We are so excited to have Jenny Altman, of BareNecessities.com (and all around fashion expert!), as our guest blogger today!  She’s here to let you know her tips and suggestions for what to wear underneath it all for your upcoming occasions!  See below for her fabulous advice.  Thanks, Jenny!

Here are a few key tips:

1- Buy the dress in your right size.  That means the size you are now, not the size you are hoping to be.  You always look slimmer wearing a dress that fits.

2- Keep it simple.  Including jewelry and hair/makeup.  You don’t want to look back at this big event 10 years from now and wonder what you were thinking.  Classic never goes out of style.

3- Dress appropriately for your age.  Whether you are 16 and going to a prom, or the mother of the bride, think what style suits your age best.  You can still be a hot mama in a dress with sleeves.  Nobody needs to see your entire back and all of your cleavage on this special day!

4- Dress appropriately for your body.  Play-up your best features and play-down your least appealing.  For example, if your breasts are just too big for wedding photos, don’t feel the need to go strapless just because you thought Kate Middleton might (FYI – she didn’t). You look best in styles made for your body, whether it’s mini, mermaid, or full-length.

The under-arsenal:

It’s very important to pick the proper underpinnings that suit your dress and you.  I find all my favorite underpinnings at BareNecessities.com.  If you have a chance to match undergarments to the dress before any final fittings, that is key!  Buy a few key undergarments to take with you to your fitting.  If you aren’t having fittings, buy a few undergarments items and try them on with the dress at least a week before the event.  Stand in the dress, move around in it, and most importantly, look at yourself from the back.  Don’t forget to look at yourself in the daylight.  You may realize your dress is more sheer than it looked in the fitting room; which may call for a slip!

It’s very important to buy the right size for all my suggested underpinnings below.  If a bra isn’t fitting right, you’ll have spillage.  Even worse, the bra will be falling down on you all night. For shapewear, go bigger.  It’s best that the shapewear holds you in to give you a smooth, slim look.  Lastly, always go nude or black.  Nude is best everything that isn’t black, even a crisp white wedding dress.

#1- The Bra

Choose strapless or convertible unless you are 100% sure your bra and bra straps will be concealed by the dress.

#2- The Panty

Seamless and nude are the best way to go.  I would suggest a girl short if you’re looking for the seamless look with more coverage.

Other Suggested Panties: Calvin Klein Naked Thong, Hanky Panky Original Signature Lace Thong, Commando Low Rise Thong, Cosabella Aire Mesh Low Rise Hot Pants

#3- The shaping garment

For this one you really need to match it to your dress and your specific needs. What area are you trying to conceal or smooth?  Something specific like the waist or tummy?  Or, are you looking for an overall shaper that helps everything?  Pick the problem area and then look for a piece that will work for you.  If your dress is navy or chocolate, choose black shaping pieces.  Also, if you’re getting married on the beach in Mexico, please don’t pick something too heavy.  Pick something appropriate for the weather.  There are lighter weight shaping garments with mesh and other breathable fabrics.

Waist: Look for something that’s high-waisted to cinch in the waist area

Other Suggested Shapers: TC Fine Intimates Pull on Waist Cincher, Dr. Rey Shapewear Hi-Waist Brief

Tummy: Look for something with high compression in the tummy

Other Suggested Shapers: Spanx Undie-tectable Hi-Waist Shapewear Pany, Flexees Easy Up Easy Down Firm Control Brief, Cass Luxury Shapewear Invisibellas Shaper Boyshorts

Wear your own bra: If you can’t part with your own bra, or need the support of a serious bra, pick one of these to pair with it. These give you the freedom of mixing and matching.

Other Suggested Shapers: Spanx Slimplicity Open Bust Mid-Thigh Bodysuit, Sassybax Bottom Boosting All-in-One Shaper, Dr. Rey Shapewear All-in-One Step-in Body Briefer,

Butt/thighs: Look for something that lifts the rear while still giving separation.  Make sure the shaping continues through the thigh and choose mid-thigh if you need it all the way down.

Other Suggested Shapers: Spanx Slimplicity High Waist Girl Short Panty, Shatobu High Waist-to-Knee Calorie Burning Shaper

Everything: I love an all-in-one shaper that combines the bra and shaper. You get less lines and have less pieces to match up.

Other Suggested Shapers: Va Bien Seamless Underwire Comfort Strap Firm Control Body Briefer, TC Fine Intimates Strapless Convertible Bra Slip, Sassybax Pretty Slip with Underwire Bra, Va Bien Ultra Lift Low Plunge Body Briefer

#4-Hosiery

Do you need hosiery? In warm weather, I prefer a footless hose that covers the thigh and leg. This way you can show off your gorgeous shoe and pedicure without having webbed feet. If you feel you need hosiery all the way to the feet, then try to stick with a closed or closed-front shoe. Go for a black sheer in the warmer months.

Other Suggested Hosiery: Spanx In Power Line High Waisted Footless Panythose, Calvin Klein Hosiery Zero Waistband Control Top Pantyhose, Wolford Satin Touch Evening Thigh Highs

#5- Extras

Make a little emergency kit to keep in your purse.  Be sure it includes nipple covers, fashion tape, Bandaids and a small sewing kit.  And don’t forget the mints!

Other Suggested Extras: Pure Style Girlfriends Stay Put Double Sided Fashion Tape, Fashion Forms Magic Sponge, Foot Petals Tip Toes Cushions 3 pack

Now go and have a fabulous night! Put on a smile and know that you are prepped and ready to take center stage.

Xo,

Jenny

Upon entering the ballroom after a cocktail party, guests took their seats around the runway where models were already placed on stage wearing designs from the competitors. Following dinner, guests were treated to the runway show and the presentation of awards. The competition in each category was tough indeed, particularly in the Best Fashion and Best D+ competition. That one is closest to the heart, of course.

Perhaps what stood out in my mind the most, that many others attending the event also mentioned, is that women of all shapes and sizes were represented in the runway show.

One line, Best Plus Size award winner Tia Lyn (also appearing at the trade show), is an all-inclusive line that spans sizes small to 3x. This vintage inspired line features a variety of chemises, gowns, camisoles, and panties.

Also a contender for both Best Plus Size and Best D Plus finalist, Empreinte, is seeking to become more of a presence in the U.S. with its beautiful and well constructed pieces for fuller figure women. This 60 year old company based in France offers numerous options in sizing (up to a G cup) as well as high fashion and glamour. I am most impressed with the delicate embroidery and variety of moods the collection fits.

Other contenders for Best D Plus include my personal favorites, Panache and Elixir, Barbara, and the amazing Australian based line, Bendon. So expect more about some of those lines soon!

Best Fashion was probably my other just-can’t-pick-my-favorite category of the evening. With TLP favorites Marlies Dekkers, Madame V, Chantelle, and Elle MacPherson and one of my trade show finds, Lou, it was stiff competition! Lou will be debuting this fall with parts of the collection arriving in both September and November so check your local boutique. Perhaps my favorite part of the evening might have been when the team from Marlies Dekkers was accepting their award and shared their design philosopy. They design pieces to please women, but if it also happens to please men, then that’s great. I like their way of thinking!

Overall, it was a phenomenal evening of great food, great conversation, and GORGEOUS lingerie. You can drool over all the beautiful pieces like I did! See the video coverage of the show at Zoozoom.com.