Ask The Costume Goddess:

For Large Bustlines

By Dina

Dear Costume Goddess,

I want to make my own bras completely from scratch. I can't easily find bras with my size DD and wonder if you have any suggestions. I tried a D once and ended up falling out! I can't find bra patterns and have tried, so any help you can give would be great!

Your costumes are elegant and an inspiration :)

--Topless Shaheena

Dear Shaheena,

I am unbuttoning my shirt, looking down, and realizing that I may not be the person to be giving out expert advice on the cups-runneth-over dancer's dilemma. Can anyone who speaks from experience help me out here?

I can't stop myself from giving an opinion, and that is to think long and hard before attempting to make your own bra from scratch, even if you are an accomplished seamstress. The bra, especially in larger sizes, is a complicated construction of engineering. (And whalebone is expensive and hard to find these days!) Do not compromise!! It must be perfectly fitting and properly supportive. Don't worry about its plain-jane appearance. You can always cover the bare bones with the most ornate fabric and decorations.

Surely with the internet handy, you can find a manufacturer that produces a suitable bra in your size, even if you have to special-order it. I remember reading of one called the "Minimizer". Has anyone heard of this?
Photo Of Dina Wearing A Vest

I have another suggestion. If you feel the bra is too revealing to dance in, and have some sewing skills, try making an ornate vest to wear over it. The ghawazee vest in this photo is cut low enough to reveal the coins or beading on the cups, but covers the lower edge, and parts of the midriff, sides, back, and possibly upper arms, for more modesty. It could have a row of coins or tassels at the bottom, it could be scalloped or pointed, it could be velvet or metallic brocade. This would be a creative challenge worth your energy and not an effort leading to frustration--which I'm afraid is what would happen if you tried to make your own double-D bra.

--The Costume Goddess

Additional Thoughts

After this question was published, a dancer named Kat responded with these additional thoughts to help Topless Shaheena...

You will need to buy a good supportive bra in DD or even in a DDD. A DDD bra will have more room for embellishment. You will probably have to use heavy material or a medium weight material with interfacing to line the bra on the outside. I have found it helpful to line the inside as well--this makes it strong enough to give adequate support.

You may replace the straps with more colorful ones. I highly suggest using straps that are more than an inch wide, to spread the weight over a larger surface. You may also want to pad them a little or use a colored twill tape for comfort, depending on the weight of your bust.

You will want to cover the whole bra with the material. Then remove the small hooks from the back and replace them with the sturdier pant/skirt hooks in the back. Embelish the bra as you wish.

If you cannot find the right size locally I highly suggest "Sheer Fantasy Lingerie" off of FM West 1960 in Houston. They do offer mail-order. I have had good luck with them and their staff is well trained.

--Kat (alicat13@hotmail.com)

Another response with additional helpful comments:

You can order cup inserts to go in existing bras. They are hard cup forms that will transform even a sports bra into a costume piece. I make sure I get bras with 4 hooks in the back. (Lane Bryant is a wonderful place for large size underwear!) That way I don't have to change out the hooks. I just cover the entire bra, front to back, with the fabric of my choice.

--My Cups Runneth Over (coringray@worldnet.att.net)

Note from Shira: although my usual web site policy is to not recommend specific vendors, I will sometimes do so for products that are very difficult to find. It's extremely difficult to find bras in the extra-large sizes that are suitable as a base for costume construction, so I've made an exception to that rule to bring you two web sites that The Costume Goddess found which sell them:

Other articles on this web site that you may find helpful include:

Ask The Costume Goddess: Making A Coin Bra. Learn how to make a coin bra and how to wear a purchased coin belt.
Ask The Costume Goddess: How To Cover A Bra. Detailed instructions on how to transform a lingerie bra into a costume bra.
Ask the Costume Goddess: Soft-Cup Bras for Costumes? Can you use a soft-cup bra to make your costume?

Ask The Costume Goddess: Getting Coins For A Costume. Find out how to shop for coins to use in making a coin bra/belt set.
Ask The Costume Goddess: Beads Connecting Bra. How can beaded strands be used to connect a bra to a collar?

About The Costume Goddess

For more great advice from the Costume Goddess, access to a photo gallery featuring her wearing some of her own costumes, and to learn about her background, please visit the main menu for Ask The Costume Goddess.

Ask The Costume Goddess:

For Large Bustlines

By Dina

Additional Thoughts

Related Articles

About The Costume Goddess