Quick Tip: What Is “Sizing”?

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Getting fit into a new size and finally understanding the fabulousness of a correctly-fitted bra can be quite exciting (a 2-minute makeover is enough to make anyone want to show off!). Although you may be persuaded (or even encouraged) to wear your new bra out of the shop, here is one big reason I’d advise against it:
Many women are unaware that new bras (most clothing items, actually) have a chemical applied to them during the manufacturing process called “sizing“. This temporary stiffening glaze is designed to help the garment retain it’s original shape, and typically comes out completely in 3-4 washes. Although it’s not super harsh, it’s still a chemical, which can cause irritation on sensitive skin and can make some delicate fabrics rough/scratchy to the touch. This can also affect the hardware (hooks, fasteners, etc) on bras, making them “squeak” when rubbed against the fabric.  If you experience this while shopping for new bras, this can definitely be a deal breaker…so just remember that it’s only temporary!

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It’s important to wash your bras immediately (or soon after) purchasing, to get this chemical out of the fabric. DO NOT use fabric softener to get rid of the sizing and/or “roughness”… your delicate/lingerie wash will take care of it (try Soak)!!!

The “Boutique” Stereotype

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Over the last 5 months (since opening my business), I’ve learned a lot about what people think a “boutique” is, and what it means.
The dictionary defines a boutique as: “A small store selling fashionable clothes or accessories” or “A business that serves a sophisticated or specialized clientele”. However, most people believe that boutiques are just “expensive” or “high-end” shops.
This past week alone, I’ve had over a half a dozen people visit the shop just to “check it out”. Most of them, after making a purchase, admitted that they expected my prices to be much higher and hadn’t planned to buy anything.

Isla Fisherin Confessions of a Shopaholic.As the owner of a business that caters not only to women of all tastes, sizes, ages, and physical capabilities, but also clients in nearly any financial state, this is really disconcerting news to me.

When I opened The Fitting Room, I had 5 years of experience in a “high end” lingerie boutique, and had personally witnessed the effects of a changing economy on a small business. Regardless of whether or not the economy was declining, I constantly saw women visit the shop who simply couldn’t afford the price-points we offered. I would spend time doing fittings for women who ended up leaving without making a purchase, only to stop off at a cheaper department store on their way home. So I thought… why not get high-end customer service, an accurate (free) bra fitting, AND affordable bras all in one place???

The way I see it is plain and simple: Women need bras. Women will buy bras. Whether they go to a high-end boutique or the local cost-mart, all depends on what’s in their wallets. For those of you out there who keep putting off a potentially great experience at a local boutique because you’re afraid of the price tags, remember not ALL “boutiques” are the same!

Quick Tip: “Breaking-In” Your New Bra Size

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As odd as it sounds, I often compare wearing a new bra to wearing a new pair of shoes. If you’re used to wearing something with a loose, worn band (or a broken-in pair of shoes), it can take some time to get used to something new, especially a new size. 
Hot-Pink-chucks600A properly-fitted bra is supposed to sit straight across (or a bit lower) on your back, and fit snugly around your ribcage (on the loosest hook). Most women are used to wearing bands that are too large for their frame, so I constantly hear concerns about the right size feeling “too snug”. Nine times out of ten, it’s just a matter of breaking in your new size.
So, when you go home and begin to worry that your new bras might be uncomfortable, don’t fret! It normally only takes about 4-5 days to get used to a new bra size. Once you do, you’ll wonder what you were thinking!
For more advice on the fit and wear/care of your bras, check out my recent posts on what not to do and basic washing instructions!

