Finding the right Foundations

Women who own a proper-fitting bra can count themselves lucky — and members of a minority.

According to Melissa Logos, certified mastectomy fitter and owner of Foundations Bra Fitting, 90 percent of ladies wear the incorrect bra size – a struggle that affects everything from their self-esteem and comfort to their posture and how their clothes hang. The purpose of her business, which has a Gulfport location and a new store in Spanish Fort, Alabama, is to give customers of all shapes and sizes a customized fitting experience.

With a range of over 180 bra sizes available, Foundations takes a customer’s size, breast tissue, and shape into account when finding her perfect bra.

“Many times, ladies come in unsure and uncomfortable; once they have the correct
size, we see big smiles, laughs and even tears,” Logos says. “For the lady who is a breast cancer survivor, we restore her confidence. For the young pre-teens embarrassed of their size, we let them know how beautiful and perfect they are.”

As a mother of four daughters, including one who was active in sports, Logos once had to travel often to find supportive undergarments. She contemplated starting her own business, and Foundations opened in October of 2014. The first challenge came early in 2015, when one of her daughters was diagnosed with leukemia. “Instead of closing the doors, we worked by appointment only,” Logos says. “We are thankful for the many family and friends who helped keep our doors open.”

Not only did Foundations survive, but the store recently expanded its ability to help post- mastectomy clients with custom prostheses.

“It is a state-of-the-art process that allows the breast prosthesis to fit the ladies’ chest wall like a puzzle piece after a mastectomy,” Logos explains. “It makes a world of difference to those who need more than an off-the-shelf breast prosthesis.”

Foundations also carries pocketed bras and options for nursing and post-surgery clients, as well as sport and special-occasion undergarments and more. The store’s swimwear comes in bra sizes, Logos notes — ensuring a supportive fit.

With the ever-growing popularity of online shopping, she adds, Foundations is excited to expand technologically with virtual fittings. All the business’s efforts going forward will further its mission of accommodating and emboldening women of all shapes and sizes.

“I am passionate about helping ladies and making them feel good about themselves,” Logos says. “It really does start with a good foundation.”