What happened?

You know, I just realized that I never got my bras from A.W. Kaufman that I ordered by phone NEARLY ONE YEAR AGO.  Well, I didn’t “just” realize this.  I have thought about this intermittently since I ordered them but as more and more time passed, it seemed kind of weird to call back and ask what happened.  Miriam did tell me it could take “a while,” because she wasn’t sure when she was going to get the next shipment in, but, it’s been a bit more than “a while” although I guess it’s possible another order never arrived.  Or something.  I don’t really know how their ordering system works.

Anyway, I decided ten minutes ago that I couldn’t wait any longer because in the 18 months since I bought the bra, I am starting to feel some sag*, so I ordered two Conturelle Provence bras from a store called Bits of Lace.  No A.W. Kaufman discount, but free shipping and no tax.  Not too bad.

We’ll see how long it takes.

-DeeDee

* I know that I could just get the bra altered by taking in the straps.  Someone at a lingerie store once suggested this to me.  But, my bra feels too personal to take to a tailor, although writing about my bra and what goes inside them on the internet feels just fine for some reason.

It’s Summer!

A few, er, several, weeks ago (sorry for the delay), one of our best commenters asked what us BBGs did in preparation for warmer weather.

Well, that’s a fantastic question.   Summer is tough.  Until recently, bikinis were out.  Tank tops are also tough.  Either there isn’t enough fabric to cover my breasts, or the shoulder straps are too big, or the arm holes too wide and my bra shows through.  Oh, and some tank tops, the straps are oddly aligned and don’t cover the bra straps, which is just annoying.  Do larger bras have straps that angle out more or something?

And I can’t wear spaghetti straps obviously, because the bra strap will show.  Oh, and no, that “bra” inside some tank tops is not a viable option.

Halters? Not really feasible.

I guess I should look on the positive side.  There is always Malia Mills.  And American Apparel has some solid tank top options.  And, for a black tie affair, I have this nice strapless dress that I wore to 3D’s wedding and a solid strapless bra to go with it.

Back into my boobs

For a while I wasn’t happy about my new boobs. For those of you who are new to this blog, I recently had a natural breast enhancement. No surgery required. I’m pregnant and the boob job took care of itself.

I wasn’t happy with my breasts at first. They were more than a handful (no pun intended) and required new bras and new concern that I was popping out of my regular tops and dresses.

Today however, I made peace with my extra large friends and I have to say, I’m kind of excited about them. While I always enjoyed having large boobs, I now have the kind of the porn star variety. Turns out, it can be a lot of fun. I’m enjoying admiring myself in the mirror again. I don’t know how long they’ll last but I’m looking forward to enjoying them as long as I’ve got them.

Another Oops at the Office

Bras, nipples, and cleavage at work seems to be a big topic in the big boobed community.  For example, 3D wrote about nippleitis a few months back in one of her very first posts.  In fact, she wrote about it twice.  I weighed in, with a slightly different view.  Nippleitis isn’t the only problem — sometimes we choose the wrong bra.

That happened to me today.  In my hurried state this morning, I accidentally put on a very lacy bra under a very thin shirt.  It actually occurred to me that maybe I was wearing the wrong bra, but I was too rushed to check myself out in the mirror.  I didn’t realize it until I went to the bathroom before lunch, after I had a long meeting with my coworkers.

Wardrobe malfunctions are hard at work, because we aren’t amongst strangers whom we will never see again, nor are we among our friends with whom we feel comfortable. Instead, the viewers are people we respect, or should respect, or who should ideally respect us.  And the bigger the boob, the more opportunities for malfunction.

I hope when I leave my job I won’t be known as the girl who always wore the wrong bra.

-DeeDee

Bras, who really cares?

Sometimes I think it’s funny how much time and effort we put into finding the greatest bra. I mentioned my trip to the wizard a little while ago and I am loving my purchases. Every time I look in the mirror I think my breasts look just perfect, particularly the part that come up just over the top of the cup. They are well supported and sexy, a great combination.

But I realized today that men probably don’t really care at all how perfect I look in my bra, they just want me to take it off, right?  DeeDee talked about this in reference to sexy bras asking whether they have a purpose.  If they don’t, why do we spend so much money and effort on them?  I guess I’m just doing it for myself.  If no one else, at least I am enjoying the view.

