Posts tagged ‘bras’
THE PERFECT BRA GUIDE FOR YOUR SHAPE
Simone Perele Saga Bra, £72, 32B-36E
There has been so much hoo-ha about bras this week! I’ve been busy working on a feature for Femail, looking into new research that apparently it’s not our measurements and cup sizes that are important but the shape of our bust!
Lingerie Company ThirdLove has even devised a breast shape glossary specifying the seven most common shapes with advice choosing the best bra. Well in my books all shapes and sizes are fabulous, but as a stylist I strive to make people look as good and happy with themselves as possible. So I’ve made my own list of fantastic bras, one I’m sure will definitely compliment your shape!
1. ASYMMETRIC BUST
I don’t think any woman on the planet has completely symmetric breasts. If you feel particularly self conscious about the size differences these bras will really help to balance you out!
TAUPE EMBROIDERED BRA BY HUIT, PLEIN LES YEUX PADDED AIR BRA, £53, 32A to 36DD
This is a fabulous bra to even out asymmetric breasts as it uses detachable air pads that will boost you up at least 2 cup sizes. If one bust is bigger than the other, you can just wear the enhancers on one side. Lots of women find these air filled pads much more comfortable to wear and they feel so light compared to heavy padding or gel.
BLACK CALVIN KLEIN NAKED GLAMOUR BRA FROM FIGLEAVES, £35, 32A TO 38DD
If you feel you need to balance out your breast shape this bra is wonderful for you. The removable padding can add up to 1 and half cup sizes. The bra straps are obviously adjustable too all helping to create a lovely cleavage.
HOT PINK WACOAL ENCHANTING PADDED PUSH UP BRA, £73, 32A TO 38D
This luxurious bra has clever detachable cookies that can ‘even’ out your breasts. This beautiful bra will give you great shape and boost you up to feel super confident!
2. TEARDROP BUST
This is when the bust is less full at the top. These bras will give you more of a rounded shape.
CORAL WACOAL INTUITION PUSH UP CONTOUR BRA, £49, 32A to 38D
The push-up effect on the lower part of the breast gives a fabulously rounded shape whilst the moulding also helps with this uplift and support. I love this smooth look bra, it’s a flattering and comfortable everyday bra.
HOT PINK SIMONE PERELE SAGA BRA, £72, £49, 32B to 36E
This demi-cup is ideal for those with teardrop shape bust as the half-cup fills and uplifts the bust to enhance a great cleavage. The cut out wide band gives fantastic lift and shape giving super oomph to the bust.
LILAC HEIDI KLUM INTIMATES FOR FIGLEAVES CONTOUR BALCONNET BRA, £38, 32A to 38DD
This balconnet style bra encourages the bust into a more rounded shape by the artful use of underwiring and seaming. The clever vertical lace bias trim form a rounded orange segment effect of which even Nell Gwynn would be proud!
3. EAST TO WEST BUST
When the bust faces outwards these bras are great for drawing in the breast and giving you a great cleavage.
BLACK FREYA HERO SIDE SUPPORT PLUNGE BRA, £30, 28D to 38G
This is such a well constructed bra and just the thing for an East to West bust. It features a four section cup that gives you great fit. The side panelling pulls you in whilst the straps continue down into the bra ensuring that the bust is fully encompassed.
WHITE CALVIN KLEIN IRON STRENGTH PUSH UP BRA FROM FIGLEAVES, £42, 32A TO 38D
The front fastening on this sports inspired bra draws in the bust. The curved underwiring and side padded cups ensure maximum cleavage.
TAUPE BOUX AVENUE JODIE PLUNGE BRA, £26 28A to 36F
All the emphasis on this plunge bra is on the sides with the panels drawing in the breast to give maximum cleavage. There are even side removable pads to give an extra boost, getting those bosoms to a more northerly direction!
4. BELL SHAPE BUST
The bust is slimmer at the top and full at the bottom – especially common in more voluptuous ladies!
BLUE PRINT PANACHE, JASMINE BALCONNET BRA, £32, 28D TO 38K
Ding Dong! This bra is a good bra for a bell shaped bust. The semi-circular underwiring creates a rounding effect. The vertical seams starting from the middle of the cup in line with the bra straps also offer good shaping and support.
CORAL ELOMI, RAQUEL BRA, £42, 38DD TO 42JJ
Classic full coverage bras are ideal for bell shaped breasts as the circular underwiring and cups make the bust look rounder. This bra also has a substantial band and wide straps that will ensure good uplift.
BLACK, WONDERBRA STRAPLESS LACE BRA, £38, 32A to 38G
If you thought more pendulous breasts couldn’t wear strapless bras well think again. This bra’s unique uplifting construction and patented silicone dots give hold and cleavage, mimicking the feel of holding your breasts in your hands!
5. SLENDER BUST
When the bust is smaller and flatter. These styles will give you extra oomph!
LIGHT BLUE AFFINITAS, THE ALISON SUPER PUSH-UP BRA, £27, 30A TO 38D.
This padded push-up bra is great for a slender bust as not only is it super comfy it can offer a larger bust feel by adding up to two sizes to your look. This one is particularly good value too!
