Anita: An Innovative 130-Year-Old Lingerie Business

Yep, that's right. Intimate apparel and swimwear brand, Anita, has been in business for 130 years.

They're celebrating their anniversary with a PR campaign featuring images of 130 women from different walks of life wearing their lingerie and swimwear. And that makes perfect sense, given their dedication to serving the scope of women's intimate apparel needs.

There's a great deal to know about the Anita brand. First, they've been solving foundation problems for over a century. They started out in corsets (and back braces) and expanded out to lingerie, sports bras, maternity and nursing, post-mastectomy, shapewear, and swimwear. Second, they've handed down the brand from one generation to another.

Their fascinating history is worth the read. It's all about overcoming adversity (think Germany during World War II) and coming up with ways to meet underserved needs (nursing and mastectomy bras). They practice their family values by owning their plants rather than outsourcing production. They're making a commitment to being a socially and environmentally responsible company.

For this "Better Know a Brand" post, I'm spotlighting their multiple bra styles (see a recap with prices, sizes, and where to buy at the end of blog).

Let's start with a look at the brand's primary lingerie line, ROSA FAIA. It features everything you'd want in a feminine and functional bra---wired and non-wired designs, contour and breathable spacer cups, and three-part seamed cup bras for fuller busts. Here are some that caught my eye:

Scarlett Underwire Bra
Available in 4 Colors
Fits Bands 32-46, Cups B-I
 
 
 
Twin Seamless Wireless Bra
Available in 6 Colors
Fits Bands 32-48, Cups A-F
 

Scarlett Underwire Spacer Bra
Available in 4 Colors
Fits Bands 32-42, Cups B-G
 

Josephine Underwire Bra
Available in 2 Colors
Fits Bands 32-42, Cups B-H
 

Ophelia Underwire Contour Bra
Available in 2 Colors
Fits Bands 30-40, Cups A-D
 

Next up are sports bras. I'm pretty particular about what I wear to work out at the gym or go running. You'll find plenty of options to choose from in this category and the following images represent only a few styles. I own the non-wired Momentum and love the support it gives me. It's made of super-lightweight material and is my go-to travel sports bra because it's easy to pack and carry anywhere.

Active Momentum Seamless Underwire Sports Bra
Fits Bands 30-40, Cups C-H
via Bare Necessities

Momentum Wire Free Sports Bra
Available in 4 Colors
Fits Bands 30-46, Cups A-H
via Bare Necessities
 
 
Active Front Close Wire-Free Sports Bra
Fits Bands 30-44, Cups A-E
via Bare Necessities

If you need nursing bras, Anita also has you covered. Their convenient drop-cup models reflect the main collection. And I was pleased to see the wide range of cup sizes. Not everyone goes up to a J cup in nursing bras! (Necessary if you're a fuller busted new mother who doubles or triples in bra size during pregnancy.) Here are some examples:

Miss Cotton Nursing Bra
Fits Bands 32-48, Cups D-J
via Bare Necessities

Fleur Nursing Bra
Available in 2 Colors
Fits Bands 30-46, Cups C-J
via HerRoom

Paisley Underwire Nursing Bra
Fits Bands 32-44, Cups C-I
via Bare Necessities

Finally, Anita has an extensive post-mastectomy collection. You can shop for wired or non-wired pocketed models, as well as post-surgical, stylish sports bras, and swimwear. Some mirror the same designs from the regular (ROSA FAIA) and nursing bra lines.

Salvia Front Closure Post-Surgery Mastectomy Bra
Fits Bands 32-50, Cups A-D
 

Vienna Embroidered Wire-Free Mastectomy Bra
Fits Bands 34-44, Cups A-D
 

Fleur Lace Elegance Pocketed Bra (both wired and non-wired styles)
Fits Bands 32-42, Cups A-E
via Nicola Jane
 
 
Versailles Wire-Free Mastectomy Bra
Available in 2 Colors
Fits Bands 32-42, Cups A-E
 
 
 
Malia Padded Wire-Free Mastectomy Bra
Fits Bands 32-42, Cups A-D
 
 
 
Mastectomy Sports Bra X-Control
Fits Bands 30-42, Cups A-E
 
  

Here's a quick recap of the Anita brand: 

Styles: Everyday, sports, full-bust, nursing, post-mastectomy pocketed bras (both wired and wire-free)

Bra Price Range: $39.00 - $89.00

Sizing: Fitting bands 30-48 and EU Cups A-J (although not all band and cup sizes available in every style)

Where to buy: Anita's website offers a handy retailer locator search tool. Several bigger lingerie eRetailers carry them. You can also buy directly from their site. They make it easy with a terrific 60-day free returns and exchanges policy (some restrictions apply).

What do you think of the Anita story and their intimate apparel brand? Would you wear their bras? Which styles do you like best?