Friday, February 27

Times are tough enough...

Everyone knows it is tough times. Every little dollar counts.

When things wear out & need to be replaced, value for what little money we have, is very important.

Which brings me to the vexing question of "Buying a Bra".

I have, in fact, blogged about this before. But in case some of you missed it, I thought I would share my recent misadventures, attempting to do the impossible.

First I tried a local outlet, which promises Bargains. Humph! Bargains would be a fine thing, if there was one item in the whole huge shop, which was in my size.

They have acres of bras, hanging on little plastic hangers- does anyone have a go at them about polluting the planet, I wonder?
They have bras for the pre-pubescant girls~ why do they bother?
They have bras for anorexics, in pretty colours, in pretty styles.
They have padded bras. Wired bras. Stuffed bras. Striped bras. Leery neon coloured bras. Black sexy bras. Pale pastel dreams in lace & froth.
They have bras like huge great trusses! They look as if they are made for cows! (Maybe they are?)


No, I didn't actually see any like these! Perhaps it would have made a nice change to have a laugh at.

Instead of feeling more & more desperate as I went about the shops, wearing my almost shredded & over stretched, unflattering, old bra, ~you know the one. The one they ceased making, the minute you found it fit, & was comfortable. Plus affordable.
It seems as if some cosmic conspiracy tells manufacturers when a person finds a bra that fits. Production immediately ceases. All stock is hastily got rid of.. who knows where, because you never can find them on sale or even slightly reduced.

So I trudged wearily off to other likely venues, which claimed to stock & sell bras.
Most of them did. But still, none of them had my size. WTH?? I am not a freak!
I stomped on further. Still no luck.
Finally, at an unlikely shop, I find not one, not two, not even three, but Four!! styles in my size. Two of the styles even come in colours!! Well... that is if you count black, white, & skin, as 'colours'.
Grasping them in my hot & weary little hand, I rush off to the 'fitting rooms.' The only thing 'fitting' about them is, the closeness of the walls!
It is downright claustrophobic in the damn cubicle, with the tattery ill fitting curtain to pull across. Always cut meanly, so they dont quite cover the doorway.
As if a generous cut would cut into their profit margin. Of course a real door that closed, would mean certain bankruptcy, I suppose, so that is out of the question too. I suppose I should be gratefull there is a mirror.
So I struggle out of my upper clothes, then become horrified that there IS a mirror...OMG! Who is that?? O hell! It must be me, there is no space in here for anyone but me!
As is usual with these fitting rooms, there is no airconditioning, & you struggle & sweat & squirm about trying on the bras. Crikey! They all look hideous. Well, wait... perhaps 2 of them feel quite comfortable almost. A third seems as if it might last well. Who knows how they actually look?
By now the temperature in the small cubicle is up to sizzle point, so you hastily struggle back into your tattered undergarment. Don your top. Lurch out to hand in the little tag that indicates how many garments you tried. noting, that the vague girl at the desk is on the phone, & doesnt even bother to check whether you are in fact holding all the 'returns'. For all she cares you might have 10 bras on, under your lumpy top.
The horror story doesn't really end there.
You go home, retry your bras, think philosophically, oh well, they are not pretty nor are they exactly what you had in mind, but, they will have to do.
Launder said garments. Proceed to wear them, one after other.
The first, is like some hideous harness, & not of the racing variety either. It pokes you in odd places, & suddenly seems to feel & look, quite different to what it did in the mirror- either shop or home. Why are the straps so fat & ugly? Comfort you say? whose comfort, I wonder??
Why do they make them in such hideous colours. Are larger people not allowed to have a bit of pretty? or at least attractive?
The second 2 are not much better. It seems you cannot really tell just how good or bad, the fit of a bra, is likely to be, until you have worn it around for at least 4 hours.
It is indeed a shame there is no way you can 'test drive' your garments, to see if they will be a fit or failure.
So keep the old tattereds for home wear, until they finally shred, & have to go.
I could say "Tough Titties" -but I won't.
***************************

Today is my youngest son's birthday.
As it does every year, it has brought memories flooding back of the joyous day he was born.
Because our birthdays are so close, we usually have a get together somewhere about the time, to celebrate both birthdays.
He is coming to stay, so it will be lovely to see him, as always.
Happy Birthday Son B.
This song is just for him.
He has always loved this one.


Kris Kristofferson, Darby's Castle.






40 comments:

Deb said...

Happy Birthday to you and your son.
I have buying bras also, I guess I'm at that in between size, not flat, not full, once I find one I like I wear it till it falls apart.

Jennifer said...

