Archive for the ‘bra types’ Category

What is a soft cup bra?

August 24th, 2010 by Carissa Rose

Yes, this is a bra post. And those get me in trouble around here. As you may know, I am a bra fanatic and want to have a chain of stores for the D+ woman, but I’m supposed to write about apparel on this blog. Oh well . . .

Soft cup bras are very hard to come by for the full bust woman. I would go so far as to say its a dearth in the marketplace. Below are some viable options:
This is a Novell Bra.  Excellent Support and one can nurse a baby in it as well.  Or exercise in it.

A newcomer from Panache.  I haven’t tried it, but it is very pretty and Panache makes great fitting small band, big cup bras.

This Freya is the one I want to try most since its sister brand, Fantasie, had an excellent soft cup bra several years ago.  I’ m hopeful that this will be close to that one.  We have clients wearing Jeunique Bras as well.

When you are staying home to clean, cook, read, etc. a soft-cup bra is the best choice.

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Posted in bra types | 6 Comments »

Perky, Seamfree (large) Breasts

January 18th, 2010 by Carissa Rose
The last client I fit in a bra (she was really a friend as I’m moving out of bra fitting and into designing more apparel) was a single, thirty year old nurse. I don’t know why I feel the need to give you that background. We fit her in a G/GG/H cup, depending on the brand, with a size 32 back band.

We found a beautiful, but expensive, three part seamed cup bra. But being on a limited budget and given her lifestyle and wardrobe needs we opted for the less expensive t-shirt bra.  Now, as you hopefully know, a seamed bra helps reduce nipple show-through by placing the nipple directly behind the seam. The pressure of the seam facilitates keeping the nipple “under wraps”.

However, without seams women are nervouse of nipples expressing themselves at inopportune times. Thus the client purchased a pair of nipple concealers.

Which just seems like a bunch of work to me. Is Pamela Anderson what we wish to attain? Big, round, perky, smooth and nipplefree boobs? Definitely women think this strategy – seamfree bra coupled with nipple concealers (it cost us about $115 to get out the door that day) is necessary when wearing tight knit tops.
What about you?  Are nipple concealers required to feel confident? For what its worth, I wore a similar thing when nursing my third child, which is probably why I’m not interested in wearing them now. But, then again, I don’t even have a seamfree bra.  I don’t look nor feel good in tight knit tops.
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Posted in bra types, shirts for big busted women | 8 Comments »

Your Bra Wardrobe

October 12th, 2009 by Carissa Rose
We frequently get questions along the lines of “how many bras do I need?” And we’ve seen several of our clients struggle with finding the right balance of bra styles for their wardrobe.

One must compartmentalize one’s wardrobe to find the perfect number of bras. For example, a woman who works long hours in a corporate environ will have different bra needs than a woman who is a nurse by trade and spends most of her free time training for triathalons. We don’t assign certain numbers and styles because its completely dependent on one’s lifestyle.


The example above needs four kinds of bras: lounge/leisure, exercise, softcup for work @ home, and underwire to put her best profile forward out of the house. Similar to different wardrobes for different lifestyles, we need different bras for different lifestyles. In general, for everyday use, good fitting seamed cup bras with a couple of seamless styles added in is the best mix. The example below only needs two kinds of bras: lounge/leisure (this includes sleep) and underwire to put her best profile forward while working.


A) evaluate how you spend your time,

B) have more than enough bras to be well prepared & excited to put on your empowering ‘under armor’ for each of your life’s activities,

C) compartmentalize – decide when you do X activity (work, stay at home, exercise), you will wear either A, B or C bras. Very similar to stylists who take an inventory of your closet and then snap photos of the outfits – each shirt in your closet will ideally be compatible with 2-3 bras in your lingerie drawer. We suggest re-evaluating your bra arsenal once a quarter, especially as bodies and activities change.

What about you? Where are the holes in your bra wardrobe currently? I’ll go first: I want a nude leBreeza sports bra. I need a nude plunge balcony bra – my everyday choice. I saw a great Fantasie sample at a retailer’s event recently, but a sample is a 34D so of course I didn’t even try it!!

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Posted in bra types | 2 Comments »

Elixir de lingerie by Lejaby

September 20th, 2009 by Carissa Rose

I was in Las Vegas a few weeks ago for the apparel and lingerie shows. When I saw this picture at the CurveNV boutique lingerie tradeshow I stopped in my tracks. As you can tell, this model is well endowed, and this bra is beautiful. Elixir de lingerie is a French brand from the makers of Lejaby. Elixir is their full bust brand, as the bras go up to a G (similar to a GG in the double cup sizes) cup.


The Melusine style is even available in a low center front plunge cut, up to an F (again, similar to FF in the double cup sizes) cup.


This peacock blue Cassiope style bra has gorgeous lace, embroidery and colors. If you are wanting a special bra to make you feel especially pretty, this is a good brand for you.

This pretty purple bra is by Lejaby, the parent of Elixir de lingerie, and goes up to an E cup.


And finally I want to show you this swimwear, Rasurel by Lejaby. It too, like Lejaby, only goes up to an E cup (we do have several 30/32E clients it seems) but is quite nice with the retro pucci print.

Not only are these bras good eye candy, I think you will also feel sweet in them. Bras for large breasts needn’t be unattractive. If you have a small band coupled with a big cup, I encourage you to try some of these pretty underpinnings. You’ll be surprised how your entire demeanor is positively affected.

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Posted in bra sizes, bra types | 5 Comments »

Loretta’s Intimates (of Plano)

September 10th, 2009 by Carissa Rose

Undoubtedly, one of the best lingerie stores in the DFW metroplex is Loretta’s Intimates. Not only is Loretta’s my go-to place to purchase my favorite bra styles & brands, but whenever people ask us to refer them to a lingerie store that fits the full bust in Dallas, we send them to Loretta’s.


Loretta’s is a family owned store, celebrating 25 years in the business of fitting women in bras, with the current owner – Karen – being the second generation, while the third generation – Audrey – manages the store on a daily basis. While they fit all sizes accurately, they pride themselves in being full bust specialists.

Loretta’s is a friendly & safe environment where all women are welcome. I have seen them shoo men away from the dressing rooms for the sake of their customer’s privacy and comfort.


Loretta’s truly does have a great selection of bras. I am glad they go above a G cup and am proud of the way they do business. If you need a smaller band/bigger cup they are happy to order one for you. And they reward you for referring your friends. The pictures in this post are just a few of the several styles either my clients or I have purchased from them.

Every swimsuit season I visit Loretta’s as they always carry D+ cup swim separates and one pieces. And soon to arrive is the french lingerie brand Empriente, the cadillac of full bust brands and only available at a few select boutiques.


Karen, Audrey & their staff know that women feel better about themselves when properly supported, and to that end Loretta’s fits women of all shapes and sizes, they have both bras that are accesibly priced and bras that epitomize luxury. Not only am I proud of the Loretta’s team, I am thankful to have such a great resource in my area!

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Posted in bra sizes, bra types, how to fit a bra | 4 Comments »
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