Monday, October 25, 2010

My Story


I am hourglass shaped, although I didn't realize it until recently. My research into clothing for the hourglass shaped woman began three years ago. At the time, I just wanted a bra that didn't dig into my shoulders, giving me painful welts and blisters. I wanted to not be slipping out of the bottom of the cups. I wanted my breasts not to hurt all of the time. I also wanted to help my mother, who suffered from the same problems I did. What I found was shocking. Everything I thought I knew about bra sizing, everything all of my friends and family thought they knew about bra sizing, was wrong.

Wearing the right size bra is truly life changing. You look much better and your bra isn't uncomfortable! After I began wearing the right size and realized how much better it was, I began to wonder about clothing. I could pretty much only fit into stretchy t-shirts. But when I wanted to dress nicer-like for a job interview- It was challenging. Besides, I was (am) young, and I'm an artist. I wanted to wear things that were fun. I wanted to wear styles I couldn't fit into but knew would look good on me if I could, like halter necks, empire waists, anything with underbust detailing. I knew there must be clothing that would fit me.

Finally, after much research, I have found companies that cater to thin, but curvy women. I want to share them with you. But first, I want to talk about bra fitting. Trust me, the most important part by far of your wardrobe is going to be your bra. But most places, especially in the US, will tell you the wrong size out of ignorance or a desire to sell you a size they stock. What to do? You will have to take charge of becoming your own fit expert! So, in my next post, I will tell you the correct way to measure for a bra.

14 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your post!

    Question: what shape is this?
    Bust: 31"
    [Band (under bust): 26.5"]
    Waist: 23"
    Hip: 33"

    Am I a pear shape, as I've been told? :)
    Also I am confused as to my bra size...

    Your help is much appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You sound to me like a slight pear shape. And hourglassy pear but a pear nonetheless. Very lovely measurements :D. I'd start with a 26DD or 28D?

      Delete
  2. Hi! Please could you help me with my body shape and bra size? I keep getting different measurements!
    Bust: 35"
    Band: 29"
    Waist: 24"
    Hip: 34"

    Thank you! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would say you're a hourglass shape. But keep in mind, there are more shapes at all (look for Trinny & Susannah books - they've found 12 shapes).
      For a bra size - usually the tighter band size is better for bust support (but remeber - the more comfortable is the better). I recommend 28F or FF.
      Lucky trying on :)

      Delete
  3. hi..i read ur post n went 2 get a bra tht fitted me. my size according to the measurement is 30 DD.they didnt hav it so i tried 32 dd the problem is tht i hav never tried underwire bras. now i wan2 try thm but it seems like my breast is very saggy so i jus cant get the rite fit. my breast keeps coming out from the bottom of the wire. n if i try 2 fit tht in it comes out of the side..tried abt 25 different bras at woolworths 2day..no luck:( plss help. my band is 30" and bust is 35". n its saggy..:(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's hard to say just from the text above, better is to see how it looks. For me you should try a biger cup size than you've tried. Also bear in mind, that 32DD is not a sister size to 30DD. If they haven't 30DD you should try a 32DDD and get someone to reduce the band (seamstress is the proper word in english as far as I know).
      For a saggy bust problem - try a different style eg. full covering your boobs or a padded with closed shape. the second one is harder to find with saggy boobs, so first - try to find a nice, colorful full covering bra :)
      Lucky trying on!

      Delete
  4. I would say you're a hourglass shape. But keep in mind, there are more shapes at all (look for Trinny & Susannah books - they've found 12 shapes).
    For a bra size - usually the tighter band size is better for bust support (but remeber - the more comfortable is the better). I recommend 28F or FF.
    Lucky trying on :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi! Please could you help me with my body shape and bra size? i keep wondering about my size
    Bust: 31,5"
    Band: 24,5"
    Waist: 24"
    Hip: 32"
    thank you :)

    Thank you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm having trouble finding the correct bra size and what shape I am. my underband measurement is 28.5 and my bust measurement is 36, but if I lean forward it's 37. Waist: 28. Hips:37

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi! Please help. I have been small but (what I call) "thick" all of my life. I literally have almost no breasts. My self-measurements come out to be 38" under my breasts and 39" around my breasts...sometimes 40" depending on my weight and size fluctuations. Some calculators say I need a 38A which I can't find. Others say I need a 38C or a 40B, but they don't fit very well. What can I wear without "stuffing" my bras?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi!
    I'm just curious if I'm the inverted triangle shape. My bust is 34.5, ribcage 27, waist 23.5, and hips 31-32.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  9. 33 above bust
    35 bust
    29 under bust
    27.5 waist
    38 hips
    Roughly hourglass, yes? And everyone ive ever talked to has tried to put me in a 34 something... but I feel like they're definitely wrong just looking at my measurements.
    .. and KNOW they're wrong remembering the 34s I've owned.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi cn any one of my same measurmnt tell me.wt size wll b fit .
    under bust 31 inches
    Bust 37

    ReplyDelete
  11. If without adding 4 or 5 u r 38 from ur rib cage... And 40 from over bust... U can try 38 b and if bust is 39 u can try 38 a... If u want a tighter band... U can go down ur band size like 36 and go up in a cup size... Like if 39 bust... Then u need 36 C ... And if 40 bust .. Then u can try 36 D

    ReplyDelete

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