The space is small, but packs a big punch!  The cozy and inviting space features a diverse assortment of brands including Le Mystere, Dirty Dolls, CLO, Cosabella, Wacoal, and more.  Since the story is only a few months old, I’m sure other brands will be moving into the space as well.

The biggest allure of the store, in my opinion, is the fact that swimwear is sold all year long!  How many times have you struggled to find a suit for a winter getaway?!  No more.  This can definitely become your go to for unique and stylish swimwear in a wide range of sizes from brands including Melissa Odabash and Red Carter.

The website doesn’t feature e-commerce yet, so only you NYC ladies can check out the store for now.

The collection will be available soon – we’ll let you know when a solid date it set for the release!

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.

The sculptural strapless bra is the go-to bra for everything but the usual! The hi tech microfiber and molded foam gives a gradual but definitive push up, while the deep center plunge makes it ideal for any red carpet stunner! Available in 32-36 A-C, 32-38 A-D

The Dream Tisha is the perfect solution for every woman with gorgeous curves! This best seller offers the same seamless technology as other Le Mystère basics while incorporating wings lined with power mesh for added support and comfort. Available in 32-44 A-H

Another red carpet strapless solution for the voluptuous woman is the Lolita Strapless. This hot style incorporates a specially developed bump bad for full strapless support without adding excessive volume to the bust. Inner elastic and silicone bands line the wings for even further support and comfort. Available from 30-36 C-F

Whether the dress is a deep plunge or low back, Le Mystère’s Dos Nu Convertible bra adjusts for any red carpet gown. This versatile bra is made of hi-tech microfiber with adjustable mobilon straps and can be worn as a wide back, criss-cross or halter. Available from 32-36 A-DD

More info on these styles at LeMystere.com.

It’s not an innovative, new collection – it’s a facelift from previous seasons, and it really does build on Le Mystère’s success in the past: simple, sober, yet elegant and high quality designs at fair – mid-range prices.

Photos thanks to Le Mystère.

Cheapundies.com is chock full of high-quality brands you can find at Freshpair.com, but at heavy discounts. And don’t worry – these aren’t seconds. The inventory at Cheapundies.com is all brand name, first-quality overstock and closeout goods. Basically, it’s pieces that they could charge you a whole lot more for. But they don’t.

When I first took a look at this new site, I was immediately struck by how fun it is. I mean, the logo is a pig in underwear! And the “About Us” page said,

“What you find at cheapundies.com will blow your mind. It’s the kind of stuff that can make you believe in unicorns.”

I took that as a challenge! Everyone wants to get the most for their money – so I wondered, how much could I get? I set out with a budget of $75 to see what I could find.

First up, I found a Mary Green Silk Knit with Lace Chemise. It is 100% silk edged with scalloped lace at the neckline and hem. It’s slinky, black, and absolutely boyfriend approved I found it for $25, which is half off the $50 retail price. $25 for a silk chemise? That’s a total bargain.

I’ve been curious about Nancy Ganz after hearing some good things about the brand, but I hadn’t had the chance to try any of their pieces yet. I found the Nancy Ganz Body Hip Slip, which is a half-slip with firm, smooth shaping power. I picked it up for only $15, which is 50% off! And because it’s tight, it’s a bit sexy even though it’s technically shapewear.

I have been looking for the Ginch Gonch Crotch Rocket Long Johns for a couple years now. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found one for 40% off. In my size. I had to have it! Okay, it’s not technically sexy lingerie. But it is underwear, and it is definitely something cute to wear curled up in front of a cabin fireplace or on the couch to watch a movie. Sadly, if you like these you’ll have to keep looking. They have already sold out. But there are still plenty of men’s Ginch Gonch items available on Cheapundies.com at a steep discount.

DT Underwear is a brand I’ve never been able to try out before. But I needed some new plain panties that I could wear to the gym, and when I saw the DT Underwear Lemon Meringue Basic Brief for only $6.19 (75% off the $24.75 list price!), I quickly added that to my cart as well. One word of warning – if anyone is looking to buy this same style, I’d advise sizing up. I ordered my normal size but I think I would need them in size larger (or even two sizes).

There were still a few dollars left in my budget, which I used to get a Le Mystere Ultra Soft Boyleg Brief in a sweet pink color. These tied with my DT briefs for the largest discount – with the 75% discount, I picked these up for only $5 instead of the usual $20. These are great and I would have stocked up if I didn’t have a budget set out ahead of time. I’ll probably make another order very soon and buy as many as I can!

I made out like a bandit at Cheapundies.com. With only $75 I got a package full of Mary Green, Nancy Ganz, Ginch Gonch, DT, and Le Mystere! My largest discount was 75% off and my lowest was still a pretty hefty 40%. There was plenty of information available on every page to help me evaluate my choices before I purchased like fabric information, crucial measurements, and multiple views.

