How wonderful to meet Gaultier! I looked like I was 10 (and I'm 5'2") until the summer between junior and senior years in high school and was so jealous of my classmates who looked womanly instead of childish. Then I showed up with boobs at the start of senior year and was teased mercilessly because I'd hormonally gone from zero to 60 over summer vacation and the boys thought I'd gotten implants! Then my breasts wouldn't STOP growing and from a nice B cup I went to a double D and beyond, eventually necessitating a reduction. Then the tissue GREW BACK (it happens to about 30% of women who get breast reductions, my surgeon told me); so 2 decades after reduction #1, I did it again! AND YET, I went from an F/G (bear in mind that I have a small waist and 34.5" hips!!) my breasts still wanted to have their own county and inched up to an E cup.
As a professional actress who performed countless classical roles and wore several different types of corsets over the years, I can say that when you have one custom designed for you, it can be very comfortable. You learn to breathe diaphragmatically and intercostally and if you act and/or sing, the corset can really support the core. And in the short run, you can look fabulous. But tight lacing does indeed, over time, constrict the inner organs. Pregnant women who were tight-laced in earlier centuries risked the health of their fetuses.
I was upset when my mother bought my first training bra. "What will it train my breasts to do?" According to the nuns at my school, they should be trained to stay squished flat. Anyway, I do love your essays.
Charming, lovely. I love how no topic is too tiny, yet you expand it to include so much. Gautier is fab—still remember how exciting the exhibit of his pieces was at San Francisco’s De Young Museum many years ago.
About your photo: Look at those beautiful eyebrows, the lovely hair, thick, curly and gorgeous color. Pretty lips, great cheekbones. It's easy to see the striking woman you became.
Loved this. I, too, wasn't comfy with have my bra straps show -- and I still feel kinda the same way. But I was not one of the girls who longed to wear a bra; they seemed to me, even then, confining and uncomfortable, not so much a badge of becoming mature but just another female hassle, like periods. Fortunately (to me, at least) I've always been small and don't really need a bra to this day. I don't wear one around the house, and the ones I don when going out in public are little cotton things worn primarily for modesty. (The exception is my well-constructed sports bra for running.)
This brought back my angst of lingerie when all I wanted to do was play football and softball with the boys in the neighborhood. I did not want any of the grown up "young lady" stuff. I found your writing poignant, funny, sweet, and thoughtful. Great read. Also, after my own heart, packing just 1 carry on for a trip. I love the challenge and I also love coming home with not much to unpack. Good luck! Pictures, please!
Do more on the subject of bras. I’m committed to getting rid and of underwires which cost more and poke through the fabric very quickly. I tried one supportive nom-underwire and find that it smooshes me AND the band curls after I wear it once. Who has suggestions first a smallish, sagging, 60+ year old Madonnaite?
How wonderful to meet Gaultier! I looked like I was 10 (and I'm 5'2") until the summer between junior and senior years in high school and was so jealous of my classmates who looked womanly instead of childish. Then I showed up with boobs at the start of senior year and was teased mercilessly because I'd hormonally gone from zero to 60 over summer vacation and the boys thought I'd gotten implants! Then my breasts wouldn't STOP growing and from a nice B cup I went to a double D and beyond, eventually necessitating a reduction. Then the tissue GREW BACK (it happens to about 30% of women who get breast reductions, my surgeon told me); so 2 decades after reduction #1, I did it again! AND YET, I went from an F/G (bear in mind that I have a small waist and 34.5" hips!!) my breasts still wanted to have their own county and inched up to an E cup.
As a professional actress who performed countless classical roles and wore several different types of corsets over the years, I can say that when you have one custom designed for you, it can be very comfortable. You learn to breathe diaphragmatically and intercostally and if you act and/or sing, the corset can really support the core. And in the short run, you can look fabulous. But tight lacing does indeed, over time, constrict the inner organs. Pregnant women who were tight-laced in earlier centuries risked the health of their fetuses.
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing this!
I was upset when my mother bought my first training bra. "What will it train my breasts to do?" According to the nuns at my school, they should be trained to stay squished flat. Anyway, I do love your essays.
Charming, lovely. I love how no topic is too tiny, yet you expand it to include so much. Gautier is fab—still remember how exciting the exhibit of his pieces was at San Francisco’s De Young Museum many years ago.
Thank you!!!!
About your photo: Look at those beautiful eyebrows, the lovely hair, thick, curly and gorgeous color. Pretty lips, great cheekbones. It's easy to see the striking woman you became.
You are so sweet! Thank you!
A fantastic essay that covers different times.
Our conception for underwear in our time was a lovely vintage aesthetic.
I am an old woman and I have passed all these moments, we all have the qualities of the time of which we were born.
I love your story everything is inspired by history, so that's why I love your esse!
I have felt and always feel the difficulty of wearing bras and as soon as I enter the house the first thing I do is take them off.
Your description is impressive and I congratulate you for choosing this original topic.
Loved this. I, too, wasn't comfy with have my bra straps show -- and I still feel kinda the same way. But I was not one of the girls who longed to wear a bra; they seemed to me, even then, confining and uncomfortable, not so much a badge of becoming mature but just another female hassle, like periods. Fortunately (to me, at least) I've always been small and don't really need a bra to this day. I don't wear one around the house, and the ones I don when going out in public are little cotton things worn primarily for modesty. (The exception is my well-constructed sports bra for running.)
Where’s the chefs kiss emoji when you need it?!
This brought back my angst of lingerie when all I wanted to do was play football and softball with the boys in the neighborhood. I did not want any of the grown up "young lady" stuff. I found your writing poignant, funny, sweet, and thoughtful. Great read. Also, after my own heart, packing just 1 carry on for a trip. I love the challenge and I also love coming home with not much to unpack. Good luck! Pictures, please!
Delightful bra commentary. Thank you!
Do more on the subject of bras. I’m committed to getting rid and of underwires which cost more and poke through the fabric very quickly. I tried one supportive nom-underwire and find that it smooshes me AND the band curls after I wear it once. Who has suggestions first a smallish, sagging, 60+ year old Madonnaite?