The Bra Band Project - the big 30 and under campaign

Since I started blogging more about bras and my experiences with fittings, I had my eyes opened.   A world of smaller band sizes I never knew existed, and since being properly fitted as a 28-30 GG-H,  sizes I now needed myself.  Trying to find a bra in a properly fitting size is harder than you'd think when the sizes you need are barely stocked on the high street or as is the case for many smaller backed women, not even manufactured.

Less than a few months ago a campaign appeared to be forming; the Bra Band Project, led by a group of influential lingerie bloggers (By Baby's Rules, Bras I Hate, Boosaurus and Braless in Brazil) with the same bra passion much like my own.  The intention being to promote the need for smaller backed bras mainly for the DD+ 30" and below, a poorly served market only on the increase as better fitting advice becomes more prevalent.  I knew I had to take part, and if you've not joined yet, there's still time.

The picture I sent in

The Bra Band Project is a simple concept - send in an image of yourself to show that you are a person that needs a bra measuring 30" or less.  All the images collated are being used to create a mega board of women, all varied figures and shapes that have one thing in common - the need for DD+ 30 back bras.  With businesses, blogs and demanding customers supporting the project helping it to go viral, its the hope that lingerie companies will see the sense and finally produce a wider range for their customers.

The project has just gone live, showcasing what can only be a hugely positive response that proves the need for 28, 26, and 24 backed bras.

Visit the Facebook page and the Flickr stream now to join in the campaign.

Becky x

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Correct Bra Fitting - What You Need To Know

Bras have been the bane of my life.  Ever since my first teenage bra I've never been truly happy with what I've worn, believing that the misfortunes I endured were normal.  Then came the day when I discovered I was doing it all wrong.  We were all doing it wrong.  The problem is, the industry that makes our bras marketable doesn't know it.

Being a lingerie lover and model I witness both sides of the fence and I've realised the flaws.  Seeing models and their portfolios everyday I've come to recognise a badly fitting bra and I can tell when someone isn't wearing the correct size.  I can see in my own images where I've worn the wrong size bra.

Many of my modelling friends firmly believe the bra size they say they are is correct, but by judging their frame and body shape you can quickly guesstimate what band size they are.  Countless girls who are smaller than me are thinking they have 32, 34 and 36 inch backs when they'll really be something several inches smaller.  The problem is stemming from a poorly and outdated concept whereby we women are educated to add 4-5 inches on our measurements.  Bra manufacturers, model agencies and well respected department stores are fitting and telling women to measure this way.  It's wrong and there's too many boobs getting a bum deal!

The signs of a poorly fitting bra include riding up at the back, bulging over the cups, gaping, straps slipping off your shoulders.  You may not have even noticed the signs, because it's easy to live with something you don't question.

Brastop Campaign

When I was blindly buying the wrong sizes year in year out I was a 32E-F.  Since getting clued up and fitted by the modern standards, these days I'm a 28 bordering on 30 in a GG to H cup.  Being a 10-12 dress size, people are puzzled by this.  When I had a conversation with my mum recently she was surprised when I told her I needed a 28 back in a bra and this is the problem.  People believe back sizes such as these are for children because they seem ridiculously small.  The fact is, if every woman were to be refitted the modern way there would be many more people needing these sizes like me, and in every instance, every woman would require a smaller back measurement than they believe.

One of my favourite images, but the bra doesn't fit properly

It doesn't help that brands and stores tend to produce and sell the more popular sizes such as from a 32 back, which instills in peoples minds that these are adult women's sizes, resulting in the continued cycle of miseducation.

The proper way to measure yourself for a bra is surprisingly simple.  I found a fantastic guide that advises how to properly measure yourself on Thin and Curvy's blog.

The gist is literally this -
Stand up.  To find your band measurement (which is the number part of your bra size) you get a tape measure, wrap it fairly tightly around your chest immediately under your boobs and record the measurement.  If the tape measure says 28", that's your band size - no adding extra inches.  If you're like me and measure an odd number - I measure 29"- you round up to the next whole number which makes it 30", but trying bras in both 28 and 30 bands is a good idea.

Finding your cup size (which is the letter part of your bra size) isn't as spot on accurate but there are methods that help to give a ball park figure.

