Butterfly Collection on Urban Rush

It's been a fantastic week with lots of personal fittings and a TV segment on Vancouver show Urban Rush (check out their YouTube Channel). The hosts Fiona Forbes and Michael Eckford were great and really understood that Butterfly Collection is trying to change the way big busted women think and feel about their bras (and themselves!) Check out the video below.

Michael did particularly well trying to be an informative interviewer but couldn't quite resist the temptation to put his head in one of the bras!

Thanks to everyone who got in touch after seeing the show. I am always so privileged to hear your personal stories about being a big busted woman. I hope you all have amazing weekends! xx

Learning How To Tune Out Body Expectations

Birth of Venus - her curves were celebrated (and enhanced!)

The way a society defines 'Beauty' is always within a cultural and historic context. Right now we're experiencing a thin-bias in North America but at different points in history we're been biased towards other shapes. If you’re a size 16 today then you would have been a Rubenesque Super Model in the 17th Century. Some African cultures revere curves because it’s a sign that you’re healthy and sociable. Throughout Greece’s history curvy women have been praised for their sexual appeal and beauty.

Society's version of beauty is transient and not as real as seeing the beauty in yourself regardless of what anyone else says you 'should' look like. It's hard but try not to let the media’s ‘standards’ dictate your own expectations of yourself. Obsessing about not being something (a certain size, or shape or weight) can make you forget about all the other things you are in life, a great friend, a talented professional, humorous, kind. If you want to feel better about yourself then tuning out the expectations of others is a good place to start.

Regardless of your size you have to be proud of the body you have right now so that you can nourish it to help you achieve your physical and emotional goals. You need to be good to your body by feeding it well, dressing it well (including wearing the right bra of course!) and loving it. Nurturing yourself today means you can be in a better place tomorrow, hating yourself won’t help you get anywhere good. 

I’ve spoken a lot about the importance of self-esteem in relation to body image. No matter what size or shape you are, you must have some inner fortitude to rely on that says “I am a good person living a unique life and I’m grateful for this body for helping me to do that.”

Remember that love is more powerful than hate and that applies first and foremost to the way you treat yourself. If you treat your body with disdain then it can never yield anything positive. If you love and respect yourself then who knows what can blossom. xx

How Life Can Change Your Bra Size

Lots of women don’t regularly check their bra size because they don't feel that their boobs have changed. One woman told me that she’s been a 38E since she was 16; at 39, two children and a divorce later she was surprised when I told her she was now a 36G. If you’re honest, how often do you check your bra size? 

You may feel that your body hasn’t changed much but you’d be surprised at the number of things in life that can affect your bra size. Your body can change shape without you even realizing it and this is often the result of changes in your life. We’re aware of the changes that occur with dieting or having a baby but there are other things that can affect your size:

1) Emotional Strain and Grief

No one’s life is without sadness at some point and this deep emotional state can have very real physical effects on your body. I have spoken to women after coming through a mourning period, or significant emotional change like divorce, who find that their bodies have changed. 

It’s unrealistic to think that you can be vigilant about your bra size when you’re processing emotional trauma, however, when you begin to emerge from the sadness, it’s important to give your body the support it needs. Weight loss or weight gain through this time may include some muscle change so your boobs can be very different. It will make it easier to resume regular life if your body is supported and comfortable. It’s worth speaking to a bra expert about appropriate styles if your body shape has changed.

The Enell Lite is perfect for recovery

2) Surgery and Illness

You don’t need to have experienced a breast related illness or surgical procedure for it to have an effect on your boobs. Medications and surgery can have a very direct effect on your bra size; some medications cause water retention which can result in a bigger bust size. 

The most important thing to remember during these times is that your body needs support to recuperate. It may be the case that going without a bra for a while is a good idea and when you’re back on your feet you may want a softer bra like the Enell Lite pictured above while your body is still tender. There are post surgical bras available for you to wear after breast surgery. These can be worn day and night and give you gentle support while you heal. 

  

3) Menopause

As you stop producing as much oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin the glandular tissue in your boobs stops swelling and reducing through each menstrual cycle. 

Most women find that their boobs become less dense during menopause and this reduces their overall bust size. However, for about 20% of women the menopause results in an increased bust size as the fatty tissue inside your breasts increases. Either way, you’ll want to keep an eye on your measurements (our bra size calculator is an easy way to follow your size changes) and buy bras accordingly. The menopause can also make your boobs very tender or even sore. If this happens it can help to wear seam-free bras that reduce irritation but keep you supported.

Your body needs different support depending on the time and events in your life. Finding the right style and size of bra will help you to feel more comfortable physically and emotionally. If you have any questions about the kind of bra you need during different stages of your life you can email our support team at support@butterflycollection.ca  xx

Yoga for Busty Women

Following on from our last Boobs and Fitness video Boobs and Aquafit we’re looking at Yoga and how it can work for busty ladies.

The reason we’re doing this series is to change the idea that exercise isn’t for busty women. I know from personal experience how traumatic working out can be with big boobs. Sports bras for busty women weren’t as readily available or attractive as they are today so my late teen years were spent avoiding sport (especially mixed sports) because I spent the entire time trying not to move from the waist up.

In this week's Fitness and Boobs video I chat to Elizabeth Srinivasan about the benefits of yoga for big busted women and what to expect from a yoga class for beginners or those getting back into yoga.

Elizabeth is a Hatha yoga goddess who teaches at  Moksha Yoga here in Vancouver. Moksha studios operate an inclusive principle for all ages, body types, levels of experience and flexibility.

We are very fortunate that Elizabeth has put together a 15 minute yoga workout designed for busty women. All the exercises are designed with curvy women in mind and will help to strengthen your core and upper body, important things for busty ladies. You can do this routine at home and find out whether yoga is right for you. xx

How to keep your breasts cool in hot weather

I love the warm weather, especially having any excuse to wear sleeveless dresses with ruffles and bows! I have learned though that the heat can play havoc with my boobs unless I have them well prepared. It's no good looking fantastic in your summer outfit and having hot, uncomfortable, clammy boobs. The first thing to do is protect your delicate breast skin from the sun. I love the Morning Glow moisturizer from Clean and Clear because it has an SPF15 and a light shimmer. A light moisturizer will actually help your boobs breath and expel heat so you don't get sweaty.

The SPF is really important and will protect against prematurely wrinkly skin caused by over exposure to the sun. The Clean and Clear range also keeps any pesky pimples away so your decolletage remains spotless!

Wearing anything cotton will help to keep your body cool because the fabric is breathable and actually pulls moisture away from the skin allowing it to evaporate naturally before you get sweaty - clever! A bra with a high cotton content is a good idea for anyone who overheats easily or gets skin irritations. A high cotton content bra will keep your girls cool in the hottest weather.

Trapped moisture anywhere near your boobs is a bad idea so a trusty deodorant is essential. I have very sensitive skin so there are only a few brands that I can use. One Canadian brand that I LOVE is Rocky Mountain Soap Company. They have a geranium deodorant that is effective but gentle. Their range is a little more expensive but so worth it.

My last tip is for the long-haired ladies out there. As the temperature rises your body gets oilier to compensate for the rapid drying of your skin. Oily hair resting against your cleavage can cause irritations and pimples so besides keeping your hair away from your chest it's a good idea to keep your hair oil free. I love the dry shampoo from Klorane. It's the perfect way to keep your hair oil free without having to wash it every day (which can actually make it more oily as your skin overcompensates for the drying effect of shampoo). A great touch-up for your hair after the beach or the gym and a great help on in-between washes days.

I hope these cool boob tips help you feel at your booby best this summer xx