-3D

N.Y. v. L.A.

Remember the contour bras and my befuddlement about them? Well, something else in the article caught my attention — the comments of a lingerie designer bemoaning the trend:

“My feeling is that these days, rather than someone like Janis Joplin being revered, idolized, it’s more about the shoe or the bag of the moment,” she said. “It’s about labels, names, branding. Everyone has their hair straightened, the perfect jeans, the right cellphone and accessories. It’s almost like New York is turning into L.A.; there is a lack of acceptance of natural self.” Though New York women do not appear to be embracing surgical implants with the same zeal as their sisters in the West … yet?

I lived in New York for ten years and periodically people would tell me that they couldn’t believe I was from Los Angeles and that I seemed “so” New York. I was always kind of insulted by that comment, thinking it was code for short, unruly dark hair, a little too neurotic, maybe a bit uptight, or really, just not that hot.

But maybe they were really just talking about my boobs.

Growing Boobs

I remember in fifth or sixth grade, there were a handful of girls who were more developed than the rest. In retrospect, they probably were an A cup, but the very fact that they wore bras at all caught the attention of us flat-chested girls and boob-obsessed boys. But, I saw some of these girls five, six years later, and they were still all A cups, or at the most a modest B. It was like these girls just reached womanhood early and stayed put.

On the other hand, there were also a handful of girls who remained flat at 13, flat at 14, flat at 15, and flat at 16. But miraculously, the summer between 11th and 12th grade, they became DDs. I’m not joking. I’ve seen this happen. Breast-enlargement rumors were flying around school.

I took an entirely different path. I just started growing, and growing, and growing. In fact, I think I was still growing when I was 18 or 19 because I have a distinct memory of buying a jacket freshman year of college that no longer fit across the chest by the time I was a junior.

Now, I don’t know if the busty sixth graders or the flat eleventh graders were aberrations, or if I am, but I’m curious to know what the normal breast growth trajectory is.

-DeeDee

BBB Field trip: I’m off to see the Wizard

I took a road trip today to do some research for your reading pleasure. I ended up somewhere over the mountains, way up high; my destination was a store I had heard of once in a lullaby. OK, I didn’t exactly hear about it in a lullaby but the place is called “The Wizard of Bras” so I thought I might try to play with as many puns as possible. But before I talk about my trip, it’s time I came clean about something.

I was off to see the Wizard for more than just research. It’s time for me to buy new bras because I’ve had a problem in the past couple of weeks. My boobs have been growing at an alarming rate in a way they never have before. I wish I could say that this was due to some magical pill I had invented or because those “I must, I must, I must increase my bust” exercises I did in the sixth grade finally paid off but the truth is: this half of the Big Boob Blog is pregnant. And, as a result, I’ve been popping out of almost every bra I own from expensive to cheap. I’m three months in and it’s time for me to get a handle on all of this extra boobage.

So, back to my wizardly experience. I knew I could not handle my new situation on my own and I’d heard those who go to see the Wizard leave with something more useful than a heart or a brain or courage: the elusive perfect fitting bra. So, I followed the yellow brick road across several miles and freeways until I found Oz. When I got there I was sort of disappointed; I was expecting the Emerald City and what I found was a hole in the wall on the side of the highway that sold everything from bras to feather boas to crotchless panties to a game called “Pin the Macho on the Male.” Oz was a little trashier than I thought. Still, their website said they carried some of my favorites like Fantasie of England and Wacoal so I figured I’d stick around.

Just like in the movie, there was a long wait to see the Wizard. I had to fill out a form with my needs and was told it would be 30-60 minutes before I would be served. Perhaps this is a tactic to weed out those not strong enough to face the Wizard? It didn’t matter to me. I write a blog about boobs and I have a reputation to protect so I wasn’t going anywhere.

When my name and number were finally called, the Wizard, (who turned out to be a petite blonde named Holly) escorted me into the back and got down to work with a tape measure. I explained that I had been fitted many times and that I wear a 38DDD but I knew I had grown a little bit. As it turns out, that would be the understatement of the year.

