Just the other day, a friend on Facebook commented that she was having issues finding a “good bra.” Like I, she also has a well-endowed bust line and was discovering that Victoria’s Secret was not fulfilling her needs.
I, like most every woman, love Victoria’s Secret, too. It serves its purpose in my life. But one thing that VS hasn’t been able to do for me is support my 34DD breasts. For me, and I know for other large bosom women, finding a good bra is always a challenge – a hunt, but a very rewarding experience when one is found.
So I was thrilled when the brand Curvy Kate reached out to me to introduce their bras. Curvy Kate specializes in D-K cup size bras (and swimwear) that are designed to be pretty and sexy. Look, just because my boobs need mega support doesn’t mean I am willing to compromise my style to get it. I don’t want a Playtex-looking bra. I want something that makes me look like a sexy, lingerie angel. With Curvy Kate, I can get just that. Don’t believe me? See the images of some of the Curvy Kate bra styles below.
Jené Luciani, bra expert and author of “The Bra Book,” offers these seven tips on finding bras for fuller breasts:
- Be aware of your body type so you know what bras to look for. For example, if you are more of a top-heavy “apple,” you likely will be looking for fuller coverage bras, not demi-cups. A full guide by body type can be found in “The Bra Book.”
- Wear a thin T-shirt while trying on your bra so you can see what each bra looks like under the sheerest of circumstances.
- Get a fitting! Or give one to yourself, using the instructions in “The Bra Book.” Be open-minded about your size. If you’re surprised (or disappointed), remember that size is just a number (or a letter). The proper fit of the bra is the most important part. Look for key fit points like the bridge between the cups lying flush and that nothing is bulging, pinching, gaping or billowing it, and the straps aren’t digging in or slipping.
- If you’re in a bind and there’s a bra that you really love but they don’t have your size, it’s usually okay to go up a band size and down a cup size – or vice versa.
- Don’t be afraid to put the bra on and face yourself in the mirror with a critical eye. If you see any gaps, spillage, digging in, or other signs of poor fit, it’s not the right bra. Turn around and look at the back as well. The back band can be very telling when it comes to proper fit.
- Don’t get stuck in a size rut. Be sure to plan another fitting six months to a year later (our sizes fluctuate due to weight gain, hormonal changes, aging and other life changes so it’s important to get fitted at least once a year). Our bras also need to be replaced every six months to a year due to wear and tear, so it’s a good rule of thumb.
- Once you find a brand you like, or that caters especially to you, like Curvy Kate, stock up on your seven essential bras, that is, one bra for everyday of the week and all occasions. These include: spa bra (comfy for everyday wear), sports bra for exercise, nude T-shirt bra, strapless bra, and a few special bras that are decorative and pretty – perfect for spicing up a humdrum work wardrobe and, of course, for spicing up evenings. Even let one peek out occasionally!
And because Curvy Kate really believes in their real women customers, the brand enlists them to act as brand ambassadors through the Star in a Bra model search. Beginning May 10, you can log into Facebook and vote on your favorite real woman model. Just go to www.facebook.com/curvykateusa.
Curvy Kate bra prices run in the $65-$72 price range and can be purchased at the following online retailers: BareNecessities.com, FigLeaves.com and HerRoom.com.