Styles of bras

Ok Ladies, I know that bra's are confusing so I am here to break it down more. What style you are going to need is going to depend on your shape. Yet everyone has one bra in common...The strapless. Yes I know its a pain in the arse, I myself hate shopping for this one. Its tricky, and often leaves lines or creates them a little. Yet for certain dresses we have to, so have one in your closet. Don't come running in last moment needing this. Just already have one, and be smarter than the picture... if you only have one have nude!

Now on to the rest of them. There are many versions but the majority fall into either with wire or without and molded or un-molded like the one below.
This is a minimizer bra, personally I am not a big fan of this style even if you are full busted. The reason being that it tends to flatten and spread you wide and low. Dropping your bust above the stomach and widen it. This hides and actually changes your shape. Hence why I am not a fan. I want to enhance the shape and give lift, but I do get the need for full coverage.
Which is usually what I suggest. I also tend to suggest adding in a molded bra. I know most are thinking well duh! Yet girls, most women a D cup or more often do not want to add more. They do not realize that it is padding that add more not molding.
Now this is a full coverage bra, you can see this by how high the cups are. This style works best for very full figured women and women who are shaped full and narrow. See how much of the breast is covered? This is a often more the work-horse t-shirt bra and is meant to be worn on a on going bases. Yet this shape is not always great for everyone and not everyone wants to cover up so much.

Honestly this is not a bra that fits me very well, its too much of a bra for me. Now I got a set on me, thank my Italian and Polish grandmothers. Even so I cannot wear this style well, I get air bubbles at the triangle points where the straps meet. I tend to do better in demi-cup and like the sexier look of less coverage.
Now this is a balconette demi bra. You see how flat the line is? That more of the top part of the breast is visible? This is because the weight of the breast is on the bottom and the sides. It is the underside that needs the support not the top. That is were the fabric and the stitching goes into. Obviously it is a sexier bra, this is an every day t-shirt bra so long as the fabric is smooth.
The other style of demi is the plunge. This style tends to work better on the women who can wear full coverage well because they are more narrow and full than heavy and wide. Again notice the lesser cup, the deep plunge. I am sure you ladies know that is for V-necks, anything with a deep plunge.
Then of course there are wireless bras. These are often the 24 hour comfortable bras. They work also well for women who are below a C and do not need as much support as a fuller cup. These bras of course come in different structures for more support or less depending on the type of fabric and molding used. Un-molded do not have as much support as molded. The type of fabric is also important for support to sexiness.

Obviously if you want to make the bra sexier you can add colors, lace to any of these styles and you will have more support or fun. Remember that you should have to have one finger in front, two in back with the band below the shoulder blades and no spillage.

Now get a good collection and take care of them!

Bra Tricks 5: The Nude Bra

Do you know what to wear under a white shirt? Most people don't, I know of a few people aka celebrities below who make the an easy mistake. They think that the white is think enough or that the color of the bra is light enough. Let me tell you, it's not! I am sorry but yes I can tell that's a pink bra. I shouldn't be able to, it doesn't look good. Shouldn't your stylist catch that? Granted sometimes its part of the fashion statement. If this is the case, be careful on how you do it.

I mean, it really looks tacky, unless maybe at the beach. It shows though and yes black showing through white is kinda punk-ish but not like this. Now I know what your are thinking. It is a white shirt, so then you need a white bra, right?
WRONG! It is often one of the worst, because its the most common mistake and really shows through. I mean talk about an easy to tell difference. In the end the nude bra prevails, it is after all supposed to be akin to skin.

Bra Tricks 3: Sticky Secrets

Have you ever wondered how the the stars manage to pull off those skimpy dresses? Things that shouldn't hold them in some how do? A dress that shows the bra or exposes oneself half the time, somehow doesn't? Well my dears, that's called: DRESS TAPE!See in the picture above? How she is strategically laying her cardigan on the invisible double sided tape... it will stay flat and laid open. This is handy for the bra that pokes out ever so slightly (wrap dresses), or the strapless dress that pulls away. It works for stray bra straps and helps hold clothing in place. I suggest getting the To-Go versions, pre-cut and packaged easy to use and take with you when you go out; in case you need a touch up.

Before you say, "What if its backless and strapless or will show straps and backless..." Well first off let me say; you just bought a pain in the a$$ outfit, thank yourself for this and now me for the solution.

If you are a C cup or under then you got good options; it goes to a D but you have to be desperate to use. Its called many things: Stick On bra, Strapless backless bra, Nu Bra (Fashion Forms most popular version)
Basically it is just the cups with a front clasp closure and it is crazy sticky. Make sure the clasp is the right way and like normal from the top down to lock. This ensures the cups are the right way and it will lock (it does not work if upside down!). Please don't put it on already clasped, it just doesn't work! Unclasp it and place each cup where you want it and need it for the dress.

Note the farther apart the more it pulls in and enhances the cleavage.This bra will help give cleavage, it does NOT give LIFT. This bra helps keep you in place, it does not really provide SUPPORT.

