Never go bra shopping when you’re famished

Both of my children were sick this weekend, either with walking pneumonia or bronchitis, the doctor wasn’t certain. Either way, both children were whiny and pitiful, I decided to go shopping anyway on Saturday and allow Tate some quality time with his children.

Because I’m not as bad as a mother as that, I didn’t leave for my shopping venture/escape until after I had prepared the childrens’ lunches.  Though I was hungry myself, the thought of someone ELSE making my lunch won out over my growling stomach.   It was raining AGAIN, (OF COURSE it was), on Saturday, so I decided the mall was the best place to shop, eat, and get a bra fitting all under one dry roof.

That’s right.  A bra fitting.

I’d never actually had a bra fitting.  Before kids, I could go to TJ Maxx, find the cheapest 34 C on the rack, and not worry about it not fitting.  My girls still had spring in their step back then, if you know what I mean, and there was never any gathering at the top of my bra or boob spillage out of the bottom creating a double boob effect.  Then I had two babies whom I breastfed, and BOY OH BOY did I have BOOBIES for a short, but glorious time.  I never was offered a spread in Playboy, which is disappointing, because those boobs?  Were damn NICE.

So anyway back to my current boobs, they were in need of a properly fitted bra.  I parked at Dillard’s, which in hindsight was foolish due to my nagging hunger.  How long could a bra fitting really take?  I mean, I only have two boobs to measure.

Apparently it takes awhile.  First there’s the measuring, then there’s the trying on.  I’ve now learned that just because you measure as a 30 C (who knew!), that doesn’t mean that’s the actual size of bra you’ll need.  Molded cups, soft cups, push-up cups, different brands, there was a LOT to consider when properly locking and loading the girls.  After what seemed like hours, I finally chose two bras that seemed to fit and brought my girls back to their pre-baby stage.  I paid (too much) for my bras and headed to the food court, the finest place to dine alone.

And promptly gorged myself on chicken teriyaki, vegetables, and rice.

Tate was practically foaming at the mouth and had a wild look of hunger in his eyes by the time I got home.  On the phone on my drive home from the mall, I’d called and told him about my brand new, perky boobies.  I promised a private viewing when I arrived home.  It was the least I could do to make up for his long day with two sick children.

I tried on the first one, but something was WRONG!  I could barely get it fastened.  When I did finally get it fastened, after having broken a sweat and a few nails, I looked in the mirror and saw my previously perky boobies peeking out of the top of my bra.  “Helloooo!” my boobies waved.  And the back fat, back fat (loaded up with things and knickknacks, too)!  You are not supposed to see excess boobage and back fat!  The bra was TOO SMALL.  A 30 C, I was not.

How could these bras have fit five hours before??   Damn chicken teriyaki.

Here’s my question.  I can’t wear them, unless I plan on only wearing them on days I won’t be eating, which is pretty rare.  I haven’t removed the tags, but I feel like a dunce, having tried them on, even having HELP when I tried them on.  I hate having to return things, especially something like a bra, which I don’t even know CAN be returned?  What do you think, can I return the bras?

(PSST…today is Delurking day (brainchild of Rude Cactus and Greeblemonkey)  Feel free to leave a comment and say hello, even if it’s not about my bra issues.  I totally understand if you don’t want to participate in a discussion about my boobs.)

delurking2009-copy

196 Responses to Never go bra shopping when you’re famished
  1. kj @ Where my boys at?
    January 12, 2009 | 10:55 am

    Tags and receipt? Yes! Return/exchange them.

    kj @ Where my boys at?´s lastest post..2008 Wrap-up

  2. mandy
    January 12, 2009 | 11:05 am

    Oh Yes, do return! People at VS return even panties! Chances are, you won’t even see the same staff again..if you go at a different time in the day. I have this problem, hate the problem. Have tried at Ross twice in the last month or so and have spilled out within hours POST tag removal. Seems I just cannot win. I give up.

    mandy´s lastest post..Better.

  3. Amy
    January 12, 2009 | 11:09 am

    My bra story: Last time I was fitted for a bra they said I was a 40 E.

    A 40 I knew. I’m overweight. An E cup? I laughed. My mom snorted. We both know better. The lady who measured me was so offended and actually talked down to me because, of course, this wasd her job and she knew better.

    I tried on a 40E that she tossed my way. Showed her the results.

