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.

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............

Show off your goods without going over the top… or coming out of your top!

Ever wonder how to get the perfect amount of cleavage for any occasion? No matter your size, here are some great tips to push up your girls without looking fake.

Trick #1: Silicone inserts

Silicone is wonderful because it allows for a smooth look under even the tightest of clothes. Removable silicone pads allow you to augment your bust line however you want. For smaller busts, you can select an add-a-size insert to increase the size of your breasts by a full cup size. For larger busts, you can choose a flirty cleavage look or simply round out your shape. Just slide the insert into your bra, placing it along the bottom edge of the underwire (or, in the case of a non-underwire bra, along the bottom band of your bra) for a push-up towards the top, or along the side of the underwire for a push-up towards the centre. Lift up your breast in the cup and gently let it fall back into your bra to make sure the pad is snug between your skin and the bra.

Trick #2: Push-up bras or demi-bust bras

Some bras come equipped with either removable or non-removable cookies (some are fabric pads, others are filled with air or water or even silicone) that help get a push-up look. The bonus of bras with removable cookies is that you can opt to insert or remove the pads, depending on the look you are trying to achieve, all in one bra! Demi-bust bras are not necessarily padded but do reveal slightly more cleavage since they come down lower in the middle between the breasts. Either way, these bras are comfortable enough and convenient enough to wear daily for a slight enhancement (or more, depending on whether you put pads inside or not).

Trick #3: The seriously low neckline

Bras like the U-Bra by Arianne are specifically designed for shirts and dresses with a very low V-cut in the front. Since a regular bra will be visible underneath, bras like the U-bra fall much lower in the front while offering an extra push-up towards the centre, creating cleavage that’s irresistible!

Trick #4: Camisoles with integrated bras

Don’t like wearing a bra? Try a camisole with an integrated or shelf bra. Such garments are worn as clothing (outerwear) but because there is an integrated foam padding inside the bust, you get a light to medium support while still enhancing your bustline, without a bra and without pads. You can also wear these camisoles with a push-up bra to get an even more pronounced bustline.

Trick #5: Convertible bras

A convertible bra allows for the straps to be crossed in the back or clasped behind the neck (halter). By crossing or adjusting the straps behind the neck, you can discreetly push your breasts toward the centre (ideal for a V-shaped shirt). Most convertible bras are slightly padded or lined, so they offer a seamless look while enhancing your cleavage.

Figure Shapes - The Pear Figure

The lingerie industry has come up with six figure types that they feel captures every woman. I know this sounds kind of crazy, but the truth is I have yet to find a woman I couldn’t classify in one of them. By knowing your personal figure type, you can make smarter lingerie choices that will enhance your best points and disguise your less-than-favorable ones.

In the near future, I’m going to talk about each of these figure types. They are The pear shape, apple shape, column shape, the hourglass shape, the almost hourglass shape and the cornet shape.

The figure type known as the pear shape can usually be recognized by a small upper body and a large and heavy lower body. Her shoulders are narrow, but her hips are fairly wide and her thighs are quite heavy. Thus, in silhouette, her body would have the shape of a pear. In most cases, the size she wears on top is 1 to 3 sizes smaller than her size on bottom which can make it very difficult if not impossible to buy dresses.

So, what are the best lingerie options for a woman with this figure type? Let’s start on top. The goal here is to balance the body shape. So, for a pear shaped woman with a small cup size, select a bra that is padded and gives the breast some more volume. This will make the upper portion of her body look more in proportion and have the added benefit of creating the look of a waist. For pear-shaped women with larger breasts, make sure breasts are lifted and supported. Again, you get a waist and you’ll look like you’ve lost weight.

Now for the bottom. I love repeating a comment made by Tyra Banks. She noticed that the skimpier the bathing suit, the slimmer she looked - especially when she had put on a few pounds. Her comment is absolutely correct. Women with large thighs and hips look much slimmer in a brief that is high cut on the sides and with a lower rise. This makes your legs look longer and slimmer and because the briefs are lower, your hips and thighs will look more in balance with your shoulders. The absolute worst look for you would be to stick on a big full coverage brief.

