We’re exactly where we’re meant to be.
As Uplift rolls into our ninth year, a recent trip to the European Lingerie Market in Paris gave me clarity and conviction about what we do, how we do it, and who we do it all for. I’m more convinced than ever that we’re exactly where we’re meant to be—and that our message is more important than ever. For those of you newer to our site, I’m Carla Mackie, the founder of Uplift Intimate Apparel.
Over the past year, we’ve had many new people come through our doors and become clients. Education has always been part of the Uplift experience, and we really want you to understand what shopping here is all about.
One of the questions we hear most often is:
“Why don’t you carry many American design lines?” or “Why don’t you carry (fill in the blank)?” You might wonder why we make these choices.
The decisions about what designers we work with and what product lines we carry at Uplift come down to this one question:
Is the company trustworthy?
- Are they trustworthy in their designs?
- Is the quality of the design—as it relates to the overall fit on a woman’s body—excellent?
- Is that level of craftsmanship represented in every piece, every time
- Are they trustworthy in their business practices?
- Is the structure of the company and the way it works with employees, manufacturers, and suppliers aligned with their values?
Where a company is located has never been the deciding factor for us. What matters is integrity. Is it at the heart of everything they do, and does their reputation match their vision and values? In other words, do their words match their actions? This is very important to me.
Another question we hear is: “Why is the size you’re telling me so different from what the box store told me?” Or, “I know my size—why do I need a professional bra fitting?”
Most women have been misled about bras, fit, and size. There’s no one perfect bra for every woman—because every woman and every body is different. And that’s okay.
If you look up bra fitting anywhere, you’ll find different answers. The band size measures the rib cage under the bust, and the cup size reflects the support an individual woman needs. Each size costs money to develop, so designers decide which ranges to manufacture. That choice can limit what most stores are able to offer.
At Uplift, we carry a variety of designers that support the women we serve. We have 200+ bra sizes ranging from band widths of 28-48 and cup sizes from A-M. The average “box store” carries roughly 40 bra sizes. Every designer we carry has already passed our tests for quality, fit, and integrity.
Again, every woman is different. Without a fitting, you don’t know what you don’t know. That’s why we offer complimentary bra fittings—because it’s important that you know.
There’s a life before a properly fitted bra—and a life after.
We see it every day: a properly fitted bra can change comfort, posture, and confidence. It can even ease pain women may have lived with for years.
When I go to a lingerie market, I have two goals: First, I want to see what’s new from our existing vendors. Second, I look for what I don’t yet know—new products, companies, and people who are doing something that fits the Uplift woman. It’s exciting, and honestly, it never gets old.
You are important to us. Your comfort is important to us. Your well-being is important to us. We never take for granted that we get to serve you—and we couldn’t be more grateful.
So, what questions can we answer for you today? —Carla