Taboo-b-s

Bras have been close to women's hearts for many years. Boobs of all shapes and sizes, or no boobs at all - they're completely normal. So why do we find our natural bodies so hard to talk about?

The history of bras has been long and complicated, changing constantly to fit with the ideals of women’s appearance. Romans liked us flat chested; the Renaissance demanded a corset-boost, and as for the 90s, well, we have Madonna’s pop culture to thank for the resurgence of the bullet bra.

Boobs and bras have been the focus of fashion throughout centuries, and like bras, all boobs are different. All boobs or no boobs, we are natural, which is why I find it a surprise that so many of us struggle to say the word BOOBS without sniggering behind blushed cheeks.

During summer last year, I started a job as a bra fitter in a store that caters for DD-L cup sizes. Now I know what some of you are thinking - you thought Double D’s were as big as big goes, but let me tell you, the world of bras goes way beyond your average double D.

Working closely with boobs and bras in such a personal setting, has allowed me to share that women are far more than just a boob size. I have returned to this position of a bra fitter over the Christmas holidays and I am chuffed to say that I still love my job.

Obviously, having a job for the sake of money is one thing, but having a job that you really care about sits on a whole other level for me. Most days, I fit women who have traveled far and wide in search of a good bra. Many struggle to find their size in high-street shops, which either don't have a wide range of sizes, or only offer one particular style to those of a bigger boob size.

I feel that a large misconception about boobs and bra sizes stems from the images we see on social media. Through music videos and magazine covers, the social expectations of size seem to be inescapable, making boobs and bodies a complete taboo.

There has been a noticeable progression in the understanding and variety of bras available to all kinds of boobs, but the media industry allows for major set-backs with its conflicting images of female sexuality.

Girls who have curves, or 'big' boobs, are encouraged by some to flaunt what they have and be proud of it. Then when they do, they are tarnished as 'attention seeking,' or flirts (or worse). Think of how much social pressure will affect the younger generations; teenagers who are learning who they are, being told by society how they can or can't present themselves?

I feel that because of air-brushed magazine models, that people (and I say people because I do not want to discount that this does happen to men too), think they need to apologise for their body's current state. That's right. I've heard women say to me 'oh, excuse the state of these,' when referring to their boobs, as if they are not good enough.

What a load of nonsense.

Just because the air-brushed models are the one's that make it onto the front of the magazines, does not mean that all other body types are inadequate. We should be celebrating body types of all varieties - not just worshiping the one's we see on TV.

This media obsession with the body has resulted in some women feeling too embarrassed to have a one-to-one bra fitting.

Granted, I didn't have my first fitting till I was twenty years old; not because I was embarrassed, but simply because I wasn't aware that my bra size was 'wrong', when in fact, 80% of women are considered to be wearing the incorrect bra size.

Don't get me wrong, having your first bra fitting at whatever age, can be a nerve-wracking experience (we can all picture it now - the M&S lady with cold hands and a tape measure), but if people remember that the woman fitting you has probably seen a-billion pairs of boobs that day already, your boobs become normal.

Your everyday boobs are someone else’s everyday job.

You might come up as a different size in different shops, you might prefer not to wear bras at all, but from fitting women of all shapes and sizes, I have discovered that finding the support that you are comfortable with is the most important thing.

People can tell you what size you are, but at the end of the day, that's between you and the label. It's just a number. That's why in shops like Bravissimo and Boux Avenue, measurements are not taken by tape measure, but by eye. You are not being told a size based on an old fashioned measuring system, but being advised on your size based on how supportive the bra looks and feels.

It's how you feel and the confidence you gain from the right support, that matters.

Gemma Correll - Support Bra

Working in this industry, I fully understand the struggle of finding the right bra size. I personally come up in three different sizes for three different shops. It happens. However, once your boobs find 'the one', the bra that gives your boobs that va-va-voom lift... Wow. That is empowering.

The idea of wanting to hide boobs, or change boobs, make them bigger or smaller just so you’re not different, is a harsh reality that many women have to face.

Anyone who has run up the stairs bra-less will completely understand how much of a pain having boobs can be, but having boobs or not is natural, and your own body should be embraced, regardless of the size.

At the end of the day, boobs are boobs. These twenty minutes spent in a changing room with a stranger makes no difference to what else is happening in your life – apart from the fact that your boobs will likely be far happier for it.

People should not be made to feel uncomfortable about what is naturally theirs. We should be able to say the word BOOBS without laughing – it’s not like we giggle every time someone shouts TOES, is it? (then again, I don’t know many people who do that.)

The point is, everyone is different and we all should be proud of that. Perceptions of boobs will always change, but women are in no way defined by what bra size they wear.

Big boobs. Small boobs. No boobs.

Be you.

BeYOUtiful <3