What to Look Out For in an Everyday Bra

Forget the bra burning movement by the women's lib decades ago. Those women who burned their bras then and have since refused to wear bras, probably have saggy breasts today. It is akin to cutting off your nose to spite your face. If you have breasts, wear a bra to support them. Period.

First of all, the bra has to suit your lifestyle.

Breastfeeding? Get a nursing bra for convenience.

When you workout or engage in sports, wear a sports bra for more support. All that jumping around will make you bounce if you are big and in the long run, that would wreck the skin supporting your breasts.

Do you love dressing up? If you often wear low cut tops, a push up bra would give you extra oomph. Of you wear a lot of strappy dresses and halter tops, then convertible bras would be more practical as they go with most of your clothes.

Basically, choose bras you are likely to wear daily. Start with the basics for the look you want that suit your lifestyle.

Now, if you hate wearing bras because they are uncomfortable, you are probably wearing the wrong bras.

1. If they cut into your breasts, or your sides or the straps cut into your flesh, your bra is too small.

2. If wearing a bra keeps riding up or doesn't stay put, the size is wrong.

Your bra should fit you exactly in terms of your cup size and the band size. Get it wrong and no matter how expensive your bra, it is going to hurt by cutting into you, or chaffing your skin as it just does not fit. Get a tape measure and measure your bra size then go get new bras that actually fit.

Next, even if the fit is exact, the fabric should be comfortable. Do you have a problem with itchy fabric the scratches you? Then avoid bras in those fabrics.

If you sweat a lot, an absorbent bra would be ideal. Cotton is a great every day bra as it absorbs the sweat from your skin and lets it evaporate off.

Understanding Why a Bra Doesn't Fit

Ask a woman her bra size and she'll probably slap you. If you're a friend, however, she'll probably tell you she is a certain cup size. This is the traditional measurement system for bras, but it has very definite problems.

Let's assume you are a C cup woman. You've found a particular brand you like. We'll call it the Rome brand for the purposes of this article. You love the brand. The bras are comfortable and come in a variety of colors and styles that fit most occasions. Of course, "most occasions" are not "all" occasions.

A particular occasion comes up and you need a bra style that is not carried in the Rome brand. No problem. You head down to the store and find what you need made by another brand we'll call Paris. You buy the same exact size you would with the Rome brand. You wear the bra to the event and are miserable. Despite being the same size and making endless adjustments, the bra just doesn't seem to fit. You end up with a back ache and a pounding headache.

So, does this mean that the Paris brand is inferior to the Rome brand? Many women would say yes. In truth, this may be the case, but this one experience is not proof of it. Instead, it raises an ugly little secret that exists in the bra industry - one which many women do not know or don't really think through.

The ugly little secret is simply that there is no uniform bra measurement that all brands adhere to. While our Rome and Paris brands both carry a "C" cup, the actual measurements and shapes for both may differ slightly. They are technically the same, but each bra will fit just a bit differently. This can be the difference between a comfortable br and one that causes strain.

Regardless of the bra or brand, there is only one sure fire technique for buying bras that fit well. Try them on in the store. More than 70 percent of women are estimated to wear the wrong size bra. The primary reason for this may well be that most women don't try on bras before buying them. The fact you are a "C" cup and the bra says "C" should be taken only as a suggestion the bra might fit you. Try it on to make sure.

Getting the Right Fit For That Bra

A bra is designed primarily to provide us with support. Okay, a sexy bra isn't a bad thing either! Regardless, a bra fails in its primary mission if it fits poorly. Instead of providing support, it will end up providing misery.

You've probably worn a bra for many years and just assume you have it right. Well, you might not realize you have a problem. Ask yourself these questions. Do you get headaches at about the same time each or every few days? Does your back ache? Do your shoulders chafe where the straps are? All are potential signs of a fitting problem.

The first thing to understand with a bra is the support mechanism. Looking at a bra, one would think the support would come from the straps running over the shoulder. This is not actually the case. Instead, the support should come from the band running around the bottom of the bra and, of course, the cups themselves. If your shoulders are providing the support, you have the wrong fit. Headaches, upper back pain and bad posture are the usual result.

So, just how should this work to get the best fit? Well, let's start at the bottom. The band running around the bottom of the bra should be at the same level around your body. Stand sideways in front of a mirror. Is the bottom of the bra band at the same level on the front of your body as the back? If not, adjust it for immediate relief.

