What's your bra size?

A good outfit starts with a good foundation. I have more bras than I can ever wear and not far behind in the shaper and girdle department. I am also very into proper fit and I feel that most ladies are wearing the wrong bra size. Bra sizing has stayed pretty much the same since the 1950's. Women continue to listen to the rubbish that Victoria's secret and other such companies dish out to them. Being such a bra fanatic be it vintage or contemporary brassieres I am always on the hunt for a better fitting bra. Being busty has it's pro's and con's and one of the downfalls is finding pretty things in your size. The biggest downfall is finding vintage bra's in that department you will have to adhere to traditional bra sizing unfortunately unless you are looking into getting yourself a vintage Pennyrich.

Now, let's talk a bit about sizing. Most American bra manufacturers tell you to add 4 inches to your band size right. Take a moment and stop and think about that for a minute. Your band is supposed to support 80% of your bust with the straps doing the other 20% of the work.  How well do you think a band 4 inches bigger than your rib cage is going to support? Not very well. How do you get a bra that offers good support? Well you should start with the right band size. If your rib cage is 32-33 inches around than you should be wearing a 32 inch band, perhaps even a size smaller depending on your preference in fit. You should always start on the last hook and work your way in to the smallest hook as your bra stretches out. O.k. so you know what band size you should be wearing now what cup size should you be wearing. Roughly every inch should equal a cup size, roughly. I have a 33" rib cage and the measurement around the fullest part of my bust is 40-41 inches. It fluctuates throughout the month surprise surprise. This is a 7 inch difference. I typically wear a 32 FF to a 32G. Much of that depends on the bra manufacturer or to be blunt my cycle.  Now before you go thinking that those sizes are freaking enormous just consider the math. If I went into Victoria's secret they would put me in a 36DD. A 36DD is roughly the same cup volume as a 32-FF/ 32G. The cups will fit my breasts but my band will be riding up my back and not properly supporting my breasts. When you are wearing bras like this you will find that you are constantly tightening your straps. You can't go by measurements alone however. There are a lot of variables to consider and breast shape can play a part too. If you are in the U.S. Nordstrom is a great place to go get fitted and they carry fantastic bras mainly from the U.K. where ladies are leaps ahead of the world regardomg correct bra fitting. Ask to try on a Freya or Fantasie both brands that are quality that Nordstrom carries. These run about $60.00 U.S. dollars. Befor you gasp listen to my advice. Go get fitted, figure out what size you wear in what brand and then go order through brastop online in their sale department. You will save about 50% This is a good calculator to start with  http://www.butterflycollection.ca/bra-size-calculator/ Trust me, learning my true size changed my life. On occasion I even find vintage bras in my size which always feels a bit like winning the lottery to me.

Another great blog on all things boob related is http://fullerfigurefullerbust.com/ Georgina knows her stuff and offers lots of great information on the subject.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DottieMaeVintage

Just got this lovely girdle in the shop this week! I love it, so wish it fit me!

This one below makes me want to belt out like a Virgin. Oh that Madonna days!

Wow, this red is so vibrant!

I adore circle stitch bras

Deadstock! It doesn't get any better in the vintage world.

One of the most Bettie Page like bras I have yet to come by.

Lots of new bras still to come! Isn't it a shame that it is so hard to find vintage bras in larger sizes? Ah well it gives me something to keep searching for.

Lots of new things in the shop this week! Come take a look at http://www.etsy.com/shop/DottieMaeVintage

I came across all of these beautiful family photos courtesy of my lovely mother. I thought I would share.

This is my great uncle Kenny

This is my Nana Patty

Another of my Nana in a fab coat

My Nana is second in from the right. Not sure who these others are. Oh well!

My Nana in another great outfit.

My Nana holding my aunt Cindy with my mother below making the funny face.

My Nana and mother on the ship that brought them from Liverpool, England to their new home the United States.

Another pretty picture of my Nana.

My Nana age 16

My Nana with my mother Suzanne left, Aunt Janie in lap and Aunt Cindy right.

My Nana and grandfather Fred. She was carrying my mother in this photo.

A handsome military photo of my grandfather

This photo was taken in Australia, My grandfather and a very attractive woman

My grandfather is the one with the high waisted floral trousers!

British cousins

My grandfather

My grandfather on the right

My grandmother and her brother

My great grandparents with my grandfather Fred on top of the car

My grandmother Patricia and her father

My grandfather Fred looking rather stylish