So how does it happen? How does a regular middle-aged mum decide to dive head first into a whirlwind venture and change the bra scene for the hip young things of the world?
Picture this: it's a typical day in the life of a multitasking mum as she attempts to juggle work, the extra-curricula activities of three children, fights, laughter, extended family mayhem and all the madness in between. That's where you'll find me, pretending to lead the force! But in the midst of the chaos, there was one pesky thing bugging me like a rogue tag in a shirt. One thing that made me scratch and wriggle. One thing that just didn't sit right... on my body. 'Training Bras'. Yep, you heard it right. Those tiny fashion pieces that promise support but deliver discomfort; that set themselves up to make you feel like your are not yet a fully fledge girl.
Now, I might not be in the tween or teen squad anymore (those youthful days are long gone, folks), but I've had my fair share of uncomfortable foundation bras. As a member of the itty-bitty-titty-committee, and reaching only 150cm (most 12 year olds tower over me), I venture into the youth clothing section all the time. When it comes to foundation bras, crops and bralettes, I've tried them all. I've dabbled in all the styles and flirted with all the brands. I've played detective with fabrics and felt the tickle of every stitch. Adjusting straps, fixing rogue bands. I've done it all. And let me tell you, after this grand fashion adventure, it's crystal clear that none of these options are a fair deal for the younger crowd.
But here's the scoop – while the big kids (grown ups?!) have a heap of variety in the comfortable bra tops arena, our younger companions are stuck with limited options that favour style over comfort. And that just didn’t sit right with me. Literally.
But wait... This story is not all about me. Youth fashion woes – we've all been there, right? So, there's also the tale about my two daughters and their bra top enlightenment. Like many tweens on the verge of puberty, they were all hyped about trying crops under their tops. So, after some begging, I caved and let them dive in. Unfortunately, and as I'd already experienced, they found the underwear tops were a fashion nightmare in disguise! What they thought would make them feel cool and grown up turned out to be torture devices. Yep, about as comfortable as a bra stuffed with ants. So they ditched them. All of them. Shoved, barely worn, to the back of the drawer. It was only a few years later, when my tweens felt like they 'needed' them, did they attempt to find something more comfortable.
There I was, fuelled by a passion for comfort and a hefty-dose of middle-aged spirit. I took matters into my own hands and hatched an underwear brand specifically for tweens and teens. But not just any brand! I wanted to take this to the next level and find sustainable material and sustainable packaging and work with people in a country where they valued safe and positive working conditions. I wanted to created timeless styles that did not follow fast-fashion and did not disappear into the back of you drawer as your body quickly changed shaped and developed. Armed with a new pair of scissors, some organic material and a ton of grit, I set out to craft a bra that was comfy, chic, eco-friendly, and fun! There were there many disasters as my sewing skills were put to the test and failed fairly miserably. So I leaned on the people with the skills to bring my ideas to life.
And so, my journey from mum to tween/teen bra-maker kicked off! From hunting down eco-fabrics to nailing the perfect fit, to dreaming up eco-friendly packaging, to finally finding the perfect manufacturer who valued my mission. Every step has been a labour of love.
To all the tweens and teens tired of crops and foundation bras that cramp your style; that make you itch and restrict your chest... To all the parents and guardians who have spent hours finding something the their child will be comfortable wearing and refuse to settle for less... Fret not! Relief is on the way. Maybe one day, all young people will be able to strut their stuff in underwear tops that make them feel like the unstoppable forces of nature they are. Until then, I'll be here, dreaming up of a cozier, more eco-friendly future – one bra top at a time.
Note: *My homegrown, little rebels refuse to be talent for MeBeBodee but it's now the only brand of bra top and shorts they wear. So this company has been a challenge worth pursuing in our household! I hope it can bring some peace to other families too xx*
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