The Bra Size Challenge: tales from our tassel dancer

I've had a few of interesting emails regarding the Beaut.ie bra size challenge. Beaut.ie readers have been getting measured left right and centre and you're all singing from the same hymn sheet, because everyone's agreed so far on these issues:

• If you've never been properly fitted then you're probably wearing the wrong size bra
• Most people are wearing too small a cup size and maybe also too big a band size.
• Every shop you go to measures you as a different size

Scarlett wrote to tell us of her long journey to find a bra that fits. A trainee tassel dancer Scarlett found the answer to her questions one night at a burlesque club. Who says truth is stranger then fiction?

"I put on a bit of weight very quickly and it took this change in my body shape to send me in search of something, anything that would fit comfortably. Unfortunately I found that every department store had a different way of measuring and every time I thought I had it right, it was all wrong. I would get measured and try on the bra which was perfectly comfy in the confines of the fitting room. Then I'd go home and wear it for a day - only to end up pulling it off and going back to an old stretched bra with no support!

"Then one happy day, I read an article about Angela Ferrera the founder of Bella Lusso, a lingerie company based in Mayo, who specialise in bras from a D to a JJ cup. What struck me was Angela's understanding of the quest for a properly fitting bra and her resulting business venture". Read it here.

When Scarlett visited the Bella Lusso stand at The Tassel Club Christmas party she got to meet Angela, was properly measured and discovered that she was not the 34C she had thought she was - she was a 30GG. But this size wasn't right either and she returned the bras. However she didn't give up on Bella Lusso and "the next time they had a Perfect Fit Party in Dublin, I took myself off and had a good long consultation. I tried on many bras, seeing how they looked under my clothes (which I admit I never thought to do before!). I was encouraged to bend over and twist and turn - really getting a feel for the bra.
"I was so surprised at the difference it made to be wearing a properly fitting bra. At first it felt like it shouldn't be so tight around the waist, but it was explained to me that you need support around your back, otherwise your shoulder straps are taking all the weight & you get the 'dents' in your shoulders. I felt like my silhouette looked so much better and the support was amazing.

"To top it all off, there is a reward scheme on the Bella Lusso web site where you receive 'ration stamps'  for every purchase and when you fill up your 'ration' book you get a discount on your next purchase. You can also refer a friend and receive a €10 voucher.

Now I keep telling everyone I meet that they're wearing the wrong size bra -and actually an amazing 80% of women are. If you get a chance, go to a Perfect Fit Party, or go see Angela in her shop in Castlebar, I guarantee you will never look back!"

Well, I've attended the Tassel Club with Scarlett, and if you want to get yourself a pair of tassels and start twirling like her, she let me in on a secret: it's all in the knees.

Go to Bella Lusso
Go to the Tassel Club
Go to the Beaut.ie Bra Size Challenge and read about the free Bra Book