Tags
No tags :(
Share it
The day after I went shopping for underwear, Friend Kath sent me a link to a New York Times article entitled, “Where Do You Get Your Bra, Mrs. Robinson?” http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/19/booming/where-did-you-go-for-your-bra-mrs-robinson.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=general&src=me&
Talk about synchronicity! I read the article and then rolled on my kitchen floor with laughter. My dog and cat really thought I had lost it for sure this time. I loved this sentence, “There may be postmenopausal women my age who are entirely fat free here, but in my experience, they require medical treatment. “ Actually, I do know two postmenopausal women, who I don’t think have had medical treatment, that still have a waistline. One is a size 0 and one plays tennis constantly!
This is what I can tell you from my own experience. I have not put on any weight; but, my bra size has gone from a 32A to a 34C! When I bought 32As, I remember wishing for “more upstairs.” Well, I got it when I was nursing my babies. Oddly, the added indulgence made me feel fat, even though I had cleavage for the first time in my life. So, I am not surprised my added endowment at this age makes me feel fat.
And – what is unbelievable to me – I now have two extra bulges under my arms. I don’t know whether to buy bras for these side boobs or not. What are unnerving are the love handles! (I do have scoliosis, so the love handles may be because of this; but, I suspect they are fat that used to be in my brain that has just dropped down.)
A couple of years ago I discovered these side boobs and love handles when I went to try on dresses for special occasions. The first was a cute, darling, dress I would call a summer trapeze style in hot pink, orange and black. I just knew I would look hot! Most of my life I would fall in love with a dress, try it on, it would fit P E R F E C T L Y, and I would glow as I left the store.
But, I noticed the side boobs! OMG – what are these? Yes, I should be lifting weights more and cutting out that calorie-packed glass of wine at dinner I lectured myself! Sadly, I have tried these things and the boobs are still there.
Then, that winter, I was going to an elegant little party and decided to where my black lace with sequins dress I bought for my 25th high school reunion. I don’t know why I decided to try it on the day before the event – maybe to see which shoes looked best with it. OMG! I could not get the zipper up. I called friend Beth in a panic. She said, “What you need is a Spanx.” “What?” I said. “You know, Ophra raves about them. Just go to Nordstrom they will help you.”
What god-awful contraptions they are! Yes, I got one. Yes, I got that damn zipper closed. Early in the evening the top of the Spanx folded down and the bottom crept up. I was miserable, and I wished I had saved some of my mother’s girdles because I think one of them would have worked better than the Spanx.
I’m in the locker room at the gym most days. I see lots of lacy, really pretty, underwear on women my daughters’ age or younger. I never see women my age. I know they work out. They must hide in the locker room or go straight home.
Frankly, ladies, this is what I have come to. Clean, comfortable underwear is wonderful! It took some looking, but I did find simple white and black bras that fit. I bought them. Also, I found briefs with nice wide bands. I went a little overboard and got the high-cut style. No, I did not pay $100 for the bras like the New York Times writer Joyce Wadler, nor did I buy Chantelle bras like she mentioned either. (I never heard of them until I read the article. I looked them up on the web and found one I liked for a mere $89.)
All of this did bring up some other thoughts like loving all parts of oneself, what really matters (clean and comfortable) and buy underwear with lace or whatever if you like it. According to the article, Mrs. Robinson wore a leopard-print bra. I might just try one on the next time I go shopping and see what it feels like.
