Tuesday 14 October 2014

On brands, big boobs and Bravissimo

Just over a year ago I wrote a post declaiming sponsored content on blogs: "I'll never monetise my blog!" said I.

You can see where this is going, can't you?

When I wrote that post, I wrote it aware that there are very few brands whom I respect and trust enough that I'd want to spend time writing about them. I sort of assumed that, as I'd never get the chance to work with those brands and as my blog at the time didn't really lend itself to sponsored content, I'd get away with making grand statements and sticking to them.

And then things changed.

My blog has evolved a lot in the past year. I've started writing about clothes and posting what I wear, and continued to talk about what its like to be fat and into fashion. And what I wear is hugely influenced by one simple fact: I have massive boobs. As a result, bra retailer for the bigger-boobed, Bravissimo, is one of those rare brands for whom I feel a genuine love.

So, let's first talk about my boobs. These aren't some double Ds that can be squeezed into a bra from the supermarket. My HH cups are not merely big but ridiculously, comically massive. Boobs that requires some solid engineering to keep them in place. Boobs that are capable of wiping out a table of drinks at a single swoop. Boobs that have given me a split lip or a black eye on more than one occasion (see the above cartoon: it's so true).

Despite there being, in the media and society at large, a fetishization of big boobs, the reality of extremely large breasts is a life of discomfort and pain.  Bras are really not the most comfortable things for anyone, what with wires digging into armpit and sternum, but when the bra is holding up 10 kilograms of flesh you're talking about gouges worn into your shoulders and permanent lower back pain. 

Most difficult for me, particularly when I was a teenager and new to the whole boob-having thing, was the complete lack of attractive, fun or sexy underwear. M&S were generally the only place that did size DD+, but even then most of the bras came only in granny beige or practical white cotton. Their sizing wasn't suitable for extremely big-boobed women, either, as it operated on the notion that simply scaling up a small size bra would be enough (spoiler - it's not). As a result, my bras were universally ill-fitting, ugly, uncomfortable and unflattering.


Therefore, when Bravissimo arrived on the UK retail scene it gave me and a legion of other big-boobed women hope. More importantly, it gave us beautiful bras. Finally, my HH cups could choose from pretty floral options, fun and funky printed plunge bras, sexy balconettes, and more. I've been a massive supporter of the company from the beginning: a loyal customer not just because I can't get bras my size anywhere else, but because I truly respect and appreciate the brand. 

So that's why, when I heard Bravissimo were opening a Leicester store and offered me the chance to visit, I jumped at it. 

Now, if you're a long-time reader or one of many who wholeheartedly endorsed my previous 'No sponsored content' stance, you might be feeling pretty disappointed in me right now, and that's fair enough. You might think that I'm selling myself out for a free bra, which is also fair enough. Others may believe that I don't owe anyone an explanation, but I think I do. This little blog might not have thousands of followers, but I'm very grateful to the few hundred who do read regularly and take the time to comment.

In the original post I recognised a difference between doing any and all sponsored content that's offered and writing about products that tied in naturally with the blog's usual content, and I believe the latter is true in this case. I write about my size, and therefore my boobs, frequently. I've also written about Bravissimo before; it's inevitable when they're the only brand of lingerie I buy. That's why, when I was offered the chance of working with the brand, I agreed.

At the moment I'm not wearing anything more than my pyjamas, as I'm suffering from a chest infection, which is stopping me from getting dressed let alone trying on my fancy new underwear to write about it. But when I'm better, and I write my review, I hope you'll understand why I made the choice I did.  

22 comments:

  1. What gets me sometimes about sponsored content is the neglect to mention that it is sponsored/free etc, but ultimately, within the context outlined above, I don't really have an issue with it unless it becomes what you live to blog for. I think the way that blogging has evolved is kinda cool, really. Imagine if you got free stuff just for telling your friends at school about something that you like, something you probably would have done anyway even if the stuff wasn't free! I like to tell people about offers or events or companies that I like or have enjoyed. I think it's helpful and if someone you respect the opinion of is telling you that something is pretty good, I'd rather trust that over 100 random reviewers. So count me as one reader who is entirely not disappointed - to be honest, it would be worse if you'd said "Well, so-and-so approached me and even though I really really genuinely love their stuff and am pretty chuffed, I won't review/accept out of principle." Things change, blogs evolve and girls need bras. S'fine by me.

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    1. Thanks for this :) I especially love, "things change, blogs evolve and girls need bras"! Too true.

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  2. I agree with Flitterbee - I know exactly where you were coming from with your post last year but I can't see anything wrong with sponsored content when it's something you use and/or believe in anyway! Go for it! :-) xx

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  3. I don't see anything wrong with sponsored content as long as it's relevant and honest - I've turned down a lot of freebies and I've accepted (I think) two both of which I genuinely wanted to try (I mean, one of them was cake!). I give free publicity to brands who haven't asked for it fairly regularly so I don't have a problem giving the odd bit of publicity to a brand which has taken the time to approach me.

