Minimizer Bra - Its Benefits to Plus Size Women

Breast size has always been a concern of a lot of women. Because of the perception that "bigger" is beautiful, ladies rush to the store buying push-up bras or silicone bra inserts that will give them more volume and a deeper cleavage.

While many women want to increase their breast size, truth is there are still some girls who would wish to reduce their bust size even up to a cup size smaller. Many plus size women find their big bosoms make their clothes look ill-fitting - a common example of which is when gaps form on their button-up blouses. Others just find that having such a cleavage makes the clothes they wear unflattering.

Some find a solution in surgical procedures such as reduction, but there is a more painless and easier way to achieve the look you want that wouldn't require you to go under a knife. The answer can be found simply in a minimizer bra.

Minimizer bras are designed to reduce the appearance of your bust size. The cups, which are usually molded, are made to re-shape your breasts. It pushes your busts toward your chest instead of gathering it towards the front and pushing it up. By distributing the breast tissue away from the front and just towards your underarm area, a minimizer bra creates the illusion of a smaller bust, about a cup size lesser.

One of the great benefits of wearing a minimizer bra is that it smooths out the front of your shirts and eliminates the problem of your blouse gapping. It also gives your a better silhouette under your clothes. While they may come either with underwires or as a soft cup bra, minimizer bras give you the much-needed support. Aside from that, most minimizer bras have comfortable cushioned straps and stronger - sometimes wider - side and back bands to make you feel more comfortable as you wear them.

With the emerging plus size fashions, manufacturers are making minimizer bras readily available to many full figured women. Minimizer bras can go up to sizes 48G or 52DDD. Many of them are sold in colors that are fashionable and designs that are chic and attractive.

Of course, the key in achieving the look you want with your minimizer bra is to get the right bra size. So always remember to get fitted for the right size so your minimizer bra can do wonders for you.

By Cassandra Haley

Choosing the Right Bra to Flaunt Your Assets

Wearing a quality bra takes lots of pounds off you. You look slimmer and younger with the right bra. No more worries about sagging breasts.

Men basically are visual creatures. They are turned on by what they see. More importantly , the teasing and expectation factor generate more thrills and excitement for him. It is the anticipation that whets his appetite and tantalize him.

There is such a wide range out there that one can simply get lost in it.
The trick is to find a bra that convey sensuality, femininity and class. You shouldn't pick those that convey an image of slutishness or which give an image of a whore.
Men are easily turn on the female form . Buy a bra that bares as much skin as possible and yet teases him by covering your assets.
You want to pick one that men can find it easy to take off. Imagine his frustration during your most intimate moments and he is stumped by your bra. Get a bra that unhooks at the back rather than the front.Both you and your lover can take it off in double quick time.

Pick a bra which is soft so that he can feel your bosom beneath the bra and this is a merely a preview of what is to come.
Men love lacy bras as these convey a softness and delicacy. Other soft fabrics include cotton , silk and satin.

Choose Lycra/Spandex as they stretch and hug the body and shows off your curves. Lycra / Spandex retain their shape better too. Microfiber fabric is made from ultra-fine man-made fibers. It is super lightweight , feels silky and makes undergarments mold to the body making you look sexier than ever.

Bra with underwire will also give support to your breast and give a fuller bosom.

Buy bra with adjustable straps so that there will be no slack on your back. By tightening the straps the bra cups can be pulled upwards giving you the appearance of bigger and perkier breasts.
Consider wearing demi bra that covers your breasts partially. It's a great idea as it allows you to wear low cut dresses or blouses and maybe unbutton one or two buttons on your shirt.

For women who want to boost their assets, consider getting a push up bra to drive your man crazy . It makes your cleavage fuller and ample. Another bra that does the same trick is the padded bra. Some bras may be filled with liquid to enhance your assets. Consider these gel filled bras.
We come next to colors. I find black, pink and red very seductive and desirable.
Also consider choosing skin tone colors. Men just go nuts thinking you have nothing on. Heighten the excitement further by going sheer. Furthermore, skin color bra lets you wear any outfit without the bra being obvious.
Your clothing can be used to further enchance the sexy appeal of your bra.

