Maison Triumph
On Thursday night I went along to the launch of Triumph’s Maison Triumph, a pop-up store and exhibition dedicated to the long history of Triumph lingerie (they’ve been around since the 1800s!), and of course celebrating their partnership with London Fashion Week. Spending the evening surrounded by beautiful bras – vintage or otherwise made me realise that I probably don’t treat my body with the respect that it deserves. I could feel the straps on my worn out old Topshop bra slipping down as I eyed up new lacy underthings over a glass of champagne.
I made my way back to the store last night (narrowly missing out on a talk by the wonderful Helena Christensen who has her own Triumph Collection) to see if I could pick up something that would make me feel a little more ladylike under my clothing – it was long overdue! Now, hands up if you’ve never properly been fitted for a bra? I had to admit that very same thing to the ladies at Triumph, who were shocked and offered to size me up straight away. 36C I am not! I looked at my old bra in shame, realising that it had no function. It turns out I’m in fact a 34DD, the kind of number and letter combination you can only dream of when going through puberty. Unfortunately, a large chest is no longer on my wish list, in fact, quite the opposite – my love for clothing with a high neckline sabotaged that. After explaining this to the ladies at the Maison Triumph, they pulled out a black minimiser bra, and I was amazed when I put it on. Of course, it wasn’t quite as comfortable as my old bra, but I could really see that it complimented my shape and pulled me in, improving my posture. I had a massive smile on my face when I put my dress back on and realised that my chest looked smaller!
Are you wearing the right size?
I grabbed a pair of matching control pants and proceeded to quiz the shop assistants on how to find the correct bra size so I could share their tricks with you – they couldn’t wait to teach me! It’s common knowledge that most women wear the wrong bra size (you’re bigger than you think, ladies!) so pick up a tape measure and listen up. To work out your band size, measure around your body where your bra would sit. Cup size is measured by trained eye – but as a rule of thumb, be sure that the underwire on the outside comes all the way to the side of the body. Also, make sure that the front and the back of the bra are parallel to each other – my poor old bra was sitting way too high on my back and offering no support whatsoever.
On Sunday 17th my pal Ruth from A Model Recommends will be hosting a fitting event from 10-1pm, but whatever time you head down, there will be somebody to help you find the right size and shape for you. If you’re already wearing the perfect fit and happen to be in Covent Garden, stop by anyway – their exhibition of vintage lingerie isn’t to be missed!
Maison Triumph is open until Monday 18th at 77 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden – be quick! x
Wow! What a fantastic event to be able to attend. I have never been fitted for a bra I must admit. It’s not just puberty that you wish for a 34DD – I would do anything other than have surgery to have a 34DD chest. I think despite not going for a fitting i’m in the right size. I do love Triumph though; I have one or two pieces myself. Have a good weekend!
http://forcailini.blogspot.com
I remember getting fitted properly at Rigby and Peller, couldn’t believe the difference. So many women wear the wrong size. Missing out on a world of correctly fitted comfort!
Nice photos.
http://theragdolls.blogspot.gr/
Actually – you should NOT add any inch to the band size. If they gave you a 34DD based on that, you should then be a 30F: the band size is exactly how much your underbust measures. They probably gave you that size because either they don’t know how to properly bra fit, or they wanted you to be a size they do sell.
Interesting, I’ll look into it! But I definitely don’t think I’m a 30 – I’m not that small! x
I have always been larger sized in the chest department so have found that I need to get measure often well once my bras become uncomfortable. I think that mine get stretch out quicker due to the sizes. I hate bra shopping as I have a smaller back size with a bigger cup so even stores/brands specialising in bigger cups sizes miss me out as my size never seems to be there and some don’t go small enough in the back. It is seriously never ending for me and bras!
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Wow. This is such an informative post. I’m not a busty lady but I could definetely benefit from a proper bra fitting as well. It would give me a boost of self-confidence to know that I may have a larger cup size than previously thought – yay! Also, love the photos. Everything is so vintage and ladylike! :]
I’m telling everyone I talk to right now that I bet their cup size is bigger than they think! Definitely worth a try getting fitted! x
I’m your same size! I never thought about a minimizer, although that sounds perfect. Are the straps hugely wide?
The Occasional Indulgence
Will they be able to help me find my right size if I go on Monday?
The staff at Maison Triumph will be able to help on Monday for sure Julieta. I went along yesterday and would definitely recommend checking it out!
