10 Breast Tips by Trinny & Susannah – My Take
September 04, 2008
The Oprah Winfrey Show enjoys finding personalities and having them run the show while Oprah sits on stage and listens. The first was Dr. Phil. Lately, it’s been Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, two English women with frank yet funny delivery who share what not to wear and how to accentuate your assets to full advantage.
This pair recently announced that they are everyone’s bosom buddies and will help you find the support you need through their 10 Breast Tips. So, here they are along with my take.
- Get Fitted. - This tip suggests you go to either a trusted friend or professional bra fitter and have yourself measured. With the right size bra, you won’t have to constantly adjust your bra throughout the day. My take on this tip is well, Duh! They are simply stating the obvious. Everyone says to go get yourself fitted. You can’t walk into a lingerie store or department these days without being asked if you want a fitting. But I think a woman should also perform her own analysis of her bra’s fit. Does she like the way it looks? Does it feel comfortable? Simply read my section on symptoms and solutions to help you figure out your own correct bra size. Remember, not all "professional bra fitters" are accurate or altruistic. For the most part, they are there to sell bras. I think women are smart enough to figure out their bra size without bringing in reinforcements. All that is needed is proper guidelines.
- Emphasize your Ribcage. - This duo feels your ribcage just below your breast is usually the thinnest area of a woman and should be accentuated. I would agree with this tip, but in order to see it, your breasts have to be in the right location. The fullest part of your breasts should be positioned midway between your shoulder and elbow. Once you have them in place, your clothing should be altered to better follow your body’s silhouette. This will give you a slimmer look.
- If You’ve Got ‘em Flaunt Them. – Tinny and Susannah believe you should not hide breasts, but rather show them off. I strongly disagree with this statement. Speak to any woman with size D and larger breasts and she will share with you a history of embarrasement from men (and women) always looking at her breasts. Unless you want to attract attention, it is best to dress with an emphasis on de-emphasising your breasts. A minimizer bra will help if you have that pesky front button pulling. Necklines that draw attention up to your face and away from your breasts are also a good idea.
- Buy An Underwire Bra. - Susannah, who claims to be large chested, feels an underwire bra helps push your boobs forward and upward to reduce the risk of looking heavier that you really are. Actually, an underwire will give your silhouette more definition that a softcup bra. Softcup bras are kind of a crutch for many women who have been unable to find their correct size. A soft cup bra is very forgiving and can fit even when it’s not exactly your size. With an underwire bra, you really have to get your size right or you will be uncomfortable. However, an underwire bra will give your breasts better shape and more definition. When walking down a street, I can tell you which women are in underwires and which are in softcups. It’s all about their breast shape.
- Boost Your Breasts, Uplift Your Look. – For small breasted women, Trinny recommends getting gel inserts to put in the bottom of your bra to lift your breasts. I would agree that this was the answer a few years ago. However, bra manufacturers today have come up with amazing bras with built-in pads called "bump pads." These pads lift your breasts and some also have side pads that push your breasts together. Rather than fooling around with gel pads that can move around, I would suggest investing in one of these newer bras to get the same look without the hassle.
- Wear Halter Tops With or Without a Bra….If You’re Small-Chested. – These Brits think the angular cut of a halter is attractive and shows off your shoulders and I agree. But by no means forego the bra. Halters tend to gap when you lean forward and can show off your breasts to the person across the room. Also, even if you are small chested, your breasts need some support or they’ll tend to sag. A halter, more than any other neckline will point this fact out. I personally always wear a bra or at least a Nubra when I’m wearing a halter top.
- Don’t Wear The Same Bra For Years On End . - I would agree with this tip. Not only can your body change, but clothing styles change as well from year to year. A new bra every year helps keep you current and gives you a fresh look with your new clothes.
Wondering were the last 3 tips are? Well the site stopped after 7. In closing, my response to all of this is that just because talk shows declare someone an expert, you should not assume they truly are. I have seen these women on several shows and they are very entertaining. But bra fit is serious stuff to most women and, while fashion tips are always welcome, sound advice only comes from an expert in the field.
