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Translation: Always Wear Underwear
For those of you who are dorky like me, a former geek who studied six years of Latin, you’ll know that that is the most incorrect Latin ever. Don’t ask me what actual Latin is, ’cause I couldn’t tell you at this point.
Anyhoo… I started down this path of cheesiness so that I could talk about my undergarment shopping experience. Like many NYC brides, I went to Bra*Tenders in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, and I have to say that what I’ve read about the store was correct. The lovely woman who helped me (I’m so sorry that I am now blanking on her name, which is a shame, because she was so knowledgeable) looked at me and pretty much knew what size I was. No measuring tape required. MAD SKILLZ, yo! Aaaahhhh my size… well let’s just say that the statement that most women are not wearing their correct bra size is indeed correct! What size am I? That I will not reveal, BUT I will say that I never even knew that my size existed!
I was told that while I am lucky to be relatively slender, I am what’s called “full breasted” (I guess I can’t deny that). Most American makers of bras assume that if you are “full breasted”, that you are also full-figured or have a wider back. Au contraire… apparently women in the UK and other parts of Europe have a wider range of bra size options than we do. Boo, Victoria’s Secret! (Hmmm…maybe the lack of size options is the secret.) Dear American bra makers, give us more choice!
After all of these deep revelations, I splurged on two bras AND a bustier for my gown. I rationalized by reminding myself that when you find something that will help you look great, you shouldn’t hesitate too much if it’s within your budget. Plus, Mr. Swan has been hearing me complaining about bra shopping way too much in the past year, and I knew he’d be pleased (he was).
(Not my bustier, but still cute. Look here for source)
Now the million dollar question is whether I should buy Spanx or something like that (I don’t really think I have a pooch, though). Hmm…
I’m not the only one who’s had a good Bra*Tenders experience.
By the way, ladies out there with fuller cup sizes, take a look at UK designer, Fantasie (please don’t count it out based on the spelling).
Great post! I used to work for a small lingerie boutique, and it’s true…most women wear the wrong size! They were a back size one size too large and the cup size one size too small. Everyone should do a check right now: if you can pull your back strap farther than an inch away from your body….your back size is too big!
I can personally attest to the fact that Bra Tenders is more than awesome! I had Raquel (maybe that’s who you had, I believe she’s Latina and full figured, if not oh well, they’re all awesome). I got sucked in, too, and bought 2 extra bras in addition to the bustier. I think you’re right, you can NEVER pay too much for the the comfort of a correctly fitting bra. The experience felt almost magical, didn’t it?
You’re also right, American bra makers function under the premise that if you have full breasts, you have a wide back. That’s also far from the case in my situation as well. It made me feel angry at VS, but I will definitely be back to shop for more at Bra Tenders. Now that you know your size, http://www.figleaves.com is amazing, too. They sell some of the same brands as Bra Tenders at decent prices (They also sell BATHING SUITS, which is a pain for me as well. I look forward to spending time in Hawaii without the pain in my neck from my chest weighing the halter down)
Not to be overly technical but it’s not “always wear underwear” it’s always where under where” still funny in context.
Ooops you already knew that… well now you know what the actual translation is! hahaha READ BEFORE COMMENTING GRUMPYBEAR!
I’m in complete agreement . . . just because you have a full bust does not mean your back is proportional! I wear Fantasie bras for my every day bras and I wore Goddess bustier for the wedding. Wearing the correct size bra makes a big difference in your comfort.
As a buxom gal, I second “Fantasie”!
The mother company is called “Freya” and they, too, have the MOST beautiful bras I’ve ever had. The best coup is their swimwear line - fabulous swimsuits with great support for the girls(yeah, who’d thunk it, huh??) without compromising on style. Gone are the days of frustration in department store fitting rooms!
Once I knew my size I splurged on some fantastic bras on Ebay for a quarter of the price. They were slightly irregular but nothing obvious.
Good to see that I’m not the only Latin geek! 
I took 4 years.
I took a year of Latin and semper ubi sub ubi is the only thing we learned. Really. My midterm was a crossword puzzle of latin phrases. My final was the same crossword puzzle. The easiest A you could get at my school.
Oh, I always buy bras from England. I love it. Marks and Spencers online sells a pretty good variety of their store brand and what I spent last time on three bras, with international shipping and the horrid exchange rate was STILL cheaper than ONE bra that would’ve fit at Nordies! Gasp!
Congrats on finding the one… or should I say, The Two?
I should probably pick up a few more bras before I leave here! Thanks for the post!
Here Here Miss Swan! I am also Full Busted but not really full figured and I definitely don’t have a wider back, it is really frustrating. I hate how bras look all cute until you go up on the cup size and then the straps get HUGE and so do the clasps in the back. My new favorite bra maker is Chantelle b/c the bras are still pretty w/ pretty straps ans smaller clasps. I like Fantasie, but I have to be careful what I wear it with b/c it gives me back fat where I have no back fat 
Latin geek too! 4 years, don’t ask me to translate anything though lol. Thank for the shopping tip!
I really like barenecessities.com, because they don’t charge you shipping if they have to send an exchanged item. So if what you order doesn’t fit, you send it back, and they will pay for the shipping on the second item. I really like the Freya brand…if only standard American sizes would catch on! Try finding a 30G at VS….
Haha! There’s a lot of Latinists on here! Before I even got to the sentence in which you explained that you were aware that “semper ubi sub ubi” was not correct, I was thinking to myself, “Perhaps “ubi” is not only “where”, but also an irregular imperative form of a verb that means “to wear.” Thanks for the undies tips!
And because I’m bored at work:
Semper interulam induete = Always wear underwear.
But that’s not nearly as much fun to say.
Perfect timing on this post! I will be headed to Bratenders myself, but am glad to know others are sweating this stuff.
Another Latin lover here! Took 4 years in high school but was much more into the Greek/Roman history/mythology part than the actual Latin part. I love your posts…keep ‘em coming!
hey, if you don’t need spanx, don’t wear spanx! honestly, unless you’re wearing a really clingy dress and you’re worried . . . be comfortable!
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Mrs. Swan, New York City Age and Occupation: 31, Legislative Representative Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Finance Guy Engagement Date: August 9, 2008 Wedding Date: August 2009 Venue: Battery Gardens About Me: I am an un-crafty but resourceful, Caribbean-born but New York-raised woman who's been known to analyze "Dancing with the Stars" and “So You Think You Can Dance”, buy stinky cheese, and use way too many parentheses. I keep lists for fun, am constantly daydreaming of my next international travel adventure (four continents down, three to go), debating sports (let’s Got Mets/Giants!) and dancing around my apartment to stay sane. I am excited to share our wedding planning journey as I hope to plan a streamlined, personal, and fun wedding with the greatest life partner I could ever imagine, Mr. Swan.
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