Bra Doctor Blog » Fashion Advice

Fine Prints: Vivid splashes of color, abstract prints & unique designs

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 19:22:23 +0000

What are YOU doing this summer? Weddings, parties & weekend getaways are already filling up my calendar. I enlisted the help of some girlfriends to help me sift through my closet, and donate things I haven’t worn in ages. Now, the quest to find the right clothes for each occasion– a serious challenge for any woman! My goal is to escape the darker tones from Fall and Winter past, and invite some color into my wardrobe… all while taking advice from the pros and top designers (and sometimes, my girls).

Sunshine 2-Way Reversible Top with Bell Sleeves by Papillon Blanc, available at Now That's Lingerie.com

Quit playing it safe with basic colors! Stand out from the crowd– whether at barbecues, weddings, beach parties, or on a dinner date– with head-turning prints that make a bold statement. Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenburg, Betsey Johnson and other designers include eye-catching colors and mesmerizing prints in their Spring 2010 runway styles.

Papillon Blanc’s newest Ready-to-Wear collections are walking canvases of rich colors emblazoned on luxurious microfiber fabric. Stunning dresses and tops incorporate warm blends of amber, rose, gold and cool turquoise tones, with splashes of basic white and black for contrast. Abstract floral and paisley prints definitely break the monotony from your usual basics, but are still versatile and demure enough to wear anytime: to weddings, dinner dates, cocktail parties or work engagements. Tone it up or down with your hairdo, jewelry, shoes and bag, but keep the volume low: bring out only one color with your add-ons, or stick to basic white, taupe and black to really emphasize the uniqueness of your outfit.

Fashion tips, trend alerts or advice? Share them with us!

Comment here, on Twitter, or contact me at
fashionistalisa@nowthatslingerie.com.

See you soon with a sneak peek of what’s in store for Fall fashion!
Lisa

Skirting the Issue: What’s up with hemlines?

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:24:58 +0000

What’s up with hemlines this season? Panty-peeking minis, sophisticated knee-length and mid-thigh skirts & dresses… this Spring has a little something for everyone. Let’s start with a peek at some runway fashions to inspire your personal style & revamp your closet!

It’s hard for most anyone (other than models, of course) to look classy when wearing an ultra-short dress or skirt. Thankfully, the rest of us can be satisfied with knee-length dresses and skirts that reveal just a flattering peek of our thighs! If your outfit is a bit sheer and you don’t want to reveal that much skin, try wearing something else underneath. Arianne’s Kelly collection has a 19″ half-slip with a lacy hem on the bottom for skirts, and a basic, opaque 35″ full slip for dresses, with adjustable spaghetti straps.

Kelly 19" half-slip with lace hem, Kelly 35" adjustable full slip, both by Arianne and available at Now That's Lingerie.com

Plus, try wearing some invisible underwear to eliminate any panty lines! Take a look at Elita’s aptly-named Invisible collection. This way, nothing but your beauty will detract from your sexy outfit!

Elita low-rise Invisible panties (thongboy and thong shown), available at Now That's Lingerie.com

Check out last week’s Style update: Ruffle-Mania!
Stay tuned for your next style update: Boyfriend Blazers (& what to wear under them)!

Questions about fashion and beauty? Ask Fashionista Lisa!
e-mail me at fashionistalisa@nowthatslingerie.com!

Style: Ruffle-Mania!

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:33:31 +0000

Ultra-girly frills, appliqués, ribbons, bows and lacy embellishments are all the rage right now in everything from work clothes, street wear or cocktail gear. Spied on the catwalk by designers like Chanel and Armani, among others, ruffles are making a major comeback. Flaunt your sexy self in some hot new items and feel at your utmost feminine.

: Iris mini-ruffle dress by Arianne. Available at Now That’s Lingerie.com

Score this super chic look in a wallet-friendly way. Check out Arianne’s Iris collection, which offers a layered look complete with miniature ruffles for an eye-catching yet discreet appearance. You can wear the sensual knee-length dress to your next party or dinner engagement, or pair the top with your favorite pants before you go dancing this weekend. Both are lined for opacity and offer wider straps to help hide your bra underneath, and the shape of the bodice is extremely flattering, sleek and sophisticated.

