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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 🙂
Using a tape measure, measure directly under your bust around your ribcage (Kayla measured 30.5″)
Add 3″ – 4″ to get to an even number (We added 3.5″)
This number is your BAND size (So, Kayla is a 34″ band)
Now measure across the widest part of your bust (Kayla measured 35″)
Subtract your underbust measurement (30.5″) from your band measurement (35″) to get the difference (Kayla’s difference is 4.5″)
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.)
If you had an issue ordering from us in the last month or two, we’ve fixed a bunch of stuff, so please come back and try again. (This line was at the bottom of this post, but I’m told not a lot of people read past the first paragraph and it took me a long time to get to the point. So that’s the point. Now without further ado, I present the Great Ramble…)
I haven’t used an alarm clock to wake up for work in 5 years. (Although, I do have a 4-legged, furry alarm who makes sure I don’t sleep in too late.)
I have the freedom to make my own hours.
I don’t have to worry about mean bosses or annoying co-workers.
On a daily basis I have the freedom to work on whatever strikes my fancy or not to work at all.
My Alarm Clock
Being a small business owner sucks!!
Technology drives more of my business decisions than fashion or ethics.
Even when I’m “off” I’m thinking about business.
It gets lonely working on my own from home all the time.
There is enormous financial stress that comes with working for yourself.
Taking vacations together with my partner is such a challenge that we rarely bother.
Earth Creation’s Madeira Top
By now you may be wondering, what is she talking about?? Good question. (Brevity has never been one of my strong suits.)
In March we had a lot of frustrated customers calling us with odd errors we’d never seen or heard of before. The most common one was not being able to choose a size because the dropdown menu wouldn’t drop down. We had our worst sales month in 8 years… And nothing had changed on the website!
After much pulling of hair, I discovered that our PHP version (the software backbone that the code runs on top of, if you will), had been automatically upgraded by our hosting company. Our “old” code wasn’t completely compatible with our “new” software version.
I’m very happy to say that we now have the main issues fixed. We also have Paypal back up as a payment option. But if you’re still having problems, please let us know including what browser and operating system you’re using so we can trouble shoot.
Of course, what this actually means is:
A bunch of money went into paying developers instead of buying organic clothing.
A bunch of time went into fixing bugs instead of adding features.
A bunch of mental energy went into understanding technology instead of writing coherent, interesting blog posts… And here we are.
Since you made it all the way down here, I’m going to give you two treats.
1. A discount code. We usually only share our discount codes with newsletter subscribers, but this month all of our blog readers get it too. Take 15% off on all Earth Creations clothing. Use code: ECforEarthDay – expires on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2018.
2. A “hint.” Every year we have a big Anniversary Sale in July. This is the ONLY time all year that our organic bras go on sale. This year, Glen and I are going on vacation. For REALSIES! In order to go together, we are CLOSING for two weeks from Friday, June 22 – Sunday, July 8, 2018 (no shipments, no e-mail, no phone.) So we’ll be having a big combined Vacation – Anniversary sale from June 22-July 8 as a thank you for being patient with shipping. So mark your calendars! And in the meantime, pick up a new Earth Creation’s top – they’re on sale right now!
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.
In 2005 two full tanks of propane oil spilled out into Mary’s basement due to a faulty valve. The entire house became a toxic oil spill. After two months of attempting to clean up the spill while still living in the house, Mary and her husband gave up and abandoned their home. Unfortunately, they had stayed longer than was prudent, and Mary’s slight chemical sensitivities turned acute.
Mary became allergic to almost every finishing agent, dye, pesticide and petroleum-based product in clothing. She would get paralyzing weakness and severe asthma-like reactions to most garments along with skin rashes and shortness of breath. She started a desperate search to find clothing that didn’t make her sick. She found one company that made 100% organic cotton men’s lounge pants with drawstring waistbands and plain organic cotton t-shirts that she didn’t react to and bought dozens of them. She found she could tolerate organically grown wool that had been processed without chemicals. With a deep love of animals, she was cautious to buy only hand sheared wool from pasture-raised sheep in Ireland. And for the next 8 years, she wore only men’s lounge pants, t-shirts and Irish wool sweaters.
The Allergen-Free Side-Tie Bra offers relief from skin rashes and other sensitivities.
