There are some kinds of shopping I like. I like to shop Howard’s amazon wishlist, or mine, or the kids. I like knowing exactly what I want and getting it quickly. I like leisurely browsing with money to spend how I please. Sometimes I like grocery shopping, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I like clothes shopping, sometimes I don’t. But there is one kind of shopping that I have always hated without exception. (WARNING: What follows is a discussion of the practicalities of shopping for women’s underwear. If you are male, you may want to skip the rest of this post.) I hate shopping for bras. I hate it so much that I will wear them until I can see through bits that weren’t designed to be see-through. The added see-throughness does not make them more attractive and makes them much less useful. I have finally accepted the fact that I must again go bra shopping. Grr.
I mentioned all of the above to Howard along with the fact that I’d need several hours to go try on underwear at Walmart and the fact that I would almost certainly come home from this grumpy but not necessarily having made the purchases. I confess I did rant a little about current bra fashions being more like padded breastplates. (I’m not at all convinced that bra utility is at all improved by being made out of padded foam, I think it’s just a fashion thing.) Howard listened to my rant patiently then asked: “Why do you shop for bras at Walmart?” Well, because they’re cheap. I hate buying bras even more if I’m spending piles of money. If I spend money and don’t love it, then I wear it every day and mentally groan at how much I had to spend to find something that is only adequate. I mentioned this to Howard and he countered with “If you shop someplace nicer, it might be more enjoyable.” He further pointed out that $150 for a set of bras is not too much to spend on something I have to wear every day. He further ordered me to blog about all of this and ask for advice on good places to shop where the experience will be less likely to engrumpify me.
So here I am, following orders like a good girl. I don’t need lingerie, just plain old underwear that I can use everyday. It needs to be so comfortable that I don’t even notice it is there. Attractiveness is a bonus. So, where should I shop?
Re: BTW
I don’t buy every year but I do get fitted. That way I can adjust the bras as needed until I go shopping. That way the bras stay comfortable.
Re: BTW
I don’t buy every year but I do get fitted. That way I can adjust the bras as needed until I go shopping. That way the bras stay comfortable.
I have no suggestions. I buy mine from Title Nine, who don’t have a store in Utah, but do have a wonderful catalog. This is probably not helpful for you , but they sell good bras.
Mostly I just want to say that I, too, hate bra shopping with a fiery passion. Unless you are the exact shape of a mannequin, nothing ever fits right. Ever. One of the members of my writing group wrote a chapter of a YA novel in which a young girl went bra shopping and it was a catastrophe. The guys didn’t get it, but I ranted for like ten minutes about how accurate it was and how much I hate having to shop for bras. I think this was way more than the guys wanted to know.
I have no suggestions. I buy mine from Title Nine, who don’t have a store in Utah, but do have a wonderful catalog. This is probably not helpful for you , but they sell good bras.
Mostly I just want to say that I, too, hate bra shopping with a fiery passion. Unless you are the exact shape of a mannequin, nothing ever fits right. Ever. One of the members of my writing group wrote a chapter of a YA novel in which a young girl went bra shopping and it was a catastrophe. The guys didn’t get it, but I ranted for like ten minutes about how accurate it was and how much I hate having to shop for bras. I think this was way more than the guys wanted to know.
Provo Town Center – they hide the lingerie in the corner between kid’s jammies and the juniors department.
Provo Town Center – they hide the lingerie in the corner between kid’s jammies and the juniors department.
You and I are not alone in these. The volume of commentary to this post shows that this is a hot topic for many many women.
You and I are not alone in these. The volume of commentary to this post shows that this is a hot topic for many many women.
There is a TJMaxx on University Parkway on the north side of the street somewhere around the Lowes section of the street. There’s a Ross, too, that carries similar stuff.
I didn’t even think of them, because they never ever carry my sizes.
The only problem is, you never know exactly what they’ll have in stock at any given time – the college students seem to ransack the place.
There is a TJMaxx on University Parkway on the north side of the street somewhere around the Lowes section of the street. There’s a Ross, too, that carries similar stuff.
I didn’t even think of them, because they never ever carry my sizes.
The only problem is, you never know exactly what they’ll have in stock at any given time – the college students seem to ransack the place.
Yuuuup! I was very dissapointed to find out that NO STORE IN UTAH carries my size in stock(unless I want a nursing bra, then there is one place in South Jordan that is a masectomy store). I just order online. At least it’s not embarassing, though I do wear my bras till they die, just to put it off longer.
