Wearing First Bras from Li’l Barbizon Girl

Some girls look forward to it as they would their first kiss; most however, have mixed feelings about it. Boys on the other hand, are oh so curious about it.

What’s the mystery subject? We’re talking about wearing first bras. I remember my eldest girl who was then 9 years old. She matured quite early and I thought it was the best time to buy her first bra. It was a challenging shopping adventure. There were not many first bras offered for teen girls. Eventually I found one at the Rustans Department store where they offer a lot of imported under garments. I can still remember the giddiness and excitement my daughter faced when I handed her the “training bra”. It was in between a sando and a bra but still she was terribly happy about it. Yes, I believe it is the “Firsts” that mark a milestone in their life. I wished there were pretty first bras then. Today, the young pre-teens are quite lucky.

Rossana Unson, Marketing Manager, mother of a preteen daughter and resident bra expert of Barbizon, the Philippines’ niche leader for high-quality intimate apparel, recognizes the importance of the first bra experience. “This milestone is something that women will remember for the rest of their lives We’re all aware that pre-teens can be sensitive; so choosing the right first bra is an important step in fostering a healthy self image and boosting her confidence,” she says. “For example, if you have a 10 year old who is wearing an ill-fitting plain bra that bunches up or has its straps sliding off; then wouldn’t she feel bad and shy away from the whole bra experience?” Rossana asks.

In its commitment to make the transition of young Filipinas to full-blown womanhood as joyous and as interesting and fun as possible, Barbizon gives the lowdown on the mysteries of the li’l first bra.

Perfect Timing
There’s no fixed time when a girl should buy her first bra, but the right time is when she begins to develop breasts and begins to grow self conscious. For most girls, this happens between the ages of 11 to 13. But Rossana Unson notes that there might be few exceptions. “Of course late and early bloomers top the list; but if your daughter asks you to buy her a bra because ‘all her friends have it,’ its okay to give in since psychologists say that doing this will make your daughter not feel left out or different from her peers.”

Size it Up
Because breast tissue can be tender and delicate while it is growing, proper sizing is crucial for that perfect first bra. Rossana observes: “The first bra is the perfect opportunity to teach young tweens how to choose the correct size so they don’t spend the rest of their lives believing that they’re one size when actually they’re a different size already To do this, Rossana believes that it’s best to enlist the help of a professional lingerie consultant to explain sizing to pre-teens and to let them be more involved in the experience of choosing their own bra. Rossana suggests visiting the Barbizon area in all Robinsons Department Store branches. “Our team is specially trained to make recommendations on pre-teen breast size and body shape to give them a better overall bra fit. With their help, getting sized up is a breeze.”

Style Attack
A teen girl’s first bra should be versatile and comfortable, but it doesn’t need to be a plain white, featureless garment. Because it is a momentous purchase, many girls prefer attractive colors, a bit of lace, or other distinctive features that coincide with their individuality. Rossana issues a gentle reminder though: “Sexy bras and exotic lingerie are generally not appropriate; but fun pretty styles befitting a sweet tweener top our list,” she says. She also suggests a bra with gentle support is a good investment since pre-teens are involved in gym classes and other physical activities where the extra support will definitely be welcome.

Shopping Galore
The initial shopping trip to purchase a first bra may be celebrated as a special occasion, particularly between mother and daughter. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share the mysteries of womanhood. Also, you can take the opportunity to discuss other feminine issues such as menstruation, personal hygiene, and even boys as well as more prosaic issues associated with bras and lingerie, says Rossana.

Despite all the preparation though, finding the right training bra for your little girl can still be a monumental task, with the countless brands available in stores and the various measurement systems among manufacturers. Barbizon believes that the first bra is more than just an article of clothing but a rite of passage to womanhood, they have recently launched Li’l Barbizon Girl, their brand extension which specializes in stylish fashionable intimate wear made especially for young budding Filipinas aged 9 to 13 years old. From non padded to lightly padded bras, Li’l Barbizon Girl bras mark the beginning of a beautiful relationship between your little girl, her bra and Barbizon. For more details, visit a Li’l Barbizon Girl outlet in the Barbizon area at any Landmark, SM Hypermart, or Robinson’s Department Store.

(Source: Materials from Geiser Maclang)