Nina Breaks Her Big Bra
May 30th, 2008
Hiddenfeet recently met up with spunky redheaded Nina Kersten to talk about her frustrations with bras. Nina is a long time Hiddenfeet reader visiting the United States with her parents. We told her to bring the worst bra she had. A cotton blend by Fruit of the Loom™ on its way to the trash heap. Nina had this bra for about a year and washed it just like any other piece of laundry.
“It used to be my favorite bra. I wore it everywhere. It was great in the beginning, then it stretched out and became painful.”
The first thing we noticed - this bra was a few sizes too small and possibly the reason it was falling apart. A properly fitted bra should have no bulging from the sides, top or bottom (see picture), we explained. After months of wear and inadequate washing, the wire stretched and popped through. The dryer shrunk the bra and broke down the elastic. The survival of Nina’s bra would have lengthened had she drip-dried it after a trip through the washing machine.
Many Hiddenfeet girls who email us have found success using a lingerie bag. You place your bras in this bag and wash them on the gentle cycle. It can also help to protect the structure of foam styled bras. Most department stores will carry special detergents gentle enough for even the most delicate of materials. These detergents are the same ones used for cashmere and silk. Harsh detergents can break down lycra, cotton, nylon, and spandex.
Update: We are going to take additional pictures of Nina and update this article soon. Nina will pose in a properly fitted bra - one designed with more durable materials.
Hiddenfeet.com will be doing more photo shoots with models as we build our portfolio and gather material for our documentary DVD. Any feedback about these pictures of Nina would be greatly appreciated. Email us or post your thoughts in the comments area below.
Sara,
The first thing I noticed was the Fruit of the Loom bra fit Nina just horribly! The cup size was 2 or 3 cup sizes too small - the wires weren’t even sitting on her chest. Regardless of the wire poking out, that bra must have been really uncomfortable to wear!
I wear a 30F and I always use a lingerie bag for all of my bras when I was them. I usually wash them in cold water and on a “gentle” cycle. I always hang them in my laundry room to air dry. I can get a year or so out of them if they are of good construction.
One of the major things I have learned over the last couple years is to buy bras in a band size that allows you to hook the hooks on the loosest setting for full support when the bra is brand new. That way when the elastic stretches a little with wear you have two or three more hooks to use in order to get full support. Using the band of the bra to support your breasts is critical to those of us who have larger breasts. Relying on shoulder straps is not good for your posture, your boobs or your self-esteem! Having a bra band that crawls up your back during the day from the weight of ones breasts is no fun.
GREAT web site! I just recently found it. Wish you had been here when I was a little 12 year old wondering how to get along with C cups quickly growing to D and beyond!! My mother was dumbfounded by my growth and I suffered with ill-fitting bras until I was in high school when a mother of a friend of mine suggested going to a lingerie store to get measured and fitted - for the first time in my life. What a difference a correctly fitting bra did for me. I walked in wearing a 36B and walked out in a 30DD/E.
Thanks for being here.
Kristen
Best article yet on Hiddenfeet. My daughter and I love the pretty pictures! It is wonderful to see a young girl wearing a properly fitted bra. I am glad she got rid of the fruit of the loom disaster. Last summer my daughter and I went through her dresser and found that almost every bra she had didn’t fit her.
My daughter wears a 32F bra and I have had dozens of people disbelieve her bra size. She is slim and busty, but 32F isn’t as massive as most women think when they see her in person. People don’t realize that cup sizes are relative to the band size of the bra and an F cup isn’t always huge. In fact, it can look small, especially if you’re not wearing a figure hugging top. Like in the last picture of Nina, big breasts spread flatter against the chest because of the extra support. What type of bra is she wearing in the last picture Sara? The straps and shape look like a bra that my daughter has but with a different pattern.
Slightly off topic - My daughter has prom coming up soon and all the girls of the graduating class are required to wear the same style of dress. It is a great idea since much of the population of Ohio is poor and the yearly fund raising will cover the costs of these prom dresses. The problem is that the dress is low in the back. Has anyone who reads this had success with these? It converts your normal bra to a low-back bra. They say you do lose some support but we want to know just how much. Since my daughter is bigger than her classmates, we don’t want her bouncing a lot. We are going to make a long drive to a lingerie store that has these Lowdown Straps in stock and try them on.
Big thanks to Sara and a big thanks to everyone who shares tips throughout her website!
Carrie, Kristen and everyone, Thanks for the well typed comments!
Her bra is designed by Wacoal, purchased from Nordstroms recently in the USA.
It is sturdy and extremely comfortable she told us. I might have to buy a couple of these myself :)
I have personally never used the “The Lowdown Straps by Braza.” Anyone else used something similar? As for the seller, “Bravissimo” I have dealt with them before and would recommend Bravissimo to anyone. Wonderful company with excellent catalogs. If your going to order from them, Id get to it fast. They are based in the UK. So it may take a couple of weeks to get it.
Hope she has fun at the prom - she’ll never forget it!
I wash my bras on gentle cycle and air dry them. I always buy Goddess - they hold up for over a year.
Goddess seem to last a long time for me and my sister. We typically get at least a year from them with heavy - LOL - use. Either Maggie and I are lucky…or they are just stronger bras. I wear the Comfort Zone Soft Cup Bra with non stretch straps. They have a 3 column, 3 row hook and eye back closure that seems to hold up well so far. I also wear the Smooth Simplicity bra from Goddess and it has an underwire that is encased in a puncture-proof channel.
Sara are you still taking tap dance classes? I started taking class Sunday June 1st and I am going twice a week. It is so much fun!
Has anyone tried this bra? It is said to be another Oprah favorite and it looks really pretty and has everything I look for in a bra. It even claims to be designed to fit and flatter fuller figures - like me! Thanks!
Gina
Gina,
YES! I have one and its great. You should go and try one on. It will give your breasts a bit of a perky lift. Just ask for the Oprah bra at stores - they will usually know what you are talking about. I also like the lace on the top because it works great for low cut tops or a sheer blouse. When you wear the bra it looks like you have a camisole on.
Let us know how you like it!
Jennifer,
I have temporarily stopped taking classes due to a schedule change at work. I have found a new school and will be starting again soon. Glad you like it, I miss it horribly. It’s so much fun!
Very pretty. The new bra seems waaaay better! Glad she is getting better support and comfort. I know it makes a big difference. I am going to get a lingerie bag myself. It should prevent other clothing from rubbing on my undergarments during the wash cycle.