I feel like a big reason a lot of women don’t want to start wearing their correct bra size is because they’ve never heard of it, or feel like they can’t find it anywhere. Many say things like, “I don’t want to be that size, Victoria’s Secret doesn’t carry it. Where am I going to find cute bras in that size?”
Still others are already wearing a correct “rare” size, and are bummed out by how many ugly, granny, nude, and/or tent-like bras they have. (I know I was!) They are tempted to buy a bra in the wrong size because they are cheap, readily available, and most importantly, cute.
But here’s the thing: Companies that make cute bras in a large size range DO exist! Whether you’re a 28DD, a 30A, a 32GG, a 28J, or a 38K, you CAN have a cute, affordable bra in your size! To show this, I’ve decided to start making photosets that take a cute, trendy Victoria’s Secret bra and find lookalike bras that come in a better size range. Here is my first one: I hope you guys find it helpful! :)
On the left is a white Victoria’s Secret push-up bra with black lace on the bottom half of the cups. It’s gorgeous, but its size range isn’t great: 32 A-D, 34-38 A-DD.
On the right is a Curvy Kate Tempt me bra in gold that looks strikingly similar to the one on the left, only it comes in a broader size range:
- 28 D - J
- 30 D - J
- 32 D - HH
- 34 D - H
- 36 D - GG
- 38 D - G
This bra is great for those who have a hard time finding a small enough band and/or a big enough cup.
On the left is a dark blue Victoria’s Secret bra with white polka dots. It’s very cute, but the size range is poor: 32A-D, 34-38A-DD.
On the right is a similar looking Ewa Michalak 3D Kokietka bra. If you have a hard time finding a bra with a small enough band and/or small enough cups for you, this is the bra you want, with a range of 30A-E and 32-36AA-DD. Although this particular style is made to flatter a smaller bust, Ewa Michalak takes custom size orders at no extra charge. The custom sizes go down to a 24 band, and most other styles they make can be made up to an L cup.
I’ll be posting more of these soon! :)
Feel free to submit a bra that you wish came in your size, along with your size, and I’ll find a bra that does!
Also, let me know what sizes you want to see. :)
View A Cropped Camisole Sewing
Instructions for sewing sandmaiden pattern 4002 which can be found here:
Using a Zigzag stitch overlap the side seams of pieces A2 front and back and stitch together. Lock the seams at the bottom edge with a bar tack
Use the same method to sew together the cups along the curved edge
To assemble the straps use the following tutorial. Using pre made straps may also be a good option.
Right sides together sew the straps to the pointy edge of the cups. Turn under and stitch down the seam for extra security.
Right sides together match the edge of the cups to the side seam of A2 body. The markings should line up with the center seams of the cups and the center marking will line up with the center edges of the cups. Some stretching to fit may be required either way especially if you’ve cut a larger or smaller cup size. Baste in place close to the edges
Use the tabs that were set aside and loop through the rings on the straps. Attach these right sides together to the back of A3 at the markings (not the center back mark) The straps may be crossed over as a design feature and for comfort.
Finally with right sides together you will fit the under bust elastic to the bodice. This will go over the wrong side of the straps and cups
I find it helpful to divide the elastic in quarters and the area it is to stretch over in quarters and then pin them together at quarterly intervals. This helps with controlling tension when stretching to fit. An alternative tip is to pull the elastic at 10% to 20% tension.
Stitch the picot edge elastic close to the fancy edge and trim away seam allowances once done. This may require some grading also if bulky.
Turn the elastic and garment to the right side and zig zag stitch close to the edge
That’s it! you’re finished!
A couple of extra little things I like to do is apply a clear stay tape elastic with a zigzag stitch and a 5-10% tension on the inside of the outer edge of the cups, this prevents spillage from the sides a little bit. Then you can add a few finishing touches as you like such as bows and rosettes.
We’re looking for a pin up/burlesque style model to send our over wire bra and bloomers to for you to shoot - and then keep!
