Aids HIV FAQ

Backless support – advice please!

Question:

Donna wrote… > Go to the drugstore and get the widest surgical tape you can find — the two > inch kind is best, but one inch widths will work, too. > Tear six inch strips of tape. > Raise one arm over your head and apply the tape to the outside of the breast > from one side to the other, underneath the breast (about where an underwire > would go.  Apply enough tape so that you feel secure.

Oops.  Sorry. Wrong door… — Joe Pucillo Baltimore, Maryland  USA To reply by email, please remove the .xx from the address.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Donna wrote… > Go to the drugstore and get the widest surgical tape you can find — the > two > inch kind is best, but one inch widths will work, too. > Tear six inch strips of tape. > Raise one arm over your head and apply the tape to the outside of the > breast > from one side to the other, underneath the breast (about where an > underwire > would go.  Apply enough tape so that you feel secure. > Oops.  Sorry. > Wrong door… > — > Joe Pucillo > Baltimore, Maryland  USA

Well, the midget band aids work real well as temporary jock straps for some guys.  You could learn a few tricks or two in this thread.

Response:

> Well, the midget band aids work real well as temporary jock > straps for some guys.

Not on *my* zoom lens. hth — Joe Pucillo Baltimore, Maryland  USA To reply by email, please remove the .xx from the address.

Response:

> x-no-archive: yes >While there are good strapless bras out there, I’ve never found a >backless/strapless bra that I liked.  The waistband just isn’t enough >to anchor the thing.  It slides around all over the place, and so >do your breasts. > Hmmm. This hasn’t been my experience at all.  I’m not wild about the > "preformed" way they make one’s bust look, but they don’t tend to move.  Try > a different make.

Tried a bunch of ‘em; never found a good one.  Can you recommend a specific make that comes in a 32DD? The trouble I have is that the "waistband" is actually designed to anchor above the waist, around the bottom of the ribcage.  It naturally wants to slide down around my waist, since the waist is smaller.  My breasts also push it out and away from my torso, and with nothing enclosing my ribcage to hold it in it will just slide out and down.  It’s only a little better than going braless.   Accordingly, I just don’t wear backless stuff.  I’ve been keeping bra-ability in mind during my own wedding gown search. Maybe I should try taping the bra in place or something. > For those who don’t know, the trick to the tape is to use wide *surgical* > tape from the drugstore, not regular tape.  The surgical tape won’t > un-stick, and it won’t hurt when it comes off.  Sticking firmly to human > skin and peeling off painlessly is what it was designed to do.

Hmm, I’ll have to give this a try some time. Melissa

Response:

>Oops.  Sorry. >Wrong door…

Lol! Stick around, Joe.  You might pick up on some of the other top secret girl stuff we learn at Junior High sleepovers, or at Girl Scout Camp:  the "Breakfast Club Handsfree Lipstick Thingie", and the exact instructions for the "How To Get Your Bra Off Without Taking Off Your Tee Shirt First" trick. Donna  :)

Response:

Another possibility would be use a normal bra (with a wide back strap, front opening) so as to keep the line flat at the back, then have a ‘nude’ panel put in the back of the dress inside the illusion back. Carol…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> x-no-archive: yes >Tried a bunch of ‘em; never found a good one.  Can you recommend >a specific make that comes in a 32DD? > Good is a relative concept, when it comes to backless bras, of course.  :) > I tried on about 15 different kinds — I ended up going with the Goddess > brand.  It held me firmly enough, but I wasn’t wildly excited about the > ‘fifties torpedo boob’ look.  <shrugs>  It was the best of the lot, though. > One thing I found was that I had to go up a size (band size, that is) in > this brand to get a good fit. >The trouble I have is that the "waistband" is actually >designed to anchor above the waist, around the bottom of the >ribcage.  It naturally wants to slide down around my waist, >since the waist is smaller. > Hmm.  The Goddess brand that I ended up with hit just above the waist as > well, but I think that by going up one band size I got enough length that I > could fasten it around my waist. >  My breasts also push it out and >away from my torso, and with nothing enclosing my ribcage to >hold it in it will just slide out and down.  It’s only a >little better than going braless. > Hmmm.   A thought…  maybe you need something *smaller* than your regular > band size?   I’m wondering if a 30 DDD might actually work for you?   That > would fit it tightly enough around your torso, and the cup size would still > be large enough to give a seamless (non-bulgy) look?  Just a thought — it > might be worth a try, I don’t know.  Another thought might be buying a > sturdy  *boned*  strapless bra that fits and having it taken in so that it > supports you snugly and fits your torso.  Maybe? >Accordingly, I just don’t wear backless stuff. > Yeah, neither do I.  You’re correct when you say that there aren’t many > *good* strapless bras out there for anyone larger than a C cup.  <sigh> >  I’ve been >keeping bra-ability in mind during my own wedding gown >search. >Maybe I should try taping the bra in place or something. > LOL.  Maybe. > I ended up spending a LOT of time trying on bra after bra trying to find the > right fit and look.  The one I ended up with was not great, but it was > adequate.  I truly hope you have better results than I.  :) > Donna

