If you would help me out, I would very much appreciate your help.

My friend Wendy, who originally wrote the Bra Manifesto and who collected all the pictures that illustrate it, has moved and I've not heard from her in over a year. So, I can't ask her your question...

But, for what it's worth... here's an answer based on my experience for you...

Wendy's point about stretchy bra bands is that if you have too much stretchiness, you cannot expect the bra to do a good job of holding what you gather. Thus, you can see that the idea is to have as little stretchiness as possible in the bra band, so that the cup underwires are as firmly held as possible. In turn, this will help hold as much of you as possible in the bra cup. We all have some tissues in the breast area -- including some under the arm, and Wendy has done a good job pointing out that this can be gathered and trained to do a better job of filling the cup, over time.

Front close bras always are stretchier than otherwise similar back hook styles. Firmer bands may have three or more hooks, while the stretchier styles have only one. Wider bands should provide more tension at a given amount of stretch, which is the whole idea. You can make up for some of the stretchiness by getting a shorter band size, but this isn't the best way to solve the problem. If you ask for help... even at Victoria's Secret shops, all you've got to do is walk in and look befuddled... one of the shop people will run right over and ask if they can help you. Just say "Yes!", and then explain that you are looking for a bra with a band that is more firm than is typical. You don't have to tell them it's for you, and you may not be able to try it on in the store -- in some juristictions there are rules about who may be in the dressing rooms -- in others there are not.

There are NO rules about asking for what you want and usually the shop personnel are very happy to exchange some of your money for some of their products.

In today's styles, the more pushy styles, such as Wonderbra (from your favorite Legg's Hanes Bali Playtex outlet, perhaps), Miracle Bra (from Victoria's Secret), and other similar styles are likely to have a firmer band than the more relaxed cup styles.

It's been my experience that you can always discuss your concerns and get assistance in finding what you're looking for in "bricks and mortar" stores. You'll find helpful people in almost all cases.

I hope this is of some help!