Bras are coming back! I don’t mean back in fashion, they never went out. I’m talking right here, right now, on the blog for you to read. Yes I know, it took me long enough didn’t it?

But before I leap in, we need to get reacquainted. So let’s rewind all the way back to this time last year, when I grappled the arm of my dear mum and headed to Newcastle’s Bravissimo bra shop for a fresh new fit.

What I’d never advise on doing is hot-footing it to a distant lingerie shop expecting an immediate fitting — like what I did — because it’s not going to happen. Bra fitting experts like Bravissimo have diaries packed to the rafters for a reason, and getting one of the best fittings around is why bra consumers — notably the fuller busted — flock to the bra beacon.

On my visit last February, all the one-to-one appointments were booked up, however I was offered assistance all the same: the lesser present service where a fitter assists several customers at any one time by hopping door-to-door. I was happy with that, at least there was a room at all.

So with the fitter’s attention on me for that moment, we discussed how my current bra fitted, the discomfort and niggles I had, and how a better fit could be achieved. I took my jumper off at this point so the fitter could visually gauge my size. And all without a tape measure in sight, she suggested I size up from the 30HH I was wearing and try bras around the 30J mark.

I lost count how many bras were brought to me but I couldn’t complain, I wasn’t doing the leg-work! While it was frustrating, every ill-fit reiterated to me how broad bra sizing can be across brands and styles, in turn, guiding me to recognise the styles and fit that best suited me.

I obviously go against convention because most of the store’s popular bras didn’t work at all for me. Balcony styles like Panache’s hugely successful Envy fitted me oddly between the bust and in the upper cup section. And moulded Freya plunges like the Idol range just gave my boobs all manner of strange shapes.

Plunging necklines with the centre gore sitting low tend to work best on me, though it’s not as easily achieved as you’d think. When your boobs are bigger, the weight’s increased, so you can’t necessarily pull off the same product designed for a smaller bust size. The requirement for more robust materials alone increases the challenge for creating designs for fuller busts, so a plunge bra made for me can take some work.

Thankfully I found that elusive fab-fit joy in the Elomi Matilda, a brand I’d never previously considered, let alone expect to find such relief from.

It transpired that — in this bra brand and style at least — I was fitting as a 32J. I was surprised. A small yet significant step up from the 30HH I walked in wearing.

So what was learnt? Well the new bra size for a start! And that, despite the gospel that a bra’s band serves the foundation of a proper fit, I was encouraged by how fearless strap adjustment can be a game changer.

The Elomi Matilda as the perfect example: I was writing the bra off as too loose before the fitter came by and slid the straps a good deal shorter, perfecting the lay of the lace and overall fit on my frame. The band was firm without any pressure points, the wires followed the contour of my boobs, the cups didn’t edge into my armpits, while the centre-front lay flush where my curves met. Gosh, this was what perfection felt like!

I also found it true that yes, regular fittings do matter. Hormones play a crucial role in the behaviour of our breasts and whether it’s due to menstrual activity or menopause, the density of breast tissue, inner lumpiness or fullness, and skin’s elasticity can all influence our next bra fitting.

Compared to when I began bra blogging in 2011, of course my bra needs have since changed. I’m older, I’ve experienced pregnancy, I’m in a state of peri-menopause because of my POI (primary ovarian insufficiently) and my boobs are bigger. And change can be annoying, impractical, even frightening, but with it there’s curiosity and exploration. So here’s to embracing a new-norm and harvesting all the joy possible.

One new-norm for me is videoing lingerie reviews, which is a challenge I’m enjoying. YouTube hasn’t made it easy for me though, terminating my Honesty Becky channel five videos in because the platform doesn’t like “try-ons” and thinks sheer lingerie equates to sexual content. Whatever. It’s been a headache to say the least. Despite marking my videos 18+ to be safe all round, Youtube’s adamant my content violates their nudity and sex policy, so it appears discussion on what women wear isn’t acceptable. (Yes I’m still reeling.)

So bear with me if you’re keen to still see the video format reviews, because making them is a real blessing in times of keyboard fatigue. I’m trialing Rumble for now, only because it’s a Youtube rival and I’m stubborn enough not to open a sneaky new account.

Consider this your invitation to stay in the loop and continue the lingerie journey with me; navigating life — motherhood, a woman’s existence with mental struggles and a habit to overthink and hope for the best. If you really want to (and I’d like you to).

---

---