Ttodd,

Pfft.. I should at my age but I havent and won't likely. I did get a new bra recently and was amazed how much better my boobies looked in it. It was the same style I have been wearing, but it is new and not stretched and washed/dried a bazillion times.

A couple of my friends went to a place in Manayunk-- right on the main road. I don't know the name but I imagine it would be easy to find. They have hilarious stories about the women literally reaching into their bras and adjusting them but they rave about the fit they received.

I only wear one brand of bra (Bali) and I have no desire to pay $$$ for my bras. Maybe when I lose weight I will change my mind but for now, I think the key for me is to replace them more frequently and not wear them for years and years (and years).

..and when you go to Manayunk, you can get the world's best water ice at that little hole-the-wall place-is it still there, funkyart? What could be better-a well-fitting bra AND a summer treat.

Recently, Macy's had "an event" with 2 professionals representing different companies. I was underwhelmed by the process and don't doubt 80% of women wear the wrong size even after a fitting.

I couldn't seem to make her understand that I wanted full coverage - not a demi cup, not a push up, not 5 inches of cleavage busting out. I was doubtful of the size she first recommended, and sure enough, by the end of the trying on of a million bras, she agreed on the size I thought was correct.

I did hear the other fitter tell someone what she really needed was a Playtex style that Macy's didn't carry but Kohl's did - I thought that was very nice & helpful. I think getting the right fitter is really key so a personal recommendation would be important.

I would be interested in trying the place in Manayunk (shall we meet there? and then hit Ikea?) to see if a boutique shop would be a better experience.

Years ago I went to Victoria's Secret - once. The clerk measured me & told me my size. I start looking on the racks and she says "oh, we don't keep your size out. I'll have to find it in the back". What?! You have 1000 bras on display and none of them are my size? I'm that much of a freak? Thanks, but no thanks, I'll look elsewhere.

Good luck. Go hydrated & well fed. Don't bring kids. Wear comfortable clothes. Prepare to spend but on something that important, splurge if you have to.

I don't know if the store itself makes a difference or not, but I was fitted a few years ago at Neiman Marcus and also at Nordstrom. The "fitters" in both stores really seemed to know their stuff (it's a little freaky how they can just look at you and size you up pretty accurately at a glance--"oh, you look like a ## A-B-C"). Maybe they get more/better training in some of the high-end stores? Also, small (lingerie) boutiques usually have at least one person who is their "expert" fitter. The key is to find a good fitter and it might take a few tries.

Even if you don't buy your bra in the same store where you are fitted, you might be able to find the same bra in another store (maybe even one that has coupons/sales every other week!), or at least learn what size and style looks best, and then take what you've learned and look elsewhere for something that works for you (at a price you want to spend).

FYI, I have found, that just like jeans, I have to try on each bra, because quality control (even for the $$ bras) is lousy. I've tried on a few of the same exact bra while purchasing replacements; one was so big I could have added a little padding to the cup and still have had room to spare, one or two that cut across my boobs--too tight, and finally ones that fit the way they were supposed to. All the same bra (style/size), but not all the correct fit. So try on before buying.

For the first time in my almost 60 years, I was measured at Dillard's. I had lost quite a bit of weight, and my bras were all too big. The girl measured me, then brought in quite a few for me to try on. I was somewhat surprised at the size I ended up with, no where near the size of what I had worn in the past. I bought a Wacoal brand and it fits like a glove. Cat-mom is also right in that not all are made the same, because I tried on a strapless, same size and brand, and it didn't fit at all.

Wacoal has their own fitters (at least that's how they do it here) who come in several times a year for expert fitting sessions. The bras are pricey, but worth it. Great fit and long wearing. I like nice lingerie so I am one to have bras in different colors and styles.

I never, ever dry a bra in the dryer and have always heard that will decrease the life of a bra.

All that said, I have not actually had a wacoal fitting, but have a wonderful sales clerk in our Belk's lingerie department who changed over to wacoal herself and recommended it. She is pretty knowledgeable herself and while she will check out the fit once you have a bra on, she is not in the room with you as you try items on.

tina

(Wodka, it's so nice to see you back and posting!)

