Editorial: Holding forth on big bras

Tracey Chatterton.

Women's fashion is anything but dull. Racks contain everything from tailored white shirts to soft flowing skirts and ripped jeans. The choice is endless. Not so, it appears, when it comes to buying bras for busty women. Napier woman Charde Heremaia was frustrated to find bland black, white or cream bras were the only option for her while shopping in K-Mart.

She is a busty young woman and needs a supportive FF cup. With a larger bust, finding a cheap, sexy, well-fitting bra was almost impossible. The offerings at K-Mart she described as "granny bras", there was no colour, lace or detailing. While some shoppers gravitate towards the practical, most of us want pretty. There is nothing pretty about a plain cream bra.

Miss Heremaia shared her thoughts about the dismal offerings for larger shoppers online and it hit a note with women everywhere.

The video went viral and she's had feedback from women across the globe.

Most supported her call, saying bigger women deserved the same choice for the same price as those less endowed. She quite rightly said, you don't pay more for shoes if you've got bigger feet. Us ladies like to look and feel good no matter what shape or size we are. Miss Heremaia acknowledges there are other places she can shop but they often didn't fit within her budget.

Now, Rose and Thorne lingerie, who make lingerie for The Warehouse, have offered to fly Miss Heremaia up to head office in Auckland to meet the design team.

She will be fitted to help her find a solution to her bra dilemma. Hopefully, more manufacturers will take time to think about the lovely shapes and sizes women come in.

- Tracey Chatterton is chief reporter of Hawkes Bay Today.