    She was speechless. For real. I walked out with two 40C bras, the size I knew I was.

    That is not the first time I’ve had that happen.

  4. Carmen
    January 12, 2009 | 11:13 am

    Oh hell yes, take them back!

  5. Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt
    January 12, 2009 | 11:56 am

    Take them back, maybe try the 32C in the exact same style bra.

    Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt´s lastest post..High Time

  6. Megan
    January 12, 2009 | 12:14 pm

    You can totally return them. Trying them on once or twice is not the same as wearing them. Bras are so darn expensive anyway!

    I totally went bra shopping this weekend too! Finally I have three passable bras, $100+ later.

    Megan´s lastest post..The Texas Trash Showdown

  7. Rachel
    January 12, 2009 | 12:28 pm

    I don’t comment too much anymore, so I guess I am sort of a lurker. :)

  8. mpotter
    January 12, 2009 | 12:29 pm

    absolutely take them back.
    it’s not panties. if you can try them on at the store w/ no prob, you should be able to return them.

    bras are expensive!

    the spring before i got pregnant, i went to hoity-toity “intamacy” for a bra fitting. where basically, they put you in the room, feel you up and insist you try on a million different bras- all of which are in european sizes. then you pay a hundred bucks for one.
    good bra, sure. but i don’t think it helped me like they advertise.
    a hundred bucks?? there weren’t any diamonds on the bra, either.

    good luck!

    mpotter´s lastest post..nothing to see here

  9. Misty
    January 12, 2009 | 12:34 pm

    Return them. I can’t believe they didn’t fit though. That must have been some super salty chicken? Who knew?

    Misty´s lastest post..Lettin’ the Crazies Out

  10. Heidi
    January 12, 2009 | 12:52 pm

    Oh I remember my first bra fitting. It was at Victoria Secret a few months after I had my first child. The woman told me I was a DD and I started crying, hysterically. Right there in the dressing room with the sales lady & only my bra on while my friend tried to comfort me through the door. Post partum anyone?

    Heidi´s lastest post..Honey, I’m Home

  11. Issa
    January 12, 2009 | 1:10 pm

    I despise bra shopping for this exact reason. It always seems to happen too me.

  12. Michelle
    January 12, 2009 | 1:13 pm

    Yeah return them or exchange them for a different size if you have the patience. I only buy Victoria Secret bras but a couple last a year or two so it is worth the $35. Mine definitely stretch over time and start on the loosest hook and end up on the tightest. Best of luck! I know it can be a pain and as soon as you find one you really like the will stop making it. At least that is what happens to me.

    Michelle´s lastest post..Super Mashers with Chicken and Green Chili Hash

  13. stormy
    January 12, 2009 | 1:23 pm

    Read often, comment not so often…but I’m here to say I only wish I had a C. Hmph. And try finding an A cup with a 36 chest size. 36A is certainly not an easy find. Damn the bras, anyway.

  14. Bridge
    January 12, 2009 | 1:42 pm

    Delurking. Despise bra shopping. Almost as much as swim suit shopping…but not quite.

  15. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 1:48 pm

    @Beth, Yay for being first!

    I’d love to buy lots of bras to avoid the whole hassle of bra shopping, but they are SO expensive! I don’t get it, a little spandex, a little elastic, $50??

  16. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 1:49 pm

    @Stephanie, They DO have that yellow sticker! I forgot what sticklers Dillard’s is about those yellow stickers.

  17. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 1:50 pm

    @all things BD, I’ve been wearing a 34 for years, sometimes even a 36. I’m certain that I’m NOT a 30! And I didn’t know they made that size except in training bras.

  18. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 1:52 pm

    @Marcy I think a 34 C sounds like heaven…I’d be able to breath and the backfat wouldn’t peek out as badly!

  19. CourtneyRyan369
    January 12, 2009 | 1:52 pm

    Even though just about everyone (maybe everyone)said the same thing, Take. Them. Back. Start from scratch (after lunch!), it’ll be worth it.

    CourtneyRyan369´s lastest post..A book that will be one of my 52.

  20. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 1:53 pm

    @Krista I never really realized the importance of trying on bras! I’ll always try them on from now on. It makes sense to try them on, I guess I’ve always been too lazy.

  21. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 1:54 pm

    @Christina I’m glad the comments are fixed, too. It’s been bugging me since I installed this template. I tried for months to fix it and Jen (http://dressmyblog.net) fixed it in about 5 minutes.

