You’re wearing the wrong bra!

At the risk of oversharing, I must report that I am wearing a gorgeous new bra today! It’s a size I never would have tried on - and frankly, didn’t know existed. But a professional fitting by a bra expert confirmed what I’d suspected: I was wearing the wrong size bra. That’s why my straps were always falling down and I just wasn’t comfortable; my band was too big around and my cups - yes, they runneth over. Turns out, most women have the same fit issue. The day the bra fitter came to our offices, we held an open call for staffers to come and get measured. Forty-five women showed up and not one was wearing the correct size! Bet your bra is the wrong size too!

We chose six lucky volunteers to participate in a bra makeover. They let us photograph them “before,” in their old bra, and “after,” in a new bra our expert chose for them in their actual correct size. We chose these women because we knew our readers would be able to relate to at least one of them, whether you’re big busted or small, two different sizes, or maybe losing weight and changing sizes. Check out our makeovers in the April issue, where you’ll also learn how to measure yourself, how to determine if a bra fits properly, where to buy new bras, and even how to put on your bra (chances are, you’re doing it wrong!).

This story was more eye-opening for me than maybe any other I’ve worked on at ShopSmart. It’s incredible that something we rely on every day is really not working for us! When our makeover volunteers put on their new bras, every one of them told us that they felt transformed. They only looked better (thinner!), they stood up straighter, and one woman even said that she stopped having shoulder pain once she was properly fitted!

So why are we getting so wrong? I think there are a few main reasons: Women just keep buying the same size they’ve always bought. They may not bother to try on new bras. But the biggest problem, in my opinion, is that most mainstream stores carry a very limited size range. If you’re very small or very big, you’re probably out of luck. So women do the best they can with what they can find. And most stores that sell bras don’t offer measuring, so we’re really on our own.

No more! Read “The perfect bra for you” in the April issue of ShopSmart. Get yourself measured, either by yourself or by a professional. Then buy yourself some new bras. And let us know the results!

By Jody Rohlena on March 12, 2012 06:02:00 pm

Nursing Bras from Bravado Designs

It all began with a leopard-print bra and two breastfeeding moms...

That first leopard-print bra, which was worn for 48 hours straight, is now called the Original Nursing Bra - and it’s still their bestseller, more than 18 years later!

From humble beginnings developed around a kitchen table, Bravado quickly built a strong reputation as having comfortable, stylish and quality nursing bras. Lactation consultants, midwives, childbirth educators and others in the health care community quickly started recommending their products to new moms, and they still do to this day.

Now Bravado Designs' products are worn and loved by moms worldwide, including by celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Garner and Jessica Alba. Although many things have changed since their early days, one thing never will: their commitment to bolster and enhance the self-esteem of pregnant and nursing women.

Bravado’s bras and tanks are perfect for both maternity and nursing - no matter your stage, size, or occasion.

The Original Nursing Bra
Its 24/7 cottony comfort has been recommended by health care professionals for over 18 years, the Original is the bra you’ll live in, lounge in and sleep in especially in those early stages…

The Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra
The Body Silk will melt onto your body with extra features such as removable foam inserts.

The Bliss Nursing Bra
The perfect t-shirt bra, Bliss features seamless foam cups and Bravado’s proprietary Flexi-Fit support channel.

The Essential Nursing Bra Tank
With a full bra inside, (no scrawny shelf "bras" here), the Essential Tank will make you feel fabulous inside and out.

The Sublime Nursing Bra
Having a baby doesn't mean sacrificing gorgeous lingerie, the Sublime beautifully supports up to a J/K cup (in fashion colors!).

The Allure Underwire Nursing Bra
A revolution in underwire nursing-bra design, the Allure combines Bravado’s expertise in innovation with our knowledge of your need for good breast health

Medela Nursing Camisole Covers With Natural Fibers

Medela, the company who makes breastfeeding more comfortable for new moms, has introduced a new nursing tank. This camisole comes in black and white and allows you to pump hands free with their Freestyle pump. It is made from all natural bamboo fiber which is breathable, aborbs moisture and has natural anti-bacterial properties.

The drop cup openings make it easy to nurse anytime and anywhere. As a mommy still trying to get back into shape 9 months after giving birth, I know it’s not my breast I’m worried about exposing while nursing in public; it’s my belly. This is why I love nursing camisoles.

Granted, as a woman with rather large breasts, the nursing camisole isn’t the most flattering undergarment. It leaves me a little droopy. Let’s be honest. It gives me a big droopy uniboob. However, it is comfortable. I have support, just not the same kind of support I was used to before I became more focused on breastfeeding than I was on cleavage. This isn’t a complaint. It is just a fact.

I do wish that the sizing information available associated the Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large sizing, with the appropriate cup size. I was given a Large to try and I think that an Extra Large would have been more comforatable for me. Still, I use it and enjoy it.

The fabric is just divine. I wish all my clothes were made from this fabric. The camisole is also extra long. My biggest complaint about camisoles, and I wear a lot of camisoles, is that they are too short. I want for my camisole to be a little longer than the shirt I am wearing (remember hiding the belly), and the Medela camisole is just that. It is the perfect length.

It’s no surprise that Medela would get a prop for their new nursing tank. They are the experts, after all.

Nov 13, 2008
Written by Marty, who also blogs at Triangle Mamas. She wrote this post one handed while nursing her son Christopher.
Medela Nursing Camisole Covers With Natural Fibers Props and Pans

Undercover Mama Nursing Bra Tank Top Camisole - NEW!

New Undercover Mama Nursing Bra Tank Top Camisole

Make ANY shirt a nursing shirt with Undercover Mama!

Description

Undercover Mama is a strapless undershirt that hooks onto the drop cup of your nursing bra, thereby creating a camisole out of your nursing bra. Discreet, stylish, and practical, Undercover Mama makes nursing your baby easy and convenient, at home or away!



Features and Benefits

- Fit where you need them to while keeping you covered in style.

- Made from quality material that is soft and stretchy for coverage, support and built to last.

- Available in a variety of colors so they can be worn under any top.

- Can be machine washed in cold water

How does it work? (also see videos below)

Step One: Hook Undercover Mama to the drop-cup of your nursing bra.

Step Two: Nurse with ease and Undercover modesty