I've been to Chrysis's in Cherry Hill and the ladies do seem to know their merchandise. One of my neighbors raved about her fitting at Nordstrom's. Funkyart - did your friends go to Touchables? I've never been there but a seamstress told my girlfriend to shop there.

I'm in the same boat - I should replace mine more often - at least before the elastic forgets it's elastic.

Here is a link that might be useful: Touchables

Touchables! That is definitely the place. I know they were very impressed and pleased with their experience-- even if they were startled by the way the woman took control of the contents of their bras LOL. One of my friends was so impressed that she's been talking about opening her own shop. She's a convert and a believer and she wants to pass the knowledge on.

I dry my bras.. I know, I know.. you shouldnt but I just don't have time to fuss over them. I do like pretty bras but I am much more concerned about how they feel and how they look under clothes. I think white cotton and bobby socks can be sexy if you work it right.. however, I DO insist on a nice sexy line and plunge in front though.

Did I hear Manayunk date? I can have my hair blown out too since that's where I go.

New hair
Yummy water ice
Great boobs - I'm in!

what is water ice? isn't ice usually water?

I am guessing it is something like italian ice.

I went to a boutique lingerie shop once, glanced at a few things, turned around and walked back out. $100+ for ONE bra - what on earth are they smoking, and will they share?

I did not have a good experience with so-called professional bra fitting last year. JCPenney has "special" bra fitters come in every so often, you have to make an appointment. I don't even go into Macy's... between the entire (quite small) store reeking of perfume, the incredible lack of options for the horizontally gifted, and the if-they-looked-any-further-down-their-noses-they'd-go-crosseyed salespeople, forget it. (We don't have the higher-end places like Neiman Marcus here, although the Macy's employees seem to think they work there!) I wrote about it around a year and a half ago, just for fun...

I measure weird for some reason. Last round of 'roids added on yet more weight so off I go to Penneys (basically the only choice here except Macys which I HATE) where the nice elderly lady with the freezing cold hands and no respect for personal space wraps her tape measure around me in 37 different places and pronounces me a *twitch* 46G. She goes and fetches a half dozen or so bras (all ghastly) in said 46G to try on. I dutifully wriggle into one and realize I could smuggle a miniature schnauzer through airport security in each side. So, Madame Icyhands is summoned and after approximately two hours of measuring and remeasuring and trying on just about every bra in the store I am finally proclaimed a 42DD... the size I asked for when I walked in, because of how my existing bras were "going wrong". Oddly enough, my ribcage measurement IS 42", if you do that adding-on crap everything just falls out the bottom.

And THEN she starts bringing me these horrible "lunch lady bras" when I know d@mn well there are pretty ones out there even in that heinously monstrous size *amused eyeroll* and tries to talk me into minimizers. Honey, these are basically the only assets I've got, squashing them back into my armpits is just not on the menu! I must have the wires though, uncomfortable as they may be. The gals just don't look good in unwired bras. I inherited my father's chimpanzee-like build - short legs and long arms and long torso with a big barrel ribcage - so the ta-tas have to be brought "front and center" shall we say. I like a good round shape (not that half-cantaloupe scary boobjob shape, but a nice natural teardrop profile, not the ski-jump or the one-points-east-the-other-points-west torpedoes), and the wireless ones all just let them spread out too much horizontally unless they've got a ton of boning in the sides which is even more uncomfortable than underwires. The only exception is swimsuits. Can't do a wired swimsuit - just returned two to Land's End, which was a drag because they were cute, but they were not swimsuits, they were pose-in-a-lounge-chair-drinking-margaritas suits. No shelf-bra suits either, "monoboob" is not a pretty sight.