Bridal Foundations: What to Wear Under Your Dress

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Before I began my career in the lingerie industry, I had not a clue as to the vital importance of foundations. Most women (my past self included) don’t typically put too much thought into their daily undergarments, “because no one really sees them”… but wearing the right (or the wrong) foundations can DRASTICALLY change the way you look every day. In everything you wear.
Photo 20While it’s important to begin each day with properly-fitted foundations, it’s even more imperative on your wedding day. Not only do you have hundreds of eyes on you constantly, but you also have photographers and videographers capturing every moment. No one wants to risk a slip-up, pop-out, bathroom shapewear disaster, or multiple candid photos of the bride tugging at her dress.
Obviously, there are LOADS of other priorities when you’re trying to plan a wedding, but this one should be near the top of your list. Once you have selected your gown, your immediate next step should be deciding what you want/need to wear underneath it. Waiting until after your gown has already undergone alterations can make this task unnecessarily difficult. The sooner you start, the more likely you’ll be to find something you love – and your seamstress will thank you for it!
First and foremost, you’ll want to consider whether or not undergarments are TRULY necessary under your gown. I’ve done multiple fittings for brides who decided that they looked better and felt more comfortable without anything underneath. Don’t let anyone pressure you into buying something you aren’t sure you want or need. Narrow down your options, try out what you like, and see what works for you.
So let’s get started.

With so many options and different styles to choose from, foundation shopping can be quite daunting if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, so here’s a rundown on the basics…

Freya

Freya

1. The Strapless Bra. Known as the most dreaded style of all, this is also the most versatile, and now available up to an H cup! The main reason women don’t particularly love this style is because unless you’re wearing the right size, it’s a complete disaster. The bra won’t stay up, give you the support you need, OR give you the lift you want. If your dress requires a strapless bra, a professional fitting is a MUST!!!
Within the strapless world, there are a few different types. You have your basic strapless (the Freya shown at right), your strapless longline (the Cosabella shown below right), and your strapless bustier (the Elomi shown below left). You can find most of these styles in fabrics that are smooth and basic, or lacy and silky.

Elomi

Elomi

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Cosabella

These bras also usually come with straps you can do multiple looks with: criss-cross, halter, one-shoulder, cross front, etc. So not only is a strapless a great bra to have in general, but it’ll also work with most wedding gown styles!

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Fashion Forms

2. The Stick-On Bra. This specialty bra is a great option if you have a low-back or backless gown. Unfortunately, this bra doesn’t work for every size (best for A-D cups), as the support mainly comes from the adhesive, and NOT a band. These “bras” are made with a wonderful skin-friendly adhesive that you can wash and re-use, and there are two basic styles you’ll find:
a. Minimal coverage adhesive cups with a clasp in the middle for added lift, and b. an adhesive bra with wings for added support (shown at right).

3. The Multi-Way Bra. This style is best for off-the-shoulder, halter top, or cap-sleeve gowns. Many bra manufacturers are now creating their everyday bras with multi-way straps, so you can get smooth, lacy, and push-up styles with straps that work around what you want to wear. As mentioned above, you also get multiple strap options with a strapless bra.

After you’ve found your bra, the next step is to decide if you want/need a shaping piece. These are available in many different styles, colors, fabrics and sizes, but there are basically two different categories that break them up:

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Cosabella

4. Shapewear. This category includes pieces designed for every day wear to special occasions, and everything in between. Typically, shapewear does not have boning in it, and is available from flexible support to firm support. I’ve noticed that alot of my clients refer to these garments as “Spanx“, which is actually a brand of shapewear. Since Spanx first introduced their line years ago, shapewear has come quite a long way. You are now able to purchase shaping camisoles, panties, shorts, tall shorts, slips, dresses and more, in a variety of fabrics & colors. My personal favorite is the Cosabella Smoothing line, which is made with a bamboo fabric and is extra firm, yet breathable. Or their Sexy Shaping line, which has medium control in a sexy lace, and tons of fun colors (shown at right)!

5. Bustiers/Corsets. These styles typically have “boning” or “facing” in them to give them shape and structure.

Affinitas

Affinitas

There are some important things to keep in mind when shopping for bustiers and corsets.
First, the amount of support and shaping-power depend solely on the fabric and placement of the boning. For example, if you purchase a bustier or corset with a thick, sturdy fabric and lots of boning, you’ll find that it has a very durable structure, and won’t flex as much when you move around in it. If you purchase a bustier or corset made with a thin, delicate fabric and not as much boning, you’ll find that it bends as you move around, and may bubble or stick out when you sit.
You’ll also want to consider the length of the bustier or corset. Something too long or too short can dig into your skin, creating a visible line through your dress.

Just like your bra, you MUST try these pieces on with your gown!

For additional assistance in preparing yourself (or your bridal party) for your wedding, please visit my website, stop by the shop, or contact me!

