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Linda the Bra Lady Comes to Murray Hill

By Amy Zimmer | April 25, 2011 7:08am | Updated on April 25, 2011 7:07am

By Amy Zimmer and Elizabeth Ladzinski

DNAinfo News Editor

MURRAY HILL — Murray Hill women will no longer have to schlep to the Upper East Side to get the personal attention of Linda's Bra Salon, which carries a whopping 265 bra sizes, ranging from 28AA to 54N.

Linda "the Bra Lady" Becker made a name for herself after opening her always-crowded tiny Lexington Avenue shop six years ago.

Now, she's opened a bigger store in Murray Hill on Third Avenue near 36th Street with a browsing section in front, eight tastefully-lit fitting rooms and a storage room lined with bras, panties and bathing suits to fit all shapes and sizes.

"We really have a service," Becker said. "It's not about selling bras. It's about helping women and making them feel better about themselves. When you wear the wrong bra, you don't feel good, you don't look good. You look heavier, older and shorter."

Neither Becker, nor any of the 40 assistants she employs — and gives six months training — will ever leave a woman alone to fend for herself in a fitting room. Far too often, her customers can't be trusted to size themselves.

"The back is too big nine in 10 times and cups are usually too small," Becker said. "If your back is too big, the cups will never fit. If the back isn't snug, you can't get your breasts up."

Judi Kadden, 61, walked in wearing a 36B and walked out with a bunch of 34D-sized bras.

"It was the most impressive experience in my life," she said after her fitting. "I come from a family of big breasted women and I always told my friends I took after my dad."

The experience, Kadden said, wasn't just about learning her size.

"She's good at the life-long tips, like getting the 'girls' in there," Kadden said demonstrating how you gently use your hands to fit everything in the bra after you hook yourself in. Kadden was also pleased to learn that it's best to close a new bra on the biggest rung, so it doesn't stretch out right away.

Stephanie Voss, 43, planned to toss her 36C bra that she was spilling out of in favor of the frilly lace 34F that Becker had her try on.

"I feel safer," Voss said of her new size, "like they're not going anywhere."

Sh then texted her boyfriend from the dressing room with the good news.

 "Everyday, all day long people say, I can't believe I'm that size," Becker said.

Becker believes there are two likely reasons that so many women get the wrong size of bra: (1) women's breasts change over time and (2) many bra companies changed their sizing six or so years ago.

"Breast have a mind of their own. They just change," said Becker, who recommends women get fitted every six months.

Plus, with "vanity sizing," as it's called, back sizes now run smaller and cup sizes run bigger. A woman who was once a 36B might now find herself a 34D.

Size F has become commonplace, Becker said.

The storage room at Linda the Bra Lady's new shop at 552 Third Ave. between 36th & 37th streets
The storage room at Linda the Bra Lady's new shop at 552 Third Ave. between 36th & 37th streets
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DNAinfo/Amy Zimmer

Becker takes great pride in providing bras and swimwear that can't be found elsewhere, such as the "forgotten" AAs.

She has one of the few Manhattan shops, for instance, that sell bras for women who have had mastectomies. In fact, Becker switched from the lingerie business and went into the bra business in Philadelphia 25 years ago after attending a mastectomy bra fitting class hosted by the American Cancer Society.

She carries bras that smooth out back fat or help those with asymmetrical breasts. She has nursing bras, padded one and minimizers. She makes sure she carries all price points, from $29 to $129.

"I get it that not everyone can afford an $80 bra," she said. "When you start excluding women, you're not this kind of store anymore."

The storage room at Linda the Bra Lady's new shop at 552 Third Ave. between 36th & 37th streets
The storage room at Linda the Bra Lady's new shop at 552 Third Ave. between 36th & 37th streets
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Amy Zimmer