“Most bra-measurement systems don’t take into account breast shape, tissue, and placement on the chest,” says Eve. “So women with small breasts often end up wearing ill fitting bras with cups that are too small and bands that are too big.”

To encourage petite-busted women to find their true size and best matching brands, the “Size Up the Web” campaign features a complimentary online bra fitting just by visiting Eve’s Apples Lingerie!

“Our complimentary online bra fittings work for small-busted women of all body types – tall, short, broad or slim,” says Eve. “Women do their own measurements in the privacy of their home, then we review each submission personally and determine her true bra size based on all of the factors – not just chest circumferance and breast size.”

In the February 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan, Eve offered bra-fitting tips to help women flaunt smaller breasts. However, she recommends going through the online fitting because some shapes are especially challenging.

Customers have already responded well to this campaign.  We hope that many more of you will take advantage of this great opportunity to find your perfect fit!

If you loved this post, why not stay connected with Eve on Twitter and Facebook.  She is currently working on developing a patented bra-fitting system just for small-busted women that can be utilized without the help of a professional.  How exciting!  Stay tuned!

I started this mission the day before the New Year with my friend, Erinn, writer of the amazing and encouraging blog, Counting My Blessings. She had been interested in going for a while and finally we were able to connect when I was visiting D.C.  Away from New York and my go to places, I did a little research on shops in the DC area. I had a few excellent recommendations and decided that Sylene would be the best fit (pun intended) for our mission.

Upon arriving at Sylene, we were greeted by the friendly staff. Both Erinn and I both appreciated that the staff was accessible and helpful, but also gave us room and freedom to peruse on our own. After wandering around a bit, one of the associates started a room for Erinn. She measured her and selected a few basic t-shirt bras for her to try.  Erinn was not only was impressed with the fit of the Simone Perele bra selected for her, but also with the sales associate’s ability to choose appropriate bras based on her feedback on the fit.  Erinn commented that choosing on her own would have been overwhelming so she liked that she could “lounge in a comfortable leopard print bathrobe and be pampered.”

And since friends don’t let friends only wear t-shirt bras, I selected a sexy Fayreform for Erinn to try.  Every woman needs a show stopper!  I insist on every friend buying a “weekend” bra (which, in many cases, joins the daily rotation).  I knew Fayreform would be a great brand blending both fit and fashion and chose the sultry, yet sweet,  Conceptual, for Erinn to try on. (I’m over the moon for eyelash lace so it wasn’t a difficult choice!).  Success!  Erinn added it to her purchases.  Friends also don’t let friends machine wash their bras so I made sure Erinn had some Forever New wash (Sylene’s preferred brand) to take home with her.

In speaking with Erinn about this experience, she thoroughly enjoyed it.  She commented, “I have the hardest time trying to find bras that fit…I can’t shop at department stores or stores like Victoria’s Secret because they don’t have my size.” As someone who also started shopping specialty stores for the same reason, I can relate.  Having a positive experience where you feel like your size is valued is awesome and can only add to the confidence you feel.

I asked Erinn how these new bras would impact her new year.  She remarked, “I am really hoping these bras give me new confidence…I’m hoping they will make me more comfortable in my own skin and in my own clothes.  That’s the biggest thing.  I’m hoping they help me get comfortable in my own clothes.” This brings up a good point.  The better your bras fit, the better your clothes will fit, and the more confident you will feel.  So, invest in you!  As Erinn stated, “When you have assets as large as mine, you just have to spend the money to make it work.” Remember, you don’t have to spend a fortune, but think about the quality and value of the bras you are buying versus the money.  If you are like me and will drop money on jeans and shoes and nice dinners out, you can do the same for your foundations.

Happy New Year!  Resolve to buy yourself some new fabulous, well-fitting bras today!

After trying on the three bras she selected with her clothes, Erinn decided that 2 of the 3 didn’t work.  She is planning on returning to Sylene to exchange them for the Simone Perele one she adored!  I hope that in the exchange she ends up with at least one “weekend” bra!

It’s not that Victoria’s Secret is the only place that I don’t trust (believe me there are plenty of places that don’t know their way around a measuring tape), but it’s the place that most people go to anyway. Even some of my closest friends laugh it off when I urge them not to get fitted at VS. So, to prove that I’m not making this up, I went to Victoria’s Secret to get fitted. Keep in mind while reading this: I’m a 30H (US).

