Heather Powazek Champ

New With Tags

Bra purchases of late have been an unmitigated disaster. Without fail, I have an expert talent for picking something lovely and comfortable that immediately upon purchase, becomes a prickly wreck. It gets better. When worn, they make audible creaking sounds. Were I to lean over the shoulder of a coworker, one would think I was part android. “Number Five is alive!”

I haven’t been pinching my pennies. These lacy contraptions hail from some of San Francisco’s finest stores. Unless I’ve missed the memo, you’re undergarments shouldn’t groan like the Golden Gate Bridge twisting and turning in some disaster flick.

The lone gunman in my lingerie drawer is Wacoal #65108 or “Hidden Charms.” I’ve been reduced to wearing it day after day for comfort and silence. Given that the internets are so readily available in my life and I’ve been known to have a bright idea or two, one would think that I would have taken the time to look at the ratty tag and replicate that which has proven to be worthy with a little online consumerism. The thought only crossed my mind last night while Derek was bathing himself in the glory of the last season of Battlestar Gallactica.

And immediately hit a brick wall. Hidden Charms has been discontinued (of course). Dipping my toe into eBay, I found one store (complete with Bible verses) that has two in my size: a racy red and something that’s described as “off white.” Both are “NWT.” New with tags. What is that? Is it like “mint” or “new in box”? Most of my eBay shopping revolves around small consumer electronics that take photos.

So, questions I have: can you wear a bra without taking the tags off? I guess “new” is more assuring than “like new” or “as good as new.” Should I just get over it? The alternative is truly horrifying — a trip downtown. I’m at the crossroads, people.

Not undies, so I would just buy the bras, see how they look when they come in, and wash them anyway if they have tags and look new.

Posted by heather on 6 April 2008 @ 1am

NWT is new with tags. I’ve bought bras off eBay and had great success. Best of luck! I hate it too when you try on a bra in the shop and it seems just fine, you buy it, and then within 3 hours of wearing it you can’t wait to tear it off.

Posted by michelle on 6 April 2008 @ 9am

I’ve had the same situation, bras that seemed wonderful, then turn into some kind of bra vice, that tightens more and more. I’ve recently had luck with the Lady Grace stores, they have those knowledgeable bra ladies, that touch and fit you into perfection.good luck.

Posted by Tracy on 6 April 2008 @ 12pm

My favorite, most comfy bras came from thrift stores. Two from Victoria’s Secret and a to-die-for uber-quality Olga, which happens to be red — a delicious first for me. It was NWT and cost a mere $2.50! I hope it never dies.

Posted by Coyote on 6 April 2008 @ 12pm

Well, being a male of the species I haven’t had that problem, so my input here has very little relevance. But if in the future the need arises to own one myself, I will probably defer to that episode of Seinfeld and look to purchase a “bro” or “man-bra” in hopes it is designed with noise reduction technology in mind.

Posted by Ron on 6 April 2008 @ 1pm

I have no experience in bra yet but a lot in heavily armoured boxer.

Posted by hugo on 6 April 2008 @ 11pm

Do it. They’ve never been worn. Next time, Gap Body.

Also, they haven’t just gone and changed the lot number on them have they? The 65108 and the 65308 look identical to me.

http://www.ebrasetc.com/wacoal_hidden_charms.htm

http://www.herroom.com/Wacoal-Hidden-Charms-Contour-Bra,Wac001-65308,4.html

Posted by Maggie on 7 April 2008 @ 7am

I have scoliosis and have THE hardest time finding bras that fit me. Not sure why; you’d think just adjusting the straps would work, but my uneven shoulder blades always make it feel like the right lady is popping out of the bottom of the cup. Anyhoo…I’ve never done the ebay bra buying, but NWT sounds like someone that bought the bra, probably got home and realized it was the wrong size and never found time to bring it back to the store and wouldn’t have been able to return it any longer. This is SO something I do and then I end up giving it away as a donation. It’s no worse than trying the bra on in the store – other people have probably tried it on. Just wash it like normal.
Oh, and my tip is go to Bloomie’s. I haven’t purchased anything else there because I find everything to be too expensive, but their selection of everyday bras is nice – I went for a calvin klein bra on sale and almost a year later it still has it’s shape and is very comfy. I also went with one of the store brands and loved them, but after a few machine washings, they lost all form. So now I’ve got to go get more and actually take care of them properly by handwashing. Boo.

Posted by Bellacantare on 7 April 2008 @ 11am

If the tags are on and the bra doesn’t fit, return.

I have had a big problem with bras for the last 2 years after I popped a right rib (the one that the underwire seems to always hit wrong) out of my sternum when moving a big box.

After much trial & tribulations, I have found that DKNY and Jezebel bras from Macy’s come in the right size, support nicely, feel good, and they don’t aggravate the rib.

Posted by Ms. Jen on 7 April 2008 @ 8pm

Oh man I have been in this same rut for months now. It’s getting to be expensive.

Posted by Gayla on 8 April 2008 @ 8am

I can’t believe I’m commenting on this topic; my wife is going to laugh at me and probably tease me for days…. but….

Treat yourself already. Buy both of the ones you found on eBay (because when they’re gone they’re gone for good) call your best friend, go downtown, have a meal somewhere nice and go shopping. What’s the big deal? Nobody hates to shop for stuff they really need, we just hate to go by ourselves. If the shopping trip is merely a component of a larger adventure then it’s almost painless.

Just in case you’re wondering how I got here, it was a random event instigated by a site named, appropriately enough, randomwebsite.com. Why did I read a blog post about bras?
Because I’m an ordinary male homo sapiens with heterosexual proclivities. How could I have resisted?

Posted by Don Crowder on 9 April 2008 @ 3pm

Ummmm…I just quit wearing them and wear camisoles. Lots more comfy, and cheaper usually. Never makes noises. Young enough to be perky, so it works. Worth a try.

Posted by deb on 12 April 2008 @ 12pm

Hello Ms. Champ,
May I suggest that you try doing some shopping at http://www.figleaves.com? No, I’m not a stealth promoter. Just a woman who has purchased bras there in the past with positive results. My fave recent purchase: Playtex seamless shaping bra. It’s great. Although Wacoal definitely makes great bras too.

Posted by Kat on 21 April 2008 @ 3pm

I stopped shopping for bras in the nice downtown stores two years ago when I broke the underwire on one as I was on my way down the peninsula. I made an emergency stop at Mervyn’s in the Serramonte shopping center and found my favorite bra ever. Now I just go back there as needed. It’s hardly an upscale shopping experience, but I’m in and out quickly, I find bras I love (some of my faves have been discontinued as well), and they always seem to be on sale. Even better: they have an outside door that opens right into the bra dept. It’s the least painful shopping experience ever.

Posted by Tea on 22 April 2008 @ 6pm