Response:

> I ended up spending a LOT of time trying on bra after bra trying to find the > right fit and look.  The one I ended up with was not great, but it was > adequate.  I truly hope you have better results than I.  :)

Glad you found one that will work.  I’m reasonably happy with the white satin merry widow I found.  It has a back, so I’ll just avoid backless dresses. At first I was hoping to be able to wear a regular bra, but all the current dresses seem to be off-the-shoulder.  If I insisted on sleeves I’d be limiting my choices drastically in other respects. Melissa (to Dave on 5/27/2001)

Response:

> > Well, the midget band aids work real well as temporary jock > straps for some guys. > Not on *my* zoom lens. > hth

Is that the Elph model?  Sorry Joe, they don’t make band-aids any smaller than the midgets.

Response:

I’m about the same size and would highly recommend finding a place that will custom make a bra for you.  There’s a place in LA (Trashy Lingerie) that will do it in one week for $150 (for a merry widdow not a bra).  It’s probably less for a bra.  I’m sure there are other places that can do this for you.  Another option would be a specialty store.  I know there’s a great one in Toronto so I’m sure there are others.  Call around to find a place that specializes in ‘odd sized’ bras and I’ll bet you find something that’s overpriced, but that does the job. — Melissa [The big day is March 18, 2001]

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> x-no-archive: yes > Speaking from experience (34DD), I think you are going to have to start > trying on backless bras until you find one that works for you.   I wouldn’t > waste your time on the little adhesive cups/stick on cups — they aren’t as > effective as surgical tape, I’ve found.  As for sewing cups in a dress — I > don’t know anything about that.  It doesn’t seem like it would work for > larger cup sizes, though.   If you hate tape, you’re stuck with the backless > bra. > I ended up with one of the Goddess bras that fasten just above the waist — > it did the job reasonably well, but didn’t give me as natural a look as I > would have wished.  (But what does, in a DD?  <grin>).   There are a number > of wonderful resources on the web for larger bras, but that is less useful, > as you will need to actually try them on to get the right fit. > If you are in Boston, go to Lady Grace in Brookline (Coolidge Corner) and > get one of the ladies there to fit you.  They are *amazing* at finding the > right bra.   Other than that, just start checking out the lingerie stores in > your area.   You’re not alone in this — many of us here have adequately > solved this very problem.  You will too.  :) > HTH, > Donna >My wedding is next summer, and I recently found my dream gown – a Chris > Kole. >But the one thing holding me back is that it has an illusion back that > plunges >very low, and I’m worried about the bra issue.  I’m a full 34C, borderline > D, >and I really can’t go braless. >Here’s the dress: >http://www.weddingchannel.com/images/Fashion/dressimages/kole_b148.jpg >The woman at the bridal shop gave me a several possibilities, cautioning me >that NONE provides ideal support: >1.  a backless/strapless bra that hooks at the waist >2.  a backless bra that sticks on the sides of the torso under the arms >3.  stick-on cups >4.  sewn-in cups or bra >5.  tape (which I used in desperation several years ago and do NOT want to > do >again!) >I am inclined to prefer #1, because I’d like something that would hold me > in a >little.  But the woman at the salon said that most backless/strapless bras >would show with this dress. >I have two questions. >1.  Does anybody have experience with any of the above alternatives – good > or >bad? >2.  Can anyone recommend a "skimpy" backless/strapless bra that might have > a >chance of working? >Thanks for the help everyone! >Tara

Response:

It’s a beautiful dress! If the mesh was NOT what sold you on the dress, might you have an experienced seamstress replace it with an opaque fabric back? Also, re: > For those who don’t know, the trick to the tape is to use wide *surgical* > tape from the drugstore, not regular tape.  The surgical tape won’t > un-stick, and it won’t hurt when it comes off.  Sticking firmly to human > skin and peeling off painlessly is what it was designed to do.

How do you apply the surgical tape? Do you make a little boob "stirrup"? I may need to know this for the future!

