Bra Burning Blitz

[fancytalk]

Let's bitch about bras today.
Do bra manufacturers really think about what they are doing when they design a bra?

It's almost like they make a model for an A or B cup, then think adding more material will work fine for larger cup sizes. What works for A/B doesn't work for C/D/DD/and up.

So you go out and buy a new bra. First, you shell out a lot of money for a single bra. The last bra I bought was about $40 with tax and that sucker was on sale. Even the really ugly bras are not that cheap. Now I'm sure there are women out there who would say that buying bras at Wal-mart or Target is an excellent idea. I'm not knocking that as a choice. I think if I had smaller breasts, I would probably do that. As it is every bra that I've ever tried from one of the mentioned stores has gone into the trash heap after a couple of wears because if it ain't comfortable, I'm not going to wear it.

Now that you've spent money on a bra after trying it on in the store, you take it home, cut off the tags and prepare to wear it. After a couple of hours, you realize that a wire is digging into your underarm or ribcage. Discreetly adjusting the problem works for a while. Later on you realize that the other underwire is doing the same thing and you can't wait to get home so that you can take the damn thing off. You try wearing the bra a few more times, you experience the same problems, finally you give up by tossing the new bra and going back to the old bra that you luckily hadn't given up yet just in case.

Other problems include the shoulder straps that don't stay adjusted, shoulder straps that are set wide enough apart for a line backer, shoulder straps that are wide enough to create the illusion of shoulder pads, the middle section of the bra front that is wide enough to be used as a bullet proof vest, and the hooks that bend out of place for no apparent reason.

Now, if bra stores offered a money-back guarantee, it might make things better. Then you could return a bra even after wearing it a few times. Even better would be a test-drive option for bras. Pick out a few styles, try them out for a week, return what didn't work and buy what you liked.

And what's up with the injection-molded-padded-push-up bras for large cup sizes? It doesn't really do anything except give your boobs a place to jiggle around in. Kind of like wearing a breast plate.

One day I'll invent the perfect bra and save womankind from the torture devices that exist on the market today. Until then, I'll suffer along with everyone else. Hell, I live in Berkeley, I don't have to wear a bra if I don't want to. I think I'll have a little bonfire tonight.

Comments

[rhiannonstone.livejournal.com]

Amen, sister!

There are some specialized bra shops that will fit you professionally and let you do returns and exchanges. I don't know of any around here, sadly, but I managed to find one when I lived in Cambridge, MA and my boobs and my back have loved me for it ever since. The nice old lady there gave me a proper measurement (which was the best part for me, because I'd been wearing 40DD bra when in reality I'm a 44DDD), gave me tons of bras to try on, and made minor adjustments to the ones I liked to make them even more comfortable. It was a valuable experience and I wish it was standard for every woman every few years.

BTW, I've discovered that a good soft-cup is way more comfortable than an underwire, and even more supportive. Contrary to everything I was taught growing up, but true!

[yesimthegirl.livejournal.com]

It used to be that you automatically got a bra fitting whenever you went bra shopping. My mom grew up in that era when you did things the proper way and getting fitted for a bra was one of them.

Victoria's Secret does them (at least they did before I was out of their size range) and I just did a survey for Lane Bryant and discovered that they are suppose to ask if you want a bra fitting.

My only issue with the soft-cup is that they aren't always pretty. My vain side wants pretty too. Sad I know, but I just can't help it.

I think I'm going to pull out my sewing skills and design a bra. I figure if it fails, I'm only out a few bucks in materials.

[rhiannonstone.livejournal.com]

Victoria's Secret does still do fittings, but they're not very good ones--I was told by 2 VS employees in 2 different stores that my bra size was 40DD because that was the largest size they carried.

[emeralds-roses.livejournal.com]

Erm... at least you can find a bra in your size. Where I live it seems that shops believe most women start at a B cup leaving us small-chested women frustrated because we cannot find a decent bra in our size.

[yesimthegirl.livejournal.com]

Very interesting. I actually want to go take an informal assessment of the bra sizes that stores carry around here. And so I won't be discriminatory against the small breasted women, I'm changing my bandwagon status that all women regardless of cup size should be able to find decent, affordable comfortable bras. I am now officially a woman on a mission.

[emeralds-roses.livejournal.com]

Hurrah! Can I join you on this mission to rid the world of uncomfortable bras?

[yesimthegirl.livejournal.com]

Of course!
And I LOVE the icon.
Gave me a good chuckle this morning.

[emeralds-roses.livejournal.com]

If you're looking for some really funny icons, then you should visit __iiicons. They've got some hilarious stuff on there :o)