Thin and Curvy suggests the following way - Stand up.  Get a tape measure and, wrapping it loosely around your boobs (at the fullest part) record the measurement.  Say it is 37" (what I measure).  Subtract your band size from the bust measurement (37-29) and record the number you're left with, which in this case is 8.

Every number indicates a cup size.  1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D, 5=DD, 6=E, 7=F, 8=FF, 9=G, 10=GG, 11=H, 12=HH and so on.  The number you're left with, in this case is 8, which means cup FF.

Many people swear by this method, but it didn't work out right for me.  I am a GG-H cup.  I have found a way which would bring this correct measurement up so if you're not getting good results from the above method (you've tried bras that size and they're not fitting), try this.  This is my take on the method-

Without wearing a bra at all, stand and learn forward so your torso is parallel to the floor.  Measure around your boobs allowing them to fall naturally.  This way I measure 39", which after subtracting the 29" gives me a number of 10, therefore making my size more correctly a GG cup.

Trying on various sizes and styles of bra helps to find your true fit.  Remember that all brands and designs vary and you should try a bra on every time before committing to buy it.  Some bras I fit better in a 30" back, some bras an H cup provides more coverage.  All boobs are different too and you'll find some bras suit your boobs better than other styles.

I would love to see more women - including my model buddies - just give this a go and see what bra size they could be trying out.  Smaller back sizes seem a little taboo but it doesn't mean you've got smaller boobs that you thought you had.  The back number simply represents your body frame.  Of course a 36G means bigger boobs than a 28G but it's all relative.

Also when you go down a back size you go up in the cup so don't be horrified or puzzled if your measurements suggest you're a much larger cup than you currently wear.  Above anything, wearing the right size bra can be literally life changing.  A well supported bust is healthier for your back and improves your posture, and wearing something that fits well is a huge confidence boost.

Me wearing a bra that does fit

Grab the tape measure - what have you got to lose?

Becky x

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Freya Jolie - Beauty is Everything!

Freya's Jolie is one of their best selling collections but it took me a while to take the plunge and try it out.  I've never been a huge fan of lace lingerie because I tend to find a lot of lace fabrics quite irritating, and looking at Jolie from a distance I assumed it to be another one of those.  When I recently decided to take a chance I was really glad I did, because it's a truly fantastic bra.

I bought the Jolie in white, a simple basic colour, and leading by my experiences with some GGs being on the small size, I opted for the 28H, and it's the perfect size.  The 28 band was comfortable and unrestrictive, so if you're between sizes like me and go for 30 backs when a 28 is too tight, this will be okay for you.

Jolie is a very lightweight balcony bra with generously covering cups formed with soft touch overlaid lace providing a good supportive structure.  The lace is modern looking with imprints of a floral design and pretty pink bows for decoration.  I don't think it's frumpy in the slightest, very fresh, innocent and young.

The straps are quite wide which is never a bad thing where big boobies are concerned while the band is a good, deep 3 by 3 hook and eye.  I feel no dig whatsover with the underwires and the cups don't cut into my armpits like I've found some Freyas can, which proves it's not a too broad a bra - perfect for smaller frames.

I'm finding more and more that my boobs don't agree totally with the format of balconettes.  I love the look of them but my bust thinks otherwise, and I'm finding yet again with Jolie that my boobs are fighting with the high centre gore.  I see a little red sore in the middle when I take my bra off but other than that, I don't find it bothersome as I wear it.  I'm actually loving how encasing and supportive the cups feel, having had some much bother in the past with overflowing, badly fitting bras, so I forgive Jolie for her minor contention with me.

Jolie is not a sexy bra and not one I'd flaunt but it feels really good to wear for long periods of time and it offers a natural silhouette.  Sometimes you just want a reliable bra and this is the one for the job.

The only sad thing I'd say about Jolie is that it's no longer produced in an array of colour options, having seen some gorgeous pink versions floating around on the internet.  At the moment you can only buy the continuity range consisting of only the white or black.  Hopefully Freya will recognise how much Jolie is cherished and indulge us with some more luscious, colourful bras of fancy.

Becky x

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Panache Sport Bra v Freya Active

I was chuffed to recently win a fab Panache Sport bra.  Winning something is always nice and it's all the sweeter when it's underwear related!

Panache Sport Moulded Underwired Bra

I'd recently reviewed a bra from the Freya Active range so it was interesting to see how these would compare.  My Freya bra is an unpadded underwired (30GG) whereas the Panache bra is a moulded underwired (28H).  I have tried out Freya's moulded version before though so I was still keen to compare the two brands.