: Nora silk top with satin jabot ruffles, by Arianne. Available at Now That’s Lingerie.com

Plus, check out Arianne’s elegant, exceptionally versatile Eve top with ruffles along the neckline, or the Nora silk collection with satiny ruffles along the neckline and down the front of the bodice.

Check back next time to find out what’s up with hemlines this season in Skirting the Issue!

Or see my last style blog: Sheer Sophistication.

Questions about fashion and beauty? Ask Fashionista Lisa!

e-mail me at fashionistalisa@nowthatslingerie.com!

Style: Sheer Sophistication

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:51:11 +0000

Some of the biggest names in fashion have introduced their new lines in New York and Paris for Spring Fashion Week. Amongst the eye-catching melee of colors, daring ingenuity and bold cuts, many style themes emerged. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be covering the fashion styles that will be all the rage this spring. Plus, I’ll give you some budget-friendly suggestions on how to get your own catwalk-inspired gear.

Whether it’s lightweight, diaphanous fabric, sheer lace prints or appliqués, recent trends are resplendent in their femininity and sensuousness. Spring’s dreamy dresses with long, flowing skirts give off a majestic appeal while maintaining a sophisticated edge.

Diva sheer camisole by Arianne, available at Now That's Lingerie.com

Sheer tops in ready-to-wear styles lend versatility to this coveted barely-there, glamorous look. Arianne’s Diva camisole has a stunning lace, corset shape and lined bodice– making it a daring ensemble when paired with your favorite jeans or skirt. Another versatile top by Arianne is in the feminine Keri collection: it’s lined for opacity all over, except the sleeves are still sheer… plus it has a cross-your-heart neckline and has scalloped edges along the bottom hem! Both tops feel light and airy, just like this pink dress by Christian Dior (above). The sheer look is definitely one to love this Spring!

Keri floral cross-over lined top with sheer sleeves, by Arianne. Available at Now That's Lingerie.com.

Stay tuned for my next fashion blog: Ruffle-Mania!

Questions about fashion and beauty? Ask Fashionista Lisa!
e-mail me at fashionistalisa@nowthatslingerie.com!

The Mystery of Underwire

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:34:50 +0000

So many bras these days are constructed with underwire, that women are becoming increasingly convinced that all bras should have an underwire. But then, why would most companies still offer several non-underwire options to their customers? I’m going to help solve the mystery of what an underwire actually does for you.

Let me start with one of the basic principles of bra fitting (you can see my other blogs on this by clicking here). When your bra fits properly, the underwire should contour all of your breast tissue (from under your arms to where your cleavage resides) and lay flat against your breastbone in the front, without constraining your breasts or rubbing against your skin.

Dahlia bra and panty set by Valisère (Triumph). Size range: 34-40, D-DD cups. Available at Now That's Lingerie.com.

The purpose of an underwire is to contour the natural shape of your breast by encompassing the entirety of your breast tissue and giving it lift and a round shape. When encased in those cups, your breasts will only be supported to the extent that the fabric of your cup covers your breasts. For example, let me compare two distinct types of underwire bras. If you’re wearing a padded push-up bra (most of which offer only minimal support), you are getting less support than if you were wearing a full cup minimizer (intended to deliver the utmost support). But both bras have underwire. So what determines this difference in support levels?

For any bra, the straps, elasticated back band, fabric, stitching, underwire and coverage all work together to play a crucial role in perfecting your comfort. The majority of the support of a properly fitted bra lies in the elasticity (or firmness) of the fabric of your cups, plus the stitching (if any) on or along the cups. (The reason I emphasize properly fitted is because, if your bra doesn’t fit, it doesn’t matter what style you’re wearing– you will not be get the support that the physics of your bra intended! Click for more of my blogs on bra fitting.) So, if your bra cups only cover half of your boobs (like in a demi-cup or demi-bust bra), then chances are, your bra won’t give you as much support as a full-coverage bra– regardless of whether there is or isn’t an underwire. This also means that a bra with a stretchier fabric on the cups will support your breasts less than a bra made with a sturdier, less extensible fabric.

