Since beginning my weight loss journey several months ago, I have dropped bra sizes several times. I went from a *cough*hack*wow! look over there!" To a 40 C. Then 38 DD. Then 36 D. Now a 34 DD. I certainly don't mind the shrinking process and a couple weeks ago, it was once again time to get some smaller bras.
Please don't get the idea that 34 DD means I'm some amazingly buxom pinup babe. I'm normal size. Like most women in America, up until last year I had been wearing the wrong size bra; band sizes way too big and cup sizes way too small. But now I know better!
This is the bra that fit the best this time.
Please don't get the idea that 34 DD means I'm some amazingly buxom pinup babe. I'm normal size. Like most women in America, up until last year I had been wearing the wrong size bra; band sizes way too big and cup sizes way too small. But now I know better!
This is the bra that fit the best this time.
Calvin Klein Seductive Comfort Customized Lift
The straps are all elastic, silky, and extremely comfortable. They never slip and are wider than they appear in the picture above. The picture below is accurate. The nude above turned out to be too dark under my lightest white shirts so I got the ivory as well as the dark purple below. The purple one has lace over the band which I've really ended up liking. It keeps the band more snug.
Why 3 colors? Click Bra Education in the category list at right for the full scoop!
Why 3 colors? Click Bra Education in the category list at right for the full scoop!
Now, ever since I did all the research last year into how a bra should fit, I can easily go into Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx or other similar stores selling quality bras at a discount and find ones that fit. But for you, dear readers, I continue to research who provides a proper fitting and who most certainly does not. For this trip, I hit the University Mall in Provo, UT, beginning at Macy's.
Macy's was like getting a bra fitting at JFK airport. Have you ever been through JFK? It's filthy, there always seems to be popcorn on the floor, and nobody speaks English. The sole saleswoman in sight was extremely intent on helping an older male customer so after waiting way too long, I just started grabbing bras. I did finally get her to open a fitting room for me, and in a thick accent I could barely understand, she said, "You 36 C." I could only assume she was employing her X-Ray vision powers because she never pulled out a tape measure. And I'm not a 36 C, though I did try that size on just in case.
The fitting room was filthy, even the walls, and inexplicably there was popcorn on the floor! After trying on about 15 bras I left and headed down the mall to Victoria's Secret.
Ah, Vicki. I like your lingerie but your fitters are clueless. I had not yet had a fitting at VS so I walked in, asked for the best fitter they had, and was directed to a manager. The saleswoman who greeted me was plenty nice but the manager gave me the stink eye up and down. No, I'm not a size 2 and neither are you, sister. You might want to check the 'tude in front of a paying customer.
I told her I was here for a fitting and she asked what size I was. I said I wasn't sure but my current 36 bands were too loose and the D cups were gaping a little. She asked if they were VS brand, I said no, and still with the stink eye she pulled out her tape measure. Over my clothes, she wrapped the tape low on my back (below my bra clasp), angled it up at my armpits, and then across my chest above my breasts. "Well in OUR sizes you're a 38 B. My rooms are all full so just hang out."
I don't mind when company's spend a lot of time on their customers, but during my 25 minute wait, she took three girls in front of me who had arrived after me. I finally walked over to a set of bras and over my clothes, tried on a 38 B. On the tightest hooks It just hung there, barely touching me, and the B cups didn't cover half of my girlness. Same with 3 other styles. I laughed and walked out, feeling very Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. "You work on commission, right? Big mistake. Huge!"
My last stop was Nordstrom. As always, they were a delight. I told Kate I'd been losing weight and my 36 bands were too tight, cups were gaping a little. She led me to a lovely and refreshingly clean dressing room and pulled out her tape measure.