Bra Shopping Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

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1.Buying Bras Online - without getting fit first.
Over the last few years, online shopping has become easier and more convenient than ever before (apparently, you can get “virtually” fit for shoes, jeans, suits, AND bras these days?).Online-shopping-girl-illustration
Although the option to get fit and buy instantly from your computer/mobile device is now available, it’s not always the best idea. ESPECIALLY when it comes to bras. Don’t get me wrong… I’m all for a sporadic shopping spree in bed while wearing my pj’s. But what good is it to “conveniently” purchase something online, if you end up having to inconveniently return it because it doesn’t fit?
FACT: Most women wear between 2-4 different bra sizes depending on brand, style, and fabric.
Getting “virtually” fit into anything is risky. Think about it… do you wear the EXACT same size in every pair of jeans or shoes you own? There are too many unique factors to consider when wrapping a measuring tape around your body to get your “true size”.
FACT: There is no such thing as a “true size”.
99% of the women who come into my shop, expect a bra fitting complete with a measuring tape and a definitive answer to their cohesive question: “What is my real bra size?”. Sorry to disappoint ladies, but that’s now how it works. Because bras are all made differently and wear differently, doesn’t it make more sense to be fit into a bra instead of a “size”??? Who cares about the numbers and letters! The fit of the bra, the way it feels, the way it lifts and compliments your curves are what you should be focusing on instead.
Save the online bra shopping until after you’ve had a bra fitting, and know what works for you. You’ll be SO much happier with your purchases, AND you won’t be wasting time & money on returns & shipping!

2. Going to the Wrong Places – to get fit.
These days, more and more lingerie stores seem to be advertising “free bra fittings”, “expert bra fittings” or “bra fit specialists”. I think it’s a wonderful thing, but the problem is that most of these places (specifically chain & department stores) don’t offer a large enough size range with which to do proper bra fittings. If bras are made from a AA cup and go all the way to an R cup, why are women going to places that only offer a small range of “average” sizes to get fit? This is one of the biggest reasons so many women are still wearing the wrong size; the smaller the range of sizes a fitter has to work with, the less accurate your fitting will be.
The solution? Head to a specialty bra shop in your area (there are TONS) for a bra fitting. These places will have much more of a size range to work with, plus fitters who are passionate about giving you accurate results!

3. Not Taking Care – of your purchases.
This is probably the worst, yet most common mistake women make.
You could buy a bra one day, and it could be a pile of useless fabric the next, depending on how you take care of it. Here are some examples…

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  1. I had a woman in for a fitting a couple of weeks ago who bought a bra on Monday, wore it out of the store…absolutely LOVED it. She returned that Wednesday with the bra, which had stretched two sizes in the band. It was horrifying! She said, “I just feel like I shouldn’t have taken the thing off… it fit perfect the day I bought it!”. I found out soon after, that she had soaked the bra in fabric softener to make it feel “smoother” against her skin. A big no-no for any delicates, as it breaks down the fabric VERY quickly.
  2. A few months ago, one of my favorite clients came in with a bra she had bought from me a few weeks prior, saying that it had started to poke and cut into her skin. I examined the bra, which looked fine and fabric felt fine… but the underwires were bent beyond any repair. THIS is what happens when you put a bra in the washing machine without using a lingerie bag. Depending on the cup sizes and what else you throw in the machine with them, you risk bending/breaking the underwire, OR even ripping the bra.

If you make sure to follow the basic care instructions for your bras, you’ll notice that they last MUCH longer, and fit and feel better!

4. Not Returning Items - you aren’t happy with.
Just over the last month, we’ve had over 50 bras brought in for donation, half of which have been NEW bras with the tags still attached. The majority of the women donating these unworn bras have said they never wore them because they didn’t like the way they fit when they put them on at home.
FACT: Humans are creatures of habit. I see proof of this every day. Many women will take their new bras home, and do what they’ve always done with them: hike up the straps, hook the band on the tightest hook, wash it improperly, etc. I always tell my clients to call me or stop by immediately if they feel as though their new bra doesn’t fit right when they put it on for the first time at home, and I’ve had quite a few follow through with that. Every single time it has been because they had made their “usual” adjustments, causing the bra to fit differently on their body. Once I fix these adjustments and explain what caused it to feel wrong, they are SOOOO GLAD they came back.