The only thing you can do is try-on, try-on, try-on. The number on the tag is only a starting point. F'rinstance I look utterly horrendous in Playtex and Bali bras! On my own I found a Vanity Fair full-figure bra that fits and flatters me just right, so I bought a whole bunch when they ran a BOGO sale since my usual luck is that I find something I like and it's promptly discontinued or "redesigned" and it doesn't fit right anymore! LOL I do really wish they had a better color selection - I miss wearing wild colors and prints under my "boring" jeans and t-shirts. :-)

I've never gotten used to underwire bras but I know that's probably what I should be wearing. They fit when I'm standing but seem to dig into my skin when I sit- but maybe that's because I haven't been properly fitted.

I haven't been to Manayunk in quite a while but I love the little shops and the restaurants and the water ice would be perfect in this heat.

And you're right - water ice is the local (read Philly) name for Italian ice and it's really big around here. My Dh keeps saying he's gong to retire and open a Rita's Water Ice stand.

"I could smuggle a miniature schnauzer through airport security in each side."

JM, you crack me up !! if you had a blog, I'd read you every day just to see what you're up to...........

I encountered a knowledgeable sales person a few years ago, and she said,
you are wearing the wrong size, I was going up a size band when I should have gone up a cup size. Instant success.

I like to find the wilder colored bras on sale, I'll pay full price for the basics
since I really have to be in the mood to disrobe in order to buy new ones, and I tend to postpone it till it's a necessity. This winter in Florida, I had a lot of time on my own so I stocked up for years. Now I must stay the same size, lol...

I've always wanted to be fitted, but have never done it. I have heard that many women are walking around in the wrong size bra. I've done the self measuring too, but no matter how I slice it, my back measurement is what it is. I like to have a variety of colors/patterns in my arsenal as well to wear under camis and the like. Granted, I don't spend nearly as much on a "fashion" bra as I do on bras for 7/365. I do "invest" in good neutrals and black bras.

Had no idea I was local to so many posters. I am about an hour (in traffic) outside of Manayunk. If there's water ice involved I'm in, LOL I think it would be even more fun with a pre-fitting cocktail at Jake's. Is that place still there? I've not been to Manayunk in a quite some time.

Anyhoo, I think it is a great idea, and if the statitstics are correct, there may be something to having a proper fitting.

While DD swears by the VS bras, I find them extremely uncomfortable. I have bras from nearly every store that sells them.

I would call Nordstrom/Niemans/Saks/Macys as well. If the fittings are free, and the sizing is correct, then it stands to reason that it should not matter what your price point is for the purchase of a bra. So long as you are buying the right size, you should technically be able to buy any bra from one of the discount-type stores like Target?

cooper - water ice is wonderful. My fav has small chunks/pieces of fruit in it, but there are all kinds of water ice places in our area. Although water ice is VERY high in calories from a sugar standpoint, it is a fat-free treat! My favorite water ice place is located in an old "Italian" neighborhood in South Philly. I usually bring home a few extra quarts of our favorite flavors. I like having them in the freezer for those nites when we want a treat but don't feel like making a trip into the city. Makes for a refreshing treat on a hot summer nite!

ttodd - please let us know how you make out and whether or not having a "fitting" was advantageous!

I was just fitted at Nordstroms in Cherry Hill. The girls are younger but they do a great job and have a lot of patience. I won't begin to tell you how many I tried on. I even bought a strapless bra that does not fall down. LOL
The advantage of going to the upper end stores is that they may have sizes other departments stores don't. Like 32 DD. I did spend $$$ for the bras because I bought Wacoal but I know they will last me longer than Warners and Bali. So, that's how I qualified it me myself and my husband. LOL. Look honey, I'm saving money by buying less.

Chrysies in Cherry Hill does a nice job. The last time I was in there, I found their bras were $10.00 higher than the Bloomingdales for Le Mysterie (sp?). The sales person told me they charge extra because of their service of fitting. Needless to say, I walked out and never went back. Not sure if they still have that surcharge.

Manayunk ia a fav for meeting my friends from the Philly area at Le Bus for lunch or brunch.

I buy my bras at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Ross -- usually on the clearance rack! LOL!

I have Wacoal bras as well as many others from those stores -- and rarely pay more than $10.

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Ohhhhh.. I love Le Bus. I used to have a crush on a bald bartender there LOL.. and I dream of their pumpkin seed sourdough (it makes a great sage stuffing for turkey!).