Browsing the site, it looks like the selection has gotten even larger and more varied in the short time since I placed my order, and I would bet that they are adding more every day. I know that the inventory on a discount site is likely to grow and change rapidly, so I’ll have to keep my eye on this site! With bras as low as $8, panties as low as $4.50 and sleepwear as low as $7.75 (and these are on good brands), I can’t afford not to shop at Cheapundies!

All photos are courtesy of the talented Matthew Coulter.

Photos from the catwalk show right here. 

Red Carpet

Cocktail Hour and Dinner

Award Ceremony

Readers who have not yet heard about Pudding can be forgiven for thinking it’s an odd name for a lingerie shop! That’s because Pudding is far more than the average lingerie shop. Its owners, Helen and Paul Masters, describe it as ‘a luxury lingerie salon, where shopping should feel like a real treat…they want their customers to indulge!’

Their opening catwalk show featured an exclusive range of the world’s best brands, most of which are completely new to Reading. As Helen described, “Shoppers in Reading told us that they’d love to be able to treat themselves to world renowned luxury brands like Rigby and Peller, La Perla, Myla and Roberto Cavalli but until now that has meant a trip to Harrods or maybe an out of the way lingerie shop. There’s also a real demand for expert fitting and a wider size range than other high street stores offer – that’s where Pudding can help.”

Pudding was created to bring luxury lingerie to the high street for the first time and to offer a retail therapy treat for the woman who wants the best fitting and best looking bra , a divine pair of knickers or a stunning piece to wear on the beach that no-one else will have! Bras start at £32 so Pudding also have made luxury affordable to lots of shoppers.

Helen says she is very keen to encourage the women of Reading who haven’t been professionally fitted by a lingerie specialist to come and give it a go : ‘It’s free, fun and can instantly help you look half a stone slimmer and give you a trimmer waist . People often walk out of the salon wearing their new bra after a fitting because they love the change in shape it gives them so much that they don’t want to take it off!’ says Helen.

With more than 50% of Pudding’s research group admitting to having returned lingerie bought for them by their partner, Pudding also offers a tailored gift buying service for men, complete with gift buying advice; luxury gift wrapping and beautifully presented gift vouchers. As Paul, co-owner says “We also have a wish list that our customers can fill in to give some hints to their partner…so now there’s no excuses for buying dodgy gifts in the wrong colour or size!”

Pudding ~ Lingerie that’s good enough to eat

Additional notes
The Pudding range includes lingerie, swimwear, nightwear, hosiery, corsets, accessories and pamper products.
Brands stocked include: Le Mystere, La Perla, Myla, Pleasure State, Roberto Cavalli, Spoylt, Chantal Thomass, SPANK, Verde Veronica, Verdissima , Moontide, Maryann Mehlhorn, Hoola, Barbara, Edencoeur, Amoralia, Plie, Purelime, Girl From Ipanema, Esbelt, Soyelle. Free fitting and gift service available. The website: www.puddinglingerie.com, will be fully transactional from later in the year.

Since 2003, Le Mystere has raised over $800,000 for this cause. On select bras sold between January 1st and March 31st, Le Mystere will donate $1 to the American Heart Association. With a minimum donation of $200,000 guaranteed, by the end of this year’s initiative, over $1 million will have been donated.

Interested in supporting the effort? The designated Le Mystere bras for 2008 are: # 955 Tisha bra #9955 Dream Tisha bra, #755 Shameless Strapless bra, #9755 Dream Strapless bra, and #9155 Carina bra. Happy (and healthy) shopping!

Luxurious brands such as Elle Macpherson Intimates, Mimi Holliday, Pfiff, and Huit adorn the walls as well as the more functional, everyday basics brands such as Le Mystere and Wacoal. As you walk through the store and examine these beautiful pieces, be careful to look for product reviews. With opinions from a student to a stay at home mom and everyone in between, these informative blurbs are one of the many little touches that make Journelle one-of-a-kind.

The space itself is exquisite! Roomy, yet intimate. Modern, yet classic. Full, yet uncluttered. Journelle is warm and inviting with its color palette of earthy neutrals from ecru to ebony and rich purples from lavender to eggplant.

My favorite element of the store is the innovative and unique fitting area. Individual rooms are spacious and feel much like your own bedroom or boudoir with comfortable seating accented by pretty pillows. The lighting is natural and the mirrors allow you a complete view of how fabulous you look in the merchandise. What’s lacking? Tiny, cramped space. Hard benches for tossing your bags. Harsh, fluorescent lighting. Maneuvering like a contortionist to see every angle.

Want a second opinion? Need a different size? Feel free to ask the helpful and attentive staff who not only provide one-on-one attention while you are exploring, but also take great care in wrapping your precious purchases when you are buying. While you’re waiting, pick up a few stocking stuffers (for your sister, your best friend, or, of course, yourself!). My personal favorites (Commando, Hanky Panky, and Honeydew) are conveniently located by the register. If you have already splurged, enjoy watching the video footage displayed on the screen behind this area.

I’m very interested to see what other great things Journelle will do in the future. The store is definitely worth checking out on your own if you are in, or visiting, the New York area. Journelle is located at 3 East 17th Street. Happy shopping!