Surely there are options to cover this problem. There are strapless bras, but they need some kind of good lifting system in the bra cups in order to fully replace a normal bra. And next to that, many women just aren’t comfortable in strapless bras out of fear of slipping. Another option is to use pretty exchangeable straps in combination with a multiway bra. And believe you me, there are lots of couture straps out there. Anything goes, from chained metallic ones to lace, without having to take comfort in plastic ones – everybody can see them anyway, might as well go for a pretty solution.

But sometimes this doesn’t quite cut it, or you just might need a casual but pretty looking option. And that’s when we got a message from Micolan. Micolan is an eastern company specialized in producing silicone materials. They’ve come up with the strap clipper.

This easy tool enables you to wear your favorite bra without having to worry about the straps: just clip on your little helper and wear your outfit proud.

I must admit that for these pictures I would have chosen a crème colored bra, but then again, the idea is clear and the possibilities endless. I like! For more great strap-stuff make sure to check out The Strapper and StrapCouture!

To show it off or not show it off?  That is the question!   The answer is up to you.  Want inspiration?  See the combinations below styled by the lovelies at Marlies Dekkers.  The four looks show you how you can pair your Marlies Dekkers for a multitude of looks.

Want more inspiration?  See below for my first stab at a Polyvore set featuring my favorite way to pair my Marlies Dekkers – with a simply sexy tank from Between the Sheets.  How do you wear your Marlies Dekkers?  Tweet us about it or get the discussion going on our Facebook page.  We want to hear from you!

A Night on the Town by Krista TLP featuring velvet bras

I started this mission the day before the New Year with my friend, Erinn, writer of the amazing and encouraging blog, Counting My Blessings. She had been interested in going for a while and finally we were able to connect when I was visiting D.C.  Away from New York and my go to places, I did a little research on shops in the DC area. I had a few excellent recommendations and decided that Sylene would be the best fit (pun intended) for our mission.

Upon arriving at Sylene, we were greeted by the friendly staff. Both Erinn and I both appreciated that the staff was accessible and helpful, but also gave us room and freedom to peruse on our own. After wandering around a bit, one of the associates started a room for Erinn. She measured her and selected a few basic t-shirt bras for her to try.  Erinn was not only was impressed with the fit of the Simone Perele bra selected for her, but also with the sales associate’s ability to choose appropriate bras based on her feedback on the fit.  Erinn commented that choosing on her own would have been overwhelming so she liked that she could “lounge in a comfortable leopard print bathrobe and be pampered.”

And since friends don’t let friends only wear t-shirt bras, I selected a sexy Fayreform for Erinn to try.  Every woman needs a show stopper!  I insist on every friend buying a “weekend” bra (which, in many cases, joins the daily rotation).  I knew Fayreform would be a great brand blending both fit and fashion and chose the sultry, yet sweet,  Conceptual, for Erinn to try on. (I’m over the moon for eyelash lace so it wasn’t a difficult choice!).  Success!  Erinn added it to her purchases.  Friends also don’t let friends machine wash their bras so I made sure Erinn had some Forever New wash (Sylene’s preferred brand) to take home with her.

In speaking with Erinn about this experience, she thoroughly enjoyed it.  She commented, “I have the hardest time trying to find bras that fit…I can’t shop at department stores or stores like Victoria’s Secret because they don’t have my size.” As someone who also started shopping specialty stores for the same reason, I can relate.  Having a positive experience where you feel like your size is valued is awesome and can only add to the confidence you feel.

I asked Erinn how these new bras would impact her new year.  She remarked, “I am really hoping these bras give me new confidence…I’m hoping they will make me more comfortable in my own skin and in my own clothes.  That’s the biggest thing.  I’m hoping they help me get comfortable in my own clothes.” This brings up a good point.  The better your bras fit, the better your clothes will fit, and the more confident you will feel.  So, invest in you!  As Erinn stated, “When you have assets as large as mine, you just have to spend the money to make it work.” Remember, you don’t have to spend a fortune, but think about the quality and value of the bras you are buying versus the money.  If you are like me and will drop money on jeans and shoes and nice dinners out, you can do the same for your foundations.

