Sunday, January 24, 2010

When It's All About The Underwear

How many times have you fumbled through your underwear drawer only to pull out a mismatched pair of panties to go along with that well worn bra? Chances are you've been shopping separately for your underwear. It's time to build a better and sexier you by starting your day with match sets.

Match sets are exactly what they imply, a matching bra and matching panty set. You have probably heard the term foundation. When the word is applied in the fashion world it refers to those products that help shape our free form bodies such as corsets, bustiers, girdles, bras and panties. It only makes sense to start off each day with a fantastic foundation to build upon. After all, a lady wants all her important assets to be shown off in the best possible manner.

Fortunately the fabric styles and choices vary greatly for match sets. One can have cotton to satin or silk as fabric choices, just to name a few. The styles are about as varied as their are individuals in this world. You can go from conservative to chic to sexy in a matter of, well seconds it's just a matter of changing sets. Just consider how great you will feel fashion wise and emotionally being able to go into your underwear drawer and select a wonderful match set. For instance, let's say you selected a pair of shiny satin panties and a shiny satin bra. Admit it, you'd feel pretty darn sexy, wouldn't you. I know I would.

You are beginning to realize that it really is all about the underwear. Just think how fresh and up to date you will look putting on match sets. One important note women should realize is how important it is to remeasure themselves every six months to ensure they haven't gone up or down in size. Eighty percent (80%) of women don't wear the proper size bra. Bras need to be replaced almost as often due to shrinkage and wear. The last thing a lady needs is to have her underwear being the talk of the town. Of course we want to be noticed, but for the right reasons. Time to get shopping and remember start matching you'll be much happier as a result.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Plus Size Fashion Secrets To Look Your Best At Any Size

Number one. A great fitting bra. The perfect bra gives you support, comfort, and helps you feel beautiful. Four out of five women wear the wrong size. Do you? Does your bra ride up in back? If so, your band is too large. Do your cup lines show? If so, your cup is either too big or too small. Give your bustline a lift. Wearing a supportive bra makes your torso look longer and thinner.

Pick a collar or neckline that flatters you. Emphasize your best assets with this simple shopping secret.

To accent your neckline, try a boat neck line, which opens up to the shoulder with a slight curve. Boat neck and different straighter necklines make a longer face look better... Scooped or dipped necklines are more slimming. than crew necks. They break up large expanses of skin.

Unbutton a few buttons to create the V-neckline that pulls the eye up to your face. A simple V neck elongates a round face, A low V neck will show off your cleavage.

It's tempting to take cover in a turtleneck, but if your bustline is large, the extra fabric may make you look even larger. Drape your shoulders with a wrap or pashmina. They're not only practical, they're sophisticated too.

Wear a belt with confidence. You can wear a belt and look good at the same time. Hip-slung belts worn ultra-low with low-rise jeans looks fresh and young. Belts or ribbons at the waist are feminine and a great way to add color to a monochromatic look. If you're timid about drawing attention to your hips, start with a chain-link belt and work your way up to the newest wide-metal and leather styles.

Toss on a pashmina. These oversize scarves drape around her torso, skimming past trouble zones so you look super slim underneath.

Try a long necklace. A drop pendant or long string of beads is the most slenderizing piece of jewelry a woman can own. It elongates your upper body.

Pick heels. Even a low heel adds shapeliness to legs, making you seem tall and trim.

Keep your denim dark. Indigo and black are your most flattering and stylish choice for jeans.

Match your hose and shoes. Wearing the same color from head to toe creates a long, lean line.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Facts About Plus Size Lingerie

Plus size lingerie offers you more choices than ever before. Whether you want a pattern or design that is just practical and comfortable to wear, or something that is sexy, sensual or caters to a certain fantasy, there are options available to you. In this article, we will discuss the different facets of plus size lingerie.

First, let's start with the definition of what plus size lingerie is. Typically, it refers to sizes of lingerie that are 14 or greater, or are 1X or larger. In fact, the term plus size lingerie is a bit of a misnomer, because around 40% of American women wear a size 14 or greater.

However, due to the perception of the American media and general public at large, most shops tend to carry little in these sizes. This is ridiculous, because it forces women to have to search high and low to find lingerie that is sexy and comfortable. Good thing demand has risen so sharply, and that technology has changed.

Manufacturers have now responded to the plus size market segment, and there are currently more options available for plus size lingerie than ever before. Additionally, it is easier to purchase as well. Gone are the days where you had to be in a big city that had those rare specialty large-size lingerie stores. Anyone who has access to the Internet today can find the perfect lingerie for their needs.

Of course, if you find a plus size lingerie store on the Internet, it can be kind of intimidating. This is because there are now too many choices, where before there were too few. However, take some time to digest it all, and to familiarize yourself with the differences between the different types of patterns, and how to search the website.

With a little bit of research, and some focus, you should be able to find exactly what you want in little to no time at all. If you're still confused, e-mail or call the company. Any reputable company will have contact information that you can use to get the proper customer service. And if they don't respond back quickly, then is probably wise to move onto the next lingerie store.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Womens Underwear - A History Of The Bra

Today, women's underwear choices are numerous. Matching bra and brief sets are extremely popular, offering the best in both style and function. In fact, these sets seem so basic that it is hard to believe that there was a time when they did not exist. However, modern women's underwear styles are fairly recent inventions. Provided here is a brief guide to the history of the brassiere.