Freya Active Moulded Bra

The Panache moulded has a very similar shape to both Freya's moulded and soft cup sports bras in that they are all offer a high level of coverage by encapsulating most of the breast tissue.  The Freya underwired's cups are not as highly cut, looking the most 'bra-like' out of all of them.  The Panache style looks more sporty in a crop top kinda way.

My Freya feels more lightweight than my Panache with it's soft, slinky feeling cups but I love the feel of Panache's fabric; it's very soft with a microfibre texture.

Freya Active Undewired Bra - lightweight and slinky

Panache Sport is a well designed piece of sports wear with every area well considered.  There is underwiring but you'd barely know it because of how well the wires are encased (which I'm told includes the clever use of silicone).  I felt absolutely no digging in whilst wearing it, despite how snug the bra fit.

Me wearing Panache Sport Moulded Bra

Freya Active Underwired has a significantly wider back fastener to the Panache, being 4 hooks deep by 4 hooks.  Panache Sport, although still a supportive width, is 3 hooks by 3 hooks.  Both hook and eye fastening pads are soft touch and non irritating; Freya is a soft handle cotton like, thin pad that lends itself well to exercise mat work, Panache has a thicker inner padding which is good for extra comfort.  Freya's Moulded bra is different to it's underwired version and Panache's in that it has a racer back in addition to an adjustable band.

Tight but well fitting and supportive

There isn't much difference in the straps; both are wide, padded and half adjustable with Freya Active's straps being slightly wider in the adjustable section.

I'm actually really liking the Panache Sport.  At first I thought the 28 back was a bit too tight but unlike Freya's 28 which I found impossible to fasten at all, I got into the feel wearing it and I appreciated it's fit.  It's super comfy and I like the combination of the underwires with the benefit of the moulded cups which altogether help reign things in.  I also can't help but feel more attracted to the look of the Panache bra as opposed to Freya's moulded bra.  It could be because the black colourway makes it look more stylish but it does seem to lift and support my boobs a lot better.  I'm really impressed with it - and it's very touchable!

Panache has recently joined forces with Breast Cancer charity Coppafeel and created a stunning bright pink bra with proceeds of it's sale going towards The Boobettes project; a group of women affected by breast cancer who are educating and advising women how to check their boobs and know the signs of breast cancer.  This is a brilliant campaign for which I hope they raise lots of funds.

Panache & Coppafeel Pink Charity Bra

Becky x

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Freya Loretta - I Found Her!

I'm so elated!  I finally found the elusive bra of my dreams - Freya Loretta!  Happy is not the word!

Not long ago I listed Loretta in my Bras I Wish I Owned - But Can't post, saying how much I adored the styling and colour but couldn't buy it because it was discontinued.  By chance I came across a Loretta bra on eBay being sold by a boutique lingerie shop selling their old stock.  It was a 28GG - my size - so I bid on it right away.  Later on the seller apologetically told me that they'd mistakenly listed the bra as a 28GG when in fact it was a 28H.  It worked out perfectly because since bidding I'd been doubting whether it would in fact fit me as I've been wearing more Hs than GGs.  It felt like it was meant to be because I've been finding that a 28H is my best size so far.

The bra arrived quickly which was great because I couldn't wait to receive it.  It was so pretty and I fell in love with Loretta's appearance.  It's honestly the most gorgeous bra I've ever owned, period.

The traditional paisley design is given a modern makeover in a pretty blue, pink and cream colour way and it's gorgeous!  The fabric is so smooth with the even silkier feeling cups semi fashioned with beautiful delicate cream lace.  A cute centre bow bears a sparkly jewel which makes for a truly decadent bra design.

What I have noticed by comparing my Loretta to other sizes I've seen of this is that the scale of the design isn't consistent.  My H cup has deeper lace panels than those cups that are slightly smaller and the centre gore comes up higher.  It would have been nice if the lace was embroidered somewhat more so that there isn't such a huge sparse area between the detail and the cup fabric or made so the fabric was extended over the boob a little further.

