The Bra, Reinvented

[Irulan]

Anyone following this? Jockey Co. has supposedly reinvented the bra, with over 26 new patents. Their new system involves measuring the breast for volume and band size, eliminating a/b/c etc.

http://www.jockey.com/brastory

[jobob]

I call BS on the "26 new patents". There's one patent granted in the US relating to their new 'n improved bra sizing method, and I suspect the other 25 are either the same application granted in other countries, or pending applications published (not granted) in the US and elsewhere. Misleading PR drivel, meh.

- jobob, who used to work on patents for a living. :cool:

[Crankin]

I also saw this on the Today Show (must be a slow news day. Bra sizes and prancercize :eek:). It seems like this "revolution" is only for Jockey brand, so who knows how it will fare.

[Artista]

What I find most intriguing is that they offer 10 different cup sizes with lots of band sizes. It seems that the volume measurement system is really just a way to avoid having to try on a bunch of different bras to find the right cup size and shape.

[Kathi]

No size 26 or 28 bands. $20 for the sizing kit. There's a $20 off coupon if you buy a bra from them but what if you don't fit their sizing system? You'd think they would provide the sizing kit for free, at least for the 1st year.

[colorisnt]

I would love to know how "big" their cup sizes go (in equivalent sizes) before I buy into it. I'm a 34DD and have a hard time finding bras because I'm too small to shop at plus size stores but too big in the cup size to shop at most regular places. VS carries my size in only a few bras in store at any given time if I'm not, say, shopping on Michigan Ave. when I'm home. Jockey made the current sportsbras I have (which are now too big in the roundsize, boo on that) and I'd be interested trying them again but not if they won't carry my size. As of now, most Jockey stores don't carry a DD in anything other than bras in a box. And I doubt I would be willing to spend $60.00 on a bra that isn't pretty and has very wide straps since they limit the ability to wear it with pretty tops.

[Koronin]

If they don't want to provide the kit for free to see if will even work, I don't see a point it in. Then of course the only bras I found that both fit and last a good while for me is Victoria's Secret. Although if there was a Fredricks of Hollywood somewhere where I'm at, I'd be willing to try one of their bras (but they don't have any stores in NC to begin with). (Actually Fredricks of Hollywood is the only place my one sister can get bras that fit her and last any length of time at all).

[Kathi]

I read that Nordstrom is a good place to buy bras. If you don't have one nearby they offer free shipping and returns online. I know that ordering bras online is a PITA but it's the only option for some people, including me. Just be sure you know that some companies are in UK sizes and fit differently than US sizes. Also, be aware that VS measures differently so if one has been fitted by them bra sizes may change.

[Irulan]

Hmm. I thought with all the general dissatisfaction associated with bras, people might be a little more enthusiastic about re-thinking it. I guess not.

[ny biker]

Hmm. I thought with all the general dissatisfaction associated with bras, people might be a little more enthusiastic about re-thinking it. I guess not.

My dissatisfaction with bras is due to the fact that very few companies make them in a size that fits me. Based on Jockey's chart of available sizes, I expect they will not make anything in the size that their fit kit says I need. So they're not addressing my problem, which is that they consider me an unprofitable outlier.

[Becky]

I'm not opposed to re-thinking it, but I'm not interested in paying to find out if they even make anything that fits me. Like NYBiker, I hold little hope that my size fits within their new range.

[emily_in_nc]

I'm actually intrigued and would like to try the new bra sizes out, but I have never paid $60 for a bra in my life and just can't justify that expense. I generally fit really well into Victoria's Secret 32C, and I buy on ebay so get great deals -- rarely pay more than $30 for a very nice, long-lived bra.

If I were having a real problem with sizing or comfort, I'd be willing to pay more, but I'm not. They'd have to give me the fit kit for free AND a $20 coupon to try the $60 bra first! :D

[Kathi]

VC's measuring system is so weird. To get your under band measurement you measure under your arms and across the top of your chest, near the top of your bra.. So I did that. I get 31", my real under band measurement is 25.5/26". Then you measure across your bust which is 33". So I plug the measurements into their calculator and I get the message "Please enter a measurement between 30" and 40". Well, isn't 31" between 30" and 40"? So I plug in 32" and get a bra size of 32A. That adds 6" to my band size. In reality, I'm a 26G but wear the sister size of 28FF, adding 2" to accommodate my bony ribcage and because 26" bands are impossible to find.

