By Sugar Candy
For years people with big boobs have had to compromise. Whether that be compromising on comfort by opting for an underwire bra, or compromising on support by resorting to a wire-free bra with no lift, structure or separation. Here at Sugar we don’t think it’s fair that people should have to compromise at all, just because of an aspect of their anatomy that they have no control over.
That’s why we took it upon ourselves to reinvent the everyday bra, taking the best parts of an underwired bra and a wire-free bra, to create a hybrid that’s supportive AND comfy.
We’re Problem Solvers
As a company made up almost entirely of women, many of whom are fuller busted, we understand the struggles of having big boobs. We’ve been designing bras for over 15 years and during this time we’ve heard it all, but some of the biggest problems we’re tackling are:
- The rigidity and discomfort of traditional underwire bras. The heavier the bust, the more support it requires, but who says that support has to come from a piece of metal or plastic which can pop out and try to stab you as you’re going about your day.
- Boob changes! We had our start designing nursing bras, so we’re no stranger to these. What so many brands underestimate though is how much your boobs can vary month to month (hello PMS), and over the course of your life. Boob growth during menopause is very much a thing!
- And finally the pièce de résistance, not knowing your actual size! Even if you’ve been professionally fitted, lingerie stores will often size you up in the band and down in the cup to ensure you fit within their size range. This is both unethical, and damaging in the long run as you’ll never find a comfortable bra if you’re squeezing your H cups into a DD, with your underband riding all the way up your back.
Sugar Candy Isn’t Just a Bra, It’s the Solution
When our designer, Katie Brooker, set about addressing these issues it occurred to her that a wire-free bra can be just as supportive as its wired counterparts, it just needs some extra innovation. So here’s how she did it!
Step 1: Ditch the Wire
In order to provide big boobs with the support they require, we created a little something we call the U-Sling. Reinforced with heavy duty powermesh, it mimics the shape and support of an underwire, without any of the discomfort. The platform sling lifts and separates your boobs (monoboob be gone) while the side slings encourage forward projection, to help banish any east-to-west action. Essentially they’re doing everything an underwire would do, without the heavy artillery.
Step 2: Flexi-Fit Sizing
Nobody wants to buy a new bra every time their boobs change sizes, especially if that’s happening over the course of the month. It’s unsustainable for the planet and your wallet! That’s why we ditched the cup and band sizing and went with alpha sizing, aka XS–4XL. Each of our sizes fit multiple cup and band combinations, so that you’re covered every day of the month.
Step 3: Support That Adapts to You
Finding the perfect fit is imperative if you want a comfortable bra, so we use a special type of fabric that can stretch and snap back to its previous shape multiple times a day. We’ve also added extra hooks and eyes on the band, 6 rows of them to be exact! That way you can let the band out if it’s feeling too restrictive, or bring it back in if you need a little extra support. It also increases the lifetime and longevity of the bra, which is another tick in the sustainability box.
Sugar Candy Features
There are many separate entities that work together to make this bra great. We’ve taken some of the components that make a supportive bra work and integrated them with the comfort of a seamless bra. Let’s go into these feats of engineering a little more!
The U-Sling
We’ve already touched on platform and side slings, but since they’re where the magic really happens, they deserve a bit more attention! Both the platform and side slings are reinforced with a high tensile powermesh, to ensure they go the distance wear after wear and wash after wash.
The more you stretch these slings, the more support they have! If you imagine any kind of elasticated material, they have the most amount of give when totally relaxed. Once they’re stretched to their maximum capacity, you’re going to have a hard time stretching them more! Therefore the heavier the boob and the more force that is being placed on the sling, the harder it will work and more supportive it will be.
Heat Moulded Cups
Let’s talk capacity versus coverage. Your average soft cup or seamless bra will give you coverage, but without cups specifically designed for big boobs, they’re going to compress the bust which will lead to the dreaded monoboob and consequential boob sweat and chaffing.
When designing for a fuller bust, additional cup capacity is essential. That’s why our cups are double layered and heat moulded to create that much needed space for your boobs, and prevent them from being squished towards the middle or out towards your armpits. This is great for your shape, skin and overall comfort.
The Straps
Remember the powermesh in the slings? The shoulder straps are another place we want minimal stretch and maximum support. We’ve ditched the elastane and used short stretch straps to help them take the weight of your boobs without digging into your shoulders.
The Framing
There’s no denying that an underwire bra can give amazing shape and support. That’s why we added a reinforced frame where the wire would normally sit. It fits firmly against the body to ensure your bust can’t pop out like it might in a traditional soft cup bra. We all love a bit of tasteful underboob, but only when it’s intentional. We’ve inserted a high tensile elastic in the underband (similar to what’s in the slings) to keep it firm and supportive 24/7.
The Knitting
Our bras are seamlessly knitted in a single tube, then folded at the underband. The neckline and underarm edges are cut away, but don’t worry! We repurpose these offcuts to create the inner slings. Because the tube is knitted directly from the yarn, there’s much less wasted fabric and dye when compared to working out the fabric lay from pattern pieces, like their cut and sew predecessors.
Durability
We’re all told to hand wash our bras, but let’s be honest here. Who actually has the time for that? Our bras are sturdy enough to be chucked into the machine, but don’t forget the wash bag. They’re by no means delicate but your other clothes might be.
So, if you’re a fuller busted gal and are tired of compromising on everything for the sake of your boobs, look no further than Sugar Candy. This bra will offer you everything your favourite wired bra will, but without the enduring discomfort. It’s the wire-free bra that won’t make you compromise.
About the Author
Katie is the mother of two beautiful young girls and has been the Head Designer and Fit Technician for Cake Maternity and Sugar Candy for 12 years now. Her practice combines her bra expertise, passion for functionality and comfort, and her ecological stance on power and waste minimisation.
She set about being a bra designer after her fuller busted sister, who suffered from scoliosis, struggled to find a well-fitting bra that was both comfortable and pretty. She majored in lingerie at Fashion College and sought a 3-year internship at Triumph International to become a specialist bra designer. Since then, she has worked internationally designing for Marks and Spencer, Agent Provocateur, Berlei and Pleasure State.
Due to her firsthand experience becoming a mum, Katie realised that the changes your breasts undergo whilst pregnant, breastfeeding and beyond were not only size-related, but also weight, sensitivity and shape. That’s why she has made it her mission to empower fuller busted women as they navigate the world of lingerie, which heavily favoured smaller busts in the past. She believes that comfort should never be sacrificed in favour of hard wires and rigidity, and through inventive ergonomics, design research and development innovations, your breasts can be supported and healthy whether you’re a D or a J cup. And so the Sugar Candy brand was born.
