Friday, January 23, 2009

New Year, New Wardrobe Part 2

Push Up Bras


Although you can wear these under any type of shirt, push-up and demi-bust bras are especially useful for low-cut or V-neck shirts. These bras still offer support while giving sexy cleavage and a natural look (so it's not just false advertising). All push-up bras have lined cups, and some have removable cookies(pads) that fit into a small pocket along the underwire. Check out some proven push-ups: Simply Soft (by Triumph),Lissi(Change of Scandinavia), Linda (Change of Scandinavia) and Exclusive (Change of Scandinavia).


Convertible Straps


Fashion can be unpredictable...so if you want to wear a bra underneath asymmetrical designs and halter necks and strapless tops or dresses, you should definitely add a convertible bra to your wardrobe. Bras with straps that detach in the back and front allow you to cross them in the back, around the neck, or can be worn regularly. Strapless bras also serve these purposes but are designed with extra elastic and/or silicone inside the back band to still give support when worn without straps. With either of these types of bras, the straps can be replaced by colored or transparent ones, which are useful underneath spaghetti straps or to show less through fabric. Check out the Simply Soft 5-Way Convertible (Triumph) and Tactel Strapless and Lissi Lace bra both by (Change of Scandinavia). Both of these bras are also completely seamless.

Sexy, Lacy, Sassy


It is my opinion that every woman should have at least one bra that they break out for a special occasion, or just to wear, feel, and look foxy in. Need I say more? Take a peek at some of these hot styles: Elle Lace (Triumph), Linda and Exclusive both by (Change of Scandinavia) and Romantic Emotion (Triumph).

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

New Year, New Wardrobe Part 1

Right about now, many of us are coming up with New Year's resolutions that we vow to stick to, no matter what. Much of these resolutions have to do with eating better and healthier, exercising more, and taking better care of ourselves. I think that in every woman's resolution a fresh way to start is with renewing the essential bras we wear all the time. Feeling good about yourself and your appearance starts with what you're wearing underneath (even if you're the only one who knows what that is!). I have compiled a list of what I believe to be five types of everyday bras every woman should have in her wardrobe. Resolve to toss out those ratty old bras that have no elastic left. As the saying goes, out with the old in with the new.

Sports Bras

The goal of having a sports bra is to ensure great support no matter what type of exercise you do. Once the bra stretches out and the elastic is worn, the cups and back lose their ability to properly hold. Some sports bras have velcro straps that provide a no-slip grip, and others have T-backs which provide extra support and center gravity a bit more. I recommend the 8205, 847, 826 (by Triumph) and 5150 (by Elita lingerie)


Seamless Bras

If you're looking for a sleek look under your clothing, a seamless bra is the way to go. Unadorned with lace, the smooth cups are invisible underneath even the most fitted of shirts. (Bra Doctor hint: beige appears less underneath a white shirt than a white bra.) My favourites are Tactel (by Change of Scandinavia), Comfort Curves (by Triumph), Super Curves(by Triumph), 8420, 8406 (Grenier), and Flower Curves (by Triumph)





Look for more styles coming soon.....

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Bra History and Bra Sizes


Browsing around in a department store trying to find a bra that fits well can be very frustrating because sizing can vary from one style to another. Well here's a little tip to help you get an approximate bra size.

To figure out your band size, with your bra on, place a measuring tape around your diaphram, under your bust. If the number is even add 5 inches, if it's odd add 6 inches. If the measurement is over 33 inches just add 3 inches.

Now we're only half done, let's figure out the cup size. Still wearing your bra, place the measuring tape around the fullest part of your breast to get your bust measurement. We need to subtract this bust measurement from the band measurement to get your cup size.
If the difference is:

  • up to 0 inches, then the cup size is AA
  • up to 1 inch, then the cup size is A
  • up to 2 inches, then the cup size is B
  • up to 3 inches, then the cup size is C
  • up to 4 inches, then the cup size is D
  • up to 5 inches, then the cup size is DD
  • up to 6 inches, then the cup size is F



Fun Facts

The first bras can actually be dated back to the Cretan times, thousands of years ago.

Modern bra fashion began with the first bra to be patented in 1914 by Mary Phelps-Jacobs, an American. Because her sales were not up to par, she sold the rights to Warners for $1,500.00. Warners, then sold over 15 million dollars worth of bras during the next 30 years.

  • In 1935, Warners introduced cup sizing A,B,C and D.
  • In the 1940s, due to material shortages, bras were made from inexpensive fibers.
  • In the 1950s, undergarments became more fashionable and developments in textiles completely revolutionized the industry.
  • In the 1960's, emerged new high tech fibers such as lycra and rayon.
  • In the late 1980's, Madonna ignited fashion trends by flaunting lingerie as part of her stage persona, which in turn, created a new lingerie-as-outerwear industry.
  • In the 1980's and 1990's women became interested in breast augmentation.

Today, more brands, newer styles, and more natural and man-made fibers are introduced to the market place.

Bras are now more diversified than ever before with the introduction of other cup sizes like E,F,G,H, I and J.