Today I did two things I almost never do: 1) I put on my toe-crushing but awesome cowboy boots, and 2) I went shopping for brassieres.
The former actually made the latter easier. The 2 inch heels made me stand up a bit straighter, and though my gait did not feel perfectly smooth, the click-clacking of the soles on linoleum conjured the essence of adulthood in my mind. The self-consciousness I'd come to associate with the whole enterprise over the years was absent.
It was, of course, yet aptly, a complete bust. I measured, I did the math, but nothing was quite right. Though I liked the non-strap-slidiness of racer backs, the nonadjustable band circumference made sizing more difficult. I'm ready to accept that the cheapest mall fare will not suffice. As a person who espouses comfort in clothing, undergarments really should get top billing. I may even submit to being measured as much as I feel it will prove useless.
Any suggestions for where to shop?
One year ago at TTaT: Recognition
Technorati tags: bra shopping, bras, brassieres
i totally swear by the calvin klein t-shirt bra. sooo comfy, and very flattering.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny! That totally looks my speed. I was thinking of hitting Jockey at the outlet mall tomorrow, but how stoked am I that there's also a CK Underwear store there? \m/
ReplyDeleteCowboy boots - Yesssss. I finally got a pair last year, and absolutely love them. I will soon be wearing them again.
ReplyDeleteBra shopping = real nightmare. Avoid Victoria Secret at all cost. The only brand I buy now is Bali, and there are only two models I like. But, then again, I find myself a bit too "busty."
Elisabeth: Cowboy boots are cool.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the quality of VS isn't even that good considering what they charge. Thanks for the tips!
I always wore cowboy boots when I was young. They were a lot more comfortable than heels.
ReplyDeleteAs for bras, I use minimizer from Land's End...most of the others fall apart in six months, or are ugly. But the brand I love best is Wacoal...sigh... unless they're on sale I can't afford them.
Thanks for the suggestion, Boinky. A lot of them are normally priced out of my range too. Sales it is.
ReplyDeleteI was anti-measurement too, until I did had it done at Nordstrom -- and now I actually have bras that have a) fit, and b) lasted for almost 5 years!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's encouraging, Gigi. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that a couple of commenters have said avoid Victoria's Secret. I used to buy bras there and would not buy them anywhere else. They were pretty and fit great but I stopped shopping there a few years ago because their closest store is too far from where I live. Now I'm sort of in the same boat with you. Nothing ever fits and they only last six months. I think getting measured is probably the answer because we're all built differently.
ReplyDeleteGo to Nordstrom and get measured. You won't regret it. When I did a couple of years ago it was a revelation. I found the right bra and looked 10 pounds thinner. They have a huge selection of bras, too. The saleswomen are generally motherly types who are very understanding.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Wacoal is the best brand, though they're $50 and up. Wacoal lovers should note that Loehmann's carries a limited selection so if you have one near you you should check it out. They're about half the retail price.
Victoria's Secret just doesn't work if you've got actual breasts.
Lynn: Just goes to show that everyone has different preferences.
ReplyDeleteRachel: Nordstrom's sounds like the ticket. Unfortunately, there aren't any near me. I've heard good things about Wacoal from someone else too. I'd never heard of it until recently.