Rant on Tescos Fitting Suggestions

I love the idea of selling bras with fitting advice on the back, but not shite like this.

Let me measure as they say. Okay my underbust is 29 SO I'll have to add 5 (why? :S). So that's 34 (oh that's conveniently in their range unlike the 28GG/30G I usually wear). Now for my overbust. In their defence their little model woman drawing is not wearing a bra so I won't wear a super small bra for this measurement (like I usually see with these kind of terrible guides) and go with overbust standing up right now. Okay, 37.5.

34 + 0 = 34 inches = A cup (0 inches?)
34 + 1 = 35 inches  = B cup
34 + 2 = 36 inches = C cup
34 + 3 = 37 inches = D cup
34 + 4 = 38 inches = DD cup

Okay, so I'm a 34D or 34DD. Oh God. God. GOD.

ARREGUITGWRTUB43RGIR VREIHRGBG1I3P5Y

I used to wear 34DD pre-measuring myself. 34DD is waaaaaay too small.  I've never worn a 34D. I actually 'have' a 34D though. My friend left at my house me when I fitted her to a 30E/F.

Let's have a look.

From top down, Primark or Newlook 34D, Newlook 34DD and Cleo 28GG. An interesting fact about bras is that every time you go up a cupsize, the bra gets 1 inch bigger. Another interesting fact is that 34DD can fit 2 apples not 1. Why is it so big? Because my boobs stretched out the cups. Yes. YES. A 34DD. Yep. I measured to a 34DD that I've since gotten rid of.

If they're doling out this advice to someone who has a 10 inch difference between her underbust and overbust (leaning forward...), which clearly is a lot of boob right there, no wonder the extended sizes are on sale. ¬¬;

For example, my mother, who fits into their range - 34FF (34G in their sizing), would need a 38 band and about a D cup too! No wonder they're on sale, all their potential customers already fit into the 34A - 38DD crap size range everywhere bloody sells!

Secondly, that 0 inches thing though... I don't get that. 0 inches means no boobs. As in the amount of boob is nil. If it's higher than that, say 0.5 to 1, then that's usually an AA cup, and 1 inch is an A cup. Why that's there is that you can say get this problem:

Let's say the two measurements I took were these.

Example 1:

Underbust: 27
Overbust: 32

Okay, I'll add 5 to my measurement. Okay, That's 27 + 5 = 32. Okay, that's 0 difference. An A. Well, actually it makes no bloody sense! Let's try these measurements:

Example 2:

Underbust: 27
Overbust: 31

Okay, I'll add 5 to my measurement. Okay, That's 27 + 5 = 32. Okay...I'm a -A cup... So erm, how does she have boobs if her measurement is less than zero...

...
...
...
...

Now those women, the way I measure them, I would get at least 28DD (she could measure higher when leaning forward) and for the second example, 28D.

Go to Tescos, and measure yourself and discover you have minus boobs!

Bra Review: Freya Ada and Freya's Wide Wires.

I apologise for the severe delay in the Ada review. As for the Deco I am reminded of obsessedwithbreasts.blogspot.com 's comments when she who lost her Deco which was the size of a violin case in a one bed apartment. Mine has vanished too!

I want to discuss Freya's different shapes. Miss Underpinnings has categorised them here: http://www.missunderpinnings.com/2012/08/full-bust-review-freya-shapes-ellie.html. I love Freya but I have accepted I can only fit into their Plunge Balconies. Specifically because of their stretchy lace. My left breast is nearly one whole cup larger than the right, and wow, does non-stretchy lace become a disaster fast!

I have discovered their Plunges just do not work. At all. No matter what size.

Let me show you with pictures:

Here are four Freya bras, from left to right we have: Freya Lacey, 28FF, Freya Naomi 28G, Freya Ada 28GG, Freya Tara 28H.

What do we notice? Well, the H is bloody massive compared to the rest!

I need the depth of the 28H but not those horrific wires. Why the massive increase between the GG and H. I can actually fit into the Naomi, but even with the stretch I still kinda pop out...

So, enter the 28GG Ada. Only not so much. It's barely bigger than the Naomi. The gore barely tacks despite being a size bigger. Hell, look at that picture. Gives you can idea? Argh, it's super small. It just doesn't fit!

