A Series Of Unfortunate Events... Bra Shopping Edition
Why Does Bra Shopping Feel So Embarrassing?
GIRL GUIDE
brabar
GIRL GUIDE
BRABAR
girl guide
If bra shopping makes you want to disappear into the fitting-room floor, we get it—and we’re here to make it easier.
By: Lucy DiChristina
Bra shopping is a super personal experience, and sometimes walking into the bra section of the store can feel like the most embarrassing thing you will ever have to do. I promise you no one is paying attention to what bra you are going to buy, if you look scared, or anything else, the employees are there to help you and BRABAR is here to make this experience feel less embarrassing. Almost every girl can remember her first experience of bra shopping, and no matter what happened during that first experience has continued to shop years and years later. Feeling embarrassed is a completely normal part of doing things for the first time. It does not mean you are immature or not ready to be actually wearing bras.
Ok But Why Do I Feel So Embarrassed In The Bra Section?
You’re obviously not the only one who feels embarrassed in a bra section. If there’s a need for me to write this article, then so many girls must be feeling embarrassed and not truly understanding why. It’s important to know you’re really not the only one. Almost every girl gets worried about going into the bra section for the first time and feeling confident enough to actually walk through and look at all the options without getting overwhelmed. A huge part of this is the fact that bra shopping is usually something that comes with asking an employee for help and then trying on the bras with an employee closely paying attention. Although they can be a huge help, that is a stressful experience for New bra shoppers. No matter what age you are, people don’t often say that bra shopping is their favorite thing to do.
Why Do I Feel So Out Of Place Shopping For Bras?
A huge problem that can come from shopping for anything and living in society today is a comparison. Comparing yourself to other people, people who are walking around a store, your friends, people on social media, classmates, and even your siblings is the biggest confidence killer. So this can all be exacerbated when you are shopping for bras. No matter how many times you’re told bodies grow a different time and in different ways and at different speeds and that everybody has a different need because of this it doesn’t really always help stopping you compare yourself to others. You don't need to look like anyone else’s, your body doesn’t need to look like anyone else's, you just need to be happy and comfortable. Sometimes shopping with friends can feel fun because you have someone to laugh with and that you feel like can relate to you who will share honest opinions that still don’t feel intimidating. However, on the other side of this shopping with friends can also get stressful because of the fact that you might end up comparing yourself to someone else, sometimes you don’t even realize you were doing it, but I promise you no one else but you is thinking about your body.
Why Do I Hate Fitting Rooms So Much?
No matter what you’re shopping for, mirrors and fitting rooms can feel extremely intimidating. I don’t know if it’s about the angles or the lighting or just how many mirrors some fitting rooms have but sometimes it can get extremely overwhelming. Also, depending on what you’re trying on you might literally have no clue what you’re gonna look like in that item of clothing, not everything is going to make you feel good however don’t take this out on your body. Just because an item of clothing is not made for you does not mean that there’s a problem with your body, actually what would be concerning is if you thought every single item of clothing looked perfect on you. Now the addition of bra shopping sometimes makes looking in a mirror even harder. I’m not gonna lie there’s so much that you need to pay
attention to and really look at when you're shopping that sometimes it can exacerbate anxiety and intimidation that you felt standing in front of mirrors before. Remember mirrors, don’t decide whether a bra fits you, a mirror is supposed to help you decide whether that bra fits you.
How Can I Make Bra Shopping Less Stressful?
So let's switch the stressful mindset into a more confident one. Remember that everyone has to buy their first bra second bra, and third bra at some point. No one is born knowing what bra size they wear and what style is their favorite. The only way you can get these answers is by continuing to try things on and not losing hope in bra shopping. Going in the stores quieter if you need to go during early hours if you feel like being in an empty store will help you along with that. Go during a busy time; If you feel like going at a busy time is something that you need in order to feel less stressed. It’s all about making you feel relaxed and confident in the store. Bring someone that you trust to go bra shopping with you, whether this is a supportive parent sibling, a friend or anyone else that is going to help this experience be a little bit easier for you. When you first try on bras, try to ignore the size as much as possible, it takes years to fully understand what braising really means and for you to actually find a size that you’re going to be in for a while because bra sizes do change so often so focus on comfort and not the size on the tag. It is just a label. Finally give yourself the permission to leave the store without actually buying anything, it is not a failure of the day if you walk out of a store and do not have a bra in your hand. It means that you’re trying to prioritize finding a bra that actually makes you feel confident, and that fits, do not rush it and definitely do not force it. All in all I promise as you get older shopping for bras will get easier. Everyone has gone through this and having as much confidence as possible will definitely help along the way.
Is Online Bra Shopping A Good Option?
Don’t forget about the option of online bra shopping. Some girls really do find more success online and can explore more styles of bras that way. People love being able to browse from home and not having to walk through a stressful bra store environment. Without a sore there’s no fitting room so that is an added trade-off but also is one of the reasons that some girls like shopping online. Online you also have more time to compare styles and do your research about what that style was actually built for, and if you can really picture it on your body, while you shouldn’t compare yourself to the models, you should compare the styles. Just remember that you are not connected to the bra that you order if you do decide to shop Online being able to exchange sizes and styles is still super important so remember that shopping online can be great as long as you feel like you can still do those things, at the end of the day it is about your experience and how to make it the best for you.
One Last Thing Before You Go
There is no right way to bra shop but no matter how you do it, it might come with some feelings of embarrassment. This does not mean you are a failure. It just means you were trying something new and doing something that your body needs. Feeling embarrassed is incredibly common and those feelings usually fade with experience of finding more bras and actually reaching brass success. Bra shopping is about finding comfort and support and that definitely does not happen on the first try. Every time you learn more about what fits your body and what feels comfortable, you can get a little bit more confident in bra shopping. Bra shopping will slowly become less about being embarrassed and more about feeling empowered in your own body.
XOXO BRABAR
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
FAQS
Yes! Feeling embarrassed about bra shopping is incredibly common, especially if it's your first time. Buying a bra is a new experience, and it often comes during a time when your body is changing. Most girls feel nervous at first, but those feelings usually fade as you become more familiar with what you like and what fits your body. Remember—you belong in the bra section just as much as anyone else.
Both options have their benefits. Shopping in a store lets you try on different styles and get help from a bra fitter if you want it. Shopping online offers more privacy, more styles to choose from, and the ability to browse at your own pace. The best option is the one that makes you feel the most comfortable, as long as you can easily exchange or return bras that don't fit.
That's more common than you might think—and it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your body. It often means the bra isn't the right size or style for your shape. Different bras create completely different looks, so if one doesn't make you feel comfortable or confident, keep trying. The goal isn't to change your body to fit the bra—it's to find a bra that fits your body and helps you feel like the best version of yourself.