Yuuuup! I was very dissapointed to find out that NO STORE IN UTAH carries my size in stock(unless I want a nursing bra, then there is one place in South Jordan that is a masectomy store). I just order online. At least it’s not embarassing, though I do wear my bras till they die, just to put it off longer.
I CONCUR!!!
I hate it too. And maybe there’s some buying stuff for yourself sort of guilt trip involved a bit too. AND because nothing fits right and they don’t make bras that have two different cup sizes on bras (well not for D), and they don’t make “pretty” bras for D and over, they only make ugly 1950s functional bras for D and over AND I haven’t yet found an underwire that didn’t poke me or fit right… huff! huff! huff!
There used to be a store in the University Mall (back in the days) that was a proper BRA STORE that did fittings…”Juliette’s” I think, it was AWESOME. I always bought my bras there and it was WAY less stressful. And then, one day, before we moved away, it was gone – just like that. What a loss!
I wonder if you could look up Lingerie in the phonebook and find a “BRA STORE”?
Good Luck!
I CONCUR!!!
I hate it too. And maybe there’s some buying stuff for yourself sort of guilt trip involved a bit too. AND because nothing fits right and they don’t make bras that have two different cup sizes on bras (well not for D), and they don’t make “pretty” bras for D and over, they only make ugly 1950s functional bras for D and over AND I haven’t yet found an underwire that didn’t poke me or fit right… huff! huff! huff!
There used to be a store in the University Mall (back in the days) that was a proper BRA STORE that did fittings…”Juliette’s” I think, it was AWESOME. I always bought my bras there and it was WAY less stressful. And then, one day, before we moved away, it was gone – just like that. What a loss!
I wonder if you could look up Lingerie in the phonebook and find a “BRA STORE”?
Good Luck!
I have no suggestions whatsoever, being, uh, male. But referring to current bra fashions as padded breastplates distinctly amuses me.
I have no suggestions whatsoever, being, uh, male. But referring to current bra fashions as padded breastplates distinctly amuses me.
Don’t worry about not buying cheapest/bottom of the barrel bras. After we got married, I had to convince my wife to go shopping at a decent place and get properly fitted. She’s felt so much better having a properly sized bra and, once she found one that fits, just mail orders the same brand/size from the web to save a few bucks.
Don’t worry about not buying cheapest/bottom of the barrel bras. After we got married, I had to convince my wife to go shopping at a decent place and get properly fitted. She’s felt so much better having a properly sized bra and, once she found one that fits, just mail orders the same brand/size from the web to save a few bucks.
Awwwww…. I got my very own disclaimer… 🙂
I’m so loved… 😉
Awwwww…. I got my very own disclaimer… 🙂
I’m so loved… 😉
Re: BTW
After three years, you definitely need to be refitted (particularly since those years included nursing a child!). JC Penneys staffers have usually been good fitters for me. Lane Bryant has been hit-or-miss: I’ve had some that were adepts and others that were obviously hoping for a supervisor to step in and guide them in what to say/do next. It’s going to be like others reported here with the Victoria’s Secret staffers, the possibility of a wide variance in training and helpfulness of the staff.
Usually the saleslady asks a few questions about types I like (color, satiny-feel or not, underwire-or-not), picks out about five different ones that seem to suit all in same size range … exact size she fitted me for, one cup smaller, one cup larger … a lot like bracketing in photography 🙂 I get bundled into the dressing room and more and more bras get handed over the door until we work out the size in a couple of different brands (don’t be surprised if you’re a full cup size or band size “off” between brands).
Usually I buy just one, take it home, wear it for a couple of days, and if it’s as comfortable “in real life use” as it was in the dressing room, I go back and buy two or three more exactly like the one I bought.
Re: BTW
After three years, you definitely need to be refitted (particularly since those years included nursing a child!). JC Penneys staffers have usually been good fitters for me. Lane Bryant has been hit-or-miss: I’ve had some that were adepts and others that were obviously hoping for a supervisor to step in and guide them in what to say/do next. It’s going to be like others reported here with the Victoria’s Secret staffers, the possibility of a wide variance in training and helpfulness of the staff.
Usually the saleslady asks a few questions about types I like (color, satiny-feel or not, underwire-or-not), picks out about five different ones that seem to suit all in same size range … exact size she fitted me for, one cup smaller, one cup larger … a lot like bracketing in photography 🙂 I get bundled into the dressing room and more and more bras get handed over the door until we work out the size in a couple of different brands (don’t be surprised if you’re a full cup size or band size “off” between brands).