I'm pretty disappointed, as I can't size up, the 28H is too big! It's a bit like the problems Sweets posed in this review: http://sweetnothingsnyc.com/2013/04/24/review-morning-meadow-by-freya/. Only I would say I have a worse problem because the right breast is smaller than the left.

I'm pretty disappointed that the plunges just don't work. It doesn't seem like much thought was but into the 28H - it's not that much bigger than a  28GG. Yet the 28GG is barely bigger than the 28G!

Urgh!

I've heard the Ada runs a bit tight in the band. I would agree.

Looks:

It's no beige horror. Aesthetics are 1st class here. I usually hate white bras because they give me a flashback to minimisers but in general I would say that this bra is clearly an exception. An excellent use of white as it should be in a bra. Not all over, but young and fresh. Also the fabric doesn't seem like it would go grey, or at least it the gorgeous pattern would look okay with a greyer shade.

Feel:

Not super soft or cosy. Feels just like any Freya. Pretty boring.

Shape:

Very pointy, but I don't actually find that a problem, but busting out is such a problem it's not a good one at all!

Fit:

Just doesn't fit. Gore does not tack.

Straps/Other features:

There really isn't much to say. The straps have a fancy black trim, which I like. The straps are wide, usual Freya fare.

Conclusion:

Too small because of a shape clash. Wires felt slightly too wide, but the cups were just too small. Back to the drawing board.

Shortening a bra band for the scared!

I wanted to write this post for the people who say they can't sew.

Here's a story that is very long and barely on topic.
In Secondary School, I was an excellent Home Economics student. I loved the subject! If you have the option to study it or learn more, I would recommend it! The subject combines sociology, consumer studies, food science, cookery and even a bit of crafting! It's very broad, but very rewarding as a subject. I swear it overlaps with pretty much everything I've done in college so far, and at the oddest times! As I adored the class so much I was excited for sewing classes.

Only I was terrible.

Sadly, a portion of the exam was based on a sewing project. And I couldn't sew. I have very poor hand eye co-ordination. I can't tread a needle. I kept on tearing fabrics. I nearly broke the school's sewing machine (I was banned from touching it.).

My teacher took my aside and told me I was doing the Childcare Project (I didn't get a choice!), a written alternative assignment for the exam, otherwise I would sabotage my chance of getting my A.

I got an A in both that Junior Cert and my Leaving Cert exams (which thank God had no sewing part!) in Home Economics, and I acknowledged I couldn't sew. Just couldn't. Incapable.

If it hadn't been for the bra fitting community, maybe I never would have tried again. But I've tried. I'm still pretty bad, but I can do it. I thought myself using books from the library and guesswork.

So, I'm going to show you that someone who has been repeatedly told to back off from the needles that you can do it! It feels great! I've patched up some of my clothes already.

I am shortening a bra band in the same way as MsMandrakeRoot is in her tutorial here:
http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/comments/1ffet8/as_requested_a_picture_tutorial_of_how_to_shorten/

I am not adding anything to her tutorial, I'm just showing myself doing to to show it's possible even for the challenged sewers. So I would look at her tutorial!

Here is my victim!

An unknown Freya Bra in 36F that I found in a charity shop for 4 euro! My mum is a 34FF, a sister size.

Quite a mystery. I couldn't find this lovely bra on Bratabase. If anyone does know the name, please tell me. I'd love one that is a little smaller in the cup for myself.

Okay, first we need sewing stuff. You only need the basics:

A needle

Strong thread (I used red polyester thread)

A seam ripper

Scissors (I have this little fancy thing you can use to cut thread with that allows you to use one hand, but scissors will do!)

Big old fabric scissors for when you get angry and have to hack through elastic.

A ruler or some of those fancy ones you get in a sewing box you use for hems (something I have yet to master). Mine's clearly from a geometry set...

Fabric chalk

Pins

Optional:

A pencil

Paper. I recommend using highly confidential stuff flipped onto the other side.

A needle threader, if you're not like me and constantly breaking the damn things.

If you wish, using your paper and a pencil that poorly shows up on a camera, trace around the bra shape.

Okay, how much are you going to take off. Oh God this is scary. I mean, I've done this before and it's still scary. Be brave. It's only 4 euro down the drain.

