I was 11 or 12 when I hopped on my black + hot pink Huffy 10-speed and biked to my friend’s to pick up a brown paper bag.
Inside: My first (sports) bra.
Our moms had conspired – because my friend wore a bra first – so I got a hand-me-down… and, was utterly embarrassed to bike home with that bag, certain that everyone knew what was inside. Ladies, if you were born in the late ’70s or early ’80s, you know which sports bra I’m talking about: JCPenny’s basic cotton-with-a-hint-of-spandex racerback that came in black, white, heathered grey and nude. The epitome of fashion! 😉
In the 25 years since… well, things have changed a bit! Today’s sports bras actually fit and have amazing support – as I found at a recent preview of the Title Nine Fit Fest (lucky me got to attend with my of my favorite local bloggers and friends, Hyedi and Jessie).
Bra buyer + bravangelist (a fit specialist), Molly, from Title Nine’s headquarters in California (she was fantastic!), took my measurements (both band and cup) and then brought me several bras to try, including the New Balance deuce bra, the Moving Comfort booby trap bra and the Moving Comfort tech athena bra. They were all super comfortable, but didn’t quite pass the bounce-a-thon hippity hop or jump rope tests (not enough support, not racerback and too high under my armpits, respectively)!
The winner: the New Balance fits-to-a-t bra (the striped turquoise one pictured above right). It features my preferred racerback style, super soft fabric, minimal seams, adjustable straps and is one of my favorite colors. And, most importantly : it fits awesome, too… my boobs definitely won’t be going anywhere during a long run!
Head to Fit Fest
If you’re one of the countless women wearing the wrong size sports bra – the average woman wears a 36C, but most sports bras are made for A and B cups – head to Title Nine’s Fit Fest at the Edina store on June 29 + 30. RVSP here. There are a ton of bras to choose from (as well as some really fun workout clothing!), and a bravangelist will hook you up! Not near a store (find yours here!)? Use the online bra genie or call 800.342.4448 to chat with a bravangelist.
Enter to win a sports bra!
Do you need a new sports bra?! Because one lucky reader will win a Title Nine bra of her choice + a personalized fitting!
To enter, leave a comment below about sports bras! For an additional entry, tweet about the Fit Fest, tagging @TitleNine, #T9FitFest and me @erinklegstad so I know you entered. I’ll pick a winner at random at noon on Wednesday, June 29.
Open to U.S. readers only. If within driving distance of a Title Nine store, winner will be asked to redeem the bra at the closest / preferred retail location. The personalized fitting is either in-store or by phone, depending on location.
With friends + fellow MPLSTP bloggers, Hyedi and Jessie!
The whole crew from preview night with bravangelist, Molly (on far right).
Full disclosure: I received a free sports bra. Views are mine. That said, I only post about products I believe in and use!
33 Comments
I have been looking for somewhere to get a decent sports bra fit for a while now, ever since I had a proper bra fit really. At lululemon the girls weren’t really helpful and in most sports shops you only get men and while I have no problem at all letting them help me they often just don’t understand enough about sports bras either. I have an old Nike favourite but that is riding up during runs too much and my second favourite is the lululemon Energy Bra which I think I may have bought too small actually. The hunt goes on!
I almost went into a title nine this weekend! I’ll have to check them out. Always need a great fitting sports bra!!
I will definitely need to head to Edina soon to check out all the sports bras! Looks like fun.
This is super exciting! I’m always in the market for a new sports bra! I don’t feel like I’ve really ever found the “perfect” one so it sort of feels like a life long journey! Haha 😊
I’ve tried adjustable sports bras in the past, but there’s something about the super-snug, all elastic/spandex, racer-back classic that I can’t let go of! Maybe I need to try more styles!
I should check their website out and see if they have a store in HI too (highly unlikely…).
I still remember the day I was able to get a bra I was so excited because I’m so petite and I just wanted to feel like a woman….
Now I don’t even care about these things but funny how time and age makes you feel so differently about certain things!