  22. Deanna
    January 12, 2009 | 1:55 pm

    I learned an important lesson after having my daughter. Never take a 3 month old breast fed baby bra shopping. She was in the dressing room with me and every time I removed my bra her eyes got wide and she looked happy. Then I put on the first bra and she lost it. It was like I was torturing the poor child. I can only imagine what the saleslady thought of my giggling from inside the fitting room as my child threw a fit. hah

  23. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 1:55 pm

    @Doodaddy Well I didn’t fix my husband’s lunch, so I guess that should count for something!

    And I guess you won’t be crashing any BlogHer parties this year, huh? ;) Or will I see you in Chicago?

  24. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 1:56 pm

    @Monique I’m so glad to meet you! Thanks for commenting.

    One of the only things about Indiana I didn’t like was their lack of Dillard’s. I’ve always like Dillard’s.

  25. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 1:59 pm

    @marit Hello!

  26. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:00 pm

    @Mackenzie’s Momma I guess this is why everyone says we should try on bras before buying them! (Not that it helped in my case, of course.)

  27. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:03 pm

    @Jill I’ve never heard of Chantelles?? What makes the Angel bra so great? My realtor in Alabama loved hers, too. Not sure why I was discussing bras with my realtor, though.

  28. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:04 pm

    @Marinka My son does actually try to play with my boobs. He is SUCH a man.

  29. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:05 pm

    @Veronica I’m so glad everyone is telling me to return them! I just wasn’t sure if I was “allowed” to return them!

  30. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:06 pm

    @wright now I just need to find a childfree time (again) to return the bras!

  31. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:10 pm

    @Zoeyjane You can’t take bras back if you’re an A or B cup?? REally?

    I mean, I didn’t know if you could take back a bra at all, but the discrimination against small breasted women! I’m shocked and dismayed!

  32. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:11 pm

    @SabrinaT I’ve definitely learned my lesson about eating BEFORE a bra fitting!

  33. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:11 pm

    @MommyNamedApril I should get a discount for having a cruddy bra fitter the first time, don’tcha think!

  34. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:13 pm

    @Sarah Well if an expert says I should return them, I guess that seals the deal! ;)

    I’ll totally get all sweaty before returning them, though. I hate returning things!

  35. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:14 pm

    @Gina Yeah, there’s a *tiny* difference between B and DD!

  36. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:16 pm

    @Michelle There was one style of cup (not sure the name) that made my boobs spill right out!

  37. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:17 pm

    @Vic I wondered if maybe I needed to be refitted. I’m not confident it was ONLY a chicken teriyaki error, but maybe a goofy bra fitter!

  38. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:18 pm

    @Mom24 It IS a pain in the rear! I don’t really live very close to the mall and it’s pretty rare that I can get away without the kids!

  39. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:19 pm

    @Moni Glad to meet you! Thanks for commenting!

  40. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:20 pm

    @girl I’m glad you commented today!

    And now that I know how involved a bra fitting is, I agree that they’re a pain.

  41. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:21 pm

    @Shelly Well they are rather nice! Thanks for noticing!

  42. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:22 pm

    @Ally Thanks for delurking, it’s great to “meet” you!

    I have so many things in my closet waiting for that one day they might fit. Size 4 jeans, all my size small shirts, shoes that are hideously uncomfortable but SO cute…

  43. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:23 pm

    @Iceel I think you’d make a great, award winning bra fitter. Just think of the work you’d be doing for mankind!

  44. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:25 pm

    @Ali I know I definitely don’t need a bra that adds any rolls, particularly the flotation device sort!

  45. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:28 pm

    Yeah, I’ve been done nursing for months and have JUST NOW gotten this done!

  46. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:31 pm

    @Knot I am pretty small, only 5’2″. But I don’t think I’m quite as small as a 30!

  47. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:32 pm

    @Sandi And happy delurking day to you, too!

  48. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:36 pm

    @Domestic Extraordinaire Creepy?! I wonder if jugs or knockers is better? *snort*

  49. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:37 pm

    @catnip I know! Delurking days and weeks can be found nearly everyday! I think it depends on which corner of the blogosphere you’re looking!

  50. Jennifer
    January 12, 2009 | 2:38 pm

    @Tiffany Dillard’s is good about returns as long as you have the yellow sticker! They will kick your butt out the door without it!