So, I left my job last week. I’ll be writing a lot about the business and entrepreneurship side of building a happier life but, today, we are talking about my boobs.
In the professional life I left, I was close with some the country’s leading marketing executives. One of those execs is an amazing woman named Lucille DeHart, who currently serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for Maidenform Brands.
Maidenform Bras at Macy's in Herald Square, NYC
When I talked to her about starting my own business, I mentioned that I feel like I need a whole new wardrobe to reflect who I am now. The fact is, my lifestyle is totally different now than when I moved here from New Hampshire close to five years ago yet my wardrobe hasn’t changed that much.
So, Lucille and I came up with an idea. Maidenform was started by two women – this aspect of the brand is right up my alley as I’m feeling especially Girl Power-ish these days. They are also the official lingerie for the ladies of Mad Men, which totally fits my bombshell wardrobe aesthetic. Lucille and her team would work with me to provide me with some education around the importance of a solid lingerie (or “foundation”) wardrobe. They would also provide me with sample garments and I could share about how having undergarments that fit properly changes how I feel about my wardrobe or even about my body.
If I write about Maidenform’s goodies and show you pictures of some of them (but not of my boobs), maybe you’ll get excited too, and we can bring back the days where ladies wore slips and then you won’t have to see women’s business on the way up the stairs every morning on the subway.
The first fun thing we did was get me fitted for new bras.
Bras!
Last week, I met up with a wonderful fit expert named Alicia in the lingerie department at Macy’s Herald Square. I highly recommend paying her a visit if you’re in need of a few new bras.
I did learn a few things about my boobs and buying bras. Mind you, I worked for another lingerie retailer all through college. I know how you’re supposed to measure yourself for bras but, let’s face it, I was too lazy. Add to that that my clothing size (and therefore my bra measurement) has changed from smaller to larger to smaller over the years, but I never bothered to replace some of my bras. So, I have a weird assortment in my dresser drawers.
Most of my bras are 38C or 36D. My fitter Alicia said that my current size is a 34D. (I measure 33 around my ribcage right now, so I’m sort of a weird case.)
The Maidenform styles that were a little more padded or meant for boosting run small so I still needed the 36D.
The biggest lessons I learned during my fitting are:
A) For the most part I need “full figure” style bras with larger cups to avoid the dreaded side boob. I’m between a size 8 and a size 10 clothing right now, so I wouldn’t have guessed that. I’ve always associated “full figure” bras with “plus size.”
B) Even within the same brand, sizes can be different from style to style. I don’t think I’ll ever buy a new style of bra again without trying it on first from now on.
Now that I can make my own schedule, I’m definitely refocused on getting back into the shape I was when I moved to NYC. I have between 10-15 lbs to lose and want to go down one clothing size. It will be interesting to see if my bra size changes. It did the last time I lost a significant amount of weight (I went from a D cup to a B in 2004) but I don’t much weight to lose this time around. We’ll see.
I will be keeping you updated here on what I learn about how lingerie plays a part in feeling like a successful woman. I’ll also be hunting for the best strapless garment for us D cup girls and sharing that with you. Next time we talk about Maidenform, it will be to show you the bras I chose during my fitting and talk a little bit about why I chose them.
I’m looking forward to sharing a lot more here now that I can refocus on writing and being happy. Regarding the new business, I wrote about that on my food website here.
Other Maidenform posts: Buying the Right Bra for Your Boobs
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Wow..this Maidenform brand sounds amazing! If we must say so ourselves! On behalf of our iconic company, we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to educate and empower you as you begin your new girl-power journey! I was so glad your experience was worthwhile and we do look foward to helping other women through your network. In the meantime…I think we can help you with that strapless bra you need—–stay tuned.
LD, CMO
Thank you so much, Lucille. You all are an amazing bunch!
I was at their site earlier contemplating the Flexees Easy Up Strapless Unitard. I want something that will provide a smooth shape and be comfortable under jeans. I’m training for a 5K, but I’m nowhere near as toned as I’d like to be. I know my bra size, but my concern before purchasing is that the bottom portion won’t fit properly.
If you can’t go try one on, get one of the flexees tank tops. But order the unitard, try it on & send it back if you don’t like it.
Committing to a few hours trying on dozens to find one or two bras that actually fit is so so worth it. Bra sizing is a mystical art: the first time I had a fitting (at Macys, in high school, with my mom hovering nearby), I went in wearing AAs and was shocked to came out buying Bs and Cs. These ladies are professionals for a reason! No one should ever DIY bra-shop.
I’ve managed to avoid thinking about shapewear so far, and can’t wait to learn all about it…!
I agree!! So worth it.