Lingerie to fit YOUR body

Whether you are trying to find just the right gift for a loved one, or looking for advice on what styles will look best on you, having a basic and realistic view of body shape will go a long way towards maximizing your investment. A little thought about what your attributes or weaknesses are will allow you to look as alluring as you feel. Don't get us wrong; you don't have to be stick-thin and perfectly proportioned to be sexy. Lingerie is the great equalizer. In some ways, buying lingerie is almost self-defeating. If you pick the right style, color and size, no one will even notice the cloth draping your body. So read along, and see suggestions we have to help you make the best purchases. Click on the pictures to see examples of the outfits we suggest for each example For the Woman with: a Bigger Bottom

If the backside is a little large, the best bet is a thong bottom with some width to the back. Having around 1/3 coverage will make things look a little smaller, still show ample cheek and elongate the leg line. Things to avoid: Very skinny g-strings (they accentuate the size) or full coverage "granny panties" (makes the bottom look even wider).

For the Woman with: a Pear Shape

The secret here is to call attention to the bust, and have a solid opaque bottom that just slips over the hips. This will draw attention up, and the flaring A-line shape will slim the butt and hips. Things to avoid: Drawing attention to the middle. Don't wear something with a pattern along the midriff, and avoid panties that cut straight across the thighs. These will cut visually cut the wearer off, and make the legs look shorter and heavier.

For the Woman with: Large Breasts

Wearing a full coverage top will provide support and visually balance the look. What you want is to make the bust look controlled and proportional. Also, this type of top won't leave visible lines in anything you wear over your sexy outfit. A bikini brief will help you look youthful, and not like 'matronly'. Things to avoid: Demi-cups, shelf bras or other styles that accentuate the bust spilling out of the top.

For the Woman with: a Large Tummy

If you have a belly 'pooch', try wearing a babydoll with a closed front and some type of pattern. Add a thong or sexy pair of panties that will visually extend your legs.Things to avoid: Don't wear an open-front babydoll that frames what you are trying to not call attention to. And don't be tempted to buy either the top or bottom too small, as edges digging in really make like you are wearing things that are just too tight.

For the Woman with: a Slim Build Slimmer women want to compliment their frame with something light and airy. Feminine lingerie matches the delicacy of the frame, especially in sheer fabrics. things to avoid; Slim women can wear almost anything, but want to avoid anything that is either too visually heavy or that is too large. Otherwise you look like you are wearing something meant for someone else.

For the Woman with: an Hourglass Figure

Curvy women want to wear something that accentuates the waist, like a bustier. Adding some soft boning and a pretty matching bottom will really make your silhouette rock. Things to avoid; items that are loose fitting can make an hourglass shape look large and shapeless. Stick to fitted items. And point attention to the waist, not above or below.

Sports bras are still bras, they need to fit

Although many people think one sport bra is pretty much the same as another, this is not true. Just as a properly fit everyday bra can make huge differences in comfort, a little judicious research can make your active time more enjoyable. Chafing, uncomfortable movement, lack of support; all these things will throw you off your game in a heartbeat.

Fit The bra should fit firmly enough to control breast motion, but not so tightly as to interfere with breathing. During vigorous movements, the entire upper body should move as one unit, with limited bouncing of the breasts. Give the bra the jumping-jack test to be sure it meets these criteria.

Support Minimal movement of the breasts within the bra is important to reduce chafing. Larger-breasted women will probably be more satisfied with molded cups. For maximum support, look for minimal vertical (neck to navel) stretch in the fabric. Horizontal stretch is necessary to get the bra off and on easily and not interfere with breathing.

Fabric Prevent moisture from accumulating. The bra should be a blend at of least 50 percent cotton and a breathable material such as Lycra mesh to help evaporate sweat and keep odor in check. Cotton provides more comfort than synthetic materials, reduced stretch, and greater support. The bra also should be lined under the breasts and under the arms with material like CoolMax that removes moisture from the skin by wicking the sweat outward.

Seams Poorly placed seams can irritate the nipples. Cups should be seamless or at least have covered seams. Hardware like hooks or fasteners must be covered with fabric and should be cushioned for maximum protection.

Straps Choose wide, nonstretch straps for best results. In addition, a wide “Y-back” panel can help increase support. Some sports bras offer a two-hook back for an adjustable fit.

Mobility Many sports bras are shaped like halter tops. Be certain the armholes allow ample room for the unrestricted arm movements necessary during exercise and for freedom from chafing.

Tips for Properly Fitting a Bra

According to experts, chances are the bra you have on right now is thewrong size. Conservatively, 8 out of 10 women are wearing a bra that either doesn't fit them properly now, or possibly never fit right to begin with. Why is this? There are many reasons:

• You are wearing a bra that has stretched or sagged out of shape with time and wear
• You bought a bra by size only, without making sure it fit your body
• You are wearing a bra that just isn't made for your body type
• You were measured by a professional for a bra, and are still wearing that same size years later.

