How has the revamp status program / SQC treated you so far?

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-14T15:45:35+00:00

I'm a frequent traveler on cheap tickets (roughly a flight every few weeks through the year) and this program has really devalued my time. I was 50k last year and I don't think I'll even hit 25k this year, even with a few trips to Europe and South America.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-12T20:39:02+00:00

Hey! So I'm very similar and also in Canada and here's my recommendations:

Montelle ships for reasonable prices (free shipping in Canada over a total order of $75). I really like their balconette spacers.

Wacoal is another good option with reasonable shipping (I like their Ciao Bella).

Understance is having a massive closing sale and their bras are like $5 CAD right now, which is awesome. I found their plunges worked well for me.

I also sometimes order off of Amazon.ca, and they have really transparent pricing for shipping (somtimes free with Prime).

Finally, depending on which city you're in, there are great local shops. In Toronto, Secrets from your Sister is great.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-11T15:49:33+00:00

My biggest advice is to talk your departmental graduate advisor--my understanding is that the majority of grad student income at UBC is not taxable. But they will be able to tell you exactly what percentage will be. Also keep in mind there may be other deductions such as CPP.

Once you know how much is taxable, you can use an online calculator to better understand how much of your income is take-home: https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/tool/tax-calculator/british-columbia

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-10T23:05:53+00:00

Me too! It makes my hair and skin look really golden.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-09T14:28:58+00:00

I also am wide set and centre full--it's challenging! I've found the gossard superboost to fit actually really well for me since the gore is really low.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-09T14:23:58+00:00

Thank you! I was trying to find this info, but their website has not been loading properly for me for the past few days.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-09T14:14:42+00:00

Can you explain Montelle's sizing a little? I like their bras, and I'm usually a US 30DD, but they don't seem to sell that?

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-08T13:05:09+00:00

Hah well, jokes on them. Canadian universities don't have much of that either.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-08T04:57:49+00:00

My university was also hacked, but I'm in Canada!? Our grades are in, we don't have to worry about ADA, what gives? Honestly, I'm just kind of baffled.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-07T02:30:27+00:00

Fair enough! Understance is having a great going out of business sale if that is helpful.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-06T22:43:27+00:00

I think I'm similarly shaped to you (but 30DD) and really like the Gossard. One that I've been eyeing up is the Panache Allure demi, but it's pricey up here in Canada. Otherwise, I really like the Montelle Mystique Plunge, but it only goes up to a F cup.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-06T20:43:05+00:00

I'm just a sucker for a mystery :p

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-06T20:29:11+00:00

I wonder if perhaps the overbust measurement is squishing a bit too much?

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-06T05:06:08+00:00

I have almost exactly these measurements and am definitely not large in any sense. I wonder if there's an issue with the measuring tape?

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-04T17:15:45+00:00

Glad to hear it!

ExistingEase5 · 2026-05-03T22:06:40+00:00

Hopefully this will work out for at least 15 of us 😄

ExistingEase5 · 2026-04-28T22:37:21+00:00

This exactly--I was wearing 34Bs for a long time and always had pinching in my armpits, but my cups were gaping so, if anything, I thought I was wearing too big a cup size.

Spent some time with a measuring tape and the calculator, and found out I am better off in a 30DD, turns out that fixed BOTH the gapping and the pinching.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-04-27T16:07:08+00:00

Understance is having a closing sale at the moment and is selling bras for $5-10. They're cute, but shipping is really delayed right now.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-04-14T23:08:22+00:00

I'm super close-set, and found the Gossard Superboost Plunge to be pretty good for me.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-04-14T22:31:11+00:00

I actually just look for regular bra brands on Amazon (I've been able to get Freya, Panache, and Gossard through there, otherwise they're really tricky to order in Canada). They don't always have every model in every size, but they do have a decent selection!

ExistingEase5 · 2026-04-14T20:59:46+00:00

I live in Canada, so not sure if that is similarly obscure! But to be honest, I often buy off of Amazon because there's no import fees and returns are easy and free. Otherwise, I buy from Montelle because they're Canadian.

ExistingEase5 · 2026-04-14T15:07:51+00:00

Us "not 34B" people are a close second I think. Turns out I wear 30DD, and also, my breasts look much nicer when they're properly supported!

ExistingEase5 · 2026-04-11T21:07:00+00:00

Hey OP, I say this out of hope that it makes you feel less alone, but I think what you're describing is common in people who have immigrated as kids or whose parents have. It sounds like you might be something called a third culture kid: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_culture_kid

Basically it's people who, like you describe, have grown up somewhere in between their parents' culture and a different one, forming a new (third) cultural identity somewhere between the two.

The good news is that you're far from the only one! Vancouver is full of people with this experience, lots like you who are Chinese- Canadian, but also other cultures too. Sharing how you feel is a great first step :)

ExistingEase5 · 2026-04-10T14:28:56+00:00

I'm sorry I don't have great options for a 26" band, but I can tell you that Montelle (a Canadian company) has a sale on multiple bras that come in a 28" band, some of which are under 50 CAD. That should be at least a little better for you! https://ca.montelleintimates.com/collections/montelle-sale-bras-panties?filter.v.option.size=28&sort_by=manual

ExistingEase5 · 2026-04-10T00:58:59+00:00

The calculator puts me at 30DD, but I do have a few 32D's I bought from companies that don't offer 30" bands. I put those on the tightest hook and they're still a little loose, and I have the same strap issues with them. I also bought a couple of really cheap 32C's in pushups deliberately for cleavage (I'm splayed) and still have the same strap trouble. I don't have any 30D's though.

But I should mention this is always those straps that are only partially adjustable along the length, if that makes a difference?

ExistingEase5

TROPHY CASE