Send portfolio pics and the photog’s portfolio to tilly@nearerthemoon.com
The bra is a 34B and the briefs are a generous 10.
Even if you’re not a model, please reblog this post to win a pair of tassels in either black or red (with contrast tassels) see here:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/104286607/nipple-tassels-black-red-heart-shaped?ref=shop_home_active
I’m gonna show you what a girl typically working out would look like versus what you want me to look likeperfect person award
(Source: matafari)
Esty Lingerie are having a giveaway competition. They sell a lot independant designers.
Frantic about Frances
A cool retro style with a quirky prints.
Just start carrying Tutti Rouge
The Misstress Collection’s side tie kickers
The beautiful Teddy by Marika Vera
Kimono Robe by With Love Lingerie
Bright blue bow with Knickerocker
And these sleek bra sets by Andrea Billard
and Louise Ferdinand Lingerie
and those are my favorites.
- Dirty Pretty Things (30-36 A-DD)
- OhhhLulu
- Lula Lu (30-38 AAA-C)
- The Little Bra Company (28-38 A-C)
- Itty Bitty Bra (32-38 AA-B)
- Meg at Midnight (30-34 AA-C)
- Poison Lingerie (30-40 A-F)
- Bradelis (30-38 B-F)
- Ampere (28-36 A-F)
- Lepel / Audelle (30-38 A-H) UK
- Lili Piache (32-36 A-DD)
- Calvin Klein (A-DD) US
- DKNY (A-DDD) US
- Aerie (30-40 A-DD) US
- Gilligan and O’malley (32-42 A-DD) US
- Wonderbra (30-38 A-G) UK
- Pleasure State (30-38 AA-G) UK
- Charnos (30-42 B-G) UK
- Gok Wan (30-46 A-G) UK
- Berdita (30-46 B-J) UK
- Berlei (28-42 A-G) UK
- Dimity So (30-38 D-J) UK
- Alegro (32-46 C-J) UK
- Felina / Jezebel / Paramour (32-40 A-G) US
- Fayreform (32-46 A-J)
- Passionata (32-38 A-F)
- Triumph (32-48 A-H) / Valisere
- OnGossamer (32-36 A-DD)
- Frantic About Frances (32-36 A-E)
- Simone Perele (30-46 A-H) US
- Chantelle (30-44 A-H) US
- Stella McCartney (30-38 A-E)
- Buttress and Snatch (30-36 A-G)
- What Katie Did (30-40 A-F) UK
- Kiss Me Deadly (32-38 B-DD) UK
- Kitten Kouture (32-36 B-F)
- Dirty Dolls Lingerie (28-44 C-G)
- La Lilouche (30-38 A-E)
- Fortnight (30-38 A-F) UK
- FiFi Chachnil (32-36 A-F) FR
- Victoria’s Secret (30-40 AA-DDD) US
- La Senza (30-38 A-E)
- Frederick’s of Hollywood (32-42 A-F)
- Change Lingerie (60-100 A-J)
- Boux Avenue (30-40 A-H)
- Gorgeous from Debenhams (28-42 AA-J)
- M&S (28-46 A-K) *
- Figleaves / Just Peachy / Midnight Grace (30-38 A-G) UK
- Sculptresse (36-46 D-J) UK
- Simply Yours / Naturally Close / Shapely Figures (32-56 A-L) US
- Cacique (36-50 B-H) US
- Goddess (34-48 C-N)
- Elomi (34-46 D-K) UK
- Hips & Curves (36-52 B-GG) UK
- Le Mystere (32-44 C-H) US
- Addition Elle (36-46 B-H) US
- Torrid (38-48 C-DDD) US
- Empreinte
- Elila (34-50 B-N)
ArteToLife
EX-FUCKING-ACTLY!
(via anaffinityfor)
Never considered that, but good points.
