This turned out SO long. Feel free to skim. I chatter.
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I don't know if you remember this, but I used to work at a certain somewhat high-end underwear store (I don't want to say the name because if I do this might pop up on the google and I could get sued or something. I don't know, I just remember them mentioning that there were certain things we couldn't post on social media, and there was even a video about it, buuuut we never got to watch the video so I don't know what I'm allowed to say or what could happen if I say it anyway. Just to be safe, no names. But you know what I'm talking about, right?) ANYWAY, here are a few things I learned and want to pass on.
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DISCLAIMER - I worked there only part time for not even a year, and I left months ago. I didn't know everything, so some of this could be wrong or incomplete. Things might have changed a lot by now, too. I don't mean to give away any corporate secrets, because I didn't even know any. So if a corporate employee stumbles upon this, don't sue me. I'm just passing along what I've learned. They're all billionaires anyway.
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1. Get a fitting. I usually just walked around, picking up things that I thought were pretty, and grabbing a few different sizes to see what would work. That was a horrible idea, because I didn't even know how anything was supposed to fit. Some things are pretty obvious: there shouldn't be any gapping or spilling over, the center should lay flat against your chest. But so many things can affect that, from the band to the cups to the straps to the style you're trying on. The attendant can make adjustments, grab you a different size, or recommend a style that would work better with your shape. (For example, the most popular line, DOES NOT fit me. Even in the right size, they just don't work.)
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2. Not all associates are created equal. Some have been there four years, some have been there two weeks. Anyone can be assigned to work the fitting rooms. The seasoned ones, or the ones who know their stuff are the ideal ones to work with. They will get you the right fit. Some, however, are really freakin bad at fittings and they might be spouting some mighty bs at you, especially if you're a tricky case. Or they might just not have enough experience to get you acquainted with the right bra. Also "bra specialists" are not always the best at fittings. They are often AMAZING sales people, who are good at fittings, and have an open schedule. When I first started, we had the two most spectacular bra specialists. It seemed like they knew everything and were really nice. I only remember one from when I left, but she was probably not my favorite person..... She'd been there for a very short time, and knew some things,... but wasn't that nice (in my opinion). She made them a lot of money though. I dunno. There's another girl who works there, who would one hundred percent be the bra specialist if she wanted to work more hours. She is also great at selling, but is super authentic and kind, and knows so much. (So ask for Kelse, if you're at the one in Orem.)
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3. Associates are now paid on commission. Just keep that in mind. I left before they started doing this, but they did track our sales. I'm not a "salesperson personality" at ALL, so I was probably hyper-sensitive to it, but I occasionally felt pushed to be pushy. ****HOWEVER, even though they're paid on commission, they aren't just telling you lies to get you to buy stuff. (usually haha.) It really is beneficial to have multiple bras that you rotate daily. They will last SO much longer.
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4. You can order certain colors and sizes online in the store and get free shipping. Sometimes you fall in love with a bra, but you find out that you need it in a different size than you thought. But they don't have it in in your size, so they tell you to get your "sister size." Or a similar color. Or a similar style. But if you've already found the size and style you really really want, you can often order your preferred color from the register. As far as I know, the associates have stopped advertising this openly, because online orders don't count towards the store's daily sales.
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5. Cup sizes are proportionate to band sizes. Sometimes I would have a lady in a 34D and the band would be too tight, so I'd say, "hey, let's try you in a 36C." And they would be confused because hey, these d cups are fitting perfectly. So just so you know, cup sizes are not objective. The cups on a 38A are the same size as a 36B are the same size as a 34C are the same size as a 32D. Roughly. And hopefully you know that the 38 band is 38 inches, and the 32 band is a smaller 32 inches. So that's where sister sizes come in. If the 34C is your size, but they only have your preferred color in a 36C, the cups will be about the same size. But the band will be a lot looser! So if you do want to walk out the door with something in your bag, at least try it on first, because you get 80% of your support from the band. Make sure you're ok with the new fit.
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6. They'll sometimes let you use old coupons. You know those freebies you sometimes get in the mail? Have you ever missed the deadline by like two days? Well guess what? Sometimes if you go in and ask, they'll still let you do it. At the beginning, they would ALWAYS honor expired coupons when possible, but maybe they're a little stricter now. Also, this works for most coupons, except certain ones that are tied to the computer system. I don't know how this works exactly, but I know that we would sometimes give out $15 "gift cards" that would expire and there was nothing we could do. But most coupons we could still honor. I would advise using them on time, but if you accidentally forget, it's worth asking. Even if they've been "expired" for a really long time. Just ask. Ask about everything. They will do you a lot of favors if it's a good day. Also be nice. I wanted to do a lot more for the ones who were nice.
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7. The semi annual sale is amazing, of course. But they only sell discontinued items. It's just clearance. If they launch a new line, a few crazy colors or patterns might go on sale by the next sas, but not the whole thing, or even many options. There were two lines that I saw launched, and at the sale one had a bright orange and a weird blue and orange paisley included. The other had bright green and yellow. This means that neutrals (blacks, whites, and nudes) almost never go on sale. They only will if they redesign the line, changing the padding or hooks or something, for example. So look for them, but don't count on it.