You can either wear a sheer white blouse with black bra or the other way around.
It will surely get him talking.
Expose part of your bra when you are wearing spaghetti or strappy dress or blouse. Celebrities like to show off their bra straps too. Shakira, Avril Lavigne and Jennifer Love Hewitt occasionally show them off. You can match the bra with your clothing or you can have contrasting colors with your clothing and match your bra with your lipstick or jewelry color too.

By Ian Tham

Bra Cleaning

Start cleaning by spraying any sweat stains with some prewash spray. Next, you should hook the bra together and twist the bra in the middle so one cup is tucked into the other one. You should buy, if you don't have already, a bra bag. Bra bags keep your bras safe while throwing them into the washing machine. You should then place one bra on each side of the bra bag. Then, pour two to three cupfuls of baby shampoo into your washer.

You should make sure to use the most gentle and lightest cycle on the washing machine. After the cycle of washing is done, remove the bras from the bag and unhook them. Lastly, lay the bras flat to dry. You can place them on top of the drying machine or even place them on a drying rack. Never put your bras into the drying machine because it can harm and ruin them. It is the easiest way to dry them, but if you want your bras to stay looking new and also not harm them, then you should air dry them. Below are some tips to keep in mind while washing your bras:

1. Some bras cannot be washed in the washing machine. Make sure to check the label on your bra before washing them.

2. Bra bags do not always fit some larger sized bras, so do not go out buying the bag if it will not fit.

3. The method above will not always clean sport bras after wearing while working out, make sure to check other methods on how to clean certain bras.

By Eddie Paoletti

Proper Bra Sizing: What Every Woman Should Know

Most women do not wear the correct bra size. With monthly water retention cycles, dieting, and general aging, it also should not be assumed that the size you were two years ago is the same size you are today (or that a bra can be worn that long, for that matter). Even a change of 5 pounds can change your bra size. This guide will help you to properly measure your bust, so that you can find the size for you.

While most shops will have a salesperson to assist you in proper measurements, in order to buy sexy lingerie from a catalog, it is important to know your size.

How To Know If Your Current Bra Does Not Fit

The back rides up. This may mean that the cups are too small, or the band is too tight. The front of the band is too tight to get a finger under it. This means you need a larger band.

The bra cups should be entirely filled, or you may need a smaller cup. If, on the other hand, the cups are overflowing, you may need a larger cup or a different style of bra.

If the underwire digs in, you may need a larger cup size. (Or your bra could just be very old. In either case, it's time to replace it.) This could also be an indication that the side wings of the bra are not large enough.
Proper Measurements

First, you will need three measurements: under bust, upper bust, and full bust.

For under the bust, measure directly under your bust. With all measurements, hold the tape secure but not too tight. For the upper bust, measure above the bust and below the arms.

If the difference between the under and upper bust is less than two inches, the under bust is your band size (round up to nearest even number). If the difference is more than two inches, add 2-3" to the under bust measurement to get an even number and use this as your band size. For the full bust, measure around a fullest part of your breast. Make sure the tape is secure around the back.

Your cup size is determined by your full bust measurement - your upper bust measurement. If the difference is less than 1", you are a AA, 1" is an A, 2" is a B, 3" is a C, 4" is a D, 5" is a DD (or an E), etc.

Beyond Measurements

Of course, your measurements are just the beginning. There are other things to keep in mind when looking for a comfortable, yet sexy bra.

When trying on different bras, make sure that the area in between the two cups actually comes into contact with your chest. Do not make the straps support your breast alone! This will be very uncomfortable over long periods of time, the bra will wear out quickly, and the pressure on the straps can cause back problems.

