Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Top 5 Reasons I Love My New Sports Bra

The other day my boyfriend and I decided to play tennis. This was a stupid decision because all of my sports bras had recently been massacred in a terrible laundry accident (I can't discuss the details yet--I'm too emotional), but I was feeling cocky and thought I could get away with wearing one of my regular lacy bras, just this once.

Again, this was a stupid decision. Because a good foundation is essential, and it's especially essential while playing sports.

At the tennis courts, I complained a lot. I tiptoed around instead of running. I moaned, "You will never know my plight!" And after I attempted to serve with my racket tucked into my armpit and both hands holding my boobs in place, my boyfriend said, "That's it. We're going to get you a new sports bra."

The closest supplier was Aries Apparel, so we sped over there, I grabbed the first employee I saw and said, "Look, I'm ready to admit it. I need help. I left a tennis game to come here. I've hit rock bottom."

The woman, who happened to be the Patron Saint of Double-D Cups, gently grabbed me by the shoulders, led me into the dressing room, and shut the curtains. "Don't come out," she said, "and don't panic. Just promise me you'll try on every bra I give you."

So I did. I was there for, like, two hours. And I found this bra:


Here are the top 5 reasons I'm in love with it:

Its name is "Maia."
Which makes it extra easy to anthropomorphize, as in: "Maia and me played soccer today and had so much fun! Then we got frappuccinos and watched Cool Runnings."

It's modest.
Normally I don't care that much about modesty. I mean, I try my best not to show-cha my chocha, but I love a good miniskirt or a deep v-neck. However, the combination of loose workout clothes, too-small sports bras, and contortionist poses can turn an innocent yoga class into a particularly raunchy round of strippersize, and I do have an issue with that. Maia helps me stay decent, even during downward facing dog.

It's like two bras in one.
It's got the coverage and elasticity of a regular pullover sports bra, combined with the all-important underwire and adjustable straps: the best of both worlds!

It doesn't resemble a sporty straight jacket.
One of the bras my Aries Apparel bra consultant insisted I try on might warrant its own post at some point: it had approximately 700 clasps from my belly button up to my neck, crushed my boobs into submissive pancakes, and may or may not have been made of Kevlar. Sure, it probably could have protected me from a mortar attack, but it was so ugly and uncomfortable that I was terrified to put it on, and then needed assistance from two people to take it off. No thanks. Not fun.

OMG I can run in it!
Running with an ample bosom is a complicated endeavor involving all manner of slings, pulleys, and an emergency medical team on call. Normal sports bras just don't cut it. Me and Maia, though? We could run all day. Well, realistically we could run for, like, 25 minutes, but still. It's awesome.

Have any of you large-chested readers found a sports bra you love? Please spread the Non-Bouncy Good News in the comments!

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the review. I need to try something other than my, er, Costco-purchased sports bras, so Maia looks like a great option!

G. said...

Lululemons Ta Ta Tamer. Unfortunately the name is vaguely insulting and makes me want to blow my own face off.

Vanessa said...

Glad you found a great sports bra. As a fellow large-boobed lady, I know how hard this is. I got one from Champion awhile ago that I fell in love with, but if there's ever a horrible gym accident that leaves me braless (I didn't realize how horrifying that idea was until I typed it), I'll remember this post.

Anna M. said...

The FROG BRA by title nine!
http://www.titlenine.com/product/310900.do

They warn that it's a "major masher", and it's true. It flattens you out big time. (So much so that sometimes it is recommended as a compression vest for female to male transpeople.)

Anyway, I digress. It's amazing for running. It's the closest you can get to taking off your boobs for a while when they're less-than-convenient.

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

I'm going to have to check that out. It is more reasonably priced than the one I've heard about-- the Luluemon tata tamer. A fellow dd'er told me about it but I can't get past the name or the pricetag.

Me said...

the patron saint of double d? i need that. STAT!

Becky said...

I got this sportsbra by Champion for GapBody (http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=41381&vid=1&pid=584114) on a lunch break because I had a training session after work, but had forgotten to pack my sports bra in my gym bag...I think it was fate, because it's the best sports bra I've ever owned...I don't think it says so in the features, but mine has an underwire, too. I think maybe that's a feature for the larger cup sizes (like me! I'm a D). Bonus: My boobs don't get flattened out like pancakes in this sports bra like they do in my other ones, yet it has BETTER support. Sweetness.

Annie Spandex said...

I love sports bras. They're so comfortable and work as camis. My tas are pretty average but really underwire is the worst thing ever.

Unknown said...

I gotta be honest: I'm a 32 DD, but I want a sports bra with as little fabric as possible.

I hate (with the burning fire of the sun) sports bras that just squish you. It's seriously uncomfortable--if I find one with a bra band small enough, the pressure on my big tits is suffocating.

I need something that's good for riding my bicycle over rough road (parts of the Springwater trail + PMS = hell on earth), but I hate feeling like I'm wearing two shirts. Especially when my boyfriend and I are biking on asphalt and no shade and it's 97F outside.

Shayna said...

Ah. This might be the reason my ample bosoms can't find something that really stops the bounciage while not stopping me from being able to draw a breath. I really hate underwires and I usually wind up pulling them out once they start poking through at all. Maybe I'll just have to suck it up and find some underwired sports bras!

Unknown said...

From a girl who wears them 24/7. And who has tried every bar under the sun..not even joking.
The frog bra is amazing while playing sports, it mashes but it helps when are trying to fun.
Title nine, is the place to get them all.
Also Champion has a good one, that isn't that high or good for sports or high impact but other wise is great
http://www.championusa.com/Champion/Products/Women-Champion/Women_ShopByCategory-Champion/Women_SportsBras-Champion/women_bras_usa-Champion/CH029.aspx

I will have to give this one a try thanks!