Response:

> My wedding is next summer, and I recently found my dream gown – a Chris Kole. > But the one thing holding me back is that it has an illusion back that plunges > very low, and I’m worried about the bra issue.  I’m a full 34C, borderline D, > and I really can’t go braless. > Here’s the dress: > http://www.weddingchannel.com/images/Fashion/dressimages/kole_b148.jpg > The woman at the bridal shop gave me a several possibilities, cautioning me > that NONE provides ideal support: > 1.  a backless/strapless bra that hooks at the waist

While there are good strapless bras out there, I’ve never found a backless/strapless bra that I liked.  The waistband just isn’t enough to anchor the thing.  It slides around all over the place, and so do your breasts. > 2.  a backless bra that sticks on the sides of the torso under the arms

Hmm, never tried that. > 3.  stick-on cups

These are garbage.  They might work for someone who’s only concerned about nipple peek and doesn’t actually need the support, but they’re not going to work for you. > 4.  sewn-in cups or bra

Since your dress is pretty fitted on top, this might work. > 5.  tape (which I used in desperation several years ago and do NOT want to do > again!)

Heh . . . just imagine if the tape pulled loose during the ceremony. Not to mention the pain when you remove it later!  I don’t blame you for not liking that option. > I am inclined to prefer #1, because I’d like something that would hold me in a > little.

#1 won’t hold you in.  Since it’s only anchored at the waist, it’ll be constantly sliding downward and forward off of your breasts. > But the woman at the salon said that most backless/strapless bras > would show with this dress.

Yup, probably. The suggestion to make the bra strap part of the look was interesting and creative, but I’m betting that you like the look of the expanse of mesh — else why did you choose this dress? > I have two questions. > 1.  Does anybody have experience with any of the above alternatives – good or > bad? > 2.  Can anyone recommend a "skimpy" backless/strapless bra that might have a > chance of working?

Perhaps you could find a merry widow cut low in the back.  These hold on better than the backless/strapless bras do, since they fit you right down to the hips.  They also have garters, which produces a nice effect when you doff that gown for your new groom. It sure beats yowling in pain as you rip the tape off. There’s one on this page, 2nd item down: http://www.braboutique.com/Pages/St-0-2-16-0.htm They don’t show a picture of the back, dang it, but you could always call and ask how low the back is. — Melissa Before you buy.

Response:

> My wedding is next summer, and I recently found my dream gown – a Chris Kole. > But the one thing holding me back is that it has an illusion back that plunges > very low, and I’m worried about the bra issue.  I’m a full 34C, borderline D, > and I really can’t go braless.

My hairdressers daughter swears by those stick on cups although she is a little smaller in the bust size.  Perhaps you could combine them with one of the other options such as the sew in cups (as long as they don’t interfere with the way the dress sits.). Alison.

Response:

Just a suggestion, if you cannot ‘hide’ the Bra…. make it part of the look (feature it)… Find a corselet/bra that has strap bindings at the back ( available from many ‘Adult’ type shops) the look should be fantastic. Murphy’s law will be at play, so makeshift garments that could cause embarrassment….. usually will. Trevor Australia.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My wedding is next summer, and I recently found my dream gown – a Chris Kole. > But the one thing holding me back is that it has an illusion back that plunges > very low, and I’m worried about the bra issue.  I’m a full 34C, borderline D, > and I really can’t go braless. > Here’s the dress: > http://www.weddingchannel.com/images/Fashion/dressimages/kole_b148.jpg > The woman at the bridal shop gave me a several possibilities, cautioning me > that NONE provides ideal support: > 1.  a backless/strapless bra that hooks at the waist > 2.  a backless bra that sticks on the sides of the torso under the arms > 3.  stick-on cups > 4.  sewn-in cups or bra > 5.  tape (which I used in desperation several years ago and do NOT want to do > again!) > I am inclined to prefer #1, because I’d like something that would hold me in a > little.  But the woman at the salon said that most backless/strapless bras > would show with this dress. > I have two questions. > 1.  Does anybody have experience with any of the above alternatives – good or > bad? > 2.  Can anyone recommend a "skimpy" backless/strapless bra that might have a > chance of working? > Thanks for the help everyone! > Tara

Response:

My wedding is next summer, and I recently found my dream gown – a Chris Kole. But the one thing holding me back is that it has an illusion back that plunges very low, and I’m worried about the bra issue.  I’m a full 34C, borderline D, and I really can’t go braless. Here’s the dress: http://www.weddingchannel.com/images/Fashion/dressimages/kole_b148.jpg The woman at the bridal shop gave me a several possibilities, cautioning me that NONE provides ideal support: 1.  a backless/strapless bra that hooks at the waist 2.  a backless bra that sticks on the sides of the torso under the arms 3.  stick-on cups 4.  sewn-in cups or bra 5.  tape (which I used in desperation several years ago and do NOT want to do again!) I am inclined to prefer #1, because I’d like something that would hold me in a little.  But the woman at the salon said that most backless/strapless bras would show with this dress. I have two questions. 1.  Does anybody have experience with any of the above alternatives – good or bad? 2.  Can anyone recommend a "skimpy" backless/strapless bra that might have a chance of working? Thanks for the help everyone! Tara

Response:

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