Custom Undergarments: The Results

[cjsmith]

I was looking for a Bay Area, probably East Bay, shop doing custom bras (or at least having a wide variety of sizes). I promised a couple of people that I'd post a summary of the results. (I note that of this list, a grand total of TWO and MAYBE A THIRD have any possibility of having something to fit me.)

OK, I'm not adding any more shops at this point. I have work to do :)

1. Roselyn Dress shop, 4252 Broadway (510) 444-7472. "These bras are not pretty and they are expensive, but they get the job done!" An article about them. I strongly suspect Roselyn Dress Shop is the one I had been thinking of. Many thanks to mactavish for asking in local communities and forwarding me the replies! (Turns out this place does big, not weird. They would laugh at both me -- small ribs, big boobs -- and my out-of-town guest -- small boobs, big ribs.)

2. Bras for Body and Soul in Fremont. They "carry bras in over 200 sizes (band sizes 26-52; cup sizes AA-N in full and half sizes--AA, A, B, C, CC, D, DD, E, EE, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, I, II, J, JJ, K, KK, L, LL, M, MM, N). The fitters are very nice, know the shop's stock well, and will work patiently with you to get you into a bra that fits. Make an appointment if you go, as they can't always accommodate walk-ins." (Now this has possibilities.)

3. A La Folie, 6395 Telegraph Avenue (At Alcatraz). This seems to be much more on the "lingerie" side of things than the others. Some of their stuff looks stunningly gorgeous. Warning to nonstandard folks: I have found nothing on their web site mentioning what sizes they carry. You know as well as I do what that probably means. :-)

Ranging farther afield:

4. "In San Jose there's Chicki Downs @ 1209 Park Ave 408-286-2772 I've been here. Its okay, but they did have a decent nursing bra in my size. although her stock seem limited in styles, but lots of sizes (you get ugly with functional)."

5. "Out in Pittsburg is Under it all @ 4571 Century Blvd 925-778-7272 I love this store. I ended up buying some very nice, very comfy bras for me there. In fact this is where I went shopping for a bra to wear under my wedding dress. I highly reccommend this store. [...] If I remember their yellow pages ad they go up to something like a J cup."

6. "Gitti's in Palo Alto has the owner do (Gitti herself) fittings. She gave me a great fitting for a new bra before my wedding. I'm not sure what sizes she has, but it wasn't just a froo froo lingerie place, for sure."

Even farther afield:

7. Creative Woman -- "The Wizard of Bras" -- 626/358-6216 or 888/564-9754. 1530 S. Myrtle Ave (Myrtle exit from 210), Monrovia, CA 91016 (nearish to Pasadena). "They'll also alter bras to improve or resize a fit if you need it. See their Bra Size Cup Chart for converting sizes between brands -- shows quite the confusion of sizes!"

And then there's the web. This isn't what I was looking for, of course, but lots of people swear by 'em, so I'll add the information for those who might be interested. (Note to people with my particular body type: most of these don't go below a 30" ribcage, and some don't even get that far.)

8. Fig Leaves in the UK. "They have an excellent selection, excellent size-search tool, and easy returns. Their stuff tends to be high-end and expensive. [...] The UK bras seem to have very bullet shaped cups, i.e. made for breasts with a smaller diameter base on the chest wall and greater depth from chest to nipple for equivalent breast volume." (This site carries a 28" band size.)

9. Road Runner Sports "have their own brands of many types of activewear that are cheaper than the major name brands and very high quality."

10. Bare Necessities "make it easy to search for specific sizes and carry most of the major brands. [...] If you are like me and have already zeroed in on the make, model and size you like, Bare Necessities is great way to go."

11. Bravissimo, in the UK, "caters to women with large breasts, but who are not otherwise 'plus size'."

12. Decent Exposures "do sports bras in all sizes, made to measure." (Also non-sports, everyday-wear bras. I know multiple people who are pleased with Decent Exposures bras.)

Comments

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

Thanks for putting all of this together.

I took an utterly different route to solving this problem-- Dr. Wang at Oakland Kaiser, and one of the things that she did as part of the pre-surgery stuff was give a hand-out listing several of these places, so that people whose problems could be solved or partially solved through the use of better-fitting bras would have options.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

That is an AWESOME doc.

One of these web sites -- I don't remember which -- prided itself on the fact that some clients "reconsidered surgery". I could imagine it, if the person weren't already strongly certain that she really wanted to do it.

