1. Multiway Bra

When space is at a premium (whether you’re stuffing a group of people into one car or just trying to pack light on the plane), a multiway bra is invaluable. Straps that are convertible or removable make it easy to wear one bra with a variety of styles like strapless dresses, racerback tanks, and halter tops, so you don’t have to pack separate a bra for each outfit. Just make sure to pack more than one – each bra needs at least a day between wearings to let the elastic “rest.”

Frederick's of Hollywood

2. Swimsuit

I know, I know: total no-brainer. But it would be awful to forget it! For the most flattering fit this year (not to mention the best support), try ordering a bikini that comes in bra sizes.

Midnight Grace

3. Lingerie Wash

You never know what will happen on Spring Break! Maybe you’ll get caught in a downpour. Or get seaweed in your bikini. Or fall in the mud while tossing a football. So bring some lingerie detergent with you in case you have to wash up your lingerie and swimwear mid-trip. I like Soak – it’s ridiculously convenient. Just soak and hang to dry (hang on your hotel balcony to give the boys a tease!).

Soak

4. Cute PJs

Chances are, you’ll be sharing a hotel room, cottage, or campsite with other people. This is a good time to upgrade your bedtime wardrobe. Here at TLP we never encourage you to wear saggy sweatpants and holey t-shirts to bed, but especially when other people are there to see!

Victoria's Secret

5. Something That Makes You Feel Awesome

I know women who always travel with a cocktail dress, even if they have no plans for a nice dinner or glam party. They want to be prepared for any invitation. Same idea here – you never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll be invited to, so it’s always a good idea to bring a versatile bustier or a favorite bra that gives you jaw-dropping cleavage just in case.

Cosabella

Are you going on spring break? Let us know where you’re going and what lingerie you’re bringing!

You can find these vivid shades at Figleaves:

Victoria’s Secret:

and Hips & Curves:

Don’t want quite so much color? You can also find just a hint at Agent Provocateur and Frederick’s of Hollywood:

The only rule is this: do not wear if you don’t want to be noticed!

How do you feel about the neon trend? Too bright? Just right? Let us know!

Jessica Simpson Intimates are available on JessicaSimpsonCollection.com and, oddly enough, Fredericks.com.

Frederick's of Hollywood - $36

Natori - $160

Betsey Johnson - $70

Dreamgirl - $25

And God Created Woman - £230

Secrets In Lace - $55

Myla - £250

Cosabella - $99

Finally, Carine Gilson is purely eye candy for me! These robes are gorgeous but quite expensive – over $1,200 each!

Do you wear robes? What is your favorite style? When shopping for robes, is there something in particular that you look for, or do you just wait to find one that you love?

Bordelle Bondage Angela Molded Chemise / Frederick’s of Hollywood Strappy Elastic Chemise

Fantasie's Amber bra

Bigger bras are hard to find. There are a handful of brands that really “get”  larger-chested ladies, and the ones who do generally do it very well (shout out to Freya, Fantasie, and Cacique, just to name a few). But in general, women higher than a 38 band or above a DD cup can’t count on just walking into a store and finding a bra that fits. We have to special order, we have to blindly buy online, or we have to somehow find the holy grail: a tiny lingerie shop with a large size range. (I’m in the US, but I hear you UK ladies have an easier time finding big bras. I’m jealous!)

But why? As a country, US women are beginning to need bigger and bigger bras, a trend that is reflected through much of the world. (Some people blame breast augmentation, some people blame a rise in obesity, and some simply think more women are getting properly sized in the first place these days.) So you’d think that manufacturers would jump on this growing market and make larger bra sizes. But in general, they just don’t.

According to a recent article from New York Magazine, larger bras are more challenging to design and manufacture. That makes sense – bras are pretty incredible feats of engineering, and their task only gets harder as their load gets heavier. Not only that, but women don’t want bras to look utilitarian, we want them to seem like delicate wisps of gossamer and lace. But Jessica Pfister, design director for Le Mystere (a brand that goes to 44H and that makes 80% of sales from larger sizes), says that the idea of not developing these bras because it’s difficult is “totally crazy” and ”a lot of bra manufacturers make 32 to 38 — that leaves out two-thirds of the population.” Pfister’s three-person team spent nearly two years developing a bra to hold their maximum 44H chest. She says,

Cacique's pleated bandeau bra

“At 44H, the weight of each breast is about twelve pounds. It’s fourteen-and-a-half inches across on each cup. That’s a size 14 shoe, just kind of curved. So you need a garment that’s going to support you like nothing else. There are hundreds of components in a bra and each one needs to be perfect. If you’re an eighth of an inch off, you’re not going to get the right support.”