Ok, so what's so different in VC's bras that I can fit a 32A when my 32C Chantelle is too small in the cups and too large in the band? It gives me no support, rides up in the back and actually give me "back fat". Also, I can hook the 32C bra around my 33" hips! :eek: This is why I don't trust Jockey or any other American bra companies.

BTW, my sister size in a 32 band is a UK 32E, it's the same cup volume as UK 26G. I think in US sizing it's a 32DD.

[marni]

I haven't worn a normal bra for donkeys years- I much prefer sports bras as I am not quite small enough nor do I feel comfortable to fit much oif anything else. Being one sided because of the mastectomy doesn't help. I do have one very small strapless bra with a cup for the prosthetic that I got to go with a dress I wore to my sons' weddings but those and my daughters wedding are the only time since I was about40 that I have worn anything resembling a bra. I buy my sports bras in multiples from academy sports or sports authority, have enough to rotate through on a daily basis and as such only have to bra shop every 18 months or so. I think the most I have ever paid for a sports bra was in the 20 dollar range but they mostly run between 10 and 15 dollars, so I guess I am very lucky or teribly plain jane and cheap.

[colorisnt]

I read that Nordstrom is a good place to buy bras. If you don't have one nearby they offer free shipping and returns online. I know that ordering bras online is a PITA but it's the only option for some people, including me. Just be sure you know that some companies are in UK sizes and fit differently than US sizes. Also, be aware that VS measures differently so if one has been fitted by them bra sizes may change.

Nordstrom's is great. Fig Leaves is, too. I recommend going to a Nordstrom's or Dillard's to try on some larger sizes in some brands you like, buy a couple, and then try that out. If they work, go sales shopping on line. I don't think I routinely pay less than $40.00 for a bra but never more than $50-60.00 if I sale shop. Although, I like really fancy things. I am a bit of a clothes horse when it comes to bra and panty sets.

[Kathi]

Nordstrom's is great. Fig Leaves is, too. I recommend going to a Nordstrom's or Dillard's to try on some larger sizes in some brands you like, buy a couple, and then try that out. If they work, go sales shopping on line. I don't think I routinely pay less than $40.00 for a bra but never more than $50-60.00 if I sale shop. Although, I like really fancy things. I am a bit of a clothes horse when it comes to bra and panty sets.

I recently got 2 Panache Cleo bras NWT for approximately $27 each, including shipping, from EBAY-UK. One was last summers pattern the other last fall but for the price I didn't care. They were returnable but I already had the bras so I knew they would fit. Ebay US was 2x the price as the UK Ebay.

Lots of cheap bras, new and used, are available on a subreddit called Braswap and also on Bratabase. Bratabase is neat because women measure their bras, include their own measurements and give information on how the bra fits. For fittings and general bra advice there is a subreddit called A Bra That Fits. It's a great resource for anything bras.

[lauraelmore1033]

Huh, only one cup size available in bras with my band size. I don't know if it's actually the correct size, but I don't think I'll bother with their sizing kit to find out. And $60?!! So much for a customized fit...

[colorisnt]

I recently got 2 Panache Cleo bras NWT for approximately $27 each, including shipping, from EBAY-UK. One was last summers pattern the other last fall but for the price I didn't care. They were returnable but I already had the bras so I knew they would fit. Ebay US was 2x the price as the UK Ebay.

Lots of cheap bras, new and used, are available on a subreddit called Braswap and also on Bratabase. Bratabase is neat because women measure their bras, include their own measurements and give information on how the bra fits. For fittings and general bra advice there is a subreddit called A Bra That Fits. It's a great resource for anything bras.

Thanks for this. Interesting that you mention the UK. SO many more options over there. When I went back there last summer, I bought a whole bunch for CHEAP. It saved me a lot of money here. Of course, I still have a bra-buying problem, but I didn't worry about it so much after having some quality replacements.

[Skippyak]

I think a big issue is that bras are suffering from vanity sizing issues, I have always used the band size as per my measurement and the cup size is per measurement, and I have have enough trouble finding something in stock as simple as a 34dd good help you lot with petite fits. I don't understand padded push up bras for anything beyond a b cup, VS don't have 3 clasp closures. If I am a DD I want a wider band strap and no push up or padding, I want smooth lock and load preferably with separation. I don't have to much trouble with sports bras with a compression fit but the uniboob is tolerable when working out. Online is easier for finding something in stock. Heck, my teen needs a non sports bra and even bras in her size are padded to the max in the kiddie bra area.

