You're Wearing the Wrong (Cup) Size

Here are a few ways that give away that you're wearing the wrong (cup) size! For example, I'll use some lovely, buxom ladies in show business just because they're more likely to be fitted into incorrect bras for photoshoots by stylists and designers. If I come across more later I will create another blog post.

The Wires Are Sitting on Tissue

Christina Hendricks in a photo from the WildSound (originally Esquire)

Fit is easier to determine with a wired bra, if only because you can easily see where it hits your breast tissue. The wire should NEVER sit on breast tissue (see example above). That's why lingerie experts talk about the scoop and swoop method to make sure the wires fully encase your breasts, not float on top. An incorrectly fitting cup size can jab, stab and sometimes force wires up and out of the bra itself. Bras I Love and Hate featured an example of a bra stabbing (center gore). This can happen due to a manufacturing defect but it can also happen when your breasts are too big for the cup, causing stress on the wire and fabric.

Suggestion: Go up in cup sizes until the outside wire is not sitting on breast tissue. OR, sometimes, finding a bra with wider wires.

Floating Cup Syndrome

Kate Upton in a Victoria's Secret magazine

Another sign of a cup that doesn't fit is floating cup syndrome. On Kate Upton above, you can see that the center gore (the piece between the cups) is floating above her body. It almost looks like the cups are floating in the air supporting, you guessed it, nothing! A tight enough band will hold your breast tissue up (to an extent) but won't give enough support to be comfortable.

Suggestion: Go up in cup sizes until the gore can lie flat.

"Quad Boob"

Kate Upton on the cover of Vogue Italy

Again, we'll use Miss Upton as an example. Cups that are too small can not only sit on tissue but shove tissue up. Although this is the intent with push-up bras, they shouldn't cut into the tissue itself (case above). Sometimes when you scoop and swoop you'll end up with quad boob, so try going up in cup sizes until it fits. If you have softer tissue, changing the style of bra (but staying in the same size) may help. If you have breasts that are different sizes (it happens to most of us), then size your cup for the larger breast. Inserts and padding can be added to the smaller breast to create symmetry. Breast tissue may also start a bit higher on one side and that can make one breast appear bigger. Again, try to size for the largest breast and add inserts.

Suggestions: Go up a in cup sizes until you have the appropriate number of breasts or change styles.

How to buy bras (for less)

More often than not, I hear many women complain that bras are expensive. "I pay $100 for one bra. That's so expensive! Who can afford more than a few bras at a time!?" and ooooooh, do I sympathize. In college, I had one bra that fit and I wore it so frequently that it wore out quickly. If you're on a budget (or maybe you like variety that won't break the bank), then there are definitely options beyond the general department store in town.

How to Buy

• Consider prior seasons: Just like normal clothing fashion, lingerie companies release new items twice a year (once for Fall/Winter and again for Spring/Summer). Usually these items are shifted to other stores (for example, Nordstrom to Nordstrom Rack) or even to different chains, such as TJ Maxx or Marshalls. I have seen a Panache T-Shirt bra that regularly retails at $56 be $10.
• Ugly bras are still good bras: Items that don't move quickly are more often moved to the sales/clearance section before more popular items. For example, I don't prefer the Freya Tabitha (below) and wouldn't choose to buy it normally. HOWEVER, if the fit works (and this one didn't on me), then heck yes! Buy it! It's under your clothes, so does it really matter? P.S. You can totally buy this bra for (at this moment) $18 under retail!
  
  

• Sister sizes are your friends: If you are in-between band sizes then sister-sizing is your friend! Are you a 32FF? Maybe you could slide into a 34F or a 30G. Sizes that move more slowly (namely small band/large cup) can be found in sales/clearance sections. If you're right on the border line of easy to find bras (around a D cup), then you have a lot of flexibility in finding brands that can fit you, too. Orlinas has a quick run-down of sister sizes.
• SALES, SALES, SALES: The best time to look for a bra is right before it goes on sale. Know your size and have a lot of patience. Sign up for online newsletters for the companies you prefer and they will email you when there are sales or offers. BareNecessities.com, Chantelle.com, and more will let you know when the game is on.
• Exchange Rates: When the exchange rate swings into your favor, then take advantage! Although it's not often, you can get a great deal. For example, if you're in the US and buying from Canada, the exchange rate might work out. Pay attention to shipping, though! That might mean you lose out in the end if you pay a lot for shipping.
• Price Matching: Nordstrom has a new policy where they will match Amazon prices. You might have to check with floor managers to make sure it applies in your store, but it is a guaranteed match online!