How do you know you have the right bra?

First, your breasts should sit comfortably in the cups. This means cradled by the material, with no part of your breasts dropping out the bottom or bulging over the top. You should not feel the underwires digging in to your breasts, ribs or breastbone. You should feel supported, but not squeezed. You should also not see any extra material or saggy cups. The band supports the majority of the weight, not the straps. The band sits level all the way around your body, front and back. It especially should not rise up in the back.

How to measure for your bra

First, always wear your most comfortable bra when measuring for a bra. Not wearing an under-garment when you measure will almost always lead to buying a bra that is too small. Next, if possible have someone else measure you. Just the act of reaching up to hold a tape measure will cause your measurements to change. Last tip, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE NUMBERS!!! Measurements are just a way of putting you in to the correct size garment. Saying you are a certain size is a form of vanity that will inevitably cause you to lose sight of the most important feature of your bra, COMFORT. So, feel free to say you are whatever size you want, even cut the tags out of your bra so no one sees. But NEVER, EVER lie to yourself and buy the wrong size.

Band Size

As mentioned, start with your most comfortable bra. One which does not compress or minimize your bust. Standing in your normal posture, with your arms hanging naturally by your sides, measure around your body just under the armpit, high across the back and over the top of your bust. You should be able to hold 1 or 2 fingers inside the tape measure to make sure it isn't too tight. Take that measurement, and ROUND UP to the nearest even number. This is your Band Size.

Cup Size

Again standing naturally while wearing that comfortable bra, measure loosely across the fullest part of your bust. Again, don't pull the tape too tight, but also don't leave it too loose. Take this measurement, and subtract the band size. Using the difference in measurements, find your cup size in the chart below. IMPORTANT NOTE: Very rarely will you land on a round number for this difference. And unfortunately whether you round up or round down depends on your body and the bra style. So use these numbers as a starting point, and move up or down a cup size until you have the one that fits the best. You will find that each manufacturer is a little different, but they usually are consistent across their model line. US CUP SIZES Less than 1" AA 1" A 2"B 3"C 4"D 5"DD 6"DDD **If you don't see the number you got when you did the math, please email us and we will be glad to help you determine what size to order. Final words on Bra Size When you try a bra on, first thing you should do is position yourself properly. Using your hand, reach across your body to the opposite side breast and cradle it gently. Use your hand to lift it lightly, and bring the breast tissue from the side or bottom forward and up. Don't pull it, gently set your breast in place where is is supported by the cup material. All women have breasts that are slightly different sizes. On some women it is totally invisible, others it may be as much as a cup size or more. Fit your bra for your larger breast.

Now, PUT ON A WELL FITTING T-SHIRT. This is the best way to see what your bra does for your looks. Any un-natural bulges? Wrinkles in the cups showing through? Edges of the cups gaping and causing bulges? If you look great in a nice t-shirt, you will look great in everything else. Don't rest until you find the one that really makes you look your best.

• The band should stay level complete around your body. If it lifts at the back, it is probably too big.
• The center gap of the bra, between the breasts in front, should be flat and centered. It shouldn't extend over the edge of the breast. If it does, you may need to go up a cup size.
• Underwires should not dig in. If they do, you need to adjust cup size.
• Straps should help support you, but the majority of the support should come from the band. The straps just keep everything in place. If the band is too big, the straps will dig in to your shoulders, and also stretch more over time.

Speaking of stretch, always give your bras a day off. Wearing your favorite bra 2 or more days in a row will lead to it wearing out and stretch much faster. Today's fabrics will recover if you give them a break. Do this whole exercise again every 6 months. Women's bodies change for a variety of reasons. You may need to adjust up or down to ensure you continue to get the best service and support from your under-garments.

See the Beauty in Lingerie

I am amazed at how many people are embarrassed about lingerie, or shy and bashful, or misunderstanding of lingerie companies. I have been finding out more and more how most people are uptight about lingerie and mis-trustful of it’s retailers…

Some act like lingerie is disgusting. Pleeeeaassseee, what is disgusting about a beautiful person in a gorgeous gown, or chemise? Some act like they shouldn’t let others know that they find lingerie exciting. Whyyyyyyyyyy not? Some love lingerie. but, hide their feelings about it, and, never let anyone know how much they love it, order it, or wear it. What is up with this???