So that’s part of understanding what underwire can do for you. Before I continue, I want to make something clear. Just because you may prefer to wear non-underwire bras does NOT mean you are getting less support than a woman who wears underwire. Many non-underwire bras are equipped with a supportive elasticated band around the torso and have seams that are stitched internally in such a way as to provide shape and support. Full support bras DO exist without underwire and their support can be comparable to that of an underwire bra. The major difference is that the shape of your breasts will sometimes be different in either type of bra. You see, underwire works to envelop the entirety of your breast tissue, from beneath your arms and below your breast, bringing their weight closer to the front and slightly lifted upwards. Some non-underwire bras may constrain the breast tissue nearer to your body, but this may make your breasts seem smaller, especially since your breasts will seem less separated from each other than if there was an underwire contouring each breast.

The Vintage Touch wire-free bra by Warner's offers a naturally rounded fit and unparallelled comfort. Available at Now That's Lingerie.com

So what have you learned? Properly fitted, underwire bras help give you a more precise fit while supporting your breasts, but what more fully determines the support level are the fabric (and stitching) of your bra cups (more on this in a subsequent blog!). All these aspects (and more, like the strap’s width) work together to provide support. For women who do not like underwire bras and find them uncomfortable, don’t fret– there is still a wide range of non-underwired bras available for your comfort and convenience.

For all your bra fitting questions… contact me at celinethebradoctor@nowthatslingerie.com! I hear from dozens of women every week with a wide range of bra fitting issues, and I respond to them personally. So don’t hesitate or wait to feel comfortable in your bras.

See you next time!
Your Bra Doctor
bradoctor@nowthatslingerie.com

Nurture Your Nature! Fashion fixes for uneven breasts

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:37:37 +0000

Even out your asymmetrical breasts with some quick tricks…

Welcome back! Today I’d like to cover one of the most common questions asked by women I’ve personally fitted for bras: what do you do when your breasts are not the same size?

Well, believe it or not, most women have at least a slight size difference. I have rarely seen women with two breasts that are exactly the same size. As if bra fitting weren’t complicated enough, right? Different women may have asymmetrical breast sizes for different reasons. Unfortunately, most women don’t know what to do for this manageable issue, so end up wearing bras that are not the right size and are uncomfortable for them. Here are some tips to help you achieve your most comfortable fit so you can look and feel great in your bras!

Bra cups are too small, & should NEVER constrain your breasts.

Over the course of her lifetime, a woman’s bra size can change more than five times. For many developing women, this is also the time when one’s breasts may not grow at the exact same rate, sometimes leaving one side noticeably bigger than the other. Factor in body changes resulting from pregnancy, breast feeding, weight gain or loss, medication, surgery and just age, and it’s easy to see how the shape of your breasts changes over time. You should always make sure your bras fit you and are comfortable, because if they aren’t, then you definitely are not wearing the right size or style bra for your unique body shape.

This brings me to one of the most important rules of bra fitting: if your breasts are different sizes, your bra should fit comfortably over the larger (not smaller) breast. The cup on the larger side should fit the entirety of your breast tissue without cutting into you. Sure, there may be a gap or a pleat in the cup where the smaller breast resides, but you can fill the space with a bra pad. This way, the underwire will not constrain your larger breast. NEVER, EVER buy a bra that fits only the smaller side comfortably, while the larger breast spills over the fabric of the cup or is constrained in any way by underwire or elastics.

Bra cups too big. Fabric should lie flat against the breast tissue.

So what are some available solutions to making your breasts look naturally even? For starters, wearing a bra that at least has a lined cup will go a long way in making both sides look more similar. It won’t help to just wear a bra that is very padded (keep in mind this will also make both sides seem larger, but the size difference will remain the same). You can try wearing a bra that has removable pads or removable cookies; by taking them out of the larger side and inserting them into the bra pockets in the smaller cup, you help even out the difference. This is usually a perfect little trick if your breasts are just slightly uneven in size, but if there is still a noticeable discrepancy, you might want to try to use other pads in addition to the removable cookies.

Silicone or foam pads, when added to the smaller side of your bra, can fill out the remaining gaps or spaces in your bra cup. But if this is your plan, it would be best to use them in a lined bra or padded bra (which exist both with or without underwire), so any slight demarcations of the pad inside your bra will be minimized. If you have a more noticeable difference in the symmetry of your breasts (close to a cup size, for example), Add-A-Size bra pads are definitely worth a try, either in silicone (see Glam silicone pads) or fabric with foam (see Add-A-Size pads). And if you’ve had a mastectomy, Add-A-Size pads will help fill out the difference as well.

