The most beautiful lingerie and swimwear in the world...
The bi-annual sitewide sale at Bare Necessities pretty much makes almost EVERYTHING in their huge e-store at least 20% off! Seeing as these big sales only come twice a year at Bare Necessities, this really is the right time to get your favorite things!
Freya, Timpa, Goddess, Simone Pérèle, Le Mystère, Chantelle, Bali Platinum, Lily of France, Glamorise, Dominique, Panache, … LOADS of great brands at great prices — got to check it out! Happy Shopping!
I know it has been a while since I wrote about some of my Lingerie Americas finds, but there are a few more collections I MUST mention!So, this is a topic near and dear to my heart (figuratively and literally, of course!). After years of limited bra options, it is so refreshing to have an abundance of choices in my not-so-easy to find size! No longer do we well-endowed women have to be restricted to boring beige or drool over the fun, flirty, and luxurious pieces worn by our smaller busted counterparts. With this selection, I think they will be the envious ones now!
Here are some of my favorites from the show.
Let’s start with Fayreform, the company that encourages you to celebrate your voluptuous figure and “Work Your Curves.” Plan to do just that in the sensual silhouettes and rich, bold colors for fall. Designed to give exquisite options to the full busted women, this innovative line is also expanding to include a high fashion Platinum collection. Not to mention, the signature Profile Perfect t-shirt bra now has a sassy sweetheart neckline. Absolutely dazzling!
I love the commitment Fayreform has to women embracing their curves, especially during pregnancy. They devoted 18 months of planning to develop the cotton lined, Maternity nursing bra. Not only is the bra well constructed, supportive, and functional, but also feminine and pretty.
And just wait until next spring and summer. You are in for a treat! Rich colors, fun patterns, intricate embroidery, and subtly, seductive accents (including some amazing eyelash trims) all accentuate the curvaceaous form. With sizes through a J cup, the full busted woman truly has a wide variety of options for whatever her mood!
Some of the collections feature more than one style of bra including underwire, plunge, 
and balconette. A number of collections also include camisoles or slips. Matching bottoms include bikinis, thongs, and my favorite, the French knicker! Find Fayreform at Bare Necessities, Figleaves, and many other retailers.
Fayreform is a part of the New Zealand based Bendon Limited along with my next 
favorite find from Bendon Sport. As you full busted ladies know, finding the perfect sports bra can be a NIGHTMARE! Gone are the days of having to wear two or resort to using…tape! Now you can be comfortable and secure for your trips to the gym or practice runs for the marathon. With all the toll taken on your breasts during exercise, a well-fitting sports bra is essential to prevent pain, irritation, and sag. These bras address those issues by featuring engineering such as foam-wrapped underwires, double layer moulded cups, and quick-dry fabrics.
Not only are these comfortable and supportive, but also stylish with a range of colors to 
brighten up your workouts! The color palattes will stay fresh and current as trends change in the fashion market. The talented and innovative designers at Bendon Sport take pride in the fact that they are able to provide both functionality and glamour into their product as the design is flattering to a woman’s curves and can be easily mixed and matched into the workout wardrobe.
Bendon Sport offers support for a wide range of activities and intensity levels from a maximum support high impact bra to a low impact shelf bra. Other pieces in the collection include a breathable, fitted t-shirt and a stretch cotton yoga pant.
You can find these wonderful items at a number of retailers nationwide including select City Sports locations and online at Freshpair.
I really enjoyed meeting Jodi Gallaer and seeing her amazing collection! I was most impressed with her chemises, camis, and baby dolls that are not just beautiful and sexy, but also offer that necessary support to the fuller busted woman. With many little numbers offering nothing in the way of support, a D-plus or larger lady may not feel her most confident in the bedroom. This collection gives her just that option!
Jodi Gallaer provides a wide range of pretty colors and patterns and range through an H-cup. I love the garden-y feel of the “Tea in the Park” collection. Want to know more? Find out more about the collection, as well as retailers, at the Jodi Gallaer Lingerie website. I can’t wait to see more in the stores!
The 2nd annual Contours International Lingerie Awards (CILA) were held in the Grand Ballroom at the exquisite Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York last Monday, August 6th. This gala event, celebrated and recognized the creativity and design within the intimate apparel industry. This brainchild of Contours publisher, Ben Yedder, also highlighted and honored the influence this industry has on mainstream fashion.The event featured over 80 designers from 8 countries competing in 19 different categories. An international panel of judges selected 5 finalists from each category whose designs were displayed in the runway show. The jury is composed not only of buyers and designers, but also consumers.
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.
August is quite a big month in the lingerie world. Not only will New York City be hosting the Lingerie Americas trade show,
but also National Underwear Day (more about that soon!) and the CILA (Contours International Lingerie Awards) Awards! And of course, we at TLP, will bring you all the important information and advancements in the world of lingerie.
On Monday, August 6th, Contours Magazine will present the 2nd annual CILA Awards at the exquisite Waldorf-Astoria in New York. Conceived by Ben Yedder, publisher of Contours, this event seeks to not only raise awareness of the role in which the ever-growing intimate apparel industry is playing on the fashion world but also celebrate the amazing talent of the designers bringing us those must have items! The event will begin with a cocktail party at 6:30 followed by dinner and a fashion show featuring the five finalists from each of the 16 categories including Best T-Shirt Bra, Best Nightwear Glamour, Best Bridal, Best Maternity, and more! Awards will be given to the winners of each category that evening as well. With brands such as Eberjey, Elle MacPherson, Panache, Simone Perele, and Chantelle being represented, it is sure to be a fantastic show.
Interested in attending? Purchase tickets by phone by calling Victoria at 917.779.8259. 
Tickets are $450 per person.
Can’t make it? Don’t worry. You know where to find the latest and greatest information. 🙂 Stay tuned! And in the meantime, check out some of the photos from last years show here.
We’ve been seeing a lot about microwear on The Lingerie Post lately. Those pieces are definitely sexy! But larger-chested women know they are horribly impractical when it comes to the support and sizing issues that come with a busty frame. Bikinis are only supported by little strings, and one-pieces are near impossible because there are no adjustable bands. I’ve found out the secret to looking and feeling so much better on the beach are bra-sized suits,
which are specially designed with a fuller figure in mind. Here are a few I’ve been eying lately:
I bought this “Soda†suit by Freya (Figleaves UK/US) a few months ago, and it is a dream come true! It feels silky soft all over, but the most important feature is the hidden underwire and mesh support system. It’s not as supportive as a bra, but a whole lot more supportive than any bathing suit without an underwire. A great first bra-sized bathing suit for sizes D-G.
The aptly named Storm-in-a-D-Cup brand is offering this halter bikini top on sale at Figleaves (UK/US) right now, in sizes DD-F.
Panache is there to make sure sizes D-G don’t have to merely admire bandeau tops. Now we have one for ourselves (UK/US), guaranteed to support and cover larger chests.
This next one by Freya is too pretty! The style is named “Singapore Sling,†(UK/US) and I love the bright pink sash. Available in sizes D-FF.
Lastly, this Body by Victoria halter top by Victoria’s Secret is available in four different color schemes for cup sizes up to DD.
There are more to be found, of course! Figleaves (UK/US) is always a good place to start, and you can search by your bra size.