Let's move to the cups. As you know, the cups present you with the best opportunity to create a number of looks. You can create cleavage or go for a more conservative look. Whatever image you are trying to create, one rule always applies. The breast should not bulge over the edge of the cup. If this occurs, you need a bigger cup or one formed differently.

Okay, let's look at the front of the bra. The key once again is the bottom brand of the bra, often the underwire area of a bra. The bottom band should be placed at your sternum. Your sternum is a piece of bone that sticks down from the lowest point in the middle of your chest where the rib cage connects. Basically, it is just between your breasts at the lower part. You can feel it pointing down from the rib cage intersection.

Ultimately, bras come in different sizes, shapes, materials and styles. Not every version is going to go with your body. If you have back or neck pain, shop around. Finding a bra that fits will make a huge difference in how you feel and is worth the time it takes.

Bridal Lingerie - Making the Perfect Choice

You've found the perfect dress, the right bridal jewelry, and your bridal garter - so what's left? The absolutely most important piece of apparel you may ever own - that's what! So how do you go about finding your perfect bridal lingerie? Bridal lingerie is often more costly than ordinary lingerie, often around $50, so you will want to be sure to select lingerie that not only complements your body but will feel comfortable walking around in.

Often bridal lingerie for your big day is still white but today's modern brides also experiment with many other colors. Long gowns are still popular, but have been replaced by sheer gowns and chemises. Bridal lingerie takes many forms including the lingerie version of the bridal gown being the most innovative. A bride obviously wants to wear her own wedding gown for as long as is possible on the wedding day, for it is the only day that she would ever wear such a dress again; it is the only day that would ever be solely about her again.

So what bridal lingerie should you select for your honeymoon night? Remember that bridal lingerie can be the invisible helping hand that could help lift and tone where you need it most. The right bridal lingerie can help shape your contours exactly the way you want them.

A favorite amount many brides is the corset. Corsets can enhance your waist and bust. The corset laces up the back and has a hidden hook and eye side closure. Corsets often include adjustable and detachable leg garters. The corsets may begin either above or just below the bust and extends down to the waist or below the hips and this choice in lingerie helps with the illusion of large breasts and a small waistline. A very sexy choice indeed.

Bustiers are another favorite of brides and appear like strapless bras that are attached to a fabric that wraps around your body. Bustiers are designed to show off cleavage beautifully and slim the waist to a perfect hourglass.

Sheer baby dolls, chemises, and gowns are especially loved by the bride to be since this lingerie will the tone for the wedding night. Sheer baby dolls and night gowns send one message, while a black lace corset with a garter belt and stocking gives your husband a totally different message! Plus size women also look fantastic in baby dolls and sheer gowns. Ooh La La!

If you will be on your honeymoon for several days, consider taking several different bridal lingerie selections with you. Also, consider your husbands tastes and choose a special piece of lingerie just for him. Wearing different styles keeps your romance interesting and what better way to start off your lingerie collection than with your honeymoon lingerie.

Remember wearing erotic, sexy lingerie can turn a normal evening into a memorable and exciting night. Wearing a special piece of bridal lingerie on your wedding night will make your night just a little more special, wink, wink. You go girl!

Lingerie As Outerwear

When we think of lingerie and intimate apparel shopping, we think of sexy clothing meant to be worn in the comfort of your bedroom. But did you know a number of lingerie fashions can actually be worn as outerwear? In fact, many classic lingerie items such as camisoles, chemises and babydolls are in style and used as such by women everyday.

Leading the charge of stepping out of the bedroom and into the public eye is the sexy cami, or camisole. This woman's undergarment covers the top of the body, it is sleeveless, and typically tight fitting in contrast to a loose-fitting chemise. Because they can be worn over a brassiere as well as without one, they can clearly be used as outerwear. Some camis even come with built in 'underwire'. So when looking at camisoles, depending on the style, consider its dual role as a sexy lingerie piece and a comfortable outerwear top.

Babydolls are also no stranger to the public eye. Yes, some are clearly nightgowns or negligees intended as nightwear. But there is no shortage of selections that may be worn while out on the town with a nice pair of Capri pants. What about a corset or a bustier, you say? Certainly! These are also quite popular at the moment. When looking at corsets or bustiers, you will see many styles that can be worn with, say... a nice pair of jeans.

So remember, when shopping and looking around for sexy lingerie, those very items that you intend to wear as a nightie or a comfortable around-the-house outfit might just double as a look-sexy-feel-sexy night on the town fashion hit. Happy lingerie shopping!