Archive for February, 2009

Cami Top for the Full Bust

February 22nd, 2009 by Carissa Rose

The camisole is everywhere on the market today, however oftentimes it is a poorly fitting choice for the full bust figure. Invariably there is never enough a) strap to conceal the bra straps, b) cleavage coverage, or c) volume in the bustline, creating the horizontal pull that signals too small.



Panache Lingerie manufactures a cami top with their molded t-shirt bra built into the top. The cami top is one of Panache’s best sellers, and their Porcelain molded t-shirt bra is the number one selling molded cup bra for the well-endowed woman.

Bravissimo, the wonderful UK store, offers many “strappy tops” under their Ovation brand; Panache private labels that brand for them. In the states one can find the cami top at Lions Lair Designs. Many ladies camoflauge their large chests by layering knits upon knits (think tank top, then t-shirt, then sweater/jacket, etc.). The relatively new Yummie Tummie product is a viable layering option, but again, there is not enough volume for the full cups. I tried on the XL Yummie Tummie, and my (small in comparison to others more blessed than I) FFs overflowed the allotted area. If you like to layer and want something to go over the mid-section, the best fitting choice is the Panache Cami Top. Let me know what you think?!
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Trunk Show at Loretta’s Intimates

February 15th, 2009 by Carissa Rose


Last Saturday Bratique Helene had a trunk show at Loretta’s Intimates of Plano, this generationally owned family boutique also has another store in Flower Mound TX. To say the trunk show was a success would be an understatement, as Audrey the manager (and third generation) said, “your shirts were flying out the door”.

Loretta’s is an excellent place to go if looking for lingerie, and they fit all sizes. In fact I have purchased two out of my last three bras from their store. Their website is a breeze to navigate and their shipping is quick and free. The staff at the Plano store – Audrey, Sarah, Katie and Monica, are helpful, kind and knowledgeable too.

Although most of the women who came to the event were wearing unstructured knit tops, it was encouraging that their bustlines were nice and uplifted. We fit women from their 20’s through their 60’s that day, the working single women to the grandmothers, because everyone wants to feel their best in a structured, woven article of clothing (when was the last time you left the house in knit pants and felt put together?). Regrettably I forgot my camera, so didn’t take any before and after pictures. It was a blessing to meet the women, and have the opportunity to get their feedback, which was positive, on our clothing line.

The fit of the line was right on for our target market. At first the women who came to us were incredulous and skeptical, as in “you’ll never get a shirt to fit my bustline” (this especially was the sentiment of the R’s – really endowed’s), but once they had the shirt on it turned to pleasant surprise and astonishment, “OMG, it looks awesome”. From the dressing room we heard women exclaim, “GASP, I have a waist”, and “WOW, look at my back, you can see that its shapely”, etc. etc.

A big thank you to both the great staff at Loretta’s and the beautiful women who participated in the trunk show!

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Picture Perfect

February 8th, 2009 by Carissa Rose


This is a picture of our family with my in-laws celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. I really like this picture and let me tell you why: the WRAP shirt!!! It covers the chest, unlike this picture, where we had to photoshop out the cleavage (husband says I’m reaping all my judgments on my mom for always having cleavage showing when I was growing up). And more than that, I am more than happy with the silhouette of my body in this picture. The wrap shirt fits the bustline and flatters the waistline. I was encouraged to see the shirt photograph so well.

I want you too to experience how great it feels to wear this shirt. From now until Valentine’s Day we are offering a 20% discount on all orders placed by Saturday, February 14 (midnight CST), this includes pieces that aren’t in stock yet, like the wrap shirt in baby pink and the shirtwaist dress. Simply put VAL20% in the comment section on the checkout page during the order process. The discount will show on your credit card, not your Bratique Helene receipt.

Like a client who called saying, “I’m thinking a little structure (in her shirt) is what my body needs to look its best”, we want you to feel both comfortable and confident so you can enjoy yourself on this special occasion. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!!

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Posted in shirts for big busted women | 2 Comments »

Jump in the Water

February 2nd, 2009 by Carissa Rose

It is the beginning of February, definitely still in the middle of winter. However, one can tell the days are lengthening and the scent of swimsuit season is in the air! The upcoming swimsuit season has the lingerie industry all a dither, understandably, its fun to talk about the latest and greatest. This season gives me the opportunity to sing of Lions Lair Designs‘ praises. They are the premier destination for swimwear that fits the full bust woman. The staff at Lions Lair have several things going for them: A) they know the full bust, B) they know swim – they are located on the Floriday Keys, and C) they have excellent customer service.

Bikini:
I hands down recommend Fantasie’s classic full cup bikini top. It gives a great shape and excellent support. Fantasie and Freya have been making bra sized swim separates for years – previously the brand name was Footprints. The bikini tops come in a range of cuts – balcony, triangle, bandeau, padded, etc. As hopefully you know by now I am a stickler for support and shape, thus I stick with the full cup for my bikini tops. Plus I think it gives a little retro shape and I just love that.

On the tankini – which is an American phenom – Lions Lair again stocks several brands to choose from. Surprisingly, Tara Grinna gives better support in their tankini. I say surprisingly because they are not a lingerie manufacturer, but strickly a swimwear manufacturer. The frame of the tankini cup isn’t quite as on-target as the Fantasie/Freya bikini, but it is a great option for more belly coverage (read four large babies).
One piece solutions abound as well, particularly Panache and Anita.

I sound like a broken record even to myself, but, when looking for a swimsuit look for the same things you need in a bra: seaming, coverage, a snug back band, adjustable straps, etc.

I implore the beautiful full bust women reading this blog to realize that she needs a swimsuit with an underwire in it. Do you wear a soft-cup halter bra to work during the day? I laugh at the thought . . . but wearing a soft-cup halter swimsuit gives one the same look; S-A-G-G-Y. The structure-less swimsuit is best left to the person who will be in the water the entire time they are in their swimsuit, they will need the buoyancy to hold up their bustline. For the rest of us, please enjoy the benefits of hardware so you are both comfortable and confident in your swimsuit.

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