universal coverage
A few years ago I got into the habit of buying bras around the time of the L.A. Times Festival of Books. I think maybe Robinsons May had a sale then. There I’d be with a lot of older Persian ladies in the bowels of Westside Pavilion, sifting through racks of large beige bras. Despite what our culture would have you believe about breast size, being a bigger girl is depressing business. And I am sure the Persian ladies would agree.
Robinsons May has long since gotten gobbled up by Macy’s, and when I went there today, I couldn’t even find the lingerie section, although Jamie later assured me there was one. So I went to Nordstrom at the other end of the mall, where you can buy all the same stuff but for more money. And so I did.
Victoria’s Secret had already disappointed me with its flimsy straps and not-small prices, and my lunch hour was rapidly turning into a lunch hour-and-a-half. Panic got the best of me: I walked out of Nordstrom with four bras. The straps weren’t flimsy and they weren’t all matronly beige (why do bra manufacturers assume that tit size is inversely proportional to a love of color?!), but ay, the cost. I could have flown to Tucson. I could have bought a decent piece of Ikea furniture. I could have paid for one fifth of my first car.
I’m going to return one of them tomorrow, because I don’t really need four bras. My problem is that I stock up because I hate bra shopping so much. It’s as if I think a tornado is going to come and whisk away all my bras. Or something.
I think bras should be like health insurance should be (but also isn’t): If something sucks, your endurance should be the only price you pay. You’re sick! Haven’t you suffered enough? You inherited the boobs, you suspect, of Eastern Europe. Isn’t that enough?
Comments
This is because I used the word "tit," isn't it?
Which is why I was/am duly psyched that I found a size/style & brand (Gilligan & O'Malley) I like at Target which I buy when they turn up on sale from time to time. White, black, and beige are their staples but they usually have ~3 other colors/designs which vary during the year. The non-basic designs change a couple times a year so if you see something you really like, it's best to buy it because they don't seem to bring them back. More metropolitan areas probably have larger selections than here. Anyway, the 1st couple I bought a few years ago are still in very good shape, so might be worth checking out. Consumer Reports also rated Gilligan & O'Malley's bras (don't recall if it was 1 style in particular) higher than several much more expensive brands.
*I know this is oddly phrased but it amused me.
. . . in the right size?
PV: Good suggestion! Nordstrom Rack probably has a lot of leftover uncommon sizes, which could work well. 42AA, 32EEE....