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

She is an awesome doc. She let me do some fiddling with the waiting list, because I was unwilling to have surgery while my stepmom was in chemo. She remembered me and what was going on, and pretty much knew (without me saying so) that when I was willing to go ahead and schedule surgery, that it meant my stepmom had died. She also was very supportive of my decision to seem accupuncture to deal with side-effects of the anaesthesia, and gave me options about one night in the hospital or two (I opted for two). Additionally, she let me do the surgery without a catheter.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Oakland Kaiser seems to be an island of good in a sea of up and down. I've had great experiences there (including treatment by their only licensed MD/acupuncturist in 1986) but horrible ones in Sacramento, and I've known folks who've had both pretty good and pretty bad in Fremont and in SF.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. Not only making allowances for your life and events like your stepmom's illness, but *remembering*! That's pretty stellar.

[simplykimberly.livejournal.com]

If you're going further afield, then Gitti's in Palo Alto has the owner do (Gitti herself) fittings. She gave me a great fitting for a new bra before my wedding. I'm not sure what sizes she has, but it wasn't just a froo froo lingerie place, for sure.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'll add that. (Her web site claims she bottoms out at a 32" band.)

[ericainohio.livejournal.com]

Geez, I am in AWE. OOoooohhhh, the luxury of a bra that was fitted properly and felt good. (But man, I'll bet that they are not cheap) Alas, I think I am stuck with nursing bras for a little while yet.

I know a couple of women in my earthy-birthy groups who are very pleased with Decent Exposures. And the bras are cute, too. My friend who is something like an HH cup, has adorable velvet and print bras from them.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I note that with about two exceptions, NOTHING on this list would be able to fit me, including Decent Exposures. Still, store number 2 might do it.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Decent Exposures takes in bras for people who have reduced their size somehow, I bet they'd do a custom band for little to no extra charge. But they're also not supportive enough for some folks. I love their bras.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they might, if asked. O'course it'd be hard to return that when a first try revealed that it wasn't quite right... Well, still worth thinking about. I could get a normal-sized-woman one (repeat until it almost fits) and tie a knot in the back & ship it back for alteration.

Yeah, the pictures don't LOOK like the bras are very supportive at all, but they claim some people use them even for sports! They must have some masher-capable fabrics.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

They do have one very solid fabric. I've never tried it.

[(Anonymous)]

They're not supportive at all, and quite expensive. I paid a lot of money for a bra I can't wear out of the house much. Also, not that comfy.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Ouch. That is a good warning for me -- I'm the type who hangs on when going down stairs.

[rampling.livejournal.com]

If you're listing places from all over, here in LA many women swear by:

Creative Woman (http://www.creativewoman.com) -- "The Wizard of Bras"
626/358-6216 or 888/564-9754
1530 S. Myrtle Ave (Myrtle exit from 210)
Monrovia, CA 91016 (nearish to Pasadena)
They'll also alter bras to improve or resize a fit if you need it.
See their Bra Size Cup Chart (http://home.flash.net/~bras/cup_chart.html) for converting sizes between brands -- shows quite the confusion of sizes!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Well, I was listing whatever people came up with when asked about a shop in Berkeley! Due to the wonderful properties of LJ, I got websites in the UK. I'll add this too, and then I'll edit the post to say I'm done. :)

[rampling.livejournal.com]

Hee hee, didn't mean to make more work for you. Love the list!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

ps: Here is another hellacious confusion of sizes! Manufacturers simply don't agree on a standard.

[rampling.livejournal.com]

Ugh! What a ridiculous mess of sizing!

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

You know, posting all this information about how much you have to shop for bras is just plain not nice when we don't have the kind of LJ-friendship where I can ask the questions needed to satisfy my curiosity. ;)

Sorry, just kidding! I hope you are able to find what you are looking for and enjoy your experience. I remember the first time I stumbled into the place I shop now and what a wonderful experience it was to find everything I need and with salespeople that really treated me with respect. I can't bring myself to shop anywhere else now. :)

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

I think the question that you'd be wanting to ask would be answered by "small band size, large cup size", or, if you're wanting the distillation of that, it would be "big tits on a small chest".

(me, I am shameless)

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

Quite possibly. But as I said, I'm not sure it is in keeping with with the "relationship" CJ and I have to try and guess the answer, any more than it would be to ask. So I just decided to play with her a bit, instead. :)

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

my apologies, then, if I've interfered with the game or provided information that was unwanted. (my relationship with CJ being one of the "see her at parties hosted by our mutual friends or mutual whatevers variety).

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

No apologies necessary to me, as it was her bust size you outted. :) And I hope she is not upset, either. If so, I will take partial responsibility.

