A decent bra vs a boob job

A decent bra vs a boob job l Photo of Chantelle Superbe bra in black and violet l www.FranglaiseMummy.com l French and English Parenting and Lifestyle Ramblings

Chantelle “Superbe” bra in black and violet

Any woman who’s had a baby is likely to tell you that her boobs are now shot to pieces, whether she’s breastfed or not. Some will tell you they are desperate for a boob job if only they could afford it. Others say they would like plastic surgery but are afraid of the risks. I used to think I would like to have my breasts operated on once I’d finished having children, but I’ve since changed my mind.

However this doesn’t mean that I am in any way happy with the state of my chest these days. Far from it. I’ve always had a fairly generous chest size in comparison to the rest of my body – I’ve been wearing a D cup and upwards since I was 13 which stands out on my size 10 body. The huge downside to having big(ger) boobs is that gravity pulls them further down. Hmmm, attractive!

But I’d kind of resigned myself to having a saggy chest as I knew I didn’t want to go down the surgery road.

Then a couple of months ago I was invited to an event held by Chantelle, at their HQ in London. I went out of curiosity (it’s a French brand that I recognised from my days in France) and because there was going to be a presentation on making the most of your chest, including a bra measurement. I decided I had nothing to lose.

It was a real eye-opener. The presentation was given by Sandra, a woman who has worked in this industry for decades and really knows her stuff. Everything she said made sense, and I learnt so much. Including bad habits I had that weren’t doing me any favours!

Then came the moment of truth. Getting measured. Since stopping breastfeeding last November I’ve been meaning to do this. I was wearing a 34D which I realised (following the presentation) was the wrong size for me, but just how wrong was it?

So I’m a 32E. Not a massive difference, so not that big a deal you might think. Which is what I thought until I tried on a 32E Chantelle bra. It looked GOOD. I looked GOOD. Then Sandra suggested I put my top back on to see the difference the right bra can make.

O-M-G!!! It looked like I had had that boob job. Suddenly I had this beautiful chest. These pert breasts. That were up where they once used to be. I could have cried.

A decent bra vs a boob job l Photo of Chantelle "C Graphique" bra in black l www.FranglaiseMummy.com l French and English Parenting and Lifestyle Ramblings

Chantelle “C Graphique” bra in black

I didn’t need an expensive and potentially dangerous boob job. I just needed a decent bra in the right size.

The next day I posted a bit about this event on Facebook, asking if anyone might be interested in a similar event in the future, and the response was immediate and overwhelming. YES!

So, in response to those of you who are interested (and anyone else out there) I am now organising an event with Chantelle in October:

What will it cover?

  • A presentation explaining how to make your chest look better and how to stop it from deteriorating any further!
  • A bra fitting.
  • There will be samples of Chantelle lingerie for you to look at, to try on and to order. I was amazed at the difference in quality between the Chantelle bras and my usual M & S bras.

When will it be?

  • Friday 10th October 2014
  • You can arrive anytime from 6pm until 8pm. The presentation will run 8-8.30pm and there will be the chance to get measured, look at the lingerie and chat to the Chantelle experts before and after.

Where will it be?

  • Chantelle HQ, which is a couple of minutes’ walk from Oxford Circus tube station.

What will it cost?

  • The event is free of charge, however places are limited so book early if you are interested.

Is it open to anyone?

  • The event is open to any women, whatever their age, whether they’ve had children or not, pregnant or not pregnant, breast-feeding or not.

I’m interested, what next?

  • Email me directly: FranglaiseMummy@gmail.com to put your name down. It will be a case of first come first served.

More about Chantelle

Whilst Chantelle bras are more expensive than some High Street brands, they are still very reasonably priced, considering the quality and the effect they have. Expect to pay around £40-60 for a bra.

Did you know that more than 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra for them? Wearing the right bra could help you drop a dress size, make your clothes look even better and improve posture.

Since 1876, French label, Chantelle lingerie, has developed an exceptional know-how, passed on from generation to generation of seamstresses. This expertise, reflected in the quality and comfort of Chantelle products, offers women everyday underwear with the most precious fit.

If you can’t come to the event you can get fitted at any of the stores mentioned below or buy directly online:
Selfridges, Harrods, selected House of Fraser and John Lewis stores, Figleaves.com and independent lingerie boutiques nationwide.

Just to prove how amazing these bras are I may even share a photo of me in a Chantelle bra in my follow-up blog post after the event…..

Disclosure: I genuinely believe in Chantelle’s products and so am keen to share this with others, to remunerate me for my time Chantelle have gifted me a bra and underwear set.

