Bras
Win This: Freya Camisole Set
What: Win a Freya Camisole (size medium) and matching panty (size large).
Why you want this: Freya makes sexy, stylish undergarments for those of us with a little “extra” up top. Plus this camisole set, which retails for $95, is a great layer to wear underneath falls hot new trend.
How to Enter: Name your favorite fall fashion trend
Contest Details:
- Contest ends October 31st at 11:59pm
- Open to TBF members ages 18 and older, living in the continental US
- One entry per member
Save on Plus Size at Lane Bryant’s Cacique Semi-Annual Sale
The Deal: Save on undergarments and sleepwear for plus size girls at the Cacique Semi-Annual Intimates Sale
The Lowdown: Cacique is one of our favorite budget undergarments line for full-figured women, particularly when we can pick up pieces on sale (seriously, we know that larger sizes require a little more fabric, but the regular prices are more, er, inflated than they should be). Shop the semi-annual sale at Lane Bryant and get 2 bras free when you buy two; get five pairs of panties for $25; and find plus size sleepwear for just $12.99.
While the sleepwear is a good deal if you really need something new, we’re all about focusing on the bras here (after all, a good foundation garment can make or break an outfit): the smooth Balconette bra, for example, may not be exciting but it will be invisible under a smooth tee or satin top, and this Lace Plunge Bra is a good choice for those deeper v necklines (and if you’ve got it, might as well show it off). And if you, like most curvy girls, would like a little more support in the form of wider shoulder straps (but in a bra that does NOT look like an ace bandage), we’d pick this Bali Seductive Curves bra.
Shop: Lane Bryant
Best Bras for a Big Bust: Fashion Advice
We’ve said our piece about bra fitting tips for big-busted women (read more here). Now here are five picks to try, keeping fit and support in mind, without making you look like your great-grandmother.
Wacoal Pretty and Polished underwire bra, on sale now for $18 (regular price: $60) at Amazon.com. This bra manages to be beautiful and provide full coverage (and support), which is no small feat.
Cacique seamless full coverage, $46, at Lane Bryant. We love this bra because it supports while giving the smooth seamless look you want under your clothes—and it comes in more than just basic white and nude (purple couture anyone?)
Bali Seductive Curves Underwire Bra, $30, at Lane Bryant. This is the go-to bra for your plunging necklines—it manages to provide support with molded foam cups, underwire, and wide (but not ugly) straps.
Bali Double Adjust Seamless Underwire Bra, $22.99 at Just My Size. This is one of the most budget friendly options, and a great everyday bra by a trusted brand. We like that it’s truly adjustable, meaning you’ll get a better fit.
Goddess Delilah underwire bra, $38, at Bare Necessities. Every woman deserves to have a gorgeous, sexy bra, and for the full-figured woman, this is it. Sheer and lacy, but with the coverage and structure you need.
Elomi Bras Target Full-Figured Women
Full figures will be getting some love from the Britain-based Eveden Ltd. with the launch of a new “Elomi” line, which is intended to be both functional and—imagine this—feminine. The brand will feature sizes 32-52 and cups C through H, with a core size range from 34 to 48 back, addressing the problem lots of curvier girls have—a larger back instead of a fuller cup size.
The best part? According to Women’s Wear Daily, Elomi pieces will retail from $40 to $58, with Eveden’s current Goddess brand retailing in the $30s to mid-$40s. Which puts them in just about the same range the Cacique line at Lane Bryant, which until now had been our go-to brand for full-figured women on a budget.
Of course we haven’t seen the Elomi line first hand, but the pictures (like the bustier here) look promising. No website yet for Elomi, but click here to check out the Goddess bras.
Best Bras on a Budget: Five Things Every Woman Should Have in Her Lingerie Drawer
Many of us make the mistake of completely neglecting what goes underneath. Not having the proper undergarments means that the clothes on top don’t look or feel as good as they should. Knowing this, The Budget Fashionista has complied this quick list of five things every women needs in her lingerie drawer:
1. A pair of Assets. Fact: Even the most slender of us women can benefit from a little “packaging” (ask Jennifer Love Hewitt). Assets, sold at Target and made by the same folks who make spanx, hold you in at about half the price of the more expensive brand.