Where to Buy

Discount Stores
Zulily, Gilt, and RueLaLa are fashion stores that feature prior seasons of lingerie/swimwear. Common brands are Kris Line, Curvy Kate, Chantelle and more. You can sign up and be alerted when there will be a sale.

Online Stores
Amazon: Brand names sell direct through Amazon. Usually they have discounts, too!
eBay: Know your size or even specifically the exact bra you want, you can swing a great deal.

Specialty Online Stores
Figleaves: Cheaper house brand AND great sales prices. Figleaves is a great place to stop.
BraStop: There is a large selection of prior seasons of bras available!

Exchanges
Bratabase: You can buy or exchange new/used/well-loved bras from Bratabase. In addition, you can get actual bra measurements to make sure it fits. The reviews are also incredibly helpful.

Brand Highlight: NightLift

While this post is NOT about whether you should or should not wear a bra while sleeping (there isn't strong evidence to support either case), it is good to know that options exist for those who choose to wear a bra at night! For those of us who DO need a bra to go outside, it's helpful to know that you can throw something on at night and if you wake up in a rush, there's a fire, etc., you can be wearing something comfortable and supportive and not need to change. Although there are a wide variety of brands that exist, I chose to highlight NightLift this week.

New to the CurveNV Expo just this year, NightLift is the brainchild of plastic surgeon Dr. Randal Haworth and the "best technical engineers in women’s foundation wear" (no names are mentioned on his website so who knows who that might be). The NightLift construction/engineering has even been patented (B.U.S.T.) and boy does it look different!

I have to be honest and say I DON'T like the sling look of the construction. This implies that you have hoisted your breast tissue UP and the straps are holding them that way. The band should be doing most of that work!

There seems to be a lot of thought put into the inner straps, which must help control breast tissue from slipping towards the inside of the cups while side-sleeping. According to the website, "Dr. Haworth actually prescribes NightLift^® for all his post-op breast surgery patients to wear after their bandages come off and their bodies are on the mend."

Diagram of straps

There are even J-hooks on the outer straps in the front so you can connect it to the inner straps.

 
Now, sizing! This system seems to add 2-3" inches to the underbust but could very well run tight. This IS a sleep bra, so perfect support isn't necessary (you won't be jogging in your sleep, I hope). The range is from 32" to 44" in the band and E to FF in most sizes. Because it's not an underwire bra, the gore isn't specifically meant to tack to the ribcage, so it's hard to tell how the sizing would go. HOWEVER, your bra band should NEVER ride up like the image below (from the website here).


Overall, I'm interested in seeing how comfortable this bra might be while sleeping. Glamour magazine did a review here. I'm a bit skeptical about how effective this would be at preventing sagging but would welcome something I could lounge in and not feel constricted.

*I have not been paid/sponsored by NightLift. This post is to just mention the brand.

Bras That Must Be Seen: Longlines

Based on an older style of lingerie and corsetry, modern longline bras do not have the extensive boning as older styles. Some do have stiffer fabrics, but there is such a variety that a bra exists out there for everyone! Longline bras are not be confused with basques/bustiers, which extend further down the torso.

Freya Fifi

It shouldn't be a secret, but Freya longlines are my favorite. They range from a stiffer band (Piper longline) to flexible (Flourish longline), so if you range from 30 to 38 band (C to G cup for most sizes), then you should give this season's Fifi a shot!

Available at Bras & Honey

Honeydew Longline Bralette

If you don't need a lot of support, then Honeydew has a nice variety of longline bras. This bralette is barely a longline (the band extends just a bit below the cups) so if you're looking for something that is not restrictive (and has a GORGEOUS back), then check out this bra! Nordstrom carries a variety of colors.