Unknown said...

Winona, thank goodness you're back - I've been missing your wit (oh, and fashion advice) for the last couple of days! I just wanted to chime in to say that even those of us who are smaller chested can sympathize with trying to run in a non-supportive sports bra. Your advice is perfect as always... try on lots before you buy!

Anonymous said...

I think I need to consult this patron saint of double d's. I'll admit it, I've been known to wear a regular bra with a sports bra over it to contain my lady friends.

Lopi said...

I'm a doubleD lady too and I love sports bras! Not so much for sports (that will have to change sooner or later) but I wear them underneath everything I need my boobs minimized for. Button-downs shirts not bursting open anyone?

But I can't believe you forgot to mention the best part. I clicked the link and saw that MAIA COMES IN BLUE TOO!

Alison said...

Looks like a great bra... But, I wonder if there is any company that makes sports bras for those of us with bigger than DD's... Hmmm....

Rebecca said...

I have never ever found a sports bra that was comfy and supportive. I'm only a C, but I have some sensitive ladies. I'll try something on and it feels fine in the store, I do a bounce test, buy it, but then after wearing it 10 minutes the squeezing makes me wanna cry. In desperation I tried wearing 2 regular bras at once. A charm! Way comfier, supportive, no breast-loaf.

Rachel said...

I'm decidedly not large-chested and I find I have the opposite problem: finding a sports bra without extraneous support I don't need. I wear the Champions bras from Target. Cheap and available in pretty colors.

Edana said...

I love Victoria's Secret's sports bras. It's the only place around here where they come in actual sizes, so my 34DD's aren't either squished to the point where I can't breathe (as with a medium sports bra) or the bra is too loose on the bottom and therefore does no good (large sports bra). I usually wear them with a top that has a built-in bra for a second layer of support. They're wireless, and I hate wires, especially when working out.

Am I the only person who has trouble getting into a sports bra? It's like buying a pair of jeans a size too small and then trying to pull it on. Ugh.

Heather - Inner cupcake said...

I can related to the horrors of inadequate support, and used to wear two (or three if my shirt had support) sports bras at a time). Then I found a good one at Target (so it's pretty darn cheap) with padded support and a non-stretchy enough composition so nothing sags. No underwire, but it makes me look as good as my everyday bras do (and I can run in it). I think it was in the underwear section as opposed to the sportswear.

Breathless Ms. Seberg said...

I need a bra who will watch Cool Runnings with me. None of mine are up for it. They're film snobs.

xoxo,

Ms. Seberg

Anonymous said...

I'm a worshipper of Triumph and they never failed me. Their Extreme N sports bra kepps my 34 DD ladies in place, so I swear by it (as does a 34F friend of mine).

http://www.triaction.com/en/extreme/products/33/7c6cc287a8/

shewearsclothes said...

Haha... Cool Runnings.

do dah said...

i think i own that straight jacket. turns out it's STILL not sufficient to run in -- good call leaving that frightening mass in the store.

@alison -- try either bravissimo.com or herroom.com; sometimes they have things that actually work, up to an h or an i cup (g is easier to find). the sports bra brand i've found to be supportive enough for almost everything but running is goddess.

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

Three kids in 4.5 years means alot of big then small then big again tata's - Lucy and Ethel need to stay up and in place! I am addicted to sports bras - especially while loosing the baby weight - nothing is more uncomfortable than back fat and heavy laden boobs at the same time!

Anonymous said...

Rachel - I'm with you on the Target sports bras. I'm not that large, but with age the ladies get floppier & need more support. Even B cups hate getting smushed (although i can see the point with the frog bra for specific activities).

Emily said...

I have so been there...I recently went on a Title Nine binge and now own more sports bras than regular ones. I have a similar chesticular situation as you, and take my word for it, BUY THE FROG BRA (Title Nine brand). I am in love.

Anonymous said...

I am a DD as well and a runner! I only wear moving comfort!! The Fiona is my favorite, but this one looks great as well! Welcome to the best sports bra company ever!!! :)

Jessica said...

Title Nine's "Last Resort Bra" is one of those straight-jacket, boob-flattening, dozens-of-hooks sports bras -- but it's taken my DDDs through training for and running two half-marathons, and it's still going strong.

Anonymous said...

I randomly found this bra on amazon.com. I love it! It is the greatest sports bra ever. My favorite part is the adjustable straps, that are lined with super soft downy soft stuff.

Mandy said...

I'm a very top heavy lady -- 36H -- and the sports bra I love is the Max Sports Bra by Shock Absorber. I bought it through Bravissimo. So far, it hasn't let me down, and it certainly beats layering less supportive bras like I used to do.

Unknown said...

Title Nine's 'Last Resort Bra' is indeed the best sports bra out there - though it does have tons of hooks and causes uniboob. I buy mine at the source, though: enell.com. You can get it custom-fitted for a little more money, which I do since I wear a 32G. Then they keep your pattern and you can order new bras without having to do the whole fitting thing again, plus there are way more color choices (I have neon purple, best bra ever).

Kristen said...

This is a GREAT post. As a 32 G like the lady above (nice to see that others exist) and someone who enjoys being active, I still haven't found the sports bra that balances, support with not squishing my chest to where I can't breathe. Lots of options to check out. Pretty excited about it.

~K

Patni said...

http://www.bravissimo.com/default.aspx
has the BEST big girl bras of all sizes. I get usually what ever they have in a high impact style, and i run marathons, and i am a 32 HH. Support is KEY!

Selina (Flying Saucer) said...

hahah this really made me laugh! i can't say my bust is a problem but i did work in 'fuller bust' lingerie so i know the plight of getting the right bra!

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