I’m scared to buy a new bra but I need to. I stopped breastfeeding 2 years ago and am still wearing maternity bras. Sad, I know. I’m proud to say that I do have some “normal” bras too, broken as they are. However, I would like to move on from my beige uniform and have two clips that actually fasten at the back. Maybe even have undies to match?
So why am I scared to buy new bra? Mothers experience many changes to body shape through the pregnancy/breastfeeding saga. It’s not all bad, just, well — different — to put it, ah, delicately. Now I could talk about jelly tummies, saggy butts and loose pelvics floor muscles, but I’m not. Today I’m talking about breasts.
A Story
Many women talk about being left with massive breasts, even after breastfeeding has ceased. I’m not one of them. After the birth of my first child, my boobs shrunk two sizes. I do admit to walking out of hospital in my jeans, and many people commented on my flat stomach but that wasn’t all that was flat… trust me. The point is, no matter if your breasts are smaller, or bigger, or the same size, they are usually — different. When I was pregnant with my second child, I decided to have a bra fitting because my breasts had changed and I thought I would be sensible (sensible is so overrated).
I went to a shop, took a deep breath, grabbed some bras I thought were my size and went into the self esteem crusher, otherwise known as the fitting room. (Can someone tell me why fitting rooms have fluorescent lights and mirrors all around?) Trying to look anywhere but at myself, I put the bra on and reached out my finger to press the red button on the wall, a little afraid about what would come my way when I did.
A lady came my way, who I found out to be as tactless as Roz from Monsters, Inc. and as unimaginative as Katie Nanna from Mary Poppins. She will thus be named Katie Roz. {Telling myself: Be sensible Kelly, be sensible}. Katie Roz proceeded to tell me that my breasts were small (thanks for the reminder) but my frame was largish so she didn’t think she would have a bra to fit but she would see what she could find. Well, feeling utterly unfeminine, I tried on a few bras and I worked my way down to find one that fit which was a very different size to what Katie Roz told me in the first place. She could never explain that. Instead she just made me feel terrible and ugly.
Did she just want to make me feel bad? Perhaps she was having a bad day, or maybe I was; nevertheless, I can’t help remembering her a little this way.
Katie Roz
Here I am, 6 years and another two children later, knowing my size has yet changed again so need a proper fitting but I’m just scared. So, I’m taking matters into my own hands.
My Every day Bra Pick
Berlei Barely There is my pick for an everyday bra. I find the bra comfortable, to have good shape and support, and they come in pretty colours too.
Plus I found a Katie Roz equivalent online. Berlei have these wonderful bra fitting tools to use.
What’s a girl to do?
I’m cutting out Katie Roz, that’s what I’m going to do. Yeah, I could give her another try as I’m sure there are some lovely bra fitters out there but I just don’t want to. Instead, I’ll do it myself. I know what bra I want and I now know my size (and yes, I’m wearing the wrong size) so all that’s left to do is buy a bra, bring it home and try it on. I’ve decided to shop somewhere with a flexible return policy so I can take the bra back if I need to swap the size.
I’m feeling so much better about my bra buying plan that I’m not scared anymore; rather I feel confident and even a little excited.
So girls, if you are wearing the wrong bra size and the thought of a Katie Roz is scaring you, just cut out the middle man. We can do it ourselves you know. That’s what women do. God made us creative, intuitive and resourceful and that’s why we are beautiful in every form.
Wearing pretty underwear is like having a secret only you know.
26 Comments
Kathryn Rodda
September 13, 2010 at 12:59 pmOh Kelly, that is so me! Since my favourite, most comfy bra broke in the wash the other day I was devistated and left with 1 bra, well, 1 decent bra suitable enough to wear out. I had a bra fitting before my now 4 year old was born, and have just been wearing the same comfy ones. There is just also more important things that need buying than a bra for me. Since it’s my birthday this weekend and my husband said last night ‘so what am I getting for your birthday?’ it was actually his suggestion that I go to get a nice bra properly fitted. He told me that he only buys sexy ones that I don’t see as comfy or good for everyday wear, so I can choose. I must say, it was really thoughful of him! I did have a good bra fitter last time, so I’m going to the same Bras n Things store and hopefully she’s still there!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
September 13, 2010 at 1:59 pmAwww, that is sweet of him. And I hope you can buy some bras on a great special so you can maybe have two! xx
I don’t think my husband would ever buy me a bra. LOL. He’d be too sheepish to go into the “bra” section.
Robyn
September 13, 2010 at 1:30 pmThank you for the links! I was just saying at playgroup this morning how much I hate bra shopping….and things have changed drastically for me in the last couple of months so I really need to do some shopping pronto!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
September 13, 2010 at 2:01 pmHow are you feeling Robyn? After the op an everything… Yeah, I hate bra shopping too. I found the link to be excellent so that’s why I recommended them. It will be interesting to see how I go with the actualy shopping though and if the size the calculator says is what fits.
StylingYou
September 13, 2010 at 2:39 pmHi Kelly – great post and thanks for sending me a link. I hear you on the boobie change thing. Mine are so far south, they need a new postcode 🙂
I’m very lucky to have a great friend who is quite high up in Intimo (www.intimo.com.au). She’s a no-nonsense woman who knows a person’s bra size just by looking at them. I buy through her and even have lots of pretty ones now!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
September 14, 2010 at 12:27 pm@StylingYou, thanks Nikki. Your Intimo friend sounds awesome. Yay for pretty bras.