But that investment of time and money is one that many brands just do not want to make. Linda LoRe, president of Frederick’s of Hollywood (where 70% of styles come in plus-size options) says, ”If you don’t already have that customer coming to you, it could be a big risk to invest in that inventory unless you know it’s going to pay off.” Susan DeMusis, executive vice president of merchandising for Carole Hochman Design Group (intimates licensee for Betsey Johnson, a brand that goes to 36DD) says, “If our retailers said, ‘We think there’s a big opportunity to make a 38 band size,’ we would make it happen.”

Jezebel notes:

“But how much of a ‘risk’ is it to make and advertise a product you know many women are clamoring for, unless you know your company is only capable of making cheap, flimsy bras that would never support larger breasts? Is designing a bra that can do some heavy lifting really so complex that it’s more profitable to add a bow and some lace to last season’s 34Bs and shun millions of potential customers?”

It sounds to me like women in hard-to-find sizes need to be vocal! We need to make sure that manufacturers and retailers know the sizes we want, and how badly we want them. (I have emailed quite a few companies asking if they plan to expand their size ranges, with varying responses.) Then more companies will be like Le Mystere, which has developed a strapless 40G bra set to be available in stores in July.

According to a Frederick’s designer, zebra prints are all the rage this holiday season. “A zebra print plush robe embellished with Bombshell Pink trim is the perfect idea for a girl who loves color and pattern,” she said. Check out the $39 robe below!

The second price-friendly option is Frederick’s Satin 3-piece PJ set. “The tap pant, part of the three-piece set, is a good way to update the look and makes it sexier. For a sexy, bold statement I think ‘Frederick’s Red’ is a great color choice,” said Frederick’s associate buyer. The Frederick’s Red style is actually on sale for $20, down from $39!

According to Frederick’s senior buyer, lingerie lovers love matching sets—and she’s right! “Matching sets create a full, sexy look from head to toe,” she said. “My favorite is the retro inspired Pin-Up Chic set. Pops of Bombshell Pink, a nice alternative to red, make it sassy, sexy and wearable beyond the holiday season.”

The fourth expert, Frederick’s creative director, says sexy stocking stuffers are an absolute must for the holidays. “Boy shorts are fun and flirty, plus they make great stocking stuffers,” she said. She suggests the Ellie (4 for $25) as an ideal style choice for an array of body types.

Check out these styles plus hundreds of other affordable choices at www.fredericks.com.

Victoria’s Secret Lace Apron Babydoll; DreamGirl Maid to Marry
(get pictured price with coupon code lingeriepost)

Myla Collette Babydoll; Victoria’s Secret Pleated Babydoll

Want more looks for less? Check our our archives. For even more savings, check our sales page for coupon codes before you order.

Here is the Frederick’s of Hollywood bra:

Frederick's of Hollywood Chameleon

With the pads color side out, it reminds me of the Mimi Holliday Belle Amour bra. It retails for $60 and will be available at the beginning of August (pre-order now at Mio Destino):

Mimi Holliday Belle Amour

With the pads removed or black side out, it reminds me of the Aubade Mathilde bra with the black cups and colored band. It retails for $115:

Aubade Mathilde

One of Tabitha’s items is a rhinestone garter belt. (Click here to watch a small clip from the show and to see Tabitha unveil her three choices). I’m pretty sure I remember that piece from three years ago when Victoria’s Secret was producing a fall line and adding their own sense of glamour. I haven’t tracked any of the originals, even on the vast eBay. Frederick’s of Hollywood is offering a kit of bra and string for $39.00 US a piece.

I was also able to track down an actual garter belt from Body Lingerie for $39.75 US.

If you have no idea what to do with a garter belt (and I’m not sure why you would be reading TLP), then you can take some lessons from this instructional video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

And you can take a look at the designed room and the resources needed.