(via fuckyeahfeminists)
(Source: queertruth)
I wore the wrong sized bras for years. I did ok, my boobs remained in vaguely the right place, my shoulders didn’t ache all the time and I had several dresses and tops that I could wear, although most did tend to show my ugly bras off – the only ones I could find in my supposed size. I considered my bust size to be a blessing and a curse in equal measures. Having a larger chest is fab up until a point, but the misery of finding clothes, lingerie and swimwear that fits and suits is sometimes a little unbearable.
I remember when a fellow busty buddy pointed out that I was in the wrong sized bra. She started prodding and poking me, telling me off for my double boob look showing so plainly under my top. I really didn’t take the news well and felt slightly angry at her uncalled for judgment. My 40FF bras were the best I could do – it wasn’t my fault that my body was so freakish and refused to play nice in bras. However, the more I listened to my lovely friend, the more I realised that I really did need to take some action and give the lingerie stores one more chance. And so I trotted off to Bravissimo in the search of some titty slings that could stop my aches, pains and bulges.
I emerged a little dazed clutching my brand spanking new 36H bras. 36H?! It seemed like a crazy combination, but boy oh boy did it work on me! That snug back band meant that my breasts were perky as the bra didn’t droop at the front due to it riding up at the back; it remained at the same level all the way round my torso. The bra cups fully encased my breasts instead of causing them to spill over. The central gore of the bra sat firmly against my chest, separating my boobies and giving me the most magnificent shape – was this some sorcery?! Sure it took me some time to get used to the firmer band but just like a new pair of shoes, I wore my gorgeous new bras in.
Now that I had the foundations sorted I started to explore the world of – shock! - dresses! I had never really gotten on well with them before as I had never really had a waist to speak of and my poorly supported breasts did not want to be seen. Yet I felt like I had been given a whole new body and I was keen to explore a few new looks. It took me a few years of experimentation, but I finally managed to nail my style – and lo and behold Pinup Girl Clothing was a huge part of that journey. The dresses gave me enough room to pour my chest into them, and with the right bras it looked pretty damn good! The myth that large breasted girls cannot wear plunge bras was quashed my by sassy combinations of Freya Deco bras and Erin dresses. My Masquerade Rhea bras gave me the perfect wench like cleavage in my sexy Jessica dress. And my Maidenform shapewear gave me a clean cut smooth silhouette. I felt so insanely feminine and – dare I say it – curvy, voluptuous, bodacious, and womanly. Smaller busted girls no longer had one up on me, I too could work in it beautiful dresses that hugged my shape and showed me off. And if it wasn’t for that underwear epiphany, I would never have felt that way.
I now understand how bras work, that D cup is not such a huge size, that H cups breasts are not some huge monstrous unlivable orbs, but manageable mounds that can be found in the most delicious of dresses. Back sizes start at a 24 and a 28 band is needed by more women than you would think. Snug bands will stop your shoulders from aching and your breasts sagging, and usually means you may need a bigger cup. Cup size cannot be judged unless you know the corresponding back size and even then you cannot make assumptions about the owner of such a size. Breast shape and fullness plays such an important role when it comes to choosing what you can and cannot wear – for example, I have a very perky breasted friend who has boobies that are quite bottom heavy – she cannot get that “orb” look going on in plunge bras. She also cannot get bullet bras to work for her and her boobs will just not mold to the pointed cups. Yet I have many friends who swear by them – and the best brand for them seems to be “What Katie Did” - although at present they only go up to an F cup. Owning breasts and bras sometimes seems as complicated as owning a car but when you have it sussed, you feel like you can do anything. So never feel miserable about your body and underwear collection - know that it is the garments that need changing and not you. Once you have that sorted the world is your oyster!
Follow Georgina’s blog at http://www.fullerfigurefullerbust.com
Some great bras and sites:
http://www.leialingerie.com/freya/moulded/aa4234.aspx?colour=Black
http://www.masquerade-lingerie.com/ProductDetails.aspx?rangeID=113
http://www.brastop.com/
http://www.bravissimo.com/
A bra calculator:
http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/bracalculator.htm