2. A half slip. Here’s why you need a half slip: manufacturers are not lining dresses anymore, which means there’s little protecting you from an unfortunate mooning incident on a windy day. Also, don’t underestimate the effect of lighting conditions in different locales. The slip doesn’t need to be pricey (pick one up for next to nothing at Marshall’ or TJ Maxx) it just needs to be the right length. Too long and you’ll look like you don’t just shop in the bargain basement, you actually live there.
3. A basic black (or flesh colored) bra. White bras are great, but we all know that sometimes they show, and that’s not a good look on any one. A simple flesh colored bra is a necessity and if you’re unable to find one that is close to your skin tone, then try a basic black bra.
4. A camisole that can double as a bra. This means a camisole with some reinforcement lyrca-type fabric and/or a built in shelf bra.These bra are a great alternative on days you don’t want to wear a bra and/or when you want to have a little extra covering underneath a low cut sweater.
5. A pair of basic flesh-colored nylons. Yes, we know your Granny has these too, but they do come in handy from time to time, especially if a) it’s kind of chilly, b) you haven’t shaved, c) for more conservative environments like a job interview and/or church
photo courtesy of Target
Fashion Advice: Invisible Support
Dear Budget Fashionista
I have kids and my breast aren’t as perky as they use to be. Sometimes I see very cute clothing (like the black knit dresses), that you can’t wear a bra with. I wanted to know if the “sticky” bras really work.
A: If you’re a full C cup or larger, the sticky bras won’t work. And even, if you’re a C cup or smaller, the sticky bras won’t be able to provide much support to heavy breast and you have to be careful not to sweat too much because the adhesive of the bra can loosen and cause a sagging moment.
Best Bras: Post Baby Support
Dear Budget Fashionista:
Hi, After childbirth my breast seems to sag. I’m now a 34 B and have no clue as to what to do about my bra situation. Do you know the best bras that provide support and are cool for the summer?
A: Sagging after child birth is a perfectly natural part of post-baby life. Your first step should be to head the local department store to get properly fitted for a bra. Then while shopping for cotton bras, look for bras that are at least 85% cotton (few bras are 100%) and contains underwire for extra support. Here’s some great cotton bras to try for a little upliftment.
DKNY Cotton Cool plunge contour bra—$36.00. Smooth underwire that won’t dig into your sides.
Choice by Calvin Klein—prices start at $22.00. Has a whole range of ultra comfortable cotton bras with light underwire support.
Bali Cotton Craze Stretch Underwire Bra—$25.00. Cool and comfortable, this bra moves with you.
All these bras may be found on figleaves.comAlso try stopping by your local Target for a solid selection of cotton underwire bras well under $20.
Notes on Proper Care: Never, ever wash your cotton bras in hot water because they will shrink. Instead opt to wash them in warm water in your bathroom sink using a little baby shampoo or detergent. Also, never put your cotton bras (or any bras for that matter) in the dryer. Again, it will shrink the bra, ruin the elastic, and possible shag other items.
Victoria’s Secret Coupon: 20% Off Select Bras
THIS COUPON HAS EXPIRED. FOR CURRENT VICTORIA SECRET COUPONS AND COUPON TO OTHER TOP STORES, PLEASE VISIT TBF’S ONLINE COUPON PAGE
Use code BRA4 for an extra 20% off the following Victoria Secret Bra lines:
Very Sexy
Body by Victoria
Angels by Victoria’s Secret
Good through April 4th.
Fashion Advice: Finding a Professional Bra Fitter
Dear Budget Fashionista,
I’m in desperate need of new bras. Do you have any tips on finding a professional bra fitter in my city?
Help!
Spill Out
Dearest Spill Out,
Most major department stores have professional fitters on staff (Saks, Bloomingdales
, JC Penney’s, Sears, etc). Some stores like Victoria’s Secret also have fitters, but in my experience, these fitters tend to try and sell you bras—regardless of the fit. You can also go to local boutique shops that specialize in bras and undergarments.
When you get to the store seek out the most experienced bra fitter there and have them measure you. If they tell you that you are a “definite” size, run like the wind. You will never be one size in every brand of bra and if a fitter tells you this then this is a sign of an inexperienced fitter. You will need to try on several bras, in many different sizes, until you find the right one that gives you support AND is comfortable. Your breast should fit completely into the cup, no spillage, no wire digging into your sides, and the band should fit snug, but not too tight on the first set of hooks. You should be able to sweep your hands from you collar bone across the bra without feeling any flesh bumps. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and walk out if they aren’t knowledgeable enough to give you answers or blame you (it happens) for their own inability to find you a proper fitting bra.