Happy New Year!  Resolve to buy yourself some new fabulous, well-fitting bras today!

After trying on the three bras she selected with her clothes, Erinn decided that 2 of the 3 didn’t work.  She is planning on returning to Sylene to exchange them for the Simone Perele one she adored!  I hope that in the exchange she ends up with at least one “weekend” bra!

It’s still pricey ($250 for the bra and $50.50 for the matching V-string) but a lot easier to swallow than a couple million!

There are also matching thigh highs ($70) and garter belt ($90). You can buy the set at VictoriasSecret.com and make someone very, very happy this holiday!

The bra is $2 million and made of 3,000 diamonds, sapphires, and topazes, all set in 18k white gold. It will be the star of the show on November 30, when the runway show will be televised on CBS.

While this bra is very impressive (and one of my favorite Fantasy bras), it doesn’t quite measure up to some of the past stunners’: the 2008 Fantasy bra was a hefty $5 million and the 2009 style was still $3 million.

Are you tired of pulling out damaged, twisted, tangled bras from the washing machine, but don’t have time to hand wash? If you’re anything like most women, you know you shouldn’t toss your bras into the wash, but do it anyways because it’s quick and easy. Enter the NEW Berry Ball & Berry Bag from Berry Perry, launching Summer 2010. This complete laundry solution set is specifically designed to care for lingerie quickly, easily and effectively, offering solutions not only for bras, but for underwear, hosiery, socks, swim and other delicates as well. The set comes available in sizes Small and Large to accommodate cup sizes 32A – 38D, in colors Pink, Purple or Blue. The Berry Ball & Berry Bag delivers in stores & e-retailers (including ComfortHouse.com and N-fini.com) throughout the United States beginning April 15th, 2010, at a suggested retail price of $13.99.

While throwing bras into the wash will result in twisting, deforming, puncturing, underwire damage, pilling, scratching, tangling and more, bras are protected throughout the entire wash cycle safe inside the Berry Ball, maintaining shape, comfort and support. The Berry Ball additionally features a unique Scrubbing Ball specifically designed to clean bra cups from the inside, creating friction to both clean and aid in dissolving detergent as well. Lose one too many socks in the wash? With your underwear, hosiery, socks and other delicates safely enclosed inside the Berry Bag, you never have to worry about losing another sock or pair of underwear in the washing machine again (and say good-bye to pulling out stretched, runned and twisted hosiery!). When not in use, easily hang the Berry Ball with an attached strap, or even use as convenient bra storage.ry about pesky security going through your unmentionables again!sult.

Going on vacation? Don’t stuff your bras into the bottom of your suitcase where they will inevitably be crushed. Tuck safely into the Berry Ball for a smart, convenient storage and travel item, and arrive at your destination with your bras still in tact. And – never wor

The Berry Ball has undergone extensive research & development to be sure the product is 100% safe in your washing machine, so it will not cause damage to your machine or your clothes. Additionally, the product features closures in addition to a backup clasp, so it will never pop open mid-cycle. For best results, put only 1 bra in the Berry Ball at a time, however multiple Berry Balls may be washed in each load. While the Berry Bag is dryer-safe, never put the Berry Ball into the dryer – be sure to hang the product and your bras to dry. The Berry Ball and Bag complete laundry solution set truly lets you save valuable time by using the washing machine, while yielding a delicate, hand-wash result.

To see the Berry Ball in action, check out this demonstration video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s not that Victoria’s Secret is the only place that I don’t trust (believe me there are plenty of places that don’t know their way around a measuring tape), but it’s the place that most people go to anyway. Even some of my closest friends laugh it off when I urge them not to get fitted at VS. So, to prove that I’m not making this up, I went to Victoria’s Secret to get fitted. Keep in mind while reading this: I’m a 30H (US).