Try Lane Bryant if they have them down there. It's the only place I am able to find larger bras that fit the way they are supposed to and most of them are cute, too!

molly said...

Buying bras is down there at the very bottom of things I like to do! But the alternative is to be male---would you rather that? ...Didn't think so!
Happy Birthdays to you and your son!

Nancy said...

I don't think you can find a good bra for cheap. I only buy two a year (and wash them carefully, never dry them in the dryer) so I buy Wacoal. Pricy, but they last all year, and they even have one that doesn't have wires that actually works.

ancient one said...

Happy Birthday to your son! Enjoy your time together...

I think every woman in the world can appreciate this post...LOL

Warty Mammal said...

Bra shopping. Feh! Is there any article of clothing that is more vexing or humiliating to shop for?

If you find a style you like, I highly recommend going online and stocking up. No dressing rooms.

June Saville said...

I'm with Warty Mammal - Bras are a trial. Good idea about the net though ...

Patsy said...

Reminds me that I have to go and buy new bras. I wish I could find strong stretchy lace bras.

I loved your post; it made me laugh. :-)
~Lorna

fifi said...

oh, I hate anything which involves me looking at myself in one of those change room mirrors! aaaagh!


I must say there is a very helpful lady at David Jones who is quite good, she kits me out if I need her to. She explains why things fit or not, even when I think they are ok.

Now that you mention it I could probably do with a new one. Perhaps one of those in the picture? very fancy. JUST the thing.

fifi said...

oh, I hate anything which involves me looking at myself in one of those change room mirrors! aaaagh!


I must say there is a very helpful lady at David Jones who is quite good, she kits me out if I need her to. She explains why things fit or not, even when I think they are ok.

Now that you mention it I could probably do with a new one. Perhaps one of those in the picture? very fancy. JUST the thing.

fifi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jellyhead said...

Meggie, that is EXACTLY what happens to me with bras! - the part about you find one particular type that is perfect, then they stop making it. Almost immediately.

Hope you have a lovely time with your youngest son, and that you forget all about the Business of the Bad Bras!

Mary said...

Happy Birthday to your boy!

I loathe trying on bras too.

perhaps only reed slim b or c cup women truly enjoy it.

Ali Honey said...

You didn't imagine that part about once you find one you like it disappears.
I was once told by a shop assistanat when I asked why a particlar bra I liked had been discontinued, "that the manufacturers took it out of production because it was TOO POPULAR and the rest of the range wasn't selling!"
I asked the shop assistant to pass a message on from one of their previous customers ( ME )what I thought of that idea and left the shop without buying.
BUT in the end you have to buy something,( from a different brand ) so they win.

lovelyprism said...

Oh goodness, that was funny. Because it's true. And I think it might be against the law for anything in a "plus" size to actually be pretty. Bras are especially hard to buy because if you have big ta-ta's the manufacture assumes you must be fat. A larger cup with a smaller band is VERY hard to find and usually quite unattractive. Pity. If they would learn their lesson, there's so much money to be made there!

Linds said...

I am convinced all bra designers are men who have a particular loathing for women. I went along to trusty old M&S when I desperately needed some upholstering, and there was not a single design I wanted to try on. They are all these foam shaped things now and I wanted an ordinary bra. Oh the nightmare. And yes, I also know what you mean re the discontinuing of the ones you like. The same applies to lipstick and foundation. Gah!

Kitty said...

I feel your pain. I need new ones, I am wearing the last one of the 'batch' I bought which fitted, were pretty and washed well. :-( I think I might have grown a bit since I last bought some. *blush*

Happy Birthday to you and your son. Enjoy your weekend. x

New Yorker wannabes said...

That is exactly how I feel when I enter a fitting room! Couldn't have described it better myself :-)

Happy birthday to both of you!! Health and hapiness!!

Take care
peace and love
xoxo

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Let us know if you ever find a solution. My biggest problem is the underwire popping out and stabbing me. Once the wire worked it's way up and out of my shirt--didn't know it until I saw myself in a mirror. It looked like a tiny microphone poking out throught the buttons of my shirt. I had been shopping and did notice that all the sales people were extra solicitous, so maybe I will do it again intentionally......

Unknown said...

Happy birthday to both of you. good health and lots of blessings are my wishes for you.

As for the bra thing, AVON sells good stuff that I think are affordable.

Mahesh Sindbandge said...

Good one..
Yes indeed it is tough time...
seems like its a virtual world war III where lives are struggling for living...

Mahesh Sindbandge said...

Good one..
Yes indeed it is tough time...
seems like its a virtual world war III where lives are struggling for living...

Sarah said...

You gave me quite the chuckle, Meggie!

