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Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate

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Comments

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Make sure you post the style numbers Lilah!  I love Anita bras also!!!

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969

    Deborah - Do you think the Anita's would fit me?  I seem to remember seeing some sports bras by them.....

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Yes Val, I do.  The Anitas are incredibly well-made bras.  This is the one I am wearing in the photo of my with the roses on EC: 

    http://www.herroom.com/Anita-5490-Seamless-Underwire-Bra.shtml

    The center gore fits nice and snug against the sternum.  There is no gaping under the cups and it rests comfortably in the sternum and ribcage. It does not give any lift at all.  It encapsulates and the cups are really smooth for wearing under clothing.  There is no padding at all to this bra. There is a similar style which had some light padding.  I might try this one next. 

    http://www.herroom.com/Anita-5650-Twin-Air-Underwire-Support-Bra.shtml

    Here is a popular wireless Anita bra:

    http://www.herroom.com/Anita-5493-Classic-Soft-Cup-Bra.shtml?cm_vc=0201

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631

    I think I wrote the name of it wrong: it's The Bra Smyth and thanks Val :)

    You can see which Chantelle it is on the pic forum, by the way.  And see how well it fits.  I thought it was the Chantelle's that did not fit you?  But it sounds like you have one?  (Or I'm having a chemo brain moment :)

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Lilah: Val has Chantelle bras. It is the Le Mystere bras which did not work for her...but I see that you did get the new LM sports bra....

  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Member Posts: 90

    Just my two cents... the Chantelle fit wonderfully. I have both the C-Chic and the Rive Gauche - LOVE THEM! (I am bidding on another Chantelle on eBay right now - $20... Whoo Hoo) I haven't tried the other brands mentioned. During my fitting at Nordstroms I tried both Wacoal and Chantelle and the Chantelle won hands down.

  • Kate33
    Kate33 Member Posts: 1,936

    Val61- Physically am doing great.  The drains are ready to come out now but because of PS schedule, my DH's schedule and being 2 hours from PS's office it will have to wait until Thursday.  Not happy about that but I'll get through it.  I do have these strange blue stitches everywhere (think it's holding the Allorderm in place) so another 2 weeks for those to come out.  I know in the grand scheme of things 3 weeks isn't too long, but I'm ready to be done!

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969

    Lilah - Deborah's right - Le Mystere are incompatible with my foobs.  I've tried several styles.  Same goes for Panache.  They just don't work for me. 

    Okay.....guess I'll have to make the e-bay plunge.  I've never really even been on the site, if y'all can believe that.  I know.....such a dork....but if I can get MORE bras for LESS money, than it's a good thing, right?

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969

    Yeah, Kate!  We were posting at the same time.  Thursday isn't that far away, though I know it's a pain.  It was the no showering rule my PS has with the drains that was the worst for me.  Ten days with no shower and only sponge baths got old really fast.   And my dh is a TERRIBLE hair stylist!

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Val:  How exciting about tattoos!  And you will be a POSTER CHILD!  Wow...what an honor!!! 

    Denise:  I just went to look at the Rive Gauche.  Which do you have, the lace version or the tee-shirt bra? I would go for the tee shirt bra for myself - it is very pretty.  I need a smooth look under my tees this summer.  Are you the same size in that style as you are in the C-Chic?

  • Kate33
    Kate33 Member Posts: 1,936

    val61- NO SHOWERS?!?  With me, that would be a very bad hair day indeed!

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969

     Deborah - I know....it is a bit strange thinking that my foobs will be up on the "jumbotron" as my dh said.....though not a whole lot different than sending them all over the world on the pic forum, I guess! I'm just happy to help his share info with other PS's....just a way to sort of "pay it forward."

    I want to know about that Rive Gauche, too.....   I was also considering the Fantasie Rhiannan (style 2222).  I have the Fantasie 4510 and love it, so figured this would be good too.  I did inquire about sizing at Herroom, and they said to go up a cup from the 4510 since that tends to run big.  I have the same size in that, though, that I wear in my Freya's. 

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969

    Kate - yep..no showeres....had to resort to the hair washing in the sink trick.  It was a complete comedy of errors after my bmx....my mom, dh, and dad all tag teamed....and I have short hair!  By the time I had my revision and was on my 7th or 8th drain...I lost count....I'd learned to call a girlfriend to help me.   Since my PS also has a "no using your arms" rule, that precluded me blow drying it myself.....so glad those days are behind me

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966

    Ladies.. I have done " common" measurements... and Val, I  just did yours on this page again.

    Either way.. I am a 34A or a 36 A by both way of figuring???????????????

    I suppose this is why SO many sizes fit me. I can wear :

    34D 34C 36B 36C 36D... never tried and A.. maybe I should try a 34 A...???????????????

    Anyway.. I find this comical...

    I will be going to Nordstroms as soon as I can to get fitted there...lol..

    I do like the Warner non underwire... It is a 36B. I will be posting my photo's with this bra.. as it fits the best on me.....

