10 Bra Mistakes You're Probably Making (And How To Fix Them)

Bras are not as complicated as you think. Here are 10 tips and tricks to reduce those anxiety thoughts about buying, washing, and just simply taking care of them. Don't fret! We are here to guide you! 

Yeah, I think this is one mistake we are not including in
our top ten. It kind of speaks for itself doncha think!?

 

You would not believe the mistakes you are probably doing yourself when it comes to your bra. All the way from purchasing one (YIKES), to taking care and keeping them healthy ;). We are following from recommendations from Bobbie Smith of Freshpair, from an article here from the Huffington Post. 

Top 10 Do's and Don'ts: (In no particular order)

1. Fastening your bra on the tightest hooks. When measuring your band size, you should go according to the outermost set of hooks, not the innermost. "A bra is going to stretch about three inches in its lifetime," says Bobbie, and when it does, "that's when you go to the next set of hooks." Buy a bra that fits snugly on the last set of hooks, and only later should you need to use the tighter ones.
2. Choosing a bra by cup size. So we shouldn't be choosing bras based on cup size? Nope, says Smith -- instead, start with the numerical band size. "Cup sizes are directly related to a band size," she told us. "So for somebody to say, 'Oh, I'm a D cup' is irrelevant unless you know what band size it's correlated with." Cup sizes are not standard, meaning you may be a D with one band size but a E with another size band. A 32D bra is a cup size smaller than a 34D, for example. Letting go of whatever cup size you think you are will allow you to explore and find the best-fitting bra for you. Which leads us to...
3. Wearing a bra that's too small. Many women's identities are tied up in their cup sizes, Bobbie says, making them resistant to go up a cup size in order to go down a band size. But you may be wearing a 36C when your ribcage measurement is a 32... which would require you to buy a bra that's a 32E. "A lot of women I fit, I bring them down to a smaller back band size and and suddenly their cup sounds huge," says Bobbie, "and they think that it's a character flaw." Own that larger cup size -- it means your bra will actually fit you better.
4. Thinking you can wear one bra with every type of outfit. Yeah, you just can't. Certain dresses are going to require a more perky shape, while some shirts might look better if your breasts sit lower and flatter. Try different bras for each item of clothing you have to ensure you're pairing your outfit with the best bra possible.
5. Wearing a bra two days in a row. You may have that one bra you love, but bras shouldn't be worn two days in a row. "Letting a bra rest at least one day in between wear will help the elastic regain its strength," Bobbie tell us. "When you’re wearing it two days in a row, it's like pulling on a muscle -- it's going to strain it and it won't be able to snap back." One thing that helps keep that elastic fresh? "Washing it in cold water helps it, because the cold water shocks it." Oh, and while you're at it...
6. Washing your bras with Woolite. Your mother might have given you that first bottle of Woolite for your delicates, but Bobbie revealed to us that Woolite is actually terrible for bras: "It was actually designed to soften wool, so you shouldn't use that on elastic, because you want the elastic to stay firm." That actually makes a lot of sense.
7. Keeping a bra for too long. "When worn correctly and taken care of correctly, a bra is going to last you about eight months," Bobbie broke it to us. "After that, the band is stretched out, so it’s not going to support you anymore." That’s why you should have six to seven bras in your wardrobe so you can rotate them, making them last longer.
8. Letting the band ride up on your back. "The back band should never be higher than the underwire," says Bobbie. If it does, it doesn't fit you properly.
9.  Insisting on a contour-style bra instead of a softer seamed, lined bra. Contour bras are the molded ones, the kind that keep their shape even when they're in your drawer (and that you usually find at Victoria's Secret). Seamed bras are the soft ones with floppy fabric cups that mold to the shape of your breast. Which one is right for you, says Bobbie, depends on the texture of your boobs. "If your breasts are firm and they sit up high on their own," Bobbie recommends, "then you can get away with the push-up bras and the contour style." But if, like most women, your breasts are softer and not naturally perky, "they're going to settle at the bottom of the contour cup and you'll going to have space at the top of the strap." Why does this happen? "A breast is naturally cone-shaped, not round," Bobbie explains, "so when you wear a contour with its own shape, you're trying to fit soft tissue into that shape." That's when you get spillage or "quadra-boob." The seams of a seamed bra, on the other hand, function like the support beams of a house, giving structure and shape to the breast. They work with your breasts to mold to them, instead of your breasts having to fit into a pre-determined shape.
10. Settling for a bra that doesn't fit.

Article courtesy of Huffington Post. 

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Full Figured Mannequins Hits Sweden..Why Not In The USA!?

Do you think the standard size for mannequins needs to be overhauled? We all know that Lane Bryant and other "plus size" department stores have them, realistic size mannequins. But with American women being an average (American size) 10/12 I would think the current size 4 mannequins in shops is a bit unrealistic. We are not saying the average size of 10/12 is "plus size", but in the fashion industry, it is. Very sad indeed. No wonder American woman have issues with their weight when all they see are size 4 mannequins in stores. 

So, back to the story...a picture of REALISTIC looking mannequins went viral recently, and these mannequins are in Sweden. Well, we think this is pretty awesome indeed. Swedish department store Ahlens has been the subject of some debate recently ever since this photo of two of their mannequins went viral, and for once, it isn't because the mannequins had pencil thin legs, protruding rib cages  or were construed to promote eating disorders. Heck no, these plastic beauties stood out because unlike most we see in stores here in America in the malls and shops, they represent what REAL women of average size! And while we don't think that thinner mannequins should be replaced altogether  because the size 0 women are still REAL women, after all, a little variety would be reallllllllly refreshing in the retail world. Plus, it might go a long way towards convincing women who feel alienated by the stick thin figures in the windows that the merchandise can look good on them too! Or..to put it in the language of retail executive....CHACHING $$$. 

"Plus size" mannequin next to a size 4 mannequin 

Peekay Inc, a specialty store selling lingerie, romantic and sensual products truly appreciate the "curvy" "plus size" woman. Their "plus size" mannequin is not only holding her own standing next to a size 4 mannequin, but is under a sign that says "sexy sweet".  Most retailers act as if curvy and sexy are mutually exclusive. Ever see a plus size mannequin in a Victoria Secret store?

I am not at all politically correct, we are "it is what it is" kind of gal. However, if executives, merchants, even online sellers like myself want to speak to realistic sized women, we better get with it and start showing realistic sized mannequins. Personally speaking, from me, myself, and I, being once a fat chick, now a skinny chick, I prefer the thinner mannequins, because they represent "me". When I was a fat chick, I liked seeing the "fuller" mannequins in the fat girl shops like Lane Bryant. Now, don't go hating on me because I call them fat girl shops. When I was a fat girl, I referred to them as that. Remember, it is what it is. 

I am appalled at this obese mannequin. I really think it is showing it's "ok" to be obese, and it's not. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Your comments are really appreciated. We want to hear from you! Do you think the current mannequin sizes should stay or go, or a variety!? Leave a comment here