You can find extensive sizing and fitting advice in HerRoom’s fitting guide.
Find bras at HerRoom in these departments:
Bras
Posted by Tomima at 7:10am
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Booze and Boobs – The New WineRack Bra
August 28, 2008
I saw this today and had to blog about it. We’ve all seen those silly hats where you put beer on each side and the wearer has siphon-like hoses leading to his mouth. Well, this same idea now has been incorporated into a bra form. The website, firebox.com is selling this sports-bra looking item under the oh-so ridiculous name of ‘The WineRack.’
Clearly invented by a man, the WineRack comes in two sizes – small and medium. It consists of an almost no-shape sports bra with a removable dual bladder made of polyurethane that slips inside the bra frame and has a hose attached. The claim is that once the bladder is filled, a woman’s cup size will increase two full sizes. So if you start at a C cup, wearing a filled up WineRack will have you walking around looking like you have a DD rack… hence the name. The wearer also now has a portable cocktail station on her chest where she can pass around the hose and simultaneously deflate her breast projection. See what I mean? Clearly, invented by a man.
The practical side to all of this is that this device allows a woman to bring a drink into places where it’s not allowed or must be paid for. For example, church, concerts, sporting events and Disneyland.
Selling for just $29.95, it will probably pay for itself with one wearing given the over-charging of drinks at entertainment venues these days. But the two sizes are not explained, and the bladder is easy to see. A shirt or something needs to be worn on top. And forget about support.
All in all, I think this gadget is more for the benefit of men than the beautifying of women.
Find actual sports bras at HerRoom in these departments:
Sport Underwear
Posted by Tomima at 10:05am
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Speedos VS. Boardshorts – The Great Debate
August 23, 2008
My summers, as a youth, were spent at our Country Club pool practicing for swim team. All the kids – boys and girls – donned Speedo style bathing suits. This weekend, while watching my girls at the pool, I noticed that not one kid was wearing a Speedo. In fact, both boys AND girls were wearing boardshorts – those long-legged swimsuits we used to call "jams." Am I dating myself?
So, what’s going on with swimsuits for men these days? Rather than skimpy and streamlined, men seam to be turning to coverage and baggy. A great article at AskMen.com shed some light on the subject.
To begin with, it’s kind of a regional thing. European men by far wear mostly speedo style swimsuits. American men, on the other hand, basically refuse to, unless competing in some kind of water sport. The article went on to say that women from both regions are of the same opinion. American women kind of snicker at the thought of a guy in a Speedo. European women accept the fact that, whatever the physique of a guy, he will be strutting around in a little Speedo.
So, what are the pros and cons to the two styles? Apparently there are far more pros to the speedo style:
- They’re more comfortable – All the parts of a man’s "package" stay put without worry. In a boardshort, the parts shift each time water hits them.
- Better tan lines – More body is exposed so better tanning. A boardshort gives you a goofy partial tan on your legs.
- Sign of confidence – A man who is comfortable strutting around in a Speedo does not lack personal confidence.
- Better movement – The Speedo style has little to get in the way when moving. In contrast, a boardshort is bulky and can create drag in the water.
Another point to bring up here is that, like women’s swimsuits, many suits are not actually used for swimming. They are more beachwear. So, maybe the answer here is to own both styles – the Speedo-style briefs for European travel and water sports and the boardshort for socializing around water, for modesty, and social survival in America.
A quick straw poll from male colleagues got a stark ’swimshorts or nothing’ reaction. But according to Askmen.com the debate is actually divided by geography more than anything else. Men in North America are more swim/boardshorts based than their European counterparts. Certainly having holidayed in the South of France last year, Speedos seemed de rigeur among the older holidaymakers. And the Russians. But the younger ones were certainly veering towards shorts by the pool.
Perhaps it’s all a confidence thing, with the older male more used to his body and feeling confident with who they are than younger types still working it out. Whatever you feel most comfortable in of course, we’ve got a great selection of both, check ‘em out here.
Posted by Tomima at 7:26am
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