Maidenform, Cosmo fit hundreds of BU bosoms

Hundreds of Boston University women proved college students will go great lengths for free stuff as Maidenform and Cosmopolitan Magazine teamed up to give away free bras and fittings in front of the George Sherman Union Wednesday afternoon.

With 50 people in line just 10 minutes after the two-hour Programming Council event began at 11 a.m., students said they did not mind the wait to receive a free fitting, gift bag and $32 Maidenform Dream Bra.

Cosmopolitan Special Programs Manager Julie Geer said BU was the first stop on the college tour, with the next event at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

“It’s a fun idea we worked to bring to the school,” she said.

Five professional fitters sized women over their shirts in a tent, while music blasted from speakers onto Commonwealth Avenue. In the first hour, more than 300 women received gift bags, which included a sample CD, linen spritzer and Maidenform coupons.

Although 1,000 bras were brought out for the day’s event, many sizes were “sold out” quickly. Geer said any women who were not able to get their correct size were given another bra they could return at a retail outlet for the correct size. The line was cut off at 12:45 p.m.

PC Special Events Coordinator Jessica Howe said Cosmopolitan and Maidenform contacted the university over the summer about having the event, which was originally scheduled for October. The event, PC’s first promotional event, was eventually pushed to the spring.

“We’re always open to it,” the College of Communication senior said. “College students are a big demographic. BU certainly has a lot of females.”

Many students coming to or from class stopped by, enticed by the offer of a free bra.

Other students said they were informed by advertisements or flyers.

“Free bras are going to attract a lot of women,” CAS freshman Juliana Jackson said.