really cute bras!!!

caaclark

Hi Girls,

I went to my fitter today to see if she had any new bras that I would be interested in. I am always on the lookout for cute bras. I found 2 that I have to share with you!

1. Anita 5760-comes in a dark tanish color. Very thin strap around the back(only one row of hooks-love that)and the rest of the bra is embroidered and very pretty. It seemed to run big on me. I usually order a 34A in Anita but the 32A fit me better. The 34 practically fell off me. Also, there are panties and a thong that go with this bra-and yes, I got both of them.

2. Amoena style 637. The 34A fits me perfectly. My pros. is a size 2. This bra is dark brown, has smooth cups but does have some applique flowers at the base of the bra straps. The bra straps on this bra are so skinny. I love them-reminds me of my pre-bc bras. The best thing about this bra...you can order panties and/or a camisole that match perfectly. Oh, and the fabric is so soft!!

Your friendly shopper,

OLBinNJ

Jockey has a bra in their "No Panty Lines" line that reminds me of pre bc. It runs very small. I'm a 34 A/B and a large fits. It's pull over and very soft. Comes in a variety of colors.

caaclark

Is it a mast. bra?

SusaninSF

Carol,

I recently bought an Amoena Tria Contact light form and I can wear most regular bras with it. This has been huge for me! I never did find a mast bra that worked for me in every way, i.e., enough nipple coverage but natural looking under a t-shirt. With the contact form, I can wear everything but the real plunge type bras. There are no glues or anything to hold the form in place you just have to wash it every night. It won't stick to your body without a bra but it stays put in a bra.

I know it's a big investment to get another form but I have been really happy with it!

Cheers, Susan

jbettie

I had bilat masts & now have the amoena tria contact light forms as well. I use my normal bras with them and they stay in place & are very comfortable. The only problem i have had lately is finding tops/shirts/blouses that i can wear. it seems that everything is very low cut or has a plunging neckline. I am overly frustrated and think now that i need to make my own line of clothing/shirts for bc women that are made specifically for those dealing with mast/bilat mast issues. the tria forms go up a bit high on the chest wall so they show if i wear something that is not high enough at the neckline. Very uncomfortable to have to hold onto the front of your shirt to lean down. Let me know if anyone has a good website for clothes...thanks ladies~!

Erica3681

Susan and Jules,

How do the tria contact lights feel when you wear them--that is, do you perspire under them? Do they feel sticky? I find regular silicone forms uncomfortable to wear for long periods, even in a pocketed bra. My solution has been the Airway Tritex form (I use the Triangle; it also comes in asymmetrical shape), which has a very soft microfiber back, so the silicone doesn't come in contact with my skin. They work well with pocketed or unpocketed bras and I forget I have them on. But I'm always looking for new ideas.

Jules, regarding low-cut tops, I so agree with you. I would like to be able to wear them but not worry about gapping when I bend over. The best solution I've found so far are tank tops sold by Chicos as part of their "Travel" line. They are synthetic and pleasantly clingy, so they don't gap at all. They have two scoop neck styles, one modest and one lower cut, plus a v-neck (I like it, though it's not very low-cut). There's also a "reversible" style, scoop in front and v-neck in back, or vice versa -- http://chicos.com/store/product.asp?PID=100062873 .

The other thing I sometimes wear is my Still You camisole with unweighted Amoena forms (style 126--I wear size 4) UNDER sheer blouses. It feels revealing without really revealing anything. And there's nothing more comfortable than those camisoles with the unweighted forms (I also use them for exercise, with or without a tee).

Carol, thanks as always for your bra suggestions. Keep them coming!

Barbara

caaclark

I still wear almost all of my low cut tops. Right before my mast. a friend told me that I would have to change my wardrobe. WRONG!!! What is my secret???? I use fashion tape to keep the neckline from getting too low. In fact, just yesterday I used it because I had a lower cut top on. Victoria's Secret sells it for around $10.00. But, if you decide to use it just make sure you do not put cream on before or it will not stick to your skin. I also use it to keep shirts that close in the front (but have no buttons) closed. You can attach it fabric to fabric or fabric to skin.

