I’m a bit of a bralette junkie. I’ve always liked my small to medium-size chest so I’ve found bralettes – those dainty, lacey bras with little to no support- to give me the look that I like. They’re cute and sexy and I bought every colour I could find. Free People, Aerie, H&M, Wal-mart, Joe Fresh and other stores have all fed my addiction.

After I had my girls and was lucky enough to breastfeed each of them for a year, my boobs just weren’t the same (can I hear an amen!?). I really disliked my breasts during breastfeeding. They would fluctuate in size so quickly so I always resorted to a sad bandaid-coloured nursing bra to lock them up. I thought my cute bralette days were over and my boobs would just be there… hanging… sadly… just hanging. It’s been about 6 months since I’ve stopped breastfeeding and I’ve found that my boobs have bounced, sprung, limped back to what they used to be and bralettes are now a possibility! As an addict I’ve resorted back to grabbing every cute bra I could find but I recently discovered Rosalie Wynne who makes custom bralettes. Full disclosure, Rosalie and her lovely family, attend my church and when I heard she was starting this company I was like, “cool!” but I thought I would just stick with my cute and cheap bralettes. Rosalie approached me to try out one of her styles and I jumped at the chance to get another bralette! (Is there a group out there for bralette addicts?)

I measured myself for her bras which are different from the conventional sizing and found out I was a D cup 30 band size… far from the B-34 I have been wearing. I told myself I must have measured wrong and sent in my measurement as a C cup, 30 band size. I received the bralette and it just wasn’t right. This is a lesson in ignoring size stigmas! I reached out to Rosalie who quickly got me the size that I needed which was amazing considering these bras are made-to-order. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! As I get older I’m starting to really pay attention to sizes and tailoring. I’ve too often settled for a wrong size (shoes, shirts, dresses, etc.) because it was a great deal or vintage and one-of-a-kind but these items always collect dust in my wardrobe.

I tried on the new bra and immediately made dramatic movements I don’t normally do to test it out, ie. punching (what?) and large arm circles (who am I?). I felt like I could box in this bra! I’ve never boxed before nor would I wearing this but it comfy enough that I felt like I could! The lace is light so you feel like you have nothing on. The band is a wide elastic that’s comfortable but not out of proportion to the rest of the design. It feels like I have nothing on yet I feel supported which has never happened in a bralette before! Usually I feel… held down which has been fine enough for me. The past couple days I’ve been staring at the construction of this bra in wonder. I have a fashion design certificate and a design degree from Ryerson where I took Fashion Communications so I stared and studied this piece. I’ve come to the conclusion that it all boils down to great design. Great design is simple, functional, and beautiful. Rosalie Wynne’s bras are great design.

Rosalie Wynne’s bras and underwear are magically affordable and available online and locally through White Elephant in Hamilton. This colour will be available ONLY for February! Check out Rosalie Wynne’s instagram to order!