Interestingly, Lara Merriam-Smith, inventor of the Bra Barrette, has also founded BraStrapSolutions.com. This website provides links and overviews of many competing products, so you can find the best solution for your wardrobe problems.

Remember, if your bra straps are slipping, that could mean that you are having a common bra fitting issue that can be cured by making sure you are wearing the correct size. Slipping straps could mean that your band is too large or your straps are adjusted incorrectly. But if you have sloped shoulders, your bra straps could be slipping even if your bra is correctly sized, and in that case the Bra Barrette could become an everyday essential for you.

When I put the bra on, I noticed right away that it is very comfortable – there are no itchy seams or pinchy bits. There are tags on the band, but they are long and silky, so I didn’t even don’t even notice them. I actually was thinking that the bra was tagless until I specifically checked! I was very pleasantly surprised to see that that the Bendon Sport bra gave a very natural and seamless silhouette. It shaped my chest more like an everyday T-shirt bra than than a lumpy, unattractive sports bra. I know that the gym isn’t a fashion runway, but it was still nice to know that my assets looked their best! I went to the gym with my boyfriend that day, and even he commented on the difference and improvement my new bra made in my appearance. The fabric was light and quite breathable, so I was comfortable throughout my workout. Another happy surprise was when I found that the straps are convertible, so I had the option to wear them normally or to crisscross them – perfect for wearing underneath racerback workout tanks! It actually wouldn’t be so bad if the straps were to poke out a bit, however, as they are relatively slim (compared to some other fuller-figure sports bras) even though they were comfortably cushioned.

The only disappointing thing about the bra is that it doesn’t come in my size. I wear a 30 band, but Bendon Sport’s size range begins at 32. I was optimistic when the bra came in a size 32, and wore it on the tightest hooks. But the Extreme Out bra seems to run true to size, and was just too big for me. I was comfortable in my yoga and Pilates classes, but an incorrect bra size is very apparent when you want to run on the treadmill! You guys know that I’m very particular about wearing well-fitting bras, so I will sadly have to retire mine. Don’t let that deter you, though – if you are within the size range of the Bendon Sport bras, I think they will work wonderfully for you. The sports bra is very high-quality, and has a sturdy three-row, three-column band to anchor firmly to you. I was also glad to see that the cups had comfortable foam-covered underwires for extra support, and busty ladies know how critical support is!

To get your own, you should act fast! Between now and Tuesday, February 24, Freshpair is offering 10% off all Bendon Sport items. Use the coupon code FPBENDON at the checkout. As always, if you have any more questions about this product, just leave a comment or make a post in our forums and I’ll be glad to help!

The original Secrets From Your Sister is located at 560 Bloor Street West (at Bathurst).  The recently opened location is located at 2501 Yonge Street (at Eglington).  See here for maps and store hours.  Don’t forget to establish a customer file when you make your purchase.  It will be accessible at both stores for convenient shopping!

And, all new SFYS customers who shop at the Yonge Street boutique between now and November 30th will receive 20% off their first bra purchase!  Happy Shopping!

Thanks to Jen Aaron for the gorgeous photos below from the new Yonge Street store.  

Encouraging women to take the Bra Fit Challenge by making the fitting fun and accessible, La Senza further states that the right bra “can improve posture, is much more comfortable to wear, and can be a fantastic confidence booster”. Expecting this venture to be a huge success, they are offering discounts for women who are fitted and women have the opportunity to win a year’s worth of lingerie.

Look for the pink bus in your neighbourhood marked with the slogan “The world looks bright when your bra fits right”.

The shows ran on September 13 and 15. They are archived on the SOL site. During both segments, Cindy stressed the need for a “wardrobe of bras” to solve many problems including: slipping straps, support, visible bra lines, and more every day problems.

“Founded in 1997 by two sisters, Cindy Johnson and Jeanie Peterson, and located in Denver’s prestigious Cherry Creek North shopping district, SOL is one of the cornerstones of the areas’ independently owned boutiques and offers an exquisite collection of lingerie including pajamas, loungewear, robes, camisoles, bras and panties. SOL designers include Hanky Panky, Marie Jo, Prima Donna, Natori, Fernando Sanchez as well as other distinctive pieces designed exclusively for SOL.”

Links

• MSNBC Article
• SOL on Today 15 Sept 2008
• SOL on Today 13 Sept 2008

“I feel more on a level. I have known about June Kenton for years, I have admired her and have read all the articles she has done.”

Ayton opened her first shop in Consett County, Durham, in 1970. She now also has outlets in Darlington, Sunderland, Ashington, Scarborough, and Thirsk. 62,995 registered customers can access their accounts on the web and reorder bras they have previously purchased; however, if they want a new style they must first come in for a fitting. Ayton insists on this because so many women are wearing the wrong size bra.

Basically, the website asks a few questions and the service returns a list of company names or brands that would best suit the woman’s figure. Specifically. zafu has compiled eight simple questions regarding band fit, cup fit, breast type, shape, bra type, wish list, stats and size. Each question comes with a set of pictures so that the user can easily see what description matches her breasts. The questions are quite in depth and allow the user to really think about how her present bra fits and the problems she has while shopping.

