Lingerie Guide
If you're like many women, finding the right bra size may seem an impossible task. Fortunately, a good-fitting brassiere is possible. Here you'll find the five must-haves for your lingerie drawer, courtesy Tomima Edmark, plus a classic formula for discovering your best bra fit.
Tomima Edmark, is an entrepreneur with a series of unconventional successes. She has fine-tuned the lingerie business to offer women high quality, good design, comfort, fit and value. Tomima has been featured on Good Morning America and Oprah as well as Forbes Magazine and The Wall Street Journal.
Tomima writes...
On a recent Oprah show the style team from O Magazine took five women and transformed them into attractive and sexy looking goddesses. One important part of the makeover was their underwear. Lingerie expert Susan Nethero shared her list of five must-haves for every woman’s lingerie drawer. Take a look below to see what your lingerie drawer is missing.
5 lingerie must-haves
1. Date night braThis is a bra that makes you feel pretty when you go out in the evening. Pick a color other than nude - like red or black, to feel extra sexy.
2. Demi cup or cleavage showing bra
A demi cup bra has cups that cover less of your upper breast tissue. This allows you to wear lower necklines. One version of this bra is a plunger bras with the center panel cut very low so that you can wear lower v-necks or be able to keep one more button unbuttoned.
3. Strapless braWith today’s variety of unusual necklines, a strapless bra sometimes seems like the only choice if you want to wear a bra, or need that extra support.
4. Elegant camisoleAn elegant camisole is a great solution as a layer under jackets and sweaters. And, there are great support camisoles that not only look pretty, but give you the added smoothing benefits.
5. Matching bra and panty setAccording to Oprah and her stylists, women who wear a matching bra and panty set feel more confident when they walk and talk - even if no one other than themselves knows they have it on.
Nethero selected the Mary Jo Avero plunge convertible bra as her preferred date bra. It’s pretty, has fabulous detailing, a low center and convertible straps. However, women come in many shapes and sizes and one brand or style of bra is not going to fit all body types. Eight out of 10 women wear the wrong size or style of bra. A petite woman and a plus size woman need a different style of bra.
How to find the right bra size
Use a measuring tape -- the kind found in a sewing kit, not the type buried in a tool box.
Enlist help. Your measurements will be more accurate if someone else takes them. If that's not possible, begin by facing a full length mirror.
Measuring against bare skin will give you the most accurate results. If someone else is taking your numbers and you're feeling shy, don a tight-fitting seamless T-shirt over bare breasts.
There are two elements to your bra size; the band size (32, 34, 36) and cup size (A, B, C). Start with band size, also called frame size: Wrap the measuring tape tightly around your rib cage, just below your bust. Add 5 inches to the measurement. Thus, a rib cage measurement of 27 inches + 5 inches would equal a 32-inch band size.
Find your cup size: Measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust. Subtract your band size from this measurement.
A difference of 1 inch = A cup; 2 inches = B cup; 3 inches = C cup; 4 inches = D cup.
For example, a cup measurement of 34 inches - 32 inches band size equals 2 inches, or a B cup.
Be prepared to re-measure every few years. Breasts change size with time, which is why bra-fitting experts recommend re-evaluating your measurements at least once every two years -- more often if you've lost or gained a significant amount of weight or had a baby.
You wear it well: Know your bra size
Knowing your bra size is important, but so is knowing exactly how a bra is supposed to fit.
Cups: The cups should be filled out so they fit smoothly. If there are wrinkles, you may need a smaller cup size. In the case of cotton/spandex underwire bras, there should be a little excess fabric in the cups to allow for shrinkage. If there is overflow at the top, under the arms, you should try a larger cup size.
Security: Your breasts should be held snugly in place, even when you lift your arms, bend over, run or jump.
Band: The band should be fitted, but not cutting into your skin. It should sit lower on the back than in the front and sit comfortably below the shoulder blades. The back of the bra should not ride up above the bra line. If it does, adjust the straps. If the bra still rides up, try a smaller band size.
Bra straps: Straps should be adjusted to give support to the bust without cutting into the shoulders. If the straps are falling down, you may not be filling up the cups. Try a smaller cup size.
Underwires: All pressure should lie on the underwires to support the breasts without digging in at the sides. Underwires lie flat against the chest. If the underwire is standing away from the body, suggest a bigger cup size. Underwires should completely surround the breast tissue to provide support.
The center piece -- and underwire, if the bra has it -- should lay flat against your chest. It should not shimmy up onto breast tissue or dig into your skin. So should the underwire, if the bra has it.
Troubleshooting tips
Here are some common bra problems -- and their solutions:
The band in back rides up. Any one of three tricks may work: If possible try fastening the hook on a tighter enclosure, go down one band size, or loosen your bra's shoulder straps.
Loose or wrinkled cups. Go down one cup size.
Breasts spill out of cups. Try a larger cup size or choose a bra style that offers more coverage through the cups.
Red strap marks. Try loosening the bra's straps. If that doesn't work, you can pad your bra's straps or try a more breast-supportive bra, one that doesn't require the shoulder straps to do all the uplifting.
Falling straps. Try tightening the straps. If you have a problem with perpetual falling straps, you may want to try a different style of bra, such as a T-back, U-back or racerback style.
One of your breasts is bigger than the other. (Note: If this is you, relax. Most women are a bit asymmetrical.) Fit the cup to the larger breast, then tighten the strap a bit on the smaller side to compensate. Or, have your bras custom-made.
Large-busted? Go with an underwire, full-coverage bra, which are made to completely cover the breast . Not only are full-coverage styles more comfortable for the full-figured, they are more flattering. Look also for wide straps, which are less likely to offer uplift to heavy breasts without digging into skin.
Small-busted? If you'd like to look bustier, try a padded bra, a cleavage-enhancing bra or a demi bra which can lift breasts and enhance cleavage.
The perils of a bad bra
You probably know a bad bra when you wear one -- it is uncomfortable, unflattering, shows under clothing. But a bad bra is more than just a nuisance, it can also affect your well-being:
- Years of wearing a bra with overly-tight straps can cause permanent indentations in the top of the shoulders.
- Chronic upper back, neck, and shoulder pain. In some instances, an ill-fitting bra can even contribute to headaches.
- Pain during exercise
- Skin abrasions and permanent scars from unfinished seams, itchy material or poorly-designed cups, bands and straps.
- Infection from chronic abrasions. This is more common under the breasts in large-busted women.
Mary Jane shoes
Head to the thrift shops.
Get alerts.
Use sample sale sites.
Pick affordable must-haves.
Aviator sunglasses
Knit caps
Learn from the runways.
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