If you are finding the band sizes to differ for a different brand, you may also need to change your cup size. Generally, as you decrease the band size, you will need to increase your cup size, while a larger band will call for a smaller cup.

Bra Styles

Different styles of bras have different fits. Beware the convertible bras: while they may sometimes work, it is rare that every possible style will work for your body.

Full Cup / Full Coverage - Designed for support, these bras cover the entire breast.

Half Cup / Demi Cup - These bras cover 75 percent of the breast. This is a sexy cut that increases cleavage, but make sure your breasts are not "cut-off" in the center. Your profile should still be smooth, and if it isn't, you need a larger cup size.

Underwire Bras - These bras give the most support.

Racerback Bras - These bras have a crossover pattern in the back. They can have a front or back clasp, or can simply pull over the head. This is a common style for a sports bra.

Halter-Top Bras - As the name imply, these bras have a strap that loops around the neck, rather than the usual shoulder straps. These bras can increase cleavage, and can be worn with both halter tops and tops with low center coverage.

Backless Bras - While some backless bras literally have only front coverage, generally this refers to bras with extremely low backs, so that many dresses with low backs can be worn without the bra showing.

Strapless Bras - These bras have no straps at all, only the band. Some of these can cover the stomach area as well, and some even cover the body like a leotard. These longer strapless bras tend to stay in place better.

Padded Bras / Push-Up Bras - These bras have extra padding in the cups in order to give the illusion of a larger breast and/or to increase the cleavage. The padding can be made of the same material as the bra, foam, or gel. Gel is becoming more popular because of its more natural look. In some bras, the padding is removable.

Décolleté - These bras are lower cut than a demi bra, allowing you to wear something even lower cut without revealing your bra.

Light-Support Bras - These bras have no underwire. While you may be tempted to wear one to an all-day event, if you are larger than an A cup, you may not be getting the support you need. A properly fitted bra will be comfortable whether or not it has underwire.

Sports Bra - These bras are designed to minimize bouncing during athletic activity. While some inexpensive varieties do this by squishing your breasts, it is better to find on that is sized by cup sizes (as opposed to small, medium, and large) and get fitted as you would with a regular bra. Over the long term, this will increase your comfort.

Nursing Bras - For the convenience of nursing mothers, these bras have a snap on each of the shoulder straps, so she can easily remove them to feed the baby without taking off the entire bra. Generally, nursing bras are full-coverage for the added support a new mother needs.

Now you can order all your intimate apparel with confidence! So next time you find the perfect little black dress, you can be sure you will look your best

By Jessica Valentine

10 Signs You Need a New Bra!

If you're like most women, you dread the day you have to go bra shopping. Women have mental lists of reasons why to not shop for bras: they're expensive, they don't like to shop for themselves, and they don't have the time or the patience to try on every bra in the store, or just can't find the right fit! Frustrating? There's no avoiding it-sometimes you need to buy a new bra-and that doesn't mean when the wires are poking you through the fabric! Knowing when to get a new bra is essential to helping you keep bras that are comfortable and shapely. Here are a few reasons you may be in need of a new bra-now.

1. If Last Summer was the last time you bought a bra. Bra shopping can be expensive. It can be easy to spend $50, $75, or even $100 on a bra, but there are plenty of bras for under $30 as well! Think of it this way, if you can spend that money on a mani/pedi or a couple of movie tickets, you can definitely spend it on a bra!

2. A Special Occasion. Do you have a wedding coming up? A 'formal' dance maybe? There are certain occasions you may need to wear a strapless or 'convertible' bra-essential to every woman's wardrobe!

3. Great News! You're Pregnant! You may not need a maternity bra just yet, but expect to grow a couple of sizes during your pregnancy. Even women with small breasts will eventually need a bra with underwire for support during pregnancy. Taking care of your breasts during pregnancy and nursing, with good bras, can minimize post-baby sagging. Look to brands such as Bali, Playtex, and Calvin Klein for comfortable pregnancy/nursing bras.

