Growing up busty was tough for one model with 28,000 breasts, but now she's helping other women find their perfect fit.
Saterra St. Jean shared her top style tips for buying the most comfortable bras, including tell-tale signs you're wearing the wrong ones.
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St. Jean founded the lingerie brand Monsera Intimates and the YouTube channel Fullerbust Bestie.
Although she is now brimming with confidence, she admitted that she did hated her breasts to grow up.
“I wasn't the right size and was bleeding everywhere,” she told The US Sun.
“I thought my breasts were the problem, so I hated them.”
Finding the right fit has made a world of difference.
She said the most important factor to look for when buying a bra is that your band is sturdy enough to keep you supported.
Speaking to The US Sun, she shared other important bra shopping tips when there isn't a trusted fitter around to help.
THE PERFECT FIT
St. Jean offers personalized virtual bra fittings and can tell a woman what's wrong with the bras she's currently wearing.
She said every woman's breasts are different and hers are full and “very projected.”
Whether you buy an everyday bra or a sports bra, it is important that you have a sturdy band.
“Eighty to 90% of your bra's support comes from your underband, so if it's too big, your bra isn't doing anything for you,” she said.
“It puts pressure on your shoulders and that is why many people complain of back and shoulder pain.
“If it's uncomfortable and you can pull your back strap out more than an inch and a half, or pull the middle part out far from your chest and it's not completely flat, then it's definitely too big.
“If you don't already have spillage in your cups and do so as soon as you tighten the band, then the cup is definitely too small.”
Any discomfort, she said, or straps that are too loose or stretchy, are other telltale signs that your bra doesn't fit.
I try to stay away from anything that has too high a neck just because I feel like even if I wear a good bra it feels too boxy.
Saterra Sint-Jan
“Sometimes when I wore the wrong bra, my straps would always fall down, even though it was on the tightest band,” she said.
“Your straps aren't there for support, they're just there to keep the fabric flat against the skin.”
BUSTY BUYS
Curvy Kate, Sugar Candy, Freya and Panache are among St. Jean's favorite brands to wear.
“I prefer full cup bras because they completely enclose everything, because there's just so much of it,” she said.
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“I also like balcony styles when I want to wear square necklines because it gives a nice lift and almost looks like a shelf.
“I like deep styles, but sometimes they are too superficial.
“If it's going to be a low cut, they need to have a really deep cup so they can really fit my entire chest without feeling like I'm going to fall out.”
MUST-HAVE BRAS
St. Jean said every woman should have a “wardrobe” of bras that she wears alternately and washes only by hand.
The collection should include two or three everyday styles: a strapless bra for special occasions, a lace or sexy style, a sports bra and a wireless option.
Women often forget that your bra is like a good pair of sneakers.
Saterra Sint-Jan
She revealed that the basic styles can help with any outfit, regardless of bust size.
“I really like square necklines and plunging styles,” she said, referring to outfits.
“I try to stay away from anything that has too high a neck just because I feel like even if I wear a good bra it feels too boxy.
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“Too much is happening and too much is on display.
“Whereas if there is a neckline that extends a little deeper or has a nice square shape, it is taken away from the breasts and applied to the clothing.”
HEAD COSTS
Working on the launch of her own brand has taught her a lot about bras.
Monsera Intimates will debut early next year with the help of its Australia-based co-founder Monique Hristovska.
Saterra St. Jean's bra wardrobe
Saterra St. Jean is the founder of the YouTube channel Fullerbust Bestie and co-founder of lingerie brand Monsera Intimates.
She told The US Sun that every woman should have five styles in her bra collection.
- Two or three daily bras
- Exercise well
- Sexy lace bra
- Strapless bra
- Wireless bra
St. Jean said bras for fuller breasts can be expensive because they are difficult to make and require sturdy materials to support the weight and size.
“I think women often forget that your bra is like a good pair of sneakers,” she said.
“You wear these things every day, day in and day out.
“It's great to invest in a good bra because by the time you wear it out, if you put it into perspective, it's only costing you a few cents a day.
“Investing in a good bra, even if it is expensive, is so worth it.”
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LEARN TO LOVE THEM
Previously, St. Jean recalled having negative feelings about her chest when she was younger.
“My self-confidence was especially affected because I was always told to hide,” she said.
“Even though I was wearing the same tops as everyone else, if you're a busty woman you get called out a little more.
“I couldn't even look at them in the mirror, it was very difficult for a teenage girl to go through this.
She begged her mother to let her have a breast reduction at the age of 16, but is glad she was talked into it.
“I'm so happy and so grateful that she did that because it made me love my breasts,” she said.
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