32AA Bra

Aerie Bras: 2012 Update

AE Aerie, Bralettes, Everyday Bras, Size AA 11 Responses »

Jan 292012

Editor’s note: I am pleased to bring you this update on American Eagle Aerie bras, written by guest author Mallory K. She found our page on Facebook, and it only took one conversation with Mallory for me to recognize how well she was going to fit in (literally; she’s a 30A) with our itty bitty tribe here at 32aa Bra. Aerie fans, this one’s for you; enjoy. –Amanda

I work for American Eagle Aerie, and I wanted to update you guys on some of the new Aerie bras that have been released over the past year. Finding bras online that fit just right is tough, and sometimes bras even vary in size within the same brand — so we’d love to have you stop by an Aerie store for a personalized fitting. Check our website to find one in your area.

Drew: “The Party Girl”

Double Whoa!
Coming in as a Double Whoa, Drew is the most push up that Aerie offers in a bra. She adds two cup sizes! Drew is very similar to the VS Miraculous bra, but in my experience it’s a lot softer and more comfortable to wear.

Drew does start at a 32AA; however, like the Aerie Emma bra, this one can be an awkward fit in the smaller cup sizes. There is so much padding that even on full A-cup breasts, it tends to gap at the tops of the cups.

Continue reading »

Adore Me

Bralettes, Everyday Bras, Getting Intimate, Lingerie, Petite Style, Savings 3 Responses »

Nov 172011

While I am (arguably) adorable, that is not a command. Adore Me is the latest website to toss its hat garter into the ring of private sale sites. It’s not a flash- or sample-sale site, though, where you have to jump on the deal right away or you lose it. Rather, they offer a personalized selection of bra/panty sets, tights and stockings, and an “accessory” section which consists of less-than-practical evening wear. Overall, the site has a lot of potential. There are some great features, but there are also plenty of pitfalls. We’ll nit-pick the hell out the site but first let’s take a look at how it works. Continue reading »

Royce Lingerie to (eventually) hit US market

Everyday Bras, Lingerie, Petite Style, Size AA No Responses »

Oct 202011

Citing major interest and ‘fantastic success’ at the CurveNY and CurveNV trade shows, UK intimate apparel maker Royce Lingerie is exploring the American market. If things pan out and their American presence reflects that of their British market, this will be great news for the stateside petite population. Continue reading »

Affinitas Back-to-School Tuition Scholarship Giveaway

Everyday Bras, Lingerie, Petite Style, Savings 1 Response »

Sep 052011

Who went back to school this semester? You’re probably done with all your back to school shopping by now but when you picked up all your new notebooks and pencils, did you remember to get yourself some new undies? If not, how would you like $1000 worth of new Affinitas lingerie as well as $1000 for tuition?

Affinitas Intimates is holding a contest and all you have to do is send them some pics of your favorite back to school looks, like them on facebook, tell them where you go to school, what you study, and what you want to be when you grow up. Also, pick out your favorite new style from the new fall line. For complete rules, go to their website. The contest ends on Sept. 18, so hurry up!

For those not familiar with Affinitas Intimates, AAmanda tells me they are primarily a fashion lingerie brand and that their small-scale sizing makes them a good fit for petites. The new fall line, called “Forbidden Romance” features chemises, bras and bustiers ranging from everyday to occasional nights. Band sizes start at 30 and cups start at A. Also new for fall is the Parfait line with band sizes also starting at 30, but with a fuller cup fit ranging from D to G.

(Hat-tip to Affinitas and Body Magazine)

Bra Fitting: Sizing Up the Reality

Everyday Bras, Getting Intimate 6 Responses »

Jul 312011

As many of you know, I work individually with women who are sick to death of feeling confused and overwhelmed by the tricky task of bra shopping. For each woman seeking help, my main goals are:

Get her questions answered.
Take the pressure off by offering reassurance, respect and encouragement.
Provide her with at least one bra that fits well, is comfortable enough to wear regularly, and makes her feel beautiful.

By the time I connect with my clients, many have already spent quite a bit of time and effort searching for the right bra. These are smart, savvy women who have done enough research that they end up teaching me new things about bras and lingerie, even as they reach out for my assistance. I am gradually building a substantial knowledge base that continues to grow every time I take on a new client.

That’s why I don’t consider myself a bra expert. I think I’m more of an enthusiast. It feels wonderful to me when I am able to help other size AA/A/B women like myself discover lingerie that truly fits and flatters the small-breasted figure, whether petite or average. Once you feel comfortable in your own skin and start to really see how beautiful you are in your skivvies, I feel like I’ve done my job right.

