Another day, another lawsuit against Victoria's Secret

Posted Nov 11th 2008 at 2:30PM by Kyle Hepp (Subscribe to Kyle Hepp's posts)

Filed under: Fashion

Victoria's Secret has gone and done it again. Their lingerie is so dangerous it should come with a warning label! First a woman was attacked by her thong. Now this time the women's underwear company is being sued because their bras made a woman sick.

Roberta Ritter has made claims that she bought a Very Sexy Extreme Me Push-Up bra and an Angels Secret Embrace bra and they gave her a rash. She complains, "I had the welts ... very red, hot to the touch, extremely inflamed, blistery. It itched profusely. I couldn't sleep, waking up itching."

Is this gorgeous lingerie worth the risk?

(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Welts and rashes aren't exactly the sexy glam image that Victoria's Secret is trying to sell, but apparently Roberta isn't the only one with that problem. Lab tests revealed that the bras contain formaldehyde, which may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Dozens of other women are now trying to get together a class action lawsuit against the pink giant. Here at Stylelist, we can only shake our heads and wonder -- when will fashion stop being so hazardous to women's health?

Tags: bra, dangerous, lawsuit, rash, underwear, victorias secret, VictoriasSecret

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 15)

Ginger 11-11-2008 @ 7:30PM

I cannot believe I am just hearing about this now! I have been to dermatologists and allergists over the past year for this itchy, painful, red rash across my back, on my shoulders under the bra straps, and on my breasts. I have had soooo many tests (all negative) and was told that I was allergic to "something". I have been prescribed the combination of Zyrtec, Betamethasone Dipropionate lotion, Fluocinonide cream, Atarax, Zantac 300, Prednisone, Doxepin, Allegra, Singulair, and Celebrex in order to provide relief. I could get full on the amount of pills I take for breakfast each day just to provide some relief. I purchased a bunch of Victoria Secret Very Sexy Push-up Bras just before the rash developed.

I called Victoria Secret (800-945-5088) and told them I want a full refund for the bras along with reimbursement for all out-of-pocket medical costs incurred including reimbursement for prescription medications. A customer service supervisor said she will send a pre-paid package label for return of the bras in exchange for a full refund. She also told me someone will be contacting me with 3 days regarding reimbursement of medical bills relating to this rash.

Jon 11-12-2008 @ 10:27AM

Victoria Secret's bras are too expensive anyway..

Here is an article about Twelve Tips for Spending Less

http://www.curiousread.com/2008/08/twelve-tips-for-spending-less.html

Save!

mnymkr69k 11-12-2008 @ 10:47AM

You are a Dermatologist and you couldnt figure out why you only had a rash in places where the bra's straps and cups were? Wouldn't it be logical to deduce that it may have had something to do with the bra? DUH

I hope this law suite gets dropped and i wish that these stupid lawsuits woudl stop. They are damaging this country and making the lawers rich.

CHERYL 11-12-2008 @ 12:18PM

........I have had the VERY SAME symptoms. The rash was within the cup (botton of breast) - I assumed it was heat hash as this occurred in the summertime - I switched to a cotton bra (although ugly) and it went away. I believe that some women are just allergic to whatever is in the material of this bra!

Billi 11-12-2008 @ 12:22PM

I purchased a "Very Sexy " push up bra a while back. I began to experience intense pain on the underside of each breast. Painful to the touch. The bra has liquid pouches inserted on the underside of the bra! I stopped wearing it and the pain went away. Thanks for the 800 number. I'll let them know I had a reaction, as well. Thanks. Be well.

rainman20147 11-12-2008 @ 1:16PM

I guess you should have tried something else. Why would you need a push up bra anyway?

Keeley 11-12-2008 @ 1:42PM

Dang. People will do anyhing to get a little money out of a good company these days.
I love VS.

Sandy 11-12-2008 @ 1:55PM

Strange I have had a rash during the summer months under my bra but I don't wear Victoria Secrets at all. I was told by the dermatogist that is could be from the rubber in the strap or in the support part that I may have an allergy to. I don't think it is the brand I think it is the rubber or fabric it is made from

Be 11-12-2008 @ 3:03PM

Try buying Goddess or Elomi Bras as they are fomaldehyde free. Both are designed for the fuller figure / cup size, and should stop your allergeric reactions. Check them out.

pepper 11-12-2008 @ 3:10PM

I wore their strapless bra and when I took it off, I had these huge blisters where the "no slip strip" is under the arms. I sent it back for a full refund, and I don't purchase those types of bras from them any more.
Lawsuits are ridiculous and ways for people, who won't take responsibility for their own lack of common sense, to get "easy money". It's disgusting.
At least you're not joining this dumb lawsuit.

Kira 11-12-2008 @ 4:09PM

thank you for your comment on the website about Victoria secret rashes it helped because my mom has it too. thank you for the number.!
-Kira

C.RAE 11-12-2008 @ 8:53PM

This is actually my favorite bra. Never had a problem!

Tami 11-12-2008 @ 10:01PM

This is weird to hear. Last year I was having the same exact problem it drove me nuts. WOuld be out to dinner and had to leave the table becasue the itching was driving me nuts. Eventually after several months and the pain becasue I itch so bad that I made myself raw I went out and bought all new bra's at Sears. Since then have had no problems what so ever. Never thought to blame the bra's I bought from Victoria's. Specially after spending $50 or more a bra.

MsOnie 11-13-2008 @ 8:52AM

I bought a Playtex last week that did the same thing to me!

Brad 11-13-2008 @ 1:43AM

WOW!!! Jessica Simpson posing nude here:
http://www.celebcvid.com/video.php?v=Jessica_Simpson_nude

bella 11-13-2008 @ 2:14AM

I experienced the same rash, but my bras are natural VS no gels or push ups..

Do they all contain formaldehyde?

scum 11-13-2008 @ 10:26AM

this is rediculus!
putting ingredients for dead bodies is not a good thing!
F VS

Lee Kyle 11-12-2008 @ 10:40AM

Could be shingles.

Kelli 11-12-2008 @ 10:31AM

This just baffles me. People are so money hungry that they find every and any way to make a quick buck. Can you really sue someone for this because I'm pretty sure it is not Victoria Secret's fault that YOU are allergic to whatever it is in their bras. If it was bothering you in the first place, you should of just returned it and took your business somewhere else instead of continuing to wear it, which in turn prolonged your suffering. This reminds me of the lady who sued McDonald's when her clumsy self split coffee on her lap and sued because she didn't know it was hot...um..here's your sign. What is happening to American's common sense and integrity.

Bella 11-12-2008 @ 11:00AM

(FYI) The lady who sued McDonalds did sue because her coffee was simply too hot, she sued because the thermastate on Mcdonalds coffee maker was calibrated incorrectly which was discovered only after she accidently spilled the coffee on herself and was rushed to hospital with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. I don't know about you, and trust me, I like my coffee hot ,but anything able to cause 2nd and third degree burns is way to hot for ANYONE to be drinking! If she had drank it instead of spilling it, she may have ruined her taste buds for life, forever not being able to enjoy food, instead she spilled it on her lap, had to have several surgeries and could not have sex for several months. Don't you think she deserves some compensation for that? or do the people in your world walk around with thermometers in the pockets just in case?