fairdare
  • blog
  • Fairdare
  • ethical brands
  • zero-waste
  • zero-waste meals
  • about

addendum :: fair intimates :: fair bras with a little more support

4/10/2017

3 Comments

 
Picture
hanro
Picture
Picture
cosabella
Picture
Picture
wacoal
Picture
la perla
fortnight
land of women
I hear you, friends.
Bralettes aren't for everyone.
Some of us need a little bit more (ahem) support.

Simplicity is key to keeping manufacturing costs low, fair, + local. Simplicity must be considered in regards to the design, the number of pieces to be cut and assembled, and the technical skill required. Much of what we see in the fair arena veers toward pieces without zippers or even buttons. Silhouettes are loose to fit as many shapes as possible. Fit is vague. Many of us see these looks as pleasing, but it is undeniable that this unfitted "ease" both in wearing and in manufacture is part of the movement. A boxy top can fit a variety of women and requires a smaller number of sizes to be made. A bathrobe cum stylish-cardigan-jacket-thingy requires less technical sewing by doing away with darts, set in sleeves, facings, collars, buttons, and button holes. Smaller businesses need to employ these tactics in order to stay afloat in a market where larger companies are ordering larger numbers of items to stock multiple locations...like mall stores...and thus getting volume discounts.

When it comes to intimates, panties are made of a relatively small number of pieces and can be made to stretch in order to fit a number of sizes...so we can find fair panties. Bras are complicated beings with substantial expectations for fit. When small fair brands make bras, they often end up being bralettes, because bralettes are simpler to make...no closures, minimal cup shaping, no underwire. Unfortunately, these simplifications result in relatively little support for those of us in need of a bit. My first attempt at finding fair intimates focused mostly on the bottom half, because that was what I was in need of + it was much easier to find. Since then I've received a couple mentions of a desire for a little more investigation (and you know I love that!), so here goes. The brands listed here are not necessarily small ones, but they are making some positive choices.

Fortnight :: made in-house by women in Toronto, Canada :: small business
Land of Women :: made in New York :: small women-owned business 
Hanro :: designed in Switzerland + made in Portugal :: timeless classics made from natural materials + built to last
Anita :: Anita owns all of their production facilities + operates them "in accordance with the highest standards"
Only Hearts :: made in New York City :: narrow selection of sizes 
La Perla :: made in Italy
Cosabella :: made in Italy
Wacoal :: made in the USA + imported :: I can't really get behind that description, but this is the bra that I own right now (x3). I like its minimal appearance + comfy, supportive fit. It is made from a minimal amount of cotton + not too much else. I've had mine for more than two years. They have retained all of their support + shape and don't really show much sign of wear. 

(A bunch of these are available at Zappos. This could be a way to try some on for size with shipping covered.)

To prolong the lifespan of my bras, I hand wash them in cold water + hang them dry over a plastic hanger in the shower.

If you are looking for fair sports bras, take a look at the fair athletic wear post. I added a couple that I found (Onzie + Beyond Yoga) during this search. For some lovely bralettes + other intimates, check the fair intimates post.

all photos via links.

Love,
Jane
3 Comments
Kari
4/10/2017 08:37:18 pm

Thank you. And also, thank you for the insight into why fair clothing companies make the kinds of clothes they do. I hadn't thought of all that.

Reply
Jane link
4/12/2017 09:17:02 am

You are very welcome!! :)

Reply
Heather link
4/19/2017 08:37:20 pm

Thank you, Jane! This is so helpful! :)

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    on a journey toward zero-waste, simplicity, + compassion :: daring to choose fair one choice at a time
    Picture
    Picture


    categories

    All
    Fair Brands
    Fairdare
    Garden
    Made
    Reads
    Simple Budget
    Simple Holidays
    Simple Home
    Simple Wardrobe
    Simply Said
    Sustainable Self
    Wanderings
    Yum
    Zero Waste

    archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    all images by jane unless otherwise noted. copyright 2023.
    subscribe via email

    RSS Feed

    Follow