Usually I buy just one, take it home, wear it for a couple of days, and if it’s as comfortable “in real life use” as it was in the dressing room, I go back and buy two or three more exactly like the one I bought.
nuch sympathy. i dislike shopping for clothes, but i _loathe_ shopping for bras. the constant inconsistancy of sizing, the amazing variations on shape and appearance are all enough to have me frustrated in very short order. my solution is when i find one i like or tolerate- i buy 12 of them. thus postponing the next ordeal for a good while. it pushes all my peeve buttons about conforming to other’s visions and expectations. almost literally in fact.
nuch sympathy. i dislike shopping for clothes, but i _loathe_ shopping for bras. the constant inconsistancy of sizing, the amazing variations on shape and appearance are all enough to have me frustrated in very short order. my solution is when i find one i like or tolerate- i buy 12 of them. thus postponing the next ordeal for a good while. it pushes all my peeve buttons about conforming to other’s visions and expectations. almost literally in fact.
Blank Label bra resources
One of Howard’s Blank Label colleagues has a number of links on the subject of bras — Paul Taylor’s Wapsi Square‘s main character is a busty girl. You should check out the “Resources” tab at his website, or ask Paul directly!
Blank Label bra resources
One of Howard’s Blank Label colleagues has a number of links on the subject of bras — Paul Taylor’s Wapsi Square‘s main character is a busty girl. You should check out the “Resources” tab at his website, or ask Paul directly!
I think your husband is right on this point, not just in general but on this particular point: WalMart is not a good place to shop for bras. The selection and quality is subpar, even with the price discount.
I’ve had some success with bra specialty shops — not lingerie chains, but local shops that specialize in selling a large variety of bras. The last one I went to was actually a chain, but I’m not sure what brand because I’ve been wearing the bras so long all the tags have worn off. Bali’s, maybe?
Mid-range department stores — Sears, JC Penney’s, etc. — have also been reasonably good. I’ll second the suggestion that you have a knowledgeable clerk fit you; it does save time trying things on and the size varies more than you’d think — I’ve gone up three cup sizes while still wearing the same old bras, because they were worn and streched enough that they still managed.
I don’t like Victoria’s Secret, partly because they don’t carry anything larger than a D cup but also because their prices are excessive and their quality is unexceptional.
Good luck with it!
I think your husband is right on this point, not just in general but on this particular point: WalMart is not a good place to shop for bras. The selection and quality is subpar, even with the price discount.
I’ve had some success with bra specialty shops — not lingerie chains, but local shops that specialize in selling a large variety of bras. The last one I went to was actually a chain, but I’m not sure what brand because I’ve been wearing the bras so long all the tags have worn off. Bali’s, maybe?
Mid-range department stores — Sears, JC Penney’s, etc. — have also been reasonably good. I’ll second the suggestion that you have a knowledgeable clerk fit you; it does save time trying things on and the size varies more than you’d think — I’ve gone up three cup sizes while still wearing the same old bras, because they were worn and streched enough that they still managed.
I don’t like Victoria’s Secret, partly because they don’t carry anything larger than a D cup but also because their prices are excessive and their quality is unexceptional.
Good luck with it!
Re: I CONCUR!!!
Try Bali… they make some pretty things for us Ds and DDs!
Re: I CONCUR!!!
Try Bali… they make some pretty things for us Ds and DDs!
saving money on bras
All advice is good. First, find correct size and style.
Second, remember the brand and size that works.
Third, while you are doing this, ask the clerk when bras usually go on sale. I think Pennys often has a sale in Jan.
Buy 1-2 bras to try out right now. Go buy more of the ones that fit when they are on sale. Go to the sale early or ask for a raincheck if they are out of the correct size. You can also ask if they can get the right one at another store and have it sent to your local store. Sometimes Pennys sends items directly to your home.
saving money on bras
All advice is good. First, find correct size and style.
Second, remember the brand and size that works.
Third, while you are doing this, ask the clerk when bras usually go on sale. I think Pennys often has a sale in Jan.
Buy 1-2 bras to try out right now. Go buy more of the ones that fit when they are on sale. Go to the sale early or ask for a raincheck if they are out of the correct size. You can also ask if they can get the right one at another store and have it sent to your local store. Sometimes Pennys sends items directly to your home.