The Myth of the Measuring Tape
What you never knew about bra fittings

Every February, our boutique is filled with shoppers looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day lingerie. Inevitably, the first question we ask is “What size do you think you are?” The answers we receive range from “I have no clue” to estimations that even an untrained eye can see are exponentially off.  Whether you are sporting a newly enhanced physique compliments of Drs. Wolfe and Vath, or your body is au natural, follow these no-fail fitting tips for bras and lingerie that lift, separate, tempt and tease this Valentine’s Day and beyond.

Ditch the Measuring Tape
The “experts” have it wrong. Measuring tapes don't work! At Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie, we believe in custom fittings. This means that each brand of bra is different, much like a great pair of jeans. You could be a 34 C in one brand, and a 36 B in a “sister size” in another brand.. What is important is knowing which brands work best for you and which size you are in each. Ditch the measuring tape and enter the fitting room with an open mind.

Embrace Your “Alter” Ego
Think of your bras much like you would any other article of clothing in that if it is not a perfect fit, get it tailored! Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie is one of the few boutiques that employs an in-house seamstress to provide custom bra alterations. This makes a huge difference, but most women would never think to have a bra altered.  Lost weight? Gained weight? Alterations can also ensure that your bras still fit perfectly despite changes to your body.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Contrary to popular belief, your cup size is not how big you are "out" but how big each breast is from one side to another – essentially underarm to clavicle. Typical bra “fittings” use archaic measurements to determine a size that is wholly inconsistent with how a designer determines size, and ultimately, how the bra will fit. This gives us yet another reason to understand the importance of custom, versus measuring tape, fittings.

Simply put, its not the size that you are first and foremost, its getting you into the right brand that is perfect for you, scrap the focus on the size and go for the feel good fit of the brand.

-Alicia Vargo

Alicia Vargo is the founder and president of Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie, a Colorado-based lingerie boutique with a focus on bras for augmentation patients, hard to find sizes, and custom fittings. Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie also has a popular online counterpart, www.pamperedpassions.com.