The way I was taught to measure was: measure your under bust, if it’s an even number add 4, an odd number add 5 and this is your back size. To work out your cup size, take your original under bust measurement and if you’re an inch bigger, you’re an A, 2 inches bigger you’re a B etc…
This is such an informative post! And that white vintage bra is so lovely!
Astrid from http://theweeklystyler.com
from the photos, the lingerie all look great!
A Blog by Oroma Roxella Rukevwe
Oh, lingerie really is one of those things that is in all ways beautiful. I have far too much in my collection after working in a lingerie store for a year, believe me! Gorgeous shots!
x Michelle | thefeatherden.net
these are such beautiful photos and items!
kw Ladies in Navy
The proper bra size really does do wonders for the self esteem. I’ve gained about 30 pounds over the past 2 years and my bust really took the weight. I went to Victoria’s Secret one day and tried on a ton of different sizes until I found the one that felt like a glove… I’d been wearing a 34B when I am actually a 36C, which made me sad because I’ve always loved having a smaller chest, for running and exercise and my fashion choices! I do find myself wondering if my cup size will go back down once I star losing the weight… *crossing my fingers*
Loved reading this post, so informative!
Chelsea @ How I Dwell Now
Even with the right measurement it´s hard to find a great and comfy bra. At least for me. Too bad I don´t live in London
xx
glamdevils
I finally got some new bras at Fenwicks over Christmas as my usual shop La Senza decided to stop doing any sizes over a DD (I’m an F) and I cannot believe the difference a good bra from a proper bra designer makes! I used to be plagued with backache and now it hardly ever happens! In addition to the right fit, I would also say make sure the cups are the right cut and soft enough to mould to you, not you mould to fit them!
margief
x
http://www.stonethemoon.com
Nice blog, I’m a new follower!
http://www.petitegigi12.blogspot.ro
Cute post Carrie
xx
That vintage singer machine is so beautiful oh wow i wish i could get there!
An informative post. I used to work in a costume shop and they always measured above, and below your breasts. Obviously they needed more measurements for different things but having both helped to figure out bra size pretty accurately.
These photos are lovely! I’ve suspected at times I’m wearing the wrong size, off I am to measure!
http://lasaloperie.blogspot.com
I literally had the same exact experience! I went through high school and most of college thinking I was a 36C only to discover I was also a 34DD! It is so worth it to have a proper fitting!
This post is amazing! All your photos are so beautiful!
Fashion Ganache.
http://fashionganache.blogspot.com
I love shopping lingerie! I didn’t know about this brand but I am certainly keeping an eye on it from now own.
Your photography is exquisite as always!
xx Sandra
Sandra wears Prada
This is so true! I found this out as well. So glad I went. I was wearing a 38DD and the lady measured me…low and behold, I’m actually a 34G!!! OMG
Oh this is as informative! I am sure to be places of the proper way to treat my body oops! Thank you for this article, you make me want to get back on track
I love looking at pretty lingerie. I’ve only been measured once and got a completely difference size than I thought, and I’ve been wearing the same bra size for my entire life, so I was really unwilling to change. Still am, haha, maybe in the future.
Nooo! You don’t need to add any inches. Measure under your bust – that will be your band size, so if you measure 34 then you’re 34! If you measure 35 try on bras to check to see what’s comfortable – it should feel tight (eg, supportive!) but you should be able to fit two fingers underneath. To get your cup size measure around your bust at the fullest part. The difference between the measurements will be your cup size, so if you measure 39 around at the fullest point of your bust, the difference of 5 inches will make you a DD cup – the difference equates to one inch per cup. There can be fluctuation around cup size depending on the shape of your breasts, you might want to try a 34DD and a 34E to see what’s comfortable. Also, cup size can vary between retailers, but band size is easier to pin.
The “add 4 inches” myth was brought about by vanity sizing. Women wanted fashionable “hourglass”, “Munroe” measurements so to achieve this, retailers (M&S I’m looking at you) convinced women of the”add 4 inches” myth and put them in larger band sizes and smaller cup sizes. Smaller cup sizes on larger bands are going to be bigger as ultimately the whole bra is so if you measure 34 under the bust then this school of thought would put you at a 38A/B, which will look as though it has the right size cups but won’t provide the right support!
