Monday, 8 February 2010

Reader's tip: check your time of the month before remeasuring!

check your time of the month before remeasuring!As ever, we're on the case about getting properly measured for a bra - and there's a whole bunch of tricks and tips you can do to make sure your bra is suitable for your bodyshape.

Heree's another great suggestion from this month's reader's tip winner on how to make sure you get the correct measurement:
During that time of the month, breasts can sometimes swell and alter your true size. If you are bra shopping, try to hold off until later when your size will be more accurate.. Nicole Blondell.
Thank-you Nicole - you win a free lingerie set!

It's also a good idea to consider the effect of hormones, possible pregnancy and weight loss or gain at different times before checking your bra size. Sometimes, it takes one or two measurements to get it right.

Don't forget, if you have a tip or a suggestion, you can either post a comment below or you can fill out our suggestion form (if you fill out the form, you could be in with a chance of winning a free lingerie set!).

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Thursday, 10 December 2009

Reader's tip: pregnant girls, wait for the resizing!

Hot Milk Bras!Being pregnant is one of those magical times in your life; in addition to getting a lovely bundle of joy to take home with you at the end of your endurance test, you swell up to the size of a house, your bum gets bigger, your waist gets bigger, your hands get bigger - and, yes, your boobs get bigger.

Here's some advice from this month's reader's tip winner on what do do about picking out a new bra when the expansion starts to take place:
When pregnant, wait until you are 37 weeks until you get fitted for a nursing bra - it will be much better fitting and more comfortable. Tanya Dracup.
Thank-you Tanya - you win a free lingerie set.

Don't forget, if you have a tip or a suggestion, you can either post a comment below or you can fill out our suggestion form (if you fill out the form, you could be in with a chance of winning a free lingerie set!).

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Wednesday, 9 December 2009

Men's Lingerie Guide for Christmas - Part II

Panache Venus Ivory basqueI've received a few emails about my Man's Guide to shopping for Christmas lingerie posted yesterday (some from guys, some from girls), who said that they appreciated the splendid advice on style, size, colour and general usefulness of lingerie as a Christmas gift for their partner.

However, a few have asked me to recommend some items on the Brastop website that might go down well as something a little more special than a bra set that can double as practical daywear.

So, here goes...

In my own personal experience, Panache tends to make the best bras, knickers, basques and bodyshapers that generally don't make you feel like you're wearing something designed for Lady Gaga.

In particular, I can recommend the Panache Venus Bodyshaper in Pearl or black at only £18.95.

Gossard Superboost bra setPanache also makes a really gorgeous Venus basque in white, also priced just £18.95.

If you want to be a little more daring, why not get the Panache Sienna basque in black/ruby, also £18.95 - and it's available up to a size 38E, which is quite extensive for a basque.

You could go for a Gossard satin Superboost bra in black satin, available with matching suspender and thong for a total of just £16.15.

Or give the Ultimo Duchess set a go, which features the bra, knickers (or thong) and a matching suspender - there's also the Gossard Superboost burgindy plunge bra set with matching suspender, available up to 38FF.

All of the above are not only really quite pretty, sexy and fun - but a few of them work just as well as bras for regular use - particularly to go with a special occasion outfit or party dress.

Now - if you can't find something out of that lot for your partner, you need better help than I can offer!

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Tuesday, 8 December 2009

The Man's Guide to shopping for Christmas lingerie

Merry Christmas from Melinda Messenger and UltimoRight about now, there are thousands of men up and down the country, of all ages, contemplating a certain type of purchase as a nice little Christmas extra for their partner.

Inevitably, the dreaded 'Christmas lingerie purchase' tends to present several problems for the anxious male buyer, not least of which is the embarrassment of walking into a lingerie store (or the lingerie section of a department store) and hanging around the bras in the hope that inspiration (and not perspiration) will come their way.

I have personal experience of being on the receiving end of several lingerie Christmas gifts over the years, and they've not always been a success. The results tend to vary from ill-fitting bras to dental floss-like thongs, impractical lacy basques with suspenders - or worse, a contraption from Anne Summers that would generally only be worn on the late shift at a torture dungeon.

