Giveaway: Win a Supportive Organic Cotton Bra! – ENDED

The days of flimsy organic bras are over. FaeriesDance.com has some of the world’s most supportive, wireless, organic cotton bras. And if you love a particular style of bra from a certain secretive brand name, we have you covered as well with a fully organic, underwire padded bra – even the internal padding is cotton, not polyester foam! Best of all, we’re giving away one of these amazing bras to one lucky winner!

About the Bras

Swegmark of Sweden’s Full Support Organic Cotton Bras

Swegmark of Sweden has been making bras for more than 80 years. They know how to make ultra-comfortable, full support bras with wide shoulder straps to avoid digging. Now they also focus on sustainability, using Fair Trade and GOTS certified organic cotton to make these gorgeous and practical bras just that much better. Sizes range from 34B to 46DDD. The hardest part of this giveaway will be deciding which one to pick!

Love Nature’s Organic Padded Underwire Bra

If wirefree is not your cup of tea, try the Alba Padded Underwire Bra (shown below on the right below). The outer material is certified organic cotton, with a light, cotton-batting padding inside the cups. Completely free of polyester foam, weird smells and off-gassing. This bra is not only amazing in its fit, feel and shaping, but it’s also a world exclusive to FaeriesDance.com. That’s right, you can’t get this beauty anywhere else! Sizes run 32B – 36C, with the cups being quite generous. Some D cups may find this works for them.

How to Enter

For the first entry, simply fill in the form below and leave a comment on our blog telling us which bra you like the best. For more free entries, follow us on Instagram, tag us on twitter or visit our Facebook page!

Bonus Coupon

As a discount house, we sell most of our products below suggested retail price, every single day. That’s because we want to make ethical, sustainably made clothing available to as many people as possible. We understand that organics can be expensive, but hope each person will learn to buy less and buy better.

That said, we’re offering an exclusive deal for giveaway participants. Our bras normally ONLY go on sale once a year in July for our annual anniversary. Bras don’t even go on sale for black Friday! BUT enter to win our contest, and we’ll send you a one-time use 10% off coupon for anything in the store to help you get started.

New to Faerie’s Dance?

We’re a small, but persistent company that’s been around since 2005! For 17 years, we’ve been offering ethically sourced, sustainably made clothing at reasonable prices. We specialize in hard-to-find items like organic cotton bras and formal bamboo gowns. Feel free to find out more about us.


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Breastfeeding Hacks for First Time Moms

Women demonstrating breastfeeding hacks

Breastfeeding is a natural part of motherhood, where you and your baby will create a bonding journey together. It can both be stressful and exciting, especially for first-time moms. You may be confused about where to start and the possible problems you might encounter. At the same time, you are looking forward to that bonding experience you may have with your baby. You are not alone because almost all mothers go through these conflicting feelings.

Every breastfeeding experience is unique, but an efficient way to handle your worries is to be prepared. We compiled some of the best breastfeeding hacks to help you get through your breastfeeding experience.

1. Choose a breast pump based on your needs.

Choose a breast pump that best fits your needs and lifestyle. Read on customer reviews, brand reputation, and warranty. You can also check if parts and accessories are BPA-free. Toxic chemicals, such as BPA are associated with possible health effects. BPA has been linked to reproductive, neurological, and immunity problems, especially in infants and children.

Consider if the pump is easy to use, portable and adjustable. You can look into brands like Ameda Mya, Medela, and more.

You may also want to consider the Haakaa manual breast pump that uses natural suction to catch your milk. It doesn’t need batteries, and you don’t need to plug it in. Simply attach it to your breast, and it catches the milk into its container. It’s perfect for when you’re nursing your baby on one breast, and you’re leaking on the other.

2. Prepare a breastfeeding area or a breastfeeding kit.

Instead of running around looking for things while your baby is hungry or crying, it’s best to have a space where you already have all your breastfeeding essentials. You can also choose to have a box or a basket with all your essentials ready to go. Here are a few things you can prepare in your breastfeeding station or kit:

  • Washable cloth baby wipes
  • Reusable nursing pads
  • Burp cloth
  • Water bottles
  • Snacks
  • Ice pack
  • Nipple cream
  • Nipple shields
  • Breast pump
  • Breastfeeding pillow

3. Get an ethically-made organic nursing bra.

You don’t just want to look at style and comfort in choosing a nursing bra. You also have to consider the material used to help determine its sustainability and durability. As you consider your options, look for non-toxic fabrics made under sustainable and ethical conditions. An ethically made, organic cotton bra is a good example.

