The curvy girl’s guide to BRAS and PANTIES
Do your cups runneth over? No worries, just get fitted! Wearing a properly fitting bra will make you look and feel your best. On the other hand, a poorly fitted bra will make you feel uncomfortable and leave you with back and shoulder aches, rashes and chaffing.
Believe it or not, a recent study showed that 85% of women are actually wearing the wrong size bra. This problem is so prevalent that we might call it an epidemic of unhappy boobs! Lucky for you, the solution is simple: a professional bra fitting. For curvy girls, and for those new to the bra-buying world, a fitting with a specialist is even more important. So, take matters out of your own hands and put your boobs in some else’s care. Ready for your fitting? Intimacy, World’s Best Bras, Aerie, Victoria’s Secret and Nordstroms are great places to start.
Okay, so you’re at the bra store, surrounded by racks and racks of these two-pocket wonders. How do you know what to look for?
Finding the perfect fit is not always easy, but it is so worth it. So when you’ve just found some pretty little thing that you immediately want to purchase, stop, try it on, and ask yourself the following questions:
Do the straps cut into your shoulders? If you answered yes, you need to loosen the straps or thicker sized straps.
Are your boobs flowing over the cup? If you answered yes, you need a bigger cup size.
Congrats! You’ve found the perfect bra. Now all you have to do is make sure it stays perfect forever and ever. So take care of your bras, girlfriend! They work tirelessly all day (and sometimes all night) to fit and flatter your “girls,” so show them some love. Here’s a few tips for making the most out of your bras:
1. Do not wear your bra two (or *gasp* even more) days in a row. Bras need some time in between uses for the elastic to recover so that it works optimally each and every day you wear it.
2. Do not wash bras with regular washing detergent. If you wash them with special soap (like Woolite for delicates), then you will preserve the elasticity of your bras. Whenever possible, hand wash rather than machine wash bras. Use luke warm water, and avoid the dryer like the plague! It will kill the elastic and mess with the fit. Remember a good bra is like an investment!
3. When you buy bras, wear them on the loosest setting at first. Bras naturally stretch out with age. If you start out by wearing your bra on the tightest setting, you won’t have any options left once the bra is “worn in.”
4. For an ideal fit, wait a week after your period to go bra shopping. That way, you aren’t retaining any water weight, and you’ll be sure to get the right fit.
Although your bra may be pretty, don’t show it to the world! If you are wearing a white shirt, please, please, please do not wear a hot pink bra under it! Leave something to the imagination! Also, keep your bra straps under your shirt…remember, classy is hot, trashy is not.
Keep it real! Bras with over the top padding are never a good idea. They won’t fit right and the padding will be super obvious. Also, if they break it will be, er, awkward. Plus, most curvy girls are already body-licious and don’t need to add anything extra to their bountiful boobs.
Although selecting underwear seems pretty simple (heck, you’ve done it every day for as long as you can remember), don’t overlook the importance of a good fit. Make sure to purchase underwear that not only fits your hips, thighs and tush, but also shows them off!
Butt-covering basics
Choose underwear that is comfortable. Nothing is worse than having to constantly adjust your panties especially during the hot, sticky summer months! No matter how you slice it, a wedgie is NOT appealing and can put you in an awkward situation. Purchase underwear that hits you on the right part of your hip. Too high and you look like a granny. Too low and you may have a wardrobe malfunction!
To you stylin’ sistas out there wearing thongs — more power to ya. But for the rest of us, don’t feel pressured to wear a certain style if it doesn’t feel right for you. Confidence comes from within and THAT is sizzling hot!
Experiment with spandex. Think this style is too old for you? Think again! This style of panties is becoming more and more popular with young teens, especially for curvy girls. Added bonus: the new bodyshapers are made from microfiber and will “hold you in, slim you down, and smooth you out!” Heck yes.
