Bra Talk

 When you need extra support under a special gown, such as a bridal or formal dress, a longline bra can provide many effects that a corset does.  A longline bra fastens at the small of your back and can be found in styles that include or eliminate bra straps.

Bali bras are some of the most highly regarded bras in the business, both in longline and all their other styles.   Their superior construction, comfort, and design have made women look amazing for decades.

Bali bras are known for their comfort, support and durability.  They also have some great minimizer bras.  This one is my favorite.

It is seamless, so it looks great under any outfit, and bandless, which makes it easy to wear.  For a minimizer bra, it is exceptionally comfortable.

There is no standard correct time to buy a teenage girl’s first bra.  Most girls will begin to wear some kind of training or starter bra between the ages of 9 and 11.  A “tween” or young teenage girl may want to buy her first bra when she first notices her friends wearing them, particularly if she is into sports activities.

Sometimes the support a first bra provides is more psychological than physical.  Even if a teen girl’s body changes are not drastic, the first teen bras are a sign that a girl is growing up and can affect her self-confidence and body image.

When you’re pregnant, your body will, obviously, go thorough several changes – including having a little person inside you; once you give birth, however, you’ll find that you’ll still carry some pregnancy weight and that your bust will have slightly increased, too. Here are some tips to get a new bra:

• Find your bra size. Maddeningly, this is only an estimate, worse even than finding a jeans size. Stick the tape measure under your armpits and draw it across the very top of your chest. If it’s odd, add 1″; that’s your band size. If it’s even, that’s your band size.
• Figure out your cup size. Put on your best fitting bra and put the tape measure around the middle of your chest over the cups. Why wear a bra for this? If you’re like most moms, gravity and childbirth has, um, lowered your center. Wearing a bra will give you a better sizing. Subtract the band size number from that number; if the difference is 1″, your cup size is A. 2″ is B, 3″ C, 4″ D, and so on.
• Find a bunch of bras that you like. Push-up bras often work nicely for post-partum chests. There are even full-coverage push-ups these days. Underwires have the best support (Bali bras are perfect to try). Regular bras are often loose in the upper cup after a baby. Get a selection, and don’t forget to get a variety of sizes, because manufacturers vary.
• Determine if the bra fits well. Nothing should gape; the band should sit straight across your back and front. If the band is going up in the back, go up a band size. A well-fitting bra should fit on the loosest hook; the band will stretch. The bra cups should not be cutting into your flesh, nor should there be any side-spillage – go up a cup size if this is happening. Sometimes underwires cut in the armpits.
• If there is loose material at the top of the breast but it fits fine at the bottom of your breast, try a different style rather than size. Remember, breasts come in all shapes and sizes, and not all bras can accommodate your uniqueness.
• Your nipple should be about halfway between your shoulder and your elbow. Adjust the straps to see if this bra will make that happen. If not, move on. A larger bust often needs wider straps for more support.

Planning a wedding can be stressful and in between purchasing your wedding dress and the actual ceremony, it’s possible to deal with size issues.  Altering your dress at the last minute and some women are finding it beneficial wearing shapewear beneath their dress.

Obviously before you do this, you want to consult the store where you are buying your dress, as well as making sure you know which garment you’re wearing with your wedding dress – for example, Bali bras has a great line of shapewear that provides maximum comfort.   You also want to consider the time of the year and the possible weather conditions (it might not be such a good idea to wear shapewear beneath your dress in the summer, but perfect for fall).

I seldom feel like I need to champion a brand over others, but this week I truly realized the greatness of Bali bras.  For a woman like me, who’s constantly running around, their bras are a god send.  They never hurt or feel uncomfortable and by the time the work day ends, I still have enough energy to go out and be even more productive. 

If there’s any advice that I can give on the best bra to wear for your day-to-day life, I’d go with Bali bras.