4. Keep hydrated and well-nourished.

As you give your baby nourishment, you need to be healthy too. What you eat and drink will affect your breastmilk supply, your energy, and your baby’s health. It is recommended you drink 16 cups of water per day. Load up on superfoods perfect for lactating moms, such as organic brown rice, spinach, salmon, sardines, legumes, beans, oats, and more.

5. Ask for support or take a breastfeeding course.

Sometimes a part of motherhood is the feeling of being supported and encouraged. Reaching out for help is okay and even necessary at times. Instead of trying to learn everything on your own, ask for guidance or look into a breastfeeding course. It can help you address your situation better. Reaching out to a lactation consultant may also be a good idea, especially on health-related concerns such as mastitis and thrush.

As you go through your breastfeeding journey, keep in mind that it’s a learning process. It may take a lot of trial and error until you figure out what works for you and your baby.


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Finding Your Perfect Organic Bra – Allergen-Free Bras

We’re back from vacation and ready to continue our 10-part organic and natural fiber bra series.

Today we’re discussing a specialty line of Allergen-Free Bras that are 100% organic cotton, spandex-free, latex-free, dye-free, and chemical-free. These bras have been medically tested to reduce rashes and inflammation caused by eczema and dermatitis.  There are several different styles to fit a variety of body shapes while still providing light support, modesty and most importantly, rash-free comfort.

Of the ones we show in the video, the Side-Tie version runs a little larger than the Front Close version in the same size.  We’ve had several customers tell us this as well.  While the Side-Tie doesn’t fit Kayla well since we don’t have the correct size for her, it’s actually a very popular style for women with C cups and above as it provides a little more coverage than any of the other Allergen-Free bras.

Here are the specific bras mentioned:
Allergen-Free Slimfit Bra (4-7)
Allergen-Free Side-Tie Bra (34B-42DD)
Allergen-Free Front Close Bra (34B-38C)
Allergen-Free QUEEN Front Close Bra (40C-44D)
All Cotton Bra Liner (sizes 5-10)

If you do have allergies or skin sensitivities, feel free to contact Dr. Luhrs to discuss treatments as well as wellness plans at MoonCycleMedicine.org

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Finding Your Perfect Organic Bra – Padded Underwire Bras

Want to know more about organic cotton and natural fiber bras? In this video series, we discuss bra sizing and fit, different bra styles and what features to look for in a natural fiber or fully organic cotton bra.

Today we’re discussing Padded Underwire Bras.  Underwire bras overall tend to give you more support than no wire bras.  Although, the no wire bras from Swegmark of Sweden come very close.  (Swegmark has the most supportive no wire bras we’ve ever found, and you can see one of them in action in our very first video – Finding Your Perfect Organic Bra – No Wire Support Bras.)

Some of things to consider when picking up a Padded Underwire Bra is the bra shape – demi versus full coverage; the bra seaming – vertical, horizontal or seamless; and padding material – polyester foam versus cotton foam.  Many non-organic bras also come with varying padding thickness.  However, we have not found that to be the case in organic padded bras.  All of the padded bras we carry have light, i.e. fairly thin padding designed for modesty rather than volume enhancement.

Since this is our first discussion of bras with underwire, we definitely want to address the myth that underwires give you cancer.  To be clear, underwire bras do not increase your risk of breast cancer.  Here are some links to checkout that address the underwire bra cancer myth:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-underwire-bras-cause-cancer/
http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/no_evidence
https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/breast-cancer-awareness-8-myths-debunked/

If you want to reduce your breast cancer risk, here is a comprehensive list of items that are known to increase your risk:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470

Here are the specific bras mentioned:
Lisa Padded Demi Bra (32A – 36C)
Alicia Padded Underwire Bra (34B – 42D)
Alba Padded Underwire Bra (32B – 36C)

You can get whole life wellness information from community nonprofit Moon Cycle Medicine, Inc.

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Finding Your Perfect Organic Bra – No Wire Padded Bras

Want to know more about organic cotton and natural fiber bras? In this 10-part video series, we discuss bra sizing and fit, different bra styles and what features to look for in a natural fiber or fully organic cotton bra.

Episode 5 looks at No Wire Bras with modesty padding. No Wire Padded Bras are our most requested bra style. They are the hardest bras to find in organic and natural fabrics, but we do have a few gems.  There are basically two types of No Wire Padded Bras, those with integrated padding sewn directly into the cups, and those with removable pads that sit inside “pockets” sewn into the bra.  The integrated padding kind tend to have better shaping while the removable padded kind are a bit more versatile, allowing you to wear the bra without the pads when they aren’t needed.  This is a particularly nice weekday/weekend bra option.

