It's no joke. Women blessed (or cursed, depending on the day) with a full bust have a harder time finding the right fit in bras and, by extension, fashionable clothes.
Many women, especially if their body type is labelled "plus size," can only shop on-line for their everyday wear. Anything over a size 16 isn't sold in the malls of America. The challenges of dressing a figure with large breasts, but on a smaller frame, can be even greater. Full figure bras don't work for women who need band sizes as small as 26 or 28 and fill GG, HH, J, and N cups.
If you thought these letters and numbers applied to a small minority of women you'd be wrong. When my book was published in 2007, DD+ bras were the fastest growing segment of the lingerie industry. New blogs have since emerged to support the full bust population. They educate readers with news and reviews on lingerie, clothing, swimwear and other resources. And they empower women to rock their bodies, whatever their bra, dress, or jean size.
These bloggers, even when they wear the same bra size, present unique perspectives and fashion styles. Forget the familiar cookie-cutter media images of women and embrace....originality. Their ranks continue to grow (puns inevitable) with the lingerie and swimwear industry working to meet demand and claim a share of this market. The popular Affinitas Intimates brand, pictured above, just announced they are extending their bra cup sizes from D-G to D-K, and will add 28 inch bands to their line. That's great news for all women.
The following dozen sites, listed in alphabetical order, are a place to start. Be sure to check their blogrolls for more web resources. Please feel free to add your own full bust breast sites in the comments below.
1. Boosaurus! "Skinny, curvy, geeky" is this blogger's tagline. Boosaurus is a 20-something writer who offers readers detailed bra reviews with accompanying pics for the smaller band, deeper cup category (28H). She also blogs about clothing and specific stores and companies, like Victoria's Secret. Check out her list of where to buy bras on-line.
2. Busts 4Justice. This UK based blog was created to protest department store Marks & Spencer's plan to charge women more to buy DD+ bras. They won that battle and continue to write helpful posts on body image, weight, and the general ups and downs of big boobs. Readers' specific questions are featured in fun and informative posts.
3. Braless in Brasil. This blog was started by an American woman living in Brasil who couldn't find her bra size. She's expecting, so look forward to reviews of nursing bras and the joys of big boobs in motherhood. Her blog also presents reader surveys and gathers info on bra sizing and wear.
4. By Baby Rules. Chrystal's blog comes from the perspective of someone who not only adores bras and lingerie, but has experienced life as a nursing mother, and has breast implants. She's aware of the particular challenges faced by women who have had cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. Her blog features insight into breast stereotypes, along with product reviews and pics.
5. Curvy Wordy. I adore this UK blogger's motto: "one woman's quest to find lingerie and fashion to suit her extremely voluptuous, hourglass figure." What's not to celebrate? Her site features bra reviews, swimwear, dresses and even shoes. Great photos prove that 30K/L busts can look stylish from any angle.
6. Full Figured Chest. Holly Jackson presents bra and dress reviews, and writes monthly columns for other consumer and lingerie industry sites. She also offers copywriting and marketing services for those in the lingerie biz.
7. Fuller Figure, Fuller Bust. UK's Georgina Horne describes her site as a "fashion and lingerie blog with a little extra padding." Horne exhibits a glamorous, colorful pin-up fashion style. Her lively blog is filled with photos of flirty dresses, and posts that cover a range of topics: from bra fitting, swimwear, stockings, corsets, accessories, to a "sewing corner."
8. Fussy Busty. Multiple bloggers on this site offer up bra and swimwear reviews in sizes representing 28FF-GG, 38J-K, and 40HH-KK. Great photos show how bras and bikinis fit on blogger bodies. Don't miss their upcoming one year anniversary, which includes amazing giveaways and promotions.
9. Hourglassy. Darlene Campbell is the founder of Hourglassy, a blog with multiple columnists sharing their take on clothing, swimwear, and bras for DD and above. Plenty of tips and ideas on this site, including a great post on tailoring and alterations.
10. Invest in Your Chest. Cheryl is another UK blogger whose helpful bra reviews and photographs make it easy to see how a bra should fit. She reviews 28+ band sizes, with bra-fitting and lingerie tips, plus sneak peeks at upcoming lingerie fashion lines and designs.
11. Sophia Jenner. Another wonderful UK resource, Sophia Jenner began blogging after she was a finalist in the Curvy Kate "Star in a Bra" competition. She's a 30GG/32G and expecting a baby this summer. You'll find bra and clothing reviews on this site, guest posts, plus maternity and nursing bra reviews as well as swimwear and accessories.
12. Thin & Curvy. Brittany's blog is jammed with great bra, sizing and fitting information. You'll find posts on how to put on a bra or signs of a badly fitting bra. Also love her emphasis on where to buy fashionable full busted clothing. Don't miss her "Clothes for Curves" listings.
Image credit: Parfait by Affinitas Charlotte Bra via HerRoom