I opted for 2 cm. Which turned out to be too little. So I erred wrong. Oh well. But regardless, stay with cutting off a little bit. 

Mark off the amount you are going to cut off. Then you can trace around the shape so the bra wing will stay the same shape. Also you can compare the sides before cutting them off so they are the same amount.

Okay, I've marked of the amount I'm going to cut off. I can do this.

Use the seam ripper to detach the eyes or hooks at the end.

ARGH I gave up and used scissors. Too hard. The sewing at the end of this was very hard to cut off.

Well. It could be more mangled. At least I'm cutting this end bit off.

At least this bit looks okay.

 Now for the elastic at the side and the strap.

I found that reaching under the stitches and moving forward actually worked quite well.

Looking good!

I've accidentally ripped out some elastic here

This is very hard to take off, so I resorted to cutting.

Finally free!

Look, I'm using the pattern I made earlier. :)

I shouldn't be trusted with these.

No going back now!

Pin the elastic back into place.

Sew! Use a non-straight stitch or it'll rip. It should be a zig-zig stitch according to my books but alas I don't own a sewing machine... Here's the top. Leave room to put the strap back!

Now the strap! Just slot it back into place. Not backwards though!

Now the hooks or eyes. Make sure it's not backwards! I drew the right attachment on the paper so I would remember.

Make sure to do both sides!

Hey, that wasn't horrific! Barely any sewing and nothing too complicated! Check out the tutorial by MsMandrakeRoot and have your own go!

Now, who needs Home Economics lessons? I need money for bras.

Bras in Tesco - Florence and Fred Collection?

This week, I was intrigued by a selection of bras in my local Tesco Store.

I haven't found a selection this large in Dublin (well, in the Jervis centre store, the stores in the suburbs don't even stock clothes at all). They have a lovely selection of bras in 'larger' sizes (obviously they sell smaller bras in the totally the right size for their customers 34A etc. but who cares about that, so does everywhere else)... 34DD - 36FF (skipping FF so G in their system) bras. I admit I remember my local stocking a very pretty 34E bra before. But they have them pride of place at the front of the store at the bargain basement price of 10 euro!

My mother fits into their size range, so I'm hopefully in the process of getting her feedback on them.

Reviews are scarce... seriously a review saying: "it snapped in the washing machine on the second wash like it had been chewed by a bra-hungry beast."
Wow, is that wit or something... cos if you actually wash anything with regard to its label you know that bras should be handwashed. So you disregarded care instructions - which of course destroyed something - then gave it a bad review?

Bratabase doesn't have much information, either.

http://www.bratabase.com/browse/tesco/

These bras were right down my alley, lovely bright colours and lacy! They didn't look industrial at all.
I believe, from my research on their website is that they are "Bra Queen" bras (which could be the designs I saw) which is a new range for them designed by the same person behind Ultimo (which I've found a bit flimsy :s). I will investigate further when I have the chance!

Points for using a model that probably would fit into their size range though I see a lot of a breasts escaping at the sides...? Bra Queen Louisa Guipure Fuller Bust Bra

For those interested:

http://www.clothingattesco.com/bra-queen/icat/bra-queen/

http://www.clothingattesco.com/dd+-bra/icat/dd-bra/?sort=pdxtmagicnumber&parentCategoryRef=dd-bra&order=desc&q=*&brand=F%26F

I hope this is a sign I will get into blogging again!

Some interesting things I've noted:

Quest for the Perfect bra was in Galway and has posted some reviews (I've actually never been to Galway myself!) but here it is: http://questfortheperfectbra.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/bra-shops-in-ireland/

Until next time!

Update on Bras also a great quote.

My Deco arrived within 3 days - pretty impressive! Thanks ebay seller and Parcel Motel! I'm waiting until my Ada arrives now. (it was shipped Thursday but you know weekends and the post!)

I'm pretty pleased with my Deco though!

Also this from The Pervocracy:

Men feel about their penises, I imagine, the same way you feel about your breasts.

No, actually, I have this thing called a vagina, thanks.
Breasts are important erogenous zones for lots of people (including me!), but equating breasts with penises is depressingly common, and seems to stem from two wrong-headed ideas:
1) Things that stick out are the important bits!  Vaginas are all hidden away and mysterious, and thus couldn't possibly be an important part of a person's sensuality or body image.
2) The stereotypical heterosexual man finds breasts more attractive than vaginas.  Therefore, women must find their own breasts absolutely fascinating.