BLACK, MAGIC BODYFASHION, THE DOUBLE PUSH-UP BRA, £32, 32A TO 36C
This bra gives an extra boost for even the smallest of busts. I’m told it’s like major enhancement without the surgery! The double soft cushions provide comfy uplift, taking you up to two cup sizes bigger.
TURQUOISE B.TEMPT’D, B’WOWD BRA, £35, 30A to 38DD
This underwired plunge bra can certainly add some va-va-voom! The graduated built-in push up pads really give natural looking enhancement to your bust! I love the colour too – wear it under a sheer blouse for a glam evening out.
6. ROUND BUST
The bust is equally full at the top and bottom. When you have a larger cup size and need extra support these bras are excellent.
BLACK LACE PRIMA DONNA COMFORT BRA FROM AMAZON, FROM £66, 36D to 46H
This bra ticks all the boxes for larger round bust ladies. It’s glamorous, comfortable and fabulously supportive. It has good underwire, really sturdy lower panel and wide straps. This is such a winning bra- practical yet gorgeous enough for date nights too!
BLUE FANTASIE REBECCA BRA, £41, 30 D to 40H CUP
This denim look bra really makes the most of a rounded bust. The moulded cups and wide support band give a natural shape and uplift. This is a perfect T shirt bra for the fuller bust. I’m delighted to see it goes up to H cup too –Hooray!
PALE PINK SIMONE PERELE INSPIRATION BRA, £54, 30A to 38F
This strapless bra is perfect for rounder bust women. The moulded cups enhance your lovely shape, giving you a seamless finish. Some women worry that strapless numbers will creep down the body by the end of the day, not with this one as it has an anti-slip interior which grips the bust.
7. SIDE SET BUST
If you have a side space between your breasts these bras will pull you in and give you an amazing shape.
RED FIGLEAVES BOUDOIR MARILYN BRA, £45, 30B to 36G
This pure silk, plunging front bra screams silver screen glamour. Again the ‘segment’ panelling forms a round look to the bust whilst the underwiring hoists everything upfront to a starring position!
BLACK BOUX AVENUE, LOW PLUNGE U BRA, £28, 30A TO 38E
This seductive bra grips and pulls in the bust whilst the ingenious U-shaped underwiring takes the strain and ensures that the bust stays in place. It also comes with additional straps to convert to a daring low back. Good enough for any red carpet!
PALE PINK ADINA REAY, V-NECK PLUNGE BRA, £120, 32DD to 36G
This beautiful V-neck plunge bra is particularly good for curvy women as it goes up to a G size cup. This foundation wear really supports and embodies a larger bust as the straps are built into the bra leaving no room for side spillage.
THE VALENTINE LINGERIE GUIDE
Red lace and silk bra, £45, 32B-36DD, knickers, £30, 8-14 and suspenders, £30 all by Tallulah Love.
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I thought I’d do a little research into lingerie and see what’s out there – in both sense of the words!
Red lace bra, £70, 32B-42E and matching knickers, £35, S-L both by Wacoal.
Red lace balconette bra, £27, 28D to 38J and matching knickers, £14, 6-18 both by Cleo by Panache.
Red mesh and lace push up cami suspender, £38, 32A-36DD by Next
It’s always fun to indulge in a smattering of RED around this time. I love the flamboyantly cheeky designs by Tallulah Love with it’s fabulous vintage feel. Other red siren lingerie I particularly like is the very alluring polka dot bra set by Wacoal. This underwired bra really gives a fab uplifting shape to any girl’s cleavage. The fun little number by Cleo at Panache is perfect for any loved up Valentine with its scattered heart shapes. This lingerie also sets my heart fluttering as it goes up to a magnificent J cup – bravo! The push up cami suspender by Next is a real show stopper and perfect to smooth out any lumps and bumps you may wish to conceal!
Black lace and silk bra, £117, 26D-36HH, knickers, £48, 6-16 and suspenders, £89 S-L all by Katherine Hamilton Intimates.
Black silk strappy bra, £111, 26D-36HH and matching thong, £51, 6-16 both by Katherine Hamilton Intimates.
Black lace bodysuit, £90.95, 32C-36E by Le Mystere.
Sultry BLACK is always a winner for Valentine’s Day. I’m a huge fan of Katherine Hamilton Intimates who do amazingly stylish designs that go up to cup size HH – yay! This brand uses such sumptuous silk and lace as you can see in the suspender set and on- trend strappy bra and knickers ensemble. The black lace bodysuit by Le Mystere is really seductive and particularly flattering with it’s slimming front panel that helps to accentuate and flatter your curves.
Leopard print bra, £30, 30D to 40G and highwaisted briefs, £15, XS-XL, Parfait by Affinitas Intimates.
Continuing with the vampy theme – I love a bit of LEOPARD. What better than this fabulous set by Parfait by Affinitas Intimates. The underwired bra gives you a lovely lift and those high waisted knickers are going to hide a multitude of sins!
Floral balconette bra, £32, 30D to 38K and matching knickers, £15, 8-20 both by Panache.
Coral lace underwired bra, £34, 30B -36E and matching knickers, £16 S-XL by b.tempt’d.