I have been wearing Bali for awhile and you know, they fit me very well when I first buy them but they do stretch out fairly quickly. Unfortunately, what I love about them when new is the same thing that makes them age quickly. I deny my age and refuse to wear the more structured bras. I still wear the bras girls in their 20s wear. Gravity and stretch isnt a good combo.

Maybe. Maybe when I lose some weight I will treat myself to a good bra. The last time I lost a bunch of weight, I had just bought a bunch of bras and none of them fit after I lost weight. This time I'll do it the other way around.

There really are a lot of us in the mid-atlantic. Who knew? I am actually not in the Phila area anymore-- I am 2 hr west but I am due a trip in. I haven't been to Manayunk in a few years.. same with New Hope, another favorite getaway.

So long as you are buying the right size, you should technically be able to buy any bra from one of the discount-type stores like Target?

Not necessarily, but let me qualify that. Yes, if you know your size, there will be different bras, at different price points that fit and fit well. However, just because you are size X in one specific bra, does not mean that you will be size X in another bra, even a bra by the same brand. In the brand I happen to wear, I am one size. I needed a lower cut bra with lower sides to wear with a particular dress and got one from the same brand (this second style bra is also good for some of my lower cut tops and has convertible straps so I can wear it halter style as well). I needed a smaller band size in the second style bra (I'm kind of between band sizes). Not only that, it has stretched out much faster than my everyday style or is just a much looser fit to begin with, so need to wear it hooked on the tightest hooks.

Also, not all bras of the same size will fit well, as different styles will often have different am'ts of coverage. For example, full-coverage bras don't fit me well at all, I don't have enough at the top to fill out the cups fully, and I don't find them comfortable at all anyway. I don't think mine are demi-cups, but they are lower than some others. They do fit my body type/boob shape much better than other styles from the same brand.

So, bottom line is, knowing your size is agood place to start. You might need to go up or down a size in different styles/brands but you're likely to be within a band or cup size. One other thing I learned, is that you are often able to go up a cup size if you go down a band size (and vice-versa) and get the same fit/support, but I didn't like the way the tighter band/larger cup size fit me.

I scanned through most of these quick. I was fine with the ladies at VS measuring me over the years. I've also measured myself and got the same thing. I'm also one that tries on every single bra. It's amazing how different each style can fit.

Funny story, (actually this probably won't be funny since it's on the computer) I went into VS awhile back and was trying on umpteen million bras. They have these super duper add cup(s)styles. I tried one on just to see how it would look... oh my. First off, there was no hole in the cup for the girls to fit in. Just 3 or so inches of thick padding. Trying putting 3 inches of padding over a non flat chest. It looked sooo ridiculous. Gapped funny. Nobody in their right mind would buy one of those bras. 6 pairs of stuffed socks would've been more flattering. I'm not even sure it would look right if you were flat chested.

How is it that just as I am thinking a topic, someone posts a thread about it?

I used to sit at my dds ballgames and wish outloud for the other team to drop the ball and sometimes they would. At her last game I started to secretly wish and I am not kidding, like 6 plays I wished on they other team screwed up and our girls scored. When I told the other parents they told me to keep wishing. It was actually kinda weird.

So with my chemo, is my mind starting to become magical or something? Hmmmmm

Anyhoo, I worked at Macys back in early 90s. I was the pantyhose queen. My coworkers would get mad when a customer would not let them help because they only wanted me because I was so good. Well, except for that one lady who got really mad at me when she did not know what control top was and I was dumbfounded by her lack of ability to comprehend what it was. She asked where HR was because she wanted me fired. I told her where it was but that made her even madder. She actually bought hosiery from me. Crazy.

Anyhoo, we had a fitter who was fabulous. My sis went to her and was not thrilled to learn that she was a 32A and not a B. Yes, most women are wearing the wrong bra.

