Behind the Bra: Meet Rachel
Written by guest writer: Rachel @baesymmetrical
Bras were one of the very few things that connected my mom and I over the years. We’ve had a challenging relationship and not a lot in common besides our button noses and D/DD breasts. Growing up, my mom would take me on bra shopping trips once or twice a year.
These trips were, frankly, awful. I’d trudge longingly past the racks of adorable, sexy, 34Bs and land gloomily at the display of beige, matronly 36DDs. I’d load up my arm with roughly 20-30 options — knowing full well only 1-2 may actually sort of fit — and inevitably exit the changing room with a tear-streaked face feeling like a failure for not having the type of body that fit into a bra.
As much as I hated those trips, deep down I loved them too. They reinforced my sense of belonging to a Secret Club of sorts and a shared a bond with my mom and other bra-wearers, forged through the trials and tribulations inflicted upon us by undergarment manufacturers and their utterly baffling interpretations of size charts. And although my options were limited, every now and again I’d find that unicorn beauty that gave me lift and comfort and made me feel beautiful — the one perfect bra that made all the tears worth it.
When I underwent a unilateral mastectomy in 2018, it felt like my membership to the Club had been revoked. Very few others could relate to my new challenges and, certainly, the department store undergarment manufacturers weren't about to invest in proper solutions for such a niche customer. I was relegated to a life of either constricting sports bras or sad, drooping, empty right cups. There would be no more hope for the unicorn to appear.
I met Dana a few years ago and, naturally, one of our first conversations was about the plight of one-boobed survivors & thrivers. Yes, she was aware, and, amazingly, it was a puzzle she’d been trying to solve for a very long time. And she was close, so close. Styles like the Maggie Lace Bralette, the Susan Wrap Front Lace Bralette, as well as the Monica Full Coverage Bra and others are wonderful options for us Uni’s and just about as close as you can get to single-boob perfection…but I was still seeking my unicorn.
Well, dearest Single Ladies, I am honored and delighted to share: Dana cracked the code and our Unicorn has arrived!!
Meet Rachel (honestly, pinch me, how is this even real??!) — the Uniboob Unicorn for the Uniboob Unicorns.
The Rachel is the single-cupped sister to AnaOno’s dream girl Trish. The Rachel has a single, lightly molded, shoulder-strap-adjustable cup (available for right or left) to perfectly lift and support your independent C-DD breast. She is made from the smoothest, softest nylon/spandex blend with an extra wide band that stays put and a 3-level hook & eye closure that sits discreetly on your side to accommodate any post-surgery arm mobility challenges. Available in demure Blush and bold Black, the Rachel works with any outfit and every mood. No wires, no extra bunching material, no constriction — just perfectly you.
I can’t tell you how happy I am to be back in the Club, though arguably a way better club — the AnaOno Club! In this Club the bras fit to us and the shared bond is in being seen and supported exactly as we are. No membership tears required (although there may be some ones of joy. 🥹)
Rachel M.
Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with presence of MetaPlastic Carcinoma Chondroid differentiation
Initial Diagnosis: 2016, age 38, chemo + lumpectomy + radiation
Recurrence: 2018, more chemo + unilateral mastectomy, explant after expander failed
Metastasis to Lung: 2019, wedge resection
Currently NED
