I thought I would share my bra shopping story with you since I am sure you can relate.
I wore my first bra when I was in third grade. I never had a "training bra" I jumped right into cup sizes. I think my first bra was a B cup. Most of my life I've had problems finding a bra that fits. I know I am not the only one. I know there's a million women out there with the same problem. Bra sizes are complicated and since my mother was an A cup, I didn't have a lot of formal education in bra fitting. However, I thought I was pretty good at finding a bra that fit well.
Bra sizing is a complex mathematical formula but most women just go in and try on bras until one fits. I usually buy my bras at Lane Bryant because they're consistent and they don't cost an arm and a leg. However, since my recent weight loss, I thought it was time for a new bra and a friend of mine brought up this place called, The Enchantress in San Diego. Basically, it's a dedicated bra shop.
The shop was chocked full of bras and a woman named Christine asked me if she could help me.
"Um. I'm looking for a bra."
"Okay. What size are you wearing now?"
I hesitated a second because I know my bra isn't a great fit, "It's a 46DDD. But it's a little too big."
She asks if she can feel the back of the band under my shirt. No problem. She makes a determination, "You've been buying bras too big because you can't find a cup size that fits. You're a 38."
"No, not possible."
"Yes. 38. Let me show you."
She whips out a bra, "Put this on over your shirt."
I do. The band fits fine.
"That's a 38. Let me grab a few cup sizes."
We try on bra after bra. She refuses to tell me the cup size, just makes me try them on. She teaches me a few things about fit (like the little flower in the middle should lie against your chest) and tells me about the shop. They don't work on commission. They won't put you in a bra that doesn't fit. They won't let you buy a bra that you haven't tried on. She's adamant that I should try on every bra for the rest of my life because every color, style and designer will be different.
Finally we settle on a bra that fits great but is a bit too girly. That's okay.
And it's not cheap. I pay a whopping $68 for my bra. But the difference is amazing.
So what's the vedict? I went from a 46DDD to a 38HH (or L in US sizes). That's just insane.
It makes me wonder, who else is wearing a bra they shouldn't be?