Frugal Bra Shopping For The Not-So-Average Woman
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Okay, so maybe you don't think that talking about bra shopping is really "money management" related. But fear not - the methods I employ to shop for bras can be used to shop for many other things. And, besides, smart shopping is money management of the most basic kind.
Once upon a time, I was a 36C. An average bra size one can find in just about any store. Too bad that was back in 4th grade. I am, as my spouse likes to say, well-endowed. I'm still a 36, but the cup size is a letter of the alphabet that shouldn't be used for clothing. I spent most of my adulthood buying whatever I could find in Target or Walmart that I could squeeze myself into, and really all that accomplished was some back pain and a lot of weird marks on my skin from clothes that fit incorrectly.
So two years ago, I did for me the unthinkable - I went to a real lingerie store and got correctly fitted for a bra. And I spent an incredible amount (in my eyes) for a bra - $55. For one bra.
And I've never regretted it. But here's where the frugal part comes in. I bought that bra and brought it home, but if you have to wear a bra every day, you can't really just have one. So I took the bra, and started searching for it online. I found the same bra on sale for $34 with free shipping, so I bought two more. I kept the first one I bought from the store, because they deserved the sale for taking the time to fit me and find the right bra, but I saved $21 per bra for the two additional ones by searching for them online. And now everything stays in its place just like its supposed to. 
So if you need to buy something that you need assistance to buy, but need more than one - go to the store to get the first, but look for additional ones online. I do the same thing with my son's XW width shoes. his feet are so hard to fit I need to take him to the specialty shoe store - but once he's correctly sized I can look for any other types he needs (boots, dress shoes, or extra sneakers) online.
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23 Responses to “Frugal Bra Shopping For The Not-So-Average Woman”
October 9th, 2008 at 6:51 am
I just bought my first lingerie store bra last week! I had been in Target or Wal-mart nursing bras for over a year and had enough of the girls sagging. I spent $45 for the bra an know it was worth every penny. Heck, I would have spent $55 if that what it cost. My clothes fit better and I instantly looked like I lost 5 lbs.
This is an investment every well-endowed woman should make. If things are tight, then try to find the money. You will feel better about yourself.
October 9th, 2008 at 7:07 am
I discovered rather late in life that there are certain things where it’s better to spend the extra money. While I’m not well endowed, I also spent my money on bras from WalMart and other discount stores. After recognizing (I mean, admitting) that my body has gone through changes and that I was tired of repeatedly adjusting an ill-fitting bra throughout the day, I finally went to a good store and was fitted. I will never shop at a discount store for a bra again.
However, your suggestion for finding the same bra online but for a cheaper price only makes sense. Why these things don’t occur to me I’ll never know, but I’m thankful to have people like you who are willing to share your experience and expertise so i can benefit. Keep up the great work!
October 9th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I finally broke down and started buying nice bras a few years ago. It has made a huge difference for me. Some times you have to pay for quality to get the true value of an item…. especially one that gets used everyday!
October 9th, 2008 at 10:32 am
I love that model–spend the money once and then buy online because you know what fits. It works with jeans, shoes, bras, you name it.
October 9th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I have to disagree about expensive bras. I bought a $40 Victoria’s Secret bra one time – it was one where you could change out the straps. After only a few months, the little hook on one corner of the bra where you attach one end of your strap became warped and stretched to where I can no longer insert ANY straps into it. And it doesn’t work strapless, so now I have an expensive (in my eyes), unusable bra!
On the other hand, I have a bra from Wal-mart I’ve had for at least five years that hasn’t done me wrong yet.
October 9th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Just a couple of questions here… how long does a good quality bra that you all are talking about should last? one year? two years? Seems like to me a bra usually last a year… Another question here… what are the names of stores that you would recommend for buying a good quality bra? I need all the help I can get. Unfortunately, I’m well endowed, and I’m still searching for the “one.”
October 9th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I spend a small fortune on bras. I’m rather…abundant…in that area and the Target ones just don’t work well enough to keep the girls in check.
I do order them off E-bay sometimes, but I’ve had limited luck doing that. It’s not uncommon for me to spend 50 dollars on a bra.
I do take meticulous care of them, and I’ve found that they do last much longer than the cheap Target bra.
Watching for those buy two, get one free sales can also offset the cost.
October 9th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Amanda, I’m happy for you that you can find a good bra at walmart, but a well-endowed person just can’t. There’s nothing so frustrating as trying size after size and having nothing fit right. When you do find a $60 bra that fits and stays supportive for a year, you feel like kissing the manufacturer.
So please don’t “disagree” with the post. Just be glad that you haven’t had to go through the same experience.
(Side note: if you are, in fact, well endowed, I would highly doubt your bra is lasting you 5 years. You might want to ask a close friend what she thinks. There are loads of people out there who are perfectly content wearing a saggy, awful bra!)
October 9th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
@Amanda – I don’t actually consider VS as the place to bra shop. Their stuff is designed to be cute, but it isn’t built to last.
But what do I know, I haven’t fit a size sold in VS since um… well, like middle school.
The problem (for me) with buying bras at Walmart or Target or any mainstream store is that they don’t sell cups big enough. When you’re a G cup, squeezing the girls into a DD just doesn’t really cut it. I’m not insinuating that you can’t find something quality at a discount store, just that in some cases, if you aren’t an average person, it just won’t happen.
@Dana – I would look in your area for an independent lingerie store, one that advertises custom fittings. Or some high-end department stores do fittings.
As for how long a good bra lasts – I don’t know yet.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:15 am
I did something very similar a couple years ago. Because I’m a smaller person, I did get measured at VS and I bought one of their IPEX bras (which has lasted well over a year and works just fine). I then went to…I don’t even remember where, but I managed to find a very similar one for considerably less. I alternate between the two and they’re both quite comfortable.