Based in Emeryville, California, the company claims to have a database of research taken from thousands of women in their search to help women find the right sized bra. The questionnaire takes about three to five minutes and at the end, the summary returns a list of available bras. In my case, I was offered eleven bras, most of which I felt were too young for me. I am not sure if the service helped me, as I think I prefer to admire the luxury labels on my own and then find a size for the one I like. Part of the joy for me in buying new bras is searching through the new collections and finding something pretty.

Another point to remember is that the company is associated with certain companies as part of their business model so basically you will be limited in the brands and types. But some of you ladies might find the service helpful when in a hurry. Plus it is kind of fun!

Give it a try right here.

So what differentiates The Little Bra Company’s bras from any other bras in the same size? Lau says that the cups don’t gap, which is often a problem in smaller sizes. The back cut is smaller, and the cups are closer together than most bras to enhance cleavage. The bras are available in sizes 32A-36B. I have to admit, I’m surprised that the band only goes down to a 32. It seems that a company dedicated to “little bras” would make a point to serve even the daintiest of our readers! If you do fall into the size range, you can find The Little Bra Company’s bras all across the US or on the company website. There are matching panties available for some styles as well (like my favorite, Bijou).

Labeled “Fay-Miss”, a play on the word “famous”, the first year was hugely successful with sales of ten thousand dollars. In 1935, the name was changed to Bali Brassiere Company. Innovators of the foundation industry, the Steins were more concerned with good quality, good fit and comfort more so than profit. This fact alone propelled the company to massive growth and in 1969, when the Steins retired, controlling interest was sold. Ownership has changed over the years but the brand has not. It is still a well sought after label.

Bali Concealers Collection, “a flawless finish under everything”, is a line of bras that holds a secret in keeping the body smooth. The secret is in the Concealing Smoothing Petals™, an innovative patent pending technology that prevents show-through while remaining ultra thin and non-bulky. These bras are the only ones to use concealing petals so that women may feel confident and assured in the knowledge that their bras provide complete modesty.

And aside from the smooth design and concealing petals, there is one more aspect that makes the Bali bras very comfortable. They are tagless. Three styles of bras are available in underwire, wirefree and minimizer in five colors of black, bronze, suntan, soft sand and white. They are made of nylon, spandex and polyester and come in sizes 34-44 B, 32-44 C, 32-44 D, and 32-44 DD. The cup pads are polyurethane foam. Dare to wear your tightest fitting top or dress with this bra and you will look marvelous with no show-through!

Even the website is detail oriented as one can click on a color and see that actual bra on the model. This helps when choosing colors, as most times it is difficult to really get the feel of a color with just a small square patch. It also provides the washing instructions for each style.

Directly involved with women and the community, the company holds regular “Fit Events” where women can find out their correct bra sizing and as a socially responsible company, Bali supports The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

On the high street shoppers mostly buy off the rack with a glance at the sizing label before they head to the check out. Online is really no different except that there is often more sizing information available if the customer wants to read it.

Here at www.ever-so-sexy.com we give comprehensive sizing information to avoid the need to return items. Even so we do still receive a few returns for the reason of wrong size, so we are in the process of reviewing all our sizing information to make it easier for our customers to access and understand.

It is nearly two years since we last reviewed our sizing guides and I was relieved to find that it is still all valid. But I had forgotten just how confusing the different sizing methods can be.

The US and UK use a similar system based on imperial measurements (inches) and US inch and an UK inch is exactly the same but the systems diverge when they get to the bigger cup sizes. Europe has a standard system based on the metric system, except for France who still use metric but different numbers and Italy who do their own 1,2,3 thing and in Australia they base bra sizes on dress sizes. Confused? You would be forgiven for being completely befuddled.

If you then add in the factor that certain styles and manufacturers cut on the small side then you realise just how hit or miss the whole business of lingerie sizing can be.

So what to do?

We in the industry have a responsibility to supply as much information in a clear and understandable way to our customers as is possible. But customers have a responsibility too, which goes beyond reading the information we provide.

We did a poll here at www.ever-so-sexy.com to check just how many of us really know our size. Armed with a tape measure we stalked the office and stores asking our team to tell us their size and then challenged them to a check with the tape measure. 20% of us gave the wrong size information and I wonder just how well our customers know their size.

So customers – get that tape measure out and check. Here’s how to be sure you know your real bra size:

With a tape measure take the measurement of your rib cage just below the bra band. Then add five inches to that measurement to get the band width. For instance if your rib cage measures 29 inches + 5 inches gives you a UK/USA bra size 34 (75 Europe, 90 France, 2 Italy, 12 Australia) If the calculation results in an odd number then round it up by one. Now for the cup size; take the measurement again but this time measure the fullest part of the bust. The difference between this measurement and the band width gives you the bra cup size as follows:
1 inch = cup size A
2 inch = cup size B
3 inch = cup size C
4 inch = cup size D
5 inch = cup size DD (USA E or DD. Italy DD, Australia DD. Europe E)
6 inch = cup size E (USA F or DDD. Italy E. Australia E. Europe F)
7 inch = cup size F (USA G. Australia G)

Starting off with the right size information will definitely avoid disappointment and the need to return a purchase whether it was bought on the high street or online.

Gill Fernandez – Ever So Sexy
A background in finance and sales but a deep desire to do something more feminine brought Gill into the world of lingerie when she decided to form her own company Crysalis Ltd which trades on line under the name www.ever-so-sexy.com and specialises in the glamorous, pretty and down right sexy stuff..

Read all posts by Gill Fernandez right here!