Giving A Fit

I follow several blogs and this one, fullerfigurefullerbust by Georgina is always a great read and full of information and inspiration. This blog speaks to so many different issues. check out her blog to see why she is so great.

She offers her advice to bra fitting and customer service and understanding what a correct bra fit is….

In an ideal world this is how I would like everyone’s bra fitting experience to go in EVERY STORE. A girl can dream, indulge mine…

Upon entering the lingerie store/department it would be nice to be acknowledged by a member of staff within a few minutes. They don’t have to come over and try to sell something but just make me aware that they have noticed me so that I feel welcome – buying lingerie is a personal and sometimes an embarrassing thing to do for some women. When I ask for a fitting I would like to be given one or at least be offered to be booked in for one in the near future, bearing in mind that it may have taken a lot for me to pluck up the courage to even do that as I may be shy and ashamed of my body.
When I go in for the fitting I would usually expect to keep my own bra on and be assessed in that. There should not be a tape measure in sight! The fitter should ask me what size the bra is and how long I have had it for whilst checking how loose the band is and how I am sitting in the cups. I would then expect them to bring me several sizes around what they think I am, for example, if I am in a newish bra that is a 32 and I am already on the tightest hook and I am spilling out of the G cups then I’d like to be brought some 28HH/J and 30H/HH backed bras to try on. If they do not have such sizes in stock then I would like to be given a rough idea of what I may be and politely told that unfortunately those sizes are not currently in stock and maybe they could order some in for me or advise where I might find such sizes. Making a quick sale that then doesn’t work well for a woman is not as important as gaining the respect of the customer who will not forget such excellent service and will recommend it to others.
I would like the fitter to pull on the band, adjust the bra straps and ask me to try my top/dress on over the top of the bra so that I can see what kind of shape and look I am given and what the cut of the bra is like. The fitter should explain about the function of the bra. They should tell me how the band is there to give the majority of the support and that is why a tight firm band is necessary or else the shoulders will take the strain and this will cause aches and pains and discomfort. A loose band will ride up at the back causing the cups to sit lower at the front and making the wearer hunch over. They should explain how yes it may feel very tight and uncomfortable at first but bras need breaking in (just like shoes!) and so it may take a few wears before it becomes less noticeable. The straps should be tightened enough to give a good shape but not so much that it pulls the cups up onto the breasts. The underwire needs to sit under the breasts and the central gore flat between them. I would want the fitter the make sure I am completely happy in the bra that they have fitted me in and stress that my size may differ from brand to brand, but thanks to the tips they have given me I should be able to fit myself until my next fitting in a few months time.

You wouldn’t sell a car to someone who didn’t know how to drive it and yes, that may be a drastic comparison but it should apply to bras. They can be the difference between a women hating or loving her body, between considering surgery or celebrating her curves, between having crippling back pain or walking tall. Bra fitting is not a matter that should be taken lightly and not something that should be undertaken by women who don’t really understand every aspect of a bra and what it can and cannot do. It’s not asking for too much as shops like Bravissimo and Leia can do it and do it well so come on the rest of the high street, if this 23year old waitress can do it then so can you! Increase your size selection, brush up on your knowledge and make us proud of our perky perfectly encased breasts, no matter what size or shape we are!

Five Plus Size Fashion Myths Uncovered

Over time there has been quite a stir of what what plus size women should and shouldn’t wear to enhance their look. Today I going to shed some light on some of the style myths that have been spread around the plus size fashion world. Many of these myths are untrue and under the right circumstances easily proved false.

NO PLEATED SKIRTS
Stylists used to say that pleats almost never look good on a plus size figure. Now this isn’t completely untrue, the key to wearing pleats is to stay away from wide and stiff pleats like those reminiscent of a schoolgirl uniform, because these types of pleats do in fact make you look wider than you actually are. Instead try shallow, softer pleats that are in chiffon like fabrics like the midi and maxi pleated skirts that are really on trend right now. These skirts will glide over your curves and give a hint of romanticism to an outfit.

MINIS ARE NOT FOR PLUS SIZE WOMEN
Now this is definitely a complete myth. Miniskirts and mini dresses, of course when worn for the right occasions, are completely acceptable for a plus size figure. If you have a great pair of legs don’t hide them. When it comes to minis keep this rule in mind, If the mini is at or below the longest of your fingertips when standing then you’re good to go, if the mini is shorter than your fingertips add a pair of leggings. Peek-a-boo moments never did anyone any good. If you’re still unsure about the length you can always wear tights or pantyhose underneath.

SLIMMING SHAPEWEAR IS A PLUS SIZE GIRLS BEST FRIEND
Now I know what you’re going to say, “No not my slimmers, they’re a godsend!” Actually slimming shapewear can hurt more than it can help. It can make you look bigger than you are and put lumps in the wrong places if not sized properly. The key to this problem is investing in smoothers not slimmers. You will actually look a lot better in your clothing if you focus concern on how much your underwear smooths instead of how much it slims you.

PRINTS AND PATTERNS ONLY MAKE YOU LOOK BIGGER
This is one of the biggest myths that faces plus size women today. Many women feel this way because they haven’t met a pattern that flattered them. Well I am here to tell you that the key to prints and patterns is balance. When wearing prints and patterns it is better to use prints to balance out top and bottom if you don’t have an hourglass figure or to show off curves. Prints like polka dots are great especially if they are woven in fabric instead of just printed on top. This will give a more natural feel to the dots so they aren’t too loud. Horizontal stripes were once believed to be unflattering on wider figures but the key to overcoming this faux pas depends on the width of said stripes. Thinner stripes will be much more flattering than wider stripes.

BAGGY CLOTHES WILL HIDE YOUR SIZE
Wrong. Baggy clothes are very good at doing one thing, making you look bigger than you actually are. While baggy clothes don’t make you look as big as wearing clothes that are too small would, baggy clothes still are not a good staple when it comes to your wardrobe. If you are conscious about your size and unsure about wear proper fitting clothes remember that nothing will look better on you than clothes that fit. Everyone has something about their curves that they like, so when dressing, dress to accentuate that part of your body. You will look much slimmer and more fashionable than wearing oversized clothes.

Tags: fashion, lingerie, Plus size