Bra Talk

Wonder Panties sound like women’s underwear a superhero might wear. You’ll feel like one in a pair of these.

They come in G-string, girl shorts and thong styles for any wardrobe occasion that might come along.  Up, up and away! 

 Sports bras are made to absorb the body’s excess moisture and provide support during physical activity, but they can also be one of the most comfortable everyday bras on the market today, particularly in the summer months.

 The support sports bras provide is different than that of a traditional bra.   Many sports bras contain no wires.   Their construction tends to be more cotton, mesh, and spandex fabrics for maximum breathability, stretch, and give.

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.

For some women, trying to fasten a bra can be a difficult experience; this sentiment rings especially true when you’re rushing in the morning.  Luckily, some companies have gotten smart and released bras that have front closures.

Playtex bras, for example, has the 18 Hour Front Close Bra.  Like the rest of their products, this bra offers maximum comfort with ample support.  Its best feature, however, is the fact that it has the front closure, which is very help during those mornings when you have to rush out the door.

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.

The idea that strapless bras may be this archaic piece of material that your mother or grandmother wore is a hard image to shake, yet the overall consensus is that it’s not really going anywhere.  For as long as there are evening gowns, wedding dresses and proms, companies like Wonderbra will continue to make strapless bras.

Of course, technology and design has come a long way and now strapless bras are not only a necessity for fashionable evening wear, but they’re also extremely comfortable and manageable.

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).

Finding a good plus size bra is no longer an arduous process.  Playtex bras, for example, have several collections, such as the popular 18 Hour, Cross Your Heart and Secrets, that offer options for full-figured women.  Each collection offers comfort, durability and is stylish in varied settings and situations.

Playtex is not blind to the fact that there are women of different physiques and it shows in the kind of high quality products they offer.

 Wonderbras will be sporting a new look as it was announced recently that burlesque performer, Dita Von Teese, is going to be the new spokes model for the brand. Additionally, she will also be designing a collection for Wonderbra, which is said to be inspired by a classic 1940’s style lingerie.

Wonderbra is still one of the leading bra companies in terms of comfort and style.  Von Teese’s inclusion will further popularize the brand.

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.