Tomima's Blog – Lingerie & Underwear Expert

We all have body issues. And yes, we can be our own worst critic. But, before throwing your hands up – know there are solutions, tips and tricks to help you look your best. One of the easiest ways to instantly look slimmer and more youthful is by wearing the correct bra size and style for your body type.

Women are built in all shapes and sizes, making it a challenge to fit into cookie cutter bra styles that

just don't fit correctly. Most women with an average figure and average bra size can have success in several types of bra styles.

One body type that can be more challenged in the bra-finding department is curvy petites: women under 5'4 and with cup sizes D and larger. In my years of research, reading reviews and asking around the bra industry, I've learned a few tips to help you curvy petites find comfortable and supportive solutions.

The Problem: Many bras with larger cup sizes have wider-set straps that are built to give great support but might not always be the best fit for smaller frames.

The Solution: Look for bras with center pull straps – where the strap front is sewn just above the cup center and aligns with your breast apex (nipple). This will help keep straps in place and provide a better fit.

The Problem: Bras with larger cup sizes tend to sit high under the arm. This is designed to give women more side coverage but for smaller women, this can be uncomfortable.

The solution: Find bra styles with a lower rise on the side of the cup to keep it from digging in.

The Problem: Smaller band sizes like 28 and 30 are not offered by many manufacturers

so many of you petite curvy gals often turn to your 'sister size' – this is one band size larger and one cup size smaller – to get the bra you like. But, this is never a good idea. It's always best to wear your true size.

The Solution: If you have to size up in the band, look for bras with bands that are made of lace. These will fit slightly more snug

in a supportive way and will not stretch as fast. Bras with fewer back hook-and-eye adjustments might be more conducive to women who are smaller around. Less hook and eyes can also mean a short band width.

Finally, if you have chronic problems with your underwires poking you under your arm, look for balconette, demi and plunge bras – these styles tend to have shorter underwires.

Some brands at HerRoom such as Fantasie, Freya and Panache all carry small band sizes with larger cups. Styles shown above are the Chantelle Rive Gauche Full Coverage T-Shirt Bra, Natori Calais Sweetheart Memory Contour Bra and Calvin Klein Seductive Comfort Customized Lift With Lace Bra.

Are you curvy and petite? What are your favorite bra solutions?

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Posted by TE at 5:30am
Tags: calvin klein, chantelle, curvy petite women, fantasie, freya, good bras for small women, large cup sizes, natori, panache
1 Comment »

If you're a man who craves nothing but comfort in your underwear – it's not just cotton fabric that you should be shopping for. Consider microfiber and performance fabrics.

Yes, microfiber fabrics tend to be synthetic. But, there are also natural materials that have been chemically manipulated to break them down for the purpose of producing a specific type of fabric. Cotton is pliable enough, but even with the introduction of spandex, it can only maintain its shape for so long. Microfiber has the ability to mold to your physique for a perfect fit, and thanks to the material’s quality of stretching in all directions it can acco

mplish this fit without feeling constrictive.

Performance fabrics are microfiber fabrics that have been engineered with sophisticated knitting techniques. The most common feature of performance fabrics are their ability to “wick.” The fabric is made with microscopic channels that draw moisture away from your skin. The moisture is then

evaporated on the surface of the fabric. This keeps you dry, and the evaporation process even creates a cooling effect. “Wicking” performance fabrics have become such a highly prized commodity, many men refuse to wear anything else. What are your

favorite underwear fabrics? The style featured above is the Under Armour UA Elite Boxer.

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Posted by TE at 6:54am
Tags: boxers, Men's Underwear, microfiber briefs, performance fabric, sports underwear
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The Bachelorette – Emily Maynard – is one step closer to marrying the man of her dreams. But, on this week's episode where she traveled to the bachelor's hometowns, she was spotted sporting a major Lingerie Patrol™ faux pas – ugly generic bra straps showing rather than pretty

ones as an accent. It was SJP in Sex and the City that started this whole idea of purposely showing parts of your bra peeking out from under your outerwear. But, Carrie also used high-end lingerie that had showable details, or a great contrasting color to make a statement. Bachelorette Emily in her “Country Girl Ho-down” look, by contrast, showed off stark white elastic bra straps from a low-end white bra – where was her stylist!? And, who wears white bras

anymore? Simply stated: sloppy, fashionless and detracting.

If you are in the mood to show your bra straps, make sure they are pretty, fun and/or embellished. The show's stylist had several better options. For example, a simple nude strapless bra that would have been invisible, or a cami for a nice layered look and a more tailored neckline. Even a contrasting colored bra strap, or one with some lace in

the same color of the dress would have worked.

Maybe it's because I'm in the business, but I know I was distracted by this while watching. Here's hoping in next week's “Fantasy Suite” segments, that Emily's lingerie choices will be better thought out. Stay tuned….

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Posted by TE at 6:46am
Tags: bra straps, emily maynard, fashion faux pas, the bachelorette, white bra
1 Comment »