The Guardian Does Not Want You Driving, or Parking
Scene from Today's Pro-Life Protest On Van Ness
Fisher Pulls Museum Out of the Presidio
Why Are You at Work Today?
Sarah Palin Quits
(Now, we know most of you reading this probably never go bra shopping, since most of you are, ummm... well, male. And those of you men who do, probably do it online, so you can skip this post and go on to the next one. Unless you like to buy lingerie for your ladyfriends...)
Let us just say that we HATE the bra-and-underwear sections at most major department stores. The fluorescent lighting, the indifferent sales staff with their cheesy tape measures and prodding fingers, the racks and racks of schlock crammed together, with a few finer brands possibly tucked in between. And don't even tell us that what's-her-name's SECRET is a solution. Ugh. More schlock, overpriced and cheaply made, and the staff there is so young they should be selling lollipops, not lingerie.
That said; our butts and busts need coverage. Our solution: Beauty & Attitude in North Berkeley.
The ceilings are high, the light, flattering, the selection carefully culled from the best of what's available. Familiar favorites like Cosabella, Wacoal, Hanky Panky, Le Mystere, and some we'd never heard of but adored immediately (did you know Elle MacPherson designs bras?).
We, being advocates for everything organic, also appreciate the selection of said-type cotton undies from Blue Canoe and Suisse Organique.
On our first visit to Beauty & Attitude, we were struck by how damn cool the sales staff are. Cool, AND helpful. -- NOT too skinny, too young, too aloof, too FRENCH, too bored... all the things that usually put us off in the intimates sales arena.
We were fitted nicely in bras we might never have tried if we'd tried things on all by ourselves. And we probably tried on a lot less than we would have had to otherwise, since the staff was so good at gauging our size, and understanding our preferences.
There's also a tempting wide array of sleepwear, from comfy to pretty and combinations thereof -- good for gifties for the self or someone else.
And the shop has a surprisingly good selection of nursing bras (for those of us who might be needing one now, or in the near future). In addition to being a fourth-generation purveyor of ladies underthings, the owner is herself a new mom and knows from experience what to stock, and how to train her staff on the subject.
Just in case you are a guy, shopping for your girl, and need some man-timates for yourself, the store carries a few choice pairs for you (Calvin Klein, Hanro).
Be sure to sign up for their mailing list -- postcards with discount coupons tend to follow. Or/and take advantage of their monthly bra fitting party, first Fridays, 4 to 7 p.m. when snacks are offered and bras are 10% off.
Beauty & Attitude
2116 Vine St
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 868-1790
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Image Credit: www.thisnext.com
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Did they give you a free bra for writting this "story"?
Also, is there a demographics page on this site? I'm just wondering how you know it's mostly men reading SFist? I have some lady friends and I think they can read too. I'll have to test them to make sure.
"[G]auging our size"? So they don't measure, or you just didn't get measured?
http://www.gothamistllc.com/mediakit/demos.php
Male readers: 56%
Female: 44%
#1 --
Your use of quotes around "story" is especially uncalled for. No need to "belittle" stories that don't "appeal" to your "special" sensibilities. Or don't you "think" your "literate" lady "friends" would have "some interest" in "reading" about an underwear shop?
Gawd, why are you so threatened by female frilly things?
(and "man-timates" is way funny, Julie)
My husband prefers that I not cover my butt, but he doesn't always get what he wants. I actually like lingerie shopping at Nordstrom downtown. My certified bra fitter is the best and I like their selection. VS is crap, IMO.
Nice "story." LOL. I enjoyed "reading" it.
It was a commercial not a "story".
She also made is sound like women don't read this site. I found that somewhat insulting to the women that do read this site - which I'm guessing is approx 1/2.
Who said anyting about being threatened by frilly things? You took it someplace else all on your own.
Guess what, pretending to be the sensitive guy isn't going to get you laid. Double Sorry!
Hi all --
SFist_Julie here. Would log in properly but the system won't let me. A password problem. You'll have to just trust that this is me...
1) No, I didn't get a free bra. Or a free anything. In fact, as far as I know, they don't know I wrote this review.
2) Re: size -- I came in, said what I thought my size was, we looked at how the first few bras fit, and then the staff made excellent suggestions that fit better.
3) More than half our readers are men. For some reason, I felt like acknowledging that. Seems to have caused a ruckus. Oh well.
4) I really enjoyed my experiences shopping there. If that makes this a commercial, I sure wish someone would pay me. Otherwise, I assume that my report might lead someone else to try the store, and have a similarly positive experience.
Cheers,
Julie
Cowardly, non-registered guest --
Please continue misinterpreting everything. It's somewhat amusing. What you see as a commercial, I see as a nice review of a small local business -- the kind of thing that makes the Bay Area what it is.
Please continue giving me advice on how I may or may not get laid -- it's instructive.
Finally, please keep picking on the pregnant woman who wrote this nice little piece that the rest of the world seemed to enjoy.
I'm a little surprised; you're usually such a good, reasonable commenter . . .
Wll, y'r ll mn s y'r nt gng t rd ths nywy. vn f y r mn nd lk wmn's pnts, thn y'r slf-htng trnny tht's t shmd t by thm t str n prsn s y hv t d t ndr-ntrnt-cvr. Tht s nlss y'r pmp nd y nd sm cln ndrwr fr yr btchs.
F
nc lcl bsnsss...t bd thy dn't dvrts n yr st, nlk th sn htng T-shrt cmpny tht rvls th mrl cmpss f &F.
Wow, Jeremy. You defending a pregnant woman is kinda hot.
Ahh, I knew I'd regret that "you're usually a good commenter" remark.
First comes the disemvowel (thanks for the escalation, I hadn't had a chance to do this for a while); next comes the IP ban, which I'd rather not do.
Love,
SFist Jer
guest was mildly snarky - you picked a fight.
If you can't handle criticism of posts without insulting your commenters, perhaps "internet blogging" is a bad choice of hobbies.
I'm female, read sfist a lot, don't mind the reference to the fact that more men than women read the site, and really appreciated this post. I agree about department store and vs lingerie selection, and am glad to hear about this store.
I also never post, but thought I'd throw down on this one. Take that "guest." (From another guest. Can't be bothered.)
"insulting your commenters..."
but that's the best part!
with the exception of the organic bras, all of the labels mentioned are carried by...Macy's and Nordstrom. No need to travel to Berkeley for this stuff.
And before anyone makes a remark, I've TRIED to register dozens of times. It keeps saying bad password or some other such crap.
Bluecanary
Bluecanary! Totally missed you. Want me to look into the problem with our tech guys? Just email me (contact info on the staff page).
Pete -- I appreciate the criticism, especially from a registered, regular commenter. Obviously I disagree with your assessment. If I get a critique like yours once a year or so, I think that's a pretty good track record and certainly not a "bad choice of hobbies." But, you know, you can have your opinion.
#14 -- thanks much. The silent majority like you are a major part of the community; while we love that people comment regularly, commenters obviously represent a very small percentage of readership. The reminder that non-vocal readers are enjoying our stories is very much appreciated.