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21 Responses

  1. Tracey Cross says:

    Hi, I own a little independent lingerie boutique in Falmouth, Cornwall. I absolutely love your blog!! Exactly how I feel now after having two children (19 and 18 now!!). My shop is a new venture only opened 9 weeks ago. I took a trip to see Chantelle HQ before placing my order… How I love my job!!!! Would love to pay another visit – for me it would be any day between the 11th – 18th October 🙂

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      Hi Tracey,
      The date has been set at 10th October I’m afraid, do let me know if you can make it though as we’d love to have you along too! It certainly sounds like you have a fab job there 🙂
      Sophie x

  2. Yes, yes, yes! I’m sorely lacking in the boobage department since Little Man stopped breastfeeding. I still don’t understand how I can have less than I started off with! It wasn’t until I went to Rigby and Peller in Cambridge and was properly fitted that I realised there was so much more I could do with what little I’ve got! I don’t know Chantelle – it sounds, and looks, like a beautiful range of bras. Will definitely try to come along! x
    Michelle @ Bod for tea recently posted…Take your toaster to a party – Waste Less Live MoreMy Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      So glad you’re going to be able to make it along, the event I went to made such a difference to me and I hope that it does to all the ladies coming along on the 10th October too! x

  3. I can’t tell you how gutted I am to miss this! 🙁 It sounds amazing and I would have loved to have come but not to worry. Perhaps I’ll contact the team and see if I can visit someone local?!

    Delighted to hear that you are now in love with your boobs again! Big, small, pert, droopy, they’re an important part of us! 😉 xxx
    Katie / Pouting In Heels recently posted…Finally, I can now use my ‘proper’ camera (kind of)My Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      It’s such a shame that you can’t make it, I’ll definitely ask if they’re considering doing other similar events round the country, as we all need to love our boobs! xx

  4. Jenny says:

    Great article. To mark the end of BF no2 I went to an independent lingerie shop and treated myself to some lovely new bras – it definitely lessened the sadness of stopping BF. Am keen to do the same again, so count me in for the event.

    A note though (and I know you didn’t say BF makes your boobs saggy). It is pregnancy that brings about the changes in your breasts, and it is a myth that saggy boobs are due to BF. How your boobs will age is a combination of hormonal changes that occur in pregnancy and your genetics.

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      So glad you’ll be able to join us for this event. And that’s right re boobs sagging – I’ve got friends who never breast-fed with saggy boobs, and ones who’ve never even be pregnant with the same problem! I think it might be called age and gravity 😉

  5. Honest Mum says:

    Wow how fantastic does this sound, I’m a big believer in the right lingerie to sculpt, support and make your clothes look fabulous! I’m a 34 DD and struggle a lot with great bra’s (unpadded please) and bikini’s. Fab post, will be checking out their site, thanks x
    Honest Mum recently posted…Teaching Your Kids To Save With Qwiddle (and Win £50)My Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      It is hard to find decent lingerie when you’re bigger-chested but getting fitted properly and wearing good quality underwear makes such a difference I find x

  6. Unfortunately, I am the opposite to you and was give boobs on the smaller end of the scale! Which is why I love padded bras 🙂
    And, when I was pregnant, my boobs hardly got any bigger, which was a huge disappointment. I do love the range of Chantelle, though. I’ve never heard of them before! I will defo try to pop along and say hello, too. xx

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      I’m really hoping you’ll be able to make it – my mum has small boobs and at age 67 she says that at least when they’re smaller there is less to sag as age attacks them!!

  7. Mummy Tries says:

    You are so lucky to have kept your boobs hon! Pre-kids mine were pert 32DD’s, but I had dropped down to an A cup when I last got them measured! They were lost somewhere between baby #1 and #2 and I’ve all but given up hope of their return after I stop breastfeeding baby #3! You are so right though, a good properly fitting bra can work wonders for your cleavage. Fab post xx
    Mummy Tries recently posted…Do You Facebook?My Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      The sacrifices we make for our kids, eh? I was ready to abandon my chest ever looking decent again, but after getting measured and wearing a quality, well-fitted bra I was delighted that all is not lost – when you’ve finished breastfeeding #3 do get measured, it makes the world of difference!

  8. Honest Mum says:

    P.S LOVE, love, love your blog’s new look, chic and gorgeous like you x
    Honest Mum recently posted…When Will Came Round For DinnerMy Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      Thank you so much darling, that means so much to me coming from you 🙂 I’m delighted with the new look too – especially as I did it all myself! xx

  9. I feel like a new woman when I get a new bra but it’s not long before they lose their finesse and then I get lazy again. Would love to come to this event but may have to settle for checking out their site and our local boutiques, sorry. Thanks for the heads up 🙂
    Anya from Older Single Mum and The Healer recently posted…My Beautiful, Darling Boys.My Profile

    • Franglaise Mummy says:

      It’s a shame you can’t make it and you’re very right about getting a new bra making you feel like a new woman!

  1. 11/09/2014

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  3. 16/10/2014

    […] when my lovely friend Sophie from Franglaise Mummy wrote this post I jumped at the chance to pop along and see Chantelle’s new collection, be measured properly […]

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