Support Solutions, with Marianne

Hi Ladies,

First off I would like to apologize for my absence lately!  Things have been just wild (in a good way) in the office, and I have not had a moment to make any posts!

Last week however I received a call from Lorie, who is getting married this summer (I’m so excited that we’re getting into bridal season!) and I just had to make a post about her lesson learned.

Let’s take a step back first.  Lorie started shopping for a foundation (a bodysuit, bustier, etc to wear under your dress) back in January.  She gave me her measurements, described her dress, and pointed out the specific bodyparts that she wanted to control.  Her primary concerns were her tummy, her bottom, and her thighs - and she wanted extra firm control, no sissy stuff!  She described her dress as lightweight, clingy, and strapless.

My recommendation to her was Va Bien Style 1294, which will shape her perfectly in all those areas, and is strapless.  It also features a light touch of lace for a cute fashion look.

Now, back to Lorie’s phone call.  She sounded a bit unhappy on the phone, and told me that although her bust fit perfectly into the bodysuit, the material was bunching up around her tummy.

It turns out that she is 4′11 tall!  Ladies, bodysuits come in bra sizes, and although the length (the “stride” in industry speak) is graded as sizes increase, there is no way for brands to accommodate everyone.  Those of us who are not very tall should stay away from bodysuits and opt to combine a control brief with a supportive bra.  Some control briefs are high waist and can run all the way up to the bra, for the same effect as a bodysuit on a shorter woman.

So, I advised Lorie accordingly - she picked up the control brief and bra - and now she’s happy again and off to her dress fitting.  Good luck to you Lorie!

Best,

Marianne

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Hi Ladies,

I would like to share a question that I received from Linda in Texas. 

Linda called up Va Bien to ask about how its bras fit, since she wisely knows that most brands fit differently.  For example, a 34D in Panache is going to fit differently from a 34D in Victoria’s Secret.

So when Linda considered Va Bien, she wanted some more information before ordering her bra - specifically the ultra-Lift Strapless Style 1506.  In other brands she wears a 34DD, but upon learning that the cups of Va Bien’s strapless bra have a deeper projection than most brands (they are very ‘full’), she decided to try out a 34D.

Here’s the email that she sent me after she received the 34D:

I usually wear a 34DD and this is the first strapless bra that I have ever found that fits and won’t slip down.  I did have to drop to a size 34D but it is perfect.  I am  about to go to your Internet site and order other styles.  I am so  excited!!  Thank you.

 

Linda

So what’s the moral of the story?  Do your homework when trying out a bra from a new brand.  Find out how that brand - and the specific style that you’re interested in - fits compared to the brand that you usually wear.

All the best,

Marianne

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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

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Hi Ladies, this just in from Tania…

Hi Marianne

i am going to be wearing a Chinese Cheongsam (traditional dress) with a low cut back and high slits. It will have built-in bra cups so I won’t need a bra but I would like to still wear something for firm tummy control and smoothness that won’t show up above the low back or on the thighs. I am also concerned with the waistband rolling. What kind of product do you recommend I select? 

Thanks!

- Tania 

Dear Tania,

Sounds like a wonderful outfit!  You must send me a photo!  I recommend a highwaist brief, which can provide roll-down in two different ways.  1) it can have small bones placed vertically from the waistband down, or 2) it can have a nice wide waistband.  In Va Bien these features are found in Va Bien Style 3766 and 1586 respectively.  3766 has small thin bones in the waist area which will prevent rolling.  1586 has no bones but a wide band which will hold you in, plus it also lifts the derriere. The fabric is super comfy microfiber.  If you give me your measurements for hips and waist I can tell you what size to buy in either styles!

All the best,

Marianne

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This just in from Carrie in Orlando:

Dear Marianne…

I just bought a backless dress and I’m not sure what bra to wear under it. Here’s a pic I found online of a dress that has the same style…

I mean I don’t want a bra to show, but I definitely need to be wearing a bra! I’ve tried those stick-on backless bras and don’t really like them… any other options?