One word about bra fittings, ladies. Check your inhibitions at the door! I took off my shirt and she measured me over my bra, which provided a much more accurate reading. She measured firmly around the rib cage and slightly more loosely around the fullest part of my bust. I rejoiced that she did it correctly. Then she disappeared for a minute and came back with a huge armload of options. I stripped down and, with her in the room, put on the first one. It would have been stupid to have her walk in and out a million times. I just turned my back and got on with it. I knew what to look for in terms of fit, but I wanted to see what kind of feedback she would provide. And she did great! Snugged up the straps just right and gave good suggestions for what to try style wise. We had a good chuckle about how too many women buy bright white bras. According to Kate, in most other countries, white is a "fashion color" and not the standard color, which I thought was interesting. The nude closest to your skin color is the best basic to buy.
$100 plus dollars and three bras later I walked out of Nordstrom happy as usual. Mega kudos to Kate for a great fitting! Thumbs down to Macy's and Victoria's Secret, at least the University Mall locations. Macy's won't be seeing me again but I might give VS another chance someday. We'll see.
Macy's was like getting a bra fitting at JFK airport. Have you ever been through JFK? It's filthy, there always seems to be popcorn on the floor, and nobody speaks English. The sole saleswoman in sight was extremely intent on helping an older male customer so after waiting way too long, I just started grabbing bras. I did finally get her to open a fitting room for me, and in a thick accent I could barely understand, she said, "You 36 C." I could only assume she was employing her X-Ray vision powers because she never pulled out a tape measure. And I'm not a 36 C, though I did try that size on just in case.
The fitting room was filthy, even the walls, and inexplicably there was popcorn on the floor! After trying on about 15 bras I left and headed down the mall to Victoria's Secret.
Ah, Vicki. I like your lingerie but your fitters are clueless. I had not yet had a fitting at VS so I walked in, asked for the best fitter they had, and was directed to a manager. The saleswoman who greeted me was plenty nice but the manager gave me the stink eye up and down. No, I'm not a size 2 and neither are you, sister. You might want to check the 'tude in front of a paying customer.
I told her I was here for a fitting and she asked what size I was. I said I wasn't sure but my current 36 bands were too loose and the D cups were gaping a little. She asked if they were VS brand, I said no, and still with the stink eye she pulled out her tape measure. Over my clothes, she wrapped the tape low on my back (below my bra clasp), angled it up at my armpits, and then across my chest above my breasts. "Well in OUR sizes you're a 38 B. My rooms are all full so just hang out."
I don't mind when company's spend a lot of time on their customers, but during my 25 minute wait, she took three girls in front of me who had arrived after me. I finally walked over to a set of bras and over my clothes, tried on a 38 B. On the tightest hooks It just hung there, barely touching me, and the B cups didn't cover half of my girlness. Same with 3 other styles. I laughed and walked out, feeling very Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. "You work on commission, right? Big mistake. Huge!"
My last stop was Nordstrom. As always, they were a delight. I told Kate I'd been losing weight and my 36 bands were too tight, cups were gaping a little. She led me to a lovely and refreshingly clean dressing room and pulled out her tape measure.
One word about bra fittings, ladies. Check your inhibitions at the door! I took off my shirt and she measured me over my bra, which provided a much more accurate reading. She measured firmly around the rib cage and slightly more loosely around the fullest part of my bust. I rejoiced that she did it correctly. Then she disappeared for a minute and came back with a huge armload of options. I stripped down and, with her in the room, put on the first one. It would have been stupid to have her walk in and out a million times. I just turned my back and got on with it. I knew what to look for in terms of fit, but I wanted to see what kind of feedback she would provide. And she did great! Snugged up the straps just right and gave good suggestions for what to try style wise. We had a good chuckle about how too many women buy bright white bras. According to Kate, in most other countries, white is a "fashion color" and not the standard color, which I thought was interesting. The nude closest to your skin color is the best basic to buy.
$100 plus dollars and three bras later I walked out of Nordstrom happy as usual. Mega kudos to Kate for a great fitting! Thumbs down to Macy's and Victoria's Secret, at least the University Mall locations. Macy's won't be seeing me again but I might give VS another chance someday. We'll see.
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