The Oprah Phenomenon

Thanks to Oprah, it is now widely understood that a professional bra fitting is usually required in order to get the correct size. I certainly appreciate Oprah’s efforts to educate America about bras, and I share her belief in the value of expert assistance. However, the fitting process doesn’t always work the way it is supposed to.

What follows is an example, used with the client’s permission, of how and why professional bra fittings can fail.

Sporadic Deal of the Moment for Tuesday, June 21

Everyday Bras, Lingerie, Savings 3 Responses »

Jun 212011

So… remember yesterday when I said these deals don’t happen every day? As fate would have it, the universe is messing with me again and I was apparently mistaken. Here are today’s members-only deals…

Between the Sheets on Zulilly today

Bralettes, Everyday Bras, Lingerie, Petite Style, Savings, Size AA 3 Responses »

Jun 052011

After reading through a few older articles here a while back, I discovered that members-only sites like Ideeli are great resources for saving money on high-end stuff. I immediately sought out and signed up for as many of these sites as I could. (I even found some clothes for myself.) So when I wrote that I was looking for summer birthday gift ideas, Amanda suggested Between the Sheets. Lo and behold, in today’s email, Zulilly, which typically features 90% baby/kids stuff has Between the Sheets lingerie on sale in their Womens section. If you’re not familiar with Between the Sheets, check out Amanda’s article here.

It is worth noting: Registration is required to take advantage of these sites, but registration is free and they don’t ask for any credit card info until you actually buy something.

Some eBay listings

Everyday Bras, Itty Bitty Bra, Savings, Size AA, Victoria's Secret Pink No Responses »

May 072011

Did you know that Victoria’s Secret was founded by a man? The guy wanted a place where men could feel comfortable shopping with their wives for lingerie. Years later, he sold the franchise rights and then jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge. Today there are over 1,000 stores and after more than 30 years, I still don’t feel comfortable walking into one of their stores (let alone walking around the mall with one of those bags). And thanks to the internet, I don’t have to.

The problem, however, with online shopping is that you never really know what you’re going to get until it arrives and due to the “intimate nature” of intimate apparel, many online retailers (or eBay sellers) don’t take returns. As a result, I have a few small things for sale.

Check out the listings here: http://bit.ly/mOSO6I. Photos after the jump.

Victoria's Secret Now Carries Band Size 30

Victoria's Secret Pink 9 Responses »

Apr 272011

So I received yet another Victoria’s Secret e-mail today, advertising the new cute PINK Lace Racerback Push-up. I click to look, thinking to myself: “yet another Victoria’s Secret product I would like but wouldn’t fit in.”

Then…I was shocked! They now carry size 30 A.

Ok, they’re getting there, but they still don’t have size 30 AA. All they have available in size 30 band is A or B cup. I have a hunch that their 30 A would still be too large in the cups.

Anyway, I’m set for awhile with my Little Bra Company Angela bras (which are size 30 A, but cut on a very petite scale). But maybe come the time that I need new bras…Victoria’s Secret will finally carry size 30 AA.

At least there’s hope.

Wick 'em Bra Liner Review

Everyday Bras 4 Responses »

Apr 192011

I discovered Donna Frye’s “Wick ‘em” Bra Liner online and thought it might help me feel more comfortable in under-wired bras.

I also wondered if the Wick ‘em could mitigate the hot, sweaty hellishness of silicone bra inserts (pads you shove underneath your boobs, inside your bra). Also known as “fillets,” “chiclets,” or “breast enhancers,” these are meant to help fill out your bra cups and create the illusion of cleavage when you haven’t got it.

I hate bra inserts (does anyone really call them “chiclets?” I may have made this up), but they’re not a bad fix if you’re flat-chested and don’t want to look ridiculous in a suit jacket. I figured it would be nice to have a layer of soft, absorbent fabric between my skin and the sweaty silicone.

The Wick ‘em Bra Liner comes in two versions: soft bamboo for sensitive skin, and the original “moisture-management” fabric liner which is designed to wick away sweat. Both are lined with cotton on the inside. These bra liners are perhaps not as useful for women with small breasts who are less prone to rashes and chafing, but there is an A/B cup size available.

I couldn’t find a description on the Wick ‘em web site of the specific fabric blend used in the “moisture management” liner, so I decided to try the bamboo bra liner just to be safe (my skin is quite sensitive to certain materials).

Just a note about my issue with wires: they often dig in under my breasts, sometimes to the point of bruising. My favorite bras don’t cause this kind of pain, but unfortunately with some styles it is unavoidable.