Unfortunately all of the No Wire Padded Bras we carry have either nylon or polyester foam as their inside padding.  We’ve actually discussed this back in 2014 in the post, The Elusive No Wire Padded Bra.  While we have found more options in the No Wire Padded category, the basic premise of that post, bras can have eco-padding and underwire or conventional padding and no wire, remains true today.

The specific bras mentioned in this video are:
Yvonne Wireless Padded bra in organic cotton (32A – 38C) Kayla is wearing a 34B
Body No Wire Padded Bra in pine tree fabric (32A – 36C) Kayla is wearing a 34C
Adjustable Soft Bra in bamboo (S-L) Kayla is wearing a M
Laura’s Bra in bamboo, mentioned in the video as a smaller, sleeker option to the Adjustable Soft Bra, still with removable pads

You can get also whole life wellness information from community nonprofit Moon Cycle Medicine.

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Finding Your Perfect Organic Bra – Triangle Bras

Want to know more about organic cotton and natural fiber bras and which styles might work best for you? Join us for our 10-week long organic bra video series.

This week we’re covering Triangle Bras. Triangle Bras are very lightweight, minimal coverage bras without a lot of support. They are generally sized as S, M, L instead of 34B, 36B and are best fit for cup sizes AA – C. Triangles are definitely not for everyone. These bras work well for women who prefer not to wear a bra, but may require one for modesty. They are so lightweight and comfortable, you may forget you’re wearing a triangle bra at all. But don’t expect a lot of shaping or push up. These cute little “slip of a bra” triangle styles are just for covering your natural shape, not changing or enhancing it any way.

When choosing a triangle bra, find one that looks pretty to you. A touch of lace or detail that speaks to you will enhance your enjoyment of this simple style.

Bras highlighted in this video:
Avignon Triangle Bra (XS – L) Kayla is wearing a M
Triangle Bra with Lace (M – L) Kayla is wearing a M
Brigitte Triangle Bra (S-L) Kayla is wearing a M
Amour Triangle Bra (only S left) shown on hangar

We discussed bamboo fabric a little.  Several years back we wrote a piece on Tencel, Rayon and Bamboo that you might find interesting.  For more eco-fabric information, checkout our Most Eco-Friendly Fabric roundup.

You can also get whole life wellness information from community nonprofit Moon Cycle Medicine, Inc.

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Finding Your Perfect Organic Bra – Cami Bras

Want to know more about organic cotton and natural fiber bras and which styles might work best for you?  Join us for our 10-week long organic bra video series.

Today’s episode focuses on Cami Bras.  Cami Bras are a subset of the “Bralette” family. They are always sized as S, M, L instead of 34B, 36B, etc. and they pull-on over the head as opposed to having back closures. It’s a very simple style that tends to be flattering for A-D cups.  Because they are easy to make, a lot of clothing companies that don’t specialize in bras make them.  So you need to watch out for sizing!  Cami Bra Tops, also sometimes referred to as Yoga Bras, tend to come in a wide variety of colors and prints, which definitely adds to the fun of this particular style.

Bras highlighted in this video:
Soy Lace Cami Bra (XS – 2XL) This one runs small, Kayla is wearing an L.
Grace Bra Top (S – L) This one runs large, Kayla is wearing a S.
Cami Bra Top (S-L) This one runs true-to-size, Kayla is wearing a M.
Eve Panty – the panties that match the Grace Bra Top.
Sri Yantra Yoga Bra (only L left), orange bra shown on hanger.

You can also get whole life wellness information from community nonprofit Moon Cycle Medicine, Inc.

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Finding Your Perfect Organic Bralette

Want to know more about organic cotton and natural fiber bras and which styles might work best for you?  This second episode of our bra video series, discusses easy-wear, natural fiber “bralettes.”  I forgot to mention in the video, but bralettes are generally sized S, M, L instead of 34B, 36C, etc.  We do our best to convert the sizes so you have the numbered size equivalent in the product description.  We measured Kayla last time as a 34B, which in most bralettes will be a medium.

Bras highlighted in this video:
Ballerina Bralette (XS – 2XL) This one runs large, Kayla is wearing an XS
Tokyo Bralette (S – L) Kayla is wearing a M
Jen’s Bra (S-XL) Kayla is wearing a M
Soy Lace Bralette (XS-XL), shown on hanger
BC Bralette (S-XL) shown on hanger

The Ballerina Bralette is made from hemp, which we’ve determined is the most eco-friendly fabric.

You can get whole life wellness information from community nonprofit Moon Cycle Medicine, Inc.

