Support System: the Blog

I often remind people that the Underwire Camisole is sized like a traditional underwire bra.  Wear a 32C in a regular underwire bra?  You'll wear a 32C in the Underwire Camisole as well. Wear a 38D in a regular underwire bra?  You'll wear a 38D in the Underwire Camisole as well.  

This sounds easy enough, but did you know that estimates suggest that between 70 and 90 percent of women are wearing the wrong bra size?  Think about it - when is the last time you were properly fitted for a bra?  Has your body changed (weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy, etc.) since then? You don' t have to admit how long it's been since you were last fitted for a bra because I'm going to give you some tips on how to find your best fit at-home.

Step 1: Measure Your Band Size

Using a soft measuring tape, measure snugly around your ribcage directly beneath your bust. Measure all the way around your torso. 

Pro-Tip: Don't have a soft measuring tape?  Use a ribbon or piece of string and then measure against a standard 12 inch ruler.

Step 2: Measure Your Bust

Measure around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape comfortably loose.  Be sure to measure all the way around.

Step 3: Calculate Your Cup Size

Subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement. The difference determines your cup size.  Use the chart below to find your best fit: 

Difference Between Bust & Band	Cup Size

1 inch

A

2 inches

B

3 inches

C

4 inches

D

5 inches

DD (E)

6 inches

DDD (F)

7 inches

G

 

Examples:

Band Size

1" Difference

2" Difference

3" Difference

4" Difference

5" Difference

32

32A

32B

32C

32D

32DD

34

34A

34B

34C

34D

34DD

36

36A

36B

36C

36D

36DD

38

38A

38B

38C

38D

38DD

40

40A

40B

40C

40D

40DD

 

So there you have it! Band size measuring a 34 and cup size measuring a 36?  That's 2 inches difference, putting you in a B cup.  We would keep the the 34, making you a 34B. 

It's important to keep in mind - although these numbers can be a starting point, they're only a guide.  What matters most is how your own comfort and how you feel. 

So tell me - were you wearing the right size?  (It's OK, you can admit it). If not... I hope this helps!

XOXO,

Sophia

 

 

As you're probably aware, the Underwire Camisole is PATENTED! What is a patent? It is the exclusive legal rights granted to an inventor by a government.  

Many have asked what the patent process was like.  I can tell you - it wasn't too hard, but it was LONG.  The US government took it's sweet time (think, over a year) to review, and ultimately approve, of my patent. 

Have an idea? Thinking about patenting it? Here are my steps to patent your invention: 

1. Have an idea. Obviously - you can't go anywhere without an idea.
2. Research whether your idea already exists. A patent says that you've created something new.  If you're going to create something new, you need to be sure it doesn't exist already (patented or not patented).
3. Learn the difference between a design and utility patent, and decided which is best for your invention.  A Design patent protects the way something looks.  It means that although your invention might already exist, you're putting a new visual spin on it.  A Utility patent protects the way something works or functions.  Although it might look like something already out there, it serves a new purpose. 
4. Find an Intellectual Patent Attorney (or if you're really confident in your abilities, file yourself). Initially I thought I would file my own patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).  I began reading samples and writing a draft. Although I ended up using an attorney to file, I'm glad I started the process on my own.  This gave me something to show the attorney to help communicate my idea.  Although his version was probably a little more 'professional' than mine, I think mine was a good starting point. 
5. Wait! This is probably the hardest part of filing for a patent - the WAIT!  It took over a year from the time my patent was filed, to the time it was finally approved.  I waited...and waited...and waited.  A note of caution - from what I've heard, the USPTO can take well over a year (or two) to approve a patent, so I would say I got lucky. 

So there you have it! Want to get your own patent someday, this is a quick overview of the steps to expect.  I hope this helps and Happy-Inventing. 

XOXO,

Sophia

I know - at first glance, the Underwire Camisole looks like just another camisole tank-top.  Upon second glance, it might look like just another shelf-bra tank-top.  However, upon third glance and initial pick-up, it's clear the Underwire Camisole is so much more.  

In case it's not clear, allow me to share with you the differences between the Underwire Camisole and a shelf-bra tank-top. 

• The basics: The Underwire Camisole consists of a complete underwire bra, whereas a shelf-bra tank-top consists of an additional thin layer of fabric and an elastic band for support.    
  
• The Underwire Camisole shapes and lifts you up.  A shelf-bra tank-top flattens and does not lift. 
• The Underwire Camisole is padded.  A shelf-bra tank-top is not.
  