Victoria's Secret Disenfranchises Small Women

Everyday Bras, Petite Style 7 Responses »

Mar 192011

So I received an e-mail from Victoria’s Secret this week advertising their “Body By Victoria” bras. Their slogan is that “there really is a Body for everybody.”

Yet the “Body By Victoria” line doesn’t offer any sizes smaller than 32 A, and many of their styles don’t even have that option available (the smallest offered being a B cup).

So do I not have a “body” since it doesn’t fit into their standards of what a “body” or “Body” is?

Sorry Victoria’s Secret, but you are not my authority when it comes to defining my worth.

Aerie Push-Ups

AE Aerie, Everyday Bras, Size AA 7 Responses »

Mar 032011

The Aerie Hierarchy of Push-Up Bras

I stumbled on this photo while lurking on Facebook. It inspired me to make a post about all of the above listed Aerie push-up bras, because it just so happens that I have tried all of the above listed (except for the Ella Gel).

Victoria's Secret FAIL.

Everyday Bras 6 Responses »

Mar 022011

Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Bra with Gel Curve

Review written by: Jackie

This is probably the last bra I will ever purchase from Victoria’s Secret.

When I wore a 36AA, and VS carried my size, I would occasionally try different VS styles. None of them ever fit well, but some of them sort of fit, and I wore the Body line in size 36AA for as long as they carried it.

Eventually, VS dropped 36AA bras entirely, and now they only stock the cartoonish Miraculous bra in that size.

I, however, lost weight when I started running and dropped to a 34AA bra. At last! I thought. Now I wear a size deemed worth of Victoria’s Secret, and I will finally have a “regular” bra that fits!

Hah.

Gilly Hicks Bra Review #3: Jordan

Everyday Bras, Size AA No Responses »

Feb 142011

Gilly Hicks Jordan Push-Up, 32AA

Reviewed by: Jessica
Bra size: 28AA – 30AA
Age: 22
Overall Rating:

3/5 stars

This Gilly Hicks bra is pretty and delicate. The bra I received [GH "Jordan" balcony style with removable push-up pads; one-row, 3-column hook back closure] is a light pink color with no frills, which I really like. It’s a nice, basic bra.

While it looks well made overall, I did notice some pilling in the front. This makes me wonder if it was perhaps a manufacturer’s error or something, as I have heard these bras are usually very well made.

The fabric is very smooth and comfortable. As my band size is tiny, I had to hook the bra on the last setting.

I was shocked at how tiny the cups were. I usually wear Aerie bras in size 32AA and I have found the cups on those to be much larger in comparison to this Gilly Hicks bra.

However, the cups were just the right size on me. There was a bit of a gap in the front due to the band being a little bit big (nothing a simple sewing job wouldn’t fix though).

Under clothes, the bra made me look extremely flat chested. This bra is great for basic, everyday wear, but did not help me look filled out at all. Even though the bra has some padding, it did not seem to help.

I think this bra would be good for some girls, but I didn’t like the way it fit on me.

*Editor’s note: Like most mainstream brands, Gilly Hicks does not carry band sizes below 32. Since Jessica should really be in a 30AA, I decided to try on a 32AA Jordan bra myself to check if the band actually runs true to size; it does seem to.

Gilly Hicks Bra Reviews: Maren

Everyday Bras 4 Responses »

Feb 032011

Description:

The Gilly Hicks Maren bra is a nylon/spandex mesh balconette style. It features under-wire support, removable push-up pads and a two-row, three-column back hook closure.

Reviewer: Amanda, age 31
Size: 34AA

Rating: 4/5 stars

Older Entries

Aerie Bras: 2012 Update

Drew: “The Party Girl”

Adore Me

Royce Lingerie to (eventually) hit US market

Affinitas Back-to-School Tuition Scholarship Giveaway

(Hat-tip to Affinitas and Body Magazine)

Bra Fitting: Sizing Up the Reality

The Oprah Phenomenon

Sporadic Deal of the Moment for Tuesday, June 21

Between the Sheets on Zulilly today

Some eBay listings

Victoria's Secret Now Carries Band Size 30

Wick 'em Bra Liner Review

Victoria's Secret Disenfranchises Small Women

Aerie Push-Ups

The Aerie Hierarchy of Push-Up Bras

Victoria's Secret FAIL.

Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Bra with Gel Curve

Gilly Hicks Bra Review #3: Jordan

Gilly Hicks Jordan Push-Up, 32AA

Gilly Hicks Bra Reviews: Maren

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