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Finding Your Perfect Organic Bra – No Wire Support Bras

For years I’ve been meaning to put together a video series on organic and natural fiber bras.  Camera shyness, more than procrastination, has delayed it.  The series was originally envisioned as showing some bras on hangers and going over the different types of bras, sizing, best fit, fabrics, features, etc.  Well, thanks to Dr. Kayla Luhrs of Moon Cycle Medicine, this is finally happening!  Kayla offered to act as a model for the series, and since I didn’t have to do it on my own, the camera seemed less intimidating.

We’ve mapped out a series of 10 different videos, which we will launch once per week both here and on our (as yet underutilized) YouTube channel.  Each one will highlight one specific bra style and provide tips for things to look for when deciding on an organic or natural fiber bra purchase.

Our first episode covers No Wire Support Bras and our tip shows you how to measuring yourself to determine your approximate bra size.  This was our first one, so hopefully they’ll get better over time. 🙂

Bras highlighted in this video:

  1. Eternelle No Wire Bra
  2. Alba No Wire Support Bra
  3. Infinite Full Coverage Bra

Our sizing Tip:

  1. Using a tape measure, measure directly under your bust around your ribcage (Kayla measured 30.5″)
  2. Add 3″ – 4″ to get to an even number (We added 3.5″)
  3. This number is your BAND size (So, Kayla is a 34″ band)
  4. Now measure across the widest part of your bust (Kayla measured 35″)
  5. Subtract your underbust measurement (30.5″) from your band measurement (35″) to get the difference (Kayla’s difference is 4.5″)
  6. Now lookup that number on the list below to get your approximate CUP size.  Since many manufacturers size their cups differently, this is only approximate, but should get you started near the right size. (In our example, Kayla measures a 34B.)
    • 2-3″ difference = AA cup
    • 3-4″ difference = A cup
    • 4-5″ difference = B cup
    • 5-6″ difference = C cup
    • 6-7″ difference = D cup
    • 7-8″ difference = DD cup
    • 8-9″ difference = DDD cup

Thank you for watching!

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Wearing Organic Bras is Part of My Self-Care – A customer spotlight story

Organic Cotton Womens Moon Top
Kayla couldn’t resist the Moon Phases Ballet Top

After 8 years of university, Kayla finally completed her M.D. in family medicine and started working at a major hospital in 2012.  She was excited to meet and help patients.  Unfortunately, the US health-care system is focused more on profit than on care, and within a few years, Kayla was burnt out and discouraged.  Often with just 15 minutes scheduled per patient, she was not making the deep connections and serving the community in the way she had hoped to.  She finally realized that to provide the type of care she wanted to give, she would need to start her own non-profit clinic.  She spent another 2 years getting formally trained in Ayurvedic medicine.  Armed with both science-based and holistic health training, she manifested Moon Cycle Medicine, Inc. from a dream into reality in 2017.

A fun selfie sporting the English Bay Polo

Kayla and I met through a women’s networking group, Women Entrepreneurs of Portland (WE PDX) that I cofounded with a realtor friend. She was so excited to find a reliable source for organic cotton intimates!  She and her mom have become regular customers, and I have joined the board of her non-profit.  Unlike Ann from our last customer spotlight story, Kayla has no known allergies or skin rashes.  This led me to ask her at a meeting recently why she wore organic cotton intimates.  She responded, “Wearing organic cotton bras and panties is part of my self-care.  I get peace of mind knowing there are no chemicals on my intimate areas.”

She also told me she occasionally prescribes organic intimates to her patients. “I had a patient who had a severe rash in her private area.  I prescribed her organic cotton underwear along with more conventional creams and antibiotics.  When she came back for her follow-up, she had gotten all the conventional items, but still hadn’t purchased the underwear.  I had to explain, that the organic underwear was the most important prescription I’d given her and sent her off to go find some.”

Kayla’s secret? She’s rocking the Alba Padded Underwire Bra beneath those eco-fashion tops.

Kayla appreciates that FaeriesDance.com gives her a specific place to recommend patients to.  “It’s easier for my patients to follow my guidance if I know where to refer them.”

With so much synergy between our respective businesses, Kayla and I will be working on a few joint projects over the spring and summer.  She’s going to be offering a free workshop on breast cancer awareness at our warehouse and we’re also collaborating on a series of bra videos that have been on my to do list for several years.

As I mentioned in my last customer spotlight, my personal motivation for starting Faerie’s Dance was wholly environmental.  Twelve years into the business, I have to agree with Kayla that wearing organic clothing, and intimates in particular, is part of my self-care.  I just hadn’t thought of it in those terms.  Wearing lacy soy panties, or a sensuous pine-tree bra feels luxurious to me.  It’s become part of my everyday armor.

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