I can’t believe I went that long without “good” bras. I sometimes put on my old ones when I’m going to be doing something sweaty and I’m shocked at how little support and…everything…they provide.
October 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Ladies, you’re all goinna hate me, I’ve got no idea what bra size I am (Always have to ask hubby). I always go by how they look and feel never the size anyway – it’s so misleading.
However, last year summer holidays I picked up 6 brand new bra’s at small town op shop (charity store) for $6.00.
They all fit bee-yoo-tifully and one was even an Elle MacPherson – gotta love other people’s trash!
October 10th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Jaimie, you are not not average. Try finding a plain bra for a 30D for less than $50. *sigh*
October 10th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Do you care to share websites with good prices on odd-sized bras? I wear a 30J and would love to have some specific recommendations.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I definitely agree with the do it well and then find it cheap philosophy. I’ve gone to some lingerie sites, but my best luck (still hit or miss) has been on ebay — clearly knowing the style and the size that I want/need. I’ve been able to get them for about half ($30 instead of $60) what I paid in the fancy store. Also, if you buy more than one they’ll often combine shipping and then.. you get to save even more.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Thank0you, thank-you, thank-you for this post. I have six daughters. I, and five of my girls can get along just fine with the Wal-mart or anywhere else. One of my girls cannot, and I have not been sure what to do for her. I really appreciate this.
October 12th, 2008 at 11:41 am
As someone on the other end of the breast-size spectrum I still feel it is well worth it to invest in good quality bras. I try to remember to get professionally measured every year and then look online for bargains- (last seasons colours!).
Great post.
October 13th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
You caught me! I’m the exact opposite of well endowed. I didn’t give this much thought before I posted, my apologies. I guess there ARE advantages to having the chest of an 8 year old boy!
I’m not totally DISAGREEING with the post… a lot of ladies may need more expensive bras. But if you’re using cheap bras happily and read this article, don’t automatically think you have to go run to a fancy lingerie store.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Cheap bras are not frugal.
I’ve always been hard to fit and walked into a lingerie store for the first time 2 weeks ago. I will not tell you what I spent for 2 new bras. I will probably pay the bill before DH see it… lol But I’m glad I did. I’m hoping these will last as well.
I got several Olga bras 3 years ago and spent like $35 each for them. I about died forking over the cash, but they lasted 2.5 years before I had to retire them. I was really surprised.
I went out 3 months ago and found several on clearance for $5-10 each figuring multiple cheap ones would last longer than 3 expensive ones because I’d wear them less. NOT SO!! I couldn’t believe how fast they went to pot and I hand wash & drip dry.
I went looking online for the two I recently purchased, but couldn’t find the same style as the store. I know they’ll be cheaper online, but I’ll have to keep looking.
January 9th, 2009 at 11:51 am
I do this with dance shoes. With three daughters, I get them sized for shoes, buy one pair at the specialty shop and then go on-line to discountdancesupply.com and buy the rest until it is clear that the girls’ feet/needs have changed. You HAVE to have a special fitting for toe shoes in particular and sometimes one brand is preferable over another, depending on the way the foot is built or used in dance. I have saved thousands of dollars on toe shoes tap shoes, etc. this way (I’ve also spent thousands of dollars too, for that matter . . .!),
January 29th, 2009 at 9:19 am
[...] have the same concerns. For my few “expensive” clothing purchases, I have turned to buying one of an item “off the rack” so to speak, and then scouring the internet for dea…. This worked for me for undergarments, but I somehow doubt you want 5 identical pairs of [...]
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:50 am
It is worth being fitted no matter what size you are.
I was fitted for a nursing bra at Dillard’s. It was wonderful. I bought three, and they have lasted through 3 babies.
I also bought Victoria’s Secret bras for when I am not nursing. I have not been happy with the quality at all (and I was fitted there as well). They fall apart too quickly.
The bras at Dillard’s were less money, but they last 4 times as long (I’ve had mine for 4 years and they are still good. Nursing bras take a lot more wear, and get washed more often because of milk).
A friend of mine was also fitted at Dillard’s. She is well-endowed and said she was surprised to find out what size she SHOULD be wearing. She had no idea. The bra was larger than she has been buying. She said it fit beautifully, and wasn’t too tight anywhere. She said it was very comfortable and supportive.
September 1st, 2009 at 6:47 am
I have the exact opposite problem, having lost (cheers are in order!) 100 pounds and reached “a certain age” I am now a 40A/B which is also v. hard to find. I did a lot of searching and spent a large amount having many styles delivered here (we’s a ways out ) to shop at home. I have to be on top of things and return promptly for refunds, but it was worth it to find what fits and what doesn’t. It is such a relief to treat myself to what fits properly and what feels good. I am worth it! I now can shop for the great sales and closeouts available online, since i *KNOW* my size!
November 18th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Thanks for this, I have done the same thing. I have a question for you. I have only recently started wearing bras – they were always incredibly uncomfortable and I didn’t know I was wearing the wrong size, and being small, I could afford to go without. Once I decided to wear one I delved into the world of bras in search of bargains, and I found a thriving market in used bras on ebay. I found some other cheap sources and started selling them on ebay with some success, but I am finding that ebay charges an awful lot in fees.
So my question is, would you, the frugal bra shopper (or anyone else who cares to respond), consider buying a used bra from an online boutique-type store? There would be a return policy and a good selection – i.e. quality items in good condition, hand-washed before shipping, etc. The site would be pleasant and professional, much nicer than digging around in a bin of used clothes at a thrift store, and it seems like people might like the idea of a bargain. Or am I crazy for even considering such a thing?
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