When was the last time you had a bra fitting? Seriously, this is a real question.
When I was in fourth grade and the girls and boys went into separate classrooms to begin talking about our differences of development, it was at this point that my awareness of the need for a bra perked up.
After reading "Are you there God, It's me Margaret" by Judy Blume in fifth grade, I got excited to go and try on these mysterious undergarments for myself. I remember my mom bringing home training bras that were more like a cropped t-shirt. (The title alone is depressing, "training bra"? ) They were uncomfortable and felt so unnatural. I'd seen the industrial level undergarments my mother and aunt wore and I often wondered how they could breath. My mother brought home bra options for me until I was in my mid-teens and then, I assessed the fit and purchased these items for myself from that time on. I didn't experience a true bra-fitting until about ten years ago when I was in my forties. I know! It's crazy. But truthfully, I'd done a fine job of knowing what fit worked for me.
Some ten years ago, I decided I should have a real bra-fitting to be knowledgeable on the experience and the process my clients go through. So, I made an appointment at a big department store and went in ready to learn. In my disappointment, the fitter was a very young woman in her early twenties who was too embarrassed for me to be measured in my skivvies. This appointment went nowhere and I made another appointment at the other big department store down the hall. "Surely, this would be successful. This store was known for it's quality and its higher price point. They'd have experts, right?", I thought to myself. When I got there, the woman did measure me in my minimals and sized me up. But, I didn't want to be pushed up, padded out or synched in. Her listening skills were lacking and she told me the store didn't have the type of product I wanted. I left without a new option, and continued being my own fitter from then on.
About five years ago, I went to a women's intimates store in the Galleria. I'd been referred by a friend who swore it was a wonderful experience. I went in for the fitting, got fitted, spent $100 on a bra and left. For the next couple weeks, when I wore this beautiful bra I would have chaffing under my arms and the boning in the bra was leaving marks that if I continued to wear it, I was going to have bruising. I couldn't believe I'd spent a $100 for discomfort. I took it back, got another fitter, who told me it was the wrong fit and size and traded it out for a different option. I was not pleased with this experience and the price point was too high for the product.
THIS IS THE EXPERIENCE I'VE HAD. What have your experiences been like? I hear women's negative stories and it's not a wonder that this is often the last item we want to spend money on yet, it's an important item.
Early this Fall, I had a client schedule shopping with me with the request that I'd help her update her bras. It had been seven years since she'd updated her bras and they were beginning to fall apart. I kind of had a panic. This was an area I was not happy with the options. But, it's my job to be able to give the answers. I was going to need to do my homework.
This is where I meet Anna in my story. While shopping for another client, I went into Lane Bryant and suddenly it dawned on me that one fourth of the Lane Bryant store was designated for women's bras, panties and shapewear. I thought, "Why not ask the staff about fittings?" Anna was working that day and the more we spoke, I found that Lane Bryant's bra sizes begin at a size 34 band going to a 54 and a cup size from B to K. That is a vast range in sizes! I asked if I could have a fitting right then. I wanted them to prove that they knew what they were doing.
After getting into a fitting room, Anna asked me several personal preference questions, measured me around my ribs and within minutes she started bringing me options. I could not believe how quickly she found me bra options that fit me well and to my liking. Not only did they fit but, they were pretty and feminine and the price point was half of what I'd paid at that Galleria store! I hadn't gone into Lane Bryant to buy bras that day. Anna confirmed that I was wearing the right size but, she introduced me to new options with different cuts for different necklines. I left with three new bras.
After a couple weeks had passed I went back to meet with Anna and ask her about her journey of learning about giving bra fittings. She told me her journey had started in retail with the product "Third Love" and then onto swimwear at "Everything But Water", eventually finding her way to Lane Bryant. She'd had some wonderful mentors along the way who taught her how to work with women in an often emotional experience; taking a little from each work experience. But, she said, "it's really about listening to the client's needs."
what complaints do you hear the most from women when they come for a bra fitting?
"It's always about fit; their band is too loose, straps are slipping, or they have a double boob effect happening." When a proper fit is found, these issues go away. She added, that it's amazing how a good fitting bra changes the way a woman stands; their posture. And, it can give the appearance of weight loss.
What are the top selling bra styles right now?
"Wire free and lightly lined options have become popular of late."
What should women know about shape wear?
"Shape wear should hit high enough to go under a bra" to help keep it in place. When it's too short in body length, it just creeps down.
What are some tips for caring for bras?
Bras should rest (not be worn) "for a minimum of 2 days" before wearing them again. But, ideally, "a bra should be worn once every two weeks". This resting rotation keeps the fabric and elasticity of the bra in its best shape and lasting longer.
Let's think about that. That means in a perfect intimate wear dresser drawer we should have 14 bras in rotation. (I didn't know this.)
Wash your bras on a gentle cycle, preferably in a mesh bag and COLD water. Let them air dry. Washing your bras too often can break down the fabric and they will lose their shape more quickly.
When storing bras place them in your drawer like you see them displayed in retail stores; stacked together to keep their shape. If storing padded bras, do not fold cups into each other.
When it came time for me to shop with my client to update her bras, she needed a smaller band than Lane Bryant offered. So with Anna's referral, we went to Soma at the Mall of America and met with Jazmine. She was fabulous, too! My client left with several new bras and the information to come back to replenish when she needed.
I've found that not just anyone can give a proper bra fitting. It's a specialty. So, I'm here to tell you, if you are in need of a bra fitting, Go to the Mall of America Lane Bryant and ask for a fitting with Anna! OR...Jazmine at Soma. They know their product and they listen!"
Happy Wardrobing!
Minneapolis Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta
