Dragonwing Blog
2,500 bras = $25,000 for breast cancer research
Today we're launching a campaign to raise $25,000 for breast cancer research. And YOU can help us reach that goal. Everyone's life has been touched in some way by breast cancer -- whether it be our sister, friend, wife, mother, daughter or ourselves. During October, we see pink almost everywhere, and sometimes it's hard to know what makes a difference. We've designed a limited edition pink and white Racer Sports Bra for girls -- the same great quality and fit as our regular Racers. When we sell 2,500 of these special bras, we will donate $25,000 to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center under the leadership of my dear friend, Dr. Lisa Carey, a worldwide leader in the fight against breast cancer. It's a very bold goal, but our entire Dragonwing girlgear team is committed to making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. And just as on a sports team, we'll need the support of everyone in our family. Together, we can make a difference. Let's do it! Click here to join us. *The limited edition pink Racer Sports Bra for girls will be delivered in 8-10 weeks. Your credit card will not be charged until we've reached our goal. Discount codes cannot be applied to this special order.
Proud Sponsor of CASL Soccer
My inspiration for Dragonwing was sparked on the sidelines of the beautiful North Carolina soccer fields, so when given the opportunity to become a sponsor of the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL - pronounced "castle"), we didn't hesitate.
Lots of Dragonwing girls play with CASL, and we're happy to be able to support them on and off the fields. After all, empowering girls to play with confidence is what Dragonwing is all about!
If you get the chance to visit the WRAL Soccer Center in Raleigh, one of the country's largest outdoor soccer complexes, make your way over to Field #7, now known as "Dragonwing girlgear Field." That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?!
Girls Athletic Wear "Made in the Carolinas"
I recently spent several hours with a film crew from TWC's "Made in the Carolinas" series for a featured story on Dragonwing. We traveled to the North Carolina manufacturing plant where our seamless sports bras are made and then to a soccer scrimmage and practice with our spokesperson Cindy Parlow Cone and a team of amazing teen girls. We're all delighted that TWC's "Made in the Carolinas" profile captured our mission and spirit perfectly. And we take pride in our seamless sports bras being Made in the USA, right here in North Carolina. Reporter Richard Green explained part of what makes our girls athletic wear perform so well, "Dragonwing incorporates elements that wick away moisture, prevent chafing and essentially allows girls to compete without worry." Soccer great Cindy Parlow Cone echoed that Dragonwing's sports bras, compression shorts, and other athletic wear "empowers girls to be free and not worry what they're wearing under their uniforms." 
"Girls on the field who wear Dragonwing clothing are sold on the benefits," said Green. Teen soccer player Sarah agreed, "It's nice having something locally made, locally created, and
something that actually fits." 
I was pleased to have the opportunity to highlight our mission of empowering girls to play -- and be -- their best. "We want to give girls an advantage. If their gear performs better, they will play better."
Please help spread the word by sharing this post with your friends and family -- by email or social media.
When to Introduce Sports Bras to Your Tween Daughter
Studies show tween girls drop out of sports at approximately twice the rate of boys at the same age. As parents, we know the benefits of athletics goes far beyond health and fitness, it develops leadership skills, self-confidence, and critical thinking.
Of all the reasons being cited, these two should not be on the list. Sports bras provide support, reduce breast movement, and can provide a comfortable fit on and off the field. Your daughter may not have enough experience or information to know what she needs, but she does know how she feels. Parents can help by approaching the topic in a factual manner and by providing a supportive environment to address their concerns.
Girls are also going through rapid growth spurts during their pre-teen and tween years, and you may need to check the fit of their sports bras regularly to ensure a good fit. Summary 1. Girls should begin wearing a sports bra when breast tissue emerges 2. Talk to your daughter about style and performance preferences before shopping 3. Measure before shopping 4. Look for quality fabrics and construction 5. Be prepared to try different styles to find what's right for her Read ► This one thing could keep your tween girl in sports. Tre Harrington from NonperfectParenting.com shares what makes Dragonwing Girl Gear different.
So why are teen girls leaving the sports they love? Here are two common reasons given by teens.
- Breast discomfort
- Self-consciousness about their developing bodies
Of all the reasons being cited, these two should not be on the list. Sports bras provide support, reduce breast movement, and can provide a comfortable fit on and off the field. Your daughter may not have enough experience or information to know what she needs, but she does know how she feels. Parents can help by approaching the topic in a factual manner and by providing a supportive environment to address their concerns.
So when is the right time to introduce sports bras to your daughter?
It's not about age. It's about development -emotional and physical. At younger ages, before breast tissue develops, training bras and cami's are perfect protection for sensitive nipples and provide modest coverage underneath clothing. Coverage and fitting in help with awkward feelings. Once breast tissue emerges, even at smaller sizes, running and motions typical to many sports may become painful.Confidence. Comfort. Support.
As your daughter develops, confidence, comfort and support come into play and determine what type of support bra or top girls need and when. Talk with your daughter about her sports gear and what she'll need as she continues playing. If you're taking the time to find the best fitting cleats and gear, her base layers need to have the equal consideration. And, like sporting equipment, investing in high-quality garments will provide a better performance, resist staining and odors, and will last longer as it goes through multiple washings. Look for moisture-wicking and stretchy performance fabrics to increase comfort and reduce chafing. How to find the right sports bra for your athletic daughter. Start the selection process before shopping. Sports bras come in a variety of styles and support levels. Talk about what she likes - everything from color, to fit and design. Then, review options to get an idea of what works for her body and her sport. Please keep in mind two important factors to excellent support. 1) the amount of fabric on the back. 2) the width of the bottom band. To find the right fit, measure the bust and chest to determine the best size to start and be prepared to try adjacent sizes until you find one that doesn't pinch, gap, or slide. If your daughter won't let you measure the bust, at a minimum do the bottom band of the chest. It will give you a starting point.Dragonwing Girl Gear Founder, MaryAnne Gucciardi says "your daughter might have you hand them back and forth as she tries them on, until she finds one that she likes,".... "Be patient. If you let her control the conversation, then she'll feel in control of her body.”
Find your Dragonwing Size
Use this easy sizing guide to help find the best fit for Dragonwing bras and support base layers. Sports are as much a psychological exercise as it is physical. Removing distractions of poor-fitting bras, bounce due to lack of adequate support, and providing coverage boosts confidence and lets your daughter focus on what she loves -the skill-building fun of sports and being active. Dragonwing has styles designed to go from school to the field, accommodating afternoon practices without giving up style or comfort. Extra side coverage on our bras removes the worry of being exposed when uniforms are too big or cut for boys and lets your daughter focus on strength and not worry about underwear malfunction. Girls are also going through rapid growth spurts during their pre-teen and tween years, and you may need to check the fit of their sports bras regularly to ensure a good fit. Summary 1. Girls should begin wearing a sports bra when breast tissue emerges 2. Talk to your daughter about style and performance preferences before shopping 3. Measure before shopping 4. Look for quality fabrics and construction 5. Be prepared to try different styles to find what's right for her Read ► This one thing could keep your tween girl in sports. Tre Harrington from NonperfectParenting.com shares what makes Dragonwing Girl Gear different.
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Kathrine Switzer: First Woman to Enter the Boston Marathon
For the Dragonwing team, this video makes us emotional - especially when Jock Semple tries to pull her out. Kathrine's quote "all of a sudden this was very important ... nobody believes I can do this.. and if I don't finish, people will think all women can't." she finished in 4 hrs and 20 min. KV Switzer (and whoever wears #261 -how lucky are you!)
You can watch the video here.
My Daughter is So Happy! — Early Product Review
We are super excited to share an early product review of the new Racerback Cami that we launched on Kickstarter. Sara from Ohio's daughter loves it -- and we think YOU will too. "For the past year, I have been looking for the perfect cami for my 11- year old daughter. My daughter is not quite ready for a bra but definitely needed something with more coverage than the cotton cami with a shelf that she has been wearing daily under her shirts. Recently, I received a sample of the Dragonwing Racerback Cami to trial with my daughter. I am thrilled to say that I have finally found the perfect cami!! My daughter has never loved a cami so much! She tried it on for me and was beaming. The padding in the cami really made her feel more confident and it looked so nice under her shirt. Some of the features of this cami that we love are:
- The material keeps her cool and dry, so it is perfect for any activity. - The straps are adjustable, so she will be able to wear it for quite awhile and adjust it as she grows - The racer back design is great for her posture and looks very sporty. - The padding can be removed for washing or if less coverage is desired.
My daughter wants to wear this cami every day now, so I have been washing it constantly. Even after 10+ washes, the cami still looks as good as new. I am so excited that these camis are on Kickstarter now. I plan on stocking up and buying more in multiple colors. Thank you for creating such a high quality product that makes my daughter feel confident with her body.Sincerely,
Sara
(Mom and Devoted Dragonwing Customer in Ohio)
New Barbie's Not a Winner
Mattel's recent introduction of three new "styles" of Barbie has received lots of media attention. The dolls are now being made with a variety of skin tones, but most of the attention has focused -- not surprisingly -- on the new body types: curvy, petite, and tall.
A tiny, Barbie-sized step in a positive direction of representing greater diversity perhaps, but the dolls still represent a limited and unrealistic image for girls.
As the founder of a company dedicated to empowering girls in sports and life, I'm disappointed -- but not at all surprised -- that there's not an athletic Barbie among these new offerings. In fact, the only one that comes close to being sports-oriented is wearing white platform sneakers and a football-style jersey dress with "Glam Team" above the number. She's definitely not dressed to play sports.
Maybe soccer or basketball uniforms and sports shoes will someday be sold for these new Barbies, but even then I expect the stylized body size will continue to give girls an unrealistic image of a so-called "ideal body."
Girls of all ages come in different shapes and sizes, and all of them can be athletes who enjoy the fun and lifelong lessons that sports participation conveys.
A tiny, Barbie-sized step in a positive direction of representing greater diversity perhaps, but the dolls still represent a limited and unrealistic image for girls.
As the founder of a company dedicated to empowering girls in sports and life, I'm disappointed -- but not at all surprised -- that there's not an athletic Barbie among these new offerings. In fact, the only one that comes close to being sports-oriented is wearing white platform sneakers and a football-style jersey dress with "Glam Team" above the number. She's definitely not dressed to play sports.
Maybe soccer or basketball uniforms and sports shoes will someday be sold for these new Barbies, but even then I expect the stylized body size will continue to give girls an unrealistic image of a so-called "ideal body."
Girls of all ages come in different shapes and sizes, and all of them can be athletes who enjoy the fun and lifelong lessons that sports participation conveys.
An Open Letter to Weight Watchers
Dear Weight Watchers: Thanks to your new spokesperson, Oprah Winfrey, you've been getting more airtime and press than usual recently. I'll add my voice to those, like MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry, who feel compelled to look beyond the pitch for a weight loss program and call out the unintentionally harmful messages -- subtle and blatant -- you're sending to women and girls.
"I worry, as a mom and as a woman, about the messages our daughters receive if they think a woman as phenomenal as you is not enough unless she is thin. Who you are, what you have accomplished, how you have influenced and altered the world is all so much more important than your dress size. There is not one thing that you have done that would have been more extraordinary if you’d done it with a 25-inch waist." Melissa Harris-Perry.As a mother of a teenage girl and as the founder of a business dedicated to empowering girls in sports and in life, I see the focus on the weight number as a trap. Like a ball and chain, the notion of a magical goal number on the scale weighs us down and keeps us -- women and girls -- from achieving our dreams. How many times have we said or heard, "If only I weighed less, I'd be able to
My goal is to free girls from the emotional baggage of social expectations on weight and body image. There is no one right or perfect body type; women and girls come in all shapes and sizes. They are all powerful and beautiful.Oprah has power and influence and is respected worldwide for her business acumen, acting talents, philanthropy -- for her humanity. She has earned all that and more because of who she is -- not because of the number of pounds she weighs or the size clothing she wears. But rather than blame Oprah, I'd like to offer a possible solution to Weight Watchers. In this new year, I urge the company to rebrand and refocus its mission and message. Success in life isn't about watching your weight. Success in life is about emotional and physical well-being; life is about actualizing your potential. Instead of a fellowship around the scale, how about a fellowship of activity and wellness? Instead of selling prepackaged processed foods, how about promoting nutrition information and healthy cooking classes? Most importantly, Weight Watchers, I encourage you to change your messaging. While you have male and female members, the vast majority of your messages are aimed at females and feed the toxic media messages about body image that bombard women and girls daily.
What I wish you would say, in a national advertising campaign, is what so many of us say to young women and girls every day: "You are an amazing human being. You are enough as you are. Be healthy so you'll live a long life. Follow your dreams and go after the big goals you've set. The world needs you -- regardless of your shape or size. And I believe in YOU!"Sincerely, MaryAnne Gucciardi, Founder and CEO of Dragonwing girlgear
"Does New Tech Mean More Comfort?"
Check out this new video discussing the science behind sports bras. We are doing this for girls ages 8 to 17 years old. Please check out Dragonwing girlgear. Girls can be in every shape and size from AA to DDD and more. We are working to make sure their bras fit well so they can focus on the skill building fun of sports and not worry about their changing bodies, discomfort from bad fit, or bras malfunctioning.
Girls Sports Bras for a Cause
We've been amazed by the response to our request for donations of sports bras for girls in India who are part of Goals for Girls' initiative.
But we're just blown away by the efforts of Zoe, a 12-year old, soccer-loving girl from New York state, who took our idea and ran with it. As part of her bat mitzvah preparation, she's collected nearly 100 clean, gently-used sports bras already and is aiming even higher!
The girls' varsity soccer teams of the Fayetteville-Manlius and the Jamesville-Dewitt schools (NY) donated 76 gently-used sports bras to Goals for Girls, helping needy girls stay active. Inspired by Dragonwing girlgear, the donation drive was the project of 12-year-old Zoe C.
We pleased to introduce you to this girl-empowering girl:
How did you hear about the Dragonwing campaign to collect bras for Goals for Girls?
I read about the Dragonwing campaign in Real Simple magazine and thought it would be a great mitzvah project. My Mom and I did some online research and came up with the idea of "Bras for a Cause."
Why did you choose sports bra donations as your bat mitzvah project?
I love soccer, and I want to help other girls stay in the game and not have to stop playing because they don't have the right equipment. Donating a sports bra is something that's really simple that all girls and women can help with. It doesn't involve people spending money; they just have to look through their own drawers.
My grandparents recently traveled to India and we studied India in school, so when I saw that Goals for Girls' next trip was to India, I was even more excited to help.
What's your goal of how many sports bras you'll collect?
At first, my goal was to collect 100 bras, but I've already reached 76 by asking the girls' soccer teams from my area. Now I'm hoping to get at least 200. I've four women's college soccer teams respond to my email request and agree to help me. So now 100 seems too easy.
What sports do you play? What do you like about playing sports?
I play soccer and basketball, and I'm going to try volleyball soon.
I love soccer because I love being part of a team and working together. I like that it's fast paced and things can change quickly. I also love that you get to be aggressive.
The girls' varsity soccer teams of the Fayetteville-Manlius and the Jamesville-Dewitt schools (NY) donated 76 gently-used sports bras to Goals for Girls, helping needy girls stay active. Inspired by Dragonwing girlgear, the donation drive was the project of 12-year-old Zoe C.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If you'd like to donate, send your clean, gently-used sports bra(s) -- any size, brand, or color -- to:Goals for Girls/Dragonwing girlgear 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, #188 Chapel Hill, NC 27517
We Love Girls on the Run!
One of the great joys of growing Dragonwing girlgear is the opportunity to connect with other girl-focused business and organizations.
Girls on the Run, a fabulous organization that shares our mission of empowering girls through sports and an active lifestyle, is a perfect example. GOTR's mission is to "inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running."
We're proud sponsors of GOTR of the Triangle's 5K Race next weekend, just down the road in Durham, NC. We're looking forward to meeting lots of active girls, their volunteer coaches, and family members at the post-race Family Festival. When girls and parents visit our booths at tournaments and races, we learn firsthand about their needs and wishes for athletic undergarments and sports wear -- features that we put into every item we sell:
- fabrics that are truly wicking and designed for the sports girls play;
- comfort, fit, and styles made just for tween and teen girls;
- bras that fit snugly and don't bind or ride up;
- wedgie-free compression shorts that are perfect under uniforms.
If you're at the GOTR 5K race on Saturday, April 11, please stop by our booth -- right next to the flag pole -- and say hello!
We're proud sponsors of GOTR of the Triangle's 5K Race next weekend, just down the road in Durham, NC. We're looking forward to meeting lots of active girls, their volunteer coaches, and family members at the post-race Family Festival. When girls and parents visit our booths at tournaments and races, we learn firsthand about their needs and wishes for athletic undergarments and sports wear -- features that we put into every item we sell:
- fabrics that are truly wicking and designed for the sports girls play;
- comfort, fit, and styles made just for tween and teen girls;
- bras that fit snugly and don't bind or ride up;
- wedgie-free compression shorts that are perfect under uniforms.
If you're at the GOTR 5K race on Saturday, April 11, please stop by our booth -- right next to the flag pole -- and say hello!
Donate a Sports Bra to Goals for Girls
In response to our campaign to raise $25,000 for breast cancer research, members of the Dragonwing community asked if they could donate one of our Limited Edition pink/white Racer Sports Bras to a girl in need.
We're delighted to announce that we've partnered with U.S. soccer great Cindy Parlow Cone and her nonprofit, Goals for Girls, an international initiative of girls helping girls through soccer, to fulfill this vital need. Sports bras are the most-requested item by the girls she works with worldwide. Cindy is planning a trip to India soon, and thanks to the generosity of the Dragonwing family, she'll be taking Racer Seamless Sports Bras to girls there.
It's not too late to donate! Simply CLICK HERE to purchase a special edition Racer Sports Bra, select a size, and select "Yes" in the Donation field.
It's a win-win! Your purchase brings us $10 closer to our goal of $25,000 for breast cancer research AND helps a girl in need.
Since 2007, Goals for Girls has helped disadvantaged girls across the globe by providing access to health and education programs taught through the game of soccer. It gives girls an opportunity to break down cultural and socio-economic barriers to create change through addressing common challenges.