The Truth About Bras

Recently, I had a chance to speak with Karen Bromley of the Intimate Apparel Council where we discussed bras and size issues. Our talk ranged from sizing issues (especially for smaller women) to shopping tips and the fact that women are wearing incorrect sizes (85%!). According to Ms. Bromley, bras are a very technical article of clothing, and therefore, it is extremely important to have a good fit - especially if one wants to look good and be comfortable. However, it isn't just the shopper who is buying the incorrect size, but also because many stores do not have professional fitters (in other words, she does not believe that some stores ill-advise women just to get a sale). Ms. Bromley highly recommends that one go to a specialty store (i.e. not chains) to purchase the correct size.

A bra made by The Little Bra Company, which focuses on smaller sizes

But what about the smallest of sizes? What does Ms. Bromley have to say about those of us who are less than an A cup or smaller than a 32 band?

Ms. Bromley on the Lula Lu Lingerie issue when they announced that they were going to sell AAA cups and the blogosphere went crazy, indicating that the company was trying to appeal to very young girls:

The average bra size today is a 36 DD – therefore many manufacturers have stopped producing the very petite sizes. As it is they produce each and every bra style in a range of cup sizes(some up to K) and in several band widths from 32 up to 50 and above. Lula Lu is just creating lingerie for the petite women out there who don't have as many choices as the plus size women do.

On why she thinks it's harder for society to accept the fact that there are grown women who're very tiny:

I don’t think that is the case. However some manufacturers are focused on the junior market, some on the women’s market and some on the Plus size market. There is something for every body type available.

On why she thinks it's easier to find smaller band sizes in Europe and Asia:

Asian and European women tend to be smaller in frame and in this country, our average bra size is 36DD and the average dress size is 14!

On whether she thinks it's harder for smaller women or larger women to find well-fitting bras:

Today the larger busted woman has many more choices. Manufacturers are accommodating the tremendous growth in larger sizes as demand has required it. Smaller sizes are a bit tougher to find as readily.

Tips for smaller women looking to find well-fitting bras: Shop online and also some specialty stores may special order for customers.

One question Ms. Bromley was unable to answer was why she thought that sizes like 28C were not considered "petite." Her answer to the quesetion was:

Manufacturers offer a wide variety of sizes however retailers tend to select what sells best in their stores. So the sizes are available from some brands in petite sizes – it is often times a good idea to shop online for petite sizes.

While this answers the question on petite sizes in general, it does not say why 28C is not a petite size. Perhaps other lingerie professionals could elaborate?

Petites from Anthropologie

Sure, Anthropologie doesn't have a big selection of petites - in fact many of their petite clothes aren't all that petite at all - the pants are generally 31" long, about an inch longer than pants at Banana Republic or Ann Taylor (though standard for denim). However, I've been around their website and have found a two interesting outfits.

The first is the Margery Meanwell Jumper. Normally, I'm not an advocate of schoolgirlesque outfits for petites - it makes us look even more child-like- but with the right shoes - knee-length boots in this case, and perhaps a long cardigan, you're on the go!

Another outfit I like is the Abbott Coat, great for the upcoming cooler season. The coat is also very versatile - can be worn for work with a suit or twinset and skirt/pants or with jeans on the weekend!

Alternative Model Appreciation Week: August 11-17

An "alternative model" is anyone who doesn't fit the "standard" model one sees in magazines. While most people, including those in the Facebook event page fall into categories like roleplay, cosplay, etc, petite and plus sized models fall into the category too.

Suggestions to Alternative Model Appreciation Week (from a petite perspective):

Comment on a petite model's blog

Write to fashion-related companies an tell them why it's important to not only have a petite line, but use petite models

Make a video about the importance of petite sizes and upload it to YouTube

Send a letter to your local newspaper about the importance of petite sizes, and how it is often overlooked

Go to a body image board and write about beauty/body image from a petite perspective

What about you? Do you have any suggestions?

Cynthia's J.Crew Picks for June

Not a lot of selection this month in the petites category, but here are a few that I like:

Solid Jessie Blouse

Crystal-button Starlet Jacket


That's actually it! There ONLY THREE items in the "new arrivals" section that are available in petite sizes as of June 5, 2008. Sucks, I know. The fall stuff'll roll in pretty soon, so maybe more selections will be available in the next couple of months.

Oh well.

Benedicto Fashion Show - May 24, 2008

Benedicto, a clothing line by Juliana Corona, for women of all shapes and sizes ("regular," plus and YES, PETITES), plus guys and little girls, will be holding a fashion show at the Proof Bar and Sky Lounge (Intercontinental Hotel, 220 Bloor Street West, Toronto) on May 24, 2008. It's going to be a very exciting event, and if you are going to be attending Petite Fashionista Presents, you're in luck, as you'll be able to see Juliana's pieces ahead of time!

The doors at Proof open at 6:30 pm and the fashion show begins at 7:30. Appetizers will be available after the show. Tickets are $20 and available at the Knowledge Bookstore in Brampton and Big it Up (58 Spadina Avenue, Toronto Eaton Centre and Square One).

I am very excited for this event, and am very much looking forward to it. The hostess-emcee for the event is poet/journalist Karen L. Richardson, a.k.a. "Nurse Karen." Partial proceeds for this event will go to Voices Ghana, a youth-centred global human rights organization working to include the input of young people in policy discussions regarding public heath and well being.

Look for a wrap-up post both here in Shorty Stories and at Prospere Magazine.

For more information on this event, please visit the Benedicto Fashion Show Event Page on Facebook.