Of course, online shopping is much easier - which is why you should consider Brastop.com this year for your special purchase - not only will it be cheaper, but we're pretty much a contraption-free zone when it comes to lingerie. And, of course, we specialise in big cup sizes.

The secret to buying underwear for your partner is not to buy something for yourself (and I don't mean something you'll wear, I mean something you want to see your partner wearing), but to buy something for her.

This really isn't as difficult as it sounds - and a good compromise can often be found by making sure you startout by picking out the correct size and style in the first place.

The all-important rule to adhere to when buying lingerie for your partner is to get the correct size - not just her bra size, but her knicker size too. There's really only one way to do this (unless you ask her and spoil the surprise) - and that's look in her underwear drawer and locate the items that she wears most often. But try not to get caught - and put things back the way you found them.

Take a note of the sizes you find - bra sizes are usually a number followed by a letter - such as 36D, 32FF, 40G and so on. Knickers are usually sized: small, medium, large etc. or are in dress sizes, like: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18.

After that, make sure you get the right style. Some women prefer big pants, some prefer thongs - but most prefer something in-between.

In terms of bras, you need to make sure you get the right style - or it could drastically backfire on you. Some women prefer plunge bras, some prefer a full-cup, some like t-shirt bras, some like push-ups.

If you're in any doubt about what style of bra your partner likes to wear - check out our guide to bra styles and make a comparison. Usually, you can't go wrong with a full-cup bra.

The last thing to consider is colour. Most women tend to rely on white, black or nude bras for general everyday wear, so if your aim is to purchase something that might spice up your boudoir (that's French for 'bedroom' guys), consider something in a nice colour, or made from satin - or something in a nice pattern.

Whatever you do, resist the temptation to purchase the most elaborate contraption on the rack - basques, corsets and bodies have their place, but most women prefer a nice, well-fitting bra set or a comfy bodyshaper.

If you're in any doubt, have a look at our lingerie buying guide for men.

Good luck - and don't forget to email us at hannah@brastop.com to let us know what you bought, and if your partner appreciated your purchase.

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Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Dear Chloe: I spill out of every bra I own, please help!

Help! I'm spilling out of everything I own!Do you sometimes find that even though you're wearing the correct size of bra, maybe the style of bra just doesn't do the job of holding you in properly?

Well, this 'Dear Chloe' letter below from Lisa addresses that very subject, with some advice from me on what she should do to avoid the dreaded 'spillage'...
Dear Chloe,

I'm a size 38F and I usually like to wear low cut tops and dresses. But I end up spilling out of everything I wear. Can you recommend a bra that would keep me fully supported all day and still be comfortable to wear?

Thanks,
Lisa
Dear Lisa,

thank-you for your email.

If you're spilling out over the top of your bra, there's a good chance that you could be wearing the wrong cup size, or - you may need to think about trying a more full cup bra.

I'm guessing that you possibly prefer balconette or plunge bras, which, if you're quite full in the cup, might cause the kind of spillage you're referring to.

Every woman differs from size to size, and while full cup bras don't always suit low cut tops or dresses, there's loads of new styles that you can make work with your outfit.

I would recommend any of the Curvy Kate bras on the Brastop website, as they're both stylish and comfortable. The Curvy Kate models go up to a J cup, and prove that you can be very full in the cup and still wear a balconette style of bra, letting you wear a low cut top or dress without showing your bra.

Freya bras are also good in balconette styles (and they're among the best quality bras you can buy), and I would personally recommend the Tango II plunge bra from Panache. It's very supportive - loads of curvy girls wear it, including me - and it really is an amazing, comfy and fashionable bra.

Kind regards,


Chloe.

Don't forget, if you have a lingerie-related problem or question, send it to hannah@brastop.com and she'll forward it to me. The best ones get posted on the website - and the star question wins a free bra set from Brastop.com - just like Lisa!

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Tuesday, 3 November 2009

La Decollette - the anti-wrinkle bra?

