Bra fitter at every Gottschalks Tuesday, 1/6!
My gf Clawdy called today to let me know the Gottschalks in Modesto will have a bra fitter there Tuesday and to call 1-800-457-7735 to set up an appointment. I was tempted to drive the 5 hours it takes to get there and have it done because we spent 2 hours in Kohl’s trying on more than 50 bras and none of them seemed to fit. I called the number and it turns out every Gottschalks has a bra fitter this Tuesday by appointment only ( I made an apointment in Santa Rosa a mere 2 hours away lol). Call to set up your appointment and make your girls happy girls.
In the meantime I did a search and found some interesting information about bra fitting online.
Two articles follow:
After taking their Here’s how to calculate your bra size, according to lingerie expert Tomima Edmark, founder of underwear Web site HerRoom.com:
* Band size: While wearing a bra, measure directly under the bust, rounding up or down to the nearest whole inch. If the rounded measurement is an even number, add four to get your final band size. If it is an odd number, add five. For example: 32 + 4 = 36 band size; 31 + 5 = 36 band size.
* Cup size: While wearing an unpadded and non-minimizing bra, measure around your bust at the fullest point, rounding up or down to the nearest inch. Subtract your band size from this number to determine your cup size. For example: 39 - 36 = 3, which corresponds to a C cup size (2 = B; 1 = A).
While the measuring methods I encountered may have differed, the experts all generally agreed that my bra size is, in fact, a 34A… and not one bit bigger. One saleswoman said my measurements were borderline and suggested I try on a 32 band, which I found to be too tight.
The lesson? There’s no way to know for certain what size is best for you without some trial and error. So set aside some dressing room time to find the bra size that is right for you, no matter what the tape measure says.
Fittin’ Pretty
From Wonderbra to sports bra, the brassiere market has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry. Yet amidst the maximizing, minimizing, satin, microfiber, and lace, we seem to be forgetting the basics. (See related article: Why Every Woman Needs Sexy Lingerie)
Practiced by bra wearers everywhere, the old hook-and-spin-around method of getting your boobs harnessed is endorsed by Edmark, even in the face of critics who claim this technique wears out the inside band. But read on: Odds are good that at least a couple steps are missing from your routine:
1. Wrap your bra around your waist, and hook the closure in front of you. A new bra should fit on the loosest or middle set of hooks to leave room for adjustment as the bra stretches with wear.
2. Spin the bra around until the front is centered.
3. Bring the bra up until the band is resting directly under your breasts.
4. Slip the straps over your shoulders.
5. Tug downward on the back of the bra until it rests beneath your shoulder blades. The back should be even with the front or a bit lower to prevent sagging.
6. Lean over, pull the front band down and shake your breasts into place. Or use your hand to lift and position each breast into the bra cups.
Now that the bra is on, does it fit you correctly? Here’s how to tell:
* The center panel lies flat against your breastbone.
* The apex of your breast (your nipple) is half way between the shoulder and elbow.
* Bra cups fit smoothly with no overflowing, gaping or puckering.
* Cup fabric is stable enough to provide support and shape.
* Underwires cup each breast without poking into skin.
* Breasts are positioned forward, so you can freely swing your arms.
* Straps stay in place without digging into your shoulders.
* The band is snug but not tight.
* The bra is comfortable when sitting as well as standing.
3 Common Problems (and Solutions)
Like snowflakes, no two breasts are alike, not even those paired up on the same chest. But not to worry, there is a solution for most every bra challenge, Edmark says. “I think women need to take control and look at the symptoms and make the adjustments to fix the problem," she says.
Here’s how:
Problem: One of my breasts is bigger than the other.
Solution: Fit the cup size to your larger breast. A little extra padding can help the smaller breast match more closely. Also, a molded bra will hide the size difference and make you look symmetrical.
Problem: My breasts are too big.
Solution: Try a different style. More support will elevate your breasts and make you appear less top-heavy. Edmark recommends Lunaire, Freya, Elila, Goddess, and Fantasie bras for busty women.
Problem: My breasts are too small.
Solution: True cleavage is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve for small-busted women. “Bottom line is, a woman who is an A cup doesn’t have enough breast tissue to get them to touch in the middle," Edmark said. Still, padded, contoured, molded, and even gel- and water-filled bras will help create the illusion of fuller breasts.
The right bra can make you feel and look great in your clothes… or out of ‘em! So don’t be a boob when it comes to supporting your best assets.