Ancient Cultures

In Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece, breasts were generally uncovered. Women's underwear was basically unknown. Both men and women wore simple tunic-style garments. However, it was usual to expose the breasts, particularly in Greece, where female breasts had almost mythic significance. Greek women did, however, cover the breasts with tight, supportive bands known as apodesme when competing in athletic activities.

In Ancient Rome, breasts were less emphasized, and both men and women wore loose tunics that covered the chests. Young women sometimes wore a version of the Greek apodesmos, called the strophium, to minimize their breasts. This could be considered an early example of women's underwear.

Medieval

Contrary to modern mythology, medieval women did not wear bodices designed to enhance the breasts. In fact, it is believed that the Holy Roman Empire specifically forbade women to support their breasts or draw attention to them. Bodices were straight and designed to minimize rather than enhance curves. Women's underwear consisted primarily of simple shifts worn underneath a bodice and full skirt.

Renaissance

Renaissance style was far different than medieval style in many ways. In women's fashion, it became stylish to show décolletage. Breast feeding was discouraged among the upper classes due to the effect that it could have on the breasts. During this time, rudimentary corsetry developed.

The Age of Corsetry

Once corsets were introduced, they proved to have great staying power. Shapes and styles changed over the years, but the corset remained the women's underwear choice until the late nineteenth century. Of course, there were generally more practical alternatives for women who worked, either inside or outside the home. Even these garments, however, generally resembled corsets but were less compressive.

Clothing Reform Movement

In the late 1800s, two movements began that would ultimately lead to the development of the modern bra. Early feminists recognized that freedom from restrictive women's underwear was necessary before women could take on a larger role in society. Meanwhile, doctors began to recognize the health risks of tightlaced corsetry.

In the late 19th century, numerous patents were filed for breast-supporting corset alternatives. However, many of these designs were never manufactured. Only a handful of educated feminists and female athletes purchased the early bras.

World War I

World War I brought a lot of support for the emerging bra movement. Steel was commonly used for the stays in corsets, but was needed for the war effort. Meanwhile, women went to work in factories and industrial plants in great numbers. Societal attitudes began to change.

The 1920s to the 1960s

After the war, the bra became much more accepted. By the late 1920s, it had replaced the corset as the major staple of women's underwear. Shapes and styles changed with fluctuating fashions, but the garment remained largely the same.

Counter Culture

The women's liberation movement of the 1960s led record numbers of women to stop wearing bras altogether. Although bra-burning was likely much less common than urban legends would indicate, many women simply stopped wearing them.

Bra manufacturers fought back by capitalizing on the sexual liberation of the time to introduce increasingly daring alternative styles. It was during this time that women's underwear options dramatically grew.

The 1970s to Today

Today, women's underwear is big business. Sexy lingerie and matching lingerie sets are quite common. Whether you are in the mood for a demure and elegant bra and brief set or something a bit wilder, your options are virtually unlimited.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Sexy Bridal Lingerie For Every Body Shape

Traditionally, brides were extremely limited in their sexy bridal lingerie choices. Women were expected to be demure and virginal on their wedding nights, and bridal lingerie choices reflected that innocence. Today, however, while supporting the wedding gown remains a key function, style choices have exploded. Provided here is a guide to new and daring sexy bridal lingerie.

Buy the Dress First

Keep in mind that your bridal lingerie should be matched to the wedding dress. Therefore, it is important to buy your gown first. When dress-shopping, it is easy to take along several styles of your regular lingerie. This will allow you to try on the gown over multiple alternatives, helping you to decide what works best under your particular dress.

When shopping for your sexy bridal lingerie, it would be impractical to take the wedding dress along. Instead, bring the pieces that you wore when you purchased the gown. Sometimes it is helpful to bring along photos of the gown, which can help you more accurately remember such details as neckline and waist cinching.

Buy Multiple Items

Even with photos, it can be difficult to know precisely how your wedding gown will look over a particular piece of sexy bridal lingerie. If you have any doubts, buy multiple styles of the same basic piece. Although it may be difficult or impossible to return lingerie, you are sure to find a use for the extras on your honeymoon.

Be Decadent

Today's sexy bridal lingerie is daring and sensual. Remember that is the first lingerie your new husband will see after the wedding ceremony. Whether it is your first time together or you have been living together for years, daring lingerie is a great way to kick off the honeymoon. Look for barely-there thong panties, a see-through bustier or a plunging neckline on a sexy chemise.

Why Not Wear Black?

A white wedding dress need not mean demure white lingerie. Wedding gowns are heavy, impossible to see through. Therefore, give yourself and your groom a hidden secret with forbidden black sexy bridal lingerie. Share the secret with your man before the ceremony or let him be shocked later that night. The choice is yours.

Sexy, Supportive and Comfortable

In today's lingerie market, it is possible to find bridal lingerie that is not only supportive enough to hold up the dress and sexy enough to make a splash on the wedding night, but also surprisingly comfortable. Look for pieces with soft, sensual linings. Boning and underwire should be carefully encased in soft padding to prevent chafing. Remember, no matter how good the lingerie looks, red welts and scratches are not sexy.

Don't Forget the Honeymoon

While your sexy bridal lingerie is perhaps the most important, you will have an entire honeymoon full of opportunities to show off your body. Keep the wedding theme alive with a variety of bridal lingerie styles, or scrap them altogether for something a bit wild. Either way, your lingerie choices can help to ensure a honeymoon to remember.