Available at Nordstrom

b.tempt'd by Wacoal Ciao Bella Underwire Bra

If you like to keep your budget in mind (and who doesn't) AND you want an underwire, then this bra may be for you. It only comes in Small, Medium or Large, so it's only a step above the Honeydew Bralette in terms of flexibility. It's still incredibly cute, though!

Available at HerRoom

Parfait's Danielle Longline

For those of you know me, then you know this is of course my favorite longline. The fabric is shiny, slick and there are cute button and lace details. This bra is available in US sizing. Parfait may no longer make it (it arrived in 2013) but there was a light pink and bright purple option available.

Available at Break Out Bras

Want to check out other longlines? Nordstrom has a good variety.

Bras for a Cause

Plenty of companies do community outreach or give to a specific cause! Some companies donate overall profit to some whereas others feature specific items that give back! Below are a few examples of what the lingerie industry is doing to help and empower others.

Curvy Kate & Coppafeel

Curvy Kate, in conjunction with the CoppaFeel organization, created a lingerie set specifically with the Coppafeel logo design. Each bra you buy gets money donated to the CoppaFeel cause. What is CoppaFeel? CoppaFeel was created by Kristin Hallenga who was twice misdiagnosed with breast cancer who seeks to encourage women between the ages of 18 to 30 to self-check themselves for breast cancer.

Photo from the Curvy Kate Blog

I'm a big supporter of Coppafeel, considering a friend was also diagnosed recently with breast cancer and she is under 30. She is now recovering from her chemotherapy, thankfully.

Here is a review of the Coppafeel bra. I also purchased this bra and had a similar experience.

A cute reminder to check yourself! Curvy Kate blog.

Their new bras also come with little CoppaFeel tags to encourage women to get their breasts checked and to check their own!

For more about this topic, please visit the Curvy Kate page.

Where to buy the bra: Brastop

Naja Lingerie: Underwear for Hope

You probably haven't heard of Naja lingerie, but you will drool over their sumptuous fabrics and beautiful designs. In fact, don't be surprised if you see more of founder Catalina Girald in the news because she has been making the rounds promoting her brand. Perhaps Naja's greatest feature, though, is that Naja helps single mothers learn how to sew so they can become successfully employed. These women learn skills and can then help themselves, their children, and their communities!

The bras and underwear in this line are literally pieces of art! The inside of the cups also feature insanely detailed fabrics. When you wear this underwear, know that you're promoting a brand that empowers women.

Soma's Giving is Beautiful Campaign/Donating a Bra

This section isn't necessarily about a brand but about what you can do to help someone else! Soma Lingerie accepts donations once a year (it was in January in 2015) to donate to victims of domestic violence. Please consider donating new or gently used bras to a local women's or homeless shelter. Don't forget that a lot of these centers have a lot of young girls, too, so give any sizes you may have.

Not sure where to find a women's shelter? Please search here and call your location center about donations.

Unusual Bra Accessories: Etsy Edition

Bras tend to have standard accessories such as bra hooks, clear straps, etc. But enough of that! You see that every day! Today's post is about UNUSUAL bra accessories I have found on Etsy.

Rixie Clip

Photo from the Rixie Clip website.

Possibly the MOST useful accessory you can have for a bra is a Rixie Clip! The Rixie Clip "can BOTH EXTEND AND TIGHTEN your bra bands, putting YOU in control of how your bra fits!" Invented by Rick and Dixie (thus Rixie), this fabulous tool is most useful when your bra has stretched too far for you to use effectively but you can't afford to replace it (or you just love it too much)! It comes in a few different color options and with differing amounts of eyes/hooks.

You can find out more or order from their website HERE!

Red Arrow Elastic Harness

Photo from LoveLornLingerie's Etsy page.

For $38 plus shipping, you can add a great harness that would sit under the bust but look FUN above a low cut shirt. There are a number of other options available on LoveLornLingerie's Etsy.  J.S. Ding, the store owner, knows her stuff and even custom makes the band to your underbust!

For a review of a different harness, check out The Undercover Lingerista's review from last January.