Anti-wrinkle braYou've heard of anti-wrinkle cream, right? It's the sort of stuff cosmetics companies flog by the bucketload to women (and men) who desperately want to fight the effects of ageing.

Well, now a Dutch company called La Decollette has started marketing an anti-wrinkle bra called the Sleeping Beauty.

Even after reading all the publicity material on this revolutionary item, I'm still not totally sure of exactly what it's supposed to do.

Apparently, "during the night, the anti-wrinkle bra does a very effective job by keeping your cleavage smooth. After just 1 night you will be stunned by the amazing results, all without expensive creams or surgeries."

I'm not even sure what it looks like, but if the picture above is anything to go by, it looks like a flimsy racing top put on backwards. And it costs 50 Euro.

If you really want to hold back wrinkles, you would do well to live a reasonably healthy lifestyle - don't smoke, eat plenty of fruit and veg, drink loads of water - and use moisturiser if you feel you need to.

As for wearing a bra at night - sometimes it can help reduce sagging if you wear something light, like a non-underwired soft-material bra - but be wary of the associated risks of wearing a bra for too prolonged a time (especially when sleeping).

You'll end up with weal marks on your shoulders and back - and run the risk of restricting blood flow.

Do what I do - wear a snug vest-top to bed under your pyjamas. It's much more comfortable - and won't cost you 50 Euro.

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Monday, 19 October 2009

Don't just dry your bras - dry yourself

Get yourself dried!Here's something that I hadn't really given much thought to...

Have you ever had a quick shower in the morning, got quickly dressed for work and dashed off to face the morning rush, only to find yourself clawing at your bra all morning in discomfort?

I know I have, and now I know why: moisture.

According to an article in the Jamaica Observer (of all places), not properly drying yourself off after a shower (or bath) can cause all sorts of problems with your bra. It's to do with the build-up of moisture, and subsequently, fungus and vacteria in the seams of your bra.

So, if you ever find yourself exepriencing some itching, rednes or inflammaction around parts of your body where your bra is in close contact with, it's probably to do with a poor drying technique - or, your bra hasn't dried properly after being laundered.

Of course, one of the more obvious reasons for a bra giving you problems, is wearing the wrong size - so make sure you get re-measured every few months just to make sure.

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Friday, 18 September 2009

Dear Chloe: Can you help me sort my loose straps?


Today's 'Dear Chloe' letter concerns a subject close to my heart - loose straps.
Dear Chloe,

In all the bras I have in my closet or tried on in stores, I have the same problem - loose straps.

No matter what I do, how tight or loose they are, if the bra is balconette type or old fashioned, I always have to put the straps back on my shoulders couple times a day.

When I go out on a big night I have to sew the bras straps to dress, so they don't come out.

Do you have any idea why this is happening. How could I fix this?

Thanks!

Ola
Dear Ola,

thank-you for you email.

As with many bra problems, the first thing I would suggest is that you are possibly wearing the wrong size of bra.

First, take a look at our fitting guide videos, and determine if your bra is causing you problems - which might indicate that you're wearing the wrong size.

Next, go and get measured professionally - it's really the only way to make sure you're wearing the right size.

One other thing to consider is the bra Tweakerz I mentioned yesterday - they might help make your bra straps behave.

However, the fundamental cause of bra straps coming loose is usually that they're just not fastened correctly - sometimes people make them too tight, or too loose - and it's just about making sure you have the right balance.

I always find that when the straps are exactly where they should be, my bra feels a little bit loose around the straps - but that's the way it's supposed to be - you should have enough room to slide two fingers underneath them.

Remember - don't tighten the straps to give yourself lift - the band and cups should hold you in place. If they don't, you're wearing the wrong cup size.

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Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Dear Chloe: Help me find a strapless bra

This week's 'Dear Chloe' letter comes from a reader who wants to know a bit more about strapless bras...
Dear Chloe,

After years of trial and error, I know which clothes will suit my figure and have learned to go shopping with a couple of different bras to make sure I don't end up with exposed bras or other fashion sins. But, despite getting better at finding clothes to fit and suit my larger bust, I sadly have to avoid any strapless tops because of bra-related problems.

