What do you buy the woman who has everything? If sheâs large-chested and has trouble finding a comfortable bra, Trusst Lingerie may have just the fit.
Founded by Carnegie Mellon University graduates Sophia Berman and Laura West, Trusst has gone from a promising AlphaLab Gear startup to moving into a storefront and office space in Garfield. Now the company has finalized its first product line just in time for the holidays.
Starting in 2014, Berman and West combined their love of sewing with their industrial design backgrounds to engineer âthe perfect braâ for women who require more than a D-cup.
âEveryone with a fuller chest experiences the same kind of issues,â says Berman.
Their bras are made with a patent-pending Breast Advanced Support Technology (BAST) system that lifts from underneath the bust, placing most of the support around the core. The approach reduces the back pain and discomfort associated with having larger breasts by taking the majority of the weight off the shoulder straps.
In addition, more traditionally used underwires, which can often warp or poke into the skin, are replaced with specially-designed plastic components integrated directly into the cup.
Last October, Trusst started selling two t-shirt bras, the Marjory and the Suzanne. They recently added a longline lace bra called the Jessica. All the styles offer full coverage and molded foam cups lined with moisture-wicking, anti-microbial fabric. They also include a J-hook that allows the wearer to clip the straps together.
So far, Berman says they have sold brasâwhich range in price from $82 to $98âonline and in the store, where customers can come in by appointment for fittings.
âThe majority of customers said they donât feel like theyâre wearing anything at all,â says Berman.
Berman credits the designâs success to the extensive testing she and West did on âas many body shapes and sizes as possible.â Currently, they carry band sizes ranging from 32 to 42, and cup sizes running from E through J. They also plan to expand into larger sizes in the future.
Interested in trying one on? Trusst will host a free public holiday kick-off event at their store at 5125 Penn Avenue on Saturday, November 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will include bra fittings, holiday discounts, giveaways and treats. Guests who bring a gently used bra to donate to charity will receive an additional five percent discount.