I always find it frustrating that anything with a D cup tends to be ugly and like armor. When the band size is little (like 32 or below) D isn’t all that big. I don’t need all that! That being said…there is so much more bounce now that I’m in my mid-30s. Gravity…..sigh.
Oh my gosh. I love Title Nine. Have you read the copy in their catalogs? So good! I’ve been planning a trip to the Edina store, and I’m hoping to get there for the bra fitting event this Wednesday. Here’s hoping I have a healthy kid by then 🙁
I know that cottony JCPenney number! And, remember when Brandi Chastain ripped off her shirt and we ALL had to have that plain black Nike one?
Isnt the light blue striped bra the Moving Comfort Rebound Racer? The logo on the bra is the Moving Comfort logo. Hm. I know someone just bought Moving Comfort. Maybe it was New Balance.
The Rebound Racer has been my hands down fav bra the past two years. I just ordered my 4th! It keeps my 34D girls in place and comfy for all my runs. It’s the best!!
Sports bra shopping is always such a long process….. so many and once I find one I like I buy them in every color
Would love the motivation to go get fitted!
I 100% agree about finding s good sports bra that fits! There’s nothing worse than a long training day in a bra that chafes, doesn’t dry, or causes bouncing. I used to always buy the cheap ones until I got talked into buying a “fancy” sports bra. Totally worth it! Never going back!
Finding a sports bra that doesn’t chafe at the bottom band AND doesn’t make me look like a 12 year old are key!
How did we exercise in those old bras back in the day? I took one from my mom and that’s the only one I had for years. Technology, design and fabrics have changed bras for the better. I hope I win a new bra from Title Nine!
uh its always so hard for me to find a good sports bra! this would be awesome to win
I love Moving Comfort bras. Razor backs are my fave too. I fell like you never have to worry about straps coming down!! 🙂
Oh gosh, those old first sports bras! The white one always turned a gross gray-yellow color. Blech! They were pretty soft though. I definitely wore mine for a few years, which could explain the wretched discoloration. Good luck with all your training and races Erin K!
I tend to wear my sports bras looooooong past when they should really be worn, so I would love to talk to a bravangelist! Looks like a fun event. 🙂
I’ve been thinking I need to get fitted again after having babies! Thanks for sharing the info!
I’m a member of the IBTC so I usually get away with whatever cheap XS version any random sports store has… but as I’m getting a bit older I should be more cognizant of support. Plus the fun colors keep me motivated!
All of my bras are from Target. Need some help for IMWI long runs!
I want one! 🙂 Love the looks of the one you got, sis!
my favorite kind of sports bra is the type that feels like second skin… I recently got a good one from Primal here in Denver, but maybe Title Nine has some winners too.
I swear sports bras are the hardest thing to shop for…and I’m the pickiest person when it comes to them! Will definitely be checking them out online!!
Good news: You’re the lucky sports bra winner, Carrisa! Shoot me an email at sweetsweatlife at gmail dot com with your name, phone and city + state, and I’ll get you all set up. Thanks for entering, and I hope you love your new sports bra! 🙂
I totally want to try one of those Moving Comfort Bras, but I never want to dish out the $$$. I also have started training more with a HR monitor, so I’m always looking for sports bras that work well with my monitor!
It’s funny that you like racerbacks- I find them so hard to get in and out of, especially when I’m sweaty after working out! I have been wearing Moving Comfort sports bras for a while, they are great for controlling bounce.
I honestly have no thought nor opinion about sports bras. I would share this opportunity and gift with a special friend.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/A__Martin/status/748013907344769024
I hate sports bra shopping! I’ve only ever found two bras that can keep my girls down when I run and do things like burpees. I want all the cute bras to work for me, but they just don’t. Maybe I’ll have to check out a title nine store the next time I’m in a row that has one.
I need a new sports bra for working out! I have one that I love, but I’ve worn it so much it needs a break 😉
I wear Target sports bras because they’re cheap, but the bands stretch out after too many washes (side effect of the price). I would love to try out a nice one like a Moving Comfort!
I wear a sports bra more than a regular one..thank you marathon training 🙂