One final note on this figure type. It is almost impossible to find a longline bra that will fit you. The manufacturers had to make a decision as to your hip size, and they have chosen to design longline bras to accomodate a woman whose top and bottom are more in proportion. So, my suggestion to a pear shaped woman who simply must have a longline bra is to purchase a corset with a back or front lace-up. This will allow great fit flexibility and better contouring to your unique shape.

5 Must-Have items for your Lingerie Drawer

The other day, Oprah had a show about women getting their sexy back. Her style team from O Magazine took 5 women and transformed them into really attractive and sexy looking goddesses. It was truly impressive. Part of the show had a segment from Susan Nethero sharing her list of 5 lingerie must-haves every women should have in her lingerie drawer. Here they are:

A Date Night Bra - This is a bra that is pretty and makes you feel pretty when you wear it out in the evening. One idea was for this bra to be in a color other than nude - like red. I think black can be a good choice as well.

A Demi Cup or Cleavage Showing Bra - A demi cup bra has cups that cover less of your upper breast tissue. This allows you to wear lower necklines. A cleavage showing bra, I call a plunge bra. The center panel is cut very low so that you can wear lower v-necks or be able to keep one more button unbuttoned.

A Strapless Bra - I find myself more and more reaching for a strapless. With today’s unusual necklines, a strapless sometimes seems like the only choice if you want to wear a bra.

An Elegant Camisole - I must confess that I frequently forget about the camisole option. It’s a great solution as a layer under jackets and sweaters. As winter approaches, and we all must go in and out of hot and cold temperatures, having a pretty camisole as your base layer can give instant relief when you want to take off something to cool down. And, there are great support camisoles that not only look pretty, but give you the added smoothing benefits.

Matching Bra and Panty Sets - After this recommendation, Oprah polled her audience as to how many women were wearing panties that matched their bra. Not many raised their hand. A conversation between Oprah and her stylists ensued. The overwhelming opinion is that women who wear a matching set feel more confident when they walk and talk - even if no one but themselves know they have it on.

So there you go. If you don't have these, run out and get them. If you do, check them to make sure they still 'serve their purpose'. Nothing lasts forever, and you deserve having a little fashion treat every once in a while.

Here are fashion trends to look for next year

From the Detroit Free Press: Four fashion capitals and four weeks of runway previews didn't add up to a single must-have look for spring-summer '09.

That might be just fine with consumers who, considering the economic meltdown of recent days, probably are in no mood to start their shopping lists for next season.

Of course, designers couldn't have predicted such a stark picture when they started crafting these collections months before their previews in New York, London, Paris and Milan. Still, there was a collective movement toward a looser shape compared with the buttoned-up style of fall.

The passing of Yves St. Laurent in June, the time when many designers were putting together their spring collections, also appeared to have a strong influence, especially in safari and tribal touches.

Some things seemed made for runway drama -- like the harem pants that were ubiquitous in New York, and made encore appearances in Europe -- but received a lukewarm, at best, reaction from retailers.

Designers typically offer a more toned-down version of the collection to store buyers in follow-up showroom appointments, and those probably give a better sense of what's to come, says Candy Pratts Price, executive editor at Style.com. "This is what you saw, not what is being delivered."

Here's what editors, stylists and retailers came home to consider:

The bare look

Call it sand, skin or champagne: There was a steady parade of nude colors on the runways, although models weren't necessarily showing a lot of skin.

It didn't matter. The effect of flesh-colored clothes -- whether they're flashy with sparkle or more sophisticated in an earth tone -- is sexy.

"Everyone did nude, but it wasn't lingerie nude all the time -- it was an interesting mix with yellow and orange," observes Price.

And, she adds, these flesh tones weren't used to complement delicate, romantic pieces as much as strong, futuristic looks.