Myself, I adore lingerie. There are certain lingerie styles and accessories which do not appeal to me, but, hey, that is true with everything. Maybe you adore being looked upon as a temptress, as sensuous and exciting, for that is what makes a relationship healthy and strong. I love the materials, the styles, the cut, the detail, the feminine edge to the kind of lingerie which I choose; ladylike, soft, sexy, and with an impact which can take the breath from a man. It is feeling of pure pleasure to see a man enthralled by his partner draped in beautiful, glamorous materials, which flow on the body, or hug the curves, creating a much more enticing goddess…

Granted, there is hard core lingerie and accessories, but, that is a personal choice, and, from a business sense, a very profitable business it is. One has the choice of finding that which is true to their nature and lifestyle. If you are opposed to the harder elements of the lingerie industry, there are plenty of options available, which cater to personalities such as yours.

Lingerie is a wonderful part of life. It enhances, it creates allure, fantasy, and brings one into touch with their ’star’ side. When you allow yourself to become a new character with each lingerie ensemble, you are releasing a side of you which is carefree, confident, and bewitching. Nothing spells romance better than a couple who can share their fantasies, or act out new ones which they have devised together. Nothing keeps a couple closer than those who are open to their sensuality; it is love personified, demystified, and, fully shared, and, from my stand point, it doesn’t get much better than that…

Then, there is the attitude some have which won’t allow them to experiment with the lovely choices of lingerie because they feel that it would not look good on them. Believe me, there are so many choices, you are certain to find plenty which will look great on you. Age is no factor either, for you can find exquisite full coverage, if you feel you need it. But then again, your partner has already seen you as you are. Don't they deserve to see you as the dramatic and devastating sensual being you are deep inside?

Yes, lingerie is essential for many reasons, and, it is nothing to hide from. It is the silver lining in the black cloud of stagnation in a relationship. It is the spark of fire which keeps the love alive. It is the stuff which dreams are made of, and that keeps dreams alive. Lingerie is a statement of that which needs not be spoken, but simply enjoyed by all involved…

Style Imposters - Getting the look for less

No doubt there are a lot of women out there who really would love to wear expensive lingerie. It makes them feel good, which makes them look good. But not all of us can just crush our credit cards under mountains of debt to do it. So, what about the rest of us?

Well, the idea is that you can get very similar styles to some very high end items, but spend just a fraction of the price. Will they be exactly the same? No, that isn't likely. Even if an item is vastly over-priced, there is a certain amount of cost that goes in to these that make them so precious. But if you want to get 90% of the way there, for less than 20% of the cost, read on.

One of the biggest reasons some of these brands charge as much as they do is because, SURPRISE, they can!! People line up to buy them, even if only to say "Look, I'm wearing a "Chemise de Snooty".

Another reason they have to charge so much is because they pay huge amounts out in marketing and merchandising. Those ads in the glossy magazines don't come cheap. Or the billboards in Time Square. So they have to recoup that money from somewhere.

Enough about that. What you are no doubt interested in is "How do I find these items?" Well, periodically we will try to show you some items that we think are fairly comparable, one from a high end company and one from a much more reasonably priced line. We won't try to convince you a $5 Ebay special is the same as a designer original. But we will try to provide a reasonably priced alternative and reasonably well made outfit.

Babydoll

LEFT: Dolce and Gabbana Charlize Babydoll $233

RIGHT: Elegant Moments Lace Bodice Babydoll Set $20

Both of these lovely outfits have a stretch lace bodice and sheer body. Both are made from combinations of man-made fibers, including nylon. The D&G piece is the babydoll only, with the matching thong costing an additional $94. The Elegant Moments outfit is a set.

Chemise

LEFT: Cosabella 'Pearl' Babydoll Chemise $125

RIGHT: Fantasy Lingerie Sheer Chemise $31

Lingerie Sets

LEFT Chantelle Intimates 'Caprice' Bra and Tanga Bra $115, Tanga panty $68

RIGHT: Fantasy Lingerie Lace Demi Bralette Set $24

Before I get all kinds of flaming from my readers, let me repeat one more time: you ARE NOT going to get high fashion for low dollars. Yes, there will be a difference in construction quality. Yes, there will be a difference in the feel of the material. And you will be buying online instead of a fancy specialty store.

But look at these up-sides:

• We are talking about something you wear on special occasions, for a special purpose. These clothes do not have to survive long term wear and every day washing.
• All the items here are manufactured using man-made fibers. Just varying degrees of the same processes. So we are not talking about "silk and a sow's ear".
• You get 90% of the style for 10-20% of the price.

Now, if you use a small portion of your savings for a nice bottle of champagne, the differences will become smaller and smaller as the evening carries on............

