(Originally written Novmeber 29th, 2010)
Today I went for a professional bra fitting at the encouragement of a very close, long-time friend. She insisted it would change my life. And I believe it has!
I had never been to Intimacy but had heard it was "the place" to go. I wasn't quite sure what to expect... I've been in places where there take out the tape measure, tell you "this is your size" and then try on countless bras, narrowing it down to finding one you can put up with... hoping you won't feel strangled by the end of the day.
You walk in and it looks like a little boutique. They have some clothing and swimsuits... but the bras are not hanging on racks for you to browse through, pick out and take back to the dressing rooms. First things first...
Before a fitting can be done, a questionnaire is filled out so that they know your particular concerns/problems, the size of the bra you are wearing and what you are looking for in a bra. Then you are assigned a fitter.
You are taken to a dressing room where your fitter goes over your questionnaire. It is explained they do a "holistic fitting" which consists of looking at you in your bra, how it supports, how it actually fits and then suggesting what size you are - no tape measure.... so you are relying on the skill and knowledge of your fitter. Okay... the test is in the fit and how it looks. I went in wearing a fairly new bra... a 36D. I have bras in my drawer from 34D to 38C.. depending on my weight. My fitter looked at the bra, tested how snug the band was and determined the cup size was correct for me with that band but the band size was too loose. She suggested a 34 band and since I was going down in band size, she would go up a cup size (34DD).
I particularly wanted an everyday bra and was looking for comfort (and also wanted something pretty). My boobs were in her hands....
She came back with three different bras... and wanted to check for fit and comfort. All fit very well and already seemed an improvement from what I came in wearing. She left the room again and came back with several bras of different brands. She wanted to make sure I tried on various styles to find the one perfect for me. All of the bras were comfortable... but I also had to be aware of the prices. There were several I thought were wonderful AND gorgeous... but were also $120 - $176 (definitely out of my price range). She brought in another batch of bras and one stood out... lacy and pretty. She said the cups tended to run a little small so the cup was a size bigger... It fit perfectly.
I put on my shirt and went out to see my friend...
"That's the one!"
It was made by Fantasie... and $76. This was more than I wanted to to spend but figured this would be my Christmas present to myself. It was suggested that one should have 6 - 7 bras to rotate, never wear one more than 2 - 3 times before washing, never put them in the dryer (I never do) and never use a detergent that has alcohol in it.
I found my bra... in a 34E. It seems ridiculous to wear that size... the girls are just not that big... but I guess size is relative. I can also take the bra in to have the straps altered for free (my left strap always seems to be a problem and falls down). A bra really is an investment. Hopefully I can pick up a few more less expensive bras to rotate through the wardrobe over the next few weeks now that I am armed with more bra knowledge as to how one is supposed to fit!
**Addendum**
A week or so after my life changing moment (and wearing my super bra around town), I headed to Bloomingdales armed with my newly acquired foundation knowledge. I was going to add another bra to my wardrobe. I picked up several contenders in my size and headed to the dressing room. I couldn't wait to see what they looked like...
To my dismay, not one bra fit right. Too big, too tight, wrong style. I thought knowledge was power but apparently not so when finding the right bra... at least not in my case. This truly is a job left to the professionals. Maybe it's an age thing - you get past 40, having had children and the "girls" just don't look like they used to and need far more pampering. Not to mention, if you're going to spend more than $70 and up, why not get the royal treatment?
Just please, PLEASE.. don't have me try on and fall in love with the $200 bra!!
