Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Stylin' Tip: Bra Fit Secrets

So I'm not really sure if these are "secrets" or not, but it always good to get a refresher, don't you think?

First of all, you don’t need to live in discomfort and you don’t need to be ashamed of your size- big or small we are all fab! So don't be afraid to get your bra fit professionally. I have had it done numerous times and I can tell you there is nothing to fear. If you choose a smallish bra boutique (avoid stores at the mall if at all possible), you will get the best service and the best fit.

Fitting a bra is complicated and I don’t want to freak you out here with too many details. What I do want to tell you about are some simple things that will help make the bras you already have fit better (and maybe even talk some sense into you and convince you to buy a new bra).

Here are some basic tips to get you started:

Tip #1
Trust The Underwire
. I hear people complain about underwire often, and really, I don’t get it. Underwire is the best invention ever! It lifts and holds those ladies up! If you are having trouble feeling comfortable with underwire style bras, you definitely are wearing the wrong size. The wire should be just on the outer edge of your breast and should not be digging into you anywhere. (See photo Tip#1)

Tip#2
Pull Up The Straps!
If you are wearing a bra everyday, there is going to be movement; In particular, movement in the straps. The straps are a great way to add extra lift and definition to your breasts. Check them and make sure you are at the maximum resistance level. (See photo Tip #2)

Tip#3
Make Sure To Pull Your Breast Into The Cup.
This is a must- after you put on your bra, you must take your hand and manually ensure your breast is in the cup. It helps the bra sit flatter against your chest, gives you more cleavage, and is definitely more comfortable.

Tip#4
Never Wear A Sports Bra Outside Of The Gym.
A sports bra is the devil. First of all, it obviously does nothing for the figure- it flattens, it shows the nipples, and it is so tight and bulky it makes it look like you have a log on your chest. I am of the mind that if you have a bra that fits right, you will never need a sports bra, not even for the gym. A good bra will hold you in, lift you up, and not bother you. Second, they are just uncomfortable. Do you really want a huge elastic band strapped to your chest making you all sweaty and leaving you looking like a man? I didn’t think so.

Tip#5
Always Wear A Bra.
Listen, I know this may sound harsh and anti-feminist, but it isn’t, I swear. Without a bra, you look at least 1 size bigger than you are. Why? Because your breasts sag into your chest and meld with your stomach and create one large mass which is totally unflattering. It may be comfortable, but it is not appealing to the eye. The only reason I can see not wearing a bra is because it is uncomfortable; that only happens if you wearing the wrong size (both being too big or too small can cause troubles). With the right size, you won’t even realize you are wearing a bra and the rest of the world won't be distracted by your sagging chest.

Tip#6
Beware of the problems.
If you are wearing the wrong size here are some of the clues and possible solutions:

The Bra Band Rides Up In The Back: Adjustment of the straps or getting larger cup/band size should help (See photo Tip #6 A)

The Bra Underwire Cuts In At The Sides: Try adjusting your cup size. You’ll most likely need a bigger one

The Centre Front Is Not Sitting Flat Against Your Chest,
There Is A Bulge Created In The Front Where The Edge Of The Cup Meets Your Skin, Or
The Bottom Of The Cup Is Not Sitting Flat Against Your Chest: Your cup size is most likely too small (See photo Tip #6 B)

There Is Gaping In The Cup,
The Band Is Sagging Or Loose, Or
You Just Can’t Seem To Get Any Lift: Your cup and/or band size is probably too big

So again, please don’t be afraid to get fit properly. It is actually a lot of fun and you will feel so much better after. Don’t forget, it is really important if you gain or lose weight that you get re-fitted. Your body is constantly changing and you may need to adjust your size from time to time. The good news is, if you are wearing a bra correctly you can look sizes smaller and feel a lot sexier in the process.

xoxo
Stefanie

Monday, April 5, 2010

Stylin' Tip: Give It a Try!

One of the phrases I hate to hear women say is “Oh, I could never pull that off”. Why not? I think women should take the leap and try blending current trends with their personal style. Don’t forget that the old cliché stands true: You never know unless you try!

Some tips to make it easier for you are below:

Tip #1:
Start Small. Work in one new thing at a time. Some cute earrings first, then a waist-belt, then a bow headband, then an awesome pair of heels. Week by week you can build to the look until you are confident enough to wear everything together (you can by the way).

Tip #2:
Know Who To Ask For Advice. If you are planning on wearing that feather hair clip for the first time, don’t ask the friend who hasn’t changed her hairstyle in 10 years if it looks good – it will only make you both angry. You need to find someone whose style you admire and who you don't feel competitive with. Don’t be afraid to ask that style maven at work how she does it or what she thinks of your look. Most people love to share their tips and also love compliments.

Tip #3:
Don’t Abandon Reason. A new look or accessory is great, but lets consider the time and place. A regular office workday might not be the appropriate time to show off the new fedora, but an evening dinner date - go for it!

Tip #4:
Fit Rules Still Apply. Don’t wear something if it doesn’t fit properly. Those short shorts that give you a muffin top and show a bunch of cellulite are not a good idea no matter how "of the moment" the style is. Clothing still has to fit and flatter you in order for it to look good.

Tip #5:
Don’t Get Theatrical. This is all about enhancing your look. If you are too bold, you could be screaming "look at my new accessories!" Try to think modern and not trendy and work within a comfortable color palette. Add style with a cute printed scarf and not an entire printed dress. As noted in point 1, work in small steps to achieve your look.

Tip #6:
Confidence is key. The only way you can wear anything is if you believe you look good in it yourself. You have to love it. You have to want to be wearing it. And trust me, if you believe it, others will too. Don’t be intimidated by all the stares you will be getting - it is because you look mega hot! Trust.

So try out that new item today and get ready to turn some heads!

xoxo
Stefanie

Shopping Guide:

Clip
Earrings
Necklace
Scarf
Shoes