Are You Wearing the Right Bra Size?
Over the years, you’ve gained weight, lost weight, perhaps had a baby, and grudgingly endured the effects of gravity. Your body has changed since your teens and early 20s, but has your bra? Find out if you are wearing the wrong size with this bra quiz.
Page 2 of article:
Measuring Up
Bra fitting is not an exact science, despite the recent proliferation of lingerie saleswomen accessorizing their necklines with tape measurers. For me, some independent research and field trips to Nordstrom, Victoria’s Secret and a Los Angeles bra-specialty store called Miss Stevens yielded different experiences. (See related article:6 Rules of Cleavage)
Expect to take your top off while bra shopping at most stores. But the modest needn’t worry – your bra stays put, and saleswomen at Nordstrom and Miss Stevens do their measuring in the privacy of a dressing room. Not so at Victoria’s Secret, where the saleswoman whipped a measuring tape off her neck and wrapped it around my blouse-clad chest on the spot.
Due to style and fabric variations, the experts in an independent bra store like Miss Stevens may skip the measuring altogether and rely on eyeballing and try-ons to find the perfect fit.
“Measuring only gives you a rough estimate," says store owner Leslie Stevens. “It depends on your body type – firm versus fluffy."
Page 3 of article:
Here’s how to calculate your bra size, according to lingerie expert Tomima Edmark, founder of underwear Web site HerRoom.com:
* Band size: While wearing a bra, measure directly under the bust, rounding up or down to the nearest whole inch. If the rounded measurement is an even number, add four to get your final band size. If it is an odd number, add five. For example: 32 + 4 = 36 band size; 31 + 5 = 36 band size.
* Cup size: While wearing an unpadded and non-minimizing bra, measure around your bust at the fullest point, rounding up or down to the nearest inch. Subtract your band size from this number to determine your cup size. For example: 39 - 36 = 3, which corresponds to a C cup size (2 = B; 1 = A).
While the measuring methods I encountered may have differed, the experts all generally agreed that my bra size is, in fact, a 34A… and not one bit bigger. One saleswoman said my measurements were borderline and suggested I try on a 32 band, which I found to be too tight.
The lesson? There’s no way to know for certain what size is best for you without some trial and error. So set aside some dressing room time to find the bra size that is right for you, no matter what the tape measure says.
Page 4 of article:
Fittin’ Pretty
From Wonderbra to sports bra, the brassiere market has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry. Yet amidst the maximizing, minimizing, satin, microfiber, and lace, we seem to be forgetting the basics. (See related article: Why Every Woman Needs Sexy Lingerie)
Practiced by bra wearers everywhere, the old hook-and-spin-around method of getting your boobs harnessed is endorsed by Edmark, even in the face of critics who claim this technique wears out the inside band. But read on: Odds are good that at least a couple steps are missing from your routine:
1. Wrap your bra around your waist, and hook the closure in front of you. A new bra should fit on the loosest or middle set of hooks to leave room for adjustment as the bra stretches with wear.
2. Spin the bra around until the front is centered.
3. Bring the bra up until the band is resting directly under your breasts.
4. Slip the straps over your shoulders.
5. Tug downward on the back of the bra until it rests beneath your shoulder blades. The back should be even with the front or a bit lower to prevent sagging.
6. Lean over, pull the front band down and shake your breasts into place. Or use your hand to lift and position each breast into the bra cups.
Page 5 of article:
Now that the bra is on, does it fit you correctly? Here’s how to tell:
* The center panel lies flat against your breastbone.
* The apex of your breast (your nipple) is half way between the shoulder and elbow.
* Bra cups fit smoothly with no overflowing, gaping or puckering.
* Cup fabric is stable enough to provide support and shape.
* Underwires cup each breast without poking into skin.
* Breasts are positioned forward, so you can freely swing your arms.
* Straps stay in place without digging into your shoulders.
* The band is snug but not tight.
* The bra is comfortable when sitting as well as standing.
Page 6 of article:
3 Common Problems (and Solutions)
Like snowflakes, no two breasts are alike, not even those paired up on the same chest. But not to worry, there is a solution for most every bra challenge, Edmark says. “I think women need to take control and look at the symptoms and make the adjustments to fix the problem," she says.
Here’s how:
Problem: One of my breasts is bigger than the other.
Solution: Fit the cup size to your larger breast. A little extra padding can help the smaller breast match more closely. Also, a molded bra will hide the size difference and make you look symmetrical.
