Girls are getting their first bra at Just Lovely Colac.

May 20 2017

Your First Bra: An Awkward Rite of Passage

Remember the day you got your first real bra? No clue what the numbers and letters meant, mortified, standing in the fitting room with your mother banished to the other side of the curtain. You thought you might survive it, until she yelled out “don’t forget to reach in and lift them up!” You probably threw the bras at her and refused to stand anywhere near her at the counter, pretending you’d never seen those embarrassing items in your life.

Roll thirty years forward and we now see plenty of young girls coming into Just Lovely for their first bra fitting. A supportive bra changes how clothes fit, eases back and shoulder strain, and builds real confidence at an awkward age.

Many mums who come to us were never properly fitted themselves and are determined their daughters won’t go through the same thing.

It can feel embarrassing, no one loves a stranger seeing them in their underwear. But in over twenty years of fitting bras, I’ve never actually seen anyone in theirs, just plenty of bras that fit and plenty that don’t. These days the roles have reversed and I fit my own mother, but I’ve never forgotten that first fitting embarrassment.

So when does she actually need one? The average age is around eleven, though some girls need one from nine and others not until fourteen. Comfort is usually the deciding factor, as developing breasts can feel tender. Start with a crop top as nipples begin to show, then move to a soft cup bra as tissue develops. Avoid underwire at this stage, and always buy at least two for washing.

To minimise the agony of being constantly refitted as she grows, we make sure the bras we fit have a little room to grow into, and we take the time to explain how we’re fitting her and why we’ve chosen that particular size. It helps build understanding and awareness of just how much a well fitted bra actually matters, not just for now but for later too.

A big lingerie chain might have pieces that technically fit, but the environment and styles are often mature and a bit overwhelming for a young girl. Our independent lingerie shop here in Colac offers first fittings to girls from Geelong right through to Warrnambool, in a relaxed, friendly and understanding environment.

Best of all, we stock fun and fabulous bras for young girls who don’t want to feel like they’re stuck wearing Nanna’s boring beige bra. Incidentally, my Nanna’s favourite bra was black.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What age should my daughter get her first bra?

A: There’s no set age, it depends on the individual. If she’s noticing changes or feeling self conscious, that’s the right time. Some girls are ready at nine, others not until fourteen, both are completely normal.

Q: Will the fitting be embarrassing for my daughter?

A: Our fitters are experienced with first timers and keep things quick, private and low key. There’s no standing in front of mirrors or discussing anything loudly, just a relaxed, reassuring process.

Q: What type of bra is best for a first bra?

A: Start with a soft crop top, moving to a soft cup bra as breast tissue develops. Avoid underwire at this stage as it can interfere with natural development, and buy at least two for washing.

Q: Will she need to keep coming back as she grows?

A: We fit with a little room to grow, and explain our sizing choices as we go, so she understands why. This helps make future fittings feel familiar rather than repetitive or confusing.

Q: Why choose an independent store over a big chain?

A: Our environment is relaxed and geared towards first timers, without the mature styling and overwhelming feel some larger stores have. We want her to feel comfortable, not out of place.