Panache And The 26-Inch Dilemma

     I am a huge fan of Panache.  They made the first bathing suits that have fit me properly since my chest grew!  (I'll be reviewing them soon- haven't tried them in the water yet!)  They make bras in a 28G!  They are honest about sizing!  Well... most of the time.

     Panache has been thinking about adding 26-inch bands for a while now.  They've been asking women on the Panache Lingerie Facebook page whether they need a band size smaller than 28.  And in a 2011 interview with Butterfly Collection, they said, "The next collection we are designing is Spring 2013 and this will be the first trial of 26 bands in select styles in Cleo and maybe Superbra. We know that there is a huge need for 26 bands and we want to get the support absolutely right."

     Isn't it summer of 2013 now?  What happened, Panache?  Companies sometimes get backed up, though, so I'll give Panache a second chance on that one.  That's not why I'm upset with Panache right now.

     A few days ago, I posted on the Panache Lingerie Facebook page that I, too, would love a 26-inch band.  Panache nicely responded the next morning that they appreciate my feedback and will alert the design team, and that they have a higher chance of making them in the future as more women request them.  The response didn't make me jump for joy, of course, as it doesn't provide a huge amount of hope for 26 bands, but I'm glad that they took the time to respond and listen to me.  This, also, is not why I'm upset with Panache.

     The reason I am upset is because of Panache's response to an email I sent them (before I had gotten a response on Facebook):

"I love Panache so much because of your wide range of bra size options and your honest and helpful sizing advice. I've been wearing a 28G for a while now, and have always been rather small for a 28, feeling loose on the tightest hooks. My rib-cage area has gotten even smaller and I really need a 26; my current bra's band rides up extremely high, I have shoulder pain, and it is difficult to sit up straight. I heard that you were planning on adding 26-inch bands in spring of 2013; is this going to happen anytime soon? Has it already happened and I've missed it? (if so, that's embarrassing... thanks and sorry!) Please let me know if 26 bands are coming or have already arrived! Thank you so much for your time and for making amazing bras!" (My name was signed, but I've removed it for privacy reasons :) )

     I received the following response (I blanked my name out):

"Hi ______,

Thank you for your interest in our products.

We still haven’t done or have immediate plans on doing 26 bands.  The smallest we do is a 28 in select styles.  My only recommendation for you is possibly trying a smaller cup.  Our smallest begins at a D.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Thanks,

Courtney WalkerCustomer Service Administrator"

     My first thought was something like, "WHAT THE HECK?!"  I just couldn't believe that my beloved Panache, my bra savior company, would say something like this.

     Firstly, Courtney (the customer service administrator who had responded) didn't even mention passing on my suggestion to anyone.  She just said that they don't have plans to make 26 bands, plain and simple.  Screw me, right?

     Then, she suggests trying a smaller cup.  This is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.  Wearing a too-small cup with a too-large band is exactly how Victoria's Secret and other screwy, inch-adding companies size women incorrectly and cause pain.

     I really had trouble believing that Panache would say this.  It's just ridiculously wrong.  I didn't respond until today, two days after I had received that horrible email.  My response was:

"I don't understand why you're suggesting a smaller cup size.  As the support of a bra comes from the band and my cup size fits well, getting a smaller cup would only cause more discomfort."

     Courtney responded two minutes later:

"Because you said your bra was loose on the tightest hook.  There for you would need to decrease the cup size since the band is as small as it can be.

 

Thanks

Courtney"

      Umm, no.  This is, again, very wrong.  I replied four minutes later:

"Decreasing the cup size would not make the band any less loose.  The band would still ride up and cause discomfort.  The smaller cup size would not fit my chest.  The band is not as small as it can be; I can have it altered or custom order a 26 band from Ewa Michalak, which is a much better option than wearing a sister size that doesn't fit right."

     That was at 3:15 PM.  It is now 5:09.  Of course, it hasn't been very long, so I shouldn't expect a reply so soon; I will keep you all posted when/if Courtney responds.

     I'm really, really upset about this.  I would never have expected such horridly wrong advice from a Panache representative.  I don't know what I should do about this; it really saddens, worries, and upsets me to see such a lack of bra knowledge from a representative for one of the leaders in proper bra fit for women.

What do you guys think?  Am I overreacting?  Should I try emailing Panache again?  Am I wrong?  Should I alert the company through Facebook about this incorrect sizing advice?  Should I let it slide?  Please comment what you think!