Support Solutions, with Marianne

Hi Ladies,

While most of my bridal posts address brides themselves - or their bridesmaids - I would like to devote this note to the dear mothers out there!  Here are a few tips to help two of the most important wedding guests - the mother of the bride, and of the groom - look their very best on their loved one’s big day:

1. Make sure to select a foundation with supportive bra cups.  It must fit nice and tight.  We don’t want mom pulling on the neckline of her dress throughout the evening.

2. Consider bodysuits or control briefs with double - or triple - paneled front sections.  This will cinch the midsection effectively.

3. Do not size down in firm control styles!  While it may be tempting to size down to cinch an extra inch, this will only result in bulging around the seams and discomfort.

Here’s a Va Bien style that is quite popular among mothers of the bride - it offers great bust support and firm-but-comfortable slimming:

Love you Mom!

Best,

Marianne

6 Responses »

Hi Ladies,

Hope your 2011 has gotten off to a fabulous start.  Seems like mother nature woke up on the wrong side of the bed this year, with typhoons in Australia and ice storms in the US - but as we say in France, “a la guerre comme a la guerre”.

Crazy weather aside, I am always excited this time of year because bridal season is getting into swing.  Here’s an email that I received from Alexa T. in Connecticut, who is looking for some strapless support:

Dear Marianne

I have my dress picked out but not my lingerie. I think I need something really supportive because I’m a G cup and my dress is strapless. Here is a picture of a very similar dress from Vera Wang. Can you help me out?

Cheers

Alexa T., Westport CT

Very pretty dress - leave it to Vera.  With a sweetheart neckline and no straps my thoughts immediately turn to the ultra-Lift Perfect Strapless.  Especially because Alexa is a G cup, she needs serious support to not just look great on her big day but also feel “held in” and confident.  Don’t want any surprises when that bouquet is thrown up in the air.

The bra features patented technology that seals three thin stays inside of each cup.  These stays, made of a very lightweight plastic, provide amazing support and even prevent the bra from sliding down. 

Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy 2011!

Marianne

No Responses »

Hi Ladies,

When most of us think about a day to give thanks in the month of November, we think of Thanksgiving.  But another important holiday on which to give thanks is Veteran’s Day.  This month Va Bien is proud to participate in a wonderful program to serve our troops and their families in honor of Veteran’s Day called “Brides Across America”.

The program is coordinated across a selection of bridal boutiques around the country, each of which generously gives away dozens of wedding dresses to engaged women serving in the military or fiancees of gentlemen serving in the military.  Va Bien is working with these stores to give away foundation garments to accompany the dresses - or if a bride doesn’t want to wear a foundation on her big day, we’re giving away something else that suits her fancy. 

For example, yesterday we gave away a sexy low plunge bodysuit to a fiancee of a brave young man fighting in Afghanastan - she’s going to wear it the evening of the day that he comes home.  Talk about a sight for sore eyes!

For more information on Brides Across America, you can visit their website www.bridesacrossamerica.com

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Best,

Marianne

No Responses »

Hi Ladies,

I received many emails regarding my last post on bridal bustiers - so here’s a bit of follow-up on it, in response to one particular email that came in:

dear marianne

i saw your post last month about fitting bustiers.  i get the part about fitting on the loosest hook, so that i can go to the tighter hooks as i lose weight before the wedding.  however, i’m still having problems finding the right bustier size.  i wear a bra size 36D, so that’s the size i bought my bustier in but it didn’t fit.  it was too tight around the tummy.  i have some lovehandles and whatnot that are keeping me from closing the garment, even on the loosest hook.  help pls!!   –mariella

Let’s first take a moment to consider the differences between a traditional bra and a bustier.  A bra wraps from the upper back around the bust.  (The band measurement of a bra is an indication of that distance, specifically around the top of the bust.)  A bustier however wraps around the entire midsection - and whereas bra bands are made of stretch fabric, the bodice of a bustier is often rigid.

Therefore if you are pear-shaped, much fuller around the midsection than the upper back, you will run into fit issues if you extrapolate out your bustier size from your bra size.  In such cases I suggest moving up one increment in band size - but also down one cup size, because going up in the band will often increase the size of the cup as well.  In Mariella’s case, I would suggest going from 36D to 38C.

Hope that helps!

Best,

Marianne

No Responses »

Hi Ladies,

Hope everyone is having a lovely spring - or autumn for our friends Down Under!  I have been sharing a tip regarding weight loss with many brides-to-be lately, so I thought I’d post it here for everyone to consider.

Every bride wants to look slim on her big day, with a perfect hourglass figure.  That means that she will likely diet quite a bit in the months leading up to her wedding.  I strongly suggest that she considers this weight loss when selecting the foundation garment that she’ll wear under the dress.