When the Wizard was through measuring and sizing me up with her eyes, she made her ruling. “I’m going to have you start by trying a 38G” she explained. That’s right, you read that correctly. A 38G. G as in girl. G as in grandiose. G as in GOOD GOD how did I ever GET so big? I remember my shock and horror when I moved up from a DD to a DDD for the first time. I enjoy having big boobs but I never wanted them freakishly big. This news was almost too much to take. . .and then the Wizard hit me with the kicker: “in the next few weeks and months, you’re only going to get bigger and bigger.”

I don’t know what I was expecting when I went in there but not this. After a few moments of shock, I gathered my thoughts and emotions and held my head (and boobs) high. OK, I said. I’ll try anything you’ve got. The Wizard disappeared and returned with a 38H. H as in the letter that comes after G. Why were the letters going up? Had I grown a cup size while she was picking out bras behind the curtain? The Wizard explained that she wanted to put me in something with room to grow. Fortunately, I was swimming in the H and we agreed it wasn’t necessary. . .yet.

I tried on a bunch of other suitors, many of which made me way too pointy. I told the Wizard I wanted more of a molded and less of a Madonna fit. Some of the next few were pretty but just too lacy. I was beginning to give up hope. Then, another woman behind the curtain emerged with the winner. Much to my surprise, it was a bra I blogged about just a few weeks ago: the Fantasie Smoothing Balcony bra. Only this time instead of a DDD or and E, I took home two in a 38G. If I couldn’t have my normal size, at least I could have an old friend by my side who was ready to take on my ever-expanding chest. As an added bonus, I also picked up an awesome black sports bra made by Anita.

When it was all over, I decided me and my boobs needed a nap. I woke up to find that my day wasn’t a dream at all and I now have not only a heart, brain, and courage, but the support I need to get though the next six months in style and comfort. I’ll keep you updated on my progress and my sizing. And even though I just cleaned out my bra drawer to make room for my new purchases, I’m keeping my name (3D) for now. There’s only so much change one boob blogger can take in a day. I may not be in Kansas anymore but I am just not ready to admit I’m in G-town yet.

-3D

 

 

Bra-Llelujah? Maybe. . .

I just read that Spanx — you know, the company that makes the slimming hosiery and underwear we all own and obsess about — will soon be expanding into bra territory.

I wonder if they’ll work for big boobed gals.  The big selling point for their bra line is that since their over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders are “the first-ever all-hosiery bras” you’ll have no visible bra lines.  The price is right at $34 but I’m concerned that they’ll only go up to a D cup.  Here’s hoping they’ll realize there’s a giant market (no pun intended) above the D ceiling.

In other Spanx related news, I loved this post about a man who decided to figure out what all the fuss is about. . .

-3D

Another trend passes me by

3D sent me this article from the New York Observer. (How 3D finds these things, I do not know).

Apparently, a spectre is haunting New York — the spectre of Countour Bras:

. . . Increasingly, the ladies of this town have been sporting remarkably similar pairs of perfect, pert globes: rounder, higher and larger than ever before. There has been an absence of breast individuality such as lace, seams, overflow, jiggle, signs of gravitational pull and, most notably, nipple.

The flawless orbs that have been parading around the city are achieved by strapping on a “lined,” “T-shirt,” or “contour” bra. These are marketing terms for what is essentially a modern padded bra. This is not the quilted number of years past, but rather a smooth, immaculate device with foam-infused breast cups.

I seriously have no idea what they’re talking about. At all.

I can’t even picture what this bra looks like although, according to the article, 90-95 percent of bras for sale at Victoria’s Secret are t-shirt bras. (I stopped shopping at Victoria’s Secret in the tenth grade. They run too small). Unsurprisingly, it has never crossed my mind to wear a padded bra, or any bra that involves foam.

Clearly I am out of step with the zeitgest, considering that I have been celebrating what I thought was the increased availability of lacy, sexy bras for big boobed gals. Boy did I call that one wrong.

And is an aversion to “jiggle” or “overflow” a new thing? Or is it new for everyone but me? This article was confounding on so many levels . . .