With so many beautiful strapless tops and dresses in the shops, I am rather annoyed that I can't find a strapless bra for me. Often the strapless bras for larger busts are uncomfortable, and I have to adjust them every few mins to prevent slipping or they are simply huge.

I would love to find a strapless bra that give me support and may be a little bit of cleavage too.

Thanks - Aurora
Dear Aurora,

thank-you for your email.

Believe me - I can genuinely sympathise with your problem. I've often found myself trying on a gorgeous strapless dress that I want to buy for a wedding, only to change my mind at the last minute, simply because I know I'll have difficulty finding a strapless or backless bra that will do the job of holding me up, remaining comfortable for about 12 hours and that I won't spend the entire evening fiddling with or jiggling my boobs back into place (which, while appealing to the men, is not exactly ladylike) or worrying that I'm going to pop out of at a rather embarassing moment.

Strapless bras are supposed to be specifically designed so that you can wear one without needing the straps to hold everything in place. The cups are usually very generous on a strapless bra, but are often quite firm - sometimes containing a strong elastic to hold you in place or a moulded shape made of a stiff foam-like material.

Personally, I've found that Panache tends to makes very good styles of strapless bras, and if you get one in your exact size, they're usually satisfactory. I own a Panache Ivory bra, and while it's not exactly my favourite bra in the drawer, it generally does the job. Certainly, I've never had any mishaps with it - although, after about 12 hours of constant wear, it's usually a relief to take it off - and my back usually resembles a Formula One racetrack with the impression marks it leaves behind.

Unfortunately, you're probably not going to find a strapless bra that does anything for your cleavage - however, one benefit of a good strapless bra (the Panache Ivory in particular) is the amazing shape it gives you; Jane Russell hasn't got a look-in on the smooth curves you'll end up with. And, more importantly, you can do a bit of dancing without giving yourself a couple of black eyes.

I hope this helps.

Regards,



Chloe.

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Thursday, 10 September 2009

Dear Chloe: Where can I find traditional bras?

Panache Scarlet BraHere's another letter to our 'Dear Chloe' mailbag:
Dear Chloe,

All the bras on offer now (not just from Brastop, but every where) seem to be the balconette type where the straps come up from the outer side of the cups.

Does anyone still make the old fashioned type where the strap comes up from the middle/top of the cup. I have several strappy dresses but the straps need the old-fashioned type of bra.

Any clues?

With thanks,

Donna
Dear Donna,

thank-you for your email.

I know exactly what you mean. There's been a big trend in recent years towards bras that are fashioned with the straps at the side of the cups and positioned much closer to your inner arm - it's mostly a style thing, but it also has its roots in the fundamental design of bras and the support required for women with bigger busts.

We stock plenty of full cup bras at Brastop, but many of them still have the straps going up the sides in the way balconette bras do. However, you could try our range of strapless bras if you want to wear a nice strappy dress - I can recommend the Panache Ivory strapless bra as one that will do a great job of holding you up and keeping everything in place.

I would also highly recommend the Panache Scarlett bra, if you can source it in your size.

Alternatively, you could try to source a stockist that offers traditional Playtex bras, which provide classic support. They're not as fashionable as some of our other ranges, but they're comfy bras, and do the job you require.

I hope this helps.

Regards,


Chloe.

Don't forget, send your 'Dear Chloe' questions to hannah@brastop.com and she'll forward them on to me.

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Tuesday, 8 September 2009

Dear Chloe: I've lost weight - am I wearing the right size of bra?

Get yourself measured
Ever since we launched our 'Dear Chloe' section here on the Brastop Blog, our inbox has been jam-packed full of messages from girls (and guys) sending me questions about sizing, fitting, purchasing, mending and wearing bras (among other things).

Here's this week's question:
Dear Chloe,

I am fanatical about big bras, as I am a big lady! I have lost some weight recently and find that my bra size has changed, but it's difficult to keep on top of the sizing.