Fashion Essentials Glam silicone enhancers, available at Now That's Lingerie.com

Wire-free lined bra by Triumph, available at Now That's Lingerie.com

A few more tips before you go! If you decide to use silicone instead of foam, don’t use more than one silicone pad inside the cup on the smaller size, because it could look and feel heavier and bulkier than the other side (if you want to walk lopsided all day, be my guest!). Also, after inserting your bra pads, don’t forget to re-adjust your bra straps and back closure to ensure both sides look equal and you feel comfy.

Lastly– if you want more bra fitting help, contact me. I’ve fitted women of all sorts of shapes and sizes, and I can help you find out what best suits your personal needs. DO let me know if you have any comments or suggestions. I’d love to hear from all of you!

Sincerely, as always,

your Bra Doctor

How to Wear Fashionable Necklines

admin — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:07:55 +0000

We’ve all been clothes shopping and tried on tops and dresses, then thought, “wow, this looks great, but what bra am I going to wear with it?” To help you out, here’s a quick guide to wearing almost any shape of neckline, and the bras created for them! Why sacrifice style when all you need is the right bra to wear underneath? Voilà, fashion tips for any occasion!

Off-The-Shoulder Sophistication
Off-the-shoulder tops and dresses show off a sexy glimpse of your shoulders and collarbone, but can tend to reveal your bra straps. The simplest solution is a strapless bra, which will give you lift where you need it but without showing your straps! Or, if you’re not comfortable going fully strapless, you can always add on transparent straps to your convertible bra instead.

Backless Wonder
It’s tricky business to wear a bra under these tops, since the back band will likely appear and disrupt the beauty of having a backless effect. If you’ve seen celebrities shimmying down the red carpet in a backless dress, they are probably wearing an adhesive bra. Basically, an adhesive bra has a hypoallergenic double-sided adhesive that sticks onto (and around) your breasts and holds without straps or a back band, letting you show off your shoulders and back. Smile for the paparazzi!

Taking the Plunge
Deep necklines can tend to reveal the top of your bra, if the bra is not low-cut enough in the front. The solution? Try a specialty bra like Arianne’s U-Bra, which will give you lift and support while allowing you to wear even the lowest of necklines. Plus, the U-Bra’s straps are convertible, so you also have the option of crossing them in the back or making a halter neck. Talk about versatility!

It’s Hip to be Square
Medieval-cut or square-cut necklines can show the top of your bra if it comes up too high on the sides. A square-cut demi-bust bra will solve the problem and won’t needlessly reveal any of your bra’s fabric. Also, the straps usually tend to be centered towards your shoulders instead of closer to your neck, hiding your entire bra and the straps even when you go out dancing (or if you’re turned sideways towards an interesting member of your dinner party).

Strapless Sensation
The timeless look of strapless tops and dresses means that the bare-shoulder effect will never go out of style. Work with it, and invest in an ingenuous strapless or convertible bra. Most strapless bras are also equipped with their own straps, so you can wear them daily or with your other specialty tops (like halter, criss-cross, or asymmetrical necklines). You can also switch up the straps for transparent ones, which are useful when you don’t feel like wearing the bra in strapless mode. However you choose to wear it, a convertible/strapless bra is a necessary and multi-purpose addition to your wardrobe!

V-Cut Va-Va-Voom!
The ever-popular V-cut look may entice you to really show off all of your cleavage at once, but don’t go overboard. The trick to wearing these tops is to get a hint of lift without your goodies popping out the top of your shirt or dress. You’re going for classy, not trashy, and an in-your-face boost detracts from the rest of your appeal! Opt for a push-up bra that will discreetly enhance your cleavage and bring out the best of your feminine sensibilities.

I hope these tricks were helpful! Stay tuned for my next fashion blog, when I’ll be reviewing the newest fashions in pants and how to find the right panties to wear beneath them! In the meantime, please contact us with any ideas, comments or suggestions. See you soon!

Lisa