Store #1

I wore a 36D bra to this VS, which was in a shopping mall. It was horribly uncomfortable, but I didn’t want them to catch a glimpse of my real bra’s size tag and catch me. As I walked in, I passed a poster claiming that VS is the “Best at Bras.” I asked a sales girl to measure me, so in the middle of the Pink display she asked me to raise my arms. She measured me over my camisole and my cardigan. She measured above my chest and around the fullest part of my bust, but not around my ribcage. She announced that I “could be a 34DD, but it might be too snug.” I told her that I was wearing a 36D, and she said that looked about right. Later, when I  headed to the fitting rooms to try on a chemise, I saw that the fitting rooms had professional-looking cards in them that that, presumably, your fitter would fill out for you with your bra size and best styles. I wonder why I wasn’t brought back to the fitting rooms for my sizing? Not that it would have made a difference though, it seems.

Store #2

At the first store they never asked me to take my shirt off, so I risked it and wore my regular size bra when I went to the second store. I asked a sales girl to measure me, and she took me back to the fitting rooms. We stood near the fitting rooms, but not in one. She measured me over my seersucker shirt – above my chest, around the fullest part, and around my ribcage. She told me that I should wear “a 34 or 36 D or DD.” She asked what size I usually wear now – I fibbed a little and told her that I really wasn’t sure, and my drawers were full of all different sizes and that that’s why I was there. She told me that you can’t always go by measurements because they’re not always exactly right (true), and that I should just go with whatever size feels right to me. I wasn’t offered an explanation of what “right” is supposed to feel like, or told what my measurements actually were.

More fittings to come

After visiting these two stores, I’ve not yet been told my correct size, or even told that VS doesn’t have any bras that will fit me. I didn’t even really get a straight answer out of the fitters at either store. I’m going to keep sneaking into Victoria’s Secrets and getting sized – I’ll report back after I visit a few more stores!

Have any of you had similar experiences?

P.S. While I didn’t originally plan to visit Frederick’s of Hollywood, I passed it on the way to Store #1 and decided to stop in. When I asked to be fitted, the sales girl re-read the bra fitting instructions by the cash register. She measured me and told me I was a 32 band. She asked if the bra I was wearing was super padded (“no”) and if the band was snug (“no”). Then she told me that whatever size I was wearing (she didn’t ask what it was) was probably correct.

I haven’t seen these in person or heard from anyone who wears them, and to be honest I’m wary of the quality because they are so inexpensive. But at about $5 a side, it looks to be worth a try if you are struggling to find the perfect bra fit. Visit PickYourPerfectPairBras.com for a store locator. You can also purchase them on Amazon, but it looks like Amazon only has Exactly cup sizes and no Just About sizes.

Have you tried these?

The range will consist of 5 new groups featuring 4-5 styles each.  With price points ranging from $14 – $26 for bottoms and $38 – $48 for bras, full busted ladies will be able to have plenty of pretty options in their drawers.  Bra silhouettes include Half-Padded, Padded, and Wire Bras each featuring support-adding components like side boning and power netting essential for the 30-40 D – G range.  Panty styles include Boyshort, High-Waisted Brief, Bikini, Thong, and Tanga Thong in sizes XS – 2X.

See below for a glimpse of the collection (there are more additional colorways for each style!).  It will be available before you know it!  We will keep you posted on exactly when and where you can buy Parfait.  Let us know what you think.

Now, get this: when Secrets In Lace started in 1948, they carried this bra and it served quite popular as they sold it to thousands of customers over the years. But 20 years ago, the original manufacturer discontinued the style, calling it “too old fashioned.” Can you believe it? I think this bra is downright stunning! Thankfully, Secrets In Lace did too and they have updated the pattern to bring the style back. It is available in both lace and satin varieties to coordinate with SIL’s existing color groups (so you can mix and match this bra with other SIL garter belts and panties that you like or may already own). The bra is available in red, pink, silver, and green satin, and white lace. It comes in sizes 32 C,D,DD and 34-40 B,C,D,DD.