I have come down from a 36H to a 36GG and I think I am now half a cup size smaller. My question is, how do I tell how much I have come down without having a professional fitting?

I love to buy from Brastop and love the range of bras, but the balconette bra is just not for me, so I need the full cup version, and I wondered if there was a way to guesstimate my size as I am losing weight?

When you lose about 1-2lbs per week, you can see the difference in your breast size, and I do take my measurements regularly. I find that I am about 35" underbust and about 42" around my bust size - can you work out your cup size from these measurements? That is not just the one question, really is it?

I hope you can give me some general tips, as I love browsing the lovely, sexy, fashionable bras at Brastop.

Regards,

Lisette.
Dear Lisette,

thank-you for your email. The first thing I would say is that guesswork is no replacement for a proper, professional measurement of your bra size. However, it's relatively easy to measure yourself using our measuring guides, so you should just grab a measuring tape and give it a go, as it'll give you an accurate idea of your size.

The main thing to bear in mind, is that even though you're losing weight, the reduction may not have a dramatic impact on your bra size. While your boobs do contain fatty tissue (known as 'adipose') it's generally a 1:1 ratio with the rest of your bodymass. Of course, your bra size can fluctuate naturally just as part of normal day-to-day life, so it's always worth keeping an eye on it.

As for bra styles, bigger busted women tend to prefer a full-cup bra, but it's really down to personal preference and the style that suits you most (I'm a balconette sort-of girl, but I'm a 32FF). Brastop stocks plenty of bras in your urrent cup size (GG), so you just need to make sure all the other measurements add up, including the all-important band size.

Regards,


Chloe.

Don't forget, send your 'Dear Chloe' questions to hannah@brastop.com and she'll forward them on to me!

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Monday, 31 August 2009

The must-have undergarments for every occasion

StraplessThe Examiner's Samantha Cabrera has listed some of the must-have items you should have in your underwear drawer to help avoid a panic situation the next time you try on a new outfit for a special night out and realise your underwear doesn't work with it.

Among her suggestions are:

- make sure you have 3-4 standard bras that fit you properly. This is basic common sense, and every girl should have at least a few standard, comfy, smoothing bras in white, black and nude just to make sure you're covered for any colour or flimsy-material combination of outfit.

- get a pair of seamless knickers. Another sensible point - there is nothing worse than a visible knicker line on a really expensive dress.

- buy a proper, well-fitting strapless bra. This is a no-brainer. There's no point in buying an expensive off-the-shoulder Jane Norman number if your bra straps are showing. They're never the most comfortable of bras, but they'll make you look great in a boob tube.

- get yourself some shapewear. I've recently tried the Elbrina Slimshape briefs, and they're pretty good. Personally, I prefer an all-in-one body when it comes to shapewear, as they tend to be more comfortable, but having some high-waist tummy-busters is a good idea if you want an hourglass figure in that little black dress you keep promising to wear.

One bit of advice Samantha neglects is to always have something really, really nice in your underwear drawer (and I don't mean the flimsy contraption your partner ordered you from Anne Summers last Christmas that's lying at the bottom of your drawer). A nice corset, a cute babydoll or a decent-fitting basque should always be waiting in reserve for that special occasion...

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How often SHOULD you wash your bras?

Remember our entry from May about the survey suggesting women only wash their bras on average six times a year?

Well, a chap called 'Dirty Laundry' wrote to Slate magazine, asking if it was normal that his girlfriend (of six months) only washed her bra every day for two weeks.

'Dear Prudence' (a sort-of agony aunt for Slate) replied by saying
"I polled some of the cleanest women I know on their bra-washing schedules. The answers ranged from 'weekly' to 'when my white bras look black and can walk themselves to the washing machine'. The average was a monthly laundering. So your girlfriend's behavior is perfectly normal and neither unhygienic nor gross.
The Frisky polled a few experts, and the results varied. Some suggested owning at least seven bras and washing each one once per week, while others suggested wearing a bra no more than twice before washing.