Thx in advance! -C

Yes Carrie you do have other options! A lot of bra designers today make convertible bras that go backless. They come with a little elastic band that has a ‘hook’ on one end and an ‘eye’ on the other. Just follow the following 4 quick steps to go backless:

1) Convert the bra’s straps to a halter styling (using just one strap from the top of one cup, around the back of your neck, to the top of the other cup) then unhook the back of the bra

2) Attach the ‘eye’ end of the elastic band into the ‘hook’ end of the bra back

3) Run the band down across your lower back, then around front across your tummy, then back up around your back

4) Attach the ‘hook’ end of the band into the ‘eye’ end of the bra back

Now, not all convertible bra bands are created equal. Some are narrow, some are wide. Some bands are plastic, some are soft elastic.

The convertible bra you buy should have a wide band that’s made of a soft stretchy elastic, like Va Bien Style 1502. If the band is too thin, it will cut into your tummy and cause an unsightly bulge if you are wearing a tight fitting top. Plus it will be uncomfortable! Plastic bands cause this problem too.

Good luck and enjoy your new dress!

Marianne

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Hi Ladies

I got this email in the other day from Dana in New Jersey about finding the right strapless bra…

hi marianne

i have always had a hard time with strapless bras. is there actually one out there that does not droop or slide down?

what do i look for in a strapless?

Well Dana let’s start with the features that a good strapless bra must have. First off, it needs to have a silicone lined back - this stops the bra from sliding down. It also helps if the backs are double-lined with strong stretchy fabric to keep the bra on nice and snug.

Next, you need supportive cups, especially if you are full busted. This is very very important. If the cups are flimsy and you can easilly bend the cup downwards over the underwire, then the bra will not only droop but slide down as well. This should be your test when checking out strapless bras in the store!

Finally, depending on the brand it’s a good rule of thumb with strapless bras to size down in the band and up in the cup. This will make sure that the bra fits nice and tight. You see, bra sizing often ‘cross-grades’ - this means that a 34B may share the same cup as a 32C - so don’t be afraid of trying on a bigger letter size in this case!

I personally recommend the Va Bien Style 1506 to you. It’s called The Perfect Strapless because it hits those important points like silicone lining, a double-layered back, and very supportive bra cups.

The cups are patented with a technology called ultra-Lift, which seals three thin stays (called “Magic Fingers”) between layers of foam inside the cups. If you ever check out a bra or body briefer with ultra-Lift, just give it the test I recommended and try to push the cup over the underwire - you won’t be able to do it! Because of this technology the Girls won’t break over the bra’s frame, and you’ll be Droop-Proof.

All the best,

Marianne

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Hi Ladies,

I received this email from Tennille recently - she’s a bride to be…

Hi there,

I found this gown on The Knot.

 Let me know what shapewear you think is best. Also please remember I am a plus size. Thanks again for all of your help!

That’s a beautiful gown you selected!  The most important function of your shapewear here is to get an hourglass figure.  You will want something that has strong boning inside to keep you sucked in.

Also, the gown is strapless so the best solution for you is a well-made bustier.  It helps with bustiers to have more than one row of hook & eyes so that you can adjust how tight you want it to be.  In Va Bien, I would suggest that you check out Style 523.  It covers all the points that I just mentioned, and it’s very pretty!

Best of luck to you!

Marianne

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Bra sliding down?  Underwire cutting you?  Wardrobe-malfunction-phobia?

All women have a case to solve!

This is the place to solve your innerwear issues by consulting Fit Expert Marianne Gimble.

Marianne on national TV

Marianne co-founded Va Bien - a top name in the world of Intimate Apparel.  She has appeared on TV shows such as EXTRA and Sonoran Living, and holds 30 years of experience in the industry.  She is all about supporting women, so let her help you feel more compfortable in a bra, body briefer, or whatever foundation you need for that new dress!

You can either post a comment to ask a question, or you can email your questions to mg@vabienlingerie.com.

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