    That said, I do dislike all the blogs which have become nothing but advertising and I dislike all the newbie blogs which are clearly being written in the hopes of getting loads of freebies. But that's because I, personally, come to blogs to read about people's lives and personalities; I recognise that there are people out there who use blogs as review sites for fashion and make up and aren't too bothered who's writing them.

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    1. I came here to say pretty much exactly this. So thanks Sarah ;)

      I definitely think it's fine to have the odd sponsored, relevant blog post - that's how I work things and I think it makes for a nicer blog read. Ditto disclosing stuff. I can't imagine you ever being the kind of person who wouldn't clearly disclose a 'freebie' but I can't stand it when bloggers don't own up to obvious review items. Big turn off.

      Also, you have my warmest sympathies on the boob problem - mine are pretty average sized (I'm just over the cusp of 'bigger' sizes) and they still drive me crazy. :)

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    2. Most of what I want to say online is generally said by Sarah first (and better!)

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    3. Ha ha ha! Thank you! Now I would like to make it clear to everyone that I DID NOT PAY for that review.

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  4. I have a v small chest and I find bras uncomfortable so I cannot imagine how uncomfortable you must find them! Look forward to seeing what you saw at the store- totally understandable to go for it. I don't mind sponsored posts at all, I just get a bit bored with blogs that have stacks of them, not much else and they are very generic about it. You know, "on my blog radar" and stockphrases like that. Still, tis their business and good on them if they get some nice things out of it! I just might on comment on something generic or not a product I am interested in. x

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  5. I think there's a lot to be said for well written honest review. Too many of those blogs with tonnes of sponsored posts feel like they're just reeling it off. Definitely not so with this as it's actually relevant to you! Hope you feel better soon and, as a fairly ample-boob-sized gal, I'm looking forward to hearing about the bravissimo goods :)

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  6. I can't fault you - as a very fat woman (26/28) I'm so limited as to where I can buy clothes that I have accepted things for free for reasons similar to yours.

    I'm also an HH cup, 40 band. Sometimes I can wear an H. It depends!

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    1. That's a good point actually - I might think twice about accepting something I can get easily, but something (like big bras, or plus size clothing) is a rarer commodity. I'm also more interested in reading reviews of those things, because they are less common in the blogosphere.

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  7. Hmm, interesting dilemma. It's one that's bugged me a bit too - I've always vowed I'd never do sponsored posts but its crossed my mind that if I was offered something I genuinely like/use/want to try, I might succumb. And like you, I probably would so I don't see it as remotely hypocritical. As most of the others have said, the odd sponsored post is fine provided its made clear that its sponsored and its well-written and genuine.

    Like Sarah, I hate the new style of blog that is pretty much all sponsored posts and advertising. As she says, blogs should be about personalities and lives, and I think this particular sponsorship fits in with your life and your blog style, so go for it :D x

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    1. Yep, I really dislike the trend for the majority of posts to be about products and hauls; I'm far more interested in what's going on in people's minds and lives than in what's in their shopping bags.

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  8. Hope you're feeling better soon sweetpea. I think there's definitely room for sponsored content that is actually relevant to the blog and the blogger so I have no qualms at all with you doing this review. Besides, I know it'll be awesome! It's when a fashion blogger starts randomly writing about power tools that I get annoyed haha. PS: holla at me fellow big bosomed lady. I'm an H and Bravissimo is one of my absolute faves; I always get my bikinis from there - they're fab!

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    1. Finally feeling better now! And you have hit the nail on the head: random posts about washing machines or breakfast cereal on fashion blogs, what's that about?! As if your readers aren't going to notice!

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  9. This makes complete sense to me. I am only an E cup but face similar challenges and love Bravissimo for the reasons you outline above. I also struggle with sponsored content and partnerships - I have had some offers that really don't match my principles but some that really, really do. So I am always honest and only do it where it is something I would probably do anyway!

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    1. I think this will be my new mantra: would I do it anyway? If so, then go ahead. If not, say no.

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  10. TRAITOR!!

    Jokes.

    No I agree with the others. If it's relevant and it doesn't make up 90% of your blog content then I don't have any problem with advertising/sponsorship/free shit.

    Plus you are a decent writer so I will actually want to read what you say rather than it just being a regurgitated press release.

    However, you have to promise not to start your review with anything along the lines of - "I like bras, so when Bravissimo invited me to come to their store I jumped at the chance...."

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    1. HAHA! And you got SO much shit on Twitter when you shared my original post, so are perfectly welcome to regard me as a traitor.

      Also, totes stealing that first line for my review ;)

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  11. Finally got around to reading this one (my prioritisation in Bloglovin' is somewhat effed up!). Agree with all the others; if it's a product you'd actually buy and use, and you're being offered it for free then why not. I've been offered a few things but have thus far, turned them down because I'd never buy them or because I was never really sure how to write a sponsored post, properly. Weird maybe. When reading a sponsored post, I like to know that's what I'm reading and can believe it's an honest review rather than an ass-kissing endorsement for a freebie. If it's rubbish, I wanna know!

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