by Sara Caspi
When you buy high-end lingerie, what are you paying for?
Most often, I’d say that you are paying for quality of materials. The luxurious handle of fabrics and laces, softness of the elastics and casing for the underwires really do make a difference in how it feels against your body – something that you’re wearing about 15 hours a day on average.
Sometimes you pay for attractive design. It’s true that you don’t always pay for design, as other times comfort rules out over design – because the two aren’t always mututally exclusive. The color combinations, the patterns, the ribbons, bows and even tassels can add up fast. These small, pain-in-the-arse-to-sew items often require special sewing machines or have hand-tacking special needs.
You should be paying for good fit. Now, Please keep in mind that good fit can seem somewhat vague, but all brands fit to a certain ideal shape. Things to look out for are: how the bra fits in the center front, around the underband and the shape the cup creates. Good fit from the brand doesn’t assume you’re wearing the right size, but their good fit comes from exceptional patternmaking, numerous fittings and often months of development.
Lastly, you also pay for a brand’s reputation (e.g. Victoria’s Secret). They are a corporate giant and spend something like 25% of their budget on marketing. Their image is everything, as their products aren’t always so unique from other brands, though they occasionally develop new kinds of technologies in their bras, and tend to look good on women who fit into their sizing system. Other brands can be known for their materials, their comfort, or their fashion-forward edge. As consumers of lingerie, we come to expect certain things from the brands we build relationships with.
Whatever your shape, know there is a selection of brands that fit you. There is no standard in the lingerie industry, but there is nothing like a well-fitting bra, and it's a matter of finding the right brands that fit your body. The best place to begin your search is by getting fit properly. As a former certified bra fit specialist at Nordstrom, I can recommend them, otherwise just look for boutiques or stores in your area that have a good reputation for fit.
Comments