Archive for the 'What’s New in Lingerie' Category
The New Spacer Foam Being Used in Molded Bras
December 19, 2008
A new lingerie term has popped up recently. The term "spacer foam" is being used when describing some new t-shirt or contour bras. Currently several bras on the market use this spacer foam as the fabric in their seamless bras. So, what is it?
We all know what corrugated cardboard is. It has a top and bottom layer with a wavy layer between the two to give the cardboard a thickness. Well, spacer foam is very similar. Actually knit on a machine, spacer foam has a top and bottom layer with filaments in between that can be adjusted to create a thickness to the knit. So, basically, little air pockets are created and this spacer foam has a very cushiony feel to the hand.
This is actually quite revolutionary in the industry. More and more, the contour or t-shirt bra has become every woman’s staple in her lingerie drawer because she likes the modesty and shape it provides. Traditionally, a contour bra uses two pieces of 
fabric which are then glued to a thin foam to create the cups. The problem has always been with the lighter colored fabrics, especially white. Once the glue hits the air, it turns yellow. This is why it was almost impossible to find a white t-shirt bra. The creation of spacer foam or spacer fabric eliminates the layering and gluing of three pieces of fabric. Therefore, a white bra with modesty padding is now a possibility. Additionally, the thickness and density of spacer foam can be regulated at the knitting machine. Thus new padded bras can now be created that don’t require additional padding.
Another advantage to spacer foam is that it allows air to pass through. This makes bras with spacer foam much more comfortable to wear. Contour bras traditionally do not breath, and thus became hot, with moisture getting trapped inside the cups.
Currently spacer foam or spacer fabric is very expensive due to the fact that far more yarn goes into the making of it than traditional knits, and more time is required on the knitting machines. There is also an added expense in molding this fabric into a cup shape using a special finishing process. However the benefits of being lighter weight, breathable, and able to be made in light fabrics seems to justify the added expense. One final note; there is a cheaper version of spacer foam on the market. However, because it is not the real thing, it does not perform the same or keep its shape as long. So, spacer foam is an exciting new innovation to the lingerie industry. I predict you will see spacer foam replacing most or all contour or t-shirt bras in the near future.
Find bras at HerRoom in these departments:
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Posted by Tomima at 9:50am
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Invention to Fix a Bra’s Underwire When it Pops Out
December 04, 2008
I find it kind of odd that a man would find a solution to the problem of an underwire popping out of a bra. But, Scott Dutton from England has. Called the Bra Angel, this devise has won the inventor two gold metals for Invention of the Year.
Here’s how the Bra Angel works. It’s a piece of plastic with barbs built into it. You slip this piece of plastic over the end of your underwire that is poking out. You then slide the underwire back in to its casing. The barbs catch into the casing’s fabric and the opening is now no longer an issue. Your underwire stays in place.
The idea for Dutton’s invention came from his wife. Apparently she had numerous bras that were ruined because of the underrwires poking out. After looking on the internet and finding nothing on the market, he went about designing prototypes until finally coming up with the design for the Bra Angel.
It’s an interesting invention. However, underwires poking out are mainly caused by laundering your bras incorrectly. Manufacturers sew a bra’s underwire into a casing with additional space for the underwire to move. When the wire pokes out, it is usually because the casing has shrunk due to hot water and a washing machine. The underwire can also poke out if the sewing at the end of the casing is not strong enough. But, this is rarely an issue with well-made bras.
Though it’s an interesting solution, I’m not totally crazy about it. With the barbs holding one end of the underwire in place, the underwire is now not allowed to float within the casing. Underwires are supposed to do this so that they will fit better and feel more comfortable. The Bra Angel also adds bulk to the underwire. I’m concerned that this could be uncomfortable. And finally, I worry that the barbs could also pierce the outside fabric. Now you have a bra with pointed barbs sticking out between your breasts our under your arms.
I say the jury is out. But for a quick solution to an underwire popping out, this is certainly a clever invention.
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Posted by Tomima at 7:10am
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National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is Now!
October 17, 2008
This year, an estimated 182,460 women will hear their doctors say, "You have breast cancer." More than 40,000 women will die from the disease.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network of survivors and activists, the only organization fighting to cure breast cancer at every stage. To date, they have invested $1 billion in research, education and health services and expect to invest an additional $2 billion over the next decade.
Their promise: To save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.
There are many ways to support the Susan G. Komen For the Cure mission. You can find events in your area on their website.
For Breast Cancer Awareness month, Wacoal is supporting Susan G. Komen For the Cure by donating $2.00 of every purchase of one of their Wacoal Awareness Bras during the month of October. You can find the Wacoal Awareness Bras on HerRoom.
Posted by Jan at 12:10pm
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