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Always fun: bra store visit
Today I had some time to kill and decided to visit a local high end bra boutique, something I haven't done since I found this site, my correct size, and the wonderful world of online bra shopping.
My previous experiences in such shops have been depressing to say the least, but I thought that may have stemmed from me mistakenly thinking I was a 75E, so I thought I should give it another go.
I asked the sales lady for unlined bras, like I used to do back in the day. To my surprise the lady did not roll her eyes or protest when I told her my bra size (European 70H-ish), so points for her, and they did actually carry some models in my size (more points for her).
For half a second I was scared that she might actually come up with some decently fitting bras and that I would feel bad for not buying anything (they cost about 85 Euros a pop there, wallet says NO!), but these fears proved unfounded. All the bras she brought me were flat out awful.
I tried on some bras by Marie Jo, Prima Donna and Simone Perele and all of them were lace styles. Armed with my new bra knowledge I diagnosed them all as balconet styles, some if them with a fourth side sling panel. But unlike the many Cleo balconets that I have come to love, these bras were all super full coverage, so much that I at first mistook them for full cup bras. And boy did they not agree with my boobs! There was too much room at the bottom and sides of the cup, while the top edge was cutting into my boob. I also found the bands very loose and stretchy (I couldn't try a sister size down as she didn't have any 65i bras), and the straps way too long on most models. The cup fabric also puzzled me; on amost all models it seemed super stretchy all around, which caused my boobs to droop and provided no lift whatsoever.
The lady agreed with my fit issues, although she tried to downplay them a bit (points deducted there). I asked whether she had any style that might fit me better, but alas the answer was basically no. She did refer me to another one of their stores that caries "younger" brands, by which she meant Freya. She had never even heard of Panache, Cleo or Curvy Kate (these brands are almost impossible to find in my country).
So I left without buying anything, but mostly with a very good feeling about my own bras, my superior bra knowledge, and this wonderful online community!
Filed under Bras ups and downs
I had a similar experience @charlotteke. First foray for new size was the o high end shop that fitted me well before weight loss this time they brought me a bunch of full coverage stuff that kept cutting me at the top. Finally a couple that worked (Frey just flew in, Chantelle merci push-up and Freya deco plunge). After a few weeks wearing them and getting a better feel for swoop/scoop, mainly from this site, I realized they were all a little small. I appreciated their patience at the time but now look back with disappointment that they didn't fit me better when I didn't really know what I was doing. Might go back but now I am better armed to advocate for my boobs. All thanks to this site! Thank you all!!!! Remember, no one is looking out for you except YOU.