Problem: My breasts are too big.
Solution: Try a different style. More support will elevate your breasts and make you appear less top-heavy. Edmark recommends Lunaire, Freya, Elila, Goddess, and Fantasie bras for busty women.
Page 7 of article:
Problem: My breasts are too small.
Solution: True cleavage is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve for small-busted women. “Bottom line is, a woman who is an A cup doesn’t have enough breast tissue to get them to touch in the middle," Edmark said. Still, padded, contoured, molded, and even gel- and water-filled bras will help create the illusion of fuller breasts.
The right bra can make you feel and look great in your clothes… or out of ‘em! So don’t be a boob when it comes to supporting your best assets.
Are You Wearing the Right Bra Size?
Over the years, you’ve gained weight, lost weight, perhaps had a baby, and grudgingly endured the effects of gravity. Your body has changed since your teens and early 20s, but has your bra? Find out if you are wearing the wrong size with this bra quiz.
http://www.lifescript.com/Quizzes/Fashion/Are_You_Wearing_the_Right_Bra_Size.aspx
In the meantime I did a search and found some interesting information about bra fitting online.
Two articles follow:
After taking their Here’s how to calculate your bra size, according to lingerie expert Tomima Edmark, founder of underwear Web site HerRoom.com:
* Band size: While wearing a bra, measure directly under the bust, rounding up or down to the nearest whole inch. If the rounded measurement is an even number, add four to get your final band size. If it is an odd number, add five. For example: 32 + 4 = 36 band size; 31 + 5 = 36 band size.
* Cup size: While wearing an unpadded and non-minimizing bra, measure around your bust at the fullest point, rounding up or down to the nearest inch. Subtract your band size from this number to determine your cup size. For example: 39 - 36 = 3, which corresponds to a C cup size (2 = B; 1 = A).
While the measuring methods I encountered may have differed, the experts all generally agreed that my bra size is, in fact, a 34A… and not one bit bigger. One saleswoman said my measurements were borderline and suggested I try on a 32 band, which I found to be too tight.
The lesson? There’s no way to know for certain what size is best for you without some trial and error. So set aside some dressing room time to find the bra size that is right for you, no matter what the tape measure says.
Fittin’ Pretty
From Wonderbra to sports bra, the brassiere market has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry. Yet amidst the maximizing, minimizing, satin, microfiber, and lace, we seem to be forgetting the basics. (See related article: Why Every Woman Needs Sexy Lingerie)
Practiced by bra wearers everywhere, the old hook-and-spin-around method of getting your boobs harnessed is endorsed by Edmark, even in the face of critics who claim this technique wears out the inside band. But read on: Odds are good that at least a couple steps are missing from your routine:
1. Wrap your bra around your waist, and hook the closure in front of you. A new bra should fit on the loosest or middle set of hooks to leave room for adjustment as the bra stretches with wear.
2. Spin the bra around until the front is centered.
3. Bring the bra up until the band is resting directly under your breasts.
4. Slip the straps over your shoulders.
5. Tug downward on the back of the bra until it rests beneath your shoulder blades. The back should be even with the front or a bit lower to prevent sagging.
6. Lean over, pull the front band down and shake your breasts into place. Or use your hand to lift and position each breast into the bra cups.
Now that the bra is on, does it fit you correctly? Here’s how to tell:
* The center panel lies flat against your breastbone.
* The apex of your breast (your nipple) is half way between the shoulder and elbow.
* Bra cups fit smoothly with no overflowing, gaping or puckering.
* Cup fabric is stable enough to provide support and shape.
* Underwires cup each breast without poking into skin.
* Breasts are positioned forward, so you can freely swing your arms.
* Straps stay in place without digging into your shoulders.
* The band is snug but not tight.
* The bra is comfortable when sitting as well as standing.
3 Common Problems (and Solutions)
Like snowflakes, no two breasts are alike, not even those paired up on the same chest. But not to worry, there is a solution for most every bra challenge, Edmark says. “I think women need to take control and look at the symptoms and make the adjustments to fix the problem," she says.
Here’s how:
Problem: One of my breasts is bigger than the other.
Solution: Fit the cup size to your larger breast. A little extra padding can help the smaller breast match more closely. Also, a molded bra will hide the size difference and make you look symmetrical.
Problem: My breasts are too big.
Solution: Try a different style. More support will elevate your breasts and make you appear less top-heavy. Edmark recommends Lunaire, Freya, Elila, Goddess, and Fantasie bras for busty women.
