Intimo più mare n° 204 - Luglio 2016

ENGLISH TRANSLATION
TOOLS on page 18
FINDING THE RIGHT SIZE
Bra fitting services are also beginning to catch on in Italy, in
order to help women find the right size of this crucial foundation
garment. But there are those who have gone even further with the
Beach Fitting Academy
A harmonious, realistic relationship with one’s own body and bust
helps bolster a woman’s self-confidence, resulting in greater success
in all areas of life. This is what has emerged from the findings of
the Triumph Female Confidence Report: the first European-wide
research conducted on women’s relationship with their own bodies
and, in particular, with their bust, commissioned by Triumph on the
occasion of its launching of the new Magic Boost collection.
RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN THE FIELD
The study was conducted throughout Europe on a sample group
of more than six thousand women between the ages of 18 and
50 and included the participation of seven experts with extensive
background in various fields. The findings of the project revealed
a positive story of growth, clearly indicating ways of better
understanding the cultural tensions experienced by the new
generation of women during the various phases of their lives,
especially that crucial period between 30 and 40 years of age.
As it so happens, this particular period is characterized by major
changes, a time when a woman’s relationship with her own body
plays a fundamental role. It turns out that less than half of the
women between 30 and 40 feel confident about their own bodies. In
the countries where the research was conducted (Germany, France,
Italy, the UK, Denmark and Poland), it became apparent how
women’s greatest concern is with maintaining good tone (40%), size
issues (34%) and the shape of their breast (32%), not to mention
décolleté related issues in general (29%). There are also the women
around 40 years of age who put more effort into shopping for a
bra, especially in Italy where a whopping 69% of the women pay
greater attention while shopping for a bra, combined with a clear
and accurate knowledge of their size, with regular fittings which
help to bolster knowledge and confidence. A special emphasis
was also placed on recent mothers. If, on the one hand, maternity
contributes to confidence in a woman’s own femininity, more than
63% of the women interviewed stated that pregnancy had had a
negative effect on their physical shape.
“For over 130 years Triumph has been listening to the experiences
of women throughout the world", explained Suzanne McKenna,
the Global Head of the Triumph Brand. “Intimate apparel is an
emotional product. The wrong size can undermine a woman’s selfconfidence”.
Triumph also participated as a partner in the Milanese event
entitled, 50 nuances of femininity, a free day devoted to all women.
Luisella Resinelli, a bra fitter for Triumph, explained how finding the
right size.
“According to the Europe-wide study commissioned by Triumph only
6 women out of 10 really know their own bra size” Luisella Resinelli
was eager to point out. “In order to find the right size it is necessary
for a woman to know her cup size (in letters). Women who are
fortunate enough to have a well-proportion bust have little problem
when it comes to harmonizing cup size with the measurement of
the chest just below the bust. When a woman manages to find the
right size of bra there is an automatic change in the way she wears
clothing. Among the golden rules in this area is the admonition
to bear in mind that shoulder straps should not be too tight If a
woman has a large bust narrow straps are definitely a bad idea.
The chest measurement taken just beneath the bust should not
be skimpy or insufficient; when taking this crucial measurement
the tape measure must be held straight so that the front and back
parts of the body line up in parallel fashion. The cups should not be
either too small or too large. Once the right size has been found a
woman may select the bra which is most suitable for the individual
shape of her bust. French women tend to prefer underwiring. In
Italy, especially as women become older, they generally prefer light
wiring or molded bras. The so-called wires, however, have been
revamped and they are now made from silicon and much thinner
than in the past, providing greater comfort and fit. Padded bras
are recommended primarily for women with an asymmetrical bust.
Padded and molded bras are seamless, at least they are invisible
and so they don’t create unsightly bumps and prove to be ideal
beneath tight or lightweight dresses and other clothing items. The
push-up models are capable of increasing bust dimensions by two
full sizes, while the minimizer models have the opposite effect,
reducing the volume of a large bust, featuring a special fit in the
cup. There has been a veritable boom in the minimizer models,
especially among the younger generations, girls with slight builds
but full busts. It should be remembered that the size of a woman’s
bust does not remain the same throughout her life. Variations
in weight or physical activity change the structure of the bust. A
woman’s bra size may also change after pregnancy, while nursing
or just prior to her menstrual cycle, but selecting the right bra also
helps to maintain a uniform size of bust throughout a woman’s life.
And from the very first bra it is essential to find the right size”.
THE PERFECT SIZE
Tutorials on YouTube, tips and advice on Facebook pages and even
a portable guide a woman can always keep in her purse. The mission
of Bottino Corsetteria in Genoa is nothing other than bra fitting.
Bottino sells exclusively bras and swimsuits with differentiated cups.
Here one will not find the latest trends, but rather technical products.
This decision to feature an extreme example of specialization has
proven to be a winning one. As a matter of fact, during these years
of financial crisis Bottino has actually managed to increase sales.
“With us a woman can discover all the secrets of bra fitting”, explains
Manuela on the store’s website and in her tutorials. Do you have a
large bust and are you unable to find the right size of bra or bikini?
Are you looking for maximum support without sacrificing elegance
and sensuality? Is your bust no longer toned and are you unable
to find a model of bra that meets with your satisfaction? Bottino
Corsetteria has the right answer for all your requirements, offering a
wide array of product featuring cup sizes from B all the way up to J,
and sizes from 40 to 56”.
The right size is composed of 2 key measurements: the
circumference of the chest right beneath the bust, indicated by a
number, which in Italy ranges from 1 to 10; and the size of the
cup, indicated by a letter which ranges from A all the way to J. For
ordinary women, unless they happen to be swimsuit models, the 2
sizes are almost never equal. This is why there are more than two
hundred potential combinations in order to enable women to find
the perfect size for them.
Here are the helpful tips of Bruna and Manuela of Bottino Corsetteria
when it comes to finding the perfect fit.
1. Try on the bra or top
Bend your body forward and gently shake your shoulders to allow
your bosoms to fall into the cups as if they were drops of liquid.