Shrug it off

Designers offered up the modern goddess as their collective muse, showing a string of one-shouldered looks. Most of the outfits were evening gowns but the asymmetric style was also popular with more casual, shorter silhouettes.

Sometimes the off-kilter line creates a longer, leaner appearance; sometimes, though, the outfit just looks askew.

High and mighty

The gladiator may reach its full height of popularity in spring '09. What started as a flat summertime-sandal alternative to the ballet slipper has gotten a progressively higher heel as the years have gone on. The shoes on the runway this go-round had towering heels, tough-girl styling and sometimes seemingly unstable architecture.

Price noted that at bellwether accessories house Prada, the models had trouble making it down the runway.

"I love high heels, but I have to be able to work in these shoes," she says. "I want to be able to evacuate a plane in my shoes and I'm not sure I could in these."

Feeling the squeeze

While a more relaxed shape dominated, there was a proliferation of tight corsets, too. It was the yin to the yang, and the "va" in vavoom. Corsets were featured in old-school cocktail dresses and playful rompers. Prada also adopted bra tops, so the lingerie look may linger awhile.

Carol Mitchell, owner of an upscale boutique in McLean, Va., said her suburban D.C. customers prefer something with a fitted shape to a flowing silhouette. She's confident that Dolce & Gabbana's bra dresses will do well in her store.

"You see that Dolce & Gabbana dress and you know this is just going to fit so well. ... The bones they use are the same ones the ballerina costumes are made of, so they move and they are not stiff. The fabric probably is stretch, too. It's comfortable but looks great."

Feeling orange, pink, blue

Either the fashion industry isn't going to let the shaky economy drag it down -- or designers are trying to escape it. There was a clear tropical influence on the clothes for spring-summer. If nude is the must-have neutral over standard black and white, then tangerine orange and hibiscus pink, along with ocean blues, are the favorite infusions of color instead of pastels.

The top-tier designer labels in Mitchell's store, including Lanvin and Narciso Rodriguez, also adopted a fiery red, but it was with undertones of orange instead of blue.

It feels good to surround yourself with these colors after the winter, she says, but those really starved for brights actually will start seeing color trickle in during November when resort-season clothes begin to appear.

Body Shapes Survey Results

Trinny and Susannah have completed a very telling survey of more than thousand women, about how they see themselves, what they like and dislike about themselves, and how they felt about celebrities. Find the outcome on their website.

Haven't heard of Trinny and Susannah? No doubt millions of woman know about them because of their Oprah connection, but these two have been at it a while. Here are the covers of 3 of their 9 or so books:



Here is a snippet from their 'About Us' page on their website:

"Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine teamed up in 1994 to write Ready to Wear, a down-to-earth weekly style guide for The Daily Telegraph. Their phenomenally successful column ran for seven years.

In 2001 they joined the BBC to present What Not to Wear, a makeover programme that entered the national consciousness like no other. The show moved from BBC TWO to BBC ONE running for 5 series and was also broadcast around the world.

Their no-nonsense style books What Not to Wear, What You Wear Can Change Your Life, What Your Clothes Say About You and their latest, The Survival Guide have been number one bestsellers in Britain and the United States and have been translated throughout the world.

They currently pen a weekly column for The Sun, having previously contributed to The Daily Mail and The Daily Telegraph.

Susannah Constantine is married with three children. Trinny Woodall is married with a daughter and stepson. Both live in London. " (source:http://www.trinnyandsusannah.com/about)

So, why do we care? Well, it turns out they actually have some great ideas about fashion. Not for the Size 0 runway model bobblehead dolls. I mean real women. As they say, "Looking stylish is not about following fashion, losing weight, being rich or succumbing to the knife. It's about dressing to show off what you love and hiding what you loathe about your body".

