How To Stop Bra Straps Falling Down!

Before I was fitted into my bra size (based off something crazy like my measurements), New Look were the only shop that actually had bras that were unpadded (sometimes), not designed for old women and I could squeeze myself into (sometimes). I had a balonette that was deep pink that wore until it fell apart. The straps were always falling down - because the bra was far too small and it was so old the straps had forgot what elasticity was.

I remember I was after this guy and the most common thing he used to say to me always arrogantly, (except perhaps concern over how I knew his schedule off my heart!) was: "your bra strap is down again".

Were you looking another girl's bra straps.. not that I care about that anything... (Me when I was 16)

I wonder if he thought that I was trying to seduce him with my weird and tattered pink and purple straps. In a fit of frustration I used overweight baggage tape to hold the straps together.Yes. Overweight baggage.

This is the most frequent bra fitting problem I see. In fact, my friends have asked me to fix their bra straps, because I am the mysterious lingerie expert and that's where my skills lie. Every time I suggest they should also tighten the back. The ALWAYS whine that makes no sense and make it worse.

Actually, tightening the bra straps makes the problem of loose bra straps worse.

Yes! A bra is a system - every part is linked. Here's the real solution.

A bra's back should be tight. Really tight. Think how tight a bra should be and forget that. Tighter. Very tight.

This keeps the straps in place. When a bra is too loose (i.e. all my friends bras) the back crawls upwards. This makes the straps rise of the shoulders. When you tighten your straps, the bra back crawls upwards... then your straps fall down.

The solution is to tighten the back of your bra. Well, this isn't usually enough. The solution is a bra that is much larger in the cup and tighter in the band. Try tightening your back band and then tightening your straps. Then scoop yourself into your bra. Are you everywhere from Cork to Derry (think that was a metaphor)? Yeah, that bra is wrong.

A second reason is that cup is too small. Coupled with loose bands, the weight of the breasts drags up the band... and the straps fall down. Those friends would refuse to believe their breasts weigh anything because they believe they have no breasts... errr no. I've seen you trapped in clothes because of your breasts just like me... ;)

I know some people have sloping shoulders, and yes that does effect bra strap security. But when I refitted my mother and my best friend they both told me their bra straps mysteriously stopped falling down.

Anyways, if you want to learn more check out the Bra Matrix and My Wife is Busty Fitting Guide. I won't be making my own fitting guide because I believe these two are great and I don't think at the moment I can do anything better. But I implore you to check it out! You WON'T regret it. Overweight baggage tape is not something that can look cute with a frilly dress. Go on. Go on.

My Wish List for bras that actually exist!

I have noticed that a lot of my favourite blogs have been posting various wishlists about lingerie they are interested in. 

I have decided to detail the bras I am interested in. The twist is that actually exist, at this moment that could actually order it. I feel a bit guilty as I live of the state and all... erm... I'd get them on the medical card if I could?


Miss Mandalay Paige in Coral.

I love Miss Mandalay's Paige bras because of three reasons - 

1. They are tight in the band (I will never understand throwing out a bra because it's a little tight... extenders exist!)... it's very rare I find a bra that's too tight...
2. They are unmoulded
3. They are available in amazing colours with great details
4. The wires and narrow and stiff (I don't get the hate on stiff wires)
5.  A girl once saw my brastrap and said that she was wearing the most beautiful bra she had ever seen!

See how amazing these are... *sigh*

2. Panache Andorra Full Cup in Caribbean Blue

Sadly, I will admit I had a chance to try one of these on, but I turned it down. It looked like a lot of bra. A lot of white bra. I think it will take me a lot (read: branding it on me) for me to have on of them on as well.

Yet, the Panache Andorra Full Cup has been warming on me.  BrasIHate mentioned how in the plunge bra version has an angled downwards band. Generally people have been saying it's forgiving in the cup and tight in the band. It's actually available in other colours. Perhaps I should give it a chance. I am terrified the wires will be too wide.

The weirdest thing about this bra is, as you can see on Bratabase, it's way prettier in the flesh (lace?) than in the product photo. It looks photoshopped on there, yet on Bratabase, it looks so gorgeous I want to try it. Panache, take note!

Why blue? Well, I would like something that is summery...

The Freya Jolie.

I have tried this bra on, but in 30G, so it was VERY loose in the band - especially when people have said that was loose anyways. Of course, the 28GG is probably a monster that comes with extra wide ultra support, iron girders and double-glazed cups.

Nonetheless, I remain optimistic because at the GG has three hooks which actually sounds like a decent decision. Though why not more... Yes ... I actually add extra hooks to my bras.

I'm excited because I like the stretchiness in the cups. Obviously, I don't want the white version, but the black (which is, as of these season, still a continuity style) or the pink look great!

If I wrote an intro post it would look like this

What you actually need to know about me:

BRAS!!! *goes up a to lingerie shop's window and licks it*

Every time I walk past a beautiful specialist lingerie shop. I am so mad about bras and I look in the window and I ream off every full-bust bra they stock (sadly, I am less of an expert of their maternity range). My friends find my talent a tad disturbing so I have decided to bring my love to the internet.

I am saddened that through my year of adoration of bras and lingerie in general that I have came across there no Irish bra blogs. At least where I am based, Dublin, the retail sector, while expensive for a college student like me, is there and thriving.

I have seen blogs from Russia to Spain to Brasil and so many British blogs too. I am taking this into my own hands. I hope I can inject some 'craic' into bra knowledge and lingerie adoration. I don't want to keep my interest as something I cannot express. I am going to seriously ask the question Dougal posed: "how's your bra"? (I hope that didn't alienate half my readers right there).

Here are my aims:

1. Further bra fitting knowledge. (I am not going to post my own instructions, all I can say is take all measurements without a bra on and fuck everything you think you know about bra fitting)

2. Research into and analyse the Irish bra and general lingerie industry in Ireland, particular from a youthful perspective - all lovely lingerie is marketed to older women, while young women it's all beige foam domes!
 2.(a). My first project will be an assessment of bra shops on the North and South side of Dublin.

3. Post clothing and bra reviews.
 
For the sake of reference, at the time of posting my measurements are 5 foot 7, 38/27/35 - with 27 being both my waist and underbust. I am usually a 28GG bra - though sometimes I would need a 28H or a 26H. I would rather someone burn my skin than be shoved in 34DD hell.

Finally, I would like to say this is not a place for the following things:

1. Smut. Fuck off. I don't desire it.

2. Body snark - I am not too thin/not curvy enough, nor is anyone else. This is not a place for that. My readers should respected.

3. "You should be happy to have problems with bras". I will smother you with a bra if you say that. As you sleep.

4. Saying that your bra is okay as it is. Perhaps it is but I severely doubt you couldn't do better. Please keep an open mind. No one knows or cares what kind of bra you wear. A lot of I know think I'm small chested because I like covering them up and are surprised when I make jokes about giving other busty women boob-hi-fives! ;)

Yours,
Street