Best Bras: How to Find the Perfect Bra and Other Undergarment Questions
Does your cup “spilleth” over? Does your back side have more dimples than a newborn baby? Our fearless undergarment expert Shanequa and yours truly, give you solutions to these comment undergarment issues. Have a question of your own? As always, feel free to contact us.
Problem: My breasts are bulging out of the top or sides
of the cup, and my bust looks lumpy under clothes.
Solution: This is a sure sign that the cup size you are wearing
is too small, as your breasts should be totally encased in the cups. Try at
least one cup size bigger. You might also want to try stretch cup bras, where
the bras stretch to fit your breasts.
Problem: My cellulite shows through when I wear rayon pants.
Solution: You need a girdle. Try Spanx, a less grandma-like
brand of stocking/girdles, which provides support and a smoothing effect, virtually
eliminating the appearance of cellulite. You can find Spanx at most department
stores, or score them for up to 50% less at Off Fifth, the Saks Fifth Avenue
Outlet.
Problem: My bra rides up my back or moves around as I move.
Solution: Apart from trying to squeeze ourselves into cup sizes
that are too small, the most common mistake we make is to wear back sizes that
are too big. The strap around your body should fit snugly, and it will only
move around if it is too big. If this is happening, you need to try a smaller
back size. But REMEMBER: a smaller back size will also be smaller in the cup
(i.e. a 34C is smaller in the back and cup than a 36C). For example, if you
find a 36C fits you well in the cup but is too big around the back, you would
need to try a 34D.
Problem: The wires stick out at the front or dig in under my arms.
Solution: When the wires stick out or dig in like this, it’s
often because the cup size is too small and your breasts are forcing the bra
away from your body. Try a cup size bigger so that the wires lie flat against
your body and fully encase your breasts.
Problem: My bra straps dig into my shoulders and give me red marks.
Solution: The main support provided by a bra should come from
the strap around your back, and not the shoulder straps. If your shoulder straps
are digging in, you are probably wearing too big a back size, so you need to
drop a back size. Alternatively, you may simply need to loosen the shoulder
straps.
Problem: My bra cups are wrinkly, particularly at top and sides.
Solution: This is usually a sign that the cup size is too big,
so you may want to try one cup size smaller. However, if the wrinkling is only
at the tip of the cup, this could be an indication that the cup size is too
small because your breasts cannot fit into the cups properly—in this instance,
try one cup size bigger.
Problem: My love handles spill out of the top of my underwear.
Solution: You’re probably wearing the wrong type (and
possibly size) of underwear. Although we want to feel sexy in thong panties
and bikini briefs, these garments don’t provide the support needed for
those who have a little extra loving in the middle and the back. Try wearing
a brief, boy short, or even a lightweight girdle.
The Ultimate Guide to Undergarments Part 4: The Seven Bras Every Woman Should Own
What you wear underneath is as important (maybe even more) than what you put on top. Here’s my list for the 7 basic bras that every woman should have in her lingerie drawer.
The everyday, basic bra (with
or without underwire) Brands: Olga, Wacoal, Donna Karan Initmates, Chantelle, Hanes Her Way |
|
A seamless or t-shirt bra for snug tops
Brands: Wacoal, Wonderbra, Calvin Klein, Jockey
| |
A half-cup or plunge bra for low-cut tops
Brands: Freya, J.Lo, Felina, Lily of France
| |
A racer-back bra for underneath tank tops
Brands: Calvin Klein, Sassybax, Just My Size, Playtex
| |
A convertible/ strapless bra for hard-to-handle tops
Brands: Flirt, Aubade, Fantasie, Elle Macpherson Intimates, DKNY
| |
A sports bra Brands: Donna Karan Initmates, Impact Level, Shock | |
Something seductive for special occasions Brands: Rigby & Peller, Huit, Jezebel, Betsy |
Best Bras: The Ultimate Guide to Undergarments Part 3: Finding a Bra that Fits
Finding a bra that provides support and comfort can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack: frustrating, tedious, and nearly impossible. In part 3 of the Ultimate Guide to Undergarments, we help you find your bra size and give you tips to help you find the right bra.
When you find your size, try these bra-fitting tips:
1. The strap around your body should be firm but comfortable. When you stand
side-on at a mirror, the strap that runs around your body should be horizontal
and should not ride up at the back at all.