Yet another Bra Fitting Article

As a curvy girl it used be so difficult to find a bra that is both gorgeous and comfortable. There is no need to settle for badly fitting lingerie that you don't want to wear everyday. You know what feels good and if you get it right you'll see an improvement in your posture, your comfort and your confidence! Mostly though you'll be proud of your new gorgeous silhouette. Being “measured” for a bra is not the same as being “fitted”. Tape measures can provide a rough guide, but you only know if a bra fits by trying it on! Don't squeeze your boobs into a bra that isn't perfect. Different brands and styles all fit slightly differently. Never assume that if you wear a Brand X bra in a 30G you will also wear a Brand Y in a 30G. Every brand differs in size and style so you may need to try and few ranges to see which is best for your own shape! WHAT YOUR BRA SHOULD LOOK LIKE?

• 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.
• The wires should lie flat against your rib cage and should not dig in.
• Your breasts should be enclosed in the cups and you should have a smooth line where the fabric at the top meets your bust.
• You shouldn't have any bulging over the top or sides of the cups.
• Your bra band should have enough space to insert two fingers under the back band, and one under the center front.

TRYING ON TIPS

• Start by fastening it on its loosest hook. You will be able to tighten the bra if it starts to give in the back when you've worn it a few times.
• Adjust the shoulder straps to ensure that they are not too loose.
• You may need to adjust your breasts to make sure they are in the cups properly.
• If the back feels too tight then you should try a size up (e.g. 34 to a 36) If the cups are too small then try a cup size larger (e.g. B to a C) REMEMBER: Not all Bras are the same! Different brands and styles will vary even if they are the same size. Don't be surprised if you need a totally different size than the bra you are wearing!

WHY DOESN’T MY BRA FIT PROPERLY?

The most common mistake is wearing a size too big around the back and too small in the cup. E.g. a 36D instead of a 34DD. Listed below are the common symptoms of a bad fitting bra and the solutions:

• I am bulging over the top or sides of the cup.

The cup size is too small. Your breasts should fit within the cups. Try at least one cup size bigger.

• My bra rides up my back.

The back size is too big. Try a least one back size smaller. You should have a snug fitting horizontal band running around your back.

• The wires stick out at the front or dig in under my arms.

The cup size is too small and not fitting around your breast properly. Try a larger cup size.

• The straps are digging into my shoulders.

The back size is too big. The main support should be coming from the strap around your back. If the back is not tight enough the straps will take all the strain. Try a smaller back size.

• The cups are wrinkly.

The cup size is too big. You are not filling the cups properly and should try a smaller cup size.

If you are still unsure when buying a bra or when you have received it at home, contact our customer service team. They will be happy to give you Free fitting advice on styles and brands and help you decide if bra is fitting correctly.

Sexy Costumes - do you sometimes wonder.....

Looking for a way to add some zing to your sex life? How about trying some sexy costumes? Many women are hesitant to indulge in them, and men are unlikely to make the purchase as a gift for the bedroom. Why? There could be the fear of feeling silly, fear of being laughed at and fear of being outright rejected because of desiring to indulge in fantasy. So do you proceed? First, try bring up the subject of sexy costumes with your partner. Ask about how he or she feels about an exotic bustier or a French maid outfit. After all, we’re all human, and we all have fantasies. From this question, there are 2 possible answers. You may be delighted to learn that your partner has some fantasies of his or her own that could be fulfilled by wearing costumes. Great, move on from there. But if the answer is a very strong 'No', it may be best to let the subject go for now and try again later. The most important part here is to remember, your partner is rejecting the idea of a costume, not rejecting you. So don't escalate the tension by trying to argue or convince. Costumes are highly personal, and you need to allow for different tastes After this initial inquiry is successful, the next step is giving sexy costumes a try. Ask if your partner would like to buy some to give the idea a whirl. Since you already know that your partner is interested or curious about that strapless bustier or some sexy costumes, you can be sure that you’ll get a yes. A great way of shopping for sexy costumes would be for both of you to slip into robes, open a bottle of wine and go online. One quick search will provide you with a tremendous number of sources for sexy costumes. Browsing through sexy costumes will help relieve any lingering anxieties either of you may have about using costumes to add some spice to your bedroom activities. There are so many choices that you’ll see how common dressing in sexy costumes is, and playing out your fantasies will seem like a pretty normal thing to do. Doing your browsing and shopping together also helps you talk about your fantasies. This is a great way to learn more about your partner and what turns him or her on. Who knew he had a thing for nurses? Who knew she had a thing for pirates? You may find out you both have the same fantasy, which is wonderful. The more you know about your partner, the better you can please him or her. Maybe you can start with sexy costumes for a shared fantasy, then later move on to taking turns trying different costumes so that each of you have a chance to live out your fantasies, because that’s what sexy costumes are designed to do - help you indulge your erotic side. With the right partner and the right costumes, who knows what might happen - and isn’t that part of the thrill?