Ok, while we are talking fashion---does anyone know of a mast. bra that has the t-back? Not a running bra, just a regular mast. bra to wear with tank tops. I hate when my bra straps show when wearing tank tops, although it might be trendy right now.

OLBinNJ

Carol,
I love the fashion tape, so many uses.... I found it at Victoria's Secret, Bed bath and Beyond, and the Hanes, playtex outlet. When my Amoena contact light loses it's stickiness, I use it for extra holding power. The Jockey bra that I like is a little nothing of a bra, sort of like a sports bra, but without the support. I sewed two of them together to form a pocket for when the contact light is making me crazy (it itches when it's warm out or I'm sweating). I'm looking for an alternative breast form.

SusaninSF

The Tria Contact does take some getting used to because it does stick to your chest. I'm pretty used to it now though and it feels more a part of my body because it's attached. It also doesn't feel heavy like my other form. You aren't supposed to wear it when you are very sweaty so I wear my regular form with a mastectomy bra when I work out.

I agree with all of you on the low-cut tops topic. One saving grace has been that layering with t-shirts has also become very fashionable. T-shirts under sun dresses, skimpy tops, etc. This has been a saving grace for me. I have several thin white t-shirts that I wear under anything low cut.

I have tried the fashion tape and it did work well though I have to say that I was a bit worried about it failing and thus didn't feel 100% comfortable.

OLBinNJ

I live in t-shirts! I wear silk t-shirts or really nice cotton ones to work with a skirt or nice pants, along with a sweater or jacket. I couldn't live without t-shirts. I hope fashion doesn't shift back to more formal dressy clothes because I don't know what I would do!

Raye99

Carol,

Thanks for the shopping tips! First the bathing suit, now this!

I absolutely hate my mast bra. It is a size AA - yeah, that's right and STILL TOO BIG. It has big wide straps, ugh. I usually wear my regular victoria's secret demi, t shirt bra (size 34 A) and stick my prosthetic in there. My girlfriends state I look very natural; however, I cannot wear low cuy tops for fear of someone seeing the prosthetic top sticking out of the bra (my pros is a triangular shape). My pros is a size 1 to match my other breast.

Raye

Erica3681

Raye, I wear a little bralette by Maidenform -- http://www.maidenform.com/catalog/produc...entCategoryId=1

If you check the link, you'll see it's got the triangle shape that conceals the prosthesis. I wear a size 2 form and I think a size one would fit even better. Might be worth a try--very inexpensive. I'm bilateral, but hopefully it will work for single, too.

Barbara

Raye99

Barbara,

Very cute! I will give it a shot. Thank you. I am soon to be a bilateral myself and appreciate the tip.

Raye

Erica3681

Hope you like it! BTW, I'm a 34A and wear a medium.

ddd

Hi, I have the same problem! I am wearing 34 A, but because I have a very small frame, I can't wear 99.9% of the mast bras out there..Aside from most having industrial strength straps(yeah right, for a size 1 or 2 prosthesis), most are at least an inch too wide under the arm. So far, the only one that works for me is an Amoena 2141 - not sure if it comes in AA cup though. Sure wish I had at tleast one other option. I mostly just slip my prosthesis in a regular bra, too.

Let us small people know if you come across anything else, please!!

caaclark

ddd,

Have you tried the Anita bras? I have several of them that have skinny straps. If you want me to I can post the style numbers so that you can look into them. But I am running out to pick my girls up from camp so will have to check back later.

Raye99

Thanks Carol. Much appreciated.

ddd, yes, my straps are extra wide as well and so matronly. I HAD to wear my black one yesterday because I had a lower cut top on and I had to watch out because the big ole thing will dent in if I happen to bump into something or hug someone and stay that way until I pop it out! I am back in my vs, 34A bra today, much better.

ddd

Please do post some model numbers. At least I can see how wide the straps are from photos, but the manufacturers never show you the underarm, to see how wide: nor do they show the back to see how many hooks it has.

Any info or better yet measurements,would be a great help!

Thanks!

