dear esb,
for the next installment of my ongoing, unofficial tattoos-in-foreign-lands project, i'll be getting inked when i'm in the UK this september. i've got just about all of the details figured out: i have my design, i've been writing back and forth with a local artist for the past several months, and i've made my appointment. what remains? the tattoo will be in the middle of my back, you see, so i won't be able to wear a bra during or after said appointment. i've made my peace with that, but i'd like to wear SOMETHING; i'm as unenthusiastic about itinerant breasts as i am enthusiastic about ink.
what, pray, should that something be? (i'll be sightseeing with no opportunity to change for the rest of the day, so whatever i choose will have to work for the next twelve hours.)
yours in never-nudity, &c.
*****
How big is said tattoo? Are you sure you want it directly beneath your bra line? Esp since you never ever ever go without a bra??
Just throwing it out there.
I'll leave it to my intrepid readers to recommend their favorite stick-ons, &c.
Google's reverse image search has failed me. I don't know who took this photo, but I gather the model's name is Ruby Rose.
I'm a fan of top hats http://www.barenecessities.com/commando-nipple-concealer-adhesives-top-hats_product.htm?pf_id=CommandoTOPHATS
ReplyDeleteI've used the NuBra before, and it works decently provided you won't be sweating much. I'd assume that the UK in fall is not exactly sweltering. You only get a couple uses out of it before it stops adhering, but it could at least get you through the tattoo day.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you going to wear for the rest of the vacation? I'm assuming you can't just put a bra right on top of a fresh tattoo without some healing time.
When I had my tattoo done just next to my boob (side), I just let all hang out. But I'm french, we're pretty casual about boobs!
ReplyDeleteYour tattoo artist probably sees lots of them and you can always lay on your stomach...
But you will not be able to wear a bra for at least a week.
1. what about a low scoop-back leotard a la AA?
ReplyDelete2. other Rachel has a very good point.
3. love that ESB uses "&c."
NuBra is pretty good, be sure to wash it afterwards with non-moisturizing soap and let it air dry (if you ever want to use it again).
ReplyDeleteAlternatively, you could just put on some of those nip-slip patches?
Above all else - just have good posture, that'll help no matter what.
what esb said! you might have to run around the next few days with no bra depending on how your body takes the ink and so it can heal correctly. your body just took hundreds of shots from a needle! sorry, but if you want your tattoo located there, you are just going to have to deal.
ReplyDeletejust wear a loose t-shirt with no bra, so then you can just put it over your head, but still have it wrapped around your arms to cover the tatas. so, like when you usually put a shirt on, just don't put your head through the hole and put it on your neck and chest. i hope that makes sense. lol
there is such a thing as a "backless bra" that just sort of loops around your shoulders, but I can't find one that would fit bigger boobs.
ReplyDeletethis is a very good question, though!
how about a string bikini? you can generally move the string around quite a lot & if you wrap it in plastic wrap it won't get stained. that's what I did when i got my (fairly large) back tattoo. i had no issue with wearing a bra afterwards although i suppose that depends on the person & skins sensitivity
ReplyDeleteGet a low back halter workout top; they have built in support. Enough to keep them tatas steady and covered at least.
ReplyDeleteYour other option is to go sans bra, and put a button up shirt on backwards for the appointment, then put it on normally and let those girls hang loose for the rest of the day.
Lululemon "Covers it All" dress.
ReplyDeleteI have a tattoo directly above my bra line in the back. When getting it done, I wore a soft shirt and bra. Unhooked the bra, so my boobs were covered, and pressed up against the chair. Once tat was complete, and in privacy, pulled the bra off and put the shirt back on. Granted, I have mosquito bites for boobs, so braless is an easy option for me. Go easy on the tender skin. No mosh crowds, ok?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the no-bra shirt idea. take a few high-quality, soft shirts, and since it'll be fall, you can cover your nibblies with a scarf and loose jacket. might be the best few days of your life!
ReplyDeleteand if worse comes to worst, one of these coobie bras (stupid name, but stupid comfortable) may work. if it's too tight, they also make plus-sized ones.
well it may work for the days after, I mean. not the day of.
DeleteMy back is covered in tats. I always like to bring a zip-up hoody, then wear it backwards so I have something covering my front side.
ReplyDeletewhile the inking is actually happening, why not just wear a circle scarf? you can adjust to cover your girls as needed. Then all you have to do is shed clothing, shove it in a handbag, and make sure you wear a top that wouldn't be NC17 braless in case your skin can't handle putting it back on post-ink session
ReplyDeleteI vote free-boobing it. Nipples aren't that big of a deal.
ReplyDeleteOK, so I'm a C cup (much to my small boob wishing chagrin) and hate wearing bras. But I don't think it's abnormal to not wear a bra for a handful of days.
OR you can a dark colored low back shirt or dress.
How low on your back is it?
DeleteSomething like these perhaps? And if you get one cheap enough, it won't matter if some ink gets on it and stains?
If these aren't your style, because no backs and cut outs are so popular right now, I'm sure you could find something that is you style but similar idea?
Anthro Scoop Back Dress
V Back Dress
Caftan w/ open Back Dress
Cowl Back Dress
I like the sweat shirt idea, I'd go no bra in a dress with a back zip myself
ReplyDeleteI'm working on a full back piece. My brilliant artist has a foolproof combo she recommends for ladies getting work on their backs that I love: a halter bikini top and a button down shirt, which you'll reverse during the appointment. The artist can then loosen the bikini as they need to, etc.
ReplyDeleteFor healing, I used to worry about finding the perfect low-back bra or whatever, but since this piece really covers my entire back and since I have DDs and cannot go braless, for the week after I started on it I just wore bras with the least diggy straps I have, and I had NO PROBLEM. Don't overthink this. Just wear the comfiest underthings you have. Done.
Hi ESB, no ideas on the boob coverage, but that guy in the photo is Rhys Gordon, a tattoo artist at Inner Vision tattoo parlour in Sydney, Australia - Ruby Rose is an MTV celeb here and gets a lot of her ink done there.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rhysgordon.com/
Still, don't know who took the photo. :)
Emma (AKA Aussie Honeymooner in NYC, from yonks ago)
God I love Ruby Rose.
ReplyDeletemy first thought was a one-piece bathing suit with built-in cups and a low scoopback.
ReplyDeleteI'd wear a low back leotard with a shelf bra. But how awesome would it be to wear pasties? I mean, when else would you wear them?!
ReplyDeleteThe picture is from her facebook: Ruby Rose tattoo!
ReplyDeleteNo idea if that link works. It's in the Wall Photos album. In any case, she doesn't say who took the picture either.
YOU'RE GOING SANS BRA? FOR MULTIPLE HOURS?! I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU ANYMORE.
ReplyDeleteI've got pretty giant jungle melons, and much to my dismay the backless tee/tank/dress market is expanding exponentially. go braless in one of those for the day, or if they tape it up that day just put a too-big-for-you sports bra on top (if you're afraid to let those things swang and poke out an eye or something)
ReplyDeleteI love the reverse hoodie idea. If anyone ever needs to temporarily cover up tattoos on their arms or legs for work my sister swears by Ink Armor: http://www.tat2x.com/ She doesn't have any back ink so I don't think she's ever had to cover up the front.
ReplyDelete