Finally something expresses exactly how I feel about breasts. :)

Future Reviews hopefully coming up! / Tips for Irish online shoppers

Let's hope they arrive now!

I have been stalking E-bay, and yet I couldn't find anything of value. Then I accidentally went onto E-bay.co.uk - founds loads for ultra cheap stuff. So, typical me, I couldn't find it again. What had transpired that I was looking at stuff that the sellers would only ship to the U.K.

So... I thought back to my friend's 'Parcel Motel' t-shirt (his boyfriend's sister enters a competition of theirs and she won t-shirt... and a Wii!).
So I looked them up. Basically, Parcel Motel gives you a Northern Irish address - then they courier it down to the Republic for E3.50! The parcels are stored in a 'motel' and they text you when they arrive! Also you get two free deliveries... but I think the value isn't that bad because a lot of E-bay sellers charge 2 euro or so within the U.K. and 6 pounds to go abroad.
Some places don't ship abroad at all but have free U.K. delivery which means I'm paying E3.50 for a package from abroad which is about average for me. Also pretty helpful because I have nowhere packages can be left outside my home.

Anyways check them out!

http://www.parcelmotel.com/

:)

So I have paid E20 for two great Freya bras! I'm pretty excited, so here they are:

The Freya Ada

The Freya Deco

Bra Review: Gorgeous at Debenhams Soft Comfort T-shirt Bra (1500108092) 30G

This could be seen as a lead on from my post on Debenhams because I'm going to post a little review on this bra... beige thing... I purchased there for the pricey sum of 5 euros. Speaking from my knowledge of the Irish full-bust market that is pretty damn impressive. In fact they have quite a few of them still floating around in there... though I might grab them first.

Looks:
This bra really has nothing going for it in the looks department. Nothing. Perhaps that it's smooth under clothing could be a plus. The cups are weirdly stretchy but it doesn't sacrifice support so I found that very helpful for my larger left side.

I tried wearing it under a thin cotton white vest... (with the most oddly placed pocket ever... it was a mirco-pocket right on the boob) I can attest that the colour is close enough to my skin tone that it blends.

Feel:
This bra wins here - it deserves its title of soft. I could nuzzle this bra as if was a cuddly toy. I never realised how comfortable soft fabric is. My mother noted that it looks quite warm! Suitable for the climate then? 

Shape:
A bit of a meh it's not that uplifted but it does give a perky look overall. It was somewhere between rounded and pointy... the compromise bra? It doesn't flatten or squish and even my larger left breast fits quite well in the cups. Sadly the look is very east-west. Urk. EDIT: Okay this bra is now the worst ever. So bloody east west, it's like my breasts hate each other and are sulking by getting as far from each other as they can...

Fit:
The.gore.will.not.tack. Very annoying. So this bra doesn't fit really. However the bending (since the publication my Bratabase review) seems to be have helping a bit. It stays in place on the tightest hook even without alteration (which I plan to do... perhaps it will fix the gore or if that doe not work I will sew it together). EDIT: I altered the bra... still not great.

Straps/Other features:
The top half the strap is a 'comfort strap' and I agree. You can remove the second half the strap which is a little thinner than Freya fare. This bra can be a multiway, though I'm dubious if it's that a good idea as this bra doesn't seem like one anyone would risk flashing. The bra came with an extra strap. I don't know if it was supposed to come with two or whether it is supposed to be a halter strap (again with the chances of this bra getting a flash I don't see why). The choice to change the second half of the back straps means that I doubt anyone would find that the straps would not fit your height! It's a pretty clever idea actually.

Conclusion:

This bra was a fiver and while I usually like to get a very good value for money (just an hour ago I was in Tesco's clearance musing over the ethics of taking 60c steak (I know right!) from someone's basket. No, I didn't go through with it) I will admit that this bra is fine for what it is but it probably should be skipped by those who want something a little more decent. I can see why it didn't sell straight off.

Finally, a link to my Bratabase review: http://bra.pe/RBsG/

Also shout-out to my first follower: http://brajunkie.blogspot.ie/