Anita BreastFest Showcases Maternity, Mastectomy and Fashion Bras

Finding a bra that fits properly and looks great can be a challenge, especially if you do not fit into the standard A-D cup-size bras that you find at your local department store. Fortunately, I discovered Anita lingerie and swimswear at the recent Anita BreastFest held at One King West Hotel and Residence. [Disclosure: I received a complimentary Anita Rosa Faia bra to review on my blog.]

Anita Lingerie and Swimwear is a German company that has been around for 132 years! The fifth generation family-owned company manufactures lingerie and swimwear for a woman throughout all stages of her life, including maternity and nursing bras and swimwear, and mastectomy bras and swimwear.

The Anita Collection includes the following lines:

Rosa Faia: Fashion lingerie and swimwear from A-J cup;
Anita Maternity: Lingerie and swimwear for expecting and nursing mothers from A-J cup;
Anita Active: Sports bras and activewear from AA-H cup;
Anita Care: Mastectomy bras, swimwear and external breast forms;
Anita Comfort: Comfortable classic lingerie without underwire for fuller body up to band size 52 and swimwear up to size 24.

Mark Caskenette, Managing Director of Anita Canada, was present to give information about each of the Anita lines. Mark informed me that 80% of a bra’s support comes from the band – who would have thought? I would have assumed that the straps provided at least 50% support.

The Rosa Faia line features gorgeous bras and swimwear. I love that the cup range goes up to a size J. So often, bras are available only up to a size DD, maybe an F, and swimwear often comes in generic sizes 6-14 without any recognition of cup size.

I was impressed by the fashionable styles that are part of the Anita Maternity line. Long gone are the dreary maternity bras of yesterday. These stylish and colourful maternity bras make expectant mothers and new moms feel sexy.

The Anita Care line features lingerie and swimwear for women who have had mastectomies. Many of the mastectomy bras in the Anita Care line are the same design as the Rosa Faia line – in fact, you couldn’t tell one from the other except for the breast pocket in the mastectomy bra. What a great way to instill confidence in a woman who has had a mastectomy. The Anita Care swimwear was also gorgeous, again featuring a breast pocket for a prosthesis. I love the colourful and stylish Anita Care Mastectomy Swimsuit in Botanical Beach pictured below.

Anita Active sports bras are also exceptional. They come in sizes AA-H and feature sweat management technology, foam cups and power mesh linings. Mark advised me that it is so important for women to wear a good sports bra while exercising because breasts can move up to nine centimetres. This puts a lot of strain on the shoulders, back and neck and can overstretch connective tissues.

I was invited for a complimentary fitting of a Rosa Faia bra. I chose the Fleur Full Cup Bra with Underwired Support in Berry Pink Floral Lace. Although the band size of my existing bra was correct, the cup size was too small, which created spillage at the sides of the bra. That is in part because I can’t find bras with cup sizes beyond DD at local department stores. I have to admit that once I put on the Rosa Faia Fleur Bra with the larger cup size, it felt much more comfortable than my existing bra. I also like that the Fleur bra has side support to ensure that your whole breast is supported.

I was really impressed with Anita Lingerie and Swimwear. Their lingerie and swimwear is very well made, stylish and functional, and is competitively priced. You can purchase Anita lingerie and swimwear at over 500 specialty stores in Canada including Melmira Bra & Swimsuits, Linea Intima, Tryst Lingerie, The Bra Boutique, Sophia’s Lingerie and Secrets From Your Sister in Toronto.