4. Your bra just doesn't fit right. If your bra is stretched, the back strap rides up, you're constantly adjusting, or you're embarrassed to wear a tight-fitting shirt-you need a different bra. Be honest with yourself first-Do you wish you were a C cup, but are really a B cup? Or what if a DD is just too small for you? Your bra should support and shape you, without restricting you. Your bra should not be loose in any way when you stand up straight. Don't be ashamed to check out full-figured or plus-sized bras for the right fight. If you wear t-shirts often, a good seamless bra is essential. Again, stop stressing about your size! Get a bra that is going to be comfortable.

5. Your bra's best friend is your washing machine. Remember this-bras should be hand-washed. Most of us don't have the time, but in this case, do yourself and your bra a favor a get a lingerie bag! Bras that are machine-washed/dried need to be replaced much more often than ones that are gently hand-washed.

6. Underwire poking at your skin. The underwire in a bra should lay flat against your skin, underneath the breasts. If you feel the underwire poking through the fabric, you need a new bra! Find yourself adjusting the underwire back to its proper position throughout the day? It's time for a new bra.

7. Holes in your bra. If your bra is in any way torn, this is a sign it needs to be replaced. Think of it this way, a bra with holes in it can tear completely at any moment. What will you do then?

8. Your bra is not the same shape and does not have the same support as a new bra that is the same size. This is especially true for sports bras. If you hold up your existing bra to a new one of the same size and it does not look the same, you've worn it out! Champion or Adidas are good brands for sports bras.

9. You have gained or lost weight. Your breasts are made up of, mostly, fatty tissue, so when you gain or lose weight, it may make a significant change in their size-assuring you a new bra. Whenever you gain or lose 10 pounds, you should get fitted for a bra to ensure you are buying the right size for your body.

10. Ready for a New Look? You don't have to wait until your old bras are ripped and torn to get a new one! Have fun with it! If you usually wear plain cotton bras, try printed, sexy, lace bras for a quick pick-me-up. You may discover a whole new bra-world for yourself!

Bra shopping shouldn't be frustrating. If you happen to find a bra that fits you "like a glove" you may want to but a few in case they're discontinued! Have fun with your bra shopping, but remember, a good bra should be comfortable and should support you-it should not be a nuisance. Happy shopping!

By Jessica Katz

Does Your Bra Fit? Find The Right Size For Your Body

Unless you know your proper bra size, you could be wearing the wrong undergarment. This can be more than just a mild discomfort: bras that are too tight or loose can lead to serious injuries to your neck and back. They can also cause numbness in your hands and fingers. Trying to work with the wrong bra will only leave you in physical pain. When you find a bra that fits correctly, you’ll feel – and look – better.

All the letters and numbers on bras might seem confusing. What’s the difference between A and AA? Are DD and E the same bra, but with different letters? The process is actually easy once you understand what the numbers mean. Fortunately, there’s a fast and simple way to decipher the “code” of the bra industry. Grab a cloth measuring tape – usually the type that a seamstress or tailor will use – and start measuring.

Step One:

Wrap the tape around the area just beneath your breasts. You should pull the tape so that it is snug, but not too tight. Now, subtract five from your measurement. This number is your band size; remember that for later.
Step Two:

Move the tape upward so that it covers the fullest part of your bust. Make sure that the tape is a little loose around your body. Check out your measurement. If you get an odd number, round up. Now, subtract from your band size number.

Step Three:

Now you have your cup size. Your number corresponds to the bra industry’s sizes like this:

AA = less than one inch
A = one inch
B = two inches
C = three inches
D = four inches
E (or DD) = five inches
F (or DDD) = six inches

Now that you’re confident that you have the right bra size, head to your favorite lingerie store and start browsing. You’ve eliminated one of the biggest problems that women face when purchasing these undergarments, so go shop with confidence.

By John Barnes