So, go check them out. My favorite part of all are their Rules, where they have insight on everything from "No tits: Loads of clothes look better worn by flat chested women" to "How to wear Dark Blue: You don't have to wear Dark Blue as if it were a uniform"

Be prepared for a frank, but funny and uplifting experience. You'll be delighted to notice that most of the modeling on the site is done by none other than Trinny and Susannah themselves. Keep in mind, they are British and so you may need your American English to English English translator handy if you are from the States like us.

Much Too Pretty to Cover Up

There are ways to take your corset from staying in to going out, even to the board room, and we’ll show you how to do just that.

Looking for a way to dress up a pair of jeans for a night out? Pair a simple plain color with a pair of dark jeans and stilettos and you’re set for a night on the town. You might have to beat the boys back with a stick.

And if you’re more interested in staying in on Saturday night, get a little flirty. Chantilly lace, ribbons and a ruffled skirt are designed to tease. Add a lacy G-string and sheer black stockings for a double dose of sweet heat on a summer night.

Looking to pull some elegance into the evening? Try a jewelled satin corset that will show off your sophistication. Layer it over a tailored taffeta skirt and you’ll the star of the evening.

If you’re not into the super- elegant look, try a more zen look with a brightly colored corset and a ghagra—a long, flowing Indian skirt—for a trendy Eastern vibe.

Finally, go for a sensual vibe with a strapless front lets you be as daring—or demure—as you like. Pair it with a sleek pencil skirt for a sophisticated, yet sleek look. Throw a black jacket over top and you’ve got a look you can take to work!

Lingerie Trends

Sexy lingerie is an aphrodisiac. And it’s simply amazing what a little bit of colour can do to lift one’s spirit. Keep aside your clothes, shoes and accessories. What we are talking here about is pure, sinful indulgence with your lingerie collection. Gone are the days of strictly blacks, whites and nudes. Now it’s all about colours, right from the sizzling hot fuschias and purples to the soothing aquas and yellows.

So what are the hottest colours for this season? “Fuschia, purple, gold, turquoise, chocolate, green and wine, “ says Dalbir Bains of the luxury lingerie boutique Boudoir London. According to her, the other in things in lingerie include funky geometric prints, animal prints and the shadow effect. Prod her a bit and she’ll be more than happy to show you a range of mind-blowing lingerie, be it the electric blue bra with pink lining with matching knickers or the bra with print in front and lace behind. “Print and lace, print and solid colours, smooth bras with animal print, that’s what everyone wants this season,” she adds.

Mean-while, Anuradha Burman, production head at Etam opines that the hottest colours for this season are shades of pink. “It ranges from the extreme fuchsia to light pink. Red is also coming back internationally,” she says. The other in colours, she adds, are jewel colours like rust, electric blue and emerald green.

And while you freak out on the colours, Shraboni Mukherjee of Triumph says one of the hottest trends this season is bras with scallop lace trimmings. “In fact, a lot of bold women who sport deep necklines even want the lace to peek out,” she says adding that pink, green, lacy white and rosewood are among the most happening colours currently.

According to Anuradha, while the college crowd goes crazy over funky colours and prints, young working girls prefer conservative “structured and more functional” lingerie for their day wear. Internationally, the trend is also about co-ordinated buying — matching bras and knickers and less coverage bras. “These days a lot of women are into deep necks and cleavages,” she explains. In the knickers segment, the bikini style, thongs, G-string and boxer shorts are still going strong, Anuradha says.

Dalbir meanwhile says college girls prefer the simple yet smooth bras. “The want seamless bras to wear with figure hugging T-shirts. Also, the multi-way bras — ones which can be used with racer tops and halter tops are highly in demand. One other hot trend is detailing on the straps. Since many girls wear colourful ganjis, they are more than happy to show of their intricately designed bra straps,” she explains.

Another in trend according to Shraboni is that of young girls wearing vibrant coloured bras and semi transparent tops. “They are no longer the shy, not wanting their lingerie to show types,” she says. And for the next season, watch out for wild prints and soothing colours and stock up on those purples, the experts warn.

[From an article in The Times of India]