And, don't worry, there was no unwanted information, nor was it a game. Or was mostly just a tongue-in-cheek 'I'd ask if I knew you better, but I better not!' So there was no interference, I promise. :)

I will admit, however, to being ten times as embarrassed that somebody else stumbled across the comment, though, as I would have been embarrassed enough to discuss CJ's breasts with her, much less somebody I've never spoken to before. I shall go slink off into the night now. :)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

This entire exchange made me giggle. I figured you'd want to know.

Yeah, small ribs big boobs just about covers it. They're not even insanely big - just slightly out of place on a frame this size.

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

OK, they might be a little out of place on your frame, but they're nice!

*leer*

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

*blush*

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

Indeed, that is good to know. :) Much better than you being mad. :)

You've mentioned your size a number of times, as I recall. How small are you? And, yes, I know that's a mighty personal question, and I won't be the least bit upset if you don't answer it. But this seemed like a good time to ask, since it was at least less horrible than asking how big your boobs are. :)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Nah, I get mad if I'm insulted, not if I'm asked something like that. After all I could always just not answer! :-)

I'm not that small. SUPPOSEDLY I'm average height for a woman in the US (5'4") but I want some of what they're smokin' if they think that's average. 28" around the ribs and about 125 pounds. Still waiting to grow up - losing hope. I did reach sufficient size to donate blood around junior year of college.

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

So, let me see if I understand. As long as you can choose not to answer, I can ask anything I want without you getting mad? Hmm, this could be very dangerous. ;)

5'4" doesn't sound that small. I don't know about the 28", it's not an area where I have much experience. But it doesn't SOUND noticably small. Still, I would think that it's slightly below average based on my experience. Maybe people are just getting bigger these days. :)

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

Yea, but I agree you have nice boobs. Or at least I like 'em!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

aw! *blush*

Some days I feel like some kind of spoiled brat when I want a little LESS!IN!THAT!AREA and get to talking to my mom who would give her right arm for a little MORE.

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

You aren't a spoiled brat. I had a friend in high school who had a GG cup and she suffered horrible back pain. I remember the day she pranced into work crowing that Kaiser had approved a breast reduction.

I don't think anybody's happy about their tits (hair, face, thighs, you name it) I don't know if you suffer the back pain, but if you do, you have my sympathies!

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, we all just want to go hide under a rock. I hope you get over it in time to have a lovely weekend.

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Don't worry, as often as I embarrass myself, I have learned to recover quickly. :) I hope you have a lovely weekend as well!

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

I have and I will. thank you.

[deedeebythebay.livejournal.com]

This is great information! Thanks so much!!!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! I wish it were easier to come by. It's silly that so many people wear stuff that doesn't fit because it's all they've found.

[abz6598.livejournal.com]

What kinda boobage are you packing that you cant buy 'off the rack' (so to speak)?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

*groan* that was awful. :)

Ah, one of those times when a webcam is the only thing that will do. ;-)

Size numbers/letters depend wildly on who you ask. I look pretty normal, and I just have some basic probably-a-little-biggish boobage, but it's on a very small frame, so by the measurements I'm a freak. According to this site I'm a 28 FF. There's a rack to buy for off the rack!

[abz6598.livejournal.com]

Ah, one of those times when a webcam is the only thing that will do. ;-)


Sounds good to me. Lets see whatcha got...

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Lets see whatcha got...

What I've got may do many things for me, but one thing I've not got is a webcam. :-)

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Want to borrow ours? ;)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

It does occur to me that that would go well with a shopping trip. (I'm presuming a shopping trip would take me to the East Bay.)

[aliza250.livejournal.com]

A few years ago, I was visiting the Bay Area, and my sister took me to a specialty place in Palo Alto that specialized in post-mastectomy bras, but also had lots of other stuff. (Not sure if it was Gotti's or not.)

They sold me a bra that *fit* - not an underwire, but a 2-layer bra with a triangle support under a normal bra cup. I stuck out a lot further than with my usual squash-em underwire bras, but my boobs weren't curling down onto my ribcage. I was very happy, even though it cost $90.

However, after I'd worn the bra 2 or 3 times (and before I'd even washed it), the supportive felt stiffeners had gotten crumpled, and the whole thing became incredibly uncomfortable to wear, and much less supportive. Since I'd already left the area, I didn't have a lot of choices about returning it, so I just gave up on it.

A cautionary tale from a 32J or 34I.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Ooo... thanks for the warning. Something to keep an eye out for.

(J or I. *Wow*.)