2. The wires at the front should lie flat against your rib cage and should not
dig in, rub or poke out at the front.
3. Your breasts should be enclosed in the cups and you should have a smooth
line where the fabric at the top of the cup ends and meets your bust. You shouldn’t
have any ridge or bulging over the top or sides of the cups, even if you are
wearing a balconette style or lower cut shape.
When you are trying on a bra, it’s best to start off by fastening it on
its loosest hook. That way you will be able to tighten the bra if it starts
to give in the back a bit when you’ve worn it a few times. Also, remember
to adjust the shoulder straps to ensure that they are not too loose and you
may need to adjust your breasts to make sure they are in the cups properly.
It’s a good idea to try a T-shirt or top over the bra that you are trying,
so you can see the shape that the style gives you underneath your clothes.
The Ultimate Guide to Undergarments Part 1: The Rules for Finding a Great Fitting Bra
Introduction
If your undergarments are stretched, stained, damaged or otherwise abused, throw them in the garbage . . . Now.
There is nothing more valuable to your appearance than wearing proper undergarments.
Undergarments have the power to completely alter an outfit. I mean, what’s
the sense of wearing a fabulous Nicole Miller dress you got for $35 from Bluefly
if your backside looks like a carton of Rocky Road ice cream? Who cares if you
just scored a Chloe Paddington bag for 200 bucks if your chest is as rocky as
the Rocky Mountains?
Fellow underwear aficionado, Shaunequa Be, and I put together this guide to help you discover the power of proper-fitting undergarments. Whether you’ve got a ton of junk in your trunk or barely have a trunk at all, we have a bevy of tips on finding the proper fit; details on budget places to get great underwear; and frank answers to your most pressing underwear questions. And, in true Budget Fashionista style, we encourage you to share your own undergarment tips.
The Budget Fashionista: My own personal Boob Saga
For most of my life, I wore the wrong bra size. Like many women, I bought
bras as an afterthought—sort of like remembering to floss after brushing.
In fact, I didn’t get a proper fitting bra until I was 22 years old—11
years after my first training bra. All that changed when my mother and grandmother
camed to visit me during my first year of graduate school. Appalled by the sad
state of my breasts (I wore sports bras that made it look like I had a uni-boob),
my mother and grandmother marched me straight to Saks Fifth Avenue and got me
fitted by a wonderful woman named Antonia. My breasts have never been the same
since.
So profound was this interaction with Antonia that I started a crusade to make
sure all my friends (including you) learn the importance of properly fitting
undergarments. I learned that I was wearing a band two sizes too big and a cup
two sizes too small. She taught me tips like the middle section of the bra should
lie flat against your breastbone, and if you’re over a C-cup, underwire
is your best friend. I believe —it’s like giving birth somehow increases
their attachment to undergarments) of my friends to enlist their help in ensuring
that their loved ones have adequate support.
The Rules
Our bodies change for all sorts of reasons over the course of our
lives (age, weight variations, pregnancy, and use of the contraceptive pill).
So, if you want to look and feel as good as you deserve to, follow these rules.
Do . . .
- Get measured for a bra at least twice per year by a professional bra fitter
- Wash your bras in lukewarm water, using a gentle soap like baby detergent, Ivory Snow, or even baby shampoo
- Never, ever, ever place your bras in the dryer
- If you’ve got love handles, always buy briefs (not bikinis) with light stomach support
- For health reasons, make sure your underwear has a cotton crotch
- Wait at least 1 week after your period before trying and purchasing new bras
- Always try on bras before purchasing them—you will not wear the same-sized bra in every bra
- Wash unpacked panties before wearing them (people DO try on the undergarments before purchasing)
- Rotate your bras every day to extend the life of the bra
- Focus on fit rather than fashion when looking for everyday bras
Don’t . . .
- White pants with bright-colored panties (you know better!)
- Too-tight panties (horror humps)
- Too-tight bra (boob spillage/back bulk)
- Visible panty-line (I see London, I see France…)
- Thongs peeking from the top of jeans (even Britney stopped doing it!)
- Showing more rolls (of flesh) than a Thanksgiving dinner (try a body-shaper)
- Form-fitting top with heavily detailed bra (you can see bra imprint through top)
- Slip longer than dress or skirt (“the Chicken Little,” a.k.a. the slip is falling! The slip is falling!)
- Tube top with no bra (and you need one)
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