Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

How to Find Affordable Bras for a Larger Chest

[By Camala Greene]

My name is Camala and I wear a 36F.  If you also have a larger chest then you know that as your cup size increases, it becomes more difficult to find a good-fitting bra that doesn’t break the bank.  Bra cup sizes above a size D are especially difficult to find.  So, what is a woman on a budget to do?

Source

After spending years buying cheap bras in sizes that were too small and growing frustrated after getting fitted by inexperienced bra fitters, I sought the help of a professional fitter at a specialty bra shop in NYC. This professional fitting was a life-changing experience.  Life-changing.  I finally found out what my correct bra size was and I was introduced to several amazing brands like Panache, Natori, Wacoal, and Simone Perele.  I left that specialty bra shop with two new bras that cost about $200.00 (ouch!).  The information I left with, though, was priceless.

Once I discovered my best fit and my favorite styles, my next move was to build a bra collection by finding equally amazing bras at discounted prices.  I turned to online retailers like Her Room and Figleaves, which offer an extensive variety of brands and sizes.  More importantly, these online stores frequently host incredible sales.  I encourage everyone I know to sign up for email notifications on Her Room, in particular, to receive personalized alerts of new sales on bras in their selected sizes.

I’ve also found some of my preferred brands like Wacoal and Natori in off-price retailers like Loehmann’s, Century 21, and Nordstrom Rack.  On rare occasions, I’ve also found attractive bras in larger cup sizes at TJ Maxx, and the prices were especially low there.

Recent purchases:

Panache Porcelain bra via Her Room.
$42.99

Wacoal Wildly Flirtatious Contour Bra
via TJ Maxx ( a rare find in my size)
$17

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Camala Greene is a a writer and program manager at an international non-profit in New York City. In addition to working on higher education as it relates to the development of civil society, she writes short stories that are primarily based in the Caribbean, or her adopted city of New York.

Guest Post: These Three Words “Extra 40% Off”

[By Camala Greene]

There is something quite delightful in hearing the words “extra 40% off” when you least expect it. On a trip to Nordstrom Rack earlier this year, I was at the cashier checking out, when she whispered almost a bit conspiratorially that there was an extra 40% off on all sale dresses.  Although my transaction was complete, those words were enough for me to do a u-turn and head back to the floor.

I had briefly browsed the dress section before, but since my main goal on that particular shopping trip was to find shoes, I simply skimmed.  Three simple words—extra 40% off—however, spurred me to dive deeper into the dresses and I managed to find two designer dresses for about $27.00 each!

Today’s post features one of these dress finds.  A dress with a striking blue color, exquisite pleating at the collar and waistline, and my favorite detail, pockets!  Pockets are an appealing and useful detail, right?  The dress is topped by a rose cape, a final sale online purchase from J.Crew.  I was hesitant about purchasing the cape because they seemingly work best on smaller frames since they potentially add bulk.  After playing around with a few styling options for the cape, I’ve realized that may not always be the case.  Today’s look is completed by a bright pair of red flats by Born.

Dress—Anne Klein via Nordstrom Rack
Cape—J.Crew
Shoes—Born via Nordstrom Rack

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Camala Greene is a a writer and program manager at an international non-profit in New York City. In addition to working on higher education as it relates to the development of civil society, she writes short stories that are primarily based in the Caribbean, or her adopted city of New York.