The bras, much to the chagrin of men interviewed for the article, have the effect of making women’s breasts look bigger:

“I’ve been disappointed when I’ve taken one of those bras off,” said Christian, a 45-year-old artist-photographer who declared himself “passionate” about the subject. He went on: “I’ve had to try and hide my look of surprise. It’s not a deal breaker or anything, but the shape, the size, is many times different than one might have anticipated.”

Again, men generally are not dismayed that my boobs seem more modestly sized bare than when clothed.

Do I operate in a whole other universe?!?!

-DeeDee

You don’t have to burn your bra, just buy this T-shirt

I’m all for feminism but I think I would be doing a better service to the world if I kept my bra on and burned a girdle or something. Fortunately, this T-shirt allows me to compromise:

via Feministing

-3D

Another article about a big boobed gal finding her way.

I feel like I have read this article 100 times before. Or maybe it’s that I know a hundred girls like this one. Or maybe I feel connected to this article because I used to be this girl.

In a nutshell, the author has big boobs, isn’t so happy with them, and then goes and gets fitted for her correct bra size all the while agonizing over her size and lack of comfort with them. By the end of the story, she is still unsure of herself (but much better supported!), she won’t even reveal her bra size, and of course there is no picture to accompany the piece.

When I was in her position (I even went to Town Shop and Orchard Corset like she did), getting fitted for the right bras immediately raised my confidence level in my breasts, completely changing the way I felt about them. I hope that’s the epilogue to this story as well.

-3D

The Everything Guide to Bras

I love New York magazine. I still have a subscription even though I left New York two years ago. It has the best features of any magazine I read and this week I was delighted to see that New York is now reading my mind.

I am thrilled to share with you “The Everything Guide to Bras” in 5 parts:

• The Search for the right fit
• The mechanics
• How to increase the shelf life
• Booms and Busts: A timeline of boobs!
• Ask the lingerie experts

“The mechanics” and “how to increase the shelf life” sections are the most helpful in the piece. But, if you do live in NY, you’ll like following the big boobed author around the best bra shops in NY in her search for the right fit.

-3D

How can I be like Christina Hendricks?

I was actually going to sign on to write about Christina Hendricks, but I got to my computer and saw that 3D had already gotten the ball rolling.

In addition to wearing sexier bras, I’ve decided recently that I also want to start wearing lower cut shirts and dresses, but I’m having a hard time figuring out the best way to do it. Every time I wear something low-cut, my bra shows.  I did mention earlier that I have a great strapless bra, but it is very wire-y, and anyway, I think it provides too much coverage for a plunging neckline.  Maybe she uses a Faveo Freedom?

I once tried on that tape you can place under your boobs in a no-bra situation, but I had a really hard time getting it to work. Of course, Christina probably has a wardrobe assistant to make sure that her boobs are not only buoyant, but symmetrical.

I also have a very low-cut bra that provides a decent amount of support, but it has straps and wouldn’t work under her dress. (And it has this weird padding. I once wore it on a date (big mistake)).

Hmm, upon staring at her again, I realize that it’s possible that her breasts are just so enormous, that there is actually a lot more breast underneath her dress that is shielded from view — breast-mass that is being held up by a traditional strapless bra, that is.

Anyway, I’ll keep trying different dresses and bras and let you all know as soon as I find a sexy look that works.

-DeeDee

BBB Linkage

Here’s what we’ve seen in the world of big boobs online lately:

• The non-surgical breast-lift
• If that’s not enough lift for you, how about trying the permanent push-up bra?
• Boobpedia. The wikipedia for big boobs

-3D

Our fantasy has become a reality

Regarding 3D’s post about the sexiness of the Fantasie bras, I really have been noticing an increased availability of sexy, supportive bras for us big-boobed gals. There is the Conturelle, and of course my Rigby & Peller, and now 3D has discovered the world of Fantasies. I wonder if there has been a recent scientific breakthrough in the physics of lingerie design?

It’s really very exciting and I decided today that I’m only going to wear the most fabulous bras. I finally ordered two more Conturelle’s from AW Kaufman, and I plan on ordering another R&P and perhaps even trying a Fantasie. No more grandma bras for me — there is just too much good stuff out there!