In 2013 she lamented to a friend that what she missed the most was wearing a bra. As an older woman, she was uncomfortable going out without one, especially in summer. However, she couldn’t tolerate them at all and hadn’t been able to wear one in years. Her husband stepped in and did some internet searches for her, and he stumbled upon FaeriesDance.com. He bought her the Allergen-Free Side-Tie Bra.
When it arrived, Mary tried it on, and for the first time in many years, she was not only able to tolerate a bra, but also found it downright comfortable. While it wasn’t the most supportive bra she’d ever worn, she was absolutely thrilled to be able to wear a bra when going out in public and felt feminine for the first time in ages.
At 100% Organic Cotton with no latex or spandex, Mary was so thrilled with the Button Tunic she had us special order one in every color.
Excited and empowered, Mary called Faerie’s Dance to find out if we could help her with other clothing (and to buy a bunch more bras). After listening carefully to her list of allergies, we recommend a number of beautiful, feminine fashions. She purchased the first few tops manufactured by Indigenous Designs with both trepidation and hope. Every single piece worked! She called again and together we started working on getting her some skirts, and then cardigans, dresses, jackets and finally pants. She literally had no wardrobe at all, so she made a monthly budget and picked up a few new pieces every month.
Since 2013, Mary has not only become a consistent customer, but a friend as well, telling stories of her frog pond, her pets and her life in general. She starts every phone call with what she’s wearing. She picked up the Alba Padded Underwire Bra, and while it does have a touch of spandex in it, she is able to wear it for a few hours at a time for special occasions. She called excited one day to say that when she put on the Alba bra with her Sunny Day Dress, her husband actually did a double take, “checking her out” for the first time in years.
The cheerful Sunny Day Dress
Today Mary says eco-fashion has saved her life. She feels beautiful, comfortable and feminine in her clothes (though she’s too shy to let us post her picture). She’s more comfortable in public and able to dress appropriately for any season. She doesn’t have a single pair of baggy men’s lounge pants left in her closet! When asked after all this time what her very favorite purchase was, she goes back to that original Cottonique bra. She has half a dozen now and wears them every day.
When I started Faerie’s Dance, my focus was on the environmental side of eco-fashion. I quickly learned about the social justice benefits as well. But I was wholly unaware of the many allergy sufferers who were literally getting sick from their clothing. It’s such an honor to help people like Mary find clean, sustainable, fairly traded fashion.
Organic Cotton bras are the most popular selling item on FaeriesDance.com, and for good reason. We carry the largest selection of organic cotton, natural fiber and eco-friendly bras in the USA! We do it by sourcing most of our bras from Europe. Amazing companies like Swegmark of Sweden, Peau-Ethique and Do You Green from France and our newest addition Comazo|Earth (maker of the Yvonne Bra shown left) in Germany are making natural, organic, fair trade bras far superior to anything we can get in the USA. And even our best-selling USA-made brand, Blue Canoe, gets their GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric from overseas. Like our in-house brand, Green Tree Organic, Blue Canoe designs, patterns, cuts and sews in the USA from imported fabric.
What that means, is that your modest organic cotton bra price is affected by global economics. Unfortunately, while the stock market may be skyrocketing, the dollar is not. The dollar just reached a 3-year low against the Euro.
The Price of the Euro Rose Steadily Throughout 2017.Blue Canoe’s Cami Bra
As a rule, we try to price European goods at a 2-year running average so the price of the bras don’t change for our customers every single time we restock. But the cost has just kept going up and up. Since customs fees are paid on the converted price of goods, higher Euro prices also mean higher customs fees.
The bottom line is that many of our bra prices will be going up soon. As a courtesy, we’re going to keep prices steady until Valentine’s Day since most styles and sizes will be restocked before then. That means right now, you can get Blue Canoe bras at 15-20% off their website prices! For example, the Blue Canoe Cami Bra (shown right) currently retails for $47. It will be available for the bargain price of just $40 on FaeriesDance.com until February 14, 2018. Come February 15th, the Cami Bra will be $42 and most other bras will be going up $1-4 per bra. So definitely stock up now if you can.
Thank you for your continued support. Wishing you a Safe, Health and very Happy New Year!
