 |
IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The ABCDs of Bra Shopping
by Susan Yudt, 01.30.02
That's it — the PERFECT pair of shoes. They're super funky, they're on clearance, they're the last pair ... and they're two sizes too small for you. Uggh!
Now imagine feeling that way every time you walk into a store. You're surrounded by gorgeous clothes, but all you can do is window-shop, because none of them fit! It happens all the time to girls who wear larger clothing sizes — and especially to girls who are well endowed in the boob department.
For those well-endowed girls, perhaps the ultimate shopping frustration is the quest for the perfect bra. "First of all," says Kari, a 36DD, "if you go into a store like Victoria's Secret, they never have big sizes in anything that's not white, black, or cream, and very plain. If you want something sexy, fuhgettaboutit!"
So what's a girl with larger breasts to do?
Lisa, a 38D, advises girls to check out department stores rather than sticking to those fancy lingerie shops. "They have much more of a selection for girls with big boobs," she says. "I usually don't have a problem finding nice bras in my size there."
But don't skimp on something as important as a bra. Nina, says, "In my opinion, bras are an item you should really cough up the money to buy quality, especially if you've got bigger boobs. Those cheap little bras in the discount stores offer no support and don't last very long."
Shopping can be frustrating, but don't burn that bra just yet — there is hope! First of all, according to bra experts, about seven out of 10 women are currently wearing the wrong size bra! How do you know if your bra fits like it should? Get measured! You might not like the idea of some saleslady sizing up your rack, but finding your true size is essential to bra shopping, and most places will do it for free.
And once you know your real size, be honest with yourself. Don't try to squeeze into a C-cup because you just can't bear to make that jump to a D-cup. You'll look and feel way better in a bra that actually fits.
Oh, by the way, if your breasts don't "match," don't worry — there are a ton of girls out there who have different-sized boobs. Look for a bra with a cup that fits the bigger breast, and you can buy a pad to insert in the other cup to even things out.
And then there are sports bras. If you're doing some heavy-duty exercising, you'll probably want to steer clear of bras with hooks and zippers because they can irritate your skin. According to the experts at runnersworld.com, bigger-breasted girls are better off with an "encapsulation" sports bra. Unlike the cotton/spandex things that just flatten your boobs against your chest, this kind has cups that hold each breast separately — better for preventing excessive bouncing.
Here are a few more tips from the Bra Expert at Shapings.com:
- If your bra rides up in the back, try a smaller band size but a bigger cup size (like, go from a 36C to a 34D).
- If you're bulging out of your bra, you probably need a bigger cup size, but the band size should stay the same.
- If you're falling out of the bottom of your bra, try either a bigger cup size or a smaller band size, or both.
- If you have an underwire bra that hurts, a bigger cup size will probably be more comfortable.
- If your bra straps are always slipping off, it's a posture issue — watch out for sloping shoulders.
But hey, who says you have to wear a bra, anyway? Most bigger-boobed girls find it necessary for comfort, but if you prefer hangin' loose, go for it!
In a perfect universe, there'd be no tax on tampons, ice cream would be good for you, and designers would make cool bras for all size boobs, big or small. But until a girl rules the world, be a savvy bra shopper (or shunner!) and stand tall! |
|
|
|
Printable Version
Email this page