• The Underwire Camisole can replace an underwire-bra.  A shelf-bra tank-top cannot.
• The Underwire Camisole is appropriate for going to the office, going out with friends, or running errands.  A shelf-bra tank-top is best for staying home. 
• The Underwire Camisole offers all the support of an underwire bra, combined with the coverage of a camisole tank-top.  A shelf-bra tank-top does not.
  

This is just a quick list of the differences between the Underwire Camisole and a shelf-bra tank-top.  Although they might look similar at first and second glances, upon third glance and initial pickup, it's clear that the Underwire Camisole is so much more. 

P.S.: A personal update on last month's post - I've been back to my surgeon.  He is pleased with how I'm healing, and I am able to breath through my nose for the first time in my life! I can't believe this is what I've been missing!

Happy February! Did you have a nice Valentine's Day? Spend it with a significant other? Girlfriends? A box of chocolate and a movie?  Whatever it looked like, I hope you had a good one. 

February is a short month, which meant there were the same amount of of things to pack in to fewer days.  Reports, inventory, emails - the list goes on. 

To make this month even more complicated, we were hit with SNOW!  No matter what the weather, I will always do my best to get you your orders as soon as I (with some help from the US Postal Service - love them) possibly can.  This meant walking to the Post Office after a recent storm because my car was buried in so much snow it was hardly visible. 

On a personal level, I had nose surgery this month! Yes, you read that correctly - I had nose surgery.  Have you heard of a "Deviated Septum"?  It's OK, neither had I.  The bone in the middle of your nose is your "Septum."  The septum should be straight to allow air to pass through, but mine was "deviated," meaning it was crooked.  As a result, I've never been able to properly breath through my nose.  My Doctor thought it was crazy that I've lived my entire life this way, but it's all I've ever known.  Surgery went well and although I'm still a little sore (and groggy), I'm optimistic about the results to come. 

I'll savor you a photo from surgery, but please enjoy a mid-storm walk to the Post Office to drop off some orders. 

XOXO,

Sophia

 

When you think of the month of February, what do you think of?  Valentine's Day, Red, Pink, Chocolates, hearts, etc. - only the obvious things.

Yes, all of those things probably come to mind when a lingerie employee thinks of the month of February as well, but they're probably thinking of something else: Chaos in the store!

Did you know that late January/early February is the busiest time of year for lingerie brands, stores, and employees?  I didn't, but given the major Holiday, it makes sense. 

But I'm here to tell you a different story.  Valentine's Day and the entire month of February doesn't impact us any more or less than any other time of year.  The Underwire Camisole is meant to be a basic, every day item (not a 'Valentine's Day Special,' per se).  If anything, in the past, the colder months have been slower for sales.  

The whole point of the Underwire Camisole is to be the basic (some might even say 'boring'), plain, simple undergarment you can wear with everything and under anything.  That pink floral bra at the back of your drawer might be cute, but I'm sure it's not quite as versatile. 

Maybe someday we'll offer a pink and red, lace, Valentine's Day special edition of the Underwire Camisole.  For now though, we'll stick with the basics. 

Happy Valentine's day to you and your loved ones. 

XOXO,

Sophia

 

Wowwie! Another year!  It's hard to believe that 2025 is already wrapping up and 2026 is upon us. This was, by far, the best year for Sophy by Sophia, selling the most Underwire Camisoles in a single year yet.  This feels a little like déjà vu - I remember saying this at this time last year.  Fortunately, the trend has continued. 

The end of the year is always a great time for reflection and planning.  Below are a couple things I think about and reflect on at the turn of a New Year, that you can use to reflect on your year as well: 

• In general, how did things go this year? Am I where I wanted to be at this time?  Or further along? Or behind? 
• What worked this year? What did not work this year? 
• Knowing what I know now, is there anything I would have done differently?

I could go on forever, but I've found these three ideas to be the most impactful when evaluating a year - both in business, and in life. 

Finally, one thing I will leave you with - I think it's very important to look back at the end of the year and be proud of how far you've come, but I acknowledge that it's easy to wish you were further along.  A very wise Mentor once told me that you'll always wish you were further along.  You could sell 2,000 Underwire Camisoles in a year and you would wish you had sold 3,000.  You could generate $1 million in sales and you would wish you generated $2 million instead.  Remember - there was a time that you dreamed to be in the position you're in today.  Don't take it for granted and continue to work as hard as you can, but don't forget, it's OK if you need to figure something out tomorrow (or as we can only say on December 31st - it's OK if we need to figure something out next year).

PS: Enjoy the photo from a 'business trip' taken earlier this month.  We have exciting things ahead in 2026 ;)

Cheers to 2026!  

XOXO,

Sophia