Pammy
September 13, 2010 at 2:51 pmGood on you, Kel 🙂 I rewarded myself for 12 months of breastfeeding with three new bras and (this was the extravagant part) undies to match!!! But they’ve all been put away again coz 3 weeks later I became pregnant again. I think I’ll use it as a reward after each breastfeeding period is over. I definitely recommend buying the matching undies!! While there’s hardly money for lingerie in our budget, I haven’t had a complaint yet 😉
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
September 14, 2010 at 12:31 pm@Pammy, Pammy! Congratulations! That’s exciting. I’m so glad you buy brand new undergarments post breastfeeding. I wish I’d done that too but then Ive been pregnant and breastfeeding seven years… and now I’m past that I think it’s time to spruce up my undergarments. I don’t think Matt will be complaining either lol xx
Catherine
September 13, 2010 at 3:46 pmI know what you mean. Although I have encountered some nice (and competent) bra consultants, they seem hard to find. Thanks for the links.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
September 14, 2010 at 12:33 pm@Catherine, I’m glad to hear of some positive experiences too.
BookChook
September 13, 2010 at 5:54 pmOh Kelly, I would love to read your take on mammograms! And I love the morphed pic of Katie Roz. I seem to sense a children’s book character emerging.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
September 14, 2010 at 12:35 pm@BookChook, Ha! Mamogram. Now that’s something to look forward too.
Michelle
September 13, 2010 at 6:41 pmlove this post!!! I bought from Intimo after the 3rd child … now those very expensive bras don’t quite fit the way they did 4 years ago!
So I’m back to buying from the shops who let you exchange … 🙂
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
September 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm@Michelle, I’m hearing a lot about Intimo. Something to think about. Or maybe just burn the bras lol that would be cheaper.
Julie
September 13, 2010 at 8:56 pmI can SO relate to Pammy above. I bought a couple of new bras about 8 months ago, when I had finished 2 cycles of pregnancy/ breastfeeding in a row (well, actually I was still feeding a little, but thought my breasts were getting back to “normal”. Then I found myself pregnant again. I haven’t ever seen my post-pregnancy/ breastfeeding breasts as I have been either pregnant and/or feeding for over 3 years! Quite looking forward to the day when I will buy myself a nice matching set again, but I certainly wouldn’t mind skipping the middle “man”
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
September 14, 2010 at 12:41 pm@Julie, Ha! Oh yes, the pregnancy breastfeeding cycle. Well I feel like I am just emerging out of it all and my baby is three! I’m a bit slow on the uptake.
Meeya
September 13, 2010 at 10:39 pmHow IRONIC Kell!!!! I have only JUST finished packing up from an Initimo party I hosted. Oh my goodness, it was the BEST! Being fitted for BEAUTIFUL bras in my own bedroom. The kids were asleep in bed, I’d had a lovely dessert/supper & demo with some gorgeous friends and was feeling totally at ease and comfortable in my own room and mirror. My demonstrator was adorable and so easy going. She recommended bras to me that once on she actually said, “whoa” to haha, and were the perfect fit and felt like a complete boob-job without the boob-job! Yes I had found out that I had gone down 2 1/2 cup sizes… but the overall experience was fantastic and I highly recommend it to all women! 50% of my attendees were Mums and they all bought up bras because of the same feeling 🙂 For more info visit, http://www.intimo.com.au
xo
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
September 14, 2010 at 12:44 pm@Meeya, Meeya, that sounds like a lot of fun! Wish I could have been there. You know what I’m gong to do next time you’re visiting. Ask to see your bra. 😉
Jenn
October 11, 2010 at 10:08 amOMG, I am so with you here. I had the babies, and my boobs promptly shrank, while everything else stayed quite bulbous…it was so demoralizing. Plus I keep ending up with bras that are all baggy at the top of the cup because the Girlz are just sort of shaped that way…
I had a Katie Roz experience many years ago and thus will never accept help from ANYONE while bra shopping…but I did eventually find myself in a Lane Bryant with a nice full-figured saleswoman who looked to be about my age, and she was lovely and kind and helped me discover that my bra size was now a delightful 42C. 42C? Who in hell wears THAT size? Me, apparently. And she had some nice simple cotton underwires in that size hidden in a drawer, and that’s all until they fall apart into shreds and i have to face the whole damn practice again…
Ugh.
–Jenn
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 11, 2010 at 12:08 pmBAHAHA! Hello fellow human being.I’ve being buying online. Once you know your size, there are heaps of options online. I found it hard to find my size too but I’ve found a heap of pretty ones online. Thanks for touching base. Made me giggle. Oh the joys!
Tammy
October 11, 2010 at 3:00 pmOh isnt bra shopping awful?!
Seeing I am a large mumma I need a large bra and having to look at my ugly rolly poly body in all those mirrors just makes me feel sick…..so I put it off for as long as I can!!
GRR the things us women have to live with!!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 11, 2010 at 4:28 pmI agree! I think home shopping and online shopping are looking more and more attractive all the time.
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jennajoee
September 10, 2013 at 4:57 pmEarlier, women need to wear their same old regular bras during maternity period also and as a result they cannot be able to get that utmost level of comfort which is required. But now with the intrduction of berlei maternity bras, maternity has become a fun period now as these bras are designed to make a pregnant woman enjoy her pregnancy. Breathable cotton, no wires or hooks, additional support by underbust seam are some of the fantastic features of these advanced maternity bras.