I second (third? umteeth?) the recommendations for Nordstroms fitting ladies.
It really is a life changer. Even though they are expensive, it is well worth it when you think how many hours a day you wear a bra and what the right one does for your overall comfort and self confidence. If you work out it is well worth it to get a real sports bra. Can't tell you how many women I see at the gym who wear those flimsy sports bras that I just want to go tell them to get a real sports bra and stop walking around with their boobs smooshed and hanging down so low. Glad you had a good experience.
Can I throw out an AMEN here? The wrong bra was making me nuts,straps falling, etc. Fitting solved it.
Heather I'm so glad you finally went! I went about 7 years ago and it changed my life. Since then I have taken all my daughters and even a few friends. I had been fitted at Lane Bryant and Macy's before and I was wearing a 40DDD. It didn't look good or give me support and the wires would pinch. Well, I took the plunge and went to Nordy's and what do you know, I was 3 band sizes smaller and three cup sizes bigger! A lot of stores will do fittings and they might be very good, if your true size is DD or smaller. But if you need bigger they just make you get a bigger and bigger band until you have no support but the cups sort of fit. They aren't the Santa in Miracle on 34th Street you know. They only sell what they have! I have been involved with perhaps dozens of Nordstom fittings and the gals there have always been 100% professional. They never bat an eye at shyness, tattoos, back acne, rolls of fat, holey underpants, or giantism. If they are ever surprised they never show it.
I have learned a lot about this topic and I am happy to help others find what they are looking for. One of my daughters and I have even thought about opening a specialty shop so more buxom gals will have another choice.
Congratulations!
Sharon
It really does make a huge difference in your life, and it's worth every penny.
Amen! The girls are signing sweet songs of happiness!
I got a bra fitting at Macy's a couple of years ago, and the gal was top notch. She helped me find my right size, and when the girls are up where they should be, the world is my oyster. I bought a Wacoal bra that honestly feels like I'm not wearing anything when I have it on. The straps never slip, the wires never dig. I co-sign with everyone else here- go get a fitting and you'll feel great!
Amen! The girls are signing sweet songs of happiness!
Wow. I'm tempted to try the same thing. So tired of my back band creeping up and the front sagging down...
Aunt Snow, I would have gone for a fun one if I had the fun underwear to go with it
I never buy fun underwear, for some reason that doesn't seem a good value to me. I dunno why, since I'll pay over $50 for a really cute bra. But panties? Never more than $15, and even then, reluctantly.
I get panties in black, nude and blush, plain and simple, and they go with any fun bra. I've just discovered the Shimera brand, which I really like. They come in lots of colors, so you could match a fun bra of any color with a comfy and "normal" inexpensive pantie.
Just bought this Elomi bra. It was on sale.
You will not be disappointed, Aunt Snow!
Please, if I may...I am just "fat" with "smallish" boobs. Is there help for me? I have read many stories of proper bra fittings...and, most of them fall into the category of, I was a D...now I'm a DDD. I'm afraid mine will be more like...you just thought you were a C...you really are a 44 AA. Ugh!!!
Aunt Snow & Mrs. G. - bras with the architecture to support my assets generally come in white, nude, and black so I buy white bras and cute but inexpensive panties. Could be that mypanty choices are a bit immature, style-wise, but they make me happy.
With all of the raves, I might have to drive 3 hours to the nearest Nordstrom's for a fitting. I last bought new bras about two years ago and I've lost a bit of weight in the last few months so my current bras are *ahem* falling down on the job. I figure I'll just rob a bank on the way to Nordstrom's and I'll be all set!
When it comes to kickers I am a plain white Sloggi
http://www.justsloggi.co.uk/ girl. Big pants and so so comfy. Bras? Last time I got measured I think she was a Saturday girl, I tried on the size she said even knowing full well that there was no way it was ever going to fit.When it comes to kickers I am a plain white Sloggi
http://www.justsloggi.co.uk/girl. Big pants and so so comfy. Bras? Last time I got measured I think she was a Saturday girl, I tried on the size she said even knowing full well that there was no way it was ever going to fit.Now...maintaining those very expensive bras. Even the best elastic needs 36 hours to return to original shape. So never wear the same bra two days in a row! They will last much longer. When I have bras that are identical I make a little mark on the tag so I can tell them apart.
And never put them in the dryer!
Three cheers for the right fit! What a WONDERFUL moment that must have been!
Good for you!!! I've been preaching the benefits of good bras for years. I'd much rather have only three well-made ones than six cheap ones. They are TOTALLY worth the money.
But... even the good bras will eventually wear out, so I suggest that you add to your collection every so often so that when one does give up on you, you can throw it out without making a huge hole in your lingerie lineup.
As for colors, I have mostly black, but I've started adding more colors to the line up and I'm loving it. There's something really fun about wearing red or leopard print under what would otherwise be an outfit that wouldn't scream "brazen hussy." These days, I'm getting my undies at Target, but once I hit my goal weight and not changing sizes a couple times a year, I'm upgrading.
I'm not even going to read the comments until I post. First of all....I have been about catatonic and crying for the last several days. When I came here....and saw the pie post...I about fell apart (in a good way!). Then I read Barb's article....and I started magically stepping up and out of my black hole....steps baby- but steps. Then I came to this post and I actually laughed out loud! Because I can so relate!! "A "fun" bra with Hanes Her Ways is akin to wearing a tube top with wool trousers." - this got me in an absoultely heaven of laughter because I SO can relate!!!!......and I'm sure my husband and grandson were wondering if I fell off into the crazy cart.....then....there was this: "No wonder that blue bra was crying uncle." My damn bra's cry "uncle" every.damn.day.....now, I'm going back to read what you ladies said. You are bringing me back from the edge....thank you!
Mrs. G, I am desperately in need of a bra fitting after reading this. Thank you for your PSA!
See now, the only time I ever really ended up with a bra that most definitely did not fit was when I had a professional bra fitting. I even went to one of those independent shops. The sort who specializes in nursing bras and post-mastectomy things. I went because the Lactation Consultant suggested it so I felt like it would end all my problems.
I was post-partum, lugged kids with me, and plopped down an not-so-significant amount of money for two nursing bras that lasted less than a month. Way too small for me.
After that I decided to go my own way. My confession? I'm still wearing those nursing bras I picked out a few years ago and my youngest stopped nursing...um...six months ago? I've tried a few different bras, but none of them are as comfortable as my nursing bras so I've just kept them. *sigh*
I have forced my daughters to do the professional fitting and it makes a big sifferencefor younger, smaller boobs, too. I am looking forward to my bra size diminishing in the next year and investing in some good bras.
Y'all convinced me. Just left Nordstrom, down 2 sizes on the band, up 2 cup sizes. The girls are closer to my chin than the floor!!
Yay Cardinal! Doesn't it feel good, make you stand up a little straighter?
Oh my God, Heather, it's incredible. To have the band actually stay in the middle of my back is giving me a whole new outlook on life.