Looking at you, I suspect you probably are a true 34DD, I think you’ve mentioned before you’re about a size 12? That would be about right, but I would suggest you measure yourself to find out. Saying that, if you FEEL supported and well-fitted, they have probably measured you at the right size, but whoever you asked about measuring yourself doesn’t have the faintest idea what they are talking about.
Although I am not a professional bra fitter I do work with breastfeeding mothers and spend a lot of time looking at and talking about boobs! One of the women I work with actually WAS a lingerie salesperson in a previous life and is now a breastfeeding counsellor – the woman is boob obsessed! – and she also gets frustrated about the “add 4 inches” myth as women wearing the wrong bra size can cause discomfort, particularly in breastfeeding mothers from which wearing an incorrectly sized bra can cause mastitis, blocked ducts and other issues because of bits of the bra poking in or just not supporting where they should (I know this first hand – I was wearing the wrong sized bra when I started breastfeeding and had a nasty bout of mastitis thanks to it!).
Bit of an essay but I just hate this kind of misinformation. One final tip – when checking to see if a bra fits, bend over and scoop (sounds lovely doesn’t it?) EVERYTHING into the cups of the bra, including armpit “wings” and back fat. Adjust so that everything is nicely tucked in but DON’T push it back round. You want a smooth line where the top of the cup meets the top of the breast. Any spillage or “four-boob” and you probably need to size up in the cup.
One thing you are right about though – your cup size is often bigger than you think. A Carrie 34DD isn’t the same as a Pamela Anderson/Jordan (or whoever) 34DD because their 34DD is bullshit! Back in the 90s when Pamela Anderson was in her heyday she probably measured something like a 30G but a) this doesn’t sell in mens’ mags and the media as it sounds “freakish” (when actually it’s not – it’s large, but not Lola Ferarri-esque proportions or anything), b) they’ve completely made it up – how the hell would they know her actual bra size?! – and c) page 3 models etc often DO wear the wrong size bras in photo shoots as the “spillage” (or not in the case of silicone) from wearing a too-small cup size accentuates the large size of the breasts. However, as we know, wearing a bra that only just covers your nipples is not supportive in the slightest.
Ok, I think I’ve talked about boobs enough now. Please measure yourself and report back!
Meant to add (sorry!) to the back fat/scoopage bit – did you know that back fat is often migrated breast tissue from wearing the wrong size (ie, band too big and unsupportive) bra? This is why it’s so important to pull it all in – and it will make such a difference to your figure overall!
Ok, I’m done.
Really informative post. It is a pity that majority women cannot understand the importance of wearing perfectly fitted bra. It makes such a difference from outside, and gives you that extra confidence.
I love the pictures as well. Very good effort.
Your pictures are perfect
love!
http://oppositelipstick.blogspot.be/
I’m ‘concerned’ my comments don’t always show on your page Carrie – that’s a shame, I hope you get to read them somehow anyway. I commented on this post too. I’m sure it’s not operator malfunction eeek!
http://forcailini.blogspot.com
Some of the most beautiful underwear I’ve seen! I’ll definitely be using these tips too. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the lovely photos as always.
xx
Wow, you’ve made me want to go buy a pretty bra now! Except I don’t have all that much to support;) Beautiful photos!
sierra savannah
Oh Carrie, I feel your pain! But, once I turned 30, they actually got SMALLER and I was crying in the Victoria’s Secret dressing room as my D’s are now a C. I used to wish all the time my chest was smaller and also bought bras that would make them appear smaller. Now that they ARE smaller, I feel like I’ve lost a part of me. Weird!
I love seeing the odd post about underwear, since I adore getting new undies but hardly ever see any blog posts to agree with me! This looks like such a sweet little place and thanks so much for the tips.
Love this brand! Had never heard of them before.. but looks sexy!
Thanks for sharing.
Trisha x
great post!
http://pinklemonincrystal.blogspot.com
Really great blog with lots of information, i also purchased some great products from http://www.valentinalingerie.com
xx
I do love Triumph bras. I find they fit me best but I’m definitely considering popping along to check this out.
Always seem to be a different size in every shop. I need to give up on the idea of wearing pretty triangle bras when they do nothing to help me at all! I need to embrace my chest and not wish to be flat! Some pretty new AND supportive underwear will be sure to help
It really is a revelation isn’t it. The important thing is to continue to be fitted as your breasts will keep a-changing!