[colorisnt]

I think a big issue is that bras are suffering from vanity sizing issues, I have always used the band size as per my measurement and the cup size is per measurement, and I have have enough trouble finding something in stock as simple as a 34dd good help you lot with petite fits. I don't understand padded push up bras for anything beyond a b cup, VS don't have 3 clasp closures. If I am a DD I want a wider band strap and no push up or padding, I want smooth lock and load preferably with separation. I don't have to much trouble with sports bras with a compression fit but the uniboob is tolerable when working out. Online is easier for finding something in stock. Heck, my teen needs a non sports bra and even bras in her size are padded to the max in the kiddie bra area.

VS still has SOME that have a 3-clasp but they are in the minority. I am wearing a 3-clasp one now, actually. A biofit from about a year and a half ago that is in great shape. My roommate works for VS and is a DD as well so she has the knowledge with these things and can point me in the right direction. I'm lucky! I got a bra there that allows me to convert it yesterday. It was one I'd already bought before but it was SAS and I lucked out getting another nude bra. I can't ever have enough of those despite my love of all things lacy and pretty.

I feel you on the padding. My roommate loves the padding and pushup and I think it's too much. I like unlined bras, too. She thinks they are uncomfortable but I like to have a nice unlined bra that is supportive but not too full-coverage. My favorite choice with those is wacoal, though. Super pricey but sometimes I find them at Marshall's for cheap.

[shootingstar]

I haven't bought a new bra in ages...because I stocked up about um....8 yrs. ago. However, my new stock is running low and so I've been hunting. I'm appalled by the pricing and um..for an A size, how:

*plain,ugly a lot of bra styles are. Sorry I don't want to wear tank-like, jogging racer like bras under my clothing. But nor do I want a lot of lace. I like thin adjustable straps. I don't want tank top like straps. (This might be more possible perhaps for smaller breasted women.)
*how much I don't want a cotton/mix fabric bra. I don't want bras made from T-shirt lycra material.
*how overly- padded/push up many styles are. (Yea, ok it's nice to have lift.....occasionally. But this makes dearie actually laugh.)
*how expensive (for a quality bra even for smaller women)
*weird bright colours. Do these women romp around in neon coloured bras?

Maybe I'm old...and don't "get" the current fashion of wearing these under see-through tops. I don't wear a colourful bra then layer on another different type of coloured tank top where all the straps show.

[Crankin]

Personally, I like the light padding, because as a small person, I like to feel a little more proportional in my clothing. I don't want to be huge (in fact, I would hate it), but it's nice to look good in a t shirt. I also like my bras to be a little luxurious, not super lacy, but not like a sports bra, either. For years, I had trouble finding good fitting bras in my size, but, in the past 2-3 years, it's become easier. While I have paid up to 60.00 for a bra, most of the ones I buy now are around 40.00. Since changing sizes (from a 32A to a 32B), everything just looks better; this is why I go to a real lingerie store. Every year I get a 20% discount from them on my birthday, and then I go bra shopping. I also buy my Hanky Panky panties there, and a couple of La Mystere thongs. They always have to order those in my size for me, as apparently, the suburban ladies in Acton and Concord don't wear thongs :).
The bright colors, well, I don't like that, either.

[OakLeaf]

I don't understand padded push up bras for anything beyond a b cup

I kind of wish they *had* them for smaller b00bage, we're the ones who really need them! :p I tried on some push-up bras at VS once and they didn't have anything that I could fill out enough to get "pushed up." I tried a variety of sizes, too. And I'm typically much closer to a B cup than an A, though on the small side of B. Sigh.

[Crankin]

Oak, I have a bra like you describe. It's a brand called b'tempted. Don't have a style #, though. I have a newer one in the same style, but I tore the tag out; I think it's a Calvin Klein. Both are 32 B, padded, slight push up. They are smooth and nude colored, so good for t shirts.

[colorisnt]

B'tempted carries bigger sizes, too. They have some cute styles for sure. Totally forgot about them. Calvin Klein has some nice styles in a DD with the perfect size straps and triple-clasp closures. The last bras I got were CK at the outlet. Same bra as the ones at Macy's except that Macy's generally doesn't carry my size in another but "old lady bras" in a box. One has just a little bit of lace on the band and some piping on the cups. Great with t-shirts.

I don't get the tank straps, either. They say they are more comfortable but I don't think they are for me. I have a very small space between my bust and clavicle and those big straps kind of catch the skin on the side of my armpit because the cup shouldn't sit there. It's hard to explain but it's really uncomfortable.

This thread makes me I seriously know way too much about bras and panties. It's because I have a huge problem with buying lingerie and cycling clothing haha.