New Year New You; go ahead buy the BRA!

Last week I had the pleasure of getting a bra fitting at Melmira up Yonge north of Lawrence in Toronto. They are this fabulous, award winning concept store that not only sells lingerie but also swim wear. But instead of you browsing they bring you what they feel will fit and flatter you the most.

To be honest I wasn’t thinking about buying a new bra when I went for the fitting, I was invited to come experience the store from the media point of view. I have actually shopped here a few times previously over my years in Toronto.

Turns out I was in dire need of a good fitting bra. With all my focus on New Years resolutions for the website and for my work closet I had completely ignored foundational garments.

I am not sure why I had forgotten how fantastic a new, or rather well fitted bra makes you feel and look for that matter.

Sometime after my son was weaned I tried on my old bras and determined they no longer fit. I am one of those women who after having children my breasts are bigger so I naturally assumed that I needed to go up in size. I bought a few cheapie box bras and one “fitted” bra from another local boutique. But 2 out of the 3 bras just weren’t working. The straps fall off constantly (and not because I am sitting or slouching), they affect my posture and just don’t do much for my body.

Turns out I need a center fit bra for my narrow shoulders, which is exactly why the other bras are not doing anything for me as they are set too wide. I am also not that different in size from after my first child, but I would never have known this without the help of someone like Aime, the owner at Melmira.

One of the things we talked about was how I tended to not wear button down shirts because they pull across my chest when they fit every where else. Amie at Melmira said with the right fitting bra, I should see alot less of this bra pull.

So I tried it out with an old bra and a newly fitted bra. As you can see with both of the shirts and my old ill fitting bra there is pull. In both cases the shirt fits better (although there are still obviously issues with the white blouse) with the fitted bra. Now a good bra isn’t going to fix a shirt where the buttons are in the wrong spot or is simply the wrong size for the chest, but it does make a big improvement.

One of the fit tips that really stuck with me from the fitting was that you should be wearing your bra on the last hook and the back should be taught. Then as you use your bra over time it will stretch and you can move to the inner hooks, prolonging the life of the bra.

I also took the time to really identify the differences between the inexpensive bras I had and those of higher quality. What it comes down to is increased seaming, more boning and just more support over all.

So I leave you with my final thought. A twist on that Pinterest Shoe Meme going around. Life is short, Buy the Bra.

Hand drawn bra picture found at Anne Griffiths Textile Art.

***I was gifted a beautiful bra by the team at Melmira (the purple one above) but all opinions are my own. I needed this bra fitting more than I knew going into this! I also bought an every day bra with my own money thanks to their tips***

Have you been for a Bra Fitting? Do you think they are important?