BraWrap - Bra Band for FitBit Flex

Photo from GirafairryCreations Etsy page

With nearly 200 positive reviews, this little accessory is a close runner up for a useful Etsy bra accessory. If you want to wear a dress AND use your Fitbit Flex, I can think of no better way than this BraWrap! Mandy Schultz, the owner, also makes a variety of other accessories to attach your Fitbit Flex to, as well!

Lace Harness Cage Bra

Photo from Vapour Trail Photography.

I have no idea WHERE I would wear this harness (Burning Man? Halloween?) but I think I want it now! What's great about this harness is that it can be worn over outerwear as well as lingerie, so it's a bit more versatile than the red harness above.  TwilightSiren also carries other harnesses as well.

BraLee

Photo from MyBraLee Etsy store.

If you've ever had a bra turn into an attempted murderer and try to stab you, this nifty Etsy creation might just be your thing. Simply apply the BraLee where your underwire has escaped and you should be safe from your bra... for now! You can choose from certain colors at the Etsy store.

Curvy Kate Star in a Bra 2015: Worldwide!

After skipping 2014, Curvy Kate, a UK-based lingerie company, is seeking it's next Star in a Bra.

Less than 13 days to enter!!!

  The Star in a Bra contest began as an attempt to find models that fit not only the Curvy Kate brand but also their bras! Starting at a D cup, Curvy Kate had a hard time finding professional models to fit their products. In 2010 they launched the Star in a Bra competition to find a UK-based customer to model their bras. After their initial success, they launched the US-based Star in a Bra contest which I entered in 2012.

2012 US Star in a Bra Contest

   From the onset I was super excited about this contest. In college a roommate took me to get fitted (properly!) and it positively changed how I felt about myself and my body. It was almost like being fitted made me forget a lot of the flaws I thought other people "saw." My confidence soared and I wanted to spread that confidence to others. When my sister introduced me to the Star in a Bra contest I recruited my friend Tiffany (above, looking terrified at what I have dragged her into) and we made a girls weekend of it!

   After making it through prelims, both of us made it to the top 30 choices! After a lot of footwork (radio, newspaper and TV interviews) as well as harassing our Facebook friends until the last minute, we both made it to the top 10! And with that we were flown to New York for our photoshoot!

   After a day exploring New York, we managed to meet the 8 other contestants who ranged from different sizes, colors and backgrounds and all of them were the most gorgeous women I have ever met! Our last day in New York consisted of several hours of prep, photographs, video footage and the occasional sing-along. In other words: BEST DAY EVER!

   In the end, neither Tiffany nor myself won the 2012 Star in a Bra contest. That honor goes to the beautiful Krista (above, second from the right) and her reign has been glorious. She embodies everything a Curvy Kate model should be: true to herself, true to others and destined to inspire others.

2015 Star in a Bra

   This year the competition is open world-wide and to real and augmented breasts! How great is that?! In the end this means that the competition will be fierce and intimidating, but that shouldn't stop you if you're interested in participating!

   So how do you go about entering Star in a Bra? First things first click HERE and sign up! It takes two minutes to fill in your information and maybe another few minutes to think about WHY you are entering this contest. The key to being a Curvy Kate girl is to be true to yourself and express it!

   Included in your entry form is a means to upload five photos: two headshots and three full bodies. Pick good lighting (natural is always best) and if you're having difficulties recruit a friend. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A TIFFANY! Your Tiffany will know which of your angles work and they will capture it. OR you could use your phone on a timer. Hit submit and wait for your email (check your junk mail, too, because that was where my acceptance letter was!!!!).

 Things to Consider

   Here is the most important thing about entering this contest: PEOPLE WILL SEE YOU IN YOUR UNDERWEAR. If you have to do the PR run for this, your co-workers may (and most likely will) see you on the internet or on TV (mine were super nice and supportive, which was definitely a blessing).

   You have to have thick skin. People are people and some of them are great and wonderful and some are out there to troll. "You're too fat" to "You're not curvy enough" might be tossed out. "You're ugly" or "You're beautiful." Whatever! As Taylor says, "Haters gonna hate" and you should be you.

   So should you? Definitely!

   Will you fail? Maybe! Below is a photo from my shot last year and I didn't make it. :( There's always this year though...

***All professional photos belong to Curvy Kate!***