Personally, I reckon you should wear a bra once (twice at a push) before washing it -and you should take the same kind of care over washing a bra as you would with any other expensive, delicate item. I know I do.

The whole 'Dear Prudence' thing gives me an idea... if you want any questions answered about bras, lingerie (or any othere general advice - and that includes you boys out there reading this blog) send them to me at chloe.stanfield@gmail.com and I'll do my best to answer them either here on the blog, or in person.

[Via: The Frisky]

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Friday, 28 August 2009

'Underneath It All' - a smart guide to loving your lingerie

Have you ever wondered what the difference between a 'demi' and a 'tanga'?

Have you never quire figured out the difference between a balcony bra and a push-up bra?

Well, 'Underneath It All - A Girl's Guide to Buying, Wearing and Loving Lingerie' by Seattle authors Jennifer Manuel Carroll and Kathy Schultz may be the self-help book for you.

Byt the sounds of things, it's the kind of book that this very blog is all about - funny, intresting anecdotes about lingerie (bras, in particular in my case), combined with some useful advice on what to wear, what not to wear, and how to go about it.

I haven't had a chance to read it yet (it's not out yet), but you can pre-order it on Amazon.com ahead of it's release. I crtainly am!

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How to avoid bra faux pas

Liisa Thorson, Nordstrom's regional fit stylist has answered a few questions on how to avoid chosing the wrong bra or making a dreadful wardrobe combination.

As ever, the advice centres around getting fitted properly (and regularly) and making sure you have variety in your bra drawer.

There's also some common sense tips in there too, particularly about getting yourself bras that suit your clothing, invest in some sports bras, and try to hand-wash your bras instead of machine-washing them.

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Thursday, 27 August 2009

Time to ditch your bra?

Chuck out all your bras?According to an article in The Sun today, we should consider ditching our bras and letting our boobs fly free.

The article quotes some pseudo-science that suggests "wearing a bra has no real benefits and can even cause health problems if fitted incorrectly".

It seems to be based around the perennial issue of women wearing poorly-fitting bras, or bras that simply aren't designed for prolonged wear.

The simple solution is to make sure you're properly fitted for your bra, and to give your boobs a break every now and then.

Personally speaking, Jennifer Anniston can let her meagre mammaries fly free if she thinks it's fashionable to do so - but I think the sight of my 32FFs running wild in a t-shirt on a regular basis is probably more than the general public is ready for.

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Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Taking care of your bras explained

Dirty brasKelly Skahan of The Examiner continues her series on undergarments with a look at taking care of your bras.

Washing bras is quite possibly one of the areas of underwear that gets the least attention. I know I'm guilty of throwing my bras in the washing with everything else on the pile, taking care only to make sure I'm not washing a white bra with a black top.

We seldom give any consideration to how often we wash our bras, how we dry them, what sort of detergent we use or what items to mix them up with.

Taking a little more time over how you wash your bras will not only extend their life, but will keep them in good shape and maintain the quality of the materials.

Kelly suggests that the first step towards taking care of your bras is not to sleep in them, but I disagree to some extent here. I have a couple of bras that I keep for sleeping in, as it's often more comfortable and helps maintain breast shape - but, broadly-speaking, she's right - wearing a bra to bed, especially an underwired or tight one, can prevent normal lymphatic flow, which isn't good for your breasts, and can distort the shape of your bra.

When it comes to laundry, hand washing with a lingerie soap is always best, but it takes time. If you purchase a laundry bag and hook up the back straps of your bra together before putting it inside the bag for washing, it should help present it getting tangled or the wires caught in your washing mashine.

As for drying, it's important not to leave your bras dangled radiators or door handles, as I'm often guilty of - it dries the bras out, and causes the material to constrict. Fasten the bra up when drying it, and try to hang it in the normal fashion on a bra hanger while it airs off naturally.

Probably the best advice when taking care of your bras is to get two the same - you'll be able to rotate tem more often, and they'll last a lot longer.