Store #1

I wore a 36D bra to this VS, which was in a shopping mall. It was horribly uncomfortable, but I didn’t want them to catch a glimpse of my real bra’s size tag and catch me. As I walked in, I passed a poster claiming that VS is the “Best at Bras.” I asked a sales girl to measure me, so in the middle of the Pink display she asked me to raise my arms. She measured me over my camisole and my cardigan. She measured above my chest and around the fullest part of my bust, but not around my ribcage. She announced that I “could be a 34DD, but it might be too snug.” I told her that I was wearing a 36D, and she said that looked about right. Later, when I  headed to the fitting rooms to try on a chemise, I saw that the fitting rooms had professional-looking cards in them that that, presumably, your fitter would fill out for you with your bra size and best styles. I wonder why I wasn’t brought back to the fitting rooms for my sizing? Not that it would have made a difference though, it seems.

Store #2

At the first store they never asked me to take my shirt off, so I risked it and wore my regular size bra when I went to the second store. I asked a sales girl to measure me, and she took me back to the fitting rooms. We stood near the fitting rooms, but not in one. She measured me over my seersucker shirt – above my chest, around the fullest part, and around my ribcage. She told me that I should wear “a 34 or 36 D or DD.” She asked what size I usually wear now – I fibbed a little and told her that I really wasn’t sure, and my drawers were full of all different sizes and that that’s why I was there. She told me that you can’t always go by measurements because they’re not always exactly right (true), and that I should just go with whatever size feels right to me. I wasn’t offered an explanation of what “right” is supposed to feel like, or told what my measurements actually were.

More fittings to come

After visiting these two stores, I’ve not yet been told my correct size, or even told that VS doesn’t have any bras that will fit me. I didn’t even really get a straight answer out of the fitters at either store. I’m going to keep sneaking into Victoria’s Secrets and getting sized – I’ll report back after I visit a few more stores!

Have any of you had similar experiences?

P.S. While I didn’t originally plan to visit Frederick’s of Hollywood, I passed it on the way to Store #1 and decided to stop in. When I asked to be fitted, the sales girl re-read the bra fitting instructions by the cash register. She measured me and told me I was a 32 band. She asked if the bra I was wearing was super padded (“no”) and if the band was snug (“no”). Then she told me that whatever size I was wearing (she didn’t ask what it was) was probably correct.

I haven’t seen these in person or heard from anyone who wears them, and to be honest I’m wary of the quality because they are so inexpensive. But at about $5 a side, it looks to be worth a try if you are struggling to find the perfect bra fit. Visit PickYourPerfectPairBras.com for a store locator. You can also purchase them on Amazon, but it looks like Amazon only has Exactly cup sizes and no Just About sizes.

Have you tried these?

1. Do you have impressive cleavage? Unless you are wearing a bra style specifically made for creating cleavage (like a push-up or plunge bra), your breasts really shouldn’t be shoved together. This is a common mistake because so many lingerie models themselves are actually wearing bras that do this, so it’s hard for the average consumer to know that it’s wrong! The underwire and center gore of your bra should sit against your breastbone, separating your breasts. If it doesn’t, your cups are likely too small. Cleavage is great, just make sure you get it the right way – with a well-fitting bra in style made for this effect.
2. Have your straps fallen down today? Something is wrong. There is a chance that the solution is as simple as tightening your straps, but if this is a common problem for you, it is more likely that your band is too big. When your band isn’t tight enough, it can ride up your back, decreasing strap tension and resulting in the annoying and embarrassing strap fall. Try a bra with a smaller band size and see if that helps (and remember, for every band size you go down you must go up a cup letter to maintain the same cup fit).
3. Does your bra create unflattering back fat? Your band probably doesn’t fit. When a band fits correctly (i.e. when it fits snugly and remains parallel to the floor throughout the day), back fat greatly diminishes. Excess bulges can be caused by a band that is too tight or too loose. A good bra fitter can help you determine which problem you have.
4. Is your underwire poking you? The cup is probably the wrong size. An underwire will poke your breast tissue if the cup is too small, and will poke your underarm if the cup is too large. It is also a possibility that this cup simply isn’t the right shape for you – try different styles and brands.
5. Are your breasts falling out the bottom of your cups? Your band is too big.
6. Are you suffering from a double-boob effect? Your cups are probably too small.
7. Do your cups wrinkle? Your cups are probably too big.
8. Are you just plain uncomfortable? Are you counting the minutes until you can take your bra off? A well-fitting bra is not uncomfortable. Your breasts are supported and nothing pinches, pokes, or rubs. If you fling your bra off the moment you get home, it doesn’t fit. If you can’t determine the problem from the examples above, a qualified bra fitter can help you. Stay away from mall chains and be sure to visit a good boutique or reputable store with a wide range of sizes and certified bra fitters.