You don’t always have to go to stores to get fitted for your bras. Some women even find it more accurate to do it themselves. Here’s a guide on how to measure yourself:

Determining your Bra/Band size
(ribcage circumference measurement)

1. Measure around the chest directly under the breast at a constant height with the cloth measuring tape. Add 5 inches to that measurement. This dimension is your bra/band size (If the bra size works out to an ODD number go up one inch to the next EVEN number.) This should equal the circumference around the chest, directly above the breasts/under the arms.

2. Now measure around the chest at the height of the fullest part of the breast. The measuring tape should be held horizontal, flat on your back, and your arms should be down. Make a note of that measurement (only used for comparison) and compare it to the Bra Size from step 1.

Determining your Cup size
(projection of breasts from chest wall)
3.    To determine the proper cup size, find the difference between step 2 and step 1. Use the table to figure out your cup size.

Half inch = AA cup
One inch = A cup
Two inches = B cup
Three inches = C cup
Four inches = D cup
Five inches = DD or E cup
Six inches = F cup
Seven inches = G cup

We often talking about the importance of wearing bras and there are quite a few positive qualities to wearing them, but wearing bras ALL the time can get a bit uncomfortable – even if you’re wearing the best one.  The best time to take a break is at night, while you’re sleeping. 

When you’re sleeping, gravity isn’t such a big factor in your activity, as is such, it’s the ideal time to be braless.  It will also help you sleep at night; so if you’re looking to give the girls a rest, during your slumber is the best time.

Some women will opt to stay away from wearing bras in the summer as they can be a bit comfortable in the heat.  But gravity doesn’t stop because of the seasons and neither should your bra-wearing.  Here are some tips on choosing a bra to wear in the summer:

• Invest in a convertible bra. Although manufacturers are still perfecting a truly comfortable version, this bra will support you well under a backless bodice and halter tops.

• Opt for styles without lace and seams for a clean look under fitted sleeveless tops and fine knit shells. If you’re a size A or B, look for stretch cotton bralettes - they resemble a cropped tank top with adjustable straps.

• Try a demi bra when wearing a plunging or revealing neckline. Designed with wide-set cups that just cover the nipple, they offer good support with maximum exposure.

• Wear flesh tones when sporting pastels or sheer materials like linen. White bras will be very conspicuous.

• Combat sweat-inducing humidity by pairing summer attire with a moisture-wicking sports bra. They offer great support, and the high-tech fabric will keep you a lot drier than most fashion bras.

• Consider racer back or cross back bras to wear with sleeveless tops and shells. You can rest assured that your bra straps won’t slip into view.

• Go strapless under skinny-strap tanks and strapless tops. Smaller chests can get away with a stretch tube bra, while larger chests may still need the support of a more constructed bra that hooks in the back.

Many women’s undergarments such as bras and panties are made of satin and therefore require extra care.  Satin is generally a bit more delicate, so here are some quick tips on cleaning the fabric:

Hand washing is recommended for most types of satin. The exceptions to this are nylon and polyester satin. These types of satin can be washed using the gentle cycle of a washing machine. Use cool or warm water only. Use a detergent that is made for delicates. Always check tags for specific instructions for washing and drying your lingerie.

If you have extremely delicate satin you should have them dry-cleaned to prevent damage to the material and to help prevent color fade.

Never use bleach on satin.

Do not twist or wring out your clothes. Lay them on a thick, dry towel and roll the towel around the satin to remove excess moisture.

It is recommended that satin materials are not dried in a dryer. Opt to air-dry them indoors. Polyester satin can be dried in the sun however this is really not recommended for any type of satin.

Find a stain remover that is safe for satin. You should thoroughly read the label of any stain remover before you buy. Do not purchase a stain remover that contains any form of bleach. When a stain occurs quickly treat the stain with the stain remover per instructions on the bottle and then wash.

To treat bloodstains you should immediately immerse the stain in cold water and allow the item to soak. If this does not completely remove the stain you can then apply stain remover.

If your satin material is very delicate you should leave stain removal to a professional dry cleaner.