Erica3681

Hi ddd,

I'm sure Carol will be along with more info, but in the meantime, here's a link to the Anita bra that I got (at Carol's suggestion!). At the time, I was having sensitivity high in my underarm area, so needed to avoid bras that went too high. This one was fine. It's seamless, so can be worn with fitted tees, etc. I got a 34A and wear it with either my size 2 or size 3 prostheses. It comes with a second pair of straps in clear plastic.

Here's the link: http://www.mastectomy.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=3&category_id=58

ddd

Thank you Erica!

I have seen that Anita bra on the internet, but of course they don't show you the side panals or the back. I have been afraid to order it. I don't live in the U.S. and it is hard for me to return something if it doesn't work out. Could you tell me how many inches the bra is under the arm? I can then compare it to what I have.

caaclark

Ok all you girls looking for skinny bras. Here are my favorites!

1. Amoena- Tina 637- Only comes in dark brown but so cute! Looks like an underwire but it is not. 2 hooks in back, measures1 1/2 inches. Super skinny straps!! Measurement under the arms on mine is 2 3/4inches. The size I have is 34A.

2. Anita 5760- Also looks like an underwire but is not. Only comes in a tanish color. Has a design on cups so not a t-shirt bra but really pretty. ONE hook in back. Back measures 1/2 inch! Skinny shoulder straps measure 1/2 inch also. Measurement under the arm is 3 inches. My size is 32A. 34 was too big for some reason.

3. Anita 5396- 2 hooks in back. Back measures 1 1/2 inches. Skinny straps. Straps measure 1/2 inch. Under arm measures 3 inches. My size 34A.

4. Anita 5382- 2 hooks in back. Back measures 1 1/2 inches. Skinny staps measure 1/2 inch. Under arm measures 3 1/4 inches. I have this bra in white, black and tan. My size 34A.

5. Anita- 5362- THIS ONE IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE!!!! 2 hooks in back. Back measures 1 1/2 inches. Skinnny straps measure 3/4 inches. Under arm measures 3 inches. My size is 34A.

6. Amoena- 2142- I have this one in a cream color and also in pink. The pink is so cute!! 2 hooks in back. Back measures 1 1/2 inches. Skinny straps measure 1/2 inch. Under arm measures 2 1/4 inches. I have the pink in 34A and the cream in 34B. I can wear either of them so they are close in size.

Raye99

Barbara and Carol - love you guys!

Thank you so very much!!

Raye

ddd

Thank you Carol!

Here is my bra:
Amoena 2141 - appears to measure the same as the 2142, 2 hooks, 1 1/2 inches in back, 1/2 inch straps, 2 1/4 inches under the arm.

Looks like these are the only two that will work for me so far.

I bought a very pretty and well made Naturalwear/Camp 272. It measures 3 1/4 inches under the arm and I cannot wear it. If anyone uses this bra(size 34A Champagne), let me know. I paid $51.50 including shipping.
If it stays here, it will stay in the drawer forever.

Erica3681

ddd,

Just measured the Anita bra I recommended--it's about 3 inches under the arm, so it sounds like that won't work for you. But it's weird--when I look at a picture of the Amoena 2141 and 2142, they look higher under the arm than my Anita. Any chance there's a local fitter who could order an Anita for you to try without having to buy it?

It does seem like the makers of mastectomy bras are starting to become more attuned to the needs of smaller women and are beginning to come out with lighter, more comfortable bras. Let's hope that continues and improves.

ddd

The photos the manufacturers put up are really deceiving. The other thing, why don't they use real mastectomy patients as models? The bras don't look or fit the same on women who have natural breasts.

You're right, I do see a few more options for small women. Hopefully it will improve.

MarlaH

hello ALL -

One year ago I had a double mastectomy (I'm 50 yrs. old) and have no plans for reconstruction. I hate the bra forms so I've been going a'la'natural - would love to find a VERY comfortable sportish bra with a small amount of padding built in so I don't look too flat - any advice??!!

THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!

Marla

nagem

If you find that bra, let me know! I'm looking for the same one ...