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631

    Thanks Deb --- and sorry Val -- such a ditz am I!  Yes the Chantelle's do seem to fit extremely well... I am wondering: do all the Chantelle styles fit the same?  I am considering joining you Val on ebay (I used it once years ago but then stopped because I don't know why but I did lol)... I paid top dollar for my Chantelle and can NOT justify that again now that I have a good assortment... but boy would I love to have more of those!  I confess though that I now truly understand Kristen's bra addiction :)  Well I guess it is not just Kristen's hehe -- but I seem to recall some months ago that she was buying and returning bras right and left!

  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Member Posts: 90

    Deborah - I have the lacy version of the Rive Gauche although the t-shirt version is on my wish list. I am the same size in both the Rive Gauche and the C-Chic.

    For those of you who haven't been on eBay - I have gotten 3 Chantelle bras (new) for less than the price of one at Nordstroms. Definitely should give it a try - although Val, you need to be careful with your addictive nature - this could send you over the edge Laughing

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631

    They are both gorgeous Denise! 

  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Member Posts: 90

    Thanks Lilah! Never thought I would have a bra addiction but apparently it's contagious.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631

    LOL -- yeah I think I just caught that bug ;)

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    Sorry, ladies......mia culpa.....I think I started the bra addiction last fall after my exchange.....blame it all on me!Laughing
  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969
    Laura - You know, I just copied the fitting instructions from one of the websites.  I'm beginning to think that there's a better way to fit us reconstructed gals, though.  Ladies - Any advice would be great, so if you've discovered some measuring secret that works, please share.  Maybe together we can come up with a definitive way to help figure out the whole bra sizing thing.  
  • waldo
    waldo Member Posts: 145

    Val,  I think that foobs defy conventional bra sizing wisdom. I may measure the same size- wise but the shape of my foobs are so different (a whole lot for the better) and for those of us who were larger pre bmx, we used to be able to  push, pull, lean into and  fold our boobs into place.  Foobs need more TLC. 

    Congrats on the PS conference. other PS's are going to be asking your guy lots of questions.  Maybe they will come back more bra-knoweledgeable

  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Member Posts: 90

    My fitter at Nordstroms didn't measure for cup size. She simply had me raise both arms to the side so that she could measure for my band size. She then brought in several cup sizes of their 'fitting' bra which was the Chantelle C-Chic. She then proceeded to have me try on each cup size (started with an E and wound up with the G). As we tried on each one she would indicate why it wasn't the correct cup size.

    I know this isn't helpful to others in determining your size, but I really don't think there is an exact science to measuring reconstructed breasts - you just have to try them on.

    Laura - I've seen you personally and you are definitely not an A cup Laughing

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    This is the Anita bra I am really liking right now.  Denise, you might want to try this one.  Of course, I bought mine new with tags on Ebay for $20.00.

    http://www.herroom.com/Anita-5490-Seamless-Underwire-Bra.shtml

    Of course, I just checked and the Ebay prices are up there in price for this style right now.

    This site offers a discount...

    http://www.thepinkbra.com/anita5490.html

    This video shows the 5490 and the compatible version in a wireless bra...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmK-CqutK00&feature=related

    The wireless version:

    http://www.herroom.com/Anita-5493-Classic-Soft-Cup-Bra.shtml?cm_mmc=google-_-her-_-Anita-_-Anita%20Bras%20~%205493&kwid=5bb24a7bc7cc447d8900403da887ae2c

  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 2,631

    Nice bra Deborah!  Very similar to the Anita I just got -- mine is wireless but has the same sort of cup definition (albeit without the wires) and simple, smooth lines. 

    http://www.barenecessities.com/Anita-Rosa-Faia-Twin-Air-Soft-Cup-Bra_product_Anita5651_,search,.htm

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028

    Lilah:  I have my eye on that Anita bra also....totally forgot that it is wireless!

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966

    Denise... lol... thank you! I think your way of gettin' it done really is the way to do it. I mean.. I agree with Val.... we just cannot fit into the regular girls...??????? For reasons we will never understand 100% really.

    To look at me... I look like a med C cup. Most think I am a C cup gal...

    If I told them I wore a 36D...34D.... they would look at my  boobies.. and be like....." whatever"  hehe

    I am going to check into VS wireless...; I do like the way the Warners fits me though. In that bra... I wear a 36B.

    whatever... :)

    Thanks for the links Deborah!!!!

    Val... keep on searching for the best way to fit......." US"......... I do believe, you are right...

  • MooreTennis
    MooreTennis Member Posts: 90

    Deborah, I like the looks of the Anita bra. Thanks for the link. Do you wear the same size in it as  you do Chantelle?

  • val61
    val61 Member Posts: 969

    Laura - I get exactly the same response when girlfriends ask me what size I am now.  When we were on vacation, I saw my old friend from VA who knew me in my flat days, but did see me last summer in my TE's.  She said, "So, what size are you now...a B cup?"  When I told her I was a DD, she just laughed.  I would, too, probably 'cause I certainly don't look like any DD I ever knew!  I just tell people that fake boobs are wider than real ones, so we need the extra cup size since our boobs don't squish.  Seems to work.....

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966

    :) Val!!!

    My friends who were augmented.. who are DD's.........LOOK like DD's....BAZZOMBAS...:)

    Without tissue.........we are SO SO different....

    I just say..............." I stayed a small/Med C"....:)..........most get this... I look the same...:)

    XXXOOO

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