So, I was at Soma the other day, Chico’s “new” lingerie store.  Now, completely setting aside the poorly chosen store name, I have to admit, I’m a fan.  They (unlike another lingerie store who shall remain nameless but is known by the abbreviation VS) didn’t make me feel like I’m the size of a house for needing a bra in a size above 32 B.

Seriously, if you wear a 32 B, do you really even need a bra?  But that’s another rant.

Anyway, now that I’m officially no longer pregnant or nursing, for the first time in 3 years, I decided that I needed new bras.  My 36F nursing bras were coming apart, and just not making me feel attractive, in any way.

I noticed a sign in the shop window that they were running a “Buy 1 Get 1 50% off” deal, so I tried ‘em out.

That isn’t what this post is about either though.  I really ought to get to the point, right?

As my purchases are being rung up, I noticed a sign that Soma’s is collecting “new or gently used” bras to give to charity.  Apparently they send them off to their factory in Bangladesh or wherever, repair them to meet the special Soma’s specifications, and then ship them back to the U.S. to donate to “local” charities.

Okay, so here is my question.  Who the hell has “Gently Used” bras????  I use the damn things until the elastic is giving out and they are starting to come apart at the seams.  They just barely keep the girls contained, and I’m still wearing ‘em “just one more week” I ask of my bras, over and over again.  That sure isn’t “Gently Used”.

Okay, so if we don’t actually have “Gently Used” that we want to be rid of, why would we buy new bras (I’m assuming somewhere other than Soma where a bra actually runs $44) and then bring it in to Soma to donate?  Why not just take the new bra, tags still on even, and donate it to the charity in question?

I just don’t get it.

If a company actually wants to do good in this world, and get credit for being charitable, just give the $$$ you’re spending to ship these bras back and forth, repair them, etc, and give it to the charity directly already!

Am I wrong?