My Boob or Bust Journey - Featuring Curvy Kate
- Gabby Willis
- Sep 1, 2016
- 4 min read
My first ever lingerie review, complete with bra fitting advice. Apologies for my shaky and slightly blurry photography.
In April earlier this year, one of my very first Instagram posts for The Body Confidence Revolution was about what I call "My Boob Journey". Every since my boobs started to grow at the age of 12-13, I have faced all sorts of comments and opinions on them - their size, how I should feel about them, how others will feel about them. To be honest, it can be a bit of a drag, and causes more problems than it's worth. Working for TBCR though, is helping me love my breasts, and reclaim them as mine, not a sexual object for others.
I believe in the importance of bras. Of course, it feels wonderful to float around uncaged, but a good bra has so many benefits. They make us feel sexy, they give us confidence, and when your bra fits right, there's so many health benefits. Nobody wants that achy back or sore neck, and so many of us are wearing the wrong sized bra after uncomfortable fittings, or having had no fitting at all and squeezing ourselves into whatever feels right. I claim to be no expert, but after the hours I have spent bra shopping since puberty, this is an issue close to my heart. Who knows how many young girls struggle to traverse this minefield that comes as part of growing up, let alone the hoard of grown up women who still don't know what they're doing either. Think of the depression, despondence, and low self-confidence that develops with this.
Enter, Boob or Bust (www.booborbust.com - poorly fitting bra symptoms above captured from their website), a wonderful volunteer ran organisation dedicated to helping all women find their true bra size, using their genius Bra Calculator, and their Facebook group for fit checks. Hands up who's had the fitting room experience where a woman saunters in, loosely places a tape measure around your ribs, and then announces a new size that you've never even thought of wearing before? This is gone.
With the help of my boyfriend wielding a tape measure, I logged on to Boob or Bust's bra size calculator (www.booborbust.com/calculator) to remeasure myself, in probably what was my most professional fitting in maybe 6 years. Below are my results.
A 30FF-G is not a huge change from the 32E I had been wearing, but I decided to test this out. For the first time ever, I ordered a bra online, from www.curvykate.com. For a while now, I've followed Curvy Kate on Instagram and loved their flirty style and inclusive ethos but been unable to get out and buy any of their products. I was nervous to receive a bra in the post, especially in a size that I've never tried on in person before.
My first pleasant surprise came when the package dropped onto the doormat, and it was just so beautiful! I love cute packaging, just as I love handwritten notes from Etsy sellers, and neatly wrapped Christmas presents.
Being on a student budget and unsure if my new size would fit, I ordered from the sale section, choosing the Kitty Padded Plunge Bra and Shorts, in Black/Copper.
The detail and workmanship on Curvy Kate's pieces are flawless - the high quality is evident. I rushed to try my new purchases on and see what the fit was like in my new 30FF. I chose to try a FF instead of a G cup since I figured this was a little closer to what I had already been wearing.
Perfection! My new bra size and bra are wonderful. The band fits snug and comfortably on the loosest took, the wires fit flush against my chest, my straps do not lift up too high - and most importantly of all I feel confident and sexy, with no bulges anywhere (not even on my back). In the top left picture here too, my boobs look amazing as I am lying down, but no push-up effort from my arms at the sides. I love the subtle copper detail, and the sexy lace front (which is perfectly complimented by a smooth comforting padding inside). No back ache. No stiff neck.
Thank you Boob or Bust for your help, and thanks Curvy Kate for being amazing - I cannot wait to purchase more of your goods and wear them to show them off, or to boost my happiness and self-love in private. For what it's worth theses shorts are wonderful too; soft and silky, very comfortable, and feel almost seamless. Such beautiful high quality ( good for your intimate parts) material.
I cannot recommend trying Boob or Bust's bra calculator enough - it'll only take 5 minutes and will save you so much hassle and discomfort in the future. Also, a final thank you to the wonderful Body Confidence Revolution follower who pointed me towards Boob or Bust - sharing is caring!
Lots of boob/bra/beauty love from Gabby xx
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