Problem: My breasts are too small.
Solution: True cleavage is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve for small-busted women. “Bottom line is, a woman who is an A cup doesn’t have enough breast tissue to get them to touch in the middle," Edmark said. Still, padded, contoured, molded, and even gel- and water-filled bras will help create the illusion of fuller breasts.
The right bra can make you feel and look great in your clothes… or out of ‘em! So don’t be a boob when it comes to supporting your best assets.
Are You Wearing the Right Bra Size?
Over the years, you’ve gained weight, lost weight, perhaps had a baby, and grudgingly endured the effects of gravity. Your body has changed since your teens and early 20s, but has your bra? Find out if you are wearing the wrong size with this bra quiz.
Page 2 of article:
Measuring Up
Bra fitting is not an exact science, despite the recent proliferation of lingerie saleswomen accessorizing their necklines with tape measurers. For me, some independent research and field trips to Nordstrom, Victoria’s Secret and a Los Angeles bra-specialty store called Miss Stevens yielded different experiences. (See related article:6 Rules of Cleavage)
Expect to take your top off while bra shopping at most stores. But the modest needn’t worry – your bra stays put, and saleswomen at Nordstrom and Miss Stevens do their measuring in the privacy of a dressing room. Not so at Victoria’s Secret, where the saleswoman whipped a measuring tape off her neck and wrapped it around my blouse-clad chest on the spot.
Due to style and fabric variations, the experts in an independent bra store like Miss Stevens may skip the measuring altogether and rely on eyeballing and try-ons to find the perfect fit.
“Measuring only gives you a rough estimate," says store owner Leslie Stevens. “It depends on your body type – firm versus fluffy."
Page 3 of article:
Here’s how to calculate your bra size, according to lingerie expert Tomima Edmark, founder of underwear Web site HerRoom.com:
* Band size: While wearing a bra, measure directly under the bust, rounding up or down to the nearest whole inch. If the rounded measurement is an even number, add four to get your final band size. If it is an odd number, add five. For example: 32 + 4 = 36 band size; 31 + 5 = 36 band size.
* Cup size: While wearing an unpadded and non-minimizing bra, measure around your bust at the fullest point, rounding up or down to the nearest inch. Subtract your band size from this number to determine your cup size. For example: 39 - 36 = 3, which corresponds to a C cup size (2 = B; 1 = A).
While the measuring methods I encountered may have differed, the experts all generally agreed that my bra size is, in fact, a 34A… and not one bit bigger. One saleswoman said my measurements were borderline and suggested I try on a 32 band, which I found to be too tight.
The lesson? There’s no way to know for certain what size is best for you without some trial and error. So set aside some dressing room time to find the bra size that is right for you, no matter what the tape measure says.
Page 4 of article:
Fittin’ Pretty
From Wonderbra to sports bra, the brassiere market has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry. Yet amidst the maximizing, minimizing, satin, microfiber, and lace, we seem to be forgetting the basics. (See related article: Why Every Woman Needs Sexy Lingerie)
Practiced by bra wearers everywhere, the old hook-and-spin-around method of getting your boobs harnessed is endorsed by Edmark, even in the face of critics who claim this technique wears out the inside band. But read on: Odds are good that at least a couple steps are missing from your routine:
1. Wrap your bra around your waist, and hook the closure in front of you. A new bra should fit on the loosest or middle set of hooks to leave room for adjustment as the bra stretches with wear.
2. Spin the bra around until the front is centered.
3. Bring the bra up until the band is resting directly under your breasts.
4. Slip the straps over your shoulders.
5. Tug downward on the back of the bra until it rests beneath your shoulder blades. The back should be even with the front or a bit lower to prevent sagging.
6. Lean over, pull the front band down and shake your breasts into place. Or use your hand to lift and position each breast into the bra cups.
Page 5 of article:
Now that the bra is on, does it fit you correctly? Here’s how to tell:
* The center panel lies flat against your breastbone.
* The apex of your breast (your nipple) is half way between the shoulder and elbow.
* Bra cups fit smoothly with no overflowing, gaping or puckering.
* Cup fabric is stable enough to provide support and shape.
* Underwires cup each breast without poking into skin.
* Breasts are positioned forward, so you can freely swing your arms.
* Straps stay in place without digging into your shoulders.
* The band is snug but not tight.
* The bra is comfortable when sitting as well as standing.