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8. GET THE EMAILS. I'm always a little wary of giving stores my email address, and I sometimes get a little sassy about it. But here it's worth it. I have gmail, so they're automatically sorted into my "promotions" folder. That way they're not flooding my inbox, and I can browse them when convenient. The emails make you aware of sales and promotions you wouldn't otherwise hear about. NEVER buy anything for full price AND only get the thing you paid for. The send out so many "$10 off a bra" cards, and at least monthly they give out a tote or something other gift with purchase. Take advantage. If it's October, and you need two white bras, you're obviously not going to wait until January and hope they redesign the line and they're on sale (I mean you can if you want, but it's a long shot.) Instead of just paying them and walking out with two bras and some pink tissue paper, get yourself a coupon, see if there are any good promotions coming in the next few days, and/or get a free tote or something. ALSO ***always enter your phone number and email. As far as I know, they don't sell your info or anything, but they track your purchases. That way, they send you bonuses you would be interested in, and send you more coupons and stuff the more you shop.
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9. The credit card is not evil. I don't know what your stance is on store credit cards, but my mom had one or two from stores she shopped at frequently. She would use it to get the discounts or rewards and then IMMEDIATELY (and I mean like right then, not when she got home or the next day or anything) she would pay it off. No harm done. If you're responsible like that, the card is great. You get a little booklet of great coupons. You can cancel the card any time, but if you use it the way my mom did, you can rack up points and get rewards cards. (These coupons are like the only ones that can be combined with basically any other offer, so.... jackpot.)
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10. Bonus tips: If you're getting cotton or PINK panties, wait for the 7 for $27. It happens pretty frequently and is worth it. If you're buying any of the Fantasies (body wash, mist, lotion, etc.) wait until it's 6 for $35 and get the seventh free. (Basically 7 for $35.)
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11. General bra tips (which I may have already mentioned): *Try it on with the hook on the loosest clasp. That way, as it stretches, you can tighten it and it'll last longer. *If your band is raising up in the back, it is probably too loose. *The center part (called the gore) should lay flat, though if you're skinny and busty, you won't always find the PERFECT fit, and it might pull away from your chest a bit. *80% of the support comes from the band, so make sure it's tight enough. *Adjust the straps. That can really change the fit. *Try different styles in the same size to see what fits your shape best. *The store really only works for median sizes. They offer 32A-38DDD in stores (at least when I left) but not every style comes in every size. They especially cut out the As&Bs and DDs&DDDs. Don't be said if they don't fit you, they honestly just need to make more sizes available. I don't think people are wrong for criticizing them on that front. There were many girls who were a little "too big" or a little "too small" to fit in the bras, but were in reality not extreme at all in size.
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12. This was part of the above list but gets it's own place on the list.
*Don't you dare put your bras in a machine. Even just the washer. Even on gentle. Even in a garment bag. Hand washing is not that hard and doesn't have to be done that often. You know how the wire poking out is like being stabbed? Well that happens because you put them in the washer. (Or because you're in the wrong size.) Just sanitize your sink, fill it up with cold water. Pour in a little detergent and swish it around. Soak them for a while, dunk them in and out. Work the areas that get dirty, like the band on the sides, the bottom of the cups, and the straps. Rinse thoroughly under the faucet. Then lay them out to dry. I hear that if you hang them, they will lose their shape. I dunno, but I wouldn't risk it. So lay them out. (This is the worst part, because they can take up a lot of room and will get whatever they're on wet. And they take for-freaking-ever to dry. I usually lay mine on towels on the balcony, which is kind of embarrassing, because if someone were to walk by, there they are. But we're on the third floor and hardly any one comes up here, so.) You can also put rolled socks in the cup to help maintain shape.
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13. I was told at least once that we can match online offers. Once it was buy one get one free online, but you could get that in the store too (and no pay shipping) if you asked for it. The associate won't tell you about the online deals, so watch your emails. Some of them say "online only" so I don't know if those can be matched, but I say it's ALWAYS worth it to ask.
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ANYWAY........... Sorry this turned into a book about bras. These are just some of the things that I learned. They all seem very "duh" now, but I was apparently once very uneducated, because I didn't know like any of this. If you are wondering about anything I didn't mention, you can totally ask and I MIGHT know. Maybe. Especially if you're wondering about how best to work the system. Cause I like doing that. (And if you're still unsure about what store it was, here's another clue! I meant to write up something like this in honor of a certain, widely televised fashion show that should really only be watched by very secure women and no men or insecure girls ever.) Later, yo!
Wait, P.S. I also just wanna say that I miss the pretty ladies I worked with. It was a sometimes hard job, but SO fun, and they're great. You can pretty much count on being in good hands, unless they've hired new, less cool girls, which they might have. But you can probably still find the good ones.
Wait, P.S. I also just wanna say that I miss the pretty ladies I worked with. It was a sometimes hard job, but SO fun, and they're great. You can pretty much count on being in good hands, unless they've hired new, less cool girls, which they might have. But you can probably still find the good ones.
Holy cow. I was there like a week ago and Kelse was on the floor and so nice and super awesome. Also, I love you and hope life is absolutely grand!
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