Lastly what’s Valentine”s Day with out ROSES? The floral print balconette bra set by Panache is so pretty and again should be commended for going up to a K cup. The coral lacy flower print lingerie by fab b.tempt’d brand also gives such good shape and perfect for low neck evening wear. And lastly if you want even more va va voom the rose print plunge bra set by Next will give you a cleavage to die for! Well I think we’re all set….. Happy Valentines!
Rose print plunge bra, £25, 32A-36DD and matching knickers, £12, 6-18 both by Next.
MOONWALK 2015 – BARING THE BRA!
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Moonwalkers a la Fruity Couture!
I’m SO excited. It’s just over a week before I do my first Moonwalk! At midnight next Saturday 16th May, myself and 15,000 other magnificent bra-wearing walkers will be marching a half or full marathon through the streets of London. I’ve always wanted to do it, but this year so many of my dear friends have been affected by breast cancer that I’ve felt I have to take action and Walk The Walk!
This amazing event is now in it’s eighteenth year! I feel so inspired by Nina Barough CBE, Founder of Walk The Walk. Originally, Nina was also a fashion stylist (proving that all the best people are!) before a series of events made her change her path. She is now Chief Executive of a grant-making breast cancer charity that has collected nearly £100 million of fundraising – wow!
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Founder & Chief Executive Nina Barough CBE of Walk The Walk with a very saucy man
So how did it all start? Well nearly twenty years ago, 13 women decided to power walk the New York Marathon in their bras to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. One of these ladies was Nina who ironically 2 months later discovered she actually had breast cancer and an aggressive tumour too. Nina’s life was thrown upside down, embarking on a programme of treatment that included a mastectomy and radiotherapy. Her girlfriends felt they desperately wanted to do something to help and spurred on by the ‘Girl Power’ era of the Spice Girls, they banded together, bra emblazoned and power walked the London Marathon. Fashion designers like Paul Smith and Mary Quant as well as other notables like Richard Branson were keen to get involved too. They designed the girls’ bras and these were then auctioned off at the first Walk The Walk Auction.
The following year a second team entered the London Marathon, half of them got places but the other half weren’t so lucky. Nina not wanting to disappoint and waste the girls’ hard work, fund raising and training, that she decided to organise a midnight marathon for these ladies. These bra clad night walkers would hand over the ‘baton’ in the morning in Trafalgar Square to the other official Marathon walkers. Nina and a girlfriend actually completed the night and day marathon in 24 hours and the Moonwalk was born!
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Moonwalkers – Flower Power style
The rest is history and The Moonwalk has grown from strength to strength. Over 350,00 people have taken on a walk challenge, such as The Moonwalk New York City, now in its second year and The Arctic Marathon – a backcountry skiing challenge in deepest Lapland! The success of this charity is amazing. Walk The Walk has made grants to Breakthrough Breast Cancer and to Breast Cancer Campaign for its ground breaking Breast Cancer Tissue Bank. It is also committed to providing funding to hospitals across the UK to purchase Scalp Cooling Systems – special machines that help people retain their hair when undergoing chemotherapy. My lovely friend Sue had brilliant results with this treatment and said it was such a relief not to lose her hair. She felt she could still go out and socialise and most importantly it wasn’t such a scary experience for her 2 little girls as although they knew their Mum wasn’t very well they were reassured that she still looked the same!
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Moonwalk Fashion – True Brit style
So all in all a brilliant charity…. I’m fundraising for my Moonwalk so please, please do sponsor me –
https://moonwalklondon2015.everydayhero.com/uk/becky-john
Now it’s all down to the outfit. Ever the fashion stylist I feel the pressure is on! As you can see, there have been some fabulously decorated bras over the years. The theme for Moonwalk 2015 is ”Saturday Night at The Movies”. So, rhinestone encrusted bra at the ready, I promise to bare all (well nearly all) in a post Moonwalk blogpost soon………
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Myself and fellow walker Catherine Sloman aka blogger Battenburg Belle
STORM IN A DD CUP
Racer back bra, £110 and brief, £55
After doing a review in Femail about a new lingerie range that only came in a B cup, there was an outcry (quite rightly so) from my more voluptuous friends demanding that they get a look in too!
So I was overjoyed when I stumbled across the fabulous lingerie range Adina Reay that comes in bra sizes 32DD to 36G. This luxurious brand designed and manufactured in the UK manages to cleverly cater in fuller cup sizes whilst not compromising on style.
V-neck plunge bra, £120 and shorts, £60
Founder, Sharon Lake wanted to create beautiful lingerie that everyone could wear. As a curvier lady myself I was delighted to find a DD plus range that isn’t made from industrial type fabrics and have those horrid huge wide straps. This collection is so glamorous with its amazing laces, bespoke embroideries, satin, silks and tulles.
The contemporary styling makes this lingerie so unique. The bras give ultimate support with their racer back and v-neck styles. Whilst central panelling and ingenious tuck pleats on knickers and slips are very slimming too. What a fab collection. Quite frankly I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Have a look online www.adinareay.com I’m sure you’ll feel the same way!
Bridal balcony bra, £90. brief, £50 and slip, £130