Page 6 of article:
3 Common Problems (and Solutions)
Like snowflakes, no two breasts are alike, not even those paired up on the same chest. But not to worry, there is a solution for most every bra challenge, Edmark says. “I think women need to take control and look at the symptoms and make the adjustments to fix the problem," she says.
Here’s how:
Problem: One of my breasts is bigger than the other.
Solution: Fit the cup size to your larger breast. A little extra padding can help the smaller breast match more closely. Also, a molded bra will hide the size difference and make you look symmetrical.
Problem: My breasts are too big.
Solution: Try a different style. More support will elevate your breasts and make you appear less top-heavy. Edmark recommends Lunaire, Freya, Elila, Goddess, and Fantasie bras for busty women.
Page 7 of article:
Problem: My breasts are too small.
Solution: True cleavage is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve for small-busted women. “Bottom line is, a woman who is an A cup doesn’t have enough breast tissue to get them to touch in the middle," Edmark said. Still, padded, contoured, molded, and even gel- and water-filled bras will help create the illusion of fuller breasts.
The right bra can make you feel and look great in your clothes… or out of ‘em! So don’t be a boob when it comes to supporting your best assets.
Are You Wearing the Right Bra Size?
Over the years, you’ve gained weight, lost weight, perhaps had a baby, and grudgingly endured the effects of gravity. Your body has changed since your teens and early 20s, but has your bra? Find out if you are wearing the wrong size with this bra quiz.
http://www.lifescript.com/Quizzes/Fashion/Are_You_Wearing_the_Right_Bra_Size.aspx
---jan---
Jan,
In a past life, I used to manage the lingerie department at Mervyn's (RIP) and learned A LOT about bra fitting. It is an art and it's nice to get someone to work with you and not just measure you. A good fitter will ask you what you are looking for and are comfortable in. One thing to remember, is that many manufacturer's size differently. Bali, Warners & Playtex tends to run true to size, Lilyette, Maidenform, Vasserette, Olga brands tend to run a bit smaller, at least that is what I remember. A bra sizer can tell you your size but it is just a place to start, the real size will be the one that fits and all the stuff you found in your articles are right on.
Thanks for sharing and good luck. To this day I hate bra shopping! LOL
Barb
In a past life, I used to manage the lingerie department at Mervyn's (RIP) and learned A LOT about bra fitting. It is an art and it's nice to get someone to work with you and not just measure you. A good fitter will ask you what you are looking for and are comfortable in. One thing to remember, is that many manufacturer's size differently. Bali, Warners & Playtex tends to run true to size, Lilyette, Maidenform, Vasserette, Olga brands tend to run a bit smaller, at least that is what I remember. A bra sizer can tell you your size but it is just a place to start, the real size will be the one that fits and all the stuff you found in your articles are right on.
Thanks for sharing and good luck. To this day I hate bra shopping! LOL
Barb
Ok..I must really be strange...well yes I know I am a bit odd...anyway...I LOVE BRAS....I have over 125 at last count ...all colors, styles and a range of sizes ....all depends on what I am wearing and what I want the girls to do....a lot of times I dress according to what bra I want to wear that day. I alway**** the lingerie department no matter what I am shopping for. I have never actually been fitted since I was in 5th grade and got my first one, at Mervyns :). Many of mine no longer fit since WLS, but now I just get to replenish, they have such cute ones and more variety in the smaller sizes :)
I wish I could get to a Gottshalks on Tuesday, sounds fun. Maybe they could even teach me the hook in front and swing around method of putting them on since I have never done it that way. Have always just hooked them in the back. The things I learn from this board! :)
Leslie
I wish I could get to a Gottshalks on Tuesday, sounds fun. Maybe they could even teach me the hook in front and swing around method of putting them on since I have never done it that way. Have always just hooked them in the back. The things I learn from this board! :)
Leslie
I have a dear friend that has been fitting bras (and most under garments) for 21 years and she and I both still agree that you hook in back, not in front....have you ever gone to the gym sweat like hell, shower and"dry" off and try to slide you bra around??? Forget it... it is like moving duck tape!!! After WLS trying to get a great bra is always a really work of art. It can be done but you have to be very patient and persistent. I have found ONE bra that I really like since WLS and now I am sad to say the the deflated boobies no long fit in this great bra...R.I.P..I just have to start stuffing or seachin again.LOL
Jan, thank you for the great information.
HUGS
JOY
Jan, thank you for the great information.
HUGS
JOY
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