Many of my long term readers will know of the issues I have had getting bras to fit me. To the extent of travelling to Poland and visiting the wonderful Ewa Michalak of Ewa Michalak Lingerie where I even had a bra named after me!
The ‘Tanya’ by Ewa Michalak
I managed to get a whole range of bras from Ewa which has been amazing. But recently I have put on a bit more weight and consequently both my body and breasts seemed to have got bigger.
This means my bras have become very tight and they have been cutting in a little bit. To be fair, this is all my own fault. However as I a cannot currently afford to take time off for another trip to see Ewa, I have been making do.
Strutting my stuff
Then I was approached by a lovely lady called Sue who has designed a different kind of bra. In order to get a bra fitted there was even a special tape measure with colours and lines and numbers. I followed a video Sue had put on her website on how to take the measurements and noted down what I had come out with.
The Optifit Bra Measure
Now, The Optifit bra is like nothing else I have ever seen.
At first glance the soft cups make it seem more like a sports bra. There is no cup definition as there are no wires.
Soft Cup Bra – no wires or stays
Sue talked me through the technical aspects of the bra and it all made sense, even though it scrambled my brain a little. Working with a top plastic surgeon, the design had been created to help many medical issues and even reduce the need for breast reductions as the design works in harmony with the body.
How a regular bra works
She went on to tell me that the bra would reshape my posture to the optimum and although the first few weeks would be a little uncomfortable whilst my body got used to the bra, once it did, I would never look back!
How the Optifit works
Well, it sounded like a challenge I couldn’t pass up.
Now, for those of you who are avid followers of mine, you will know I have spoken about a massive longstanding chronic pain issue I have. This is focused around my right shoulder.
In the right side of the neck are three ‘tendons’ called scalenes that work in a triangle. They connect to the first rib, which is attached to the shoulder. My scalenes have become excessively shortened, which pulls the first rib out of place, which in turn pulls my shoulder out of alignment.
This causes extreme constant pain. I lose grip in my hand, I get pains travelling down my arm and if I drive any further than 40 miles my arm goes numb and I lose all feeling and capacity for movement. And it is excruciating.
I also find that stress, tension and poor posture actually increase the pain and it becomes almost unmanageable.
Sue told me that the design of this bra would eradicate some of that pressure and tension and would also improve my posture making the pain lessen.
So, how likely was this going to be? Was it really going to help me?
Excuse me for sounding a little cynical, but I seriously doubted it.
However, I am all for trying something new, so chatting for several weeks with Sue, we arranged a visit to her workspace, The Bra Spa located in Uppermill, Saddleworth.
Beautiful UpperMill and the Bra Spa
We left early in the morning as we knew it would be around a 3 hour journey. We had checked the weather forecast as it wasn’t looking too good. However the forecast said it was absolutely fine up North and that the problems may be on our return to home.
On our way!
Off we went with Theodore, my furbaby in the back of the car.
It certainly did take just over 3 hours, but as we travelled on roads that were thick with snow falling down on us, we were grateful that it didn’t take 7 or 8 hours.
The forecast said NO snow!!
We arrived at the studio and it was lovely to meet both Sue and the woman who puts the bras all together, Kathryn.
Kathryn and the base colours available
Sue talked me through the mechanics of the bra again and showed me some literature to back up the claims. I had already given Sue my measurements and she had a bra ready for me to try.
Bras in various stages of completion
With this bra there is a whole different way of putting it on. Twelve steps to follow to get the best fit and Sue stressed how important it was to follow each one.
She assisted me in getting the bra on and I have to admit it did look a bit strange on, but I could already feel that the pressure I am used to having from a normal bra wasn’t there.
Sue wasn’t happy with the fit as she said the top section was a little small and that I needed to go up a size. Whilst she didn’t have any made in that specific size, she would get one made up and it would then be a lot better.
Taking me through to the work room where Kathryn was sewing away, she showed me the array of beautiful lace and trims that could be customised to the individual bras.
Cherry Blossom Time
One of my favourite lace embellishments
Stunning designs
The base colours of black, nude, white and grey could have any lace that you desired adding to it and Sue went on to say that whilst they didn’t do a lot of matching underwear especially in the larger size ranges, if I was to send a brand new pair of knickers that I liked to them, they would customise them in the same lace to make a matching set. Brilliant!