If she is fit for her corset, strapless bra - or whatever she chooses to wear - on the tightest hook, or if she chooses a size that is too loose on her, she will run into problems when she loses weight.  The foundation will no longer fit her, and she won’t be able to tighten it enough without a visit to the seamstress.

To solve this issue, I always suggest that brides-to-be get fitted on the last hook and make sure that the foundation fits nice and snug so that as she loses weight, she can simply adjust to the middle or tightest hook.

Best,

Marianne

(Image couresy of nycbeautynews.com)

No Responses »

Hi Ladies,

How about another bridal post?  I received this note recently from “KL” in Miami:

Dear Marianne,

This May I am getting married in a low plunge dress.  I don’t have a picture of my dress itself, but I found this one online that has the same cut:

See how low it is in the front, and how it nips in around the waist?  I am not full figured, but I am not as perfect as the girl in the picture.  How can I slim down a bit around the waist while not showing anything beneath the low plunge cut of the dress??

Thanks so much

I love the cut of that dress.  Traditionally, it was only possible for very slim, small busted women to wear something like that.  Sure, we all lose weight heading into our big day, but sometimes there’s only so much we can do!  Today there is a the perfect solution:  a low plunge body briefer.  They tuck in the tummy and the waist like a traditional body briefer, but feature a “u-wire” in the middle of the neckline that forms a deep “U” - hence the name - allowing the garment to hide under a low cut dress.

Now, there are different low plunge body briefers out there.  You must make sure to shop wisely, because if you find one without the right features, you might be facing a serious impending wardrobe malfunction!  (Think when you throw up the bouquet, or when you’re on the dancefloor)  Here are two features that your low plunge bodysuit must have:

1) An adjustable u-wire.  This is critical because not all women have the same width torso, or the same bust size.  That means that if you buy a style with an in-flexible, non-adjustable u-wire, there’s no guarantee that the “U” will hit you in the right place, and hold you securely.

2) Supportive bra cups.  For obvious reasons, you want the Girls to be held in securely by some extra supportive bra cups.

There is an example from Va Bien that hits both points HERE.

Good luck to you “KL”!

Best,

Marianne

No Responses »

Hi Ladies,

Hope everyone is having as much fun prepping for Thanksgiving as I am!  I ordered my 12lb organic turkey, can’t wait to pick it up on Tuesday!  Now I am just figuring out what kind of dessert to serve!  Speaking of preparation, just around the corner is Bridal Season, and brides everywhere are starting to think about their dress.  Here is a note that I received from one such bride, Kim:

Hi Marianne. I’m getting married next year and am looking for the correct type of bridal undergarment to wear. Here is the dress I’ll be wearing :

What do you recommend? I’m 5′2.5″ tall and wear a cup size of 38D. Thanks in advance!
Kim

Cute dress, isn’t it?  I love the detail around the bust.

The subject of her email to me was “Bridal Shapewear” (she also wrote a comment here) so she is looking to slim down.  For starters, as I have detailed in previous posts here and here, a petite girl such as Kim - standing 5 foot 2.5 inches tall - should consider a bra paired with a control brief.  A bodysuit, and even many bustiers, may be too long for her, and a bra / control brief combination is sure to work.

That said, one of Kim’s top priorities here should be choosing a bra that stays up - especially since she is a full-busted 38D.  Doesn’t her dress look like something that you would typically pull up all night long?  Well let’s give Kim peace of mind on her big day with a strapless bra that will stay up through every dance number. She should make sure that the bra she picks has supportive bra cups, double-lined back panels, and a silicone treatment along those back panels.  These features will keep the bra standing tall.  I have to strongly recommend the ultra-Lift Perfect Strapless Bra from Va Bien - its patented technology truly gives the cups excellent support, keeping the Girls lifted exceptionally well and with great comfort.

Regarding her control brief to pair with the bra, Kim should make sure that she picks a style that does not roll down (see here for tips) and has a high waist to run up to her bra for a smooth seamless look.  Here are some choices from Va Bien.

As a final pointer, she should make sure that the color of her undergarments are nude - this will show through less than white.

Best of luck to you, Kim!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Marianne

No Responses »

Hi Ladies,

Here’s a note from “Allie”, a young bride to be!

Hello,

I was looking for a solution to my wedding lingerie.  This is the dress I will be wearing:

I am (barely) 34B and would like a lot of help in enhancing my bustline.  I have considered a bustier, but my only concern is that I have a long torso and my problem areas are more in the hip and thigh areas.  My stomach is quite flat and my waist is already small, so I’m afraid if I get something that cinches my waist I’ll only be accentuating my larger hips.  Can you suggest something that can accentuate my bust without accentuating my hips while keeping lines hidden for the dress.  The dress is chiffon, but multilayered.