-DeeDee

A fantasie come true?

I blogged about Fantasie bras a while back. I had heard a few endorsements here and there so I decided to put them to the test and ordered two from my favorite bra provider in New York.

So far, I can see why lots of women chose to live in a Fantasie world. My new bras took some getting used to (I can’t explain why exactly, they just fit differently) but now that they are a little broken in, I am really pleased to endorse them.

The first bra I tried was amazingly supportive and really delicate at the same time. I will write more about it later when I have it in front of me and can reference the style number.

The second one is the Smoothing Molded Balcony bra. At first I wasn’t so pleased, I actually thought about returning it. I wasn’t used to the way it supported me and I found the straps a bit too long. But, I took it for a trial run today and was really pleased. I actually ran to the bathroom at work twice to pull down my shirt in front of the mirror and admire how nice my cleavage looked.

I love that this bra looks like the dainty little bras small-boobed women wear but it offers the kind of support we big boobed gals need. It’s a demi cut and my breasts look absolutely amazing rising up over the top of the cups. If some stranger is going to walk in on me one day when I am wearing only my underwear, I pray that they catch me in this bra. There is something so sexy about a bra that almost feels like it’s too small. Mine is a 36E (it’s a British size) and truthfully, I think I could have gone with a 36F but this one is working for me. I ordered it in chocolate brown which is quite a delicious color.

One thing to remember if you plan on getting one yourself: this is definitely not a minimizer and it is definitely not the most supportive bra out there. In fact, I felt my boobs moving around a bit more than usual but today was a day I didn’t mind the bounce. If you just want a bra to feel sexy in and one you can wear with low-cut tops, this might just be the bra for you.

-3D

Conturelle Update

Last night my dad’s cousin asked me if I had lost weight in the past few months.  I haven’t really and so I said no.  He told me I looked very slim.

I really think it was the Conturelle Provence.  It does wonders.

My mom agreed.  She told me my breasts looked very pointy.

I should really call Miriam.  They’re three hours ahead and shabbat is starting soon, so I better act quick unless I want to wait until Sunday.

-DeeDee

Thanksgiving and Conturelle Provence Bra

What am I thankful for this Thanksgiving? Good bras.

As I was getting ready for dinner at my aunt and uncle’s, I felt a twinge of excitement as I settled my boobs into the Conturelle Provence. I just cannot believe how supportive it is. My boobs have a lift they have not had, since, well, I was an A cup (circa 1991). And it’s pretty sexy, nothing remotely grandmotherly like it at all.

When I tried it on at A.W. Kaufman, Miriam, bra saleswoman extraordiniare, explained to me that this bra was in a different league from the Wacoals and Chantelles I had been wearing for the past few years. It certainly is in a different price league. One website prices it at between $110 and $117.

Confession: Nearly every time I slip this bra on, I run to my full length mirror in the bathroom to check myself out. Sometimes I like what I see so much, that, rather than change my shirt, I find myself picking tops that are thick enough so that the lace in the Provence doesn’t show through.

The Conturelle website is pretty bare bones, but here is another site that is selling the Provence. The bra doesn’t seem to come in DD or DDD, but instead jumps straight to E (what I wear) and F.
Hmmm, I think tomorrow I may call up Miriam and ask her to send some more my way.

-DeeDee

Catching a glimpse

I had an exceptionally good hair day today so I thought that if anybody was looking at me at work, they would be checking out my ‘do. Instead, I caught a few people checking out my bra, more precisely the fact that you could see my bra poking out over the top of my dress. I got dressed in a rush this morning and commited the fashion faux pas of wearing a light bra under a black top. I noticed only after I had left the house that parts of the bra were noticeable and the color of the bra made them even more noticeable.

I guess I wasn’t surprised that people stared. I stare too when I see a woman who is showing a little cloth. I just can’t figure out why. Is it the idea that we are catching a glimpse of something not intended to be seen? Is it because it helps us imagine the woman naked, or at least without her outer garments on? Does it make us feel sexy? Perhaps for women it’s just a bit of schadenfreude; we like to see other women looking messy because it makes us feel better when we look neat. I’d like to think of it as just more research on bras and boobs for this blog.

-3D