I am in a situation now since my lumpectomy. I knew this could happen but now it is bugging me. I think I will go see someone who specializes in this. My lump was removed just about an inch from the cleavage. So my cleavage sticks out less on the right than the left. If it was towards my armpit I could wear a pad on that side to fill the space. But this is on the cleavage side. Not sure if a pad would push me over enough to cause the cleavage to look balanced. Maybe a little pad under the breast would work? Personally it is not a big deal unless I wear a bathing suit maybe. It is just weird when I take off my top and it looks like one side is a little deflated. So off to a fitter I will go.

What we go through as women.

Now that's funny Shee. I found the same thing a VS with those super duper cups. Who can wear them?

I never had luck with a good fitter at VS. Every bra I ever bought there became uncomfortable, quickly. For me, I find Nordstroms tops for fitting. I do spend a lot but all day comfort is worth it.

Sometimes, I do find Wacoal at Loehmanns and TJ Max too.

Funkyart, a good bra fitting is definitely a nice reward after losing weight.

Hey Shannon01 how are you doing?

If you have health insurance try checking to see if it will cover the cost of the bra. Not sure how it would work w/ your situation but during training when I was at Aetna we had to come up w/ ridiculous questions and ask our classmates to come up w/ the correct answer in the insurance data base. One of the guys came up w/ a question regarding bras and mastectomies. Nobody could find an answer. Turns out DME covered the cost of special bras under some plans.

Maybe we'll have to plan an outing this Fall or something in Manayunk. Anyone game? I've never been to Le Bus but it sounds like maybe I can make an outing some afternoon w/ DH. I get good boobs and a good lunch and DH will be a happy man all of the way around!

So long as you are buying the right size, you should technically be able to buy any bra from one of the discount-type stores like Target?

In a word, no.

Different brands are cut and constructed differently, and a 36C in brand A may actually have little resemblance in physical structure (and forget going between, say, a demi-cup and a full-coverage) to a 36C in brand B, but going up or down a cup size or band size in brand B isn't necessarily going to do anything because brand B simply isn't put together the same way as brand A. It's not just the numeric size, and construction can vary even within the same brand and same general style. Vanity Fair's full-figure bras are not all the same, for example, even though you'd think they would be. That's why you have to try everything on, hassle as it may be!

Women's clothing in general is totally whacked.

"I've never gotten used to underwire bras but I know that's probably what I should be wearing. They fit when I'm standing but seem to dig into my skin when I sit- but maybe that's because I haven't been properly fitted."

I'm sure people in adjoining dressing room think I'm insane when I try on bras. I bounce up and down, twist and turn, bend over (to see if I fall out LOL), swing my arms around. You'd think I was buying a sports bra! Some brands' wires come up higher or lower on the outsides than others' - as I said, different construction.

Ttodd.. I'd be game for a trip to Manayunk. The summer is out but the Fall would be great.

I'm up for a Manayunk excursion - the fall sounds great and if anyone has children they'd be back in school and maybe by then this heat will have worn itself out.

Manayunk in the fall sounds great.

mari - so are you saying that you need to buy the bras from the company who has provided a fitting service? That stinks, and really makes having a proper fitting less attractive to me as I am not a brand loyal bra consumer.

maire_cate - If this heat doesn't wear itself out very soon I am going to go out of my mind. We usually take at least a 2 week summer vacation in a cold/cooler climate, but none planned for this summer. We are only doing the beach vacation as DD loves those best. I am so regretting that paricular decision.

shannon - ttodd has made a good point. Read your healthcare policy to see whether you are paying for a durable medical rider (before you call the carrier). If so, and depending on your carrier and the language of the DMR, you may be entitled to some benefits that you would not otherwise thought of. The language of the DMRs are really a pain to decipher, but well worth the time in examining.

ttodd and work- THANKS for that idea. I never thought of that. I will check with them right away.

Work in p - my neighbor has a house at the shore and she says that the water is just beautiful. She won't go in unless it's warm and she told me that she's been in every day. Actually she said she had to go in because it was too hot sitting on the beach. Let's hope you get a breeze - one from the ocean to keep the flies away too.

We have a place in NE Pennsylvania and it's been just as hot in the mountains as it is here. My DD hates the heat and asked if we could move somewhere cooler - like Canada.