Thread: To Stuff or to Sell?

I recently lost almost 10 pounds, quite a bit of it in my boobs. I was/am going through some stress, and I am one of those who looses weight at times like these.

My question is, do you all usually stuff the bra up more and adjust the belt, or just recommend getting a smaller cossie? I do like my costumes, I just look rather flat in them. How much stuffing is too much? I wonder also if I'll gain it back once things settle down a bit more. I wasn't over weight before, just getting pretty thin right now.

What are your experiences stress non-eaters?

ks

I'm sorry you're stressing so hard right now, things will get better though in the meantime get some shoulder pads or cut foam circles, fold them in half, and sew those suckers into your bras. Don't forget to make your bands a little tighter too so your costume bras don't ride up and create gappage in the cups when you raise your arms.

Creative shading and highlighting with makeup can help recreate those curves too. Azhia probably has some great tips on that process.

If the hooks on your belts can be moved without altering the design, go for it. Keep your old hooks in place on your bedlahs for the time when things calm down and you regain some weight.

It might be helpful to have a nice person click some before and after photos to make sure you love the resulting alterations before you decide to put your costumes on the block.

Hugs and shimmies!

I'm one of those people, too....I must have lost 5 lbs this past couple of weeks when I was stressing about my boyfriend moving to FL. And when you already don't weigh a lot (I'm 95 lbs.), that's a big deal ,f::

Definitely try moving hooks around and stuffing the bras. When I need extra help, I take apart a Frederick's of Hollywood Extreme Cleavage bra (SPECIFICALLY that kind, because the padding is awesome) and sew the cups into the inside of my costume bra. Sometimes, I'll even put a touch of pillow stuffing behind the Frederick's cups so the inside of my bra is convex.

You can also use toupee tape along the edge of the cups (available at Sally Beauty Supply) to prevent gapping. I've tried this with lots of success.

Stuff stuff stuff. Much cheaper than new costumes, especially when you really like the ones you already have.

Stuff, the market is flooded with used costumes and it's hard to get a good price right now.

Padding is best why cause yourself more stress. ..g.:

In addition to stuffing and moving hooks on belt/bra - I've used thread casing for elastic- both in the belt and in the bra band. It can help an extra inch or two!

another vote for stuff.
there's no such thing as too much padding! here's a pic of the inside of a stuffed-2-max bra hallah made for me a long time ago. its stuffed to the max. she tacks down a little shelf in the front to create a "natural appearance".

http://sabrinabellydancer.com/pics/hallah-bra-stuff.jpg

I dont know why I am here...a 10 pound loss isnt even a dress size and stress eating works the other way. Did I mention how stressful Christmas is?

How picky are you about bra fit? Do the costumes look good padded? Do you want to stay the weight you are or get back to the weight you were? These are the questions.

I am very picky about bra fit, and I find that I cannot successfully pad a bra that is too big. I had a major weight loss (like 30+ lbs, 2 full cup sizes) a couple years ago and had to sell all my bedlah. On me at least, there is no way to make a Pharonics #5 bra fit right when a #3 is optimal. I probably flashed my nipples to several strangers before I figured this out.

I'm a small B and I have some D cup dance bras. It takes engineering, but you can work it. Adjust the straps so the bra is in the right place - HIGH on your rib cage (a lot of people adjust them too low). I found the best padding is sofa cushion foam. Seriously. You buy it at JoAnn, cut it into a nice egg shape, and sew it into the lining. It sort of presses against your breast, like a bolster, and it won't deflate.

Originally Posted by ssipes

I am very picky about bra fit, and I find that I cannot successfully pad a bra that is too big. I had a major weight loss (like 30+ lbs, 2 full cup sizes) a couple years ago and had to sell all my bedlah. On me at least, there is no way to make a Pharonics #5 bra fit right when a #3 is optimal. I probably flashed my nipples to several strangers before I figured this out.

Same here. I think it depends on your individual build, since I know some dancers who swear that they can pad a D-cup to fit a B

When I add ridiculous amounts of padding to a costume, that only seems to create even more gapping. Not to mention, a cup that's too large in height and width will only look goofy if it's too big in proportion to your ribcage. Hence, my selling all of my costumes! ,r:;

I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way, but whether or not you can pad up has to do with the SHAPE of your breasts more than the size. Firm breasts have less wiggle room, probably the same for small breasts. The, um, saggier or more supple a breast is, the easier it is to stuff it around and shift. So you really have to evaluate your breasts in the context of your costumes. If padding won't work, sell em.

I stuff mine with shoulder pads or bra pads from a fabric store. I'll also reposition the straps on the bra or even criss cross or halter the straps. It really REALLY helps to sew the bra cups together too. I'm a B and I turned two DD cup costumes and an ornery mamdouh into perfect fits with just a few alterations like that.

Originally Posted by Lesedi

I stuff mine with shoulder pads or bra pads from a fabric store. I'll also reposition the straps on the bra or even criss cross or halter the straps. It really REALLY helps to sew the bra cups together too. I'm a B and I turned two DD cup costumes and an ornery mamdouh into perfect fits with just a few alterations like that.

ooh, help me then take a Pharonics #5 bra and fit it right when a #3 is optimal for me as well.

Originally Posted by ssipes

How picky are you about bra fit? Do the costumes look good padded? Do you want to stay the weight you are or get back to the weight you were? These are the questions.

Sorry about your stress. But I'd go back to the questions above that ssipes wrote. I've just recently lost a bit of weight myself and a cup size and dealing with the same questions (probably hence why I've been back on the swap too much lately ..l;,) some costumes you can make work, others you can't. I've also noticed that my "broken in" costumes I have a much easier time manipulating to fit me then the "newer/stifter" ones.

Good luck.

You should also consider that you will probably gain and lose weight again, so I wouldn't rush to get rid of your lovely costumes, especially if you like them so much. Just make a few alterations and keep using them.