Bra-Fitter iPhone app

Learn more about this app and find purchasing information on the Bra-Fitter website. I don’t have an iPhone so I haven’t had a chance to play with this yet myself – do any of you have it? Is it helpful?

Interestingly, Lara Merriam-Smith, inventor of the Bra Barrette, has also founded BraStrapSolutions.com. This website provides links and overviews of many competing products, so you can find the best solution for your wardrobe problems.

Remember, if your bra straps are slipping, that could mean that you are having a common bra fitting issue that can be cured by making sure you are wearing the correct size. Slipping straps could mean that your band is too large or your straps are adjusted incorrectly. But if you have sloped shoulders, your bra straps could be slipping even if your bra is correctly sized, and in that case the Bra Barrette could become an everyday essential for you.

When I put the bra on, I noticed right away that it is very comfortable – there are no itchy seams or pinchy bits. There are tags on the band, but they are long and silky, so I didn’t even don’t even notice them. I actually was thinking that the bra was tagless until I specifically checked! I was very pleasantly surprised to see that that the Bendon Sport bra gave a very natural and seamless silhouette. It shaped my chest more like an everyday T-shirt bra than than a lumpy, unattractive sports bra. I know that the gym isn’t a fashion runway, but it was still nice to know that my assets looked their best! I went to the gym with my boyfriend that day, and even he commented on the difference and improvement my new bra made in my appearance. The fabric was light and quite breathable, so I was comfortable throughout my workout. Another happy surprise was when I found that the straps are convertible, so I had the option to wear them normally or to crisscross them – perfect for wearing underneath racerback workout tanks! It actually wouldn’t be so bad if the straps were to poke out a bit, however, as they are relatively slim (compared to some other fuller-figure sports bras) even though they were comfortably cushioned.

The only disappointing thing about the bra is that it doesn’t come in my size. I wear a 30 band, but Bendon Sport’s size range begins at 32. I was optimistic when the bra came in a size 32, and wore it on the tightest hooks. But the Extreme Out bra seems to run true to size, and was just too big for me. I was comfortable in my yoga and Pilates classes, but an incorrect bra size is very apparent when you want to run on the treadmill! You guys know that I’m very particular about wearing well-fitting bras, so I will sadly have to retire mine. Don’t let that deter you, though – if you are within the size range of the Bendon Sport bras, I think they will work wonderfully for you. The sports bra is very high-quality, and has a sturdy three-row, three-column band to anchor firmly to you. I was also glad to see that the cups had comfortable foam-covered underwires for extra support, and busty ladies know how critical support is!

To get your own, you should act fast! Between now and Tuesday, February 24, Freshpair is offering 10% off all Bendon Sport items. Use the coupon code FPBENDON at the checkout. As always, if you have any more questions about this product, just leave a comment or make a post in our forums and I’ll be glad to help!

The original Secrets From Your Sister is located at 560 Bloor Street West (at Bathurst).  The recently opened location is located at 2501 Yonge Street (at Eglington).  See here for maps and store hours.  Don’t forget to establish a customer file when you make your purchase.  It will be accessible at both stores for convenient shopping!

And, all new SFYS customers who shop at the Yonge Street boutique between now and November 30th will receive 20% off their first bra purchase!  Happy Shopping!

Thanks to Jen Aaron for the gorgeous photos below from the new Yonge Street store.  

Encouraging women to take the Bra Fit Challenge by making the fitting fun and accessible, La Senza further states that the right bra “can improve posture, is much more comfortable to wear, and can be a fantastic confidence booster”. Expecting this venture to be a huge success, they are offering discounts for women who are fitted and women have the opportunity to win a year’s worth of lingerie.

Look for the pink bus in your neighbourhood marked with the slogan “The world looks bright when your bra fits right”.