I have just come from visiting the Change Lingerie store in the beautiful Shops at Don Mills and well, I am forever changed. I entered the store wearing a 40D bra and left with a 38H in my bag. No, my breasts did not grow while in the store — but my knowledge sure did!
I’ve learned something really important — as much as I love being an independent shopper, when it comes to bras, it really pays to allow someone to help me. I would never have thought to try on the range of bras and sizes that were presented to me and I am so glad I did. I have been put off by larger lingerie chains with multiple staff members that literally chase me around the store with a measuring tape. I have been conditioned to avoid them at all costs. My experience was pleasant and interesting and I observed the atmosphere in the Change Lingerie boutique as several new customers entered and the staff was relaxed, helpful, and knowledgeable with every one of them.
Inside the Change Lingerie boutique at Shops at Don Mills
Hailing from Denmark, 14 Change Lingerie stores have opened across Canada in 7 years. Change Lingerie offers affordable lingerie and swimwear with free fittings and no appointments are necessary. The size selection is impressive — 100 size combinations with bra bands spanning from 28-44 and cups A-K and unlike some private lingerie boutiques, all merchandise is on the floor for you to see. With the level of service offered at Change Lingerie, I was expecting to see steep price tags. I was blown away when I looked down at a beautiful bra to see $39.50 staring up at me. Bras range from that up to $98.00 with $59.50 being the basic price for many. Another very pleasant surprise — being a curvy girl, I was expecting to see a higher price on the larger sizes which is the norm in retail. Not the case! (This curvy girl rejoiced!) Whether you wear an A or a K, the price is the same. And unlike some lines in which the larger bras lose all sexiness, the design esthetics stay the same throughout all sizes with slight differences in support as they get larger. Very nice touches indeed.
Here are seven tips for women of all size ranges to consider before shopping for their next bra:
Not including pregnancy and major weight loss or gain, bra sizes will change six times in a woman’s life.
Nobody can see your tag and a proper fitting bra and the right cup size will make you and your outfits look even better.
If you are pulling down on the back, it is too big, if it’s too tight in the band, you need another size.
If it is not even from front to back, you need to adjust it or get a proper fitting for a new bra.
Bra sizes will fluctuate greatly with pregnancy, breastfeeding, and after so make sure to allow yourself the most comfort as possible by updating your bra size.
Use the loosest hook when your bra is new and move it over when it gets older and stretches.
You’ll be amazed what styles will flatter your figure that you never considered.
Florence lace bra, $59.50
The Florence, available this season in a beautiful light purple lace, caught my eye.
The Jasmine Bra is pastel yellow and the Sofia Bra is light purple
The Jasmine is Change Lingerie’s most popular bra in Canada and perfect for under t-shirts available in staples black and champagne and different colours each season. The maternity bras were lovely and feminine yet so soft and comfortable. Change Lingerie also offers a great selection of seasonal swimwear, shapewear (S-XL) and thongs, panties, and hipsters for each bra style offered.
I left the store with the Linda bra (pictured at top), $69.50, a vibrant orange lace with the matching panty, $24.95 — in a size I never would have considered yet fit perfectly. I was shocked with how comfortable the lace is! No scratching! It is available in a different colour every season.
Change is a good thing.
This is proudly sponsored by our friends at Change Lingerie.
www.facebook.com/ChangeCanada
Want to fall over laughing? Shake your head in wonder? Give yourself the best birthday present ever? Get a pen and a piece of paper and write your future self a letter. I started writing my future self letters in my late 20s. I had seen a character do this on a TV show years earlier and never forgot how cool I thought it was. I would write about what was happening in my life and what my dreams were at the time. Then I would write the date, time and location on the envelope, seal it and write instructions of when to open it.
I opened the first birthday letter to myself on my 40th birthday 2 years ago. I wrote it over 10 years prior at 29. I howled. I actually laughed so hard I fell over with tears pouring down my face. The first sentence had me shaking my head because it is an expression I preach in body image lectures to never grow up saying. I opened my letter with, ”How are those crow’s feet?” Apparently in the year 2000 I didn’t realize I would emerge as a body image advocate who praises the beauty of growing older gracefully and appreciating laugh lines and beautiful wrinkles! In fact, I went on to comment about my dreams of being an event planner. No dreams of blogging as blogs didn’t exist yet! And I spoke of soon exiting the modelling world (perhaps because of those anticipated wrinkles?) and, well, I just did a shoot last week — 13 years later — so that retirement plan didn’t really happen! Can you see how amusing this is?
In a nutshell, other than still being able to make myself laugh, nothing is how I anticipated it would be. The Man? Nope. 3 kids? Happy being an aunt. Career? Completely different. Where I thought I would live? Not even close. Who I thought I would be is not close either but I know if my 29-year-old self met me now, she’d think I am pretty cool and extremely fulfilled and happy. We still share the same free-spirited philosophy that runs through the core of my (our?) being and the line that ended my letter: I need to expand my wings. I just hope I fly somewhere good.
I have several future letters to read and several more to write myself. Another idea: write letters to your kids, future kids, friends, future husband, current partner — you name it. My 29-year-old self wrote letters to many of the above; some have been opened and many tears of joy — and hilarity — have been shed. I wrote several for the milestone birthdays of friends and we laughed together reliving our past adventures. Some are awaiting future dates and some have been written for people not yet in my life.
I now urge you to sit down with a pen and piece of paper and create one of the best presents you will ever receive. EVER.
I like accessories that tell a story. When you know the history of a piece all of a sudden the energy about it is different, the coolness factor is heightened and you look forward to spilling all the details when someone asks questions. When you want do a bag-brag, you've made a good purchase. So when I'm toting my upcycled totem bag and am asked about it, I excitedly launch into a mini presentation.
Totem Mini Messenger Bag
A variety of totem pouches
Here's what goes into these sturdy bags: upcycled vinyl tarp or promotional banners, old seatbelts, and bicycle inner tubes. And the fun part is many of the banners come from companies or events we know and love — The National Ballet of Canada, (as seen in top photo), Toronto International Film Festival, and Chevrolet to name a few. There are several styles that are highly adaptable to any lifestyle — the Market Tote would make an incredibly stylin' (and easy to clean) baby bag but is also perfect for a day at the beach or a night out. There are a couple versions of the Messenger Bag for those on the run and really hip sleeves for laptops and ipads. I bought a fun, vibrant green sleeve and use it as a clutch and have received a ton of compliments. Since there are limited upcycled materials to make the bags, there will be very few that are the same and many will be one of a kind.
Totem Market Totes
Totem bags using National Ballet of Canada banners
Totem bags are available for purchase online and in stores across Canada. I found mine at the Green Living Show where several sizes were on display. Unlike some recycled bags that eventually degrade, these bags are sturdy, wipeable and will be around for years to come. The smaller bags are also great for make-up, overnight bags, pencil cases or even sassy lunch bags. Go green and make your friends jealous.
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