Choosing the right style of underwear for an outfit helps you to have confidence and to pull off that polished look. Here are some tips for selecting which undies to put beneath that rockin’ outfit:
White pants? Since some white fabrics are uber sheer, this can be tricky. Once you get into the sunlight, it’s easy to accidentally expose yourself if you are not wearing the right type of underwear. Save yourself from potential embarrassment by wearing a neutral color (skin tone is even better than white). Avoid fabrics that have a flashy pattern even if the background is of a light color. If you are one of those lucky girls who can handle a thong, kudos to you! This style works so well under white pants and skirts. For those of us who require more coverage, no reason to despair. We can work the whites by wearing a thin pair of underwear. Ban the bulk!
Tight pants? Yes, you can! Regular undies with them? No, you can’t. Instead, try boy shorts that are less visible beneath the fitted cut of tight pants. And, while we are on the topic…boy shorts are a great “alternative” to thongs for you shyer gals. In fact, boy shorts can actually make your butt look slimmer. Flattering to the booty and fun to boot!
Heading to the gym? Ditch the sexy stuff in favor of more coverage. High rise underwear is ideal for exercise because it won’t slip down while you’re in active mode. You could even get a really cute pair that matches your sports bra. I always dig that fun, sporty-girl look!
If you are planning on wearing a skirt during a windy summer day, don’t wear a thong. Just don’t. Tush alert: choose underwear that covers your butt in case of a little show and tell. And, while you are at it, make sure to wear cute underwear. If you end up flashing, you might as well look cute while doing it!
Match your underwear to your pants style. For instance, no high-waisted panties with low rise jeans. This is tacky, not trendy.
Discard old, faded underwear or underwear with holes in them. They are gross and not doing much for you at that point! Replenish your intimate wardrobe, keeping it up-to-date, fresh and clean. You’ll feel better inside and out.
Before wearing a new pair of underwear, wash it. Plenty of people try underwear on in the store and someone may have had that pair on before you took it home. There are some things that you just shouldn’t share…
Always buy underwear with a cotton crotch for “health reasons.” Cotton breathes and we like that!
Okay let’s wrap up: You’re beautiful and mother nature has blessed you with killer curves, cleavage, or maybe even a bootylicious bottom half. So, stop trying to hide it and instead, show off your assets! Marilyn Monroe once said “The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up…..I’m very definitely a woman and I enjoy it.” Marilyn was proud of her curves and her confidence illuminated her beauty. So, take a page from her book and flatter your bodacious bod by treating it to some yummy intimates. Choose bras and undies that are comfortable, well-fitting and fun to wear. Take it from this stylista, being “true to you” is always in style.
The Curvy Nerd – Get a better bra! from Alexa on Vimeo.
By Chloe Nurik August 1
Here’s a shout out to my curvy girls! It’s time to make the most of what your momma gave ya. Those of us who are lucky enough to have bubble butts and full sized boobs should stop covering up these natural assets. As the saying goes, “if you’ve got it, flaunt it.” Choosing the right type of underwear and bra is the key to showing off your curvaceous bod. This stylista is going to give you the dirty on your intimates so that you can flatter your hot curves with confidence.
Good Bras are a Girl’s Best Friend
The right fit: Going professional
Can you fit two fingers up the front of the bra? If you answered yes, you need a smaller bra.
Pretty bras vs. functional bras: What’s a girl to do?
Don’t sacrifice color for fit or vice versa. You want your bra to look pretty but to also to do its job. Strike a perfect balance and then you will feel pretty inside and out. Plus, don’t forget to get some neutral colored bras (like beige, cream, and tan) that you can wear under any outfit!
Don’t Underestimate Your Underwear
Buy some underwear that you can wear everyday. While dots or stars are fun, make sure you also have several pairs that are white or skin tone. This helps to conceal your underwear under white skirts or shorts. While we may want to see London or France, there’s no need to see your underpants.
Every outfit has a special pair
Butt there is more…
Purchasing new intimates can be fun and uplifting. Every now and then, treat yourself to something pretty and fresh! Change it up a bit by choosing cool designs or offbeat patterns. Or, go totally fem with lacey fabric. Just make sure to wear bright colors and loud fabrics under dark pants or jeans.