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Wednesday, 3 June 2009

Reader's tip - jump up and down to get that bra to fit

Jump in your bra!We're always keen to hear advice on how to get properly measured for a bra, what bra suits a certain occassion or outfit - and how to get your bra to fit comfortably.

Here's a great tip from one of our readers about jiggling about to make your boobs sit comfortably in your bra.
"When you try a bra on, jump up and down for a few seconds. It might feel as if it fits when you stand still but when you start to do everyday things it may start to ride up or you may bulge out it so it lets you see if it will be supportive." From Steph Sneddon
Don't forget, if you have a tip or a suggestion, you can either post a comment below or you can fill out our suggestion form (if you fill out the form, you could be in with a chance of winning a free lingerie set of your choice).

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Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Reader tip: jiggle while you wear


We're always giving out various tips on getting measured for a bra, choosing the right bra and wearing the right bra with the right outfit - but how about how to put a bra on?

Well, here's a small tip on a simple way to get comfortable after you've fastened yourself up and adjusted everything:
When putting on your bra, fasten it then lean forward at the waist and give a little jiggle from side-to-side. This ensures all of your breast fills the available bra space and gives a perfect fit when you stand upright again. Beth Bowdler
Don't forget, if you have a tip or a suggestion, you can either post a comment below or you can fill out our suggestion form (if you fill out the form, you could be in with a chance of winning a free lingerie set of your choice).

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This is a permanent link to this item - right-click and choose 'add to favourites' or 'bookmark' Entry posted by Chloe at 08:00   0 comments

Friday, 3 April 2009

Don't just wear the right size - wear the right style

Inferno Multiway bra from Panache - wear the right style of bra
You'll soon find that I'm one for promoting the importance of getting measured properly for a bra - not just to improve your shape - but to help with you posture, your health, and your well-being.

However, it's just as important to wear the right style of bra. All too often I find myself getting ready for a night out, only to spend an hour trying out different bra/top/dress combinations and losing my mind with frustration because I'm showing a strap, too much cleavage or my bra ends up showing through on a flimsy top.

Gill Hart at Suite 101 has written an informative article on the various different styles of bra, covering most of the major bra shapes/designs and giving some helpful tips on which bra works best with what outfit.

As Gill says, once you build up a wardrobe of different bra styles you'll soon see the difference wearing the correct bra makes to your look and self-confidence.

Oh - and one excellent bit of advice from Gill: always have a multiway bra in your armoury - they're not always the most comfortable to wear, or the easiest of bras to fasten up, but it'll get you out of a bind when you're really struggling to find something that works with your outfit.

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This is a permanent link to this item - right-click and choose 'add to favourites' or 'bookmark' Entry posted by Chloe at 10:40   0 comments

Wednesday, 25 March 2009

Reader's tip - Don't rely on the size alone


Here's another regular feature we're going to try here on the Brastop.com blog: reader's tips and advice about bras.

If you have a tip or a suggestion, you can either post a comment on any one of our blog entries (you can post anonymously, or using your own login) or you can fill out our suggestion form (if you fill out the form, you could be in with a chance of winning a free lingerie set of your choice).

We want to hear your bra tips, suggestions, ideas or helpful advice on choosing a bra, wearing a bra, cleaning your bras, storing them, re-using them, repairing them - or getting the best out of them.

So, which style of bra goes with what outfit? What bra gives you the best shape? What bra does your partner prefer you to wear? Go on - send 'em in!

Here's one to get us going:
"Don't rely on measurements when trying to find your bra size. It depends on the style of the bra, and the shape of your breasts more than how many inches you are." from Harriet Lewis.
So girls, as Harriet says, don't completely rely on the size alone - it's all too tempting to pick a bra that looks good and maybe gives you accentuated bumps and curves that you didn't have before, but mostly likely you'll end up with problems further down the line.

Get to know how to fit and size a bra properly, then find the style and shape that suits you best.

Watch our bra fitting video for more on how to make sure you're wearing the right bra:

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This is a permanent link to this item - right-click and choose 'add to favourites' or 'bookmark' Entry posted by Chloe at 08:19   0 comments


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