How pretty is this?
I WILL have a bra with this lace on it!
Such Vibrancy
Sue went on to say she was having a little event in two weeks time and did I fancy returning back them to take part and also get my correct fitting bra sorted out.
Well of course I could!
Sue was keen to point out that whilst this solved a lot of big breast issues, the optifit was suitable for all sized and shaped women and showed me some of the smallest bras I have ever seen; absolutely stunning in design again though.
Tiny yet perfectly formed
We said our goodbyes and headed for a local pub, The Cross Keys which was dog friendly and apparently did great pies. Well I can attest that they were not wrong there.
Meat Pie at The Cross Keys – Highly Recommended
Theodore happily sat in front of the roaring log fire and went to sleep!
Snuggled up in front of the fire
Fast forward two weeks and we were making a return trip three hours north. This time Mum and Theodore came along as both they and the hubby intended walking in the National Parks nearby whilst I did my ‘thing’.
Beautiful Scenery out of the front windscreen
I decided to wear the exact same outfit as I had previously so I could see how things looked and felt. This was actually a really great idea as you will see why later!
On my way back up north
Sue had arranged for two bras to be made just to be on the safe side and she took me into the changing rooms to give them a go. She apologised for the basic design (no lace or embellishments) but wanted to get the sizing right first before making a prettier one.
Again we went through the 12 step process and found that the larger of the two bras was a perfect match.
In my normal bra
What I found even more bizarre was that when the bra was in the right place, if felt like I had been given a body lift. The skirt I was wearing was tight to my body when I arrived and now it was hanging off me with about four or five inches to spare!
With the Optifit!
My breasts were uplifted, my shoulders were not under pressure and strangely I had got a new waistline!
The back of the bra does all of the work, but it has to sit very low down on your back, which is very strange when you are so used to them being much higher.
Total Uplift
Sue said that for the first 7-10 days there may be discomfort as the body adapts its posture and the back of the bra finally gets used to sitting where it needs to sit.
She explained that the back would keep trying to rise until it had found its niche. This meant that for the initial few days I would need to keep a check on where the back was resting and adjust it by lifting from the shoulders at the front and rolling over the shoulders and then moving the back.
I was told that I was never to lift the front band of the bra up and always to work from the shoulders.
Seemed pretty logical and I was determined to stick with it.
Sue told me to give the bra a try whilst I went and had some coffee and cake and to return for the event in an hours time. So off I went.
I could not believe just how comfortable I actually was. I was a bit mindblown if I am honest.
I returned back to Sue and The Bra Spa and met up with several of her customers. Cupcakes and prosecco was on offering and a lovely cameraman would be videoing snippets of all the women talking about the issues they experience.
Prosecco and New Friends
These included long term pain issues, a double mastectomy and more.
It was a very enlightening experience and we spent quite a bit of time exchanging stories and experiences. The ladies, Rita, Collette, Wendy, Bev, Kaye and Anne were lovely to meet and made me so welcome within their group.
Nattering over Bra Issues
Sadly it was soon time for me to leave a meet the hubby and Mum.
And what a surprise I was in for!!
Theodorable was not looking quite so adorable after diving into the canal chasing ducks and was now a bit sludgy and a bit stinky.
Canal Diving Diva!
Still, it was no excuse not to visit the pub for a late lunch and I had pie again; this time cheese pie and if possible, was even better than the previous meat pie!
Cheese Pie – Out of this World
We wearily got back into the car and I was thankful that the hubby was driving us back the three hours as I couldn’t even keep my eyes open for more than 20 minutes before both the dog and I were snoring in the back of the car.
Since then I have worn the bra for several days at work and I have been really comfortable in it.
The Prototype – Just to gauge the fit and wear of it before I get the pretty ones!!
Speaking to Sue I mentioned that the back did seem a little loose so she is going to alter this.
One of the biggest benefits that I haven’t yet mentioned is Sue’s guarantee. Basically once fitted with the Optifit, if it is not right for whatever reason, she will remake it until the customer is absolutely happy. And if it comes to the point where the customer STILL isn’t happy then she offers them their money back!
Well, you can’t say fairer than that, can you??
Till next time,
Txx