Thank you for your help.

Cute dress, isn’t it?  Let’s first address what seems to be her primary concern: her bust.  A small 34B looking for some extra Va Voom should be thinking about push-up foundations.  She should either look for styles that feature bra cups with pockets that push-up pads can be slipped into (like THIS Va Bien style) or foam cups that have a bump already molded into the shape.  Problem with the latter though is that the bump may not offer the right amount of push-up that she’s looking for.  To get a more customized amount of push-up, she can go for the pockets and slip any size pad inside that she wants - but beware:  too much push-up and her boobs will look like they’re trying to escape out of her dress - always make sure not to pick pads that are too big!

Now, regarding her hips, let’s take a look at her dress.  With multi-layered chiffon, I don’t think she has to worry about them looking big.  That fabric really “drapes” from fairly high up on the waist, and a bustier will not at all make her proportions look awkward.  Plus, since her stomach is already flat, a bustier won’t even cinch her midsection in further, it will simply lay nice and flat on the body.

Best of luck to Allie!

Marianne

No Responses »

Hi Ladies,

This just in from “Amy” who is shopping around for a bustier:

Hello! I am searching for an undergarment for my dress, and I think that a bustier would be the appropriate choice. I am just very unsure about which to choose. I like the look of Va Bien Style 185 and Va Bien Style 6363.  My dress is a size 4 and I will be needing a size 32A bra. I am looking for something that hides under my dress, but that also gives me some kind of lift to my bust (it needs something!). Below is the front  my dress, it is made of chiffon and charmeuse. What do you think??
Thanks for any help

Isn’t Amy’s dress cute?

First off, she has made a great first choice in narrowing down her bridal foundation selection to bustiers.  Her dress is quite narrow around the waist and a bustier is the best thing to slim down for a perfect hourglass figure.  That said, her primary concerns are her bustline and show-through, not her waist.

When you’re shopping for something to “pump up” the Girls, you have two options.  One is to buy a bra/bustier/etc with foam padding already molded into the cups.  The other is to buy a style with pockets inside the cups that let you switch in and out pads of your choice.  (These pads have several pseudonyms, including “cookies”, “cupcakes”, and even “chicken fill-its”!)  The choice with pockets gives you a bit more flexibility, since you can swap in larger or smaller pads depending on how much “umph!” you’re looking for.

As far as show-through goes, your safest bet is to buy something with a smooth bodice and only a touch of lace.  The smoother and flatter it lays to your body, the less it will show through your dress.  Regarding color, although most brides ask for white, many say - and I take stock in this theory - that a flesh toned foundation will hide much better under your dress.  In the end though it’s really all about you and if you want to wear all white on your big day then that’s exactly what you should buy.

I recommended Va Bien style #6363 to Amy, which satisfies the necessities mentioned above.  It trims the waist with firm body panels, has pockets in the cups for push-up pads to be placed, and is nice and smooth on the outside to dissapear under a tight-fitting dress - it only features a touch of lace in the center between the cups.

Best of luck to you, Amy!

Kind regards,

Marianne

One Response »

Hi Ladies!  I received this note from ‘C’ last week and wanted to share it with you….

Hi Marianne. I stumbled upon the Va Bien website while googling for a long torso bustier. My wedding dress (picture attached) is made of double faced satin, so anything that I wear underneath the dress will show if it’s not smooth. So I have a challenging time finding the right bustier.

I live in Portland and 99% of the lingerie stores do not carry long torso bustiers. Most of them come up all the way to right above the belly button. My problem area is between the belly button and my hip. So a short bustier will just accentuate this ‘extra’ tire that I carry around the waist.

I’m interested in buying one of Va Bien’s long torso bustier but not sure which one to purchase. I hope you’ll help me! I don’t know who else to turn to. Please

Thanks so much! I appreciate your time.

C

Sounds like those Portland lingerie boutiques need to step up their game!

Your dress looks absolutely gorgeous, and the concern about your foundation showing through is not a unique one.  Many women today are looking for bustiers that are smooth and invisible under dresses such as yours.

Remember however that the primary function of your bustier is to create a sexy hourglass silhouette.  Unfortunately, many of the bustiers out there today that feature a smooth outer layer do not feature the traditional shapewear features that you will want working for you on your big day.  You deserve it all, so don’t settle for something that’s invisible under your dress but doesn’t shape you properly, or vise versa.

Since you are already looking at Va Bien styles, let me recommend our Style 1503, the Seamless Bustier.  It features not only a seamless microfiber outer layer to make it dissappear under your dress,  but also a hidden inner corset that will totally tame your curves, giving you the perfect shape.  Plus it features our patented ultra-Lift bra cups, which are the ultimate in support for your bust!

All the best,

Marianne

7 Responses »