When I initially put on the bra I was taken aback at how tight the band felt.   I was sure it was feeling beyond snug but I was determined it would fit me and be fine so I continued to wear it throughout the day.  I tried to ignore the constriction but it was too overbearing and I found myself continually needing to pull the band away from me to make breathing space.  I knew it was far too tight for comfortable wear so I wasn't surprised when I found huge angry red marks left on my skin when I finally took the bra off at the end of the day.

I was totally gutted to find Loretta was too tight in the 28 back for me because it was made worse that this bra is rarely available anymore and I wouldn't likely get another opportunity to buy it.  I was all set to give up with it when it dawned on me I could try a bra extender.  I've never used these in my life and always considered them to be dodgy ways of extending the life of a bra that doesn't properly fit but I realised it could be the answer in this case.  Despite my nearest town being over a 20 mile round trip I dropped all that I was doing to go and buy a bra extender before the shops shut.

When I eventually got home I fastened the bra extender to Loretta and found it had in fact now made the band too wide which in turn caused the cups to pucker and the straps too far off my shoulders.  How frustrating!  It seemed I'd need to manually adjust the length of the extender to make it shorter using my questionable sewing skills.

I managed to secure it a short enough position so when I tried the bra on again it fit a lot better.  I've since worn it a whole day again and I'm happy to report it's been really comfy and not bothered me in the slightest.

I don't know if in general a 30 band would be better for me when the fabric is less stretchy like in this case with Loretta.  The material is very taut with little give in the fabric which is probably why my usual 28 felt so overbearing.  It would be interesting to see if this is the case with future Freya bras but unfortunately I couldn't do it in this case and will never know if Loretta in 30H would have been my perfect fit.

But hey!  I have the Freya Loretta!  I think it was all worth it in the end.

Becky x

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A Boudoir Brief

A quick bulletin - or boudoir brief as I like to call it!

I posted in my blog Diary of a Cavy Girl earlier in the year about my involvement with Style at Home magazine.  I'd been a featured stylist in the January '12 issue where I'd commented and provided tips throughout the magazine.  It was great fun so I was delighted when I was asked to contribute toward June's special Queen's Jubilee edition.

I was in the supermarket today and discovered the magazine is actually out now, and I found me -

I had highlighted my favourite Jubilee commemorative pieces which I've been admiring and planning to buy, but they're unfortunately not mentioned which is a shame.  Needless to say, it was awesome to be asked and again published in the mag which isn't to be sniffed at.  :-)

This month also sees the launch of Cosmopolitan magazine's Blog Awards again looking for the best new or established blogs in 2012.  I've submitted Becky's Boudoir because I love working on this blog and I love every single reader!  I haven't run this blog for very long but it's already come on so much since it started.  I would be ever so grateful if you wished to nominate my blog too, it would mean so much.  The page to enter is here on Cosmopolitan's website and the blog address to enter is http://beckysboudoir.blogspot.com, but like I need to tell you ;-).

Tomorrow I shall be working behind the scenes on a photoshoot but be assured I have new images on the way.  I also have some fantastic shoots lined up with some awesome lingerie and equally lustful accessories.  Watch this space!

Becky x

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Shoot - New Lingerie Images In

I'm going to share with you some beautiful images I received today from a recent lingerie shoot I had with Howard Michael Photography of Selby, North Yorkshire.

Mike wanted some intimate and sensual shots along with some more glamorous looks and it was decided that we'd shoot from my own home to maintain a cosy atmosphere in the photographs.

I often work home shoots and because we seem to move house fairly frequently there's always a good variation in the styles and parts of the house used.  It's always interesting too to see the house from a camera's perspective and although I love the view from the bedroom window - which is a church and graveyard -  I'd never considered it to be so photogenic.  The trees in full blossom lent the images a really serene look, and it looks so lovely.

For half of the shoot I wore a black corset with cream hold ups.  I love wearing corsets!  I adore the way corsets nip your waist in and demonstrate a good cleavage line, they're so flattering, the way they emphasise your natural figure.

For second part of the shoot I swapped the corset for a gorgeous bra, suspender belt and cute knickers to match the hold ups.  The bra is one I bought a while ago from La Senza before they started shutting down a lot of their stores (sadly paid full price) and I'd not had the opportunity to wear it until this day.  It's beautiful with cream lace trimmings and a pretty floral rose pattern: so fitting for a feminine country feel.

I love doing pretty lingerie shoots as much as sexy corset wearing pin up or boudoir shoots.  I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on these pictures, and which you think I suit more.

Becky x

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