I think we've all had days like this and can sympathize. I know I have! Better luck next time, I suppose, right?

Happy Birthday, Meggie's son!

Sarah

Rosie said...

happy b'day to your son...I sympathise with the bra hunt. apparently most wompen wear bras that dont fit properly because our breasts are constantly changing in size. This is particularly my case...that's where all my weight goes!

quiltmom anna said...

Meggie,
This is too funny- I loved your post- buying a bra is always an adventure- speaking of adventures- do check out http://kimsbigquiltingadventure.blogspot.com/- she has a cute post a couple of days ago with a photo that may make you smile- the post
was called the Red Hat society - the ladies at the end have the most unique scarves ....:O)
Glad you had a successful shopping trip...
Regards,
Anna

Veronica said...

It's depressing to think that this problem is the same the beep beep world over!!!! And I agree with everyone that it is just too humiliating (and infuriating) having to add insult to injury by being forced to look at myself in those beep beep mirrors in the beep beep changing rooms..... aarrghhh.

And fifi mentioned my (still!) favouritest store in the whole world - David Jones - and now I feel really depressed 'cos it's a long, long way away from me... sob...

Katt said...

What a fun blog. I enjoyed this very much, hope you dont mind if I return. I added you to my blog list... :) hope that was okay.

Katt

Pam said...

Happy belated birthday, and to your son. At least your bra-buying is over for a while.

Lucy said...

Where have all your male commenters gone, Meggie!

I feel like telling Carrefour they'd sell more clothes if they put more flattering lighting in their changing rooms. I lose the will to live, let alone buy underclothes, when I get undressed in there!

Tanya said...

Similar adventures in the fitting room. Actually I've decided that buying the Japanese expensive ones are worth the money. The American bargain ones of the summer purchasing did NOT last.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to your son.

I have to confess that I would never go and try on a bra. Not sure why. I do occasionally wear them (for running or if I am wearing something lowcut or see-through) but rarely not being busty. I always buy them online and just send them back if they are no good. But given that I always get the same sorts (just vary the designs or colours) they are generally fine.

I often envy women with larger breasts but I would hate to have to wear a bra all the time so I think on balance I prefer to be me. Everyone told me I would need to wear one after breastfeeding children but it didn't make any difference - well, not yet!!!!

Mike said...

This reminds me of my wife's bra shopping horror stories.

It's hard to think that something so nice to look at is so difficult to house.

Thimbleanna said...

Ahhh, bra shopping. The other curse of being female -- but I laughed at Molly's response -- wouldn't want that either!

Too bad we don't live closer so I could take your old bras off of your hands. I've been collecting them for an upcoming prank and I'm still about 15 short. It's a little awkward asking friends for their old bras, but several wonderful girls have passed their old ones on to me -- some anonymously which, of course, is the only way!

Anonymous said...

Did I wish you a happy birthday? If I did not, then of course I meant to! Happy, Happy, Happy birthday!

Anonymous said...

Did I wish you a happy birthday? If I did not, then of course I meant to! Happy, Happy, Happy birthday!

Anonymous said...

Did I wish you a happy birthday? If I did not, then of course I meant to! Happy, Happy, Happy birthday!

The Sagittarian said...

There was a time when I would have had Kris follow me about with his hands being my boob supports. However, practicality being what it is I had to flag that idea.

Doublebanker said...

That would have to be uncomfortable...

Daily Gif Blog

DB

The Fibers of Life said...

Oh dear, is it or is it not the most universal problem for ladies. I have spent my entire adult life well endowed. Even as a high schooler it was a problem. About 10 years ago I decided that I'd had enough of backaches and not being able to find bras, so my dr. worked with my insurance company for a reduction. A total of 4 pounds of tissue was removed which brought me down to a "C" cup. I thought, oh boy I will finally have a chance to find some pretty bras. NOT. it is still an issue mainly because I can't wear an underwire. So, I still found myself deeply disappointed when shopping. I have finally found bras that I can find and they come is some pretty colours. They are maidenform and are available via the internet. I haven't been to a store looking for a bra for at least 6 years. I went to a fancy smanchy bra store was found that inspite of their wonderful advertising about helping you find the right bra, the one that came close to fitting was $75. I cannot in good conscience or any other kind spent that much for 1 bra. I would have to wear it all the time and start saving for another right away. You might try this website. http://www.jms.com
they have been a great help to me.I hope they might help you too.
MaryLou

Helen said...

Hi Meggie

You have me hooting in hysterics with this post. So funny and so true!! And I've been thinking lately that I need some new ones. I am not at all hopeful of any degree of success. I feel for Kathy of Kathy's Clotheslines. a similar thing has happened to me (blush)