There are a few versions the first on you saw is the Body Bra aka Chicken Cutlets Bra, which adds a cup size. The other and most preferable is the Seamless Nu Bra which has a bit of padding and adds a bit but bit as crazy as the Body Bra. The last which is shown above is the lightly lined bra, no padding what-so-ever but can show lines which is why its last.

NOTE: DO NOT PUT LOTION ON WHERE YOU PUT THE BRA ON!!! Also please keep it in the plastic case as much as possible as exposure to air ruins it. Feel free to wash it sparely as you are the only one who uses it and washing does kill the adhesive quicker.

Quick Block Summary:
1. Dress tape can keep clothes in place.
2. Put each cup on first and then clasp - have it the right way before putting it on and do it once!
3. It locks from the top like a normal front closure - upside down will UNCLASP!
4. DO NOT PUT LOTION ON WHERE YOU PUT THE BRA ON!!!
5. Keeping the adhesive: Wash when you need to and keep in the case when not using.

Now rock those crazy outfits!

Bra Tricks: Attachments 2

Once again I am being told to pass on enlightenment, when one of my friends was having strap issues. I instantly thought of using clear straps, totally forgetting we had a pair of bling straps. Well the next day when Ms. J saw the bling she wigged.She starts scolding me cause these straps would have been way cooler than the clear ones and she would have way bought them. Opps! It had been so long since changing straps was in fashion I just plump forgot. For me changeable and funky straps is just known. Well no duh it is for me! I've been working in it!
So of course there are also invisible straps. Note these are best adjusted OFF the body, and will be difficult to do even then. What it is plastic on plastic, so no it doesn't move easily. They also need to be a little looser than normal ones as they cut in and that can leave a line, negating the point.

Ok, since I did two points last time, I will do two this time. So sometimes you need a bit extra space. Check out this nifty trick.
Its not often and yes that's a sign that you need to hit the gym or at least get a new bra. Yet when I have women who are sizing down, this is a handy trick. As you can see it has the normal eyes and cooks and will hook into your bra just like normal.
It also is helpful when you are pregnant. It will allow you to wear one of your older bras some times for that special occasion that you have to go to. Lets face it, not worth buying a new bra when everything is changing.

10 tricks to buy a bra

As anyone who knows me well, knows I love lingerie. When I go back to retail its always in that department. I am an expert and love helping women be comfortable in their bras. I believe our foundation is important so that the rest of our clothes look great. So ladies, here are my top 10 tips on how to buy a good bra

1. GET MEASURED! You do NOT know your size. 85% of the time women are wrong about their size. If the words I THINK come out of your mouth or its been longer than a year.... then get measured!
2. Ask for HELP! Unless you are shopping with me or have spent 3 plus years in the lingerie industry, you probably need help. Please we are all girls, just ask for it. Cause an uncomfortable bra just sucks, in more ways the one. It doesn't do anything for you, nor does it feel good on. Plus different brands and styles fit differently and do different things. You are probably a different size in some of them!
   
3. Adjust the straps to you. Get the sales associate to help you a friend... someone. Straps are adjustable for a reason, no two torsos are exactly the same. So please adjust the straps so that it fits your torso.
   
4. Bras should be tighter not looser. When you take off your bra you should see a line where it was. This line disappears in 10-20 minuets, if after half an hour you still have lines... then your in the wrong size.
5. Finger space. You should be able to put two fingers under the clasp and on finger on the front. If you can't too tight. If you can pull the band away very easily with out any tension away from your body too lose.
   
6. Bra's break into our bodies. The band wears and cups mold to us. A bra should be about 85-90% comfortable in the fitting room. If it is a 110% comfortable, it doesn't fit.
   
7. NO SPILLAGE. You should not be spilling out of the cups, or having the four boob look. Please put on a nice white thin t-shirt and see how the bra looks under clothes.
8. Bras are proportional. If the cup is right but the band is to tight, go up a band a down a cup; if the bands too loose, go down a band and up a cup.
   
9. Yes Nude. You need a nude bra. Get over it. White will show under white.
   
10. Find your styles. Figure out your shape and what flatters your body. If you are full and narrow then you will do well with plunges, full coverage, triangle shapes. If you are heavy and wide then you will do better in demi, balconette, a flatter line.
    

Bra Tricks: Attachments 1

Girls I know that bra's are a pain. I know this for many reasons. Not just because I am a girl who has boobs and thus must deal with them. Friends who know me, just SHHH don't go there. Thanks you. Yes, love you too.

When it comes to retail I have always worked lingerie. It is fun, I get to help make women feel comfortable in their own bodies and for special occasions and difficult dresses. Some issue crop up often. So ladies pay note.
The low back extender. See how it hooks onto the sides of the bra, and you wrap it around yourself to bring the straps lower. You got it, those low back but normal front dresses. Not a bad thing to have in the wardrobe huh?

Or what about bring in the strap for racer backs? Yup having a few converters will help keep your straps out of the way. Now granted you can find some funk straps and change the convertible strapless. Or if you want a more elegant look find a converter.