Orion's Story: Finding the Middle Ground

By: Orion Li

“Don’t be awkward about it.”

In sixth grade, that’s what I tried to remind myself when I realized it was time for me to get a bra. Some of my friends giggling about bras in the school change rooms had made 13-year-old me very determined to try and be mature about the whole subject, and I remember thinking that I didn’t want to make a big deal about it when telling my mom. Well, luckily she didn’t make a big deal about it either. That weekend we drove to the mall and picked up three bras for me at a huge department store- a white one, a pink one, and a polk-a-dot one. I went home satisfied with my purchases and happy that I ‘wasn’t awkward about it’. 

It turns out that, for me, the awkwardness started later. I remember spending far too long on the internet looking for ways to convert the straps of my new bras to fit my summer shirts. I was recommended options that ranged from paperclips to $50 bras with hooks and holes. I felt confused and overwhelmed by how many uncomfortable, unaffordable solutions there were to my problem. 

The other awkward part was trying to find bras that were more fun and flattering. After realizing I had exhausted all my options at that department store, my mom and I tried a lingerie store. Needless to say, the sexy push-up bra was not what 13-year-old me was looking for at all! Between the almost excessive amount of lace, the push up bras, and the salesperson insisting on helping to size me, I felt like I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I felt frustrated that there didn’t seem to be a place to buy a bra that was more fun than the department store and more age appropriate than the lingerie store.

Ultimately, though it did require a bit of trial and error, I eventually figured out what types of bras I preferred and felt the best in. Several years later when it was time for my younger sisters to get their first bras, I drew heavily from my own experiences when helping them decide which stores to go to and which bras to choose. Looking back, I wish 13-year-old me had an option like Apricotton - a brand where I could find bras that are adjustable, affordable, pretty, and best of all not awkward.

Apricotton wants to help you find the perfect bra for you. If you have any questions or comments, message us through our IG DMs or contact form!